Views on the view
Stepping out of London Bridge tube station on a windy Saturday evening, I crane my neck towards the sky but still can’t quite grasp the scale of the colossal, jagged tower above me.
At 306m The Shard dwarfs nearby landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge. An ultra-modern giant sitting proudly at the edge of old town London, with Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral a stone’s throw. The structure provides the juxtaposition in architecture that London does so well. Some may complain that it dominates the traditional London skyline, however, there is no question that the View from The Shard is one like no other.
On entering the building it’s clear to see just how popular this modernistic London attraction is; swarms of people are anticipating the journey to the viewing platform on the 69th floor, excited about being able to catch a bird’s eye view of London.
The visitor figures are impressive too. Early this month one lucky man was welcomed as the one millionth visitor to ‘Europe’s first vertical city’ (as it’s marketed) after being open to the public for only a year.
Full of excitement at ticket collection I asked how long it takes to travel in the lift to the top. The response – less than a minute, more than a floor a second! As quickly as I entered the lift I was leaving it (with a slight popping sensation in my ears). It’s a surreal feeling, the speed of the lift making it difficult to appreciate just how high up you are. Approaching one of the 11,000 panes of glass, camera in hand, I quickly realise this may not make a pleasant day out for any vertigo surfers. 360 degree views, spanning 40 miles on a clear day from the top of London’s tallest skyscraper.
The View from the Shard is truly breath taking.
Looking out across London’s dusky skyline, I begin to recognise some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Tower Bridge, Big Ben, The Gherkin seem as small as children’s toys. St Paul’s Cathedral, The BT Tower… the sun setting beyond the tiny London Eye.
Whether you think The Shard is unsightly addition to the London skyline or a brilliant piece of architectural design, the View from the top is undoubtedly inspiring. Well worth a visit. And where do our Architects go from here?
