Investment banking occupiers in Calgary typically cluster in Downtown Core, plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($220–310/sqft), and pay around 32 CAD/sqft ($24 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Downtown Core.
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($220–310/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 32 CAD/sqft ($24 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Calgary: 76/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Downtown Core.
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($220–310/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 32 CAD/sqft ($24 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Calgary: 76/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Calgary typically anchor in Downtown Core. Energy (Cenovus, ConocoPhillips, Imperial Oil, TC Energy), banking, law firms.

What they pay

Class A rent in Calgary runs 32 CAD/sqft ($24 USD) on a 10-year lease with 18 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical investment banking fit-out targets trophy specification at $220–310/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount banking office in Calgary typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Bulge-bracket teams favor signature trophy assets with full client-facing programming and large floor plates. Strong energy, engineering, and finance talent. University of Calgary, SAIT, and Mount Royal anchor the regional pipeline. Strong tech talent migration since 2020 driven by tech HQ relocations and the +15 Skywalk's amenitized urban environment.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 23%. Triple-net (NNN) structures with operating cost recoveries and property tax pass-throughs. 5-10 year terms standard. Free rent of 14-20 months and TI of CAD 60-90/sqft typical on a 10-year Class A deal. Most generous concession environment in major Canadian markets.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Calgary?

Most cluster in Downtown Core. Rent runs ~32 CAD/sqft ($24 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do investment banking occupiers run in Calgary?

Typically trophy at $220–310/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a investment banking occupier plan in Calgary?

Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the investment banking vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 523150, 522110.

What is the talent index in Calgary?

76/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Investment banking — global overview
• Calgary — full city profile
• Financial services in Calgary
• Asset management in Calgary
• Legal services in Calgary
• Big tech in Calgary

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Class A Atlas Editorial Desk — House byline · global editorial team. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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