London, 10/01/2013. Today, the Shard, the highest skyscraper (1,016 ft/309.6 m) in Western Europe, opens for a press preview. The 95-storey building designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano has two viewing platforms, one on the 69th floor with a 360 degree view of London for up to 40 miles (64 km) and the other on the 72nd floor at 244 meters (800ft). The opening day for the public is set to be the 1st of February 2013.