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Has the curse been lifted? Notorious £1m Grand Designs eco-flop home that left cash-strapped owners living in a caravan could FINALLY welcome residents...14 years later
The owner of an architectural dream that turned into a nightmare played out in front of millions of TV viewers is hoping it is third time lucky to make the modernistic mansion earn its keep.
Businesswoman Yvonne Malley has reopened Dome House as a house-to-rent with a resident chef, 14 years after the beautifully designed house captured the imagination of Kevin McCloud and the team from Channel 4 's Grand Designs.
It was originally the project of architect and owner Robert Gaukroger, who hoped to make the modern, seven-bedroom pad the family home of his dreams.
He dedicated two years and £1million constructing the unique hillside project above Bowness-in-Windermere in 2011 and Kevin called his vision 'awe-inspiring'.
But when the cash ran out, the family of two adults and two small children were seen by millions selling their possessions to survive.
The prospect of losing everything became a stark reality as they fell three months behind with their mortgage. Eventually, they were forced to move into a mobile home.
That was when the cavalry in the form of retired businesswoman Yvonne Malley, from Rossendale, Lancashire, rode to the rescue.
'It was heartbreaking to see the family struggle, especially the children and, as I had some cash which wasn't really making any interest, I offered a loan,' said Yvonne.
14 years after the beautifully designed house captured the imagination of Kevin McCloud and the team from Channel 4's Grand Designs
'But then I began to pour more and more money into the project and, at the risk of sounding foolish, I ended up being owed £650,000.'
She ended up buying the property, paying another £900,000, and spent another £25,000 rewiring the property, putting in new drains and replumbing it.
She then put her son Philip and his wife Joyce Maguire in to manage it as a bed and breakfast.
Despite their best efforts, it struggled to work as a business and was sunk by the pandemic. Joyce's health suffered and the couple eventually went off to France to start again.
Yvonne then put Dome House on the market, but when no one was willing to pay the asking price of £2,750,000 she had a rethink.
'I had to either reduce the price or keep it and make something of it. I chose the latter,' she says.
She was introduced to Haley and Dave Hadfield, who had built up an award-winning gluten-free café and delicatessen in Altringham, Cheshire, called Off the Wheaten Track.
They agreed to move into ground floor rooms within Dome House originally designed as a holiday flat, with Haley taking on the role of in-house chef and Dave taking care of the front of house duties.
For more than a year the building has remained empty, with Yvonne putting more cash into repairs and improvements, and reshaping the house to match the new vision.
'I had such negative views about Dome House, with all that has gone on there, but I am so positive about it now,' she says.
'It looks absolutely fantastic, now we have had all the work done and it always had views to die for across Windermere.
'This time I am taking personal oversight of the business as owner and will be more involved in making it work.'
Haley, aged 54, originally from Irlam, and David, 52 from Denton, Manchester, are equally optimistic.
Haley, who was the BBC's relocation manager during the move to Salford before pursuing her life-long love of cooking as a career, says: 'Yvonne thought Dave and I would be a perfect fit for her vision.
'It seemed that the deli business was coming to a natural end, when we met Yvonne through a mutual friend.
'She offered us this lifestyle opportunity to move to the Lake District and run a luxury, exclusive-use house.
Dave adds: 'This was opportunity and unique adventure we couldn't resist.'
The house certainly has its attractions, perched high on a fell overlooking Windermere with balcony views of England's largest lake and the fells beyond.
There is an eye-popping ten-metre-high atrium entrance hall, leading to a staircase to the five luxury bedrooms, games room and heated swimming pool on the first floor.
The second floor is taken up with the lounge, dining area and an open kitchen where Hayley's rustic recipes will be created in full view.
The balcony facing West runs the length of the room. When it is too dark for the view, there is a 75-inch TV and log-burner for the colder months.
It is within walking distance of the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere, with all of its tourist attractions, and the other way is yards from Dales Way, an 81-mile hike to Ilkley in West Yorkshire.
The chances are guests will want to stay nearer-by.
Clientele are expected to be of two types: one, a couple looking for a boutique hotel, all-inclusive; the other, a whole house experience for groups up to ten people.
'We expect intimate groups of families or friends for celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, renewal of wedding vows or even small wedding parties,' says Dave.
'If people with disposable income want to take a complete break and have everything done for them, while they refresh and relax, we will make that possible,' he adds.
The couple are also making local contacts to provide experiences and activities from lakes cruises and clay pigeon shooting to golf, kayaking, trekking, foraging or spa beauty treatments.
'It is an inexhaustive list. Whatever the client wants,' says Dave.
And Hayley is keen to source as much of the ingredients for her cooking locally as possible.
She has even started her own herb and vegetable garden on site.
Because the house is built into a hill, the third floor has direct access onto a fellside garden. Also outside are patios, a sauna and seating areas.
With its sedum-covered geo-dome roof topping off the building, it has the feel and appeal of a ski chalet in the lakes.
Dome House may have finally found the awe-inspiring role envisaged by Kevin McCloud all those years ago.
All prices, based on £650 per person for two nights, are all-in, covering bed, breakfast and dinner, and drinks. Dogs are allowed, but not on top floor cooking area.
