An interesting Wall Street Journal article highlights some luxury condominiums in Kansas that are able to survive a nuclear attack. The condos were constructed in a decommissioned missile silo under the ground. Depending on the size, the units sell for $1.5 to $3 million, and include access to indoor swimming pools, movie theaters, a spa, gardens, a dog park, and a gym, among other amenities. The complex is sealed at the top by two armored doors weighing 16,000 pounds apiece. Formerly built under the guidance of the Army Corps of Engineers, the complex was designed to survive a direct hit by a nuclear bomb. The developer has added water and air treatment facilities, network technology, and various power-generating capabilities. The current state of unease around the globe caused by existential threats such as war and disease makes this type of project very attractive to some. This is an extreme example of residential security, an industry segment that has predictably risen drastically since 2001, and is expected to climb above $16 billion in 2016.
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