Notes on the Shard

A sharp-edged, shining crystal pointing skywards…

…towering above its neighbours in so many views of London, the Shard is even more striking in its place by the Thames. For though hidden at times as the river curves sensuously through the city, it suddenly comes into sight and takes over its surroundings. Now a familiar part of the London landscape, its ever-changing reflections of London’s skies and clouds in its glass panels turn it into a dazzling ornament. 

Seen from the London Eye: The Shard an unmissable part of London’s landscape

Yet, just as it’s visible from miles around, if you go up to The View on The Shard platforms, you can look out over London for up to forty miles in any direction. But before looking at the horizon, the first marvel is being able to look down at a model world beneath your feet including miniatures of the Tower of London; Tower Bridge; HMS Belfast; St. Paul’s Cathedral; the South Eastern railway lines and trains; and of course, the Thames.  

Looking down onto a miniature world below © Nigel Stoughton
HM Tower of London: a toy fort beneath your feet
Tower Bridge: London’s most recognised bridge
HMS Belfast, one of the many ships that took part in Operation Overlord on D-Day, June 6, 1944. She is moored below and often joined by visiting ships

There are unparalleled views along the river looking east  towards Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and just beyond, into Essex and Kent.

Looking East you can see the river meandering to the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf, and just visible the silhouettes of the Thames Barrier piers

To the west you can see several of central London’s bridge crossings, Westminster, Pimlico, Chelsea, Battersea; the Lott’s Road power station; Fulham, and as far out as Surrey.

Views to the west include Pimlico, the Royal Hospital Gardens, Albert and Battersea Bridges
The Shard echoes the lines of Southwark Cathedral below

Believe it or not, after a short conversation on the concept, the basic elements of the Shard were simply sketched out on the back of a menu by architect Renzo Piano during a lunch with developer Irvine Sellar. Renzo had been immediately attracted to the site by the Thames, and to the idea of building by railway lines with their constant movement, energy, and links to elsewhere.

Seen from above the railway is a toy train set

In just a few moments he came up with a rough design that closely resembled the Shard as it is today. Sellar  promised that if Renzo would put his signature to the design and sign up to the project, he would actually go ahead and build the Shard. He kept his promise but it was not a smooth ride as planning approval took a long time and funds dried up during the crash of 2008.  However, the State of Qatar came to the rescue with substantial financial backing and, after dangerous and demanding work in sometimes very difficult conditions, the Shard was finally completed and opened by the Prime Minister of Qatar in 2012.

The Shard adds to London’s wonderful architectural contrasts

London’s skyline and the buildings that border the Thames have changed so much in the last few years not always for the better, and in many cases generations who grew up here, all with memories of their lives and experiences linked to the landscape, have been moved away, or lost their points of reference. There have been good restorations and conversions such as Sea Containers House, St. Katharine’s Dock, and Butler’s Wharf but also some ugly, unimaginative blocks. Canary Wharf and the City have distinctive and interesting buildings, some of them more attractive than others and I particularly like the Gherkin. However, when it comes to elegance and height, the sharp, edgy Shard really does take pride of place.

As night falls, a train crosses Cannon Street railway bridge

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