Thank you, palimpsest, Mongo and Bill! There is definitely no tar paper, plastic sheeting or anything else between the cement board and the framing. So it sounds like we have to take it all down and start over..... Is there any way to save any of the tile when we tear it out? (like, is there a way to take out the tiles along the studs, unscrew the cementboard from the studs and then put it back up?) Or is the tile a total loss? I'm so sorry for the lag in responding to you - my husband took some very good photos to show the problems, but I haven't managed to figure out how to upload them yet. I so appreciate your advice.

hummmmmmmm Very interesting. I never heard of a 45 day limit to top billing post either. Christopherth are you some moderator on this board or? to make this decision.Why would it be imporant for the post to be sent down the line just because it did not have an answer to it? I was interested to see an answer on this question myself. I popped in several times. I just never posted to it because I do not have the answer and felt unanswered questions should stay visable to someone that might have the answer. The people that bought our last MFH are planning on removing the garden tub and we have talked several times on their options of what to replace it with. Large stall shower or a regular tub or shower over tub. Sorry Summergardener I do not have an answer for you. My only thoughts would be the added weight.And maybe the small foot print of the claw foot tub feet. There might have to be something under each foot. I just do not know. Some one asked about the added weight of a large fish tank. I consider the added weight as I continue to mosaic on our furniture. Heheheh Silly me. Sure is fun though. I hope some one posts an answer. Chris

I don't have a tub recommendation other than to beware that Jacuzzi type tubs sometimes have electric controls where they cannot be used with showers. Some use pneumatic switches to be safe around water. I will say that I think your contractor's gout suggestion is one I would not use. I have always use epoxy grout around water. Near sinks and in the washroom. It costs a lot more to begin with but it is impervious to water. Not my experience with any other grout. It is also impervious to mold and grime. Comes in any color. They used to carry it at Lowes (probably still do).

This long and narrow bathroom reminds me of the one I grew up with in Brooklyn. It had the same problems you are facing. I highly doubt there is a radiator in this bathroom. The OP can comment if it exists or not. The large diameter steam pipe in the corner is a typical set up for bathrooms in old buildings. There is probably one thermostat controlling the heat for the entire building. The apartment above does not get to set its own temperature. How warm you apartment is in the winter is determined by what floor you live on. I agree if this is the only bathroom then it should to have a tub. I am not sure if re-configuring the tub is going to lower the resale value on a $1M+ coop in NYC. Putting up the wall between the tub and the sink makes the shower more functional. But it will make the bathroom look smaller and block some of the light from the window. I still think if you are going to move the tub the something like this one at Home Depot could work. It is 6 inches shorter than a normal tub. You will need 54 inches from stud to stud which may be possible once the plaster and lathe are removed from the walls. You could install the tub 8-10 inches away from the window wall. A shelf could be built between the tub and the wall and covered with tile. That becomes a place to hold your shampoo bottles and soap dish. Most of the steam pipe would still be exposed and will keep the bathroom warm even with the shower curtain closed. The shower head and controls stay on the same wall. This will open the space to put in a 36 - 48 in vanity with a granite counter top and a wider medicine cabinets and better lighting. That will give you ample storage space. Something that was not an issue when this bathroom was laid out 100 years ago. Have you asked any of your neighbors if they have remodeled their bathrooms? It would be helpful to get ideas and see how they dealt with these challenges.