I saw it from the Detonator ride at Thorpe Park, roughly 21 miles away on the edge of the city. Could just see it through the haze. (30 St Mary Axe was clearer despite being smaller and further away)

I've only been on the detonator once- never again... It's a good view though!

@cybertect pics are so good i am really impressed by your photography skills :bow:

i visited london yesterday and found this giant monster in the middle of the city, i was looking it from the other side of thames but its still giant and too beautiful.

sorry for my pics quality, my camera sucks
http://i.imgur.com/6ulWp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/G7eFq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zWGwt.jpg

Seriously from Thorpe park? gonna have to try that when I go!

:lol: oh look the shaaaaaarrrrrrrrddddddd!!!!

Richmond Park?

I initially thought Horsenden Hill, but I assume that's Lots Road power station lining up with The Shard so the angle points towards Richmond...

It was taken from Richmond Park. There is a small rise in the road which continues dead ahead from the Richmond gate and it's a good vantage point to see London, and also there are some decent views of Wembley stadium as well.

Great updates everyone! :applause:

by mogwai83.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5625929446_216cbfea58_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogwai_83/5625929446/)
_MG_3876 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogwai_83/5625929446/) by Docklandsboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/mogwai_83/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5625328621_17e9527d52_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogwai_83/5625328621/)
_MG_3848 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogwai_83/5625328621/) by Docklandsboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/mogwai_83/), on Flickr

by otzberg on Flickr.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/9445/562808610911f58b0b39b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mount_otz/5628086109/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Awesome shots, guys! :cheers:
I've only been on the detonator once- never again... It's a good view though!
Well I managed to take my mind off the 'fear factor' of the ride by focusing entirely on the view, pointing out as many landmarks as possible before we dropped! Started by seeing Wembley, then Heathrow, then the Square Mile, then the Shard! We could even see a few of the Docklands towers! Then the drop...! Great view while it lasts.

Will access to the viewing gallery be charged?

Will access to the viewing gallery be charged?

No doubt! - but not as much as Burj Khalifa I would guess.

Driving Through Richmond Park, every day, from Richmond Gate to Sheen Gate, the Shard is often visible on the horizon. Sometimes it is spooky and appears far taller than it actually is, other days it seems dimished. I recall the same feeling In NY; when I was there in the seventies, the Empire State Building was bigger or smaller depending on atmospheric conditions. And, of course, how far distant I was positioned from it Ha Ha. Get my drift? Goodbye, www.andersonstudio.co.uk

No doubt! - but not as much as Burj Khalifa I would guess.

It will be like a static London Eye then, with much higher view of course.

It will be like a static London Eye then, with much higher view of course.

Just get on the Parliament Hill, you can see the whole London skyline and of course it is free :banana::carrot:

Amazing! :)

Just get on the Parliament Hill, you can see the whole London skyline and of course it is free :banana::carrot:

I know that, I wasn't complaining, I expected it to be paid.

by Michael Goldrei (microsketch) on Flickr.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3553/56307264398ee197b9f7b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/microsketch/5630726439/sizes/l/in/photostream/

-0- Oh!! my god....

by me
http://i.imgur.com/hAAZH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vQqKQ.jpg

Love the glazing on the first one.

St Paul's in the shade of the Shard - which is still climbing

Inching towards its final height of 1,016 feet, the £400million Shard of Glass will be western Europe's tallest building when finished next May.

The Evening Standard's picture taken from Parliament Hill shows how St Paul's Cathedral is already dwarfed by the futuristic design. Officially known as London Bridge Tower, it will stand 87 storeys high and house offices, flats, a viewing deck and a five-star hotel. A new concourse and a piazza will link it to London Bridge station in 2013.

Conservationists say it has already ruined London's skyline, with its impact on the vista from Parliament Hill - one of six protected panoramas in the capital. English Heritage has criticised the location of the Shard because of the "colossal" impact on one of the capital's most famous landmarks and questions whether it will be as venerated in 300 years as St Paul's is today.

A spokeswoman for the conservation group said: "English Heritage is not against tall buildings, they are a part of London's skyline.

"The existing skyline is a positive but vulnerable asset which deserves care and respect. It should be managed sensitively. Tall buildings should take into consideration the elements that create local character. Southwark deserves investment but it should not come at the expense of one of London's most precious and finite assets - its heritage."

Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Shard was approved despite claims it would impact on two world heritage sites - the Tower of London and Palace of Westminster.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23942303-st-pauls-in-the-shade-of-the-shard---which-is-still-climbing.do

by me
http://i.imgur.com/hAAZH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vQqKQ.jpg

That is NICE :)

at this stage it looks a bit like One Bryant Park, the glass looks the same anyway.

anyone got a diagram with a true scale to compare this building to say the empire state and the new 1wtc? i know there a few hundred feet bigger but would be nice to see the true scale side by side?

