Chicago's best office neighborhoods in 2026 depend on what a business needs most. Fulton Market is best for companies recruiting tech and creative talent, with the tightest office vacancy in the city at 10.9%. West Loop suits growing companies that need more space at a similar premium. River North offers the best downtown transit access and fits client-facing agencies. The Loop remains the top choice for law, finance, and institutional business. Companies with suburban-commuting teams often choose Oak Brook, Deerfield, or Evanston for lower cost and easier parking.
If you're trying to figure out where in Chicago to put your next office, the answer depends less on which neighborhood sounds trendiest and more on what your business actually needs: talent, transit, clients, or cost. Below are the neighborhoods companies are actually choosing right now, and the specific reasons each one keeps winning that decision.
Fulton Market: Best for Companies Competing for Talent
Fulton Market has the tightest office market in the entire city, with vacancy sitting at just 10.9%, well under Chicago's average of roughly 22.6%. That scarcity is the clearest signal of demand: Coca-Cola just moved its Midwest headquarters into The Fulton, a new 535,000 square foot building, and AI firm Teragonia recently signed a 16,000 square foot sublease as it triples its Chicago headcount.
The reason companies pay a premium here comes down to recruiting. Converted meatpacking warehouses now house glass-walled, exposed-brick offices surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Chicago, and for a company trying to attract engineers or younger talent, that address does real work in a job offer. If your business competes for tech or creative talent, this is currently the strongest option in the city.
West Loop: Best for Growing Companies That Need More Room
West Loop sits right next to Fulton Market and shares its momentum, but with more available inventory, direct vacancy runs around 22.8% compared to Fulton Market's 10.9%. Class A rent still commands a premium, $34 to $41 a square foot or more, but companies that need a larger contiguous floor than Fulton Market's tightest buildings can offer will find more options here.
It also has a practical edge Fulton Market doesn't: easy access to Metra service at Ogilvie and Union Station, which matters if a chunk of your team commutes from the suburbs. If you want the recruiting benefits of the Fulton Market area without competing for its scarcest buildings, West Loop is the natural next choice.
River North: Best for Client-Facing Businesses
River North has the highest office vacancy downtown at 34.4%, which actually works in a tenant's favor. It's a large, older submarket with more room to negotiate than Fulton Market or West Loop. What makes it worth choosing isn't the price alone though. It has the best transit access of any downtown neighborhood, with the Red, Brown, and Purple Lines all running through it, and it sits close to the Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile.
For agencies, consultancies, or any business that regularly brings clients in for meetings or dinner, River North's density of restaurants and its central location make it easy to impress a client without much planning. It's consistently the pick for businesses where reputation and location go hand in hand.
The Loop: Best for Law, Finance, and Institutional Business
The Loop remains Chicago's largest office submarket and its default address for law firms, financial services, insurance, and government-adjacent business. Overall downtown vacancy sits around 26.6%, but true Class A and trophy space makes up only about 6% of what's on the market and is leasing quickly, while older buildings sit at much higher vacancy. Class A rent runs $31 to $39 a square foot.
The Loop wins on prestige and proximity: it's still the address that carries the most weight with institutional clients, it's closest to the courts and government offices, and every CTA rail line in the city converges here, making it the easiest commute for employees coming from almost anywhere in the region.
If You Don't Need Downtown: South Loop and the Suburbs
A downtown address isn't a requirement for every business. South Loop is quieter and more residential, with lower rent than any neighborhood above, and it's picking up office activity as more people choose to live near where they work. For businesses whose teams mostly commute from the suburbs, Oak Brook, Deerfield, and Evanston offer significant savings on rent, easier parking, and a shorter reverse commute, often at a fraction of downtown cost.
Chicago Office Submarket Comparison
Submarket
Office Vacancy
Typical Rent (Per Sq. Ft.)
