Historic London tunnels
for sale

LONDON - A cavernous network of tunnels beneath the traffic-jammed streets of London has housed Britain's Secret Service, telephone lines connecting America and the Soviet Union, combat troops during World War II, and 400 tons of government documents. Now the unique real estate is going up for sale for $7.4 million.

According to the New York Times , Britain's largest phone company, BT, is selling it after years of being unused. Originally the tunnels were built in 1940 as a bomb shelter when Britain was under attack by Nazi Germany. In 1963, the British government set up a hotline between Moscow and Washington after the Cuban missile crisis. Since then, the tunnels have never been used by the public.

Real estate agent Niall Gallagher of Farebrother Chartered Surveyors said interested parties have included an overseas billionaire looking for a place to hold board meetings, those looking for a giant wine cellar, London's police and local electricity companies.

"It's a weird and wonderful space," Gallagher told the Times. "It really captured people's imagination. There were many inquiries, and we received one or two interesting offers."

The tunnels do have some amenities -- functioning water and electricity, a bar, two canteens and a billiard room. But they are said to be hot and noisy, with London's Underground train rattling above, and giant fans constantly blowing.

Regardless of what the space is used for, one fact remains -- the owner will inherit a very special piece of history.