I think this thing is about as tall as the ESB without it's spire...

Here we go :)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_3Jh0FfTrnkI/TayeZzfQvYI/AAAAAAAAAxE/mGuTNX7MCgU/s640/Comparison.jpg

Three pics from a lunch time wander over to Wapping today.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20110418_0011-Edit.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20110418_0016-Edit.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20110418_0013-Edit.jpg

Good photos rob, but despite it looking good (as always) I think it looks a little bulky when viewed from tower bridge. 1 New Change viewing platform is defo it's best angle!

I like the photo of the shard echoing the masts- very nice in black and white :)

I like the photo of the shard echoing the masts- very nice in black and white :)

Ta. I think that's going to work even better when The Shard is finished. :)

Looking good in black and white. :okay:

Forgot I had this view from Tower Bridge too

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20110418_0001.jpg

Wow! It's amazing... :)

@cybertect thanks for sharing the pics, i like them all

@BOTTON 1WTC is too big

by The Shard Baby.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5634063678_68d51a939a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5634063678/)
shard today 19.4.2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5634063678/) by The Shard Baby (http://www.flickr.com/people/theshardbaby/), on Flickr

@cybertect thanks for sharing the pics, i like them all

@BOTTON 1WTC is too big

I'm pretty sure it is the correct size. Feel free to prove me wrong though. :)

by dennoir on Flickr.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/309/56297399821f041fbcf0b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51282757@N05/5629739982/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by anthonySE1.

http://i52.************/ae4r3k.jpg

DgfTGjV5Jn4

^^^^ Wow it really does look huge in that video. I also love the contrast between the Tower of London which was built nearly 1000 years ago to the shard which is about as up to date as you can get. The shard really has a huge pressence around the tower bridge area, really makes me want to visit it again now. I can see why some ppl call it the twenty first century Eiffel tower because it dominates the skyline from below and you'll be able to see it all over london :cheers:

Nice video. Funny to hear people talking about the Shard.

Harry forgot to mention that there will be another 60m added on top of the current hight thanks to the spire ;).

i was literally amazed by the size, beauty and quality of the shard when i see it in person for the first time. although the shard is not as big as Bunji Dubai but it really dominates the whole london skyline from every angle :drool: thx for sharing the vid Porto :cheers:

Nice video. Funny to hear people talking about the Shard.

Harry forgot to mention that there will be another 60m added on top of the current hight thanks to the spire ;).


I thought it was about 70m?

65m.

It's 245m to the top of the concrete core at the moment and 310m complete. Though of course there's some bits that'll adding to the apparent height, like the crane and rig box. 60m is probably fairer than 70m.

sorry for awful quality :ohno: taken from parliament hill

http://i.imgur.com/I4HPv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FrdFJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QJsNB.jpg

It can be seen from everywhere. :cheers2:

@BOTTON 1WTC is too big

Incorrect. 1WTC is 541.3m to the tip of the spire which is exactly what that diagram shows.

Incorrect. 1WTC is 541.3m to the tip of the spire which is exactly what that diagram shows.

:lol: i am not talking about diagram as i am sure it's measurement is absolutely accurate. But what i want to say is that if you compare 1WTC to other skyscrapers it is just a big guy :yes: and it makes the rest (including Shard) looks small :ohno:

Loving St Pauls in the foreground!

Nice video. Funny to hear people talking about the Shard.

Harry forgot to mention that there will be another 60m added on top of the current hight thanks to the spire ;).

It's indeed always cool to see non-skyscraper people noticing a skyscraper.:cheers:

Wow, can't wait to fly into London and see something new on the skyline

by lsbardel on Flickr.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4279/5635049841dd854a7a3fb1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbardella/5635049841/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Gareth L Evan
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5635465011_cccb9a7baa_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaznaz/5635465011/sizes/l/in/photostream/

thanks for posting the diagram bottom.

Loving St Pauls in the foreground!

Thanks i will visit there again with a better camera when the Shard is finished :cheers:

The Shard is a beacon of light at night. :cheers2: They should put a laser on the top when it's finished.

... and a disco mirror-ball :)

A 72 floor disco. :lol:

The Shard is a beacon of light at night. :cheers2: They should put a laser on the top when it's finished.

It'd look a lot like that render of the Russia tower!

by chest.

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2593.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2601.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2605.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2587.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2597.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2566.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_2583.jpg

http://web.me.com/benveasey/sunnySHARD1.jpg

Quality pictures and wonderful weather :applause:

by Paul Robertson on Flickr.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4788/56374827542b14282af7b1.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauliewoll/5637482754/sizes/l/in/photostream/

EmNO8by-a2s

London needs more supertalls, not too much groundscrapers all over the city. You Londoners should boycott about it :lol:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5637379021_0ae9ef0d9e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5637379021/)
camputer64 20.4.2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5637379021/) by The Shard Baby (http://www.flickr.com/people/theshardbaby/), on Flickr

London needs more supertalls, not too much groundscrapers all over the city. You Londoners should boycott about it :lol:

It's unrealistic to expect skyscrapers getting built everywhere in London, it isn't a boom city in Asia.

