Nice video, including view into core box, on Daily Mirror website:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/12/09/the-shard-video-britain-s-tallest-skyscraper-will-be-europe-s-best-looking-building-115875-22772267/

Just in case some people haven't already seen these.

A collection of photos taken from the 24th floor.

http://www.estatesgazette.com/blogs/focus/2010/12/the-view-from-the-shard.htmlWelcome to the forum, and thanks for the link. The photos you have linked to were shown just a few posts above yours. However your link also takes us to this video, which is excellent:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1078645192?bctid=704198270001

Embedded -

MbPAOGN1IBI

Oh my. Wonderful! Not just the Shard, but the City and everything... very sound. :cool:

From EG:

Boris Johnson and James Sellar:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5246096295_9bb21ea20f_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5246699380_516bb90fe9_b.jpg

Shame it wasn't icy up there...

The City desperately needs the Pinnacle to give its cluster much needed height lol.

Shame it wasn't icy up there...You should be more grateful to the capitalist entrepreneurs who are building this beautiful new landmark for our city.

I am grateful to the entrepreneurs who are building it. My point was a political one.

You should be more grateful to the capitalist entrepreneurs who are building this beautiful new landmark for our city.

Yes well it sums up Boris nicely. He came to the position of Mayor offering to temper such 'monstrosities' and yet here we see him lapping up his predecessors work.........

Shard will on Channel 4 news later.

I am grateful to the entrepreneurs who are building it. My point was a political one.Oh I see, you meant Boris.... ;)

But you have to admit, in your socialist utopia, in which businessmen are despised and massively taxed to morally punish them for being rich, there'd be fewer Sellars and Ronsons to build us our skyscrapers. The Shard provides office space for businesses, most likely financial businesses paying large performance bonuses, the Shangri-La hotel will cater for the rich, and the apartments are for the rich. If you were in power, all of that wealth and wealth creation would be driven abroad.

Wasnt TfL supposed to be in there?

Yes well it sums up Boris nicely. He came to the position of Mayor offering to temper such 'monstrosities' and yet here we see him lapping up his predecessors work.........

:lol: good summary!

Tee hee, I saw the Shard on CBBC Newsround, the presenter went up to the 36 or so level, the windows were in, then she took a lift much higher.

Wasnt TfL supposed to be in there?Not any more. Sellar knows her can get more rent than they were prepared to pay, so he bought out their lease.

But it was nice of Ken to have such confidence in the project he put TfL onboard to give them a bit of a kick start in the finding tenants search.

Yeah I agree with that. Ken was good was scrapers and supported developers.

Wow what an excellent day of media coverage!!

Thanks for all the post guys!

Channel 4s vid on the Shard can be found at the bottom here

http://blogs.channel4.com/culture/soaring-shard-europes-largest-building/219

And here's the vid from Newsround

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9270000/newsid_9274200/9274298.stm

.....

Channel 4s vid on the Shard can be found at the bottom here

http://blogs.channel4.com/culture/soaring-shard-europes-largest-building/219

And here's the vid from Newsround

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9270000/newsid_9274200/9274298.stm

Thanks for posting those :)

Also, those pictures (which included Boris - lol) that gegloma01 posted on the previous page are great and make me even more impatient to go to the viewing platform (when it is finished of course) :) :happy:

Just watched the C4 News broadcast. I think it is stunning how the glass is really mirrory silver. ;)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9270000/newsid_9274200/9274298.stm

Pretty decent timelapse action in that video :)

Should be some great timelapse videos when this is completed :happy:

Not to state the obvious, but it's been a big old press day today. Major coverage from many news outlets.

This comment was on the channel 4 blog. Bit harsh!



"Matthew,

You think this kind of nonsensical “race” is new?

Check out the development of New York skyscrapers built on the backs of interwar and Great Depression poverty.

As for “the shard” – it’s nothing more than another piece of lousy high rise architecture to join the fat cucumber and the phony Canary Wharf boxes that makes Lahndan the architectural dregs of Europe.

Just because you got an elevated nose bleed on a PR jolly doesn’t make this horrible building of any worth.

I’m getting concerned about you, Matthew. This structure is “stunning” (huh? why?), Coronation Street is “art” (REALLY?) and the Turner Prize is worth having.

Then again, perhaps it illustrates perfectly why this country’s culture has become outright tacky and cheap, a soap opera of the tenth rate. All of which means we get exactly the kind of capital city we deserve."

That person should get out more.

Well, I took advantage of the good weather today to get some pics in. And this time I remembered to take my circular polariser...

There are about forty more photos from today (and about 2,700 others from the last fifteen months or so) in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard/).


Queen Elizabeth Street providing its customary useful spot to observe the whole tower.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0003.jpg


The western side from the junction of Bermondsey Street and St Thomas Street

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0021.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0032.jpg


A lucky catch with a BA airliner

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0025.jpg


Progress on the backpack (no glazing yet, that I could see)

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0042.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0047.jpg


Moving west along St Thomas Street...

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0046.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0049.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0051.jpg


to the courtyard of Guy's Hospital

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0060.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0052.jpg



Southwark Street

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0075.jpg


Nice light on the glazing on the SW corner from the bus station

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0107.jpg


NW corner from Duke Street Hill

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20101209_0116.jpg

Great stuff as per usual, Cybertect :)

That person should get out more.

To another country and not come back.

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

No. It's a skyscraper being built in London. It isn't meant to be a version of either.

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

The shard is unique!:nuts: dont say that again!

those pictures with boris at the top are pretty epic...gives an idea of the views we will get to see when it opens :)

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

It really depends what you mean. The building is in no way similar to the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower physically.

If you mean is it going to be one of the cities most well known buildings, and will be known to a huge number of people then the answer is yes.

The way you phrase what you say is a bit like saying New York City is the USA's version of Tehran.

Channel 4s vid on the Shard can be found at the bottom here

http://blogs.channel4.com/culture/soaring-shard-europes-largest-building/219

Is C4's 'culture editor' Matthew Cain the campest man on earth?

Is C4's 'culture editor' Matthew Cain the campest man on earth?

Lol, I didn't want to say it, but.....my god, he's camp.

I wonder how many extra views this thread has gained in the last few days.

Hello interested members of the general population.

Is C4's 'culture editor' Matthew Cain the campest man on earth?

hahah! Really, wow!

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

in the minds of londoners yes
But in reality not nearly as iconic.
still love it though :)

But in reality not nearly as iconic

The iconicity value of the Eiffel Tower in 1889 was nearly zero.

Indeed, it was widely regarded as an eyesore and was lucky to avoid demolition at the end of the 1889 Exposition Universelle.

It takes time for such things to be established. For The Shard, you can't tell either way at the moment.

in the minds of londoners yes
But in reality not nearly as iconic.
still love it though :)

I don't think this is a fair comparison. You are comparing a building which is just under construction with two buildings that are over 70 years old.

I think the average Londoner will quickly come to see the Shard as an iconic London structure such as The Gherkin or One Canada Square, and it will quickly also gain recognition with tourists visiting the city.

if you walk along the millennium bridge the shard looks absolutely gigantic and the majority of tourists stop to take pictures off it....so its defiantly on its way to becoming a major landmark :) plus the fact it will be open to the public is a big boost for it

look i think the shard is brilliant
But it aint never gonna be as iconic as either of those.
Both were supertalls of their age, amoung the first on the planet;both were cutting edge construction techniques;both were different continents approach to 'talls' and both had the first public view spaces on each continant.
the Shard is great .
But globally its one of many.
or at least a fare few
However the fact that its in london-as someone mentioned before- will make iy more of an icon than it may've been if built in a less iconic city :)

Cybertects photos :drool:

:crazy2: Many thanks to Cybertect.....what stunnning photos :crazy2:

Is this thing London version of Empire State building or Eiffel Tower?

