Christina Haack Is Left Stunned by ‘Run-Down’ State of Iconic ‘Bachelor’ Mansion: ‘Definitely in Need of This Renovation’

HGTV star Christina Haack is no stranger to fixer-uppers, but she's admitted that even she was left stunned by the "run-down" state of the iconic "Bachelor Mansion," while sharing her first impression of the historic property before it underwent a dramatic makeover as part of the new reality TV series "Bachelor Mansion Takeover."

The 42-year-old "Flip Off" star appeared as a guest judge on the latest episode of the series, which aired on March 9, and saw the contestants, who are going head-to-head in a renovation challenge, tackling the infamous Rose Room.

In a video shared by HGTV's Instagram account, Haack confessed that the property was in a more disastrous state than she'd expected.

“The mansion is a little bit run-down, guys. I thought it was going to be more mansionesque. Like, I pictured a Spanish villa. ... It’s definitely in need of this renovation," she said in the clip.

Haack then revealed that she never thought she would end up appearing on any "Bachelor" franchise, describing the collaboration between HGTV and the ABC show as "interesting."

“I never thought I would be on 'The Bachelor,' so it’s kind of interesting intermingling HGTV with 'The Bachelor.' Definitely has a different vibe," she said.

The HGTV star noted that she understands what it is like being judged and being the judge thanks to her work on "The Flip Off," in which she competes against her ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his wife, Heather El Moussa, in their own renovation challenges.

“What’s better about judging than being judged? The critique part of it. To be honest, giving feedback. I feel bad because I have been on the other side, and I know the pressure that these contestants are under," she said.

Haack is among a host of guest judges, including former "Bachelor" stars JoJo Fletcher and Sean Lowe, "The O.C." star Rachel Bilson, and HGTV personality Nate Berkus. Meanwhile, former "Bachelor" stars Tayshia Adams and Tyler Cameron will serve as the show's main judges.

"Bachelor Mansion Takeover" will see a host of former stars of the popular dating series turning their attentions from romance to renovations, going head-to-head in a competition-style format, while giving the iconic property a full makeover.

Members of Bachelor Nation, the dedicated fanbase of more than 1 million dating show devotees, will be given an up-close-and-personal tour of the property in a new six-episode collaboration with HGTV, "Bachelor Mansion Takeover."

The series will pull a cast of contenders from various "Bachelor" franchise series who are set to compete to redo the famous site of countless limo exits, ugly cries, last‑chance toasts, backstabbings, and rose ceremonies.

Instead of chasing roses, 12 former "Bachelor" franchise contestants will compete for a $100,000 prize, ensuring a fiercely fought competition that will be hosted by the dating show's longtime emcee—and former star—Jesse Palmer.

What's more, they will be competing against the clock as it counts down to "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Taylor Frankie Paul's debut as "The Bachelorette."

The final results will then be judged by Adams, a TV personality who appeared on "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," and "Bachelor in Paradise," and Cameron, a runner-up on "The Bachelorette," a model and, most important for this series, a general contractor.

But perhaps more important for true "Bachelor" fans, the show will offer something that no version of the dating series has given them: true insight into the sprawling property and its crumbling design, which is sorely in need of a makeover.

“For the first time ever we’re pulling back the curtain and revealing the mansion as you’ve never seen it before,” Palmer said in a statement.

“Our 12 contestants have already lived through the twists and turns of 'The Bachelor' franchise. They know this is not going to be easy. And the clock is ticking because this renovation has to be finished before a new season of 'The Bachelorette' begins.”

Some Bachelor Nation favorites will get fresh design starts on the "Bachelor Mansion Takeover."

Hannah Brown will help critique the completely reimagined men’s and women’s bunk rooms, and other fan favorites will drop in to weigh in on spaces like the pool area or the Rose Room as the season unfolds.

The 12 competitors are all described as “legends” from across "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," "The Golden Bachelor," and "The Golden Bachelorette": Dean Bell, Jill Chin, Noah Erb, Allyshia Gupta, Tammy Ly, Sandra Mason, Sam McKinney, Brendan Morais, Courtney Robertson Preciado, Jeremy Simon, Christopher Stallworth, and Joan Vassos.

The dozen players begin as a big group and are gradually whittled down, not just at the end of episodes but sometimes in the middle of challenges, thanks to reality show twists such as “fate cards.”

Berkus last filmed with the network in 2023 alongside his husband, Jeremiah Brent, in their series, "Nate & Jeremiah Home Project."

Brent and Berkus previously had an HGTV series titled "Nate and Jeremiah: Save My House," which ended in 2020.

In a 2025 interview with CBS Mornings, Berkus gave fans tips on decorating their spaces.

Our "home should tell our stories," he said. "What I mean by that is not only who we are today, but also who we've been and even possibly more importantly, who we aspire to be"

He noted that he doesn't like "a home that's staged that doesn't feel real."

"However, there are certain things that you can do to contain that kind of chaos and present the home in a way that sort of reflects back to you your best self," he added.