Calgary’s construction demand stayed strong in first half of 2022

via Calgary Herald

Calgary building permit values topped $3 billion in the first half of 2022, as construction demand across the city remained consistent with last year’s record pace.

City officials processed almost 5,000 development permit applications and more than 11,000 building permits totalling $3.01 billion through June, compared with $3.32 billion a year earlier.

“Developers and builders are investing more in present-day Calgary, which helps to position our city and economy for a successful future,” Stuart Dalgleish, planning and development general manager, said in a news release.

Permits for new home construction were up nine per cent from a year ago, while residential improvement applications declined by 12 per cent following a two-year spike.

“During the pandemic, Calgarians invested heavily in home improvement projects, as we all navigated creative ways to use our space,” said Dalgleish. “A renewed interest in travel and entertainment outside of the home may contribute to the decrease of residential improvement permit applications received so far.”

Commercial building permit applications totalled $81.8 million, up from $22.6 million during the first half of 2021, led by food, entertainment and hospitality projects.

The 28-storey downtown Dorian hotel, one of the city’s largest hospitality-related projects of the past decade, added $57.5 million in construction value, according to the news release.

Other major construction permits issued this year include a 244,000-square-foot logistics facility at Barlow Crossing, a seven-storey concrete apartment building in the Beltline and the Montgomery school replacement.

Other major project approvals cited by the city include:

• Curtis Block apartment complex in the Beltline, valued at $165 million;
• 11th and 11th, a mixed-use Beltline highrise, valued at $95 million;
• A new Calgary student residence at Banff Trail ($61.2 million) and the downtown Marriott Hotel ($57.5 million).