Chicago’s Suburban Office Glut Mirrors a National Trend

Chicago’s suburban office vacancy reached a new record at the end of 2025, with nearly one-third of space sitting empty as tenants retrench and owners struggle to find demand. Data from JLL shows available space climbing around 33 percent in the region, a sharp contrast with even modestly healthier pockets downtown. Suburban buildings that once catered to corporate headquarters and administrative functions are suddenly far harder to fill, leaving corridors of dark space that rent rolls can’t absorb.

What’s happening in the Chicago suburbs is not unique, but it is an acute reflection of what office markets across the U.S. have been processing since hybrid work became mainstream. Across Sun Belt and Rust Belt regions alike, suburban buildings (especially older, commodity stock with long floor plates and low amenity scores) are bearing the brunt of downsizing. Even markets where urban cores have shown signs of stabilization still see suburban vacancy climb as occupiers trade square footage for flexibility and proximity to transit and talent clusters....   ...more

RSK: The suburban office space is still struggling. I do not think it is as bad here in Greater Madison, but it is noticeable.