'One of worst Grand Designs houses ever' yours for just £1.95m - 'floating' home on Essex flood plain comes onto market

26 June 2023, 14:47

The property is on sale for £1.95 million
The property is on sale for £1.95 million. Picture: Fine & Country

By Kit Heren

A home labelled one of the worst ever seen on Grand Designs has come onto the market for just under £2 million.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The four-bedroom cantilevered steel-framed property is on a flood plain on the Essex coast.

The house appeared on Grand Designs in October 2021.

Owner Geoff, 63, a builder, told viewers of how he planned to complete the property during his retirement.

But presenter Kevin McCloud admitted that the house was not the most "fashionable" - pointing out the blue carpet and orange sofa.

The property sits on concrete piles drilled 14 metres into the ground
The property sits on concrete piles drilled 14 metres into the ground. Picture: Fine & Country

Viewers agreed, with one online calling the house "awful", with "awful decor". He added that it was "one of the worst houses I've ever seen."

Another added: "'What a f**ing hideous house!"

The 3,600 square foot property - called Seal Point - is in the Essex village of Mayland, between Burnham-on-Crouch and Maldon.

Geoff managed the construction of the home, and sold his luxury villa in Spain to finance the £700,000 build, living in a caravan in the meantime.

Now it's on sale for £1.95 million.

Read more: Shed office could add £22,000 to property value but conservatories could decrease it by £15,000, estate agents say

Read more: Luxury £10 million property on 'saddest ever' Grand Designs episode close to sale after 'lighthouse' cost owner his marriage

But the interior was labelled 'hideous' by viewers
But the interior was labelled 'hideous' by viewers. Picture: Fine & Country

Estate agents Fine & Country, who are handling the sale, said: "Seal Point is a one-off modern family home set in a striking architect designed floating superstructure commanding far reaching views across the home's coastal location."

Mr McCloud said that "arguably, the most important part of Geoff's solo project will be underground.

He told viewers: "Here, 30 heavy weight, concrete steel piles will be drilled 14 metres deep.

"These piles will be key in anchoring this house to the ground. Some will have to resist upward forces of over 200 tonnes.

Read more: ‘It's a big task': Mum who bought three houses in Italy for just €3 finishes developing first home after four years

The house is built on a flood plain
The house is built on a flood plain. Picture: Fine & Country

"The piles will connect to an industrial steel-strength frame, comprising 560 steel girders - forming one huge cantilever. The frame's job is to transform the load of the building into the earth."

He continued: "The ground floor will be poured in waterproof concrete and will house a utility area and a garage. Upstairs, the external and the partition walls will all be made from timber - wrapping between and around the steels. 

"On this floor, an open plan living room and kitchen will lead to a large balcony through floor to ceiling windows, with views that will stretch out across the estuary."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for tweets inciting racial hatred after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London

Molly Russell took her own life in 2017.

Meta and Pinterest 'make secret donation to Molly Russell charity'

Elton John

Sir Elton John says he 'can't read, watch TV or see his boys play rugby' as he opens up about health battle

Exclusive
Corby steelworks pictured in 1981

Families in former industrial town call for probe into rare child cancer after botched clean-up of steelworks

The stabbing happened on Ramsden Street in Huddersfield.

Man, 20, charged with murder after 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield

Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK products has officially come into force

Trump tariffs come into force as global stock markets plunge deeper into the red

File photo dated 19-05-2024 of Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne lifting the Premier League trophy with team-mates.

Kevin De Bruyne to leave Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola calls him 'one of greatest midfielders to play in England'

Stock markets plummeted on Friday

Starmer 'pushing for Trump royal visit this year' as UK bids for US trade deal - after tariffs spark turmoil in markets

Tom Howard

British tourist killed after being struck by boulder on trek through Himalayas

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack that killed more than a dozen people, including children, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia kills 16 people including three children in missile strike on Zelenskyy's home town, with dozens wounded

Travel influencer Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to North Sentinel Island

Tourist who left Coke for world's most isolated tribe 'could have wiped them all out' - and police 'can't go collect can'

Club house covered in red paint as members of group Palestine action caused damage to the Trump owned site of Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland.

Police arrest man, 33, and woman, 55, after Donald Trump's Scottish golf course vandalised with red paint

Man, 23, who gouged out pensioner's eyes before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely

Man, 23, who gouged pensioner's eyes out before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely