London Bridge Tower

The London Bridge Tower (informally known as the Shard of Glass) - is a proposed skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano for a site in London, on the Southwark side of London Bridge, next to London Bridge station at 32 London Bridge Street. It would replace a twenty-four storey building, Southwark Towers, which was completed in 1976. The tower will be 306 metres (1004 ft) tall and have 66 floors. It was granted planning permission in November 2003.

Related Topics:
Skyscraper - Renzo Piano - London - Southwark - London Bridge - London Bridge station - Southwark Towers - 1976 - Planning permission - November 2003

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When it was first announced, it was hoped that it would be the tallest building in Europe on completion. This will not be the case, however, as there is a 340m building already under construction in Moscow. Another huge skyscraper, the Bishopsgate Tower, was recently submitted for planning permission in London and this will exceed the height of London Bridge Tower by a metre.

Related Topics:
Europe - Moscow - Bishopsgate Tower

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Construction was expected to begin in 2005, with completion in 2009. However in 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers, who hold a long-term lease on Southwark Towers, decided that they were not willing to vacate before 2006. This appeared to push the potential completion date back to 2011 at the earliest.

Related Topics:
2005 - 2009 - 2004 - PricewaterhouseCoopers - 2011

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The building project will also involve major improvements to the concourse and facilities of London Bridge station. It will include shops, offices and flats as well as high level viewing galleries, a museum and a public piazza. A hotel is expected to take up around a fifth of the available space.

Related Topics:
London Bridge station - Piazza

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