Nothing makes a statement like The Shard – London’s newest skyscraper that redefines the city’s famous skyline to become a symbol for the capital, recognisable throughout the world.

Shooting up into the sky like a beautiful sharp pyramid of glass, it happens to be the tallest building in Western Europe standing at 1,016 feet high, and also beats One Canada Square’s 18-year reign as Britain’s tallest building.

Clad entirely in glass, the building holds its striking shape using only the very best materials, with all 87 floors made from high quality steel galvanised by Tata Steel at its Shotton factory in North Wales.

International architect Renzo Piano designed The Shard to replace the Southwark Towers, a 24-storey office block built in 1975. Apparently, he was inspired by railway lines lying next to the site as well as the London spires depicted by the 18th-century Venetian painter Canaletto and the masts of sailing ships.

Officially opened on 5 July 2012, The Shard has 72 habitable floors with a viewing gallery and open-air observation deck on the 72nd floor – all containing nearly 1,000 tonnes of S450 galvanised steel, which was produced on Tata Steel’s No.5 HDG line in April 2011. It offers everything from premium office space and luxury private residences to shops, restaurants and hotel facilities.

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