How Britain Built its Top Secret MI6 HQ

James Bond's London office is more than just a movie set.

This video contains paid promotion for Brilliant.

Additional footage and images courtesy of MGM, BBC, Thames TV and Channel 5.

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0:00 Intro
1:12 Title Sequence
2:00 History
4:36 Brilliant Spy Training
5:30 Vauxhall Cross
7:09 Constructing a Secret
10:08 Outro

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[Emunyani]

I feel like the Mi6 and Mi5 buildings being known and basically almost opposite each other along the Thames is a way of keeping other more secret buildings secret as it takes the attention away

[Samuel_J]

This is far and away the best intro to any video you've ever done. Excellent work and funny too 😄

[someinteresting]

I like it how the secret service HQ is one of the most standing out and easily recognisable buildings.

[maqaroon]

I went to Chelsea College of Art directly across the river and there wasn't any wifi allowed in the building due to security concerns regarding MI6. This was the very early years when the university just moved into the new campus...might have changed since then.

[fang_xianfu]

It's also worth remembering that this is just their headquarters and they have other sites all over the country. A British friend worked at a small airport and SIS had an office just over the road. They once came in to give them a training course in spotting a new type of fake passport.

[Mogswamp]

I just know you guys had way too much fun with that title sequence

[ChromiumPenguin]

One reason for the secrecy during construction is because that was when the building was most vulnerable. That was the best chance for foreign services to plant electronic devices, learn the layout, and potentially create exploitable weaknesses. These types of things have happened with embassies.
Once completed there was no reason to keep the building secret. As SIS HQ it's massively important but not the only building they have.

[MrLense]

Smashing production seriously this channel has grown to be one of my favourite infrastructure and civil engineering channels

[peterd]

As someone who has never been a spy, worked for MI6 or even been in the building I can confirm it's very secure.

[temmerson]

A guy I knew was working in construction of the new massive sewer tunnel, driving piles into the ground right outside of the SIS building (all cleared with them)... but, after about 30 mins a load of guys with guns came out from inside the building and made them stop, sounded like it was interfering with equipment. After some high profile calls, they were able to start again - but a fun day for a construction guy!

[mrboult]

I’ve heard several times, that the real fun, is you don’t see many people entering or exiting the building on a daily basis. Compared to how many people should theoretically be working in such a large building. Speculating many secret and tunnel entrances from the surrounding area. 😮

[JohnSmall]

One interesting thing about that building is the apartment blocks next to it. No one seems to see the joke, but look and you'll see it. The tower blocks are topped off with lenticular steel girders that make the shape of 'spy eyes'

[benshotbolt]

Fred and the team: BRILLIANT! JUST BRILLIANT!!! What a great video! Well done all of you, this is your best publication yet!

[Anonymous.android]

I remember visiting London and driving past this place on a bus, turned to my friend and said “wow, that looks like something out of James Bond” googled what it was and couldn’t believe it. Then the next James Bond film that came out it was even in the movie.

[nashz]

The production and opening credits on this one were epic! Especially clever and high quality. Great work as always!

[AlexTheMagix]

I lived next to this building up until last year and while it was honestly pretty bland and unimpressive from street level, I never remember seeing anyone go in or out of it. The building was just kind of sat there. No hundreds of people going in and out, as you'd expect for its size. Very ominous. Great info shared, I learned new things!

[qules]

Someone had fun editing this video. Amazing content as always, my father was an architect, and watching you guys helped me more understand his field of work.

[Lftff]

Speaking of modern fortresses in London: you should make a video about the U.S. embassy there.
Or embassies in general. Would be an interesting topic!

[nerdguy]

Love the intro! Seems you guys had a lot of fun making this vid.

Def interesting and would love more content like this on iconic buildings that already exist.

Keep up the great work, one of my fav YT channels

[abdelbeneloumda]

I use to live in London and from time to time I would walk past it. I was always fascinated by the imposing presence of this building. I use to imagine that is the perfect hiding spot in a zombie apocalypse.