Just under two years after purchasing a luxury Essex mansion, Maura Higgins has begun gutting the entire property for major renovations. The former Love Island star, 35, bought the home in 2024, swapping her one-bedroom flat for the sprawling estate complete with a sleek kitchen and manicured garden. Now, she is tearing it down to the studs to add a sauna and a brand-new bathroom.
Renovations Underway
Sharing a photo of the stripped-down interior on Instagram, Maura wrote: 'Finally breaking the silence over here!!! It's chaos right now. But give me a minute – before and afters are going to be worth it.' The image shows rubble on the floor and a knocked-down wall, with the mansion reduced to its bare bones. She revealed plans for a 'main bathroom' and expressed excitement for her new sauna.
Original Features
The house originally featured a modern grey kitchen with a large island and French doors opening onto a walled garden. At the time of purchase, the home was unfurnished, prompting Maura to joke when her celebrity hairdresser friend Carl Bembridge sat on a kitchen surface: 'No chairs yet but he always finds something to sit on.' She also showed off housewarming gifts, including a bouquet of white, pink, and yellow flowers and a Diptyque 34 candle worth £179.
US Move and Career Boost
Despite the renovations, Maura is reportedly planning a major move to the United States. After appearing on the US version of The Traitors, a source told The Sun: 'Maura may have missed out on the cash prize on The Traitors but that's small change compared to what's coming her way. Shows and brands in the US are lining up for a piece of Maura and she's got more opportunities than time right now.' She could secure a multi-million-pound payout as beauty brands seek to sign her.
Maura already hosted Love Island USA: Aftersun and guest-starred on the main show. Her rising celebrity status led to invitations to the Golden Globes in LA, where she partied with stars like Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence. She is also reportedly in talks for an acting debut in The Spin, a Disney project, and a potential fly-on-the-wall docuseries.
Dancing With The Stars
Maura is set to appear on Dancing With The Stars later this year. She told E! News: 'I have a vision board and I redo it every year. This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board.' She added: 'I shed a tear, which I don't normally do. I never really get overly excited about stuff unless it's something I really have been wanting for quite some time, and Dancing With the Stars is that. I manifested it.'
