Mark Zuckerberg is constructing a concealed $100 million compound on his Hawaiian island estate, and he is keen on keeping it under wraps.
This phenomenon is intriguing. It’s not limited to just the Meta CEO; billionaires globally are incorporating fortifications into their properties. The question of why remains an intriguing one.
Escape to a secluded island (away from the rest of humanity)
In 2014, Zuckerberg acquired the 1,400-acre Koolau Ranch on Kauai Island, but it wasn’t until the past few years that he initiated a significant construction project on the property. Naturally, workers were required to sign confidentiality agreements to safeguard the project’s details.
For those of us with a curious streak, there’s a silver lining: All the construction work necessitates permits. Planning documents reveal that Zuckerberg is developing an extensive estate, featuring a dozen buildings (as expected), along with a concealed 5,000-square-foot subterranean bunker.
Is Zuckerberg gearing up for the apocalypse or anticipating a societal collapse? It’s a possibility. The plans do incorporate what seems to be a blast-resistant door. It makes you ponder what he might be aware of that the rest of us aren’t privy to.
Exclusive Billionaires’ Circle
If he’s preparing for apocalyptic scenarios, he joins a list of multi-billionaires diversifying their investments in the survival of humanity. Interestingly, he’s not the sole individual pursuing such precautions on Kauai. Another billionaire, Frank VanderSloot (his actual name), recently acquired a 2,000-acre ranch situated just south of Zuck’s estate, making the purchase at a staggering $51 million.
In the event of a global catastrophe, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has revealed an arrangement with PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Altman shared that they have a plan in place, and if the world faces dire circumstances, both he and Thiel would retreat to one of Thiel’s properties in New Zealand as a refuge.
It’s interesting to note that the specific location for Altman and Thiel’s retreat might face challenges. Back in 2022, a community council on New Zealand’s South Island thwarted Thiel’s intentions to construct a bunker compound, citing concerns about the potential disruption to the local environment. It appears that, at times, local communities can still influence and prevail in such matters.
(Buy your own passport)
In recent years, an increasing number of exceptionally affluent individuals have been acquiring islands, or substantial portions thereof. Prominent figures such as Richard Branson and Johnny Depp frequently feature in articles listing privately owned islands, alongside wealthy families like the Du Ponts and the Disneys. (By the way, anyone know someone who can arrange a visit to Disney’s private island?)
A growing trend involves affluent individuals paying significant sums to obtain citizenship in different countries. Referred to as “golden visas,” these programs enable wealthy individuals to secure residency, and in some cases, citizenship in foreign nations by making substantial financial investments. The amounts involved can reach millions in certain instances.
So, what concerns or anxieties are prompting these actions?
While no one explicitly articulates their apprehensions, a myriad of potential concerns likely motivates these actions. These may include fears related to war, pollution, asteroids, climate change, famine, the rise of robotics, and perhaps even the prospect of encountering extraterrestrial life. It’s plausible that individuals are safeguarding themselves against a combination of these uncertainties. As for yourself, you express a sense of preparedness with financial resources, firearms, provisions, and, notably, your faith in God.
