Grand Designs star Kevin McCloud gives emotional update on 'saddest house ever'
Grand Designs star, Kevin McCloud, has given an emotional update on the 'saddest house ever', sharing his fears for the wellbeing of its previous owner.
The property in South Devon gained notoriety on the Channel 4 show after Edward Short's marriage fell apart and he plunged into debt trying to build and sell it.
Speaking from Grand Designs Live at London ExCel, he shared an insight into Ed's mental health as he admitted he was more worried about the property owner than his house during the filming of the show, sharing: “I had more concerns about Ed’s wellbeing and his family's wellbeing. But yes, I did have concerns about the house halfway through.
"It was unfinished, and because he couldn’t proceed with works. The water was getting in and it cost him tens of thousands of pounds to remediate the steel work and glazing because it was damaged. The building wasn’t fully watertight and that’s a great shame."
Explaining the painstaking process of building and selling a home, he concluded: "You go forwards to go backwards to go forwards again, but goodness me he (Ed) got there in the end didn’t he, so that’s great”.
Thankfully, the ongoing saga of the ridiculously ambitious Grand Designs home may finally be coming to a sad close - after the cliffside property was listed for sale through debt collectors.
Chesil Cliff House ended up costing owner Edward Short his marriage and left him in £7million of debt. The incredible coastal mansion near Braunton, North Devon, was designed to resemble a lighthouse and took 12 years to build, resulting in development hell.
In January, it was reported that Michael Jackson's former bodyguard wanted to buy the property in Croyde, North Devon. Matt Fiddes , who previously made a £7.5m bid for the property in 2022, said: "I built my property portfolio in the South West and I know the market, I know how it works." He also revealed that he had warned Edward about the need to lower the price, adding: "I told Edward face to face and said it wouldn't sell but you can lead a horse to water and all that. I do feel sorry for the guy as no one wants to see anyone lose everything.”
The 44-year-old millionaire, who is considering turning the property into 12 apartments, has had his interest piqued after the property was re-listed on Rightmove for £5.25m, which was exclusively revealed by the Mirror at the start of the year.
Matt said “I am going to enquire into it today, it just had to be available at the right price. It is an incredible property but it should have been split into two separate properties. I would turn it into 12 apartments as myself and my wife and spoke with Knight Frank and it is perfect for that. We would rent the other house and make thousands.”
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