If you are talking about the most identical structure in the city, i'd say YES, the Shard is going to be one of the most iconic buildings in London, just like Empire State building in NYC.

Is C4's 'culture editor' Matthew Cain the campest man on earth?

C4 are to expand their newsreading team next year....

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a292486/channel-4-news-to-hire-third-presenter.html

If any member of SSC is a black lesbian midget, your a dead cert to get the job...being blind would be an also be an extra qualification...

If any member of SSC is a black lesbian midget, your a dead cert to get the job...being blind would be an also be an extra qualification...

Are you suggesting Mr Cain only got his job at Channel 4 because he was camp?

ah well better than the cold faced reporters you get on the bbc and itv news

C4 are to expand their newsreading team next year....

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a292486/channel-4-news-to-hire-third-presenter.html

If any member of SSC is a black lesbian midget, your a dead cert to get the job...being blind would be an also be an extra qualification...

You are pathetic! I can only imagine what sort of person you are as illustrated by your bigotry and insensitivity.

C4 are to expand their newsreading team next year....

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a292486/channel-4-news-to-hire-third-presenter.html

If any member of SSC is a black lesbian midget, your a dead cert to get the job...being blind would be an also be an extra qualification...

Good grief man. :ohno:

The guy is just conspiciously camp and it amuses me slightly, that's all.

Beyond that, it was a decent report.

look i think the shard is brilliant
But it aint never gonna be as iconic as either of those.
Both were supertalls of their age, amoung the first on the planet;both were cutting edge construction techniques;both were different continents approach to 'talls' and both had the first public view spaces on each continant.
the Shard is great .
But globally its one of many.
or at least a fare few
However the fact that its in london-as someone mentioned before- will make iy more of an icon than it may've been if built in a less iconic city :)

How do you know that the Shard will never be iconic?

In the Channel 4 video, the person who talked most sense in my opinion was Hugh Pearman.
To paraphrase, the (only) trouble with tall buildings is that one tall building leads to tall buildings nearby of lesser design. Hence in London we get the unbelievably bad Aldgate Tower and the nearly-as-bad Heron Tower which has totally destroyed the elegance of Tower 42, partially obscured the beauty of the Gherkin and made the whole city view from the South Bank a total blob of mediocrity. | I hate Aldgate with a vengeance, and would rather not have Heron.
It is very depressing and I hope that the Shard gets space to breath, else as Hugh says, London will look like every other city on the planet.

If any member of SSC is a black lesbian midget, your a dead cert to get the job...being blind would be an also be an extra qualification...

How very dare you! I am all of those things as well as gay and a single father, asylum seeker and Tory! I have dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysentry and have a depressed Chinese relative in the North!.............who is transexual and is body dismorpic...............and has downs syndrome...........and a mental health issue.

I cant think of anyone else you might prefer to be dead ;) :lol:

I'm a 14 year old boy. :shifty:

They say children learn about sex, violence and swearing from the telly. They should throw skyscrapercity in there ;)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5246699380_516bb90fe9_b.jpg

It must be amazing to operate such crane. Amazing views everyday

In the Channel 4 video, the person who talked most sense in my opinion was Hugh Pearman.
To paraphrase, the (only) trouble with tall buildings is that one tall building leads to tall buildings nearby of lesser design. Hence in London we get the unbelievably bad Aldgate Tower and the nearly-as-bad Heron Tower which has totally destroyed the elegance of Tower 42, partially obscured the beauty of the Gherkin and made the whole city view from the South Bank a total blob of mediocrity. | I hate Aldgate with a vengeance, and would rather not have Heron.
It is very depressing and I hope that the Shard gets space to breath, else as Hugh says, London will look like every other city on the planet.

I love tower 42 but in skyscraper terms it's pretty mediocre. How you can then say Heron, which is a pretty high quality building, somehow destroys it is odd. Maybe we should protect the sight lines of tower 42! :lol:

Some guy I follow on twitter;

"At London Bridge, just laid eyes on the Shard - it's the ugliest fucking thing in the world"
:ohno:

Some guy I follow on twitter;

"At London Bridge, just laid eyes on the Shard - it's the ugliest fucking thing in the world"
:ohno:

:bash:

Some guy I follow on twitter;

"At London Bridge, just laid eyes on the Shard - it's the ugliest fucking thing in the world"
:ohno:

maybe this guy thinks its finished, or maybe he just has terrible taste

From a couple of weeks ago.. from iPhone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/emerbot/IMG_1700-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/emerbot/IMG_0379.jpg

sorry for the awful phone quality, but the shard has it's own christmas tree! Thing is so huge right now. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NNj63BUfciE/TQLK_rEG8eI/AAAAAAAAAAM/3P_PbWFYGvo/s1600/image-upload-1-767651.jpg

You know I feel a bit sorry for Gerald Ronson. Not only has the Shard completely overshadowed Heron but in this report Hugh Pearman implies without saying it directly that Heron is a second rate tower sprouted up in the City cluster.

5RrBS-s3rcs

hehe the guy narrating it sounds like an air steward..sorry

whens the Guys reclad?

How do you know that the Shard will never be iconic?

because im not a 14 year old boy.
old enuff to be ur grandad. . . .
But i said not as iconic as the two towers mentioned :)

because im not a 14 year old boy.
old enuff to be ur grandad. . . .
But i said not as iconic as the two towers mentioned :)

Well, I think that given time it can be as iconic as the other two mentioned. And, if you're old enough to be my Grandad, then I would have expected better spelling and grammar from you.

hehe the guy narrating it sounds like an air steward..sorry

Don't you start as well. ;)

Well, I think that given time it can be as iconic as the other two mentioned. And, if you're old enough to be my Grandad, then I would have expected better spelling and grammar from you.



LOL I think he is intentionally using 'kids' language: 'enuff' 'ur' innit?

You know I feel a bit sorry for Gerald Ronson. Not only has the Shard completely overshadowed Heron but in this report Hugh Pearman implies without saying it directly that Heron is a second rate tower sprouted up in the City cluster.

5RrBS-s3rcs

I am devistated that Ptolemy Dean doesnt like it!


Love the way he treats cities that build tall with distain.

because im not a 14 year old boy.
old enuff to be ur grandad. . . .
But i said not as iconic as the two towers mentioned :)


Who do you think you are ? Judge Dread ? :)
My,100 metre Christmas trees.Cool

because im not a 14 year old boy.
old enuff to be ur grandad. . . .
But i said not as iconic as the two towers mentioned :)

That's not a very good argument considering it's the teenagers of today who will 'decide' whether it's iconic or not. It's a building of their generation.

I am devistated that Ptolemy Dean doesnt like it!


Love the way he treats cities that build tall with distain.

I knew increased coverage would give the NIMBY's an opportunity to act superior, smarmy, and to spew their BS. It's like they're trying to get some kind of victory out of it by being spiteful, or trying their best to deal with it because no matter what, this building is being built and they can't stop it. I found myself laughing at him talking about London like that.

I am devistated that Ptolemy Dean doesnt like it!


Love the way he treats cities that build tall with distain.

Well it would have been boring news if someone didn't have an extreme view on it. Just to emphasise his point, there was a nice old painting of what looked like london in the 1600's behind. I hope he cries lots at the topping out ceremony.

prince charles, simon jenkins and ptolemy dean, theyre all the same... Boris used to fit into this category until 2 days ago when he realised it would be a great PR stunt to visit the shard.

