In the United States, bomb shelters and ultra-secure homes are attracting a wealthy clientele. The range runs from a refuge the size of a hotel room, at about 20,000 euros, to a 400-square-meter bunker sold for nearly 30 million euros.
The Covid crisis, wildfires and tornadoes have strengthened Americans' enthusiasm for these refuges, according to a franceinfo report.
According to franceinfo, manufacturer Ron Hubbard has 50 shelters under construction and 720 orders for the next three years. Prices in this range run from about 20,000 euros to nearly 30 million euros for 400 square meters.
In a country that counted more than 400,000 new millionaires last year, this market looks set to flourish.
Between the living area and the shelter, a decontamination airlock is planned in case of nuclear clouds. It is used to remove radioactive dust before entering.
The American-style bomb shelter is not limited to a bare room. A video screening room, a fitted kitchen, a master suite with a walk-in shower: comfort is designed for a long stay.
Near Phoenix, the owner of a luxurious show home designed security well before access to the bunker. The shelter was installed before the house was built.
The listed sale price is 15 million dollars. The owner hopes to sell the concept to a wealthy public he considers increasingly vulnerable.
"There is visibility on social media and the fact that private jets can be tracked,"he says. According to the report, information freely available on the Internet makes targeting wealthy people much easier.
In the garden, dense vegetation and a natural barrier of trees with large thorns are meant to slow intrusions. Everything is designed to delay attackers and give the owners time to reach a small bunker built to withstand a bombardment.
There is more than a million dollars' worth throughout the house, the report specifies. At first glance, however, some of these homes look like those found in the Texas countryside.
The fear being highlighted goes beyond a distant strike. In the event of nuclear war, there will be riots, the narrative presented to clients contends.