The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

On a thoroughly miserable wet and grey April afternoon, I grabbed a couple of photos of The Shard and its accompanying London Bridge Quarter development.

The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

Now officially the tallest skyscraper in Europe, the tower is almost structurally complete, with the building being topped out on 30 March 2012, when its 66-metre (217 ft), 500-tonne spire was winched into place.

The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

The steel structure now stands at its final elevation of 308.5 metres (1,012 ft), with the final 516 panes of glass topping the tower out at its full height of 309.6 metres (1,016 ft).

The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

Tightly wedged into the space between the Shard and London Bridge railway station is the dire-sounding ‘London Bridge Quarter’ which is apparently busying itself, “Inspiring Change” – whatever that means.

The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom

According to Wikipedia, here’s how the floors have been allocated. Can’t say I’d fancy living on the 65th floor, although the views will no doubt be astonishing.

Floors Floor area Space designation
73–87 Spire
68–72 8,159 sq ft (758 m2) Observatory
53–65 62,129 sq ft (5,772 m2) Residential apartments
52 Spa
34–52 174,355 sq ft (16,198 m2) Shangri-La Hotel
31–33 63,992 sq ft (5,945 m2) Restaurants
2–28 586,509 sq ft (54,488 m2) Offices
0–1 22,627 sq ft (2,102 m2) Lobby


One Comment on “The Shard and London Bridge Quarter in the April gloom”

  1. HI Your photos are really good!
    I think that the building, despite being a feat of engineering,is an absurd overstated structure that will tower over London’s landscape as a frozen-like finger for years to come; I can actually see it from my South-facing balcony up Dartmouth Park HIll….

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