Inside James McKinnon’s 1970s James Bond-inspired penthouse in Brisbane

Mid-century styling with secret doors, spiral staircases, fingerprint security. Welcome to the luxury Brisbane pad fit for a Bond hero (or villain).

James McKinnon grew up in the 70s and 80s and was exposed to a lot of American culture on TV. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Secret doors, spiral staircases, fingerprint security and a beautiful car rolling out of the garage all sound like they should be in a Bond movie.

That was just the vibe film buff and vintage car fanatic James McKinnon was going for.

The investor and part-time property developer took a lot of influence from his childhood when building his penthouse home in Balmoral in Brisbane’s inner east seven years ago.

In order for it to built to his specifications, McKinnon designed and executed the South Beach-inspired apartment block to include north-facing terraced areas, views of the city, an office space on the ground floor so he could work from home and enough space for his luxury car collection.

The raised living space in the home. Next to the gold framed picture in the secret door. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“When I was a kid, nobody had money,” he says.

“Annual holidays were on the Gold Coast so I grew up looking at things like The Pink Poodle and the Aztec Motel and Sundale (shopping centre). I loved Sundale, that’s where I sat in the Batmobile.

“I’m a child of the 70s and 80s. Really, I’m a result of that. I grew up, as one did then, exposed to a lot of American cultural influence on TV.”

That influence can be seen from the top to bottom.

Steps and wooden panelling are used throughout.

Internally, much of the stylings of the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home resemble the mid-century aesthetics of leading sitcoms like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie and Get Smart.

McKinnon describes his style as mid-century modern with a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright, John Lautner and William Krisel – local architect Kevin Hayes given with the task of bringing his dreams to life.

Wood panelling lines the walls and steps to raised platform floors give a clear separation between the sitting areas and walkways, with a beautiful curved walls and a large lobby inviting people to come in.

Inspired by North By Northwest, Mr McKinnon jokes he can imagine Cary Grant climbing the stone wall.

“There are things I did here just for the fun of it. I mean, I didn’t need these raised areas, it’s all got the same level concrete floor down below,” McKinnon says. “But, I grew up watching Mike Brady walk in the front door and walk down some stairs or up to his den. Or The Dick Van Dyke Show, they all had different raised levels and groovy things like curved walls.”

The back wall of the living room, which is covered in snapshots of travel memories, even features a secret door – very Maxwell Smart. “I like to think in my silliest moments that a nemesis of James Bond could be found in a place like this,” McKinnon says with a laugh.

Replicas of the cars he has owned or currently has locked in the garage. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Downstairs, the eight spot garage houses his collection of period-accurate cars.

Two of the five include a 1953 Studebaker Starliner Loewy Coupe and a 1955 Thunderbird in a shade reminiscent of Tiffany blue, these were used in the upcoming Elvis movie.

McKinnon has decided to sell his penthouse so he could move further south to be closer to family. With any luck, he hopes to repeat the same process and replicate his home but with a few changes – maybe add a car lift, which is popular in luxury homes in Singapore.

The view from the skydeck.

“When you want a large garage, and you want no neighbours … you have to build your own building. You have no choice,” McKinnon says.

“I love the security and the privacy.”

The hero of the home is the outdoor space, filled with lush gardens, a generous covered deck, open-air terraces, which wouldn’t be complete without a private pool and spa. A spiral staircase leads to a skydeck with 360-degree views of the city and surroundings.

Place Bulimba’s Matthew Hackett is marketing the property at 10/15 Grosvenor St, Balmoral. The due date for final offers has been extended to 4pm on November 17 due to the huge interest from southern states.