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This is the London panorama you will be able to see in 2012 — from the viewing galleries of the tallest building in western Europe.
The developers behind the “Shard of Glass” at London Bridge have created a series of images showing how the city will look from the public galleries 880 feet above sea level.
This will be the highest publicly accessible observation point in the capital. Work on the £2 billion Shard began this year. Designer Renzo Piano said the shape was inspired by London's 16th-century churches and sails of tall ships.
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The 1,016ft building's 100 levels will contain offices, flats, a hotel and restaurants. The developers claim it “will herald a new era in high-rise development”. The viewing galleries on floors 68, 69 and 72 offer a vantage point at almost twice the height of the London Eye.
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An “indoor/outdoor” deck will partially expose visitors to the elements, while all galleries have 360° views and the South Downs will be visible on a clear day.
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James Sellar, chief executive of Sellar Property Group said: “The Shard is set to become one of the most significant additions to the London skyline in decades.”
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Reader views (28)
Bring it on and more like it.Fantastic building.i noticed the wet leaflet wavers hanging around Chelsea last week,winging about the new Chelsea build.I take it the had never set foot it that eye sore of a Barracks!MOVE ON
- Selwyn Channon, epsom, 26/05/2009 07:22
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London always looks good no matter the height from which it is viewed. I was happy with the view from the dome at St Paul's. Well worth the climb. There was really no need to build a 1000ft high building to get a better view but thank you anyway.
- David Jones, Sydney Australia, 24/05/2009 11:06
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Wow the views look great - but such a large cost to build is a waste of money. Is such a tall building safe after what happened with 9-11 in usa?
- M.P, Herts, Uk, 23/05/2009 22:29
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Its been said of Paris that it is capable of accommodating amazing modernist architecture every few decades - Eiffel Tower, Pompidou Centre, La Defense....and London is more than capable of the same.
- Dd, Auckland, NZ, 23/05/2009 10:05
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That means that in 2012 London will have a building almost as tall as the buildings erected in New York City in the 1930s.
Strange that your newspaper gave the height of such a modern structure in medieval units rather than metres.
I wouldn't be surprised if Prince Charles insists it gets a thatched roof.
- Cliff Steele, Melbourne australia, 23/05/2009 09:09
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Is there anything more you can think of to spend our money on while I and many more struggle along on a measly state pension,your turn will come my friend!!!
- David., Chertsey.UK., 22/05/2009 17:41
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Tower blocks full of yuppie flats and shops are not 'beautiful' Steve. We had a former Mayor who had delusions that London should be like Dubai with no respect for history and he has ruined London for generations to come by approving these ugly lumps of glass in the pursuit of destroying beautiful old streets and buildings. Why isn't this tower in Canary Wharf with the rest of them? What purpose does this building have in a time when offices are shutting across the capital? How are the people going to get to this tower on our already overcrowded transport? All these questions need answers.
- Frank, London, 22/05/2009 17:15
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The term 'Iconic architecture' is often inappropriately applied but in this case it is surely deserved.
There is something inspiring uplifting and elegant about the lines. A new landmark for London that will pinpoint the axis of the river and city.
How timely it is to start such a project which will creat jobs through this recession and reward us with something beautiful to mark the 2012 Olympics.
The regeneration at ground level around and through London Bridge is long overdue and will benifit many commuters and those living and working in the area.
Well done!
- Steve, London,UK, 22/05/2009 16:50
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Yeah, still can't get over how I became a legal translator "without bothering to learn the language". BTW, what languages are these "whinging Poms" speaking when they arrive in Australia?
- Richard, Madrid, Spain, 22/05/2009 16:22
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Kimberley - in what way is this a publically funded Olympic project? I think the date is merely when the building will be complete
- Tom, The City, 22/05/2009 16:07
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As a Scot who has spent lots of time in London it is one of the greatest cities in the world Madrid and Barcelona compare favourably with Birmingham and other mid ranked cities but London is in a completely different league. Like you Neil I find it pathetic the whinging poms as Australians call them who can't whinge in their adopted country because they haven’t' bothered to learn the language but feel the need to subject us to their negative comments.
- Finlay Mcmillan, Montreal Canada, 22/05/2009 15:33
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I lived in Madrid for four years. It is a nice city but now I am back in London and I brought my Spanish girlfriend with me.
I love the Shard and what it will do to that area of London.
- Tony C, London, 22/05/2009 14:58
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More money being wasted on rubbish for the 2012 olympics when will it stop?
- Kimberley, London, 22/05/2009 14:24
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i think you both need to get a room
- Seenuthere, waterloo, 22/05/2009 14:17
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My dear Richard. You dig deeper with every comment. Do hush.
- Gail Renard, Florida, USA, 22/05/2009 14:13
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Bye Richard!!!!!!!!!
So negative never a positive view of the future expressed.
You may be in another country but you are still being very 'British'!
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world, 22/05/2009 13:57
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I've always said it from the plane when landing.London is one ugly,dirty City and its inhabitants are filth.
- Steve, London, 22/05/2009 13:43
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Spectacular!
- Martin Edwards, London, 22/05/2009 13:33
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Neil, London - "I am sure I am not the only one to say that I am happy you left."
You appear to be in a majority of one, not that I could care less whether you're happy I left or not.
- "If Spain was so great you wouldn't be so utterly depressing and need to submit such dreary comments."
For your information, I've had plenty of opportunity to move back. Actually, it is great here compared with London, for starters I don't have to put up with the opinions of pompous, supercilious individuals like your good self.
- Richard, Madrid, Spain, 22/05/2009 13:09
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Richard, Madrid???, I am sure I am not the only one to say that I am happy you left. If Spain was so great you wouldn't be so utterly depressing and need to submit such dreary comments. You have my pity - try smiling once in a while.
Shard of glass will be a fantastic addition to the London Bridge area the contrast between Borough Market to this development will be incredible and a real credit to London
- Neil, London, 22/05/2009 12:26
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The best panoramic view of London was the one I had from the window the the plane, when I emigrated in 2004.
- Richard, Madrid, Spain, 22/05/2009 11:49
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Can't wait to see this built it's simply stunning.
An iconc building.
- N Grinsell, London, 22/05/2009 11:48
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This will one of the best skyscrapers in the world, and right here in London! It's great that it'll be finished in time for the Olympics. We need more iconic buildings like this rather than the usual stubby blocks we seem to get.
- Mandycake, Wimbledon, 22/05/2009 11:44
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inspiring, uplifting, fascinating, futuristic
- Dd, Auckland, NZ, 22/05/2009 11:32
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Does any body know why the former Post office/ Telecom tower revolving restaurant and viewing gallery hasn't been reopened? It'd make a fortune during the 2012 olympics.
- Richard Meredith, huntingdon, 22/05/2009 11:01
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I thought Boris said he was going to ban tower blocks in London?
- Frank, London, 22/05/2009 10:31
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This building is going to be an icon for London, our own Eifel Tower. An absolute beauty.
- Nick, London, 22/05/2009 10:21
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This building is going to be a MONSTROSITY and totally out of keeping with London's scale. It will ruin views across the city. Why are we allowing it to be built???
- Robert C, London UK, 22/05/2009 10:05
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