Our Services Case Studies Portfolio Insights News Research Blog Company Contact NEWS RESEARCH BLOG VIEW ALL CORPORATE CORPORATE SERVICES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LEASING INVESTMENTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SERVICES WORKPLACE STRATEGIES BACK TO THE OFFICE - THE "NEW WORKPLACE" Chicago, IL | July 06, 2021 Remember mid-2020 when everyone started to speculate what offices might look like going forward? With coronavirus seemingly being tamed, we can finally start to move forward. Consensus is projecting that there will be fewer physical changes and alterations than initially anticipated. Instead, existing offices are expected to operate with fewer people occupying them at any given time. Read More THE EIGHT REALITIES OF POST-PANDEMIC OFFICE LIFE Chicago, IL | June 28, 2021 It is time for companies to address some big office space questions: Should employees continue to work from home, or is in-office collaboration a priority? Should all employees shift to new, permanent, work-from-home and in-office strategies immediately, or is an adjustment period required? With extensive experience creating unique solutions for office buildouts big and small, the MBRE Workplace Strategies team has an unparalleled view of the twists and turns many offices will soon take. Within this piece, we take a closer look at some of the return-to-work office themes and issues that companies need to consider. Read More BIKE ROOMS: A VALUED TENANT AMENITY Chicago, IL | May 24, 2021 When summer 2020 hit, an unintended consequence of the pandemic was a sizable increase in demand for bikes as commuters flocked to alternative forms of travel. Will everyone who bought a bike during the pandemic become an all-season, two-wheeled, pedaling road warrior? Doubtful. But those who do take to biking, whether it’s just during the warm months or year-round, will find that many buildings—certainly the ones managed by MBRE’s asset management team—already cater to their travel choice. Read More HEALTHCARE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL Chicago, IL | April 26, 2021 The healthcare market has taken a massive shift toward offsite development—we know, because MBRE has been heavily involved. The trend of smaller outpatient facilities has only been spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic and will continue to rise and shift even after the world is vaccinated and Covid-19 is a memory. Offsite healthcare is nothing new, and MBRE is here to help you take a deep dive into this ever-evolving world. Read More CHICAGO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: 10 THINGS TO WATCH IN 2021 Chicago, IL | January 25, 2021 2020's problems may continue to linger, but the office space market is far from dead. In fact, we see several trends on the horizon for the Chicago central business district and suburban market. What have we identified for the year ahead? Right now, we've got our eye on the suburban market due to millennials finally leaving urban life—will they soon fill suburban offices? We've also examined the life sciences industry, with multiple megadevelopments shifting to accommodate the growing industry, along with new office worker schedules for the post-pandemic world. Read our full list of the Top 10 Things to Watch in 2021. Read More CHICAGO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: 10 THINGS WE WATCHED IN 2020 Chicago, IL | December 18, 2020 12 months ago, COVID-19 was barely on America’s radar and had little hold on the development of what we tracked in our previous edition of “Ten Things to Watch.” Now, a year later, some of what we attempted to intuit has been derailed (the Southwest Loop’s expected explosion of incoming workers has fizzled), notes on industry stagnation have multiplied (the Central Loop’s shadow space problems still loom), and some aspects of the industry have proven to be surprisingly resilient (coworking space may have a future after all). On the following pages, we re-evaluate our ten issues against the events of a tumultuous 2020. Read More THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANNABIS FACILITIES Chicago, IL | October 26, 2020 Cannabis facility development remains both a hot topic and, in many ways, the wild west! It is a relatively new frontier with many different and continually developing approaches. MB Real Estate’s Project Services team has been a leader in cannabis real estate development. Whether developing cultivation and processing centers or dispensaries, our experience in the life sciences, healthcare, and commercial sectors gives us a unique advantage in understanding cannabis real estate projects. Read More LOOKING PAST THE PANDEMIC: LIKELY CRE OUTCOMES Chicago, IL | October 01, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown out everyone’s January 2020 predictions for the CRE world. So what new factors are in play for the coronavirus-altered trajectory of the commercial real estate world? From health concerns to changing amenities and evolving lease terms, we’re re-examining 2020 through the lens of what we now know. One prediction: things are not as apocalyptic as they seem. Read More MBRE WEBINAR WITH DR. EMILY LANDON, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER Chicago, IL | September 03, 2020 Tuesday, August 25, MBRE hosted another informative webinar for our clients with a leading epidemiologist, so that our property management teams could interact with the source for the best COVID-19 safety practices for buildings and tenants. Read More MBRE WEBINAR WITH DR. EMILY LANDON, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER Chicago, IL | June 10, 2020 Thursday, June 4, MBRE hosted an incredibly successful webinar for our clients with a leading epidemiologist, allowing our commercial real estate partners to go right to the source for the best COVID-19 safety measures for modern offices. Read More A STATEMENT FROM PETER RICKER, CEO OF MB REAL ESTATE Chicago, IL | June 03, 2020 An internal memo from Peter Ricker to the employees of MBRE. Read More THE REALISTIC