Editing Shell Centre (section)

==Construction==
The Shell Centre was constructed by [[Sir Robert McAlpine]] between 1957 and 1962,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sir-robert-mcalpine.com/files/page/200/SRMBrochure2010_web1.pdf|title=A portrait of achievement|publisher=Sir Robert McAlpine|access-date=24 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508151434/http://www.sir-robert-mcalpine.com/files/page/200/SRMBrochure2010_web1.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2016}}</ref> to a design by Sir [[Howard Robertson (architect)|Howard Robertson]], and the tower stands at {{convert|107|m|ft|0}} with 27 storeys (26 numbered and a [[Mezzanine (architecture)|mezzanine]] level) and extends three storeys below ground. The tower was the first London office tower to exceed the height of the [[Victoria Tower]] of the [[Palace of Westminster]].<ref>{{cite web |author=The Committee Office, House of Commons |url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/482/48226.htm |title=Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee Report Tall Buildings (2002) HC 482-II Annex B to Memorandum from DTLR |publisher=Parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk |date=22 January 2002|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909094856/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/482/48226.htm |archive-date=9 September 2013  }}</ref>

It replaced the [[St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel|Midland Grand Hotel]] as the [[List of tallest buildings and structures in London|tallest storied building in London]], and the [[Royal Liver Building]] as the [[List of tallest buildings in the United Kingdom#Timeline of tallest buildings|tallest in the United Kingdom]]. On completion the building also held the record for the largest office building, by floor space, in Europe.<ref>Christopher Winn, ''I never knew that about London'' (Ted Smart 2007) pg227.</ref>