Century House, London
Century House, London is a 22-storey building located at 100 Westminster Bridge Road in London. The building was designed by P. M. Devereux and constructed between 1959 and 1964.[1] It became the home of the Secret Intelligence Service following their move from 54 Broadway in 1964: the location of their headquarters was classified information, though The Daily Telegraph reported that it was "London's worst-kept secret, known only to every taxi driver, tourist guide and KGB agent".[2]
Century House | |
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Century House (in the background) | |
General information | |
Location | Lambeth, London |
Construction started | 1959 |
Completed | 1964 |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 22 |
Design and construction | |
Architect | P. M. Devereux |
Century House was described as "irredeemably insecure" in a 1985 National Audit Office (NAO) report with security concerns raised in a survey; the building was made largely of glass, and had a petrol station at its base.[2] The Secret Intelligence Service moved to Vauxhall Cross in 1994.[3] The building was refurbished and converted into the residential Perspective Building, designed by Assael Architecture in 2001.[4]
References
- "The time when spy agencies officially didn't exist". BBC. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- Alan Judd (24 September 2000). "One in the eye for the Vauxhall Trollop". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- "Top secret: A century of British espionage". The Independent. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- "The Perspective – Estate and Letting Agents – MyLondonHome – Property – London". Retrieved 12 February 2017.