Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

[Toomanytools?]

@ Mark
..."I own some residential rentals.....apartment buildings, houses, and a retirement community...........in my business I fix toilets too so I am a step bellow an engineer!! "

I'm pretty sure that is what Donald Trumps Resume says too, except for the fix toilets part.
Nice place
Jeff

 

[IGO2XS]

You are so right!! The outside is the "smoke and mirrors" ...............the inside is where it all happens. I spend alot of time in this area and look at these interior walls a heck of a lot more than the outside.

 

[jasong70]

Mark,

Great thread, I enjoyed it and you've inspired me to do a build. I also enjoyed your theater build. Nice attention to detail.

Tell me, how many square feet are the house? I really like the layout, at least what i can make out from the pictures...

Is that house a slab on grade? No basement?

Cheers,
Jason

 

[mike_s]

Can you give some details about the cabinets in this shot? (sorry if it's been asked before and I missed it).


Thanks!

 

[Speedfreak5150]

Got any more pictures of the house

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,

Great thread, I enjoyed it and you've inspired me to do a build. I also enjoyed your theater build. Nice attention to detail.

Tell me, how many square feet are the house? I really like the layout, at least what i can make out from the pictures...

Is that house a slab on grade? No basement?

Cheers,
Jason

Unfortunately I did not post the very early pictures of the garage but house and garage have the same foundation and it is called a stem wall..............there is a large footer, 2 to 4 courses of block, inside of this area is filled with dirt and compacted and the concrete slab is poured on top of the stem wall.

I will copy the foundation detail and post it if you would like. No basements in Florida in the residential side of construction. Too much sand and water for those.

The house is over 6000 sq ft with 4300 sq ft under air.

 

[IGO2XS]

Got any more pictures of the house

I have a bunch. The photographer did a photo tour of the house and garage. i think for now I will hold off on posting more pics of the house. I don't think the management here on the forum wants pics of houses. Sorry.

 

[zjrog]

Mark, I want to be your neighbor... Even if only to sweep the floor for you... I haven't any better words.

My Mom's family did a similar thing elsewhere in Florida. Bought adjoining pieces of property and shared fencelines and built a road between houses. Been too many years since I was last there.

 

[tskills10]

I've now finished reading this whole thread. Great build!!! I love the fact that the house was designed based on the garage. I used to get in trouble for judging a house based on the garage, that was my first wife. My wife now has a better understanding of my thought process. Sounds like you have a pretty wonderful wife. I'm not a big wheel kind of guy, but your vehicles all look great. I wouldn't mind any of them in my garage. And yes I will admit to having "wallet envy", but that doesn't really matter, I'll mine one day. I have a buddy in Sarasota, that we are hoping to get down there to see sometime, I may have to look you up and take you up on the standing invite.

Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Ryan didn't say soulless. I'm not sure he implied it, either. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to interpret what he meant in his intro by "you can't buy soul," but I didn't get the impression he meant it as a negative. Eyes of the beholder anyway. My first impression of the nighttime photo featured on the home page was wondering if it was a painting. It looks like the hyper-realistic underground neon artwork of the early 70's, highly reminiscent, for me, of classic Little Feat album covers and the retro dustjacket on Thomas Pynchon's latest novel. The place is a Boogie Palace!

 

[bgard]

I've now finished reading this whole thread. Great build!!! I love the fact that the house was designed based on the garage. I used to get in trouble for judging a house based on the garage, that was my first wife. My wife now has a better understanding of my thought process. Sounds like you have a pretty wonderful wife. I'm not a big wheel kind of guy, but your vehicles all look great. I wouldn't mind any of them in my garage. And yes I will admit to having "wallet envy", but that doesn't really matter, I'll mine one day. I have a buddy in Sarasota, that we are hoping to get down there to see sometime, I may have to look you up and take you up on the standing invite.

Tom

Hi. That a palace on king.
Im the "buddy" I live in Sarasota now and not to far from ya. My son will be going to Oak Park School. I would be interested in seeing this pieces of art and talking with you sometime. Maybe even help with the projects.

 

[TheIceMan]

oh..............my................gawd!

 

[IGO2XS]

I have a buddy in Sarasota, that we are hoping to get down there to see sometime, I may have to look you up and take you up on the standing invite.

Tom

I really hope you do Tom. You know where to find me. I would love to show you around.

Mark, I want to be your neighbor... Even if only to sweep the floor for you... I haven't any better words.

I would love to have some help in that department. I bet we sweep the floor every other day. Most projects involve some kind of a mess and seems like I spent 25% of my time cleaning up or putting tools away. I know you were just kidding but this garage is a lot of work. We try to end the day a few times a week with a few guys just to reorganize.

