Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Seoul typically cluster in Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($180–260/sqft), and pay around 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($180–260/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.

Real estate and infrastructure office space in Seoul

Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Seoul typically cluster in Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($180–260/sqft), and pay around 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Jongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($180–260/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

Real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure fit-out targets high-end specification at $180–260/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount real estate office in Seoul typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Sponsor and asset-management teams favor trophy CBD addresses with proximity to investment-banking and law-firm tenancy. 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

citySeoul
industryReal estate and infrastructure
naics531, 237
preferredSubmarketJongno / Gwanghwamun (CBD)
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$180–260/sqft
sqftPerSeat215
classARentLocal142000 KRW/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$34/sqft/yr
vacancyPct5.2%
typicalLeaseYears5
typicalRentFreeMonths6
talentIndex82
corporateTaxPct24.2%

Frequently asked questions

Where do real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure occupiers run in Seoul?
Typically high-end at $180–260/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a real estate and infrastructure occupier plan in Seoul?
Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the real estate and infrastructure vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 531, 237.
What is the talent index in Seoul?
82/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

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