For years, Hopwood DePree pursued a whispered family legend – a grand estate known only as “Hopwood Castle.” Growing up in Los Angeles, the stories felt like a distant dream, a fragment of a past he barely knew. In 2013, driven by a desire to connect with his ancestry, he embarked on a journey to uncover the truth.
His search led him to Middleton, Greater Manchester, and a startling discovery. The “castle” wasn’t a fairytale fortress, but Hopwood Hall, a 600-year-old mansion crumbling into ruin. Broken windows gaped like empty eyes, ceilings threatened to collapse, and water streamed down the ancient walls – a heartbreaking sight for a man seeking his roots.
Undeterred, DePree approached Rochdale Borough Council with a bold proposition. He proposed a deal: he would take ownership of the Grade II-listed building for a symbolic £1, if he could secure planning permission and breathe new life into the decaying estate. It was a gamble, a promise to resurrect a forgotten landmark.
In 2017, the agreement was struck. DePree relocated to the UK, establishing the Hopwood Foundation and rallying a team of dedicated volunteers and heritage experts. He envisioned a vibrant future for the hall, transforming it into a thriving events and hospitality venue.
Over the next five years, DePree poured approximately £750,000 of his own funds into the restoration, meticulously documenting the arduous process. Planning permission was finally granted in 2022, a testament to his unwavering commitment and the potential he saw within the hall’s weathered stones.
But the dream began to unravel. A rift formed with the council, who alleged DePree hadn’t fulfilled the terms of their agreement, specifically regarding a commercially viable business plan. This dispute escalated, culminating in a shocking turn of events in November 2024.
Without warning, the council refused to renew the agreement and locked DePree and his team out of Hopwood Hall. The sudden closure sent shockwaves through the local community, who had witnessed and supported the remarkable transformation unfolding before their eyes. DePree was stunned, feeling betrayed by a public body he believed should champion preservation, not obstruct it.
DePree vehemently disputes the council’s claims, asserting he met all conditions of the agreement and that a business plan was, in fact, presented. He believes the council unfairly targeted him, feeding a narrative of insufficient progress to the media. The future of Hopwood Hall now hangs in the balance, awaiting a crucial decision.
A two-day trial is scheduled for September 29th and 30th, where judges will determine the fate of the historic estate and whether DePree upheld his end of the bargain. He has amassed over 1,500 pages of evidence, confident that the truth will emerge.
Though currently based in Michigan, this project remains profoundly personal for DePree. Restoring Hopwood Hall isn’t just about saving a building; it’s about honoring his family’s legacy and fulfilling a promise to his late grandfather, a tribute to a past he almost lost.
