The sector had to be built from scratch, from the foundation up, so to speak, brick by brick – Bay has come a long way. In fact, their managing director was involved in the founding of REHAB back in 1991, where a handful of private developers joined hands to steer the fledgling sector away from its innumerable hurdles. Almost everyone lives in a multi-storied building sharing common amenities with many families. However, when Bay started out, back in the 90s, the multi-family concept was new and people were hesitant to invest. They had many questions regarding the unfamiliar ideas proposed to them. Today, the real estate market is a thriving sector that plays a huge role in their urban lives and contributes to the national GDP. There is a tremendous mix of products for people to choose from, in terms of scope and size, and in terms of style and quality. Buyers are now well-traveled, savvier and can better articulate their demands. Over the decades Bay has worked with changes in zoning, in building regulations and in construction methods for mid-rise buildings, to modern techniques for sophisticated towers. Bay’s first slogan ‘Affordable Luxury’ was a clear reflection of their initial goal – quality design and construction – and they stuck to that goal. Today you see ‘The Art of Life’ slogan alongside the Bay logo, and it seems to be quite an appropriate fit since they have indeed come a long way. Homes have evolved from the early days. They are truly more comfortable, and they come with an array of amenities and features. Most, if not all of these features were introduced over the past few decades by Bay. The company’s strategy is to continuously innovate. Another aspect of today’s high-rise living is management and security by professional teams. In the early days, once the developer handed over the building, the residents suffered from mismanagement; they used to complain about impropriety and pilferage by their staff and about improper maintenance of equipment. So they decided to put together a team of technicians, cleaners and security personnel under professional management to run Bay’s finished buildings. Today, all of their properties come with hassle-free professional management and security service that includes remote monitoring and 24/7 response capabilities.
Some of Bay’s green initiatives include:
– Green Construction Technology such as double-glazed windows, high-efficiency lifts, pumps and air-conditioners, synchronized generators, and rainwater harvesting.
– Use of auto bricks in all Bay buildings to help reduce carbon footprint, in alignment with their commitment to good practices.
– Incorporating nature in as many levels and places possible.
– Use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to reduce paper use.
– Reducing pollution during construction by incorporating various installations and good neighborly practice.
Quality Starts at Construction
Their business model is that of a niche product, where the issue of quality and durability always comes before everything else. Over the years their customers have come to expect that Bay does not compromise at all on material quality. Only when they are unable to find a reliable supplier, Bay looks to import themselves. The nature of today’s construction is such that most high-end finishing materials are imported or fabricated and assembled here with imported components.
Back in 2007, when materials on the market were of mixed quality and reliable vendors were hard to find, they decided to establish BRTL (Bay Research & Testing Laboratory) to conduct regular material tests in-house. Over the years, this move has paid dividends as it helped Bay, assure its customers of the highest possible quality. Among the many tests BRTL undertakes daily are, concrete crushing strength, analysis for concrete aggregates, compressive strength and absorption properties of bricks. The company also verifies specifications (density, dimensions, durability, and level of purity) of materials supplied by vendors.
Go Green or Go Home
Bay ‘green’ means ‘sustainable’. Essentially, thinking green and being green means positively impacting society and nature. Real estate is synonymous with urban growth which, in turn, is closely associated with the stripping of natural resources to serve the ever-growing city population. As developers, they have taken the responsibility to use good practices when choosing construction methods and materials. Human Capital is also a serious subject at Bay and since manual and semi-skilled labor is a major component in construction, Bay is proactive in treating them responsibly and fairly.
Standout Structure
Bay offers some attractively priced mid-sized homes in Bellevue in Banani and Splendour in mid-Gulshan. Nilufar, Lyra, and Clearwater are Baridhara projects with high-end units.
As a follow up to the iconic Edgewater, Bay is breaking ground at Gulshan 2 with Prospect Plaza, which will be yet another exclusive corporate office project. On Mirpur Road in Dhanmondi, Bay has just completed a commercial building with amenities and features normally associated with Gulshan projects.
Bay tries to maintain a particular aesthetic – it is one of simple and practical elegance – a style that they have tailored to suit Bay’s particular environs and culture. You will find their projects are thoughtfully planned, prioritizing the consumer’s need for safety, comfort, and pleasure. Bay ensures that all common areas are generous, sturdy and fitted out so that they can be maintained easily and regularly.
Framing Progress
The term CSR has recently taken a hit and justifiably so. Many businesses offer ‘CSR’ funds only to boost their brand and market reach with the clear expectation of immediate benefits. At Bay, social responsibility begins first at home and permeates beyond. From their early days, Bay has been mindful of all those who work with them to create the product and build the organization. All site personnel, including transient workers, are given filtered water and hygienic living quarters. Regular health clinics are conducted by in-house doctors and qualified nutritionists. Training is an integral part of the strict enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOP). Safety and security take on a special meaning at their construction sites.
People are Bay’s real asset – people at all levels of the production and delivery line. Bay has always had a congenial work environment coupled with comfortable, safe and inspiring workplaces. Over time, they added lunch facilities, medical benefits, and an attractive provident fund scheme. They have an open-ended career growth policy coupled with cross training and development, and single point counseling. Bay feel that their Human Resources department is poised well for the challenges in the decades ahead.
In addition to investing in human capital, Bay also invests in arts and education. Two years ago, Bay established Edge, The Foundation with the goal to promote creativity and talent through the arts. Edge, host exhibitions and meaningful events to bring people together and share knowledge, experiences, and points of view. Proceeds earned through the exhibitions and events are invested in education. Edge Education is dedicated to creating a better world through learning. Bay believes that equitable and quality education for all is a basic right. Some of their activities include providing scholarships for underprivileged children, establishing scholarships at universities, partnering and promoting education projects with partner organizations.
