1. Ryan Companies breaks ground on 122-acre Highland Bridge redevelopment in St. Paul, Minn. (BD+C)
"This $1.3 billion project—whose funding includes $320 million in public and private investments for parks, infrastructure, affordable housing, and tax-increment financing—has been a decade in the making. Bringing the master plan to life involved 45 public meetings that drew 1,300 attendees, and 80 presentations to business, civic, and nonprofit groups."
2. Never waste a crisis (BD+C)
"Count Fred Bland among the AEC executives who were blown away by how efficiently their associates performed from home during the pandemic lockdown. “It was a great surprise to me that, remotely, we’ve been able to serve our clients well,” says Bland, FAIA, AICP, Managing Partner with Beyer Blinder Belle. He attributed that success to a combination of technology and esprit de corps."
3. A Florida company is helping developers optimize their buildings’ parking amenities (BD+C)
"RPS, which built the first autonomous garage in the United States in Hoboken, N.J., in 2001 (a garage that’s still operational to this day), has been focusing its attention in recent years on the Middle East. The company is preparing to release an online, AIA-approved education program that provides details for planning, installation, and operation of autonomous parking facilities.
4. Will luxury condos sell in a pandemic? SF High-rise is the market’s first big test (San Francisco Chronicle via National Real Estate Investor)
“Despite the difficulties of selling luxury condos in a downtown neighborhood mostly bereft of workers and festooned with boarded-up stores and restaurants, San Francisco’s condo market is performing far better than its rental housing market, as families put a premium on quality living spaces during shelter-in-place.”
5. The hottest job in commercial real estate? Infectious disease expert (Fast Company via National Real Estate Investor)
"Even after the pandemic, the chief health officer could be a permanent fixture in real estate."
6. ‘I can’t keep doing this:’ Small business owners are giving up (New York Times via National Real Estate Investor)
“More owners are permanently shutting their doors after new lockdown orders, realizing that there may be no end in sight to the crisis.”
Related Stories
Market Data | Jan 6, 2022
A new survey offers a snapshot of New York’s construction market
Anchin’s poll of 20 AEC clients finds a “growing optimism,” but also multiple pressure points.
Market Data | Jan 3, 2022
Construction spending in November increases from October and year ago
Construction spending in November totaled $1.63 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
Market Data | Dec 22, 2021
Two out of three metro areas add construction jobs from November 2020 to November 2021
Construction employment increased in 237 or 66% of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months.
Market Data | Dec 17, 2021
Construction jobs exceed pre-pandemic level in 18 states and D.C.
Firms struggle to find qualified workers to keep up with demand.
Market Data | Dec 15, 2021
Widespread steep increases in materials costs in November outrun prices for construction projects
Construction officials say efforts to address supply chain challenges have been insufficient.
Market Data | Dec 15, 2021
Demand for design services continues to grow
Changing conditions could be on the horizon.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Construction adds 31,000 jobs in November
Gains were in all segments, but the industry will need even more workers as demand accelerates.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Construction spending rebounds in October
Growth in most public and private nonresidential types is offsetting the decline in residential work.
Market Data | Dec 5, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending increases nearly 1% in October
Spending was up on a monthly basis in 13 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories.
Market Data | Nov 30, 2021
Two-thirds of metro areas add construction jobs from October 2020 to October 2021
The pandemic and supply chain woes may limit gains.
