Gulshan is one of the most affluent and upscale neighborhoods in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. However, this thriving modern residential area has relatively recent origins. In the 1960s, Gulshan was still a suburban area consisting mostly of forests, lakes and farms outside of the main Dhaka city limits. The name “Gulshan” itself means “flower garden” or “garden of roses” in Bangla.It wasn’t until the late 1960s that plans began for transforming Gulshan into a residential locality. The Dhaka Improvement Trust, a government body, acquired large plots of land in the area and undertook construction of roads, drainage systems and other infrastructure projects. (Source: Banglapedia)
In the early 1970s, after Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Gulshan began rapidly developing into an exclusive enclave for upscale housing. The neighborhood’s first residents were largely diplomats, members of Parliament, wealthy businessmen and foreign expatriates working in the new nation. (Source: The Daily Star) Initially just divided into Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2, the area grew in the following decades to encompass multiple sectors like Gulshan Avenue, Banani, Baridhara, Niketan and more. Massive construction of multi-story homes, luxury apartment complexes and residential towers took place from the 1980s through the 2000s.
Today, Gulshan is known as one of the most prestigious and expensive neighborhoods not just in Dhaka but in the entire country of Bangladesh. Its tree-lined streets, gated communities, international schools and embassies give it an atmosphere unlike any other part of the crowded capital city.
Geography
Location and Boundaries:
Gulshan is a prominent residential and commercial area situated in the northern part of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It is bounded by the following areas:
- North: Baridhara
- West: Banani
- East: Pragati Sarani Road
- South: Hatirjheel Lake
Waterways:
Gulshan is bordered by the Hatirjheel Lake to the south, which is an urban wetland and a popular recreational spot. Several canals and khals (drainage channels) also run through the area, contributing to the drainage system. The Balu River, a distributary of the Buriganga River, flows through the northern part of Gulshan.
Climate:
Like the rest of Dhaka, Gulshan has a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool and dry winters. The average temperature ranges from around 25°C (77°F) in the winter months (December to February) to around 32°C (90°F) in the summer months (March to May). The area experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September, with an annual average rainfall of around 2,000 mm (78 inches).
Urban Layout:
Gulshan is a well-planned and organized area, divided into two main sections: Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2. The area is known for its wide roads, modern infrastructure, and numerous residential apartments, commercial complexes, and high-rise buildings. The layout follows a grid pattern, with roads running in a north-south and east-west direction.
Green Spaces:
Despite being a densely populated urban area, Gulshan has several parks and green spaces, including the Gulshan Park, Gulshan Youth Club, and the Gulshan Lake Park, which provide recreational opportunities and contribute to the area’s overall environmental quality. These green spaces also help in mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving air quality.
Overall, the geography of the Gulshan area in Dhaka reflects its status as a modern, affluent, and well-developed urban center, with a relatively flat topography, surrounding water bodies, planned infrastructure, and designated green spaces.
Gulshan Insights: Layout, Landmarks, and Local Living
Gulshan is divided into two areas – Gulshan-1 and Gulshan-2. The layout follows a grid pattern with roads and residential plots arranged in a grid design. This grid pattern layout is a common urban planning approach that facilitates organized development and easy navigation.
The area has wide, tree-lined avenues giving it a modern infrastructure and aesthetic appeal. Tree-lined streets not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide shade and improve air quality. The thoroughfares or main roads in Gulshan are beautified and decorated by major cellphone companies operating in Bangladesh.
Some of the notable landmarks and structures in Gulshan-2 include:
- The Westin hotel – A 5-star luxury hotel part of the Westin chain.
- Crowne Plaza hotel – Another international hotel brand present in Gulshan.
- Apartment blocks – High-rise residential apartments accommodating the affluent population.
- Commercial office buildings – Hosting offices of many national and multinational corporations.
In addition to residential housing plots and apartments, the area has a mix of commercial buildings and office spaces, reflecting its status as an upscale commercial hub of Dhaka.
Gulshan also has religious places of worship like mosques and churches. There are 25 mosques in the area, including the prominent Gulshan Azad Mosque and Banani Bazaar Mosque, catering to the Muslim population. The area features a number of churches and Christian missionary centers as well, such as the Missionaries of Charity center, serving the Christian community.
Gulshan is known for its well-planned urban development, with features like underground utility lines, proper drainage systems, and waste management facilities contributing to its modern infrastructure. The area also has parks, playgrounds, and open spaces integrated into its layout for recreational purposes.
Gulshan: Business and Shopping Hub
Gulshan is a major commercial hub in Dhaka, with numerous local and multinational companies having their headquarters and offices located there. Some of the prominent companies mentioned include Nokia, Banglalink, Standard Chartered Bank, P&G, GSK, Reckitt Benckiser, Siemens, Nokia Siemens Networks, Sony Ericsson, Ericsson, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Microsoft.
The area has around 45 boutiques, markets, bazaars (local markets), shopping centers, and mega-stores like Nandan, Agora, Aarong, Unimart, Meena Baazar, and Lavender. Popular shopping malls in Gulshan include Shopper’s World, Pink City, and ABC Shopping Complex.
In addition to corporate offices, Gulshan hosts a wide variety of retail outlets, food outlets, banks, and fashion stores spread throughout the area, catering to the affluent population and visitors.
Gulshan’s commercial importance stems from its central location, modern infrastructure, and the presence of upscale residential areas nearby that attract businesses to set up offices and retail outlets. The area’s grid layout and wide roads also make it conducive for commercial activities.