That's not a very good argument considering it's the teenagers of today who will 'decide' whether it's iconic or not. It's a building of their generation.


yep you're right.
Thery're gonna write the history
Guess my logic is about as good as me shbellin' :ohno:

The thing that baffles me about this building is,the shape.you know with the recession and all

Sorry if this question has already been answed,but it looks like the steelwork on the shard has slowed down.
Does anyone know the reason for this?

Sorry if this question has already been answed,but it looks like the steelwork on the shard has slowed down.
Does anyone know the reason for this?

I think it's because the next floors are made of concrete, so there must be some kind of transition going on.

I'm a 14 year old boy. :shifty:

i wasnt being horrible to you just having a laugh.
good luck to you here on SSC mate .
It can be a bit of a ride.... :banana:

The thing that baffles me about this building is,the shape.you know with the recession and all

The recession's in the past. It occurred between this tower's design and build. An inconvenient, but not fatal, interruption.

Well the core hasn't risen enuff these past couple of weeks, why don't they put anti-freeze in the concrete innit! so tell mace ur in a lot of trouble for being so thick! :puke:

Amazing that the Shard is so tall now, it dominates the skyline! just to tell you that my sister's friend's dad had put that film in live for the Channel4 News, so quite an important job!

cg_1980:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5251915836_7f1e006555_z.jpg

I am devistated that Ptolemy Dean doesnt like it!


Love the way he treats cities that build tall with distain.


I found it quite an ignorant, ill-thought response, personally. :ohno:

Cities (including London) were no doubt reaching to the skies long before what we now define as skyscrapers existed. This tower is a homage to the cathedrals and spires of centuries gone and a nod to the future of a World city.

hi new here really enjoying the updates on the shard. i was near the shard last month was amazed by it. could you guys answer some questions for me. one has the crane on the top of the core got a tower going to ground level via the inside of the core and how do they get the last standing crane down from the tops of these tall buildings thanks.

Well one, i can't really answer that. Two, they may remove the crane at the top using helicopters. ^^ welcome here vince w and enjoy our thread! :wave:

Today!

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050279.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050230.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050272.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050286.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050290.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050298.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050319.jpg

:scouserd:
http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050309.jpg

Today!

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/freddycoasterman/P1050298.jpg


Interesting capture. Shows how they solve the problem of the crane ties and glazing. :cool:

very nice pictures Freddy.c :cheers2:

Interesting capture. Shows how they solve the problem of the crane ties and glazing. :cool:

I was thinking that. Not sure how the frame got around the crane tie - presuming they assembled it frame in-situ rather than unbolting the crane for a while !

I'm also thinking this is probably a temporary frame for spacing rather than an actual cladding panel sans glass (which I think would all be one unit).

Thanks the shard baby. i was born in lewisham i now live in cork ireland home to irelands tallest building which is just short of the core on the east side of the shard. i make regular trips to london and really enjoy checking out the towers in london. sorry for going of topic.

hi new here really enjoying the updates on the shard. i was near the shard last month was amazed by it. could you guys answer some questions for me. one has the crane on the top of the core got a tower going to ground level via the inside of the core


No - it's been stated before on the thread that this crane is just attached to the slip form.


and how do they get the last standing crane down from the tops of these tall buildings thanks.

In this case, one of the external cranes (it's been said there will be a new one, but either way at least one external crane has to go higher to build the top steel) will lift it down, and then climb itself down (see Heron thread for example)

Sometimes they disassemble cranes with progressively smaller cranes until the last one comes apart by hand and goes down in a lift (see way back in Burj Khalifa thread).

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5250204858_99ae6fc192_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddieandroushka/5250204858/)
shard_10122010_122 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddieandroushka/5250204858/) by eddieboyd247 (http://www.flickr.com/people/eddieandroushka/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5249602147_e411d2a079_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddieandroushka/5249602147/)
shard_09122010_119 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddieandroushka/5249602147/) by eddieboyd247 (http://www.flickr.com/people/eddieandroushka/), on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddieandroushka/5249602613/]

wow amazing pictures!

wonder if the entire building will be turned into a tree....now that would be something ha

I'm also thinking this is probably a temporary frame for spacing rather than an actual cladding panel sans glass (which I think would all be one unit).

It appears to have a blind box, which suggests its rather more than a temporary spacer and will be retro-fitted with glass.

Otherwise, why bother putting the blind box in?

The outermost panels are only a single layer of glass as a rain-screen IIRC, so there's no worry about sealing a double glazed unit.

^^ now thats an idea!

wonder if the entire building will be turned into a tree....now that would be something ha

Yes, I thought that the other day. It would be great if they did that when it is completed. :)

Yes, maybe they could stick Simon Jenkins on the top.

I can see the whole Shard being lit up like an xmas tree in future years once it's complete. Would look great.

cg_1980:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5251915836_7f1e006555_z.jpg

Large version :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5251915836_7f1e006555_b.jpg

Epic photos guys!
Is it true about the UNified Intelligence Taskforce taking over the plant floors of the Shard, or is it some random person editing wiki? :hammer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shard_London_Bridge#UNIT_floors

Epic photos guys!
Is it true about the UNified Intelligence Taskforce taking over the plant floors of the Shard, or is it some random person editing wiki? :hammer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shard_London_Bridge#UNIT_floors

UNIT floors

On the 27th of May 2010 a decision was made that the Unified Intelligence Taskforce may take over floors 73-87 in 2013. A small redevelopment will take place on the upper floors when the tower is still in use. All other information is classified top secret.

QFT ;)

That would be this UNIT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIT), then... ?

"Jenkins. Chap with the wings there. Five rounds rapid." :D

[I guess they wanted to outdo Torchwood having their London HQ at 1 Canada Square]

Sunday morning, loving the different colours in the glass.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5253938268_80119d1d00_b.jpg


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5253328053_9b98553eca_b.jpg

QFT ;)

That would be this UNIT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIT), then... ?

"Jenkins. Chap with the wings there. Five rounds rapid." :D

[I guess they wanted to outdo Torchwood having their London HQ at 1 Canada Square]
Lol, yes i mean that UNIT, apart from the fact UNIT is made up, there still is a real UNIT, which is top secret, but UNIT got discovered and sold the idea to the BBC, the BBC tried to hide it in Doctor Who in the 1970s.

I'm confused by ShardView77's photos, as i thought there was a larger gap at the top.
http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/shard/camputer95.jpg

Large version :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5251915836_7f1e006555_b.jpg

What is that building to the right of the Shard with the purple lighting at the top? I've seen it before and thought it was a residential tower but I'm not sure.

I'm confused by ShardView77's photos, as i thought there was a larger gap at the top.

It's because the sun was low and shining into an area that is usually in shadow.

What is that building to the right of the Shard with the purple lighting at the top? I've seen it before and thought it was a residential tower but I'm not sure.

Marlin Apartments at Empire Square on Long Lane.

http://www.marlinapartments.com/empiresq-london-bridge.html

The cladding on the backback - such high quality..

What is that building to the right of the Shard with the purple lighting at the top? I've seen it before and thought it was a residential tower but I'm not sure.

it is Empire Square. A residential development by Berkeley Homes. There are 500 or so apartments with some key worker/affordable properties. Marlin Apartments own about 200 or so but seem to be selling them on a slow-drip process. the whole development is rather nice...i live there!

Marlin Apartments at Empire Square on Long Lane.

http://www.marlinapartments.com/empiresq-london-bridge.html

it is Empire Square. A residential development by Berkeley Homes. There are 500 or so apartments with some key worker/affordable properties. Marlin Apartments own about 200 or so but seem to be selling them on a slow-drip process. the whole development is rather nice...i live there!

Thanks :)

The cladding on the backback - such high quality..

