Archinect - News

North American crane count drops 18% year-over-year

2024-04-14T08:00:00-04:00

Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB) latest crane count index report, a key indicator of economic activity in major sectors, has shown a marked decrease in the overall count from its previous edition. Calgary, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles have seen an increase in crane counts, with the majority (73%) active at either residential or mixed-use projects. However, on a year-to-year basis, the count is down 18% (a difference of 94 cranes) and another 9% when compared to its previous Q3 edition.

Conversely, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, Portland, San Francisco, and Washington, DC have seen decreases in excess of 20%, while totals for Honolulu, Phoenix, Seattle, and Toronto have remained steady.

RLB states: "Despite the continued downturn in cranes, we remain cautiously optimistic. Ongoing investment in manufacturing and infrastructure will help offset any decline in privately funded projects in 2024. Overall, construction spending will be driven by public funding for manufacturing and in...

North American crane count experiences 10% decrease from Q1 to Q3 2023

2023-10-27T18:51:00-04:00

According to Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB) latest crane index report, the total number of cranes on commercial projects in North American cities has decreased by 10%, or by 51 cranes, from the first quarter to the third quarter of 2023.

Out of the fourteen cities surveyed, six experienced a decrease in the number of cranes by greater than 20%, two saw an increase, and six remained the same. RLB attributes the decline to the amount of projects approaching completion during this period. Additionally, as interest rates continue to rise, private-sector construction is showing signs of slowing down.

Toronto continues to feature the most cranes, with 240 cranes, over nearly 200 more than any U.S. city measured. Boston experienced a 122% increase in cranes, joining Toronto as the only cities that saw an increase in crane counts. Seattle led cities in the U.S. with 45 cranes, followed by Los Angeles with 30.

As noted by RLB, despite the dip in crane numbers, the residential sector contin...

North American crane count yields recovery, increasing 4.74% from Q3 2021 to Q1 2022

2022-04-12T15:00:00-04:00

The number of cranes in North America's major cities increased 4.74% from Q3 2021 to Q1 2022, recovering from the identical decrease from the previous Rider Levett Bucknall crane index report.

Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB) index measured five cities with an increase in the number of cranes, six that yielded little change, and three that saw significant decreases, dropping by more than 20%. In total, North American cities added 22 cranes in the first quarter of 2022, in which more than half were in the commercial sector. Toronto continues to host more cranes than any other city measured, with 252 in total. Other findings include hospitality construction seeing a 24% increase in cranes, and residential cranes making up 50% of cranes counted.

Previously on Archinect: North American crane count decreased by 4.5% from Q1 to Q3 2021

While the crane increase is a positive sign, RLB doesn’t expect this trend to continue. With supply chain issues and rising construction costs, namely the high price of steel, the index expects the crane count to plateau and remain steady.

North American crane count decreased by 4.5% from Q1 to Q3 2021

2021-10-12T12:46:00-04:00

Rider Levett Bucknall's Crane Count decreased by 4.5% from Q1 to Q3 2021. The index measures the number of fixed cranes across cities in the U.S. and Canada, as a representation of the active construction workload in those cities

Of the 14 cities measured, only Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Toronto, saw an increase in the number of cranes during this period. Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Phoenix, and Portland were reported as having significant decreases in the number of cranes, dropping between 32% and 78%. Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, and Calgary are holding steady.

The most popular sectors for crane usage were mixed-use and residential, and the education sector saw a crane increase of 40%. In addition, commercial cranes are down 36% collectively. Other notable findings include Los Angeles’ 19%-increase in cranes, the greatest increase since the previous count. Toronto continues to lead North American cities, with an 81% increase in cranes from this time last year.

The 4.5%-reduction follows an increase in the number of cranes in Q1 of 2021. As noted in the index, each of the surveyed cities is connected by uncertainty, which “remains a significant factor to the construction market.”

Previously o...

North American crane count up again after 2020 slump

2021-04-20T13:20:00-04:00

After a decrease in the number of construction cranes in use across major cities in the U.S. and Canada, Rider Levett Bucknall’s Crane Index has found an increase in cranes to start 2021.

