Aerospace and defence occupiers in Montreal typically cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi, plan ~210 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($145–215/sqft), and pay around 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($145–215/sqft).
  • Plan ~210 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
  • Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

Aerospace and defence office space in Montreal

Aerospace and defence occupiers in Montreal typically cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi, plan ~210 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($145–215/sqft), and pay around 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($145–215/sqft).
  • Plan ~210 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
  • Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

Where they cluster

Aerospace and defence occupiers in Montreal typically anchor in Mile-Ex & Marconi. AI research, tech, creative agencies, video games.

What they pay

Class A rent in Montreal runs 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on a 10-year lease with 12 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical aerospace and defence fit-out targets high-end specification at $145–215/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 210 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount aero/defence office in Montreal typically targets 21,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Programme leadership and contracting teams concentrate near government anchors; cleared-personnel logistics drive submarket selection. Deepest French-English bilingual professional talent in North America. Structural AI research cluster (Yoshua Bengio at MILA, Element AI alumni). Strong aerospace, video games, and creative industries talent.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 26.5%. Net leases (tenant pays opex separately). 10-year terms standard. Free rent of 10-14 months and TI of C$60-$100/sqft typical on a 10-year Class A deal.

Key facts

cityMontreal
industryAerospace and defence
naics3364, 5415
preferredSubmarketMile-Ex & Marconi
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$145–215/sqft
sqftPerSeat210
classARentLocal38 CAD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$28/sqft/yr
vacancyPct18.6%
typicalLeaseYears10
typicalRentFreeMonths12
talentIndex86
corporateTaxPct26.5%

Frequently asked questions

Where do aerospace and defence occupiers lease office space in Montreal?
Most cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi. Rent runs ~38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do aerospace and defence occupiers run in Montreal?
Typically high-end at $145–215/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a aerospace and defence occupier plan in Montreal?
Plan ~210 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the aerospace and defence vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 3364, 5415.
What is the talent index in Montreal?
86/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

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