In London on July 5, on the eve of the 2012 Olympics, the grand opening of The Shard, the tallest building in the European Union, took place. A 310-meter-high skyscraper was built on the south bank of the Thames near the Tower Bridge.
The 97-story skyscraper, designed by Italian Renzo Piano in 2000, was designed by the architect to reflect the spirit of a dynamically developing and constantly changing city.
The London skyscraper is a pyramidal tower of steel and glass. No wonder its name The Shard in translation means "Shards" - the light is refracted on the glass of the building and creates the feeling of broken glass. The construction of the skyscraper uses more than 800 steel parts weighing more than 500 tons.
By the time of opening, finishing work inside the building had not yet been completed. Commissioning of the skyscraper is planned only in 2013. Inside The Shard, rooms are being prepared for offices, beauty salons, boutiques, food shops, restaurants and cafes, a 5-star hotel with 200 rooms from economy to luxury class. At the same time, the offices of the building, according to the agreement with investors from Asia, who financed 95% of the project, will not house firms engaged in the production or sale of alcoholic products, as well as companies related to the gambling business.
In addition to the shopping and entertainment center, the skyscraper will also house exclusive apartments - luxury apartments worth $ 50-80 million dollars each apartment. The layout of the premises, their furnishings and decoration are made according to individual projects.
Soon, an observatory will be launched in the London glass tower, and the highest observation deck in England will be opened on the 69th floor in February 2013. Admission price already announced - £ 25. It will be possible to get into the skyscraper any day, while it is almost impossible for tourists to get into many high-rise buildings in London.
Today, not all high-rise buildings are ready. It will take another six months to complete the decoration and repair.
