Rancho Mirage was one of the first communities in the area to capitalize on the demand for high quality residential/resort housing units in the Valley. The city has traditionally had the advantage of widespread name recognition as one of the most affluent residential communities in the Valley. Within the context of continued growth within the Coachella Valley, the vast amount of vacant available land creates competition throughout the Valley for desirable new development types. Construction in Rancho Mirage in calendar year 2018 amounted to over $86.4 million in building permit valuations. Single family residential construction totaled over $42.9 million, commercial and other construction, including additions, renovations and energy saving equipment upgrades, totaled over $43.5 million. Currently, various residential projects, retail developments, medical facilities, office and hotel developments are in various stages of the planning process.