Kevin McCloud has given an update on what has been dubbed Grand Designs’ ‘saddest house ever’.
Chesil Cliff House – which is located in Croyde, Devon – got the name after owner Edward Short found himself dealing with a number of issues with the luxury home. The build led to the breakdown of his marriage and an estimated debt of £7million.
Now the show’s host Kevin McCloud has given an update on the house. In an exclusive chat with us, he said: “As far as I know, it’s still on the market. Ed is in neutral waiting for that to happen. He’s very busy.
“I don’t think he’s suffering in the way he was. When we did a revisit to that project, and the original was about overreaching, to an extent he was far more humble about it and there was a degree of resolution I guess. That’s the best way of describing it.”
Kevin was hopeful that Ed’s story could help others in much bigger ways than just with housebuilding and renovations.
“Ed’s story shows if you screw up, it’s not the end of the world. Only the end of the world is the end of the world and everything else can be dealt with,” he said rather poignantly.
“It was a sad story but we’ve got people with terminal cancer and people who lost partners sometimes during the filming process, and you come to realise the problems they face – not having enough money, being in by Christmas – these are all not important.”
He concluded: “They’re huge in the moment but when you’re dealing with a life threatening illness and it’s going to knock years off their time here, actually there are far more important things on the planet to deal with.”
The house is currently up for sale with it being described a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for one buyer.
The description reads: “The property represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to take on and finish the specification and fit out 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 location 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 build and the pressure of the increased costs ended Edward’s 20 year marriage to Hazel.
Kevin McCloud was speaking ahead of Grand Designs Live at NEC Birmingham, the UK’s premier home and design exhibition, taking place from 2-6 October.