"It really has to do with the fact that Chicago is more of a central location," Oncor president and CEO David Ball tells GlobeSt.com. "Our companies are so spread out that we found ourselves using Chicago as a meeting location. It allows us to congregate in the US centrally and bring in Europe, as well." Through its independent firms, Oncor services over 200 markets in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Latin America.

The timing of the move also coincides with the expiration of the company's lease on its space at 1747 Pennsylvania Ave. But Oncor will not leave the city behind completely. Its local company West, Lane & Schlager Realty Advisors LLC will remain in the District. "DC has been good to us," Ball adds. "It has served us well for the four years we've been here."