A SPORTS BARN DREAM GARAGE

Some men have enough room for themselves and they don’t need a man space. Instead they simply build one for their kids. Such is the case with this investment banker in Massachusetts who bought a 15-acre property with a house, a log cabin, a guest house, and an old barn. All the structures needed work, and the barn was in such bad shape, it had to be completely demolished and rebuilt.

Instead of including the hay lofts in the new design, the banker’s architect Chip Dewing outfitted the new one with half a basketball court, an exercise room, a pool table, and an apartment. In short, he created a man barn.

Though the banker shoots hoops on occasion, his three sons and their friends are the ones that have gotten the most use out of the court over the years. All three were day students at a nearby boarding school. But the other boarders would often stay for weekends, turning the barn into a home away from home. When not shooting baskets on the ground floor, the boys could hang out on the second floor and play pool or head up to the third floor to lift weights and watch a game on TV.

All that said, the barn isn’t always overrun with kids or with sports. The banker goes there to read a book by one of the fireplaces or work out. He and his wife also use the basketball court to host large fundraisers and other charity functions (together they are on the board of at least six different organizations).

Each year they host a Christmas party for the neighborhood with more than 300 people.