The Rich Somers Report Meet the #1 Man Cave Developer Who's Built a $500 Million Real Estate Empire | Ryan Garland E451
Jan 17, 2026
Ryan Garland, a pioneering real estate developer and entrepreneur, shares insights from his journey building a $500 million empire centered on luxury man caves. He discusses the innovative shift from traditional storage to upscale, climate-controlled spaces that offer substantial returns with minimal tenant issues. Ryan highlights the importance of zoning and community amenities in enhancing property value. He also elaborates on unique financing strategies and the growing demand driven by changing demographics like remote workers and retirees.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Career Path Built On Distress And Lending
- Ryan Garland built expertise by shifting from mortgages to distressed assets, lending, and then developing his own projects.
- That vertical experience enabled him to move from fund manager to developer with $500M AUM.
Boat/RV Storage As Fee‑Simple Product
- Boat and RV storage sits inside self-storage but can be sold fee-simple as car-condo units.
- Converting large units to fee-simple product opens buyers, 1031s, IRAs, and investor equity options.
Upgrade Storage Infrastructure To Command Premiums
- Add insulation, climate control, plumbing and tall garage doors to premium storage to unlock higher rents and resale value.
- Deliver turnkey, customizable boxes so buyers can finish offices, baths, or living spaces.