A Cold War-era nuclear bomb shelter in rural Nova Scotia is undergoing a luxury transformation, aiming to provide crisis-proof residences for the ultra-wealthy. The 64,000-square-foot facility, located in Debert, approximately 70 miles north of Halifax, was originally designed to withstand a nuclear attack and house 329 people for at least 30 days.
Canadian crypto mogul Jonathan Baha'i purchased the site, known as The Diefenbunker, in 2013 for C$31,300. His company, Baha'is Fallout Complex Inc., plans to convert it into 50 luxury condominium units designed to protect residents from various cataclysms. The project aims to offer amenities such as gourmet dining from a self-sustaining food source, biometric access, round-the-clock surveillance, and onsite medical services.
"There's more uncertainty in the world in the last two years than in the last 30 years," said Paul Mansfield, a project co-owner, referencing a renewed interest in protective shelters. "It sort of led to a rebirth of people wanting to have an insurance policy" – a 'doomsday bunker'.
The renovation plans include a spa, a yoga room, and a cigar lounge, with modern OLED lighting designed to replicate natural light. An adjacent overground bunker will be utilized for food cultivation. The project is collaborating with German firm Bespoke Home and Yacht Security, which has reportedly provided services for high-profile individuals, though client lists are not publicly disclosed.
Bespoke's recommended security measures for the complex include drone surveillance of its perimeter. Eleven units have already been sold. The cost to purchase or rent the units remains undisclosed. In situations requiring evacuation, hotel renters would be asked to leave.
Originally, seven such bunkers were commissioned by former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker between the late 1950s and mid-1960s. However, by the time they were completed, advancements in long-range missile technology had rendered them less effective. The Debert bunker subsequently served as a provincial emergency warning center before being decommissioned in 1996 due to cost-cutting measures.