Modified-gross structures with operating-expense pass-throughs.

  • Typical lease length: 10 years.
  • Typical rent-free: 16 months.
  • Vacancy: 26.4%; trend softening.
  • Modified-gross structures with operating-expense pass-throughs.

Seattle office lease norms

Modified-gross structures with operating-expense pass-throughs.

TL;DR

  • Typical lease length: 10 years.
  • Typical rent-free: 16 months.
  • Vacancy: 26.4%; trend softening.
  • Modified-gross structures with operating-expense pass-throughs.

Structure

Modified-gross structures with operating-expense pass-throughs. 10-12 year terms standard for trophy. Free rent of 12-18 months and TI of $100-$150/sqft typical on a 10-year deal.

Negotiating levers

Free rent and TI remain the most negotiable line items; landlords prefer concessions to face-rent cuts because they preserve headline rent and implied valuation. Always model effective rent (face minus PV of concessions).

Key facts

citySeattle
countryUnited States
regionAmericas
classARentLocal52 USD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$52/sqft/yr
vacancy26.4%
typicalLeaseYears10
typicalRentFreeMonths16
submarkets5
primeYieldPct6.7%

Frequently asked questions

What's a typical lease term in Seattle?
10 years for institutional Class A. Shorter terms are achievable on smaller floor plates with stronger covenants.
How is rent quoted in Seattle?
In USD/sqft/year. We also publish a USD-normalised view ($52/sqft/yr) for cross-market comparison.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

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