Developer tops off $90M downtown Boise towers ‘with a great view’
A big new building in Boise’s East Downtown neighborhood is one step closer to completion.
Ahlquist LLC, formerly Ball Ventures Ahlquist, held a “topping off” celebration for its two-tower building at the corner of 4th and Idaho streets on Wednesday. The traditional ceremony, where the final steel beam with an evergreen tree affixed to it is placed on the structure, marks a milestone in the construction process.
“This time-honored construction ritual is a moment of pride and recognition for the tradespeople whose expertise is building Boise’s skyline,” said Tommy Ahlquist, the founder and CEO of his namesake company and a well-known physician.
The Idaho Central Credit Union Plaza at 200 N. 4th St. has been years in the making. Built at the previous site of an Idaho Central Credit Union branch, it will house offices in the 13-story south tower and residential units in the 11-story north tower, with retail space on the ground floor.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Ahlquist told the Idaho Statesman. He said the project will cost around $90 million.
The north tower, which was initially planned to include 100 apartments, will instead have 69 living units, with five dedicated for low-income renters with housing vouchers. The other 64 units will be condominiums for sale. Housing choice vouchers are a federal program that helps disabled, low-income and elderly people find and pay for housing in the private market, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ahlquist said the residential tower will be completed next March.
“It was a good change, because I think in downtown, just having units that are for sale is kind of a needed niche that wasn’t in the market,” he told the Statesman. “There’s been a lot of apartments. So we’re really excited that we’re going to be able to provide that.”
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Boise Metro Chamber President Bobbi-Jo Meuleman spoke at the topping off ceremony and praised the project for contributing to Boise’s housing stock.
“Even as the building changed and it went from apartments to condos, to maintain the commitment to provide affordable homes to Boise and working wages is exactly what we need to see here and throughout the city,” McLean said.
The south tower, slated to finish in late April, will have an ICCU branch with a drive-through and several floors of office space.
Ahlquist LLC first proposed the project in 2020. The developer demolished the old ICCU building that sat on the lot with the city’s approval, but hit pause on the project as interest rates and construction costs skyrocketed.
Some residents had opposed the project because of its height and the impact on the area. Construction began at last in late 2023.
ICCU CEO Brenda Worrell said the credit union opened its first branch at the site in 1981.
“We’re super excited to be able to come back here to this beautiful new building with a great view, and also be able to provide housing for the downtown area as well as retail space for the commercial tenants,” Worrell said. “Today is a huge milestone.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM.
