About the Tallest Tower in Western Europe
The Shard Tower, an impressive skyscraper, is also known as the London Bridge Tower, due to its location. The height of the Shard Tower is almost 310 meters and has 95 floors. The interesting building is reminiscent of "a glacier rising from the Thames." It was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the same architect who designed the Pompidou Center in Paris. This tower is one of the tallest buildings in Britain and the European Union.
Construction of the building began in 2009 and ended in 2012. It was not easy to convince the local residents and activists in the area that it was an environmental building. At one point, even UNESCO warned that the status of the London Bridge as a world heritage site could be damaged in consequence. The space where the building was located was a poor and underprivileged neighborhood.
The Shard Tower was built in an underprivileged area, struck with poverty and unemployment. This was the complete opposite to what this exclusive tower brings to the table: five-star hotel and Michelin star restaurants.
The most interesting part of the tower is its spectacular view, which offers an observation post overlooking London. Take the elevator to the 69th floor where you will find the observation post. The 72nd floor also offers a view, having an external section for visitors..
For souvenir and trinket fans, there is a souvenir shop on the 68th floor.
Getting Stuck in the Tallest Building Ever
We do not mean to startle or frighten you, especially if you decide to enter the tallest skyscraper in Western Europe, but by 2013 the attraction became a particularly unpleasant event for some visitors. More than 200 tourists who crammed into the building's elevator were stuck at a height of 243 meters above ground, after it stopped working due to fear of a fire. The visitors remained trapped in the building for more than an hour. We can only imagine what the claustrophobics went through. The impressive building, which probably offers the most spectacular vantage point in London, must have been less pleasant that day ...
About Disputes and Luxury
One of London's known controversies is whether it is right to build skyscrapers or not. Those who support high-rise construction explain that the city must adapt itself to the 21st century, broadcast a modern and innovative vision and let the glass buildings take their place as part of the city's appearance.
Other opinions are that the beauty of the city is found in the shorter, lower houses from different periods, mainly from the Victorian and Georgian periods. Building tall skyscrapers is simply submitting to falling in love with other modern cities around the world.
The Shard Tower is one of the most controversial buildings, mainly because it is blatant excess. The building has impressive offices, a luxury apartment hotel and expensive restaurants. Rumor has it that during the week the most beautiful people in London gather in the bars of the building, those on the 31st and 32nd floors, sipping some quality alcohol while taking in the breathtaking view.
