make a silk purse of a sow's ear

listen to the pronunciation of make a silk purse of a sow's ear
Английский Язык - Английский Язык
To produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value

A smart development can make a silk purse of a sow's ear, and the effect on older properties can be quite dramatic.