khris
Senior Member
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-01b.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-01b.jpg)
Here are the latest images of The Shard, a mixed-use tower at London Bridge in London, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-17.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-17.jpg)
Construction work has started on the 306 metre-high building, which will sit on an irregular-shaped site adjacent to London Bridge station as part of a new development called London Bridge Quarter.
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-31.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-31.jpg)
The design consists of several glass facets that incline inwards but do not meet at the top, and is inspired by the masts of ships that once anchored on the Thames.
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-01c.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-01c.jpg)
The 72-storey building contains offices, apartments, a hotel and spa, retail and restaurants and is topped by a 15-storey public viewing gallery (below).
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-29.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-29.jpg)
The Shard will replace the 1970’s Southwark Tower building on Bridge Street which has since been demolished in preparation for construction, which is due to be completed in 2012.
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-28.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-28.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-19.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-19.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-24.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-24.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-26.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-26.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-20.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-20.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-25.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-25.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-23.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-23.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-06.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-06.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-09.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-09.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-08.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-08.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-12.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-12.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-13.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-13.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-15.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-15.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-11.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-11.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-16.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-16.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-18.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-18.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-04.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-04.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-03.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-03.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-05.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-05.jpg)
![the-shard-by-renzo-piano-07.jpg](http://www.dezeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/the-shard-by-renzo-piano-07.jpg)
Source with more info.