CHICAGO—Landlords of the thirty newest class A office buildings in downtown Chicago saw the direct vacancy rates for their properties decline over the last quarter from 10.8% to 9.9%, and the overall direct vacancy rate for the CBD sank by 30 bps, to 13.2%, according to the latest market index report published by MBRE. It marks the first time in two years that the direct vacancy rate for the index buildings went below 10%. "Leasing activity at the index buildings has decreased in recent months as the amount of available space begins to tighten," the researchers note.

Still, several notable developments concerning these thirty structures, all built between 1989 and 2009 and ranging from 372,000 square feet to 1,845,460 square feet, illustrate the significant changes in the CBD since MBRE's last report in September. Above all, the announcement that Amazon is in advanced negotiations with Tishman Speyer Properties to take over about 30,000 square feet in The Franklin at 227 W. Monroe illustrates the growing importance of tech firms.

Furthermore, "the deal would validate the $30 million in renovations that were recently completed in the building in order to attract premium tenants after losing two anchors, law firm McDermott Will & Emery and investment firm William Blair, to the newest towers under construction," according to the report.