Workplace design is undergoing a fundamental shift, as more companies commit to lasting two- to four-year hybrid work strategies with a focus on everything from building amenities to workspaces custom designed as dynamic drivers of performance, culture, and recruitment. However, design alone isn’t enough. To get it right, companies must align space strategy, lease terms, … Continued
Managing commercial real estate isn’t just a matter of tracking square footage and due dates — it’s a matter of strategy. Whether your organization has a single office or dozens of locations across the country, the operational, financial, and strategic stakes tied to your real estate decisions have never been higher. Today’s office landscape is … Continued
In today’s evolving commercial landscape — where tenants are rethinking space needs, pushing for flexibility, and upgrading aesthetics to reflect brand identity — leasehold improvements have taken center stage in both real estate strategy and financial reporting. When a company leases a new space, it often needs to make improvements to suit its business needs. … Continued
Industrial real estate continues to represent a very active commercial segment. In Chicago, as the nation’s premier freight hub, Manufacturing and FIRE (Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate) industries largely drive the economic engine. According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, about 25% of all freight trains and 50% of all intermodal trains in the … Continued
The driving forces in the office market are not necessarily new. Trends in a return to the office that took place in 2024 and solidified in early 2025 continue to take shape, and will continue to strengthen in the year ahead with hybrid policy as a critical focus for leaders. While the debate over where … Continued
The commercial real estate market continues to adjust to shifting office space needs since the pandemic. Even as employers implement return-to-office (RTO) policies, in-office work hours are 30% lower than pre-pandemic norms and projected to remain there. As a result, tenants have different priorities and expectations when making decisions about their office space…
The Chicago office market continues to remain tenant-favorable, with tenants prioritizing well-located buildings having newer amenities and collaborative spaces. The demand for better assets has caused a slight uptick in Trophy and Class A rental rate asking positions, but not effective rates. The demand for higher quality space has forced many landlords of lower quality, … Continued
What are the key phases of the lease process? How can tenants benefit from a conflict-free broker? The factors driving the office market evolution have created tremendous opportunities for companies looking to take advantage of today’s tenant-favorable conditions. As tenants map their needs for their future workplace, many are eager to learn more about a strategic process, … Continued
Amid economic volatility, employers are becoming increasingly concerned with how to maximize recruitment and retention efforts without raising costs. While we acknowledge that office space is generally the second largest expense on the balance sheet after payroll, business leaders are taking advantage of market trends for economic advantage and view real estate operating costs as … Continued
Our team at CBIZ Gibraltar is always monitoring conditions across office markets – and there are several key insights that can benefit tenants leveraging the current landscape for economic advantage. In the suburban Chicago market, leasing activity saw a slight uptick towards the end of 2024 with tenant demand focused on well located, high-quality and … Continued