Also known as: The Shard of Glass Formerly: London Bridge Tower Built: 2009-2012 Cost: £425,000,000 Designed by: Renzo Piano Type: Skyscraper Stories: 70 Maximum Height: 1,017 feet / 310 meters Location: 32 London Bridge Street, London, United Kingdom
F ew large projects in London are built without controversy, and Shard London Bridge is no exception. Having Europe's tallest skyscraper in London wasn't the problem. It was just that many people didn't want to see it. Though Europe was a leader in creative architecture and skyline transformation in the late 20th century, by 2000 China had taken over that title, and the Europeans wanted skylines they felt were more classic, human, and European.
When it was first announced, plans called for a 1,200 foot tall £600,000,000 tower with 87 stories. The September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and elsewhere led the designers to put together a new plan. This one called for a smaller tower with faster escape routes and greater stability.
In spite of the fact that it retained its graceful shape, it was labeled "the shard of glass" by those who believed the modern skyscraper would tear a cultural gash across the London skyline by hiding views of Saint Paul's Cathedral. English Heritage complained that the skyscraper would be visible from the Tower of London, and that it would visually overpower the cathedral as well. Those fears were at least partially allayed by the Commission for Architecture and the Build Environment which said the tower would become an icon for the city, and not cause harm to the visual fabric of London.
How true those fears become will remain to be seen. For now, the drawings of the project do, indeed, depict a tower that pierces the sky, rather than maintaining the flat roofs and domes of other nearby structures. The building tapers as it gets higher, ending with an observation level topped by more levels of building mechanics.
Unlike most skyscrapers that feature a steel frame on a concrete base, this one uses a steel frame on the lower office floors and a concrete frame for the upper hotel and residential floors. The steel allows for longer column-free spans in office areas. And the concrete helps with soundproofing living areas. Having weighty concrete up high also offers a greater measure of wind resistance.
The building is to be covered with what the designers call "extra white" glass, which will reflect the sky more than most traditional skyscrapers. In effect, the upper levels will disappear in certain weather conditions. Moreover, as the light changes from season to season, so too will the appearance of the tower change.
Developer: Sellar Property Group
Architect: Renzo Piano
Associate architecture firm: Adamson Associates
At the time of completion, this will become Europe's tallest building.
The building was designed with 39 elevators, 11 of them double-deckers.
March, 2001: A planning application for this building was submitted to the London Borough of Southwark.
March, 2002: Both the Southward Borough and Ken Livingstone, then Mayor of London, gave their support to the project.
July, 2002: The Deputy Prime Minister put the planning application on hold so that a public inquiry could be launched into the impact the building would have on the city.
April, 2003: A public inquiry began into the construction of this building, allowing people to voice their concerns about its potential impact on the city.
November 19, 2003: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister gave the developers planning permission, a key step in moving the building from drawing board to reality.
August, 2007: The Times of London reported that the building would be delayed at least a year because of financial difficulties.
April, 2008: The Southwark Towers were demolished to make way for this building.
February, 2009: Construction began.
March 16, 2009: Official date of construction start.
May, 2012: Anticipated completion date.
English Heritage criticized the plan at the outset dismissing London Bridge Tower as "a shard of glass." The name stuck and was eventually adopted as the building' official name.
The top of the building is a giant radiator to give off excess heat and reduce the need for traditional air conditioning.
Andrew Inglis
Monday, March 8th, 2010 @ 7:30am
Rating: One star. What happens when there is a fire above the seventh floor ? If the tower disappears in certain light conditions won't planes crash into it ? London is a horizontal not a vertical city . In the photograph , the Shard dwarfs Sothwark Cathedral . This speaks volumes about current materialism being dominant over spiritual values .
Brian
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 @ 7:51am
Rating: Five stars. I am very proud to say that I have family working on this project from the Canadian side.
Martin Roche
Friday, December 25th, 2009 @ 4:33am
Rating: One star. In my opinion, It is very ugly and unsophisticated, and an insult to the skyline of London
andrew
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 @ 1:59pm
Rating: Five stars. Great looking tower for the world's greatest city!
