Tom Koelzer
Partner & Co-Founder, Tenant Advisors
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Tenant Advisors: Chicago-based firm exclusively representing office tenants since 2004, delivering conflict-free advice to reduce tenants.
Phone (847) 778-0296
Tenant Advisors: Chicago-based firm exclusively representing office tenants since 2004, delivering conflict-free advice to reduce tenants.
Specialties
Investment Sales Broker, Tenant Rep (Office)
Property Types
Industrial, Office, Flex
Markets
Chicago
Bio
Company Profile & Professional Experience
The Tenant Advisors Difference
Tenant Advisors is a specialized commercial real estate firm dedicated exclusively to the Office sector across Greater Chicago. Unlike traditional full-service firms that represent both landlords and tenants, our primary focus is the office occupier. We provide sophisticated, data-driven workplace solutions that align a company’s physical footprint with its corporate culture and financial objectives.
In a rapidly evolving Chicago office landscape—defined by the "Flight to Quality" and the rise of hybrid work—Tenant Advisors provides the clarity and leverage necessary to secure superior terms. We do not just find space; we engineer environments where businesses thrive.
Core Geographic Expertise: Greater Chicago Office Markets
Our team maintains a granular, day-to-day presence in Chicago’s most vital office corridors. We provide deep-dive analytics and "boots on the ground" insight into the following sub-markets:
The Chicago Central Business District (CBD): Expert navigation of the West Loop, Central Loop, and River North. We understand the nuances of Class A trophy assets and creative loft conversions alike.
The O’Hare Office Corridor: Strategic representation in the high-demand areas of Rosemont, Des Plaines, and Park Ridge.
The East-West Tollway (I-88): Comprehensive coverage of the suburban office hubs in Oak Brook, Lisle, and Naperville.
The Northwest Corridor (I-90): Specialized advisory for corporate headquarters and satellite offices in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Arlington Heights.
The North Shore: Dedicated service for boutique and corporate office requirements in Evanston, Skokie, and Glenview.
Office Sector Specializations
We focus 100% of our energy on the office asset class, allowing us to master the complexities that generalists often overlook:
Tenant Representation & Relocation: Comprehensive site selection, demographic mapping, and aggressive lease negotiation.
Lease Renewals & Restructuring: Leveraging market data to force landlord concessions and rent reductions, even when staying in place.
Office Acquisitions & Dispositions: Strategic advisory for owner-users looking to purchase or sell office assets in the Chicago metro area.
Sublease & Disposition Strategies: Mitigating liability and recovering costs for companies looking to shed excess or underutilized office space.
Workplace Strategy: Consulting on space utilization, "return-to-office" trends, and the financial impact of flexible floor plans.
The Tenant Advisors Advantage
Our competitive edge is built on three pillars designed to protect the interests of the Chicago office user:
1. Aggressive Negotiation & Leverage
We understand the vacancy rates and "shadow spaces" in every Chicago sub-market. We use this data to create a competitive environment among landlords, ensuring our clients receive maximum tenant improvement (TI) allowances, significant rent abatement, and flexible expansion/contraction options.
2. Proprietary Market Intelligence
Through CoStar and our internal proprietary database, we track every Class A, B, and C office building in the region. We provide our clients with real-time "comps" and transparency regarding what landlords are actually signing for—not just their asking prices.
3. Conflict-Free Advocacy
By focusing on the tenant’s perspective, we eliminate the inherent conflicts of interest found at larger firms that represent the very landlords our clients are negotiating against. Our loyalty is singular and unwavering.
Representative Office Transactions
Headquarters Relocation: Negotiated a high-profile Class A office lease in the West Loop, securing a record-setting Tenant Improvement package and significant rent abatement.
Regional Office Expansion: Managed a 12,683 SF lease acquisition, optimizing the floor plan for maximum efficiency while reducing the client's projected annual occupancy costs.
Real Estate Developer: Facilitated a strategic office acquisition and site selection in the West Loop, navigating complex zoning and market timing to secure a flagship location.
Our Mission
Our mission is to be the premier advocate for office occupiers in Greater Chicago. We measure our success by the financial savings we secure for our clients and the operational efficiency of the workplaces we help them inhabit.
Connect With Us
If your current lease is expiring within the next 18–24 months, or if you are evaluating your Chicago office footprint, Tenant Advisors is ready to provide a complimentary Lease Audit or Market Availability Report.
Tenant Advisors
Phone: 847-778-0296
Website: tenantadvisors.com
Direct Contact: [Lead Broker Name]
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