Chief Architect Inc., of Coeur d'Alene, plans to move its operations to a yet-to-be built structure in the Riverstone multiuse development, says Scott Harris, a spokesman for the company.

The architectural design software maker has bought 3.5 acres of vacant land just north of the Ugly Fish restaurant, which is located at 1927 W. Riverstone Drive, on the northwest edge of the main retail section of the Riverstone development, Harris says.

The plans are still in the early conceptual stage, he says, although he adds that the company envisions developing a 60,000-square-foot office building at Riverstone.

The company hasn't selected an architect or contractor for the planned project at Riverstone yet, Harris says. "It will be a two- to three-year project for us by the time we do the design and get the construction done," he says.

Harris declines to disclose the value of the planned project.

Chief Architect, which has roots in Coeur d'Alene dating back to 1994, currently occupies 30,000 square feet of leased space in the Hecla Mining Co. building, at 6500 Mineral Drive, in north Coeur d'Alene.

The company has 60 employees and hopes to grow into the planned larger space at Riverstone, Harris says, adding that Chief Architect has no plans to lease portions of the building to other tenants.

He declines to disclose the company's revenues, but says, "We've seen good growth with the recent turnaround in construction."

Chief Architect makes two separate lines of software products, Harris says. The company markets its flagship product line, Chief Architect, to professional architects, builders, interior designers, and developers. Its second product line, Home Designer, is less technical and is for do-it-yourself home design, residential remodels, landscaping, decking, and outdoor-living projects.