Is there cladding on it yet?

^ There is on the first semi-backpack element which is the bit he is referring to.

A shot taken today from the sixth floor terrace at One New Change...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5254363013_2cf0082a3c_b.jpg

Is it possible to get a panorama from One New Change?

Well it would have been boring news if someone didn't have an extreme view on it. Just to emphasise his point, there was a nice old painting of what looked like london in the 1600's behind. I hope he cries lots at the topping out ceremony.

prince charles, simon jenkins and ptolemy dean, theyre all the same... Boris used to fit into this category until 2 days ago when he realised it would be a great PR stunt to visit the shard.

I find it ironic that someone who says London has an "identity crisis" is called Ptolemy.

As for the 16th Century picture, is that HMS Belfast in the foreground?

Is it possible to get a panorama from One New Change?

Not a full 360 panorama, that photo shows the limit from one side, and you can pan round to Barbican etc. It's a terrific view tho' with the Euston Tower being one of the most visible landmarks, which surprised me. What you can't see is Canary Wharf and the east side of the City tho', which is a shame.

Does anyone know when we will start to see the concrete floors rising? Is there much setting up to do etc?

very nice pictures Freddy.c :cheers2:

So the reasons i dont think its gonna be as iconic as Empire State or the Eifell Tower is for the reasons i stated.
And for the obvious reason that although it may be huge in london and tall for Europe in the world of scrapers its just not very big.
All capitals and/or finacial centres in Asia or America have skylines that would swallow it.
Its barely goiong to get into the top 50 talls where as the other two mentioned were top of the tree.
But why not ask what other forumers think by asking in the int forum shard thread ?

although it may be huge in london and tall for Europe in the world of scrapers its just not very big.

It is big by WORLD standards,as only a handful of cities in the world have anything much bigger.

And as for USA,i don't somehow think it would be ''swallowed'' by Wash DC,Capital of US...Nor New York,as it would only be exceeded by ESB and a couple of scrapers owing to masts.

What is it with people who must persist in trying to somehow undermine this (soon to be) most elegant and stupendous looking scraper?

So the reasons i dont think its gonna be as iconic as Empire State or the Eifell Tower is for the reasons i stated.
And for the obvious reason that although it may be huge in london and tall for Europe in the world of scrapers its just not very big.
All capitals and/or finacial centres in Asia or America have skylines that would swallow it.
Its barely goiong to get into the top 50 talls where as the other two mentioned were top of the tree.
But why not ask what other forumers think by asking in the int forum shard thread ?

So, just to clarify, for you iconic=tall?

For me, iconic equals something that stands out. Have you heard of the Bell Tower of Pisa's cathedral? It's not tall, but damn is it iconic!

BT Tower is iconic, the Gherkin is iconic; look for any graphic representation of the London skyline and they will be there.
In years to come, so will the Shard. It will stand out in a skyline of boxy silhouettes and come to define London.

So it isn't the tallest, or the pointiest, or the widest, but it will be iconic.

It is big by WORLD standards,as only a handful of cities in the world have anything much bigger.

And as for USA,i don't somehow think it would be ''swallowed'' by Wash DC,Capital of US...Nor New York,as it would only be exceeded by ESB and a couple of scrapers owing to masts.

What is it with people who must persist in trying to somehow undermine this (soon to be) most elegant and stupendous looking scraper?

i love it. im very happy that london has got it.
its both stupendous(....) and elegent :cheers:
More happy than u'll know .
we've been waiting since 1997 millenium tower.
thats 13 years till now boss. :ohno:
But look at the sister sites diagrams for 2015 and its barely in the top 75 world talls.
It is big , but not in the global sense
look at the U/C for now and its 20 ish :)

Course,i realise in comparison to about the twenty 1300 plus footers. It's not really important though,or relevant though mate,IMO.
It won't change the fact that millions who visit will go goggle eyed and/or drool over it every year..let alone those that see it via media around the world.Its a beauty-not the tallest-but a beauty :-) We're very fortunate this went ahead aren't we

Course,i realise in comparison to about the twenty 1300 plus footers. It's not really important though,or relevant though mate,IMO.
It won't change the fact that millions who visit will go goggle eyed and/or drool over it every year..let alone those that see it via media around the world.Its a beauty-not the tallest-but a beauty :-) We're very fortunate this went ahead aren't we

he he . i was just gonna post that . Personaly I dont think height has too much to do with it.
It helps but is not the only criteria
My fave modern building is I M Pei's BOC in HK which although 'tall' when built and when i first saw it , is now 'mid range' and not v prominent in the skyline of HK island anymore :)
Is it iconic ? It depends on whose answering.
After 25 years most 'civilians' now have probably no idea about it at all.
It will be the same with The Shard
But everybody has heared of Empire State because it was, in the public mind at least, the first in many ways and the tallest for so long.
Btw , is londons height restriction 1000ft?
And does that mean that only if the airport goes to the thames estury do we get Shard toppers?

http://i55.tinypic.com/jsgf1v.jpg

Dam what are they doing up there. Shame Guys isn’t taller ;).

Dam what are they doing up there. Shame Guys isn’t taller ;).

Guys is the tallest hospital in the world :lol:

It's been a little foggy up here of late but heres an update from BT tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5257420377_bd719776fe_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5257433129_e6af56885d_z.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/2424/img4727l.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4808/img4726f.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8042/img4660f.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9008/img4728g.jpg

I envy you Londoners, what a great building. I have tried to kidnap this skyscraper to my city. It didn't fit into my backpack:nuts:.

Sorry for my bad english.

[QUOTE=nauticat;68832005]It's been a little foggy up here of late but heres an update from BT tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5257420377_bd719776fe_b.jpg

Cracking picture Nauticat. Don't suppose you can take the same picture at 5pm can you please? It'll look awesome with the christmas lights on the Shard.

Looks as if the steelwork is level with the height of guys hospital.

I have followed this forum for a while and decided to sign up. I have a couple of questions that I hope someone of you can awnser
1. Is the core fully topped out yet?
2. How do you make London 3D models on Google earth?

I envy you Londoners, what a great building. I have tried to kidnap this skyscraper to my city. It didn't fit into my backpack:nuts:.

Sorry for my bad english.

No apology needed - it's perfect :)

dommoltje's second from last photo is beautifully framed, there are plenty of classic Victorian buildings around the Shard that will be set off wonderfully by the building. Did you know you can see the Shard from Leyton now? Ha ha!

Actually, I wonder what the furthest distance one could see the Shard now? There is that stretch of the M11 14 miles out of London when the provincial disco Canary Wharf flashing light hoves into view, I wonder if the Shard's visible from there?

he he . i was just gonna post that . Personaly I dont think height has too much to do with it.
It helps but is not the only criteria
My fave modern building is I M Pei's BOC in HK which although 'tall' when built and when i first saw it , is now 'mid range' and not v prominent in the skyline of HK island anymore :)
Is it iconic ? It depends on whose answering.
After 25 years most 'civilians' now have probably no idea about it at all.
It will be the same with The Shard
But everybody has heared of Empire State because it was, in the public mind at least, the first in many ways and the tallest for so long.
Btw , is londons height restriction 1000ft?
And does that mean that only if the airport goes to the thames estury do we get Shard toppers?
Yes,the BOC is nice.But Shard will probably still be stand alone in 25 years,and,being as unbiased as i can,Shard is more elegant and beautiful imo. I think a 1000 foot building is huge to most people,and only about 15 are 300 feet or more plus on that.Unsure when the restrictions may be lifted.:cheers:

Actually, I wonder what the furthest distance one could see the Shard now? There is that stretch of the M11 14 miles out of London when the provincial disco Canary Wharf flashing light hoves into view, I wonder if the Shard's visible from there?
If there were a decent elevated viewpoint,it should be visible from 35 miles plus.

