Grand Designs 'saddest house ever' put up for sale at cut price after taking 12 years to build

The 'saddest house' in Grand Designs history has been put up for sale at a lower-than-projected price.

The luxury home was featured in a 2010 episode of the British TV series, which was branded as the 'saddest episode ever' due to its backstory.

Music executive Edward Short started out with a budget of £1.8 million, aiming to finish construction within 18 months when he made his first appearance on the Channel 4 show 14 years ago. However, the house was featured in several follow-up episodes as Short ran into problem after problem.

He said that he felt 'cursed' at one point, as global events such as the housing crisis, Brexit, and the COVID pandemic seemed to continually get in his way.

Him and his wife at the time, Hazel, put their life savings into constructing the eco-friendly dream home for their family of four.

Instead, they were left with £7 million of debt and eventually separated due to the strain that the property was putting on the relationship.

The home, which is situated near North Devon, includes an infinity pool and a private beach cove, and is now available for £5.25 million, despite Short originally having an asking price of £7.5 million.

Channel 4

The five-bedroom property is for sale currently through debt collectors, and features floor-to-ceiling windows and a four-storey tower, which is meant to replicate the lighthouse that was once on the site.

It is on sale on several property listing sites such as Addland and Rightmove, while being marketed by Savills.

They also list that it is marketed 'on the instructions of Joint Receivers: H.Varsani & M.Yianni (Belleveue Mortlakes Chartered Surveyors & LPA Receivers).'

Described as having a 'bespoke design brought to life through impressive engineering', it further says: "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 huge home is back on the market because of the Law of Property Act receivers, who aim to sell the property or at least collect rental income to repay debts.

Channel 4

The listing also describes the design in great detail: "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 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," It concludes.

An incredibly complex and spacious home, but Mr Short has previously said about the house that building it has been a 'marathon slog', and that he is now 'a millionaire in debt'.

Knowing that he needed to sell it, he is still in disbelief over how much it cost, and has accepted that he will never live in it due to his debts.

Short brutally stated: "It was my overconfidence and arrogance that got me here in the first place so I'm doing what I need to do."