Abel.De Souza
Saturday, December 12th, 2009 @ 4:15pm
Rating: Five stars. I think this building is going to be the best thing that has happened in London - "A true beacon of Light" I pass this site every morning and am amazed at it's progress. I have been taking pictures – I’m sure these will be priceless – I am proud to be a Londoner..
Matt
Friday, December 4th, 2009 @ 3:17pm
Rating: Four stars. People who are saying that this does not look right for London clearly don't know London very well. This is located in the financial district - where I work - and is appropriate for that area. All London high-rises are located in these business areas such as The City and Canary Wharf where they are in context of their environment. London is not a city like many of its smaller European neighbours that one smallish centralised 'city centre' - it is sprawling with many different areas. The West End for example - the more touristy traditional part of London (Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace etc) - practically has no tall buildings and none in the City or Canary Wharf can be seen from there. This building is in keeping with the requirements and architecture of this primarily business area and I for one think it’s great that we can have a city that has amazing historical architecture in the most part but buildings such as this where appropriate in the business districts which, for people who clearly do not know London, are separate. There is no reason we cannot do both.
Jon
Sunday, October 11th, 2009 @ 11:08am
Rating: Five stars. This is a fantastic building,and will start to rise above ground in the next couple of months.Those who oppose this oppose the future,evolution etc....and/or are jealous!
Tom
Monday, October 5th, 2009 @ 3:50pm
Rating: Five stars. I think thi design is an extrodinary asset to the london skyline it will certainly bring london up to date with other major cities for once londons becoming modern BRILLIANT!
Brent Kampert
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 @ 5:29pm
Rating: Five stars. This will be a new symbol for London's Skyline. A Dynamic skyscraper for a futuristic city.
A Richardson
Saturday, August 15th, 2009 @ 7:57pm
How to destroy the unique heritage of London and make it into a second rate copy of Abu Dhabi. It seems the philistines are in charge, and money is all that counts.
Seiichi Mano
Friday, August 14th, 2009 @ 4:20pm
Fantastic! Europe needs more of these buildings.
Lynda Bullock
Sunday, August 9th, 2009 @ 10:10am
Rating: Four stars. As someone who visits London only occasionally, I think it currently has one of the most amazing skylines. The mix of old and new is stunning and I think the Shard of Glass will be a spectacular addition.
Daniel
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 @ 9:37am
Rating: One star. As someone who has worked on Borough High Road, next to such great attractions as London Bridge, Borough Market and the Theatre land alongside the river, one has to say that this is a complete nightmare and god knows how they got planning permission for it. The shadow that it casts across these historic places is horrendous and personally I would like to see this building axed.
Seiichi Mano
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 @ 1:29pm
Rating: Five stars. This building boggles the mind. I love it. We need something similar in Tokyo.
Imraan
Thursday, March 19th, 2009 @ 7:49pm
Rating: Five stars. The tower looks amazaing and it is a shame more stunning towers have not sprung up in other parts of london - it is ridiculous to limit the height on skyscrapers - we should be leading the way = buildings like this provide a positive message to the world
Suzanne Tomlinson
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 @ 6:20pm
Rating: Five stars. Go for it London. I think it's fab! Just what we need and a few more as well to bring us in line with the other world class cities like New York. I love my Country but not it's politics and Government but they have got it right if they build this tower...definitely give my thumbs up to this sleek baby.
tom
Monday, November 10th, 2008 @ 11:49am
Rating: Four stars. the structyure is ok, but why is it on the southbank, it looks abit odd just randomly placed, i think it should have some smaller, varied, skyscrapers around it otherwise it just looks ridiculous.
alex
Sunday, September 14th, 2008 @ 3:59pm
OMG looks so cool, i wish they had it in manchester, england where i liv :P, at least we hav beetham tower manchester :)
himanshu
Sunday, September 14th, 2008 @ 9:58am
Rating: Four stars. It is a mindblowing architect it just look wonder full i must say as we say in punjabi "chak te fatte"
navi
Saturday, September 13th, 2008 @ 3:18am
Rating: Four stars. it'a lovely and a beauty full arcitect and it has alovely look
Beth
Saturday, July 26th, 2008 @ 2:12pm
Rating: Five stars. Amazing! More skyscrapers like these are needed to evolve London's skyline and prove that we can do classic architecture as well as these modern wonders!Keep them coming! And keep making them taller! We're the financial capital of the world after all, LET'S SHOW IT!
