GRAND OPENING
What happened to the first Grand Designs home? Kevin McCloud returns 25 years later to find out if it stood test of time
It is barely recognisable - check out the incredible photos
HOST Kevin McCloud has returned to the first-ever Grand Designs home - to see what it looks like 25 years on.
The home in Newhaven, East Sussex appeared in the first episode of the show in 1999.
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Owners Julia Brock and Tim Cox were attempting to build it from scratch in just three months - and for a meagre £60,000.
But, with newborn baby Tiger to look after and rising costs to compete with, they were unable to complete the work.
As the episode finished, viewers were left in the dark on whether the bare timber structure would ever be transformed into the stunning home that Tim and Jules dreamed of.
This week's episode of the hit Channel 4 show saw Kevin, now 65, return to the property a quarter of a century on.
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The British designer was wowed by what he found - a nostalgic wood-pannelled home with a brand-new look and feel.
The cedar cladding had been removed, and tasteful tiles put onto the south and west facing exterior walls.
Two new conservatories had also been built to maximise natural light.
And the couple had built spiral stairs leading to an upper deck - perfect for enjoying the property's sea views.
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Kevin said: "It’s got a curiosity and wonder… 25 years worth of stuff and life, wonderful."
The gobsmacked presenter was equally delighted to discover that a forest had grown around the property, describing it as "rich and lush".
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Meanwhile, he was touched to find that many interior elements - first conceived on the show - had stood the test of time.
The log cabin bathroom was practically unchanged, as was the quirky kitchen with a bronze leaf design.
Tim and Julia reflected emotionally on all the memories they had made as a family in the beautiful home - including the addition of five grandchildren.
Tim said: "I guess that’s one of the advantages of staying in the same place.
"You can build up a patina of memory, which kind of makes it a really solid home, especially for kids and ultimately grandkids.
"I think the whole place is going to come into its own again with the grandkids.
"He added: ‘"It’s worked out beyond all our wildest hopes."
As for Tiger, now 26, Tim added: "It was nice for Tiger, growing up here.
"Especially because it's a massive area that was his kingdom."
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The paragliding instructor and children's author was amused to see Kevin again after so many years, joking: "I think I was in a wheelbarrow the last time you saw me!"
In the touching reunion, Kevin was shown videos of Tiger as a child enjoying the home and garden.
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