Jaunted

For now, we'll focus on that viewing gallery coming to the 69th-72nd floors. When it finally opens February 1 2013, "The View from The Shard" will be the highest viewpoint in city of London. Naturally the first question is: how much will it cost? Since advance ticket reservations have just opened, we can answer that. For one adult to head to The Shard's viewing gallery, it's a whopping £24.95 (£18.95 for children). At current exchange rates, that's $38. What is this, the Burj Dubai?!

The Telegraph UK has more details on what to expect:

The viewing platforms are accessed by two high-speed ‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts that ascend to the building’s 68th level in 30 seconds. From that point, visitors are invited to the triple-height, glass-fronted Level 69 where the surrounding cityscape is fully exposed. The highest point accessible to The View from The Shard visitors is on Level 72 where it will be possible to look upwards and see the few remaining floors taper out of sight as the separate panels of the building converge at its tip.

If the price and possibility of an opening delay doesn't put you off, go ahead and nab those tickets now, either online or by calling 0844 499 7111 in the UK.

A thought: The Shard reminds us quite clearly of two different, already constructed buildings in the world: the Caldea Spa in Andorra (been there? The building glints with the sun like an ice crystal) and the infamous Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea. Strange bedfellows, indeed.

[Image: The View from The Shard]