The headquarters of the British secret intelligence service MI-6 – the same place where each time he returns after puzzling missions James bond. The building is absolutely real and so secret that it knows the whole of London. Inside the fall, of course, impossible, but to look at "Babylon-on-Thames", as it is sometimes called, makes sense.

The British nest of spies is located on the albert embankment near Vauxhall bridge, it is well seen from the bridge and from the opposite Bank of the Thames. The modern building, designed by its architect Terry Farrell, known for its giant post-modern creations – the world's largest train station in Guangzhou, the international airport of Incheon in Seoul. To build a house to accommodate the secret service agreed that the government of Margaret Thatcher, concerned about the safety of the office. The work was done in secrecy, as far as possible in London. At the time (early nineties) the British government does not officially recognize the existence of MI-6.

Farrell designed the building, reminiscent of the Babylonian ziggurats or temples of the Maya. From the river higher up flat roof-deck. The walls are partially glazed and look vulnerable, actually applies here, 25 different types of glass to provide protection from invasion or scanning. The walls of shatter-resistant faux granite. The building goes on 10-11 floors under the ground. The room inside is shielded to protect against data interception. Part of the secret plan, and people say that between MI6 and Whitehall there is a tunnel under the Thames.

The appearance in this part of London huge ziggurat did not inspire Londoners. The architecture of the building was subjected to devastating criticism, it was called one of the most ugly in the world. However, the base of the secret service quickly became part of the myth of James bond. In the movie "Golden eye" (1995) office of the bond is in the house on the embankment. The same address appears in the "Coordinates Skyfall", which shows the impressive scene of the explosion headquarters. The event has a real basis: in 2000, the MI-6 was fired, anti-tank rocket Russian production was hit by several meters below the center of satellite communication on the roof. In the shelling of suspected IRA.

Now the existence of MI6 officially recognized, the building can even take pictures (but from afar, otherwise you will need special permission of the municipal authorities of the district of Lambeth).