A vast network of underground vaults is currently being hewn into the Swiss Alps, with the heavily fortified space offering the ultra-wealthy a secure retreat for storing everything from priceless art and gold to vintage Ferraris and expensive wine, according to the New York Times.
The Mastermind Behind the Bunkers
Swiss businessman Thomas Gasser, chairman of the board of Brünig Mega Safe, is the mastermind behind the project beneath the Brünig Pass near the village of Lungern. Gasser's complex will house approximately 20 private vaults buried securely beneath more than 100 metres of solid rock — a natural fortress designed to deter criminals. Developers claim the security will rival that of the Swiss National Bank.
Construction is already well underway, with the complex expected to open next year.
Cost and Security Measures
Each underground cavern is available for purchase on a 99-year lease, with prices starting at nearly 1 million Swiss francs — roughly equivalent to £918,600. Gasser's family-run firm boasts decades of specialist expertise in quarrying, underground operations, and heavy excavation throughout the Swiss terrain.
According to Gasser himself: "You'll first have to drive through a special checkpoint and get out of your vehicle: there will be several security checks, which obviously won't be disclosed to the public."
Local Reactions and Broader Context
The scheme has provoked divided opinions amongst inhabitants of the small Alpine village of Lungern. Some have challenged why their modest mountain community requires a collection of luxury bunkers constructed for billionaires, with one local noting that "they're building something for people who already have enough money." Others adopted a more cynical stance, remarking that they anticipated watching Ferraris belonging to their new bunker "neighbours" speeding through the winding Alpine lanes.
Switzerland has long been accustomed to safeguarding treasures deep within its mountains. Throughout the decades, numerous former military bunkers have been converted into fortified storage sites and exceptionally secure data centres.
