WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A, B, AND C CLASS BUILDINGS?

Not all buildings are created equal — as I’d estimate you’re acutely aware of.

For comparison, office buildings in Ottawa are typically grouped into three classes: A, B and C.

These classes represent a subjective quality rating, ranking the competitive ability of each building to attract similar types of tenants.

When it comes to classifying buildings, the universally accepted criteria — established by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) — includes the following:

  • Rent
  • Building finishes
  • System standards
  • Efficiency (e.g. elevator performance)
  • Building amenities (e.g. food facilities, copying services, gyms etc.)
  • Location
  • Accessibility (e.g. barrier-free access)
  • Proximity to mass transportation
  • Market perception

Detailed descriptions of each building class are provided in the table below:

A table listing the differences between A, B, and C class buildings.

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself fully with the three distinct classes. It’s certain to save you time in the long-run when considering different spaces in an ever-changing market.

For further information on Building Classes in Ottawa, please contact me directly.

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