Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who serves as the co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, are reportedly planning to construct a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter on their sprawling 1,400-acre ranch in Hawaii. According to a recent ‘Wired’ report, this subterranean refuge is designed to be self-sufficient, equipped with its own energy and food supplies. The shelter’s entrance is slated to feature a door made of metal and filled with concrete, a characteristic commonly found in bunkers and bomb shelters, as detailed in planning documents and interviews.
Situated on the island of Kauai, the ranch, known as Ko’olau Ranch, encompasses more than just the underground shelter. Wired’s research, drawing from planning documents, uncovered a comprehensive vision for the 1,400-acre compound. The plans indicate a partially completed development that includes over a dozen buildings boasting at least 30 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms, including two standalone mansions. Additional features in the blueprint consist of 11 treehouses, a fitness center, guest houses, and operational structures.
While the reports did not explicitly detail the purpose of the underground shelter, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan, Brandi Hoffine Barr, responded to inquiries from TIME, indicating that Kauai County encourages homeowners to construct shelters, offering tax incentives for hurricane-resistant safe rooms. Hoffine Barr stated, “Mark and Priscilla value the time their family spends at Ko’olau Ranch and in the local community, and are committed to preserving the ranch’s natural beauty.”
The initiative taken by Zuckerberg and Chan aligns with a broader trend among Silicon Valley’s elite, who have been acquiring properties and exploring bunker construction for years. The Guardian reported on venture capitalist Peter Thiel’s plans, which faced rejection by a local council in New Zealand in 2022 due to concerns about the impact on the surrounding landscape. The wealthy are reportedly purchasing luxury underground apartments in preparation for catastrophic scenarios.
Despite the unclear purpose of the underground shelter, the cost of the Zuckerberg-Chan compound is substantial, estimated at over $270 million, inclusive of the land. Wired reported that construction and other workers on the property were required to sign strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), though Hoffine Barr did not directly address this aspect in response to TIME’s inquiries. The project reflects not only a significant financial investment but also the increasing interest among the ultra-wealthy in securing havens for potential future uncertainties.
