CME to Sell Chicago Board of Trade Building

CME Group CME today announced that it has hired Jones Lang LaSalle and Holly Duran Real Estate Partners LLC to market the historic Chicago Board of Trade Building, located in the city's Financial District, for sale. The landmark property, called "one of Chicago's great skyscrapers" by the Chicago Tribune, is composed of three buildings, including the main tower (north building), the "Annex" (south building) and the east building. The 1.4 million-square-foot north and south buildings are being offered as a partial sale-leaseback. CME Group will retain ownership of the east building, including the financial product trading facilities and office space, and will enter into a long-term lease of the agricultural commodities trading facilities and certain office space in the north building. "CME Group remains committed to our floor based membership and open outcry trading services, which continue to be a profitable part of our business and serve our customers well," said Jamie Parisi, CME Group Chief Financial Officer. "The sale of the Chicago Board of Trade north and south buildings will enable CME Group to continue to reinvest in our core derivatives business while still leasing about 150,000 square feet in the north and south buildings, including the agricultural trading floor. CME Group will continue to own and occupy the 288,000 square foot east building."