The Shard is a mixed-use tower at London Bridge, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Construction work has started on the 306 metre-high building, which will sit on an irregular-shaped site adjacent to London Bridge station as part of a new development called London Bridge Quarter. The design consists of several glass facets that incline inwards but do not meet at the top, and is inspired by the masts of ships that once anchored on the Thames. The building contains offices, apartaments, a hotel and spa, retail and restaurants. It will be completed in 2012.
