The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE FORMER Citibank property on University Drive has been renamed in honour of the father of its new owner - Island Luck chief, Sebas Bastian.

The building, which houses a Scotiabank branch, was formally branded the Edwin “Smiley” Bastian Corporate Centre during a rededication ceremony that attracted Prime Minister Philip Davis KC; former PLP leader, Perry Christie, and numerous other persons with political connections including Seabreeze MP, Leslia Miller-Brice, and ex-attorney general, Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC. Mr Bastian, too, was present.

“Citibank had owned that for years,” one source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of a commercial property that sits opposite the University of The Bahamas (UoB) campus. “It was on the market for a while. There were several groups trying to buy it. Some were looking to buy it and fix it up for the Government of The Bahamas. The last thing I heard was that whoever was going to buy it was going to convert it into [UoB student] dormitories.”

All rivals, though, appear to have been beaten out by Mr Bastian who continues to expand his real estate interests and investments. The gaming chief’s Brickell Management Group recently unveiled plans to construct a condo hotel as part of its $200m Venetian Village project for western New Providence, which is now seeking to obtain the necessary government approvals. Citibank relocated to western New Providence some time ago.

“I have said on any number of occasions, and I say so today, that it is important for us, as private citizens and as a nation, to memorialise the life and work of significant personalities in our lives, and the life of our family, and in the life of our nation,” Mr Davis said. “In so doing, we protect their legacy, defend their good name and pay the ultimate tribute to them.”

He added that the property’s renaming was an “example of a grateful son memorialising his father in tribute to all of the intangible attributes transferred to him that have collectively shaped his character and his value system”.

Describing Mr Bastian as the “personification of the Bahamian dream” for his philanthropy and business grant funding initiatives, Mr Davis added: “Sebastian Bastian has distinguished himself as a successful businessman, investor and mentor to fledgling entrepreneurs, giving back to a country that has given so much to him.

“I applaud him for his philanthropy, and his business grant programme that has expanded ownership opportunities in our national economy for scores of young Bahamian entrepreneurs. This model is worthy of praise and emulation. His body of work in business augurs well, not only for the reputation of The Bahamas abroad, but his business acumen will allow him to identify business opportunities that can complement and diversify our economy.”

Referring to Mr Bastian’s role as The Bahamas’ top diplomat for central America, the Prime Minister said: “By any standard, His Excellency is an exceptional Bahamian, a fine role model; the personification of the Bahamian dream and I thank him for his public service and his invaluable contributions to both the business community and the national economy.”

Mr Davis, encouraging Bahamians to continue honouring the legacies of those that have contributed to the country’s development, said: “In our 50th anniversary of sovereign nationhood, let us all in our own unique ways commit ourselves to celebrating and memorialising the significant contributions and legacies of our brothers, sisters and loved ones.

“The institutional memory this national practice creates will only serve to deepen our cultural roots and strengthen our national identity as Bahamians.” Mr Bastian, meanwhile, credited his entrepreneurial spirit to his parents and declared it a privilege to name the building in honour of his late father.

He said: “I have both of my parents to thank for exposing me, at such a young age, to their hustle, their entrepreneurial spirit, and it was my father that taught me the importance of saving. It was my mother that brought me here to open up my first savings account at Citibank in the 1980s. Never in my wildest imagination, at seven years old, did I think I would own such a building, and have the honour and the privilege to name it after one of my greatest heroes, my father.”