The Shard nears completion – London Office Design

Just south of London Bridge, The Shard is nearing completion, forming the focal point of the regeneration of the area immediately around London Bridge station. Once complete this already iconic London office design landmark will be the equivalent of 87 storeys, reaching 1016 ft into the Capital’s skyline – making it Europe’s tallest commercial building. The Shard is linked to its sister building, The Place, by a new public piazza, and between them they will provide over 1m sq ft of world class office space.

The architect behind the project, Renzo Piano, has created a tapering structure that is visible from almost anywhere in the Capital, causing enormous curiosity well before its completion. This is Piano’s first UK commission and he describes it as a ‘vertical town’ – a multi-use community in the sky. Given that the building will house a luxury hotel, luxury residences, restaurants and an observatory in addition to its office space, it will be accessible to the public. Piano sees this as the reason why he feels the building will be loved: its accessibility will make it understandable rather than mysterious.

Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank have been appointed as letting agents for The Shard, while CB Richard Ellis and Colliers International are the appointed agents for The Place. Irvine Sellar, Chairman of Sellar Group, the developer, commented: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of the country’s leading specialist leasing consultants. With the Shard rapidly taking shape and already becoming a key feature on London’s skyline, it will offer office occupiers unique and prestigious space in an iconic landmark building.”