Finding office space in Phoenix sounds straightforward- until you’re actually doing it. Between lease terms you don’t fully understand, square footage calculators that feel like guesswork, and brokers showing you spaces 20% over budget, the process eats weeks of time most growing businesses don’t have.
This guide breaks down exactly how to find the right office space in the Phoenix metro area- quickly, without overpaying, and without setting your team up for a painful move six months from now.
Step 1: Know How Much Space You Actually Need
The most common mistake Phoenix businesses make is sizing their office based on where they are today, not where they’ll be in 12–24 months. Commercial leases in Arizona typically run 2–5 years. Sign a lease for 1,500 sq ft today and hire 8 more people next year- you’re locked in a space that no longer works.
Use this as your starting formula:
- 150 sq ft per person for a standard open-plan office
- 200–250 sq ft per person if you need private offices or dedicated workstations
- Add 20% buffer for conference rooms, reception, storage, and break areas
Example: A 15-person team planning to grow to 20 employees within 2 years needs roughly 3,500–4,500 sq ft of usable office space in Phoenix.
Get this number right before you tour a single property. Everything else- location, budget, lease terms- needs to fit around the right square footage.
Step 2: Choose the Right Phoenix Submarket
The Phoenix metro area is large and the submarket you choose directly impacts your commute times, talent access, and monthly lease rate. Here’s a practical breakdown of the main commercial corridors:
- Downtown Phoenix / Midtown: Best for companies that want walkability, transit access, and a downtown address. Rates are higher but foot traffic and brand visibility are strong.
- Scottsdale (Old Town & 101 Corridor): Popular for professional services, finance, and tech. Premium rates but strong talent pool and prestigious addresses.
- Tempe / Chandler: Strong option for mid-size teams. Close to ASU, solid infrastructure, lower lease rates than Scottsdale with strong amenities nearby.
- Gilbert / Queen Creek: Fastest-growing submarket in Arizona. Ideal for businesses serving the southeast valley with newer Class A buildings at competitive rates.
- Glendale / Peoria: Cost-effective for companies where the west valley is the center of operations. Lower rates, ample parking, newer developments coming online.
Match your submarket to where your employees live and where your clients are located. A brilliant office in the wrong location creates daily friction your team will feel every single day.
Step 3: Understand Your Lease Options
Most small businesses in Phoenix sign either a gross lease or a modified gross lease. Here’s what you need to know before you sign anything:
- Gross Lease: You pay one flat monthly rate. Landlord covers operating expenses including utilities, maintenance, and property taxes. Easiest to budget.
- Modified Gross Lease: You pay a base rent plus a share of certain operating expenses. Common in Class B Phoenix office buildings. Read the expense caps carefully.
- NNN (Triple Net): More common in retail but occasionally seen in office. You pay base rent plus taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Highest risk for tenants — costs can fluctuate.
For most growing businesses in Phoenix, a modified gross lease with 3–5 year terms and one renewal option is the sweet spot. Push for a tenant improvement (TI) allowance in the $15–$35 per sq ft range — most Phoenix landlords are currently offering TI packages to attract quality tenants.
Step 4: Get Your Office Furnished Before You Move In
Here’s where most companies waste time and money: they sign the lease, celebrate, and then realize they need $30,000–$60,000 worth of furniture before anyone can sit down and work.
Easy Spaces eliminates that problem entirely. Instead of a large upfront furniture purchase that drains your operating capital, we provide a complete office furniture subscription starting at $500 per month — delivered and installed within 48–72 hours of lease signing.
The subscription aligns directly with your lease term. When your lease renews, your furniture subscription renews. When your team grows, your furniture scales with it. No capital tied up. No furniture sitting in storage if you downsize.
We also help Phoenix-area businesses identify the right space before they sign- pairing space guidance with same-day furniture solutions so you move in faster and spend less.
Book Your Free Office Setup Consultation- Space Guidance + Furniture Subscription
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does office space cost per square foot in Phoenix?
A: Office space in Phoenix ranges from $18–$35 per sq ft annually depending on submarket, building class, and lease type. Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix command the highest rates; Gilbert, Chandler, and the west valley offer more competitive pricing for growing businesses.
Q: How do I find office space in Phoenix without a broker?
A: You can search commercial listing platforms like LoopNet or CoStar, or work directly with landlords. However, tenant representation brokers in Arizona are paid by the landlord- not the tenant- so using a broker costs you nothing and gives you a negotiating advantage.
Q: How long does it take to move into a new office in Phoenix?
A: From lease signing to move-in, most Phoenix businesses take 4–8 weeks due to furniture lead times and buildout. With Easy Spaces, furniture delivery and installation happens in 48–72 hours- dramatically shortening your move-in timeline.
Q: Does Easy Spaces help find office space in Phoenix?
A: Yes. Easy Spaces helps growing businesses identify the right commercial space in the Phoenix metro area, then furnishes it through a monthly subscription- handling both parts of the office setup process in one place.
Q: What areas of Phoenix does Easy Spaces serve?
A: Easy Spaces serves the full Phoenix metro including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Queen Creek, and surrounding areas.