Construction Drive reports that Toronto still leads the North American crane count with 208 (compared to 124 in 2020), while Washington D.C. boasted 45, followed by Seattle and Los Angeles with 43 cranes each. New York City was indexed with 10 cranes in Q1 2021.

More details can be accessed in the latest RLB Crane Index.

North American crane counts drop for the first time in years due to COVID-19

2020-10-07T10:55:00-04:00

For the first time since July 2017, the number of cranes in North American cities has decreased, according to Rider Levett Bucknall’s newest crane count. The biannual count dropped by 40 cranes, 455 to 415, from Q1 to Q3 2020.

According to Construction Dive, Toronto still holds the most cranes in a North American city, with 124. And of the 14 measured cities, only Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto and Washington, D.C., saw an increase in the number of cranes. Moreover, five of the 14 cities — Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco — dropped in count between 27% and 76%, Construction Dive reports.

130 William: tower crane at David Adjaye's NYC high-rise dismantled

2020-07-21T14:05:00-04:00

Whether you are a tower crane otaku, adrenaline junky, or simply keeping up to date with David Adjaye's first NYC tower: construction crews at the 130 William site in Manhattan posted a video and some photos of the recent crane dismantling.

The journey of the tower crane dismantle at #130William! : @uscranerigging pic.twitter.com/2MaD2nIr8a
— Adjaye Associates (@AdjayeAssoc) July 15, 2020

Try not to get sweaty palms.

The hulking Potain MR 608 had done its job heaving 66 floors of the building's signature hand-cast facade into place and was safely removed from the 800-foot-tall structure.

Close-ups of the unique outer shell with its arched windows were shared with us earlier this year by architectural photographer Paul Clemence.

Credit: Paul Clemence from ARCHI-PHOTO.

"Human error" cited as cause for deadly 2019 crane collapse in Seattle

2019-10-23T18:43:00-04:00

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced Thursday that it has cited and fined three contractors a total of $107,200 in relation to April's deadly tower crane collapse at a Google office project. in Seattle. The crash to the street below killed two workers and two people in cars.

According to Construction Dive, the tragic event that occurred in April was due to the project "contractors and their workers [ignoring] the manufacturers instructions for dismantling the crane by removing almost all of the tower's pins and sleeves at the same time." It is reported that this weakened the crane and caused it to fall after a 45-mph gust of wind struck it.

Toronto leads North American crane count, with Seattle and Los Angeles tied for second

2019-07-30T14:52:00-04:00

The quarterly Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index shows strong growth in the number of cranes in operation across North American cities, as new projects get underway and a number of large projects continue to march their way toward completion.

The July 2019 survey summary explains: "Of the thirteen cities surveyed, five experienced an increase in their respective crane counts. Five had a decrease in counts while the remaining three held steady."

Toronto leads the index with a whopping 120 cranes in operation, while Seattle and Los Angeles are tied for second place with 49 cranes each. Calgary is next with 37 cranes, while Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York City follow with nearly 30 cranes apiece.

Strong population growth in Toronto is feeding that city's building boom, according to the report, whereas residential and office projects are fueling growth in Los Angeles and Seattle, respectively.

Collapsing crane kills four at new Seattle Google campus

2019-04-29T13:25:00-04:00

Seattle’s construction frenzy turned deadly Saturday afternoon when a tower crane working on a new Google campus fell like a thunderbolt from the roof of a South Lake Union building, smashing into six cars and killing four people.

"The four-building, 607,000-square-foot project will house a new Google Seattle campus, and also include about 150 new apartments," reports The Seattle Times about the tragic incident at a South Lake Union site at Fairview Avenue and Mercer Street. "Construction began in 2017 and is set to be finished this year. Google had put its name on the building in the last few days."

Washington state officials have launched an investigation.

