The Shard signs up first office tenant TEN months after launch

Looks like the Shard’s tenant count is as disappointing as its inaugural laser show in July last year.

Ten months since launch, the tallest skyscraper in western Europe has managed to secure just one tenant.

Financial advisory and investment banking firm Duff & Phelps has signed a contract to lease about 20,000 square feet (1,860 square meters) of space from Shard developers Sellar Property Group.

“Duff & Phelps looks forward to consolidating our valuation, restructuring and M&A teams in London while taking advantage of The Shard’s central location, robust amenities and inspiring design,” chief operating officer Brett Marschke said.

Floors 68, 69 and 72 are occupied by the View from the Shard, an observation deck that launched in January this year.

Aqua London, “a modern British restaurant”, will take up the 31^st floor of the building and restaurateurs Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney will together launch Oblix on the 32^nd floor. The 33^rd floor will have the European branch of Hutong, a Hong Kong chain famous for its fiery Northern Chinese food.

The Shard will also feature a 202-bedroom Shangri-La hotel spread across floors 34 to 52. It was due to open in July but will now not “open before September”.