Rare Cold War bunker lists for sale in Washington

Real Estate

By Mary K. Jacob

A rare bunker with roots in the Cold War era has found its way into the real estate market, carrying an asking price of $1.24 million.

Nestled in Sprague, Washington, this property, constructed in 1959, once safeguarded some of America’s most critical nuclear weapons during the tumultuous time, which spanned from 1945 to 1991.

The Cold War was marked by a strategic standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, defined by political rivalries and the looming threat of nuclear warfare.

The intense global tension finally subsided in 1991 when Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and US president George H. W. Bush inked a historic treaty, putting an end to the conflict.

Fast forward to the present, and this piece of historical real estate has undergone a remarkable transformation, now serving as a welcoming, if not unusual, family home.

Decommissioned in 1990, the conversion into a three-bedroom, three-bathroom property was completed in 2000.

From the outside, the residence maintains the appearance of a typical bunker, featuring a metal exterior and a discreet, partially submerged design.

Access to the property is through an unconventional entrance — the garage, seamlessly integrated with a wood workshop.

Inside, the expansive garage area offers ample storage space, a small kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom.

Descending a short staircase reveals an impressive elevator, providing access to the lower level, straight out of a James Bond film.

There, a spacious kitchen awaits, complete with a dining area, an overhead fan, a fridge, an oven and a dining table. A generously sized living area, equipped with three sofas, a TV and lamps, adds a cozy touch.

Noteworthy features of the residence include a game room, housing a pool table and a dartboard, and a bedroom with its own ladders for added privacy.

In recent years, bunkers have experienced a surge in popularity, reflecting a growing demand for doomsday shelters in the United States.

According to sources, the scarcity of such shelters has led to a significant spike in prices.

Some of America’s wealthiest individuals, including Mark Zuckerberg and Peter Thiel, are investing in bunkers for their own doomsday preparations.

Zuckerberg, the Facebook founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, is building a $100 million compound in Hawaii, complete with an underground bunker and self-sustaining resources.

Financier Peter Thiel is awaiting approval for a bunker project in New Zealand, joining the ranks of other notable figures such as Sam Altman of OpenAI, billionaire Ken Griffin of Citadel and Larry Ellison of Oracle, who are also constructing their own end-of-days retreats.