Buy, Sell, & Lease Industrial Space in Evanston

Evanston, IL, offers a rare industrial real estate opportunity along Chicago’s North Shore—blending urban accessibility, strong infrastructure, and a dynamic local economy. Just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago and with direct access to Ridge Avenue, Green Bay Road, and nearby expressways like I-94, Evanston provides convenient logistics and workforce access for small to mid-sized industrial users.

While better known for its vibrant downtown and academic presence, Evanston also supports a niche industrial market. The area features a mix of small-bay warehouses, flex buildings, and light manufacturing facilities—perfect for companies in specialized production, urban logistics, creative fabrication, and e-commerce. Its industrial stock is limited but valuable, particularly for owner-users and investors seeking long-term operational stability in a highly educated and transit-rich environment.

Whether you’re looking to buy a well-located facility, lease efficient industrial space, or sell a property you’ve outgrown, Evanston offers a compelling alternative to the more congested North Side or far-flung suburban markets. With an engaged community, strong municipal infrastructure, and direct Metra and CTA access, Evanston continues to attract businesses that value access, talent, and proximity to both urban and suburban markets.

Meet Our Evanston Industrial Space Experts

As Vice President of Sales and Leasing, Gordon Lamphere J.D. guides our industrial real estate brokerage team.

Gordon’s advice is regularly featured in local and national press, and industry leaders recognize him as an industrial real estate expert.

He hosts Chicagoland’s Top Commercial Real Estate Podcast (The Real Finds Podcast) and is globally recognized for his industrial transactional and commercial real estate marketing expertise.

• Listen To The Podcast
• Follow Gordon’s Socials

How We Serve Your Industrial Real Estate Needs in Evanston

Our agents do more than open doors, they act as strategic advisors throughout every step of your industrial real estate journey in Evanston.

Access Off-Market Opportunities:
Evanston’s limited industrial inventory and close proximity to Chicago make it a highly competitive submarket. As a result, many desirable industrial properties never reach public listings. Our team maintains strong relationships with local owners, developers, and landlords, giving our clients exclusive access to off-market deals, especially important in a tight, high-demand environment like Evanston.

Negotiate Favorable Terms:
Whether you’re leasing a flex space or purchasing a light industrial facility, we help you secure competitive terms. Our team is skilled in structuring leases and purchase agreements that include flexible occupancy dates, tenant improvement allowances, and favorable pricing. In Evanston, where demand often exceeds supply, this expertise gives you a meaningful advantage.

Navigate Zoning and Permitting Challenges:
Evanston’s mix of residential, institutional, and commercial development means zoning and compliance can be complex. Our agents understand local land use regulations, permitting requirements, and adaptive reuse potential. We help clients streamline approvals, avoid costly delays, and ensure that their property use aligns with city guidelines.

Deliver Real-Time Market Insights:
We continuously monitor Evanston’s industrial market, tracking trends in rental rates, building conversions, and redevelopment activity. Our data-driven approach ensures that you make well-informed decisions when leasing, buying, or selling industrial space in this evolving and competitive market.

We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re looking to scale operations, invest in a niche property, or reposition an asset, our team is ready to help you navigate Evanston’s industrial landscape with confidence and clarity.

Buying Industrial Space in Evanston

Why Buy Industrial Real Estate in Evanston?

Evanston offers a rare industrial real estate opportunity along Chicago’s North Shore—ideal for businesses that value proximity to the city, access to talent, and an urban-suburban balance. Located just 12 miles from downtown Chicago and accessible via CTA, Metra, and key arterial roads like Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road, Evanston is well-positioned for companies involved in light manufacturing, creative production, and urban logistics.

Although industrial space in Evanston is limited, the existing inventory includes small-bay warehouses, flex spaces, and uniquely zoned facilities that are often embedded within mixed-use neighborhoods. This makes Evanston especially attractive for owner-users, mission-driven businesses, and investors seeking long-term value in a stable, high-demand market.

