After a small problem with the crane we have the first cladding panels on the building. Very bright, very clear glass with a reflective coating. The orange tubes are indeed the blind boxes. We will have about 5000 of these panels on the building and about 5000 others.

Thanks, BorisKock. When can we expect to see more panels added?

BSTL. we will gradually install panels from now on. Not so fast in the beginning but before you know we are up there.

Thanks =)

Even from the first few panels, you can see that this is going to be sheer class when it is done! I never doubted the cladding would be first rate (it needed to be!), but there is still a sense of relief!

I am also glad the orange will be facing inwards on the blinds, although I am not sure about the orange-ness of the rolls when they are stowed. Are they all planned to be like this? Will we get orange bands along every floor of the building?

No word of a lie, but I've just had to wipe a tear from my eye :| my poetry is a far cry from the images, mind :D It's funny but there still doesn't seem to be the hype for this as there was when Heron's first superstructure appeared above the hoardings, and yet this.. for most of us, is the one we've been waiting for.

This will be THE icon of London, without a doubt.

This will be THE icon of London, without a doubt.

Absolutely. Once this and Pinnacle are up, they will surpass the Gherkin as London's icon. I simply cannot wait (although I do love the Gherkin also)!

a joyous moment indeed! BorisKock mentions the reflective coating - have we seen this before on cladding panels? it certainly looks superb...

How much cladding and what height can we expect by the end of July?

BSTL. we will gradually install panels from now on. Not so fast in the beginning but before you know we are up there.

"I am not sure about the orange-ness of the rolls when they are stowed. Are they all planned to be like this? Will we get orange bands along every floor of the building? (CroydonTown)"

Could you help us with this BorisKock!! Are we seeing the orange rolls as they will be in there final state?

Fantastic :D It looks slick!

:banana: Another milestone reached.

I'll be there on thursday, can't wait to see it close up

I'll be there on thursday, can't wait to see it close up

Trust me, you will not be disappointed. This thing is truly immense!

The cladding looks like one of the best I have EVER seen. Love the match between transparency and reflection and I LOVE that the glass actually has no color at all. Just ultraclear. I'm so jealous right now at London!

Light Gray blinds will be attached on top of the orange rolls.

It's just what the blinds hang on I believe.

I uploaded a video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fP18CaU6vk

No change to the core again this morning - still on 28. Another steel vertical has been added to the new floors.
My view is improving every day as New London Bridge House comes down - men are removing the scaffolding and white shroud for another floor this morning.

It's funny but there still doesn't seem to be the hype for this as there was when Heron's first superstructure appeared above the hoardings, and yet this.. for most of us, is the one we've been waiting for.


I know I was thinking that too. i think Heron was just the 1st skyscraper we have seen rise above ground for what seems like ages....now its all kicking off.
There is also probably an element of disbelief that after waiting 10 years as i seem to have that it is indeed actually happening.

I uploaded a video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fP18CaU6vk

Cool. I have quite a bit of video from a week ago,but have problems uploading it on youtube.Apparently a common problem,as the uploader is naff

Disagree.

When the core first started rising this thread was getting like 40+ posts a day for a few weeks straight.

The first white outer columns first appeared on site November 10th in post 6,833. This will be post 10,270...197 days 3436 posts later. 17.4 Posts per day :P Pretty much 1/3 of this entire threads posts in 6 months.


I was bored and did actually ponder the maths.

Light Gray blinds will be attached on top of the orange rolls.

It's just what the blinds hang on I believe.

Ah, thanks for putting my mind at rest eddyk! Light gray is really the only sensible option in terms of matching the cladding. Now I can really rejoice!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

If they are attached on top, then why are they called blind boxes rather than blind rolls? :dunno:

Absolutely. Once this and Pinnacle are up, they will surpass the Gherkin as London's icon. I simply cannot wait (although I do love the Gherkin also)!The Gherkin is not London's icon. Big Ben, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, Nelson's Column, London Eye, black taxis, red double deckers, Tube logo, etc, are all more famous London icons than the Gherkin.

Now, now Langur, don't get picky. i'm sure you know what he meant!!

^ I'm quite serious. think some skyscraper nerds think the rest of the world shares their perspective, but they don't.

^ I'm quite serious. think some skyscraper nerds think the rest of the world shares their perspective, but they don't.

Although it may not be the definitive icon of London, the gherkin is a building that people widely reconise and associate with London, just as the Chrysler building in New York is not the icon of the city, but everyone recognises it and knows where it comes form.

So why is the Gherkin shown so often whenever london is on some TV doc/prog ? Course it's an icon ! Anyway,Langur is only expressing what amounts to be whats called an ''opinion'',so don't get het up guys

Clear cladding is spot on.
.

Its the Shard of Glass so I think anything else would be wrong

Although it may not be the definitive icon of London, the gherkin is a building that people widely reconise and associate with London, just as the Chrysler building in New York is not the icon of the city, but everyone recognises it and knows where it comes form.
indeed, the gherkin has become the 21st century icon of london - strongly featuring in all sorts of things - television, films, advertising etc. whilst the things you have mentioned represent london tradition the gherkin has been used as an expression of london modernity

Time for a selection of the rest of my photos from yesterday.

More available in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard) - I think I ended up with 72 photos posted :)

First things first, the glazing panels

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104647-4/20100525_0124.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104665-2/20100525_0118.jpg


Some general views of the core from different angles

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104875-2/20100525_0004.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104551-2/20100525_0161.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104707-2/20100525_0095.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104761-2/20100525_0065.jpg



Level 2 works on Joiner Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104791-2/20100525_0048.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104629-2/20100525_0130.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104749-2/20100525_0076.jpg


New steel on St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104863-2/20100525_0015.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104587-2/20100525_0144.jpg


St Thomas Street hoist in action

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104611-2/20100525_0136.jpg


Levels 12/13 steel (AFAICT) going up from London Bridge Station

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104767-2/20100525_0061.jpg



Massivenesss on London Bridge Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104869-2/20100525_0013.jpg

and, finally, a couple that I just like the photos

Shard Holding Area, St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104671-2/20100525_0107.jpg


shadow-play from London Bridge Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104533-2/20100525_0169.jpg

The Gherkin is not London's icon. Big Ben, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, Nelson's Column, London Eye, black taxis, red double deckers, Tube logo, etc, are all more famous London icons than the Gherkin.

Of course, the list you mention is almost certainly what comes to most tourists' minds when they think of London. I should perhaps have been clearer in specifying skyscraper icon. I though that as this is a skyscraper forum, it was fairly obvious what I meant.

You can't deny, though, that the Gherkin IS an icon - it pops up in TV shows, films, end credits, even on the packaging of an American computer game I came across the other day (Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword if you were wondering). I shall try to spell everything out in future, so as to avoid this confusion occurring again.

http://abrandforlondon.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/london-icons-%E2%80%93-a-long-list/

Icons don’t have to be buildings, but as this is a skyscraper forum, there is only one main skyscraper that appears on the list, and it’s CroydonTown'’. Remember that some icons come and go, but some are set and some are slowly presented to us ‘just like the Shard’.

Another thing that I’ve noticed is that on many photos people don’t seem to be looking at the buildings / construction work. This annoys me, maybe because I live in the sticks and the only thing to look up a tare 70FT oak trees.

The Gherkin is not London's icon...... Big Ben

.........thats unfortunate to say the least.

Anyway, St stephens Clocktower is a London icon ONLY because its an unusual and enormous clock. The Gherkin is a London icon ONLY because it is the most unique and unsusual skysraper.

Of course the clock tower has been around a bit longer.

