Come See This $18 Million Bungalow Concealing an Underground Nuclear Bomb Shelter

Come See This $18 Million Bungalow Concealing an Underground Nuclear Bomb Shelter

In the late 1970s, while the Cold War had many Americans living in fear of a nuclear disaster, one of them, Girard Brown Jerry Henderson, decided to shield his family against all eventualities by building a subterranean nuclear bomb shelter under his bungalow.

Back then, this businessman possessed a colossal fortune that he amassed through his cosmetics and aerospace companies. Around 1975, Mr. Henderson was said to have dreaded the worst for himself and his loved ones, thinking that it was only a matter of time before an atomic bomb that would destroy the United States was launched. Indeed, this was a period when pandemics or climate change were not what threatened our world, but rather nuclear war.

Founder of an Underground Home Building Company

Thanks to his contacts and his large bank account, the American founded Underground World Homes, a company specializing in building subterranean homes which promised to protect its residents from possible terrorist attacks. But wait! These were not simply soulless bunkers where canned food and water supplies were stored. The shelters were designed with great comfort and realism in mind.

A Nuclear Bomb Shelter 26 Feet Below Ground

While his company was constructing shelters for wealthy people, Mr. Henderson undertook the multi-year project of building his own bunker. The workers finally completed it in 1978. His 15,000-square-foot secret sanctuary is still lying beneath his suburban home at 3970 Spencer Street in Las Vegas. Just looking at it from the street, one couldn’t imagine that the single-family house is sitting on top of such a shelter! Fortunately (or unfortunately?), the powerful businessman was unable to enjoy his fortified hiding place as there was no war. He died in the early 1980s, only a few years after construction was completed.

A Natural Looking — And Eerie — Decor!

With its fake trees, painted wildlife, decorative rocks and frescoes of forests, the “yard” around the subterranean home was designed to recreate suburban life. To make residents feel less alone, there are even a few (faux) humans who can be seen enjoying the beauties of the “landscape” included in one of the murals. It must be said that the effect is a little unnerving! There is even a hardwood dance floor as well as a small house separate from the main underground residence, no doubt to welcome relatives who would like to take refuge.

Recreating Daylight

Outdoors, an in-ground pool, spa, waterfall, barbeque concealed in a fake rock, marble fountain, and illuminated walls stretching over 500 linear feet fill the space. The lighting mimics the different stages of the day, such as sunrise and sunset, noon and midnight to simulate the planet’s rotation around the sun so that the people living there won’t feel too disoriented.

A Space Frozen in Time

The 5,000-square-foot underground residence includes a kitchen built with quality, though dated, materials … like the decor in the rest of the house! In the 1970s, design trends favoured dark and busy spaces. The living room, bedrooms and bar area are true time capsules.

This exceptional residence, listed at $18 million U.S., has been on the market for more than 500 days. Might you be interested by this bungalow with Nuclear Bomb Shelter!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.