Cornwall’s £625,000 ex-council house that’s now £1.4m luxury pad costs over £7,300 a week to rent

A former council house has been transformed into one of Britain’s most luxurious holiday homes – that costs more than £7k a week to rent.

The modern beachfront pad known as ‘The Sunset House’ was sold four years ago to a bidder for £1.4million – more than double the guide price of £625,000.

The ex-council home – formerly owned by Devon and Cornwall Housing – enjoyed one of the finest views of the UK coastline, but was sold in an almost derelict condition in 2017.

The new owners have since demolished it and spend three years rebuilding a stunning property in the prime location above Porthmeor beach, in St Ives, Cornwall.

While it will one day be used as the couple’s retirement home, it has now been listed as an up-market holiday let for those looking to enjoy the Cornish seafront and summer sun.

Once a £625,000 derelict council house (pictured), this beachfront property in Cornwall has been transformed into a luxury seaside pad after a three year renovation project

Pictured before: 'The Sunset House' enjoys one of the finest views of the Cornish coastline, and was knocked down and rebuilt by couple Mr and Mrs Harris between 2019 and 2021
Luxury holiday homes retailer Cornish Gems are offering the stunning St Ives property (shown)  to eight guests at a weekly price peaking at £7,395 for a week stay, and £2,624 for a two-night break between November to March

Pictured before: The ex-council house enjoys one of the finest views of the Cornish coastline, and was knocked down and rebuilt by couple Mr and Mrs Harris between 2019 and 2021. Now, ‘The Sunset House’ is being offered to eight guests at a weekly price peaking at £7,395 for a week stay

Now a three-floored property, ‘Sunset House’ boasts open plan living and dining and kitchen areas flooded in natural light.

The four-bedroom home also offers a private terrace above the popular Porthmeor beach, which is a literal stone’s throw away. 

Cornish Gems is offering the St Ives accommodation for up to eight guests with four sea view ensuite bedrooms at a weekly price peaking at £7,395 for a week stay, and £2,624 for a two-night break between November to March.

Philippa Snell, head of sales and marketing at Cornish Gems, said: ‘We feel honoured to have a window of opportunity to share Sunset House for luxury holidays, before the owner retires to their forever home.

‘The transformation, which has been over three years in the making, has been overseen by specialist local contractors and architects working hand-in-hand with the Cornish family.

‘The house with four en-suite bedrooms occupies a unique vantage point location, elevated above Porthmeor beach and comes complete with beautifully appointed interiors and high-spec amenities – offering a truly one-of-a-kind, luxury home with a reflective price point.

‘Since going live on our website on May 6th, we’ve already secured some bookings and expect more interest to follow when the full gallery of images is available shortly.

‘We anticipate those guests who chose to stay, while Sunset House is available via Cornish Gems, will be just as mesmerised as we were when stepping foot inside – it is breathtakingly beautiful.’ 

The planning application for the new four-bedroom house was submitted on behalf of new owners Mr and Mrs Harris, and was approved by Cornwall Council.

Mr and Mrs Harris demolished the property in 2019 to build what has been described as a modern day beach house with ‘understated luxury’. 

Purchased in 2017 for £1.4 million, 'The Sunset House' now offers stunning seafront views of Cornwall (above) as well as four-bedroom and four bathroom living

Purchased in 2017 for £1.4 million, ‘The Sunset House’ now offers stunning seafront views of Cornwall (above) as well as four-bedroom and four bathroom living

The application read: ‘Sunset is an existing ex-council house, formerly owned by Devon and Cornwall Housing (DCH). The property was purchased in 2017 by the current owners, Mr and Mrs Harris.

‘Their plan is to reside in St Ives in the new home for the long-term.

‘In replacing the existing building, the aim is to provide an overall visual improvement, reflecting the special character of St Ives.

‘The new home would be on a similar footprint, with improved off-street parking, and while avoiding any significant increase in height, it will be more energy efficient, more accessible and better suited to its surroundings.’

The house's old kitchen unit (above) left a lot to be desired - but after undergoing a remarkable renovation, Mr and Mrs Harris say they aim to retire in their newly refurbished property

The house’s old kitchen unit (above) left a lot to be desired – but after undergoing a remarkable renovation, Mr and Mrs Harris say they aim to retire in their newly refurbished property

Mr Harris added: ‘I’ve always wanted to retire back home in Cornwall and when I saw the derelict house for sale, I thought it was an opportunity too good to miss.

‘Whilst my financial investment may not make sense from a business perspective, I’m comfortable with how much it has cost.

‘For me this has been a hugely personal project, to create a very special retirement home.

‘When I move into the property it will be removed from the rental market. 

‘Meanwhile, it makes financial sense to make the house available for holidays and save it from sitting empty, helping to support independent local businesses and the Cornish tourism economy.’

DCH said proceeds of the sale would fund at least 10 new affordable homes in Cornwall, as some locals criticised the cost of the let online.

One person wrote: ‘Not bad for an ex-council house. It used to be £90 a week to live there.’

For more information on Sunset House, call 01872 241241 or email [email protected].