I do like the Shard (I love it) but I can't see it stealing the Gherkins place as 'Londons Skyscraper'. If it was in the central cluster maybe, but I feel location may have let this one down in that department.

to be fair, the ringing of big ben at st stephen's clock tower is as iconic, if not more so, than the tower itself

to be fair, the ringing of big ben at st stephen's clock tower is as iconic, if not more so, than the tower itself

Yes, the Westminster Chimes attract tourists just to listen to them.

Which reminds me, they switched OFF the Pompey Chimes because some Nimby complained about the noise... they have been there for generations. Got switched back on this week though :cheers:

I do like the Shard (I love it) but I can't see it stealing the Gherkins place as 'Londons Skyscraper'. If it was in the central cluster maybe, but I feel location may have let this one down in that department.

err really? Most people cant even see the Gherkin. Ive had to offer to 'take' people to the Gherkin enough times to realise that. From the clearer view from Tower Bridge it is sat in a large bulbous cluster. The Shard has a far greater chance to become a more widely considered iconic image.

But the Gherkin, in my opinion and of those I asked at the site, is a much better design. Its more unique. The only other tower in anyway similar is Torre Agbar which isnt really that similar at all. The Shard is fantastic, but it's now Gherkin.

Concrete is pouring again in the core.

Time for a selection of the rest of my photos from yesterday.

More available in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard) - I think I ended up with 72 photos posted :)




http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104875-2/20100525_0004.jpg



Good to see Anthony Gormley's girlfriend is a fan of the Shard...

.........thats unfortunate to say the least.

Anyway, St stephens Clocktower is a London icon ONLY because its an unusual and enormous clock. .



to be fair, the ringing of big ben at st stephen's clock tower is as iconic, if not more so, than the tower itself


You guys are getting your clock towers mixed up.

St Stephen's Tower is the short tower in the middle, above St Stephen's entrance and the central lobby. It doesn't have a clock.

You guys are getting your clock towers mixed up.

St Stephen's Tower is the short tower in the middle, above St Stephen's entrance and the central lobby. It doesn't have a clock.

Leave mulattokid alone :). He is right.

The tower in the middle is known as the Central Tower.

Does anyone know why the core has stopped at 28? Or is it still going, it looks inactive
Thanks

Does anyone know why the core has stopped at 28? Or is it still going, it looks inactive
Thanks
They are reconfiguring the rig for a different internal layout

The Core is still moving on up. The reconfiguration happens at 139m.

Leave mulattokid alone :). He is right.

The tower in the middle is known as the Central Tower.

:lol: It doesnt matter what you know or for how long.....for me it takes just a few words to throw it all into doubt and start googling!

to be fair, the ringing of big ben at st stephen's clock tower is as iconic, if not more so, than the tower itself

True, but Im assuming we are still talking visual icons.

They are reconfiguring the rig for a different internal layout

The Core is still moving on up. The reconfiguration happens at 139m.

scalatrava89, leave Sesquip alone - he is right too!
He is refering to an internal layout change of the core by the architects and not the core reduction at 138m.:)

:lol: It doesnt matter what you know or for how long.....for me it takes just a few words to throw it all into doubt and start googling!

You're not wrong, as soon as I had posted in your defence I found myself Googling as well!:lol:

The Core is still moving on up. The reconfiguration happens at 139m.

138 metres

I do like the Shard (I love it) but I can't see it stealing the Gherkins place as 'Londons Skyscraper'. If it was in the central cluster maybe, but I feel location may have let this one down in that department.


:bash: pah (though your opinion). It will be very visible and iconic in its beauty and simplicity,fukoff great size,and its location on the Thames will make it the biggest tourist puller IMO,far more than the Gherkin (which is a great building mind)

^^My mistake, 138 metres.

^^It is the location, standing on it's own on the South Bank that will add to its visibility. Most tourists have no real idea of the Gherkin. The Shard, I think, will be a new international icon of London. For me it will be the most distinctive and importent building to have been built since The Palace of Westminster.

Shard, with part of the West End skyline:

http://i46.tinypic.com/1zf7i3t.jpg


Shard, with part of the inner south-east skyline:

http://i49.tinypic.com/2saksn8.jpg


Not on topic, but just found this on Facebook :P
Is it the same Sainsbury?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs053.snc3/14101_391991041895_732951895_4197957_1351779_n.jpg

http://xs.to/image-A763_4BFD87EB.jpg

http://xs.to/image-C0D0_4BFD87EB.jpg

Yes the orange blinds will be all around on every floor of the building. As the cladding is produced in the Netherlands we are very happy to have our national color on this building :)

Great way to follow work at the other side of the sea with all the photo's that get posted. Unfortunately no visit to site this week. Are looking forward to next week and seeing the panels live.

^^ I think we will hang St Georges Cross flags from the windows then :lol:

http://xs.to/image-A763_4BFD87EB.jpg

http://xs.to/image-C0D0_4BFD87EB.jpg

That's seven of the 5,000-odd panels in place now, so only about four years to go before they're all done :)

(no, I'm not being that serious)

...don't want it looking like a traffic cone
-----
ahh,won't show,grey blinds.Cool

I think cyber asked a question to shardmaster there..? ...? .I expect the cladding will click on quicker than that.........

http://xs.to/image-F68D_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-229B_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-8AEA_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-CF8A_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-70EC_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-657B_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-CFB6_4BFD9157.jpg

http://xs.to/image-26BF_4BFD9157.jpg

great photos potto, love the foregrounds :)

Great picture looking over the river with London City Hall on the left and The Shard on the right. Going to be even better when it’s complete.

Thanks for sharing your pics with us :)
That's what I call a cladding! This is superb. It is as high quality as I expected.

^^It is the location, standing on it's own on the South Bank that will add to its visibility. Most tourists have no real idea of the Gherkin. The Shard, I think, will be a new international icon of London. For me it will be the most distinctive and importent building to have been built since The Palace of Westminster.I agree. :)

great range of photos potto, and cladding as well. very simple looking, clean and elegant. like the building. the steelwork really has seemed to push on up the core, seeing it emerge from above the station gives much more gravitas to the progress.

Concrete is pouring again in the core.

That may be so, but the core doesn't appear to have grown since Monday - still on 28 this morning.

Steelwork for the two new floors seems to be growing faster than previous levels, maybe they are getting into the groove!

Lovely set of photos Potto with some really interesting angles. Love the fact the general public are becoming interested in this now as highlighted by your 1st photo of the first set (the finger pointing skyward) and 1st photo of the 2nd set (people checking out the renders on the hoarding). Already looks immense from that photo on the bridge (Blackfriars?).

Leave mulattokid alone :). He is right.

The tower in the middle is known as the Central Tower.


:lol: It doesnt matter what you know or for how long.....for me it takes just a few words to throw it all into doubt and start googling!


I'm sorry chaps, but (in the nicest possible way) I'm sticking to my guns here.

The tower in the middle is indeed officially known as the Central Tower, but it is unofficially known as St Stephen's Tower, after St Stephen's entrance and the former site of St Stephen's Chapel (above which it stands). The clock tower is just the Clock Tower.

Googling is unhelpful in this case as there are many unofficial sites that make the same mistake, as well as many others that get it right.

Allow me to direct our attention to the following: Report of the Serjent at Arms of the House of Commons 2001-02 (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmcomm/1002/100208.htm) which refers to restorative work in St Stephen's Tower and makes it clear that this is the tower above St Stephen's Entrance.

I had my fingers crossed for glass just like this. Its very high quality, transparent, not a hint of colour, and extremely flat - theres none of that double ripple effect you get with cheap double glazing - even Herons glass is a bit rippled... but so far this looks as good as it gets! I wonder how long roller blinds will last though?

I'm sorry chaps, but (in the nicest possible way) I'm sticking to my guns here.

The tower in the middle is indeed officially known as the Central Tower, but it is unofficially known as St Stephen's Tower, after St Stephen's entrance and the former site of St Stephen's Chapel (above which it stands). The clock tower is just the Clock Tower.