Construction webcam shows before and after of the deadly crane collapse in Seattle this afternoon. At least 4 people are dead https://t.co/YIcT09LpNY pic.twitter.com/Ywoe9VH7Nv
— Mike Rosenberg (@ByRosenberg) April 28, 2019

Autonomous crane technology receives investment boost

2018-09-27T14:52:00-04:00

With industrial robotics forecast to be worth $71.72 billion by 2023, it’s no wonder entrepreneurs are turning their attention to increasingly lucrative sectors, like warehouse automation, order fulfillment, and manufacturing. Tel Aviv-based Intsite is one of the latest examples. The startup today announced a $1.35 million pre-seed round led by Terra Venture Partners and the Israel Innovation Authority to fund what it claims is the world’s first autonomous crane technology.

Image: Intsite

AI-powered autonomous construction technology is poised to see enormous growth in the coming years, promising to significantly increase efficiency, cut costs & realization time, and reduce human errors as well as workplace-related injuries.

"According to McKinsey, about 98 percent of construction mega-projects go significantly over budget, in part as a result of heavy equipment inefficiencies," reports Venture Beat.

Judge faults crane operator and DOB inspectors in deadly 2016 Tribeca crane collapse

2018-04-16T13:28:00-04:00

In 2016, a Manhattan crane collapse in Tribeca killed one person, seriously injured two others and left another with minor injuries. Workers were trying to secure the crane against winds by lowering the boom when the crane collapsed to the ground. The accident was caused by a series of operator errors including a failure to properly secure the crane overnight and lowering it at the wrong angle.

Last week, New York judge Ingrid Addison issued a 68-page decision that faults operator Kevin Reilly for the collapse and approves the yanking of his license. Addison also faulted the Department of Building for signing off on inadequate plans and ripped the department for arguing that they are "not responsible for ensuring plans are safe for New Yorkers."

Luxury retreat, spa with a view, meeting room in the sky — this former coal crane has it all

2017-12-07T18:55:00-05:00

Ever wanted to spend a night in an industrial relic while not missing out on luxurious amenities? Then THE KRANE, a converted coal crane in Copenhagen's Nordhavn, is just your kind of thing.

The multi-tiered structure sports a reception area on the ground floor (a designated concierge car meets guests at the airport), a meeting room with incredible views of the water called the GLASS BOX on the first floor, a cantilevered spa and a terrace on the second floor, and a private retreat for two on top called the KRANE ROOM with a small lounge and terrace.

The project was conceived and designed by owner Klaus Kastbjerg (a driving force behind a number of Copenhagen waterfront revitalization projects, like the impressive THE SILO transformation with COBE) and architect/builder Mads Møller from Arcgency.

Scroll on for many more stunning photographs by Rasmus Hjortshøj and a project description we've received from the designers.

Hurricane Irma causes three construction cranes to collapse in South Florida

2017-09-11T14:45:00-04:00

The wildly swinging booms of three cranes at under-construction residential buildings in South Florida bent and collapsed in Hurricane Irma’s heavy winds Sunday. [...] The cranes are a symbol of the luxury real estate development that drives South Florida’s economy, attracting millions of dollars in foreign investment, even as home prices soar out of reach for locals. The construction industry has fought against stricter regulation of the towering cranes.

While the whole extent of destruction that Hurricane Irma caused throughout Florida, Georgia, and various islands of the northern Caribbean in the past few days is still not entirely clear, the strength of the storm can be adumbrated by the three construction cranes that collapsed in the greater Miami area yesterday.

Why cranes keep collapsing, despite "sophisticated equipment"

2016-03-07T14:20:00-05:00

As cranes have grown in height and girth, the controls to operate them have intensified in number and complexity...the crane units in use these days have libraries of intricate manuals, packed with details...some operators may not have time to fully understand or read completely. Same goes for the maintenance team. When something does go wrong with such large machines...the 'mess and carnage' gets magnified.

Crane safety experts give their thoughts on the leading causes of crane collapses, and why safety regulation is more complex than it seems.

