A primary bath at Gotham Lofts, rebuilt from the studs.
A full primary-bathroom gut in a West Loop Gate loft condo a block from Union Station — a freestanding soaking tub, a frameless walk-in shower waterproofed with Schluter Kerdi, a double-sink vanity, two tile niches and a tiled bench. Designed, demolished, and rebuilt in 5–6 weeks for $42,000 all-in.
Project Details
- Project Type
- Primary Bathroom — Full Gut
- Address
- 420 S Clinton St, Unit 303A, Chicago
- Building
- Gotham Lofts
- Neighborhood
- West Loop · West Loop Gate, 60607
- Scope
- Demo · Tile · Tub · Shower · Vanity
- Duration
- 5–6 Weeks Start to Finish
- Total Cost
- $42,000 All-In
- Client
- West Loop Homeowner
Scope Delivered
- Bathroom
- Full Gut to the Studs
- Tub
- Freestanding Soaking Tub
- Shower
- Frameless Walk-In · 2 Niches · Tiled Bench
- Waterproofing
- Schluter Kerdi · Full Wet Area
- Vanity
- Double-Sink with Stone Top
- Tile
- Full Shower Walls + Floor
- Valve
- Pressure-Balanced · Chicago Code
- Permits
- City of Chicago · HOA Coordinated
- Warranty
- 2-Year Workmanship
The Project
420 S Clinton sits in West Loop Gate — the eastern pocket of the West Loop, a block from Union Station and the CTA Clinton stop, where converted warehouse and loft buildings like Gotham Lofts back right up to the Loop. Our client's primary bathroom was dated and due for a full reset: the goal was to trade a tired, builder-grade layout for a clean, spa-style space that fit the loft.
The homeowner chose Assembly Squad's design-build approach — one team, one fixed price, and one point of responsibility from the design phase through final cleanup, including all condo-association coordination and City of Chicago permitting.
The bathroom was taken down to the studs and rebuilt as a spa: a freestanding soaking tub, a frameless-glass walk-in shower with two tile niches and a tiled bench, a double-sink vanity with a stone top, and full Schluter Kerdi waterproofing across the wet area. That waterproofing is the right call in a stacked condo — where a shower leak reaches the neighbor below, not just your own floor — and it's the layer that does the most work while being the one you never see.
The result is a finished primary bath delivered in 5–6 weeks for $42,000 all-in. This is exactly the kind of work behind our West Loop bathroom remodel and West Loop condo remodeling services — full bathroom transformations in loft and high-rise buildings, with the building coordination handled by one team.
A loft bath, rebuilt right.
Taken to the Studs
The original primary bathroom was fully demolished — tub, vanity, fixtures, tile and shower drywall removed — and rebuilt from scratch as a spa-style layout, with the framing inspected before anything new went back in.
Schluter Kerdi — Built for a Condo
The entire wet area was waterproofed with the Schluter Kerdi membrane system before any tile went on. In a stacked loft building like Gotham Lofts, a shower leak reaches the unit below — so the waterproofing is the most important layer you never see.
Freestanding Tub + Frameless Shower
The spa layout: a freestanding soaking tub, a separate frameless-glass walk-in shower with two tile niches and a tiled bench, and a double-sink vanity with a stone top — a full upgrade from the original configuration.
5–6 Weeks, Condo Board Handled
A full condo bathroom gut of this scope, delivered start to finish in 5–6 weeks — with Assembly Squad managing all condo-association approvals, insurance certificates, and City of Chicago permits and inspections on the homeowner's behalf.
What the bathroom looked like before we started.
The condition we inherited at 420 S Clinton St, Unit 303A — a dated primary bathroom slated for a full gut to the studs. Documented before demolition began.
What the bathroom looks like now.
The completed West Loop Gate primary bath at 420 S Clinton — a freestanding soaking tub, a frameless walk-in shower with two tile niches and a tiled bench, a double-sink vanity, and Schluter Kerdi waterproofing behind every tiled surface. Delivered in 5–6 weeks for $42,000 all-in.
Planning a bathroom remodel in the West Loop or near Union Station? Schedule a consultation → or call (312) 544-9150
What a West Loop primary-bath gut actually costs.
Most West Loop owners researching a bathroom remodel get pricing that's either too vague to compare or quoted on partial scope. Here is the full all-in number for 420 S Clinton: a primary bathroom taken to the studs and rebuilt as a spa, every line item delivered under one fixed-price contract.
For context, bathroom remodels in the West Loop typically run $15,000–$50,000 depending on whether it's a refresh or a full gut, tile and fixture selections, and condo plumbing constraints. This project sits toward the upper end of that band — a complete gut with a freestanding soaking tub, a frameless walk-in shower, full Schluter Kerdi waterproofing, two tile niches, a tiled bench, and a double-sink vanity with a stone top.
