diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/helper.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/helper.py
index 31be04f874..b4e3ba4f79 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/helper.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/helper.py
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ def prop_with_search(
     row = layout.row(align=True)
     row.prop(data, prop_name, **kwargs)
     try:
-        if len(get_enum_items(data, prop_name, original_operator_path=original_operator_path)) > 10:
+        if len(get_enum_items(data, prop_name, original_operator_path=original_operator_path)) > 0:
             # Magick courtesy of https://blender.stackexchange.com/a/203443/86891
             row.context_pointer_set(name="data", data=data)
             op = row.operator("bim.enum_property_search", text="", icon="VIEWZOOM")
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/__init__.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/__init__.py
index 61db6923c9..bba979af30 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/__init__.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/__init__.py
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ classes = (
     operator.UpdateItemAttributes,
     operator.UpdateParametricRepresentation,
     operator.UpdateRepresentation,
+    operator.CreateInstance,
     prop.RepresentationItem,
     prop.RepresentationItemObject,
     prop.ShapeAspect,
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/operator.py
index f59467def6..0ed5c4cdd6 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/operator.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ import bonsai.core.root
 import bonsai.core.drawing
 import bonsai.tool as tool
 import bonsai.bim.handler
+from bonsai.bim.module.model.data import AuthoringData
 from mathutils import Vector, Matrix, Quaternion
 from time import time
 from bonsai.bim.ifc import IfcStore
@@ -3432,3 +3433,38 @@ class UnassignRepresentationLayer(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
         layer = ifc_file.by_id(self.layer_id)
         ifcopenshell.api.layer.unassign_layer(ifc_file, [representation], layer)
         return {"FINISHED"}
+
+
+class CreateInstance(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
+    bl_idname = "bim.create_instance"
+    bl_label = "IFC Create Instance"
+    bl_description = "Create an instance of the type associated with the selected object"
+    bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
+
+    def _execute(self, context):
+        if not context.selected_objects or len(context.selected_objects) > 1:
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "Select exactly one object to create an instance of its type")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
+        active_obj = context.active_object
+        element = tool.Ifc.get_entity(active_obj)
+        if not element:
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "Selected object is not an IFC element")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
+        relating_type = ifcopenshell.util.element.get_type(element)
+        if not relating_type:
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "Selected object has no associated type")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
+        try:
+            props = tool.Model.get_model_props()
+            props.ifc_class = relating_type.is_a()
+            props.relating_type_id = str(relating_type.id())
+        except:
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "You must be using the Multiobject Tool or the relevant editing tool")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
+        bpy.ops.bim.hotkey(hotkey="S_A")
+
+        return {"FINISHED"}
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/ui.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/ui.py
index 8b7e7be43a..f814cd21d3 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/ui.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/geometry/ui.py
@@ -66,6 +66,12 @@ def object_menu(self, context):
     self.layout.menu("BIM_MT_object_set_origin", icon="PLUGIN")
     self.layout.menu("BIM_MT_separate", icon="PLUGIN")
 
+    # only show the create instance operator if the current tool is the BIM tool
+    # if context.space_data and hasattr(context.space_data, "show_object_viewport_mesh"):
+    #    current_tool = context.workspace.tools.from_space_view3d_mode(context.mode, create=False)
+    #    if current_tool and current_tool.idname == "bim.bim_tool":
+    self.layout.operator("bim.create_instance", icon="PLUGIN")
+
 
 def edit_mesh_menu(self, context):
     self.layout.separator()