Look up at the Saint John skyline this spring and you will notice a major change. Construction cranes dot the Port City. They signal a massive wave of development. According to a recent report from CTV News, these cranes are building everything from residential high rises to major tourism sites.

Record Breaking Residential Growth

Two cranes currently stand in uptown Saint John. One works on a 152 unit apartment building at 99 King Street. Crews will finish the exterior walls in the coming weeks. Another crane operates at a residential site along Crown Street.

Jeff Cyr serves as the executive director of real estate and industrial development for Envision Saint John. He notes the city has never seen this level of apartment production.

“Right now, there’s a little under 700 units actively under construction in the greater Saint John region,” Cyr told CTV News. “To put it in context, we’ve never seen this high a number since Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation started collecting the data in the 1990s.”

On the uptown and central peninsula alone, developers are building around 230 units. Cyr says Saint John desperately needs these homes. The city currently sits at a vacancy rate just above two percent. This indicates a very tight housing market.

Major Industrial and Cultural Projects

Residential builds only tell part of the story. Cranes also power two high profile projects in the port city.

Crews operate a pair of cranes at the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill near the Reversing Falls. This work is part of Project NextGen. The company is investing 1.5 billion dollars to expand the site.

Another crane recently went up at the New Brunswick Museum on Douglas Avenue. Workers are expanding the facility ahead of its planned 2028 opening.

A Confident Economic Future

City leaders view the construction boom as a massive win.

“It’s been something that we’ve been aspiring for,” Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said. “We want to see that movement, we want to see that vitality, we want to see that excitement that the cranes bring, and we’ve got it right here.”

Cyr echoes this sentiment. He points out that Saint John has experienced slow periods in the past.

“It’s a sign of momentum, it’s a sign of excitement, it’s a sign of confidence in the region and in the region’s economy as well,” Cyr explained.

Projections show Saint John will top the list of major project investments in the province for 2026. This marks a significant milestone for the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many cranes in Saint John right now?

Developers are building a record number of residential units and expanding major industrial and cultural sites across the city.

How many apartments are currently under construction?

There are just under 700 units actively under construction in the greater Saint John region. Around 230 of those units are located on the uptown and central peninsula.

What is the current vacancy rate in Saint John?

The vacancy rate is just above two percent. This tight market drives the urgent need for new housing.

What major non residential projects are underway?

Crews are expanding the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill through a 1.5 billion dollar investment. Workers are also expanding the New Brunswick Museum for a 2028 reopening.