London: London Bridge Tower (The Shard) - 310m/87 floors (Approved)

London Bridge Tower Height: 310m Floors: 82 Architect: Renzo Piano Developer: Sellar Property Group Links: Official website Renzo Piano Building Workshop SkyscraperNews.com listing Station redevelopment UK and Ireland forum thread Notes: - Irvine Sellar's landmark tower, nicknamed the "Shard of Glass" by the media, will be the first building in the UK to break the 1000ft barrier. It will dwarf the likes of Tower 42 and SwissRe. - London's first truly "mixed use" tower, the floors will be divided as follows: http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscr...orsdiagram.jpg - At the lower levels, the skyscraper will extend the existing public concourse and open up routes connecting Guy's Hospital, King's College and the southern residential areas to the business communities stretching along the river. - 30% less energy will be required than for a conventional tall building through the extensive use of the latest conservation and recycling techniques and materials. A ventilated double skin façade will considerably reduce heat gain and increase comfort close to the facade. Excess heat from the offices will be used to heat the hotel and apartments and any additional excess heat will be dissipated naturally through a 16-storey radiator at the top of the tower. Winter gardens with operable louvre windows will be located on each floor allowing the occupants to connect with the outside world. - Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the tower was structurally redesigned to improve stability and reduce evacuation times. - The total cost of the project is in excess of £1.2bn and includes major refurbishment of London Bridge tube and bus stations, along with other local transport improvements. Current Status: Following objections from English Heritage, and a lengthy public inquiry, London Bridge Tower was given final approval by Deputy PM John Prescott on 19th November, 2003. Sellar have given PricewaterhouseCoopers (tenants of the current site) notice to vacate their building and say they are still fully committed to the project. They have now secured tenants - Shangri-La Hotels, who will be occupying floors 34-52 - and Transport for London who will be taking a large chunk of the office space. It is confirmed that PricewaterhouseCoopers will move in July/August 2007 and that demolition of the site will be starting immediately afterwards, with construction itself starting in 2008 and finishing in 2011. Image credit: Chest >