^^^ or maybe they do actually put the galss in afterward in this particular instance? :dunno:

Actually, I wonder what the furthest distance one could see the Shard now? There is that stretch of the M11 14 miles out of London when the provincial disco Canary Wharf flashing light hoves into view, I wonder if the Shard's visible from there?

Yes, the Shard is visible from the M11, Just past Harlow heading towards London :)

[QUOTE=nauticat;68832005]It's been a little foggy up here of late but heres an update from BT tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5257420377_bd719776fe_b.jpg

Cracking picture Nauticat. Don't suppose you can take the same picture at 5pm can you please? It'll look awesome with the christmas lights on the Shard.

This pic look better now
http://i56.tinypic.com/99eyr9.jpg

Hight geek time! level 70=239.1metres, so just 4.1metres higher than the top of One Canada Square visible from under the slipform.

hi new here really enjoying the updates on the shard. i was near the shard last month was amazed by it. could you guys answer some questions for me. one has the crane on the top of the core got a tower going to ground level via the inside of the core and how do they get the last standing crane down from the tops of these tall buildings thanks.

http://i55.tinypic.com/jsgf1v.jpg

Vince w, there is your answer to question one now, yes! plus already done question 2, where the hippies come in their helicopters and remove the 40 metre tall crane!
I remember when they installed the core crane, it just appeared on one day in March, when i was looking on this site, then in June i pressed the create account button!

Now no wonder it took a while to get level 70, the weather (or they could of put anti-freeze in it), news reports and another setback!

Epic images posters!

it is Empire Square. A residential development by Berkeley Homes. There are 500 or so apartments with some key worker/affordable properties. Marlin Apartments own about 200 or so but seem to be selling them on a slow-drip process. the whole development is rather nice...i live there!

^^^^ LOL The tower is (was ?) called Tabard Square I am sure. I remember the days when that building filled us with some limited exitment due to the lack of projects at the time.

^^^^ LOL The tower is (was ?) called Tabard Square I am sure. I remember the days when that building filled us with some limited exitment due to the lack of projects at the time.

it WAS Tabard Square ...it IS now Empire Square. the name change happened before people (like me) moved in. there are great views of the shard from most apartments

^^ How old is it (Tabard/Empire Square)? Or maybe I could have put that better eg: when was it completed?

(I think that sounds better)

These were taken last week

Union Street / Redcross Way
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc360/londonfire/Picture15226910_ShiftN.jpg

Southwark Street
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc360/londonfire/Picture15226911_ShiftN.jpg

Shoreditch Park
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc360/londonfire/Picture15226947.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5258650639_af8de8b3f1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_ldn/5258650639/)
Sunset in Westminster (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_ldn/5258650639/) by CB_LDN (http://www.flickr.com/people/cb_ldn/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5259260714_85412d79e8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_ldn/5259260714/)
Westminster (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_ldn/5259260714/) by CB_LDN (http://www.flickr.com/people/cb_ldn/), on Flickr

From the last few days

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5259373756_68e50c289a_b.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/BermondseyShard1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/BermondseyShard3.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/BermondseyShard4.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5258650639_af8de8b3f1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb_ldn/5258650639/)


Surely that is a view to rival Paris? What a place for a public bar/cafe/viewing gallery! Come on Westminster pull your socks up.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5259373756_68e50c289a_b.jpg

mmm I don't think that was today chum?
perhaps....
... three months ago?!
yes when it was quite warm.... ahhh I remember those days
:down:

talking of past tense ,....:ancient:
Here is something from a year ago buddies... amazing how things have progressed since eh?


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/s7.jpg
Work in the core area:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/s2-2.jpg
]

This pic look better now
http://i56.tinypic.com/99eyr9.jpg

Very nice, thank you nauticat and robhood.

^^
London skyline is getting denser and denser now, we only need a few more beautiful skyscrapers such as the Pinnacle, Leadenhall, Fenchurch, Riverside South, and St George Wharf etc. :cheers1:

Surely that is a view to rival Paris? What a place for a public bar/cafe/viewing gallery! Come on Westminster pull your socks up.

Most definitely. If ever a photo was needed to prove that the Shard is the 21st century resurrection of the City of Spires, then that will be the place to take it come 2012.
How misguided some folk must be not to be able to distinguish between this and lesser proposals that genuinely do not gel with the spirit of London.

Look - cladding!

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/camputer64edit.jpg

[QUOTE=essjaybee;68834281]

This pic look better now
http://i56.tinypic.com/99eyr9.jpg

That's one of the best skyline shots of any city I've ever seen.

I'm surprised nobody has yet made reference to the extensive coverage of The Shard in this week's Sunday Times (long article, photos and video). Are we all News of the World readers? I've no idea how to post photos or links myself I'm afraid. Hope someone else can.

or, most likely we don't really care about what the mainstream media has been saying it - they are years late to the party. this website has more readers than the times anyway, you don't have them going on what we are saying. their entire website readership for a month by the way is equivalent to 12 hours of ssc!

^^ Spot on - it had occurred to me that SSC had been following this since it was in planning but couldn't quite think of the expression to describe the recent media activity. "Late to the Party" that's it..

or, most likely we don't really care about what the mainstream media has been saying it - they are years late to the party. this website has more readers than the times anyway, you don't have them going on what we are saying. their entire website readership for a month by the way is equivalent to 12 hours of ssc!

As we know from the past, they follow ssc

^^ Spot on - it had occurred to me that SSC had been following this since it was in planning but couldn't quite think of the expression to describe the recent media activity. "Late to the Party" that's it..

Since the aborted millenium tower....

Hight geek time! level 70=239.1metres, so just short from the top of One Canada Square visible from under the slipform.

Eh ? 1CS is 235 metres. :)

Annnnnyway...moving swiftly on from 'my one's bigger than yours'....

Anyone know why the structure has been static for so damn long? Noted it's concrete from here on in, so that the Hotel patrons get a good nights sleep, but it hasn't moved anywhere in nearly two weeks now!....I keep expecting to see columns or RE bar or workmen...but nout

Dusk view from Hilton Tower Bridge on Sunday
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8k1Swt2-4gQ/TQeQNjgFRNI/AAAAAAAAAFA/FvNUhu-gm0c/DSC00097.JPG

Xmas lights
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8k1Swt2-4gQ/TQeQORApWtI/AAAAAAAAAFE/6dz3PYQ7Lac/DSC00098.JPG

Today from St Giles:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8k1Swt2-4gQ/TQeQRfyVmPI/AAAAAAAAAFM/jU2jgm6U-4o/DSC00102.JPG

ffbryn do you know how long it would take to push on with the concrete floors now or is that not your bag?!

Annnnnyway...moving swiftly on from 'my one's bigger than yours'....

Anyone know why the structure has been static for so damn long? Noted it's concrete from here on in, so that the Hotel patrons get a good nights sleep, but it hasn't moved anywhere in nearly two weeks now!....I keep expecting to see columns or RE bar or workmen...but nout

Patience mon ami. It takes time for the concrete flooring to catch up to the steelwork. Once the top floors (40) have been poured, then the building can continue...

Gothicform-I am absolutely delighted to hear ssc is so popular. I read it at least once a day. Latest figures for Sunday Times readership is 3,166,000. per issue and 700,000 on line. How many do we get and how is it measured? I have on occasion been late for a party but always delighted at the hosts courtesy in letting me in. The more interest, from whatever source, the better. It might make getting more high class skyscrapers built more easily.

It's been a little foggy up here of late but heres an update from BT tower

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5257420377_bd719776fe_b.jpg




brilliant pic.

