An 8-square-meter room, a bathroom on the balcony, a shared kitchen in the hallway — and a price that internet users with a sense of humor were just waiting to react to.

Somewhere on Calea Moșilor, on the fifth floor of a building dating back to 1940 — a listed historical monument — there is a studio apartment (if we can even call it that). Eight square meters: a fold-out sofa bed, a wardrobe, a small wall cabinet. A bathroom set up by the window — with a view, to be fair. And a kitchen… but on the building’s hallway. Shared, of course.

The listing appeared on TikTok in the autumn of 2024, casually posted by real estate agent Alex Vladarau — a young agent who has made a niche out of properties most others wouldn’t even consider. “Atypical property,” he wrote in the description, with disarming calm. The internet couldn’t wait to comment.

“For €17k I’d buy a car and sleep in it.”
 “They must have cut into the wall just to fit the bed.”
 “It’s a tomb, not a studio.”
 “I’d be interested in something around 2 square meters.”

 
The 14 sqm studio in the Calea Dorobanți area, sold for €24,000 (Photo: Alex Vlădărău)  

However amusing, the irony doesn’t change the math of the market. At €17,000 for 8 sqm, the price per square meter reaches €2,123 — more expensive than many two-room apartments in central areas of the capital. It might sound like a calculation error, but it’s simply present-day Bucharest.

“It’s better to live alone than in a dorm with 2–3 roommates.” — Alex Vlădărău, real estate agent

The story behind the walls

The building on Calea Moșilor was not designed with such micro-studios in mind. At the time it was built, rooms of 8–10 sqm were intended for people with limited means, with shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor. One of the other units in Alex’s portfolio used to be the building’s elevator operator’s room. Bucharest’s history is layered with such transformations.

Because the building is a historical monument, the sale involves an additional step: a memorandum must be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, which holds a preemption right. If the ministry declines to purchase, after 30 days the property can be sold to anyone interested. An unusual level of bureaucracy for 8 square meters of “central living.”

There are others almost as small

Alex Vlădărău’s portfolio includes an entire miniature universe. Two studios of 10 sqm and 12.5 sqm, both near the University area, were quickly rented — for €200 and €250 per month — fully equipped with a standard washing machine, air conditioning, central heating, and a normal-sized bed. A 14 sqm property on Calea Dorobanți sold for €24,000. The market is clearly there.

What you should know if you’re considering a micro-space

Check the original purpose. Many micro-spaces in interwar buildings were initially service rooms, technical spaces, or elevator operator offices. Their legal status can differ from that of a standard apartment — some are not officially registered as residential units.

Pay attention to listed buildings. If the property is classified as a historical monument, the Ministry of Culture has preemption rights. The sale process requires additional documentation and may take longer than a typical transaction.

Calculate the price per square meter. €17,000 for 8 sqm means €2,123/sqm — a price at which, in some parts of the city, you could buy a regular apartment. Always compare with the area average.

Amenities matter more than size. A 10 sqm unit with its own heating system, air conditioning, and private bathroom is more functional than a 15 sqm space with shared facilities. Check what is actually included.

Think about the purpose. These spaces suit students, people working in the city center, or investors looking for short-term rentals. They are not for families, nor for maximum comfort. They are for those who want a central location at the lowest entry price — though not necessarily the lowest price per square meter.

What does this say about Bucharest’s real estate market?

That no niche is too small to meet demand. That pressure on central real estate has become so intense that spaces which once had no clear residential purpose — service rooms, converted storage units — now come with price tags, contracts, and buyers willing to sign. Online irony doesn’t pay the rent. The market does.

Alex Vlădărău was mocked for trying to sell “closets.” The studios didn’t stay on the market for long. Maybe the most telling comment wasn’t written online at all — it’s the simple fact that, for 8 square meters in central Bucharest, someone is still seriously considering whether it’s worth it.

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