Googling is unhelpful in this case as there are many unofficial sites that make the same mistake, as well as many others that get it right.

Allow me to direct our attention to the following: Report of the Serjent at Arms of the House of Commons 2001-02 (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmcomm/1002/100208.htm) which refers to restorative work in St Stephen's Tower and makes it clear that this is the tower above St Stephen's Entrance.Exactly. There's a lot of people trying to be smart arse know-it-alls about this, and they're wrong. They'd be wrong even if Big Ben was known officially as St Stephen's Tower (and it seems it isn't). Big Ben refers to the tower as well as the clocks and bell. It always has done. If that's what everyone calls it, then that's its name. Dictionaries always strive to reflect popular usage, and common usage will always trump usage by a small minority of insiders or wannabe know-it-alls.

Now back to the Shard.... I saw the glass myself yesterday and I think it looks perfect. London's going to get the most beautiful skyscraper in the world. :)

If the 'smart arse know-it-alls' comment was directed at me - all I was saying was I thought the Clock Tower was also called St Stephen's (my mistake if it isn't). I also call it Big Ben when speaking to my children and dictionaries always have to bow to popular parlance in the end.
Agreed re the Shard.

This all sounds like the kind of question on QI. Alan Davies will then knowingly pipe up St Stephens tower only to have the big red letters flash behind him and a scornfull look from Stephen Fry himself.

Cant believe how fast the steel work is growing. They’re really pushing it now :).

Of course, the list you mention is almost certainly what comes to most tourists' minds when they think of London. I should perhaps have been clearer in specifying skyscraper icon. I though that as this is a skyscraper forum, it was fairly obvious what I meant.

You can't deny, though, that the Gherkin IS an icon - it pops up in TV shows, films, end credits, even on the packaging of an American computer game I came across the other day (Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword if you were wondering). I shall try to spell everything out in future, so as to avoid this confusion occurring again.

This debate is clearly a highly subjective one. One would assume that the vast majority of people in the West have heard of the Empire State Building, but despite being 80 years old and far and away the largest building on the NY skyline, my guess is that few outside the US would actually recognise it. Conversely, people may well have seen images of the gherkin, but may not know it as such - just another novel looking building in a different city. The Eiffel tower is known firstly because it is far and away the most recognisable shape for paris, and it has no other purpose, but mainly because there are few such instantly recognisable icons in Paris.
Whilst I believe the shard will become iconic in the UK, and it will almost certainly be better know throughout the world than the gherkin because of its size, shape and sole location, I cant see it competing with the many historical sights which are used to symbolise London, as the Eiffel tower does to Paris. Much as we like to think of London as a modern cutting edge city, there is much chocolate box imagery that people from other countries clearly know and visit it for. Just as in the same way, no matter how avantgarde a Parisian skyscraper is, its unlikely to be iconic to anyone but the French. Look how little known the stunning La Defense Arch is.

London will always be symbolised by Tower Bridge. Sorry chaps. The Yanks love it. Just because something's tall and shiny (as lovely as the shard's clearly going to be) doesn't mean it will replace the existing symbology that's stunning and centuries old.

So has the core started rising again today? There seemed to be little white arms flayling about up there when I was on my way home across dirty blackfriars bridge last night.

I just had a long look and there seems to be a little more space between the 28 and the base of the slipform, so the core may indeed be growing again.

It'll be clearer by tomorrow morning.

London will always be symbolised by Tower Bridge. Sorry chaps. The Yanks love it. Just because something's tall and shiny (as lovely as the shard's clearly going to be) doesn't mean it will replace the existing symbology that's stunning and centuries old.

Tower Bridge is only one century old.

The core is indeed rising again (I have construction webcams as my desktop background and always leave an icon marking the last height it was at :))

London will always be symbolised by Tower Bridge. Sorry chaps. The Yanks love it. Just because something's tall and shiny (as lovely as the shard's clearly going to be) doesn't mean it will replace the existing symbology that's stunning and centuries old.

It doesn't have to replace it. Believe it or not, all of London's historical icons were not built at the same time. More were added over the years. We cannot say what people will see as an icon in 50 - 100 years time.

I think it will become the most recognizable skyscraper in Europe, with a big help from the Olympics. Hundreds of millions of people are likely to see it during the coverage, I think it will become london's modern icon. Again I can't really know either way, but my logic does back the idea up.

Possible changing of the London Bridge station referb http://www.building.co.uk/crossrail-budget-may-be-slashed-by-a-third/5000374.article

Whilst I believe the shard will become iconic in the UK, and it will almost certainly be better know throughout the world than the gherkin because of its size, shape and sole location, I cant see it competing with the many historical sights which are used to symbolise London

My first post was unclear - I did not mean that the Shard would replace icons such as Tower Bridge/black taxis etc. Merely that where the Gherkin symbolises the modern City, The Shard will replace it.

I disagree that few people outside the US would recognise the Empire State. I would have a lot of people would recognise it, but in the absence of any empirical proof, I hesitate to state that with any greater degree of certainty!

Slightly getting away from the point but I wonder if the Gherkin (and its cluster) will continue to represent the City (that is, the Square Mile/financial sector) interchangeably with long-shots of the Canary Wharf cluster. News outlets seem to have struggled with the two growing clusters in recent years, particularly with coverage of the financial crisis, in choosing which one is most representative of the financial sector.

I wonder if the Shard, not having huge floorspace devoted to financial services tenants and being more mixed-use will appear as more emblematic of the city (lower-case) as a whole and feature in more composite skyline shots.

And I absolutely agree that topping out in 2012 will be a huge part of the plan to profile the tower in the coming years. Exciting times.

Possible changing of the London Bridge station referb http://www.building.co.uk/crossrail-budget-may-be-slashed-by-a-third/5000374.article

Meanwhile, it is understood that Network Rail is examining the implications of dropping plans for the £3bn remodelling of London Bridge station, the next phase of the £5.5bn Thameslink programme. This is in addition to £100m of cuts that Network Rail was asked to make this week.

£3bn to remodel London Bridge Station? Bloody hell.

£3bn to remodel London Bridge Station? Bloody hell.
I imagine that's for the full project, with new downstairs concourse etc. If they can just put the extra pair of tracks through and signal them, that would be enough for now.

If the 'smart arse know-it-alls' comment was directed at me - all I was saying was I thought the Clock Tower was also called St Stephen's (my mistake if it isn't). I also call it Big Ben when speaking to my children and dictionaries always have to bow to popular parlance in the end.
Agreed re the Shard.



Indeed its a shame Languar chooses to react in that way but its not unusual if you look at the 'dont disagree with me!' beetham threads. Using his example, then although 90% of a typical search on the internet shows what he calls Big Ben (which most Britians would correct immediatley with a sneer) is actually called St. Stephens Tower. In his arguement then if thats what everyone calls it then thats what every refers to as 'Init! surely? Sour grapes for being pulled up on something you would expect him to know already as a regular forumer. That 'Is' called projection...more simply, deflection I have heard. Educated people pride themselves on at least backing up their comments with 'some' background, even if its incorrect, hence this arguement surely?

As for the matter from a more advanced point of view. VERY interesting and it seems to be the case on one particular site. I take Moles point, but still, doing any search you still find that the Central tower remains unnamed. Furthermore, Isnt St Stephens hall directly under The Clock tower?...Curiouser and curiouser....I would love to know more, without the personal need for someones childish backlash ;)

Anyway...why are we talking about this...I have forgotten.......

Had a look at the cladding in real life for the first time today, and it's top quality, it looks like there is still a protective coating on it, sensiblely

Had a look at the cladding in real life for the first time today, and it's top quality, it looks like there is still a protective coating on it, sensiblely

I had wondered how the cladding would be protected from the inevitable construction debris, especially exacerbated by the slant.

