Restaurateur Tony George, who started the popular Harry Buffalo chain, among other spots, is in the early planning stages of opening a new restaurant at the site of the former Swingos on the Lake, located in the Carlyle on the Lake condominiums in Lakewood.

George, 60, described this project as "my last hurrah." He anticipates the yet-unnamed restaurant will open in December.

Swingos on the Lake closed in 2009. It was one of the last of the restaurants owned by the Swingos family, which made a name for itself starting in the 1960s, when Jim Swingos and his father, Nick Swingos, opened the Keg & Quarter restaurant in the Downtowner Hotel in Cleveland. They later purchased the hotel and renamed it Swingos Celebrity Inn.

Located on the ground level of the 21-story Carlyle (12900 Lake Ave.), the Swingos on the Lake location offers panoramic views of downtown Cleveland. The building is next door to the Winton Place condominiums, home to Pier W restaurant.

"We are in the demolition phase," said George, who has applied for a liquor license for his newest venture. "We don't have a concept yet. We are going to do a market study to see what will fit."

In addition, George has an architect assessing the space's interior.

George cited the changing demographics of Lakewood — and the Carlyle residents, now younger on average than in the past — as a reason to look at completely revamping the restaurant's old concept.

"It's an iconic location. There was the Silver Quill and then Swingos. We want to do something that will honor the history, Lakewood and the Carlyle. … My personal opinion is that it will be somewhere in between casual and high-end dining."

He added, "We are investing close to $2 million in the renovation, furnishings and fixtures."

Previous plans to develop the Swingos space were announced in 2010 when Bruce Ferris, co-owner of Ferris Steak House and Tavern, announced intentions to relocate to Lakewood. That deal fell through, according to published reports, and in 2012 Ferris Steak House moved from its longtime location on the West Side of Cleveland to Wooster Road in Rocky River.

George purchased the space, which he characterized as being in "terrible condition," from the Cuyahoga County Land Bank for an undisclosed amount.

"We are starting from scratch," he said.

The Harry Buffalo chain is part of George's Corporate Management Group, which is run by his son, Robert George. The group's other restaurants include Barley House (West Sixth Street, Cleveland), Willoughby Brewery (Erie Street, Willoughby), TownHall (West 25th Street, Cleveland) and Crop (Lorain Avenue, Ohio City).

Tony George will be the sole owner of the Swingos location.

According to Bryce Sylvester, director of planning for the city of Lakewood, the two are meeting in the near future to discuss George's plans.

"It's still very early in the process," said Sylvester.