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.
Energy Efficiency Improvements for Industrial Properties
Energy efficiency is a critical consideration for industrial property owners and managers. Implementing energy-efficient improvements can lead to significant cost...
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The City Of Lake Forest’s Purchase & The Office Space Market
The Lake Forest City Council has recently approved a significant acquisition that could reshape its infrastructure and its role within...
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Assessing Demand for Medical Office Spaces in Targeted Areas
https://youtu.be/9tXLeV_41CI Assessing the demand for medical office spaces in targeted areas involves analyzing various factors that influence the healthcare real...
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Assessing Loading Docks and Drive-In Doors for Industrial Users
https://youtu.be/rmhvHnOOmFY Loading docks and drive-in doors are essential components of industrial spaces, crucial for efficient logistics and operational flow. Proper...
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Assessing Building Infrastructure for Industrial Spaces
https://youtu.be/WVNftyJ1a_4 Evaluating the infrastructure of industrial spaces is crucial to ensure they meet the operational needs and safety standards of...
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How to Evaluate Accessibility for Industrial Properties
https://youtu.be/rvfPl4BADUo Key Considerations for Evaluating Accessibility 1. Transportation Links Efficient transportation infrastructure is essential for ensuring smooth logistics, reducing shipping...
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Evaluating Industrial Property Locations for Your Business
https://youtu.be/fdmdqzKzqDw Choosing the right location for your industrial property is crucial for operational efficiency, cost management, and long-term business success....
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How to Create a Shortlist of Industrial Properties
https://youtu.be/mg8hexsBF7Y Creating a shortlist of industrial properties is a critical step in securing the perfect space for your business. With...
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Top Online Tools for Finding Industrial Space
https://youtu.be/Dvr3Jg1Cee0 Finding the right industrial space for your business can be complex, but online tools have made it significantly more...
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Key Criteria for Your Industrial Space Search
https://youtu.be/bWNjcjX5BnISelecting the right industrial space is a critical decision that directly impacts the efficiency, productivity, and growth of your business....
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A Guide To Conducting Market Research For Industrial Space
https://youtu.be/6kJIjzFXmnI Conducting thorough market research is a crucial step in searching for industrial space. Understanding market trends, availability, pricing, and...
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How to Assess Your Industrial Space Business Needs
https://youtu.be/Ei_AUI1f4xM Industrial spaces come in various types, including warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and flex spaces. Each type serves different...
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Ensuring Accessibility for Emergency Services in Office Buildings
Ensuring that office buildings are easily accessible to emergency services is crucial for the safety and well-being of all occupants....
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Elk Grove Village’s Willow Crossing Sells for $89M
The recent $89.3 million acquisition of the Willow Crossing apartment complex in Elk Grove Village by Chicago-based R.I.G. Capital highlights...
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Sale of Industrial Flex Property in Vernon Hills for $2.4M
The recent sale of 825 Corporate Woods Parkway, a single-tenant industrial flex property in Vernon Hills, represents more than just...
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The Future Remains Bright for Arlington Heights Real Estate Despite Unlikely Bears Stadium
Arlington Heights, a vibrant Chicago suburb, has long been a focal point of commercial real estate (CRE) development in the...
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Investing In Urbanism With Brad Biehl – RFP 41
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhTwofM8e8Y Join us on this week's Real Finds Podcast as we dive into the world of urbanism with Brad...
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Top 5 Reasons to Hire an Elite Commercial Property Manager for Your Investment Portfolio
Owning and investing in commercial real estate can be incredibly rewarding, offering a reliable path to building generational wealth. However,...
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