Condo Bathroom Renovation Yaletown, Vancouver
An original high-rise bathroom rebuilt with a new tub, concrete-look porcelain, a light oak vanity and a frameless sliding glass enclosure, with strata approval handled by QUAY.
- New bathtub
- Porcelain tile
- Sliding glass
- Shower niche
Project story
A tired tower bathroom, rebuilt in Yaletown
This Yaletown high-rise condo still had its original bathroom: white wall tile with a black accent band, a shower curtain on a standard tub, a grey vanity with a vessel sink and a speckled floor. The owner wanted a calm, modern room that would be easy to keep clean, without moving any plumbing.
QUAY handled the strata approval, then removed every finish in the room. We installed a new tub with a waterproofed tile backer, large-format concrete-look porcelain on the floor and tub walls, a light oak vanity, a one-piece toilet and a frameless sliding glass enclosure.
The bathroom came in at about $28,000 before GST, including two changes approved along the way. Work on site ran from April 7 to April 24, 2026, about three working weeks. Our standard schedule for a bathroom like this is 10 working days; three extra days went to replacing water-damaged drywall we found behind the old tile.
What we did
- Strata renovation approval and design coordination
- Demolition, recycling and disposal of all existing finishes
- Replaced water-damaged drywall on the plumbing wall
- New bathtub with Schluter waterproofing on the tub walls
- Large-format porcelain tile on the floor and tub walls
- Horizontal recessed shower niche
- 30-inch light oak vanity with an integrated sink top
- Brushed nickel faucet, tub valve and hand shower
- One-piece toilet, mirror and bathroom accessories
- Frameless sliding glass tub enclosure
- Drywall finishing, paint, trim and final cleaning
Before and after
Same layout, a completely different room
Bathroom budget: about $28K + GST
The layout stayed where it was: vanity by the door, toilet in the middle and the tub along the back wall. Keeping the plumbing in place made strata approval simpler and kept the budget focused on the finishes you see and touch every day.
The open shelves, vessel sink and dark countertop were replaced by a 30-inch light oak vanity with matte black pulls and an integrated white sink top. A frameless mirror and brushed nickel faucet keep the wall simple.
At the tub, the curtain and small white tiles gave way to large-format concrete-look porcelain running from the tub to the ceiling, with the same tile on the floor. A frameless sliding glass door replaced the curtain, and the owner added a horizontal niche for bottles once the walls were open.
- Layout and plumbing locations kept
- Concrete-look porcelain on floor and tub walls
- Light oak vanity with integrated sink top
- Brushed nickel faucet and shower fixtures
- Frameless sliding glass tub enclosure
- One-piece toilet
- Horizontal recessed niche
The vanity wall
Before
AfterThe tub
Before
After
Behind the walls
What we found after demolition
Once the old tile came off, we found moisture damage in the drywall on the plumbing wall. Tiling over it would have hidden a problem inside a brand new bathroom, so we stopped and walked the owner through the options before going further.
With the owner's written approval, we removed the damaged sheets, installed new drywall on the plumbing wall and fully prepared it before any tile went on. The change added about $2,100 and three working days to the schedule.
The owner also asked for a horizontal niche at the tub, a $615 change. Every change on a QUAY project is priced and approved in writing before the work happens, so there are no surprises on the final invoice.
How the three weeks went
- Days 1 to 2: site protection and demolition
- Day 3: plumbing rough-in for the new tub
- Days 4 to 5: drywall repairs and waterproofing
- Days 6 to 7: floor and wall tile
- Days 7 to 9: glass measure, finish carpentry and drywall finish
- Days 10 to 11: painting
- Days 12 to 14: finish plumbing, electrical and cleaning
The neighbourhood
Condo bathroom renovations in Yaletown
Yaletown is almost all concrete condo towers and converted warehouse lofts, and many units still have the bathrooms they were built with. Most stratas here need a renovation request, proof of insurance and a WorkSafeBC clearance before work starts, and set rules on hours, elevator bookings and deliveries.
David Lam Park and the Seawall
The park and the False Creek seawall are a short walk from this condo.
Yaletown-Roundhouse Station
The Canada Line stop and the Roundhouse Community Centre anchor the south end of the neighbourhood.
Another Yaletown project
See the open-concept Yaletown kitchen we built with a quartz waterfall island.
Renovating in Yaletown
Learn how we plan renovations in Yaletown, from strata approval to final finishes.
Planning your own? See how we approach a condo bathroom renovation in Vancouver, our bathroom renovation services and our guide to bathroom renovation costs in Vancouver.
FAQ
Yaletown condo bathroom questions
Common questions from Yaletown and downtown condo owners planning a bathroom renovation.
How much does a condo bathroom renovation cost in Yaletown?
This Yaletown condo bathroom came in at about $28,000 before GST, including a new tub, large-format porcelain tile, a light oak vanity, a one-piece toilet, a frameless sliding glass enclosure and two approved changes. Size, layout changes and finishes have the biggest effect on cost.
How long does a condo bathroom renovation take?
Our standard schedule for a condo bathroom with a tub is about 10 working days on site once materials are ready. This one took 14 working days, from April 7 to April 24, because we replaced water-damaged drywall found behind the old tile.
What happens if you find water damage behind the tile?
We stop, show you what we found and give you a written price and schedule impact before doing any extra work. Here, damaged drywall on the plumbing wall was removed and replaced before tiling, which added about $2,100 and three working days.
Do I need strata approval to renovate a Yaletown condo bathroom?
Almost always. Most Yaletown stratas ask for a renovation request, proof of insurance and a WorkSafeBC clearance letter, and set rules on hours and elevator bookings. QUAY prepares the application and works within the building's rules.
Can you add a shower niche to an existing tub wall?
Usually, yes, as long as the wall cavity is clear of plumbing and structure. This owner added a horizontal recessed niche once the walls were open, for $615.
Is the work warrantied?
Yes. Every QUAY renovation is backed by a 365-day workmanship warranty, and manufacturer warranties are passed on to you.
Planning a condo bathroom renovation in Yaletown?
We handle the strata paperwork and the build, managed start to finish by one QUAY team.