Look - cladding!

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/camputer64edit.jpg

:happy: :banana:


or, most likely we don't really care about what the mainstream media has been saying it - they are years late to the party. this website has more readers than the times anyway, you don't have them going on what we are saying. their entire website readership for a month by the way is equivalent to 12 hours of ssc!

:)

Patience mon ami. It takes time for the concrete flooring to catch up to the steelwork. Once the top floors (40) have been poured, then the building can continue...

So if they're pouring concrete onto the plated floors all the way up to the hotel, why can they not use the same system for the whole build? Does the current system of concrete slabs on steel frame not provide enough sound/fire insulation?

^^ Exactly right.

Eh ? 1CS is 235 metres. :)

If you include the spire its 240 metres, but since spires don't really count, i'd agree with your comment there.

Quote from Londonnet.co.uk:

"LONDON'S new tallest building, the Shard of Glass, near London Bridge, has been topped out, cementing its position above Canary Wharf's One Canada Square in the capital's skyscraper pecking order.

Topping out refers to when a building is finished, or when the last significant structural piece of its jigsaw is put in place. In the case of the Shard, the topping out ceremony was performed when the central core was completed.

That doesn't make sense. 'The last significant structural piece' is technically the steelwork, which is yet to come and this IS also structural.

I hope nauticat doesn't mind me using his original photo, but I added a complete Shard and Pinnacle in. I'm fully aware that The Pinnacle is in the wrong place completely but it had a chunk missing and I couldn't be bothered to get another render to replace it with, so it stays.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2yvl8wz.jpg

[QUOTE=robhood;68848429]

That's one of the best skyline shots of any city I've ever seen.

I like the buttery warmth of the light on St. Paul's and Tower Bridge - it reminds me of the Thames TV ident!

Nice photo from Micali_ from Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5258940312_7cc09caa03_b.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2yvl8wz.jpg

Can you also add the Leadenhall, Fenchurch, and Riverside South? :) please

...and 100 Bishopsgate... :happy: ;)

a few night shots with a Sony NEX5

http://web.me.com/benveasey/DSC00145.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/DSC00084.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/DSC00054.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/DSC00102.jpg

Chest, you're so annoying. How on earth can I decide which pic to put on my background! They're all just as supurb as each other.

Those night shots are amazing!

Thank you for sharing them.

I hope nauticat doesn't mind me using his original photo, but I added a complete Shard and Pinnacle in. I'm fully aware that The Pinnacle is in the wrong place completely but it had a chunk missing and I couldn't be bothered to get another render to replace it with, so it stays.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2yvl8wz.jpg

LOVE IT!!!! :rock:and thanks also to Robhood for cleaning it up in the 1st place!

I've been hoping someone would do this to one of my pics for ages

Oh nice Chest you've got one of those new compact Sony cams with interchangeable lens. How do you find it? Going to replace your Pany?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5261988010_55731e975e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54481577@N07/5261988010/)
Internal Illumination (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54481577@N07/5261988010/) by Hans Pfaal (http://www.flickr.com/people/54481577@N07/), on Flickr

Awesome pictures guys!

Here are some more, from Flickr. TarHeelDr:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5259355469_a02df5a21a_b.jpg

Cortomaltese:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5256051712_a595105ea3_b.jpg

If you include the spire its 240 metres, but since spires don't really count, i'd agree with your comment there.

In that case the shard is 280 something.

Chest, you're so annoying. How on earth can I decide which pic to put on my background! They're all just as supurb as each other.

Exactly the problem I am having right now! :lol: Stunning pictures as per usual chest :applause: :)

Oh nice Chest you've got one of those new compact Sony cams with interchangeable lens. How do you find it? Going to replace your Pany?

yes, the little Panasonic TZ8 has gone, a bag of Haribo Sours spilled out in my ruck sack - the TZ8 was in there as well and all the sour suger stuff got in to the lens etc.

Love that altered render of Nauticats although Pinnacle should be about an inch to the right - just to post in this thread too WSP have been appointed lead design consultants for the station today.
http://www.londonandnyc.com/2010/12/wsp-appointed-lead-design-consultant.html

An update to my earlier rendering. Now includes 20 Fenchurch Street and Leadenhall. These are in no way accurate or indicative of real positioning, as you can probably tell from the location of The Pinnacle.

http://i52.tinypic.com/wvshz5.jpg

Gothicform-I am absolutely delighted to hear ssc is so popular. I read it at least once a day. Latest figures for Sunday Times readership is 3,166,000. per issue and 700,000 on line. How many do we get and how is it measured? I have on occasion been late for a party but always delighted at the hosts courtesy in letting me in. The more interest, from whatever source, the better. It might make getting more high class skyscrapers built more easily.

hahah yeah it is if you include every single supplement that's left in a dentists waiting room and later read if you add up the combined readership for every single page. this one thread as you can see has had 2,297,518 unique readers. sunday times figures, 700,000? :lol: let's just say the paywall isn't going very well. we're over 1,000 places ahead of the times now. anyway, that's why people probably don't care about the times or what other newspapers have to say. back to the shard, and welcome to the party!

^^ Its the old 'we had 10000 'hits' on the first day' syndrome. Yea, there are lies, there are lies and there are web statistics!

An update to my earlier rendering. Now includes 20 Fenchurch Street and Leadenhall. These are in no way accurate or indicative of real positioning, as you can probably tell from the location of The Pinnacle.

http://i52.tinypic.com/wvshz5.jpg


Ace render...

Dont suppose you could add Heron Plaza (148m) and 100 Bishopsgate (165m) to that could you?...:)

^That render is amazing, and I even think 20 Fenchurch looks pretty amazing.

The Pinnacle is smack bang where 100 Bishopsgate should be. Not that I'm knocking it - I'm a sucker for a render :wink2:

Bishopsgate Tower doesn’t look quite rite. Possibly a tad wide!! Great render overall though Ensignia.

^That render is amazing, and I even think 20 Fenchurch looks pretty amazing.

At that angle it frames the cluster and CW in the background rather well

Awesome pictures guys!

Here are some more, from Flickr. TarHeelDr:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5259355469_a02df5a21a_b.jpg

Cortomaltese:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5256051712_a595105ea3_b.jpg

cool b & w pic
and view from parliament hill
never looks like that unless i got me monocle in

Another update with The Pinnacle in a slightly more accurate position along with Heron Plaza and 100 Bishopsgate.

http://i54.tinypic.com/i2rmty.jpg

Great stuff! My only complaint would be that the Pinnacle should be taller. Is almost as tall as the Shard AOD and over 100m taller than T42. (183m to 288m)

Hi Gothicform! You may remember back in September I said ( on my second ever post)that you had posted one of the great panoramic shots of all time and you replied by saying "Thanks Dude" My standing with my teenage son was never higher ( "hey James I've been called a "Dude"!") as usually I'm just a grumpy old man. Back on page 789 people got all excited about CBBC featuring The Shard and posted links! If they were first at the party it must surely be past their bedtime by now. You think we should ignore one of the great Organs of the Fourth Estate (The Sunday Times) but pander to CBBC. I disagree-but thanks for calling me "Dude" I love you for that...

what are the 2 buildings next to heron tower in the last pic and were is that park bench

Another update with The Pinnacle in a slightly more accurate position along with Heron Plaza and 100 Bishopsgate.

http://i54.tinypic.com/i2rmty.jpg

Absolutely brilliant :applause:

Could you please also add Riverside South skyscrapers? :lol: Thanks

what are the 2 buildings next to heron tower in the last pic and were is that park bench

Heron Plaza, on the left, is a new hotel which is being built by the same company who built Heron Tower at around 135m. The one on the right is 100 Bishopsgate, which will be a 165m office building.

