Europe's tallest reaches completion

The completion of the exterior of Western Europe's tallest building, The Shard, was celebrated on 5 July in London, UK.

Designed by architect Renzo Piano and developed by Sellar Property, The Shard stands at 310m tall and has 95 storeys. The UK£ 430 million (€ 540 million) skyscraper is a mixed-use development comprising office space, residences, restaurants and the five-star Shangri-La Hotel. The building will also house the capital's highest public viewing gallery.

The Shard will also be open to the public from 2013.