Developer makes history with bunker conversion
A PIECE of local history has been reimagined for modern living, with the transformation of a Second World War bunker into a three-bedroom home completed.
During the Occupation, the reinforced concrete personnel shelter supported the coastal defences at Wn Grune Dune on the west coast, overlooking Rocquaine Bay.
Bunker Six Eighty One once housed up to 12 soldiers, but now hosts three double en-suite bedrooms, in what is thought to be the only fully converted personnel bunker on British soil.
‘We purchased the bunker in 2017 and secured planning permission for conversion of a redundant building,’ said Brad Ogier, director of property developer BDL.
‘We started the work in 2020 and finished earlier this year, so it’s been four years of hard work.’
Over a five-month period, 144 tonnes of reinforced concrete was removed to carve out the living spaces.
Part of the home is within the original bunker, with the rest an extension.
‘We’ve included one of the original door frames, which we took out and extended before replacing to have it as a feature,' said Mr Ogier.
‘The alcoves around the house are from vents, and some original vents we have kept in.’
The project was originally due to be a one-bed property, and what was the original bedroom features sun tube sky lights for natural lighting.
A core drill was brought over from the UK to remove part of the 2.3m-thick bunker ceiling, and the extracted concrete has been repurposed into a sculpture in the driveway.
Ring beams have been put on parts of the existing bunker as reinforcement.
‘With the dwelling being subterranean, it tends to maintain a reasonably consistent temperature in the actual bunker and then the rest is an extension. It’s been shuttered on to be sympathetic to the original build – a lot of thought and time has gone into this,’ said Mr Ogier.
‘With the two fields under the same ownership, the garden and coastal view, you’re in control of your view to a certain extent.’
The kitchen and living area has been left unfurnished for the successful buyer to customise.
‘For the bathrooms we chose a granite tile which looked like what we saw when we cut the concrete and found granite bits inside,’ said BDL’s Jason Mitchell.
‘The hoppers and downpipes are all handmade out of lead.’
Andre Rolfe-Bisson, director and founder of architectural firm A7, described the new home as being ‘straight out of a Bond villain’s lair’.
‘We’ve converted wartime bunkers into hobby spaces before, but nothing on this scale,’ he said.
‘The challenge of transforming a redundant structure in such a desirable location was incredibly exciting.’
Bunker Six Eighty One is now on the market. While an asking price has not been disclosed – it is price on application – other properties in the area frequently sell for more than £1m.
The property can be viewed at www.bunker681.com.