 

[IGO2XS]

Hi. That a palace on king.
Im the "buddy" I live in Sarasota now and not to far from ya. My son will be going to Oak Park School. I would be interested in seeing this pieces of art and talking with you sometime. Maybe even help with the projects.

Awesome. We are normally around here most afternoons during the week. However, weekends are a little more laid back. Saturday all day and then all Sunday afternoon are good times. I play drums at our church so Sunday mornings we take some time off. 941-374-5511 is my cell. I guess you know my name is Mark.

 

[IGO2XS]

Ryan didn't say soulless. I'm not sure he implied it, either. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to interpret what he meant in his intro by "you can't buy soul," but I didn't get the impression he meant it as a negative. Eyes of the beholder anyway. My first impression of the nighttime photo featured on the home page was wondering if it was a painting. It looks like the hyper-realistic underground neon artwork of the early 70's, highly reminiscent, for me, of classic Little Feat album covers and the retro dustjacket on Thomas Pynchon's latest novel. The place is a Boogie Palace!

I like the way you talk.........Boogie Palace I call those shots the "glamor shots". I mentioned it in an earlier post he takes 4 or 5 shots with different exposures and then overlays them on each other. They are cool looking but I am having the photographer process the photos a little different now. He was here last night and took some photo's without the Willys in front. I hope to have them back over the weekend.

And yes, I am not sure what Ryan meant but to be quite honest it did not matter. I was really honored to have my garage featured and it allowed me the oppourtunity . This is all really a dream to me and I am really glad to be able to share it. Our property is pretty secluded so it is not visible to passersby.

 

[Darrin88]

Just so that you know I have saved every pic in this post and if I win the Mega Millions I'm replicating everything down to that one tiny dead nat on the bumper of Malibu SS. It's now my dream garage!!! Magnifico is all I got... Wow... I lied Amazing! The only thing that could have made it more entertaing and enjoyable to follow this build would have been hiding a small Waldo doll in every pic

 

[cbailey]

Im curious what is done in the immediate family for income?

 

[Mikey72Nova]

I have a bunch. The photographer did a photo tour of the house and garage. i think for now I will hold off on posting more pics of the house. I don't think the management here on the forum wants pics of houses. Sorry.

You don't really believe that do you? I'm pretty sure everyone on here can't wait to see any and every kind of pic you have on this ridiculous display of awesomeness!! Every time I return to this site, your thread is the first one I look for an update on. I personally enjoy looking at floor plans of homes, but then to see the taste you have, with the way you chose to dress it all up I'm stuck in dream mode!

I'm thinking you have already earned a spot in GJ's Hall of Fame (my opinion) so..Please, keep the pics coming. The house has it's own garage right.. I'll definitely be waiting..

Well done brother, well done. And your flavor of cars/trucks...I love it!! I have a 72 Nova, and 67 Fleetside myself.

 

[duude]

Uuum...decent.

 

[Kevin54]

Hold on.... I have to find my jaw... it fell off and hit the floor somewhere

Look for mine while you are at it.

I just went through this again from start to finish. I'm just speechless. I now just realized I hate my garage.

 

[slickgt1]

That's what I'm saying Kevin. I just called my wife over and suggested we move, I think to florida, and get all our family to come. You know why, because my garage now officially sux. Even though it's a special thing for NYC, it still sux, now.

And yea, I didn't get the you can't buy soul thing either. I think that place has tons of it. It looks like art.

I have not seen anything more epic ever. Well this and Andre's garage. I still hate and love you at the same time. Thanks for sharing, you ruined my life.

 

[JCQuick]

this place is just awesum I need to see it in person and its only a few hours away from me

 

[HotRodChef]

I cant speak for Ryan... but to me "soul" comes from what happens in the garage. When you look at some of the "classic" garages on GJ the older garages always seem to have more soul. Blood, Sweat, Tears, Grease all combine to give a garage a magic elixir that can't be bought.

With that said your "wrapper" is all new but it is apparent your projects have been many years in the making. That gives your garage some real soul right now. 20 years from now there will be more projects, collected bits and pieces scattered about the walls, more tools in the drawers more successes (and a few failures) and the patina of age and love that will give your garage even more soul than it has today.

 

[IGO2XS]

Look for mine while you are at it.

I just went through this again from start to finish. I'm just speechless. I now just realized I hate my garage.

That's what I'm saying Kevin. I just called my wife over and suggested we move, I think to florida, and get all our family to come. You know why, because my garage now officially sux. Even though it's a special thing for NYC, it still sux, now.

And yea, I didn't get the you can't buy soul thing either. I think that place has tons of it. It looks like art.

I have not seen anything more epic ever. Well this and Andre's garage. I still hate and love you at the same time. Thanks for sharing, you ruined my life.

