Luxury Bunker Trend Among Wealthy Americans
Amid an increasingly polarized political climate, many wealthy Americans are quietly preparing for worst-case scenarios by purchasing luxurious survival bunkers.
Ron Hubbard, CEO of Atlas Survival Shelters, a company specializing in “doomsday homes,” noted a surge in demand following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in July. “People are worried about the possibility of a civil war.”
Atlas’s “ultra-luxury” bunkers come equipped with high-tech features such as bulletproof doors, airtight seals, reinforced air filtration systems, and decontamination rooms. These bunkers are elegantly designed with granite countertops and oak floors. An escape tunnel is a standard feature in larger models, with prices reaching up to $200,000.
A YouGov poll conducted the day after the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally found that 67% of American adults believe the current political atmosphere makes violence driven by political motives more likely. Another poll by Reuters-Ipsos around the same time revealed that 79% of respondents agree that the situation in the U.S. is “out of control.”
“The world is on a seesaw right now, and the question is which way it will tip,” said Geoffrey Toledo, a 37-year-old real estate investor in Tampa.
Toledo is considering purchasing an apartment in the Survival Condo, a 15-story bunker converted from a missile silo in Kansas. The complex features a swimming pool, a cocktail lounge, and food reserves that can last up to five years. Toledo recently toured a 1,850-square-foot apartment priced at $2.4 million while weighing his options. Perks include protection by armed guards and access to a 20,000-square-meter fenced area above ground where residents can walk their dogs.
A 29-year-old real estate investor in Arlington, Virginia, is also considering buying a 950-square-foot apartment in the Survival Condo, listed for $1.3 million, to serve as a shelter for him and his girlfriend.
“People view the election as an existential crisis. If their candidate doesn’t win, they’ll be in despair,” he said. “I’m looking for something I can move into quickly.”
Larry Hall, the developer of the Survival Condo, mentioned that interest in their project has surged as the November election approaches. Scott Bowman, a partner at McDermott Will & Emery, a law firm that regularly advises families with net assets exceeding $500 million, said that wealthy Americans are primarily concerned with how to best prepare for potential disasters.
Atlas Survival Shelters, which custom-builds bunkers for clients, has reported a threefold increase in sales since the Covid-19 pandemic and the chaotic protests of 2020.
A lawyer in Kentucky stated that he plans to purchase a $250,000 Atlas bunker equipped with a solar power system to protect his wife and four children in the event of a nuclear war, civil unrest, terrorism, or any other catastrophe. The steel bunker will be buried about 20 feet underground on his property in the Appalachian Valley.
For those looking to shelter in suburban areas, California-based Vivos Group offers an appealing option. The company rents underground bunkers in locations such as South Dakota and Indiana. “Demand has peaked,” said company president Robert Vicino. “Interest spikes every time something significant happens.”
Vivos owns about 600 concrete bunkers on rolling prairies near the Black Hills of South Dakota. Measuring 26×80 feet, each bunker is available for rent with an initial fee of $55,000 and an annual rental fee of $1,091. Residents can customize the space with various options, including a large living area, private bedrooms, and even a gym.
The company advertises that their product offers a “luxurious and comfortable 5-star survival environment.”
Philippe Briggs, a 56-year-old retired police detective from Southern California, has been renting a Vivos bunker in South Dakota since the pandemic began for his family of six. Briggs mentioned that the bunker also serves as a summer retreat and a gathering place for friends. Several of his former colleagues have also rented space there.
“We invested in a place where we can bring our family if something goes wrong,” he said.
Vivos’ shelter in Indiana can accommodate up to 80 people and is fully furnished and equipped. “It’s like a cruise ship underground,” Vicino remarked. However, Scott Hunt, a consultant for the reality TV show Doomsday Preppers on the National Geographic Channel, expressed skepticism about the practicality of underground bunkers due to maintenance challenges.
Immigration lawyer Jean-Philippe Brunet in Montreal noted that many Americans are considering alternative plans in case of unrest. His office has received more inquiries from clients interested in relocating to Canada after the November election, at least temporarily.
“Both Democratic and Republican voters are concerned about post-election scenarios,” Brunet said. “Canada offers peace of mind and security.”
The number of Americans seeking citizenship or residency in other countries through investment programs that require six- or seven-figure sums has surged, according to Henley & Partners USA, a firm specializing in such programs.
Judi Galst, who works at Henley, mentioned that clients have expressed various concerns, including rising anti-Semitism, vaccine mandates, school shootings, or political instability.
However, very few clients intend to leave the U.S. permanently. Most hope they never have to use their new citizenship. “It’s like buying insurance for your house and hoping it never burns down,” she said.