Best For
Fulton Market
10.9% (Lowest in Chicago)
$40+ (Premium)
Recruiting tech and creative talent
West Loop
22.8%
$34–$41+ (Class A)
Growing companies needing more space
River North
34.4% (Highest Downtown)
Varies by building age
Client-facing agencies and consultancies
The Loop
26.6% (Downtown Average)
$31–$39 (Class A)
Law, finance, and institutional businesses
Wherever You Land, We Handle the Move
Picking a neighborhood is only half the decision. Once a lease is signed, there's still real logistics work ahead, and it's worth planning early. Most Chicago municipalities require specific permits before you can relocate a business, and it's worth checking those requirements as soon as you have a move-in date, not the week before. If your timeline is already tight, our guide to planning a last-minute office move in Chicago covers what's still possible even on short notice.
Chicago Office Movers handles relocations for offices of every kind across Chicago, IL: corporate headquarters, retail locations, institutional and government offices, medical and lab spaces, and businesses of any size from a five-person startup to a full floor of employees.
Some people are natural leaders who like to be in charge or be their own boss. This can make every day corporate life unappealing for these individuals and the idea of starting their own small business an attractive pursuit. But not all businesses are suited well for every area. When you are considering starting your own small business, you must consider the area, its people, and its needs. Otherwise, you may not achieve the success you are striving for.
There are a variety of small businesses that are well-suited for a major city like Chicago. So, if you want to start and/or invest in a profitable small business in the city, then continue reading for the best types of businesses to pursue.
1. Tour Guide Agency
Chicago is a top tourist destination, making a tour guide business a great investment if you have the expertise to be an informative, knowledgeable tour guide. To begin working as a tour guide, you just need to obtain a license. While general Chicago knowledge is excellent to have if you want to be a tour guide and/or start a tour guide business, consider starting a niche tour guide business to separate your agency from others. For example, instead of starting a tour guide business for Chicago in general, focus on Chicago sports, art, history, or food.
2. Marketing Agency
Chicago is a vast city with a seemingly never-ending list of businesses in the city and suburbs. While some places will be able to handle marketing on their own, a great number of businesses will need outside help. So, if you have the marketing savvy to help other people sell their products and push their services, then you could find your own success in marketing.
3. Placement Agency
As one of the largest cities in the U.S., Chicago is home to many businesses small and large covering a number of different industries. There are plenty of jobs to be had in Chicago and many people looking for a good job. Starting a placement agency is a great way to capitalize on this and help people find the best jobs for them while helping business fill their staff with the best possible candidates. Starting a placement agency requires a small initial investment and charging a reasonable commission for job placements will earn you good profits.
4. Hostile Business
People come to Chicago from all over the U.S. and the world for education, work, and to visit the city. You can cater to Chicago’s many tourists, students, and jobseekers from out of town by starting a hostel. If you can acquire a building downtown close to corporate centers and educational institutions, you should invest in turning the building into a hostile. Charging reasonable rates will attract those coming to study or work in the city which will not only help you earn back your investment but also make a good profit.
5. Event Management Business
In a popular, lively city like Chicago, there are many events going on throughout the year. This means that someone needs to be coordinating and managing these events. Starting an event management company is a good choice with a lot of potential if you have great managerial skills.
6. Catering Company
Where there is an event, there is usually a need for food. Beginning a catering business is a great choice, and you do not have to be a gourmet cook to do so. You simply need the commitment, professionalism, and management skills to run a successful business. You can run the business yourself, hiring a lead cook, assistant chefs, and servers to handle the cooking, serving, and setup of the food. To help distinguish your company from other catering businesses, focus on a certain type or style of food to cater and offer.
7. Food Truck
A great thing about food trucks is that they are mobile businesses and not stationary storefronts like other restaurants. This expands the business’s reach and can also make it seem more exclusive as customers are aware that the truck will not always be around. A food truck is a low investment and a good way to showcase some of the food Chicago is known for.
8. Coffee Shop
Many adults enjoy indulging in a fresh cup of coffee and often need it to help them get the workday started. Some people even seek fresh coffee in the middle of the day, finding they need a pick-me-up to help them get through the rest of the workday. If you start a coffee shop in a good location, market it well, and offer a fair-priced selection of drinks (and food if you desire), then you could have a thriving small business on your hands.
