Any experiences of a similar situation - see diagram. Need advice!

[Partedinsurprise]

To clarify at this point this is only a vague initial musing so no need for advice on party wall notification/structural engineers/leasehold terms and so on. But I could use some outside opinion on this and I can't find any similar layouts from googling.

We own our first floor victorian conversion flat in London - plan pre covid had been to move but for various reasons we have decided to stay put for a few more years and are trying to work out what we can do to enhance the space a bit. DH and I live here with 5 year old DS.

There is one thing which has always irritated us about this flat, and that is the fact that one of the chimney breasts is split between the bathroom and the second bedroom which is currently used by DS. That results in a really irritating layout where we have this random corner sticking into both rooms and making them a) smaller and b) a weird shape. See my very shit diagram attached . 2nd bedroom is actually a decent enough size, it's just the chimney breast makes it smaller and an annoying shape.

Ideally I would like to remove the chimney breast to give a bit more space in each room. Then I want to get rid of the bath and just have a shower.

The floor above is the attic space. We are 99% sure that the bit of the chimney breast which goes up there has already been removed. The downstairs flat has a fireplace (blocked up) but I was under the impression that it was possible to remove an upstairs chimney breast without damaging the downstairs one.

I know I'd have to ask permission and sort out all sorts of legal things etc, my question is really just from a purely practical point of view - has anyone else done anything like this? Want to gauge if it is even possible before I look into anything further.

Thanks and please excuse my crap drawing!

I think you need a surveyor / structural engineer to come round first - the first question that anyone will ask in relation to legals / downstairs neighbour / work is - what is the effect of removing the chimney breast on the first floor?

Who owns the attic? Is it part of your lease / still owned by the freeholder? If so, you'll presumably need permission to access the loft.

Once you know whats up there, thats your starting point.

We own the attic. I'm aware of all the legalities etc involved and would definitely get a structural engineer in if it gets to a point we want to anything.

Tbh what I was wondering more if anyone has experience of removing a chimney breast when it is in two separate rooms on the same floor (i.e. separated by a wall). I've googled extensively and can't find anything!

Being across two rooms is irrelevant, as this would have been one large room originally.

You'd obviously need structural advice, as removing it is possible. I've considered doing this in my own home, but the weight bearing issues that would be needed we were quoted serious money. However, this lists some of the associated costs www.myjobquote.co.uk/costs/remove-chimney-breast

We may just remove the bath anyway as it would still create more space in there. Irrespective of chimney breast or not. It seems like a massive hassle from what I've read - not sure if it's something we want to take on.