inside the bizarre 1978 doomsday bunker of las vegas with photographer alastair philip wiper

Alastair Philip Wiper captures bizarre bunker in Las Vegas

Under a seemingly normal private residence in Las Vegas lies a bizarre doomsday bunker, which was listed for sale for an astounding $18 million back in 2020. Four years later, the shelter remains an iconic piece of architecture known for its eccentricity. It’s no wonder it piqued the curiosity of Alastair Philip Wiper who takes us on a photographic journey through the 1,400 sqm underground nuclear fallout shelter and its unique features. Designed by millionaire Jerry Henderson in 1978, the residence is complete with artificial trees, faux rocks, lighting to simulate different times of day, and lifelike sceneries painted on the walls to resemble views from around the world.

Survival and Celebration: Inside Las Vegas’ Underground House

The underground house in Las Vegas reflects the era in which it was created. It looks like Jerry Henderson, a pioneer in underground living, designed the residence to accommodate enough people to form a community during a nuclear fallout situation. The house features five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Additionally, it seems Jerry enjoyed partying and intended to maintain that lifestyle even in a doomsday scenario. The house includes a swimming pool, two hot tubs, a dance floor (complete with a pole), a four-hole putting green, a bar, a barbecue, and a sauna. The house is air-conditioned, equipped with a 1,000-gallon water tank, and has cell phone reception, cable, and internet access underground. Jerry lived in the house with his wife, Mary, for five years until he passed away in 1983. ‘This is a nuclear fallout shelter like no other,’ says Alastair Philip Wiper, alongside his photos of the bunker.

The house is now owned by an organization called the Church of Perpetual Life, which aims to extend human life and cryogenically freeze bodies to bring them back to life when science allows. ‘Yep, I did swim in the pool,’ reveals the Copenhagen-based photographer. 

project info: 

name: The Underground House 
location: Las Vegas
photography: Alastair Philip Wiper | @alastairwiper