Where do pharmaceuticals 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 pharmaceuticals occupiers run in Vancouver?

Typically high-end at $160–230/sqft.

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

Plan ~220 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 22,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the pharmaceuticals vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 3254, 5417.

What is the talent index in Vancouver?

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

Pharmaceuticals occupiers in Vancouver typically cluster in Yaletown, plan ~220 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 ~220 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.

Pharmaceuticals office space in Vancouver

Pharmaceuticals occupiers in Vancouver typically cluster in Yaletown, plan ~220 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($160–230/sqft), and pay around 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

Preferred submarket: Yaletown.
Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($160–230/sqft).
Plan ~220 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

Pharmaceuticals 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 pharmaceuticals 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 220 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount pharma office in Vancouver typically targets 22,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Commercial and medical-affairs teams cluster near academic-medical anchors; large floor plates support cross-functional brand teams. 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

city	Vancouver
industry	Pharmaceuticals
naics	3254, 5417
preferredSubmarket	Yaletown
preferredFitoutSpec	High-end
fitoutBand	$160–230/sqft
sqftPerSeat	220
classARentLocal	52 CAD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd	$38/sqft/yr
vacancyPct	11.2%
typicalLeaseYears	10
typicalRentFreeMonths	10
talentIndex	84
corporateTaxPct	27%

Frequently asked questions

Where do pharmaceuticals 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 pharmaceuticals occupiers run in Vancouver?: Typically high-end at $160–230/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a pharmaceuticals occupier plan in Vancouver?: Plan ~220 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 22,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the pharmaceuticals vertical?: Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 3254, 5417.
What is the talent index in Vancouver?: 84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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

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