The lighthouse-inspired mansion that became known as the "saddest ever" episode of Grand Designs has finally been sold, bringing an end to a 12-year construction saga that destroyed a family and left its builder millions of dollars in debt. Chesil Cliff House in Croyde, Devon, gained notoriety after owner Edward Short, 57, accumulated $7 million in debt during the project's spiraling costs and saw his 20-year marriage collapse under the financial and emotional strain.
The ambitious clifftop property took over a decade to complete, running millions over budget partly due to the 2008 recession. The build's devastating impact on Short's personal life became the focus of a 2019 Channel 4 Grand Designs episode that viewers widely regarded as the show's most emotionally difficult to watch. The program documented how construction delays and endless setbacks left the striking Art Deco-inspired home incomplete while financially destroying the family behind it.
After being listed again in 2024 with an asking price of $5.25 million, the five-bedroom property has now found a buyer. Speaking about the sale, Edward Short expressed mixed emotions about finally closing this painful chapter of his life. "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," Short said. "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."
Despite the financial catastrophe, Short maintains some perspective about the experience. "It is not the end of the world, but it was a financial failure. I will still be buying a lottery ticket and dreaming that I can buy it back," he joked. The property was initially listed for sale in February 2023 but failed to find a buyer at that time. When it returned to the market in late 2024, estate agents Savills handled the sale on behalf of joint receivers at the significantly reduced price.
Rumors circulated that high-profile figures including pop star Harry Styles and Michael Jackson's former bodyguard Matt Fiddes had shown interest in the property, though no deals materialized with these potential buyers. Fiddes, who was widely speculated to be involved in the eventual purchase, has confirmed he was not the final buyer. He had considered offering $4 million for the property with plans to demolish it and build more modest homes that would better fit the local community's preferences.
"I visited the property again and considered offering $4 million which I believe would have got the deal over the line," Fiddes explained. "My plan was to support what the Croyde locals wanted and to demolish the current property and to build a realistic few properties that would go in line with the other properties." He cited concerns about structural shortcuts, including substandard safety windows already showing cracks and damage from the harsh coastal weather.
The property's troubled history extends beyond construction problems. Fiddes noted that it had "fallen into disrepair with no security or privacy and was being lived in by squatters. The property had been graffitied too." He estimated that an additional $2 million would be needed to bring the house to proper living standards, as much of the main lighthouse structure remained unfinished with only basic electrical work and no completed bathrooms or kitchens.
The Grand Designs episode revealed how the construction process severely strained Edward's personal relationships, ultimately leading to his separation from wife Hazel after two decades of marriage. Despite all the setbacks and mounting debts, Edward remained determined to complete the project. The unlucky owner has previously expressed deep guilt about how his dream project contributed to destroying his marriage and leaving his then-wife with nothing.
"There's no doubt what I put Hazel through was horrendous. There's a lot of guilt about that. But there was no way out, once we started. If we didn't finish we'd have been in big trouble," Edward shared in a 2022 interview. "If you knock down a family house, you put people under a lot of pressure and moving from one rented accommodation to another was a strain. I will always carry a sense of guilt for what I've put her through and the fact I've taken away her stability."
The couple, who share two daughters Lauren and Nicole Short, saw their family life completely disrupted by the endless construction delays and financial pressures. Edward's commitment to the project, while ultimately completing the structure, came at an enormous personal cost that extends far beyond the monetary losses.
Despite the devastating consequences, Edward maintains pride in what he accomplished. "I'll always be proud to have finished this. I owe it to my family to have a real end result, but the time has come to move on," he stated. "I will have achieved what I set out to do, never deviating from the plans, and for that I'll always be proud." He fondly recalls many aspects of the construction process, noting that "the time I spent building the house was amazing - that never leaves you."
The house itself represents an ambitious architectural achievement, featuring a unique lighthouse design anchored directly into the bedrock of the cliff. Original plans included spectacular features like an infinity pool, though many of these luxury elements never came to fruition due to budget constraints. The property was initially marketed for $10 million and includes three acres of land with stunning coastal views.
At various points during the marketing process, the property was split into two separate offerings - the main house listed for $7.5 million and an adjacent development called 'The Eye' available for $2.5 million. The property's location in Croyde, a highly desirable coastal area, contributed to ongoing interest despite the well-publicized construction problems and local community concerns about the development's impact.
Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud had initially advised Edward against the ambitious project, suggesting he had "a perfect home already." McCloud recalled telling Edward on the first day: "You've got a perfectly good house here. Why are you going to knock it down?" The presenter has maintained contact with Edward following the project's completion, noting that such relationships often develop during longer-term builds featured on the show.
The sale of Chesil Cliff House marks the end of one of Grand Designs' most emotionally charged stories, representing both the potential rewards and devastating risks of ambitious architectural projects. For Edward Short, the sale provides long-awaited closure to a chapter that cost him his marriage, his financial security, and years of his life, while leaving behind a striking but controversial addition to the Devon coastline.
