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pharmaceutical company, COUR Pharmaceuticals, is relocating its headquarters from Skokie to Evanston as the demand for life science space in the Chicago metro area shows promise but may be nearing saturation. The company has signed a 50,000-square-foot lease at Trammell Crow Company's Evanston Labs, which will become its new headquarters by late next year.

    Trammell Crow, a subsidiary of CBRE, has invested heavily in life sciences developments in Chicago, including two facilities in Fulton Market and one in Hyde Park. The company developed Evanston Labs, a 178,800-square-foot Class A building with specialized lab spaces, which opened earlier this year. Northwestern University's proximity to the site was a key factor in its development.

    COUR Pharmaceuticals will occupy the 8th and 9th floors of the 10-story building, which features amenities such as a board room, bar and lounge, health center, and terrace. The company develops treatments for autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes.

    The demand for life science space has increased since the pandemic, but it's unclear whether this momentum will continue. Other developers are facing challenges in the sector, including Mark Goodman, who pivoted from a life sciences building to apartments in Fulton Market due to financing issues, and Sterling Bay, which listed a biotech property on Chicago's North Side after facing setbacks with its Lincoln Yards project.