Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud has shared his thoughts on the sale of a home known as the ‘saddest ever’ to appear on the show. Over the years, he has guided individuals in constructing their own homes on the long-running Channel 4 series, witnessing various remarkable projects and emotional journeys. However, one particular property captured attention for the wrong reasons.
Edward Short embarked on creating his dream coastal residence, which unfortunately turned into a saga of emotional and financial turmoil, earning the title of the ‘saddest-ever’ Grand Designs project. The construction of Chesil Cliff House went over budget by £7 million and ultimately led to the breakdown of Edward’s marriage after 12 years of dedication.
Edward and his wife Hazel poured their life savings into this rebuild endeavor, encountering relentless obstacles that transformed their dream into a nightmare. The property was recently sold, 13 years after its initial documentation on Grand Designs, at a significantly reduced price from its original £10 million listing in 2022.
Kevin McCloud has finally commented on the sale, expressing understanding for Edward’s mixed emotions. He acknowledged Edward’s deep attachment to the property, initially intended as a personal passion project rather than a sale item. Kevin hopes the sale brings closure and new opportunities for Edward, Hazel, and their family to move forward from the chapter that consumed so much of their lives.
Reflecting on the sale, Edward stated, “It is definitely the closure of a long chapter of my life – there is no doubt about that. I mentally moved on from the property a while ago as the writing was on the wall. I am relieved it is sold; it gives me closure. I put everything I could as a person to make it work, but it didn’t. It is not the end of the world, but it was a financial failure.”
Kevin’s remarks were made ahead of Grand Designs Live at NEC Birmingham, underscoring the significance of the property’s sale as a turning point in Edward’s life journey.