Now comes the Shard part
In the middle of a field in Yorkshire, workmen piece together what looks like a modern art sculpture. In fact, this is the spire that will sit on top of the giant Shard building, towering over London.
Contractor Mace decided to carry out a test run, assembling 800 pieces of steel with a total weight of almost 500 tonnes, in an easier location than its final home 1,000 feet above Southwark. The spire will form the top 23 floors of the Shard, starting at level 72 (the viewing gallery).
The development - which it is estimated will cost £450 million - will house a hotel, flats, a restaurant and office space for 7,000 workers and is due for completion in May next year.
The UK's highest crane has been installed on the tower and has started lifting the first steel sections of the spire into place.
When fully extended the crane will sit 317m (1,040 ft) above ground level - seven metres taller than the building's eventual highest point.
Builders Mace said: "Off-site on an airfield in Yorkshire - where the spire was pre-fabricated and pre-assembled - the team, led by the steel design and erection team Severfield Rowen, undertook a full pre-assembly trial programme of the spire components."
The firm used the exercise to create 3D models of the spire at every part of its construction, and create a "building guide" with detailed day-by-day instructions for the team who will build it above the capital.
