We are converting the closed off space under our stairway to a storage room and will access it by removing the back wall of our Hallway closet (72" x 40"). Is it safe to remove the 2x4 framing that held up the drywall at back of Hallway closet?
More details on my initial research:
Pls see 1st picture with a view from the closet-side, after drywall was removed. This framing consists of 4 vertical 2x4's set at 12" Centers and nailed into a 2x4 baseplate (all marked with RED lines in pictures), bolted into the concrete slab, and nailed into a top plate/beam. There is also the Landing Header beam in background, marked in GREEN lines in pictures. The Landing Header beam is NOT connected to the vertical 2x4's marked in RED.
The stair treads sit on doubled up stringers on the sides and single stringer up the middle (marked with BLUE lines or BLUE S in remaining pictures). Per my own research, I'm being told the stairwell (and landing) "is a side-bearing stair framing with infill studs" and thus is NOT relying on the vertical studs in the closet wall framing for any real/direct support.
The research further told me the load for the stairs is carried on the sides (not on post), with the landing framing and nailed into stud packs/short studs, that support the landing and upper stair run that continues over Hallway closet. (Pls see both Landing Header beam pictures - Landing Header marked with GREEN line with closeups of how attached to side short studs, in Orange circles)
My big question to the experienced community here: do you agree that stairwell load is carried on the sides and the vertical framing of the back closet wall is NOT load-bearing for the stairwell? Do you believe we can safely remove this framing (marked in RED lines in pictures), including the baseplate, with impacting the stairwell and landing? Or am I missing something crucial here? The townhouse was built in the mid 1960's.
Thank you!!!