[7] In 1871, the site was first settled as a land, initially granted to Michael John Malaghan, the owner of the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Based on historical documentation, in 1874, a small timber cottage having a mono-pitched roof was constructed on the site, which was later followed by two sheds being built towards the north.

The stone foundations of this extension were located beneath the scullery floor in the villa, and a plaster scar on the rear interior of the service range showed the original pitch of the roof.

[8] The site was then completely vacated except for the stone service range at the rear before the villa's construction began in 1888/1889,[8] with its first owner being Horatio Nelson Firth.

In 1945,[8] the Southland Hospital Board purchased it as a maternity home, and in 1948,[8] it was sold by Mary Salmond to Hazel Grant as a guest house.

In 2013, Japanese Heritage patron investor Soichiro Fukutake[3] bought Hulbert House, employing Neil McLachlan[2] as their project manager for its restoration,[7] and Jackie Gillies[10] as an architect.

Soichiro Fututake[3] is no stranger to restoration,[7] having two historic buildings in central Queenstown in completion before purchasing Hulbert House.