Gorgeous 1901 Colonial Landmark in Boise, Idaho, With Designer Millwork, Leaded-Glass Windows, and Rich Historic Character
The H.E. McElroy House, a landmark since 1901, epitomizes historic grandeur as a nationally registered Colonial-style residence in Boise’s desirable North End. Designed by renowned architect J.E. Tourtellotte, the home’s brick exterior, bay windows, fish-scale shingles, and classic front porch speak to the city’s early prosperity and architectural heritage. With much of the original millwork, hardwood floors, leaded-glass, and antique hardware intact, it also features modern upgrades, such as renovated baths, a custom kitchen, period-inspired lighting, and updated utilities, blending old-world charm with present-day comfort. Situated between downtown and the North End, and listed at $1,150,000, this property is steps from Hyde Park and local trails, offering turn-of-the-century character and community.
Backyard and Patio
A lush, green backyard stretches out beneath mature, leafy trees that cast ample shade across the lawn. The historic home’s exterior features rich navy blue shingles with crisp white trim, complemented by large windows and charming architectural details like dormers on the roof. The patio area to the left is set with outdoor seating under soft string lights, creating a cozy gathering spot near the house. Small landscaped garden beds border the lawn and house, adding touches of greenery and tidiness. The backyard is entirely fenced, providing privacy and a tranquil, inviting atmosphere.
Neighborhood Overview
Aerial view of a lush, tree-lined historic neighborhood with downtown Boise’s skyline in the background. The residence is marked with a location pin, showing its proximity to the city center. Surrounding houses are a mix of charming older homes, many with pitched roofs, nestled among mature green trees. Streets appear well-organized in a grid pattern, quietly winding through the residential area. Downtown’s modern and historic buildings, including the state capitol dome and several church steeples, rise beyond the trees. The sky is vibrant with scattered clouds, and the overall ambiance feels peaceful and inviting, blending urban convenience with serene residential charm.
Entryway Details
Upon entering, the space features warm, rich wood trim framing doorways and windows, adding vintage charm. The hardwood flooring glows with natural tones, topped by a neutral geometric patterned rug that softens the area. A sturdy wooden front door boasts decorative leaded glass panels and a small mail slot, accenting the historic ambiance. On the right stands a wooden coat rack holding hats, while a small table with a potted plant sits to the left. Natural light pours through multiple large windows, illuminating crisp white walls and providing a welcoming, airy atmosphere that highlights the home’s classic craftsmanship.
Living Room Details
A spacious living room with a blend of historic and contemporary aesthetics. Warm wood trim around large windows and doorways contrasts nicely with crisp white walls. A vibrant teal sofa sits in the center, adorned with a mix of colorful, modern throw pillows. Two sleek black lounge chairs with patterned pillows flank a round marble coffee table. An abstract geometric rug grounds the seating, while a mid-century style chandelier with globe bulbs hangs from a copper-hued ceiling. Indoor plants and a unique floor lamp add life and interest. Art on the wall and views to a patterned adjacent room complete this inviting scene.
Living Room Details
An elegant living room with large windows featuring rich natural wood trim and a striking copper-toned ceiling. The walls are painted a crisp white, creating a bright, airy contrast. Plush gray carpeting defines the main seating area, which features a bold blue sofa with patterned pillows, a round modern coffee table, and two black mid-century inspired armchairs. A golden chandelier hangs overhead, adding vintage character. Indoor plants and geometric rugs enhance the inviting feel, while the classic woodwork in door frames and baseboards highlights the home’s historic charm. Natural light floods the space, emphasizing its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Kitchen Island and Brickwork
Warm wooden cabinets and a central granite-topped island dominate the space, complemented by high-backed modern barstools. The standout feature is a large brick arch surrounding the stove area, giving the room a rustic charm. Recessed ceiling lights offer ample illumination, while natural light streams in through a wall of sliding glass doors opening to a green backyard. Trim around the doors and windows is crafted from matching wood, tying the look together. A few artistic accents, houseplants, and well-chosen decorative pieces add touches of color and personality to the otherwise neutral and natural color palette.
Kitchen Details
Warm wood cabinetry lines the walls, reaching to the ceiling for a classic, built-in look. A stainless steel refrigerator and modern wall oven are seamlessly integrated alongside the cabinets. The centerpiece is a large, inviting kitchen island topped with speckled granite, featuring a built-in sink and space for three plush, gray upholstered stools. Overhead, three pendant lights and recessed ceiling lights provide ample illumination. The backsplash showcases exposed red-brick with an arched brick alcove framing a cooktop, adding texture and a historic touch. The overall ambiance is inviting, combining traditional materials with modern functionality in an open, organized layout.