What a gift to unwrap! It will be like an inverse Christo!

Glad to see they’re protecting the glass. So anyone taken any pictures from today’s developments? Any more panels go in?

That glass is beautiful,they must be some very expensive pieces of glass going on the building, perfect quality!

Any more panels go in?

I was only passing by, but there were still only seven panels at about 2:45 this afternoon.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104911-2/20100527_0087.jpg


also this shrouded object on the corner of St Thomas Street and Joiner Street. Didn't have time to investigate further.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104917-2/20100527_0090.jpg



A little zooming exercise from St Paul's Cathedral...


Shard vs The City, as it were :)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104881-2/20100527_0058.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104905-2/20100527_0079.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104899-2/20100527_0075.jpg

What many of us would give to merely ''pass by'' as regular as some can....
Interesting question would be,how much are those panels each ? Upward of a monkey

http://www.timporter.net/4skyscrapercity/27052010lbt.jpg

^^Epic photo.

Great picture taken from St Pauls Cybertect :). “Shard vs The City” / David vs Goliath. Not sure who’s Goliath just yet.

The Core is certainly crawling along. Anyone got any idea what reconfiguration work they’re doing up there?

Ow and I’m buying myself a new camera today; CANON EOS 50D DSLR (body) and I’m getting a CANON EF-S 18-55 18-55mm IS F3.5-5.6 Lens. What does everyone think? Good buy?

This morning there appears to be a little more space above the 28 - if they keep crawling up we might see the 29 by the end of the day.

Great picture taken from St Pauls Cybertect :). “Shard vs The City” / David vs Goliath. Not sure who’s Goliath just yet.

The Core is certainly crawling along. Anyone got any idea what reconfiguration work they’re doing up there?

Ow and I’m buying myself a new camera today; CANON EOS 50D DSLR (body) and I’m getting a CANON EF-S 18-55 18-55mm IS F3.5-5.6 Lens. What does everyone think? Good buy?

it depends what you paid for it but it's an excellent camera. I have had canon's for the last 10 years, best camera in the world IMO. We can expect some nice photos then.

Progress tracking from my place:

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/edtealdi/Shard%2028-05-10/DSC_0002.jpg

cracking photo Mitosan

cracking photo Mitosan

Indeed :cool:

Core continuing to inch upwards (literally). By the end of the day I might just see the bottom of the 29.

I just noticed that the western side of the core on the has changed above level 28 in one regard - there are several more openings than on the lower levels.

Right, you've all been waiting eagerly hear this; the bottom of the 29 is now visible.

I'm off on holiday until June 7th, so I look forward to seeing lots of new floors when I get back, as well as hundreds of tons of new steel and loads of glass panels glistening in the no-doubt dazzling sunshine.

Cheerio.

From monument today

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/4647872014_e50a9d87bb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4647872884_9463962eb7_b.jpg

I've got serious question.. I pointed out many times this building to people I know and I'm always not sure if I should say number of floors 87 or 72 . ???. I know that floors at the top will be radiators blah blah.. BUT building will have 87 floors in fact. and if you tell someone 72 floors ..it's like : really? oook.. but if you say 87 : it's like : wooooooooow.. so I keep telling 87 !

I've got serious question.. I pointed out many times this building to people I know and I'm always not sure if I should say number of floors 87 or 72 . ???. I know that floors at the top will be radiators blah blah.. BUT building will have 87 floors in fact. and if you tell someone 72 floors ..it's like : really? oook.. but if you say 87 : it's like : wooooooooow.. so I keep telling 87 !

Good question. Well yeah its 87 floors, but the 72 floors are the ones that will be primarily used. It's like saying my house has 3 floors- because it has a loft. But it's kinda cheating if you get where im coming from :).

I know what you mean, I tell them 72 floors, or 'about three times higher than Guys', 'Tallest in UK' or 'One of the tallest in Europe'

i tell people it'll be about the same height as the eiffel tower or the chrysler building.

Or the Library/US Bank tower in LA.

But I have used the Chrysler/Eiffel tower comparison also IRL.

3x Higher than guys lol? Nice 430m tower for London then :D


Other comparisons

150 Chewbaccas
75 Double Decker Buses
8 Albert Halls
6 Nelsons Columns

edit.

I've got serious question.. I pointed out many times this building to people I know and I'm always not sure if I should say number of floors 87 or 72 . ???. I know that floors at the top will be radiators blah blah.. BUT building will have 87 floors in fact. and if you tell someone 72 floors ..it's like : really? oook.. but if you say 87 : it's like : wooooooooow.. so I keep telling 87 !

I think its fair to count the RAD floors,so 87.Tallest in Europe BAR ONE.
And only a few buildings in the world are a fair bit taller (over 400 metres).But this one is far more beautiful of course

Progress tracking from my place:

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab110/edtealdi/Shard%2028-05-10/DSC_0002.jpg

This would make a good banner for London.

I think its fair to count the RAD floors,so 87.Tallest in Europe BAR ONE.
And only a few buildings in the world are a fair bit taller (over 400 metres).But this one is far more beautiful of course

The only problem being that the radiator floors are not much taller than radiators....about 7 ft high per floor I think?

The cladding is perfect. But I am not yet convinced about the orange colour of the blind rolls. Maybe it will look great, maybe I would have preferred another colour.

First things first, the glazing panels

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/104647-4/20100525_0124.jpg

The cladding is perfect. But I am not yet convinced about the orange colour of the blind rolls. Maybe it will look great, maybe I would have preferred another colour.

I believe the blinds themselves will be light gray, they have just not been installed yet.

Yes, they are not the blinds but a design quirk.

^^ What everyone is wondering is... will the orange be a Permanent feature in these blinds?

I hope so! They add a touch of detail and intrigue from up close that will not be noticebale from far away, which is important for a building which will look largely the same from most angles.

Other comparisons

150 Chewbaccas

One of the best posts in this thread :cheers:

I now have a sense of just how tall this will be... it made no sense before!

^^ What everyone is wondering is... will the orange be a Permanent feature in these blinds?

I have it on good authority that it is.

The question is whether the orange rolls are the blind rolls onto which the blinds fit - then they will disappear when the blinds are fitted OR are they boxes which contain the blinds - then they will be a permanent feature. To be honest I quite like them as they look now.

The blinds should be a non-issue even if the orange is left visible. On a 72 storey tower you won't notice them from a distance, up close the angle at which you look up at it will obscure them above the 10th floor and the highly reflective glass will ensure you are likely to be staring at a reflection of the sky and surrounding buildings rather than anything behind the facade.

I rather like the orange. It is so importent that there is a coherent look to the blinds on each floor - so many glass blocks can look dreadful due to clashing blinds and curtains!

The question is whether the orange rolls are the blind rolls onto which the blinds fit - then they will disappear when the blinds are fitted OR are they boxes which contain the blinds - then they will be a permanent feature. To be honest I quite like them as they look now.

They're the blind boxes. The blinds themselves are light grey.

Renzo likes a touch of colour ;)

^^ He sure does. In the last few days flooring has started going down on the new levels. Working lightning fast now :).

I plan to come down to London in the coming weeks (architectural site seeing visit), so it will be great to see the Shard in real life 'I know I’m going to be blown away'. Plus it gives me the great opportunity to try out my new DSLR.

I would like to share some photos but I'm having difficulty in finding how you upload them, can someone guide me. Thanks

I would like to share some photos but I'm having difficulty in finding how you upload them, can someone guide me. Thanks


go to tinypic.com and upload them there first. Then copy the URL under insert image in the options above.

Call me strange if you like, but sometimes i see Guys Hospital as a headquarters or something from Star Wars. :lol:

go to tinypic.com and upload them there first. Then copy the URL under insert image in the options above.

