In a plan that would see some employees relocated from Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears are seeking new office space in or near the Loop.
The Bears are undertaking the process of securing new office, as they have hired real estate brokerage firm Jones Lang LaSalle to help them find a location. Should the plan go through, it would lead to the organization’s business unit moving out of Solider Field and into an office space of roughly 10,000-15,000 square feet, affecting about 25-30 employees in the process.
Currently the Bears are hoping to complete that move by the beginning of the 2018 NFL season, and the team is reportedly looking into ways that it could reconfigure the existing office space at Soldier Field. More from Crain’s Chicago Business:
Relocating downtown staff to the Loop allows the team to maintain its proximity to business leaders in the city but also reconfigure its office space in the stadium into conference and meeting rooms that it can use for game day events or client entertainment.
“Right now in terms of meeting rooms and game day event space (at Soldier Field), we have one small boardroom we’re able to use,” said Bears Vice President of Communications Brandon Faber. “We would just like to upgrade that for our partners and clients, and also for the team.”
Finding ways to monetize and make better use of Soldier Field for its business operation has been a priority for the team, whose lease at the stadium runs through 2033. While many sports franchises are redeveloping portions inside and outside of their venues for fan and client entertainment, the Bears are limited in those efforts because the stadium is publicly owned by the Chicago Park District.
The Bears are expected to leave some stadium operations employees at Soldier Field.
Image courtesy Chicago Bears.