A prominent corner near the Idaho State Capitol could soon see a major transformation, as plans advance for a six-story mixed-use building at the intersection of 8th and State streets in downtown Boise.
Shawn Swanby, head of the Post Falls-based Swanby Investment Group, submitted preliminary paperwork last week proposing a redevelopment of the property at 800 W. State St., currently home to a long-vacant former Home Federal Bank building. The site sits roughly 100 yards from the northwest corner of the Capitol, placing it among Boise’s most visible downtown locations.
The preliminary concept outlines a six-floor structure featuring a mix of residential, commercial, and office space. Plans call for between 10 and 12 condominiums on the upper floors, approximately 6,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on the ground level, and nearly 10,000 square feet of office space on the second floor. A penthouse unit and rooftop deck would occupy the top floor, while parking would be accommodated in a basement garage.
“The design intent of the project is to construct a high-quality, contemporary development befitting this prominent corner in downtown Boise,” Rob Beusan, a principal at Boise-based Hummel Architects, wrote in a letter to city staff.
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The proposal builds on groundwork laid several years ago. Swanby first sought to rezone the property in 2022 to allow for a broader mix of uses, a request that the Boise City Council approved in 2023. City records indicate it remains unclear how the latest filing aligns with the earlier concept, and Swanby did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Swanby Investments already owns much of the surrounding block, including the historic Carnegie Public Library building on Washington Street between 8th and 9th streets, which the firm purchased in 2019. That 120-year-old neoclassical structure was designed by John E. Tourtellotte and Charles F. Hummel — architects whose legacy continues through Hummel Architects, the firm designing the new development.
According to Beusan’s letter, the project team intends to avoid mimicking the mid-century modern design of the existing bank building. Instead, the new structure would reflect contemporary architecture while fitting into its historic surroundings.
“We believe the design of our 8th and State project is of its era, clearly delineates its uses and is logically crafted to fit amongst the neighboring buildings and urban surroundings,” he wrote.
Before construction can begin, the proposal must undergo neighborhood meetings and a formal design review process. Swanby has until June 16, 2026, to schedule those meetings before the application expires. If approved, the redevelopment would add new housing, retail activity, and office space to a rapidly evolving section of downtown Boise near the state’s most iconic government building.
Originally reported by Mark Dee in Idaho Statesman.