PHASES OF RETURNING TO THE OFFICE POST-COVID-19 Chicago, IL | May 11, 2020 Within the MB Real Estate Project Services department, we have realized that there's no one-size-fits-all solution for businesses as they return to offices in Chicago and beyond. Each situation has different considerations based on existing conditions, business strategies, budgets, and more. Read More GROWING AS A TECH COMPANY IN CHICAGO Chicago, IL | March 16, 2020 Chicago’s tech industry keeps growing. Despite this, finding an ideal tech space for your fledgling company isn’t difficult. How do you choose the right space? Find someone who’s already connected techies to their future spaces... Read More CHICAGO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: 10 THINGS TO WATCH IN 2020 Chicago, IL | January 08, 2020 The 2020 real estate market has hit the ground running, and you don’t want to be left behind as the Chicago central business district and suburban market determine the future. From the growing tech sector to the revival of coworking spaces, groundbreaking megaprojects and new city and state laws, we looked at the top 10 factors that will affect the local commercial real estate market over the next year. Within our list of the Top 10 Things to Watch in 2020, we attempt to determine how the chips—for better or for worse—will fall. Read More CHICAGO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: 10 THINGS WE WATCHED IN 2019 Chicago, IL | December 19, 2019 At the beginning of 2019, we focused on 10 things that would drive the commercial real estate market in Chicago. As the year comes to an end, we’ve examined which issues were resolved, and which have yet to be settled one way or another. A new mayor in Chicago has yet to fully define her office, and the booming economy still contains many skeptics. Chicago developments like Lincoln Yards soldier forward, tech companies continue to expand, yet it’s still difficult to predict how future generations will affect the office market in the city and suburbs. Read More MANAGING CONSTRUCTION OF CANNABIS FACILITIES Chicago, IL | November 25, 2019 For the last 18 months, MBRE’s Project Services team has been a leader in cannabis real estate and currently manages construction of marijuana cultivation and processing facilities in five states. While each facility has unique physical and regulatory concerns, David Graff, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Project Services has noticed general trends and issues common amongst most projects of this kind. Read More GET IN THE LOOP: CORE VALUES Chicago, IL | November 20, 2019 At the beginning of November, MBRE’s Kevin Purcell hosted a group of Central Loop owners, investors, and their management teams. The focal point of the discussion was how to make the Central Loop a more interesting and vibrant area for everyone. We invite all owner and investors in the Central Loop to contribute their voices and ideas – together, we will create a stronger vision. Read More GET IN THE LOOP: WHAT OWNERS NEED TO KNOW (NOW) Chicago, IL | October 04, 2019 What should the Central Loop to do with big tenants flocking to other submarkets, leaving several million square feet of space behind? On Wednesday, September 25, we were joined by a panel of experts for our Get in the Loop, What Owners Need to Know (Now) event for an enlightening discussion on what it will take for the Loop to attract large users. Read More MBRE-MANAGED PUBLIC SPACES ENERGIZE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO BEYOND BUSINESS HOURS Chicago, IL | July 23, 2019 Fulton Market and River North aren’t the only places in downtown Chicago with exciting stuff to do when the office is closed. You may not think of Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, or Chicago Riverwalk when making your late night and weekend plans, but these MBRE-managed public spaces offer activities for the whole family well past business hours, every day of the week. Read More DON’T BE A MENACE: MANAGING MAJOR RENOVATIONS WITHOUT INCONVENIENCING YOUR TENANTS Chicago, IL | June 18, 2019 Renovations are a necessary part of keeping your commercial building up-to-date and competitive. But having construction done in a busy building can create major disruptions for tenants and a big headache for property management teams. Hear from MBRE’s SVP & General Manger of Michigan Plaza Steve Hennessey about how you can reduce the hassle and keep tenants happy with a solid redevelopment management plan. Read More GET IN THE LOOP: LET'S GET STARTED Chicago, IL | June 11, 2019 Chicago’s Central Loop is losing the battle for sought-after tenants to Fulton Market, River North, and West Loop. Attracting giant brands like Google, Facebook, and Salesforce means more than adding some nice amenities to your building. In the second part of our Get in the Loop blog series, we discuss action steps owners, brokers, and other CRE professionals can take – together – to make Central Loop a thriving Chicago neighborhood once again. Read More NEVER MISS ANOTHER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WITH THE PERFECT ELEVATOR PITCH Chicago, IL | May 20, 2019 A good elevator pitch can be what stands between you and your company’s next big client. However, so few of us actually put in the effort to develop a quick and effective narrative that we can use on the fly about why an investor, prospective client, or potential business partner should give us the time of day. We put MBRE’s asset management team to the test and asked them to create an elevator pitch for their properties. Read More GET IN THE LOOP: MAKING CENTRAL LOOP A PLACE WHERE COMPANIES ACTUALLY WANT TO OFFICE Chicago, IL | May 07, 2019 Chicago’s Central Loop is losing the battle for sought-after tenants to Fulton Market, River North, and West Loop. Attracting giant brands like Google, Facebook, and Salesforce means more than adding some nice amenities to your building. For property owners, managers, and leasing agents invested in the once flourishing district, it means thinking outside your four walls and working together