The Shard

The Shard is also known as the Shard of Glass and it is a 72 storey skyscraper. It was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, in fact, it is 309.6 metres high and the seventh tallest building in Europe. It replaced Southwark Tower, a 24 storey office block built in 1975. The Shard’s construction began in March 2009, it was completed on 30 March 2012 and inaugurated on 5 July 2012. The view from the Shard, was opened to the public on 1st February 2013. The glass pyramidal tower has 72 habitable floors, so level 72 is the highest habitable floor. with an open air observation deck. It is a vertical city where people live, work and relax and it's the UK’s highest viewing gallery.

GABRIELE ITALIANO