Updated 2026-09-15

Construction Costs

Office Construction Cost Planning: New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China

New Territories office cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 141.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/HKG/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames HK dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/HK.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 12747063). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Direct answer

For early office construction cost planning in New Territories, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Hong Kong SAR, China construction price-level index of 141.8, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a New Territories HKD/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Hong Kong SAR, China in 2021; it does not measure a New Territories market basket or current office tenders. GeoNames 12747063 records the locality at 22.4244, 114.1110, with snapshot population 3,984,077. That ranks New Territories 2 of 50 listed places, while Pat Heung is the nearest listed peer at about 3 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.

What does the 141.8 construction index mean?

The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Hong Kong SAR, China is 141.8, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that office work in New Territories costs 1.418 times a current world rate.

Which New Territories inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is 22.4244, 114.1110 (GeoNames 12747063). Its snapshot population is 3,984,077, ranked 2 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a section of a populated place in administrative area 00. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

What must a project estimate add?

For a New Territories office project, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.

Estimate fieldScreening recordProject requirement
National contextICP 2021 PLI 141.8Retain only as dated cross-country context
Local HKD/m² rateNot suppliedCurrent comparable with named source and base date
Area and scopeGross floor area; scope unresolvedMeasurement standard, specification and procurement route
AdditionsNot suppliedTaxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation
ReviewAutomated source and arithmetic QAQualified local cost review

New Territories comparable-location search screen

This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.

Listed placeGreat-circle km from New TerritoriesSnapshot populationAdmin area
Pat Heung340,357NYL
Tsuen Wan6318,916NTW
Tai Po7274,100NTP
Kwai Chung7331,600NKT
Shap Pat Heung877,775NYL
Kowloon142,232,33900
Hong Kong187,396,076not stated
Hong Kong Island191,195,52900

Price-level normalization worksheet

For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (141.8 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 1.418; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.

InputRecorded valueRelease condition
Target national PLI141.8 (World = 100, 2021)Screening context only
Reference construction PLI PUser-supplied from the same ICP classification/yearMust match reference rate country
Validated reference rate RUser-suppliedNamed source, currency, date, area and scope
Local New Territories adjustmentNot assertedReplace with current local comparable evidence
Result statusScreening normalizationNot a budget, quote or tender estimate

Sources and method

National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames HK dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 12747063). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 141.8 index give a office cost per m² for New Territories?

No. 141.8 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Hong Kong SAR, China, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a New Territories HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

How should a New Territories office estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current New Territories comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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