to reposition the Central Loop as a lifestyle destination. Read More EARTH DAY IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE, BUT SUSTAINABILITY IS A YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT Chicago, IL | April 22, 2019 For Earth Day, we’re celebrating the hard work of our Asset Management team who has successfully implemented energy saving practices across our entire portfolio, reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing operational costs for our clients. But every day, we acknowledge the importance of these initiatives, the dedication of our amazing staff, and that sustainability is a year-round commitment. Read More REVIVING A LEGACY: ONCE A SERVANT TO THE UNDERSERVED, OLD COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL WILL ONCE AGAIN BRING LIFE TO CHICAGO’S WEST SIDE Chicago, IL | March 25, 2019 Constructed in 1913, the Old Cook County Hospital’s contributions to modern medicine are well-documented. However, County’s contributions and historical significance to Chicago’s minority communities are perhaps just as profound. Read More WOMEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Chicago, IL | March 04, 2019 March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s past and present contributions to our country and the world at large. In addition to recognizing the incredible strides women have made socially, politically, and economically, Women’s History Month is also a time to acknowledge the work still to be done in order to reach full gender equality. In this piece celebrating women and their achievements, we learn the stories of MBRE’s amazing women professionals and why it’s important for women to have a seat at the table, from their point of view. Read More THE CHALLENGES OF RELOCATING A CORPORATE HQ Chicago, IL | February 04, 2019 Relocating a company’s HQ is both a more complex process than your typical relocation and a move that is critically important to a company’s business functions. Learn tried and true strategies for successfully relocating your client’s next HQ from MBRE’s EVP and Managing Director of Corporate Services, Andy Davidson. Read More MBRE FORECAST: 10 THINGS TO WATCH IN 2019 Chicago, IL | January 07, 2019 Every new year brings change, and major transformations are already unfolding in 2019 – especially in Chicago. A new political playing field, an uncertain economy, and a shifting paradigm for how and where companies choose to office leave a lot of big questions unanswered about the city’ future state of affairs. MB Real Estate has put together this list of 10 things to watch in 2019 that will determine the fate of Chicago’s commercial real estate market to keep you informed throughout the year. Read More CANNABIS FACILITIES IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Chicago, IL | November 28, 2018 As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana, the cannabis industry has become a rapidly emerging market in commercial real estate. Learn from MBRE's EVP & Managing Director of Project Services David Graff what CRE professionals must consider when working with clients in this booming business. Read More PUBLIC SPACE AS AN OFFICE AMENITY Chicago, IL | October 09, 2018 MBRE Research Associate Jeffrey Waldo discusses some of Chicago's most popular public spaces and their effectiveness within urban theorist William Whyte's framework for what makes such spaces successful. Read More REPOSITIONING YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Chicago, IL | September 24, 2018 Office tenants’ expectations for building perks and amenities have never been higher, meaning your building could benefit from a major update. Ellen Trager of MBRE’s Leasing Services division gives her insight into the advantages of repositioning your office property and the most effective approach for accomplishing the project. Read More WHY TECH LOVES FULTON MARKET Chicago, IL | July 06, 2018 The Fulton Market neighborhood is currently one of the hottest destinations for tech in Chicago. Craig McCaw of MBRE's Corporate Services division discusses why Fulton Market is a desirable location, where tech companies previously gravitated, and how it compares to other areas nationally. Read More IS SUBLEASING RIGHT FOR YOU? Chicago, IL | May 29, 2018 If you've ever considered subleasing, you know how challenging it can be to effectively market your space and iron out lease terms with your landlord and potential subtenants. MBRE Corporate Services' Elise O'Connor gives her take on why some companies choose to sublease and the value of working with a commercial real estate professional. Read More TRANSPARENCY IN OFFICES Chicago, IL | May 21, 2018 Marc Schwartz, our Director of Workplace Strategy, provides his thoughts about physical transparency in today's office design and the relationship between social interaction and physical spaces. Read More DOG LOVERS REJOICE – 333 NORTH MICHIGAN LETS YOU BRING YOUR PUP TO WORK Chicago, IL | March 13, 2018 What makes the work day just a little better? How about a dog-friendly office? Effective immediately, tenants at 333 North Michigan can bring their furry friends to work – any floor, any time. Read More THE LATEST AND GREATEST TENANT AMENITY? MODERN ART. Chicago, IL | October 31, 2017 To compete in the CRE amenity wars, owners of CRE are offering everything from tenant lounges featuring guest baristas to yoga and meditation rooms. The owners of the Inland Steel Building, also known as 30 West Monroe, are appealing to the cultural side of life and have installed the internationally acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor’s piece, Blood Mirror. Read More YOU’RE INVITED: THE DALEY PLAZA WILL NOW HOST YOUR PRIVATE EVENTS Chicago, IL | September 05, 2017 Long recognized for its cultural significance in downtown Chicago, the Richard J. Daley Center's Daley Plaza is now available for private and commercial events. Read More SOCIALIZE WITH MBRE. 181 W. Madison St., Suite 4700 Chicago, IL 60602 312.726.1700 Privacy Policy Terms of Use © Copyright 2018 MB Real Estate Services Inc.