Luxury homes often come with a surprise feature. Sometimes it’s a wine cave, a hidden speakeasy or a garage large enough to house a modest car collection. At 82 Arrowhead Way in Darien, Connecticut, the unexpected amenity is rather more intriguing: an underground bunker believed to have been built as a bomb shelter.
The waterfront estate, currently listed for $8.5 million, sits on nearly two acres in Tokeneke, one of Fairfield County’s most exclusive enclaves. From the street, it is the picture of East Coast grandeur. Built in 1925, the stone residence overlooks Scott’s Cove and Long Island Sound, with the sort of timeless architecture that has become increasingly difficult to replicate: steep slate roofs, mature landscaping, grand fireplaces and water views from nearly every angle.
The property offers more than 6,700 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a guest suite, a pool and a private dock. But it is what lies beneath the grounds that sets this home apart from virtually every other luxury listing on the market.
Hidden underground is a bunker believed to have been designed as a bomb shelter. While little is known about exactly when it was constructed or why it was added to the property, its presence gives the estate an air of mystery.
For today’s buyer, the bunker presents any number of possibilities. It could remain an intriguing piece of the property’s history, be reimagined as a wine cellar, secure storage space, or perhaps the ultimate conversation starter during a dinner party.
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