Can you flip your plumbing? Giving you the space on the 98" present tub wall for two large vanities since it's a Jack and Jill. Is the shower out past the wall as in the photo? If so you could flip the toilet into that space and add a door and have a private water closet there with door and add more privacy. That's a decent amount of space to allow for some dual use with two users able to use it at the same time with some privacy concerns met. There is a lot of space there to do layouts that would work well for a J&J shared bath. We have a Jack and Jill bath upstairs and it is divided with the tub and shower area walled off with a door and the vanity with dual sinks in a separate area. That way one can still use the sinks while the other person in in the shower/tub/ toilet area without tying up the entire bathroom for the other person. I have a tub on a pedestal or plinth as some call it and I don't have any cleaning issues with it. It's 68" which is plenty long enough, it could be shorter actually since I'm only 5'4". My faucet is the British telephone type that hangs up on it's stand. It has it's floor mounted water supply. That was an expensive faucet even with going cheap with an off brand it was still over $800 and if I had gotten a name brand it would have been more than $2000 for it all. I found that the spout and two faucets with spray was one thing but then they have to add in all the components of the chrome pipes to the floor and I don't know what all before it was all said and done. Sort of like when you buy the washer and they need to add for the hoses etc. It still wasn't a deal breaker. I ended up buying a Victoria + Albert "York" model tub and I love it. I"m so glad I ripped out that horrid jetted gigantic tub. I have never looked back on that decision. We never used it and ti took up so much space. It had gunk in the jets from day one and I couldn't get past it no matter how much I cleaned it the black gunk still came out. You did well to rid yourself of that space hogging tub. Well done!

There are a few options: Hydrosystems has something called Hydrofusion which is supposed to be silent pump that recirculates the water. Hydrosystems also has something called the Hydro Blanket that is an integrated heating pads into the tub that heats up targeted areas. MTI tubs has a systems called Radiance that is also the integrated heating pads into the tub. MTI tubs also has an inline heater. These are a few options that I am aware of from these manufacturers. I think other manufacturers have the same options but they may have different names. Good luck!

I bought an AMERICH WRIGHT base level acrylic tub for $1,000 from a bath and kitchen store in 2017 and it is a piece of plastic. After two years It was stained, difficult to clean and never feels entirely clean, the caulk around the tub has needed replacement several times, and the Americh label partly wore off almost immediately. I never use any abrasive cleaning products (all organic). When I contacted the manufacturer they pointed out that I the care instructions said I was supposed to WAX my tub with high-quality carnauba paste type wax. Wax my tub? They also referred me to a very expensive tub cosmetic repair company. Unfortunately I removed an old enamel tub instead of refinishing it. Number 1 worst decision in my remodel after seeking lots of advice. I dream of ripping this one out and replacing it with an enamel tub. Taking a bath in an acrylic tub feels cheap even though it wasn't..

@cpartist that's very pretty. Thank you. Obviously my look is not contemporary like you're looking for but I wanted you to see it can be done. I thought about doing a ledge and then wall mount...that way i can have products candles etc... That could be quite attractive. do you find issues cleaning? anything to worry about. It's a bit tight behind my tub but it's doable. I'm glad I didn't get a clawfoot tub so no dirt under the tub. folks tried to talk me out of freestanding. but i just want that look now. i've had drop in for almost 20 years. I'm with you. My last tub was drop in and I do love the look of this one. Was talked out of a free standing in my condo and regretted it. good to know about the faucets.. There are lots of choices. i can't buy tub drilled unless comes with the faucet...is that not an issue? Yes you can. I had the choice at Signature Hardware to have it drilled or not and didn't have to pay for a cheap and poorly made faucet. i read that acrylic retains heat better than cast iron. plus cost. No cast iron holds heat more. Yes cost is an issue. It's a bit more expensive. The other problem is the cast iron tubs are more traditionally styled. My drop in tub was acrylic and it was fine. I was just curious. Here are a few that have tub drillings and no faucets with it: https://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/bathtubs/freestanding-tubs/boyce-freestanding-acrylic-tub-1.html https://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/bathtubs/freestanding-tubs/70-ashington-acrylic-freestanding-tub.html This is the one I have: https://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/bathtubs/freestanding-tubs/67-aiden-cast-iron-dual-tub-on-beveled-plinth.html