Shopping malls, convention centres drive commercial building consents

aucklandShopping malls and convention centres have been key factors behind the rise in building consents for big commercial buildings in the year ending November 2018, according to figures released by Statistics NZ.

Figures showed the value of building consents issued for shops, restaurants, and bars; social and cultural buildings; factories; and farm buildings all increased between $100 million and $300 million over the period.

“An increase in the intention to build more shops and social buildings was partly due to large consents for Auckland and Christchurch convention centres, and shopping malls in Auckland,” said Melissa McKenzie, construction statistics manager.

McKenzie said construction costs rise each year, but even accounting for price rises, there was a significant increase in the value of shops and social buildings consented in the year ending November.

Non-residential consents issued exceeded $7 billion for the first time on record in the same period.

The value of offices and public transport buildings consented for the year had the largest fall, down $351 million from the November 2017 year.

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