Del

Is that true that London was built on the march and in that case nowadays people cannot build very tall skyscrapers everywhere?

Why is that any time a skyscraper is being built in Europe somebody immediately starts to claim that it's built on a march or an unstable soil?

Why is that any time a skyscraper is being built in Europe somebody immediately starts to claim that it's built on a march or an unstable soil?

Del

Is that true that London was built on the march and in that case nowadays people cannot build very tall skyscrapers everywhere?

Parts of London used to marsh land. Take the district of Suffolk for example. Used to be a marshy islands but the Romans came, built the first bridge to span the Thames and the capital was born. Only south of the river was marsh land.

Parts of London used to marsh land. Take the district of Suffolk for example. Used to be a marshy islands but the Romans came, built the first bridge to span the Thames and the capital was born. Only south of the river was marsh land.

Del

Parts of London used to marsh land. Take the district of Suffolk for example.

You mean Southwark, not Suffolk? ;)

You mean Southwark.
You're right. Well spotted good sir.

Good discussion i am just going to listen :colbert:

by ovofrito from One New Change
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5635720885_e7a3c035bb_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ovofrito/5635720885/sizes/l/in/photostream/

^^ great picture I love the way it contrasts with cannon street station!

^^ Yes absolutely love that view from London Eye :cheers2:

Love the view from One New Change. Was that at sunset? (You can just see Chrystal Palace in the background :D )

Good luck .. cool

The view from One New Change's roof. :drool:

^^ it's without a shadow of a doubt it's best angle.

I'm also very fond of the view from Parliament Hill, it's from where the Shard looks more like a landmark.

I saw it from Kingston Hill in Richmond Park last Sunday. Visible from afar!

Yeah, could see it popping over the bushes from Richmond hill the other day, too. Such a great view of London and the Thames valley there.

by anthonySE1.

http://i56.************/118pxrb.jpg http://i52.************/24ot4dz.jpg

http://i55.************/2hq5q44.jpg http://i56.************/2ppafb8.jpg

good progress which floor has it reached now?

Not directly related to the Shard but here are the renders of the new London Bridge station, as part of the London Bridge quarter redevelopment.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5637802331_4a2560f169_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5637804491_045d5afdb9_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5638382348_40de5aa022_b.jpg

by Jamie Barras on Flickr.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8665/56377399215ae8f9530ab1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddtmmm/5637739921/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Supertall Robbo.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5640494527_d5010b2fcd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640494527/)
DSCF1349 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640494527/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5640499453_f80aec6bb5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640499453/)
DSCF1352 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640499453/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5641076146_4484103083_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641076146/)
Shard from One New Change (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641076146/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5641080146_1a3b34f3c6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641080146/)
Shard From One New Change 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641080146/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5641082542_c60847cd4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641082542/)
Shard From One New Change 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641082542/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5641084682_7cc5f6ddb9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641084682/)
Shard From One New Change 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641084682/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5641088522_02859b4774_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641088522/)
Shard From One New Change 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641088522/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5640533173_63aa9da7a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640533173/)
Shard From St Paul's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640533173/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5640546695_075317d7de_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640546695/)
City of London Panorama (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640546695/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5641147002_30ef2b2b31_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641147002/)
Shard From St Paul's 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641147002/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5641149060_67e78f9524_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641149060/)
DSCF1397 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641149060/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5641156752_908de1cdb4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641156752/)
London East Panorama Daytime April 2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5641156752/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5640587431_f297788ae5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640587431/)
The Shard from St Paul's Cathedral (http://www.flickr.com/photos/16583702@N04/5640587431/) by supertallrobbo (http://www.flickr.com/people/16583702@N04/), on Flickr

by dennoir on Flickr.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2034/563956261091c8061a2fb1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51282757@N05/5639562610/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Just a couple to finish off the working week...

East side from Queen Elizabeth Street today

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/Shard/20110421_0001.jpg


And a big pano for Easter, taken from Tower Bridge yesterday lunch time.

View Large (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cybertect/5641626280) (4618 x 1024)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5641626280_d582471580_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cybertect/5641626280/)
Thames pano, April 2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cybertect/5641626280/) by cybertect (http://www.flickr.com/people/cybertect/), on Flickr

A lot of updates :applause:

Great stuff cyber! :applause:

Some really gorgeous pics :cheers:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5640962919_a7d4db9b5a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/avail/5640962919/)
They Grow Up So Fast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/avail/5640962919/) by avail (http://www.flickr.com/people/avail/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5624650988_14c0b71bef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/londoncamera/5624650988/)
Shard London Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/londoncamera/5624650988/) by LondonCamera (http://www.flickr.com/people/londoncamera/), on Flickr

These stunning photos by Shardview77 were just posted on the uk forums:

I don't usually like a smog alert, but its giving the Shard its own aura. Every chemical cloud has a silver lining....

