Biotech and life sciences occupiers in Montreal typically cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi, plan ~320 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 ~320 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.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($145–215/sqft).
• Plan ~320 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

Biotech and life sciences 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 biotech and life sciences 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 320 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount biotech office in Montreal typically targets 32,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Cluster effects are decisive: PhD-grade talent concentrates near academic-medical anchors and translational research institutes. 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

Frequently asked questions

Where do biotech and life sciences 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 biotech and life sciences occupiers run in Montreal?

Typically high-end at $145–215/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a biotech and life sciences occupier plan in Montreal?

Plan ~320 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 32,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the biotech and life sciences vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541714, 541715, 325412.

What is the talent index in Montreal?

86/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Biotech and life sciences — global overview
• Montreal — full city profile
• Financial services in Montreal
• Asset management in Montreal
• Investment banking in Montreal
• Legal services in Montreal

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. 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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