Everything delivered in 5–6 weeks.
Consolidated from the signed contract — a full primary-bathroom gut, every line item completed, all permits pulled, all condo-association coordination handled. Two-year workmanship warranty on all labor and installation.
Demolition & Prep
- Full demolition of the existing bathroom to the studs
- Tub, vanity, fixtures, tile and shower drywall removed
- Debris removal via dumpster
- Framing and substrate inspected before rebuild
- Surfaces prepped, primed and made ready for finishes
Waterproofing & Plumbing
- Schluter Kerdi waterproofing across the full wet area
- Plumbing set for the freestanding tub
- Plumbing set for the walk-in shower and double vanity
- Pressure-balanced shower valve per Chicago code
- Code-compliant shower drainage
- All fixtures connected and leak-tested
Tile, Tub, Shower & Vanity
- Freestanding soaking tub supplied and set
- Frameless-glass walk-in shower enclosure
- Full shower tile — walls and floor
- Two tile niches plus a tiled shower bench
- Double-sink vanity with stone top, faucets and drains
- New toilet, mirror and vanity lighting
Design, Permits & Coordination
- Complete design package — drawings, layouts, selections
- Single fixed-price design-build contract
- Full-time dedicated project manager
- City of Chicago permits and inspections
- Condo-association coordination and elevator scheduling
- Daily site cleanup · 2-year workmanship warranty
Why West Loop homeowners choose Assembly Squad
Questions about West Loop bathroom remodeling
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in West Loop?
Bathroom remodels in West Loop typically run $15,000–$50,000 depending on whether it's a refresh or a full gut, tile and fixture selections, and condo plumbing constraints. The 420 S Clinton project at Gotham Lofts came in at $42,000 all-in for a full gut — demolition to the studs, a freestanding soaking tub, a frameless walk-in shower with Schluter Kerdi waterproofing, two tile niches and a tiled bench, and a double-sink vanity. For a full breakdown, see our West Loop bathroom remodel page and our Chicago bathroom remodel cost guide.
How long does a condo bathroom gut take in West Loop?
A full condo bathroom gut in West Loop generally runs 4–6 weeks once HOA approval and permits are in hand. The 420 S Clinton bathroom — a complete gut with a freestanding tub, frameless walk-in shower, Schluter Kerdi waterproofing and a double-sink vanity — was delivered in 5–6 weeks. A simple tub-to-shower refresh can finish faster; add 2–4 weeks up front for condo board approval before construction.
What is Schluter Kerdi waterproofing, and why does it matter in a condo?
Schluter Kerdi is a sheet-membrane waterproofing system bonded to the shower walls and floor before tile goes on, creating a continuous waterproof barrier behind the finished surface. In a condo like Gotham Lofts, where plumbing is stacked between the units above and below, that barrier matters more than in a single-family home — a shower leak doesn't just affect your unit, it reaches your neighbor's ceiling. We waterproofed the entire wet area at 420 S Clinton with Schluter Kerdi before tiling.
Do you handle condo and HOA approvals in West Loop buildings?
Yes. Assembly Squad handles the full condo-association process on the homeowner's behalf — alteration agreements, certificates of insurance, building-management coordination, freight-elevator scheduling, and any board approvals required before work begins. We've worked in 300+ Chicago condo buildings. West Loop loft and high-rise buildings each have their own requirements, and we coordinate them as part of the design-build package.
Where is West Loop Gate, and do you remodel near Union Station?
West Loop Gate is the eastern pocket of the West Loop, roughly between the Chicago River and the Kennedy Expressway, anchored by Union Station, the Ogilvie Transportation Center, and the CTA Clinton stop. 420 S Clinton sits in this area, about a block from Union Station. Assembly Squad works throughout the West Loop — West Loop Gate, Fulton Market, Greektown, Restaurant Row, and the Fulton River District — as well as the neighboring Loop, River West, Near West Side, and South Loop.
Do I need permits for a condo bathroom remodel in Chicago?
Yes — bathroom remodels involving plumbing or electrical changes require permits from the City of Chicago Department of Buildings, and condo work also requires HOA approval and insurance certificates. Assembly Squad coordinates all required permits and inspections as part of the contract, so homeowners don't pull permits themselves. As of 2026, Chicago's standard plan review can take several weeks, so we submit early and run it in parallel with design and material ordering.
Planning a bathroom remodel in the West Loop?
Private consultation at your unit, our Lincoln Park design studio, or via virtual session. Licensed Illinois GC, EPA Lead-Safe certified, fully insured. Condo-board coordination, permits, and fixed-price proposals all standard.
Book a Consultation 312-544-9150