Tuesday, May 6, 2025
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Midwest Market Reports

Market ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsRetail

What’s Driving Today’s Retail Leasing Decisions?  

by Kristin Harlow

The future of retail is bright for those willing to innovate, says Kathleen Brill, executive vice president and director of leasing and strategic partnerships for East Peoria, Illinois-based Cullinan Properties.  “It’s no longer about square footage — it’s about activation,” emphasizes Brill. “Mixed-use, walkability and experience will continue to shape leasing trends.” Grant Mechlin, executive director of retail and multifamily brokerage services for St. Louis-based Sansone Group, says the narrative of retail leasing has shifted from survival to strategy. “Retailers are being more selective about where and how they grow, but there is no slowdown in activity,” he says. “Physical stores remain critical to brand identity, customer acquisition and fulfillment. Looking ahead, we expect to see more hybrid uses, especially where retail blends with wellness, services and entertainment.” Today’s retailers are activating their storefronts and rightsizing their footprints at a time when the cost of construction is at a record high, and many national chains have announced store closures or bankruptcies.  The supply pipeline, already extremely thin by historical standards, will be further constrained by rising construction costs, helping limit fluctuations in vacancy rates, states Cushman & Wakefield in its first-quarter retail report. The brokerage firm reports a national vacancy …

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IllinoisMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOffice

Chicago Office Market: the Trophy Spillover Effect

by Kristin Harlow

By Steven Bauer, Colliers The office towers that define Chicago’s landscape have unique histories and personalities, but not all are created equal in the eyes of the tenant. Buildings seeing the highest demand, classified even higher than Class A, are “trophy buildings” — buildings with high-quality finishes, newer and more efficient construction, and are often amenity rich with exclusive lounges, rooftop decks, fitness centers and private bars.  It’s especially important in today’s market to distinguish between the two distinct building categories because while Chicago’s real estate market is a vibrant and complex one, there is more to the story than what you see in the headlines. While the overall vacancy rate in the Loop remains at a historic high above 25 percent, trophy space vacancy is under 10 percent, and demand continues to be robust.  The story of flight to quality and flight to trophy assets has been told repeatedly since the COVID pandemic — complete with statistics that back the trend up. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, owners of trophy class buildings finalized anchor tenant renewals with Mayer Brown and PwC, both of whom kept roughly the same square footage as they had previously leased. With the …

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IllinoisMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMixed-Use

Urban Revitalization Is Chicago’s Legacy — and its Future

by Kristin Harlow

By Trina Sandschafer, AIA, Project Management Advisors Adaptation and reinvention are core parts of what makes American cities great, and Chicago is a prime example. Whether rebuilding, reimagining space for modern usage or creating new neighborhoods from formerly empty lots, the city has become known for its unique ability to bring new energy and life to formerly underutilized areas. Chicago knows how to reimagine the built environment and is leading the way with several transformative development strategies.  Adaptive reuse: A well-tested Chicago tactic Chicago’s long history of adaptive reuse began with the pioneering residential loft developers. In the wake of nationwide manufacturing declines, these enterprising developers saw opportunity in the city’s largely vacant warehouses and manufacturing buildings. The success of these early loft conversions encouraged further reimagining of Chicago’s aging industrial and office stock into condominiums, apartments, offices, entertainment venues and hospitality spaces, which continue to this day.  Now, adaptive reuse strategies are helping to increase the supply of housing and restore economic viability to communities dealing with the lingering impact of the pandemic on local businesses. Converting legacy structures to new and better uses is more environmentally sustainable and can be more cost-effective than demolishing older buildings and starting …

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IndianaMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMultifamily

