Many bathroom renovations in Elizabeth Bay involve an apartment that's never actually been touched since it was built, decades-old fixtures and tiling are still common in the suburb's Art Deco and inter-war blocks, some dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. A smaller number of larger, harbourside apartments have already been updated at some point, which changes the renovation brief from a full original rebuild to a more considered match.


Elizabeth Bay's bathroom renovation work splits mainly between original, untouched apartments and larger units that have already seen some work done. Most projects fall into one of the categories below.
| Renovation Style | What It Involves | Works Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Original Studio/One-Bed Renovation | Full strip-out of a small, never-renovated original bathroom | Compact Art Deco and inter-war apartments common in the suburb |
| Larger Harbourside Apartment Renovation | Updating a bathroom in a bigger, already partly modernised unit | Larger apartments with harbour or marina views |
| Heritage Building Renovation | Working within an individually listed Art Deco or modernist block | Buildings with heritage significance, some architecturally notable |
| Ensuite Addition | Adding a second bathroom into existing bedroom or hallway space | Larger apartments needing more than one bathroom |
| Luxury Custom Renovation | Freestanding baths, premium stone and tiling, custom joinery | Larger apartments with the space and budget for a full upgrade |
Standard bathroom renovations in Elizabeth Bay start from $16,500, with mid-range projects running $24,000 to $33,000, and luxury renovations from $41,000 upward. Original studio and one-bedroom apartments often sit toward the lower end simply due to their smaller size, while larger harbourside units cost more once premium finishes and floor area are factored in.
| Renovation Tier | Typical Cost Range (AUD) | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $16,500 – $23,000 | Like-for-like layout, quality tiling and waterproofing, standard fixtures |
| Mid-Range | $24,000 – $33,000 | Upgraded tiling and vanity, semi-frameless screen, minor layout changes |
| Luxury | $41,000+ | Freestanding bath, premium stone and tiling, custom joinery |
An original, untouched apartment in Elizabeth Bay usually has pipework and waterproofing dating from its original construction, meaning a renovation here is typically a full rebuild rather than a partial update, even though the smaller footprint keeps the overall cost down. A larger harbourside apartment that's already been renovated once tends to need less structural work, but matching new finishes to whatever's already in place takes more planning.
| Original Studio/One-Bed | Larger Harbourside Apartment | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bathroom size | Small, original 1920s to 1930s footprint | Larger, more generous floor area |
| Plumbing condition | Original, usually needs full replacement | Often already updated at some point |
| Renovation focus | Full strip-out within a compact space | Matching or upgrading existing finishes |
| Best suited to | A space-efficient full rebuild | A considered update or premium upgrade |


Most Elizabeth Bay renovations run three to five weeks from demolition to handover, with original apartments sometimes needing extra care around heritage building requirements before work can start. A free in-home consultation and fixed, itemised quote come first, and we can help prepare whatever documentation your strata committee needs.
Ali holds NSW Builder Licence No. 387501C and has renovated bathrooms across Elizabeth Bay's original Art Deco apartments and larger harbourside units for more than 15 years, with a good sense of what genuinely fits into a small original footprint without it feeling cramped. Demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling and electrical work are all managed under one licensed team, with compliance certificates provided at handover.

Whether your apartment's never been touched or already had some work done, getting an honest assessment matters. Book a free, on-site quote with Ali and the team and we'll tell you plainly what your space can realistically fit.
Standard renovations start from around $16,500, with mid-range projects typically running $24,000 to $33,000, and luxury renovations from $41,000 upward, with smaller original apartments generally sitting toward the lower end given their compact size.
You'll generally need a scope of works, builder insurance details, and confirmation that waterproofing will meet AS 3740, plus formal approval if the layout is changing. We can help put this together before it's lodged with your committee.
Sometimes, depending on the original footprint, though many original apartments here prioritise a well-designed shower over a bath simply because the space doesn't allow both.
Yes, and combining bathroom and laundry functions is common in the suburb's smaller apartments where a separate laundry was never part of the original design.