Quantcast

Chicago City Wire

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

City Council lowers occupancy thresholds for high-rise office signage

Webp qf60hbcwuhqs57jrlzn0wjj9702h

Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | City of Chicago Website

Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | City of Chicago Website

An amended ordinance approved by City Council today eases the requirements for high-rise office tenants to obtain business identification signs on their buildings' exteriors. Previously, only tenants occupying at least 350,000 square feet or 51% of a building’s square footage were eligible. The new amendment reduces these thresholds to 250,000 square feet or 36%, respectively.

The change aims to better reflect the footprints of principal tenants in high-rise buildings post-Covid and to increase the appeal of larger leases in the downtown office core. High-rise signs are located 150 feet or more above a building’s base at grade, with increasing sizes permitted depending on a sign’s location above the ground. Other sign provisions in the ordinance remain unchanged.

The proposal was introduced to City Council by Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) in consultation with the Department of Planning and Development and World Business Chicago.

MORE NEWS