Generally, companies go this route to protect themselves in the future. They know that they will be a big consumer of space, and that they will need to take care of this space requirement themselves. In the leasing market, a major tool that tech companies are using to insure that there is space for their future growth, is to lease more space than they need today and sublease it for a short time until they grow into it. There are critical pitfalls to look for when using this tool, such as the subleasing language in the lease document. Tough question, again so many variables to consider.
Planning is the key.
Landlords today want long term leases, and tech companies often prefer short term leases. The hardest thing facing a tech company trying to plan its office space requirements for the future is the Uncertainty of the future. Plan as much as possible, and look for a lease arrangement that allows you Flexibility - to grow, to downsize, to end the lease if necessary. Hope everyone learned more today about high-tech space. All American Girl rocks out American Girl rocks out American Girl rocks out.