Thanks very much, i'll try it

Or the Library/US Bank tower in LA.

But I have used the Chrysler/Eiffel tower comparison also IRL.

3x Higher than guys lol? Nice 430m tower for London then :D




Yes they are almost identical heights and the Library tower may still be the tallest building on the West coast of the Americas I think.

LOL I remember being there whilst that tower was being constructed in 1989 and one morning there was really quite a strong tremor (4.7 or so) . I was in the Bonaventure Mezzanine (the 5 round towers on the right) and Workmen were still running out of the bottom of the Library tower (the new first Interstate bank tower as it was then) about 45 minutes later whilst everyone was getting back on with their business. It took them that long to get down the stairs.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2hdsb35.jpg

I just looked couple of pages back to see what progress has been made from january 2010..and I have to say ... in 5 months? - wow.
hey people ..It looks like this building might be toped out at the end of the year. .. still 7 months to go.. I start to believe that !:scouserd:

The only problem being that the radiator floors are not much taller than radiators....about 7 ft high per floor I think?
Yep quite short at average 2.6 metres just under 8 feet

I just looked couple of pages back to see what progress has been made from january 2010..and I have to say ... in 5 months? - wow.
hey people ..It looks like this building might be toped out at the end of the year. .. still 7 months to go.. I start to believe that !:scouserd:

A POSITIVE POST FROM SONY33!!! That deservers a banana in my book! :banana:

A POSITIVE POST FROM SONY33!!! That deservers a banana in my book! :banana:

:lol:

Well,at least one of the 2 biggies seems to be definately going up,so that has cheered him up

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1030436.jpg

Very cool building design. I'm glad London is finally getting a supertall skyscraper. I've been thinking for years that both London and Paris have been in desperate need of "updating" (for lack of a better word) their skyline. I'm an American and the most iconic structures that I think about when I think of London is the Big Ben clocktower and the Eiffel Tower when I think of Paris. Both of these were built in the 1800s and are tiny in comparison to today's modern towers like the new World Trade Center towers in New York or the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

London and Paris are both great cities so I'm glad London is at least keeping up. Now if only Paris would get a new skyscraper...

^ London already has a lot of contemporary architectural icons: London Eye, O2 Dome, Wembley, Heathrow Terminal 5, Gherkin, Heron, Strata, Lloyds, Canary Wharf, etc. Paris has plenty of modern architectural icons too (Louvre Pyramids, Grande Arche de la Defense, Stade de France, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris Philharmonie, etc, and also a lot of skyscrapers in La Defense). Other icons to modernity are completely missing in either New York or Dubai. For instance neither of those cities have sleek 300 km/h capable high speed trains like London or Paris. I mean yes, by virtue of its height, central location, and stunning design, I accept that the Shard will eclipse the other buildings I listed as the primary symbol of modern London. However I don't think London needs it to be "modern". You give the impression that London and Paris have been architecturally asleep for the last century or more. In fact over the last 10-15 years, I think London has been more dynamic than New York in terms of both major projects and contemporary architecture.

^ London already has a lot of contemporary architectural icons: London Eye, O2 Dome, Wembley, Heathrow Terminal 5, Gherkin, Heron, Strata, Lloyds, Canary Wharf, etc. Paris has plenty of modern architectural icons too (Louvre Pyramids, Grande Arche de la Defense, Stade de France, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris Philharmonie, etc, and also a lot of skyscrapers in La Defense). Other icons to modernity are completely missing in either New York or Dubai. For instance neither of those cities have sleek 300 km/h capable high speed trains like London or Paris. I mean yes, by virtue of its height, central location, and stunning design, I accept that the Shard will eclipse the other buildings I listed as the primary symbol of modern London. However I don't think London needs it to be "modern". You give the impression that London and Paris have been architecturally asleep for the last century or more. In fact over the last 10-15 years, I think London has been more dynamic than New York in terms of both major projects and contemporary architecture.

I can't agree with you there, sleek 300kph trains in London, haha. We have one high speed train and the only time you would use it is if you wanted to go to France. New York has so many " icons of modernity " they are too numerous to count, just the skyline alone is THE icon of modernity. New York has the best skyline in the world IMO and Canary Wharf is just no comparison.
http://i46.tinypic.com/28a51k8.jpg
photo from the New York thread.

I actually think the skyline gives of New York the opposite image of being modern due to alot of the 'scrapers being relatively old. It does however make it look powerful and wealthy. As far as 'modern' skylines go they're relatively small, like the city of London and Paris as the 'scrapers are quite new as they've only just started being built. I'm not saying either one is better, i think the New York skyline is bloody stunning. I think Hong Kong wins the award for modern and big however.

I think the new World Trade Centre buildings will be a great addition to making the city look more modern however.

Stunning pic from Chest. From Tower Bridge? Just one more floor of steelwork would make quite a difference.

I can't agree with you there, sleek 300kph trains in London, haha. We have one high speed train and the only time you would use it is if you wanted to go to France. New York has so many " icons of modernity " they are too numerous to count, just the skyline alone is THE icon of modernity. New York has the best skyline in the world IMO and Canary Wharf is just no comparison.
http://i46.tinypic.com/28a51k8.jpg
photo from the New York thread.

London technically has 4 HSR lines. One of which does 300kph. NY has none.

The NY skyline is what 'mind the gap' is to London. Outdated, stereotypical and most certainly not the current cutting edge of modernity (for now).

Paris and London do well to retain their historical charm as bustling modern alpha world cities. NY - well - we're waiting for what's next please...

I can't agree with you there, sleek 300kph trains in London, haha. We have one high speed train and the only time you would use it is if you wanted to go to France. New York has so many " icons of modernity " they are too numerous to count, just the skyline alone is THE icon of modernity. New York has the best skyline in the world IMO and Canary Wharf is just no comparison. photo from the New York thread."One high speed train"? I think you mean one high speed line. We have dozens of high speed trains. The Eurostar service is based in London. From Paris the only Eurostar destination is London. From Brussels the only Eurostar destination is London. From London you can access every Eurostar destination, so naturally enough London has more Eurostar trains and services on its timetable than anywhere else. They also operate from the most spectacular railway station in the world.

New York is a great city, I'm not denying that, but architecturally I think both London and Paris have more variety and more impressive buildings. London has been more dynamic in recent years. If you look at the variety and quality of recent London buildings, New York cannot match them. What has New York done aside from skyscrapers? Where are New York's equivalents to the London Eye, O2 Dome, Wembley, or Heathrow Terminal 5?

Hong Kong also has a much more impressive skyscraper skyline than Manhattan (and did so even before September 11th). New York's architectural edge over Hong Kong is the fact of it having more old skyscrapers, and more old buildings generally. However New York today is not the world's most cutting edge city in terms of architecture or major urban projects, and hasn't been for the last two decades.

London is creating a beautifull skyline (better than New York).

See The Shard, The Spires, Pinnacle, St. George Tower, Mirax-Beetham tower.


I like it!!! You go London, a month ago I was in London and Southwark (waterside) is developing very well.

Jeez, one American pops by to congratulate us on the Shard and people jump on them for daring to suggest that London has not been all that pro-active in the skyscraper department! I'm willing to bet that unless an American (or anyone else who is not from the UK for that matter) has been to London, they would struggle to place the Lloyds building, Heathrow T5, Heron or Strata, and possibly even the O2 or the Eye.

So thanks for popping by RKOwens44, and apologies for the unwelcome reception.

Jeez, one American pops by to congratulate us on the Shard and people jump on them for daring to suggest that London has not been all that pro-active in the skyscraper department! I'm willing to bet that unless an American (or anyone else who is not from the UK for that matter) has been to London, they would struggle to place the Lloyds building, Heathrow T5, Heron or Strata, and possibly even the O2 or the Eye.

