At the end of 2018, analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) reported that the total U.S. construction pipeline continued to trend upward with 5,530 projects/669,456 rooms, both up a strong 7% year-over-year (YOY). However, pipeline totals continue to trail the all-time high of 5,883 projects/785,547 rooms reached in the second quarter of 2008.
Project counts in the early planning stage continue to rise reaching an all-time high of 1,723 projects/199,326 rooms, up 14% by projects and 12% by rooms YOY. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months stand at 2,153 projects/255,083 rooms. Projects currently under construction are at 1,654 projects/215,047 rooms, the highest counts since early 2008.
Also noteworthy at year-end, the upscale, upper-midscale, and midscale categories are at record-highs, for both rooms and projects. Luxury room counts and upper-upscale project counts are also at record levels.
In 2018, the U.S. had 947 new hotels/112,050 rooms open, a 2% growth in new supply, bringing the total U.S. census to 56,909 hotels/5,381,090 rooms. The LE forecast for new hotel openings in 2019 anticipates a 2.2% supply growth rate with 1,022 new hotels/116,357 rooms expected to open. The pace for new hotel openings has slowed slightly because of construction delays largely caused by shortages in skilled labor.
Lending at attractive rates is still accessible to developers, but lenders are growing more selective as we move deeper into the existing cycle.
The pipeline has completed its seventh consecutive year of growth. Moving forward the growth rate is expected to slow as the economies of most countries, including the United States, more firmly settle into the “new normal" marked by slow growth and low inflation.
While there are no visible signs of a recession on the horizon, the risks to the economy are not insignificant and include tariff conflicts, swings in the stock market, unforeseen geopolitical problems, any of which could send the economy lower.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 28, 2021
Construction employment declines in 203 metro areas from March 2020 to March 2021
The decline occurs despite homebuilding boom and improving economy.
Market Data | Apr 20, 2021
The pandemic moves subs and vendors closer to technology
Consigli’s latest market outlook identifies building products that are high risk for future price increases.
Market Data | Apr 20, 2021
Demand for design services continues to rapidly escalate
AIA’s ABI score for March rose to 55.6 compared to 53.3 in February.
Market Data | Apr 16, 2021
Construction employment in March trails March 2020 mark in 35 states
Nonresidential projects lag despite hot homebuilding market.
Market Data | Apr 13, 2021
ABC’s Construction Backlog slips in March; Contractor optimism continues to improve
The Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 7.8 months in March.
Market Data | Apr 9, 2021
Record jump in materials prices and supply chain distributions threaten construction firms' ability to complete vital nonresidential projects
A government index that measures the selling price for goods used construction jumped 3.5% from February to March.
Contractors | Apr 9, 2021
Construction bidding activity ticks up in February
The Blue Book Network's Velocity Index measures month-to-month changes in bidding activity among construction firms across five building sectors and in all 50 states.
Industry Research | Apr 9, 2021
BD+C exclusive research: What building owners want from AEC firms
BD+C’s first-ever owners’ survey finds them focused on improving buildings’ performance for higher investment returns.
Market Data | Apr 7, 2021
Construction employment drops in 236 metro areas between February 2020 and February 2021
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Odessa, Texas have worst 12-month employment losses.
Market Data | Apr 2, 2021
Nonresidential construction spending down 1.3% in February, says ABC
On a monthly basis, spending was down in 13 of 16 nonresidential subcategories.
