Inside the £1 million nuclear bunker with tunnel system to living room

23 January 2024 , 11:18

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Access to the living rooms in the bunker are accessed through tunnels (Image: Getty Images)

A former nuclear bunker has hit the housing market for £1 million - but not everybody is convinced it's a good buy. The ex-US military bunker in Sprague, Washington state, comes with just three bedrooms and three bathrooms, despite having a massive 12,946-square-foot underground former Atlas E Missile Silo.

The property also has an 820sq ft living area connected to a 3,794sq ft metal garage/workshop above ground and a 1,906-square-foot living area below, complete with an elevator, all of which is accessed by an eerie-looking tunnel system.

But Redditers were split on what it would be like to actually try to make a life there, with many worrying about toxic chemicals left behind by the military, it being extremely claustrophobic and there being a complete lack of sunlight. However, most posters thought that the 24.15 acres – suitable for horses – the bunker is set in was a plus point.

The bunker does have fairly modern living areas but still needs work (avito /east2west news)

The property listing on real estate website Zillow, said: "Unearth the Ultimate Opportunity: Your Very Own Atlas E Missile Silo! Discover a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of Cold War history! Welcome to a world where the past meets the future... Nestled mostly beneath the earth, this unique property is a blank canvas of endless possibilities waiting for you to make it your own. Unparalleled Security: Rest easy knowing that your property is built to withstand the test of time, with robust construction and security features that would cost millions to recreate."

But many users of the site said they wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, with one commenting that the bunker and associated buildings, built in 1959, was like a reverse escape room where instead of trying to escape you have to last the night without going crazy and leaving, adding: "Build a working lightbulb, figure out how to purify your water, that kind of thing. The team that stays all night and completes the most survival tasks wins. It sounds like nerd heaven."

Mansion snapped up in three days despite being on fire in property listing

Another said they had experienced being in one as a military cadet and that: "They’re creepy even when you’re with lots of people. They’re very awkwardly set up but interesting, if not hella oppressive." And one poster was worried about being poisoned, saying: "How much did asbestos remediation cost. They did remediate the asbestos and other toxins, right?"

Yet another said: "I have so many questions. How do you get groceries down? What if something catches on fire? Can the fire dept help? Same with EMS (emergency services) break a leg? Do they carry you up the ladder?!," and another said: "This looks like a really fast train to depression from a lack of sunlight. Yikes."

Others thought that it sounded fun but "it’s probably miserable after a week", while one poster said: "This makes me feel claustrophobic just looking at it. Personally, I couldn’t do it." However, it did also have its fans, with many loving the idea of the seclusion and safety it offered.

One user said: "As someone who's lived all my life in Florida, there's a certain appeal to having a home you're 100% sure won't be destroyed by weather," while another said: "It comes with 24 acres, which are surrounded by endless open space. So, if you are an off-road enthusiast this would be heaven on Earth." And one poster quipped: "They don’t mention the silo itself. I think they usually fill with ground water — so swimming pool!"

Paul Donald