On: Someday Worth Billions, but Now, They Need a Desk

So the fact that construction cost per square foot is ridiculously high in SF (as are planning expenses as a percentage of overall construction cost) has nothing to do it ?

Exactly. That's why I said "in large part". Because I meant "entirely explained by".

In my experience, when people say "x is caused in large part by y", they then provide some form of evidence to back this statement up.

Instead, you haven't. In fact, when presented with contrary data as has happened in other parts of this thread, you have told people:

1. They are interpreting it wrong

2. Despite the fact that it contradicts your point, it in fact supports your point.

Given that, i'd suggest either

1. You become an economist

2. You realize you need to explain yourself better if you want to actually convince people your opinion is right.

So far, you have convinced no one that I can see, nor actually responded substantively to any point raised against your argument.