Standing next to London Bridge Station, The Shard rises like a massive glass pyramid that seems to slice through the London sky. When I first saw it back in 2013, shortly after it opened, I wasn't sure what to make of it. The thing is enormous – 310 meters tall with 95 floors – and its angular glass facade catches light in ways that constantly change throughout the day.

Renzo Piano designed this building, and you can tell. The Italian architect has this knack for creating structures that look almost organic despite being entirely modern. The Shard doesn't try to blend in with London's historic architecture, and honestly, that's probably for the best. It would have looked ridiculous trying to mimic Georgian terraces or Victorian warehouses at this scale.

What strikes me most about visiting The Shard is how it transformed this corner of London. Southwark used to feel like the grittier side of the Thames, but now you've got this gleaming tower housing restaurants, offices, a hotel, and apartments. The observatory on the 72nd floor offers views that stretch for miles – on clear days you can see right across to the Surrey hills.

The construction took about three years and cost £435 million, which seems almost modest now considering what similar projects cost today. Qatar owns 95% of it, which explains how they managed to secure such prime real estate near Borough Market and the Tate Modern.

When you're planning things to do in Londres, the view from the top definitely ranks high, though the ticket prices reflect its status as a major attraction. The elevators are fast – they have to be with 36 of them serving all those floors. Discover all the secrets of The Shard with our comprehensive London audio guide that covers not just the tower itself but the entire surrounding area that's changed so dramatically since its arrival.

Walking around the base, you realize how this one building reshaped the entire South Bank skyline. Whether you love it or think it's an intrusion on London's character probably depends on how you feel about modern architecture in historic cities. But there's no denying it's become as much a part of London's identity as the Tower Bridge or Big Ben.