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.
Another Successful Food Truck Friday!
We had a great turnout for Food Truck Friday! The community enjoyed fresh food, good company, and phenomenal weather. While...
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Sprinkman Corp. Expands to Waukesha Amid Craft Brewing Boom
W.M. Sprinkman Corp., a long-standing manufacturer in the Milwaukee area, has recently made a significant move to a new facility...
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Sears to Close Kenosha Store This Fall Amid Nationwide Restructuring
The announcement that Sears Holdings Corp. will be closing its Kenosha store this fall is yet another chapter in the...
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Realty Income Acquires Mariano’s Stores in Lake Zurich and Suburbs for $116M
A recent flurry of acquisitions by San Diego-based Realty Income highlights a growing trend in the commercial real estate market:...
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Mars Cheese Castle Expanding Near Kenosha with 21,000-Square-Foot Addition
Mars Cheese Castle, a beloved landmark near Kenosha known for its castle-themed architecture and expansive cheese selection, is set to...
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Whole Foods Anchors Mellody Farm: Transforming Retail & Residential Landscape in Vernon Hills
The Mellody Farm development in Vernon Hills, anchored by the addition of Whole Foods Market and featuring a blend of...
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Rust-Oleum Expands Kenosha Warehouse with $7M Project Amid Regional Growth
Rust-Oleum’s plans for a 250,000-square-foot expansion of its Kenosha warehouse underscore the company’s continued growth and commitment to strengthening its...
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Kenosha Acquires Former Chrysler Engine Plant Site for Future Redevelopment
The city of Kenosha’s recent acquisition of the former Chrysler engine plant site is set to transform a cornerstone of...
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300 Tower Parkway in Lincolnshire Corporate Center has been Awarded the LEED Silver Certification
Lincolnshire, IL – Van Vlissingen and Co., the developers and managers of Lincolnshire Corporate Center, has been awarded the...
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HydraForce invests in 142,000 Sq. Ft. Innovation and Technology Center at The Corporate Woods
Vernon Hills, IL – HydraForce (Lincolnshire, IL) announces major expansion plans with a 142,000 square foot Innovation and Technology Center...
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800 Church Street in Lake Zurich Lease
LAKE ZURICH, IL - Van Vlissingen and Co. represented Schultz Brothers Real Estate in the leasing of 116,925 sq. ft....
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Allen Visual Systems, Inc. Expands in The Corporate Grove
BUFFALO GROVE, IL - BUFFALO GROVE, IL- Allen Visual Systems, Inc. has expanded into approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of industrial...
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Lincolnshire Corporate Center Hosts Farmer’s Market
In an ongoing effort to contribute towards a healthy, sustainable workplace, Van Vlissingen is working to partner with businesses and...
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Van Vlissingen Attends Lake County’s Green Economy Conference
Building an economy that fosters green economy jobs is critical to sustained job growth in Lake County. Regardless of...
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Village of Lincolnshire Revises Sign Code for Commercial and Industrial Buildings
The Village of Lincolnshire recently revised its code requirements for signs at commercial and industrial buildings. In response to concerns raised...
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IMAGETEC L.P. Leases New Office Space in One Overlook Point, Lincolnshire Corporate Center
IMAGETEC L.P., one of the nation’s largest office equipment dealers, has opened their fifth Chicago area branch location in...
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Jump!Zone Leases Space in The Corporate Grove, Buffalo Grove, IL
Jump!Zone, a children's party and play center has leased 12,723 sq. ft. of industrial warehouse space in The Corporate Grove...
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BioSante Pharmaceuticals Expands in Lincolnshire Corporate Center
BioSante Pharmaceuticals recently expanded into over 20,000 sq. ft. of office space in 111 Barclay Boulevard in Lincolnshire Corporate Center....
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