Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud admits major concern with show’s ‘saddest build’ after owner’s marriage fell apart
GRAND Designs presenter Kevin McCloud has admitted being concerned about the owner of the show’s “saddest build ever”.
The Devon property, which featured on the Channel 4 programme, shot to fame after its owner Edward Short was plunged into £7m debt trying to build and sell it while his marriage fell apart.
The beautiful coastal property, Chesil Cliff House, was designed to look like a lighthouse and took 12 agonising years to build, putting Edward through hell.
TV host Kevin, 64, spoke about father-of-two and former record industry executive Edward at London ExCel’s Grand Designs Live in May, The Mirror reports.
He said: “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.”
But he added that Ed “got there in the end”.
The ambitious project may at last be in its final stages as the cliffside home was listed for sale through debt collectors.
It comes following reports that Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard Matt Fiddes wanted to buy the property, having previously made a £7.5m bid for it in 2022.
He was said to be considering turning it into 12 apartments.
The five-bedroom property was listed on Rightmove for £5.25m earlier this year, and millionaire Matt, 44, said he would enquire into it.
He added: “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 have spoken with Knight Frank and it is perfect for that.
“We would rent the other house and make thousands.”
Edward initially started out on a budget of £1.8million and had hoped for the project to be done in 18 months.
Over the years, he battled to complete the adventurous project he started in 2010 – but managed to create a stunning property against all odds.
The unfinished property had gone up for sale in January through Law of Property Act receivers, which indicated the sale was part of debts being resettled.
Other Grand Designs disasters
There have been a number of Grand Designs build which have gone so wrong that it’s left people worse off from when they started.
Vandalised houseboat:
Chris Miller and his wife Sze Liu Lai’s 2007 episode followed their renovation of a two-storey houseboat using only recycled materials.
The couple dreamed of escaping their small London flat.
But the project cost £80,000 before it failed and the 100ft barge was left unfinished in the Thames estuary near Southend, Essex.
Flaming disaster:
A design nicknamed “Britain’s Cheapest Home” went up in flames in Pembrokeshire on New Year’s Day in 2018.
An electrical fire reduced the £27,000-build to ashes as fire crews battled for six hours.
Neighbour row:
Architect and owner Robert Gaukroger ploughed £1million and two years of his life into his seven-bedroom “Dome House” above Bowness-in-Windermere.
But he and his wife Milla reportedly fell into a vicious £55,000 battle with a neighbour after the couple was accused of encroaching on their land.
The listing had said: “Savills are appointed on the instructions of Joint Receivers: H.Varsani & M.Yianni (Belleveue Mortlakes Chartered Surveyors & LPA Receivers).”
The Rightmove listing went up on January 26 on behalf of luxury property merchant Savills, describing the home as a “bespoke design brought to life through impressive engineering”.
Plans for a helipad at the luxury home were said to have been approved.
The listing adds: “The property represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to take on and finish the specification and fit out of one of the UK’s most spectacularly situated coastal homes.
“The bespoke design has been brought to life through impressive engineering, with the building being anchored to the bed rock, blending whitewashed elevations with steel and glass, culminating with a lighthouse feature at one end giving almost 360 degree views of the coastline.
“The position combines privacy with a diverse range of breath-taking views, all set in around 3 acres, which includes a large area of foreshore, a private tidal beach area and coves.”
The property is set in three acres of land and is equipped with an infinity pool and a hot tub as well as a spacious driveway.