Williams
Williams Corporation Limited is a New Zealand residential property developer building turn-key apartments, townhouses, and studios in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Tauranga, with expansion into Australia and Singapore, serving first home buyers, property investors, and international investors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Williams does
Williams Corporation Limited is a privately held New Zealand residential property developer and builder founded in 2003 by Matthew Horncastle and Blair Chappell, headquartered in Christchurch with operations extending to Auckland, Wellington, and Tauranga. The company constructs turn-key apartments, townhouses, and studios in urban central-city locations, with product pricing ranging from approximately NZ$399,000 for studios to over NZ$1,000,000 for premium multi-bedroom units. Williams Corporation is self-described as one of New Zealand's largest new home builders and the biggest apartment builder in Christchurch, executing projects using traditional residential construction methods supported by in-house architectural design (BIM technicians, a registered architect), quantity surveying, and licensed building practitioners.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time residential property sales, supplemented by recurring revenue from property management services through the Managed by Williams subsidiary (handling tenant sourcing, maintenance coordination, and rental collection) and investment funds through Williams Corporation Funds, which allow external investors to participate in development projects. The company operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market motion with city-dedicated client consultants across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, supported by an inside-sales call centre in Cebu, Philippines, international investor offices in Singapore and Sydney, and a content-led marketing program (The Williams Project podcast, webinars, display homes, and active social channels).
Customer segments include first home buyers targeted through affordable turn-key units with low-deposit and delayed-deposit options, individual property investors targeted with rental-yield-focused product and full property management, and international investors reached via the Singapore office for exposure to New Zealand property. Geographic expansion is underway into Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, and the founders have announced plans for an IPO and NZX listing targeted for 2027.
Williams firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Williams
- Legal name
- Williams Corporation Limited
- Website
- https://williamscorporation.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Williams Corporation Limited is a New Zealand residential property developer building turn-key apartments, townhouses, and studios in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Tauranga, with expansion into Australia and Singapore, serving first home buyers, property investors, and international investors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Williams is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices6 records
Markets served
Williams business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Property Sales: Williams Corporation generates revenue through the sale of newly constructed residential properties including apartments, townhouses, and studios. Properties are sold as turn-key homes ready for occupancy or investment.
- Property Management Services: The company offers property management services through 'Managed by Williams' subsidiary, providing ongoing management of properties for investors including tenant sourcing, maintenance coordination, and rental collection.
- Funds Investment: Williams Corporation offers investment funds allowing external investors to participate in property development projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Studio and 1-bedroom apartments |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Townhouses (2-3 bedrooms) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium apartments (2-3 bedrooms) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Williams product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Williams Corporation develops, builds, and sells turn-key residential properties including apartments, townhouses, and studios in central locations across New Zealand cities (Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga), with expansion to Australia and Singapore. The company complements its property sales business with the Managed by Williams property management service for investors and Williams Corporation Funds investment platform. Properties are sold as ready-to-occupy homes or investment assets with included quality appliances and modern specifications.
Product overview
Williams Corporation is a New Zealand residential property developer and builder offering a portfolio of apartment and townhouse developments across Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Tauranga, with expansion into Australia. The company operates as a single unified product line focused on property development, complemented by supporting services including property management (Managed by Williams), investment funds, educational resources, and a business podcast. Core products consist of named residential developments such as Manchester Square, 18 Wilmer Street, 20 Wilmer Street, 12 Bath Street, and Williams on Worcester, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments and townhouses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Managed by Williams: Property management service for homes built by Williams Corporation, offering rental management and tenant services
- Williams Corporation Funds
- The Williams Project
Products and services
- Manchester Square Mixed-use development in Christchurch featuring commercial spaces, apartments, and townhouses located in the East Frame area, offering one to three bedroom units.
- Williams on Worcester Landmark 10-storey apartment tower development in Christchurch featuring panoramic views from the Port Hills to the city skyline and premium urban living.
- 20 Wilmer Street One and two-bedroom apartments in Christchurch CBD offering urban lifestyle access to city amenities, dining, and retail, with 12 homes currently available.
