Man Saves Historic Katherine Mansfield Cottage from Ruin

When Jason Hotop first opened the door to his new investment property in Eastbourne, Wellington, he fell through the floor. Three times.

He'd paid $410,000 for the rundown cottage in 2019, planning a six-month flip. But then he learned the history behind those rotting floorboards.

This was The Glen, the beloved summer retreat of renowned New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield. The cottage, built around 1905, inspired her 1922 short story "At the Bay."

"What happened is I discovered the history of the house," Hotop says. "I fell in love with it, and did a complete U-turn."

The property had been carved into rental flats in 1951 and left to decay for 70 years. Two flats were so damaged that Hotop joked in 2019: "You wouldn't put your dog in there."

What began as a quick renovation became a seven-year labor of love. Though not a licensed builder, Hotop tackled what he could and brought in local professionals for the rest.

He re-piled the entire house, installed new ceilings and floors, rebuilt external walls, and added full insulation. He opened up the kitchen, added two bathrooms, renovated bedrooms, and built a studio at the rear for extra accommodation.

The home's Category II Heritage listing created challenges. Heritage officials required exact replica posts on the front stairs and blocked his plan for a simple rectangular window in an unseen scullery.

"It's frustrating because for 70 years, no one cared about this house," Hotop says. "Then I find a photo in the National Archives, and all of a sudden the council's telling me exactly how many posts I need."

Why This Inspires

Hotop could have demolished the cottage or done minimum repairs for profit. Instead, he chose preservation over shortcuts.

He worked alongside local tradespeople who became friends. They fished together, played golf together, and rebuilt a piece of literary history together.

Now Katherine Mansfield fans show up unannounced for photos on the verandah where the author once sat. Hotop welcomes them, understanding what the cottage means beyond property value.

"I've raised my children here, and it's warm, it's comfortable, and it's beautiful," he says. The floor space remains 150 square meters, but the home will stand for another hundred years.

Hotop has already bought his next project nearby, ready to create another family home. This time without heritage restrictions, but with the same community of local builders who helped him honor the past while building for the future.