For months, Ben and Erin Napier poured their hearts into a passion project that felt bigger than any single renovation.
The HGTV favorites were helping close friends bring a sprawling, 30-room Mississippi hotel back to life — a place called The Heirloom — when everything changed in a matter of hours.
In August, before a single guest ever checked in, a massive fire tore through the property.
What was meant to be a celebration of craftsmanship and community suddenly became a moment of shock and grief for everyone involved.
Watching the Flames, Not Knowing What Comes Next
Erin Napier was the first to share the news publicly, posting a raw and emotional message on Instagram as the fire burned.
She described standing with Ben, holding each other, as firefighters from the Laurel Fire Department battled the blaze for hours.
The mood, she said, felt less like a setback and more like a funeral — a heartbreaking goodbye to something they had nurtured for so long.
The timing only made it worse. The fire struck just days after the couple had finally confirmed that an HGTV series documenting the transformation was on its way.
A Show Almost Lost Before It Began
In the immediate aftermath, Erin was honest about how uncertain everything felt.
At the time, she openly questioned whether viewers would ever see the project at all.
She admitted she had no idea what would happen next — or whether the footage they’d worked so hard on would ever make it to air.
In her words, she didn’t know much of anything anymore.
For fans who had been eagerly awaiting the show, it sounded like the end of the road.
Ben Napier Shares the News Fans Were Hoping For
Months later, that uncertainty has finally lifted.
Ben Napier has now confirmed that the series will be shown.
Speaking to USA Today, he revealed that the episodes centered on The Heirloom are still scheduled to air — with a planned premiere sometime in 2026.
While no exact date has been announced yet, the confirmation alone marks a huge emotional shift from where the couple stood in August.
Kicking Off 2026 With a Familiar Favorite
Before viewers see The Heirloom story unfold, the Napiers will return to what they’re best known for.
A brand-new season of Home Town premieres on January 4, bringing Ben and Erin back to Laurel, Mississippi, where they’ll once again revive aging homes and treasured local landmarks.
According to HGTV, each hour-long episode will balance renovation projects with glimpses into the couple’s busy family life, while introducing new design ideas along the way.
Bigger Projects, Personal Stories, and Local Pride
This season promises some especially meaningful transformations.
Among the highlights: a makeover of the maternity ward and waiting room at the local hospital, a renovation for Ben’s brother Jesse and his growing family, and a home redesign for a newly engaged couple planning to host their wedding on-site.
The opening episode of the 16-part season raises the bar even higher.
Spread across two episodes, it features the largest Home Town renovation yet — a well-known Laurel residence owned by someone who has lived there for more than 50 years.
The goal: modern updates without erasing the home’s historic soul.
HGTV Adds a Playful New Series to the Lineup
Beyond the Napiers’ projects, HGTV has also announced a brand-new show with a very different vibe.
Wild Vacation Rentals will follow actresses and comedians Sherry Cola and D’Arcy Carden as they set off on a girls’ trip unlike any other — touring some of the most unusual vacation rentals across the U.S.
Each of the eight half-hour episodes features three standout properties in popular destinations, ranging from enchanting to downright bizarre.
From Caves to Missile Silos, Nothing Is Off-Limits
The rentals on Wild Vacation Rentals are anything but ordinary.
Viewers can expect everything from caves and bird’s nests to missile silos and abandoned western towns.
Sherry and D’Arcy will share unfiltered, often hilarious reviews, swap wild stories from property owners, and dig into the creative designs and quirks that make each place unforgettable.
By the end of each episode, they’ll crown one ultimate “must-stay” spot.
What’s Next?
For Ben and Erin Napier, the road hasn’t been smooth — but it’s far from over.
With Home Town returning in January and the long-awaited Heirloom episodes set to air in 2026, fans will finally get to see how resilience, community, and craftsmanship come together after unimaginable loss.
And for HGTV viewers, the new year promises both heartfelt renovations and adventurous escapes — proof that even after devastation, there’s still room for rebuilding, reinvention, and a little fun along the way.
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