International property and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has released its latest Crane Index for North America. The report, compiled with information gathered from three sources—a one-day physical count of fixed-tower cranes on city skylines, a survey of RLB experts on the ground in each location, and interviews with local crane suppliers—provides a simplified measure of the construction industry in 14 key markets.
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a sudden and ongoing effect on the economy,” said Julian Anderson, FRICS, President of RLB North America. “We expect, given the impact the virus is having on financial markets, that there is a good chance it will trigger a recession, which will eventually drive construction costs down as contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers compete to win the reduced number of projects in development.”
Crane Index market notes
- Toronto continues to be home to the majority of total cranes counted (27%), followed by Los Angeles (10%)
- For the third consecutive count, Seattle experienced a decrease in its crane total, down 20% from the previous Index
- Cities seeing an increase in cranes include Calgary, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Toronto
- Cities with a decrease in cranes include Las Vegas and Seattle
- Cities having steady crane counts include Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, Portland, and Washington D.C.
Crane Index sector notes
- Residential and mixed-use projects combined account for 70% of all cranes counted
- Cranes dedicated to healthcare projects drop 33% from previous counts
- Hospitality projects experience a nationwide decrease in active cranes of 50%
Read the complete Crane Index here.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | May 11, 2020
Experts offer a 13-point plan to reduce coronavirus deaths in nursing homes
Two nationally recognized experts in the design of senior living facilities offer a 13-point plan to protect our frailest citizens.
Glass and Glazing | May 8, 2020
Vitro Architectural Glass releases guide on decontaminating glass surfaces
The five-page technical document offers methods for cleaning and sanitizing glass surfaces.
Coronavirus | May 7, 2020
White paper clarifies steps, roles for use of metal composite material
Responsibilities of manufacturers, distributors, and fabricators outlined.
Coronavirus | May 7, 2020
Architects release new resource for safer re-occupancy of buildings
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing a new Re-occupancy Assessment Tool today that provides strategies for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in buildings.
Coronavirus | May 6, 2020
Reopening Main Street post-COVID-19 quarantine
Cities and communities will need to adjust public space to allow customers back in with distancing in mind.
Coronavirus | May 6, 2020
Making jobsites safer in the COVID-19 world
A leading construction manager and installer certification alliance share their insights.
Coronavirus | May 6, 2020
National Construction Association and Procore to release new data showing the impacts of the coronavirus on the constructionindustry
Data will be released on Friday, may 8 at 12 pm EDT.
Healthcare Facilities | May 5, 2020
Holt Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers complete temporary hospital in two weeks
The project is located in Paramus, N.J.
Coronavirus | May 5, 2020
How will COVID-19 change the procurement of professional design services?
We can use this moment as a test-case to build greater flexibility into how we pursue, win and deliver capital projects, better preparing the industry to meet the next disruption.
Coronavirus | May 4, 2020
Design steps for reopening embattled hotels
TPG Architecture recommends post-coronavirus changes in three stages.