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5642851512_6a82d80839_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5642850128_d21558c200_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5642279663_39f7029e34_z.jpg

enlightenment :nocrook:

These stunning photos by Shardview77 were just posted on the uk forums:

Those shots are just absolutely incredible. Glazing/reflection seems like The Shard got some sort of superpower which produces natural rays from the main body :hilarious

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5641593532_378c7915eb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattoshashin/5641593532/)
Nice weather to start the Easter holiday! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattoshashin/5641593532/) by mattomatto (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattoshashin/), on Flickr

The second and third shots from Shardview77. :eek:

by Shardview77

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5642296047_72b3aa3f84_z.jpg

by Shakespearesmonkey on Flickr.

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/3230/5643183251e3120a7ac1b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shakespearesmonkey/5643183251/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Jamie Barras on Flickr.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8311/5643272627050f104fbfb1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddtmmm/5643272627/sizes/l/in/photostream/

great shots:nuts::nuts:.so whats the current height

I don't know about the heright but they should be pouring the 54-55 floors.

just interesting.as far as i know Mercury city tower in Moscow is currently at 219 meters and 49 floor.watching those pictures i guess Shard is at 190 meters and 55 floor...or maybe im wrong.anyway great tower for London !!!

just interesting.as far as i know Mercury city tower in Moscow is currently at 219 meters and 49 floor.watching those pictures i guess Shard is at 190 meters and 55 floor...or maybe im wrong.anyway great tower for London !!!
Well, Shard is getting thiner with each floor so it should move up significantly faster than Mercury.

244m

That's probably the height of the core but I thought he meant the floors..?

Is there a new diagram?

That's probably the height of the core but I thought he meant the floors..?

It looks like the floors are approximately level with the second setback which going by Culwulla's last diagram makes it 187m.

Thank you. :okay:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5645617803_6b9a482281_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamal_anwar/5645617803/)
[/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kamal_anwar/]Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamal_anwar/5645617803/), on Flickr

:cheers2:

by robep on Flickr.

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3825/56461732147dfb11ae7fb1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robep/5646173214/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Kamal Anwar on Flickr.

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3115/5646182606f0a39984dab1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamal_anwar/5646182606/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Please demolish the highrise next to it..

^^ Its Guys hospital, And they are actually talking about re-cladding/renovating it, as far as I remember ;) Though it would look better without it there.

Looks a bit better in these :

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/Guys-hospital.jpg

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2708PlansByArupForGuysAppear_pic1.jpg
Two new photos better showing the Comms Tower and the detail of the aluminium cladding.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5473970767_5f42481c9a_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5474567060_c9bbcb805f_b.jpg

I do not support The Guys to be demolished, what i want is reclad :yes: it is a tall and huge hospital though ...

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a82/supertek/DSC02016.jpg

Can't decide which recladding I like more.

I prefer the last one

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3115/5646182606f0a39984dab1.jpg

Wow :master:

I prefer the last one

Yeah, I suppose it's the best. The second is really a no-no.

I prefer the last one

Hardly suprising, it being the most detailed, expensive design. Sadly the UK gvt cant justify spending the NHS budget on hospital aesthetics, so the first shown cheap and somewhat uncheerful reclad is what is going ahead.

Well, public sector at its best, there's no investment on Guys Hospital coming from Qatar Holdings.

by robevans1977@btinternet.com on Flickr.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9090/56440238437ae014609eb1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57214584@N04/5644023843/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by ~Duncan~ on Flickr.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2060/56470947604578db3005b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanh1/5647094760/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5644608168_9f54e3148d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinglomo/5644608168/)
London (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinglomo/5644608168/) by King.... (http://www.flickr.com/people/kinglomo/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5645345907_91beaa5c7c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/guytyler/5645345907/)
The Shard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/guytyler/5645345907/) by Guy Tyler (http://www.flickr.com/people/guytyler/), on Flickr

The picture before the last, no kidding. :drool:

by Wild@Heart.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/wildheart99/P1000322.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h126/wildheart99/P1000325.jpg

The picture before the last, no kidding. :drool:

Oh come on Porto, I don't think the picture's that bad ;). Looking at those renders (West elevation) of Guy's Tower, it doesn't look that bad. Just that East face :ohno:.

I don't think we will be seeing a reclad soon, if things can be really slow with the private sector, it must be even worse with a public healthcare system.

The picture before the last, no kidding. :drool:

Do you think The Shard should stand alone in that area like Tour Eiffiel in Paris? Or, it would look better when it has other skyscrapers around it?

It could have other skyscrapers around but not so tall, the Shard has to be the star.

