As tensions rise in North Korea, so has the demand for swish bunkers to survive the worst-case Armageddon scenario in style. Take a look inside the world's most luxurious subterranean shelters and keep your fingers crossed they'll never have to be used.
THE OPPIDUM, CZECH REPUBLIC
Billed as 'the largest billionaire bunker in the world', the Oppidum is located in the Czech countryside. Sprawling over 323,000 square feet, the complex consists of an above-ground level with a golf course, helipad and automatic defense technology, and a cavernous underground shelter.
The Czechoslovakian government teamed up with the Soviets in 1984 at the height of the Cold War to build the super-secure bunker that can withstand everything from a nuclear attack to a natural disaster, and keep its occupants safe and in the style to which they are accustomed for up for 10 years.
Real estate entrepreneur Jakub Zamrazil acquired the bunker in 2013 and has set about transforming it into one of the world's most luxurious subterranean shelters. The underground complex features a large 6,750-square-foot master apartment, seven 1,720-square-foot suites and plenty of premium facilities and amenities.
Living spaces in the Oppidum rival the world's finest five-star hotel suites with high-end furnishings and cutting-edge entertainment facilities. Best of all, the living rooms and bedrooms feature virtual window panels that give the illusion of the outside world underground.
There's no roughing it in communal bathrooms here – each and every apartment within the complex has a swish ensuite bathroom, complete with whirlpool bath, rainfall shower and double sinks.
If the occupants feel like a taste of nature, they can relax in the subterranean garden, which features simulated natural light to mimic a sunny day above ground. Residents can also take a leisurely dip in the adjacent swimming pool or relax in the treatment spa.
Keeping fit and maintaining muscle tone shouldn't be a problem in the Oppidum. The on-site gym is jam-packed with decent workout equipment, from treadmills and elliptical trainers to exercise bikes and chest press machines.
If the occupants are in the mood to party, they can hit the facility's ultra-sophisticated bar or nightclub. The complex also boasts a movie theater, billiards room and an extensive library to keep its residents entertained.
Luckily, the Oppidum should never run out of booze – it has a generous climate-controlled wine cellar with space for thousands of bottles. In fact, the complex has heaps of storage space, enough for 10 years-worth of food and drink.
There's also a conference and communications room, hospital and dental surgery within the facility. While Zamrazil remains tight-lipped as to who's looking to buy it, it is thought the Oppidum was recently bought by a single billionaire for an undisclosed price to house family, close friends and staff in the event of a major global catastrophe.
VIVOS EUROPA ONE, GERMANY
Dubbed 'the world's ultimate Doomsday escape', Vivos Europa One in Rothenstein, Germany is the brainchild of Vivos CEO Robert Vicino, who is also building a larger, albeit less luxurious facility called Vivos xPoint in South Dakota, USA.
Like the Oppidum, the $1.1 billion Vivos Europa One is a converted former Cold War bunker. Carved out of solid bedrock, the underground shelter is embedded deep within a limestone mountain and can survive a close range nuclear explosion, a direct airline crash, severe flooding and earthquakes, as well as biological and chemical attacks.
The elite 227,904 square-foot bunker is invitation-only and each privileged invitee is allocated up to 5,000 square feet of living space. As you might expect, at around $5 million a pop, these luxe living 'chambers' don't come cheap.
Future residents are free to customize their living space. The chambers will nod to high-end yacht design and feature lots of marble, polished wood finishes and leather upholstery, and buyers can opt for extras such as private swimming pools, movie theaters and gyms.
Bedrooms will be sumptuous and wonderfully comfy, with quality king-size beds, fine wood cabinetry and calming mood lighting, plus the sleeping areas will feature the latest technology, from 4K TVs to smart automation.
Invitees can even opt for a massive aquarium in their bedroom space, filled with stunning tropical fish. Each chamber will also feature deluxe ensuite bathrooms and wetrooms, as well as a gourmet kitchen.
Although residents can have a private pool installed in their personal chamber, they'll also get to swim in the sizeable community pool. The pool area leads out into an underground nature garden lit by simulated sunshine.
If the end of the world really is nigh, then it's likely some of the residents will want to put their hands together and pray, so Vivos is building a medieval-style chapel within the complex, which will feature a carved wood beam ceiling and stained glass virtual windows.
Perfect for binge-watching every film or TV show they missed pre-apocalypse, the Vivos Europa One movie theater will provide residents with a mind-bogglingly massive library of content, from romcoms to cookery shows. The complex will also house a bar with a micro-brewery.
A sort of Noah's Ark, Vivos Europa One will have its very own zoo, with a specially selected variety of species to safeguard their survival should a mass extinction event occur. Besides the zoo, the complex will include a mini museum and artifacts room, as well as a DNA and seed vault.
SURVIVAL CONDO, KANSAS
Across the pond, the Survival Condo Project has refurbished a former Atlas F nuclear missile silo in rural Kansas and converted the 20,000 square-foot space into luxury subterranean condos and communal areas. The condos start at $1.5 million for a 920 square-foot half-floor space and go up to $4.5 million for a 3,600 square-foot penthouse.
Extremely tough, the silo is protected by two armored doors weighing eight tons each and walls up to nine feet thick, which can withstand a direct nuclear hit, severe flooding, extreme tornado wind speeds, and pretty much anything else humankind or nature can throw at them.
The underground complex contains all the necessary facilities to keep its occupants safe for up to five years. For instance, a hydroponic farm provides fresh fruit and vegetables, and residents will be able to raise fish in aquaculture tanks.
Each condo is fully furnished and the interiors have been created by top designers. Conceived with relaxation and entertainment in mind, the apartments are kitted out with massage chairs, 50-inch LED TVs and virtual windows.
Foodies are well catered to in this survival complex. All condos feature fully equipped kitchens with Kohler sinks and taps, and high-end stainless steel appliances – ideal for cooking the veg and fish from the on-site hydroponic and aquaculture farms.
The condo bedrooms are generously apportioned and super-snug. A virtual LED window simulates the great outdoors and residents can choose the scene they want to see, depending on their mood.
A dedicated library will eventually stock thousands of books that residents can read at their leisure. The complex also houses a classroom for children in the bunker and adults who want to further their education.
Like the Oppidum and Vivos Europa One, Survival Condo has a large swimming pool deep underground. The tropical-themed space has real palm trees, waterfalls and a fun slide.
There's even a climbing wall if residents are feeling extra-energetic. For those who aren't keen on rock climbing, an on-site gym is available should they want to pump some iron or run on a treadmill.
While the Survival Condo lacks a bar or nightclub, it does house a roomy movie theater. Handy for canine-loving billionaires who don't want to leave their pooches behind, the complex also boasts its very own dog park.
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