Nik Halik transforms Colorado nuclear missile silo into secure underground AI data center.

Entrepreneur Nik Halik, an Australian venture capitalist, has purchased a decommissioned Cold War-era nuclear missile silo near Denver, Colorado, for more than $10 million and is transforming it into a secure underground data center for AI operations.^[1][2] The facility, originally built in 1959 at a cost of $47 million—or about $350 million in today's dollars—was designed to house and launch three 4.5-megaton nuclear missiles, descending 165 feet below the surface across a total of 200,000 square feet.^[1] Halik acquired it from the U.S. government in 2021 and has spent the past five years overseeing renovations to repurpose the hardened structure for modern tech needs.^[1]

This project reflects a growing trend among tech firms to convert missile silos and abandoned mines into ultra-secure data centers amid rising fears of global conflict, including potential World War III.^[4][5] The silo's concrete-and-steel construction, built to withstand nuclear strikes, offers unparalleled physical protection at a fraction of the cost of new Tier IV data centers, which can exceed $12,000 to $14,000 per square foot.^[3] As reported by Business Insider, companies see these sites as ideal for safeguarding servers against physical threats, with Halik specifically targeting AI infrastructure that demands reliable, shielded environments.^[1][2]

The broader context ties into heightened public anxiety over international tensions, driving not just data center innovations but also a surge in survival preparations.^[4][5] Thousands of Americans are flocking to survival camps like Fortitude Ranch, designed to endure catastrophes, while entrepreneurs like Larry Hall repurpose similar Atlas F missile silos into luxury doomsday condos equipped with pools, cinemas, and gyms.^[3] Hall has noted the dual appeal of these structures for both bunkers and data centers, emphasizing their nuclear-hardened features as a cost-effective alternative for high-security builds.^[3]

For those affected, this means enhanced options for data security in an era of geopolitical uncertainty, potentially lowering costs for AI and cloud providers while revitalizing forgotten Cold War relics.^[1][3] Tech giants stand to benefit from the silo's proximity to Denver and its robust defenses, though regulatory approvals and final fit-outs remain key hurdles. What happens next could set a precedent: if successful, more silos—such as the 18 similar U.S. sites from the era—might follow suit, blending military history with cutting-edge computing.^[1][6] Halik's vision underscores how past deterrents are evolving into future-proof assets for the digital age.^[2]