London's New Tourist Attraction

London has a new skyline – or at least a building that rises to the sky.

The tall, slender and pyramidal building, The Shard, has become a significant new tourist attraction in London. You can enjoy a fantastic view from 244 meters above the city of London and the Thames from Friday the 1st of February and experience the unique view above the surrounding buildings.

The building is 309 meters tall and officially opened last summer by Qatar’s Prime Minister, Hamad bin Jassim. It is the tallest building in the European Union and the second tallest in Europe, after the Mercury City Tower in Moscow, who rises an impressive 339 meters.

At the opening of the building, none of the many square meters in the skyscraper were rented out. The building is intended for office space, hotel, restaurants and a dozen apartments at the top of the building, each of which will be in a price range of around 50 million Pounds. Since the opening, the hotel part has fallen into place, and in late spring the Shangri-La Hotel and Spa is expected to open with 200 rooms. Several restaurants are also expected to open on the floors just below the hotel. But most importantly, it is possible for the public to come up to enjoy the view from the building’s 68th – 72nd floor from the 1st of February 2013. From the large scale balcony/view point you will be able to view the city from twice as high a point above the city, as what has been possible before, and on a clear day you can see over 60 kilometers away.

10 facts about the Shard

– 309.6 meters tall.
– Total floor area 109,265 square meters.
– Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.
– The facade is covered in 11,000 glass panels, which equals an area of eight football fields.
– 95 per cent. of building materials are recycled materials, and 20 per cent. The steel structure is recycled steel.
– 4-28 floor: Offices
– 31-33 floor: Restaurants
– 34-52 floor: Hotel
– 53-65 floor: Apartments
– 68-72 floor: Observation deck