E.Erhuero
Friday, July 4th, 2008 @ 10:41am
Rating: Five stars. It is time to move on London needs such a building so the world will know that London has a modern side to it!
martin
Sunday, June 1st, 2008 @ 11:22am
Rating: One star. London requires more 12/14 level groundscrapers. not a building such as the shard. this is London remember not a fancy foriegn city.
David
Saturday, May 31st, 2008 @ 10:47am
Rating: Five stars. I love this building. A 21st Century icon, which will be a wonderful landmark for London and even the UK. With 40 towers proposed, Approved or Under Construction in Canary Wharf, and about a dozen around the City of London underway or approved, London will be absolutely fantastic come 2012 and beyond!
sivaraman.c
Monday, May 26th, 2008 @ 2:10am
Rating: Five stars. London needs more high rise near transport hubs including lots of residential space. There are several other landmark buildings all being stalled for one reason or another. I must admit, this and the other buildings planned for City make Canary WHarf look a bit bland and unimaginative,all the best...
Biswa Raj
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 @ 4:42am
Rating: Four stars. London has great architecture from every era. I think it should have one for this era, for future generations to admire. There need more improvement.
jamie rigby
Friday, March 14th, 2008 @ 9:18am
Rating: Five stars. London is a famous international city.Its the 21 century london needs a proper skyline like american cities do filled with skyscrapers to make it much more exciting like New York
Chris Walker
Thursday, March 13th, 2008 @ 4:40am
Rating: Three stars. I do actually quite like this tower.. but it's not suited for London. We need to preserve and create traditional architecture, instead of further scarring London with 'futuristic' 'innovative'buildings. Haven't we learn from the 60s and 70s that basically all modern buildings are a mistake? Either build it in Canary Wharf, or not at all- CLASSICAL/TRADTIONAL architecture is the way!
Joseph
Thursday, February 28th, 2008 @ 3:58pm
Rating: Four stars. I love the design, and the idea of building a London Skyline. But a building should be an extension of its environment. So this building should be in Canary wharf. It would look fitting next to other tall skyscrapers, but it looks out of place on its own. But I do like the design, and I appreciate what they are trying to do. Perhaps we could get more buildings like this outside of London, in cities such as Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Jake
Thursday, January 17th, 2008 @ 5:27am
Rating: Three stars. A really nice building. but look at the energy crisis in all of this. london is a great city with lots of history. we dont need another fantastic city turned into another new york or shanghai using tons of energy just to waste it. overall i like the building but i hope that we dont have to have lots of building like this in london because afterall london is extremely historic and deserves its rights to keep its most precious memories!
Jesper Björnstedt-Qvarsell
Monday, December 31st, 2007 @ 9:18am
Rating: One star. Oh my dear! The Gurkin is ugly already! London is a poor looking town and doesn't need more child like architecture. To bad England and London don't have more confidence in them self than these projects show.
Luzia Santos
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 @ 10:49am
Rating: One star. England doesn't need to look futuristic to attract the appreciation of others around the world. It is a nice building... but its just like every other skyscraper out there. The competition will never end and pretty soon cities will lose its unique attributes. This is not what England should strive for.
connor weller banks
Friday, December 7th, 2007 @ 7:27am
Rating: Five stars. an amazing idea defiantly going to attract more people to come to london
tashia
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 @ 10:38am
Rating: Five stars. It an amazing peice of artwork and it is so beautiful at night when the lights hit it
Mikhail
Monday, December 3rd, 2007 @ 10:05pm
Rating: Four stars. Think, it's not bad - much better then some dull 1950-70 blocks in the City and Southwark. If you really want to unblock the St Paul's, just clear the space between the cathedral and the river. Nothing to do with the powerful spire on the other side.
