2016: A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
A look back at the businesses that moved in, famous faces that visited, accolades won and occasions celebrated at The Shard in 2016.
Only 59,000 sq ft of office space remains at The Shard after a series of new lettings and occupier expansions throughout 2016. Matches Fashion, the global luxury fashion retailer, took space on floors seven and eight, and digital Marketing agency Jellyfish relocated some of the business from Reigate to level 22 of The Shard with a client-focused fit out. A number of existing occupiers took additional space, including Duff & Phelps making The Shard their biggest European base. Further lettings to Dod's (Group) Plc, a specialist political publishing house, Tabcorp, an Australian wagering business and Kraft Heinz the global food products supplier took place throughout the year.
The Shard offices are now home to 28 companies across ten different business sectors.
VERTICAL CITY ACHIEVEMENTS
• HCA Healthcare UK opened a new Outpatients and Diagnostics Centre at The Shard on 1 February. Offering quick, convenient and flexible access to world-class healthcare, the facility can accommodate up to 600 patients a day, both self-paying and insured.
• The Shard was voted number five in the world by readers and architects in the Raconteur Most Beautiful Building survey.
• The Shard was certified as one of the best buildings in the UK for broadband and telecoms infrastructure after being awarded a Platinum rating, the highest possible level achievable by international connectivity accreditor WiredScore.
• The Shard fulfils and surpasses its S106 local employment target through its partnership with GoodPeople. Since forming in 2013, the GoodPeople connect partnership has assisted the employment of 447 previously unemployed Southwark residents.
• Oblix were voted as one of the top 10 ‘Best International Restaurant Bar’ at the ‘Tales of The Cocktail 2016’ awards in New Orleans, gained 23rd Place in Square Meal’s 100 Top Restaurant in London and were one of Forbes top five ‘Best Restaurants with view in London’.
CELEBRATIONS AT THE SHARD
The Queens 90th birthday was celebrated in April at The Shard’s Shangri-La Hotel. To mark the historic milestone a Royal Afternoon Tea was held in TĪNG Lounge, a celebratory cocktail made with the Queen’s favourite spirits were on offer in the hotel’s destination bar GŎNG and an original range of hand-made ‘Royal’ chocolates were sold in LÁNG.
Roald Dahl's 100th anniversary was marked from July to September at aqua shard by creating a menu that captured his ‘pure imagination’ along with his fascination of food. The storyteller’s menu was presented in an edible book with afternoon tea served in Charlie’s Great Glass Elevator.
The View from The Shard commemorated the 350th anniversary of Great Fire of London with a number of special events and tours which pointed out key London landmarks affected by the fire.
New Year’s Day was welcomed by a signature Shard Lights display. The Shard Lights installation illuminated the London skyline after dusk each day from 12th December.
FAMOUS VISITS
HRH The Duke of Cambridge delivered a speech to raise awareness of the plight of Africa’s wildlife from The View from The Shard for a #Tusk4Change event.
Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock demonstrated his pommel horse skills at The View from The Shard on a visit with fellow Olympic medallists Nile Wilson, Amy Tinkler and trampolinist Bryony Page to promote the World Cup of Gymnastics in April 2017.
Sir David Attenborough filmed his final address for the hit TV documentary series Planet Earth II from the very top of The Shard. The naturist and broadcaster also collaborated with Timothy Hatton Architects to create a nine-meter cascading installation for aqua shard’s annual festive decorations.
LONDON BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT
London Bridge is evolving. A number of developments have made significant progress in 2016 which looks to improve the burgeoning business and cultural hub.
• Science Gallery London started building works started at Boland House in April. The new space where art and science collide with exhibitions, studios and performances, as well as a new café overlooking the courtyard, will open in 2018.
• In August the first two-thirds of the new London Bridge station concourse opened. At 179 years old London Bridge station is the capital’s oldest surviving rail terminus. Development works are due to complete in 2018.
• In October, Guy’s Hospital opened the new £160 million Cancer Centre which brings together most treatments offered by the trust under one roof. Guy’s Cancer currently treat 6,500 each year and the Cancer Centre was designed with their opinions in mind to benefit them in the best possible way.
