Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago

Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago
Name	Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago
Formation	19XX
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Region served	Chicago metropolitan area
Membership	Commercial real estate owners and managers
Leader title	President
Parent organization	Building Owners and Managers Association International

Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago is a regional trade association representing owners, managers, and developers of commercial real estate in the Chicago metropolitan area. The organization engages with property professionals, municipal officials, and corporate tenants to influence building operations, leasing, and development in the Loop and suburban business districts. It interacts with institutions across finance, law, transportation, and urban planning to shape Chicago’s commercial built environment.

History

Founded in the 20th century during a period of skyscraper expansion, the association developed alongside landmark projects such as Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, Rand McNally Building, Willis Tower, and Aon Center. Its early leaders collaborated with figures associated with Chicago Board of Trade, Railroad Exchange Building, and construction firms tied to Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. Through mid-century responses to zoning changes, the group engaged with policymakers linked to Chicago Plan Commission, Mayor Richard J. Daley, and agencies influenced by New Deal infrastructure programs. In the late 20th century it navigated office market shifts after events related to Interstate Highway System expansions and the relocation of corporate headquarters such as Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Motorola. Into the 21st century, the organization responded to regulatory trends from City of Chicago, energy policies influenced by Illinois Commerce Commission, and resilience efforts prompted by incidents associated with Northeastern blackout of 2003.

Organization and Membership

The association’s membership spans owners, asset managers, facilities directors, and hospitality executives from firms like CBRE Group, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and regional landlords tied to Baird & Warner and The John Buck Company. Members include legal counsel from firms such as Jones Day and Sidley Austin, finance teams from Northern Trust and Bank of America, and engineering consultants connected to Arup and Jacobs Engineering Group. Institutional members intersect with property insurers like AIG and rating agencies such as Moody's Investors Service. Governance structures reference practices common to Building Owners and Managers Association International affiliates, with boards that include executives who previously held roles at Chicago Transit Authority and Metra.

Programs and Services

Programs address operations, sustainability, and tenant relations, often paralleling initiatives by U.S. Green Building Council, Environmental Protection Agency, and standards promulgated by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Services include benchmarking tied to protocols used by Energy Star and reporting consistent with frameworks from Global Reporting Initiative and CDP (organization). The association offers vendor sourcing similar to procurement practices at United Technologies Corporation facilities, risk management guidance reflecting models from Marsh & McLennan Companies, and cybersecurity briefings referencing standards from National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Advocacy and Government Relations

Advocacy activities engage with elected officials from City of Chicago, Cook County Board of Commissioners, and state lawmakers at the Illinois General Assembly. The organization lobbies on tax policy related to property assessed valuation debates, building code revisions linked to International Code Council updates, and transit-oriented development issues connected to Chicago Transit Authority and Metra plans. It submits testimony to committees influenced by leaders with ties to Office of the Mayor of Chicago and participates in coalitions alongside Chicago Federation of Labor and business groups like Chicago Chamber of Commerce.

Events and Education

The association hosts conferences, panel discussions, and trade shows at venues such as McCormick Place and meeting spaces within Chicago Cultural Center. Educational programs include courses similar to those offered by IREM and workshops that reference curriculum from Cornell University and University of Illinois Chicago. Networking events attract corporate real estate executives from Exelon and Walgreens Boots Alliance, facilities managers from United Airlines, and sustainability specialists who have worked on projects involving Chicago Riverwalk revitalization.

Certifications and Standards

The association promotes certifications aligned with credentials from Building Owners and Managers Association International, LEED, WELL Building Standard, and accreditation schemes administered by ANSI. It encourages compliance with local ordinances such as Chicago’s benchmarking ordinance and standards comparable to those from ASHRAE and National Fire Protection Association. Members pursue professional designations reminiscent of RPA and FMA offerings, while building certifications reference audits performed in accordance with ISO 50001 and reporting consistent with SEC climate disclosure considerations.

Notable Projects and Initiatives

Notable initiatives include multi-property sustainability programs that mirror retro-commissioning efforts at Chicago Transit Authority facilities, tenant engagement campaigns modeled on strategies used by Amazon workplaces, and resilience planning referencing case studies from Hurricane Sandy. The association partnered on downtown security and emergency preparedness exercises involving Chicago Police Department and coordinated building reopening guidelines in responses comparable to public health advisories issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Illinois Department of Public Health. Collaborations with developers contributed to renewal projects in neighborhoods near Navy Pier, South Loop, and River North.

Category:Organizations based in Chicago Category:Real estate industry trade groups