The ultimate doomsday escape': California entrepreneur builds $1billion bunker for millionaires in German village in event of an apocalypse - and where survivors can live a year without leaving
Opulent: This photos shows a bedroom in the Vivos Europa One shelter, which is being dubbed the world's 'ultimate doomsday escape'
Vivos Europa One shelter, in Rothenstein, Germany, was unveiled by Vivos founder, Robert Vicinio, on Friday Consists of a planned survival complex that is comparable to billionaire's mega-yacht or mansion - but much bigger Boasts swimming pools, theaters, gyms, restaurants, custom apartments, outdoor space and helicopter service But it can also apparently withstand nuclear blast, chemical agents, earthquakes, tsunamis, or another disaster Although the cost per apartment remains unclear, the property is valued at $1.1bn (its original value was $225m) Underground shelter is currently in 'turnkey operational condition'; residents are accepted based on their 'skills'
억만장자들을 위한 초호화 지하 대피소가 공개됐다. 각종 자연재해나 핵공격에 견딜 수 있는 이 대피소에는 생존에 필요한 모든 설비는 물론 레스토랑, 수영장, 극장 등 각종 고급 편의시설도 완벽히 구비되어 있어 이목을 집중시킨다.
캐나다 기업 ‘비보스’가 건설한 대피소 ‘비보스 유로파 원’은 독일 로덴스타인 지역에 위치한 전체 면적 9만 3000천 평의 거대 복합시설이자 핵폭발, 생화학무기, 지진, 쓰나미 등 모든 자연재해와 공격에 버틸 수 있는 강력한 벙커인 동시에 총 가치 10억 달러(약 1조 1000억 원)에 달하는 고급 거주공간이기도 하다.
아파트를 포함한 지하 거주 지역의 총 면적은 6,400평 정도다. 아파트 한 가구당 면적은 약 70평으로 입주자 취향대로 내부 구조를 정할 수 있으며 원한다면 실내 수영장도 설치 가능하다.
한 가구당 입주비용은 아직 확정되지 않았지만 입주자는 기본비용에 더해 시설 관리비와 직원 인건비를 지불하게 된다. 그러나 비용을 감당할 수 있다고 해서 입주가 가능한 것은 아니다. 비보스는 입주자가 보유한 기술에 따라 ‘입주 자격’을 심사할 예정이라고 밝혔다.
입주민들은 극장, 헬스장, 레스토랑, 병원, 제과점과 같은 편의 시설을 이용하며 여유로운 생활을 누리게 된다. 기본적 사회 기능을 유지해 줄 학교, 텔레비전·라디오 방송국, 병원, 교도소 등 필수적 공공시설도 마련돼 있다.
생존을 위한 대비는 물론 완벽하다. 자체적인 물 공급 시스템, 발전설비, 온도조절 및 환기 시스템, 통신 설비 등이 모두 갖춰져 있으며 6개월에서 1년 정도는 이 모든 것이 자동으로 유지된다. 각 공간으로 통하는 출입문은 폭발과 방사능, 생화학 물질을 모두 막아낼 수 있다.
실제 재난상황이 닥쳐오면 비보스 사는 세계 각지로 헬리콥터를 파견해 입주민들을 수송해 오게 된다. 시설은 즉각 운영에 돌입할 수 있는 ‘턴키’상태이기 때문에 ‘상황’이 발생했을 때 바로 이용 가능하다.
비보스 CEO인 로버트 비치노는 포브스지와 한 인터뷰에서 “요즘과 같은 위험한 시대에 이런 장대한 프로젝트를 완료한 것이 자랑스럽다”고 시공 완료 소감을 밝혔다. 그는 방주를 만들라는 신의 계시를 받았던 성경 속 인물 노아처럼 '수천 명을 수용할 수 있는 지하 대피소를 만들라'는 계시를 받아 80년대부터 벙커 건설을 시작했다고 주장한 바 있다.
비보스는 그동안 미국 인디애나 주와 캘리포니아 주에도 비교적 저렴한 형태의 대피소를 만든 경력이 있다. 이번 유로파 원 역시 ‘노아의 방주’와 같은 역할을 수행할 수 있도록 동물 수용시설, 유물 보관소, DNA 저장소 등 지구 멸망후 미래를 위한 대비책이 마련돼 있다.
비보스는 자사 웹사이트를 통해 “자연에 의해서든, 인간에 의해서든 예측하거나 피할 수 없는 재앙은 언제든 닥쳐올 수 있다. 각국 정부 또한 만일의 사태에 대비해서 벙커를 건설하고 있지만 혼란을 예방한다는 명목으로 우리에겐 아무런 경고도 해주지 않는다. 이제는 스스로 대비할 때”라며 어두운 전망에 대비해야 한다고 주장한다.
