Horror find in TV reno queen’s $260k tiny ‘ugly’ Sydney apartment as she prepares to flip it
She rose to fame on Australian television as the 'Renovation Queen' and now Cherie Barber faces her toughest test yet.
The 53-year-old real estate guru just bought a tiny hideaway in one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs for $260,000, so small it doesn't even have a real bedroom.
And The Daily Telegraph reported Friday that Barber wants to spend $25,000 to convert the condo into a chic new home in just five days.
Located 4km from the CBD, the four by four meter studio apartment is located in the Star Hotel in Balmain and appears to be the size of an average bedroom.
It includes a kitchenette, living area and a single bathroom.
'Renovation Queen' Cherie Barber (pictured) just bought a small studio in Sydney for $260,000 and now wants to send another $25,000 to renovate it in just five days
Located 4km from the CBD, the four by four meter studio apartment is located in the Star Hotel in Balmain (pictured) and appears to be the size of an average bedroom
Pictured: The gruesome 'bedroom' in the studio is actually a platform under the ceiling, which can be reached via a staircase, seen right
Meanwhile, a small staircase leads to a landing, located under the ceiling, which serves as the apartment's 'bedroom'.
The platform is so close to the ceiling, Barber told the publication, that an adult can't actually stand on it.
However, Barber revealed that what made the property so attractive for a renovation was a 'manhole' in the ceiling, giving the space an extra meter of headroom.
According to Proptrack, the average price for a unit and apartment in Balmain is $1.375 million.
It includes a kitchenette, living area and a single bathroom
The current layout of the small studio. Barber plans to rent it out for $180 a night after she completes the renovation
Barber estimates her new purchase could net as much as $400,000 once she completes the renovation.
She told The Daily Telegraph she has no plans to sell.
Instead, she plans to use the renovation for short-term Airbnb-style accommodations, renting it out for $180 a night.
Meanwhile, Barber said yes is looking forward to the challenge of renovating the 'ugly duckling' apartment.
Barber is best known as the star of Channel 10 lifestyle show The Living Room, which ran from 2011-2019.
She was a regular on Channel Nine's Today Extra.