Trusted Help from Commercial Movers
If you are looking to start a small business and will be moving into an office space or storefront, it will take a lot of work to get all your contents and equipment to the property. You can make this move less stressful by seeking assistance from Chicago Office Movers. We are commercial movers who can be of assistance to small businesses in need of office moving and office relocation services.
We are the most trusted moving company in Chicagoland, having satisfactorily worked with major corporations as well as renowned universities. All our movers have undergone a background check and possess the necessary training, proper licenses, and experience to provide exceptional office moving services and customer service.
Within our office moving services, we use climate-controlled moving trucks that ensure your business belongings and equipment will be safe and secure. The trucks use air-ride suspensions and lift gates to safely move and transport your goods. Furthermore, we provide our customers with consistent tracking updates using professional tracking equipment, allowing you to follow along with the moving journey.
No matter what small business you are looking to pursue, Chicago Office Movers can help with your office moving.
Shifting to a new office space is a major milestone for a company. The move may signal business growth, or downsizing may be a practical reason to relocate. Moving a company, however, comes with many responsibilities, one of which is to make updates to keep customers and partners in the loop.
Companies relocate for many reasons. Expansion is one common cause for business relocations. The need to reduce operational costs can also spur a move. On the other hand, companies may see the value in consolidating offices and seek a lease with less surplus space.
Another good reason that companies relocate is to attract top talent. A new location may be closer to prospects, clients, and a skilled talent pool. Plus, outdated facilities will prompt any growth-oriented business to shift gears and relocate to a contemporary office that boosts employee productivity.
No matter what the reason for relocating a brick-and-mortar business, it is important that the company update existing and prospective customers, partners, and vendors. The last thing a business wants is for an outdated website to send customers to an empty storefront.
1. Update Business Address
All correspondence must be sent to the new business location. This requires that the business address be updated with the post office. Forward any mail to the new location, so that any correspondence sent to the old address will be received at the new one.
The business’ online presence should also be updated. It is a time-intensive effort to update the Chamber of Commerce, Yelp, Yahoo Local Basic Listing, Bing Places for Business and Angie’s List. If the business is travel related, like hotels, make updates to TripAdvisor.
Update online business directories on which the company is found. Examples of popular online business directories include Manta, EnrollBusiness, Hub, Find-Us-Here and The Business Journals. Listing a business on these sites is free, so unless upgrading, making updates will have no added costs.
The IRS and State Department of Revenue will need to know the new business address. It is important that company leaders receive all federal and state tax documents at the correct address. Inform government entities about updated phone numbers and information about licensing, too.
City or town governments also need to know about a new address. Local permits and certifications should be kept up to date. One way to keep these important documents updated is to notify the city or town government of the business relocation.
2. Update Social Media
The business’ social media accounts are ideal places to notify followers of an upcoming business relocation. Companies on the move are advised to update the company address and phone number (if applicable) on all their social media sites. Customers will head to social media for information.
If the business has a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, update these sites with the new business information. A Facebook cover image may be redesigned to inform customers about the upcoming relocation and relevant new business contact information.
3. Update Marketing Materials
All marketing pieces should be updated with the new business information. Patrons of a business’ services or products hold onto physical items containing company information and reference them from time to time. Marketing collateral should not only be updated but redistributed.
Examples of common marketing materials include business cards that provide the company address, phone number and business name. Direct mail marketing reaches consumers in a specific area and needs an update. Brochures and posters are additional pieces of marketing collateral to be revised.
Businesses also communicate with consumers via newsletters. Sharing the new business address and phone in newsletters is simple and cost-effective. If using outdoor signs to reach customers, point to the new business location on updated signage. Also update email signatures.
4. Update Advertising Campaigns
Paid search campaigns that focus on a particular market should be updated to reflect the new market to which the business is advertising. Pieces of key information that require updates include the new address or location extensions. Updating ad campaigns will send customers to the right locale.