It may have a trio of 200, 150 and 100 meter neigbours. But IMO, the shard is a standalone tower, and it was intended to be so.

The View at night
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAeHQpziI/AAAAAAAACw8/fPHRh7P9gGc/s800/The-Shard-London.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAn5VZSLI/AAAAAAAACxA/Xle72PHxUb8/s800/London-Bridge-Quarter.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAF26vXiI/AAAAAAAACws/rjENxOV_EnA/s800/Architectural-project.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAOsXqwFI/AAAAAAAACw0/Z_-13NkL4i8/s800/Hall-Skyscraper-London.jpg

Besides it, cleaning service London and other municipal works will be executed with use of modern ecological standards, thus the architectural project propagandizes new standards of quality at building of modern skyscrapers.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAdabglcI/AAAAAAAACw4/Z6ofGmGHl0g/s800/The-Shard-offices.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_Ve2DaGK5dmU/TbBAqI97zWI/AAAAAAAACxE/OLEngDbScOI/s800/The-skyscraper.jpg

source (http://archiquality.blogspot.com/2011/04/britain-development-quality-of.html)

Lovely renders. :) the best new tower in the world!

by The Shard Baby.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5650058091_9ba12fc9b0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5650058091/)
shard today 24.4.2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5650058091/) by The Shard Baby (http://www.flickr.com/people/theshardbaby/), on Flickr

by Cooperail on Flickr.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5545/5648865501d12fe62e49b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elettra1143/5648865501/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by alex_david on Flickr.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2863/5650773289142937f067b1.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6339/56513405787eab8c25e4b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-david/5650773289/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-david/5651340578/sizes/l/in/photostream/

That last picture :uh:!!

taking shape!

another question.. after the shard is finished... What would be the top 5 tallest building in europe?? In what place will the Shard be?

^^ I think like this

1.Mercury City Tower, Moscow
2.The Shard, London
3.City of Capitals, Moscow
4.Naberezhnaya Tower, Moscow
5.Triumph-Palace, Moscow

Moscow rules :bow: alongside London :D

Update!!!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5649910843_5db00b4e5c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24759744@N02/5649910843/)
[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/24759744@N02/]plcd1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24759744@N02/5649910843/)

Don't know if this has been posted or illuded to from Building Website. So here it is anyway.... (I put this in the domestic forum too so delete and keep it in one if peeps prefer)


Shard and Cheesegrater part of a dying breed, says Ken Shuttleworth

The architect of London’s iconic Gherkin tower has pronounced the death of skyscrapers in the capital.

The raft of high-rise towers being built in the City to open by 2014, including the Shard and the Cheesegrater, will be the last of a dying breed of skyscrapers, he says.

Ken Shuttleworth, the architect at Norman Foster who designed the Gherkin, told Bloomberg News he expects developers to move away from skyscrapers to cheaper ‘ground-scrapers’.

“The age of bling is over,” Shuttleworth said. “Money now drives everything so if you can build something for half the price, you will. The tall glass box is dead.”

Tenants are demanding “austere and efficient” buildings that are more likely to be “ground-scrapers” than high-rises, he added.

Yesterday British Land announced it had won planning permission for a controversial groundscraper development at Broadgate in the City, which will house Swiss bank UBS.


But surely this depends on the investor no? If middle eastern money wants to invest in something high profile and economics is scewed because of the hubris involved with middle eastern investors then the rules Shuttleworth states here don't apply, I would guess he is referring to UK investors and developers in such projects? Obviously it depends if it is demand led or client led too.

I'm not sure how he draws this conclusion apart from taking it from a one-dimensional angle relating to UK involvement from design to build? Thoughts anyone?

^^ I think like this

1.Mercury City Tower, Moscow
2.The Shard, London
3.City of Capitals, Moscow
4.Naberezhnaya Tower, Moscow
5.Triumph-Palace, Moscow

Moscow rules :bow: alongside London :D

would it not be be:

1.Mercury City Tower, Moscow
2.16 IBC Tower 1, Moscow
3.The Shard, London
4.City of Capitals, Moscow
5.The Pinnacle, London

the glass looks soooo thin!

by londonstuff on Flickr.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9551/565358436869b1fa7764b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonstuff/5653584368/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Nicobobinus on Flickr.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1988/565151893620744416d5b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicohogg/5651518936/sizes/l/in/photostream/

by Mohain on Flickr.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/6690/5653440996b8d3a1ced4b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohain/5653440996/sizes/l/in/photostream/

^^^^:applause::applause::applause::drool::drool:

It's a fabulous view indeed. :bow:

It looks really elegant.

Love the shot with Victoria Tower in the foreground :D

This thread should be named "Art and The Shard".

Fabulous photous ;)

by chest.

