The cost of working from home could leave prospective purchasers of a penthouse flat in the former headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service particularly shaken, just like James Bond’s martinis.
Beauchamp Estates is marketing the bomb-proof flat in Whitehall Court – said to have been home to the real-life inspiration for Bond character “M” – for a cool £5.5m.
The flat once counted Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming, first director of the SIS – commonly known as MI6 – as its primary resident. Split over three floors, it has three bedrooms and also includes a roof terrace.
The building sits between the Old War Office and Whitehall Gardens, a stone’s throw from Victoria Embankment and the River Thames.
Beauchamp Estates founding director Gary Hersham said the excitement and glamour of the secret service, spies, gadgets and James Bond was a passion for many people – making the opportunity to buy the flat unique.
“Whitehall Court, with its blue plaque denoting the founding home of the British secret service, is located in the heart of the government quarter and within it this unique penthouse, located in the eaves of the building, helps to shine a spotlight on the thrilling history of the secret service and the 007-style agents,” he said.
According to the English Heritage blue plaque at the building, Smith-Cumming lived and worked at Whitehall Court from 1911-22.