Andor – Imperial Security Bureau (ISB)

The Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) Headquarters serves as one of the most visually distinctive locations in the Disney+ series Andor, representing the cold, authoritarian heart of the Empire’s intelligence operations on the planet Coruscant. The production team utilized multiple real-world London locations to bring this fictional setting to life, creating a striking contrast between brutalist architecture and futuristic design that reinforces the show’s grounded, realistic aesthetic.

The Scene

The ISB Headquarters appears throughout Andor Season 1 as the central workplace for characters including Dedra Miro, Syril Karn, and other Imperial officers. Key scenes filmed at these locations include Dedra Miro’s first screen appearance in Episode 4, establishing shots populated with ISB staff in Episodes 6 and 9, and a pivotal scene in Episode 9 where Cyril Karn meets with Dedra Miro. The location serves as an establishing shot for subsequent ISB interior scenes, providing visual continuity for the Empire’s bureaucratic operations.

The Real Filming Locations

The ISB Headquarters was constructed using multiple London locations to create a cohesive visual identity. The exterior of the ISB building was photographed below Adams Bridge at Crossrail Plaza in Canary Wharf. The entrance to the ISB features the Adams Plaza Bridge near Canada Place, which was used in multiple episodes of Andor. Additionally, the Canary Wharf underground station served as the Scarif Imperial Security Complex in Rogue One and provided interior spaces for Andor.

The McLaren Technology Centre, a sleek Formula 1 headquarters, served as the ISB Operations Room on Coruscant, appearing in four episodes: “What a Festive Evening,” “Welcome to the Rebellion,” “Who Else Knows?,” and “Jedha, Kyber, Erso”. Its ultra-modern architecture and reflective glass surfaces made it a perfect stand-in for the Empire’s intelligence operations. The transit center on Coruscant was filmed at additional London locations, appearing in Episodes “Aldhani,” “Announcement,” and “I Have Friends Everywhere”.

Why This Location Was Chosen

The architectural style of these London locations aligned perfectly with the production’s vision for Andor[6]. The brutalist and modernist designs of Canary Wharf and the McLaren Technology Centre conveyed the sterile, soul-crushing aesthetic of Imperial bureaucracy. The use of real locations rather than purely digital sets contributed to Andor‘s reputation for feeling grounded and authentic compared to other Star Wars productions[6]. The geometric forms, reflective surfaces, and imposing scale of these structures naturally evoked a totalitarian regime’s architectural language.

Visiting the Location

Canary Wharf is accessible via the Jubilee Line and Elizabeth Line in London. The Canary Wharf underground station itself is open to the public as a functioning transit hub. The Adams Plaza Bridge entrance to the ISB is located below ground level under the DLR train line, making it somewhat challenging to locate but accessible to visitors. The McLaren Technology Centre is located in Woking, England, though access may be restricted as it is an active Formula 1 facility. Visitors interested in Andor filming locations should note that some locations, such as interior spaces at the Barbican, may require special permission to access.