John Panetta and wife Carolyn are selling their Harkaway house where they built a man cave, featuring a wine bar and a granite rock as part of the wall. Picture: Jason Edwards.
It’s the Melbourne man cave that rocks – quite literally.
A spectacular house in the city’s southeast for sale with a $3.25m-$3.45m asking range includes a secret entrance to a basement wine bar and cellar, where a large boulder is part of the wall.
The wine bar leads to another room equipped with a pool table, dartboard, television, Bombers wall sign and other sports memorabilia.
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In 2019, owners Carolyn and John Panetta built their dream pad at 36-38 Peak Drive, Harkaway, and created the man cave during the following year’s Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Mr Panetta said there is a lot of natural granite rock scattered across their 4744sq m property and they decided to incorporate a 5m-long slab into the man cave, after consulting an engineer.
“People come in and say: ‘Is that a real rock or did you put it in there?’” Mr Panetta said.
The house features a butterfly-style roof and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to green views.
John Panetta enjoys a game of pool in a section of the man cave that he and his family have dubbed “the sports bar”. Picture: Jason Edwards.
The kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or cook up a storm.
A secret door that blends seamlessly into their garage wall – well disguised by the leaf blower, rake and broom hanging on it – takes visitors to a small maze constructed from upcycled pallets and into the man cave.
The property also boasts a floodlit quarter-size size basketball court, court-side entertainment hut and fire pit with seating.
Events hosted at the residence have included a friend’s cowboy and western-themed 50th birthday and the couple’s daughter’s 21st birthday, held in a marquee on the basketball court and attended by about 80 guests.
It’s a man cave with actual, real-life rocks. Picture: Jason Edwards.
The Panettas said that if whoever buys the house is also interested in acquiring their billiards table, they might be willing to let it go.
A scenic view from the bath tub.
Their three children have all played the sport including both sons who have played at a representative level, with one son also a referee.
Another highlight of their architect-designed five-bedroom house is a wall of north-facing windows where the sunlight streams in.
“There’s amazing views, we’re about 40km from the city but we can see ships coming into the bay,” Ms Panetta said.
Polished concrete slab flooring in the main living areas with hydronic heating underfoot, a tiled outdoor terrace and two double garages complete the package
Mr and Ms Panetta are planning to downsize now that two of their children are attending university and the other is at secondary school.
“It has been amazing living here, it’s very quiet and peaceful – it has a country feel but you’re only 3km from Berwick and all its shops,” Ms Panetta said.
First National Real Estate Neilson Partners Berwick’s Tara Walters and Peter Watson have the listing.
Room to entertain on the tiled outdoor terrace
The floodlit quarter-size size basketball court is popular with the couple’s children and their friends. Picture: Jason Edwards.
An impressive entry hall greets visitors.
Another of Ms Walters’ listings, a four-bedroom house at 100 Old Gembrook Rd, Pakenham Upper, also has a cool man cave.
Priced at $2.15m-$2.25m, the 2.02ha property includes a three-bay, American-style garage featuring built-in seating, a beer tap, beer keg fridge, games area, toilet and split system airconditioning.
Adjoining this is a mechanic’s workshop with a built-in hoist.
100 Old Gembrook Road, Pakenham Upper.
The man cave is located in an American-style garage.
A beer tap and beer keg fridge are among the features.
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