North Side Commercial Leasing and Sales: Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown and Andersonville

Choosing a commercial space on Chicago's North Side comes down to the street in front of it. A storefront on a busy corner works differently than an office above a side-street shop, and a block near the lake is different from one near the Clark Street shops. I'm Daniel Ledo with The ZIP Group team at RE/MAX Premier, and I help business owners, investors and property owners lease, buy and sell commercial space in four North Side neighborhoods: Rogers Park, Edgewater, Uptown and Andersonville.

Who I help

• Tenants looking for a storefront, office, studio or showroom for a small business or professional practice.
• Buyers and investors looking at small mixed-use and commercial buildings.
• Property owners who want to lease or sell a storefront or building and need it marketed well.

I work with you from the first walk-through through the letter of intent and the lease or contract. If you're not sure yet whether to lease or buy, we can talk through both.

The four neighborhoods

Rogers Park. Clark Street and the streets around it hold many of the neighborhood's small storefronts, with a steady mix of local shops, services and eateries. Corner spaces here can offer windows and exposure on two streets, which matters for retail and showroom uses.

Edgewater. Broadway and Sheridan Road are the main commercial corridors, running through a dense residential area close to the lakefront. Spaces here often suit neighborhood-serving businesses such as professional services, studios and small retail.

Uptown. Broadway and Sheridan Road run through Uptown as well, alongside the area's well-known entertainment district. Space on these corridors can work for businesses that want to be near both the transit stops and the neighborhood's foot traffic.

Andersonville. Clark Street is the center of Andersonville's shopping and dining district, with many small independent businesses along it. For a tenant that wants to sit among them, the block you pick makes a real difference.

CTA buses and the Red Line serve this part of the North Side, so check the nearest stop to any space you're considering.

What to look at before you lease or buy

1. Zoning and permitted use. Confirm that your business is allowed at the address before you spend money on a build-out. I'll point you to the right city resources, and you or your attorney should verify the details.
2. Lease structure. Ask what is included in the rent and what the tenant pays separately, such as taxes, insurance, building maintenance and utilities. "Gross" and "net" can mean different things from one lease to the next.
3. Frontage and visibility. Look at the windows, the corner exposure, the signage options and the sidewalk traffic at the hours your customers will visit.
4. Condition and systems. Check heating, cooling, electrical and layout, and ask what the landlord will and won't do before you move in.
5. Term and flexibility. Ask early about lease length, renewal options and what happens if you need to grow.
6. Licensing. Your business may need city licenses or inspections before it can open. Start that process early.

Featured: 6600 N Clark St, Rogers Park

My commercial listings include two storefronts at 6600 and 6602 N Clark St, at Clark and Albion in Rogers Park. They have large storefront windows, central air conditioning and flexible floor plans that can suit retail, professional services, a studio or an office. For photos, details and current availability, see the 6600–6602 N Clark St listing page.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work with first-time business owners? Yes. I can walk you through how a commercial lease works, what to ask a landlord and who else to bring in, such as an attorney or an accountant.

Do you help property owners sell or lease? Yes. I market the space, handle showings and negotiate with interested tenants or buyers.

Talk to me

If you're thinking about leasing, buying or selling commercial space on the North Side, call or text me at 312-219-5921. Tell me what kind of business you run, which neighborhoods you like and when you'd like to be in a space, and I'll take it from there.

Daniel Ledo, The ZIP Group team at RE/MAX Premier. Equal Housing Opportunity.