A Secret World 26 Feet Below Las Vegas Can Be Found in This Incredible Bunker House

Entry to the ‘Las Vegas Bunker House’, also known as the ‘Las Vegas Underground House’, starts in an ordinary garage attached to a two-story house that looks like any other on a quiet street near the Strip. From there stairs take you straight down through solid ground into a completely different realm. Built back in 1978, this place cost ten million dollars to create and has stayed almost untouched since then, its main living areas sealed off from sunlight and weather.

The descent into the bunker ends with a level that appears to be quite normal, until you notice the ceiling lights that gradually transition from daylight to twilight, giving to the illusion of being above ground. One room has a proper dance floor made of parquet wood, and in the center of it, a giant disco ball hangs, as if waiting for the party to begin. A billiards table and an apparently built-in bar are nearby, creating an atmosphere that screams “evening gatherings without ever stepping foot outside.” A neighboring indoor pool with fresh water circulates all year, keeping it clean and transparent.

The kitchen counters in this place have a light pink color that evokes the era, and all of the original appliances, including a Nutone warming drawer, toaster, and blender unit from way back when, are still in place. Another great detail is the silk wallpaper, which has such vibrant patterns that the sun has yet to bleach them. Then there are the foil accents, which catch the artificial light just perfectly, giving the entire room a delicate shine.

The bedrooms represent the couple that lived here and their preferences. Mary Henderson’s room is full of pink tones, with a jetted tub set into marble flooring and gorgeous silk walls. Meanwhile, Girard Henderson’s room is all green and gold, with brass fittings, and it has a much stronger, more structured air. You also have a guest space with its own little kitchenette and ice maker, which is ideal for visitors who have taken up residence below.

The ventilation design is quite innovative, as it is concealed within ornamental trees dispersed above ground. What appear to be trunks are actually bringing in fresh air while keeping the heavy gear out of sight, which keeps the air moving. Drainage pipes, gravel layers, and sump pumps are all hidden under the facade, ready to manage any precipitation that may enter from the dry earth. Beneath it all, steel beams and rebar form the skeleton that supports the weight of the earth above.

Emergency exits are tucked away in hidden passages as part of the original concept in case they needed to leave quickly. With a backup generator and fuel storage, power and water can last for months. The sewage systems and air circulation devices are also silently humming, allowing this location to transform into a self-contained tiny universe.

Girard B. ‘Jerry’ Henderson, and his wife, Mary, the couple who built the house, wanted a safe refuge, especially because they resided near the site of some atomic tests. Jerry collaborated with architect Jay Swayze to design one of the largest homes of its kind, and they were determined to make it a place to live comfortably rather than just survive. They spent years down there, throwing parties and enjoying the seclusion.