CHICAGO—As reported in GlobeSt.com, the demand for class A distribution buildings that provide more than 300,000 square feet of space has soared in many US markets, and experts believe developers will continue to build at a robust pace at least through the end of 2017. This is especially true in the Chicago region, which, even more than other core markets, has seen e-commerce drive demand for new product.

The importance of e-commerce in Chicago is illustrated by the central role of Amazon. In 2016, the internet giant signed 30% of the new big-box leases in Chicago, according to the new report on the sector by Colliers International. And the firm's activity increased as the year progressed. Amazon leased a total of two million square feet across three properties during the fourth quarter, including a 747,000 square foot spec project at Laraway Crossings Business Park in Joliet.

There are 300 big-box buildings in Chicago, totaling 167 million square feet, according to Colliers. Nearly 41 million people live within a 250-mile radius of Chicago's industrial core, and that has brought occupiers into the market in droves. The region saw nearly 13 million square feet of occupancy gains within the big-box sector in the past year alone.