The spaces in which Americans work, shop learn, pray and heal provide the focal point for many of the activities that constitute daily life. While the nation’s success at fulfilling the basic need for shelter is refected in its housing stock, the safety, comfort, and utility that are invested in nonresidential buildings are as important those invested in homes. To a great degree, it is the nation’s office buildings, factories, warehouses, farm buildings, shopping centers, retail stores, schools, and hospitals that enhance quality of life. Nonresidential buildings are valued at $4.2 trillion, which represents an investment of $15,800 for every U.S. citizen. Buildings with more than 100,000 square feet make up about 2 percent of all office buildings but almost 39 percent of all commercial office space. There were more than 42,000 shopping centers in the United States in 1997. In 1996, shopping centers accounted for 52 percent of all non-automotive retail sales.
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