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_1855.JPG

http://web.me.com/benveasey/IMG_1854.jpg

would it not be be:

1.Mercury City Tower, Moscow
2.16 IBC Tower 1, Moscow
3.The Shard, London
4.City of Capitals, Moscow
5.The Pinnacle, London

1. Federation Tower, Moskow (510m.)
2. Mercury City Tower, Moscow (380m.)
3. 16 IBC Tower 1, Moscow (336m.)
4. The Shard, London (310m.)
5. Eurasia Tower, Moscow (309m.)

by rodney j on Flickr.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3906/5654098791dce100d9d4b1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodneyj/5654098791/sizes/l/in/photostream/

1. Federation Tower, Moskow (510m.)
2. Mercury City Tower, Moscow (380m.)
3. 16 IBC Tower 1, Moscow (336m.)
4. The Shard, London (310m.)
5. Eurasia Tower, Moscow (309m.)

All these towers in Moscow will be finished by 2012 same time as the Shard??? :uh:

I thought his original question was after the shard is finished... What would be the top 5 tallest building in europe?? In what place will the Shard be? :shifty:

Update!! by swishphotos

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5655210348_7cc1643d1e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swishphotos/5655210348/)
City panorama (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swishphotos/5655210348/) by swishphotos (http://www.flickr.com/people/swishphotos/)

Let's hope all those ariel shots of London during 'that' wedding on Friday include footage of The Shard. Let's get this beautiful building seen by 1/3 of the Worlds population. That said, I won't be watching.

All these towers in Moscow will be finished by 2012 same time as the Shard??? :uh:

I thought his original question was after the shard is finished... What would be the top 5 tallest building in europe?? In what place will the Shard be? :shifty:

With IBC 16's will take longer!;)

Don't know if this has been posted or illuded to from Building Website. So here it is anyway.... (I put this in the domestic forum too so delete and keep it in one if peeps prefer)


But surely this depends on the investor no? If middle eastern money wants to invest in something high profile and economics is scewed because of the hubris involved with middle eastern investors then the rules Shuttleworth states here don't apply, I would guess he is referring to UK investors and developers in such projects? Obviously it depends if it is demand led or client led too.

I'm not sure how he draws this conclusion apart from taking it from a one-dimensional angle relating to UK involvement from design to build? Thoughts anyone?

Obviously it's only the case while we're in the midst of the recession/recovery. He could have said the same thing in the early 90s. In ten years time ostentation will be back.

taken from parliament hill by me
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5658241072_fb21d570ee_b.jpg

this is the best supertall at the time for me :)

Just found this stunning shot on flikr: :cheers:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5657701031_8d0e8b3760_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtinalamb/5657701031/)
GPO Tower City view (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtinalamb/5657701031/) by xtinalamb (http://www.flickr.com/people/xtinalamb/), on Flickr

Taken from?

I think the GPO tower city view is a bit of a giveaway

Taken from?

BT Tower :) i wish i lived there :drool:

Having had a thought about the issue, perhaps more skyscrapers surrounding the Shard wouldn't be a good idea. It needs to really stand out. Better invest more in CW.

by jayo.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8185/dscf4406n.jpg

^^
Brockwell Park?

It could very well be.

Heres another great shot from Flickr:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5655218072_e8e495c2d3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swishphotos/5655218072/)
The Shard and St Paul's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/swishphotos/5655218072/) by swishphotos (http://www.flickr.com/people/swishphotos/), on Flickr

It's the new St Paul's, without a doubt.

OMG, it looks absolutely huge!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5658737339_eeea5528fc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/5658737339/)
London The Shard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david-bank/5658737339/) by david.bank (http://www.flickr.com/people/david-bank/), on Flickr

awesome pic!

great!

The new london is convincing much more than the old london. :)

great!

The new london is convincing much more than the old london. :)

What does this mean?

^^ I guess he is trying to say London is Europe's coolest city that has ancient and modern mixed architecture!

^^ I think like this

1.Mercury City Tower, Moscow
2.The Shard, London
3.City of Capitals, Moscow
4.Naberezhnaya Tower, Moscow
5.Triumph-Palace, Moscow
This is not obvious yet.
The Shard may become the tallest in Europe for a while. It might happen that the Shard will have been built but the Mercury tower (being taller) will be u/c

Great find SO! :cheers2:

^^ I guess he is trying to say London is Europe's coolest city that has ancient and modern mixed architecture!

Being French, who has trolled the UK skybar with a London Vs Paris thread, i doubt very much that is what he is saying...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5661761201_afdaeb99ff_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattoshashin/5661761201/)
Shard and Tower Bridge 27 April 2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattoshashin/5661761201/) by mattomatto (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattoshashin/), on Flickr

I took some pictures from the train/station of The Shard today, how do I post them on here? Will I have to create a Flickr account or an equivalent and then embed the URL into the post? Thanks :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5657701031_8d0e8b3760_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtinalamb/5657701031/)
GPO Tower City view (http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtinalamb/5657701031/) by xtinalamb (http://www.flickr.com/people/xtinalamb/), on Flickr[/QUOTE]

The shot is indeed taken from Fitzrovia's BT Tower and is overlooking the East-South East of London.

