Kevin Hart Surprises His Trainer With a Midcentury Modern Man Cave

Kevin, Drew and Jonathan Scott roll up their sleeves and transform a damaged outbuilding into a one-of-a-kind destination for long-time friend and trainer, Boss.

By: Emily Fazio

Related To:

Kevin Hart Gives Back to His Loyal and Dedicated Trainer

Kevin Hart and his friend Ron (aka Boss) have a friendship that goes back more than 15 years. They consider each another brothers, so it comes as no surprise that after Kevin’s near-fatal car accident in 2019, Boss was there to help. Though their relationship in life extends far beyond the gym walls, Boss supported Kevin through all stages of his rehabilitation as a personal trainer. To show his appreciation, Kevin teamed up with the Property Brothers' Drew and Jonathan Scott to give Boss a fully renovated man cave.

“I had to start over,” says Kevin. “I was barely walking. After my accident, I lost all my muscle mass and I had to rebuild. And Boss was there with me every step of the way. So, I want to show him a little bit of Hart and give back in a meaningful way.”

Renovating a Multipurpose Man Cave

An unused outbuilding stood on Boss’s home property. It was unwelcoming and in need of significant repairs. Kevin had a vision for how it could be transformed into a functional man cave for entertaining. The new space would accommodate a living and dining area as well as a barbershop to honor how Kevin and Boss originally met.

Dry rot and infestations led the crew to demo all the way down to the studs to make sure the new building received the attention it needed inside and out. It was more work than what was originally scoped, but the transformation was worth it.

The Exterior, Before

The exterior of this vacant outbuilding is notably different than the beautiful main house that Boss and his wife call home. Dated midcentury details and outstanding damage from weather and pests were overdue for attention. Kevin knew that Boss would appreciate an upscale and modern remodel but also wanted to make sure it was low-maintenance and comfortable for entertaining.

The Exterior, After

The old siding and brick fireplaces were removed and replaced with a smooth, modern stucco that the crew painted black. The soffits along the roofline were upgraded with natural wood and provide a modern contrast in materials. New windows and a large collapsable sliding glass door help to transform the area into a fluid indoor-outdoor space. The concrete patio was refinished, and the landscaping was refreshed with new plants and zero-maintenance faux sod.

The Pathway, Before

The walkway between buildings that led to the backyard basketball court didn’t just feel dated – it was in absolute disarray. With poorly maintained landscaping, exposed utility wires and peeling paint, Kevin knew that upgrades were necessary to help the property look welcoming and inviting.

The Pathway, After

A fresh coat of black paint, a modern wooden soffit and lush landscaping transform this pathway to the basketball court. Black paint was also used to disguise the utility box. The sidewalk itself was in mostly good shape and didn’t need to be removed, but the team applied a product to smooth the surface and correct minor cracks and damage – now it's like new!

The Porch, Before

The dated porch was anything but inviting with its peeling paint, dirty siding and unusable outdoor fireplace. The narrow white columns and exposed soffits would also be addressed in the remodel to enhance the appearance. Kevin sought to transform this space into a welcoming, modern extension of the home.

The Porch, After

The upscale details on the building’s new exterior really stand out when you approach the porch. The modern wooden soffit adds contrast and interest. Larger black beams improve the proportions of the space. Eco-friendly windows with thin black frames deliver on a clean and modern design. A large collapsable sliding door is inviting, and promises a cohesive indoor-outdoor environment.

The Man Cave, Before

The former space was hardly a room where anyone would want to gather. The interior of the building had been overlooked and deprived of maintenance, but Kevin saw its potential and wanted to make it a modern and comfortable hangout. The walls and ceiling had been damaged by both dry rot and termites. Though it was no small task, the crew found a great way to make the most of the square footage in this room.

