Q2/25 Downtown Chicago Office Market Report

Bradford Allen is pleased to share with you our latest office market report. Activity in Chicago’s downtown office market was steady, as firms expanded and well-capitalized owners continued robust leasing programs.

This quarter in Chicago’s downtown office market:

  • Q2 2025 net absorption was negative 1.5 million square feet, among the weakest since Q1 2024.
  • Direct vacancy continued to climb, reaching a record high of 24.7%, up 1.3 percentage points from Q1 2025.
  • The average gross asking rates were down from the prior quarter to approximately $41 per square foot.
  • Spec suites continued to outperform the market, accounting for nearly one-third of all leased square footage year to date, remaining highly sought after by tenants.