July 11, 2012
$60M building will finally fill long-time hole in Boise
Construction crews will break ground this week on a $60 million building that will fill Boise's infamous downtown hole.
The Idaho Statesman reports a ceremony is set for Thursday at the corner of Eighth and Main streets. The site — jokingly referred to in Boise as “The Hole” — has been vacant since fire destroyed the Eastman building in 1987.
Several developers have proposed projects for the site over the years, but those efforts have failed.
The Gardner Co. is the developer, and plans an 18-story concrete and steel building anchored by Zions Bank. Retail and office space will be on the first two floors, 183 stalls of parking on floors three through five, and office space above. Basement storage will be provided for tenants.
Other tenants are Holland & Hart law firm, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Idaho Technology Council, First American Title and CTA Architects Engineers, the building's designer.
ESI is the general contractor and Babcock Design Group is the interior architect. Zions Bank will provide funding. Colliers International is in charge of leasing.
A Gardner spokesman said they announced the building last fall and bought the lot earlier this year.
A portion of Eighth Street will be closed during the groundbreaking ceremony.
The building will open in the first quarter of 2014.