Big tech occupiers in Vancouver typically cluster in Yaletown, plan ~160 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($160–230/sqft), and pay around 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Yaletown.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($160–230/sqft).
• Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 10 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Vancouver: 84/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Yaletown.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($160–230/sqft).
• Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 10 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Vancouver: 84/100.

Where they cluster

Big tech occupiers in Vancouver typically anchor in Yaletown. Tech, creative agencies, advertising, design firms.

What they pay

Class A rent in Vancouver runs 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) on a 10-year lease with 10 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical big tech fit-out targets high-end specification at $160–230/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 160 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount big tech office in Vancouver typically targets 16,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Engineering campuses gravitate to creative-class submarkets adjacent to public transit, universities, and dense talent housing. Deep tech, film and visual effects, mining, and real estate services talent. Strong feed from UBC, SFU, and the BCIT system. Cost-of-living premium versus Toronto and US Pacific Northwest is a meaningful tenant consideration.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 27%. Net leases dominate (tenant pays opex, taxes, insurance separately). 10-year terms standard. Free rent of 8-12 months and TI of C$60-$110/sqft typical on a 10-year Class A deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do big tech occupiers lease office space in Vancouver?

Most cluster in Yaletown. Rent runs ~52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do big tech occupiers run in Vancouver?

Typically high-end at $160–230/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a big tech occupier plan in Vancouver?

Plan ~160 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 16,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the big tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 518210, 541511, 541512.

What is the talent index in Vancouver?

84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

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

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. 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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