The Man Cave, After

Boss’s new space is nearly unrecognizable! Jonathan and Drew advocated for a layout where they could incorporate a kitchen. Kevin voted to install new windows and a large sliding glass door. With space for lounging to watch movies and sports and a large island for cooking and entertaining, this redesigned space could comfortably accommodate gatherings both big and small.

The Man Cave, Before

The main living area of the building required a creative vision. The room was a blank slate and required a gut renovation. The team used this as an opportunity to install an open concept, free-flowing floorplan with a full kitchen and living area that would make it easy for Boss to entertain.

The Man Cave, After

A high-end kitchen occupies one end of the main living area. To make the most of the space without sacrificing square footage, the designers incorporated a bar with sliding doors that could be fully concealed. Recessed lighting replaces pendant lighting in the room to help it feel spacious. The sink is built into the island and accompanied by a tall, matte black faucet, while the range sits against the wall beneath a modern hood vent and marbled backsplash.

The Man Cave, Before

A traditional front door was the previous entrance to the building. While the main room did offer a lot of natural light, its large fixed window suppressed the ability to entertain indoors and out at the same time. A brick fireplace in the corner was unused. The flooring was damaged. Furthermore, behind the walls, the crew found dry rot and signs of termite damage.

The Man Cave, After

Kevin sought to enhance Boss’s space with giant, collapsable sliding doors. Large doors dramatically change the amount of natural light that streams into a space, but in this environment, they welcome the opportunity for Boss to host larger groups in an upscale, free-flowing indoor/outdoor environment. The large kitchen island with a marbled countertop offers much space for food prep and entertaining. High-end appliances help the room feel upscale and modern.

The Man Cave, Before

There's so much to love about a midcentury modern home with original details. Kevin's vision for the outbuilding on Boss's property required a lot of work, but Drew and Jonathan sought to retain many of the best features in the space. The renovation promised to enhance its best attributes including the wide-open floorplan and large windows.

The Man Cave, After

Kevin worked with Boss’s wife to incorporate a custom neon sign that displays one of his favorite sayings. “Just train the mind and the body will follow” is a mantra that Boss lives by, one that inspires him to help others, just like he helped Kevin after his accident. The statement decor occupies the main wall in the home next to the barbershop doors, and illuminates boldly to be visible both indoors and out.

The Barbershop, Before

Kevin challenged Drew and Jonathan to reconfigure one room in the space to incorporate a barbershop. What was once a separate galley kitchen with broken ceramic tile and drop ceiling would be fully reimagined to honor the legacy of their friendship, which began at the barbershop.

The Barbershop, After

A lot of research went into designing the new barbershop in Boss’s space. Drew, Jonathan and Kevin interviewed his barber to learn what products and features were must-haves in the custom studio. Their goal was to make sure that it was a comfortable room for Boss and his friends to kick back and enjoy an at-home barbershop experience. After consulting on products and finishes, they were able to incorporate a premium black leather swiveling chair, ample lighting and a sink for hair washing.

The Barbershop, After

Outside one of the doorways, Kevin also had the crew install a barbershop light pole. Its iconic helix of colors is used by barbers around the world to identify their location and invite the community for services. During the reveal, Kevin also welcomed their barber to christen the new space by offering haircuts for all.

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Photo By: Dennys Ilic

Celebrity I.O.U.

Kevin Hart Surprises His Trainer With a Midcentury Modern Man Cave

Related To:

Kevin Hart Gives Back to His Loyal and Dedicated Trainer

Renovating a Multipurpose Man Cave

The Exterior, Before

The Exterior, After

The Pathway, Before

The Pathway, After

The Porch, Before

The Porch, After

The Man Cave, Before

The Man Cave, After

The Man Cave, Before

The Man Cave, After

The Man Cave, Before

The Man Cave, After

The Man Cave, Before

The Man Cave, After

The Barbershop, Before

The Barbershop, After

The Barbershop, After

Shop This Look

Kevin Hart Shows Deep Gratitude To His Friend and Personal Trainer with a Dramatic 'Celebrity IOU' Renovation