A guide to office space in Chicago

In 2012, Chicago was listed as an alpha global city and is a major worldwide financial center making it an attractive option for companies looking to set up business in the United States. 

The city of Chicago hosts 12 Fortune Global 500 companies and 17 Financial Times 500 companies. 

It also claims one Dow 30 company: aerospace giant Boeing, which moved its headquarters from Seattle to the Chicago Loop in 2001.

Two more Dow 30 companies, Kraft Foods and McDonald's are in the Chicago suburbs, as are Sears Holdings Corporation and the technology spin-offs of Motorola. 


Costs

The most expensive area of the city for executive suites is The Loop area with prices ranging from $600 to around $1000 per person, per month. 

The further away from The Loop companies are willing to travel, and out into the suburbs, the cheaper the space. 

However, when looking at executive suites it is always worth keeping in mind that these costs usually cover amenities, which may include internet, meeting rooms, reception services etc., and as such can offer great value for money.


Office sizes

Instant Offices currently has over 80 different locations available in the Chicago area meaning that we can provide plenty of choice in terms of office style and size.

We are able to accommodate most inquiries, from one person through to 100 or more depending on the specifics.


Five things you probably didn’t know about Chicago:

• Lincoln Park Zoo, to the north of the city, is one of the only zoos in the world where entrance is free
• Although it was never the tallest building in the world, Chicago’s Home Insurance Building, is widely recognized as the world’s first skyscraper   
• The ‘Historic Route 66’ starts in Chicago, in front of the Art Institute of Chicago
• From the top of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) you can see four different states; Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana

• Chicago receives approximately 35 million visitors each year

As well as being a major financial and commercial hub, Chicago is a major world convention destination. 

The city's main convention center is McCormick Place and with its four interconnected buildings, it one of the largest in the world.

Away from work, Chicago has a rich history of music, art, theater, a vibrant nightlife and a whole host of museums to explore making it a great city to live in as well as work in.


A closer look at Chicago

The following districts are the most popular areas in which to rent office space:


Chicago Loop

• The Loop is home to Chicago’s central business district bounded on the west and north by the Chicago River, the south by Roosevelt Road and the east by Lake Michigan
• Home to the seat of Chicago’s government and the seat of Cook County, Illinois as well as the federal government offices and law courts
• A number of consulates from around the globe can also be found in the area
• Major tenants in the area include Aon Corporation, Chase Bank, Exelon, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and United Continental Holdings
• Various shopping opportunities that include the Loop Retail Historic District and the Magnificent Mile area to the north
• The area is also home to many pieces of outdoor sculptures from artists that include Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall and Henry Moore as well as housing a number of major theaters and opera houses

O'Hare

• The area is a major business center and home to O’Hare International Airport, 17 miles northwest of the Loop
• Close to major roads such as Illinois Routes 72 and 171 and Interstates 90, 190 and 294
• Companies that have their headquarters in the area include uBid, IGA, CareerBuilder, U.S. Cellular and the American headquarters of Nippon Cargo Airlines

North Chicago

• Home to the headquarters of major pharmaceuticals and healthcare products company, Abbott Laboratories and research-based bio-pharmaceutical company AbbVie
• Located around 30 miles to the north of Chicago City
• Also located here is the United States Navy’s only boot camp, the Naval Station Great Lakes and the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science