Theoretically, maybe. Practically speaking, no, it's not possible. You would need to disassemble the sink cabinet below to be able to lower the sink down and remove it. The new sink would need to be able to use the exact same cutout, and then you'd have to rebuild the sink cabinet around it, being careful to always keep it properly supported. Or, you'd need to be able to remove the existing counter without it breaking, or damaging either the sink or cabinetry, and replace the sink, again, with one that used the same exact cutout.

lwo - Ok, not the answer I was hoping for, but the one expected. Thanks for putting me out of my misery early.

The tops are concrete and the piece that goes behind the sink is separate. I was hoping I could somehow get that piece off and wrangle the sink out. Amazing the things your mind convinces you are possible when you really want them to be...

Well, as long as I asked one doozy...Can concrete counters be ground down and polished in place like a granite could be?

Hmm...I think I'd take a drop in sink over those itty bitty bowls. Like the Kohler Vault maybe? It's not a bulky edged drop in.

What does the cabinet below look like? Can you get pictures of it and the support? I might be crazy, but I think you can get that thing out of there.

Sure, as long as everything works perfectly.
First you need to find a sink that will fit the cut out with a reveal you can live with, and that will work with your cabinet.
Then you've got to decide how you are going to fix the cabinet, because you're going to have to tear it up.
Then you need to pray a little, hope alot, and get to work.

If you can pop the little piece of top out, it'll be easier, but that means having a plan to put it back. So if you can get the original co. to repair the top, it'll probably be ok.

I'm sure it would be very pricey, but maybe a custom copper sink with drain boards? Like this?

What about a single bowl apron front that is flush mounted or raised slightly above the counter top? If it is the same or slightly larger outside dimension the counter top would not have to be changed or would only have to be ground down somewhat. From the bottom it could be shimmed to raise it adequately. There would still need to be a new "apron piece" of some kind because it's not likely you would be lucky enough to have the original fit.

I'm not sure what IS holding that heavy thing up! The sink is resting on a .75" piece of plywood that is screwed into the front horizontal piece. Going by what the rest of the cabs look like, they may have used dadoes on the side vertical pieces for that plywood to sit on/in

but that's just a guess.

Shouldn't there be something substantial I can see???

Disconnect the plumbing from the sink, back out those pocket screws, and lower the plywood and sink. May or may not need to remove/replace the front lower face frame to get the sink out.

fori - I have looked at the Vault and really like it, but the cab opening is right on 32"

errant - thanks for being crazy with me! Do those photos show you anything? What should I look for?

taylor's - "Sure, as long as everything works perfectly." It's that part that makes me nervous ;)

crl - Gorgeous!

12crumbles - the current cab is 32" and the countertop opening 30 10/16ish. Would it be ridiculous to get rid of that much counter?

cookncarpenter - thank you! Is there something obvious I should look for to see if anything else is holding the plywood up? It seems like there would have to be.

Joseph Corlett could probably answer your questions about the construction. If the plywood base is dadoes in you wouldn't see the dado joint if there is a frame piece over the side wall.

I was thinking that a new apron front, if you can find one, that requires a cut out essentially the same as you have now (apparently 30" and a smidge) could be put in. If the cement needed to be ground down somewhat I thought it might be doable. It wouldn't have to be the full width of the cabinet (32"). Is the 32" the interior size or the exterior size?

Maybe a very good carpenter could build a cabinet face within the existing cabinet, cut out the cement and use a different material altogether for the counter top "frame" around the sink?

If you find that the plywood is dadoed in to the cabinet sides, you can cut out using a sawzall. In that case the front face frame piece would need to come out as well.

The sink is resting on a .75" piece of plywood that is screwed into the
front horizontal piece. Going by what the rest of the cabs look like,
they may have used dadoes on the side vertical pieces for that plywood
to sit on/in

Those pocket screws in the photo are most likely attaching the face frame to the cabinet. There will be more attachment points but they will be hidden and you can't access them after the cabinet is installed.

From what I see, removing the sink looks do-able and pretty straightforward. Remove the drain pieces--not just the drain pipe but the basket flanges that the drain pipe connects to. Use a razor blade to cut through any caulking/ silicone, etc. sealing the sink to the countertop. And that puppy should slide right out the front. You'll need some muscle-ly help because that sink weighs north of 100#s.

Given the picture you posted after, and the fact that you have that little piece behind the sink, I agree with the others that this is doable if you have pretty good DIY skills. Shop for a sink FIRST though!

lwo - "Shop for a sink FIRST though!" Good advice! I've been making myself crazy looking for a sink that I believe would work. Wouldn't you know that a $2800+ Julien sink fits what I think is the bill. Not going to happen, DD needs a second go around with braces first...

ci_lantro - thanks for the guidance and I will definitely need some muscle -ly help ;)

Oh dear, just got on Rachiele's website, now I can really spend the braces' money! Gorgeous! And look what came from the site:

http://www.rachiele.com/apron-front-stainless-sinks.asp

"Before and after! We were challenged to replace an existing fireclay sink - without removing the countertop! They had to slide their sink out and mine had to slide in and fit perfectly or the project would not have been accomplished. We had to build the sink to exacting dimensions - right down to the thickness of the apron."

This is one of those things where you can plan, plan and plan, but until you start tearing it apart, there is no way to know what's going to happen.

"... is it possible to replace an apron front sink that is under-mounted on three sides without replacing the counters?"

Yes. It is a fair amount of work, but the cost-effectiveness depends on the customer, not the contractor. Without altering the stone or cabinets, it's an all-day job; less than a thousand dollars not including the cost of the sink.

This one was much more difficult than what you're describing.