PORT TOWNSEND — The cost of saving the historical piertop building that most recently housed The Surf restaurant could soar to million of dollars, the building’s owner said Monday.

The structure is believed to be in imminent danger of falling into Port Townsend Bay after a series of high-tide October storms ate away at century-old pilings and cross beams.

The damage caused the building to sag in one corner, forcing the eatery to close early this month.

Eight restaurant employees were left without jobs.

Harry Dudley, who manages the 6,000-square-foot family-owned Hastings Estate Co. Inc. building, said he wants to save the restaurant on the 100-plus-year-old structure, if possible.

“We have decided to gather as much information as we can about what our options are,” Dudley said.

“We certainly have decided to protect the building from falling into the water.”

All avenues considered

Considering the final option — tearing the building down — is one Dudley hopes to avoid until he and his contractor, Dave Clevenger, consider all other avenues.

Dudley said he would meet with Clevenger today to further discuss a plan of action.

“If we can’t fix it, if it is not economically feasible, then we would have to dismantle the building and haul it all off,” Dudley said.

“Certainly it’s not our desire to go that route.”