On the edge of Prince William Sound, surrounded by steep mountains and heavy snow, the town of Whittier, Alaska, has one of the most unusual living arrangements in the United States. Nearly all of its year-round residents live inside a single 14-story structure called Begich Towers.

The building is not just an apartment block. It functions almost like a small vertical town. Inside are homes, a post office, a convenience store, city offices, a police station, and even access to a school through an enclosed tunnel. In winter, when storms can be fierce and daylight is limited, this setup makes daily life easier and safer. Residents can pick up mail, visit neighbors, or handle errands without stepping outside into the wind and snow.

Whittier’s unusual design has roots in its military past. During World War II and the Cold War, the area was developed as a strategic port and rail hub. Begich Towers was originally built to house military personnel and later became the center of civilian life. Today, the town is connected to the rest of Alaska mainly by a long tunnel through the mountains, which is shared by cars and trains. Its schedule adds another layer to the sense that Whittier is a place apart.

Living so close together is not for everyone, but it creates a strong sense of community. People recognize each other in hallways the way neighbors elsewhere might meet on sidewalks. Privacy still exists, but daily life is naturally shared in small ways.

For visitors, the idea can seem strange, almost like a setting from a novel. For many residents, though, Begich Towers is simply home: practical, warm, and built for a landscape where weather and geography shape everything. Whittier shows how people adapt creatively when the environment demands it, turning one building into community.