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| 802 West Bannock Street |
Art Deco is at its best on a high rise or skyscraper. The style draws one's eyes upwards, with vertical lines and windows ordained along the sides of the building.
Unfortunately, the style isn't as popular now. And while big cities like New York, LA or (specifically) Miami have plenty of it scattered around, smaller cities and newly growing ones don't have nearly as much, as the modern age has long since come and past.
Luckily, Boise has one such gem. The Hoff Building. Located just south-west of the Capitol building, the building stands 165 ft tall (about 50m) and has 14 floors. Finished in 1930, it is a rare Art Deco treasure, surrounded in the sea of the brown and gray buildings that is Downtown Boise.
The exterior is what one would expect from a Art Deco building, with very rectangular shapes and ornate designs near the top and around the windows. At night, it is lit up by orange lights that give it its distinctive glow among the Boise skyline.
Inside, the bottom two floors are decorated lavishly with many designs and colours. The elevator holds a gold geometric design, which looks like a fountain. The feeling in the lobby is warm and happy and the Christmas tree fits with the season. Two classic elevators are also hidden near the entry. It's a very comfortable building, and a good sight to see for anyone in Boise who is interested in architecture.
Originally called Hotel Boise, the building served as a Hotel downtown for some time. Supposedly, there was a restaurant near the top at one point, but I am unaware of when or for how long. For a while, it was apparently owned by the city, and is now home to small shops on the lower levels, as well as offices on higher ones. It was initially only 11 floors, but more were added on later. The Architect was Frank K. Hummel.
