Allowance of Building Shell

One of three arrangements often used for financing tenant improvements (finishing out office space to accommodate a tenant such as walls, doors, carpeting etc.) Often used in a yet-to-be built building, this arrangement caps the landlord's expenditure at a fixed dollar amount over the negotiated price of the base building shell. This arrangement is most successful when both parties agree on a detailed definition of what construction is included and at what price. Tenants may ask for a contingency in the event the actual build-out costs are less than the allowance, requiring the landlord to return the savings in the form of rent abatement or other concession.