Bermuda’s construction industry has recorded its strongest quarter since 2019 with both government and private suppliers reporting strong demand across the island.

According to the Department of Statistics, the estimated value of work put in place during the first quarter of 2025 reached $66.8 million, the highest quarterly value since the first quarter of 2019, when an estimated $75.7 million was recorded.

The Government said the latest GDP data for the first quarter of 2025 affirmed a period of remarkable performance and optimism, with the construction sector continuing a strong rebound, driving economic growth and fostering renewed investment in key areas across the island.

On the ground, construction supply companies are also reporting a surge.

Sacha Bearden, the owner of Baptiste Ltd, said she could see the strength of the sector simply while driving to work.

“My point of view is driving from Spanish Point to work every morning I pass two major construction sites, the one down by Bacardi [Luscar Place] and the one on Front Street, the big new building (Brookfield House). So I’m held up by construction,” she said.

She added that the large-scale renovation of the Fairmont Southampton had been another major driver.

“They have hundreds of workers up there. We’re not supplying the project directly but when they come in and clean you out of gloves or dust masks or anything, their need is so great for stuff that they just clean out the shop.”

For her business, the past 18 months have brought consistent growth. “Every month I see our sales numbers and they are great. I then wonder when the growth is going to stop. But it doesn’t and then the next month it’s better. And so we’ve seen really steady growth in the last year and a half, like every single month,” Ms Bearden said.

While she noted that the boom had not yet reached the levels of 2007, when large condo projects dominated the market, she described the present moment as “definitely the best in six years”.

Construction activity in Bermuda remains a cornerstone of economic recovery, noted Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour.

Reflecting on the latest statistics, he said: “We are proud to announce that investment in construction increased 2.9 per cent during the quarter, reflecting our commitment to infrastructure development and sustainable growth.”

The figures showed $42.8 million in private activity and $24 million in public sector investment, the latter reaching its highest level in more than a decade. Residential construction totalled $23.9 million, the most since 2017, while investment in offices, shops and warehouses rose to $16.4 million, its strongest showing since 2012.

“This level of investment sends a clear message: Bermuda is building for the future, investing in both public and private projects that will benefit our community and economy for years to come,” Mr Hayward said.

While the overall picture shows clear growth, the underlying data highlights some important nuances. Hotel and guesthouse construction was estimated at $10.8 million in the first quarter, well above recent trends that have generally remained under $8 million. However, the last comparable spike came as recently as the third quarter of 2023, when hotel investment reached $29.5 million.

The balance between public and private spending is also noteworthy. At $42.8 million, private sector work remained solid, but the real surge came from government investment, which climbed to $24 million.

Brookfield House, at 91 Front Street, hit a milestone this spring with a topping‑out ceremony, completing its nine-storey steel frame.

The building, which will house Brookfield Reinsurance’s global headquarters and several Bermudian-listed affiliates, will include 55,000 sq ft of office space and 3,000 sq ft of retail. The project is aiming for LEED Platinum certification and expected to be completed in 2026.

Near by, progress continues on Luscar Place, a new seven‑storey, 130,000 sq ft office development at 69 Pitts Bay Road. Despite early objections over height and setbacks, the project was approved and is now on track for completion in April  2027.

In the tourism sector, work at the Fairmont Southampton is proceeding, aiming for a spring 2026 opening.