A U.S. actor’s ambitious dream of restoring his ancestral home has come crashing down after the local council abruptly terminated their agreement to sell him the historic property. Hopwood DePree, who relocated from Los Angeles to Rochdale in 2017, discovered that the Grade II-listed Hopwood Hall in Middleton had been part of his family for approximately 400 years. The 54-year-old actor and director has invested nearly £580,000 in renovating the dilapidated 15th-century manor house, which boasts 60 rooms.
DePree claims that Rochdale Borough Council effectively “pulled the rug from under him” by deciding not to proceed with the sale. The council cited that he did not present a “viable” plan for the future of the manor, which has significant historical importance. This unexpected decision came as a shock to DePree, who had been working tirelessly to transform the estate into a vibrant arts and events center.
Originally from Michigan, DePree grew up hearing tales of Hopwood Hall from his grandfather, which he initially believed were mere fairy tales. However, upon learning of his family’s deep connection to the estate—where historical figures such as Guy Fawkes and Lord Byron are said to have stayed—he felt compelled to pursue its restoration. With the council granting him a “limited license to occupy” and the opportunity to buy the property, DePree embarked on an ambitious journey to breathe life back into the long-neglected building.
Since 2017, approximately £1.7 million in grants from the council and heritage organizations, including Historic England, have been allocated for repairs and renovations. In 2022, DePree received planning permission for his vision, which he detailed in his book, Downton Shabby, chronicling his efforts to revitalize the manor and bring it back to its former glory.
DePree envisioned turning Hopwood Hall into a center for hospitality training, having engaged in discussions with hotel and restaurant firms about potential collaborations. However, last week, during a closed-door meeting, the council announced its decision to withdraw from the arrangement, leaving him stunned and disheartened. He pointed out that the building had been in a state of disrepair under council ownership for over two decades and believed that restoring it would be an incredible challenge worth undertaking.
Having directed and starred in the 1999 comedy The Last Big Attraction, DePree is no stranger to creative endeavors and the challenges they bring. He noted that the council had informed him that the hall’s complete encirclement by Hopwood Hall College’s grounds necessitated the construction of an independent access road. DePree was in the process of exploring this requirement when the council made its surprising decision to terminate the deal.
Believing that the agreement was legally binding, DePree has sought clarification on the council’s reasoning for their abrupt decision. His legal team argues that the council should honor the original agreement, contending that the only condition was the acquisition of planning permission, which had already been secured.
Rochdale Borough Council stated that while they had initially agreed to sell the manor to DePree for a “nominal fee” contingent upon a viable business plan, they had extended the agreement multiple times over the years. However, following a recent assessment by external consultants, the council concluded that DePree’s plans were “unlikely to secure future public or private funding.”
A council spokesperson explained that DePree “had not been able to produce a viable proposal” despite receiving considerable advice and support over the past seven years. Consequently, the council felt a responsibility to explore other options to safeguard the public funds already invested in the property, a move that has left DePree feeling betrayed and frustrated.
DePree’s dream of restoring Hopwood Hall to its former glory now hangs in the balance as he grapples with the implications of the council’s decision. The future of the historic manor remains uncertain, and he is left to consider his next steps amid a wave of disappointment and uncertainty. As he reflects on this journey, the hopes he held for revitalizing his ancestral home have now turned into a struggle for clarity and direction in the face of adversity.
