Wallace Complex

Building Information Browse Images

Geographic Coordinates: 46.730406, -117.01636

Location: NE corner 6th Street and Greenhouse

Building Overview

Date: 1963-

Standing: Yes

Notes on Naming: Named for William H. Wallace, first territorial governor of Idaho, 1863-1864

Architect: Wayland, Cline & Smull (Boise)

Architectural Style: International Style

Description: Central structure with four wings; central portion is 2 floors and contains cafeteria and offices. The two south wings are 4 floors and house 212 students each. The north two wings are 6 floors and house 312 each.

Additions: Third unit completed August 1965; 4th unit completed July 1967

Use History: First two units and cafeteria completed in 1963. Single student dorms and cafeteria; also student services offices.

Cost: $6,788,000. First two units and cafeteria $3,750,000; 3rd unit, $1,536,000; 4th unit budget $1,502,000

Sources: Morton, Bookmark, UG 12 (2329), UG 13 (121)

History

The Wallace Residential Center was developed during a university-wide construction campaign in the 1960s to meet the demands of a rapidly growing student population. Built in three phases between 1963 and 1967, the center consists of four wings—Ballard, Stevenson, Gooding, and Willey—each named after a significant figure or resource in Idaho, while the entire complex honors William H. Wallace, Idaho’s first territorial governor. The initial phase included the Ballard and Stevenson Wings, along with a cafeteria and housing offices. Gooding and Willey Wings followed in 1967. The complex introduced the first residential elevator on campus and served as an essential part of the university’s expanding residential infrastructure during the post-war boom in higher education.

Designed by architectural firm Wayland, Cline & Smull in the International Style, the complex includes four rectangular wings splaying out from a two-story central core that houses the dining and administrative spaces. The two southern wings are four stories high, each accommodating 212 students, while the two northern wings rise six stories and house 312 students each. The structure uses steel-reinforced concrete and includes a basement that functioned as a Cold War-era bomb shelter. A red-pressed brick exterior aligns with the broader campus aesthetic. The complex features a prominent two-story curtain wall on the main façade and glass-and-metal doors throughout. Wing windows include operable picture-frame styles for individual rooms and fixed panes between suites. The layout and design reflect a Modern architectural ethos, emphasizing functionality and modular living.

Additional Information on Wings

Wiley Wing

Wiley Wing (N.B. Wiley, second governor of Idaho, 1890-1893) N.E. wing

Name History: Campbell Hall (Mrs. Marguerite Campbell, regent, 1951-1961), 1st & 2nd floors; Houston Hall (Maude Cosho Houston, regent, 1946-1951, 3rd & 4th floors; White Pine Hall (state tree), 5th flr; Carter Hall (Louise Carter, Dean of Women, 1944-57), 6th flr.

Gooding Wing

Gooding Wing (Frank R. Gooding, Governor Idaho, 1905-1909) N.W. wing

Name History: McCoy Hall (Bernice McCoy, Director of placement service, 1922-1945) 1st flr; Olesen Hall (Ella L. Oleson, Registrar, 1915-1944) 2nd flr; Gray Loess Hall (prevalent Palouse soil) 3rd & 4th flr.; Whitman Hall (Mrs. M.J. Whitman, regent, 1897-99), 5th & 6th

Ballard Wing

Ballard Wing (David W. Ballard, Governor Idaho Territory, 1866-1870) S.E. Wing

Name History: Snow Hall (Harold Snow, state representative, Latah Co., 1953-1974), 1st & 2nd flrs; Graham Hall (James E. Graham, regent, 1952-1960) 3rd & 4th flrs.

Stevenson Wing

Stevenson Wing (Edward A. Stevenson, Governor Idaho territory, 1885-1889, who signed the bill creating the university) S.W. wing

Name History: Borah Hall (William Edgar Borah, U.S. Senator from Idaho, 1907-1940) 1st & 2nd floors; Lindley Hall (Ernest Hiram Lindley, President UI,1917-1920) 3rd & 4th floors