For many homeowners, security is a top priority, but some really take self-preservation to new heights. Forget security cameras and impressive locks, these homeowners have gone above and beyond to protect their properties. From bombproof bunkers to luxury mansions with the ultimate safe rooms, these fortress houses can survive just about anything.
Click or scroll on to explore these remarkable zombie-proof homes...
Described as the world’s first zombie-proof home, this slate-coloured fortress lies in Warsaw, Poland. Upon first impression, the property looks more like a giant art installation than a homely abode. The homeowners of this concrete cube wanted it to be as secure as possible – a brief that helped the architects define its unusual aesthetic.
Designed by KWK Promes, the exterior walls of the Safe House can cover every aperture to create a seamless box, closing the entire property off from the outside world should the need arise.
Concrete doors sit on hinges and can be opened to let the daylight in when the coast is clear. Surrounded by impenetrable concrete walls and a gate, any intruders that manage to get into the grounds will enter a restricted safety zone – the perfect spot to unleash a surprise attack.
The safety zone is policed by a clever retractable drawbridge that can be lowered to allow entry. When raised, the bridge forms part of the property's tough outer shell. The nifty device also offers direct access to the roof, offering the ideal means of escape.
The home's exterior façade can even be removed to create a sealed courtyard or a fortified wall to surround the entire property and its grounds. If a zombie attack is impending, we know exactly where we want to be!
Other moveable elements include large shutters that range up to more than 11 feet (3.4m) in length, giving an extra layer of protection to the home. These security features are operated by built-in electronic engines which can be controlled from inside the safety of the house.
The 27,000-square-foot (2,508sqm) estate also harbours a rather enviable swimming pool located in its very own pool house, as well as a rooftop terrace for a post-apocalypse party.
This Atlas nuclear missile silo was originally built by the Army Corps of Engineers but has now been converted into an amazing home. The Survival Condo is located in rural Kansas and offers an impressive 20,000 square feet (1,858sqm) of secure underground space.
It is accessed by reinforced entryways that could be efficiently guarded and, once closed, show no signs of life that could attract any roaming zombies.
Extremely resilient, the missile silo is protected by two armoured doors, and its epoxy-hardened concrete walls are nine feet (2.7m) thick and can withstand a direct nuclear hit, as well as severe flooding, tornado winds and of course a tribe of zombies.
Should nuclear, biological, or chemical gases be leaked inside, an air filtration system will protect residents.
Inside, the condo is a luxury underground home hiding unbelievable surprises, from rock climbing walls to snooker tables. The underground complex has all the necessary facilities needed to sustain 75 people for more than five years!
There's even a hydroponic farm that produces fresh fruit and vegetables, while large reserve tanks provide fresh drinking water. To provide residents with the illusion of the outdoors, virtual LED windows simulate attractive countryside scenes.
The creators of this ultra-safe underground world have also installed a swimming pool and a library stocked with books, plus a movie theatre and a dog park for four-legged friends.
Condo prices start from $1.5 million (£1.2m) for 900 square feet (84sqm) of space. If money is no object, opt for the $4.5 million (£3.6m) penthouse apartment, which offers 3,600 square feet (335sqm) of luxurious space.
Each condo offers biometric keyless access, five years' worth of food, a 50-inch TV and a high-end kitchen.
Talk about an affordable hideout! Sold at auction for $149,000 (£117k) in 2018, this First World War sea fort would make the most unique zombie hideout.
Positioned in the Humber Estuary off the coast of Lincolnshire in the UK, the historic property lies undetected from the shoreline, meaning no-one would discover your whereabouts.
Known as Haile Sand Fort, the unique piece of naval history was built in 1919 to protect Britain’s east coast from a German invasion. The secure sea view property is made from concrete and steel, making it completely impenetrable.
Captured via this aerial footage, the former military building features a circular tower offering the perfect lookout point. A balcony sits at sea level, offering an ideal means of escape via boat.
While obtaining water and provisions may be tricky when you're marooned in the middle of an estuary, the platform offers plenty of room for fishing, plus you could even set up a hydroponic garden to grow your own food offshore.
