Startup tech occupiers in Vancouver typically cluster in Yaletown, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out ($105–155/sqft), and pay around 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) on Class A.
Startup tech occupiers in Vancouver typically cluster in Yaletown, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out">fit-out ($105–155/sqft), and pay around 52 CAD/sqft ($38 USD) on Class A.
Startup tech occupiers in Vancouver typically anchor in Yaletown. Tech, creative agencies, advertising, design firms.
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.
Typical startup tech fit-out targets mid specification at $105–155/sqft. Functional Cat-B with branded reception and standard meeting-room mix is standard.
Plan around 130 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount startups office in Vancouver typically targets 13,000 sqft of leasable area.
Series B–D scale-ups prioritize flexibility and signature loft stock to attract engineering talent away from incumbents. 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.
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.
| city | Vancouver |
|---|---|
| industry | Startup tech |
| naics | 541511, 541512, 518210 |
| preferredSubmarket | Yaletown |
| preferredFitoutSpec | Mid |
| fitoutBand | $105–155/sqft |
| sqftPerSeat | 130 |
| classARentLocal | 52 CAD/sqft/yr |
| classARentUsd | $38/sqft/yr |
| vacancyPct | 11.2% |
| typicalLeaseYears | 10 |
| typicalRentFreeMonths | 10 |
| talentIndex | 84 |
| corporateTaxPct | 27% |
Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.