With the renovation you have planned, I would recommend getting a functional, inexpensive refrigerator to carry you over to the renovation. Then you aren't planning a reno around a refrigerator that fits in your old space.

This is a temporary refrigerator. If you have a space somewhere for a second refrigerator later (basement, garage, man cave), the temporary fridge would well there. Or you could donate it then.

You might even consider a used fridge now.

Why are you not considering another SubZero?

IMO a cheap fridge to tide you over and can be moved to the basement of garage , There are IMO many things to get a better kitchen out of that space so No to planning a kitchen around a fridge at this time get small freezer on top fridge until you have lived there and figured out an actual kitchen design. I naever understand why NA s need a giant fridge when there are supermarkets everywhere . Food waste is huge in NA and can be so much handled by shopping more often and using what you buy. I shop 3 or 4 times aweek so my fridge is usually only 1/2 full I have a large fridge . freezer columns becuase I run a catering biz from home . In my next home that will change If you must shop less often really think about you need and plan meals .

Your Subzeros are at the end of their expected life time. Choose what you want. Your plan to remove the bar sink and alter the cabinets will be fine for a few years while you plan to remodel.

It is awkward when built in Subzeros need replacement in an existing kitchen. But sometimes you just have to replace them. Houses in my area are often sold with older Subzeros in place because buyers intend to remodel, like you plan to do.

" I am planning to renovate the kitchen in a few years...but need a replacement for the fridge now to keep food cold. I plan to build the new kitchen around the new fridge."

Here's the problem: the Subzero 700TC is only 27" tall and 80" tall. You want to replace it with a 36"-wide model but until you deconstruct the existing cabinets you won't have anyplace to put it. I'd suggest buying an LG LT11C2000V ($700) which is 24" wide and 65" tall. It will fit in the 700TC's cabinet and you can use it until you're ready to remodel the kitchen at which time you can replace it with a new model that will fit in your new cabinet.

You're making added width for a bigger frig. 36" will give you lots more storage. I'd invest in a long-term frig now. And that means a SubZero. Instead of a frig with a 1 year warranty, you'll have reliable appliance with years of future service. There's one other option. From your description the door seals may need to be replaced and or the doors realigned to close and seal correctly. I'd contact a SZZ repair person about this option. LG has an ongoing class action relating to problems with their scroll compressors. I wouldn't consider a LG frig.

dan1888: "I'd invest in a long-term frig now."

The OP wrote, "I am planning to renovate the kitchen in a few years". Where is he going to put a 36"-wide refrigerator and why would he choose one years before he decides how he will modify the kitchen?

Pretty simple. . .ton. He's putting it right where he'd put the LG.

" I plan to build the new kitchen around the new fridge. I will have to modify the cabinets beside to make room for a wider fridge, " See how that goes with space and future planning around what gets bought? And the investment includes the savings from likely having to junk the LG before he even gets to the remodel in a few years. Not so with a 20 year product like a SZ.

Why are you even thinking of downgrading from a diamond to a glass paste? Not even a cubic zirconia. You will go through 4 crapola refrigerators for one SZ.

Remove the entire cabinet and counter section, right of the micro. Clean up the drywall, frame in an ordinary shelved closet you can tear out later....... buy the SUB ZERO of your choice. You can live without A BAR.....

LG? Seriously? People just don't read anything beyond the fake reviews on Home Cheapo?

dan1888: "I plan to build the new kitchen around the new fridge. I will have to modify the cabinets beside to make room for a wider fridge, "See how that goes with space and future planning around what gets bought?"

Conveniently ignored the prior sentence: "I am planning to renovate the kitchen in a few years".

JAN MOYER: "Remove the entire cabinet and counter section, right of the micro..."

OP wrote: "I am planning to renovate the kitchen in a few years".

OP wrote: "I am leaning towards a 36" counter-depth LG side by side, or a similar model from Cafe, Whirlpool, or Samsung."

I read every word.

An ordinary clean up with a "closet pantry, counter depth to fill the space. Paint the yellow walls, and paint the doors on the closet the same as a new wall color. Add great pulls.

You are changing the kitchen in three years.

Who cares if not perfect, now, or for the next three?

Or plan a kitchen around a fridge that may or may not last two years. There IS no better cooling than Sub Zero.

The price of a simply framed and shelved closet is less than a cheap fridge from Home Depot. Studs. drywall. shelves.

While I get buying the fridge now and building around it in the long term, here is something that you should consider: In a year or two, the new appliances you want to buy for the newly updated kitchen might not match the fridge you buy now. Finishes, handles, and styles are changing all the time and even the classic stainless steel does not look the same from year to year sometimes. You might want to consider either buying ALL your appliances now, or buy a temp refrigerator to tide you over.

I am speaking from experience: I bought a cafe suite of appliances in White a few months ago and the matching microwave got discontinued while I waited to decide on whether I wanted a hood or OTR microwave.