BOSTON— After years of contraction and cautious renewals, Boston’s office tenants are once again thinking bigger.
According to new data from Avison Young, the average office lease size in Boston rose to 24,405 square feet in 2025 — a 16% year-over-year increase and the largest average in a decade.
The data signals a significant shift in tenant behavior, with companies focusing less on downsizing and more on securing quality, collaborative space that supports long-term organizational culture and growth.
“We’re seeing tenants make deliberate, long-term bets on Boston,” said Nils Taylor, Market Intelligence Analyst at Avison Young. “Companies are locking in bigger, better space as part of a longer-term vision for collaboration and culture.”
A Decade-High Lease Size Despite Slower Market Activity
The 2025 average marks the continuation of a three-year upward trend, rebounding from the 2023 low of 15,427 square feet. Much of this growth has been driven by large, established occupiers who prioritized renewals, consolidations, and upgraded locations throughout the year.
However, while tenants are signing larger leases, overall leasing activity remains subdued. By the end of Q3 2025, transaction volume had reached just 58% of 2024’s total, reflecting a market still below pre-pandemic levels in both deal count and velocity.
Quality Over Quantity Defines the New Office Market
The report suggests that Boston’s office landscape is evolving toward fewer but larger, higher-quality deals as employers embrace hybrid work models that emphasize in-person collaboration, brand identity, and employee experience.
This trend is particularly evident in prime Class A and amenity-rich buildings, where tenants are willing to pay a premium for modern design, sustainability features, and proximity to transit and talent hubs.
While overall leasing activity has not fully recovered, Avison Young’s findings highlight a growing confidence in Boston’s long-term office fundamentals, as tenants increasingly view space as a strategic investment rather than a fixed cost.
