The Shard
The Shard is a famous 72-storey skyscraper, which was even the tallest building in Europe in 2011 and 2012. However, it is still the tallest building in the United Kingdom (not counting the tower of the Emley Moore broadcasting station) and the seventh tallest building on the European continent.
The construction proceeded very quickly, after the beginning in 2009 it was already finished in 2012. The Shard serves primarily as office space, but there are also restaurants, a five-star hotel and luxury apartments, as well as galleries.
technical parameters The Shard
| Name | The Shard |
| Alternative names | Shard of Glass, Shard London Bridge |
| Construction started | March 2009 |
| Completed | July 2012 |
| Opening | 1 February 2013 |
| Location | London, England, UK |
| Owner |
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| Cost | ~£435,023,452 (contract cost) |
| Architectural height | 309.6 m (1,016 ft) |
| Observatory height | 244 m (801 ft) |
| Floor area | 398,490 m2 (4,289,300 sq ft) |
| Floor count | 95 (72 habitable) |
| Architect | Renzo Piano |
| Main contractor | Mace |
The Shard
