COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 23322

Multifamily Housing Construction

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

12companies1887–1999founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedSkanska AB
1887
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedTaylor Woodrow plc
1921
FoundedThe Drees Company, Inc.
1928
1931
EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.
1937
EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedBellway Plc
1946
FoundedEmpresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedGrupo Ferrovial, S.A.
1952
FoundedH.J. Russell & CompanyFoundedKB Home
1957
FoundedLend Lease Corporation Limited
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedNew World Development Company Limited
1970
FoundedThe Rottlund Company, Inc.
1973
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedWilliam Lyon Homes
1999
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Skanska AB →
Active · founded 1887 · Sweden
After helping to build Scandinavia, Skanska AB is ready to help build the rest of the world.
Taylor Woodrow plc →
Active · founded 1921 · United Kingdom
Taylor Woodrow plc is a major U.K.-based home builder and property developer and lessor.
The Drees Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1928
The Drees Company, Inc.
Bellway Plc →
Active · founded 1946 · United Kingdom
Bellway Plc is one of the top five home builders in the United Kingdom, selling more than 5,700 homes per year.
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1947 · Mexico
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A.
Grupo Ferrovial, S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · Spain
Grupo Ferrovial, S.A.
H.J. Russell & Company →
Active · founded 1957 · United States
H.J.
KB Home →
Active · founded 1957
KB Home is the largest home builder in the United States, in terms of units built.
Lend Lease Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1958 · Australia
Lend Lease Corporation Limited, one of Australia's top public companies, is a leading integrated global real estate…
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
The Rottlund Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1973
Through its subsidiaries, The Rottlund Company, Inc.
William Lyon Homes →
Active · founded 1999
The merged companies, operating under the name William Lyon Homes, rebounded in 1999 and entered the 21st century…
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