- Elite membership-only bunker offers 625 spots at $20 million USD (~$32 million AUD) each.
- High-tech facility features robotic services, medical care, and luxury amenities.
- Project scheduled to open in summer 2026 near Washington, D.C.
The ultra-wealthy have always found ways to protect themselves from financial ruin, but now they’re investing in something even more critical: survival. A number of the world’s richest individuals, including tech magnate Mark Zuckerberg and celebrities Kim Kardashian and Mr Beast, have all bought state-of-the-art bunkers to make sure they and their families have a safe haven in case of global devastation.
But for those of you who don’t want to deal with the hassle of building your own underground fortress, The Aerie, a high-tech, AI-powered doomsday bunker comes in. It offers a great solution for the apocalypse-conscious elite. Membership for The Aerie starts at $20 million USD (~$32 million AUD) per person, and it isn’t just a shelter but also a five-star subterranean sanctuary that can withstand anything from economic collapse to nuclear war, all with luxury and style.
A New Era of Luxury Survival
The $300 million (~$475 million AUD) underground fortress was developed by Strategically Armored & Fortified Environments (SAFE) and is located in Virginia’s ultra-exclusive suburbs just outside Washington, D.C. Forget Cold War-era fallout shelter — this place is a James Bond villain’s lair meets luxury resort. The bunker offers 625 exclusive memberships across four tiers, and there’s also the elite “Asylum Membership” which is available only by invitation.
Each residence here can cover up to 20,000 square feet and has fully customisable spaces, complete with interactive walls and ceilings that simulate panoramic outdoor views because even the apocalypse shouldn’t mean giving up a great skyline. The facility can survive through anything from civil unrest to natural disasters and also has SCIF-compliant security features, which make sure there’s complete privacy for the high-profile residents.
A Five-Star Underground Experience
The Aerie isn’t just about survival — it’s about thriving in style. The facility has advanced robotic services and medical facilities with emergency response capabilities. There are also wellness amenities including cold plunge centers and IV therapy rooms. Residents can enjoy luxurious swimming pools and gourmet dining options, ensuring that life below ground is just as luxurious (if not more) as it was above.
Al Corbi, who is SAFE’s founder and president, explained that the idea for The Aerie actually came from a client who spent over $100 million USD on a personal security setup, only to find himself caught in the chaos of a mass shooting at a music festival. He realised that even the best security teams can’t control everything, so he turned to SAFE to design the ultimate insurance policy against civilisation’s collapse.
The Aerie is just the beginning because SAFE plans to expand and build similar facilities in all 50 U.S. states. However, one issue remains: location. As recent wildfires in Hawaii and California have shown, disaster doesn’t wait for convenience. If your bunker is thousands of miles away when disaster strikes, what good will it really do?
For now, though, for those who can afford it, The Aerie offers the ultimate luxury — peace of mind when the world above is in chaos.
