Renovating an Old Nuclear Missile Silo
Written by Jennifer Heyns
One couple has brought recycling to a new all-time high – or depth, depending on how you look at it.
Ed and Dianna Peden purchased an abandoned Cold War military base near Topeka, Kansas for a mere $48,000. Their strategy? To transform it into a subterranean home. While the house has some living spaces above ground in a more ordinary-looking residential structure, the remainder of the home is underground -- in old nuclear missile silos.
In order to dress up the above-ground escape hatches, the Pedens rehabbed the silo exteriors to emulate castle turrets.
The missile bay, which in its day was designed to open and allow a nuclear missile to rocket forth toward our enemies, now provides the Pedens with a massive parking garage and storage unit for their home.
One of the things the couple loves best about their home is that the property appears to be somewhat dilapidated and swampy from the outside, but the materials used underground for the military base are of the highest and most durable quality – a sound underground structure that will endure many lifetimes.
The base encompasses a vast 20,000 square feet. The Pedens use only a fraction of that for living space and have renovated those sections in lavish and colorful ways. Some rooms are reminiscent of the interior of Jeannie’s bottle or the quarters of a raja. Much of the subterranean tunnel space has been left unaltered to pay homage to the structural – and national – history.
Completely enamored with their untraditional home, Ed left his teaching position and he and Dianna started 20th Century Castles, LLC. Much like their home, their business is unique. The couple is now dedicated to educating people about the history of missile bases and encouraging others to purchase the neglected sites and renovating them for more modern purposes.
According to the Peden company website, they have successfully sold 49 such properties and continue to seek more acquisitions to match up with interested buyers.
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How cool is this! I might just have to do some research for myself. I am a passionate interior home decorator and wow this would be one hell of a project. Congratulations!