So thanks for popping by RKOwens44, and apologies for the unwelcome reception.He does congratulate us on the Shard, but he also patronises us for "finally creating a modern icon", which is simply inaccurate given the number, scale, and quality of recent projects in London. The London Eye is far more famous worldwide than any New York skyscraper/building of recent years. My 2nd response was to a fellow Brit, DrewHallam, and didn't address our visitor at all.

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1030429.JPG

I have been a 'lurker' on this site for about 6 months now, stemming from an unhealthy interest in the shard, and development in general, blossoming out of my childhood. However I thought this debate would be a good time to wade in with my humble opinion.

I think it is problematic to compare London and New York, both in terms of how 'Icons' are judged, and how development is perceived. New York is young culturally and structurally in relation to London; they are cities at opposite ends of the spectrum at times. The 'Icons' of London are often steeped in history and context with predates New York as we know it. These 'Icons' coexist, sometimes uncomfortably and sometimes seamlessly with the modern and exciting dynamic of development. Thus debate is healthy about new additions to the skyline of London, whatever side of the debate one falls on.

In New York however a new addition to the skyline, potentially, doesn't provoke the same response, unless it is on a much grander scale. This therefore means that the 'Icons' of London spread over a greater time period, with the contemporary being fewer in number, but greater in significance. I hope my first post contributed something to the debate.

One congratulatory post re the Shard - and a flurry of defensive responses. Langur, in spite of your list of 'contemporary architetectual icons', I think RK Owens44 makes a reasonable point. London (in spite of its mix of old and new architecture) is still viewed largely as a Victorian city. The Shard (arguably London's only building since Victorian times that celebrates height as part of its aesthetic) should go a long way toward redressing that conception.

Chest, great pictures! Thanks.

He does congratulate us on the Shard, but he also patronises us for "finally creating a modern icon", which is simply inaccurate given the number, scale, and quality of recent projects in London. The London Eye is far more famous worldwide than any New York skyscraper/building of recent years. My 2nd response was to a fellow Brit, DrewHallam, and didn't address our visitor at all.

I wasn't singling you out, Langur. There were a few responses which seemed to feel the need to 'defend' London with regards to New York. I was merely saying that we can't expect someone who lives on another continent to be fully up to speed with developments in London. The Shard should really push London forward in the minds of many, as it will be far more visible to a casual observer than, say, T5, or Britain's high speed rail network.

There still seems to be a need to compare London's skyline with New York's, when really we should be sure enough of London's place on the list of vibrant, modern, world cities, not to be defensive when someone from abroad notices us because the Shard is in the Supertall section of SSC.

I think NewcastleUniStudent hit the nail on the head - welcome to SSC! I spent 3 years lurking before signing up lol.

Thanks as always Chest for sharing your great photos. Its wonderful to watch this building grow, and the steelwork should be rising ever quicker as the floorplates get progressively smaller and faster to construct. At least there is consensus from all that this is a great new building for London.

Big Ben may be very small compared with burj/NYTC to come,but its the tallest four face clock in the world!!!!!!


http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/londonmay182010shardetc098.jpg

london is the greatest city along with new york and paris.. i'm just tired and quite angry when london appears in the films or in some tv shots as they always take shots from "old" london - big ben of course all the time etc.. people in the world ( who haven't visited london yet) don't really know london beyond that they think it's just big ben, tower bridge, buckingham p. etc.. they don't know how city of london looks like and no chance they know looks of canary wharf.. have you seen postcards from london? no canary wharf , no city of london only old london stuff. i'm curious what impact shard will have . also i'm glad olympics will be here and near by canary wharf and city not too far away.. that might help

london is the greatest city along with new york and paris.. i'm just tired and quite angry when london appears in the films or in some tv shots as they always take shots from "old" london - big ben of course all the time etc.. people in the world ( who haven't visited london yet) don't really know london beyond that they think it's just big ben, tower bridge, buckingham p. etc.. they don't know how city of london looks like and no chance they know looks of canary wharf.. have you seen postcards from london? no canary wharf , no city of london only old london stuff. i'm curious what impact shard will have . also i'm glad olympics will be here and near by canary wharf and city not too far away.. that might help

yeah, I've noticed the same thing. Hopefully the olympics wil change that with lots of sweeping shots of the shard, bishopsgate and any other skyscraper finished in time.

Does a moderator with access to the webcams thread fancy checking them? .../Camputer30.jpg hasnt worked for a while, but camputer120 does and isnt listed, i.e:
http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/shard/camputer120.jpg

Done.

From my room in Clapham (which I didn't realise had this view until I moved in).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4656323535_25e30a680e_b.jpg

All that and a Robinia in flower too..Maybe its a fridge in winter? ;)

Errr hello - what a breathtaking shot with Strata in the forground - and I'm not even it's biggest fan...

It's a little gem of a view - and you didn't realise it existed till you moved??? Mmm?

From my room in Clapham (which I didn't realise had this view until I moved in).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4656323535_25e30a680e_b.jpg
Great picture, new angle, love the domesticity and greenery in the foreground.

london is the greatest city along with new york and paris.. i'm just tired and quite angry when london appears in the films or in some tv shots as they always take shots from "old" london - big ben of course all the time etc.. people in the world ( who haven't visited london yet) don't really know london beyond that they think it's just big ben, tower bridge, buckingham p. etc.. they don't know how city of london looks like and no chance they know looks of canary wharf.. have you seen postcards from london? no canary wharf , no city of london only old london stuff. i'm curious what impact shard will have . also i'm glad olympics will be here and near by canary wharf and city not too far away.. that might help

spot on i couldn't agree more new london also needs to be seen

The gherkin is featured on a lot of postcards now.

There are also postcards with the city skyline behind Tower Bridge (usually outdated) and I've also seen cards of City Hall and Canary Wharf.
The simple fact is though that of the millions of tourists visiting London each year, very few are particularly interested in our newer architecture. They come here for heritage, culture, nightlife etc...
I'd imagine that whoever prints the cards just responds to demand.

Wow to that pic, DarJoLe!

You really do appear to have the best viewpoint from which to view the skyline.

Actually I think newer areas of London are often featured on TV and in film - CW is always in any show/film about money or business, not to mention flesh eating zombies.

Great shot DarJoLe, the Shard is going to dominate that view!

it seems like the construction workers on the shard have been working so hard these past few weeks they're now having a two day bank holiday

Sorry, Shard overload - I'll apologise now for forgetting to get a shot of the cladding.

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2561.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2596.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2598.jpg

From the 'Three Towers' car park:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2606.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2607.jpg

Floor 29 is visible:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2620.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2622.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2624.jpg

The old and the new:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2625.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2638.jpg

A fairly quiet Sunday:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_2639.jpg

Very nice ;)

Wow :eek: its really shooting up! I must get up there for some shots.. been too busy of late.

Found this image of TB, The shard will be a centre piece from this angle :) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Tower_bridge_London_Twilight_-_November_2006.jpg

not my image ,wikipedia :)

^^Now that is good, it doesn’t look real somehow. I’d love to know what lens was used.

Just imagine this view in a few years time!!

no, I think no matter how good the shard is, London bridge will always be the center piece from that angle.

Tower Bridge not, London Bridge.

I know its a way into the future at the moment, but I really hope on completion that the Shard is going to have a nice "Burj Kahlifa" style opening ceremony :)

no, I think no matter how good the shard is, London bridge will always be the center piece from that angle.

sorry a poor choice of words, i meant the centre peace of the background. A sort of cherry on the cake!

Tower Bridge not, London Bridge.

sorry Tower Bridge. Us from 'north are not too bright lol. :lol:

London bridge is looking pretty impressive, Ive never seen it lit up before.

..but in the first picture it's obscuring our view of The Worlds Tallest Hospital.