Muhammad adeel
Monday, November 12th, 2007 @ 11:06am
Rating: Three stars. am adeel from pakistan and this is your very beautifull tower and buldings i prayer for god.god bless your country tower bulldings and all people.
oksana
Sunday, October 28th, 2007 @ 3:58pm
Rating: Five stars. Really great building! But it would look better at City of London, not Southwark!
Jake
Monday, August 27th, 2007 @ 10:35pm
Rating: Five stars. from era to era london always will make great architects
JasonA
Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 @ 5:09pm
Rating: Five stars. I quite like this, at the moment London is lacking in tall structures/ skyscrapers and we have let the rest of the world surpass us! Its ashame it wasn't any taller!
Stephen Fletcher
Monday, July 23rd, 2007 @ 6:14am
Rating: One star. It looks ok if you were standing in an American city. Cities with tall buildings of glass and steel are just boring to me. Everyone just gets used to them and never, after a while stare at them in awe like the beautiful masterpieces London already has. London desrves better. This building in 50 years will look just like the nightmares the Architects of the 60's and 70's produced. Just awful.
Travis
Monday, June 25th, 2007 @ 8:09am
Rating: One star. it reminds me of what everyone in 1954 thought the future might look like... its an absolute outdated vision of the future.
Wytze Wolthuizen
Friday, June 22nd, 2007 @ 6:04am
Rating: Five stars. I think the design is brilliant and that there should be more buildings like this in London and other major cities
kaisari
Thursday, May 24th, 2007 @ 10:22pm
Rating: Three stars. Good job London! This is the 21st century. London has always been one of world's greatest cities. It is important to keep up with the fast changing world. Great design. You should have kept the 87 floors.
opeyemi ojo
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 11:54am
Rating: Five stars. whaoh!!!this is a great piece of architectural edifice from a genius.watch out! this is amidst the best in 100years to come.thanks for thinking the unusual out for this generation and generations to come, to cherish and admire.
Allen
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 @ 2:30am
Rating: One star. This is an atrocious, hideous subversion of the London skyline. Building new things simply to look futuristic is a perverse way to impose ugliness in the name of progress. London does not need this montrosity.
Michael Chambers
Monday, May 7th, 2007 @ 9:07am
Rating: Five stars. It's a shame it can't be a bit taller but everything else is spot on. People keep banging on about our heritage but isn't our future also our future heritage. Just hurry up and build it and more of the same please.
jake
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 9:09am
Rating: Four stars. Its about time London started building supertall structures like this. I think its much better looking than the gherkin.i love the angular lines but i think they could of done a much better job.
TEMITOPE
Sunday, April 8th, 2007 @ 11:39pm
Rating: Five stars. the london bridge tower is a showcase for for progress in architecture and humanity. we all like progress in our lives and those who are against do not understand the need for improvements in the present way we live. The planning of the tower is ingenious and breathtaking and gives me confidence that humans can do the right thing to improve their quality of lives if do put on their thinking caps. I hope this tower is completed sooner than latter.
russell
Saturday, March 10th, 2007 @ 9:43am
Rating: Four stars. The iconic images of new york, tokyo, sydney, chicago and now chinese cities and london looked dull - yes great vibe in the streets but as a statement it was low rise and dull. this is our generation and we need to mark our time on the planet with statements. Like many others - come-on lets create inspiring, soaring monuments to a great world city. It will be for future generations to demolish or keep as historic monumnets. i think it will be the latter and our city needs room - up is the only place
Adam Crawley
Saturday, February 17th, 2007 @ 3:15pm
Rating: Five stars. I am very interested in skyscrapers and i often research the plans they have for London (the greatest city in the world) and thety have about 20 planned this one being the tallest of them. I think this is exctly what London needs, an amazing skyline. It's Brilliant!!
jakob
Monday, February 12th, 2007 @ 1:37am
Rating: One star. This is an ugly monstrosity that decades that will undoubtedly become a scar on the face of London, and an eyesore to the British public along with Bishopsgate
Jamaica Miller
Monday, February 5th, 2007 @ 11:20pm
Rating: Four stars. It looks futuristic, and beautiful. It;s more like the next generation tower, rather than today's structure.
