When Pink Floyd star David Gilmour and his wife, novelist Polly Samson, put their spectacular beachfront home on the market last year, they thought there would be a queue of potential buyers for the former women’s public baths.
I can reveal that the 77-year-old singer and guitarist, whose hit band Wish You Were Here, was however forced to reduce the asking price by a staggering £5million.
At a third of the original price, it would be the biggest fall in Britain since house values began to fall a year ago.
However, the property in Hove, East Sussex, will hardly come cheap, as the new asking price is £10million.
“In today’s climate, you have to be realistic if you want to sell a property,” one agent told me.
Charming: When Pink Floyd star David Gilmour and his wife, novelist Polly Samson, put their beachfront home on the market last year, they thought there would be a queue of buyers.
Big plans: Gilmour and Samson faced strong opposition from residents over the property
Dark side of the deal: The 77-year-old singer and guitarist, whose hit band Another Brick In The Wall, was forced to reduce the asking price by a staggering £5million.
Gilmour and Samson, 61, endured fierce opposition from residents to the transformation of the former Victorian bathhouse, which has views of the English Channel as well as a courtyard garden, recording studio and ample parking .
It also has an open kitchen, living room, dining room and hall, as well as an office, library, comfortable lounge, gym and five bedrooms.
The couple purchased the abandoned Medina House Baths in 2015 and eventually obtained planning permission for the rebuild in 2017, despite opposition from residents and historic preservationists.
Gilmour, whose fortune is estimated at £140million, and Samson were condemned and their plans branded “appalling and disrespectful” and dubbed “Polly’s Folly”. But the bathhouse was demolished in 2018 and architect Keb Garavito Bruhn was commissioned to design the new residence.
His creation was inspired by the older building, imitating its gable, as well as the half-moon-shaped window at the top. The ceramic tiles that were originally part of one of the swimming pools have been preserved.
Gilmour and Samson’s main home is a farm at Wisborough Green, West Sussex, 25 miles away.
“It’s a beauty and it’s sad for us that it took so long and then was completed during the pandemic,” Samson said of the house last month.
“Our children were still children and living at home when we bought the building – and thought we could save the building.
Buy cheap: At a third of the original price, it would be the biggest fall in Britain since house values began to fall a year ago.
Uphill battle: Gilmour and Samson, 61, have endured fierce opposition from locals to the transformation of the former Victorian bathhouse, which has views across the English Channel.
Not happy: Gilmour, who has an estimated fortune of £140million, and Samson have been condemned and their plans branded ‘appalling and disrespectful’ and dubbed ‘Polly’s Folly’
Inspired: His creation was inspired by the older building, mimicking its gable, as well as the half-moon-shaped window at the top.
“Now they have stolen, so Medina House never had the chance to become our family home. We have a one-bedroom apartment (also in Hove), which is sufficient. Now there are just two of us .
She added: “We have had so many memorable parties here. It’s amazing to walk across the beach for a swim, then back to the house for a sauna.
“Sometimes we would cross the beach with our fishing rods, bring back the catch and then cook it over the fire in the winter garden.”
Ross Ward, of estate agent Pereds, says the reduced price is because Gilmour and Samson are “happy to retain the separate bespoke recording studio and ancillary accommodation”.
He explains: “The main property, Medina House, is now being offered on its own and this is reflected in the price quoted. »
There it is: the property offers impressive coastal views from its top floor windows.