BOISE, Idaho — From a downtown parking lot to the heights of the Boise skyline, Arthur Apartments has emerged as the city’s premier luxury residential project and Idaho’s tallest apartment building. Rising 26 stories, the glass-clad tower offers sweeping views of the Boise River, greenbelt, foothills, and mountains, redefining urban living in the “City of Trees.”
“From a development standpoint, we like to be first, in this case the first of its type,” said Jeremy Malone, vice president of Oppenheimer Development Corporation. “The recent growth in Boise has been good as we’ve all benefited with restaurants, culture, theater and all the big-city amenities our little city enjoys.”
Completed in January 2025, the $104.5 million project occupies a prominent corner at 12th and Idaho streets and encompasses 420,000 square feet — nearly 10 acres of urban space. The building houses 298 luxury rental units across 17 levels, complemented by 8,800 sq. ft. of retail space and covered parking for 327 vehicles.
The architectural vision, led by SCB (Solomon Cordwell Buenz), emphasizes simplicity and elegance while drawing inspiration from the nearby Sawtooth Mountain range.
“The building’s form is intentionally simple, emphasizing the two-level, 12,000-square-foot rooftop amenity that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces,” said Mellissa Gorman, senior marketing and communications manager for Power Construction.
A hallmark of the project is the innovative rooftop amenity deck, placed above the parking garage and stacked across two levels. The lower level, known as the “plateau,” encourages active social engagement, while the top “summit” level provides a quieter retreat, connected by a grand staircase reminiscent of a mountain trail.
“Typically, a lot of developers will look at that backwards,” Malone said. “They’d suggest [putting] the penthouse units up there with the people paying the most rent, getting the best view. But our developer partners were thoughtful and wanted all 298 units to have access to enjoy the amenities.”
The tower’s construction also introduced new challenges for local subcontractors, delivering a building type unfamiliar to Boise’s market at a pace faster than usual. The project, initially projected for two and a half years, was completed in just 26 months, averaging nearly one floor per month.
“McAlvain brought more than 40 years of local expertise in the Treasure Valley,” Gorman said of the collaboration with McAlvain Construction, the local partner. “Together, our combined teams elevated industry expectations in Boise through a shared commitment to innovation, quality and collaboration.”
Coordination extended to a new network of subcontractors, city officials, and third-party inspectors, ensuring meticulous execution of complex systems, including vertical stack heat pumps, efficient plumbing risers, skim coat ceilings, and a panelized window system.
“By combining construction-efficient practices, advanced building systems and a forward-thinking urban design, this project sets a new benchmark for downtown Boise development,” Gorman added. “It benefits the client, the community and the future of construction in the region.”
The Arthur Apartments tower not only marks a milestone for urban living in Boise but also establishes a model for innovative, community-conscious high-rise development in mid-sized cities. Residents can look forward to a full complement of amenities, luxury finishes, and unobstructed panoramic views, positioning Arthur as a centerpiece of Boise’s continuing transformation.
Originally reported by Steve Lombard in IBR.
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