Bill R. Poland

About the Bay West Group

Bay West Group was founded in 1979 by Bill R. Poland as an entrepreneurial commercial real estate development company. The strategy then as it is now was to create value in the development of urban infill, opportunistic and adaptive reuse projects. The company has chosen to remain lean and stealthy in order for the key people to be more closely involved in the projects. Bay West has over the years built a diversified portfolio with an eye toward real estate situations that are more management intensive than the broader development profile.

The company has historically chosen to concentrate its efforts in urban areas where high concentrations of talented young people in the fields of technology, multimedia, and biotech, such as the San Francisco Bay Area are based and where a prominent amount of knowledge-based economic factors exist. These areas have proven to rebound more quickly from economic downturns because of the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. In addition, Bay West has profitably overseen the development and redevelopment of projects that have enhanced the vitality of the individual neighborhoods. Poland and his company have enjoyed adding vibrancy to the fabric of the communities where it has been involved.

The company has the philosophy that it will not be a participant in bidding contests or auctions. Rather Bay West prefers to understand the seller's motivations and with sound local market knowledge, conclude a transaction where all parties are successful. Our strong relationships with lenders, investors, political leaders, and other professionals in the real estate industry allow us to achieve entitlements that are often the most challenging aspects of real estate development. Integrity and character are fundamental principles that the company is based on. Opportunities will continue to avail themselves to respected, energetic and creative individuals such as those that comprise the company. We strongly relate to the statement made by Charles Darwin — "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

Until their sale in 2006 — 2007, Bay West Group owned and operated over 1,000,000 square feet of buildings including San Francisco's famed Showplace and Galleria Design Centers and the Seattle Design and Gift Centers. We continue to own the Concourse Exhibition Center and the Garden Court on which Bay West intends to develop an additional 1,000,000 square feet of mixed-use projects which will total 824 residential units. Prior to the founding of Bay West Group, Bill served as Vice-president of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes in charge of the North West region that develop five office/industrial parks, only 800 acres, 4,500,000 square feet of multitenant industrial/distribution space and approximately 700,000 square feet of build-to-suit facilities. Because of our track record, Bay West is largely self-funded but is currently into joint ventures with institutional partners and high net worth individuals on strategic opportunities.


View Bill's Achievements   |   Contact Bill's Office