Huge sum paid for terrace crowned Sydney's smallest house

A house understood to be Sydney’s smallest has sold for $1.5 million.

Despite its nanoscopic footprint of 25 square metres, the stylish inner-city property has fetched the equivalent of $60,000 per square metre – an unheard of sum that makes it one of Australia’s most expensive plots of real estate ever.

The buyer did the deal for 21 Little Riley Street, Surry Hills, under the hammer on February 9. The price has more than doubled in the ten years since it was last traded.

For context, the median price per square metre for a Sydney house is $2466, according to Domain’s latest research.

21 Little Riley Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales
See the listing photos of Sydney smallest house here

SOLD - $1,500,000

21 Little Riley Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

1

1

-

View property

Pricefinder records show the Little Riley Street house was sold in 2013 for $710,000. The considered renovation, adding atmosphere and character, elevated it to a new stratosphere of price and market appeal. Old campaign photos in Pricefinder show a uninspiring, simple terrace with stainless steel benchtops in the kitchen, beige bathroom tiles and simple wood panelling in the courtyard before the works were undertaken.

The tri-level, one-bedroom terrace was customised and shows off luxury flair, even within a compact floorplan.

The exposed brick and stone walls, Spanish-quarried marble floors, brass benchtops and fixtures, timber beams and timeless accoutrements speak to old Sydney.

The surprises don’t stop at the size – the shower is an indoor-outdoor affair, and can be opened up to become an all natural experience.

The front door opens in the the dining room and the kitchen beyond. Doors to the courtyard on this level fold right back, giving the kitchen an al fresco feel.

Venture up the floating staircase – with a bespoke rail – to the lounge room, which spills to a terrace.

Upstairs is the bedroom and en suite-style single bathroom, crafted from marble.

The property is on the books of agency BresicWhitney Inner East and agents Brigette Blackman and Darren Pearce.

Historic transaction data in Pricefinder dates to 1992, when the terrace changed hands for $146,000.

The new owner is the ninth person to acquire the property since Domain’s records began.

It was rented out in 2011 and 2013 for $650 to $700 per week.

Challenging the terrace for the crown of Sydney’s smallest home is the 27-square-metre 180A Evans Street, Rozelle, on an alleyway.

In another historic neighbourhood, Edgeware Road in Enmore, is a terrace considered one of Australia’s narrowest, at just under 3 metres in width.

Near to it for the title of skinniest property in Sydney is the 38-square-metre 27 Terry Street, Surry Hills, a two-bedroom terrace which transacted for $1.33 million in March last year. It is just 3.1-metres wide.