One of the most famous homes ever featured on Grand Designs has gone on the market for £2.75million – a staggering £4million less than the price once sought for it.
The Victorian water tower in Kennington, south London was rescued from dereliction and converted into an incredible ten-storey des-res with sweeping views across the capital.
Its dramatic transformation was showcased in the 100th episode of the long-running Channel Four series and became one of its most talked-about renovations.
Property developer Leigh Osborne and his partner, Graham Voce, spent more than £2million turning the crumbling 100ft landmark into a luxury home – despite being advised that the conversion would cost £600,000.
Workers had to replace 4,000 bricks, 47 windows had to be fitted and more than 200 dead pigeons removed – along with a £7,000 bill to clear 'knee-deep' bird droppings.
The glazing alone reportedly cost £250,000, while scaffolding added another £70,000 to the bill.
London's 'most recognisable' home has hit the property market after it was featured on Grand Designs
A derelict water tower in Kennington was converted into an incredible ten-storey des-res on the 100th episode of the Channel 4 show
A view of the terrace, fitted with lounge chairs and a hot tub, overlooking the Houses of Parliament, London Eye and the Shard
Businessman Jamie Hamer purchased the house for £2.5million in June 2021. He is seen here with his friend Susanna Citrano
As costs spiralled, Mr Osborne was forced to borrow more than £500,000 from friends to get the extraordinary project over the line.
The finished renovation – which saw a vast glass-fronted cube extension, a lift and a spectacular viewing room created at the top of its 122 steps – was labelled a 'jaw-dropping showstopper' by show host Kevin McCloud.
The property – purchased by Mr Osborne and Mr Voce for £380,000 in mid-2011 – has been listed for sale on Rightmove at £2.5million.
The sales particulars describe the property as 'one of central London's most recognisable buildings'.
Yet, despite its architectural pedigree and television fame, the asking price is a far cry from the £6.5million sought by its original developers in 2013.
At the time, the property failed to sell and was instead marketed as a popular Airbnb before eventually being sold to businessman Jamie Hamer in June 2021 for £2.5million.
Mr Hamer, a commercial director, moved into the property with his friend Susanna Citrano, an architect, and their two dogs – and revealed that the home's Grand Designs fame meant curious fans would still turn up on the doorstep hoping for a peek inside.
He told Rightmove in 2022: 'We often get people ringing the doorbell asking if they can take a look around.
'Then some will ask where the buzzers for the other flats are. They're surprised to find out it's one home.'
He also told the Evening Standard: 'I have always been fascinated by castles and this is the closest I'll get to owning one in central London.'
Mr Hamer and Susanna later added a hot tub to the terrace, which provides views of the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, the Shard, the City and Canary Wharf.
Susanna previously joked: 'When we first moved in, we could never find each other so would WhatsApp, "Which floor are you on?"'
She added: 'We ended up putting different pieces of art on each stairwell so we knew where we were, as we kept getting lost.'
The tower, which dates from 1867, originally served the neighbouring Lambeth Workhouse and contained a tank which held 38,000 gallons of water.
Among those who spent time there was a young Charlie Chaplin, who stayed at the workhouse with his impoverished mother as a child.
The property, now being marketed by DDRE Global, is arranged with six bedrooms and four bathrooms across its many levels.
The estate agents said in the sales blurb: 'Rescued from dereliction and converted under the eye of Kevin McCloud for Grand Designs' 100th episode, it is now a remarkable family-sized home that pairs Victorian engineering with contemporary design.
The home's previous owners Leigh Osborne and his partner, Graham Voce, with Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud (right)
'The accommodation unfolds vertically, linked by an original Yorkstone staircase and a separate lift tower with glazed bridges. Five double bedrooms and four bathrooms are arranged across the tower's floors, each with its own character, thick masonry walls and tall arched windows.
'At ground level, a glass and steel extension known as the Cube provides lateral living space. It holds an open-plan kitchen and reception room with full-height sliding glass doors, and a roof terrace sits above.
'The crowning feature is the Prospect Room, created within the original cast-iron water tank. With openings on every side, it frames panoramic views across Westminster, the London Eye, the City, the Shard and Canary Wharf, making it a living or dining space without equal in the capital.'