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The Shard has been the tallest building in the European Union since its inauguration in 2012. The Renzo Piano-designed pyramidal tower is aptly named, as its sculpted glass shape creates a distinct silhouette on the London skyline. Its multiple building uses — residences, offices, and a hotel — are spread across 72 habitable floors. As the city's tallest building, it affords some of the best views of London.
A triple-level indoor gallery serves as one lookout space, while another outdoor viewing area on the 72nd floor produces a slightly higher vantage point. Officially opened on February 1, 2013, it's the highest panoramic view that Londoners and tourists can get of the capital. Dozens of world-famous landmarks can be spotted from The Shard's pinnacle.
Near the foot of The Shard is London Bridge Station, with service on the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, and National Rail. The thick artery of railways can be seen stretching eastwards in the photo below. On the south bank of the River Thames is London's bulbous City Hall, which features a glassy design by Foster + Partners. Completed in 2002, the building provides clear sightlines to the historic Tower Bridge. The bascule and suspension bridge was completed in 1894, and was initially criticized by some commentators as "pretentious" and "absurd." It has since become one of the most enduring symbols of the city, along with the neighbouring Tower of London, the iconic castle dating back to the 11th century. Each of these prominent structures are visible when looking to the east.
One of London's major business districts, Canary Wharf, can also be seen as the River Thames curves north and then southwards. The office and retail hub contains London's second tallest building, the 1991-built One Canada Square, and the international or European headquarters of numerous companies such as Citigroup, HSBC and Thomson Reuters. In recent years, new residential development has begun creeping into the district as the neighbourhood matures.
Looking to the north, London's traditional city centre dominates the view. Colloquially known as 'The Walkie-Talkie,' the recently completed 20 Fenchurch Street gently bends forward as it approaches its apex. Designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, it had the dishonourable distinction of being 'awarded' the Carbuncle Cup in 2015 for the United Kingdom's worst new building of the year. Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Leadenhall Building is visible just behind 20 Fenchurch, while 30 St Mary Axe by Foster + Partners stands a block northeast. The monolithic Tower 42, standing out against London's low- and mid-rise stone structures, stands to the west. It was the tallest building in the United Kingdom for a decade, until One Canada Square surpassed its 183 metres. Looking down at the River Thames, the permanently moored HMS Belfast becomes apparent, now operating as a museum ship following service in the Second World War.
St Paul's Cathedral, built in the 17th century, appears as we pan to the west. The building's monumental dome dominated the London skyline for 300 years and remains one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. A stunning vista to the cathedral is made possible from the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge, which terminates at the base of the power station-turned-art gallery Tate Modern.
Zooming in, two of the country's most important institutions make their presence known. The heart of British politics, the Palace of Westminster, is clad in a honey-coloured limestone. The 90-metre Gothic Revival-style Elizabeth Tower is a powerful symbol of parliamentary democracy. Contrary to popular belief, the Big Ben moniker that is often applied to the tower and the clock is meant to refer to its Great Bell.
Completed in 2000, the London Eye was once the world's tallest ferris wheel. Offering the second highest views in the city, it is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the country, with over 3.75 million people taking in the stunning scenes every year. Nestled in between the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, you can also see Buckingham Palace, the residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Although it was completed in 1850, a significant remodelling in 1913 gave the house its current appearance. From this angle, Buckingham Palace rises amid the dense trees of its rear gardens and the adjacent St James's Park and Green Park.
While the view to the south isn't quite as impressive, there are still several points of interest. The Strata Tower instantly stands out with its bold 43-storey form. It's among the tallest residential developments in London, and the unique trio of rooftop wind turbines creates an unmistakable crown. The upcoming Allies and Morrison-designed Elephant and Castle development promises to add more density to this part of gentrifying South London, which is mostly populated by mid-rise housing and commercial complexes.
The Shard has not only become a modern urban habitat for offices, hospitality, and residences, but its towering presence, visible from across London, serves as a wayfinding tool in much the same way as Dubai's Burj Khalifa and New York City's One World Trade Center. Though there are 44 observation decks in other nations that bestow higher views of their hometowns, The Shard's viewing platform presents an unrivalled and unobstructed aerial look at a leading global and cultural capital and the historic landmarks that have shaped one of the world's most important cities.