Indianapolis Apartment Market Shows Promising Signs of Stabilization

by Kristin Harlow

By Chris Bruzas, Berkadia After a particularly challenging and unpredictable 2024, marked by continued interest rate volatility and a persistent bid-ask spread differential that contributed to low transaction volume, the Indianapolis apartment market is showing promising signs of stabilization as we move into 2025.  Yardi Matrix data highlights Indianapolis’ resilience, posting 2.7 percent year-over-year rent growth in November. This performance is especially noteworthy as it surpasses several popular Sun Belt markets, which have experienced declines, dipping into negative territory. The outlook for 2025 appears more balanced, with new supply moderating to approximately 3,500 units from 2024’s record-breaking 6,500+ deliveries. This timing aligns well with the market’s strong population growth, as Indianapolis expects to welcome 22,200 new residents in 2025, significantly exceeding the historical average of 12,800 annual net movers. Key factors of the population’s growth are due to the presence of reputable universities and colleges, such as Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Compared with other major metropolitan areas, Indianapolis offers a relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for those looking to maximize their quality of life without the high expenses associated with larger cities. The region’s economic fundamentals remain strong, anchored by transformative projects including Eli …

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IndustrialMarket ReportsMichiganMidwestMidwest Market Reports

Detroit’s Industrial Market Remains Resilient Despite Potential Concerns

by Kristin Harlow

By Jason Capitani, L. Mason Capitani/CORFAC International The automotive industry and business as a whole have always operated in cycles. Looking back at 2009, when Southeast Michigan faced significant challenges, the region’s recovery in the years that followed shows how resilient the local economy can be. Yet, as we navigate today’s post-COVID landscape, some still hope for a more gradual and stable recovery. Though questions remain about whether Detroit should have seen a market correction years ago, or if electric vehicle programs have artificially propped up the economy, only time will tell. Michigan’s jobless rate hovers around 4 percent, lower than the national average of over 7 percent, marking the lowest level since before the pandemic. The state has added over 450,000 jobs since 2020. While the automotive sector remains dominant, other thriving industries include advanced manufacturing, defense, IT, medical devices, food processing and logistics. 2025 outlook: early weakness with potential for shift Demand for industrial space in late 2024 and early 2025 has been weaker, with net absorption at its lowest since 2021. This dip might signal a shift in the auto industry, with some speculating a return to hybrid or combustion engine production, though these decisions take time …

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IndianaMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMixed-Use

Embrace the Future of Indianapolis with Experience-Driven Spaces

by Kristin Harlow

By Lance Evinger III, Hendricks Commercial Properties In an era where consumers seek more than just products, experience-driven spaces are reshaping the commercial real estate landscape. In Indianapolis, developers and urban planners are increasingly focused on transforming some of the city’s most underutilized yet high-potential areas into dynamic destinations that foster engagement, connection and excitement. Indianapolis boasts a diverse and rapidly evolving commercial real estate market that continues to attract significant investment and development. Key sectors — including office, industrial, retail and mixed-use developments — have experienced steady growth, with a strong focus on adaptive reuse projects and innovative design concepts. The city’s strategic central location, robust infrastructure and thriving convention scene make it a prime destination for businesses and developers alike.  Named USA Today’s No. 1 Convention City in the U.S. in 2024, downtown Indianapolis attracts over 10 million visitors annually, a number that continues to grow. In the past year, downtown hotels have set all-time monthly revenue records, fueled by major events like the NFL Combine and NBA All-Star Weekend. At the same time, the Indiana Convention Center has seen a 14.5 percent year-over-year increase in visitors, further cementing the city’s reputation as a top-tier event destination. With …

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IndustrialMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market Reports

