Meet the Team: Vertikal

About the Team

Vertikal Development was selected as one of four development teams advancing new homeownership opportunities at the Salt Flats neighborhood in Grand Junction. Vertikal will deliver 46 for-sale homes designed to serve local workforce households, providing attainable ownership opportunities for families earning up to 140% of Area Median Income (AMI). The homes will include a mix of two- and three-bedroom floorplans ranging from approximately 875 to 1,350 square feet, creating efficient, functional living spaces for first-time homebuyers, young families, and local residents seeking an attainable path to homeownership.

Vertikal’s homes are designed to help address the growing gap between affordable and market-rate housing by serving local wage earners who are increasingly priced out of homeownership opportunities. Their approach combines thoughtful design, energy-efficient construction, and innovative building methods to deliver high-quality homes at attainable price points. Each home will be designed with long-term livability in mind, balancing affordability, durability, and comfort while supporting the City's workforce housing goals.

Estimated Project Completion:

• Construction start: Q3 2027
• First phase completion: Q4 2028
• Project delivery: Potentially one or two phases depending on market absorption and demand following the Rural Homes Project phase.

Vertikal Development

Vertikal is a Colorado-based real estate development company focused on attainable homeownership and workforce housing. The company brings extensive experience developing community-oriented housing throughout Colorado, including the Cheesman Street Residences community in Erie, the True North community in Longmont, and the ownership component of Boulder County Housing Authority's Willoughby Corner development in Lafayette.

Through these projects, Vertikal has developed expertise in public-private partnerships, affordability programs, buyer outreach, lender coordination, and homeownership education. The company works closely with local governments, housing authorities, and community stakeholders to create ownership opportunities that help working families build long-term stability and wealth through homeownership.

For Salt Flats, Vertikal will apply that same collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, working alongside the City, Rural Homes Project, and other development partners to create a cohesive neighborhood that expands homeownership opportunities for Grand Junction residents. Their integrated development, design, construction, and sales teams streamline project delivery while maintaining a focus on quality, affordability, and long-term community benefit.

Leadership Team

Walker Thrash, Founder & Managing Partner – Serves as the primary point of contact with the City and oversees project vision, development strategy, financing, and execution.

Matthew Keith, Operations Partner – Oversees underwriting, market analysis, project financing, and lender relations throughout development and construction.

Marco Oliveira, Project Manager – Provides day-to-day project oversight, manages subcontractors, and ensures construction quality and progress.

Andre Holder, Partner & Construction Manager – Tracks budgets and schedules and coordinates between design and construction teams to maintain quality and project timelines.

Sarah Newton, Partner & Design Coordinator, AIA, LEED AP – Leads design coordination, ensuring seamless collaboration among architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors.

Commitment to Salt Flats

Vertikal's phase of Salt Flats will build upon the momentum established by the broader master-planned community and the initial homeownership opportunities delivered by Rural Homes Project. The company will soon move into concept design and coordination with fellow development partners to ensure design cohesiveness across the neighborhood while creating homes that reflect the needs of Grand Junction's workforce.

Vertikal's mission-driven approach—grounded in practical design, innovative construction methods, collaborative problem-solving, and strong public-private partnerships—makes them a valuable partner in helping Grand Junction expand attainable homeownership opportunities. By delivering high-quality homes at attainable price points, Vertikal aims to support the City's long-term housing goals while helping local families put down roots and invest in their future.