This Underground Bomb Shelter From The 1970s Looks Like A Time Capsule And Was Just Listed For $18 Million
The Cold War period was an intense one. Many were living in fear of an approaching war and the statistics tell that by 1960, almost 70 percent of American adults thought that nuclear war was impending. By the mid-1960s, an estimated 200,000 shelters were built—but it’s only a rough estimate. It’s hard to know the exact numbers because “people didn’t talk.”
Since bunkers and shelters became so popular—with Washington Times pointing out that it was a “conceit of suburban life”—it’s only natural that they ranged in their decor. There were people who wanted to make bunkers as homely as possible and equipped them with every amenity imaginable.
One such lover of the suburban extravaganza was Girard B. “Jerry” Henderson—an entrepreneur who made his fortune through several companies including Avon cosmetics and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
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This extravagant underground shelter in Las Vegas is listed for $18 million
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Entrepreneur Girard B. “Jerry” Henderson had a particular fear of the Cold War ending the country for good. Therefore, he found a company called “Underground World Homes.” In 1964, he created an exhibit at the New York World’s Fair called “Why Live Underground” to promote the concept of living underground. Jerry lived in his own underground house until his death in the early 1980s, while in the 1970s, he built this extravagant underground Las Vegas residence.
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Built 26 feet below the surface, it’s a product of the fears of impending nuclear war
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After casting a first look at the interiors of 3970 Spencer Street in Las Vegas, this might look just like any other early 1970s suburban home—it has a nice kitchen, spacious bedrooms, six bathrooms, a Jacuzzi, a pool and… wait, a dance floor?… Okay, maybe it’s not your regular next-door-house-from-the-’70s. But the catch is not the dance floor. It’s the fact that this house of 5000 square feet is located below another home, which is traditionally above-ground. This is a bunker built in the 1970s in fears that nuclear war would blast everything off the surface.
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The whole concrete and steel bunker is comprised of 14,620 square feet
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The house in Las Vegas was recently listed by Stephan M-LaForge at Berkshire Hathaway for $18 million. A quick lookaround of the interior is like a blast from the past, with decorations and furnishings looking like they came straight from the catalogs of the 1970s. The Cold War-era bunker is over 15,000 square feet and comes complete with a yard that has artificial trees, rocks, and even hand-painted murals depicting forest and countryside settings.
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The underground house takes up 5,000 square feet
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The lights in the yard can be adjusted to simulate different times of the day, and the ceiling has twinkling stars on it to imitate the night sky.
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It’s equipped with all the 1970s amenities imaginable and even has a backyard
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Camouflaged by rocks, an entrance complete with an elevator takes you deep into the underground home with an additional staircase hidden in a backyard shed. While not truly built to withstand a nuclear blast, the property is 26 feet below the surface and could be remodeled and converted to become an authentic nuclear shelter.
Image credits: Redfin
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Share on FacebookAww so they will rip it up... I have seen pix of this place years ago and it looks amazing, could have been a film set even. I hope they will preserve it as it is
I think it could have been used in a episode of CSI. I mentioned a bit more detail to Lip below.
Load More Replies...Nothing says class like a faux marble sub-floor tub in a pink-carpeted bathroom!
I keep thinking it was in a episode of CSI Las Vegas. They had one where a guy they found in the desert, was murdered inside a bunker that they found a teen girl hiding in. They initially thought she was stashed there by a child predator as she wouldn't communicate with them in any way, but finally when her father showed up, she talked. It was a good episode, but it seems like the bunker is the same.
Load More Replies...I cant understand the carpet where the bathtub is. Like you will get it wet all the time, and i know it will dry, but it will get stinky and moldy
I was totally onboard until the pink shag carpet in the bathroom... what was it with people putting carpet in bathrooms in the 60's & 70's?? Disgusting.
That must be the ugliest toilet I have ever had the misfortune of having to lay my eyes on.
I remember those! Looks like a vintage 1973-79 Kohler “Rochelle” toilet, model # K-3385 in “Pink Champagne” stock color #35. https://support.kohler.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002394054-Rochelle-K-3385-Toilet-Tank-Fittings
Load More Replies...My first thought was Sissy Spacek saying: "Calvin, THIS IS DIFFERENT!"
I would definitely need something like this if i had to spend a considerable amount of time under ground, otherwise I'm sure I'd freak tf out!
It's reminiscent of the Truman Show or Pleasantville... maybe a little Stepford Wives too? (I think the asking price is a little steep!?! Also not good to advertise where your secret Austin Powers-inspired nuclear shelter is located!)
Omg I remember seeing this on tv couple of years ago! The guy who built is amazing! He throws quite some parties down there
This home seems to. Come on the market every few years. I could totally live there!
Aww so they will rip it up... I have seen pix of this place years ago and it looks amazing, could have been a film set even. I hope they will preserve it as it is
I think it could have been used in a episode of CSI. I mentioned a bit more detail to Lip below.
Load More Replies...Nothing says class like a faux marble sub-floor tub in a pink-carpeted bathroom!
I keep thinking it was in a episode of CSI Las Vegas. They had one where a guy they found in the desert, was murdered inside a bunker that they found a teen girl hiding in. They initially thought she was stashed there by a child predator as she wouldn't communicate with them in any way, but finally when her father showed up, she talked. It was a good episode, but it seems like the bunker is the same.
Load More Replies...I cant understand the carpet where the bathtub is. Like you will get it wet all the time, and i know it will dry, but it will get stinky and moldy
I was totally onboard until the pink shag carpet in the bathroom... what was it with people putting carpet in bathrooms in the 60's & 70's?? Disgusting.
That must be the ugliest toilet I have ever had the misfortune of having to lay my eyes on.
I remember those! Looks like a vintage 1973-79 Kohler “Rochelle” toilet, model # K-3385 in “Pink Champagne” stock color #35. https://support.kohler.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002394054-Rochelle-K-3385-Toilet-Tank-Fittings
Load More Replies...My first thought was Sissy Spacek saying: "Calvin, THIS IS DIFFERENT!"
I would definitely need something like this if i had to spend a considerable amount of time under ground, otherwise I'm sure I'd freak tf out!
It's reminiscent of the Truman Show or Pleasantville... maybe a little Stepford Wives too? (I think the asking price is a little steep!?! Also not good to advertise where your secret Austin Powers-inspired nuclear shelter is located!)
Omg I remember seeing this on tv couple of years ago! The guy who built is amazing! He throws quite some parties down there
This home seems to. Come on the market every few years. I could totally live there!
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