Photos: Texas underground bunker company offers models from $45K to $9M

Rising S, a Texas-based underground bunker company, offers a number of underground complexes and shelter floorplans. Models range from a “mini” shelter to a multi-million dollar underground bunker with a pool, bowling alley, fitness center, home theater, sauna, hot tubs, game room, greenhouse, gun range and a custom kitchen to boot. So, what are some of the reasons people are looking to purchase and install these backyard bomb shelters?

According to company general manager Gary Lynch, the main reasons people are interested in purchasing these underground facilities are related to potential events such as a financial, civil or social collapse and potential nuclear war.

In recent weeks, business has boomed for the company, according to Lynch. Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lynch said “there has been a major spike in interest like [the company has] never seen before.” In general, Lynch said he believes the uptick in interest in these shelters is the result of the Russian “invasion and threats by Putin of nuclear war” against the West.

Describing the capabilities and design of these structures, Lynch said these bunkers are “complete living spaces with nuclear air filtration systems,” noting that they are “intended to protect from the aftermath, such as fallout, civil unrest, etc.”

The company website provides blueprints and available systems ranging from the $45,000 “Mini Bunker” up to the $9,602,500 model known as The Aristocrat from the company’s “Luxury Series.”

The standard bomb shelter measures 10 feet by 30 feet and costs $67,500. The online blueprint shows a floorplan with a bullet-resistant door, NBC air filtration, water filtration system, private restroom with composting toilet, closet, TV and DVD player station, a solar charging system with battery, full kitchen, dining table, a bench and more.

The Silver Leaf Series offer a pricing tier above the standard shelter series and start at $140,500. The Silver Leaf measures 10 feet by 50 feet and includes many of the standard features as the standard models with more space and additional design touches.

The Luxury Series Aristocrat costs $9,602,500 and includes “enough beds and futon couches for 50+ people to sleep comfortably,” according to the website, as well as individual master bedrooms, personal restrooms with showers, custom kitchens, refrigerator and freezer, a tool room/workshop, hot sauna, gymnasium fitness center, swimming pool and hot tub, a game room with billiard tables, a bowling alley and media viewing room with theater-style seating.

The product page online also lists a gun range, “large family dining room,” dining hall, greenhouse with LED lights and automated irrigation, a storage facility and a “motor cave exit.”

Since January 1, 2008, search interest in the term “underground bunker” has spiked on a number of occasions, according to Google Trends data. This includes spikes in March 2012, February 2013, November 2015, June 2020 and, most recently, in March 2022. During this timeframe, the highest peak occurred in June 2020.