Coolest Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Boise
Posted by Lisa Kohl on Thursday, February 16th, 2017 at 11:03am
Between the 1950s and 1960s, there was a rebirth of home design that was based on clean lines, functionality, and distinction from eras past. Today home enthusiasts clamor at the chance to be able to own a home with some history and personality with a nod to a bygone era. Boise has distinct pockets and mid-century neighborhoods where these dwellings can be found. Whether you're looking for a mid-century modern or a classic atomic ranch home, we've put together the spots where you can find your next gem.
Boise Bench
Country Club Manor (Hillcrest)
The Hillcrest area is a Boise Bench classic and happens to be one of Bench’s most sought after areas. The neighborhood is situated alongside the Hillcrest Country Club, which is one of Boise’s premier country clubs. The Boise Bench homes for sale in Hillcrest range from entry-level to million dollar estates. Larger homes on the ridge offer unobstructed views of the Boise Mountains and downtown.
For convenience, you’re a quick drive to the Boise airport with easy access to the interstate. Here you’ll find such a variety of retro love, including traditional styles of homes, your atomic ranch, and the quintessential mid-century modern home.
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Randolph-Robertson
Probably the most widely recognized mid-century modern neighborhood, the Randolph Robertson subdivision was the first of its kind in the Boise Bench. Perched up high on the Bench, homes in Randolph Robertson sub, range in age from the early 1950s to the late 1960s.
Far from cookie-cutter, your traditional 1950s homes will greet you as you enter the subdivision with the mid-century modern gems making their appearance towards the back or the rim view part of the neighborhood. Grace Jordan Elementary school and park are tucked in. A straight shot down the Bench is Borah High School and the Borah community pool. Here, you’re practically in the middle of it all with close access to the interstate, shopping, and downtown.
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North Boise
Boise Heights
Boise Heights is one of the City of Boise's original Registered Neighborhood Associations. Known for the sweeping unobstructed views of Downtown Boise and the Owyhee Mountain Range, some of the best views in the Treasure Valley are found here. The Boise Heights neighborhood is made up of the Boise Heights and Claremont Heights subdivisions and is situated around well known Promontory Rd.
Many of the original homes were built between the 1950s to early 1970s with infill and newer construction taking place around Claremont Dr to the East and Panorama Pl and Summit Ridge Rd to the West. Ironically, many of the newer homes built in the neighborhood tend to feature contemporary architectural designs, the majority of which include floor to ceiling windows to maximize the stunning views.
The neighborhood offers some of the best examples of mid-century modern in Boise, including one of a handful built by renowned Idaho architect, Art Troutner in 1957. The proximity to Boise North End real estate and downtown add to the appeal of these highly coveted homes. A short supply of properties and the fact that they seldom become available, typically less than five per year, adds to the overall demand of this area.
The Highlands
The first of its kind built in the Boise Foothills & a well known Boise neighborhood. Homes in the Highlands were designed to resemble homes in southern California back in the 1950s and '60s. There are multiple phases in the area, but the initial phases hold faithful to mid-century modern charm.
The North End Boise foothills location gives this community a secluded feel without the drive. The Highlands Elementary School and Crane Creek Country Club are both located in the neighborhood. Just a short drive away to Downtown Boise, or a quick getaway to Bogus Basin for the afternoon and just steps away to some of the best-known foothills trails in the area.
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West Boise
Mountain View
The Mountain View area is bordered between Cole and Ustick Roads which is a part of Boise’s West Bench. Homes here were primarily built in the mid-1950s to early '60s. While there’s plenty of variety, you’ll find your full brick ranch style homes.
The Mountain View area isn’t very large, but this neighborhood is packed full of retro gems. It’s not uncommon to see a home come onto the market that is in original condition and if you’re one of the lucky ones, you may see a home offering sweeping views of the Boise Mountains. Mountain View Elementary and its namesake park are centered in the middle of it all and are considered neighborhood staples here.
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Westland Acres
Situated in the heart of West Boise, Westland Acres is often an overlooked and understated retro neighborhood. Here, you’ll find lots of late 1950’s glam. Homes were built on generously sized lots with plenty of character. This part of West Boise fell out of favor in the 80s-90s which helped to retain the mid-century charm of many of the properties here. The location is terrific with nearby access to the Boise Towne Square Mall, a straight shot to the interstate and everything you could imagine close by.
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Cruzen-Mountain View
If you’re looking for the quintessential atomic ranch- you’ll find it here. The Cruzen-Mountain View neighborhood is just a stone's throw from Downtown Boise which adds to the appeal. A bulk of the homes were built in the early 1950s. Large brick ranch homes are commonplace, all situated on large lots. From time to time an untouched, original condition home will find itself on the market. You’re right down the hill from Garden City with relatively close access to the Boise River and the Greenbelt.
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Winstead Park
Winstead Park is made up of the Winstead Park, Grandee, Redway and Northview subdivisions. The area is located between Ustick, Cole, Northview and Curtis Roads. This area was a prime source of development back in its heyday with many neighborhoods sprouting up around the same time. Many of the homes were built between the mid-1950s to mid-1960s.
While the neighborhoods themselves are separate, you’ll find lots of mid-century continuity throughout. The area as a whole is peppered with popular city parks such as Winstead and Mountain View Parks. Geography, this area as a whole can be considered the West Bench; it’s central to everything.
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San Marino
The San Marino Park neighborhood is located in West Boise and within walking distance to Capital High school. Built in the late 1960s, homes in the neighborhood are large compared to some of the other retro counterparts which are a testament to the growing changes in home design that closed out the '60s.
You’ll find homes with full-sized basements making for lots of living space. The perk, location wise, is being close to it all. A quick trip down the hill and you’re in Garden City and a short distance away from all the shopping and dining that the Eagle Road corridor has to offer.
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Enjoy the detail and design of these original Mid-Century homes located in Boise's most cherished neighborhoods.
Lisa Kohl
A look at Boise's Best Mid-Century neighborhoods with Realtor Lisa Kohl, Boise's local real estate expert. Lisa has helped buyers and sellers throughout the Boise area. Contact her at (208) 391-4466. She would be happy to share her local knowledge and expertise with you! We Know Boise provides service in Boise, ID and surrounding areas including Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Kuna, Middleton, Star and Caldwell.
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