Previous news about collapses:

Crane collapses in Manhattan, one dead and two seriously injured

More than 50 dead after crane collapses on Mecca's Grand Mosque

13 lawsuits emerge after deadly balcony collapse in Berkeley

Three killed after partial stadium collapse at 2014 World Cup venue

Crane collapses in Manhattan, one dead and two seriously injured

2016-02-05T20:25:00-05:00

The Associated Press reported that the person killed was a Wall Street worker sitting in a parked car. [...] The accident happened as workers were trying to secure the crane against winds around 20 mph by lowering the boom, which had been extended to as long as 565 feet the day before, officials said. Because the crane was being lowered, workers were directing pedestrians away from it on a street that otherwise would likely have been teeming with people.

A couple of nearby construction workers took video of the collapse on a cellphone – you can watch that here.

More than 50 dead after crane collapses on Mecca's Grand Mosque

2015-09-11T13:33:00-04:00

At least 52 people were killed when a crane crashed in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Friday, Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authority said on its Twitter account.It said 30 people were injured. The Muslim annual Haj pilgrimage is due later this month and Saudi authorities go to great lengths to be prepared for the millions of Muslims who converge on Mecca.

Are English universities picking up "American habits" as campus construction booms?

2015-05-06T14:26:00-04:00

The cranes are going up all over universities. A new student village here, an extension to the business school there, airy atria everywhere, even a scattering of 'iconic' or 'signature' buildings aspiring to be on shortlists for architectural awards. Higher education is investing unprecedented amounts in infrastructure – for good and necessary reasons but maybe for bad ones too.

UCL Institute of Education professor Peter Scott comments on the rising trend of English universities leaning toward what he describes as "American habits" at a time when universities are investing greatly in campus construction. Scott lists promising reasons like the upgrading and preservation of historic buildings but also the questionable prestige- and business-driven motives that are already familiar in U.S. institutions.

Watch Renzo Piano's construction cranes "dance" in Athens

2014-06-27T13:02:00-04:00

While Renzo Piano's Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens (SNFCC) is still under construction, it didn't keep the first performance from being staged last Wednesday on the site. Based on Renzo Piano's own idea, the Greek National Orchestra scored a 15-minute "dance" performance of ten giant cranes on the construction site, conducted by Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera, Myron Michailidis.

The cranes' dance was choreographed by Renato Zanella, to music from Gustav Holst's The Planets -- all with the Pantheon in the background.

The SNFCC is scheduled to open in 2016, and will include the new home for the Greek National Opera, the National Library of Greece, and a 42-acre public park.

You can watch the entire performance below (begins at 10:00):

Cranes are dismantled from China's Shanghai Tower skyscraper

2014-03-20T14:26:00-04:00

Cranes that have helped to build the Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building and the world's second tallest, are seen being dismantled.

Beautiful photo of sky cranes at WTC site, by BLDGBLOG's Geoff Manaugh

2013-05-08T12:34:00-04:00

When I walked out to get breakfast this morning, clouds had obscured all but the topmost workings of the 1 World Trade Center site, visible through our living room window—a strange vision of machines, pulleys, cranes, and gears sort of hovering in the sky, like something out of Archigram by way of Hayao Miyazaki.

Sydney Crane Crash Caught on Tape

2012-11-27T00:50:00-05:00

The moment whereby a burning crane which caught fire on a construction site snapped and fell on top of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) building on Broadway in inner Sydney this morning has been caught on tape. A video, which was filmed by a passer-by and supplied to Channel Nine, shows the upper portion of the crane above the main boom tip collapsing onto the building rooftop.

Manhattan Construction Crane Collapses at One57 Luxury Tower

2012-10-29T17:24:00-04:00

A crane attached to One57, the luxury apartment tower under construction in midtown Manhattan, partially collapsed amid gusts from Hurricane Sandy. [...] One57, poised to be the tallest residential property in Manhattan at 90 stories, is being developed by Extell Development Co. A penthouse at the building went under contract earlier this year for more than $90 million.

Highest ever crane installed in London as work begins to complete Shard skyscraper

2011-09-26T16:58:27-04:00

Builders will use the machine to complete the spire of the Shard skyscraper near London Bridge in south London. When fully extended the crane will sit at 317 metres or 1,040 ft above ground level, making it seven metres taller than the building's eventual highest point (310 metres). The Shard will become the tallest building in the European Union and the 45th tallest in the world when it is completed in 2012.