Concord Group’s 50-year journey is intertwined with the rise of Bangladesh. Founded in the 1970s amid a nation rebuilding from war, Concord grew from a small team repairing bridges into a construction and real-estate powerhouse. Over five decades, the company has quietly helped transform the country’s skyline and infrastructure, often through projects that became national icons. This article explores a few of those landmark developments and how they shaped Bangladesh’s progress, from the first high-rises in Dhaka to monuments, airports, townships, and sports arenas that define the nation today.
In the early 1980s, Dhaka was a low-rise city. That changed when Concord pioneered the capital’s first generation of skyscrapers in Motijheel, then the main business district. The company built Dhaka’s first three high-rise buildings, each around 20 to 24 stories tall, a bold leap upward for a city that had never seen such heights. These included the Bangladesh Shilpa Bank Bhaban (20 floors), notable as the first high-rise with three basement levels in Bangladesh; the Jibon Bima Tower (21 floors); and the Janata Bank Head Office Bhaban (24 floors). Completed by the mid-1980s, Janata Bank’s 24-story headquarters (finished in 1985) and its counterparts were among the tallest buildings the country had ever built.
These skyscrapers instantly reshaped Dhaka’s skyline. The Shilpa Bank Bhaban, rising 20 storeys above Motijheel, became “a bold step forward, an image of a new capital taking shape” that everyone could see. For the first time, modern towers of glass and concrete loomed over the old low-rise city, signaling Bangladesh’s aspirations of growth. The Jibon Bima Tower even held the title of the country’s tallest building from 1983 to 1985. Beyond their heights, these projects introduced new construction techniques. Concord was an early adopter of features like steel props and fire-resistant ceilings in high-rises. The trio of towers in Motijheel quickly became hubs of commerce (housing banks and offices) and symbols of economic confidence in post-independence Bangladesh. They demonstrated that local engineers and companies could execute ambitious, technically challenging projects, paving the way for the countless high-rises that now fill Dhaka’s skyline. Concord’s foresight didn’t stop at Motijheel; the company’s founder, S.M. Kamaluddin, predicted new business centers as well – he invested in one of Gulshan’s first commercial buildings when others doubted the area, correctly anticipating the city’s future northward growth. Today, the early Motijheel high-rises stand as pioneering landmarks, marking the moment Bangladesh’s capital began building upward and modernizing its urban landscape.
The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, one of Bangladesh’s most iconic monuments, was built by Concord in 1982 as a tribute to the heroes of the Liberation War. The monument stands 150 feet tall, comprised of seven pairs of triangular concrete walls that rise in stages to a soaring peak, each pair symbolizing a chapter of Bangladesh’s struggle, from the 1952 Language Movement through the 1971 Liberation War. Designed by architect Syed Mainul Hossain, the National Martyrs’ Memorial was constructed by Concord in just 89 days in 1982. This astonishing feat, building a complex national monument in under three months, remains nearly as legendary as the memorial itself. Concord’s engineers worked tirelessly to realize Hossain’s vision on a tight deadline, so that the structure was ready to be inaugurated on Victory Day (16 December) 1982.
The memorial’s importance to Bangladesh cannot be overstated. It is the nation’s sacred tribute to the millions who gave their lives for independence. Every year on national days, throngs of people from all over the country travel to Savar, about 35 km outside Dhaka, to lay wreaths and remember the martyrs in the shadow of the monument’s towering spire. For Concord, being entrusted to build this monument was a profound honor. As Concord’s managing director later said about his father (Concord’s founder), “building it was an honour greater than any award”. By executing the project with quality and speed, Concord not only delivered an iconic architectural work, but it also cemented its reputation as a company that could be counted on for projects of national significance. The National Martyrs’ Memorial stands today not just as a symbol of sacrifice and freedom, but also as a testament to Bangladesh’s engineering capabilities in its early nationhood. It remains one of the country’s most important landmarks.
Not long after independence, Bangladesh faced the challenge of building a modern international airport to connect with the world. Once again, Concord played a pivotal role. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, the country’s primary airport was constructed by Concord around 1980. At the time, the capital’s air traffic still operated out of the old Tejgaon Airport, a British-era airstrip ill-equipped for growing passenger and cargo needs. The government decided to develop a new international airport, and Concord was tasked with building the main facilities. The construction was completed in 1980, and all operations shifted from Tejgaon to the new Dhaka International Airport that year.
