APOCALYPSE_NOW

IN THE MARKET FOR A CONDO? HOW ABOUT ... A BUNKER?

The Day After Tomorrow. Doomsday. This time it was very easy to find a fitting title for this article. Yes, what you are looking at is a high-end nuclear underground bunker, a place for the world elite to prepare for the apocalypse.

Many of the 1% have chosen to design their own secret shelters to house their families and staff, a booming business that has seen construction at private estates skyrocketing to 700% in recent years. But while some prefer to bunker down alone or with their families, others prefer the idea of a community to avoid the side-effects of loneliness.

Most of us would imagine a concrete room filled with cots and canned goods when it comes to a bunker. And as much as the threat of global annihilation may feel as present as it did during the Cold War, today’s high-security shelters could not be more different from their 20th century counterparts. There are several developers of community shelters, often using decommissioned military bunkers or missile silos with walls up to 9 ft. thick, avoiding the cost of building these structures. Instead, they take these existing fortified structures and add modern power, filtration and water purification systems. They include food supplies for a year or more, and some even include the comforts of a small town with spas, gyms, a clinic, classrooms and even a movie theater and supermarket.

One of these companies offering luxury doomsday condos is Survival Condo. An inverted skyscraper, using a Cold War US government missile silo in (or, better below) central Kansas, has been converted to what must be the most lavish and sophisticated bunker-structure in the world. It reaches 60 meters or 15 stories deep, and will shelter up to 75 people for 5 years from nuclear, chemical, and biological threats. Resort-style. And yes, the filters will also prevent COVID-19 from entering the complex (just make sure no fellow condo owner brings the virus with them).

Boasting a total of 54,000 square feet, seven floors are for luxury living with condos that have all the goods a luxury

apartment could want with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. If that isn’t enough, the Penthouse is approximately 3600 sq. ft. over two levels and can be completely customized to the buyer’s tastes and needs.

Outdoor “simulated view” windows in each unit show “life-like” outdoor views complete with varying light levels that reflect time of day, creating a normal above ground living experience. An owner of one of the penthouses has gone the extra mile, filming Central Park from her own Manhattan loft during all four seasons, night and day. She also had a ‘balcony’ installed, complete with sliding glass doors, and a ‘view’ generated with state-of-the-art projectors.

As for the amenities, there is a saltwater pool with water slide, a gym, library, a classroom, a cinema and you can even find a pet park. Not to forget the fully-equipped Medical First Aid Center.

A grocery store will pretty much have whatever you desire, including fresh produce: An aquaculture set up is used for raising fish like salmon and hydroponics for growing organic vegetables like tomatoes, lettuces or fruits like strawberries and blueberries.

Finally, and just to be prepared, there’s an indoor shooting range. You never know, right? Those damn zombies. But fear not - the Survival Condo also comes with the highest level of military grade security that offers both lethal and non-lethal measures in order protect the residents.

According to the developer, all units in the Survival Condo which range from US$1.5 million to US$3 million for full-floor condos, and penthouses starting at US$4.5 million, are sold out. However, a sister structure still has a few units left.

According to the developer, only a portion of the total fee is for the actual Survival Condo unit, as the price includes mandatory training, a three-year per person food supply, fully furnished and custom designed interiors, special equipment for registered members, computer access to condo systems, and much more.

And should you be wondering if you can stay in your condo even when there is no crisis or problem, the answer is ‘yes’. The fully functional facility is ready for full or part-time occupancy.

www.survivalcondo.com