IDAHO FALLS — July 31, 2025 — Three major construction projects are transforming the west side of Idaho Falls as the city works to meet a growing demand for housing and visitor accommodations.

First up is a long-awaited hotel project on Utah Avenue, wedged between Walmart and Panda Express. Construction on the property — owned by TKo Hospitality of South Dakota — is finally nearing completion after years of delays. Originally announced in 2020 as a Staybridge Suites with 92 rooms, the project stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent setbacks.

Though the contractor CMI has declined to share updated details, the building appears nearly finished. EastIdahoNews.com first reported on the project before the pandemic and expects to learn more about its opening plans soon.

Not far from the new hotel, work is moving ahead on The Reverie, a five-story luxury apartment building at 1385 Snake River Parkway, close to Guns N Gear. Project superintendent Jory Deuel says the 92-unit complex will help address the local housing crunch while setting a higher standard for rental properties.

“It’s going to be higher end than a lot of the other apartments around here,” Deuel says.

Most apartments in The Reverie will be one-bedroom units, alongside some studios and two-bedroom layouts. Residents will also have access to a gym, hot tub, and other upscale amenities. Construction began in October 2024 and is on track for a March 2026 finish.

With Chubbuck and Idaho Falls seeing steady population growth in recent years, developers say projects like The Reverie are vital. According to Deuel, two finished units on the west side of the building will be opened first for showings. Applications for renters will follow shortly after.

Just around the corner, a second hotel is rising behind Candlewood Suites at 651 Pancheri Drive. The new Fairfield Inn & Suites, overseen by Pentex Builders, will offer 87 rooms and aims to meet the area’s growing tourism demand.

**“The other Fairfield (location) over by Walmart — they’re changing it to something else and this one (will replace it),” said Dallen Barney, superintendent for Pentex Builders. “It’s an upgrade and has a good view of the river.”

Work on the Pancheri Drive hotel began in October — around the same time as The Reverie — on the site of the former King B Jerky plant, which was demolished to make way for the new build. Barney says the project should wrap up by July 4, 2026, just in time for next summer’s peak travel season.

Barney points to a rebound in tourism since the pandemic as a key driver for the hotel’s development. “Tourism has been on the rise,” he noted, adding that the new Fairfield Inn will help meet demand while offering visitors a better view and modern amenities.

Together, these three projects — two hotels and a high-end apartment complex — reflect the city’s steady growth and changing skyline. As more people move in and more visitors pass through, Idaho Falls continues to evolve to meet the needs of both.

Originally reported by Rett Nelson in East Idaho News.