OK guys, now I am going to have to go through conseling just to get over the remorse I am suffering because I have ruined your lives. I will say it again ..................your comments make me smile. I am really humbled by your comments and so happy you like my garage.

 

[IGO2XS]

I cant speak for Ryan... but to me "soul" comes from what happens in the garage. When you look at some of the "classic" garages on GJ the older garages always seem to have more soul. Blood, Sweat, Tears, Grease all combine to give a garage a magic elixir that can't be bought.

With that said your "wrapper" is all new but it is apparent your projects have been many years in the making. That gives your garage some real soul right now. 20 years from now there will be more projects, collected bits and pieces scattered about the walls, more tools in the drawers more successes (and a few failures) and the patina of age and love that will give your garage even more soul than it has today.

Thanks so much for the kind words. You know that failure thing you mentioned................I wish I had less of those!! You are a true master of words.

 

[koditten]

Beautiful place, shop as well. Just doesn't "do it" for me. I'm sorry, if I offend. I just could not imagine my friends or myself really enjoying this shop.

Most of my friends would abandon me because of jeolosy. That place is just not what I can appreciate.

Thank you for the pictorial. I did enjoy the thread.

In regards to the "Souless" part, that had to be a typo. The place has plenty of soul.

KO

 

[Bigrob88]

took half a day to read all 16 pages (work getting in the way)
very very nice garage/castle.

currently 30% into doing the tile surround in our bathroom..one look at the river rock in the bathroom pics and now I am second guessing my choices

 

[RHD 4 LIFE]

I have been absent from here for a short while and I needed my fix. So I log on and BAM... your the front page news!

I just spent the last 2 hours reading through all this awesomeness and I have to give you commendatory pat on the back my friend!

One of the comments you made was about the neighbors to the north being the ritzy rich or something to that effect?!
I love it that you have a gate from your compound so you can get into their neighborhood not the other way around, now to mention you also have another road in as well! Lets not forget that there is not one nice structure, not two nice structures but three nice kick-*** structures with a 15' deep 50' across pond and a wall around your property!
That one neighbor behind had to move! He was green with envy and his wife reminded him every day he couldn't cut the mustard!

Again, congrats on an amazing build for all of us on here to enjoy!

John

 

[IGO2XS]

Beautiful place, shop as well. Just doesn't "do it" for me. I'm sorry, if I offend. I just could not imagine my friends or myself really enjoying this shop.

Thank you for the pictorial. I did enjoy the thread.

In regards to the "Souless" part, that had to be a typo. The place has plenty of soul.

KO

No problem and I understand the pictures are too pretty for the serious garage guy. However, I am starting a project in the coming weeks and when you see the photos of the inside of the garage you will see it is a working mans garage. The outside.............I am not an educated engineer, designer,or builder but I do love creating something I like. That garage was truly an opportunity for me to express an idea. I wanted it to match the house as well which made my wife happy. Once you get inside "The Barn" as we call it we get down to business!!

took half a day to read all 16 pages (work getting in the way)
very very nice garage/castle.

currently 30% into doing the tile surround in our bathroom..one look at the river rock in the bathroom pics and now I am second guessing my choices

The wife came up with that idea and it gets lots of compliments. My brother is the stone guy and he laid up all the tile. As you probably already know the river rock comes in 12 x 12 sheets. The worst part was the dark grout. It is messy to apply and it can be a pain to clean if you use that particular shower a lot (I am not saying you don't take enough showers) PM me if you want any other pictures of the work. YOu really tempt me to post some pics of the inside of the house after I said I should not earlier. We did a lot of pretty cool stuff and although we designed most of it most ideas come from inspiration of others work.

I have been absent from here for a short while and I needed my fix. So I log on and BAM... your the front page news!

I just spent the last 2 hours reading through all this awesomeness and I have to give you commendatory pat on the back my friend!

Again, congrats on an amazing build for all of us on here to enjoy!

John

Honored to be on the front page and appreciate you checking it out.

 

[admranger]

Love it!

I do have a question though. Why did you use "regular" garage doors on the 10x10 openings instead of the beautiful RV door material? I assume cost considerations, but dang, that RV door is beautiful. Love the apartment too!

 

[Kevin54]

No problem and I understand the pictures are too pretty for the serious garage guy. However, I am starting a project in the coming weeks and when you see the photos of the inside of the garage you will see it is a working mans garage. The outside.............I am not an educated engineer, designer,or builder but I do love creating something I like. That garage was truly an opportunity for me to express an idea. Once you get inside "The Barn" as we call it we get down to business!!



The wife came up with that idea and it gets lots of compliments. My brother is the stone guy and he laid up all the tile. As you probably already know the river rock comes in 12 x 12 sheets. The worst part was the dark grout. It is messy to apply and it can be a pain to clean if you use that particular shower a lot (I am not saying you don't take enough showers) PM me if you want any other pictures of the work. YOu really tempt me to post some pics of the inside of the house after I said I should not earlier. We did a lot of pretty cool stuff and although we designed most of it most ideas come from inspiration of others work.