Dubbed 'the world's ultimate doomsday escape', Vivos Europa One will be one of the largest private shelters on earth when it's completed. Located in Rothenstein, Germany, the survival bunker was the brainchild of Vivos CEO Robert Vicino.
Originally valued at $1.1 billion (£867m) when it was first launched, the Vivos Europa One will lie inside a converted Cold War bunker that was carved out of solid bedrock. Positioned deep inside a limestone mountain, the shelter will be able to survive a close-range nuclear explosion, direct airline crash, severe flooding, earthquakes, and both biological and chemical attacks.
The elite Noah's Ark-like space will include an impressive 227,904 square feet (21,173sqm) of accommodation. Each resident will be allocated up to 5,000 square feet (465sqm) of living space in either a private apartment or suite, with the former costing a hefty $5 million (£3.9m).
Acceptance into the exclusive bunker was previously by application only, however, the complex has now announced that it's closed to new applicants.
If you're considering it, your cash will give you access to a fully customisable living space modelled on the inside of a luxury yacht. The interior will feature plenty of marble, leather and polished wood, as well as a private movie theatre and a gym.
Communal spaces will include a sizable swimming pool and an underground garden, lit by simulated sunshine. If you're going to spend a zombie attack hiding, why not do it in style?
It turns out that Arkansas is home to numerous zombie-proof properties! That's right, this craggy-looking cliff face is actually the façade of a clandestine cave home, built right into the rock face. It's definitely one for someone who wants to live off the beaten track...
The surreal property sits inside a 260-acre (105ha) cavern, high up on a ledge overlooking the valley of Beckham Creek in the Ozark Mountains. The perfect luxury hideaway for an apocalypse or invasion, the pad is entirely hidden from the outside and sits so high up that no zombie would know you were there.
Inside, the home boasts a unique natural aesthetic, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The cave can sleep up to 16 people at any one time, offering the ideal space for you and your family to hide out. With almost 6,000 square feet (557sqm) of interior space, you'll never feel overcrowded in this luxury abode.
As well as an indoor waterfall which is fed by an underground spring, the cave features a geothermal heating system, so you'll always have a supply of hot water!
There's a helicopter landing pad outside, so you and your friends can make a quick getaway should the zombies find you!
In 2017 the property sold for $2.8 million (£2.2m) and has since been turned into a luxury self-catering property that's available for rent.
Located in Pottsville, Arkansas this unusual property is sheltered by earth and lies completely underground. The clandestine house was hand-built by its owners, Lyle and Jeanette Ratzlaff, over the course of 18 years.
Lyle constructed the secret home in his spare time, designing, engineering and building the entire structure himself – with help from his wife and children. In order to build the house underground, Lyle excavated a hillside using a hydraulic hammer, which took him just three days.
After the hole was ready, Lyle spent the next few years designing a suitable structure, deciding on steel-reinforced concrete panels. Sitting at 16 feet (4.9m) tall, each panel has an impenetrable thickness of 16 inches (41cm), with electrical and plumbing components built in.
The property's robust front door measures four feet (1.2m) wide, 10 feet (3m) tall and 11 inches (28cm) thick and weighs almost 3,000 pounds (1,360kg). The door is secured with a keyless locking system, while a pinhole video camera monitors the exterior.
The house also boasts a secret passageway, offering the ultimate escape route from a possible zombie attack. A clandestine door leads to a mechanical cave, that could also double up as a panic room.
Replete with luxurious features, the L'Heritage line of luxury bespoke bunkers from design company Oppidum are fortified underground residences that can be constructed beneath existing mansions. In case of catastrophe, the plush shelters help residents maintain a "super-luxury everyday lifestyle" under the earth.
The 10,760-square-foot (100sqm) structures descend 49 feet (15m) below ground and are built to NATO-standard ballistic and blast protection levels, using the same formulation of high-density concrete used to build nuclear power plants.
Design features throughout the bunker have been engineered to offset the sense of being underground, so all rooms feature plenty of ‘natural’ light from large simulated windows and skylights.
