Welcome To The Real Finds Blog: Commercial Real Estate Insights for Chicago and the Midwest
Welcome to The Real Finds Blog, your daily briefing on commercial real estate trends across Chicagoland and the Midwest. Published by Gordon Lamphere, a fourth-generation commercial real estate broker at Van Vlissingen & Co., this blog delivers sharp, actionable insights for CRE professionals navigating a changing market. Every article connects macro trends—interest rates, automation, supply chains, policy shifts—to local real estate strategy across high-demand submarkets, including:
- Downtown Chicago – office space, adaptive reuse, capital markets
- Elk Grove & O’Hare – industrial leasing, logistics infrastructure
- Kenosha & SE Wisconsin – warehouse development and distribution hubs
- Oak Brook & Schaumburg – suburban office leasing and reinvestment
- Naperville & the I-88 Corridor – flex space, R&D, life sciences
- Bolingbrook & the I-55 Corridor – fulfillment centers and industrial site selection
- Lake, DuPage, Will, Kane, and McHenry Counties – land use, entitlements, development opportunities, and tenant migration
From daily blog posts to in-depth strategy guides and transcribed podcast interviews, Real Finds turns global uncertainty into hyper-local market intelligence for investors, landlords, tenants, developers, and brokers New posts are published every weekday.
Successfully Redefining Office Space with Spencer Levine – RFP 53
The phrase “office space” no longer means what it did five years ago. In a post-pandemic world shaped by hybrid...
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The Impact Of Chicago’s Proposed $68.5M Real Estate Tax Hike
On December 10, 2024, the City Council Finance Committee narrowly approved a revised $68.5 million property tax increase proposed by...
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What the O’Hare Office Market Can Learn from the CDA Lease?
The Chicago Department of Aviation’s (CDA) recent lease of 99,421 square feet at 8420 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. delivers a...
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Illinois Science & Technology Park Building Sells For Major Discount
Turning Point in the Lab and Life Sciences Market? The life sciences sector has been a darling of commercial real...
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The Chicago Bears’ Multi-Million Tax Deal in Arlington Heights
The Chicago Bears’ recently announced tax agreement for a potential stadium in Arlington Heights is creating significant buzz in the...
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Lake Forest’s Festive Events Enhance Its Commercial Real Estate Appeal
Lake Forest is renowned for its vibrant community and quality of life, which are showcased through signature events like its...
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Pullman Crossings: What It Means for Chicago’s Leasing, Sales, and Industrial Market Dynamics
The launch of the final phase of Pullman Crossings, a speculative industrial facility is another milestone in the ongoing revitalization...
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High-End Movers and the Telling Sublease Trend
One of Chicago’s fastest-growing companies, Highdive, recently announced a significant expansion, moving into a 26,000-square-foot office in the iconic Merchandise...
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Multifamily Investing With Impact – Peter Slough & Jenny Romera – RFP 52
Impact investing is no longer just about making a difference—it’s about achieving exceptional financial returns while creating lasting, positive change....
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The Foreclosure Future of Office Spaces and Commercial Real Estate Markets
The recent foreclosure filing by Deutsche Bank against Accesso Partners for the 200 West Monroe Street property in Chicago's Loop...
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Kikkoman’s Impact on Delavan and Lake Geneva
Kikkoman’s Impact on Delavan and Lake Geneva Real Estate Markets The 50th anniversary of Kikkoman Foods Inc. in Walworth, Wisconsin,...
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Can Landlord’s Keep Raising Rents? With Tim Wallen of MLG Capital – RFP 51
On this episode of the RealFinds Podcast, host Gordon Lamphere sits down with Tim Wallen, CEO of MLG Capital, to...
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Can We Solve the Housing Crisis Without New Construction?
The housing crisis is one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across the country. With rents rising, home prices...
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Impacts Of The Multigenerational Housing Affordability Crisis
The housing affordability crisis in the United States has emerged as a significant issue, affecting individuals across all age demographics,...
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Navigating the Housing Crisis: Insights from Gordon Lamphere and Matt Hutchinson – RFP 50
Today, Gordon Lamphere sits down with Matt Hutchinson, Communications Director at SpareRoom, to discuss the escalating housing crisis impacting both...
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Will Government Regulation Save The Office Market?
Will Government Regulation Save The Office Market? As the work landscape continues to evolve in the wake of the 2020...
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Chicago Bears’ New Stadium Plan: Transforming the South Side Like LA’s SoFi Stadium?
The Chicago Bears’ renewed consideration of the Michael Reese site for a new domed stadium presents a transformative opportunity for...
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$32M Refinancing Amid Chicago Office Market Challenges
The successful refinancing of the 15-story office building at 609 W. Randolph St. by Vista Property Group provides several insights...
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