The Shard

I've been watching the Shard go up - and up -and up on trips to London since it was a short stub of a building. Shard spotting from all round London has been quite a game with my granddaughter and we also loved looking at it from its base to the top. I think it is an iconic building though I would think differently if I lived close to it as it is so out of scale with the other buildings in the area. Like bagpipes best appreciated at a distance! I couldn't live or work that high up but I've already asked for a ticket to the top for Xmas. I love the Gherkin too but I hate some of the more recent very tall characterless slabs of buildings that have gone up recently around it, though they look better as a group seen from Waterloo Bridge. I have never liked the Nat West tower or the one in Moorgate with the top that splays out. I just hope the views of St Paul's are conserved from different directions.

I wonder if it will last as long as the Eiffel Tower?

Me too! Night all[crescent moon]

Not phallic at all - I agree with you, Butter! Sleep well.

Sometimes forum chat just gets too mixed-up jeni.

Night night and sleep well. I'm away to bed. x

oops - too many that's all's.

jeni I was just thinking that I wanted to go 'Hmmmm?' to Hunt's comment, which was followed by your 'should be a comment. I just said Nope in disagreement, that's all. The phallic concept hadn't even crossed my mind, that's all.

Why?

...to Jeni

Nope -

Too pointy to be phallic...

Should be

[gron]

Actually ,Butternut, the word phallic comes to mind.

I really love it. When I first saw it I thought it was unfinished, and made some comment about how great it would be when it was finished!

What I especially about contemporary architecture is that it has a place in the countryside, our towns and cities. Sometimes it can be a shock, but for me it is about being able to change, evolve and look forward. However, gently does it and I wouldn't like too much. Time and place and all that........

The word iconic comes to mind.

I live in West London and we can see the shard in the distance from a hill in our park , not sure I really like the design much but it is impressive and yes its still going to need a bloke with a sponge to clean the top windows... he'll need a blooming long ladder though..

We could see the Shard from the London Eye 2 days ago - finished is it? OK.

I think the Gerkin looks great. The Shard I'm not too keen on. Both of them in the wrong place though.

£87 for a 30 second lift ride for a family of 4. Is it true it will still take a bloke with a sponge and soapy water to clean the top windows?

Very iconic though I guess.

Sorry! Workmen

I thought it looked stunning but had to keep looking away from the programme as it made me feel vertiginous ( ? ) just watching the workman.

We watched the documentary about the building of the Shard. It was fascinating.....I'd never heard of the Shard until yesterday morning.
I love it and find it much more aesthetically pleasing than that stupid Gherkin !!