Cold War bunker transformed into luxury 'doomsday' condos

A former Cold War bunker in Nova Scotia, Canada, is being turned into a luxury condominium complex designed for the ultra-wealthy to survive any disaster. The project is located in Debert, about 113 km north of Halifax, and is led by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Jonathan Baha'i.

The bunker, known as the Diefenbunker, was built in the 1960s under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to house government officials in case of nuclear war. However, it became obsolete even before completion due to advances in missile technology and bomb power. It later served as a provincial emergency warning centre until it closed in 1996.

Baha'i purchased the bunker for C$31,300 in 2013 and initially planned to use it for laser tag, historical tours, and a small data centre. With rising global uncertainty, he shifted to a luxury condo project under Fallout Complex Inc. The 50-unit, 64,000-square-foot complex will feature amenities such as self-sustaining food sources, biometric access, 24/7 surveillance, and on-site medical services. Residents with private planes can use the nearby Debert Airport.

Project co-owner Paul Mansfield said 11 units have already been sold, though prices are undisclosed and expected to be significantly higher than local hotel rates. The bunker will also include a spa, yoga room, and cigar lounge. Modern OLED lighting will mimic natural light, and an adjacent above-ground bunker will grow food.

Local reactions are mixed. Annette Sharpe, secretary of the Debert Military Museum, expressed disappointment that the historic bunker is becoming private property, as museum visitors want to see it. Councillor Marie Benoit worried about affordability for locals, while Mayor Blair sees potential for tourism. Pizza shop owner Fady Farah hopes the project will bring more customers.

Similar doomsday bunker developments are booming in the US, where the disaster prepping industry is worth at least $500 million. In Canada, other Cold War bunkers have faced varied fates: some locked up, buried, flooded, or demolished. Baha'i's project is expected to be completed by early next year.