Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Shanghai typically cluster in Lujiazui (Pudong), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($150–220/sqft), and pay around 260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Lujiazui (Pudong).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($150–220/sqft).
  • Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD).
  • Typical lease: 3 years with 8 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Shanghai: 76/100.

Real estate and infrastructure office space in Shanghai

Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Shanghai typically cluster in Lujiazui (Pudong), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($150–220/sqft), and pay around 260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Lujiazui (Pudong).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($150–220/sqft).
  • Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD).
  • Typical lease: 3 years with 8 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Shanghai: 76/100.

Where they cluster

Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Shanghai typically anchor in Lujiazui (Pudong). International banks, asset managers, professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Shanghai runs 260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD) on a 3-year lease with 8 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 $150–220/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 Shanghai 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. Mainland China's deepest financial-services and tech talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 76.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 25%. Standard 3-year lease with renewal option. Rent gross of management fees but exclusive of utilities. Bank guarantee or rent deposit of 3-6 months standard. Reinstatement at lease-end is contractual.

Key facts

cityShanghai
industryReal estate and infrastructure
naics531, 237
preferredSubmarketLujiazui (Pudong)
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$150–220/sqft
sqftPerSeat215
classARentLocal260 CNY/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$40/sqft/yr
vacancyPct19.8%
typicalLeaseYears3
typicalRentFreeMonths8
talentIndex76
corporateTaxPct25%

Frequently asked questions

Where do real estate and infrastructure occupiers lease office space in Shanghai?
Most cluster in Lujiazui (Pudong). Rent runs ~260 CNY/sqft ($40 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do real estate and infrastructure occupiers run in Shanghai?
Typically high-end at $150–220/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a real estate and infrastructure occupier plan in Shanghai?
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 Shanghai?
76/100. 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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