Industrial loft-style flat in Birmingham that was once used by MI5 is listed on the market

A stunning industrial loft-style apartment that once housed a former office used by Britain’s iconic MI5 security agency has gone on sale for almost £1million.  

Boasting its own high-spec touches including its own cinema room, private garage and handcrafted fixtures this stylish home rooted in the heart of Birmingham’s jewellery quarter could make even James Bond jealous. 

The £950,000 apartment was developed as part of a regeneration project by RIBA award-winning developer Javelin Block, designed to bring the disused building back to life while honouring its former use as a West Midlands base for MI5.

The building was originally used for workshops before the counter-intelligence agency took it over and used it as offices known locally as Viceroy House. 

In 2011, the site was converted into four full-floor loft flats, with exposed brickwork, oak floorboards, zinc-clad kitchens and concrete ceilings.

All of the fixtures were handcrafted by local tradesmen and details were included as a nod to the building’s industrial heritage.

A stunning industrial loft-style apartment in Birmingham’s famed Jewellery Quarter that once housed a base used by Britain’s MI5 security agency has gone on sale for almost £1million

Boasting its own high-spec touches including its own cinema room, private garage and handcrafted fixtures this stylish home could make even James Bond jealous

The first floor flat has 3,280 sq ft of accommodation with a 60ft long open plan kitchen/living area, two double bedrooms, both with ensuite bathrooms and a cinema room.

It also has private lift access and its own private garage, accessed at street level with an internal door at the back providing private access by foot to the apartment.

The building is on Water Street, a 15-minute walk from the city centre and well served by public transport.

At one point the Jewellery Quarter accounted for 40 per cent of the jewellery manufactured in the UK. It suffered a decline around the Great Depression but has since been regenerated and now provides a mix of residential, bars, restaurants, shops and creative businesses.

This first floor flat has 3,280 sq ft of accommodation with a 60ft long open plan kitchen/living area, two double bedrooms, both with en suite bathrooms and a cinema room

The property has private lift access and its own private garage, accessed at street level with an internal door at the back providing private access by foot to the apartment. Pictured: The open space living with exposed brick walls

The building was originally used for workshops before the counter-intelligence agency took it over and used it as offices known locally as Viceroy House

Philip Jackson, from Maguire Jackson, who are selling the property, said: ‘This is one of only four apartments in that building, which has been converted by Javelin Block, and they are quite rare.

‘There’s a pressure for developers to create smaller apartments but Javelin took advantage of the size of this building and created these large single-floor apartments which are really rather smart and very stylish.

‘They have quite a brand following so I would expect the buyer to be someone who is looking specifically for a Javelin Block apartment or someone coming into town wanting something a bit special.

‘It’s the first time it’s been on the market since it was converted.

‘These Viceroy House units are without doubt some of the most authentic loft apartments in the city. They’re probably the best lofts outside of Shoreditch and Clerkenwell.

‘We do not expect this particular one to stay on the market long. For the right individual it presents an almost New York style in the very heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.’