나우뉴스 방승언 기자 earny@seoul.co.kr
By Sophie Jane Evans For Dailymail.com
But their expenditure could save their lives, Vivos says, as the 76-acre complex can survive a 'substantial' close-range nuclear blast or natural disaster.
In addition to its 227,904 square feet of blast-proof living areas, the bunker also boasts 43,906 square feet of above-ground space, Forbes reported.
Underground, it features countless tunnel chambers, each with their own security system, and numerous sets of blast-proof doors with airtight seals.
It also has its own self-contained water and power generation system, as well as climate, ventilation, air filtration and communication systems.
Keeping watch: Each family in the complex will be provided with a private 2,500-square-foot apartment. Above, a personnel entry door
Billionaires' bunker: They can design and build their apartments to their own specifications.They may decide to add a theater (pictured)
Time to watch a movie: on the Other common area amenities will include roadways, a wine cellar and prayer rooms. Above, a theater
Modern furnishings: Families will pay a base amount, along with their share of the ongoing costs for managing and staffing the complex
An underground pint: The bunker in Rothenstein boasts 227,904 square feet of blast-proof living areas, including this planned pub
Proud: Vicino (seen in the bunker) told Forbes: 'We are proud to bring this epic project forward in these increasingly dangerous times'
Made of strong material: These photos show exterior entrances to the bunker (left), and a typical tunnel inside the expensive facility
Speaking to the magazine on Friday, Vicino said: 'We are proud to bring this epic project forward in these increasingly dangerous times.'
Alongside its catastrophe-proof features, the bunker will include a stock of zoological species, an artifact and treasure archive and a DNA vault.
In the event of a disaster, families will fly to nearby airports before lockdown. They will then be transferred to Vivos Europa One by Vivos helicopters.
The company will provide protective equipment needed to brave Rothenstein - which currently sits amid rolling hills and woods - and the outer world.
The shelter, which was originally built by the Soviets in the Cold War as a fortress for military gear, is currently in 'turnkey operational condition'.
It is among a network of underground survival shelters - including 'economy class' bunkers - being built by Vivos, which is based in California. .
Above-ground space: The Rothenstein facility also boasts 43,906 square feet of above-ground space. Above, an outdoor power station
Railway: Vivos Europa One shelter also features its own railway and helicopter service, which picks up residents from nearby airports
Protected: Underground, the bunker features countless tunnel chambers, each with their own security system and blast-proof doors
Water treatment plant: It also has its own self-contained water and power generation system, as well as climate and ventilation systems
Swanky: In the event of a disaster, families will fly to nearby airports before lockdown. They will then be transferred to Vivos Europa One by Vivos helicopters. The company will provide protective equipment needed to brave the outer world. Above, another living quarters
Impressive: The bunker is among a network of undergroundshelters being built by Vivos, which is based in California. Above, a bar
Exhibit hall: Alongside its catastrophe-proof features, the bunker will include a collection of zoological species and an artifact archive
The firm's first completed bunker is situated in Indiana. Prices on the company's website are listed as $35,000 for adults and $25,000 for children.
All of the shelters are fully stocked with food and other resources, and are designed to operate autonomously for six months to one year, the firm says.
In total, Vivos aims to accommodate 6,000 people in its bunkers. Potential families are screened - then approved or rejected - based on their skills.
Vicino has previously said that he was 'inspired' by a powerful 'message' in the 1980s, telling him he needed to build a survival shelter for thousands.
The businessman said he did not know where the message had come from. In a statement, Vivos told Daily Mail Online: 'We are clearly living in dangerous and changing times that the uninformed will never understand until the threats are evident. We cannot predict, but we can prepare.'
Ready for impact: Vivos's first completed bunker is situated in Indiana. Prices on the company's website are listed as $35,000 for adults and $25,000 for children. Above, Vivos CEO Robert Vicino stands on a blast-proof door at the new bunker in central Germany
Thick steel: All of the Vivos shelters are fully stocked with food, and are designed to operate autonomously for six months to one year
Locking residents in: Vicino has previously said that he was 'inspired' with a powerful 'message' in the 1980s telling him that he needed to build a survival shelter. The businessman said he did not know where the message had come from. Above, various blast doors
Work: The personnel entry corridor inside the shelter contains an array of white hard hats, with steel pipes running across the ceiling
Providing treatment: This photo depicts the hospital area at the shelter, which is in 'turnkey operational condition' and worth $1billion
3D view: In a statement, Vivos told Daily Mail Online: 'We are clearly living in dangerous and changing times that the uninformed will never understand until the threats are evident. We cannot predict, but we can prepare.' Above, a 3D view of the shelter in Rothenstein
