TenantBase

TenantBase, a commercial space leasing marketplace

TenantBase is an online platform dedicated to commercial space leasing that presents itself as a digital marketplace built specifically for tenants. The company structures its activity around three profiles: companies looking for space, landlords with available spaces, and commercial brokers looking for clients. Its offering relies on search tools and a network of local advisors who support the leasing process.

How search and leasing work

The service is organized in four stages. In the first, users explore available spaces in their market on their own. Then, a local broker from the partner network helps navigate the process. In the third phase, that broker identifies additional spaces, reviews the options, and schedules tours. Finally, they support the tenant during negotiation and lease signing.

The platform allows users to set up custom space alerts and receive automated email notifications when new options that match the company's needs become available. It also offers the possibility of posting the tenant's requirement on the TenantBoard, a board that exposes demand to the entire market to generate competition among candidate spaces.

Tools for landlords and brokers

For landlords, TenantBase offers the TenantBoard, which allows leasing managers to see and directly contact specific tenants that match their space, instead of relying on broad marketing. Brokers have access to the Broker Partner Program, a client acquisition program that the company describes as supported by artificial intelligence and backed by a support team, aimed at connecting industry professionals with qualified tenants.

Positioning as a tenant representation platform

TenantBase defines itself as a tenant representation platform, which means it works solely on behalf of the company seeking space. To do so, it relies on local real estate experts with the goal of finding the best terms and locations. The company maintains that its model provides transparency and reduces time and costs compared to traditional processes.

Origin and expansion

The founding team created the company after noticing that traditional commercial real estate firms paid little attention to small businesses and startups. The first version of the platform launched in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2015, operations expanded to Orange County, California, with the support of the EvoNexus incubator. In 2016, the team and activity in that same area grew. In 2017, the Dallas, Texas office opened, and the service reached Los Angeles. In 2018, the headquarters moved to Santa Monica, California, and operations expanded to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Fort Worth, and Houston. In 2020, the broker partnership program launched, which allowed entry into new markets through alliances with local firms. In 2021, Jim Underhill joined as Executive Chairman and the company reached 35 markets, with twenty new locations activated in the first quarter.

Market coverage

The platform lists market guides in numerous states and metropolitan areas of the United States, including Birmingham and Huntsville (Alabama); Phoenix and Tucson (Arizona); Northwest Arkansas; Fresno, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Oakland (East Bay), Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley (California); Denver (Colorado); Washington DC; Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Treasure Coast (Florida); Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah (Georgia); Boise (Idaho); Chicago (Illinois); Indianapolis (Indiana); Lexington and Louisville (Kentucky); Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans (Louisiana); Baltimore (Maryland); Boston (Massachusetts); Detroit (Michigan); Minneapolis (Minnesota); Kansas City and St. Louis (Missouri); Omaha (Nebraska); Las Vegas and Reno (Nevada); New Jersey; Albuquerque (New Mexico); Albany, Long Island, New York, and Rochester (New York); Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina); Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus (Ohio); Oklahoma City and Tulsa (Oklahoma); Portland (Oregon); Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania); Charleston and Greenville (South Carolina); Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville (Tennessee); Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio (Texas); Salt Lake City (Utah); Richmond and Virginia Beach (Virginia); Seattle and Spokane (Washington); and Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

Resources and reviews

The company maintains a Resource Marketplace with a network of partners offering complementary products and services for the new space. In the testimonials section, there are reviews from clients such as Tyler Brewer, Operations Coordinator at Uber; Aron Salow, CEO of XOEye; Pete Robinson, SVP/GM of Big Deal Music in Nashville; Sean Doran, Executive Producer at Shark Ninja; and Harrison Spain, founder and CEO of Redwood Code Academy, who highlights the work of the local Orange County team.