Man caves that have to be seen to be believed

Man caves – spaces dedicated to, and adorned with, all things ‘bloke’ – are no longer just dingy retreats consigned to the basement or garage.

They’re an industry in themselves, with commercial spaces now set up and being marketed exclusively as hangouts for boys to park their toys and enjoy some downtime.

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Each storage unit has its own mezzanine level.

Facilities such as Mancave Storage, at Moorabbin in suburban Melbourne, are carving out a niche as upmarket storage options for men who don’t just want to garage their prized possessions and never enjoy them.

The spaces are large enough to hold boats and caravans.

At sizes ranging from around 140sqm to more than 240sqm, each storage unit is three to five times larger than some inner-city apartments, and has space for cars, boats, caravans and trailers.

The storage units are among the largest you’ll find on the market.

Each unit also has its own bathroom, as well as a mezzanine level that can be set up as an entertainment area, office, or anything else that takes your fancy.

“Dads need a space where they can get away from everyone, whether it’s one square metre or 100 square metres. It’s almost like a refuge,” Mancave Storage chief executive Clinton Tilley says.

Each unit has ample space for cars, boats or any treasured possessions.

There’s also 24-7 security, an on-site cafe, a car wash and a manager.

Other facilities, including the ‘Industria’ complex at Knoxfield, offer similarly styled spaces, with toilets, mezzanine offices and the addition of kitchenettes.

One of the units at ‘Industria’ in Melbourne’s south-east.

The units don’t come cheap, with the smallest units at Mancave storage starting at $314,500, and ramping up to $415,000 for the largest spaces, while at Industria they start at $245,000.

But if you want to keep the old boy happy, without his toys choking up the front yard, an off-site man cave might just be the wisest decision you can make.

An artist’s impression of the ‘Industria’ complex.