This unique Boise hotel, bar and ‘cultural hub’ is for sale — to ‘right’ buyer
For almost two decades, the Modern Hotel and Bar hasn’t just been a place to rest your head.
It’s been a haven for infusing it with creativity.
So it feels fitting that even as the downtown Boise hotel is being put up for sale, it requires imaginative thinking from potential buyers.
Siblings Elizabeth and Robert Tullis, the Modern’s co-owners, are soliciting a call for offers Oct. 15-Nov. 14, according to a press release.
But they’re not simply listing it and hunting for bids. They’re asking interested parties to “bring forward not only financial offers, but bold ideas for the property’s future,” the release says.
“After 50 years in the hospitality industry, we are ready to embrace retirement,” Elizabeth Tullis explained in a prepared statement. “But we are being deliberate about how we do this. Intent matters as much as finance. The Modern has always been more than just a hotel — it’s our family’s story, a cultural hub, and a haven for travelers. This sale is our chance to inspire the next generation of dreamers while ensuring the business continues in the right hands.”
Located at 1314 W. Grove St. in the Linen District, the 20,208-square-foot space opened in 2007 as a boutique hotel with 39 guest rooms. The Modern took over and revamped what previously was a Travelodge built in 1961, according to the release.
The Modern quickly became known for partnering with area arts groups, hosting events such as Modern Art, where rooms were filled with visual art and performance artists, and Campfire Stories, a storytelling series in the courtyard. The Modern’s intimate bar and restaurant lures both locals and travelers with high-quality cocktails and food.
Conducting business as usual, the Modern will stay open during the sale process. Story Commercial is handling the call for offers.
“Our hope,” Elizabeth Tullis said, “is that this will inspire someone to come forward who will honor the values that made the Modern such an important part of Boise, while bringing their own flash of inspiration to imagine what it can become. Our story was one version of the Modern. We are offering a foundation, but the future belongs to whoever is bold enough to carry it forward. We’re rooting for the champions who come next.”
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM.