This article is sponsored by Corliss Management Group.
Utah’s real estate landscape is evolving, and a pair of fifth-generation business brothers from Washington are ready to be part of its next chapter.
Eric and Steve Corliss, managing partners of Corliss Management Group and 1892 Capital Partners, have recently planted deep roots here in Salt Lake County. With two strategic investments already closed and an office now open in Draper, the Corliss family is bringing its legacy of real estate stewardship, private capital deployment, and values based investing to the heart of Utah’s most dynamic markets.
“We’re not new to real estate, but we are new to Utah,” says Eric Corliss. “And we couldn’t be more excited to contribute to this incredible state.”
Five generations, one vision
The Corliss family business was born over a century ago in Washington State, starting with nothing more than a wheelbarrow, a handshake, and a desire to help build something that lasted. Their original sand and gravel operation helped lay the literal foundation for Puget Sound’s early growth, fueling the development of roads, neighborhoods, and infrastructure. That pioneering spirit, resilient, relational, and rooted in service, became the bedrock of a five-generation enterprise.
As the years progressed, so did the business, expanding into construction, land management, and ultimately, long-term real estate development and investment.
Today, the Corliss family manages a diversified portfolio that includes residential multifamily, light industrial, self-storage, retail, and land holdings across Washington and Utah.
Their flagship project, The Sunrise Master-Planned Community in South Hill, WA, is a 1,500-acre, multi-decade development envisioned and owned by the family. With over 5,200 residential units, parks, schools, and retail centers planned, Sunrise reflects the family’s enduring commitment to thoughtful growth, stewardship, and building communities that last.
Quiet capital. Active vision.
Legacy means nothing if it doesn’t evolve. After five generations of building from the ground up, Eric and Steve Corliss knew that the next chapter of their family business wouldn’t just be about owning real estate, but about unlocking access to it.
That’s why they launched 1892 Capital Partners in 2021, a modern, boutique private lending firm designed to meet the capital challenges real estate investors face in today’s market. Backed by the Corliss family’s own balance sheet, 1892 delivers flexible, creative bridge financing at a time when traditional lenders have tightened, slowed, or altogether disappeared.
“A complete lack of financing is strangling real estate investors and developers, leaving smaller and less established players even more disadvantaged,” says Eric. “The aftermath of the recession continues to cast its shadow. It’s a scenario we’ve taken to heart, and one we’re committed to try solving in a small way.”
1892 Capital Partners was born from the Corliss brothers’ own experiences, navigating tough deals, challenging development cycles, and moments when even well-capitalized operators found themselves up against shrinking lending options.
“We’ve felt those limitations firsthand,” adds Steve. “And while we have the resources to get through it, we couldn’t stop thinking about the people who don’t. That’s why we built 1892, to give others a fighting chance in a capital-constrained market.”
1892 is actively seeking to place capital, offering speed, certainty, and tailored underwriting for brokers and borrowers who need flexible execution. The firm specializes in income-producing bridge loans, short-term acquisition financing, and custom capital stacks that bypass red tape and rigid institutional structures.
“Sometimes good deals stall because the capital doesn’t match the timeline or structure,” Steve says. “That’s where we come in...we’re fast, fair, and focused on building long-term relationships.”
Why Utah? Why now?
While the Pacific Northwest will always be home, the Corliss brothers saw something special in Utah, both professionally and personally. After Eric married into the Wadsworth Construction Family, whose roots run deep in the state, it didn’t take long for both brothers to see the promise in planting part of their business here.
The move was more than strategic; it was rooted in a desire to build a place that mirrors their values. “Utah felt like the right move, not just for business, but for our families,” Eric adds. “It’s a place where faith, values, and forward-thinking entrepreneurship intersect. That’s a rare combination.”
The Corliss team has since opened a new office in Draper, which now serves as home base for their Utah acquisitions team. Over the next five years, Corliss Management Group plans to significantly grow its local portfolio, focusing on off-market industrial, storage, land, and income-producing assets in the $1M to $50M+ range. Their approach is hands-on and relationship-driven, with a strong interest in working with brokers and operators who value speed, transparency, and long-term partnership.
But it’s not just deals they’re hoping to grow.
Through the Corliss Family Foundation, the family is actively seeking to connect with Utah based charitable organizations that support children, families, and community development, causes that reflect their deeper commitment to doing business that benefits both people and place.
Looking ahead
In a market where many capital sources are pulling back, the Corliss brothers are leaning in. “We’re here to build something that lasts,” says Steve. “Not just assets, but relationships, communities, and opportunities for the next generation.”
If you’re a broker with a quietly positioned deal, or an operator looking for a creative capital partner, you might want to meet the new kids on the block.