From the street, this Nevada home looks deceptively ordinary — a two-story structure with a four-car garage on more than an acre, minutes from the glitter of the Las Vegas Strip.
But 26 feet below lies one of the most eccentric homes in America: A subterranean mansion built to withstand nuclear fallout and keep its residents entertained for the long haul, should the world above meet its end. It’s now for sale, asking $8.5 million.
Constructed in the 1970s at the height of Cold War anxieties, the 14,620-square-foot “Underground House” was the vision of businessman Jerry Henderson, who teamed up with Texas architect Jay Swayze to create what was then the largest luxury bunker in the world.
The Las Vegas Underground House, now listed for $8.5 million, is one of America’s most unusual Cold War-era properties. Rooted Elements Media
The exterior of the house above ground. Rooted Elements Media
The entryway to the bunker house. Rooted Elements Media
Designed for self-sufficient living, the residence included everything a family could need — and more.
The underground interiors are a surreal time capsule.
Retro furnishings are surrounded by hand-painted murals depicting landscapes from the Hendersons’ travels, while sculpted trees cleverly disguise steel beams.
A programmable faux sky cycles through sunrises, daylight, sunsets and starry nights, offering the illusion of life above ground and a continuation of a circadian cycle.
Concealed 26 feet below ground on Spencer Street, the 14,620-square-foot subterranean estate was built in the 1970s by businessman Jerry Henderson and architect Jay Swayze as a luxury bunker designed for self-sufficient living. Rooted Elements Media
The underground residence features retro 1970s interiors, hand-painted murals, sculpted trees, a programmable faux sky, and amenities including a pool, a putting green, a theater, a bar, a dance floor and saunas. Rooted Elements Media
Above ground sits a two-bedroom home, while below ground a three-bedroom casita and expansive entertainment spaces create an immersive “time capsule.” Rooted Elements Media
Leisure amenities are equally theatrical: a swimming pool, a putting green, a theater, a dance floor, multiple bars, hot tubs and saunas.
“I’ve always admired the uniqueness of the Spencer Street residence, in part because of how discreet the above-ground structure appears,” listing representative Holly Erker of IS Luxury told The Post.
“For years, I passed by without any idea of the extraordinary world hidden beneath. Stepping inside feels like entering an underground time capsule, yet it carries the openness and serenity of a private estate. Today, it remains remarkably comfortable, climate-controlled and timeless.”
Just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, the property is pitched as both a private sanctuary and a potential business venture, with possibilities ranging from museum and event venue to film location or luxury rental. Realtor.com
One of five bedrooms. Rooted Elements Media
One of six bathrooms in total. Rooted Elements Media
The Hendersons had lived entirely below until Jerry’s death, at which point his widow opted for life in the open air. A tunnel once connected the underground bunker to Henderson’s office across the street, though it has since collapsed.
“As the current Conservator of the Underground House, my goal is to preserve the vision of Jerry and Mary Henderson, who built this extraordinary $10 million luxury underground mansion in 1974 as the final home of their lives,” Frankie Lewis, the current owner and seller of the property, told The Post.
Agent Holly Erker describes the property as “an extraordinary world hidden beneath” that feels “remarkably comfortable, climate-controlled, and timeless.” Realtor.com
The above-ground house. Rooted Elements Media
“At the time, it was likely one of the largest single-family luxury bunkers in the world, complete with floor-to-ceiling murals of a few of the Hendersons’ global properties and an extensive lighting system designed to support circadian rhythm,” he said. “Today, it stands as both a cultural landmark and one of the most unique survival residences in the world.”
While conceived as a survivalist’s retreat, the property is now being marketed as both a private sanctuary and a commercial opportunity.
Its proximity to the Strip makes it well-positioned for conversion into an event space, museum or luxury rental. Its kitschy aesthetic and sense of suspended time have also made it a darling of filmmakers and television producers looking for a retro set piece.