5. Update Credit Card Company and Bank
The company’s credit card company should be notified of the new business location. Banks, too, should be updated with accurate business information to prevent fraud. All financial entities should be made aware so that important financial documents will be sent to the right place.
6. Update Vendors, Clients and Customers
A new business location should prompt a call to all vendors with whom the company works. Inform existing customers of the relocation, so that they know where to find the business. It is helpful to even directly reach out to existing customers to inform them of the move.
7. Update Industry Associations
Trade associations provide useful information about the industry, such as legislation that could impact the business, so it is important to update industry associations. Industry trade groups should be able to find the business at its new location, so they can provide leads or pass along credentials.
Work with a Trusted Commercial Mover
Relocating to a new office is an exciting yet stressful time. Eliminate unnecessary stress by partnering with Chicagoland’s most trusted moving company, Chicago Office Movers. We skillfully assist large and small companies with their corporate relocation needs, whether locally, interstate and internationally.
Our numerous satisfied customers include prestigious universities and major corporations. Chicago Office Movers’ customer service is unparalleled in the industry, and our Chicago movers are licensed, background checked, trained, and experienced. Expect professionalism, affordability, and efficiency when you work with our crews.
Your office goods will be safe and secure in our climate-controlled moving trucks, featuring lift gates and air-ride suspensions. Our customers receive regular tracking updates via professional tracking equipment so they can follow the progress of the moving trucks during the relocation.
Whether you are moving office furniture, lab equipment, or fragile IT systems, Chicago Office Movers will take care of your possessions. Our specialists will also help your company with planning the move. As the Windy City’s most reputable moving company, choose us for your upcoming corporate relocation!
Get a Free Estimate
For a free estimate on your next business move, give us a call at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form.
Productivity increases when companies holistically support the well-being of their staff. Consider including a wide range of functional and design elements to today’s workspace to effectively promote employee wellness and productivity. Here is what every new office needs in the 2020s.
Companies in the 21st century rely on innovation. Recent technology advances rapidly, prompting businesses to invest in flexible and progressive workspace designs that embrace new technologies as they are steadily introduced. Dynamic offices should feel human-centric and showcase brand authenticity.
Employees perform, interact and function differently within built spaces than they had in bygone eras. New offices should enhance staff productivity and inspire ideas. The contemporary office ideally reflects business cultures how they are today and operates with an eye toward the future.
A new office should be dynamic and flexible, meaning elements are moveable, lightweight, ergonomic, and multi-functional. Rather than be fitted with bulky furniture and technology, the new office space will be designed to suit any purpose. Offices can be transformed in an instant.
Moveable walls, mobile furniture, adjustable lighting, and the latest technology can instantly convert a meeting room into a podcast studio, for instance. The goods in a new, multifunctional office will accommodate immediate company needs, even as the pace of business accelerates.
Here 5 things needed in every new office.
1. Privacy Pods
Privacy pods are ideal when a workspace features an open office concept. With its seemingly futuristic build, privacy pods block distractions and are soundproof. The design allows employees to focus on their work in a distraction-free environment. Use privacy pods in conjunction with open workstations.
2. Height-Adjustable Desks
Sitting for hours on end is unhealthy; standing desks, however, adversely affect the feet and back. The answer to these health issues is a height-adjustable desk. For maximum ease, employees’ bodies should be aligned with the floor and table. A height-adjustable desk allows this comfort.
Height-adjustable desks give office staff the ability to customize the entire workstation to suit their individual needs. Whether an employee prefers to stand, sit, or alternate between the two, the height-adjustable desk accommodates their preferences—all in the same workspace.
3. Flex Spaces
Employees who work overtime are humans—not robots—and pursue tasks differently from day to day. By adding flex spaces to the new office, staff have greater freedom and flexibility. Some employees may prefer to snooze after lunch or retreat to a relaxed space prior to diving into a project.
By adding napping stations, a small gym, meditation rooms and fully stocked kitchens, work-life balance is achieved. In a lounge room, install tech-enabled furniture, such as wireless charging-enabled tabletops. Employees who have a choice to work remotely half the week are also more productive.