- 18 Wilmer Street Studios and townhouses in Christchurch CBD consented for short-term accommodation, providing low-maintenance modern homes in a central location.
- 12 Bath Street 21 one and two-bedroom apartments and 36 one-bedroom townhouses across three buildings in Christchurch, featuring amenities including cedar barrel sauna, plunge pool, and spa.
- 96 Tuam Street Completed 26 townhouse development in Christchurch featuring two to three bedrooms, priced from NZ$775,000.
- 169 St Asaph Street Mixed-use commercial development in Christchurch with three-bedroom and two-bedroom units available for sale.
- Managed by Williams Property management service offered by Williams Corporation to manage rental properties for investors, including tenant sourcing, maintenance coordination, and rental collection.
- Williams Corporation Funds Investment fund offerings allowing external investors to participate in Williams Corporation property development projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86 home settlements totalling NZ$55.4 million in single month (June 2022)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Williams
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Williams technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Williams partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Williams competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Universal Homes: Major Auckland-focused residential home builder offering turn-key homes for first home buyers and investors. Competes directly with Williams' Auckland developments in the affordable-to-mid segment.
- Jennian Homes: One of NZ's largest franchise residential home builders with national reach. Competes with Williams in the new-build home segment, particularly for first home buyers.
- G.J. Gardner Homes: Large NZ franchised residential home builder with broad geographic coverage. Comparable to Williams in volume-building scale and first home buyer focus, though more weighted to standalone houses.
- CDL Investments New Zealand: NZX-listed NZ residential property developer and landlord focused on Auckland apartments and townhouses. A directly comparable developer with similar product mix, investor customer base, and NZX market exposure relevant to Williams' planned IPO.
- Mike Greer Homes: NZ residential home builder operating in Christchurch and other South Island markets, with product overlap in townhouses and apartments. Directly comparable to Williams in the Canterbury region.
- Classic Group: One of New Zealand's largest residential property developers and builders, operating across Auckland and other NZ cities with apartment and townhouse product. Direct competitor to Williams in the multi-unit turn-key segment for first home buyers and investors.
Broad incumbents
- Fletcher Building: NZ's largest construction and building materials company with residential development through Fletcher Living. Operates across the full construction value chain including land development, home building, and building products, making it a broad incumbent versus Williams' focused developer-builder model.
Regional players
- Metricon Homes: One of Australia's largest residential home builders, operating primarily in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland. Comparable to Williams as a regional volume builder with similar product, customer mix, and growth ambitions as Williams expands into Brisbane/Sydney.
- Simonds Group: ASX-listed Australian residential home builder with national operations. A relevant regional peer as Williams enters Australia, providing a listed-market comparable for valuation and operating benchmarks.
Others
- Kāinga Ora: NZ government's housing and urban development agency, the largest residential developer in NZ. Not a direct competitor in the private market but a major structural player shaping NZ housing supply that Williams competes with for land, consents, and labor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Williams social profiles
Digital presenceWilliams financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Williams leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Williams subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Williams funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Williams M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Williams
What does Williams do?
Williams Corporation develops, builds, and sells turn-key residential properties including apartments, townhouses, and studios in central locations across New Zealand cities (Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga), with expansion to Australia and Singapore. The company complements its property sales business with the Managed by Williams property management service for investors and Williams Corporation Funds investment platform. Properties are sold as ready-to-occupy homes or investment assets with included quality appliances and modern specifications.
Is Williams a public or private company?
Williams is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Williams founded?
Williams was founded in 2003. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Williams based?
Williams is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Williams make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Property Sales are the primary driver. The others are property Management Services and funds Investment.
Who are Williams's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Universal Homes, Jennian Homes, G.J. Gardner Homes, CDL Investments New Zealand, Mike Greer Homes and Classic Group. Fletcher Building is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Metricon Homes and Simonds Group. Kāinga Ora is listed as an others.
Does Williams have an API?
No public API is recorded for Williams.