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A whole Lakeview condo remodel, transformed top to bottom
One island instead of two levels
The split-level island chopped the room in two. Rebuilt as one continuous level under boldly veined quartz, ringed by new white shaker cabinetry from our local Chicago factory partner — with the client's existing appliances retained and reinstalled, the budget's single biggest win. This is the work behind our Lakeview kitchen remodeling service.
The steam shower is gone. Good riddance.
Inoperable steam generator, ceiling tile, bench and all — fully removed and rebuilt as a frameless matte-black walk-in wrapped in large-format stone-look porcelain, with a tiled bench, niche, and marble mosaic pan. Same footprint, zero plumbing relocation — see Lakeview bathroom remodeling.
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Floating, black, and lit right
The dark-wood vanity and builder mirrors gave way to a floating concrete-gray double vanity with black square faucets and LED-lit black-framed mirrors.
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Curtain rod out, glass in
The jetted tub behind a curtain became a new tub behind black-frame sliding glass, with a stone-look surround and marble-look large-format floors.
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The navy wall became stone
The painted accent wall re-imagined as full-height porcelain slab under new teardrop pendants — part of the whole-unit repaint that finished every room. The full picture lives on our Lakeview condo remodeling and Lakeview home remodeling pages — and in sister projects at 2626 N Lakeview and Sheffield Ave.
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Four rooms. One number. Under budget.
Most Lakeview owners pricing a multi-room remodel get quotes that quietly stack past $150,000. Here's the whole number for this one:
The client's budget was $150,000. The difference came from disciplined scoping, not thinner finishes: the hardwood floors stayed, the appliance suite stayed, the plumbing and electrical stayed in place — every dollar into what shows.
Everything delivered in 5–6 weeks
Consolidated from the signed contract — four work zones, sequenced so the clients could move in mid-project. HOA package handled; no City of Chicago permit required.
Master Bathroom — Full Remodel
- Complete steam shower removal — tile, pan, bench, and steam generator
- Frameless walk-in with tiled bench and niche, floor-to-ceiling porcelain
- Marble mosaic pan · matte-black rainfall + handheld
- Floating double vanity · LED-lit black-framed mirrors
- New floor tile, toilet, exhaust fan, and paint
Guest Bathroom — Full Remodel
- Jetted tub and travertine surround removed
- New tub with stone-look surround and niches
- Black-frame sliding bypass glass door
- Floating vanity, fixtures, mirror, and lighting
- Marble-look floors · new toilet · new exhaust fan
Kitchen Refresh
- New white shaker RTA cabinetry — local Chicago factory, 2–3 week lead
- Two-tier island rebuilt as one continuous level
- Veined quartz counters · marble-mosaic backsplash
- Appliance suite retained and reinstalled
- New pendants and under-cabinet lighting
Feature Wall, Paint & Coordination
- Full-height porcelain slab feature wall in the dining area
- Whole-unit interior paint — ceilings to trim
- HOA approval package for the 4-unit association
- Move-in sequencing — ~80% complete by move-in day
- Guest bath finished under zip-wall dust containment
Lakeview condo remodeling, answered
How much does a multi-room condo remodel cost in Lakeview?
A kitchen refresh plus two full bathroom guts, a feature wall, and whole-unit paint — this project's exact scope — came to $135,000 all-in at 456 W Briar Pl, against a $150,000 client budget. Priced separately, Chicago bathrooms run $15,000–$50,000 each and kitchens $35,000–$85,000, which is why bundling rooms under one design-build contract consistently beats room-by-room quotes.
Can you remove a steam shower and replace it with a regular walk-in?
Yes — it's one of the most common requests in Chicago condos, where original steam units fail and repairs stop making sense. Removal means taking out the floor-to-ceiling tile, ceiling tile, bench, pan, and the steam generator itself, then rebuilding as a standard walk-in with new waterproofing. At 456 W Briar Pl, the dead steam shower became a frameless matte-black walk-in with a tiled bench, niche, and marble mosaic pan — all within the existing footprint, no plumbing relocation required.
How did this project come in $15,000 under budget?
By deciding what not to do. The hardwood floors were excellent — kept. The appliance suite was quality — retained and reinstalled. The plumbing and electrical runs were sound — untouched. Skipping flooring replacement and utility rerouting freed the budget for what actually shows: two full bathroom rebuilds, new cabinetry and quartz, the porcelain feature wall, and whole-unit paint. Smart scoping is a design decision, and it starts at the first consultation.
Can we live in the condo during the remodel?
Yes, with the right sequencing. At 456 W Briar Pl the clients needed to move in before completion, so we finished the kitchen and master bathroom first — about 80% of the project by move-in day — then completed the guest bathroom behind zip-wall dust containment while they were in residence. One bathroom is always fully functional, work zones stay sealed, and building quiet-hours rules are respected throughout.
How does HOA approval work in a small self-managed building?
Differently from a high-rise — and often faster. 456 W Briar Pl is a 4-unit self-managed association, so approval runs directly through the unit owners rather than a management company. Assembly Squad prepared the full construction package — scope, insurance certificate, schedule, and protection plan — and submitted it to the HOA president, with approval in about 1–2 weeks. We've coordinated work in 300+ Chicago buildings, from four units to four hundred.
Did this remodel need City of Chicago permits?
No. The scope stayed within existing rough-in locations — no structural changes, no plumbing relocation, no electrical service work — which generally does not require City of Chicago permits. HOA construction approval was still required and handled by Assembly Squad. When a project does move walls or reroute utilities, we prepare and pull permits as part of the contract.
Planning a condo remodel in Lakeview?
Private consultation at your unit, our Lincoln Park design studio, or a virtual session. Smart scoping, HOA coordination, and fixed-price proposals all standard.
Book a Consultation → Call (312) 544-9150456 W Briar Pl · Lakeview · Chicago, IL 60657 · (312) 544-9150