Figures

Chicago Industrial Figures Q1 2026

April 9, 2026 10 Minute Read

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  • Chicago’s industrial availability rate decreased to 8.6% in Q1 2026, down 30 basis points (bps) quarter-over-quarter and up 10 bps year-over-year.

 

  • Net average asking rents increased 4.3% quarter-over-quarter and 5.2% year-over-year to $9.03 per sq. ft.

 

  • Net absorption showed positive momentum in Q1 2026, increasing to 1.6 million sq. ft., up from 121,263 sq. ft. in Q4 2025.

 

  • Construction remained steady, with 12.4 million sq. ft. currently in the pipeline. Build-to-suit projects accounted for 58% of development activity, and 43 projects totaling 4.5 million sq. ft. delivered in Q1 2026. Big-box construction represented 66% of total pipeline square footage and was largely driven by build-to-suit developments.

 

  • Leasing activity in Chicago’s industrial market totaled 12.9 million sq. ft., up from 12.4 million sq. ft. year-over-