Jonathan Knight Invests in Luxury Kitchen Despite Not Cooking

HGTV star and New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight has invested significantly in a custom luxury kitchen at his Massachusetts estate, even though he admits he does not cook. Knight, who is 57 years old, resides in Essex, MA, where he owns four adjacent homes on a 7-acre rural property. This estate serves as his primary residence and a place for relaxation, where he also tends to a garden and farm animals. Knight has a long-standing connection to Essex, having lived in the coastal town on and off for nearly 40 years. His early experiences in Essex were impacted by the immense popularity of New Kids on the Block following the 1988 release of their second studio album, "Hangin' Tough." During that period, fans frequently visited his first home, a 12,000-square-foot property on 20 acres, turning it into an unauthorized tourist attraction. Knight recounted to Realtor.com® that as a 20-year-old, he would sometimes check into a hotel to escape the intrusions, preferring solitude over being bothered by fans knocking on his front door. This intense fan attention eventually led him to leave that property and the initial run of the band, which concluded in 1994. Following his family's tradition, Knight pursued a career in real estate, encouraged by his bandmate and brother, Jordan Knight. His family has a history in construction and home appreciation, with his great-grandfather being a barn builder, his grandfather building his own home, his father working as a carpenter, and his mother being an "old-house lover." This background fostered his appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, influenced by his upbringing in a Victorian home in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. Despite his personal disinterest in cooking, Knight's commitment to creating a high-end kitchen reflects a broader trend in home renovation where aesthetic appeal and functionality for entertaining or resale value often take precedence over primary use. The specific details of the kitchen's design, materials, or cost were not disclosed in the provided text, but the emphasis on it being "custom luxury" suggests a substantial investment in high-quality finishes and appliances, aligning with the upscale nature of his other home renovation projects featured on HGTV.