‘Saddest ever’ Grand Designs house is still being built – ten years on
ALUXURY lighthouse-inspired home that featured on the “saddest ever” Grand Designs TV show is still being built – more than a decade later.
Edward Short, 52, has now spent ten years on the ambitious project and remains adamant he will finish it – but would then be forced to sell.
He had dreamed of an idyllic existence in the stunning new cliff-top home in one of Devon’s most picturesque coastal locations and took on the task of bringing his vision to life.
But the extraordinary Chesil Cliff House, featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, was described as the “saddest episode ever” by many who watched it after airing in October, 2019.
The episode followed Edward and his family as misfortune beset the project, leaving the house in Croyde, North Devon, unfinished and with the family plunged into millions of pounds worth of debt.
The show also revealed that the process had taken a strain on Edward’s personal life, resulting in his separating from his wife, Hazel.
Father of two Edward has now vowed he will complete it but will need to sell it to cover the large amount of money he had to borrow, after he revealed the total costs are set to reach £6 million.
He said: “These past ten years have been a marathon slog – and I’ve got used to being a millionaire in debt.
“I’ve accepted the only way forward is to finish and sell it.
“We had to take a few breaks to refinance because it’s so expensive, but we got things moving again last year.
“It’s a big ask but I think we’ll see it on the market by the end of the year.”
The unique location at Down End Point boasts panoramic views across Croyde Bay to the north, as well as to Saunton beach and Braunton Burrows to the south.
The luxury home, once finished, was planned to feature a huge circular tower based on a lighthouse design along with a spectacular glass-edge infinity swimming pool, a home cinema and a sauna and steam room.
Edward said: “We’re most of the way there with the building work now, and it certainly looks a lot better than it did.
“We’re currently putting down underfloor heating, completing the driveway and adding linings to the pool. I have professionals currently designing the interior because you can’t take short cuts on a high-end property like this.”
Despite being the dream home he had always hoped to build, Edward has said that, even when Chesil Cliff House is complete, he will have to sell it.
“At this point, I need to spend more money to stand a chance at getting any of my money back,” he added.
Edward has previously apologised to locals who he said were fed up of seeing the unfinished grey eyesore on the point, but he also asked them to “stick with it”.
He had told them: “I know it’s a mess, and I have to fix that – but when it’s finished it will be amazing. Judge it when it’s finished.”
The building now sports a more attractive white exterior but it is still covered in scaffolding – although Edward says that will likely be coming down soon.
He added: “The project will have cost me £6 million in total – double what professionals originally valued.
“I had no idea it would end up costing so much, but I’ve accepted now that I’m never going to be able to live in it because I have money I need to pay back.
“It was my over-confidence and arrogance that got me here in the first place, so I’m doing what I need to do.
“Even though I’ll be selling it, I’m still finding it so exciting to see this concrete skeleton finally coming together into a beautiful building.”