Bedroom Suite
Spacious bedroom with a large, inviting bed adorned with neutral and blue accent pillows, set atop a soft cream shag rug. The room features polished hardwood floors and multiple windows framed by rich, dark wood trim, letting in plentiful natural light through sheer white curtains. A plush armchair and woven basket create a cozy sitting nook by the large window. The high ceiling is adorned with an elegant brass and white chandelier, echoing the classic, historic charm of the space. Warm woodwork throughout highlights the architectural heritage and creates a refined, welcoming atmosphere.
Bedroom Entrance
A spacious bedroom is viewed through wooden-framed glass French doors, which open to reveal a serene and inviting space. The room features a large bed with a white comforter and a layered arrangement of decorative pillows in shades of gray, blue, and navy. Two matching bedside tables with modern lamps flank the bed. The wall behind the bed is lined with four large paned windows framed in rich wood, complemented by white curtains. The floors are natural wood, partially covered by a plush light-gray area rug. A bold red and green abstract painting hangs on a side wall, adding a vibrant focal point.
Study with Fireplace
A spacious room features a dark wood-framed window facing green foliage, letting in natural light. White walls are accented by rich wood trim, lending a classic touch. The seating area includes two mid-century modern armchairs with wooden arms and blue throw pillows, arranged near a deep maroon brick fireplace adorned with decorative candles and framed artwork above the mantel. A modern desk sits against the window, topped with a sleek black lamp and minimal accessories, paired with a plush rolling chair. Neutral carpeting contrasts with the warm trim, while double wooden doorways lead into an adjacent sitting room with bold accent furnishings.
Home Office Nook
A bright and inviting corner of the house styled as a home office with a mid-century flair. Large picture windows framed with warm, polished wood trim let in ample natural light and offer views of green trees and a quiet neighborhood street. The room features soft beige carpet, white walls, and crisp white ceiling capped by a stylish pendant light. Retro armchairs with wooden arms face a sleek modern desk accessorized with a black lamp and decorative pieces. A leafy plant, framed landscape artwork, and elegant white curtains enhance the cozy yet refined aesthetic.
Dining Room Detail
A light-filled dining room featuring large, wood-trimmed windows that allow abundant natural light to brighten the space. The room’s color palette includes crisp white walls contrasted with rich, blonde woodwork around the windows and baseboards, imparting a sense of classic elegance. Centered within the space is a rectangular wooden dining table with a light runner, surrounded by a mix of teal blue and soft gray upholstered chairs. A modern centerpiece with greenery sits atop the table. The floor is tiled in a neutral tone and anchored by a subtle area rug, with decorative vases and artwork in the background adding a touch of sophistication.
Dining Room Windows
A bright, inviting dining area filled with natural light from a row of large wood-trimmed windows looking out onto a verdant backyard. The space features a long, polished wood table, paired with a mix of contemporary fabric chairs in muted earth tones and a single standout navy-blue chair. The floor has cream-colored tiles and a soft area rug runs under the table. Warm wood moldings, baseboards, and window casings contrast with the crisp white walls, lending a historic charm. A sideboard with minimalist lines holds plant decor, while greenery inside and outside boost the lively, welcoming ambiance.
Kitchen Cooktop Area
Warm wooden cabinetry dominates the kitchen space, featuring a wide spread of drawers and cabinets with black metal knobs. A prominent red-and-white exposed brick wall rises behind the stainless steel gas cooktop, arching above to create a rustic alcove with built-in lighting. Granite countertops with earthy tones add texture and complement the brick and wood. To the right, double wall ovens are nestled among the tall cabinets, while the left side includes small appliances and utensils. Recessed ceiling lights provide even illumination, and the tiled floor maintains a neutral beige shade, rounding out the inviting, traditional atmosphere.
Bedroom Sitting Area
A spacious bedroom with a cozy sitting area against one wall, featuring a modern light gray sofa adorned with accent pillows and a throw blanket. The room is filled with natural light from windows framed by dark wood. Vibrant artwork, including a large painting of purple flowers and a bold red piece, add pops of color to the otherwise serene space. A coffee table sits in front of the sofa, and a leafy potted plant enhances the fresh feel. The bed is dressed in layered white and gray bedding with blue fan-patterned pillows, adding texture and visual interest. Pale wood floors and classic molded trim complete the historic yet inviting aesthetic.
