Ian Fleming’s Old Offices Transformed Into A James Bond Inspired Home

If the endless theorising, debates and bets over who will play the next James Bond has proven anything, it’s that few characters feel so precious to the British (and global) zeitgeist as the suave spy. From the way he likes his martinis to the way he likes his women, fans feel an intimate connection to the tuxedoed hero that makes the question of his potential portrayer a contentious topic. While we sadly have no news to report on the Bond film front, we have found the perfect base from which to rewatch all the Bond classics in advance: 20 Grosvenor Square. Tighten your bow ties and pull on your tux, because this former site of WWII espionage has been reimagined as the ultimate James Bond pad. 

Discover 20 Grosvenor Square In Mayfair

Located at 20 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, this Edwardian-style mansion was built between 1933-35, first serving as a military HQ in 1939 before becoming the London headquarters of the Allied Forces from 1942 until the close of the Second World War. It is from this site that General Eisenhower directed military operations throughout WWII, meeting with the likes of Winston Churchill and planning key victory-clenching attacks such as the D-Day landings. Among the colleagues who frequently visited and worked from the HQ was author and spymaster Fleming. Ian Fleming – if that was unclear. Serving in the British Naval Intelligence, Fleming directly reported to Eisenhower on various deception plans to mislead German forces – his espionage experience and the spies he met later informing his zeitgeist-making James Bond novels.

After the war and up until 2009, the United States Navy occupied Grosvenor Square as its European HQ before work began to transform the property into a residential address between 2014-17. With this particular apartment completed in 2021, the three-bedroom triplex residence boasts James Bond-inspired interiors as an homage to Fleming.  

Step Inside

Today, the building retains much of its 1930s Italianate facade – giant marble eagle logo on the floor of the main entrance lobby included. In total, the development contains 37 residences, with guests treated to a health spa, 25m pool, gym and fitness centre, treatment room, cinema, garden library, business suite, wine cellar and car park. With Four Seasons service on offer, other amenities include a 24-hour concierge, security, housekeeping, in-residence catering and car valet. 

Spanning 5,750sqft, this three-floor apartment – named 0.07 in honour of its Bond ties – is split across three floors. Entering at the ground level, 0.07’s hallway leads into a large reception and dining space, featuring tall sash windows with views of the square. With a dark minimalist kitchen and informal breakfast plus dining area, features of this floor include grey engineered wood flooring, a white marble fireplace, Stark rug and formal dining table which seats at least ten people. Moving downstairs, details include a multilayered Lee Broom pendant dripping down the stairwell and a white marble staircase with a black balustrade leading to the middle level.

Downstairs are three ensuite bedrooms, two of which lead onto an expansive private terrace through French double doors. The master bedroom incorporates a tweed headboard in honour of James Bond’s Scottish heritage (a mixed French-Swiss, Scottish ancestry bestowed upon him by Fleming in honour of original actor Sean Connery) – complete with a lounge area and walk-in dressing room.

On the lowest floor is a leisure and entertainment area for all your James Bond movie-watching needs. This includes a family/cinema room, dressed with wool pinstripe wallpaper, vintage film posters and black-and-white photography, alongside a leather-trim sofa, handcrafted pool table and fully equipped marble-topped bar area (Bond’s Vesper Martini glasses and cocktail shaker provided – must be shaken not stirred, of course). If you want to admire your collection of 007-worthy cars (your Lotus can go underwater, right?), pull back the floor-to-ceiling red velvet drapes to view your internal garaging through floor-to-ceiling glazing. 

Where Is It?

Directly adjacent to the two acres of landscaped gardens provided by Grosvenor Square Gardens, the property is a short stroll away from the local Mount Street high street and the West End’s shopping boutiques on Bond Street. The Connaught Hotel, Claridge’s and the green acres of Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park are all within a short walking distance.

You can rent the apartment for £1.3m per year, £108,333.33 per month, or £25,000 per week via Beauchamp Estates. Find out more at beauchamp.com