You might've seen the 300 drones lighting up the Utah night sky or caught the chaotic helicopter drop of a ski chalet in the middle of a dusty field. If you did, you were watching Rock the Block Grantsville Utah, the sixth season of HGTV’s massive renovation smackdown. It was a weird, wild ride for a small town that mostly used to be known as the place you stop for gas before hitting the salt flats.
Grantsville is a "drive until you can afford it" kind of town. It’s about 30 or 40 minutes west of Salt Lake City, and until recently, it was all sheep, hay, and soybeans. Then HGTV showed up. They partnered with Hamlet Homes to take over a chunk of the Worthington Ranch community. Suddenly, you’ve got New Kids on the Block members and high-end Chicago designers trying to figure out what a "mudroom" is while standing in a literal wasteland.
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It was a clash of cultures. Honestly, some of it worked. Some of it? Well, the local Reddit threads are still having a field day with the "stinky" smell of the Great Salt Lake and the flies that swarmed the million-dollar kitchens during the open houses.
The Reality of Rock the Block Grantsville Utah
The setup was classic. Four teams, six weeks, $250,000 budgets, and 5,500-square-foot shells. These weren't just houses; they were on one-acre lots, the biggest in the show’s history. The goal was to take a home appraised at $750,000 and push that value as high as possible.
The teams were a mix of "Vets vs. Rookies."
- Alison Victoria & Michel Smith Boyd: The powerhouses. They went for "Refined Rustic." Think green quartz, hidden doors, and a $6,000 range hood.
- Jonathan & Jordan Knight: Yes, those Knights. They focused on "Farmhouse" vibes with a literal goat shed and a greenhouse.
- Chelsea & Cole DeBoer: The South Dakota favorites who built a home actually meant for a family (and kids who get dirty).
- Kamohai & Tristyn Kalama: The "Renovation Aloha" team who moved the entire kitchen to the back of the house to see the mountains.
The winners were Alison and Michel. Their home appraised at a staggering $1.4 million. It was "pure fire," according to the builders, but the real world had some notes.
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Why the Winning House Didn't Sell Fast
Here is the thing about reality TV: it’s not always "real" real estate. While Alison and Michel won the show, their house sat on the market for seven months. It started at $1.4 million and eventually saw price cuts down toward the $1 million mark.
Why? Location, location, location. Grantsville is growing—it’s up 26% in five years—but it’s still rural. Most people spending seven figures want to be near the ski resorts or the city center, not across the street from a Walmart distribution center.
Visitors at the public Block Party in May 2025 noticed some things the cameras missed. The "pickleball court" in one basement was apparently tiny. The "cold plunge" was gone by the time the public walked through. People complained about the dust and the lack of fences. In Utah, if you have an acre of land and kids, you need a fence. Only the DeBoers really nailed that "local family" vibe, which is probably why their house was the first to actually sell.
Misconceptions About the Grantsville Season
People think these homes are ready to live in exactly as seen on TV. Kinda, but not really. The homes were staged with Wayfair furniture for the cameras, but they were sold unfurnished. Also, some of the rooms were left "builder-grade." The designers focused on the "value-add" areas like kitchens, main suites, and basements. If you bought one, you might still have a regular-looking bedroom or two upstairs that never felt the touch of a celebrity designer.
There’s also the weather. Filming was a nightmare. The crew dealt with 80-degree days in October followed by surprise snowstorms. If you look closely at the finale, the backyards are covered in snow. It makes for great TV, but it’s a reminder that "Rock the Block Grantsville Utah" was built under extreme pressure and a ticking clock. Some of the finishing work, like cracking concrete or shedding "living walls," reflected that rush.
What to Know Before You Visit Worthington Ranch
- The Views are Real: The 360-degree mountain vistas are the real deal. They are stunning.
- The "Great Salt Lake" Factor: Depending on the wind, the lake has a very specific, sulfuric smell. It's a local quirk.
- The Layouts Vary Wildly: The Kalamas moved their kitchen; the Knights added a "dog wash." These aren't your cookie-cutter suburban homes anymore.
- Community Impact: The event wasn't just for TV. The Block Party finale benefited HomeAid Utah, turning the hype into actual help for the local homeless population.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Homebuyers
If you’re looking into the Rock the Block Grantsville Utah area or considering a "TV-famous" home, keep these steps in mind:
- Check the Appraisal, then the Comps: A TV appraisal is based on "highest and best use" and design flair. A bank appraisal for a mortgage might be a lot colder. Look at what other homes in Worthington Ranch are selling for—usually closer to $850k for similar sizes without the "celebrity" upgrades.
- Inspect the "TV" Upgrades: Items like hidden doors and custom-built casitas look cool, but check the hardware and the finish. These were built in 48-hour sprints.
- Evaluate the ADU: Many of these homes have "Accessory Dwelling Units" or walk-out basements. In Utah, renting out a basement is a massive way to offset a mortgage.
- Visit During "Lake Effect" Days: If you’re serious about moving to Grantsville, visit when the wind is blowing from the north. You need to know if you can handle the smell before you sign a million-dollar check.
The legacy of this season isn't just a street named after Alison Victoria. It’s the fact that Grantsville is officially on the map. It’s no longer just a gas station stop; it’s a place where "Refined Rustic" meets the reality of the high desert.
- Check the latest listings on Redfin or Realtor.com for West Marigold Drive to see if any remaining RTB homes have price adjustments.
- Visit the Hamlet Homes website to watch the 25-minute "Behind the Scenes" series for the real dirt on how these were built.
- Drive out to Blue Fox Drive in Grantsville to see the exteriors and judge for yourself if the "urban chic" style actually fits the Utah mountains.