Eastern Housing Limited
Corporate brand
UnclaimedEastern Housing Limited is a Bangladeshi real-estate development company associated with the Islam Group and known for residential land, apartment, and commercial development.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Eastern Housing Limited (EHL) is a Bangladeshi real-estate development company headquartered in Dhaka. It was established in 1964 and is associated with the Islam Group, having been formed under the chairmanship of industrialist Jahurul Islam during the group’s expansion into housing and urban development. The company’s original purpose was to develop land for housing in Dhaka, then the capital of East Pakistan and later the capital of independent Bangladesh. Its early business model focused particularly on making residential land available to ordinary urban residents, and the company is described in reference material as one of the first private developers in Bangladesh to provide lower-cost housing opportunities at scale. EHL’s business has included land development, residential plots, apartments, engineering and construction, manufacturing, trading, shopping plazas, and commercial complexes. Its best-known development is Aftabnagar in eastern Dhaka, officially known as Jahurul Islam City. The project became a major example of the company’s land-development approach and helped establish its visibility in the Dhaka housing market. Over time, EHL expanded beyond its initial concentration on Dhaka and participated in housing and property exhibitions organized by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), including fairs held domestically and abroad. The company’s stated slogan, “Apan Thikana Gore Dey,” conveys the idea of helping customers build or secure their own address. Eastern Housing became a REHAB member in 1992 and was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in 1994. Reference material also identifies it as listed on the Chittagong Stock Exchange. In the historical company profile available through Wikipedia, EHL was characterized as the only retail-sector company listed on Bangladesh’s stock exchanges, although its principal activity is property development rather than conventional retailing. The company’s public-market history made it one of the more visible Bangladeshi property developers to investors, while its projects gave it a substantial role in the physical expansion of Dhaka. The company has also participated in public-policy discussions concerning private-sector housing. In 2003, director Engineer Md Akramuzzaman took part in a Centre for Policy Dialogue discussion on strengthening the role of private housing providers in Bangladesh. In 2004, EHL became involved in a government initiative intended to develop housing for expatriate Bangladeshis in the Gulshan area of Dhaka. In 2005, it was reported as the highest taxpayer among 101 real-estate developers listed with Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue. By 2008, the company reported or was described as having sold more than 620 acres of land across 24 projects, representing approximately 13,000 plots. It had also completed more than 3,500 apartment units and approximately 1,500 units in shopping plazas and commercial complexes. The same source attributed to EHL a market share exceeding 40 percent in Bangladesh’s residential plot and apartment development business at that time. These historical figures should not be treated as current operating metrics without newer company disclosures. EHL’s development record has also attracted regulatory and community criticism. In 2006, the Dhaka development authority RAJUK sent a notice concerning allegedly unauthorized construction involving projects associated with the company; a senior Islam Group representative rejected the suggestion of dubious practices. Specific projects, including Eastern Tower in New Eskaton and South Banasree, were criticized over emergency-escape provision and monsoon waterlogging respectively. In 2015, the High Court ordered the company to maintain the status quo concerning water bodies in its Aftabnagar project. In 2020, residents in Nasirabad, eastern Dhaka, accused EHL of forcibly taking land to expand Aftabnagar, an allegation reported in the reference material but not adjudicated there. EHL therefore represents both the growth of organized private housing development in Bangladesh and the land-use, drainage, permitting, and community-consent challenges accompanying Dhaka’s rapid urbanization.
History
Eastern Housing Limited emerged during the early development of Bangladesh’s organized private housing industry. The company was established in 1964 and was formed as a concern of the Islam Group during the latter part of 1965 under the chairmanship of Jahurul Islam. Its founding objective was to develop urban land for housing in Dhaka, at a time when the city was experiencing population growth and increasing demand for formal residential areas. The company’s early identity was tied to making housing land available to a broader range of residents, including through lower-cost housing initiatives. Initially concentrated in Dhaka, Eastern Housing gradually developed a wider portfolio involving residential plots, apartments, construction, engineering, manufacturing, trading, and commercial property. Its major land-development project, Aftabnagar, is officially known as Jahurul Islam City and became closely associated with the company’s expansion in eastern Dhaka. The project illustrates EHL’s principal development model: acquiring or assembling land, subdividing it into residential plots, and creating a large planned housing area. The company later expanded outside Dhaka and promoted its offerings through REHAB real-estate fairs in Bangladesh and overseas. EHL became a REHAB member in 1992. The company entered Bangladesh’s public-equity market when it was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in 1994. Reference material also identifies a listing on the Chittagong Stock Exchange. Historical ownership information reported for January 2008 attributed 48 percent of the company to the sponsor company Islam Group of Industries, 33 percent to the general public, 18 percent to financial institutions, and 1 percent to foreign investors. The same historical account stated that EHL had a market capitalization of BDT 878 million at that date. Between 2001 and 2007, it reportedly generated dividend yields of 8 to 13 percent, paid a 10 percent dividend in 2003, and a 15 percent dividend in 2007. These are historical figures and are not current valuation or performance data. EHL also participated in discussions about the role of private developers in national housing policy. In November 2003, director Engineer Md Akramuzzaman joined a Centre for Policy Dialogue dialogue on strengthening private-sector housing in Bangladesh. In January 2004, the company became part of a government housing initiative for expatriate Bangladeshis in Gulshan Thana. In 2005, it was reported as the highest taxpayer among 101 real-estate developers listed with the National Board of Revenue. By 2008, Eastern Housing had sold over 620 acres of land across 24 projects and approximately 13,000 plots. It had completed more than 3,500 apartment units and approximately 1,500 units in shopping plazas and commercial complexes. The historical source credited the company with more than 40 percent of Bangladesh’s residential plot and apartment development market at that time. Such figures describe the company’s position in the period covered and should not be generalized to the present without updated disclosures. The company’s projects have also been subject to criticism and regulatory disputes. In October 2006, RAJUK sent a notice concerning allegedly unauthorized construction involving Eastern Housing projects. Eastern Tower, an 18-storey apartment building in New Eskaton, was criticized for allegedly lacking adequate emergency escapes, while South Banasree was criticized for waterlogging during monsoon conditions. In March 2015, the High Court ordered EHL to preserve the status quo concerning water bodies in Aftabnagar. In November 2020, residents of Nasirabad accused the company of forcibly taking land for Aftabnagar expansion. These matters reflect broader tensions in Dhaka between urban housing demand, wetland and water-body protection, construction regulation, drainage, and land rights. Reference material also reports a BDT 550 million profit for 2022, but provides no further current operating detail.