The prominent greenish cupola is British Museum's Great Court Roof (1999-2000, Norman Foster and Partners and Buro Happold)
Here is an inside view of it:

http://www.cambridge2000.com/gallery/images/P21510331.jpg

I took some pictures from the train/station of The Shard today, how do I post them on here? Will I have to create a Flickr account or an equivalent and then embed the URL into the post? Thanks :)

Hi, for my own photos i use tinypic, you can join up here:

http://************/join.php?utm_source=header&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=join_button

just create an account, upload the pics and they will have an img code which you just copy and paste into your posts here on SSC, hope that helps :)

Some photos of the Shard taken today by me - there is a bit of reflection from the lights on the train sorry!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5662155585_4736da36f6_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5662155585_4736da36f6_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5662723388_de9ded2b2f_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5662723388_de9ded2b2f_m.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5662152539_71e8bdfd2b_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5662152539_71e8bdfd2b_m.jpg

I'm not sure why they appear so small on here...

Being French, who has trolled the UK skybar with a London Vs Paris thread, i doubt very much that is what he is saying...


stop your childish!

I say that the modern aspect of london is much more impressing than the ancient couterpart!

In paris it's the contrary i mean. Old parts still better than new parts.

In London it is the modern part that redefines the city. it hasn't the historical limitations seen in some european cities (rome, paris, madrid...)

taken by myself today
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5662152539_71e8bdfd2b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/djm160190/5662152539/)
3shard27/04/11 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/djm160190/5662152539/) by DJM160190 (http://www.flickr.com/people/djm160190/), on Flickr

ok, get how to make the photo bigger now :)

by the way, I was quite surprised by how tall it seems when approaching it!

Excellent updates everyone, hope they don't forget to show some shots of the Shard during the royal wedding media madness.

by REAPER666 94.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5662155351_acdf853d11_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5662657228_0b77c67e89_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5662148675_1c6854e21e_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5662134581_06bd024bda_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5662129083_4f4c8ecb09_b.jpg

Thanks everyone for posting all these excellent pictures of the Shards :applause:



by the way, I was quite surprised by how tall it seems when approaching it!

I completely agree :lol: Great shots btw

Are those red bits at the bottom of each window going to stay, I hope not.

Are those red bits at the bottom of each window going to stay, I hope not.

Yes they're staying. They are roller blinds, part of the solar-shading.

They look awful, I hope this building doesn't date quickly.

by nickhearne on flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5662637940_97dd4ba5b9_b.jpg
source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickhearne/5662637940/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

^^ Really old photo....

Are those red bits at the bottom of each window going to stay, I hope not.

Yeah the red bits are because they are the roller blinds as mentioned above, though the large grey strips at the bottom of every window is just protection and they will be eventually removed, i think its that which is making it look the most dated.

The blinds themselves will be grey.

The Shard minding its own business far away from the other skyscrapers. "fuck you i'm a supertall, come here when you others are grown"

by REAPER666 94.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5662155351_acdf853d11_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5662657228_0b77c67e89_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5662148675_1c6854e21e_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5662134581_06bd024bda_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5662129083_4f4c8ecb09_b.jpg

in the first pic whats the crane for?

in the first pic whats the crane for?

I'm going to ignore that question, and hope that you are joking, and you actually know what a crane is used for!!!!!!

Wow, these photos are really AWESOME!! :applause:
That surely makes me eager to visit London sometime, when I have enough money!! :lol:

in the first pic whats the crane for?

Im pretty sure that crane will be extended to higher position soon since the building has risen since it was last jumped :)

Update by ianpatterson
[http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5663912172_f9d4b1f9c0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianpatterson/5663912172/)
IMG_1496 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianpatterson/5663912172/) by ianpatterson99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ianpatterson/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5663356095_ed01e47cb7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianpatterson/5663356095/)
IMG_1562 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianpatterson/5663356095/) by ianpatterson99 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ianpatterson/), on Flickr

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/SkylineGreenwich1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/GreenwichSkyline4.jpg

:applause:

@El_Greco :master: awesome :bow: camera you used for these amazing shots?

amazing shots ^^

and now for todays selection of photos from flikr :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5665169580_1ef3e355a0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bavirgo/5665169580/)
SHard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bavirgo/5665169580/) by Virgoboy (http://www.flickr.com/people/bavirgo/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5664459957_05d5ca3ace_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaymond/5664459957/)
The Shard from the Goodyear Blimp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaymond/5664459957/) by Jay McLaughlin (http://www.flickr.com/people/jaymond/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5662757588_2128058ce3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tablehouse/5662757588/)
The Tower and The Shard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tablehouse/5662757588/) by Tablehouse (http://www.flickr.com/people/tablehouse/), on Flickr

Nikon D50 + 70-300mm lens. Cheers. :)

^^ excellent pics el Greco.

