You rang! The Urban Butler secures funding for accelerated growth
Milestone in company’s mission to redefine NZ luxury short-term rental accommodation market
In line with its ongoing portfolio expansion, Auckland-based luxury short term rental management company, The Urban Butler as announced the successful completion of its Series A capital raise, led by business strategy and investment firm Greenhouse Capital.
The Urban Butler CEO, Jon Lawry, who founded the company in 2017, said the portfolio expansion was in line with its growth strategy and core values as it further expanded its portfolio of selected properties in buildings and locations he said the company knows and understands as it moves to meet growing demand.
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“The balance of high-end accommodation and personalised hospitality, utilising carefully selected technology whilst still having the human element, is how we see urban traveller needs evolving for both business and pleasure,” Mr Lawry said.
“Our clients, team and now investors are aligned in this vision, our offering differentiates us and creates a brand that not only meets new traveller requirements, it helps to shape them.”
Partnering with local property owners and developers to provide accommodation in premium urban apartments and residences to provide what Mr Lawry describes as quality accommodation experiences elevated by local wisdom, The Urban Butler’s rapidly expanding portfolio of property listings now includes some of the most desirable buildings and locations in Auckland with plans to expand to other regions and countries as they grow.
One of the properties where the company has a foothold is The Pacifica, which, at 57 storeys currently the tallest residential tower in New Zealand, is positioned at the very top of Auckland’s luxury residential accommodation offering.
As part of their stay, the company’s guests have access to a dedicated ‘Guest Experience’ team that functions as a modern day ‘butler’, recommending and arranging off the beaten track experiences.
Mr Lawry said COVID has caused massive disruptions in NZ’s hospitality sector, but short-term accommodation is definitely on the up-swing.
“Three years’ worth of backlogged demand for travel, combined with much lower availability of short-term accommodation across the country offers The Urban Butler a unique opportunity for growth,” he said.
“The brand is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of the post-COVID traveller persona; guests are wanting to stay for longer periods of time in premium, spacious accommodation, properly explore their surroundings, enjoy high-end leisure activities, or work remotely and make long-overdue international business trips.
Greenhouse Capital Director, Duncan Stewart, whose company has developed a targeted high-growth model for The Urban Butler and delivered a successful capital raising programme with aligned investors, said investment appetite is high for disruptive and niche businesses in the new era of travel, and the Urban Butler is helping to reshape the way both tourists and locals can experience New Zealand.
I’m pleased to be a part of their success story, and I look forward to collaborating with Jon and his team as we embark on an ambitious expansion plan in the coming years.”
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