The skyline of Boise, Idaho has grown taller as the city has grown larger. While Boise skyline doesn’t compare with the iconic skylines of New York, St. Louis, or Chicago, our tallest buildings are distinctive in their own right. Each one has its own story to tell and significance to the city of Boise and the State of Idaho. Here is the list of the 10 tallest buildings in Boise, Idaho.
Eighth & Main – 323 feet
The Eighth & Main building stands at the former site of the famous Boise pit and became the tallest building in the state of Idaho when it was completed in 2013. It is the state headquarters for Zions Bank. Other tenants include Holland & Hart LLP, First American Title Company, and numerous technology companies. Half of the top (17th) floor is dedicated to public rental rooms known as the Idaho and Snake River Rooms. These rooms are available for limited public rental for non-profit and community-oriented events. The developer, The Gardner Company, is committed to helping build community through their buildings.
US Bank Plaza – 267 feet
Built in 1978, this was the tallest building in the city and the state until 2013. From 1978 to 1989, it was known as the Idaho First Plaza. The building does not have a 13th floor due to superstitions about the number 13 when it was built. According to the Otis Elevator Company, at one point 85% of the world’s skyscrapers did not have a 13th floor. The building is owned by and is the headquarters of the Gardner Company.
Idaho State Capitol Building – 208 feet
Construction of the original Capitol Building took place from 1905 to 1912 and was modeled largely after the National Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Both buildings borrow inspiration from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The main building features four kinds of marble from around the world. The legislative wings were added later and were completed in 1920. The capitol building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1976. The building and most legislative sessions are open to the public and guided tours of the capitol are available.
One Capital Center – 206 feet
Built in 1975 by Mountain Bell (now a part of Quest Communications), it was the tallest building in the state until the US Bank Plaza Building was built in 1978. Famous billionaire J.R. Simplot had an office on the top floor of the building for a long time. In 2009, a webcam was set up by the Peregrine Fund on the top floor to watch a pair of peregrine falcons. The birds were incubating a nest of 4 eggs.
The Grove Hotel – 196 feet
The Grove Hotel was built in 2000 and is attached to the CenturyLink Arena, home to the Idaho Steelheads professional hockey team. The 250 room hotel prides itself on panoramic views, fine dining, and access to all forms of entertainment in the city. Its location in the center of Downtown Boise makes it a popular location to stay.
The Aspen – 194 feet
The Aspen Lofts are new high-rise condominiums in the center of the BoDo District. Each condo offers modern living solutions as well as near panoramic views of downtown, the foothills, and the Treasure Valley thanks to large windows. Residents have separate secure parking areas in the parking garage under the condos with private access to the living areas. Buyers have options for up to 3 bedrooms. The central location allows walking distance to shopping, dining, nightlife, sporting events, concerts, and recreation. Everything comes together to make these condos a desirable place to live.
Wells Fargo Building – 182 feet
Built in 1988, this 11-story building was designed as a commercial office space. Today, most of the floors are used by Wells Fargo. The remaining few are home to law offices. The sleek postmodern style and triangle shape of the building make it a distinct feature in Downtown Boise.
Banner Bank Building – 181 feet
The Banner Bank Building was completed in 2007 and blends modern building techniques with art deco styling. Much of this styling is on the first floor and on a wheatgrass motif around the building. Every floor has the exact same square footage to maximize usable space. In addition, the Banner Bank Building is one of a handful of office buildings with a platinum LEED certification. This is the highest rating for efficient energy use and environmentally-friendly design and construction.
Key Bank Tower – 174 feet
Built in 1963, this tower was first known as Bank of Idaho Tower until 1981. From 1981 to 1988, First Interstate took over. In 1988, Key Bank moved in and has maintained its presence there to the present day.
Albertsons Stadium – 170 feet
First known as Bronco Stadium until 2014, Albertsons Stadium was built in 1970 as a dual football and track & field complex for Boise State University. The stadium gained prominence in 1986 when Boise State unveiled the blue turf: the first-of-its-kind non-green artificial playing surface. Since then, it has hosted track & field championships in 1994 and 1999, bowl games since 1997, concerts, and graduations. For one day in 2015, green grass returned to Albertsons Stadium for a friendly soccer match between the Basque team Athletic Bilbao and Club Tijuana from Mexico.