[wjfox]

London Bridge Tower - the "Shard of Glass"
Southwark

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

Links: UK Forum thread | Official website | Renzo Piano Building Workshop | Skyscrapernews listing | Station redevelopment

Notes:

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

Current Status:
Under construction! Click here for a video of the schedule. The tower is scheduled for completion by May 2012.

Image credit: Chest

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Thread landmarks (Note: these links refer to the UK forum thread)

24th Nov 2006 - PwC staff informed that they will vacate Southwark Towers

15th Nov 2007 - Mace chosen to build the Shard

10th Jan 2008 - CLS Holdings sells stake in the Shard

18th Jan 2008 - Halabi sells stake in the Shard

22nd Jan 2008 - Sellar Property Group sets up Qatari consortium to carry out the Shard development

24th Mar 2008 - 'White sheet of death' appears on Southwark Towers

12th Feb 2009 - Demolition of Southwark Towers structure complete

23rd Feb 2009 - Mace secures contract to build the Shard

16th Mar 2009 - Shard officially starts construction

17th Mar 2009 - First piling rig

18th Sep 2009 - First steel column

19th Sep 2009 - Installation of Tower Crane 1

1st Oct 2009 - Installation of Tower Crane 2

10th Oct 2009 - First concrete pillars

 

[Erebus555]

Some renders there I havent seen before and it certainly shows that this building is a lot more detailed than I first though. Will be a great focal point, I think.

Construction time is very quick as well. Some buildings half the size take that time!

 

[Audiomuse]

This tower is, what can I say.. Sexy!!!!!! & Stunning!!!

 

[Audiomuse]

I love how the tower soars into the air and dominates that area of London!

 

[Príncipe]

...How Come Every Time You Turn Around My London Bridge Wanna Go Down Like London London....:banana2: :banana2:

Ok, it was a stupid joke . But this new tower is stunning ! Great for London. :cheers1:

 

[Newcastle Guy]

It will set a new standard for highrise architecture in Europe. Can't believe work is actually going to start in 7 months time.

 

[tinou]

congrats London! very nice projects (a Parisian talking :lol: )

 

[megatower]

i just can't wait for this tower to RISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wjfox]

Can't believe work is actually going to start in 7 months time.

Well, I can't believe it's taken so long just to reach this stage. The delay has been ludicrous.

In theory, it could already have been completed by now - if English Heritage hadn't forced a public inquiry, if PWC had vacated straight away, and if Sellar had commenced work as soon as it was originally approved.

 

[Newcastle Guy]

Yes but atleast it is finally going to happen though

 

[megatower]

Newcastle guy is right

 

[Brendan]

I love this building - suits London very well.

 

[sweetjersey]

Cool! tower! love it!

 

[Dennis]

Awesome, go London!

 

[Sbz2ifc]

Sorry if anybody has mentioned this before... but... did you see Children of Men? I'm pretty sure you can spot the Shard in that movie.

 

[vvill]

Sorry if anybody has mentioned this before... but... did you see Children of Men? I'm pretty sure you can spot the Shard in that movie.

is it REALLY IN THERE?

i didn't notice it... ahh.

 

[wjfox]

Yep, it's featured in one of the first scenes, just before the bomb goes off in that shop. The view is from Fleet Street, I think. Which doesn't make sense, because LBT won't be visible from Fleet Street. But anyway... this is the trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwsgkurfCjE

You can't really see it here though, you need the DVD or big screen version to see it properly.

 

[Newcastle Guy]

I can't wait to see that film. This will make it even better!

 

[L-er]

Great skyscraper for London!

 

[Jamandell (d69)]

Beautiful building! Fell in love with it since I saw the renders for the first time in 2003.
Can't wait to see it rise