CHICAGO—DHL, one of the world's leading postal and logistics firms, has fully reaffirmed its commitment to the O'Hare submarket. Arthur J. Rogers & Co., a partner in The CORE Network, has just brokered a 127,800-square-foot lease renewal for DHL Mail Forwarding at 100 E. Howard in Des Plaines. DHL has been located at the Des Plains property since 2005. This move follows the firm's recent 458,884-square-foot lease renewal for its cargo shipping operation at 10601 Seymour, owned by CenterPoint Properties, in Franklin Park near the O'Hare cargo entrance. Jeanne Rogers represented DHL in both negotiations while Patrick Shannon of ML Realty Partners represented ownership in the Des Plaines deal and Kit Sultz of CenterPoint Properties represented the owners of the Franklin Park property.

The latter deal was larger than any other signed in the O'Hare submarket during the first quarter of 2013, according to Colliers, and will help keep the area's market very tight. One year ago, nine buildings with over 200,000-square-feet were available for rent, but by this year's first quarter, only one remained. But speculative development has also returned. Prologis recently began demolishing a warehouse facility in nearby Elk Grove Village and plans two speculative industrial buildings with a total of 252,600-square-feet, according to Colliers. In addition, Bridge Development Partners has decided to demolish a manufacturing facility, also in Elk Grove Village, and replace it with a 123,800-square-foot speculative warehouse and distribution building.