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Million-dollar homes are never usually short of jaw-dropping features that only the super-wealthy can afford, but some homes really take luxury extras to the next level. Located in the city of Menifee, California, this custom-built mansion not only has a sprawling interior and a resort-style backyard, but an awesome 20-person bunker that has to be seen to be believed. Click or scroll on to take the tour…
The unique dream home is located inside the highly sought-after community of Calder Ranch, Menifee. Occupying a one-acre corner lot, the super-secure property is tucked away behind electric gates that protect the residents' privacy. The lot is positioned just over an hours' drive from central Los Angeles, while also within reach of iconic Laguna Beach, the Agua Tibia Wilderness and Cleveland National Forest.
The elegant property was built in 2009 and clearly nothing was overlooked during the design process. Not only does it boast a tropical front yard, decked out with towering palm trees and a manicured lawn, but the façade has no shortage of kerb appeal—just look at those charming window shutters! Let's head inside and take a look around...
Step through the home's mint-green double front doors and you'll find yourself in a light, bright and beautiful interior that spans some 4,500 square feet across two floors. The property's inviting entrance hall impresses with its double-height ceiling and free-flowing layout, which frames views of the backyard beyond.
Head further inside and you'll be met by large living spaces, with generous ceilings and a pared-back colour palette of cream, white and chocolate tones. Many of the rooms feature interesting architectural touches too, such as traditional fireplaces, built-in cabinetry and alcoves.
The traditional dark-wood kitchen is spacious and bright, featuring stainless-steel appliances, a large kitchen island, an eat-in dining area, ample storage space and a walk-in pantry. A winding marble-effect staircase leads upstairs, where the residence's five bedrooms and five bathrooms are located.
The master suite is a lavish spread where the owner can relax in the lap of luxury. The celebrity-worthy bedroom not only comes complete with space for an imposing four-poster bed, but also a private sitting room with an enormous flat-screen TV. Elsewhere, there's also an ensuite bathroom and a 300-square-foot covered balcony.
And that's not all the top floor has to offer. Upstairs the magnificent home also has a large home theatre, kitted out with leather recliners and a popcorn machine, as well as a wet bar for whipping up homemade cocktails. Think of the movie nights the owners must have here...
If you head down to the backyard you'll find plenty of other spaces for rest and relaxation, including this resort-style swimming pool. It offers plenty of space for doing laps, as well as a spa for romantic evenings under the stars, several waterfalls, a grotto and a slide—could this be the ultimate party pad?
This property is full of hidden surprises and somewhere in the garden lies this strange structure, camouflaged against the tarmac. This small enclosure is actually an outdoor bathroom and changing area, ideal for all the owner's pool parties.
The billionaire backyard is also home to a 480-square-foot guest apartment, a rock bar, an outdoor kitchen and a dining patio, as well as over 400 palm trees, an orchard and a huge basketball court, ideal for making the most of California's enviable climate. If you look closely at the court though, you might just be able to spot the property's pièce de résistance...
That's right, next to the basketball court you'll find the clandestine entrance to the home's awesome backyard bunker. The entrance is protected by an impenetrable steel door and boasts a secret opening mechanism that only the owner knows about.
A staircase leads down to the underground bunker. The space spans some 1,100 square feet and it was reportedly custom-designed to accommodate between 20 and 60 people at a time, making it ideal for accommodating a prepper community should disaster strike.
Despite its lack of windows, the bunker is still bright and inviting thanks to its generous curved ceiling and carefully positioned lighting. The hidden home comes equipped with two kitchens, so there's no shortage of countertop space to go around. Each kitchen has plenty of storage units, as well as dual sinks, two stoves, a microwave and a fridge for storing fresh food. There are also diner-style booths for mealtimes.
If you're wondering where all those people would sleep, then look no further. While it certainly doesn't offer the luxury of the house above ground, the bunker is decked out with 18 built-in bunk beds, which are wide enough to share.
But don't worry, the owner won't have to share a bunk bed, because the brilliant bunker also benefits from a master suite. The snug subterranean space has just enough room for a double bed, his-and-hers units for storing all your essentials, and a TV.
The zombie-proof space also has two bathrooms, so no one will need to queue up in the mornings. Each bathroom is kitted out with a shower, a sink and a toilet—and while they're not exactly glamorous, they offer everything you could need if you were hiding out underground.
Oh, and did we mention that the bunker also has its very own micro-grid? That means that even in the event of a nuclear attack, there would still be power for cooking, lighting and hot showers. There's a huge storage room that houses battery packs and generators, while the floor in the bunk room opens up to reveal a hidden space where food and other essentials can be kept.
The property was sold back in 2011 for a mere $496,500 (£380k) and then in February 2019 it landed back on the market with a $1.7 million (£1.3m) asking price. Strangely, since then the house has been listed and removed from the market countless times, with its price finally dropping to just under $1.4 million (£1.1m) in July 2020. While it was still listed as of March 2022, the prepper home appears to have been removed from the market once more, though it's not clear if the residence has finally found a buyer.
Perhaps the owner decided that the super-secure home was too valuable to part with right now—especially during these fraught times. Whatever its fate, there's no denying that this disaster-proof property is a seriously remarkable piece of real estate. We know where we'd want to hunker down if the end of the world rolled around.
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15 March 2022
Homes
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