The Shard, Europe's tallest building, in London

The glass tower, designed by Renzo Piano, the Italian architect behind the colourful Pompidou Centre in Paris, sits south of the River Thames at the heart of a wider regeneration project in the London Bridge district. The 309.6m skyscraper was inaugurated yesterday with a laser show by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew and by the prime minister of Qatar. It has 72 floors all of which can be occupied, and will contain offices, exclusive residences, a luxury hotel, restaurants and a viewing gallery. There are a further 15 levels which make up the "spire" – six of which have the potential to be used. The View from the Shard will only open in February 2013 but tickets are already on sale: £24.95 for an adult, and £18.95 for a child.

Enjoy the views from The Shard:

http://www.the-shard.com/views/360.html

Would you like to stay at The Shangri-La at The Shard?
(due to open in Spring 2013)