Update on Grand Designs ‘saddest ever’ home as proprietor struggles to search out purchaser

Channel 4’s Grand Designs fans were left utterly shocked as a West Country mansion that starred on the show became one of the hottest property searches on Rightmove this month.

The stunning beach house, inspired by a lighthouse design, sprawls across a whopping three acres. Labelled as perhaps the “saddest episode” ever when it aired in 2019, the programme showed Edward Short battling through a series of disasters, including his marriage breakdown and racking up a colossal £7million debt while trying to transform Chesil Cliff House near Braunton, Devon.

It took a jaw-dropping 12 years to complete the seaside pad, but tragically, its owner never had the chance to live in it. Still, it’s soared to the top five most viewed homes on Rightmove this month.

READ MORE: Brits warned ‘don’t look monkeys in eye’ as Bali tourist bosses offer safety advice

Get more of the latest news and stories from around the world here.

Rightmove described the abode, saying: “This 5-bedroom house, positioned on its own private clifftop in Devon, has been featured on Grand Designs, and offers spectacular coastal views.”

Step inside, and you’re met with vast floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the stunning sea vistas, while outside boasts an infinity pool, ample space for alfresco shindigs, and three acres of land to roam.

The property, which was pegged at £10m on Grand Designs two years back, has undergone several changes since, reports the Mirror.

It hit the market back in February 2022 but didn’t manage to snag a buyer.

The once £11m Grand Designs house that left viewers in awe has seen its price plummet to a mere £5.2m.

Kevin McCloud, the face of Grand Designs, spilled the beans on the current state of play with the property’s owner Edward, revealing to House Beautiful: “He’s had a couple of celebrities and I think he’s had a comedian or two, because it is quite an expensive house, and so consequently for people who are interested, they need to make loads of money, and that includes actors and performers and singers.”

McCloud added some juicy details about the potential sale: “Last time I met Ed he was sort of close to a deal, so that’s all I know. It’s a fabulous story. A story of hubris and overreaching and destruction really, of things, of personal life, turned into a sort of story about redemption and growth, so it was an amazing thing.

“People called it the last ever Grand Designs as if that was it, we were going to go out on a low. Why would they do that? Because it’s a good headline.”

For more incredible stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.