There’s even a seemingly depth-defying indoor garden, in which a range of flowers, plants and trees flourish year-round, courtesy of a sophisticated automatic irrigation system.
Other special features that can be added to your bunker include a luxurious swimming pool, gym and home theatre.
Buyers can also opt to install a gallery space, constructed to the same anti-intrusion standards as commercial bank vaults, complete with top-of-the-line fire protection, ventilation, temperature and humidity control systems to keep everything in perfect condition.
While the furnishings and décor throughout the bunker create the illusion of luxurious above-ground living, advanced technology is at work behind the scenes to make the Oppidum bunker suitable for long-term living.
NASA-level technology allows food stocks to be stored for months or even years, while an infirmary comes equipped with essential medical supplies. There is also the option to install an armoury, should the buyer wish.
Buried deep in the mountainside in Vals, Switzerland, this earth-sheltered home has acquired international fame from its feature on the Netflix series The World's Most Extraordinary Homes. However, had it not achieved such global renown, it would be the perfect place to seek refuge from the world, hidden away in its off-grid isolation.
Designed by architects Bjarne Mastenbroek and Christian Müller, the earth home is made even more clandestine by the fact that its entrance lies through a secret tunnel that can only be accessed via a nearby barn.
When you’re not waiting out the apocalypse, the home also features a beautiful terrace and dining patio, perfect for enjoying the serenity of the surrounding Swiss mountains.
Inside, the house features sleek, minimalistic interiors replete with polished concrete and hardwood. While the overall effect is reminiscent of a wartime bunker, the home is outfitted to a high standard, with a range of luxury amenities including a hot tub, fireplace and pool table to ensure a comfortable stay.
Capable of sleeping up to 10 guests, the home is currently available to rent on Airbnb and offers a unique way to experience the peace and tranquillity of the Alps from an architecturally stunning retreat – the perfect balance of aesthetics and ingenuity.
Uninvited guests would have a hard time getting inside this fortified home in the village of Berry, in Australia's New South Wales region. Believe it or not, behind this unassuming brick structure hides a secure and surprisingly stylish home.
Built by architectural firm Modscape, the incredible modular home was designed to be a secret haven from the outside world.
Visitors have to pass through a secret pivoting door in the brick wall to gain access to the hidden property. A timber-lined inner walkway leads to the main living areas, which feature double-height ceilings and warm wood across the floor and walls.
At the heart of the home's floor plan you'll find a spacious open-plan kitchen and dining area. A palette of timber, concrete and zinc creates a sleek, streamlined finish to the airy scheme. These simple, utilitarian materials are transformed into warm and welcoming surfaces in this pared-back family home.
If you need to hunker down you'll be well cared for here. Should energy supplies dwindle, the house runs on solar power and uses hydronic heating.
The interior spills out into a private north-facing courtyard, shielded from view by the fortified walls. The outdoor living space includes a heated swimming pool and a decked terrace for soaking up the sunshine. If the end of the world rolls around we know where we'd want to be!
This beautiful modern house in Canelo Hills of the San Rafael Valley was designed to meet a very distinct challenge: it had to be impenetrable. With concrete walls measuring 18 inches (46cm) thick, the structure is as solid as a rock and can be locked up like a fortress thanks to the hefty steel doors on either side.
Named Casa Caldera, the spectacular home is hidden from the world thanks to the use of lava-crete, a building material that comprises pulverised red lava rock, water and cement.
Entirely self-sufficient, the house is cooled by a natural ventilation channel through the 'zaguan' – or inner courtyard – and strategically placed windows. Meanwhile, the home's few electrical appliances are powered by a solar array and a well on-site provides fresh water.
As stylish as it is secure, the design by D U S T architects includes a central void between two separate living spaces, which creates an inner courtyard that can be opened up to the gorgeous mountain views. An extended concrete porch unites the outdoor and indoor spaces and extends the floor plan on either side.
Inside, the house is sleek and minimal, letting the rich texture of the materials set the tone. One wing of the house has a hand-built wooden kitchen and dining area. The other wing features two bedrooms and a bathroom. While the living areas are zoned into separate functional areas, the entire house is united under a beautiful wooden ceiling.
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