I thought Heron Plaza was gonna be more like 149m...?

I thought Heron Plaza was gonna be more like 149m...?

So did we. Final AGL height is around 135m though. Still, it's better than the original 95m design, and a better use of the site too.

Awesome pictures guys!

Here are some more, from Flickr. TarHeelDr:

Cortomaltese:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5256051712_a595105ea3_b.jpg

I think this is jsut about one of the best posted so far. The photos of chest and cybertec are outstanding but this conveys a human element, great light and superb vista. :applause:

How come Wikipedia and the thread in the World Development Forum both say the Shard will be 310m but the title of this thread says 309m? :P

How come Wikipedia and the thread in the World Development Forum both say the Shard will be 310m but the title of this thread says 309m? :P

I think to the very tippity top its going to be 309.6 meters.

Some might round up to 310...others wont include incomplete meters.

thanks :)

Think of it 309.6m on a cold day and 310 on a hot day.

Another update with The Pinnacle in a slightly more accurate position along with Heron Plaza and 100 Bishopsgate.

http://i54.tinypic.com/i2rmty.jpg

BRILLIANT ^^ :drool:

i love the fact i had to look at that picture twice before realising leadenhall had not been built yet

From this photoshopped panoramic, you can see the argument some people have about 'clusters' of tall buildings, the tallest in the 'cluster' - The Pinnacle - helps in obscuring the view of the most beautiful - The Gherkin. That's not saying the pinnacle doesn't look great, it does, it's just not as pretty as the Gherkin.

Hopefully on the opposite side of the Thames River, the Shard does not get swamped by tallness, hopefully smaller but beautiful buildings surround the Shard so it peaks out above them - and the cluster is designed to mask the ugliness of the hospital block!!!

^^ In my opinion, Pinnacle has better design and architecture than the Shard, what do you reckon? ;)

I have a question for you people at large: how often do the christmas lights come on? any specific day or anything? I'm planning to go down and take some photos when i can. but i want to see the Xmas lights.Thanks people

This building is immense. A real icon

^^ In my opinion, Pinnacle has better design and architecture than the Shard, what do you reckon? ;)

The finish on the Pinnacle does look better than the Shard, and it also has the interesting spiral at the top as it's centrepiece which is pretty cool - I just hope the building is not overlooked just because the Shard is taller. It means a lot to the wider public - they see taller as better...

Can anyone see london getting a taller skyscraper? Like 330m or taller?

Can anyone see london getting a taller skyscraper? Like 330m or taller?

It depends on how the UK fares economically during the next cycle. It may be that the finance sector seeks to spread its wings into emerging markets for management and trading offices, in which case the demand simply wouldn't justify taller buildings in London.
I wouldn't rule it out, but London would have to become more competitive, cost-wise.

there would also need to be a re-assessment of aviation rules that impose a blanket height limit over London. This would require political will which could come from global pressure and economics or a positive public reception to the current batch of proposals. Not something that will happen tomorrow!

Interesting article - the engineering is more interesting than the aesthetics! I'd say both, which is why the Shard rocks.

http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/10008/

Thursday 16 December 2010
The skyline’s the limit for London
The Shard shows we’re more than capable of building big if we elbow aside conservative views of the capital.
Tim Abrahams

It is not even completed, yet the skyscraper known as the Shard has already set a record for London’s tallest building, surpassing the 235-metre tall One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, east London. When completed in 2012, it will be the tallest building in the European Union. It will be used for offices, residences and a hotel.

Growing up out of the morass of Victorian railway arches and hospitals at its base on the south side of London Bridge, the Shard is a feat of engineering and an important reminder that construction is a complex process. The revealing of the innards of the building has captured the imagination of visitors and residents of London: many have been enthralled at realising the process behind building skyscrapers, which are built around a concrete lift core.

In fact, when it comes to the Shard, it is the engineering rather than the architectural vision that has received most attention. And when the building eventually gets covered in 11,000 panes of glass, it will not be half as impressive as it is now.

The Shard was first mooted as a project over 10 years ago by the Sellar Property Group. It belongs to a different economic and political timeframe, one which sits uneasily with contemporary aesthetic judgments. The initial plan was to build an even taller skyscraper, but the planning permission was refused in 2000. As a result, the developers brought in a new architect, Renzo Piano. This was a smart move to smooth the project’s progress given that Lord Rogers, who Piano had worked with on the Pompidou Centre in Paris, was by that time an adviser to the then-London mayor, Ken Livingstone.

The final pinnacle form of the Shard is supposed to have been inspired by the spires huddled around St Paul’s Cathedral in Canaletto’s eighteenth-century paintings. But this seems nonsensical: the Shard will be three times the height of the cathedral. In fact, Piano’s professed inspiration is rather cynical. For years, the open views to St Paul’s were sacrosanct, partially because of a sentimental attachment to Canaletto’s paintings, in which St Paul’s rises above London’s other churches. The impact of this almost 300-year-old series of paintings has been reinforced by images of the cathedral surviving the Blitz and the strange fetishistic cult that Prince Charles is building around his beloved St Paul’s dome.

Piano, though, has used this rhetoric of spires against his critics. (Indeed, the Shard takes its name from a criticism of the project by English Heritage, which advises the government on historical preservation.) He has argued that the building’s shape means it intrudes less on the skyline than a rectilinear skyscraper – which is like arguing for a conventional bullet over a rubber one on aesthetic grounds. In fact, if anything, the building, with its tapering floor and slowly shrinking floor plates, merely monumentalises the economics of its structure. The lucky few who will get to own one of the apartments at the narrow top of the building will need to spend around £10million.

We can expect more of the guff about slender forms mimicking the church spires. Despite the fact that London mayor Boris Johnson has toned down his anti-tall building rhetoric, the London View Management Framework, published this year by the mayor’s office, increases the protection of the capital’s viewing corridors, detailing no fewer than 26 protected views in the city.

Johnson has concocted this labyrinth of sightlines because he knows that the City of London, the beating heart of Europe’s financial services industry, needs projects like the Shard. One only needs to look at the rental prices. In 2006, Transport for London agreed to rent 200,000 square feet in the Shard at a cost of around £38.50 per square foot. In June 2010, Sellar bought out the contract and now aims to charge as much as £70 per square foot – an astonishing figure that helps turn London into one of the most expensive cities in the world for office rental. In addition, the timing of the financial downturn has left London with a deficit of hotel spaces before the Olympics. The Shard will also have a five-star luxury hotel occupying 18 floors.

The aesthetic arguments appear farcical in the face of these social, economic and technical factors. Therefore, the question of what the ultimate form of the building will be has appeared nowhere near as exciting as the technicalities behind its construction.

The Shard was built by using ‘jump lifts’ that rise in the permanent shaft as the building gets taller. The contractors, Mace, are working under a fixed-price contract, introduced to get the £2 billion project finished in time for the London Olympics. As a result they began the substructure and superstructure at the same time; 550 tonnes of steel columns had to be threaded through the piling of Southwark Towers, which was demolished to make way for the Shard. Engineers scanned in a photocopy of a microfiche record of a hand-drawn original and fitted in each of the 100 or so steel columns. When it came to construction-time they all fitted perfectly.

These details may seem trivial but they are, in fact, important. They show that we have the technology to build in a concentrated way in the centre of London despite all the archaeology and infrastructure that lies beneath the surface. It is the planning obsession with preserving views that holds development back.

In the next few years, London Bridge will become an island of modern development. London Bridge Place, a 17-storey tower, will be built next to the Shard. London Bridge station, a busy but ugly commuter hub, will also get a makeover.

