The Architecture In 007

17 Aug 2022
By Deshal Shah

The Bond franchise is one of the few movie series that has a global impact. It has outgrown itself for the sustenance of its protagonist. From the nail-biting action to its sets and locations. All of this, to give a strong background to the character and to take the story forward.

Other than the famous Bond playing actors and the Bond women, many iconic buildings have also featured in these films. The massive mansions, hidden lairs, MI6 headquarters…. the architecture across the globe has been a part of it.

Here is a list of all the places to visit if you are a Bond fan and an architectural enthusiast.

1. Villa del Balbianello

Featured in Casino Royale, when Daniel Craig was recovering. No wonder it was a slow recovery! This scenic villa was built in 1787, on the site of a Franciscan monastery, by Cardinal Angelo Durini and later renovated by the American General Butler Amos in 1988.

2. ESO Hotel

The last blasts of Quantum of Solace take place here (not literally, just the scaled models were destroyed). It is actually Paranal Observatory in Chile. It is mainly used by scientists and engineers and was designed by Hernán Marchant.

3. Hashima Island

Skyfall villain, Raoul Silva’s lair is an abandoned island which even in real life is an abandoned island of Japanese miners. The cramped-up buildings, now decaying were a fit to the director’s vision to back the hide out of the antagonist.

4. Palazzo Cardena

Appearing in the Spectre, Palazzo Cardena is a country house in Oxfordshire. It is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and was designed in a baroque style by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1722.

5. The Old War Office

The MI6 office in many films of the franchise is the Old War office located in London. It is said to be the place where Ian Fleming came up with his ever stylish and slaying spy.