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Leasing & Financing

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Financing for the Modern AEC Workspace

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Updated quarterly, this curated page delivers timely insights tailored to your industry. This quarter, we’re focusing on office buildout and renovation projects for AEC firms. Below, you’ll find insights to support your planning process, along with financing strategies to help bring your workspace vision to life. 

Industry Insights

Featured Industry Insights

Financing for the Modern AEC Workplace

Global workplace analytics indicate a significant resurgence of office usage, driven by hybrid work models. Utilization has climbed to 53% in 2026, up from 38% in 20241, demonstrating a need for flexible layouts rather than fixed desk models. AEC firms are following the trend by creating adaptable spaces that can serve multiple functions and investing in high-quality office environments that support collaboration, innovation, and client engagement.

Flexible, technology-enabled workplaces can energize team-based work, reinforce a strong culture, and showcase the firm's design expertise to clients and recruits, but these benefits often require significant capital investment

Office Investment Trends in the AEC Industry

Firms continue migrating to top-tier buildings that offer flexibility, amenity-rich interiors, and client-focused environments. Investments increasingly include hospitality-style reception areas, coffee stations and lounges, along with higher-end finishes and modular furniture systems that can be reconfigured as needs evolve. 

Surveys show around 90% of architecture and design firms have adopted some form of hybrid working2, with three days in-office being common. This shift is driving investment in spaces that support teamwork, learning, and collaborating—including flexible meeting rooms, hoteling desks, digital presentation environments, and dedicated concentration areas. 

A technology-enabled infrastructure is now a core component of office planning. High-end A/V systems, room-booking systems, and advanced conference room technology help ensure seamless hybrid collaboration and fully integrated, tech-enabled workspaces.

Firms are increasingly aligning office investments with ESG priorities and long-term operational efficiency. Many firms are incorporating energy-efficient lighting, high-performance HVAC systems, and sustainable materials into their buildouts as well as pursuing WELL and LEED certifications for new spaces. Smart building technologies that monitor energy usage and optimize performance are also becoming more common.

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Why Leasing Can Deliver More Value Than Ever

Firms continue migrating to top-tier buildings that offer flexibility, amenity-rich interiors, and client-focused environments. Investments increasingly include hospitality-style reception areas, coffee stations and lounges, along with higher-end finishes and modular furniture systems that can be reconfigured as needs evolve. 

Surveys show around 90% of architecture and design firms have adopted some form of hybrid working2, with three days in-office being common. This shift is driving investment in spaces that support teamwork, learning, and collaborating—including flexible meeting rooms, hoteling desks, digital presentation environments, and dedicated concentration areas. 

A technology-enabled infrastructure is now a core component of office planning. High-end A/V systems, room-booking systems, and advanced conference room technology help ensure seamless hybrid collaboration and fully integrated, tech-enabled workspaces.

Firms are increasingly aligning office investments with ESG priorities and long-term operational efficiency. Many firms are incorporating energy-efficient lighting, high-performance HVAC systems, and sustainable materials into their buildouts as well as pursuing WELL and LEED certifications for new spaces. Smart building technologies that monitor energy usage and optimize performance are also becoming more common.

Fund your project strategically with First American, a preferred lender for AEC firms.

Financing Solutions Aligned with Your Firm’s Strategy

AEC firms are increasingly using strategic financing to support workplace investments, allowing them to enhance office design while helping ensure capital is deployed where it creates the greatest long-term value.

Optimize tax and accounting treatment

Operating leases can offer accounting benefits since the treatment of lease payments as operating expenses may improve FAR overhead recovery. When ownership and tax benefits are a priority, finance leases can provide access to Section 179 and bonus depreciation, helping maximize available tax advantages.

Create a balanced cost structure

Financing spreads project costs over the lease term, instead of a single up-front cash outlay. This helps align costs with usage and smooths spend into predictable monthly payments.

Preserve capital for strategic priorities

Financing helps preserve capital and maintain the ability to invest in higher ROI initiatives like shareholder redemptions, acquisitions, discretionary contributions, and employee bonus compensation. 

Financing Solutions Aligned with Your Firm’s Strategy

AEC firms are increasingly using strategic financing to support workplace investments, allowing them to enhance office design while helping ensure capital is deployed where it creates the greatest long-term value.

 

Tax document with checkboxes and a pen.

Optimize tax and accounting treatment

Operating leases can offer accounting benefits since the treatment of lease payments as operating expenses may improve FAR overhead recovery. When ownership and tax benefits are a priority, finance leases can provide access to Section 179 and bonus depreciation, helping maximize available tax advantages.

Financial document with dollar symbol and balance scale.

Create a balanced cost structure

Financing spreads project costs over the lease term, instead of a single up-front cash outlay. This helps align costs with usage and smooths spend into predictable monthly payments.

Bank building icon with a dollar symbol above.

Preserve capital for strategic priorities

Financing helps preserve capital and maintain the ability to invest in higher ROI initiatives like shareholder redemptions, acquisitions, discretionary contributions, and employee bonus compensation. 

A Client Centered Approach to Success

Move your office project forward with financing backed by decades of consistent performance.

 

AEC Industry Specialization

AEC firms face unique operational complexities, and our industry alignment supports deeper understanding and problem solving. Our tailored financing solutions help firms drive growth, improve efficiency, and support long-term success.

Streamlined Support

Office buildouts require careful coordination, and having the right support makes all the difference. Each client works with a dedicated Project Manager who oversees vendor management, payments, and construction pay applications—helping to create a smooth, stress-free experience. 

Project Expertise

Construction projects depend on timely payments to stay on track, but managing cash flow for deposits and supplier payments can be challenging. Our customized short-term credit facility helps maintain seamless cash flow, prevent delays, and keep projects on schedule.

Trusted by Leading AEC Firms

Dallas, TX

$7.3MM Office Renovation, Architecture & Design Firm

Structured a 5-year operating lease with payments treated as rent expenses in the company’s FAR overhead calculation. Secured a 12-month rate lock to reduce interest rate risk during construction. The lease covered furniture, fixtures, and costs beyond the landlord allowance.

Interior office construction.

Washington, DC

$48.8MM Office Expansion, Professional Services Firm

Tailored an operating lease for the entire project—including A/V equipment, HVAC, lighting, fitness equipment, and even the buildout costs for the firm’s penthouse terrace. With a construction period lasting more than 15 months, the firm leveraged interest-only progress financing—with no payments due until after they moved into the new space.

Modern office conference room with table and chairs.

Check out our upcoming webinar!

Join First American and A/E Clarity’s Dan Purvine for a complimentary, CPE-eligible FAR overhead training. Learn about important issues A/E firms need to address in developing their overhead rate, and actions firms can take to help them avoid issues in the state DOT review process.

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Commercial Card Program

First American presents City National Bank's Visa® Commercial Card that allows businesses to customize their program to meet their specific needs. Used as a business credit card for everyday expenses or a purchasing card for travel and entertainment, this card program offers convenient buying power along with the ability to easily monitor and manage employee expenses online. 

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Tap into the expertise of one of the country’s largest equipment finance companies.3 Tell me your business needs and we can start exploring funding options today.

1CBRE, 2026 Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights

2Bespoke Careers, Hybrid working in the New York architecture and design industry, 2024

3Source: 2025 Monitor 100