New Coruscant
Following on from yesterday's news about the Spires residential development, we hear that the Shard is all set to rise from its London Bridge nursery after the signing of a construction contract between Mace Group (the builders) and Sellar Property (developers and 20% owners). The first components of what should be Europe's tallest skyscraper (310 metres) will be in place early next month, after over a year of demolition and site preparation. Meanwhile, across the river, the Heron Tower is shooting skyward at the rate of one floor per week. The steel frame has reached what appears to be the seventh floor of an eventual 47. When complete in 2011, the Heron will tower 246m to the tip of its spire, loftier than London's longstanding tallest One Canada Square. You can follow the progress of both towers, and much else besides, over on the Skyscraper forums.