Energy and commodities occupiers in Ottawa typically cluster in Downtown, plan ~240 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($220–310/sqft), and pay around 36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Downtown.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($220–310/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD).
  • Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Ottawa: 80/100.

Energy and commodities office space in Ottawa

Energy and commodities occupiers in Ottawa typically cluster in Downtown, plan ~240 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out">fit-out ($220–310/sqft), and pay around 36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Downtown.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($220–310/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD).
  • Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Ottawa: 80/100.

Where they cluster

Energy and commodities occupiers in Ottawa typically anchor in Downtown. Federal government (PSPC), banking, law firms, professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Ottawa runs 36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD) on a 10-year lease with 12 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical energy and commodities 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 240 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount energy office in Ottawa typically targets 24,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Trading floors concentrate in CBD trophy product with redundant power and connectivity; engineering teams scale in suburban energy corridors. Strong public-sector, telecom, cybersecurity, and tech talent. Carleton, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College anchor the regional pipeline. Bilingual (EN-FR) talent supports federal and cross-border tenancy.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 26.5%. Triple-net (NNN) structures with operating cost and tax recoveries. Government of Canada leases follow PSPC standard terms with 10-year base + renewal options. Free rent of 8-12 months and TI of CAD 65-90/sqft typical on private-sector 10-year deals.

Key facts

cityOttawa
industryEnergy and commodities
naics211, 212, 523130
preferredSubmarketDowntown
preferredFitoutSpecTrophy
fitoutBand$220–310/sqft
sqftPerSeat240
classARentLocal36 CAD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$27/sqft/yr
vacancyPct13.6%
typicalLeaseYears10
typicalRentFreeMonths12
talentIndex80
corporateTaxPct26.5%

Frequently asked questions

Where do energy and commodities occupiers lease office space in Ottawa?
Most cluster in Downtown. Rent runs ~36 CAD/sqft ($27 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do energy and commodities occupiers run in Ottawa?
Typically trophy at $220–310/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a energy and commodities occupier plan in Ottawa?
Plan ~240 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 24,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the energy and commodities vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 211, 212, 523130.
What is the talent index in Ottawa?
80/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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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.

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