Fresh twist in curse of ‘saddest ever’ Grand Designs house as multi-millionaire celebrity buyer emerges
THERE has been a fresh twist in the curse of the "saddest ever" Grand Designs house after a multi-millionaire celebrity buyer emerged.
Chesil Cliff House near Braunton in North Devon cost owner Edward Short his marriage - and saw him pile up £7million in debts.
The stunning coastal mansion, which was designed to resemble a lighthouse, ran into development issues and took 12 years to build.
The pad was listed for sale through debt collectors earlier this week.
Now Michael Jackson's former bodyguard Matt Fiddes has revealed that he is still interested in buying the house after an earlier bid fell through.
Matt said he warned Edward that he was asking too much for the house - but to no avail.
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He said: "I built my property portfolio in the South West and I know the market, I know how it works.
"I told Edward face to face and said it wouldn't sell but you can lead a horse to water and all that.
"I do feel sorry for the guy as no one wants to see anyone lose everything."
Matt, 44, tabled a £7.5million bid for the property in 2022 - and is now mulling a fresh offer after it was relisted for £5.25million.
He said: "I am going to enquire into it today, it just had to be available at the right price.
"It is an incredible property but it should have been split into two separate properties.
"I would turn it into 12 apartments. My wife and I spoke with Knight Frank and it is perfect for that.
"We would rent the other house and make thousands."
Matt, who runs martial arts schools around the globe, used to travel to Croyde as a child for family holidays and now wishes to return.
He said: "My family saved up to go there and I created my plans for the martial arts school there - so I would love to go back.
"The residents want it knocked down. I know the leader of the local council and I would like to explain my plans and hope to get their approval.
"I won't do it if they don't want it as the place means a lot to me because of my roots."
'SERIOUS BUYER'
Edward Short initially started out 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 it 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.
It appears 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.
According to Rightmove, the five-bedroom house has a price tag of £5.25m, offering a potential buyer a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to take on and complete one of the UK’s "most spectacularly situated coastal homes".
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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".
In the listing, it says plans for a helipad at the luxury home have been approved and boasts the clifftop property near to the village of Croyde offers panoramic coastal views.
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 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."
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 buildings history, construction and title, which are available via an online data room."
