Cold War bunker becomes 'doomsday refuge' for the wealthy

In Debert, Nova Scotia, a former military base from World War II is slated for a dramatic transformation into a luxury survival complex for the ultra-wealthy. Canadian crypto-mogul Jonathan Baha'i aims to convert 64,000 square meters of Cold War-era nuclear shelters into crisis-resistant apartments, marketed as "doomsday" havens.

Managed by Baha'i's Fallout Complex Inc., the project will feature 50 residential units offering high-end amenities. These include gourmet food from a "self-sustaining" source, biometric access, 24-hour surveillance, and on-site medical services. The development seeks to provide a secure environment for billionaires to weather any cataclysmic event.

Paul Mansfield, a co-owner of the project, explained the growing demand for such "insurance policies" due to increased global uncertainty. The company is collaborating with German firm Bespoke Home and Yacht Security, which reportedly provides services to high-profile individuals. The complex has already sold 11 units, with plans for a spa, yoga room, and lounge. Modern OLED lighting will simulate natural light, and one bunker will be dedicated to food cultivation.

Baha'i prefers to frame the project not as a "doomsday bunker" but as "smart, practical preparation for any kind of storm." The Debert bunker, originally built in the late 1950s and mid-1960s by former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to withstand a nuclear blast for at least 30 days, was designed to house government officials. However, by its completion, the bunkers were already becoming obsolete. The Debert facility later served as a provincial emergency warning center before closing in 1996.