Office space to rent Chicago: Overview and history
Chicago is famous for its big buildings, rich history and cultural impact. The Home Insurance Building in 1885 was the world’s first skyscraper. Today the city’s skyline has buildings like the Willis Tower on South Wacker Drive which was the world’s tallest building for decades and the historic Tribune Tower on North Michigan Ave built in gothic revival style. Next door is another landmark: The Wrigley Building is a beautiful white building by the Chicago River that reflects the city’s early 20th century architectural pride.
The Chicago River is the only backwards flowing river in the world, engineered in 1900 to divert sewage from Lake Michigan. It also hosts a Rubber Duck race every summer to support the Special Olympics.
Chicago’s history is tied to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which led to a period of rapid rebuilding and innovation in urban planning which shaped the city’s grid and made it the architectural hub it is today. The brownie was invented at the Palmer House Hotel for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Al Capone rose to fame during the Prohibition Era and was a regular at the Green Mill jazz club, now famous for its nightly live jazz.
Large companies that have chosen Chicago office space
Several major corporations are headquartered in Chicago, particularly in the downtown Loop and West Loop areas. United Airlines, headquartered in Willis Tower, and Boeing are some of the most notable names, along with McDonald’s, which recently moved to the West Loop.
Office and business districts in Chicago
The Loop area around North Michigan Ave. and the West Loop area around Fulton Market are packed with corporate offices. The Loop is the second-largest business district in North America after Midtown Manhattan and office lease rates reflect this. However, it means the area offers all the support businesses needed to run a great office. The financial district near LaSalle Street houses major companies like United Airlines, Hyatt, and CME Group. The Miracle Mile is a hugely popular shopping and office district and River North is home to businesses and entertainment companies.
Cost Comparison of renting an office in Chicago
Compared to other big cities, Chicago has lower office rental costs than New York or San Francisco, but it’s not the cheapest city. Doing business in Chicago is still affordable relative to other large cities, but cost of living, while reasonable, is higher than many mid-sized cities.
Office Space in Chicago: Transport and Infrastructure
Chicago’s public transportation includes the "L" train system, buses, and Metra commuter trains, all offering reliable options for getting around. Bike-sharing programs and extensive bike lanes add cycling as a practical option, in fact Chicago has the second-highest percentage of commuters riding bikes to work in the U.S., with 303 miles of bike lanes. Walking remains popular within downtown. Chicago has an underground pedestrian system called the Pedway, covering roughly 5 miles and linking more than 40 blocks in the Central Business District.
Key highways, like I-90 and I-94 from Milwaukee, and I-55 from St. Louis, connect directly into Chicago.
Chicago has two main airports: O'Hare International (ORD) and Midway (MDW), both within city limits and under 20 miles from downtown. O’Hare, one of the busiest in the world, is a global hub, while Midway mostly handles domestic flights.
Additionally, the Port of Chicago, at Lake Calumet, serves as a shipping point via the Great Lakes and inland waterways, supporting regional trade and commerce. Other smaller regional airports nearby include Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) in Indiana, about 25 miles from the city. Any of these transport hubs are great for renting an office for import & export or inter-state trade.
