The Gibson

'The Gibson' name calls back to the previous building on the corner – Gibson Funeral Home. That building was constructed in 1940 as a Boise Funeral Home. It sat vacant for several years before being demolished in 2017 for the new apartment project.

This multi-family development fits respectfully within the context of the historically-rich and distinct Old Boise commercial district. Surrounded by blocks with a diversity of architectural styles, the design of The Gibson seamlessly integrates with complimentary architecture and pedestrian scale massing consistent with the district. 

In alignment with Boise’s planning goals, The Gibson’s parking is all underground or within the alley. This allows the project to make use of its key corners where retail can encourage visitors and residents to gather and create community. Additionally, deChase worked with the city’s Parks Department to implement Boise’s first public pocket park complete with bocce ball courts and greenspace.
 
The challenge for the design of the project was to incorporate an updated exterior façade while maintaining architectural symmetry with the surrounding buildings on the block. Therefore, the building features multiple different facades, including two colors of brick and a stucco segment designed to draw out the sandstone design that is prevalent in Boise’s architectural design motif.

​​The 5 over 1, 81 unit, podium project has 14 different floor plans for studios to two bedroom loft units, that range in size from 545 square feet to 1,238 square feet. The amenities feature a lobby area for working/gathering, a park with bocce court just outside the front door, and a 5th-floor outdoor patio deck for tenants with fire pit and bqq's. The project also includes Boise’s first public pocket park along Idaho Street. 
 
Built in the historic district of the city, some specific challenges to the project was to take the existing overhead electrical lines along 5th and the alleyway underground and upgrading the streetscape along 5th Street, Idaho Street, and the alley to meet the new downtown design with brick pavers. livegibson.com