Jeff Janda on Chicago Industrial, Client Trust, and Building Lee

Jeff Janda, SIOR, Principal at Lee & Associates of Illinois, joins Justin Smith, SIOR, on Industrial Insights to discuss Chicago industrial real estate and the relationships that have shaped his career. We cover building Lee’s Chicago office, matching clients with local expertise, O’Hare and the surrounding industrial corridors, Chicago versus California lease structures, property taxes, renewals, ownership, and mentoring the next generation. Jeff also shares lessons from his mentor and longtime partner, Jim Planey. CHAPTERS 00:00 Jeff Janda and the Chicago office 00:47 Building Lee in Chicago 03:45 Running a broker owned office 05:30 Chicago industrial geography 10:10 Serving clients across the market 14:17 Lessons from Jim Planey 15:59 Chicago and California lease structures 17:10 Cook County taxes and incentives 22:22 Institutional ownership 24:43 Rents, land, and redevelopment 28:25 Renewal negotiations 33:06 Data centers and industrial demand 34:58 Owning industrial property 38:02 Mentoring the next generation 39:34 Technology and personal relationships Map graphics use Lee & Associates’ Q2 2025 Chicago report, page 5. On-screen vacancy statistics use Lee & Associates’ Q3 2026 Chicago report, page 2. The map and data dates are shown separately. Rent examples in the conversation reflect the building and situation Jeff is discussing. Connect with Justin: https://smithcre.com/contact Episode page and clips: https://smithcre.com/podcast/jeff-janda/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bW1...