Eighth & Main
| Company type | Commercial office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, office space |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Boise , United States |
Area served | Boise, Idaho |
Key people | Gardner Company (developer), CTA Architects Engineers and Babcock Design Group (architects) |
| Products | Office and retail space |
Eighth & Main is an 18-story skyscraper located in Boise, Idaho, standing as the tallest structure within the state at . It functions as the Idaho headquarters for Zions Bank and accommodates tenants including Holland & Hart LLP, CTA Architects Engineers, First American Title Company, Clenera, LLC, and the Idaho Technology Council. Finished in early 2014, this building was constructed on a previously vacant lot famously referred to as "the pit" or "Boise Hole," which had remained unused since 1987.
The property encompasses retail and office areas totaling . On its uppermost floor are the Idaho & Snake River Rooms, which are occasionally available for rent to the public, primarily supporting non-profit and community gatherings. Developed by Gardner Company, the architectural design was provided by CTA Architects Engineers in collaboration with Babcock Design Group. The official opening ceremony took place on February 15, 2014.
Design
Due to concerns about its resemblance to spires associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the building’s spire underwent several redesigns.
Former structures
Initially, the site was home to the Overland Hotel from 1864 until 1904, notable for hosting General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1870. In 1877, Hosea B. Eastman acquired the property, which later became the location of Boise’s first telephone exchange in 1883. Plans to construct a new hotel were abandoned because of financial constraints, leading instead to the erection of a retail and office building.
From 1905 through 1987, the Eastman Building—originally known as the four-story Overland Building designed by Tourtellotte and Company—stood on this site. Two additional floors were added in 1910. Following Eastman’s death, it was renamed in his honor in 1926 and housed offices for legal, dental, and medical professionals but gradually deteriorated over time. The Boise Redevelopment Agency purchased it in 1972 with intentions to develop a mall; however, demolition was postponed due to preservation efforts. Although relocation was considered in 1981, the building ultimately succumbed to a fire in January 1987 after prolonged firefighting efforts and was subsequently demolished.
See also
External links
- Idaho Historical Society – photograph of Eastman Building circa 1950
- Idaho Historical Society – image showing aftermath of Eastman Building fire – January 1987
- Boise Architecture Project – information on Boise Hole
- KBOI-TV – video coverage titled "Foggy future for Boise's 8th and Main 'pit'" – May 26, 2011