Laser show to celebrate inauguration of The Shard

5 Jul 12 Qatari and British royalty will come together at London Bridge today for an inauguration ceremony for Western Europe’s tallest building.

The Shard, will be formally inaugurated in London by His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al Thani, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the State of Qatar, and HRH the Duke of York. The event marks the physical completion of the exterior of the building.

A spectacular laser show will be streamed live at 10.15pm tonight (5 July) at www.the-shard.com.

Designed by architect Renzo Piano and developed by Sellar Property, The Shard stands at 310m (1,016 ft) with 95 stories. It has 11,000 panes of glass.

It will house the capital’s highest public viewing gallery, The View from The Shard, offering 360° views of London stretching for more than 40 miles. This opens on 1 February 2013 when internal fit-out completes. Entrance to the gallery will cost £24.95 for an adult and £18.95 for a child.

The Shard is owned by LBQ Ltd, comprising the State of Qatar (the majority shareholder) and Sellar Property, with non-equity funding by Qatar National Bank.

Irvine Sellar, chairman of Sellar Property and partner of LBQ Limited, said: “Today marks the physical completion of The Shard. It is a major step towards the ultimate realisation of our vision for London Bridge Quarter - a new dynamic district for our city with The Shard at its centrepiece.”

His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saoud Al Thani, governor of Qatar Central Bank and chairman of Shard Funding Ltd and London Bridge Quarter, said, “Standing at almost 310 metres, The Shard will be one of the tallest buildings in Western Europe. For me however, the height of the Shard is only secondary. What is special is the solid and continuing relationship between two nations – Qatar and Britain – which has been an important factor in completing this project.”

He added, “The Shard has already become an important symbol for London – a symbol of our close relationship – rooted in the foundations of economic growth, social development and mutual trust and goodwill.”

QNB group CEO Ali Shareef Al-Emadi said, “Qatar National Bank and The State of Qatar have backed London Bridge Quarter since 2009, after other banks withdrew from funding in the wake of the credit crunch. This is because we strongly believed in its potential as a key regeneration project on London’s South Bank and wanted to see this landmark project realised. For us The Shard and all it represents, is a symbol for Qatari investment here in London.”