On arrival the dramatic focal point at Perspective is the outstanding reception area with its scenic glass lifts to the first floor.

A development by Crest Nicholson, Perspective was originally home of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6 – the anti-esponage arm of the Governments security services) and was named Century House. MI6 moved to their purpose built offices by Vauxhall Bridge in 1995 and in 1996 Crest Nicholson embarked on its £50 million redevelopment of the building.

Additionally, the five-storey atrium reception building with the dramatic pillared and canopied entrance is linked to the tower by a glazed corridor. The lower six floors of the renovated tower were clad as a plinth of steel and glass with terracotta panels above, and the upper floors are clad in aluminium, glass and timber, with projecting brise-soleil louvres to filter direct sunlight.

It is hard to believe that this bright building with its soaring canopied entrance, elegant terracotta cladding and flyaway-roofed penthouses is the same building as the drab concrete-panelled tower that was the headquarters of MI6, the anti-espionage arm of the Government's security services. It just goes to show what renovation and conversion can do, and why this excellent example won the 2004 award for Best Renovation and Conversion for Crest Nicholson and Assael Architecture.