Inviting and comfortable workspaces promote a sense of community for office employees. The lifestyle preferences of onsite staff and those who work remotely are simultaneously met. Inspiring offices boost morale, develop relationships, and encourage employees to return to the office.
4. Greenery
A solitary desk plant simply will not satisfy anymore. Today’s employees seek greenery in the workplace to help boost morale and enhance productivity. A biophilic office design includes natural elements, with vegetation in the forms of a vertical garden or a succulent planter.
Lifting employees’ spirits requires more than adding a few potted plants. Utilize furniture made of natural materials. Ensure workspaces are sunlit. Biophilic office experts can lend a hand when it comes to creating a gorgeous office environment that inspires staff to come to work every day.
Today’s offices are no longer sterile, drab environments. Companies that aim to attract top talent, especially Millennials who hold sustainability and pro-environmental ideologies, make an effort to create office spaces with warmth and character and that utilize organic and authentic motif.
5. Office Staples
A functional new office requires supplies to facilitate day-to-day operations. A phone system helps team members communicate without having to use an external phone network. Speakerphones should be available. Other accessories to ease communications include a headset and fax machine.
Broadband and Wi-Fi are necessary during collaborations. Employees who work remotely have the ability to connect with the rest of the team. Laptops are essential for remote workers. Desktop computers are useful for staff who continue to work in the office.
Some printers are built to function wirelessly and come with scanning capabilities. Along with printers, a new office should have a range of external storage, such as HDD and USB. External storage is critical for backing up documents and swiftly transferring data.
While many offices opt for an environmentally friendly, paperless approach, confidential documents still exist. A shredder is necessary to destroy sensitive paperwork. Shredders also work to help keep employees’ desks clean and uncluttered and eliminate wastepaper in a sustainable way.
Work with Chicago Office Movers
Business owners who are planning to relocate to a new office should consider all of the above necessities to ensure the workspace caters to the changing needs and preferences of today’s workforce. When an upcoming business relocation is on the horizon, turn to Chicago Office Movers.
Chicago Office Movers is a commercial mover that will facilitate your move from start to finish. Whether you need help with planning, secure storage facilities or professional assistance with unpacking, our moving specialists are available. We’ll ensure your transition is smooth and as stress-free as possible.
Our experienced moving crews have moved a wide range of office goods. We have relocated lab equipment (microscopes and heavy electronics), machines (HVAC equipment) and libraries. Our teams of union movers are trained to handle all types of office goods carefully and securely.
Added benefits of choosing Chicago Office Movers for your upcoming relocation include working with a green company that utilizes best practices and recycled packaging to reduce waste. As an essential service, we take coronavirus safety precautions to protect customers and movers.
Get a Free Estimate
Whether you have plans to move locally or across the country, choose Chicago Office Movers for a professional and efficient move. As a reputable office mover, we seamlessly relocate businesses to, from and within Chicagoland.
Contact us at 312-244-2246 or by filling out a contact form for a free estimate today.
An office renovation demands flexibility. The last thing a business owner needs is an interruption to workflow amidst the disruptions already caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The reduced workforce prompted by the health crisis might, however, provide a timely opportunity to renovate an office.
Here are some tips on how to complete the renovation project.
1. Develop a Strategy
Firstly, it is important to devise a renovation strategy. Develop a renovation budget to guide the project from the planning stage through completion. Evaluate the costs of construction, materials, labor and extras. Surprise costs are not uncommon, so budget to accommodate unanticipated expenses.
An office renovation is likely to disrupt workflow. Consider where to put employees, provided staff still work onsite. If the office is nearly empty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, repositioning existing personnel during the renovation will be less problematic.
When crafting an office renovation design, keep in mind important factors that will affect operations. Evaluate the potential for future growth, advancements in technology, functionality, employee work preferences and the number of office staff. Business owners may consider current office design trends.
A proposed timeline will be extremely beneficial to ensure a smooth renovation. In Chicagoland, the office building may be exposed to harsh winter weather. Certain phases of the renovation may be affected by snow and ice. Factor in delays due to inclement weather to avoid unexpected costs.
