The Idaho Wheat Commission (IWC) is moving forward with plans to construct a new building in downtown Boise, with an estimated cost of $14 million. The current building, built in 1945, has been known among the agricultural industry as the Idaho Wheat and Ag Center. Purchased by the commission in 2003, the building has provided a return on investment for wheat growers while serving as a hub for various agricultural commodity groups that leased office space. The building was also a meeting place for the Food Producers of Idaho legislative advisers representing more than 40 agricultural organizations and agribusinesses, during the annual legislative session.
Over the years, maintenance costs including replacing heating, cooling and wiring have increased to keep the building operating at a functional level. After reviewing costs and options, IWC commissioners unanimously agreed that constructing a new building would be a more efficient use of grower dollars. IWC has been working with the Idaho State Building Authority, the city of Boise, and has met with several architects and builders regarding the construction of a new building. Several drafts and plans have been reviewed, and the commission has contracted with Lombard/Conrad Architects and The Russell Corporation to carry out the design and construction of the new building. In August 2024, final approval from all entities involved in the new building process was granted and tenants of the IWC building were given notice of the plans to move forward. During the months following, tenants worked to move to different locations in preparation for the building to be demolished.
On Dec. 6, 2024, IWC commissioners and staff gathered on the property to witness the demolition of the building. Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director of the Idaho Wheat Commission, took the lead operating construction equipment to tear down an exterior wall. Commissioners and staff followed suit, each taking a turn with a sledgehammer to demolish interior walls. Crews moved onto the site the following week, and the building was completely demolished within a matter of days.
Idaho Wheat commissioners and staff stand at the building site prior to demolition. Pictured from left to right are Britany Hurst Marchant, executive director; Joe Andersen, District 1 commissioner; Cliff Tacke, District 2 commissioner; Wayne Hurst, District 3 commissioner; Ryan Mortensen, communications and programs manager; and Jill Cloward, office manager. Image courtesy of Idaho Wheat Commission.
The new building is expected to be 30,000 square feet in size, a significant difference from the previous building’s 7,500 square feet.
The ground floor will be available rental space for retail, food service and/or businesses with active patronage. The second and third floors will provide rental offices and conference rooms for businesses and organizations, with IWC occupying a portion of the third floor. The top floor will feature a spacious boardroom, a conference room, kitchen, storage space, an outdoor patio and will be accessible to all tenants of the building. To complement the surrounding architecture, the building’s exterior will be sandstone-colored with tall, arched windows.
“Throughout the design process, the goal was to find a balance between modern and classic,” said Hurst Marchant, who has overseen the project. “This design brings together the two hallmarks of agriculture – permanence and progress.”
Located across the street from the Idaho State Capitol, the new building will continue to serve as a place for IWC to highlight the value of Idaho agriculture, host international trade teams and support collaboration to advance the state’s agricultural industry. Currently, the lot sits empty behind a chain-link fence, but construction is set to begin in early spring, with completion scheduled for spring 2026.
While the new building is being constructed, IWC has temporarily moved to a new location. Please note the new address at 250 W. Bobwhite Ct. Suite 120 in Boise. Phone numbers for IWC will remain the same.
