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THE SHARD

A VERTICAL CITY

The Shard was conceived as a building with multiple uses: a vertical city where people could live, work and relax. It comprises world-class offices, award-winning restaurants, the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, exclusive residences and the UK’s highest viewing gallery, The View from The Shard, offering 360-degree views. Well-connected and comprehensively serviced by central London's transport infrastructure, facilities and amenities, The Shard is a timeless reminder of the power of imagination to inspire change.

The Shard is not simply an iconic building but represents a new approach to expanding the urban landscape. Offices, residences and public spaces alike are all taken skyward

From the beginning, Renzo Piano and Irvine Sellar had an idea of The Shard as ‘a vital place of interchange’. The architect said, ‘This is my vision: I foresee the tower as a ‘Vertical City’, for thousands of people to work in and enjoy, and for millions to take to their hearts.’

The Shard takes the concept of a mixed use building to new heights, in every sense. Its position at one of London’s most important transport hubs offered a great opportunity. Before construction began, Piano said, ‘It was clear this tower was sitting in the centre of a crossing system of different transportation. So, it was typical of work we have done in the past about brownfields – how to intensify life in the city: growth from the inside. It provided an excellent occasion to show that you could provide life in a city without increasing the traffic – by using public transportation.’ And using that excellent connectivity, a range of different people is drawn to the ‘Vertical City’s’ contrasting elements – with an emphasis on public access, at ground level, at mid-level in its bars and restaurants, and to the observation deck at the summit.

THE HISTORY

REALISING THE VISION

Irvine Sellar, The Shard’s developer and joint owner, had an ambitious vision to create an architecturally striking vertical city incorporating retail, offices, hotel, apartments, restaurants and a public viewing gallery.

From level 2 to level 28, inspiring office space creates a community in which to work, that will enhance occupiers’ creativity, efficiency and productivity. Award-winning restaurants and bars on levels 31, 32 and 33 offer destination dining with the most stunning views in Europe, attracting customers from London and beyond. Similarly, the world-class Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard on levels 34 to 52 is a five-star home from home with an unmatched position in the heart of one of the great global capitals.

Between levels 53 and 65, private residences occupy the most prominent address in London and are the highest homes in the UK.

But above that is another public space: the UK’s most exciting attraction for foreign tourists, visitors from around Britain and Londoners alike – a viewing gallery offering a 360° panorama for 40 miles in every direction, and appropriately named The View from The Shard. And from the summit of The Shard, it is clear how this ‘Vertical City’ has emerged from a mere one-acre site to become the hoped-for beacon of vitality and connection.

A VERTICALCITY

SHARD FACTS

The Shard is 309.6 metres, or 1,016 feet, high and is Western Europe's tallest building. 

It is 95 storeys tall, with level 72 the highest habitable floor.

The building is served by 36 lifts, some of which are double-decker.

Its exterior is covered by 11,000 glass panels - equivalent in area to eight football pitches or two and a half Trafalgar Squares.

The length of wiring in the building, 320km or 200 miles, would stretch from London to Paris.

At the busiest point during its construction, 1,450 workers from 60 countries were helping to build The Shard.

Lifts in The Shard travel at speeds of up to 6 metres a second.

The number of people allowed within the building is just over 9,500 people.

In common with other tower buildings, The Shard can move to a minimal extent, and designed to move up to 300-400mm at wind levels reached once every 50 years.

On a clear day you can see for 40 miles or 64 kilometers.

A fox was found on the 72nd floor towards the end of construction. The fox, which was nicknamed Romeo by staff, is believed to have survived on food left by construction workers.

The Shard

A Vertical City

The Viewing Gallery

From floors 68-72, and 244m above the city, The View from The Shard offers visitors unobstructed 360-degree, 40-mile views across the London skyline and beyond. After opening in February 2013, it welcomed 1 million guests in its first year.
Connected

The Location

London Underground

Jubilee Line: Bond Street (9 mins) and Canary Wharf Station (6 mins)
Northern Line: Bank and Moorgate Stations (3 mins)

National Rail

Direct routes to Cambridge, Bedford and Peterborough
Direct routes to Brighton and the South

International

Gatwick Airport (30 mins) Direct line to St Pancras
International with Eurostar routes to mainland Europe
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

The Shard

ENTRANCE 1

THE SHARD OFFICE RECEPTION

32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG

[email protected]

ENTRANCE 2

VIEWING GALLERY

Level 68, 69, 72

The Shard, Joiner Street, London SE1 9QU

+44(0)84 4499 7111

www.theviewfromtheshard.com

ENTRANCE 3

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL

(INCLUDING TING, GONG, SKY LOUNGE & BAR31)

Level 34-52

The Shard, St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU

+44(0)20 3102 3704

www.shangri-la.com/london

ENTRANCE 4

AQUA SHARD

Level 31

The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

+44(0)20 3011 1256

[email protected]

OBLIX

Level 32

The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

+44(0)20 7268 6700

[email protected]

HUTONG

Level 33

The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

+44(0)20 3011 1257

[email protected]

ENTRANCE 5

HCA HEALTHCARE UK

32 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9BS

+44 20 3993 4695

www.hcahealthcare.co.uk

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