Short answer: Baridhara Diplomatic Zone apartment rents are among the highest in Dhaka. In our current listings they run from BDT 150,000 a month for a furnished four-bedroom of 3,000 sq ft, through BDT 300,000–350,000 for 3,000–3,500 sq ft family flats, up to BDT 1,000,000 for a 7,500 sq ft six-bedroom furnished residence on UN Road. Most tenants are diplomats, UN and international organisation staff and senior executives.
If you are searching for an apartment near the embassies in Dhaka, Baridhara is usually the first name you hear. It is a small, planned residential area next to Gulshan-2, home to a large share of the city's embassies and ambassadorial residences, as well as offices of UN agencies and international NGOs. This guide explains what makes the Diplomatic Zone different, what kind of homes you can rent there, what they cost in our listings, and how embassy and agency housing approval usually works.
What is the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone?
Baridhara is often called the Diplomatic Enclave or Diplomatic Zone because so many foreign missions are located there. Compared with Gulshan or Banani, it feels noticeably quieter: fewer shops and restaurants, wider plots, more greenery and much less through-traffic. Daily errands usually mean a short drive into Gulshan, which is right next door.
The character is residential and institutional. Streets are lined with embassy compounds, official residences and low-rise apartment buildings designed for large households. The American International School Dhaka (AISD) is also in Baridhara, which makes the area popular with families whose children attend it.
What is day-to-day life like in Baridhara?
Life in Baridhara is calm and home-centred. Most households rely on a car and driver for errands, school runs and evenings out, because the area itself has few shops or restaurants. Supermarkets, cafés and United Hospital are a short drive away in Gulshan, and Banani's restaurants are a little further. Many residents value the quiet streets for walking, cycling with children and entertaining at home, which is why large living rooms, terraces and gardens matter more here than elsewhere.
The trade-off is convenience. If you prefer to walk to a café or a gym, or you do not want to keep a driver, Gulshan or Banani may suit you better. For the airport, both Airport Road and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway are within reach, though journey times depend heavily on traffic.
How is security different in Baridhara?
Security is the main reason many organisations prefer Baridhara. Because of the concentration of diplomatic missions, the area has controlled access roads and a visible security presence, and individual buildings typically add their own layer on top:
- A guard room at the main gate, staffed around the clock
- CCTV covering the entrance, parking and common areas
- An intercom system, so visitors are announced before they come up
- Secure parking inside the compound, often with driver rooms
- Fire exits and fire extinguishers on each floor
- An automatic generator for back-up power
These features appear across our Baridhara listings. Arrangements still vary by building, so every flat should be inspected against your own organisation's standard. Our embassy-standard security checklist lists what to look for.
What kinds of homes can you rent in Baridhara?
Baridhara housing is built for larger households and for entertaining, which is part of why rents are high. In our listings you will find:
- Large family apartments of 3,000–3,500 sq ft with three or four bedrooms, each usually with its own bathroom, plus staff quarters and two parking spaces.
- Very large residences, such as a 7,500 sq ft six-bedroom furnished apartment on UN Road with seven bathrooms, parking for three cars and a swimming pool in the building.
- Independent houses, including a twelve-bedroom duplex house of about 8,000 sq ft with a garden, which has since been let unfurnished.
- Serviced apartment buildings with studios and one-bedroom units, suited to single staff on shorter assignments. See our serviced apartments service.
How much does an apartment near the embassies in Dhaka cost?
Here are the monthly rents from properties we list in Baridhara, before service charge and utilities. Some of these homes have already been let; they are shown as a price guide.
| Home | Size | Furnishing | Rent (BDT / month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom serviced unit, J-Block | 1,000 sq ft | Furnished | 180,000 |
| 4 bedrooms | 3,000 sq ft | Furnished | 150,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3,000 sq ft | Unfurnished | 300,000–350,000 |
| 4 bedrooms | 3,500 sq ft | Furnished | 350,000 |
| 6 bedrooms, UN Road | 7,500 sq ft | Furnished | 1,000,000 |
| 12-bedroom independent house | 8,000 sq ft | Unfurnished | 1,000,000 |
The spread is wide because the stock is so varied: a well-located four-bedroom furnished flat can cost less than a smaller flat in a newer building with better finishes. At the top end, BDT 1,000,000 a month is the level for the largest residences, suited to senior officials or very large households. For the latest options see Baridhara listings, and compare with other districts below:
| Area | Properties | Lowest | Median | Highest | Avg sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | 10 | BDT 70,000 | BDT 160,000 | BDT 300,000 | 2,387 |
| Baridhara | 8 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 350,000 | BDT 1,000,000 | 4,000 |
| Bashundhara | 7 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 80,000 | BDT 150,000 | 1,343 |
| Banani | 6 | BDT 120,000 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 200,000 | 2,767 |
| Uttara | 3 | BDT 90,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 300,000 | 3,220 |
| Mohammadpur | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Khulshi | 1 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | 1,600 |
| Nikunja | 1 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | 9,200 |
| Niketon | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Mirpur DOHS | 1 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | 900 |
Monthly rents in BDT, excluding service charge and utilities. Based on 39 residential properties. Updated 2026-11-08.
Does my embassy or agency need to approve the apartment?
Often, yes. Many embassies, UN agencies and international organisations have a security or administration office that must approve a staff member's home before a lease is signed. The exact rules differ by organisation and change over time, so ask your own security office for its current checklist before you start viewing. Typical steps are:
- You or your HR team share the organisation's housing criteria and budget.
- A shortlist of buildings is prepared that appear to meet those criteria.
- Your security officer inspects the building, or reviews photographs and a written description.
- Any required changes, such as extra locks, grilles or lighting, are agreed with the landlord in writing.
- The lease is signed only after written approval is received.
Rent Property's corporate relocation service is built around this process: we pre-screen buildings for controlled entry, guards, generator back-up and fire exits, and we can arrange viewings for your security officer.
How close is Baridhara to the American International School?
AISD is inside Baridhara, so many homes in the area are a short drive, and some are within walking distance. For example, one six-bedroom furnished residence we list on UN Road is described as a short walk from the school. For families, living this close can mean children avoid the traffic entirely on school days. If your children will attend a different school, check the journey time at peak hours before choosing; our guide to apartments near international schools can help.
Baridhara or Gulshan: which should you choose?
| Factor | Baridhara | Gulshan |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Quiet, green, low traffic | Livelier, with more shops and restaurants |
| Typical homes | Large flats of 3,000 sq ft and more, houses | Wider range, from compact furnished flats to large family units |
| Our listed rents | BDT 150,000–1,000,000 | BDT 70,000–300,000 |
| Best for | Senior diplomats, families near AISD, strict security requirements | Corporate staff, couples, families who want convenience |
Many people shortlist both. Our guide to furnished apartments in Gulshan covers the other side of the comparison.
What should you check before signing in Baridhara?
- Written approval from your organisation's security office, if required
- Generator capacity, and whether it runs the air-conditioning
- Staff quarters, driver rooms and the number of allocated parking spaces
- Service charge amount and exactly what it covers
- Minimum lease period, advance or deposit, and a diplomatic or early-exit clause if your posting could end early
- A dated, photographed handover inventory signed by both sides
Ask us on WhatsApp
Looking for a home in the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone? Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255 with your dates, budget, number of bedrooms and any housing criteria from your employer. We usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday, 9:00–19:00.