Buenos Aires apartment construction times now exceed three years, challenging 24-month delivery promises

The once-automatic promise of delivering new apartments within 24 months is no longer realistic in Buenos Aires. Official government data reveals that constructing a typical building in the city now takes considerably longer, a shift that profoundly affects project feasibility, final costs, and the speed of housing development.

For standard buildings, typically between 1,000 and 2,500 square meters and up to nine stories, the average construction time from start to finish has stretched to three years and two months. This segment represents a significant portion of new residential construction. Historically, this duration is about 50% longer than pre-pandemic timelines. Many projects initiated post-pandemic faced challenges with material shortages and price volatility between 2022 and 2024, leading to slower industry progress and difficulties in adhering to traditional schedules.

Larger projects face even greater delays. Buildings between 2,500 and 7,500 square meters took nearly four years to complete in 2025, while larger constructions demanded close to five years. Increased size brings greater technical, operational, and regulatory demands, including complex underground parking excavations. Market absorption also plays a role; in an industry often financed by pre-sales, slower sales can directly impact construction pace.

These extended timelines challenge the long-held market expectation of a 24-month delivery. Before 2019, nearly half of simpler projects finished in under two years, and even larger ones could be completed within five years. The current data suggests a fundamental change in construction realities, necessitating a revision of delivery promises and market expectations.