For Bangladesh, opening this new airport was a game-changer. Suddenly, the nation had a gateway of international standard, with a longer runway and expanded passenger terminals capable of handling increasing air travel demand. This enabled a sharp rise in overseas flights for business, tourism, and the large migrant workforce leaving for jobs abroad. Over the decades, HSIA has become one of the busiest airports in South Asia. Concord’s work didn’t end with the initial construction. The company also built the airport’s VIP terminal for VVIP government and state guests in later years. In fact, Concord’s involvement has come full circle: having built the original terminal, it is now involved in constructing the new Third Terminal expansion of HSIA. The impact of HSIA on the nation is vast. It has facilitated international trade, attracted investment and tourism, and allowed millions of Bangladeshis to travel or work abroad. As the first impression of Bangladesh for visitors, the airport, built on a solid foundation by Concord, has served as a proud symbol of progress. It exemplifies how Concord helped build not just structures, but connectivity. By literally opening Bangladesh’s doors to the world, HSIA has been integral to the country’s economic and social development.
As Bangladesh’s population grew, housing in Dhaka became ever more crowded. In response, Concord shifted its focus in the late 1990s and 2000s toward innovative housing solutions. The crown jewel of these efforts is Lake City Concord, Bangladesh’s first self-contained satellite township. Located in Khilkhet on the outskirts of Dhaka, Lake City Concord is a sprawling gated community that introduced a new concept of urban living for the nation. The township consists of over 4,000 apartments across numerous buildings, along with everything a neighborhood needs. Its own school, a multi-story mosque, supermarkets, shops, and even office space and recreation facilities. Two shopping centers serve the residents, and more than 60% of the area is kept as open green space, including gardens and lakes, to provide a clean and healthy environment.
When Lake City Concord was developed (starting in the early 2000s), it was unprecedented in Bangladesh. It was essentially a “city within a city,” designed to reduce pressure on Dhaka’s city center by offering families an affordable suburban lifestyle with modern amenities. Concord priced many of the apartments for middle-class affordability, helping thousands achieve the dream of homeownership. Concord has provided homes to over 10,000 families through its various real estate projects, and Lake City was a major contributor to that achievement. Beyond the housing solution it provided, Lake City Concord was also a trailblazer in sustainable construction. Concord was the first in the country to introduce environmentally friendly concrete blocks (also known as “green bricks”) instead of traditional clay bricks, which cause high pollution. The Lake City project was built using these hollow blocks. No traditional bricks were used in its buildings at all. This was a bold move at a time when most construction in Bangladesh still relied on old methods. Concord’s early adoption of eco-friendly materials, starting in the late 1990s, was eventually vindicated as the government began phasing out clay brick kilns for the sake of cleaner air. Lake City Concord thus not only provided much-needed housing, but did so using techniques that pointed toward a greener future for the construction industry.
The impact of Lake City Concord has been significant. It demonstrated the viability of planned satellite towns and inspired similar projects by others. It showed that development could be decentralized. Families could live comfortably outside the Dhaka downtown chaos if adequate amenities and transport links are provided. The township, with its wide access road and proximity to major hubs (only a 20-minute drive from the airport or Baridhara diplomatic zone), became a popular residential choice. Children in Lake City have local access to schooling and parks; community life flourishes with neighbors in a safe, managed environment. In short, Lake City Concord helped redefine urban housing in Bangladesh, proving that quantity, quality, and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. It remains a model for future housing developments in rapidly urbanizing Bangladesh.
During the 1980s, as Bangladesh sought to expand its economic infrastructure, Concord was behind yet another notable project: the IDB Bhaban in Dhaka. Opened in 1987, the IDB Bhaban is a 20-storey office complex built with funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Concord served as the developer/contractor for this high-rise, located in Agargaon, an area that, at the time, was on the outskirts of the city. Constructing a modern high-rise in Agargaon in the late ’80s helped kickstart the development of that area, which has since grown into a critical administrative and commercial zone (with ministries, the national parliament nearby, and various offices). The IDB Bhaban itself became an early landmark on Dhaka’s western skyline, recognizable by its clean, functional design. At 81 meters tall, it was among the tallest buildings in Bangladesh at completion. underscoring how Concord continued to push the boundaries of building height and scale beyond the Motijheel trio.
The significance of IDB Bhaban goes beyond its height. As a project supported by an international institution (the Islamic Development Bank), it symbolized global confidence in Bangladesh’s development. The building initially housed offices for development projects and financial institutions. In subsequent years, it took on a new life as well: the upper floors became home to BCS Computer City, the largest technology market in the country. From the late 1990s onward, hundreds of IT retailers and training centers operated in the IDB Bhaban, turning it into a bustling hub for Bangladesh’s nascent tech industry. This was where many young Bangladeshis first gained access to personal computers, software, and IT education in the ’90s and 2000s. In that sense, IDB Bhaban contributed to the digital transformation of the country, seeding the growth of today’s large ICT sector.
