Missile-silo-turned-mansion now underground Airbnb site
ESKRIDGE, Kan. — A Cold Warera missile silo in rural northeastern Kansas that housed a nuclear warhead 65 years ago and was later converted into an underground mansion is finding a new lease on life as an Airbnb location.
The Subterra Castle Airbnb opened for business about six months ago. It’s in rural Wabaunsee County, about 15 miles southwest of Topeka, The Topeka Capital-Journal.
Airbnb locations are privately owned residences that are offered online for short-term rental.
Matthew Fulkerson, 37, is the host for Subterra and said it was his idea to turn the site into an Airbnb residence. Fulkerson is a neighbor of Subterra’s owners, Ed and Dianna Peden, who have lived in the converted missile base since 1994 and are on board with the Airbnb idea.
Fulkerson said he has a bigger vision for the site than as a place for people to stay when passing through Kansas.
“I see it as becoming a destination,” he said, adding that the base has been featured in several media outlets.
In addition to a main-floor bedroom, Airbnb guests at Subterra will have a full kitchen, a private bathroom, laundry services and a fireplace that gives a “nice, cozy feeling in the fall and winter months,” Fulkerson said.
He said he and the Pedens “are considering using both apartments upstairs and down” should Airbnb traffic pick up, “especially because some people really want the experience of sleeping underground.”
Fulkerson said Subterra is the only Airbnb residence in a converted missile silo.