Investment banking occupiers in Riyadh typically cluster in KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District), plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($8200–12000/sqft), and pay around 2200 SAR/sqft ($55 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($8200–12000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 2200 SAR/sqft ($55 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 4 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Riyadh: 78/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($8200–12000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 2200 SAR/sqft ($55 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 4 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Riyadh: 78/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Riyadh typically anchor in KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District). Banking, capital markets, multinational HQs, professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Riyadh runs 2200 SAR/sqft ($55 USD) on a 5-year lease with 4 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 $8200–12000/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 Riyadh 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. Growing tech, finance, and professional services talent. Strong Saudi national talent pipeline through Vision 2030 education programs. Saudization (Nitaqat) program requires meeting Saudi national employment quotas.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 20%. Net leases. 5-year terms with renewal options standard. Free rent of 3-6 months on a 5-year Class A deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Riyadh?

Most cluster in KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District). Rent runs ~2200 SAR/sqft ($55 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

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

Typically trophy at $8200–12000/sqft.

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

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 Riyadh?

78/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

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

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. 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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