Churchill's Steakhouse, an upscale restaurant downtown that has been closed for more than a year due to fire damage, plans to reopen following an estimated $1 million interior reconstruction project, extensive plans filed with the city of Spokane show.

Bill Alles, majority owner of the restaurant, says he expects construction to start this month and to be completed in 60 to 90 days. Alles declines to comment further, adding that he's still in discussions with partners about the project. Walker Construction Inc., of Spokane, is listed as the contractor on the project, and obtained the building permit for it on behalf of Alles. ALSC Architects PS, of Spokane, designed the project.

Churchill's will be located in the first floor and basement of what remains of the four-level Joel Building, at 165 S. Post, and the upper three floors of the building are being developed into 16 condominium units. The century-old building, designed by famed Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter, is the former home of Joel Inc., an elegant home-furnishings store.

The north portion of the building, which housed the Dorian Studio Inc. photography business, at 161 S. Post, was gutted by fire on July 24, 2008. That portion was later demolished, and Dorian Studio relocated to 4212 W. Sunset Blvd.

The rest of the building, which sustained varying degrees of fire, smoke, and water damage, is being rehabilitated by Wells & Co., of Spokane, says Terry Danzer, the city's deputy building official.

Once it's rebuilt, Churchill's layout will be nearly identical to its original floor plans, Danzer says. It will occupy 3,400 square feet of floor space on the first floor that will have the main seating area and kitchen, and 3,050 square feet in the basement that will have a bar, a private lounge, and other seating, he says. The total seating capacity is expected to be 175.

Alles, former general manager of the Ridpath Hotel, originally opened Churchill's about a year before the fire.