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National Post

Ultrarich building luxury underground bunkers

Just think of it as doomsday prepping gone chic. In the past few years, the ultrarich have been quietly getting their homes ready for the next big disaster by building luxury underground bunkers. Article content Witness Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who's reportedly building a $300-million compound in Hawaii — complete with a 5,000-square-foot bunker that has its own energy, water and food infrastructure. Or Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who reportedly who has bunkers under several of his homes. Or Kim Kardashian and Shaquille O'Neal, who are also said to have explored the idea. Article content Article content 'What were once rudimentary shelters have become bespoke sanctuaries,' Naomi Corbi of SAFE, a firm specializing in secure residential design, told Robb Report. 'Today's clients want features that mirror their lifestyles — often with highly individual touches.' Article content So yes. While the rest of us are living out a Planet of the Apes dystopia above ground — or fighting off zombies, pandemics and nuclear threats — they'll be cosetted and carefree. Article content Corbi said clients have requested amenities such as a regulation-grade putting green, a climate-controlled art gallery, private theatres and hydroponic gardens. Other features could include gyms, pools, saunas, staff quarters and, really, anything that could make survival amid societal breakdown that much more cushy. Article content But if you think you can just track down one of these opulent oases and demand to be let in, think again. In a March 2024 article on the CBC News website, a rep for the Swiss-based company Oppidum, which specializes in fortified underground residences, said privacy is key in the industry. Article content 'One of the tenets of shelter design is you don't want anyone to know about it,' explained Tom Grmela, the company's head of communications. He added: 'Rarely do I ever actually meet the billionaire client. And even when you do, they always have aliases.' Article content Douglass Rushkoff, who interviewed billionaire disaster preppers for his book Survival of the Richest, said many of them were keen to keep strangers out of their sanctuaries. Article content 'These people are no more driven by fear as they are by desire,' he told BBC Science Focus. 'The idea of being isolated in a space station or underground bunker is a good thing for a lot of these types.' Article content Ultimately, though, that idea could backfire. Another option for surviving The Big One involves not keeping others out but bringing them in. As in, having one big bunker for many people, like in the video game and TV show Fallout. Article content The company Vivos specializes in these types of complexes, which can house up to 800 people and are less expensive than owning an individual bunker.