The completion of Shard Place, a 27-story glass tower dedicated to luxury rentals, marks the final chapter in architect Renzo Piano's ambitious Shard Quarter development in London. The building, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), stands as the third and final landmark in the 2.5 million square feet mixed-use complex that began with The Shard supertall skyscraper in 2009.
Located in London's vibrant London Bridge neighborhood, Shard Place joins The Shard and The News Building to complete the architectural trilogy. The new residential tower sits adjacent to The Shard and features a distinctive design consisting of a main rectangular volume rising 100 meters high, with a shorter volume attached to its southern side. Both structures are elevated on pillars 16 meters above ground level, creating 13,000 square feet of new public space beneath.
The luxury rental building houses 176 furnished apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, all designed and furnished by State of Craft design studio. Residents can choose from four distinct design palettes, including the bright Bermondsey Light collection featuring off-white walls and white lacquered furniture, and the sophisticated Borough Dark palette with black oak furniture and gold accents. Many apartments offer double or triple aspect views of the surrounding cityscape, while all units feature floor-to-ceiling openable windows and most include naturally ventilated winter gardens.
Shard Place boasts exceptional amenities that set it apart in London's rental market, including a private club and spa, a cinema, and London's highest outdoor rooftop swimming pool. The building's artistic program, curated by Richeldis Fine Art gallery, features over 1,000 artworks throughout the apartments and common areas, including original works by artists Lawrence Calver and Carla Cascales, as well as ceramics by Rhian Jones. The resident lobby showcases a sculptural lighting installation by design studio Haberdashery, uniquely inspired by the soundwaves of rush hour recordings from nearby London Bridge.
The building's entrance on London Bridge Street provides direct access to the expanded public realm, while the location offers unparalleled connectivity through the recently refurbished London Bridge Station. The station, redesigned in 2018 by Grimshaw with distinctive sinuous gray canopies, serves as a major transportation hub linking residents to the rest of London and beyond.
"This vibrant yet historic neighborhood combines world-class gastronomy, culture, and transport links on your doorstep, making Shard Place a best-in-class rental destination in the heart of London," said George Hankinson, head of residential at Real Estate Management (UK) Limited. The development company Sellar worked in collaboration with Real Estate Management (UK) Limited (REM), which handled asset and property management for the project.
Rentals are now available in the building, addressing growing demand in the dynamic London Bridge area. The completion of Shard Place represents not only the culmination of Piano's vision for the quarter but also contributes to London's evolving skyline and urban landscape. This achievement follows RPBW's other recent London projects, including the mixed-use Paddington Square development, cementing the firm's significant architectural influence in the British capital.
