This document summarizes several major commercial real estate deals that took place in Chicago in 2015. It highlights Hyatt's anchor lease at 150 N. Riverside, which validated the new building and opportunities for Hyatt's current space. It also notes Conagra's large lease at the Merchandise Mart, proving Chicago's status as a global business hub, and Kraft Heinz moving to the Aon Center, confirming the downtown migration trend. Finally, it mentions leases by GrubHub, Motorola Solutions, and C.H. Robinson in different parts of the city, showing tenant demand for various office neighborhoods.
The deals that defined Chicago’s 2015 commercial real estate market
1. The Deals That
Defined 2015
This year’s most impactful deals were outside
of Chicago’s traditional loop submarket.
Find out what deals really
mattered in 2015.
2. Hyatt’s anchor-tenant lease proved the strength
of 150 N. Riverside. As a tenant known for
demanding exceptional design standards, this
lease validated the new building, and also set in
motion a range of new opportunities for Hyatt’s
current space to be vacated at 71 S. Wacker.
HYATT150 N. Riverside
292,000 SF
HYATT
3. This massive deal in the Merchandise
Mart proved that Chicago remains a global
business hub and a magnet for the world’s
largest companies. River North is now
established, not only as Chicago’s hottest
submarket, but a magnet for global talent.
CONAGRA
Merchandise Mart
168,000 SF
CONAGRA
4. This large lease confirmed the downtown
migration trend and the renewed vitality of the
East Loop. The quick lease of Kraft’s Northfield
campus also proved that the suburbs have
plenty of activity, and there is strong tenant
demand for well-located suburban buildings.
KRAFT HEINZ
Aon Center
170,000 SF
KRAFT
HEINZ
5. Another iconic HQ move which signaled a
return to downtown Chicago for the local
powerhouse, and highlighted the critical
importance of location in attracting
high-tech talent.
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS
500 W. Monroe
150,000 SF
MOTOROLA
SOLUTIONS
6. Rapid growth for this Chicago-born start-up
led to an impressive 59,000 SF expansion.
The Burnham Center lease highlighted the
trend of young companies finding value in
vintage buildings.
GRUB HUB
111 W. Washington
130,000 SF
GRUB
HUB
7. This recent lease gave concrete evidence
that the “CBD” continues to expand beyond
the traditional loop. Markets that used to be
considered fringe locations, like Goose Island
and the A. Finkl site are now viable options for
large occupiers.
C.H. ROBINSON
1511 W. Webster
LINCOLN PARK
207,000 SF
C.H.
ROBINSON
8. Christian Beaudoin
Director, Research
(312) 228-2020
christian.beaudoin@am.jll.com
Please visit
www.jll.com/chicago
for more market trends
and insights.
HYATT
KRAFT
HEINZ
LINCOLN PARK
C.H.
ROBINSON
GRUB
HUB
CONAGRA
MOTOROLA
SOLUTIONS