Monday 18 March 2013

Friday 15 March 2013

The Shard, London: Outside and in



The latest addition to London’s skyline is The Shard, the tallest building in Europe at 1,016 feet.  Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, it seems to have received a positive reaction from Londoners.  The viewing gallery and observation platform at the top are now open to the public, and I made a trip on one of the very few fine days in recent weeks.  

Read more here: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shard    See more about the building here:  www.the-shard.com/overview/     Buy tickets to go up to the View here: www.theviewfromtheshard.com


View from London Bridge



The Shard - the north face


The Shard From St Thomas St

The Shard - the fractured summit


To get inside The View, go to www.theviewfromtheshard.com
   but check the weather forecast first to be sure of enjoying the views


The Square Mile, with Gherkin, and in the foreground 'The Walkie-Talkie' by architect Rafael Viñoly is under construction


Looking east from the Shard to Canary Wharf

Looking up to the spire, from level 72

St Paul's Cathedral

Looking up at us, looking down at them







Sunset over south London, March 5 2013






Tower Bridge from The Shard, March 5 2013 


This young woman has a fantastic position for her checkout till: on level 69 with a view across south London

Merchandise in the Shard shop

The Shard, from Tower Bridge. Piano's tower sits well with Foster's More London complex
From the Thames Clipper, HMS Belfast in foreground

The Shard, from about 4 miles downstream, at Greenwich Pier.  Foreground is mv Chay Blyth 





HMS Belfast


HMS Belfast, 75 years old.  Behind is The Shard, the latest addition to London's skyline