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dtalem Global Education is expanding its downtown headquarters with a significant move to Willis Tower. The education company has leased 84,000 square feet across two non-contiguous floors in the iconic skyscraper at 233 South Wacker Drive, more than doubling its current space of 54,000 square feet at 500 West Monroe Street. Adtalem will use the new space for both administrative headquarters and a training center.

    This move is a boost for EQ Office, Blackstone's real estate arm and owner of Willis Tower, which has seen occupancy rates rise to 86 percent following recent renovations and upgrades. This is higher than the average downtown occupancy rate of 74 percent. JLL brokers Meredith O'Connor and Jamie Wallenberg negotiated the lease on Adtalem's behalf.

    The decision to expand instead of downsize bucks the trend in downtown Chicago, where many companies are reducing their office space. The move gives Adtalem room to grow its operational capacity, following a successful pivot to healthcare training that saw an 11.2 percent increase in student enrollment and a 13.2 percent revenue gain over the past year.

    Meanwhile, Spear Street Capital will need to address the loss of its third-largest tenant, as Adtalem moves out of its current space. Other notable office leases in Chicago this year include PwC's 10-year renewal for 280,000 square feet at 1 North Wacker Drive and Vizient's expansion of its lease at the Old Post Office to nearly 190,000 square feet.