What Is The Shard Used For

Let’s be honest: London’s The Shard looks like a giant shard of glass that some bored alien dropped in the middle of the city. It’s pointy, it’s shiny, and it absolutely towers over everything like a middle finger to the sky. But you’ve probably wondered—what the heck is this thing actually used for? Is it a secret lair for a billionaire? A giant flashlight for Batman? Nope, but the truth is almost as weird and wonderful.

Office Space: Where the Magic (and Meetings) Happen

First off, a huge chunk of The Shard is just offices. Yes, boring, adult stuff. People in suits sit up there, staring at spreadsheets while pretending not to notice the incredible view of the Thames. It’s like working in a glass treehouse, except your boss can see you from literally every angle.

But here’s a shocker: the offices start at floor 2 and go up to floor 28. That’s twenty-six floors of pure corporate energy. If you work there, you might accidentally lock eyes with a seagull while discussing quarterly profits. Awkward.

Hotel California (But in London and Twice as Pointy)

Floors 34 to 52 are home to the Shangri-La Hotel. That’s right—a five-star hotel floating in the clouds. You can sleep in a room that costs more per night than your rent for a month. But the real treat? The bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. You can brush your teeth while looking down at tiny, ant-like people. Feel like a god? Good. Just don’t forget to close the curtains, unless you want to give the entire city a free show.

Fun fact: the hotel’s infinity pool on the 52nd floor is one of the highest in Europe. It’s so high up that when you swim, your brain thinks you’re about to fly off into the sunset. Vertigo, anyone?

The View from the Top: Tourist Central

Floors 68, 69, and 72 are where the real magic happens—the viewing platforms. Tickets cost an arm and a leg (about £32 for an adult, which is basically the price of a small car). But you get to see London from 800 feet up. On a clear day, you can see for 40 miles. That’s like staring from London all the way to the edge of your sanity.

But here’s the hilarious part: the observation deck is open-air on floor 72. Yep, wind whips around like a jealous ex. Your hair will look like a frightened hedgehog. And if you’re scared of heights, you’ll feel your soul briefly leave your body. Totally worth it.

Restaurants That Make You Feel Fancy (and Poor)

Floors 31 to 33 are packed with restaurants and bars. There’s Oblix, which sounds like a villain’s name but is actually a swanky joint serving overpriced cocktails. You can order a £15 martini and sip it while watching planes land at Heathrow. It’s basically a reverse power move—you’re above the planes. Take that, aviation!

And then there’s Hutong on floor 33, a Chinese restaurant with a design so dark and moody you’ll think you’ve walked into a ninja’s wedding. The food is incredible, but the real show is the view. You chew your Peking duck while London twinkles below like a glittery circuit board. Just try not to drool on the window.

The Secret Floors: Where the Real Weird Stuff Lives

Did you know The Shard has 95 floors total? Most people only see the public ones. Floors above 73 are mostly mechanical—think giant elevators, air conditioning units, and probably a few mops. But rumor has it there’s a spire that goes up even higher. It’s not open to the public, but it houses antennas and broadcasting equipment. So yes, The Shard is also a giant radio tower. It beams TV and phone signals across London like a magical glass wizard.

And here’s a truly bizarre fact: the building has a “sky lobby” on floor 34. It’s basically a transfer zone for elevators, but it feels like a spaceship corridor. If you get lost there, you might accidentally end up in a maintenance closet filled with mops and existential dread. Been there.

A Few Surprises to Impress Your Friends

The Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. He claimed he was inspired by a “spire rising from a London railway station.” Translation: he wanted to build something that looked like a giant ice pick. Construction started in 2009 and finished in 2012, right in time for the Olympics. It cost about £435 million. That’s enough money to buy every person in London a very, very nice sandwich.

Oh, and here’s the kicker: the building has 44 elevators. Some of them are double-decker lifts, so you can take two floors at once. It’s like a carnival ride, but with less screaming and more spreadsheets.

So, What’s It Really Used For?

In the end, The Shard is a gloriously overpriced, multi-purpose skyscraper that screams, “Look at me!” It’s offices for stressed workers, a hotel for rich tourists, restaurants for foodies, a viewpoint for the brave, and a giant antenna for your Netflix. It’s basically a Swiss Army knife of a building, but made of glass and arrogance.

Next time you see it poking the clouds, just smile. It’s not just a pointy landmark—it’s a 95-floor joke about human ambition, and we’re all in on it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go save up for that £15 martini.