..but in the first picture it's obscuring our view of The Worlds Tallest Hospital.

Hurrah!

Yea but its no different to skyscrapercrazeeee's visit two week's ago ;0)

London bridge is looking pretty impressive, Ive never seen it lit up before.

...and nor have you yet!

See above for correct bridge ;)

On that note. Seeing as there is a deficit, maybe now it the time to sell off another London Bridge (clearly enough people will make the same mistake again) :lol:

London bridge is looking pretty impressive, Ive never seen it lit up before.

...and nor have you yet!

See above for correct bridge ;)


No, Leo's correct. It is lit up and has been since the Millennium.

That red streak on the right. ;)

Oh yes!! LOL Apologies. Maybe now is the time to get myself a wider monitor. I cant see anything on that side

To think Ive been missing all that :(

BTW whats the blue lighting?

Hey everyone I cant help noticing how close I live to the shard and i would be happy to contribute photos to this forum, although how do I post photos? I can't just browse into my pictures can I? can someone help me out

The tower is looking great, when is it meant to top out?

BTW whats the blue lighting?

If it's what I think you're on about, it's a coloured lighting strip under the handrail round The Scoop at More London

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/4037621413_4380da4738_o.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2r7tr3t.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/34p14kn.jpg

wow, that core dominates the scene now, and the steel is rising so fast behind it!

The Shard sets an important precedent. Any developer wishing to build a tall building in London in the future can say "well it's not as tall as the Shard" and should get an easier time getting planning application.

I like the Shard and a possible reclad of Guys Hospital, renovation of the station and a developing cluster of modern buildings would be good for that area.

If it's what I think you're on about, it's a coloured lighting strip under the handrail round The Scoop at More London

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/4037621413_4380da4738_o.jpg

Thats lovely...Thanks.

@ Supertall Robbo

Great stuff.

Just upload your pics to www.tinypic.com

It will give you a link to upload to forums. You paste link with you post your post.

The Shard sets an important precedent. Any developer wishing to build a tall building in London in the future can say "well it's not as tall as the Shard" and should get an easier time getting planning application.

I hope too that it will show people that building tall doesn't necessarily mean '60's tower block' which I imagine is what people tend to think of when they hear a new skyscraper is going up.

Hey everyone I cant help noticing how close I live to the shard and i would be happy to contribute photos to this forum, although how do I post photos? I can't just browse into my pictures can I? can someone help me out

The tower is looking great, when is it meant to top out?
go to www.imageshack.us and follow the instructions

The Shard sets an important precedent. Any developer wishing to build a tall building in London in the future can say "well it's not as tall as the Shard" and should get an easier time getting planning application.

Hahaha. If only.

...and nor have you yet!

See above for correct bridge ;)

On that note. Seeing as there is a deficit, maybe now it the time to sell off another London Bridge (clearly enough people will make the same mistake again) :lol:

I reckon it's a very common mistake, unfortunately.
Something making people possibly even more confused about this TB/LB issue, I have just found out that, typing London bridge on Google images search, it shows up in the first page only photographs of Tower bridge... :bash: some of them very nice by the way :lol:

I reckon it's a very common mistake, unfortunately.
Something making people possibly even more confused about this TB/LB issue, I have just found out that, typing London bridge on Google images search, it shows up in the first page only photographs of Tower bridge... :bash: some of them very nice by the way :lol:

Just to clarify I was talking about London Bridge, that can be seen in the right bottom corner of the picture.

Im guessing the lighting is about half way down the bridge making it look far more elegant that it does in the day ? ? ?

The core has grown again today. :)

Just to clarify I was talking about London Bridge, that can be seen in the right bottom corner of the picture.
? ? ?

Yes my apologies....I dont seem to get all the image ;(

London Bridge Tower - the "Shard of Glass"
Southwark

Height: 310m | Floors: 72 | Architect: Renzo Piano | Developer: Sellar Property Group

Links: WSP Shard brochure (http://www.wspgroup.se/upload/documents/PDF/UK/WSP_Shard_Brochure.pdf) | Official website (http://www.shardlondonbridge.com/) | Renzo Piano Building Workshop (http://www.rpbw.com) | Skyscrapernews listing (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=46) | Station redevelopment (http://www.tpbennett.co.uk/project.aspx?siteid=2&projectid=13)

Notes:

This landmark tower will be the first building in the UK to break the 1000 foot barrier. It will be nearly twice the height of the Gherkin,
and one of the tallest buildings in Europe.
London's first truly "mixed use" tower, the floors will be divided (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=25998656&postcount=3645) into a mixture of residential, office, hotel, retail and public space.
Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the tower was structurally redesigned to improve stability and reduce evacuation times.
The tower went through a lengthy public inquiry. It was approved by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, on 19th November 2003.
The total cost of the project is in excess of £1.2bn and includes major refurbishment of the neighbouring train and bus stations.
The tower has two main tenants lined up - Shangri-La Hotels (http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/london/shangrila), who will be occupying floors 34-52 - and Transport for London (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=595) who will
take some of the office space.
Financial issues plagued the tower for years, but were resolved in 2008 when four Qatari banks took an 80% stake
in the project (buying-out both CLS and Simon Halabi). All funding and contracts were subsequently secured.

Current Status:
Under construction! Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WYKyCrK9tM) for a video of the schedule. The tower will be topped-out in late 2010 and is scheduled for practical completion by May 2012.


http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/46TheShard_pic2.jpg



---



Thread landmarks

24th Nov 2006 - PwC staff informed that they will vacate Southwark Towers (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=10613887&postcount=125)

15th Nov 2007 - Mace chosen to build the Shard (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=16496003&postcount=2210)

10th Jan 2008 - CLS Holdings sells stake in the Shard (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=17612436&postcount=2453)

18th Jan 2008 - Halabi sells stake in the Shard (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=17781935&postcount=2489)

22nd Jan 2008 - Sellar Property Group sets up Qatari consortium to carry out the Shard development (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=17873271&postcount=2505)

24th Mar 2008 - 'White sheet of death' appears on Southwark Towers (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19219507&postcount=2798)

12th Feb 2009 - Demolition of Southwark Towers structure complete (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=32187072&postcount=4443)

23rd Feb 2009 - Mace secures contract to build the Shard (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=32720050&postcount=4538)

16th Mar 2009 - Shard officially starts construction (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=33685318&postcount=4741)

17th Mar 2009 - First piling rig (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=33759394&postcount=4764)

18th Sep 2009 - First steel column (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43273008&postcount=5967)

19th Sep 2009 - Installation of Tower Crane 1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43326016&postcount=5982)

1st Oct 2009 - Installation of Tower Crane 2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43971194&postcount=6168)

10th Oct 2009 - First concrete pillars (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=44408468&postcount=6254)

25th May 2010 - First glass panel of the external envelope (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=57511925#post57511925)

That was a great video :)

This building is going up very fast, so fast I can't really believe it. lol

I can see almost the crane cab above Guys (the brace support for the boom is visible) now from my flat in Walworth, must be almost over the height of Guys today. I might even take a pic seeing as there isn't a torrential downpour tonight unlike yesterday when I couldn't even see Guys.

Nope,not over Guys.Reckon 112 metres now-floor 31

*massive opening post from page 1*
That was a great video :)

Perhaps, but was it really necessary to quote the entire opening post?

Close to getting over the roof height though I would think, rather than the height of the chimneys?

very exciting

'Good bye slip form' :lol: Got to love progress.

Close to getting over the roof height though I would think, rather than the height of the chimneys?

? Guys first level roof height 120 metres. So about 8 metres to go.

Looking at the cams it doesn't look like those cranes have moved since saturday, have they stopped for a holiday.

Also has anybody else noticed that if you look at the angle of the edge of the steel work it looks like the whole building will come to a point long before the 309m mark. Is this an optical illusion of some kind.

