Certified Class A buildings in San José now command a measurable rent premium and are the default expectation for institutional tenants signing 10-year leases.

• Trophy San José product (e.g., Escazú) is overwhelmingly LEED Gold/Platinum or local-equivalent certified.
• Green premium across major markets runs 5–15% on rent and shows in valuation cap rates.
• Mandatory disclosure regimes are tightening globally; uncertified stock is increasingly hard to lease to investment-grade tenants.
• Most San José ESG underwriting now pulls operational energy data, not just certification badges.

TL;DR

• Trophy San José product (e.g., Escazú) is overwhelmingly leed">LEED Gold/Platinum or local-equivalent certified.
• Green premium across major markets runs 5–15% on rent and shows in valuation cap rates.
• Mandatory disclosure regimes are tightening globally; uncertified stock is increasingly hard to lease to investment-grade tenants.
• Most San José ESG underwriting now pulls operational energy data, not just certification badges.

What's certified in this market

San José's trophy inventory is overwhelmingly certified — LEED Gold/Platinum in markets that follow USGBC, BREEAM Excellent/Outstanding in UK and parts of EMEA, CASBEE in Japan, Green Mark in Singapore. Notable certified San José buildings include Avenida Escazú, Forum I & II Santa Ana, Plaza Tempo.

The rent premium is real

Across major Tier 1 markets, certified Class A buildings command a 5–15% rent premium versus equivalent uncertified stock. The premium is largest at the top of the curve (Platinum vs. uncertified Class A) and narrows in mid-tier comparisons.

What occupiers should ask for

In a Class A LOI, ask for: (1) current certification status and pathway to renewal, (2) operational energy intensity (kWh/sqm/yr) over the trailing 24 months, (3) green-lease provisions covering data sharing, and (4) tenant fit-out">fit-out alignment with the building's certification. Costa Rican gross structure (rent inclusive of management fees). USD-denominated for Class A typically. 5-year terms standard. Rent-free of 4-8 months on 5-year terms plus USD 100-300/sqm TI typical.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Do San José landlords pay for the ESG premium?

Tenants pay it through rent. The economic case is energy-cost savings + brand value + retention; the strategic case is futureproofing against tightening disclosure regimes.

Which certification matters most in San José?

LEED is the global default occupiers recognise; the local equivalent (BREEAM in the UK, CASBEE in Japan, Green Mark in Singapore) often carries equal or greater regulatory weight.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Class A Atlas Editorial Desk — House byline · global editorial team. 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

Related topics

• ESG / LEED for Tenants — How tenants evaluate, negotiate, and report on ESG performance in a Class A office lease.