Idina Menzel Transforms a Detached Garage Into an Office and Athletic Retreat

Actress Idina Menzel pivoted from her award-winning stage, film and music success to give back to her son’s local basketball coach, James Hunt, on Celebrity IOU. James owns Culture Run, a training clinic and sports camp that gives attendees the skills to succeed in both basketball and life. With the help of Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, Idina surprised James by remodeling the detached garage of his family's new home. With his new league office and athletic suite, James is one step closer to running the centralized training facility he's worked so hard to develop.

“[James] found his calling,” said Idina. “He works really hard and his perspective on life is so important [to these kids]. There’s nothing like having a great male role model in your life. James is that.” The Scott brothers and Idina transformed the garage into a place where kids can congregate after school, socialize and sharpen their basketball skills. Shocked during the reveal, James expressed so much gratitude. “To see these kids develop is the most rewarding," he said. "This [new office] puts me in the position to build my business faster and reach more kids.”

James and his wife bought a new house with a traditional two-vehicle garage. It was the blank slate James needed to jump-start his basketball camp and take the clinic to the next level. James and his wife knew the court-adjacent garage would eventually become part of Culture Run, but Drew and Jonathan sought to optimize how the space could be most effectively used.

Drew and Jonathan wanted the remodeled space to have a “locker room vibe” while functioning as a home office and workspace for James. They created a couple of cozy spots for both James and his athletes to work, relax and review skills tapes: a round table in the back of the garage and a living room area complete with a 60-inch flat-screen television.

The designers had big plans for the new space. They planned to remove the garage door, patch and blend the exterior stucco walls, create a new entrance and more.

The team built a kitchenette into the area previously occupied by a workbench. Light wood cabinets and black marble countertops with white veining (and a matching backsplash) make the space super sleek. Now, James can easily offer food and drinks to his visitors and athletes. Also, thanks to a high-tech, hidden induction cooktop beneath the countertops, he can even cook meals in the kitchenette.

Drew and Jonathan worked with an artist to decorate the walls. The abstract murals they landed on — featuring the lines of a basketball court in a neutral gray palette Idina chose — add movement and color to the space. The mural in the kitchenette also offers a warm and professional backdrop for James's business meetings.

The former two-car garage had low ceilings, unfinished walls and fluorescent lights. Jonathan and Drew sought to reinvent the layout.

The designers removed the old garage door and closed the opening. In its place, they installed a full bathroom. Large windows flood the new garage with light. The reno team also removed the rafters to create a high ceiling. Framed jerseys decorate the space — one of them even belonged to James’ cousin, a former star point guard for the Lakers.

The new full bath — layered in chic black marble and glistening accents — boasts a standing shower for the athletes, which Drew and Jonathan customized with the players' heights in mind. (They raised the showerhead, giving the athletes more space to clean off.) A modern, gold pendant complements all the hardware and illuminates the space.

This modern, minimal design makes a big impact. The exposed matte black sink legs and pipes show off an industrial style. Gold hardware and an oval mirror shine above the black sink basin. The elevated design adds a high-end feel to the "locker room" concept.

The team knew they'd need to install new flooring and drywall to finish off the space.

The lofted ceiling ensures an airy space for extra-tall athletes while brightening the space in a big way. The team dry-walled it and painted it white, then added recessed lights. Durable vinyl-plank flooring grounds the design.

Idina and the Scott brothers felt it was important to make sure the basketball court was visible from inside the office. Fortunately, the original garage — with its open layout and exposed wall joists — was easy to reframe.