The design and construction outlook for Multifamily Housing is again moving in the right direction, according to the PSMJ Resources’ Quarterly Market Forecast (QMF).
After a first quarter that saw the multifamily market suffer its lowest level of proposal activity in nearly a decade, PSMJ’s quarterly survey of architecture, engineering, and construction firm executives reported a +7% net plus/minus index (NPMI), up from the -2% recorded in the first three months of the year.
PSMJ’s NPMI expresses the difference between the percentage of firms reporting an increase in proposal activity and those reporting a decrease. The QMF has proven to be a solid predictor of market health for the AEC industry since its inception in 2003. A consistent group of over 300 firm leaders participate regularly, with 171 contributing to the most recent survey.
As unimpressive as multifamily’s second quarter NPMI is—particularly considering that it experienced seven consecutive years of quarterly NPMIs above 40% through the end of 2019—the upturn is significant. The market’s negative NPMI in the first quarter was its lowest since it capped 11 consecutive quarters of negative proposal opportunity growth with a -5% in the third quarter of 2010.
Multifamily Housing Market Proposal Activity – 1Q08 to 2Q20 (NPMI)
The multifamily rebound was part of overall improving conditions for most of the Housing market. Even with the COVID-19 crisis slowing down the overall economy, housing’s rebound may be driven in part by historically low mortgage interest rates.
Housing’s NPMI increased from -19% in the first quarter to +2% in the second quarter, making it one of only four major markets with a positive NPMI among the 12 assessed in PSMJ’s QMF. Water/wastewater (20%), energy/utilities (15%) and healthcare (10%) were the others.
Among the firms that work in the multifamily sector, 31% said that proposal activity increased in the second quarter, while 24% said it decreased. The remainder said the market was relatively flat.
PSMJ Senior Principal David Burstein, PE, AECPM, predicts that single-family housing will rebound faster and stronger than multifamily in the coming months.
“Overall, the housing market is very strong,” says Burstein. “For many years, this market has been dominated by multifamily housing as people moved into cities. Recently, that trend has reversed. Single-family housing in suburbs is now stronger than multifamily housing in large cities. This is even more true for new condominiums than for new apartment rental housing.”
Among housing’s other submarkets, single-family properties (individual) saw its NPMI improve from -31% in the first quarter to +9 in the second quarters.
Single-family developments remained well into the negative at -12%, but that was up from -28%.
Senior/assisted living ticked up from -3% to -1%, while condominiums continued to struggle (-28% in Q1 to -26% in Q2).
Related Stories
| Aug 9, 2019
Whirlpool Debuts Smart All-In-One Washer and Dryer
Whirlpool washer and dryer in one machine can provide laundering solutions in apartments with limited space.
| Aug 9, 2019
'Buildings Don't Lie': A building science reference book worth your time and money
Review of "Buildings Don't Lie," by engineer Henry Gifford.
| Aug 8, 2019
Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces to acquire Czech firm Technistone
U.S. manufacturer Wilsonart, maker of High Pressure Laminate, Quartz, Solid Surface, Coordinated TFL and Edgebanding products, moves to acquire Technistone.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 7, 2019
New start, new life, new friends: Student residence life in the age of Instagram
When it comes to the design and space planning of your residence life program, the quality of the space you create will be reflected in the social media feeds of your students.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 6, 2019
Using P3s to create affordable housing, public services
How the city of Chicago and nonprofit groups partnered to build three libraries plus affordable housing in underserved neighborhoods.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 3, 2019
A plant—or at least its image—grows in Brooklyn
A 90-foot mural overlooks the courtyard of a new residential building.
| Aug 2, 2019
Closet System Adds Value to Grand Rapids Apartment Community
20 Fulton Street East is a 12-story residential community in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., developed by Brookstone Realty Management, where Organized Living's closet system was installed by dealer Rayhaven Group.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 31, 2019
Amenities war no more? Research report explores multifamily market
Multifamily developers show no signs of pulling back on specialty spaces and unique offerings in an effort to attract high-quality tenants, according to new research from Multifamily Design+Construction.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 31, 2019
100% affordable housing development features 62-units for low-income households
Magnusson Architecture + Planning is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 24, 2019
Multifamily transformation: Historic mansion converted to short-term housing for homeless families
The 1885 Victorian home in Cambridge, Mass., gets a new, energy-efficient life as Renae's Place, short-term housing for homeless women and their children.
