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Shard of Glass
new city landmark on the way
Controversial, beset by financial problems and
rather terrifyingly tall, the Shard of Glass is on target
to dominate the London sky in 2012.
enzo Piano’s 310 metre Bridge railway station as it reaches the fifth
R
masterpiece is the focus of the floor on its long journey skywards.
new London Bridge Quarter, The Shard’s developer is Sellar Property
set to transform an area that Group, working with the major shareholder
has been crying out for (80 per cent), the State of Qatar. His
redevelopment for many years. Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud
It replaces Southwark Towers, a 24 Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank
storey office building – and will says that neither the financial troubles in
look very different indeed. Dubai or the recession in the UK will affect
There are a number of the completion of the development.
‘wow factors’ in the “This is a significant milestone in the
statistics for this amazing Twice the height of construction of the Shard as it marks a new
construction. At 72 the Gerkin, the Shard and exciting phase in the project. Over the
floors, (plus eight will dominate London coming months, the Shard will begin to
radiator floors) it will take shape above the streets of London,
be the tallest building in a testament to the vision and hard work of
Europe (but possibly not our team.”
for very long, other James Sellar, chief executive of Sellar
contenders are already Property Group, said of the spectacular
planned). It is twice the height of project, “The Shard is set to become one
the Swiss Re building – The Gherkin; of the most significant additions to the
the status of which as London’s ‘iconic’ London skyline in decades. From the
building may well be challenged by the outset, it has always been my aim to ensure
Shard. It will also offer the highest public that this wonderful building is open to the
viewing gallery in Europe; it’s estimated public, so that they get to experience the
that over 1 million people will visit the wonder of the Shard at first hand.”
Shard to see what London – and many The London Bridge Quarter
miles further – looks like from 850 feet up. development will also have another 600,000
sq ft office building, providing a workplace
Building the building: for 12,000 people. The total cost is

Level 1 - 22,627 sq ft - lobby expected to be in excess of £1.2bn, to

Levels 2-28 - 586,509 sq ft offi ce space include major refurbishment of the train

Levels 34-52 - 174,355 sq ft 5 star and bus stations and a piazza connecting
Shangri-La Hotel the various areas.

Levels 34-36 - 63,992 sq ft restaurants The Shard’s site used to be home to Although nearly half of the Shard is pre
and viewing gallery Southwark Towers. In 2007, PwC, the let, letting agents for the remainder and

Levels 53-65 - 62,129 sq ft residential occupants, vacated the building, enabling associated rents have yet to be decided, but
apartments demolition work to start. In 2008, after a with many London projects on hold

Levels 68-72 - 8,159 sq ft viewing gallery very rocky road, new financing was agreed because of the funding issues, the Shard
and open air observation deck for the project when the Qatari Diar Real could be ready just as London faces its next
Estate Investment Company stepped in to boom, with increased demand for office
After several years with a public enquiry join Qatar Islamic Bank, Qinvest, Qatar space and correspondingly increased rents.
and planning arguments there was National Bank, Barwa International and Who knows, by pushing ahead with the
considerable doubt that this very modern Sellar Property Group as funders. Shard maybe the developers have a point.
dreaming spire would ever materialise. Construction finally started in March
It was finally given approval by John 2009 and now the steel skeleton is now
Any views on this? Comment at:
Prescott in November 2003. visible to the 375,000 users of London
www.propertydrum.com/articles/shard
PROPERTYdrum FEBRUARY 2010 57
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