With its educated workforce, proximity to Northwestern University, and strong community infrastructure, Evanston provides operational advantages that extend well beyond the loading dock.

Key Considerations for Evanston Industrial Buyers

Proximity to Transportation:
Evanston benefits from direct public transit via CTA and Metra, and it’s a short drive to both I-94 and Lake Shore Drive. For businesses requiring access to Chicago and the North Shore, this makes freight and workforce movement highly efficient.

Zoning and Compliance:
Evanston has a unique zoning landscape, especially for industrial and mixed-use facilities. Whether your business involves production, storage, or R&D, it’s essential to ensure zoning compliance and understand any restrictions on hours of operation, noise, or emissions.

Property Condition:
Many of Evanston’s industrial buildings are older but structurally sound. Carefully assess the roof, mechanicals, electrical systems, and loading access. Adaptive reuse potential may be strong, but upgrades are often needed to meet modern operational needs.

Room for Expansion:
Given Evanston’s dense and built-out character, expansion options are limited. However, some properties offer flexible layouts or adjacent parcels. If you anticipate growth, work with our team to identify scalable assets or nearby supplemental space.

We’re Here to Help
If you’re ready to explore industrial ownership in Evanston, our team will help you identify opportunities, assess risks, and navigate every step of the acquisition process with clarity and confidence.

Selling Industrial Space in Evanston

Maximizing the Value of Your Industrial Property

Selling industrial property in Evanston presents a unique opportunity to capture premium value in one of the most supply-constrained and desirable submarkets along Chicago’s North Shore. With limited industrial inventory and strong demand from owner-users, creative makers, logistics companies, and mission-driven organizations, Evanston industrial properties are highly sought after.

Our team specializes in helping Evanston property owners unlock the full potential of their assets through strategic positioning, deep local expertise, and a tailored marketing approach. We maintain an active network of qualified buyers—from private users and developers to institutional investors—ensuring your property is seen by the right audience and sold efficiently at the best possible price.

Steps to Selling Industrial Space in Evanston

Property Evaluation:
We begin by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your asset, considering recent sales in Evanston and neighboring North Shore markets, zoning restrictions, building condition, and submarket trends. This analysis helps us position your property strategically and set a competitive, market-responsive asking price.

Effective Marketing:
Given the limited industrial stock in Evanston, well-targeted marketing is essential. We highlight your property’s unique attributes—whether it’s proximity to transit, power infrastructure, redevelopment potential, or historic character—using digital platforms, direct buyer outreach, and our internal database of active investors and users.

Negotiation and Closing:
We handle every stage of the deal, from buyer qualification to contract negotiation and final closing. Our team ensures your interests are protected, the deal structure aligns with your financial objectives, and all legal and administrative steps are completed smoothly—so you can move forward with confidence.

We’re Here to Help
If you’re ready to sell your industrial property in Evanston, our team is here to help you navigate the process with precision and professionalism. From valuation through closing, Van Vlissingen & Co. provides expert guidance every step of the way.

Leasing Industrial Space in Evanston

Flexible Leasing Options for Growing Businesses

Leasing industrial space in Evanston allows businesses to expand in a strategically located, transit-connected, and creatively driven North Shore community. Whether you’re looking for a small production shop, a flexible warehouse, or a uniquely zoned industrial space embedded within a mixed-use district, Evanston offers limited but valuable leasing opportunities that support both operational agility and long-term brand positioning.

Just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago and served by Metra, CTA, and major roads like Green Bay Road and Ridge Avenue, Evanston is ideal for businesses that require proximity to the city without compromising access to a highly educated workforce and well-established infrastructure. Many industrial properties in Evanston feature adaptable layouts, high ceilings, heavy power, and buildout flexibility—ideal for light manufacturing, e-commerce, creative fabrication, and specialty food production.

Evanston Leasing Considerations

Lease Structure:
Evanston industrial leases can vary from gross to modified gross or triple-net (NNN), each with distinct cost responsibilities for taxes, maintenance, and insurance. Our team helps you evaluate the best structure for your operational and financial goals, ensuring transparency and predictability.

