💰London's elite are building underground lairs with private swimming pools, cinemas, and wine cellars.
🏛️Mega basements are a physical manifestation of gross wealth inequality in London.
🗺️Most mega basements are concentrated in wealthy neighborhoods near parks like Hyde Park and Kensington.
🏘️Basement construction is limited in the US due to historical codes and geological challenges.
⚒️Deep digging for basements can lead to structural collapses and flooding, causing safety concerns.
Why are mega basements more common in London than in the US?
—Mega basements are more common in London due to historical codes, freehold laws allowing underground excavation, and the geological advantage of clay soil.
Are these mega basements accessible to the general public?
—No, mega basements are privately owned by the super-rich and are inaccessible to the general public.
What are the potential risks of building mega basements?
—Building mega basements can lead to structural collapses, flooding, and neighborhood disturbances, causing safety and social concerns.
Why are mega basements seen as a manifestation of wealth inequality?
—Mega basements represent extreme wealth and highlight the stark contrast between the rich who can afford such luxuries and the rest of the population.
Have there been any regulations imposed on mega basement construction?
—London boroughs have started imposing permits and restrictions on multilevel basements due to resident concerns and safety issues.
00:01Introduction to the underground world of mega basements in London.
00:22The increase in the number of basements being added to homes in London.
00:42Overview of private underground swimming pools, cinemas, and wine cellars in London homes.
01:06The concentration of mega basements in wealthy neighborhoods and the conflict between the haves and the have yachts.
01:24Interview with Professor Roger Burrows discussing the sociological aspect of mega basements.
02:12Factors contributing to the popularity of basement construction in London, including historical codes and geological advantages.
03:32The mapping of standard, large, and mega basements in London.
04:36The physical manifestation of wealth inequality through the concentration of basements in certain neighborhoods.
