A STUNNING West Country mansion that appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs still hasn’t sold after the owner slashed millions off the £7million price tag.
It was dubbed the “saddest home” by Grand Designs after the owner, Edward Short, racked up millions in debt and lost his marriage as a result of the property.
The spectacular coastal home was designed to mimic a lighthouse structure and covers over three acres of land.
It took Edward 12 gruelling years to build the house and no one has lived in it since.
The coastal house is now among the top five viewed properties this month on Rightmove.
On their site, Rightmove added: “This 5-bedroom house, positioned on its own private clifftop in Devon, has been featured on Grand Designs, and offers spectacular coastal views.”
The mansion’s interior features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows providing unique views of the ocean.
While the property’s exterior boasts an infinity pool, multiple spaces for outdoor entertainment and three acres of grounds to discover.
The grand house was originally priced at £10million when it appeared on the show two years ago.
However, after it failed to secure a buyer it was withdrawn from the market the following year.
The property did receive interest from Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard but he wasn’t willing to match the £10million price tag at the time.
The Devon mansion reappeared on the market in June last year with a reduced price tag of £7.5million.
The asking price was adjusted again to £6.5million later that year.
Now, the five-bedroom house is on the market for a reduced price of £5.2million.
Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud still keeps in contact with Edward and said there is “lots of interest” in the property.
‘SERIOUS BUYER’
Kevin said: “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.”/
Edward Short initially started on a budget of £1.8million and had hoped for the project to be done in 18 months.
Over the years, Mr Short has battled to complete the adventurous project he started in 2010 – but managed to create a stunning property against all odds.
The unfinished property went on the market but was removed from an estate agent’s site with talk of their being a “serious buyer” – but they then pulled out at the last minute.
The spacious home is now back up for sale again but this time through Law of Property Act receivers, which indicated the sale is part of debts being resettled.
The new 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 to install a helipad have been approved, according to the listing.
Inside the 'saddest' Grand Designs house
Savills’s listing reads: “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 bedrock, 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.
Nic Chbat, director of Match Property estate agents in North Devon, who previously assisted with finding a buyer last year said at the time the sale stalled after the timeframe for the sale “expired”.
He added the previous buyer was “still wanting to buy the property,” and the sale was still expected to proceed.
The new listing though would suggest the purchase was never made with the sale now being handled by London-based estate agents Savills.
A spokeswoman for both Savills and the receivers Bellevue Mortlakes said: “The sale represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the UK’s most spectacularly situated coastal homes and for the buyer to put the finishing touches to the property’s interior to their own specification.
“The current sale price (offers in excess of £5.25m) represents fair value noting the prevailing economic and heterogeneous nature of this opportunity.
“The property has panoramic sea views and is set in grounds of over three acres, including foreshore and a tidal beach, with accommodation extending to over 6,260 sq ft.
“The detached guest lodge/holiday let accommodation extends to about 1,270 sq ft and is included in the sale price.
“Subject to registration with the agents, the receiver has provided an extensive suite of information and supporting documentation relating to the building’s history, construction and title, which are available via an online data room.”