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An old industrial warehouse has been transformed into edgy studio apartments in the heart of one of Sydney's trendiest neighbourhoods.

The warehouse was built in the early 1900s and started life as the Darlinghurst Shepherd & Newman printing works in a laneway five minutes' walk from Oxford Street, one of the city's main shopping strips and creative hubs.

The building was converted into nine one-bedroom apartments in the mid-1990s which were sold as 'empty shells' by City Project Marketing realtor Sam Elbanna for $220,000 to $390,000 in 1997.

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An outside view of the industrial warehouse turned sleek city studio on Printer's Lane in Darlinghurst, just over 10 minutes walk from Sydney CBD

The kitchen and living space, which has been carefully renovated to keep authentic features like exposed ceiling beams and stainless steel girders

The shared rooftop terrace, overlooking landmarks like the Sydney Tower Eye in the heart of the city

'People were stepping over syringes and used condoms to get inside the door,' Mr Elbanna told realestate.com.au.

'They all sold in 45 minutes…people were ringing up my mother trying to get their hands on them and throwing their chequebook at the car.'

Mr Elbanna said demand was so high because the Shepherd & Newman studios were among the last 'quintessential warehouse apartments' left in Sydney in 1997.

Darlinghurst's grungy reputation has gentrified since then, but BresicWhitney agent Maclay Longhurst believes interest in the industrial apartments remains the same 23 years later. 

The minimalist bedroom, tucked in a corner beside an enormous window that floods natural light into the loft

The renovated kitchen, fitted with stainless steel appliances and a portable island (centre) which can be wheeled around the apartment to make room for guests

Another view of the living area with Scandinavian-style light bulbs hanging from the ceiling beams

Today, the building is one of the few inner city warehouse conversions with original features like hardwood floors, exposed ceiling beams and painted brick walls. 

Those authentic features contrast against the renovated kitchen workspace, which is fitted with stainless steel appliances and a portable island that can be moved around to create space for guests. 

Outside, a shared rooftop terrace overlooks the CBD, with some of the city's finest cafes, bars and restaurants dotted along the route. 

Mr Longhurst expects the 102sqm property with private parking and a shared rooftop terrace at 5/1 Printers Lane to fetch at least $1.6million AUD.

The modern bathroom which has a statement mosaic tiled wall and a generously sized shower

An inside view of the front door and entryway, decorated with vintage accessories like a wooden ladder which nods to the property's industrial past

The downstairs parking garage which provides space for one car, an unusual bonus in a city centre location

'A raw industrial space always gets the attention of the market, just because so few ever become available,' he said. 

Mr Longhurst had 18 'professional types' at last week's first open-house, one of whom returned for a second viewing on Thursday.

Property records show the studio was originally bought by the partner of an international law firm who is now looking to upsize.