A Developer’s Guide to Midwest Industrial Hot Spots

by Kristin Harlow

Developers identify industrial hot spots as areas with low vacancy rates that justify speculative construction. These centrally located sites offer convenient highway access and proximity to a wide labor pool.  In the Midwest, examples of industrial development hot spots where demand has remained strong include Chicago, Minneapolis, Columbus and Louisville, according to Steve Schnur, chief operating officer with Chicago-based CRG. He cites these markets because of their affordability, business-friendly environment and robust logistics infrastructure. These areas tend to keep a healthy supply-demand balance, he adds. Luckily for those whose livelihood is tied to the industrial property type, 2025 is expected to bring a return to pre-pandemic demand drivers, according to CBRE’s “U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook 2025.” The brokerage firm states that industrial occupiers will focus on longer-term strategies to improve warehouse efficiency, ensure supply chain resiliency and meet the needs of an evolving consumer base.  At the beginning of this year, CRG inked a lease with States Manufacturing for 503,440 square feet at The Cubes at French Lake in metro Minneapolis. The 1 million-square-foot facility, completed in 2024, marked the largest speculative industrial project ever developed in the state, according to the developer.  On the other end of the …

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Market ReportsMichiganMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOffice

Detroit Office Market Balances History, Opportunity

by Kristin Harlow

By Andy Gutman, Farbman Group Detroit’s office market, like many other large cities across the Midwest, has experienced many shifts — specifically in the office sector. Despite the challenges Detroit has seen over the past few years, the city has also shown great resilience. As companies continue to reconsider and revise their office needs, and workspaces evolve, Detroit is well positioned to capitalize on office occupancy in 2025 thanks to its historical assets, as well as opportunities in the city that are ripe for redevelopment. Tech, transportation and tenacity One of the city’s strengths in the office sector is its potential to rebound faster than many other Midwest cities. Unlike other markets that are overbuilt with more pain coming in the form of downsizing, such as Chicago, Detroit has avoided oversupply and isn’t overburdened with soaring vacancy rates. The city’s office market vacancy rate has slowly declined over the last several quarters — a positive sign for the local market. Detroit has also benefitted from steady and incremental growth, particularly by incubation, innovation and technology-focused tenants. It’s these types of tenants who have assisted in revitalizing the city’s urban core. The market is also characterized by a higher proportion of …

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Market ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMissouriOffice

From Surplus to Scarcity: The Surge of Prime Office Leasing in St. Louis

by Kristin Harlow

By Brian Lyss and Joshua Allen, CBRE St. Louis is typical of Midwest markets in that most of its office product continues to age. In fact, 73 percent of existing office supply in St. Louis was constructed before the 1990s. In a post-pandemic environment, users are seeking out amenity-rich prime space. Out of 53 million square feet of office product in St. Louis, 2.6 million square feet is considered “prime” in nature. Prime assets are the newest assets in St. Louis, located in walkable urban areas with an abundance of amenities. In early 2021, during the early stages of the pandemic, prime office availability (21.7 percent) was on par with non-prime (20.5 percent) as the market became increasingly concerned about the future of office use. Over the past 36 months, this surplus of available office has quickly turned into a shortage of prime assets. There has been virtually no new office construction in St. Louis, hitting the lowest levels on record. This fact guarantees that prime office space will remain tight until we see new construction begin to come out of the ground. Even if new construction does commence, the construction and lending environment is such that rates are anticipated …

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IndustrialMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMissouri

Missouri’s Pro-Business Climate Is Just Right for Industrial Developers

by Kristin Harlow

By Mike Stromberg, Opus Kansas City made the list of emerging industrial markets back in 2016, and over the last nine years has more than proven itself to be a viable, profitable and competitive environment for development.  Many rightly attribute the market’s continued growth to its central location within the U.S. as well as its transportation infrastructure, which includes the city’s location on the largest navigable inland waterway, at the cross-section of three interstate highways and in the middle of cross-country rail corridors running from Canada to Mexico and from coast to coast. These are unquestionably appealing features for businesses that want and need to quickly distribute products and access customers. Other qualities often lauded include a strong skilled labor pool with an estimated 2.4 million people — nearly 23 percent between the ages of 18 to 34 — living within a 50-mile radius of the city; a cost of living up to 14 percent lower than the national average; a historically low unemployment rate; and increasing wages above the national average.  What really puts Kansas City on the map for developers, though, is how the state of Missouri has created a pro-business environment that leverages and advances these strengths. …

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