The idea of preparing for survival in the conditions of the Apocalypse is becoming a worldwide trend. So, if earlier the purchase / construction of bunkers was the lot of either the very rich, or eccentrics who devote their whole lives to preparing for survival, now the middle class is concerned with the ideas of post-apocalypse.
Over the years, a number of entrepreneurs in a number of countries have tried to meet the growing demand for survival bunkers that could protect the world's elite from such phenomena as natural disasters, asteroids or a global pandemic, while offering generous amenities. However, no one even thought that not only the elites were interested in bunkers, but also simpler people.
However, Larry Hall took a known risk and created a project he called "Survival Condos". The project is a residential complex located 15 floors underground in a former missile storage facility near Concordia, Kansas.
The missile bunkers were built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s during the Cold War for the Atlas F missile. 72 of them were created across the country, but despite the colossal costs of this construction, no one could find a use for them for a very long time. Larry didn't show up:
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The complexes built when the US was building missile launchers in the Midwest have many safety features. For example, the bunker walls are made of epoxy concrete. They are nine feet thick and are designed to withstand direct nuclear attack.
The domed structure that closes the underground tower from above is capable of withstanding winds in excess of 500 miles per hour. Also, the complex initially provides for air and fresh water filtration.
It will take up to ten million dollars to build just the walls for such a bunker and install such systems from scratch, so such structures are considered toys for the rich. However, Larry, taking as a basis the investments of the state bought for a pittance, broke it into apartments.
A full-floor 1,800-square-foot apartment was priced at $ 3 million, and a half-floor 900 square feet at $ 1.5 million. For the ultra-wealthy, a penthouse has been envisaged starting at $ 4.5 million.
Also, in addition to apartments, the bunker provides common areas: a library, a club, a cinema, a gym, hydroponics rooms, medical offices, a restaurant and a food warehouse. The resource of the tower is designed to accommodate 70 people for at least five years.
Much to Larry's surprise, all of his apartments were bought almost on the same day, and the problem so far is only with the sale of the penthouse, since the market in this price range is oversaturated. Therefore, having bought the next tower from the US government, he is busy building a new settlement with simplified condominiums available to average Americans.
Last year, it was revealed that Silicon Valley millionaires were secretly buying up $ 8 million bunkers, which were then shipped to New Zealand and buried at a depth of 11 feet. As part of the Silicon Valley subculture, some believe New Zealand will be the perfect travel destination when the world does end.
In 2018, it was revealed that PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel built a similar ark on his New Zealand property, and rumor has it that Bill Gates has built similar bunkers under every mansion he owns. Therefore, obviously, penthouses are selling badly, but apartments at a price of one and a half million dollars fly well and Larry Hall is optimistic, hoping to buy 70 more towers from the state.