Far Trek: Bader Companies Explore New Worlds… Without Leaving the Lake State

Space, according to one decades-old science fiction franchise, is the final frontier … but, according to one Minnesota-based property management organization, space is also a commodity, a currency, a compensation that can be bought, bequeathed, endued, endowed, invested, traded, rented … and even shared. Bader Companies claim on their website, “Our mission serves as our compass, inspiring us to build not just better apartments, but a better experience for every individual who is touched by the spaces we create.”

These space creators have been part of the Twin Cities realty scene longer than it’s been Bader Companies. “Our long-standing company, Steven Scott Management, joined Bader Development and Bader Diamond Fund to become one company, Bader,” recounts the current organization’s chief revenue officer, Brenda Hvambsal. “It is a continuation of the same company, but when management company partner Steve Schachtman retired in 2021, it made most sense to put all companies under one umbrella.”

An online bio elaborates: “Bader, a multi-generational, family company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, takes residential concepts from idea to reality. Founded in 1968, Bader has been setting the standard in multi-family housing for nearly sixty years. Through creativity and innovation, Bader consistently provides exceptional value to all its shareholders.”

Of course, it’s people who introduce residents to such “exceptional value.” The company website affirms: “At Bader, we are proud to have so many hard-working and dedicated employees who choose to continue their employment year after year. In fact, we have so many long-term employees, that we started calling them our ‘Loyal Legends.’”

Long-term workers aren’t the only ones catalyzing Bader Companies’ extant efforts. “Our employees are the heart of our company, and we simply could not be where we are today without their support and loyalty,” the Bader Companies website fairly gushes. “We truly care about our people, and we work hard to keep them happy.”

The sheer range of such care takes up more than a little space. “One of the biggest things we offer to the community is a variety of rental options, our portfolio is extremely diverse and we welcome all,” Hvambsal notes. “Affordable to luxury, urban to suburban, student to senior, apartment to townhomes and lofts, and from historic to new … and everything in between.” All told, this range is composed of nearly 12,000 units.

This quantity irresistibly leads to a variety of space that has, in recent years, been subject to change in deference to a variety of changes. Says Hvambsal, “People are in their apartments and amenity spaces much more — work from home —we had started to have video call rooms prior to the pandemic, but they have been added to existing communities and new communities.”

If community can be salvaged from individuals separated by infection-defeating separation, community can be redefined in any number of other ways, as well. “Other amenities that have been added to make homes for resident engagement include podcasting rooms, maker spaces, extending seasons — rooftop heaters at some communities,” Hvambsal continues. “Coming out of the work-from-home era, we have found that in many of our communities, it has become even more important for people to have the ability to connect.”

This community can even connect renters to rentees. “We have worked to encourage from block parties, barbecues and more,” supposes Hvambsal. “In 2023, inspired by Katie Steller and her work on Steller Kindness Project, Bader launched the Kindness Crew. This employee-led group supports everything from large neighborhood initiatives to local micro-events.”

That crewed kindness can lend space to more specific outreach. “Bader has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community in sponsorships since early the 2000s with advertising and sponsoring events,” acclaims Hvambsal. This support includes an unmistakable presence at the annual Twin Cities Pride Festival, as well as a Pride kick-off party.

Most of the positive vibes generated by Bader Companies, however, are demographic-free. “In addition to our company financial donations, Bader’s employee-led Kindness Crew coordinates and runs several volunteer projects each year, all benefiting local charities,” Hvambsal catalogs. “The Kindness Crew currently makes up over thirty members, all employees who come together throughout the year and make a difference.”

Somewhat like that decades-old, difference-making science fiction franchise, Bader Companies seeks to boldly go where no property management organization has gone before. To cite Bader Companies’ company vision, “Our vision propels us forward, urging us to set the standard for excellence in housing through dedication, integrity and genuine care for our people and our communities.”

Bader Companies
3020 France Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55422
(952) 540-8600
www.badercompanies.com
www.badercompanies.com/contactus