Lee & Associates of Illinois has completed four office leases in Chicago’s western and northwest suburban markets, underscoring ongoing activity among smaller tenants in the area. The assignments, all handled on behalf of tenants, reflect a mix of new leasing, expansions and a renewal across multiple suburban communities.
Senior vice president Grant Bollman of Lee & Associates of Illinois represented the tenants in each of the transactions. In Arlington Heights, Thomas Architects committed to a 1,411-square-foot new office lease, giving the firm fresh space in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The deal adds another professional services user to the suburban office roster at a time when many companies are evaluating space needs and cost structures.
In Naperville, Thorndale Construction elected to grow in place, signing a 2,903-square-foot lease expansion. The decision to enlarge its existing footprint, rather than relocate, highlights how some suburban office users are opting to stay in familiar buildings while adjusting their space to operational requirements. The expansion also points to incremental demand for office space from construction-related businesses in the western suburbs.
Also in the western suburbs, TekPro Staffing executed a 2,577-square-foot office lease expansion in Oak Brook. By choosing to add space in its current location, the staffing firm followed a similar path to Thorndale Construction, favoring continuity and expansion over a move to a new property. In Westmont, Terrell Materials completed a 2,804-square-foot lease renewal, further illustrating tenant preference for remaining in place when economics and functionality can be aligned.
Bollman noted that elevated construction costs are influencing tenant behavior, with many occupiers seeking to avoid the expense and disruption associated with relocation. Instead, they are pursuing lease terms that allow them to secure favorable economics and adapt their existing premises for a longer occupancy horizon. This approach helps tenants manage capital outlays while landlords benefit from tenant retention and reduced downtime.
He also highlighted the performance of the East-West Corridor, a key suburban office cluster that continues to attract and retain a diverse range of tenants. According to Bollman, this corridor has maintained moderately healthy market conditions in part because of the mix of users, including smaller tenants such as those involved in these transactions. The combination of renewals, expansions and a new lease demonstrates that, despite broader headwinds in the office sector, select suburban submarkets around Chicago remain active for right-sized, cost-conscious occupiers.
