It doesn't seem skinny inside.

When developer Scott Kimball announced plans to build a condominium tower on a narrow plot Downtown, the project acquired an instant nickname - "the skinny building."

Now people are moving into the 17-story, 32-foot-wide building at 851 W. Front -- official name, Aspen Lofts -- and doubts about the feasibility of the site have dwindled like an aggressive stock-market portfolio.

Aspen Lofts is one of a number of Downtown-area condo projects in the works, including The Jefferson, R. Grey Lofts, Royal Plaza, Cityside Lofts and Gem Noble. All have been affected by the economic slump and none is fully occupied, but some say the market may be turning around.

"You wouldn't expect them to sell out in six months even in good times," said Bryant Forrester, sales director of a Boise company that specializes in marketing condominium property. "Inquiries have increased a lot in the last month, and Realtors are seeing upticks."

Bing and Bill Ringert became the Aspen Lofts' first occupants early this month.

"I'm in heaven," she said. "Ours is a small unit, but the space is utilized so well that it seems larger. It has high ceilings, lots of open space, huge closets É and look at the view!"

A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows made her point: Banner Bank, Wells Fargo, One Capital Center, the Statehouse - virtually all of Downtown visible from her living room.

Cantilevered overhangs add width to upper floors.

"It doesn't seem skinny at all," Bill Ringert said.

"With the view, the open ceilings and an open doorway to the bedroom, it seems spacious. Even with the grandchildren running around."

The Ringerts own a home and winery in Hammett, near Mountain Home. Their fifth-floor condo gives them a second home close to Boise relatives and saves on driving.

"We wanted a Downtown condo because we come here for wine pourings, often right across the street," Bing said. "We don't like to drive at night, so now we can just walk across the street and we're home."

Like many Downtown residents, they also enjoy being close to the action.

"We can walk to the convention center, restaurants and other places we like to go," Bill said. "We don't have to drive or worry about finding a parking space."

The only drawback: traffic sounds.

"It's not bad, but you do hear it at night," Bing said. "We're going to ask (Kimball) about some draperies to screen the sound."

Five stories up, on the 10th floor, Michael White isn't worried about noise. Still a few weeks from moving in, he's confident that the hum of his appliances will be enough to mask traffic sounds more than 100 feet below.

A physician's assistant, White chose the lofts because he was "intrigued by the idea of putting a high-rise on what looked like a grass strip for park benches."

"And I like the idea of being right across the street from Qwest Arena and not having to worry about parking," he said.

White is one of 20 buyers who have purchased condos in the first phase of 28 units. Five of 47 units have sold in the second phase.

"The economy slowed things down, but we sold two last month," Kimball said. "And the economy is showing some positive signs, so we're encouraged."

Prices range from $169,900 for a 434-square- foot studio to $3.5 million for a 4,358-square-foot penthouse (still available). The first floor is reserved for retail tenants, though none have committed so far. The second floor is planned to be office space; the third and fourth are parking.

Condo buyers could customize the size and layouts of their homes until the building's final plat was recorded.

Custom upgrades were allowed until it neared completion; then finish packages were pre-determined. Earth tones and wood or cork floors have been used extensively.

Many of the condos have balconies - including the one soon to be the home of the developer.

"I hope to move in in July," Kimball said while taking in the view from an upper-floor balcony. "Imagine sitting out here on a summer night listening to jazz."

The man who built a high-rise on a 32-foot wide sliver of ground hopes Aspen Lofts won't be his last Downtown development.

"I have my eye on a couple of sites," he said.

Including the infamous hole at 8th and Main?

"We'll see. It's a good site."

Tim Woodward: 377-6409