How to remove marble hearth?

[hendrefwen]

I am in the process of removing a "pseudo fireplace" from our 1992 Bryant home.

I have removed the cheap mdf fireplace surround and the (composite?) marble back plate and am now left with the marble hearth (see pictures).

Instead of the hearth sticking out I would like an even floor so I can put furniture right next to the wall.

Any ideas on how to proceed? I am a complete DIY newbie...

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[foxhole]

Should be able to lever it up, good chance it's set on a fake marble base plate.Or if you don't mind destroying it a wack with a lump hammer in the centre.

 

[hendrefwen]

foxhole, thank you!

I have initially tried to just lift the marble plate, but even with two people it will not budge an inch. So it seems to be somehow bonded/glued to the material below?

Sorry if that is a naive question: but how (using which tools?) can I apply enough force to lever it without damaging the surrounding laminate?

I do not mind destroying it. If I go down that route, any tips on safety or how to protect the rest of the room? As I said: I am completely clueless regarding DIY.

 

[vv2806]

Do you know what furniture is going there? Some pieces of furniture have a plint at the front and both sides but not at the back, so there is a space between the bottom of the furniture and the floor that might accommodate the heart.

I would try a brick chisel or masonry chisel and a lump hammer to remove it. Cover the laminate with something beforehand.

 

[foxhole]

Long wrecking bar, lever over wood block to spread load, should not damage laminate.The longer the lever the easier it will be.

 

[hendrefwen]

Thank you to everyone who replied!

The hearth was indeed glued to the concrete below - but a gorilla bar did the job.