Lease Term:
Whether you need the stability of a long-term lease or the flexibility to grow or pivot, we help structure terms that support your business plan. We also review critical clauses like renewal options and rent escalations so you’re prepared for future growth.

Tenant Improvements:
Many Evanston landlords—especially in adaptive reuse spaces—are open to tenant improvement (TI) allowances. We help you negotiate upgrades to office space, production areas, or mechanical systems, ensuring your facility is functional, efficient, and tailored to your needs.

Expansion Opportunities:
Space in Evanston is limited, but smart planning can make growth manageable. We help you identify properties with built-in expansion options or landlords who control nearby properties, giving you a pathway to scale without disruption.

We’re Here to Help
If you’re exploring leasing options in Evanston’s industrial market, our team at Van Vlissingen & Co. is ready to help you find the right space and negotiate terms that set your business up for success.

Why Work with Our Team in Evanston

Local Market Expertise

Navigating Evanston’s industrial real estate landscape requires more than general market knowledge—it demands a sharp understanding of hyper-local zoning, limited building inventory, and the unique character of a North Shore city that blends residential, institutional, and commercial uses. Our team specializes in Evanston and the surrounding communities, helping businesses confidently buy, sell, and lease industrial space that aligns with their operational needs and long-term goals. Whether you’re looking for a compact production space or a flex-use facility, we guide you through each step with precision and clarity.

Access to Off-Market Opportunities

Evanston’s industrial space is limited, and competition is strong. Many high-potential properties never make it to the public market. Through our deep relationships with local property owners, developers, and institutions, we provide access to exclusive off-market opportunities. This gives you a critical advantage in identifying deals before they become widely available and avoiding the bidding wars typical of public listings.

Data-Driven Insights

We actively monitor Evanston’s evolving industrial landscape—including leasing trends, redevelopment activity, zoning updates, and owner-user movements. Our data-driven approach ensures you’re always making informed decisions, whether you’re evaluating lease options, preparing to sell, or seeking a long-term investment in one of Chicagoland’s most unique and supply-constrained markets.

We’re Here to Help

From small business owners to institutional investors, our team is equipped to support your objectives in Evanston’s industrial market. Whether you’re expanding, relocating, or repositioning an asset, we offer the insight, access, and strategy to deliver results with confidence.

Amenities in Evanston

Evanston offers a unique blend of urban energy and small-town charm, making it one of the most vibrant and livable communities along Chicago’s North Shore. With its rich cultural scene, strong transportation infrastructure, and highly educated workforce, Evanston is an ideal location to live, work, and invest in commercial and industrial real estate. Key highlights include:

Downtown Evanston:
A bustling, walkable district filled with local boutiques, national retailers, acclaimed restaurants, and cafes. With access to both Metra and CTA trains, downtown Evanston serves as both a business hub and a lifestyle destination.

Northwestern University:
A globally recognized research institution that brings talent, innovation, and economic vitality to Evanston. The university’s presence fuels demand for commercial space and creates opportunities for tech, R&D, and light industrial users with university partnerships.

Lake Michigan Lake Front:

Evanston’s scenic lakefront features walking and biking trails, beaches, and green space that contribute to a high quality of life. Nearby parks like James Park and Lovelace Park add recreational value for residents and employees alike.

Historic Architecture & Adaptive Reuse:
Evanston is known for its preserved architecture and creative reuse of older buildings. Many industrial properties offer unique charm and functionality for businesses seeking space that blends history with modern efficiency.

Evanston’s rare combination of cultural richness, transportation access, and community amenities makes it a compelling market for industrial users and investors. Whether you’re looking to lease warehouse space, buy an owner-user facility, or sell an industrial asset, Van Vlissingen & Co. is ready to guide you through the Evanston market with insight and confidence.

Contact Us Today

Exploring industrial real estate in Evanston, IL? Our commercial real estate agents and property management professionals are here to help. Contact Van Vlissingen & Co. today to discover how we can support your goals in this dynamic market.