International Brand Stores In Gulshan
Gulshan hosts a wide variety of international brand stores across different sectors like food, clothing, accessories, automobiles, hotels, and more. Some of the prominent global brands mentioned are:
Food: Mövenpick, Pizza Hut, Coffee World, A&W, Pizza Inn, Butlers Chocolate Cafe, KFC, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Burger King, Herfy, Secret Recipe, Chatime, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, CP, Pastamania, Domino’s Pizza, ChicKing, Délifrance, Galito’s.
Clothes and Accessories: Levi’s, Puma, Being Human, Hush Puppies, Bata, Lotto, Giordano, Skechers, Splash, Steve Madden, Nike.
Cars: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo.
Hotels: Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Amari, Century Park Residence, Renaissance, Holiday Inn, Sheraton.
Others: Archies, Miniso, Siemens, Samsonite, Kohler, Samsung, Sony, Canon, M.A.C., Inglot, The Body Shop, Ashley HomeStore.
The presence of these international brands in Gulshan caters to the affluent consumer base residing in the area and neighboring localities. Many of these brands have flagship stores or their largest outlets in Bangladesh situated in Gulshan.
According to reports, Gulshan ranks among the most expensive retail locations in Dhaka, with high rental costs and real estate prices. This makes it an attractive destination for premium international brands targeting the higher-income consumer segment.
The influx of expatriates working in the various multinational companies headquartered in Gulshan has also driven the demand for global brand stores that they are familiar with.In addition to the brands mentioned, sources indicate that luxury brands like Rolex, Omega, Cartier also have boutique stores in the Gulshan area catering to the ultra-wealthy clientele.
Entertainment and Hospitality Scene In Gulshan
The area hosts a number of private clubs that serve as entertainment and recreational hubs. These include Gulshan Club, International Club, American Recreation Association (American Club), Canadian Club, Dutch Club, Australian Club, Nordic Club, German Club, and BAGHA (British Aid Guest House Association) Club.
Many of these clubs are sponsored by various diplomatic missions and cater primarily to expatriates and affluent locals. They offer facilities like restaurants, bars, sporting amenities like golf, tennis, swimming pools etc.
A major entertainment and hospitality venue located in Gulshan is the 250-room five-star Westin hotel at Gulshan Circle-2. As per reports, the Westin Dhaka has multiple restaurants, a spa, fitness center and conference/banquet facilities.
In addition to the Westin, Gulshan also hosts other upscale hotels like Four Points by Sheraton, Amari, Century Park Residence, Renaissance, Holiday Inn, and Sheraton which have in-house dining, bars and event spaces for entertainment.
The area has several popular restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightlife options that draw crowds from across Dhaka city. Some notable ones include Izumi, Le Souzhou, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, and Dhaka Club among others.
For arts and culture enthusiasts, Gulshan houses gallery spaces like the Edge Gallery and Maya Mind Illuminating Design which host exhibitions and events.
Multiplex cinema halls like Star Cineplex and Cineplex Shyamoli located in Gulshan offer the latest movie releases and an upscale movie-watching experience.
The area hosts a number of private clubs that serve as entertainment and recreational hubs. These include Gulshan Club, International Club, American Recreation Association (American Club), Canadian Club, Dutch Club, Australian Club, Nordic Club, German Club, and BAGHA (British Aid Guest House Association) Club.
Many of these clubs are sponsored by various diplomatic missions and cater primarily to expatriates and affluent locals. They offer facilities like restaurants, bars, sporting amenities like golf, tennis, swimming pools etc.
A major entertainment and hospitality venue located in Gulshan is the 250-room five-star Westin hotel at Gulshan Circle-2. As per reports, the Westin Dhaka has multiple restaurants, a spa, fitness center and conference/banquet facilities.In addition to the Westin, Gulshan also hosts other upscale hotels like Four Points by Sheraton, Amari, Century Park Residence, Renaissance, Holiday Inn, and Sheraton which have in-house dining, bars and event spaces for entertainment.
The area has several popular restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightlife options that draw crowds from across Dhaka city. Some notable ones include Izumi, Le Souzhou, Radisson and Blu Dhaka Water Garden among others.For arts and culture enthusiasts, Gulshan houses gallery spaces like the Edge Gallery and Maya Mind Illuminating Design which host exhibitions and events.
Leading Hospitals and Clinics In Gulshan
In Gulshan, you’ll find excellent healthcare services. It has top-notch hospitals and clinics that meet the needs of both locals and visitors. These places are modern and offer a wide range of medical treatments, showing Gulshan’s dedication to overall health.
United Hospital Limited : A beacon of excellence in the realm of healthcare. This esteemed institution offers a comprehensive range of services, bolstered by cutting-edge technology and an unwavering dedication to patient care. Whether you require intricate surgical procedures or routine check-ups, United Hospital Limited’s team of highly skilled professionals ensures a seamless and personalized experience.
Labaid Gulshan:This hospital emerges as a trusted haven for those seeking top-notch medical attention. This renowned facility boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure and a team of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing compassionate and effective treatment. From general medicine to specialized care, LABAID GULSHAN’s comprehensive offerings cater to the diverse needs of its patients.
Shahabuddin Medical College Hospital: This esteemed institution seamlessly blends traditional practices with modern medical advancements, offering a unique and comprehensive approach to healing. With a focus on preventive care and personalized treatment plans, the Shahabuddin Medical College Hospital empowers individuals to take charge of their wellbeing.
Gulshan Maa O Shishu Clinic Ltd : This hosptial is offers a wide range of services, from prenatal care to pediatric treatments, ensuring the utmost comfort and safety for its youngest patients and their families.
Bangkok Hospital Office :This office is renowned for their exceptional medical tourism services, maintain a strong presence in the area through their . This strategic partnership ensures that residents of Gulshan have access to cutting-edge medical treatments and procedures from globally acclaimed healthcare providers.