The Shard is the London skyscraper completed in 2012 and known for its distinctive wedge-shaped design.
The building rises beside London Bridge station in Southwark and reaches 309.6 metres, making it the tallest building in the United Kingdom. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the tower, which was developed by Sellar Property in partnership with the State of Qatar. Construction began in 2009, and the building opened in February 2013 after completion in 2012.
The Shard is a mixed-use property rather than a conventional office tower. It contains offices, restaurants, the Shangri-La Hotel, residences, and public viewing areas. Its exterior is formed by angled glass “shards,” which inspired the building’s name and create the impression that the tower dissolves into the sky.
The Shard is often confused with 30 St Mary Axe, popularly called the Gherkin. Both are prominent London skyscrapers, but the Gherkin is shorter and has a rounded, aerodynamic form. One Canada Square was once London’s tallest building before The Shard surpassed it.