The Shard under construction in central London on April 25, 2012. The building, which will be inaugurated on July 5 in London with a huge light show, is the highest in the European Union, standing at 310 meters (1,017 feet).
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
The Shard under construction in central London on April 25, 2012. The building, which will be inaugurated on July 5 in London with a huge light show, is the highest in the European Union, standing at 310 meters (1,017 feet).
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12 years after it was first sketched out, London's Shard tower will be inaugurated to great fanfare -- but it has won as many critics as it has admirers.
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
12 years after it was first sketched out, London's Shard tower will be inaugurated to great fanfare -- but it has won as many critics as it has admirers.
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Crowds cheer as the flotilla passes the Shard during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in London on June 3, 2012.
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
Crowds cheer as the flotilla passes the Shard during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in London on June 3, 2012.
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The 80-story skyscraper will contain offices, restaurants, residential apartments, a five star hotel and a viewing area.
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
The 80-story skyscraper will contain offices, restaurants, residential apartments, a five star hotel and a viewing area.
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The view of the River Thames looking west from Tower Bridge including the Shard, City Hall and HMS Belfast at night on March 28, 2012 in London.
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
The view of the River Thames looking west from Tower Bridge including the Shard, City Hall and HMS Belfast at night on March 28, 2012 in London.
AFP/Getty Images
Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the Shard. He has said that gazing over London from top of the building "will feel like flying".
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the Shard. He has said that gazing over London from top of the building "will feel like flying".
AFP/Getty Images
A picture from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath in London on February 14, 2011, which shows the Shard in the distance, along with a number of historic buildings including St Paul's Cathedral.
The Shard: EU's highest building unveiled —
A picture from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath in London on February 14, 2011, which shows the Shard in the distance, along with a number of historic buildings including St Paul's Cathedral.
AFP/Getty Images