Bathroom Vanity
A spacious bathroom featuring a wide vanity with a cream-colored stone countertop and a classic undermount sink. The cabinetry is crafted from warm, honey-toned wood, matching the baseboards and trim throughout the space. Above the sink stretches a large horizontal mirror, framed by elegant lighting fixtures. The bathtub area is finished with tan stone tiles and fitted with a simple white shower curtain. The neutral tile flooring complements the tones in the tub surround. Accents include a set of blue-green vases with greenery and minimal wall decor, giving the room a fresh, inviting atmosphere.
Upstairs Hallway
A spacious upstairs hallway features warm wooden trim and baseboards contrasting against crisp white walls. The soft beige carpet underfoot adds comfort, leading to a staircase bordered by a sturdy dark wood banister. The ceiling is painted a muted terracotta shade, providing a subtle, elegant pop of color. A round, vintage-style pendant light hangs overhead, offering a soft, welcoming glow. On the left, blue-framed landscape prints are neatly displayed above the baseboard. Sunlight streams through a window at the end of the hall, casting natural light over the serene and harmonious space. Multiple doorways open into adjacent rooms.
Bedroom Corner
A serene bedroom highlighted by soft blue walls, white trim, and a large window that lets in abundant natural light. The bed, featuring a light tan upholstered headboard, is dressed in white linens accented by multiple throw pillows in complementary shades. Beside the bed, a wooden nightstand holds a sculpted lamp and small decorative items. An elegant wooden chair with cane seating and a textured cushion sits by the window. The ceiling hosts a sleek ceiling fan, blending function and style. Minimalist wall art above the bed completes the airy, tranquil aesthetic, enhanced by leafy green views outside.
Bathroom Vanity and Shower
A compact bathroom space featuring a walk-in shower with glass doors, earthy tan and brown tiles, and a decorative border running horizontally through the shower walls. Inside the shower, there is a built-in corner bench. The vanity area has a light beige countertop with an under-mount sink, white cabinetry below, and a mounted rectangular mirror above. Three elegant globe lights with gold accents offer bright illumination. A small arrangement of white orchids in a vase and rolled towels add a touch of freshness and hospitality. The color palette centers around soft neutrals, creating a clean and inviting atmosphere.
Bedroom Corner
Soft sage green walls and ceiling create a tranquil environment in this bedroom. The floor is covered in light gray carpet, adding warmth and comfort. A mid-century wooden nightstand with tapered legs sits beside the bed, topped with a sleek gold lamp. The bed features a low-profile wooden frame, gray and blue striped bedding, and a mix of white and navy pillows. Above the bed hangs an abstract painting in muted tones. A large window on the right lets in ample natural light, illuminating the room and framing views of leafy tree branches. Clean white trim frames the window and door, adding classic contrast.
Powder Room Wallpaper
A small bathroom featuring vintage-inspired wallpaper in a repeating art deco pattern of soft blue, green, and cream hues, paired with rich wood trim and cabinetry. A rectangular mirror with a golden frame hangs above a marble-topped vanity, which is fitted with brushed metal fixtures and complemented by neatly folded towels and a small succulent. The toilet sits beside a glass shelf decorated with plants. Through a wood-framed doorway, a bright laundry area with stacked white washer and dryer units can be seen, illuminated by natural light from a rear-facing door and windows. The overall atmosphere feels both elegant and welcoming.
Front Exterior
A two-story historic home is set amid a manicured front lawn and lush gardens. The house is painted a deep navy blue with crisp white trim, featuring a gabled roof and prominent bay windows. A concrete walkway curves from the foreground to a set of several gray steps leading up to a covered front porch, supported by classic columns. Landscaping along the walkway includes neatly trimmed bushes and flowers, with larger shrubs near the home’s foundation. Large mature trees border the property, creating dappled shade on the lawn, while the sky above is a bright and clear blue, enhancing the warm, welcoming appearance.
Backyard Spa Area
A cozy backyard corner featuring a raised wooden deck with steps leading up to a built-in hot tub, its bubbling water inviting relaxation. The exterior of the house is painted deep blue-gray brick with white trim around a small paned window. String lights are suspended overhead, adding a warm, festive glow as dusk settles in. Lush green trees and shrubs outline the fenced yard, providing privacy and a calming natural backdrop. The space blends historic charm with contemporary comfort, perfect for quiet evenings or social gatherings. Mulched garden beds follow the fence, adding to the tidy, welcoming feel.
Listing Agent: Lysi Bishop of Keller Williams Realty Boise via Zillow
