Integrity. Stewardship. Innovation.

EMWerks is a Treasure Valley development company built on the belief that good development requires more than capital—it takes commitment to community, attention to detail, and a long-term perspective.

Our approach pairs careful analysis with authentic local connection, allowing us to spot opportunities others might miss. We focus on urban infill projects, strategic acquisitions, and thoughtful master planning that builds better communities. 

We’re proud to openly commit to staying true to our three core principles—integrity in every action, stewardship of our investors’ capital and our community's future, and innovation in how we approach each project. We can’t wait to see what opportunities come next.

  • Headshot of Ryan Erstad

    Ryan Erstad

    CO-FOUNDER

    Ryan co-founded EMWerks with James Marria in 2023. Prior to EMW, Ryan’s career spanned construction management, commercial development, and architecture. His work has exposed him to every aspect of the planning, design, entitlement, and construction process on projects as small as a single outdoor classroom and as large as a fifteen-story hotel. His experience covers both the public and private sectors, and includes working for several churches and non-profits.

    Within the community, Ryan has been a commissioner of the Capital City Development Corporation, currently serves on the Advisory Committee of Y Camp at Horsethief Reservoir, is a member of the University of Idaho’s Boise Special Advisors, and co-chairs the Boise City Design Review Commission. Ryan is a current member of ULI Idaho, AIA Central Idaho, and Boise Downtown Rotary.

    Ryan is a sixth generation Boisean, a licensed architect with Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Idaho, and currently lives in Boise with his wife and three children.

  • Headshot of James Marria

    James Marria

    CO-FOUNDER

    James co-founded EMWerks with Ryan Erstad in 2023. Prior to EMW, James spent 10 years with a Seattle-based development company, Touchstone (an Urban Renaissance Group company). While at Touchstone, James served as a Development Manager responsible for overseeing the design, entitlement, financing, and execution of large-scale urban mixed-use developments. During his time at Touchstone, James was involved with a variety of projects and the company developed over two-million square feet of commercial office and life science space, 500+ multifamily units, and 400+ hotel keys.

    While in Seattle, James was involved with the local real estate community; he served as a member of NAIOP’s developing leaders committee, mentored University of Washington real estate students, and chaired the Northeast Design Review Board. James is a current member of ULI Idaho.

    James was born and raised in Boise, is a graduate of Chapman University, and currently lives in Boise with his wife and three children.