The Man Behind The Vision – BASK CEO, Greg Meyer
As someone with a career that spans three decades of project development and a successful track record as one of Australia’s biggest tech financiers, Greg Meyer has a lot to live up to. Yet his energy and enthusiasm for BASK is infectious.
“BASK is the crystallisation of the two great passions in my life.
“I’ve always prided myself on being both a businessperson with an eye for financial detail and a creative able to see, and shape, the big picture.”
Construction runs in Meyer’s family – his father was a builder – but Greg initially built his career in finance, technology and telecoms, before founding the Meyer Group, which has property development interests across Australia and Indonesia.
BASK is the ultimate embodiment of the two strands of his career – a well-run, uniquely beautiful and luxurious development designed to offer owners attractive and secure investment returns.
Genesis
BASK began with one raw ingredient – the natural beauty of Gili Meno.
“I’ve been operating in Indonesia for many years with my Indonesian business partner Wayan Sunarta. I had always known the Gilis to be among the country’s most pristine tropical islands. When the site Gili Meno became available, I knew immediately that I’d found somewhere that could offer true barefoot luxury.”
“I was always very clear that the development should offer understated elegance and not be a cut and paste job. I wanted visitors to be enveloped and immersed by Gili Meno’s beautiful surroundings.
“That’s why we chose two of the best creative guys in the business – architect Gary Fell and designer George Gorrow – to help articulate that vision.
“Between them they’ve designed a development that combines the laid-back style of mid-century architecture with a tropical aesthetic. I wanted visitors to open floor-to-ceiling doors and be part of the turquoise blue sea and the glistening beach. The 87 villas are sleek in design and offer privacy. They also feature strong eco credentials and sustainable materials.”
Turning the vision into reality
Bask offers low density and low impact villas. These are built to the highest international building specifications and use certified timber and incorporate local sustainable materials wherever possible.
“Right now my focus is on ensuring absolute quality of delivery” explains Meyer. “I’m determined that no corners are cut during either construction or the fit-out phases. We want world-class quality to be at the core of the BASK proposition.”
That proposition is a unique blend of boutique luxury, wellness and gastronomy, where Gili Meno’s jawdropping natural beauty is reflected and complemented by handmade products, natural material and original artworks such as Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculpture installation.
Financial strength and investment potential
BASK Gili Meno offers owners an indulgent getaway, and its obvious appeal underpins its other purpose – to deliver strong returns to investors.
“BASK is the right proposition in the right place at the right time,” explains Meyer. “As Bali becomes ever more overcrowded, discerning travellers are increasingly seeking out more untouched and authentic parts of Indonesia – and the Gilis are on the crest of this wave.
“Room and occupancy rates for high-end accommodation in the Gilis are outshining those in Bali – yet the comparable purchase cost per square is half that of Bali.”
Such compelling financials should enable BASK investors to achieve frontier market-level returns, yet with the experience and reassurance offered by BASK’s corporate governance.
The company has plans to develop more BASK resorts in Indonesia in the coming years, and has already identified what Meyer describes as “exceptional beach locations” for them.
He concludes: “While there are plenty of high-end resorts out there, there are none quite like BASK. We believe our model is both unique and offers long-term scalability.
“Tourism trends are moving in our favour. As more sophisticated travellers – not just the pioneering younger visitors – turn their backs on overcrowded Bali, the Gilis are set to be the big winners.”
