Plan 4–8 months end-to-end: 4 weeks scoping, 6–10 weeks shortlist and tours, 6–10 weeks LOI and lease negotiation, then 12–20 weeks fit-out before first occupancy.
Plan 4–8 months end-to-end: 4 weeks scoping, 6–10 weeks shortlist and tours, 6–10 weeks LOI and lease negotiation, then 12–20 weeks fit-out">fit-out before first occupancy.
1. Define occupancy economics in a spreadsheet first. 2. Lock the headcount and work-style assumptions. 3. Use the Office Space Calculator to size the requirement. 4. Identify the corporate entity, signatories, and credit support strategy.
5. Engage a tenant-rep broker who has worked Hong Kong for 5+ years. 6. Tour 8–12 buildings; shortlist 3–5. 7. Demand a side-by-side that compares all candidates on identical assumptions.
8. Issue LOI with the full economic package — base rent, free rent, TI, escalations, options. 9. Negotiate to lease in 6–10 weeks. 10. Coordinate with local counsel on regional-specific provisions. Hong Kong leases are typically 3 years (with renewal option) or 6 years on the trophy tier. Rent-free of 6-12 months on a 3-year term is current market. Rent is gross with management fees billed separately. Stamp duty is payable on lease execution. Bank guarantees of 3 months are standard.
11. Run procurement in parallel with lease negotiation where possible. 12. Tie rent commencement to construction completion on heavy fit-outs. 13. Plan a 4-week ramp-up before peak occupancy.
| city | Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| country | Hong Kong SAR |
| region | APAC |
| classARentLocal | 1450 HKD/sqft/yr |
| classARentUsd | $186/sqft/yr |
| vacancy | 12.8% |
| typicalLeaseYears | 3 |
| typicalRentFreeMonths | 8 |
| submarkets | 5 |
| primeYieldPct | 3.4% |
Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.