---
title: "Cold shell — Class A Atlas glossary"
description: "Bare core and shell with no MEP at the floor."
canonical: https://classa.info/glossary/cold-shell
pageType: glossary
lastUpdated: 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z
license: "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info)."
---

> Bare core and shell with no MEP at the floor.

## TL;DR

- Bare core and shell with no MEP at the floor.
- Tenant inherits the bare structure and façade.

# Cold shell

*Construction · US*

## Short definition

Bare [core and shell](/glossary/core-and-shell) with no MEP at the floor.

## Full definition

Tenant inherits the bare structure and façade. The tenant designs and installs all MEP from the riser. Highest tenant capex; highest design freedom.

## Why this matters for Class A leasing

Cold shell is part of the construction vocabulary that institutional [Class A](/glossary/class-a) occupiers, landlords, and advisers use across US markets. Understanding it correctly affects how you read lease documents, model occupancy economics, and benchmark deal terms across cities. Class A Atlas tracks the US definition alongside the global standard so [cross-border](/topics/cross-border-expansion) occupiers can translate quickly.

## Related topics

- [**Fit-out Capex**](/topics/fit-out-capex) — How to budget, sequence, and govern Class A office [fit-out](/topics/fit-out-capex)">fit-out capex.

---

Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/glossary/cold-shell), updated 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z.