Ribbon cut for downtown Boise private-public project Jules on 3rd

A mixed-use project opened Aug. 5 seeking to revitalize Old Boise district.

The eight-story Jules on 3rd will encapsulate 285,000 square feet and include 173 apartments and 394 structured parking spaces as well as over 3,000 square feet for public and retail use.

The apartments will include studio, one- and two-bedroom designs with square footage ranging from 375-1,089 square feet. Amenities include a rooftop pool and sundeck, a fitness and wellness studio, a dog park and a “Sky Lounge Club Room.”

“Jules on 3rd Apartments appeals to residents of Boise and nearby communities, as well as those relocating here from the throughout the country,” Chief Investment Officer of Standard Communities Robert Koerner said. “The market includes a range of age groups, working and retired, seeking a place to enjoy the lifestyle Boise offers.”

The development, named after Julia Davis Park, was made possible by a public-private partnership between Ada County, Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), River Caddis Development, Standard Communities and The Opus Group.

For the CCDC, Jules on 3rd is the realization of a reinvigorated River-Myrtle Old Boise District that is years in the making. According to the organization, investments have been made since 2016 to work towards transitioning the area to its original design as “an active, urban neighborhood.” Significant development began in 2016 when the organization invested $6.2 million into improving the surrounding neighborhood on Broad Street. Following the work done by CCDC, a variety of private investors entered the district, looking to capitalize on the desirable development space.

One of the investors was Washington D.C.-based Standard Communities, which made Jules on 3rd the company’s first investment in Idaho. Jeff Jaeger, the co-founder and principal of Standard Communities, expressed his gratitude for what was a ground-breaking opportunity for the company.

“We’re delighted that Boise is the location of Standard’s first ground-up development in the U.S.,” Jaeger said in a press release. “Jules on 3rd Apartments is the best new residential development in Boise.”

River Caddis also became involved in the development after the developer saw an influx of public investment in Boise’s downtown area. Based out of Michigan, River Caddis has spearheaded a variety of student, multifamily and commercial developments throughout the country, according to the company’s website. Like Standard Communities, Jules on 3rd will mark River Caddis’ first foray into Boise development.

The building’s design and construction were led by Standard Companies and River Caddis development.  According to CCDC, River Caddis worked specifically on bringing “infrastructure improvements that prioritize sustainability and pedestrian experiences,” as well as ensuring that Jules on 3rd has a downtown connection from which its name derives.

The project’s architecture, interior design and design-build construction were led by The Opus Group, which worked alongside River Caddis.

“We are excited about this public-private partnership with Ada County, bringing a much-needed public parking structure to the downtown (area), along with luxury apartments on the upper levels,” Kevin McGraw, president of River Caddis Development, said in a press release. “It is truly an example of how such a partnership can be mutually beneficial.”

According to Koerner, Jules on 3rd is already about “two-thirds leased,” adding that the expectation is that spots will quickly fill based on the desirability of the location. Due to the positive response to the development, the companies involved are already pursuing further development opportunities in Idaho.

“Standard Communities and River Caddis Development are looking for additional multifamily development opportunities in response to a strong market in Boise and elsewhere in the state,” Koerner said.