One of the Plaza-Central Avenue business district's vintage buildings might get a makeover that includes adding a restaurant and bar with a skyline view.

Tom Burrell and Bernadette Delgato of Abba Investments Inc. have filed for a rezoning that will enable them to proceed with plans to remodel and build a balcony on the second floor of 1500 Central Ave.

Burrell wants to convert a couple of large windows into doorways opening to a wrought-iron balcony with views up Central Avenue toward the center city.

"We want to make the building look like a gateway into a village -- something planners have envisioned for this area," he said.

Residents and businesses participated in a study about four years ago that called for preserving and enhancing old buildings, maintaining the district's diversity and discouraging chain restaurants.

Burrell said he's considering selling memberships to the restaurant and bar, similar to Belle Acres, a South Boulevard club where he is a member.

He anticipates seating capacity of about 80 in the 1,900-square-foot space, but said, "We probably wouldn't have more than 30 or 40 at any one time."

The 4,500-square-foot building, completed in 1932 at Central and Pecan avenues, housed Jimmie Ledford Inc., a popular men's clothier, in the 1950s and now is home to three tenants.

Urban Evolution, a funky clothing store, and a tattoo parlor occupy the ground level. The Perch, a comedy club, leases the second floor.

Burrell said The Perch is considering moving to the Hawthorne Mill renovation project at 1111 Hawthorne Lane. He said he will allow it time to find a new location before he begins renovations for the restaurant and bar.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission has scheduled a July 21 hearing on the petition.

The commission's review and recommendations could go to the City Council for a vote in September.

Burrell said he plans to name his restaurant and bar The Porch, "to pay homage to The Perch, which has been a great benefit to this neighborhood."

Burrell, an electrical contractor who moved to Charlotte from Greenville, S.C., in 1970, said associate Grey Helms will be a minority partner in the restaurant and bar.

Delgato, Burrell's wife, owns Center City Realty. She is from Charleston. They live in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood.

Property records indicate Abba Investments paid about $550,000 for the building and land. John Nichols of The Nichols Co. handled the sale.

Burrell said he got the idea for his venture from the comfortable, laid-back ambience of second-story restaurants he visited in Charleston.

"The Porch will be an envelope of tranquility where politeness is required," he said. "You'll see that on our sign, which will include a guy and a girl in 1930s regalia."

Entertainment seems to be on the upswing in Plaza-Midwood. A week ago, investors disclosed plans to renovate a 67-year-old building at East 10th Street and Louise Avenue for a musical theater and eatery called Honest Pat's Playhouse.

Doug Smith's Notebook

• Insite Properties LLC plans in July to start the first building at Matthews Corner, an office condominium project at North Ames and West Matthews streets in Matthews.

Insite's Jay Blanton said the building -- 5,400 square feet -- is under contract for sale to Cistech, a software sales, maintenance and consulting company to manufacturers.

Construction should be completed by year-end, he said.

Blanton said Insite, which is partnering with Max McLeod of McLeod Associates Architects on the project, plans to close later this month on the 1.25-acre site.

Matthews Corner will include a second office-condo building totaling about 12,000 square feet.

• The Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors is helping local real estate salespeople get familiar with office leasing opportunities in the center city.

It's sponsoring an "office crawl" walking tour of the uptown towers 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday with a $500 prize drawing and reception following at Ri-Ra Irish Pub & Restaurant, 208 N. Tryon St.

The tour costs $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For information or registration, call the CRCBR at (704) 377-8982.