- 2022
Reported annual profit
[1]Reference material reports profit of BDT 550 million for the year.
- 2020
Land-taking allegations in Nasirabad
[1]Residents accused the company of forcefully taking land in connection with the proposed expansion of Aftabnagar.
- 2015
High Court water-body order
[1]The High Court ordered Eastern Housing to maintain the status quo concerning water bodies in Aftabnagar.
- 2008
Historical scale of development reported
[1]The company was reported to have sold more than 620 acres across 24 projects, including approximately 13,000 plots, and to have completed thousands of apartments and commercial units.
- 2006
RAJUK construction notice
[1]RAJUK issued a notice concerning allegedly unauthorized construction involving Eastern Housing projects.
- 2005
Reported as highest taxpayer among listed developers
[1]The company was reported as the highest taxpayer among 101 real-estate developers listed with the National Board of Revenue.
- 2004
Participation in expatriate-housing initiative
[1]EHL joined a government initiative to develop housing for expatriate Bangladeshis in Gulshan Thana, Dhaka.
- 2003
Participation in private-housing policy dialogue
[1]Director Md Akramuzzaman participated in a Centre for Policy Dialogue event on strengthening private-sector housing.
- 1994
Dhaka Stock Exchange listing
[1]The company was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
- 1992
Joins REHAB
[1]Eastern Housing became a member of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh.
Products and positioning
A large Bangladeshi private housing developer focused on residential land subdivision, apartments, and urban property development, with a historical emphasis on accessible housing and Dhaka’s expansion.
Residential real estate
Residential land plots
Residential plots are a central part of Eastern Housing’s historical business. The company develops larger tracts of urban and peri-urban land into planned or semi-planned housing areas and sells individual plots to customers. Its Aftabnagar/Jahirul Islam City development is the principal example identified in the reference material.
Residential real estate
Apartment units
Eastern Housing develops and sells apartment units in Dhaka and other areas. By 2008, the company had reportedly completed more than 3,500 apartments, indicating that vertical residential construction complemented its plot-development activities.
Commercial real estate
Shopping plazas and commercial complexes
The company has developed shopping plazas and commercial complexes alongside residential projects. Historical material attributes approximately 1,500 completed commercial units to EHL by 2008, although the source does not provide a current portfolio breakdown.
Construction and engineering
Construction and engineering services
Eastern Housing’s stated activities include construction and engineering in support of its property-development operations. The reference material does not specify a separate branded contracting service or detailed service catalogue.
Controversies
2020
Nasirabad land-taking allegations
Local residents accused Eastern Housing of forcibly taking land to expand Aftabnagar. The available reference records the allegation but does not establish a final legal determination.
2015
Aftabnagar water-body dispute
The High Court ordered Eastern Housing to maintain the status quo over water bodies in the Aftabnagar residential project.
2006
Allegedly unauthorized construction notice
RAJUK reportedly issued a notice concerning allegedly unauthorized construction involving Eastern Housing projects. An Islam Group representative denied the possibility of dubious practices.
Marketing campaigns
- REHAB real-estate fair participation
Bangladesh · International expatriate markets
Eastern Housing regularly participated in REHAB real-estate fairs at home and abroad to present residential plots, apartments, and other developments to prospective buyers.
Outcome. The reference material describes repeated sell-out performances at such fairs, but does not provide campaign-level sales figures or dates.
- Apan Thikana Gore Dey
Bangladesh
The company’s slogan, translated as “builds your own address,” frames Eastern Housing as a provider of homes and residential plots that help customers establish a personal place in the city.
Brand decisions
2004
Join government expatriate-housing initiativeStrategyBackground
The government was pursuing housing development for expatriate Bangladeshis in Dhaka.
Action taken
Eastern Housing became part of the initiative in Gulshan Thana.
Aftermath
The source confirms the company’s participation but does not describe the completed project or its commercial results.
1994
Public listing on the Dhaka Stock ExchangeOtherBackground
Eastern Housing had grown as a private housing developer and sought access to public capital markets.
Action taken
The company listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and was identified in the reference material as also listed on the Chittagong Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The listing made EHL a publicly traded and more visible participant in Bangladesh’s property sector.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/eastern-housing-limited · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled