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 | Apr 6, 2020
Pandemic preparedness: How hospitals can adapt buildings to address worst-case scenarios
A Canadian healthcare architect looks at how hospital staff can act now to modify facilities and contain a pandemic.
Coronavirus | Apr 5, 2020
COVID-19: Most multifamily contractors experiencing delays in projects due to coronavirus pandemic
The NMHC Construction Survey is intended to gauge the magnitude of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak on multifamily construction.
Coronavirus | Apr 5, 2020
King County, Wash., addresses homelessness and COVID-19 with rapid-response site conversions
The county is adding 2,500 beds within a dozen Assessment & Recovery Centers that DLR Group helped to design.
Coronavirus | Apr 4, 2020
COVID-19: Construction completed on first phase of Chicago's McCormick Place into Alternate Care Facility
Walsh Construction, one of the largest contractors in the city of Chicago and in the United States, is leading the temporary conversion of a portion of the McCormick Place Convention Center into an Alternate Care Facility (ACF) for novel coronavirus patients. Construction on the first 500 beds was completed on April 3.
Coronavirus | Apr 4, 2020
COVID-19: Architecture firms churn out protective face shields using their 3D printers
Architecture firms from coast to coast have suddenly turned into manufacturing centers for the production of protective face shields and face masks for use by healthcare workers fighting the COVID-10 pandemic.
Coronavirus | Apr 3, 2020
Cities will survive the pandemic
Density may make it easier for the virus to spread, but let’s not forget that cities are in many ways the heart of society, and a springboard of big ideas, inventions, art, and culture.
Coronavirus | Apr 3, 2020
Kogniz Health launches AI-based fever detection cameras for crowds to help limit coronavirus spread
System continuously scans crowds for fever as they enter facilities to locate and isolate risks.
Coronavirus | Apr 3, 2020
27% of construction firms report layoffs amid COVID-19 outbreak, says AGC
The fast-worsening COVID-19 pandemic has triggered layoffs at more than a quarter of construction firms responding to an online survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The finding, based on responses from earlier this week, contrasts with the government’s monthly employment report for March, which found that construction employment declined by 29,000 as of mid-March.
Coronavirus | Apr 3, 2020
Test facility in a box: Modular, walk-in booth design for coronavirus testing
To address the need for testing in urban areas for those without vehicles, CannonDesign architect Albert Rhee created a walk-in testing booth that is slated for public use.