Yes it is.Coz it must be
...granted,i know what you mean

'Good bye slip form' :lol: Got to love progress.

well the second core is poking its head above Ground Floor level now so its goodbye to the main core and hello to its little brother. I will get a pic tomorrow if one hasnt been uploaded by that point already.

Good man ^^. It's a real pain not living in London, I’d love to just pop down at lunch time the check out the progress. Glad to here the second core is coming into play; it's sort of been overlooked up to now.

Looking at the cams it doesn't look like those cranes have moved since saturday, have they stopped for a holiday.

Also has anybody else noticed that if you look at the angle of the edge of the steel work it looks like the whole building will come to a point long before the 309m mark. Is this an optical illusion of some kind.
Naa, there has been a fair bit of work today. They were moving, probably were just trying to fool you (quick - Drew's coming back online, move them back and pretend we haven't moved)

I know what you mean about the angles, I wondered the same. However if you see the renders you'll see that some facets are steeper than others, the whole shape is quite crystaline and not the case that all sides point straight to the top.

You'll also understand that as the core gets thinner, the floor space doesn't get smaller, so its not like the building is gonna have 2 room floors up from halfway, that would be stupid and a waste.

Progress in comparison to the construction video seemed to be behind by about 45 days around christmas, but now seems behind by 60-80 days.

Does anyone know if the video was made around an old construction schedule (there do seem to be major differences in relative core / steel work progress), or have there been that many delays, and is that to be expected?

Update from BT Tower


May 15
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4603101907_8d8957f5eb_b.jpg

Today after 2 weeks
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4665858056_2e9a33693e_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4665858182_289cdd7aea.jpg

The video (The Mace one with the funky music) assumed that the basement concrete would be poured before the Core started...hence the steel managed to keep up nicely with the core. Piliing between the exisiting piles from the PWC building, tube lines and other stuff became complicated such that It then went 'top-down' instead, causing the core to spring up ahead of the steel to a level that could be temporarily supported with no basement slab. While they backfilled the basement the core stopped...at this point the steel started and they were backfilling the detail (staircases etc) within the core itself. When ever the core springs up 3m per day it means that it will need to stop intermittently to backfill the detail within.

Constuction is an unpredictable and funny old game.....but it's still about 4 weeks ahead of programme as far as I've been told.

The core going up so fast is also a good advert for Seller to attract the missing office pre-lets btw....

spotted the number 30 poking out (just) this morning

great pics nauticat - you can see the cruise liner mooring at Greenwich too

visited for the first time in a while yesterday. what a beast...

first up some shots from above, not quite up to the height of Guy's yet:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4665432655_452fc094b5_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4666060622_65b7689a6e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/4666062376_9ed76f9ed6_b.jpg

second core:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1291/4666058424_dc0cd1b609_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4665435523_d3ccd462dd_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4665440133_1083fd1b39_b.jpg

From my window... about 10mins ago (not a bad view for a halls of residence!)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5356/img0063ya.jpg

Wonderful images, thankyou to everybody who takes time to upload etc, it really is much appreciated.

I was just wondering about the cladding. Has anymore gone up yet or have they stopped at 7/8 panels, maybe doing some kind of tester?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/luke82/RomeMay2010179.jpg

From my window... about 10mins ago (not a bad view for a halls of residence!)

Not a bad view?

NOT A BAD VIEW!?

:uh:

One of the best I'd say! :happy:

From my window... about 10mins ago (not a bad view for a halls of residence!)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5356/img0063ya.jpg

You b*****d! :D

the picture showing the core on the left and the City as well shows how diverse (and weird) the architecture is in the City. One angel court, tower 42, gracechurch street, plantation building or whatever it's called in fenchurch street, stock exchange tower, st helens, lloyds, willis building, 99 bishopsgate, 30 st mary axe, the building my dad calls gotham city, broadgate tower, gherkin and of course heron tower

I'm on the train back home to Newcastle after a very dull meeting in London. I took time out to go across London Bridge and can officially confirm that the Shards is now quite big.

Wonderful images, thankyou to everybody who takes time to upload etc, it really is much appreciated.

I was just wondering about the cladding. Has anymore gone up yet or have they stopped at 7/8 panels, maybe doing some kind of tester?

When I looked this morning it was still at the same number of panels as last week.

From my window... about 10mins ago (not a bad view for a halls of residence!)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5356/img0063ya.jpg

Wolfson House?

I'm on the train back home to Newcastle after a very dull meeting in London. I took time out to go across London Bridge and can officially confirm that the Shards is now quite big.

Haha, thanks for the informative update. :lol:

I would imagine that the crane (the one that is surrounded by the floor levels) will have the extending section put on it any day now, it doesn't look like there will be enough room if they add another two floors onto the existing ones.

I'm on the train back home to Newcastle after a very dull meeting in London. I took time out to go across London Bridge and can officially confirm that the Shards is now quite big.

Don't make claims you can''t verify, you'll have to get more confirmation than that ;)

You can also see the core now on the trains coming into Victoria.

Wolfson House?

The one and only!

Will post a night shot at some point too

I counted at least 12 panels today. 4 of them on the St Thomas Street Side.

Well, there's no chance anyone is going to remember me but I've decided to start posting after an incredibly long period of abscence. I'm living in London now and just wanted to say how exciting it is to finally be amongst all these huge projects, the shard especially. Thanks for all your photo updates too guys, looking stunning.

starting to tower over Tooley Street
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1030514.jpg

Shard article in today's standard:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23840865-renzo-piano-is-an-architect-on-high.do

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/P1040829a.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/P1040830a.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/P1040831a.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/P1040844a.jpg

Can't believe I'm gonna say this but .... Guy's Hospital is looking good on those snaps :| A small-scale renovation of the cladding will do wonders as opposed to the overly fancy ideas already circulating.

Shard article in today's standard:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23840865-renzo-piano-is-an-architect-on-high.do


Reader views (1)

These hideous tower blocks will destroy London forever. The city will never be the same again. They must be stopped!

- Sarah Barrington-Ward, Tunbridge Wells, 03/06/2010 21:50

Reader views (1)

These hideous tower blocks will destroy London forever. The city will never be the same again. They must be stopped!

- Sarah Barrington-Ward, Tunbridge Wells, 03/06/2010 21:50

Yes, how dare this beautiful piece of world class architecture upset someone with a double-barrelled surname from Tunbridge Wells.

Not only does she describe it as a tower block, she seems to be suggesting that she would rather London stayed still and remained ever unchanging?!

Edit: A damn good CLEAN would do wonders for Guys, never mind the tacky refurb!

Reader views (1)

These hideous tower blocks will destroy London forever. The city will never be the same again. They must be stopped!

- Sarah Barrington-Ward, Tunbridge Wells, 03/06/2010 21:50

Wjfox, I don't know why you sometimes post people's negative views on a project which we clearly all love. These commentors have their opinions, fair enough... 97% of us disagree with them... Why post what they say just to get an overreaction from a few forumers?

Wjfox, I don't know why you sometimes post people's negative views on a project which we clearly all love. These commentors have their opinions, fair enough... 97% of us disagree with them... Why post what they say just to get an overreaction from a few forumers?

Because they are amusing? :lol:

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2010/06/shardofgalss415.jpg

Arch-vis fail.

http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Politics/Images/the-simpsons-escalator-to-nowhere.jpg

Let's hope the city will never be the same again. No doubt she'd like to see it as a moribund museum.

Let's hope the city will never be the same again. No doubt she'd like to see it as a moribund museum.

Dude, this is that Evening Standard we are talking about here: most readers wouldn't know irony if it built an 87 storey 'tower block' next door to them!

*EDIT* ok, ha misread you- know one thinks shes being icronic!

You're right, perhaps it is a parody.