A $10 million-plus, seven-story multiuse building and a possible multistory parking garage are in early planning stages for a site along west First Avenue, just east of the Eldridge Building at the west end of downtown, says Spokane real estate broker and project lead Jordan Tampien.

Tampien co-owns Tampien Brothers LLC, which does business as 4 Degrees Real Estate. The business will be the management company for the future project, named 1st Ave Redevelopment.

As envisioned, the new structure will include commercial space on the street level. 

The other stories will have a total of 48 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 550 to 1,050 square feet of living space, he says. For residents, the building also is expected to feature a fitness center, high-speed internet, and lockers for package drop-offs. 

Construction is anticipated to start in September and take a year to complete. Trek Architecture, of Spokane, is the architect, and T.W. Clark Construction LLC, of Spokane, is the contractor.

The project owner, 1st Avenue Chelan LLC, which is headed by Scott Isaak, of Chelan, Wash., acquired the 0.36-acre property on which the building is planned for $2.3 million earlier this month, says Tampien, who handled that transaction. 

Three buildings currently are located on that parcel, and one of them, a vacant single-story structure at 1309 W. First, will be demolished to make way for the new project. 

The two buildings that will remain largely intact are a two-story structure at 1303 W. First that houses Pass Word Inc., which has a call center and wireless services operation there, and a single-story structure at 112 S. Adams that’s occupied by Spokane Ballet Studio LLC. 

The developer is looking into turning the roof of the Pass Word space into an outdoor patio area. Tentative concepts for the roof involve adding a gazebo, an outdoor barbecue area, and greenery, says Tampien.

The ballet studio space will remain unchanged, he says.

Tampien says removing the vacant building gives the developer more control over the completed structure.

“It’s from the ground up, so you can change the look a little more,” he says.

Because the project is in preliminary development, details aren’t yet finalized, says Tampien, but the venture also could include a multistory parking garage abutting the south side of the building.

If the developer proceeds with garage plans, the parking structure will be at least two stories, but plans could be revised to include four stories depending on demand.

The tentative garage site currently is used for surface parking, he says.

Tampien says the development will have an “urban flair” geared toward young professionals.

“We think of it as building up an area, so when I say urban, it’s having the amenities that the modern tenant is looking for,” he says.

Nearby businesses include River City Brewing, a Rocket Bakery, Barrister Winery, KHQ Inc., and One Tree Hard Cider LLC.

Separately, Trek Architecture is also the designer of the Pacific Building, a roughly $5 million multiuse structure proposed by contractor and developer Gerald Kofmehl at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Bernard Street, about 10 blocks east of the 1st Ave. Redevelopment project site, the Journal reported earlier this month.

As envisioned, the Pacific Building will be five stories tall and have an underground parking level. Each floor will have about 12,000 square feet of floor space. 

The first, second, third, and fourth floors are expected to be for commercial use, and the fifth floor will be made into condominiums, at least two of which already have been spoken for. Depending on demand, some of the fourth floor may be turned into condos as well.

Kofmehl Inc., of Spokane, will be the contractor.