Top 10 Largest Office Leases in Chicago's Central Business District

Strategic Insights -

The Chicago central business district is a hub for commercial real estate activity, with numerous large office leases finalized in recent years. The following list ranks the largest office leases in the area by total square footage. Notably, tech giant Groupon Inc. takes up two spots on the list, leasing significant space in two separate locations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wells Fargo & Co. tops the list with a lease of 293,372 square feet at 10-30 S. Wacker Drive.
  • Groupon Inc. occupies the second-largest space with a lease of 226,041 square feet at 303 E. Wacker Drive and 222,016 square feet at 600 W. Chicago Ave.
  • Tech company U.S. Cellular Corp. takes up 212,000 square feet at 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
  • Bankers Life & Casualty Co. leases 134,724 square feet at 111 E. Wacker Drive.
  • Interpublic Group of Cos. leases 126,997 square feet at 875 N. Michigan Ave.
  • Marsh Inc. takes up 120,771 square feet at 540 W. Madison St.
  • PNC Bank occupies 116,306 square feet at 1 N. Franklin St.
  • Northern Trust Corp. leases 248,183 square feet at 231 S. LaSalle St.
  • United Continental Holdings Inc. takes up 232,041 square feet at 233 S. Wacker Drive.

Statistics:

  • Total square footage across all leases: 1,653,282 square feet
  • Groupon Inc. occupies 448,057 square feet across two locations
  • Wells Fargo & Co. lease is the largest at 293,372 square feet
  • Northern Trust Corp. lease is second-largest at 248,183 square feet
  • United Continental Holdings Inc. lease is the third-largest at 232,041 square feet
  • Average square footage per lease: 165,328 square feet

Sources:

  • Crain's Chicago Business, "Top 10 largest office leases" (no date)