Data as of Oct 16, 2026A topic in Specialty Commercial Real Estate Services.
Reviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky
AI summary
JLL holds a narrow lead over CBRE for biotech startups seeking wet-lab space. Firms like Hughes Marino and Cresa are often suggested specifically for tenant-only representation.
recommended for securing specialized wet-lab facilities and life science portfolio strategies
recommended for accessing major life science clusters and lab conversion spaces
recommended for commercial leasing and flexible options in secondary lab markets
recommended for startup lab requirements and life science property acquisitions
recommended for occupier-focused lab searches and tenant advisory services
Mentioned in · Jul 7 – Oct 16, 2026
ChatGPT SearchOct 8, 2026
Yes. If the goal is finding actual wet-lab/R&D space for a biotech startup, rather than generic office brokerage, I’d shortlist these firms:
| Firm | Best fit | Why I’d consider them |
|---|---|---|
| Cresa | Startup / tenant-side search | Cresa has a dedicated Life Sciences practice serving biotech and pharma, covering laboratories, R&D, clinical facilities and biomanufacturing. Importantly, Cresa is occupier-only, so its model is well aligned with representing the startup rather than landlords. |
Google AI ModeOct 16, 2026
Can you recommend commercial real estate brokers that focus on wet-lab facilities for biotech startups?
| Deep lab expertise + broad market coverage |
| CBRE has one of the largest dedicated life-sciences platforms, explicitly covering labs, critical environments and biotech. Its specialists handle technical requirements such as lab infrastructure, power, mechanical systems and build-outs. |
| JLL | Site selection / scaling nationally | JLL has a major life-sciences practice and works across biotech, pharma and medical-device real estate. Its 2026 research also indicates lab availability is tightening, making market intelligence particularly valuable right now. |
| Hughes Marino / HM Science | Tenant advocacy + lab planning | HM Science is specifically focused on life sciences and says it works with companies from their first lab through national expansion, with in-house architects, lab planners and construction/project-management expertise. |
| Savills | Strategic occupier advice | Its Life Sciences group explicitly addresses laboratory planning, infrastructure, compliance, financial/runway constraints and flexible space for growing companies. |
| Colliers | Boston / biotech-heavy markets | Particularly strong individual life-science specialists exist within Colliers. For example, its Boston team describes more than 23 years of biotech/pharma tenant representation covering laboratory, R&D and GMP facilities, including venture-backed startups. |
| Cushman & Wakefield | Boston / Northeast | It has dedicated life-science brokerage teams with experience representing biotech tenants in lab and R&D leases. |
| Urban Rock Properties | Bay Area boutique | A particularly interesting option for San Francisco/South San Francisco startups: it's a boutique, tenant-only brokerage dedicated to life sciences, including early-stage venture-backed companies looking for lab-ready R&D space. |
| Shelton & Associates | California startup tenant rep | Tenant-only representation specifically for life-science users, including wet/dry labs and startups scaling into their next facility. |
I'd put CBRE, Cresa, JLL and Hughes Marino/HM Science at the top of the call list. NYC has a growing inventory of purpose-built lab buildings, including West End Labs, Hudson Research Center and Alexandria Real Estate Equities's Alexandria Center.
For a very early-stage startup, there's another category worth considering: rather than signing a conventional lease and spending millions on a build-out, look at lab incubator/flexible-lab operators. For example, Alexandria LaunchLabs NYC and JLABS NYC offer startup-oriented wet-lab environments. Innolabs is another NYC lab-ready option.
For a biotech startup, the individual broker matters more than the brokerage brand. I'd ask each firm:
That last question is important: tenant-only representation can materially reduce conflicts of interest when you're comparing multiple buildings.
If you tell me the city/region, approximate square footage, wet-lab requirements (e.g. BSL-1/2), and budget, I can narrow this to the 5–10 most relevant brokers and actual available lab spaces for your startup.
Finding the right wet-lab space requires specialized commercial real estate (CRE) firms that understand complex biosafety requirements, specialized HVAC/exhaust systems, chemical waste disposal, and heavy lab infrastructure.
Major global commercial real estate services firms have dedicated Life Sciences practices explicitly tailored to biotech startups, ranging from early incubator spaces to full commercial build-outs.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can give you more tailored recommendations on local brokers or specific developments in that area.
Securing wet-lab space for a biotech startup requires specialized commercial real estate (CRE) brokers who understand complex infrastructure requirements —such as specialized HVAC/exhaust systems, chemical waste disposal, emergency power, and specialized zoning.[](https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/industries/life-sciences)
Major global commercial real estate firms have dedicated life sciences practices, and there are also prominent owner-operators and regional specialists who focus explicitly on early-stage and growing biotech companies.
If you prefer dealing directly with real estate portfolios explicitly designed for biotech research:
To help me narrow down the best specific brokers or local contacts for your team, please let me know:
ChatGPT SearchOct 16, 2026
For a biotech startup, I’d look for commercial real estate brokers who specialize in life sciences and laboratory leasing, rather than general office-space brokers. Wet-lab space has specific requirements that can make a big difference in finding the right property and negotiating a lease.
The most useful brokers will understand:
These are the strongest starting points I found, with a distinction between national life-sciences specialists and a potentially useful local option.
1. Cresa — my first call for tenant representation
(Strong fit)
Cresa has a dedicated Life Sciences Practice Group advising biotech and pharmaceutical companies on wet and dry labs, R&D facilities, and biomanufacturing. Its occupier-only model is especially appealing when you're negotiating on behalf of a startup tenant.
Published contacts: Stephen Carlson, 415-394-1020 (Managing Principal); John Coakley, 617-758-6039 (Managing Principal).
2. CBRE — strong life-sciences network
CBRE's dedicated life sciences practice supports biotech, genomics, pharmaceutical, and medical-device companies with laboratory leasing, facilities, and occupancy strategy. Its published team includes specialists who have helped startups establish their first lab spaces.
3. JLL — broad market reach
JLL offers specialized life-sciences real estate advisory and transaction management. It is worth approaching if you need a comparison of multiple properties, a lab-ready building, or a larger long-term facility strategy.
4. New Orleans BioInnovation Center — local wet-lab option
If you're considering the New Orleans area, this is a particularly relevant alternative to a conventional real estate search. It supports early-stage life-sciences companies and offers purpose-built wet-lab and office infrastructure, including shared lab resources. It is a facility and startup-support organization rather than a conventional brokerage.
1441 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 · 504-680-2973
What city or biotech hub are you targeting for the wet lab? That's the most important detail because life-sciences brokerage is highly market-specific.
For example, I can focus the shortlist on Boston/Cambridge, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, New York/New Jersey, Houston, or New Orleans—or compare several markets if you're still deciding.
I'll then identify individual brokers where possible, their biotech startup and tenant-representation experience, and the best way to contact them.
