Investment banking occupiers in Seoul typically cluster in Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD), plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($260–390/sqft), and pay around 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($260–390/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Seoul: 82/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($260–390/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD).
• Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Seoul: 82/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Seoul typically anchor in Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD). Government, banking, professional services, conglomerate HQs.

What they pay

Class A rent in Seoul runs 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on a 5-year lease with 6 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 $260–390/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 Seoul 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. Deepest tech (Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao) and finance talent pool in Korea. Average all-in compensation indexes 82.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 24.2%. Standard 5-year lease (often 3+2). Rent + management fees billed separately. Large jeonse (lease deposit) common — 10-20x monthly rent. Reinstatement contractual.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Seoul?

Most cluster in Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD). Rent runs ~142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

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

Typically trophy at $260–390/sqft.

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

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 Seoul?

82/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

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

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC 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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