NickW
Monday, January 29th, 2007 @ 4:50pm
Rating: Five stars. Love it. A great addition to a great city.
James
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 @ 11:58am
Rating: Five stars. This is a perfect addition to the great city that is London! It will be an extra special icon for the 2012 olympic games. St Pauls cathedral? Pah.
Delvinos
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 @ 9:40am
Rating: Five stars. 5 Stars. We need more building of the future but which work with people because they are after all meant for people.
huntley scott
Sunday, December 17th, 2006 @ 12:10pm
Rating: Five stars. This will be a great asset to London. About time London created a building to capture everyone's eyes.Londoners and tourist. I can't wait when it's been built.So that i can go to the top and see the London beautiful skyline especially from such a height. I am sure it will be amazing.London it's time to reach to the HEAVENS.Huntley Scott
LDN
Tuesday, November 28th, 2006 @ 10:22pm
Rating: Five stars. A beautiful shard of glass for a gem of a city. Well done London!
Mich
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 @ 3:15pm
Rating: One star. Disheartened to see such a ugly, antipathetic shape. The style indictates an obsession with international capital, de-humanising and self congratulatory.Sad really.
J Attwood
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 @ 5:54pm
Rating: One star. Its a monster,a greedy piece of speculative development that will damage Londons skyline for ever, completely out of scale and at odds with this cities unique character and its mixed low/mid rise street and square focused urban development.
STROBE
Friday, September 22nd, 2006 @ 4:54am
Rating: Five stars. Finally, a bit more modern design has been presented to Britain, this building along with the other great works of architecture among London will be one of the finest.
andrew
Wednesday, September 20th, 2006 @ 2:28pm
Rating: Five stars. like everyone else ABOUT TIME ok so our heritage is important but so is our future.if we dont build now london will have no future
An Enlightened Prince Charles
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 @ 3:56pm
Rating: Five stars. At long last. If there are any people who want pointless little 10 story-or-less rectangles, go live in a shanty town or anywhere other than the Megalopolis of London. This city was the greatest of them all, but (in my opinion) it is now an international embarrassment that puts Great Britain to shame. Thankfully this and other buildings, including Canary Wharf and others on their way, may put London, and the country, back on the map that we ourselves drew up. But this is not enough, its just a beginning. These buildings belong in clusters and all tall buildings should be built together in The City or Canary Wharf. This is not Uganda, this is a G4 country and the second financial centre of the World. Well done Ken Livingstone.
vince.
Monday, August 14th, 2006 @ 10:29pm
Rating: Five stars. about bloody time:)i think most of london is still stuck between the victorian to 80s era.the future is now, and these new buildings that are going up just give you a uplifting feeling when you see them.remember,when st pauls was built (hi tec in its time)they said it was too large and blocked out a lot of things.BUT IT IS STILL HERE??
mark
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 @ 5:12am
Rating: Five stars. I cant believe how long it is taking to even start construction on this building, build it now! London needs density, to increase walking and decrease journey times. London needs more high rise near transport hubs including lots of residential space. There are several other landmark buildings all being stalled for one reason or another. I must admit, this and the other buildings planned for City make Canary WHarf look a bit bland and unimaginative.
colin hopper
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 @ 3:58pm
Rating: Five stars. love it! just love it! london needs more like it!
shannon frankling (male)
Saturday, May 13th, 2006 @ 3:04pm
Rating: Five stars. I think this building is fantastic. It would be better if it were a little taller but everything else about it is perfect.It is sleek and graceful and gives london the greatest city in the world (in my opinion)a new facelift.London has so much to offer but never had a good skyline,although canary wharf and all the new projects are fab.Now london can compete in the skyline competition.GO GO LONDON.
patrick guthrie
Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 @ 12:45pm
Rating: Five stars. A city is living breathing thing thats needs to grow or it will stagnate. This will be a sign to all that london is alive and vibrant. the design is fantastic and will be a wonderful addition to the london skyline
Geoff ashden
Saturday, April 8th, 2006 @ 5:49am
Rating: Five stars. Britain must shed their international conservative image and move forward. London is one of the worlds foremost financial centres and it is time we began to show it. This building is the perfect vehicle to display London's wealth and international importance. BUILD IT NOW!
