Irvine Company Office Properties announced five leases totaling 103,307 square feet at One North Wacker, UBS Tower, the 50-story modern workplace community in the heart of Chicago’s famed central business district, the Loop. Irvine Company also announced that One North Wacker has received the prestigious LEED Platinum certification.
Platinum is the highest certification awarded by the USGBC, a highly respected, worldwide program that encourages, rates and certifies green-building designs and operations. Irvine Company credited the major certification to a team effort that included Hines, the building’s property manager; HGA, a national multidisciplinary design team and UBS.
Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services, has leased 65,392 square feet and will occupy suites 2200 and 2300. The company will move its employees from 70 W. Madison Street in 2020. Fitch Group comprises Fitch Ratings, a global leader in credit ratings and research; Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of credit market data, analytical tools and risk services and Fitch Learning, a preeminent training and professional development firm. It has operations in more than 30 countries.
“We are very pleased to be moving our Chicago offices to One North Wacker. We believe One North Wacker’s prime location in the Loop—along with its innovative workspaces, on-site amenities and nearby community resources—will provide an excellent work environment for our Chicago employees, ” said Ted Niedermayer, Fitch Group CFO.
In addition to Fitch Group, four other prestigious firms have leased space at One North Wacker. Wipfli LLP, a top-20 accounting and consulting firm, has leased 21,000 square feet on the 17th floor while The Jordan Company, a private equity firm, has leased 8,653 square feet. Private equity investment firm, May River Capital, a has leased 4,985 square feet and Heard Capital, a global asset management firm, has leased 3,277 square feet.
“We are excited that such an outstanding roster of respected companies has chosen One North Wacker as their Chicago home,” said Greg Tait, senior leasing director for Irvine Company’s Chicago portfolio. “It is the perfect location that will aid in their continual search for the region’s top talent, and we look forward to seeing these companies thrive here.”
Brad Despot, Annie Nicolau and Mark Georgas of JLL represented Irvine Company in the leases. JLL’s Eric Kunkel represented Fitch Group while the firm’s Christine Bower and Brian Means represented The Jordan Company. Gary Fazzio and Bill Sheehy of CBRE represented Wipfli. David Knight of Advocate Commercial Real Estate Advisors represented May River Capital and Larry Serota of Transwestern represented Heard Capital.
Irvine Company entered the Chicago market in 2010, when it acquired the 48-story, 1.5-million square foot 71 South Wacker. The tower’s elegant elliptical design offers expansive views and houses prestigious customers in hospitality, legal, financial services and technology, including IBM and the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP.
In 2014, Irvine Company acquired the 60-story 300 North LaSalle overlooking the Chicago River. Its ideal setting provides access to the River North neighborhood, including the finest restaurants, shops and entertainment. Current customers include Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago’s biggest law firm, and management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group.
Irvine Company’s Chicago portfolio comprises 4.2 million square feet in three Class A+ office high-rise properties that features the company’s signature amenities, The Commons and KINETIC. The Commons provides comfortable, Wi-Fi-enabled spaces for employees to work, meet, innovate or simply take a break, while KINETIC is a fitness and wellness movement offering a state-of-the-art fitness center and workplace wellness programming.