Honored to be on the front page and appreciate you checking it out.

Post em up!!!!!!!!!! House and garage. The house has a garage, so that would qualify you to post away. Since I'll never see it in person, I'll have to see it through this site. And don't tell me that I would be welcome to stop in and take a tour. If I stop in I ain't leaving.

 

[smsteve]

I too have to post up a great big fat "OMFG I'm Not Worthy" to this build. Fantasmic, orgasmic, photogenic, apocolyptic, shite it's just a really, really nicely done garage and home. Thumbs up. I showed my wife too, I think I now dissapoint her. Add that to your counseling talks, you may be ruining marriages as well, lol.

Subscribed and loving every post. I too would like to see any photos you are willing to share, the attention to details humbles me...

 

[IGO2XS]

Ok I saw someone else who posted pictures of his home so here is some guy house photos........I posted a picture earlier of the door leading to the media room. Here is the media room. We built the arches in the garage out of plywood and 2 x 4's. The center oval was also built out of plywood and 2 x 4's. It was all attached to the ceiling joists and then drywalled. Radius corners were added and then faux painted. Fiberglass dome in the middle with fiber optics. Barely visible where the radius beams meet the wallare the huge brackets we made that make the beams look like they are bolted on the wall.......kind of industrial looking. They look like 1/4 inch plate steel with huge rivets. A friend of mine made them out of plexiglass, heated and bent them to shape, and machined the bolts out of plexiglas as well. We painted them with hamerite paint and they look like real steel. Screen is 140 diagonal and the system is loud. My brother did all of the stone and brick work.

 

[Toolfool]

WOW !! Are we having a lottery to see which six of us get to come over for movie night ?!?

 

[Kevin54]

WOW !! Are we having a lottery to see which six of us get to come over for movie night ?!?

Like I said, If I go, I ain't leaving.

The media room is absolutely fandamtastic!!!

You really need to post up more pics for sure!! PLEASE!!!!!!

 

[IGO2XS]

WOW !! Are we having a lottery to see which six of us get to come over for movie night ?!?

Like I said, If I go, I ain't leaving.

The media room is absolutely fandamtastic!!!

You really need to post up more pics for sure!! PLEASE!!!!!!

No lottery guys.......just come on over I thought you might enjoy this room being a bunch of guys and all. I watch a movie every night.....I will even watch a bad one if I have to.

 

[6 Grrrs]

The media room is awesome.

 

[Boosted1]

Wow! That media room is fantastic! Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I like the media room. I don't see much visible acoustic treatment in the pics. Looks like a lot of hard surfaces except for those red drapes. Did you install any absorbers, diffusors etc? I ran into some issues in my home theater, but they were all handled with the right acoustic treatments installed by LBI Boyd. In addition to the theater...we actually had quite a bit of the stuff installed in my recording studio and throughout the entire home. Made a WORLD of difference. At first I was a little shocked at the cost of this stuff, but after it was installed I never looked back. Congrats on a well designed space!

 

[IGO2XS]

I like the media room. I don't see much visible acoustic treatment in the pics. Looks like a lot of hard surfaces except for those red drapes. Did you install any absorbers, diffusors etc? I ran into some issues in my home theater, but they were all handled with the right acoustic treatments installed by LBI Boyd. In addition to the theater...we actually had quite a bit of the stuff installed in my recording studio and throughout the entire home. Made a WORLD of difference. At first I was a little shocked at the cost of this stuff, but after it was installed I never looked back. Congrats on a well designed space!

I saw your media room and recording studio in your thread. Absolutely awesome Our last house was very contemporary as yours is and we loved it. We lived in it 15 years and it was time to change styles. Although we wanted to go different with this "old world" theme we still have contemporary design in the house. The bathroom and kitchen cabinets in the garage have stainless steel pulls, art deco faucets, and other modern themes.

Good point on the acoustic management. The screen is an acoustically transparent screen and behind it is 2" acoustic panels on the entire wall behind the screen. Of course you pointed out the drapes which are very heavy. Although the room sounds awesome it needs more. The walls were so pretty when the faux painter got done we did not want to cover them up. We looked into taking a picture of the wall and then having the image applied to the acoustic fabric. It wouldn't be exact by any means but at least it would not look like a panel stuck on the wall.

I am very lucky my friend is a manufacturers rep for Genelec (your in the recording side so I am sure you know about them), Lexicon, and acoustic panel companies. Bottom line I can buy at 40% under retain on the good stuff. I will be getting some panels in the next 6 months. We are still finishing up other little things on the house and I want to wait. Tired of spending money on this place right now.