Mike Fox has always had an affinity for things from the past. He has a huge collection of old beer memorabilia, from signs to steins, and four classic cars as well. He also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to construction. The first 20 years of his career, he traveled the country building Payless Shoe Stores. Then, in 1996, he was in a very bad car accident. That’s when he says he decided to “slow down and build more locally.” When he combined his love of old things with his knowledge of construction, it was a recipe for renovation.
He and his wife own Fox Builders. In the last couple of decades, they have bought and renovated quite a few properties in downtown Topeka, including the building at 9th and Kansas, which is now executive suites. He also owns The Celtic Fox bar, at 118 SW 8th, the old Oddfellow’s Books building at 117 SW 6th, and M & D Classics Storage at 129 N. Kansas Ave., which now houses restored vintage cars. Oh, and let’s not forget about the 15 or so lofts he owns downtown as well. After renovating so many buildings, he decided to create something for himself. The result was a Man Cave like no other.
It all started when the Fox brothers, Mike and Steve, bought and remodeled a three-story building downtown. The top two levels were converted into luxury loft apartments where they now live, and the ground floor is what Fox calls the Man Cave. Some guys create a Man Cave in an extra room, or maybe take over a basement if they’re lucky...not Fox. He took over an entire level - a sprawling 6,000 square feet - and filled it with what can only be described as man toys.
Inside, you’ll find a collection of classic cars and motorcycles, a full-size shuffleboard table, pool tables, a Wurlitzer piano, and a bar with three beers on tap. The walls are adorned with tons of old beer memorabilia he has collected on his travels over the years. One of the most interesting pieces, by far, is the restored 1931 Model A. It’s the kind of place most guys only dream about.
The Man Cave is the perfect place for a hard-working guy like Fox to escape from the worries of running a business and just kick back and relax with friends. “It’s a guy’s place for sure,” he laughed. “I’ve been playing cards with the same group of guys for 35 years. We get together here a couple times a week.” It’s also the place he hosts his legendary Cars, Bars & Cigars party every year. Fox subscribes to a “work hard, play hard” mindset and the Man Cave lets him do both in downtown Topeka. “Plus, I don’t have far to go to get home when I’ve been drinking,” he joked.
Not surprisingly, loft living is becoming more popular in Topeka. “In the beginning, no one was down here,” Fox noted. “But now there’s 30 apartments on one side of us and more lofts to the other.” Talking to Fox, you get the feeling that renovating these old buildings is really a labor of love. “We try to keep as much of the original stuff as we can, like the cooler door from the Lux Building and an old wooden elevator that still works.”
You might think it’s the younger generation who finds downtown living so appealing, but Fox says it’s a good mix of ages. “I’d say more than half are 55 or older.” It’s no wonder. The lofts are large with lots of light, rustic brick walls, and an eclectic appeal you just can’t create with all new materials. The sleek, modern decor juxtaposed with years of history makes them appealing to just about everybody. “They’re really nice,” Fox added, talking about the lofts he calls home. “We have a hot tub on the roof, each loft has two patios attached for outdoor living with grass and flower gardens. It’s an easy lifestyle.”
Between the building projects, traveling the country in his decked-out “bus”, and his busy social calendar, Fox admits his life is a bit crazy. “That’s why I have the Man Cave,” he says, “to relax and unwind after a long day.”