I
n affluent neighborhoods along the US coast, some of the most exclusive oceanfront mansions boast a unique feature: underground tunnels. In Manalapan and Palm Beach, where estates stretch from the Intracoastal Waterway to the ocean, homeowners are outfitting their tunnels with high-end finishes and features. These subterranean passages run beneath Florida State Road A1A.

    Some of these tunnels come equipped with secret rooms, hidden passageways, and other luxurious touches reminiscent of James Bond films. Notable buyers and sellers in Manalapan include billionaire Larry Ellison, WeatherTech founder David MacNeil, and singer-songwriter Billy Joel. The price tags for these waterfront estates are substantial: the top five homes on the market are asking between $60 million and $95 million.

    Ellison's 16-acre compound, purchased for $173 million in 2022, is likely the largest home in Manalapan. Builder Robert Burrage of RWB Construction Management has been working on several tunnel projects in the area, including a recently completed passage connecting an estate to its beach bungalow and a new mansion under construction with a tunnel feature.

    Construction now involves shutting down half of South Ocean Boulevard at a time to allow workers to dig and seal the space. Some homeowners are also requesting separate beach houses be built on the oceanfront, complete with full kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.