James Bond fans are likely about to go wild with jealousy, as there’s a house up for sale right now that was once home to actual MI6 agents.
In fact, it was home to the man who was the real-life inspiration for the fictitious spy’s boss, ‘M’.
Plus, the £5.5 million three-bed, three-bathroom apartment also made its own cameo appearance in the latest Bond film, No Time to Die.
The property boasts 4,144 sq ft and occupies three floors of Whitehall Court in Central London, home to British spooks in the First World War.
Not to mention there’s a walk-in wardrobe, a personal library, and a large roof terrace.
The inspiration behind M was Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming – head of MI6 during the wars – but while he lived here the place was completely secret.
He wrote in memos to colleagues: ‘Been here five weeks.
‘Absolutely cut off in the eaves from everyone while here and cannot give my address out or be telephoned to under my own name.’
The flat was so secret, it even had a bogus Post Office address and posed as a shipping company.
It was during this time the secret service would develop invisible ink, pens containing poison, and bombs disguised as rats.
The building still has the black beams and specially-hardened flooring installed by the Secret Services during the war.
It sits opposite the Ministry of Defence and was built in 1887, and was designed by architects Thomas Archer and A Green, who built a range of churches and estates across the UK during the baroque period.
Gary Hersham, Founding Director of Beauchamp Estates who are selling the property said: ‘Who doesn’t love the excitement and glamour of the Secret Services, spies, gadgets and James Bond?
‘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.’
Do you have a story you’d like to share?
Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.
MORE: Barber helps kids who feel anxious by cutting their hair on his motorbike
MORE: World’s largest urban farm opens in Paris
source https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/07/penthouse-ex-mi6-headquarters-has-gone-sale-5-5million-13098708/
0 Comments