10 Downtown Boise Developments to Watch in 2019
Posted by Lisa Kohl on Saturday, November 17th, 2018 at 6:48pm
Downtown Boise has been home to cranes and construction crews for the last several years as the area’s population booms. As the City of Boise, developers, and the community grapple with what smart growth looks like, a plethora of new buildings have been added to the downtown skyline. Many of these buildings projects are mixed-use, featuring multi-family housing with retail spaces and parking included.
Buildings such as The Fowler popped up in 2018 with coffee shops and restaurants intermixed with a parking garage and high-end apartments. Mixed-use buildings make living spaces more affordable while cutting commute times and providing added community value with every build. This trend is likely to continue into the future. Here are the new construction projects you should be watching in 2019.
11th and Idaho Building
Photo courtesy of Rafanelli & Nahas
Status: Announced | 11th St and Idaho St | Downtown
A ten-story office building will be added to the Boise downtown skyline in 2019. Developers Rafanelli & Nahas have proposed an adjoined future public park and surface parking lot to be included in the 191,000 square foot project, following a growing trend of adding community value to office spaces. The office building will also feature a rooftop deck, 18-foot high glass lobby, and a sleek, modern design.
The Metropolitan
Photo courtesy of Southers Properties
Status: Announced | 8th St and Fort St | North Boise
Described as "the perfect blend of modern city allure and charming mountain living" ground-floor retail space and luxury condos define the proposed plans for The Metropolitan. Located at 8th St and Fort St, across from the Boise Co-op, the condominium project took the place of the old Baird’s Dry Cleaners building. David Southers, who also developed Hyde Park Place, has announced the four-story building will have 31 condos offering one, two and three bedroom floor plans. Prices range from $350,000 to $850,000.
Boise Library Campus
Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Status: Announced | 715 S Capitol Blvd | Cultural District
The City of Boise has long planned to revitalize its main library campus on Capital Boulevard and announced its official vision in 2018. The project is expected to be expansive, including demolishing the existing building—originally a warehouse—and building a modern hub to serve as the center of Boise’s Cultural District. The project timeline has yet to be announced, but 2019 is sure to see some progress made.
Boise Sports Park
Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Status: Announced | TBD | West End
The proposed ballpark and mixed-use development has garnered plenty of community comment and speculation as the City of Boise considers options for the Boise Sports Park. The City has proposed building a stadium capable of holding Boise School District sports events, professional soccer games, Boise Hawks baseball games, and more. Initially planned on an eleven-acre parcel in the historic River District near Shoreline Dr & Americana Blvd, focus for the proposed park has been moved to the West End.
Ludwig's Towers
Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Status: Announced | 5th St between Broad and Front St | Central Addition
The technically unnamed project is the brainchild of Boise City Councilman, and developer, Scot Ludwig. The proposal includes two towers joined by a massive sky bridge. The first building would stand 11 stories tall encompassing 130,000 square feet. The second would be slightly larger at 147,500 square feet. Combined the project includes 54 high-rise residential condos and four ground floor live-work spaces, in addition to retail space. Pricing for the condos is expected to start at $280,000 (which would mean 500 to 600 square foot studio layouts).
The Cartee
Photo courtesy of ESI Construction
Status: Permitting | 4th St and Broad St | Central Addition
Still in its permitting phase, The Cartee is an eight-story, 160-unit apartment building planned for the current parking lots on 4th and Broad Streets. Portland-based developer LocalConstruct also built the nearby mixed-use project The Fowler, and say their goal is to create a “contemporary urban experience downtown.” The new development will include, a parking deck, with ground level commercial space.
River Street Lofts
Photo courtesy of the City of Boise
Status: Under construction | 15th St and River St | Shoreline District
Energreen Development Co. has ten three-level luxury condos planned in 2019. The River Street Lofts will feature decks, three bedrooms, and 1,400 square feet of living space. Located just two blocks from the Boise River and the Greenbelt, these condos are close to the connector and make downtown commuting a cinch. The area around River and 15th Street has seen growth and revitalization in the past years as the Shoreline District continues to grow.
Pioneer Crossing
Photo courtesy of the Gardner Company
Status: Under construction | Myrtle St and 13th St | Downtown
The 120,000 square foot development centrally located on Myrtle and 13th Streets is one of the first things you see as you come into Downtown Boise. Gardner Company is nearing completion on this mixed-use facility that includes a five-deck parking structure and six-story office building. A Panera Bread restaurant and a Hilton Garden Inn opened this summer.
St. Luke’s Downtown Expansion Project
Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s Health Systems
Status: Under construction | 190 E Bannock St
St. Luke’s downtown campus expansion project will continue into 2019, causing more traffic delays with the promise of increased medical care capacity and community benefits. The plan includes infrastructure upgrades, a new children’s health pavilion, a parking structure, a nine-story hospital tower, expansion of the cancer center, and full remodel of the existing hospital tower. The children’s pavilion will be linked to the existing hospital by a sky bridge.
The Afton Phase II
Photo courtesy of McAlvain Concrete
Status: Under construction | 620 S 9th St | Cultural District
The Afton condos by developer Michael Hormaechea have already become part of Boise’s Cultural District on 9th Street. Phase two of the high-end condos is slated to begin in 2019, adding 35 units with one- and two-bedroom floor plans to complete the first phase of units on the same plot. The first phase of condos sold out with reservations now available for phase two. These thoughtfully-designed condominiums feature stunning views of downtown, a central location, and a rooftop garden, patio, and lawn.
One look around downtown and it’s clear to see, 2019 will be another year of explosive growth for this city. Will your new view be from somewhere downtown? We can help you find a new place to call home in the Treasure Valley, whether it’s in a downtown condo or an out-of-the-way rancher.
Lisa Kohl
Lisa is an Idaho Realtor and creator of WeKnowBoise.com. She helps each client just as she would a member of her own family, and cherishes the friendships she’s created. From Southeast Boise to the North End, up to Eagle and west to Meridian, or right in the middle of the Boise Bench and downtown - We Know Boise. Whether buying or selling a home, we provide full-service real estate solutions dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals.
Leave A Comment