A Cold War missile base abandoned for decades is on sale in New Jersey for $1.8 million — see inside

Mary MeisenzahlMay 10, 2020, 19:38 IST

Generator building.Richard Lewis Photography

Woolwich Township, New Jersey is selling an old missile base from the Cold War.
The base was one of 12 built to protect Philadelphia from Soviet missiles.
The Army abandoned it in 1974, and the town bought it in 2009.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A piece of Cold War history is up for sale in New Jersey, where a town is listing its Nike missile base for $1.8 million.

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, launching an arms race that would continue throughout the Cold War. After Sputnik, the US responded with missiles of its own, and 12 Nike missile bases were built in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, surrounding Philadelphia.

Project Nike was a US military plan of more than 250 bases across the country using an anti-aircraft missile system, named after the Greek goddess of victory. When this and other missile bases were decommissioned in 1974, they were offered to federal agencies, local governments, and private buyers. Woolwich Township only bought this base in 2009 for $828,000.

Here's what the site looks like today.

Read the original article on Business Insider

There may also be potential for a buyer to renovate the structures already there, like a couple in Kansas who converted a missile silo into an 18,000 square foot, partially underground castle.

Launcher area. Richard Lewis Photography

There may also be potential for a buyer to renovate the structures already there, like a couple in Kansas who converted a missile silo into an 18,000 square foot, partially underground castle.

Other missile silos, located underground, have recently sold for more than $400,000 each in Arizona.

Warhead building. Richard Lewis Photography

All bids are due by June 15, and the minimum is $1.8 million.

Radar area towers. Richard Lewis Photography

However, the town is reportedly suggesting historical uses of the site to potential buyers, which would partially preserve the site.

Generator building. Richard Lewis Photography

The town has already heard from at least a few potential buyers.

Launcher area barracks. Richard Lewis Photography

Most buildings on the 33 acre site are covered in broken pavement and glass, and some roofs are collapsing, likely making them unsalvageable.

Administrative building. Richard Lewis Photography

Buildings like these barracks, which were occupied from 1957 to 1974, would likely be torn down for development.

Missile base barracks. Richard Lewis Photography

Despite the base's role in the Cold War, the property is not listed as a historical site.

Missile base mail room. Richard Lewis Photography

Woolwich is also putting the property on the town's sewer system, which might make is more attractive to a buyer.

Nike missile base command offices. Richard Lewis Photography

"I wouldn't be surprised if there were several bids on it" Jane Asselta, vice president of Southern New Jersey Development Council, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Missile base armory. Richard Lewis Photography

The report also says that the base is within walking distance of 3,200 homes, potentially a desirable area for buyers.

Nike missile base kitchen. Richard Lewis Photography

Under the "vision concepts" section of the plan, the land use board included photos of parks, shops, and restaurants.

Nike missile base mess hall. Richard Lewis Photography

In 2017, Woolwich released a redevelopment plan for the site, envisioning potential future uses.

Launcher area missile assembly building. Richard Lewis Photography

The generator building, like most of the buildings on the property, has been completely overgrown.

Generator building. Richard Lewis Photography

The control building, seen here, is in a state of extreme disrepair.

Nike missile base control building. Richard Lewis Photography

Though the base has been mostly abandoned since 1974, many of the buildings are still standing.

Nike missile radar area headquarters. Richard Lewis Photography

The property is made up of several structures, including barracks, a control room, a kitchen and mess hall, and even an empty pool.

Warhead building interior. Richard Lewis Photography

This Nike missile is like the ones that the base was armed with during the Cold War.

Nike missile. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The launcher area may also be contaminated with toxins.

Launcher area missile magazine door. Richard Lewis Photography

The launcher section, which is not for sale, still has some missiles stored underground, though they are sealed. Hatches are at least 30 feet deep.

Nike missile base launch pad. Richard Lewis Photography

Woolwich is only selling the radar section, which is above ground.

Nike missile base control building. Richard Lewis Photography

The missile base consists of two parts, the launcher section and the radar section.

Nike missile base radar tower. Richard Lewis Photography

I've been using Apple's new iPhone SE for 2 weeks — here are the best and worst things about it so far

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A Cold War missile base abandoned for decades is on sale in New Jersey for $1.8 million — see inside

There may also be potential for a buyer to renovate the structures already there, like a couple in Kansas who converted a missile silo into an 18,000 square foot, partially underground castle.

Other missile silos, located underground, have recently sold for more than $400,000 each in Arizona.

All bids are due by June 15, and the minimum is $1.8 million.

However, the town is reportedly suggesting historical uses of the site to potential buyers, which would partially preserve the site.

The town has already heard from at least a few potential buyers.

Most buildings on the 33 acre site are covered in broken pavement and glass, and some roofs are collapsing, likely making them unsalvageable.

Buildings like these barracks, which were occupied from 1957 to 1974, would likely be torn down for development.

Despite the base's role in the Cold War, the property is not listed as a historical site.

Woolwich is also putting the property on the town's sewer system, which might make is more attractive to a buyer.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there were several bids on it" Jane Asselta, vice president of Southern New Jersey Development Council, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The report also says that the base is within walking distance of 3,200 homes, potentially a desirable area for buyers.

Under the "vision concepts" section of the plan, the land use board included photos of parks, shops, and restaurants.

In 2017, Woolwich released a redevelopment plan for the site, envisioning potential future uses.

The generator building, like most of the buildings on the property, has been completely overgrown.

The control building, seen here, is in a state of extreme disrepair.

Though the base has been mostly abandoned since 1974, many of the buildings are still standing.

The property is made up of several structures, including barracks, a control room, a kitchen and mess hall, and even an empty pool.

This Nike missile is like the ones that the base was armed with during the Cold War.

The launcher area may also be contaminated with toxins.

The launcher section, which is not for sale, still has some missiles stored underground, though they are sealed. Hatches are at least 30 feet deep.

Woolwich is only selling the radar section, which is above ground.

The missile base consists of two parts, the launcher section and the radar section.