From Downtown to Lake Lowell: Life at Chickasaw

By Maddie Davidson, in Idaho

We are so excited to celebrate the launch of Chickasaw, a new community in Caldwell where Schell Brothers is building! Caldwell has so much to offer, and we couldn’t be more excited to become part of this growing community. As we’ve spent more time getting to know the city, we’ve discovered so many great local spots. Honestly, if we lived here, we already know where we’d be regulars.

A perfect morning in Caldwell starts with coffee from Bond & Bevel, followed by a walk around Indian Creek Plaza and downtown. The area has such a peaceful, welcoming feel, with local shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to explore along the way. It’s easy to spend a few hours wandering around, and there’s truly something for the whole family.

Our team recently spent an afternoon doing exactly that. We explored the plaza, stopped by the little music garden, walked along the water, and eventually made our way to Kindred By The Creek for a glass of wine. From there, we headed upstairs to Cán Coctelería, the speakeasy tucked above Amano, for happy hour before dinner.

And, of course, we couldn’t spend an afternoon in downtown Caldwell without making reservations at the James Beard award-winning Amano.
We went all in, and it was worth it. Our table tried the Ceviche Verde, Beef Tartara, Guacamole con Hierbas, Esquites, L.A. Birria Tacos, Baja Cali Fish Tacos, and Sonora Carne Asada Tacos. By the end of dinner, we were completely full and very happy with our decision to order a little bit of everything.

Days like this are part of what makes us so excited about Chickasaw. Caldwell has this great mix of small-town charm, local businesses, great food and drinks, and plenty to do, all while still feeling relaxed and easygoing.

Introducing Chickasaw

We can’t wait to see Chickasaw begin to take shape. We currently have eight homesites available, featuring some of our favorite floor plans: The Newport, The Monterey, The Stonefield, The Lilac, The Cassidy, The Southport, The Jameson, The Coronado, and The Astoria.

Location is another thing we love about this community. Chickasaw is just 10 minutes from downtown Caldwell and 10 minutes from Lake Lowell, giving homeowners easy access to restaurants, shops, and events in town while keeping outdoor recreation close by. It really is the best of both worlds.

Celebrating the Launch

We recently got to officially celebrate what’s ahead for Chickasaw with our launch party at Vertical Venues, one of Caldwell’s newest event spaces, and definitely one of the most unique. The venue is an airport hangar located right along the runway, with a back wall that completely opens up so you can watch planes take off and land throughout the event. It made for the perfect setting to introduce a community we’re so excited about.
We spent the afternoon enjoying great food and drinks, talking all things Chickasaw, and sharing site plans and community details with Realtors, prospective homeowners, and other members of the Caldwell community.

Between getting to know downtown, discovering new favorite local spots, and officially celebrating the launch of Chickasaw, we’ve loved spending more time in Caldwell. We’re excited to be part of what’s happening here and even more excited to watch Chickasaw come to life.


Schell Brothers Named 2026 Best of Boise for Home Builder & Home Construction Company

By Maddie Davidson, in Idaho

We are incredibly honored to share that Schell Brothers has been named Best Home Builder/Home Construction Company in the 2026 Best of Boise Awards. This recognition, voted on by the Treasure Valley community, is especially meaningful because it comes from the people we build for and alongside every day.

Last week, members of our Boise team had the privilege of attending the Best of Boise Gala to celebrate with fellow local businesses, community leaders, and organizations that help make the Treasure Valley such a special place to live. It was an evening filled with great conversation, delicious food and drinks, and an appreciation for the businesses that continue to shape our growing community.

While the award itself is exciting, what it represents means even more to us.

Since establishing our Boise division in 2024, our goal has never been simply to build houses, it has been to build happiness. From the very beginning, we’ve been committed to creating thoughtfully designed homes, fostering meaningful relationships, and becoming an active part of the Treasure Valley community. Whether it’s partnering with local organizations, participating in community events, supporting charitable initiatives, or welcoming new homeowners, we’re grateful for every opportunity to connect with the people who call Idaho home.

Receiving this award just two years after opening our Boise division is both humbling and motivating. It reflects the trust our homeowners have placed in us, the partnerships we’ve built with local trades, real estate professionals, and vendors, and the dedication of our incredible team members who work every day to deliver an exceptional homebuilding experience.

As we continue to grow throughout the Treasure Valley, our commitment remains the same: to build high-quality, energy-efficient homes while creating communities where families can truly thrive. Every homeowner, trade partner, Realtor, and community member has played a role in this milestone, and we couldn’t have achieved it without your support.

“To everyone who voted for us, welcomed us into the Boise community, and trusted us to build your home, thank you!”
– RUSS VAN WAGENEN, Division President

We are honored to be part of the Treasure Valley, excited for what’s ahead, and look forward to continuing to Build Happiness for years to come.