2. Communicate
Keep lines of communication open with all the people involved in the office renovation project. These professionals include the design team, general contractor, office staff, landlord and stakeholders. Everyone should be informed about the anticipated work schedule and project plans.
Send out a proposed work schedule to everyone involved, and ensure it is updated whenever changes occur. Involve employees by holding a virtual meeting (due to COVID-19 concerns) and ask them to voice their concerns and design preferences before construction even starts.
3. Maintain Productivity
An office renovation can temporarily disrupt employee productivity, even when staff work remotely. Avoid a drop in productivity for office employees who continue to work onsite by communicating often, minimizing construction noise, and ensuring adequate artificial or natural light are available.
The current pandemic has forced many office staff to work from home. An office with minimal employees onsite is ideal for starting and finishing construction work. If staff still work onsite, schedule contractors in the late evening hours when employees are gone.
4. Build Health Safety Features
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced drastic changes to businesses. As lockdown measures encourage remote workforces, business owners may consider subdividing existing office space. The resulting smaller units make better use of the decreased employee footprint upon which businesses now rely.
Office floorplans must be altered in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing will continue, and the office must accommodate public health safety measures. Place workstations farther apart, and build cubicle dividers high enough to prevent respiratory droplets from reaching other staff.
If cubicles are too pricey for the budget or do not complement the office layout, install sneeze guards instead. Plastic or glass shields protect employees from respiratory droplets emitted through sneezing and coughing. Sneeze guards may be portable or permanent and are affordable.
Proper ventilation is critical in the coronavirus era, especially in offices with moderate- and high-risk exposure. Clean, fresh air (without re-circulation) is necessary inside offices. During the renovation, increase ventilation in the office via natural or artificial means. Clean air filters regularly, too.
5. Capitalize on Strengths
Most office buildings have strengths. Focus on what features made the building attractive when it was brand-new. The building might have solid structure. If so, consider taking down some walls to allow more natural light into the interior space. Or, open the space to increase the property’s value.
Update the property with finishes and graphics. Consider freshening up the signage, which is a cost-effective measure. The goal is to enhance the building’s curb appeal to create a positive first impression. Keep in mind that younger generation employees seek more daylight and open spacing.
Install environmentally friendly features during the office renovation. When designing or installing new electrical fixtures, plan on using technologies that save energy, such as long-lasting, low-energy light bulbs. Add sensors or time switches to lighting to prevent a waste of energy.
Build out the office using locally sourced recycled, refurbished and sustainable materials. Encourage efficient waste policies by adding centrally located recycling areas. Donate outdated furniture instead of discarding them in the trash. Environmentally friendly companies are more attractive to customers.
Once the office has been successfully renovated, employees who temporarily work remotely will return. Rather than expect them to jump in, introduce staff to the changes. Train employees on the new technologies and the space in which they will work. Provide tours and video training, too.
Commercial Moving Services
Commercial contractors are considered essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Locating a suitable contractor to begin renovations will require an investment of time and resources. When you’ve settled on a reliable contractor, you’ll require the commercial moving services of Chicago Office Movers.
An office renovation requires the physical ability to move all the desks, filing cabinets, chairs and equipment. Chicago Office Movers provides the manpower companies need to clear space for a renovation project. Our commercial movers are also available to disassemble equipment.
Chicago Office Movers are trained to skillfully and carefully pack, label and move office goods to an offsite storage facility or another building. Our office movers load all boxes into our secure moving truck. Our teams also dispose of or donate old office furniture.
Moving crews from Chicago Office Movers will unpack and reassemble any equipment and furniture once the renovation is complete. We also unpack small office supplies, plants and decorations so that your commercial space is usable immediately after the office renovation.
Contact Us
Chicago Office Movers takes every precaution during the turbulent pandemic. We clean and disinfect moving trucks and practice social distancing.
When your Chicago, Illinois, office will be renovated in the near future, consult Chicago Office Movers at 312-244-2246 or through a contact form for expert handling of your office goods. We provide free estimates.
