this view, we agree. OTHER JURISDICTIONS Most jurisdictions recognize that absent unusual circumstances, the option to renew a lease must be exercised prior to the expiration of the lease. However provisions designating a time frame within which notice to renew must be given are strictly construed. See American Oil Co. v. Rasar, 308 S.W.2d at 490. When a lease requires the lessee to exercise the option “at the end of’ or “at the termination of’ the original lease, courts addressing the issue have adopted one of two views on the time frame for renewal. At least two courts have interpreted this language to require that the option be exercised before the expiration of the original lease. See Music Tree, Inc. v. Tallman Piano Store, Inc., 45 Or.App. 651, 608 P.2d 1228, 1230 (1980) (<HOLDING>); I.X.L. Furniture & Carpet Installment House
holding that the lease pro vision granting the lessee the option of constructing improvements did not make the construction the pith of the lease holding that the presumption of a yeartoyear holdover tenancy applies even if the original lease contained a renewal option if the tenant fails to affirmatively exercise the option holding that under an option requiring renewal at the expiration of the lease but providing no more specific time requirement the lessee had a reasonable time to exercise the option within the term of the lease recognizing that a lease providing for renewal at the termination of the lease did not require the lessee to exercise the option before the lease expired nor did it require renewal at the precise hour of termination but gave the lessee a reasonable time after the termination of the lease in which to make his election holding that an option to renew at the expiration of the original lease was effectively exercised because the lessees holding over without express notification of renewal was deemed an election to renew the lease