This 14,550 sf Walgreens was built as part of a 5.5-acre development on a highly visible corner in downtown Boise where three major arterials meet. This “gateway” position meant the store would be seen on all four sides by thousands of people every day; a typical back-of-house design for loading and Dumpsters was not acceptable.
CSHQA has designed dozens of Walgreens, primarily in Arizona and California, since 2009. The majority have been standard criteria projects with regionally defined architecture, but the shell and core for this Walgreens were entirely custom-designed by the CSHQA team. The firm conducted an internal design competition for solutions that included the backside of the building.
The winning solution includes a high screening wall and a charming pocket park that complements both the site and 100-year-old Julia Davis Park across the street. Patterned, multi-colored brick and stone engage the eye on all four sides. Large display windows face the busy Broadway traffic, and pedestrians and drivers alike are treated to a colorful park with large, hardscape planters, a colored concrete chessboard and attractive, low-water plantings. Ornamental streetlights finish the look along Myrtle Street.
CSHQA coordinated design and reviews with local utilities, the city, county, and the Idaho State Department of Transportation to find solutions to meet codes and local preferences.
