Mayor to take space at Shard of Glass

The Mayor explained to journalists at his weekly press conference that he had originally hoped to centralise all of TfL's offices on the More London site where City Hall is located, but the space was let to a law firm instead.

Mr Livingstone said that the Shard's London Bridge location made it a compelling proposition because it would put TfL "within my arm's reach" and would "unlock the regeneration of one of the most run-down parts of London"/

Anticipating criticism of the use of taxpayers' money to kickstart a commercial development, the Mayor insisted that the terms verbally agreed with developers for the lower floors of the Shard were "impressively attractive".

Other parts of the GLA family are moving to new premises close to City Hall. The London Development Agency is moving from St Katharine Dock to Palestra in Blackfriars Road, whilst London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, currently on SE1's Albert Embankment, is due to relocate to Union Street.

• Shard architect Renzo Piano is to give a 'sermon' at Southwark Cathedral on Friday 16 June as part of the London Architecture Biennale. Tickets are available now.