^^ excellent pics el Greco.For me they are overexposed. And it's smth wrong with the colours/contrast of the first one (as if the shades of the pic had been made lighter with the help of the photoshop).

amazing, estimated completion?

For me they are overexposed.

From what I've seen of El Greco's pics, perhaps that's the point?

amazing, estimated completion?

May 2012.

yes overexposed!

Which aperture/speed couple have you used?

Reduce your diaphragm by 2 times

amazing shots ^^

and now for todays selection of photos from flikr :)

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bavirgo/5665169580/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5665169580_1ef3e355a0_b.jpg



How did I miss that sleeve? Interesting overlap.

For me they are overexposed. And it's smth wrong with the colours/contrast of the first one (as if the shades of the pic had been made lighter with the help of the photoshop).

Ever heard of haze? If they were overexposed the sky would be white, its not white, infact you can make out its light-blueish colour and clouds pretty clearly. :)

by newnumenor on Flickr.

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4108/5657839568d70d39877db1.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newnumenor/5657839568/sizes/l/in/photostream/

For me they are overexposed. And it's smth wrong with the colours/contrast of the first one (as if the shades of the pic had been made lighter with the help of the photoshop).

agree, but the view is stunning. :cool:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/SkylineGreenwich1.jpg



May not be the perfect pic but I love it :)

Only know it's starting to look more like a shard and less fat.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5660985220_a6441bea89_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirestacked_uk/5660985220/)
Alreet to Shardie from the Thames shore (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirestacked_uk/5660985220/) by yorkshire stacked (http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirestacked_uk/), on Flickr

Moscow doesn't count in my opinion as Russia is a trans-continental nation. Great to see this building growing i saw it back in september when i came down to London and it looked good but it looks even better now!

Great to see this building growing i saw it back in september when i came down to London and it looked good but it looks even better now!

Absolutely, the speed of construction was outstanding. Perhaps to compensate the time it took to get this beast approved.:cheers:

by The Shard Baby.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5671886130_2023dd4b73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5671886130/)
shard today 30.4.2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5671886130/) by The Shard Baby (http://www.flickr.com/people/theshardbaby/), on Flickr

How come they are not finishing the backpack? It's been two floors short for many weeks now.

It must be no big deal, surely.

When are the workers supposed to finish construction of the core?

The core has been finished for months.

So there are just cladding and framework works to go on?
Hm. Sounds great, though the tower's not topped out yet..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5670459376_c5e49d4e42_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonugli/5670459376/)
View from the Millennium Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonugli/5670459376/) by bonugli (http://www.flickr.com/people/bonugli/), on Flickr

Internal fittings must surely be going on in the lower floors.

So there are just cladding and framework works to go on?
You forgot about the 60 metres tall "spire" above the core.

Moscow doesn't count in my opinion as Russia is a trans-continental nation. Great to see this building growing i saw it back in september when i came down to London and it looked good but it looks even better now!

Please... let's not go here (for the thousandth time in this thread)

kDNd1o4B9qc

kDNd1o4B9qc

Wow! good find porto :banana:

I see the Shard quite a bit up close and I have to say it really doesnt seem to be progressing very quickly any more :/ Maybe thats just me?

in the first pic whats the crane for?

Lifting stuff.

I see the Shard quite a bit up close and I have to say it really doesnt seem to be progressing very quickly any more :/ Maybe thats just me?

Since when? Since the blue screens have been in place? It doesn't really help matters with all these bank holidays either.

I see the Shard quite a bit up close and I have to say it really doesnt seem to be progressing very quickly any more :/ Maybe thats just me?

It was flying up when the floors were all steel, but the core has been topped out for months and the current floors are concrete so progress is much slower than it was.

How many days does it take to build a floor now?

Snatched this shot with my new Panasonic G2 from the Hayward Gallery while visiting the South Bank this afternoon for Billy Bragg's Big Busk.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/cybertects/20110430_0013.jpg

^^ Good quality, it looks very natural, cybertect :) thanks for the photo

BTW, what are those two U/C buildings on the left side of the picture? New residential highrises?

That's Rogers' NEO London apartments by the Tate Gallery

by The Shard Baby.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5671886130_2023dd4b73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5671886130/)
shard today 30.4.2011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theshardbaby/5671886130/) by The Shard Baby (http://www.flickr.com/people/theshardbaby/), on Flickr

why are the floors towards the center of the tower have grey spaces between the panels.....just curious

It was flying up when the floors were all steel, but the core has been topped out for months and the current floors are concrete so progress is much slower than it was.

Yeah this is very true, the core was a pretty pleasing sight as you could see the progress day by day. Now its the cladding and concrete being done its seeming to take an age :/ :L