Moreover, the construction of IDB Bhaban demonstrated Concord’s versatility and quality in complex projects. Alongside other major buildings of the era, such as the National Bank headquarters and government buildings, IDB Bhaban cemented Concord’s reputation in commercial construction. It’s often listed among Concord’s milestone achievements. Decades later, the building remains heavily used and even plans have been made for an “IDB Bhaban-2” extension to further expand facilities for education and technology. In retrospect, putting up the IDB Bhaban in the 1980s was forward-looking: it not only added an architectural landmark but also helped spark development in a new part of Dhaka and created a focal point for technology-related commerce. Through this project, Concord played a part in connecting Bangladesh to international development efforts and in laying the groundwork for the country’s future in tech and innovation.
By the 1990s, Bangladesh was eager to host international sporting events and nurture its athletes, but lacked adequate indoor sports facilities. Concord stepped up to address this need by constructing the National Indoor Stadium at Mirpur, Dhaka – commonly known as the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium. Built in the mid-1990s (around 1994), this arena was one of the first of its kind in Bangladesh. It provided a dedicated venue for indoor sports, including volleyball, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, and martial arts, with a seating capacity of approximately 5,000. Prior to its existence, athletes had to make do with a small National Sports Council gymnasium, which multiple sports federations shared and which was not adequate for large events. The Mirpur Indoor Stadium fundamentally changed that scenario, giving Bangladesh a proper stage for indoor sports competitions and training.
The impact was felt almost immediately. With the new indoor stadium, Bangladesh gained the confidence and ability to host bigger multi-nation tournaments. A notable example came years later in 2010, when Dhaka hosted the 11th South Asian Games. The volleyball tournament finals of the Games were held at the Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur, drawing enthusiastic crowds as Bangladesh faced regional rivals under bright lights and television cameras. Over the years, the venue has also hosted international volleyball championships, basketball events, handball tournaments, and various cultural programs, thereby raising Bangladesh’s profile in sports. For athletes, having a modern indoor arena meant better training facilities and the chance to compete at home. Sports such as gymnastics, weightlifting, wushu, and kabaddi have all utilized indoor stadiums for national and regional meets. This has undoubtedly contributed to improved performances. For instance, Bangladesh’s athletes won a slew of gold medals in karate and other sports when given proper facilities around the 2010s.
Concord’s role in building the National Indoor Stadium is a point of pride. The project required fast construction and specialized design for a large column-free hall to accommodate courts and spectators. It demonstrated Concord’s engineering prowess beyond commercial buildings, showing they could deliver major public infrastructure on time. Along with other sports facilities (like work on stadiums and sports complexes), this project helped Bangladesh invest in its youth and sports culture. Today, the Mirpur Indoor Stadium remains a key venue for domestic leagues and school tournaments, inspiring the next generation of players.
From soaring office towers and solemn monuments to airports, townships, and stadiums, the threads of Concord’s work are woven tightly into Bangladesh’s national story. Each project described above was more than just a construction job; it filled a crucial need for a young country and often set a precedent for others to follow. In undertaking these landmarks, Concord helped define the skyline, improve infrastructure, and enrich the social fabric of Bangladesh. Crucially, the company achieved this while adhering to a philosophy of quality and integrity. Concord’s founder famously refused to “cut corners”, even at the cost of profit, instilling a culture where long-term trust mattered more than short-term gain. This approach earned Concord numerous accolades over the years for engineering excellence and environmental responsibility.
Now celebrating its golden jubilee, Concord remains somewhat unique among its peers. “Perhaps the most unique thing about Concord is that it has never chased the spotlight… not just what it has done, but how quietly and consistently it has done it with a commitment to people, purpose, and the progress of Bangladesh,” observes a recent reflection on its 50-year journey. Indeed, many Bangladeshis may walk by Concord-built structures every day without realizing who built them, and Concord seems perfectly content with that, focusing on building for a better tomorrow rather than seeking fame. Still, the legacy is undeniable. A nation literally stands on the foundations that Concord helped lay. As Bangladesh continues to advance, Concord’s landmark projects will endure as reminders of how far the country has come and as inspiration for future development. Here’s to the next 50 years of building dreams and shaping the nation, brick by brick, the Concord way.
Take a look back at Concord’s 50-year journey, our milestones, achievements, and the legacy we’ve built together. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this story and placed their trust in Concord.
© 2025 Concord Real Estate Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
