See inside a 4,000-square-foot luxury survivalist bunker in New Mexico with concrete walls and a moat that's listed for $30 million
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Brittany ChangAug 11, 2022, 22:46 IST
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"Doomsdayers" with deep pockets and a reluctance to give up a life of luxury have just found their match.
A remote 312-acre property in New Mexico built to support life off-grid was just listed for $30 million, earning the title of the state's most expensive home currently for sale, The Wall Street Journal's Katherine Clarke reported.
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If you've seen doomsday movies, you may be expecting a dark and dingy underground bunker.
But the goal wasn't to create one of these stereotypical compounds, Howard Mintz, the owner of the property, told The Wall Street Journal.
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Mintz noted to the publication that he wasn't a "survivalist psycho," although he does see the benefit of living independently during a time of societal disruptions.
So just because the property is 30 minutes from Taos, New Mexico doesn't mean its future residences will live uncomfortably and minimally.
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The former real estate developer and earthquake construction specialist spent millions of dollars building out the property to his liking.
This included hiring European contractors to install the home's zinc roof, which was designed to last a century.
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The main living quarter isn't fully complete yet, but Mintz is ready to let it go. "[I've] grown out of the idea of being there," he told the Wall Street Journal.
The concrete walls, black soapstone floors, and zinc roof give the home a classic grey "bunker" look.
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But here, life off-grid in the large house won't be dark, dingy, and sad.
The 4,000-square-foot brutalist home is complemented by 3,000 square-feet of outdoor living spaces, giving its residents more than enough space to hunker down.
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Inside, there are seven fireplaces and six bedrooms and bathrooms.
The home — described as a "contemporary castle" — also has a wine cellar, sauna, and nearby facilities for horses, according to the listing ...
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... amenities that are already much more luxurious than the typical house.
And it's no old-school property: A computer monitors the home, a dumbwaiter helps effortlessly move supplies across floors, and a custom stainless steel vent refreshes the air hourly.
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To contrast its dark features, the home is also lined with bamboo ceilings and bright wooden doors and beams ...
... as well as large windows with sweeping views of the green landscape and the property's over 80 yaks.
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And nothing says "luxurious bunker" like a moat, especially one filled with koi fish.
Besides the 4,000-square-foot home, there's also a greenhouse, separate living quarters for guests and a property manager, …
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… and facilities for horses, like a riding area and barn.
Like most remote homes, this sprawling property is supported with sustainable energy sources like a deep well, solar and water systems, several generators, and giant propane storage tanks.
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"If all hell breaks loose, you can come here and you'll be okay," Mintz said.