Massive doomsday compound for sale

Part-underground triplex built to prepare for Y2K

Earlier this year, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set its infamous Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight for the second year in a row.

This is the closest the symbolic clock has ever been to midnight, a metaphor for how close humanity is to selfannihilation, according to the Bulletin, which has maintained the clock since 1947.

For some, the apocalypse is a very real day-to-day threat. Survivalist groups — some perhaps better known as “doomsday preppers” — have gained recognition recently during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the world grapples with wars in Europe and the Middle East. Numerous prepper websites include extensive lists of apocalypseready supplies. Even some of the world’s wealthiest elites are in on survivalism; “Architectural Digest” named “luxury bunkers” (which cost millions of dollars) one of the biggest architectural trends of 2023.

If you’re a prepper or someone looking for insurance against the zombie apocalypse or maybe just a homebody looking to hide from your neighbors, this newly listed Douglas County home — or maybe more accurately, compound — might be right for you.

Located on 80 private acres near Superior, this home at 5312 S. Stone Road in South Range was recently listed for $1.1 million by Realtor Leah Hollenbach of RE/MAX Results.

At the terminus of a dead-end road and built into the Earth for camouflage, it’s the perfect place to hide out from brain-eating, undead creatures ... or just enjoy the solitude of nature. The complex features a grass-covered living roof, which helps with insulation and staying hidden from eyes above.

“This truly unique underground home is built to stand the test of time with a stone and mortar exterior, a living roof on top of a newer rubber roof laid over Spancrete (and) pre-stressed hollow core ceiling slabs for the ultimate in strength and durability,” the listing says. “The walls and interior structure are a mixture of poured concrete in high-load areas and concrete block in other areas to create storage rooms and interior walls.”

The property, which includes three residential units, was recently featured on the popular real estate TikTok account “Homes.tastrophes.” Each unit has three bedrooms, one full bathroom, and a kitchen with a pantry.

The triplex has multiple large common spaces, including an upper-level lobby, which provides access to the upper two units, a stone-walled courtyard and stairs to the living roof.

The lower level offers about 2,520 square feet of common space, which includes a partial bathroom, cedarlined sauna, room for a machine shop, a canning kitchen, access to the attached eight-car garage and more.

The compound was built in 1979 by three family members. Jonathan Allen, the property’s seller, told USA TODAY that he was told when he bought it that the family was prepping for Y2K. Like the events of the 2020s, the im

“I think (they) were just very strategic and smart. I want to be cautious and say they were preppers, but they were also just self-sufficient.”

Jonathan Allen the property’s seller, about the original owners

pending switch from “99” to “00” on computers’ displays of the date (and what could go wrong with it), inspired swaths of preppers over 24 years ago.

Two freshwater wells, backup valves and other features equip the property for off-the-grid living. Described by the listing as “(b)uilt by preppers for preppers,” the compound also includes a separate, now-empty generator house and a large tower.

Allen doesn’t consider himself a prepper, though; he was just inspired by how the original owners built the structure out of concrete into the hillside.

“I think (they) were just very strategic and smart,” he told USA TODAY. “I want to be cautious and say they were preppers, but they were also just selfsufficient.”

Outside, you can enjoy views of Lake Superior and frontage on the Little Amnicon River. The property has a shooting range (which Homes.tastrophes suggests could be turned into a paintball course), as well as plenty of lumber, apple trees and over five acres of cleared gardening space for apocalypse-ready self-sufficiency.

“There’s no other property like this in existence,” the listing states. “If you had to build it today, it would cost you millions.”

USA TODAY reporter Kinsey Crowley contributed to this report.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEN BUSAM This compound in South Range was built by families preparing for Y2K.

The compound in South Range is built into the landscape.

COURTESY OF BEN BUSAM This is Unit 3 of the triplex at 5312 S. Stone Road in South Range. Each unit includes three bedrooms, a full bathroom and a kitchen.