Gold Coast paves way for mancave trend with super-size sheds

HOBBYISTS, car enthusiasts and craftsmen can now buy the ultimate man-cave, a two-storey away-from-home unit where they can pursue their passions.

Nick Ray of Onesector Construction checks a stripped BMW car inside a unit at his Arundel project called Prestige Strata Units. His new project in Molendinar is called Mancave Strata Units. Photo: Regi Varghese

HOBBYISTS, car enthusiasts, craftsmen and the like can now buy the ultimate man-cave, a three-storey away-from-home unit where they can pursue their passions.

Mancave is the vision of Nick Ray, managing director of Onesector Construction, who is set to develop the units in the wake of the sellout of a similar project at an Arundel industrial park.

He said men who have downsized from houses to units in retirement are the main buyers, using the man-cave as a garage, hobby space, office, or a combination of all three.

Nick Ray of One Sector Private Limited Construction at a unit at his Prestige Strata Units Mancave project, Arundel, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

The two-level strata-title units range from 80sq m to 140sq m, were priced from $150,000 to $230,000, plus GST and each comes with a body corporate fee of $25 a week.

Mr Ray said the demand for the units saw the 18-unit development sell out in just four months, with all buyers paying cash.

“I was expecting interest in the idea but the fact they all paid cash took me by surprise,” he said.

“Eighty per cent of buyers are retirees who have moved their home garage to the site.

“Some joke they escaped being hassled by their wives and partners and found a space where they can work on their projects in peace and quiet.”

Many use the units to store caravans, cars, jetskis or boats and some lease out the units for about $200 a week.

The tilt-panel precinct features a car-wash, toilets and showers.

The success of the project has led Mr Ray to acquire a bigger site, at Molendinar, for the development of larger man-caves that will be priced at up to $330,000.

The development will include a caretaker residence and management rights.

Mr Ray is undertaking siteworks and expects to complete the project by March.

He plans to develop two more man-cave precincts on the Gold Coast before rolling out the concept in Brisbane.