Storhaug Properties LLC, a company formed by Spokane engineer Jerry Storhaug and his wife, Yvonne, has bought the former Harry Os restaurant and bar building east of downtown and plans to convert at least part of the structure into office space.


Storhaug Engineering Inc., a Spokane firm of which Jerry Storhaug is president, plans to move its office into part of the 7,000-square-foot structure, which is located at 508 E. Third.


Remodeling work is expected to start in mid-October and should be completed in December. A cost estimate on the project hasnt been firmed up yet, Storhaug says.


In addition to converting some of the buildings interior to office space, Storhaug plans to revamp the outside of the building, adding more windows to the brick-faade structure.


CEC Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the general contractor on the remodeling project, and Zeck Butler Architects PS, of Spokane, designed the improvements.


Storhaug Engineering will take about 4,000 square feet of floor space at the buildings east end for its office and likely will move there in January, Storhaug says.


The remaining space will be marketed for lease, and he hopes to attract either another office user or a small restaurant.


The engineering firm currently is located in a 2,500-square-foot space in the former Harvest Professional Center, at 1322 N. Monroe. Music City Spokane Inc. bought that structure earlier this year and consolidated its operations in part of that building.


Storhaug Engineering opened its doors in 1993 and currently employs 17 people.


The firms services include civil engineering, land surveying, land-use planning, and landscape architecture.


The Third Avenue building has sat vacant for more than four years. Doc Hollidays Steakhouse & Saloon operated there for a brief period in 1999, and earlier that decade, Harry Os restaurant and lounge was located there.


In the 1980s and earlier, the structure was the home of the Culpepper Cattle Co. restaurant.


Marshall Clark, of Clark Pacific Real Estate Co., and Grant Person, of Tomlinson Black Commercial Inc., handled the sale of the building.