Gargantuan Mansion Sparks Ozarks Mystery

Deep in the hills of the Ozarks, between Springfield and Branson, Mo., a 72,000-square-foot house is being built—and locals aren’t quite sure why. Some suggest it may be a military bunker, while others propose it’s a nuclear shelter for “important people”; still others wonder whether it’s a getaway for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The New York Times delves into the mystery and talks to the mansion's owner, who calls all that “goofy speculation.” Steven Huff says he simply wants to show off special energy-saving new concrete developed by his company.

Huff, 60, wanted his second home—called "Pensmore"—to be huge in order to better test TF Concrete Forming Systems' product. Plus, he intends to have lots of friends over, which shouldn't be a problem thanks to the home's planned 14 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. He picked the location because it’s a few hours from where he grew up, in a spot prone to varied weather, allowing him to show off the concrete's capabilities. Plus, there aren’t many local zoning regulations in the area, giving him more flexibility in building. Check out a Pensmore photo gallery. (More Ozarks stories.)