WEQ SOCIAL
Core Values
As Williams Equities reaches its century mark, its core values serve as the foundation, guiding all aspects of work.
Our Story
Williams Equities is a family-owned company with a century-long legacy of excellence. The third and fourth generations lead the company through industry changes, establishing new standards for success.
- 1926-1936
- 1937-1947
- 1948 - 1958
- 1959 - 1969
- 1970 - 1979
- 1980 - 1989
- 1990 - 1999
- 2000 - 2009
- 2010 - 2019
- 2020 - Present
-
1926-1936
1926 – 1936
Victor Cohen founded Williams & Co. during the Great Depression era. While attending a Spanish language class, Victor met Sydney Roos, a ribbon salesman. Impressed by the idea of a career change, Sydney decided to team up with Victor at Williams & Co., a growing real estate brokerage firm. The business, which specialized in loft and industrial buildings between 14th and 40th Streets from Third and Eighth Avenues, expanded to include eight employees. They were responsible for leasing and managing a multi-building portfolio. Eventually, in 1936, Sydney became co-owner of Williams & Co., joining Victor as a partner in the business.
-
1937-1947
1937 – 1947
By 1937, Williams & Co. had experienced rapid growth, hiring additional employees to keep up with its success from the previous decade. As a result of the Great Depression, Williams managed many foreclosed properties on behalf of various banks. Williams & Co. was often tasked with selling these properties and eventually acquired minority ownership positions in many buildings. This experience was a steppingstone for future growth, leading to further acquisitions in the following decades.
-
1948 – 1958
1948 – 1958
Williams & Co. welcomed Edwin Roos, Sydney’s son, and Jerome Cohen, Victor’s son, as the second generation of the Cohen/Roos partnership. In 1953, Williams & Co. acquired its first property, 1140 Broadway, which the firm still owns. By the end of the 1950s, the Williams & Co. portfolio had grown to 2.1 million square feet with the addition of 16 loft and office building agencies.
-
1959 – 1969
1959 – 1969
Robert Carmel started his career at Williams & Co. as a broker trainee and eventually became an owner and senior partner in partnership with the Cohen and Roos families. As the company grew, it acquired 38 East 19th Street and 28-40 West 23rd Street, expanding its portfolio. Williams & Co. also changed its name to Williams Real Estate Co., Inc. In 1967, the Ruben family, another well-known real estate family in New York City, joined forces with Williams Real Estate Co. to form a strategic partnership. Together, they acquired and developed 1700 Broadway, a 42-story, 650,000-square-foot office tower between 53rd and 54th Streets.
-
1970 – 1979
1970 – 1979
The Williams/Ruben partnership flourished with the acquisition and development of 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza—a 49-story, 815,000-square-foot office tower between Second and Third Avenues. During this decade, Williams Real Estate Co., Inc. also acquired 16 West 61st Street, 104 East 25th Street, 35 West 36th Street, 136 Madison Avenue, 655 Madison Avenue, and 183 Madison Avenue. Most of these assets are still owned and managed by the firm. In 1976, Edwin’s son, Andrew Roos, joined the firm, marking the third generation of the Roos family to become part of Williams Real Estate Co., Inc.
-
1980 – 1989
1980 – 1989
At the start of the decade, the firm continued its growth by acquiring 79 Madison Avenue and 57 West 57th Street. In 1981, Michael T. Cohen joined the company, representing the third generation of the Cohen family to become part of Williams Real Estate Co., Inc. During this decade, the firm also converted 28-40 West 23rd Street from a loft manufacturing building into a 500,000-square-foot office and retail complex, which was showcased in the 1988 blockbuster movie Big. During this period, Kenneth Carmel joined the firm to work with his brother Robert in expanding the firm’s portfolio and brokerage business. The firm continued to acquire assets with strategic partners, including 60 Hudson Street with the Stahl Organization.
-
1990 – 1999
1990 – 1999
Williams Real Estate Co., Inc. rebranded as GVA Williams to increase its focus on third-party brokerage and management as a Williams Real Estate Co., Inc. division. In 1992, Robert Getreu joined the business, representing the second generation of the Carmel family. A year later, Andrew Roos and Michael Cohen ascended as managers of the brokerage business. Under their leadership, the firm represented the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in a 49.5-year, 1.2 million-square-foot lease of 2 Broadway, hailed as the “largest lease transaction of the decade.” Although it was a challenging period for the real estate industry and the economy in general, GVA Williams positioned itself as a market leader with one of the largest portfolios in New York City.
-
2000 – 2009
2000 – 2009
In 2003, GVA Williams acquired 321 West 44th Street in a partnership with Thor Equities. This purchase was followed by acquiring 224 West 57th Street in partnership with M1 Real Estate. As the GVA Williams portfolio grew, so did its brokerage business, with offices in Manhattan, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Chicago. GVA Williams became the founding member of GVA Worldwide, a global strategic partnership of leading real estate firms in 120 cities spanning five continents. In 2007, the principals of GVA Williams sold its brokerage services to First Service which later rebranded as Colliers International. As part of the transaction, GVA Williams maintained ownership of its portfolio, often referred to as the “Williams Portfolio”. The Cohen, Roos, and Carmel partnership continued to operate its brokerage business under the Colliers umbrella, focusing on management and the financial growth of the portfolio.
-
2010 – 2019
2010 – 2019
This period focused on repositioning the existing “Williams Portfolio” to increase profitability. The Williams partners took advantage of the growing demand in the Midtown South Market, renovating assets to meet the needs of the flourishing technological world. The partners also began diversifying and investing in alternative sectors and high-growth markets during this time. In 2017, Mac Roos joined the Williams team, marking the fourth generation of the Roos family. With multiple generations of the Cohen, Roos, and Carmel families aligned in partnership, Williams Equities continued to focus on expanding and diversifying the “Williams Portfolio,” leveraging almost a century of equity and maximizing the returns for its investors, all while offering best-in-class service to tenants of the portfolio.
-
2020 – Present
2020 – Present
Williams Equities, led by Michael T. Cohen, Andrew Roos, and Robert Getreu, has a strong tenant pool, conservative leverage, and significant cash reserves. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams Equities successfully maintained high occupancy levels while ensuring cash flow and income for each building in the portfolio. Each partner holds a leadership role in various organizations, including the Flatiron/23rd Street and Madison Avenue Business Improvement Districts, Young Men/Women’s Real Estate Associates, and non-profits that serve and benefit the greater New York Community. With strong leadership and years of experience, Williams Equities is well-positioned for great success and expansion in the coming years.
