Brian Sharp

@SharpRoc

Plans call for a four-story building, replacing a one-story structure built in 1965.

The proposal is for 10 to 12 apartments, and a small officer user already in talks with developers.

Developers hope to begin construction in 120 days, and complete the project in 12 months.

Developers want to replace a one-story former doctor's office-turned-school building on a busy East Avenue corner with a four-story office and apartment building.

The proposal, transforming the northwest corner of East Avenue and Goodman Street, would represent the first new construction within the East Avenue Preservation District in decades.

Christa Construction and Morgan Management want to replace the existing structure, built in 1965, with 10 high-end apartments — one- and two-bedroom units with rents in the $2,000 to $2,200 range — and space for a small office user, said Morgan founder and CEO Robert Morgan. The new building would rise on the same footprint, extending west to consume the Century Club parking lot, according to documents submitted to the city.

"It will be a cool building when it's done," Morgan said.

Christa and Morgan bought the historic Century Club mansion last year, and the adjacent Strathallan, a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, about five years ago. Morgan owns a number of apartment buildings in the area, including 520 East Ave., which is adjacent to the hotel.

Strathallan partners buy Century Club

The Strathallan, the Century Club and another property on Strathallan Park used by the hotel are all part of a planned development district created more than a year ago, to which Christa and Morgan now seek to add 600 East Ave. That will require approval from the city Planning Commission and the City Council. That process could take a couple of months. Morgan said the goal is to start construction in roughly 120 days. The project would take about 12 months to complete.

The building that would be torn down was built as a doctor's office and later taken over by the Ora Academy. The Jewish girls high school occupied the building for roughly a decade but moved to South Winton Road in summer 2013. Only the school sign remains. The new building would include enclosed parking for roughly 17 vehicles.

Members of the city's Preservation Board gave the proposed development a positive initial review last week. The preservation district is roughly bordered by Alexander Street to the west, Wegmans to the east, and runs between University and Park avenues.

"If you think of East Avenue, it really is a catalog from one end to the other," said Peter Siegrist, preservation planner with the city, noting the architecture ranges from the 1870s to present day with almost every age reflected. "And it all works together somehow."

Elsewhere in the preservation district, Morgan is eyeing a spring construction start for a 99-unit apartment complex at 933 University Ave., behind the George Eastman Museum.

Spring start for University Ave. project

BDSHARP@Gannett.com