Shard London Bridge

Encyclopedia : S : SH : SHA : Shard London Bridge

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This article or section contains information about expected future buildings or structures. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the building approaches completion.

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The Shard London Bridge — formerly known as London Bridge Tower and Shard of Glass — is an approved skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano for a site in London, on the Southwark side of London Bridge, next to London Bridge station at 32 London Bridge Street. It would replace a twenty-four storey building, Southwark Towers, which was completed in 1976. The tower will be 310 metres (1016 feet) tall and have 72 floors. It was granted planning permission in November 2003.

When it was first announced, it was hoped that it would be the tallest building in Europe on completion. This will not be the case, however, as there is a 1115ft building already under construction in Moscow. Another huge skyscraper, the Bishopsgate Tower, was recently submitted for planning permission in London and was originally proposed to exceed the height of the Shard by a metre. However, the scheduled height of the Bishopsgate Tower has now been reduced, making the Shard set to become the tallest building in London (and in Britain) once again.

Construction was expected to begin in 2005, with completion in 2009. However in 2004, the company PricewaterhouseCoopers, who hold a long-term lease on Southwark Towers, decided that they were not willing to vacate before 2006. This pushed the potential completion date back to the end of 2010. Actual demolition of the current Southwark towers takes place in late 2006 and early 2007 ready in time for the tower to start construction in summer 2007 and ready for completion by the end of 2010.

The building project will also involve major improvements to the concourse and facilities of London Bridge station. It will include shops, offices and flats as well as a museum and a public piazza. A hotel, to be operated by Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts as their first European location, is expected to take up around a fifth of the available space. The developers are also hoping to obtain a pre-let for a large section of the office space.

Another notable feature of the building will be a public viewing gallery at the top. None of London's skyscrapers are currently open to the public.

External links

• [Official website]
• [Skyscrapernews.com page on the London Bridge Tower]
• ['Shard of glass' set to join London skyline] (The Guardian, 19 November 2003)

 

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