Even Boris secretly knows that the future for busy, wealthy cities like London is to build upwards. Rather than consigning modernity to small stretches around train stations, though, we should be integrating these structures into a more dynamic urbanism. For instance, we should be thinking about how public sections could be linked into the raised walkways of the South Bank. If we are to enjoy the benefits of high-rises we should be thinking of how we can best connect them at higher levels rather than how to avoid looking at them altogether.

Tim Abrahams is associate editor of Blueprint, the UK’s leading magazine of architecture and design.

reprinted from: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/10008/

..

^^You should of said the sky's the limit, so in the future the Shard will be remembered by a Jason Derulo song!

:ohno:

Amazing how the myth of Boris's alleged former opposition to tall buildings persists, not just on this forum but in the media.

nah just people believing Boris spin

nearly onto the 800th page of this thread :)

800th page?!

800th page?!

800th page?!

I have a question for you people at large: how often do the christmas lights come on? any specific day or anything? I'm planning to go down and take some photos when i can. but i want to see the Xmas lights.Thanks people

The lights are switched on at 4.30pm every day

near 800th page, unless you have different settings.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/RainyWeather2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/RainyWeather3.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/RainyWeather4.jpg

Splendid Start to Page 800 !

Is it just me, or is the core not budging?

^^ Thoight the core was finished?

Yep - core's TO'd.

Can't imagine the concrete floors are going to begin now until the new year.

Looks like the cladding is slowing down a bit, probably because if it kept going at the pace it had been going before it would have overtaken the steel floors :lol: If you know what I mean...

Looks like the cladding is slowing down a bit, probably because if it kept going at the pace it had been going before it would have overtaken the steel floors :lol: If you know what I mean...

Didn't you know? The rest of the building will be held up by the glass cladding!

^^ Nice one, it seems like Boris is trying to create another cluster around his office :yes:


Taken from the top floor of Shell Mex House on the bank of the Thames
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5266500621_ed91bd142e_b.jpg
By Rob Crane

London looks great in that last photo, where was it taken from ajaaronjoe?

Now page 800! :banana: well done everybody, now to the important stuff!

Ahem!

I will now make a 'short' speech to celebrate the core has topped out under the box, it has been the most amazing experience seeing the core freeze, seeing her rise.
at the beginning, there was 0% chance of sucess of top out by the end of 2010.
but here we are, all 244 metres high, 72 floors up, 1 pint of milk, an egg, a 1kg bag of flower (oops got my shopping list mixed up!), all those hot days, all those recent freezing days and they still did it without doubt, the tallest in London.
it's beaten the Guy's, it's done the Swiss Re, it did the Heron! but it wouldn't be tis good without the one and only Mace group!

Here are the dates of which when each floor was visible from under the box:

FLOOR 1= 28.1.2010
FLOOR 2= 30.1.2010
FLOOR 3= 2.2.2010
FLOOR 4= 3.2.2010
FLOOR 5= 4.2.2010
FLOOR 6= 6.2.2010
FLOOR 7= 9.2.010
FLOOR 8= 12.2.2010
FLOOR 9= 13.2.2010
FLOOR 10= 17.2.2010
FLOOR 11= 19.2.2010
FLOOR 12= 20.2.2010
FLOOR 13= 24.2.2010
FLOOR 14= 24.2.2010
FLOOR 15= 25.2.2010
FLOOR 16= 26.2.2010
FLOOR 17= 2.3.2010
FLOOR 18= 3.3.2010
FLOOR 19= 6.3.2010
FLOOR 20= 15.3.2010
FLOOR 21= 11.5.2010
FLOOR 22= 13.5.2010
FLOOR 23= 14.5.2010
FLOOR 24= 15.5.2010
FLOOR 25= 18.5.2010
FLOOR 26= 19.5.2010
FLOOR 27= 21.5.2010
FLOOR 28= 22.5.2010
FLOOR 29= 28.5.2010
FLOOR 30= 7.6.2010
FLOOR 31= 18.6.2010
FLOOR 32= 19.6.2010
FLOOR 33= 2.7.2010
FLOOR 34= 8.7.2010
FLOOR 35= 14.7.2010
FLOOR 36= 17.7.2010
FLOOR 37= 27.7.2010
FLOOR 38= 7.9.2010

(core split one)

FLOOR 39= 8.9.2010
FLOOR 40= 9.9.2010
FLOOR 41= 10.9.2010
FLOOR 42= 11.9.2010
FLOOR 43= 11.9.2010
FLOOR 44= 14.9.2010
FLOOR 45= 15.9.2010
FLOOR 46= 16.9.2010
FLOOR 47= 17.9.2010
FLOOR 48= 18.9.2010
FLOOR 49= 21.9.2010
FLOOR 50= 22.9.2010
FLOOR 51= 22.9.2010
FLOOR 52= 24.9.2010

(core split two)

FLOOR 53= 18.10.2010
FLOOR 54= 19.10.2010
FLOOR 55= 22.10.2010
FLOOR 56= 27.10.2010
FLOOR 57= 29.10.2010
FLOOR 58= 4.11.2010
FLOOR 59= 5.11.2010
FLOOR 60= 6.11.2010
FLOOR 61= 9.11.2010
FLOOR 62= 13.11.2010
FLOOR 63= 15.11.2010
FLOOR 64= 17.11.2010
FLOOR 65= 18.11.2010
FLOOR 66= 19.11.2010
FLOOR 67= 23.11.2010
FLOOR 68= 24.11.2010
FLOOR 69= 26.11.2010
FLOOR 70= 13.12.2010
FLOOR 71= UNDER BOX BUT COMPLETE
FlOOR 72= UNDER BOX BUT COMPLETE

how come they want to top out by the end of the year??? now I can confidently say : if this building is toped out by the end of the year 2010 (like they say) I will eat my socks !
Now, Sony 33, would you like sauce with that!

For everyone else, party!!!!!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:


One for every metre!!!!!
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:dance:

( no really it has topped out under the box, follow the link: http://www.macegroup.com/media-centre/shard-soars-skywards-72-storey-central-core-is-complete)

Sorry for all those who dissaprove of the over banana-ing, but it's not everyday a 309.68/310metre skyscraper tops out it's core!

wow, you have been paying close attention!

London looks great in that last photo, where was it taken from aaronjoe?

That's true, it is such a spectacular view as you can see The City, CW (behind), and The Shard altogether. :cheers: It was taken from Shell Mex House

You should go by post number rather than page number. The is page 640 for me, as you can change the number of posts in each page in your settings.

The Shard Baby, I wanna buy you a pint! :cheers:

...seeing her rise. at the beginning, there was 0% chance of sucess of top out by the end of 2010. ...
Now, Sony 33, would you like sauce with that!


To be fair to Sony33, the building hasn't topped out. The concrete core has topped out. There's another two (steel) floors to go until the roof, plus the radiator `spire'. It's not likely to get to the roof until the second half of next year, while the frame catches up.

Just to be pedantic;)

Did anyone Else just get a REALLY abrupt snow storm? It went crazy here in SW, stopped abit now,

My pleasure Yorkshire Boy! :cheers:

Yes i did, my garden suddenly settled and now there's a thin level of snow, 'met office says more to come' says capital FM.
I'm here in Putney, by the way.

Six minutes later, it's already melting

Best.Webcam.Ever
http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/shard/camputer30.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/TheOriginalCooper/camputer30.jpg

Went from a blizzard to clear blue sky in an hour.http://i51.tinypic.com/15dl9xx.gif
http://i55.tinypic.com/j6sd2p.jpg

this was taken at lunch time crazy weather

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5268337849_8c3154f2b6_b.jpg