Unless I am missing something a townhouse is an attached home and not stacked on top of other homes. It is not generally considered to be a multifamily dwelling - i.e. having multiple units within four exterior walls with shared plumbing stacks. Therefore plumbing lines aren't shared and bathroom and kitchen models are generally constrained in the same way detached homes or semi-attached homes are - i.e. most people for budgetary reasons keep toilets in same place and try to avoid major changes in pipes and drains. FWIW, I am in a high rise condo and converted my tub/shower combo to a larger walk in shower that followed the footprint of the original tub.

@1pinkharley What did you end up doing? I am really interested in this exact faucet, but I can't see it in person and I am afraid it will be a tight fit since it requires 4.5" min clearance at the back. I was thinking of off-setting it so it's not fully to the side...basically halfway to the front if that makes sense. Again, haven't bought it yet so it's hard for me to imagine if it's possible. Thanks!

If you Google: "LG Hi-Macs in shower," the answer is clearly yes. It looks like it comes in 12mm thickness (a hair less than half an inch). Here is their brochure: https://himacs.eu/pdf/2020/HI-MACS_Kitchen-Bath-Brochure-2020_EN.pdf

Currently, we have an alcove whirlpool tub with tiles on the wall. No leaks that I know of. We will know more about leaks after demolition. So I need to know where to begin. From sheetrock wall to sheetrock wall, the measurement is 57 3/4 inches. From ceramic tile back to edge of tub is 33 inches. 1. If I put a tub back in, I do not have to worry about a shower pan leaking. What length tub do I order? Is the tub itself actually longer than my dimensions? Should I buy a 5 ft x 3 ft tub? 2. With a tub, I can choose either solid surface walls or tile walls. Will solid surface walls be less likely to leak because there is less caulking/grouting/seams? 3. If I choose a solid surface shower pan, will I have more chances for leaks? I have no idea what is under the tub now. What kind of changes will have to be made to change from tub to shower pan? Highly skilled "good" contractors will need to drive 1.5 to 2 hours one way to get where I live. That means 3-4 hours per day is driving time. Trip charges would be a huge chunk of the cost. Plus it would take forever to get finished. 4. Would a tub installation with solid surface walls be finished quicker than any other combination? 5. Where do most showers leak? Corners? Thanks.