How about stucco over all the brick? You would have to fill in the holes with brick or cement board. I would probably do a simple ledge and either center it over the existing raised hearth or over the firebox, lining it up with the right edge of the existing heart and repeat the overhang it creates over the left side. It would take some experimentation.

I looked at your fireplace renovation idea book. They were all good ideas and you have a blank canvas. I think you will get more actionable advice if you post pictures of the entire room with the furniture and also your favorite inspiration photo.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/mid-century-modern-split-level-renovation-midcentury-living-room-phvw-vp~115185666 I liked your mid-century pick with white brick and wood mantel. Seems to be the list expensive and in keeping with your home.

Thank you everyone for your advice so far!! You’re all so helpful :) Here is some more pics of the whole room to give you a better idea of what I’m dealing with. The room is a sunken living room off of the kitchen.

Yes, cover over or remove the old brick - lots of damage to the old brick and then there is that empty spot over the fireplace. I would install a large mantel shelf - perhaps a natural wood, centered over the existing firebox. White/off-white is good, as you need light at that end of the room. A room-size rug will pull everything together. Not sure where you are going with the furniture - but that seems to be a work in progress. . .There was a similar issue not too long ago, and there, the fireplace was off-center also, with space on the left side. Several of the responses suggested a large chair, and floor lamp for reading , and perhaps some large wall art. . . send us some photos when it's complete.

I think I would try and salvage bricks from the top of your fireplace to patch the hole and damage on the bottom portion. Then…I would drywall the top section of the fireplace wall, create a long, thick wooden mantle reaching from wall to wall, and then paint the bottom section with the firebox. A black slate hearth would look great!

You need to cover all the plywood areas, damaged areas, areas with vertical marks, and areas with residual mastic or grout which can’t be removed. If the “fireplace” is electric, why does there seem to be smoke smudge above it? It may be easier and more attractive to cover the entire wall with new stone or brick and install a nice mantel from wall to wall, supported by corbels in matching wood.