The Shard rises 310 meters above London Bridge, serving as one of Europe’s most recognizable high-rises. Completed in 2012 and designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the building features an 11,000-pane glass façade engineered to reflect the city’s changing sky. The structure houses offices, restaurants, the Shangri-La Hotel, and an observation deck that offers views across Greater London. Its sharp, tapering design symbolizes the modern transformation of London’s skyline along the River Thames.