Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Chicago?

Most cluster in The Loop. Rent runs ~52 USD/sqft ($52 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Chicago?

Typically mid at $135–195/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Chicago?

Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.

What is the talent index in Chicago?

88/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Startup tech occupiers in Chicago typically cluster in The Loop, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out ($135–195/sqft), and pay around 52 USD/sqft ($52 USD) on Class A.

Preferred submarket: The Loop.
Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($135–195/sqft).
Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 52 USD/sqft ($52 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 22 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Chicago: 88/100.

Startup tech office space in Chicago

Startup tech occupiers in Chicago typically cluster in The Loop, plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out">fit-out ($135–195/sqft), and pay around 52 USD/sqft ($52 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

Preferred submarket: The Loop.
Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($135–195/sqft).
Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 52 USD/sqft ($52 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 22 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Chicago: 88/100.

Where they cluster

Startup tech occupiers in Chicago typically anchor in The Loop. Banking, professional services, legal, insurance.

What they pay

Class A rent in Chicago runs 52 USD/sqft ($52 USD) on a 10-year lease with 22 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical startup tech fit-out targets mid specification at $135–195/sqft. Functional Cat-B with branded reception and standard meeting-room mix is standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 130 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount startups office in Chicago typically targets 13,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Series B–D scale-ups prioritize flexibility and signature loft stock to attract engineering talent away from incumbents. Deep professional-services, fintech, and trading talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 88 vs. New York.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 28.5%. Modified-gross with op-ex escalations over a base year. Rent-free 18-30 months and TI $120-$200/sqft on a 10-year term are current market.

Key facts

city	Chicago
industry	Startup tech
naics	541511, 541512, 518210
preferredSubmarket	The Loop
preferredFitoutSpec	Mid
fitoutBand	$135–195/sqft
sqftPerSeat	130
classARentLocal	52 USD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd	$52/sqft/yr
vacancyPct	24.5%
typicalLeaseYears	10
typicalRentFreeMonths	22
talentIndex	88
corporateTaxPct	28.5%

Frequently asked questions

Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Chicago?: Most cluster in The Loop. Rent runs ~52 USD/sqft ($52 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Chicago?: Typically mid at $135–195/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Chicago?: Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?: Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.
What is the talent index in Chicago?: 88/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
JLL Office Insight — JLL
Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
Savills World Research — Savills
Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

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