Billionaire Bunkers: Inside the World’s Largest Planned Doomsday Escape

Forbes ^ | 4/14/16 | Jim Dobson

[Baynative]

Vivos founder and CEO Robert Vicino announced Vivos Europa One which will be an invitation only, five star, underground survival complex, similar to an underground cruise ship for the elite. Each family will be provided a private 2,500 square foot of floor area, capable of two story improvements for a total of 5,000 square feet of private living quarters. With fit and finish comparable to a mega-yacht, each member family will hire their own architect and contractor to build out their living quarters to the custom standard they desire.

The expansive shelter is located in Germany and is one of the most fortified and massive underground survival shelters on Earth. Originally built by the Soviets during the Cold War, this shelter was a fortress for military equipment and munitions. After the DDR was merged with Germany, the German government inherited this relic and intended to use it for the same purpose of weapons storage. However, due to a law prohibiting the storage of ammunition near a major highway, the German Government soon realized they could not continue with their plans and decided to auction this 76 acre complex. A wealthy investor purchased the entire property, along with all of its improvements, both above and below ground. Vicino says “We are proud to bring this epic project forward in these increasingly dangerous times.”

[Baynative]

The hardened facility is capable of withstanding a substantial close range nuclear blast, a direct airplane crash, biological and chemical agents, shock waves, earthquakes, tsunami, electro-magnetic pulses, and virtually any armed attack.

The complex includes over 21,108 square meters (227,904 square feet) of secured, blast proof living areas; and, an additional 4,079 square meters (43,906 square feet) of above-ground office and warehouse buildings, including a train servicing depot. The typical chamber area is 5 meters wide (16.40 feet), by 6 meters tall (19.68 feet) and 85 meters (278.87 feet) long. Collectively there are over 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of continuous tunnel chambers (equivalent to 71 Boeing 747’s fuselages stretched end to end). All shelter areas are located behind 3 separate nuclear blast and radiation proof vehicle entrances, and a number of other passages for access by people only. Each of the three main tunnel entrances includes an outer security door system, followed by a 40 ton hydraulic truck access door with hardened steel rods which expand into the surrounding encasement, and a second set of massive steel doors providing an airtight seal shut, protecting against chemical, biological and gas intrusion. The underground main traffic corridors are large enough to allow mechanical transportation of heavy equipment to almost any point within the complex.

[Baynative]

I'm not sure I'd like to be part of this and end up being one of a few survivors in a world probably controlled by savages where none of the conveniences we depend on work anymore; leaving me the only option of going back underground to my luxury cave.

[rightwingcrazy]

Where will they house all the servants? Who will clean the billionaires toilets?

[Black Agnes]

Where is the air intake?

[rockrr]

The Morlocks never had it so good ;’}

[shibumi]

Refuge?

Or prison?

[George from New England]

If we are lucky some enlightened freeper will post the google maps link to the view from the satellite.

[C19fan]

Isn’t the whole problem with these facilities, I have read about billionaires SHTF places in NZ, trying to get there when the SHTF.

[Olog-hai]

“If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down.”

— Amos 9:2, ESV

Not a good place to be if a chamber of liquid hot magma suddenly intrudes from the depths.

[freefdny]

I think you need people to maintain a facility like that. And in the event of a catastrophe I have a feeling the staff may not be as conscious of their place in life. Downstairs might turn on upstairs and the busboy rebellion could get ugly.

[Tijeras_Slim]

What is it with Germans and bunkers?

[lurk]

It’s a secret place published by Forbes on the net.

Wonder if it’s safe against earthquakes and demons.

[COBOL2Java]

Where will they house all the servants? Who will clean the billionaires toilets?

"You tell Ryan, he wants to keep that nice suite of his, he'll clean what I tell him to clean!"

[Salgak]

As any player of “Fallout” could tell you, if you had to go into the shelter, the world will be a VERY different place when you emerge. . .

[alexander_busek]

I'm not sure I'd like to be part of this and end up being one of a few survivors in a world probably controlled by savages where none of the conveniences we depend on work anymore; leaving me the only option of going back underground to my luxury cave.

1. Given the alternative, I'd rather be a survivor.

2. A "luxury cave" doesn't sound all that bad!

3. I expect that most of the billionaires would be old, fragile coots (often with nubile young wives). In view of that, I wonder how long it would take until the host of young, healthy maintenance workers, well-muscled security forces, and discontented kitchen workers necessary to run an operation of this kind simply seize the opportunity and take over.

The billionaires would thus soon find themselves back on the outside, along with the other scavengers.

Regards,

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Pinging some of the list

[G Larry]

It’s like any defensive measure:

“Where will it be when I need it?”

In this case, you’ll fair warning in order to have time to get there.

[BenLurkin]

[Paine in the Neck]

Here's the entrance to one bunker...

[BenLurkin]