ebulletin

July 1, 2026
Building Plan Approvals Hold Steady as Construction Activity Accelerates

Buildings Department Approved 39 Plans Between February and April; Residential Floor Area Surges Over 300% Quarter-on-Quarter as Major Housing Projects Move Into Construction

(HONG KONG) The Buildings Department (BD) approved a total of 39 building plans between February and April 2026, including 20 residential and composite residential developments, while 23 construction projects were granted consent to commence works during the three-month period.
Although the number of approved plans remained broadly in line with the previous three-month period (November 2025 to January 2026), the scale of projects entering construction expanded significantly, with residential gross floor area (GFA) and housing supply recording substantial increases. The figures indicate that many large-scale residential developments have progressed from the planning stage into active construction.

39 Building Plans Approved

During the February–April reporting period, the Buildings Department approved 39 building plans, comprising:

-- 20 residential and composite residential developments

-- 4 commercial developments

-- 10 community services developments

-- 5 factory and industrial developments

April was the standout month, with several major housing projects entering construction, including a Hong Kong Housing Society rental housing development comprising 1,595 units, contributing significantly to the sharp increase in residential floor area and housing supply.

Construction Consents Increased Significantly
A total of 23 building projects were granted consent to commence works during the three-month period.
Upon completion, these projects will provide approximately:
-- 98,682 sq m of residential gross floor area
-- 1,993 residential units
-- 115,716 sq m of non-residential floor area

Residential developments continued to account for more than half of all approved plans, underscoring the sector's dominant role in Hong Kong's development pipeline. Community facilities and industrial projects also maintained a steady presence, reflecting continued investment in public infrastructure and industrial facilities.

Positive Outlook for the First Half of 2026

Taken together, the Buildings Department's statistics for the first six months of 2026 point to a stable development pipeline and strengthening construction activity.

Residential projects remained the primary driver of building plan approvals throughout the period, while the second quarter saw a sharp increase in construction commencements, particularly in terms of residential floor area and housing supply.

Two key trends emerged during the first half of the year:

Large-scale residential developments are moving rapidly into the construction phase, significantly boosting future housing supply.

Community facilities and non-residential developments continue to advance alongside residential projects, indicating balanced investment across both the public and private sectors.

Overall, the first half of 2026 demonstrates that Hong Kong's construction industry is transitioning from the planning and approval stage into active project delivery. With major developments in the Northern Metropolis, public housing programmes and private residential projects expected to gather pace, construction activity is likely to remain robust in the second half of the year.

(Reported by Building.hk)