Brett Haase
Wednesday, March 29th, 2006 @ 7:12pm
Rating: Five stars. A modern icon for a beautiful historic city.
Erratic Market Banger
Saturday, January 14th, 2006 @ 10:49pm
Rating: Four stars. Beautiful! I would love to see it in the future. The design is simple, clean, modern, yet complementary to the overall scheme of the city. Its time London took its place along with Shanghai and New York. It needs a distinct modern tower, a new look into the future.
S Plicio
Saturday, January 7th, 2006 @ 6:51am
Rating: Five stars. *****
Wonderful building and unique addition to the London that need to move forward without listening to those old thinkers who they want our city to stay behind all others.
Rui Salgueiro Sousa
Wednesday, January 4th, 2006 @ 6:39pm
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful
Lee
Sunday, December 25th, 2005 @ 2:24pm
Rating: Five stars. We dont need heritage, we need to move onto the future. How could a country try to lead the 21 century whilst keeping their old memories, and britain too much memories, that no needs anymore. Look at china they dont go on about history, all there stuff hitech gadgetry and all that sort of stuff. alright be proud and all that, i think all that needs to be kept in text books not in our faces any more.
Antonio Maria Braga
Sunday, December 4th, 2005 @ 10:37am
Rating: One star. THIS IS RUBBISH. Why can’t we give it a negative rate? When will they stop destroying London and its skyline? This is an anti-ecological, non-sustainable building. When the energy crisis will come, and it will come for sure, I hope someone oblige Ken Livingstone and Renzo Piano to climb by foot all the building stairs steps.
Rita
Saturday, November 12th, 2005 @ 8:03am
Rating: Five stars. A great idea..the design is one of great quality and architectural elements..and i admire renzo piano!!
william
Monday, October 31st, 2005 @ 6:26pm
Rating: Five stars. at last,we have a modern wonderful building coming to the old smoke
vince
Sunday, October 16th, 2005 @ 9:52pm
Rating: Five stars. finally a building to take us into the 21st century and out of the 20th.
forget the past and invest in the future of london.
when st pauls cathedral was built there was an outcry.
they said it was to big and would dwarf all around it.
but they lived with it, so why cant we live with what we are building today?.
sathesh alagappan
Friday, October 7th, 2005 @ 11:13am
Rating: Five stars. What a brilliant tower!!!!!!!! Finally london can compete with the big boys. Its just typicall that nieve people are complaining about it.
wilson
Monday, July 25th, 2005 @ 11:57pm
Rating: Two stars. georgeous,fascinating,sexy and superb piece of architecture
S. P
Thursday, May 26th, 2005 @ 8:32am
Rating: Five stars. What a fantastic tower! Can't wait to hear more about the designs and see it when it is actually completed... HOPEFULLY! London is changing a great deal. I was in London about 7years ago... i mean canary wharf was nothing but one tower, and the city of London was quite unappealing! I visited London just 2 months ago and i was utterly amazed! Projects underway everywhere! New buildings completed and canary wharf looking fantastic, new, international and soo beautiful! I mean the Labour party cant be that bad, how London is looking the way it is today... astonishing! I hope to visit London more regularly! A spectacular city! Greatest in the world! I think skyscrapers are a symbol of wealth, prosperity, class and power! REACH FOR THE SKIES LONDON!
:)
Christopher Melling
Friday, May 13th, 2005 @ 4:44pm
Finially London is reaching for the skies!! London is one of the greatest City in the world!! It is expensive and powerful.
Jason King
Friday, May 13th, 2005 @ 7:33am
Rating: Five stars. This is an excellent design. I think it will be a great asset to London. But, if it never gets built, we would be very happy to take this design and exchange it with the design for the "Freedom Tower" at the World Trade Center site!
Will Fox
Wednesday, May 4th, 2005 @ 10:29am
Rating: Five stars. I have no doubt whatsoever that this will be a fantastic addition to London's skyline.
