In an age of uncertainty, from political instability to climate change, the global elite are not only purchasing yachts and penthouses. They are investing in properties designed for discretion, resilience, and long term security. Two parallel stories are unfolding: the launch of large scale luxury bunker projects in the United States and the transformation of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda into a discreet stronghold of European wealth. Together they reveal how the wealthiest are redefining what safety and exclusivity mean.
Aerie and the American Bunker Renaissance
One of the most striking projects in this new trend is called Aerie. Developed by the company SAFE, which stands for Strategically Armored and Fortified Environments, Aerie has been described as a five star survival complex. The first facility is expected to open in 2026. Reports in Forbes and other outlets confirm that the project is valued at three hundred million dollars.
Membership is capped at a select group of individuals, with slots priced in the multi million dollar range. Units are designed with advanced medical suites, artificial intelligence powered monitoring, and luxury amenities that include fine dining and wellness services. Interiors are crafted to simulate natural light and panoramic views despite being entirely underground. The project aims to roll out across fifty cities in the United States with more than one thousand affiliated locations worldwide.
The message is clear. Security is no longer about bare bunkers or military style compounds. It is about creating environments where the wealthy can feel safe without sacrificing lifestyle.
Sardinia’s New Era of Discreet Estates
While the United States develops large underground facilities, Sardinia is showcasing another form of security oriented luxury. The Costa Smeralda region, once a glamorous playground of the twentieth century elite, is entering a new chapter.
A contemporary villa in this area was recently marketed with two residences connected by an underground tunnel. The feature allows owners to move privately between spaces while maintaining separation above ground. Other properties take an even more dramatic approach. One estate in Portisco has been described in architectural reviews as resembling a James Bond setting. Built into the terrain, it appears nearly invisible from the water.
The most spectacular recent deal was the sale of the Romazzino compound for approximately one hundred and eighty five million United States dollars. The property includes twenty eight bedrooms, thirty five bathrooms, multiple pools, private docks, and extensive shoreline. It now holds the record for the most expensive residential sale in Italy. These properties are not advertised with flamboyant design. Instead they focus on privacy, control of access, and strategic placement.
The New Code of Luxury
Three consistent themes stand out across these projects.
First, security is no longer an afterthought. It has become a selling point. From biometric entry systems to climate controlled art vaults, these features are presented as lifestyle benefits rather than costs.
Second, integration with the environment is valued more than ostentation. Sardinian estates are landscaped to blend into the coastline, using olive groves and granite to mask entrances. In the United States, Aerie markets its underground suites as both invisible and comfortable.
Third, exclusivity of access is now central. Membership limits, private tunnels, and controlled visitor policies are what distinguish one estate from another. Just as limited edition art or rare watches signal status, so does a property that only a handful of people can enter.
Luxury has always evolved. Once it meant castles, then it meant skyscrapers, then private jets. Today it means estates with hidden tunnels and underground complexes that double as resorts. It is less about being seen and more about deciding when and how one is visible. For the wealthiest readers, the message is both practical and symbolic. The future of luxury is not just about owning the view. It is about owning the ability to disappear from it.
Written By: Mia Quisumbing
Published On: 26th September 2025