The owners are a mix of international billionaires, celebrities who want privacy, and investment firms that rent them out for £15,000 a week on short lets. There’s even a rumor that a certain pop star bought one just for the bathtub view (yes, the bathtub faces the city—because why not?).
What I find fascinating is that some buyers never even move in. They treat it like an ultra-exclusive pied-à-terre. A place to land a helicopter (well, not literally—but you get the vibe), host a dinner party for 10, and leave the keys with the concierge. It’s a lifestyle purchase, not a house. A statement that says: “I didn’t just buy a home. I bought a postcard.”
Should You (Yes, You) Buy One?
Look, if you’re reading this while sitting on a sofa you bought from IKEA, like I am, the answer is a resounding “probably not.” But it’s delicious to dream, isn’t it? Imagine telling your friends: “Oh, I’m just popping up to the Shard—my flat, not the viewing deck.”
The truth is, The Shard flats are the ultimate “if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it” kind of purchase. But they’re also a beautiful, absurd, wonderfully impractical piece of London real estate. They exist because someone, somewhere, decided that living inside a landmark was a good idea. And honestly? If you’ve got the cash and a strong stomach for heights, why the hell not?
So next time you’re walking across London Bridge, look up at that jagged peak. Somewhere up there, someone is sipping tea and watching the trains crawl in and out of London Bridge station. And they’re probably smiling. Because they own the sky.
(Final side note: if you do buy one, please invite me. I promise to wipe my feet.)
