A businessman has initiated excavation of caves within a Swiss Alpine mountain to provide secure storage for luxury goods belonging to the wealthy, as reported by the Swiss national television RTS. The extensive infrastructure has already been filmed, showcasing the ambitious project.
Located in the Brunig massif in the Obwalden canton of central Switzerland, around 20 caves will be available for rent starting next year. These spaces can securely house valuable items including artworks, precious metals, collectible vehicles, and fine wines, explained project developer Thomas Gasser.
Access to the storage will require passing through a security lock, followed by various undisclosed verification processes, according to the businessman.
Each cave will be leased for a duration of 99 years, with prices beginning at one million Swiss francs (approximately 1.07 million euros). Gasser noted that many are willing to pay such amounts amid geopolitical crises that heighten the perception of risk for wealth holders.
“Dubai was long considered a safe haven, but today that perception is being questioned, and people want to safeguard part of their assets,” remarked the entrepreneur, who did not allow RTS reporters to view the main vaults in the under-construction facilities.
Several clients have already secured rights to utilize these structures, provoking mixed reactions from residents of the nearby village of Lungern. Some locals complain that such grand construction works only benefit the affluent, while others hope to see more Ferraris in the area.
Before this project, old Swiss military bunkers were used as vaults or data centers. The Swiss army is currently reviewing the reactivation of several such bunkers to store munitions or essential supplies in light of the “Russian threat,” according to RTS.