Wankumbu Sikombe
Friday, April 8th, 2005 @ 7:46am
Rating: Five stars. It brings us Architects so much pleasure when ground is gained in advancing our built environment...what catches me on this one is the buildings camouflage that embraces the skies..becoming a part of the mysterious.Lets gain towards the irregular and put new ides in the sky...
Graham
Saturday, March 26th, 2005 @ 7:44pm
Rating: Four stars. London has great architecture from every era. I think it should have one for this era, for future generations to admire.
retno
Saturday, March 26th, 2005 @ 9:22am
Rating: Five stars. it's so fantastic.so beautiful,this is modern building and a great architecture.
Tom Kinsley
Tuesday, March 1st, 2005 @ 12:29pm
Rating: Five stars. What a fantastic idea! It will revive the centre of London - we are yet to have such a modern & iconic structure, which can be globally showcased, recognised and adored! This is our Sydney Opera House, our Empire State Building, our Sears Tower ... bring it on! London is already one of, if not THE most admired cities in the world and the 'Shard of Glass' can only add yet another 'weapon' to our armoury of beauty, status, pride and style - would our Great British Capital deserve any less? SO GET BUILDING!!
kwabena Oppong-Peprah
Monday, February 21st, 2005 @ 1:41pm
Rating: One star. This add a new dimension of excitement to London's architectural landscape. The design is graceful and tapers respectfully to dominate London's skyline. It's really beautiful. I think when completed, it will not only be tolerated but embraced.
Jamie
Thursday, February 3rd, 2005 @ 10:45am
Rating: Five stars. Just what London needs. I love the new gherkin (Swiss Re tower). London as a whole is changing in it's opinion to modernity in all types of architecture. From galleries, museums and office towers. I think it's time to give Prince Charles the finger and tell him to shut up about his bloody hate for modern architecture. No one cares anymore! This tower should be built, if not for London, then to aggravate Charles and English Heritage.
Ben
Saturday, January 8th, 2005 @ 6:56pm
Very nice. I like the garden and shard idea. Slender and beautiful.
Kevin
Sunday, December 26th, 2004 @ 11:37pm
Rating: Three stars. I'm in the middle on the design of this building. I feel there is nothing wrong with the overall idea of building big, London is after all, a very special unique city. Cities like New York and Toronto are relatively new in the scheme of urban planning and building, therefor the opportunity for building tall (and often) is increased. Because London 's street grid derives from a varied historic past, a tall building may be a hinderance to pedestrian and vehicular travel. One thing I have always appreciated about European design is the opportunity to showcase modern edgy architecture surrounded by ancient lived buildings. This design is beautiful - too bad such a design couldnt be found for NYC.
eddie merry
Friday, October 8th, 2004 @ 4:40am
Rating: Five stars. Excellent!! It's about time London had something like this. It is well overdue. I love tall buildings and have been to both the USA & Canada. The skyscrapers over there are awe inspiring & when you come back to London (which is where I live), after seeing the huge skylines I think "hugh!".
I know of 3 other tall buildings due to be built in the city & another at Canary Wharf but I feel we still need more of these types of buildings in London. If London is , as I am lead to believe, the financial capital of the world then why don't we have the skyscrapers to reflect that?
All this hogwash about oh!, you won't be able to see St Pauls Catherdal etc. is complete and utter rubbish. This is now the 21st century, it's time to move on. Magnificent though St Pauls Cathedral is it will remain there forever and if pepople want to see it then they can as it will outlive all of us. St Pauls does not have to dominate the skyline forever. Wake up and smell the coffee.......London, oh how old and graceful you be - it's time to move on!!
Eddie Merry
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Andrew Inglis
One star.
Brian
Five stars.
andrew
Four stars.
Seiichi Mano
himanshu
martin
Biswa Raj
Three stars.
Jesper Björnstedt-Qvarsell
Luzia Santos
Mikhail
oksana
Jake
Wytze Wolthuizen
kaisari
opeyemi ojo
jakob
Rui Salgueiro Sousa
Rita
Two stars.
Wankumbu Sikombe
retno
kwabena Oppong-Peprah