Deerfield-based Beam Suntory is considering moving at least some of its 400-plus local employees to downtown Chicago, and vacant space in the historic Merchandise Mart is a strong contender, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
If a deal occurs, Beam Suntory, the world’s third-largest premium spirits company, would sublease space from Motorola Mobility, sources said. Motorola shrunk its footprint within the Mart last year through layoffs.
Beam Suntory spokeswoman Emily Bryson York declined to comment on a possible move.
William Moss, a spokesman for Motorola Mobility, declined to comment on potential discussions with Beam Suntory.
Since laying off about 500 workers in August, Motorola has leased about 93,000 square feet of its available 200,000 square feet and continues “to pursue multiple opportunities for the remaining space on the 16th floor,” Moss said.
In December, software company VelocityEHS announced it would sublease more than 90,000 square feet of Motorola Mobility’s space at the Mart for its global headquarters and more than 300 employees.
Several companies in recent years have left the suburbs for downtown Chicago in hopes of tapping into a younger and more diverse workforce. Last month, Kraft Heinz moved 1,500 employees from Northfield to the Aon Center. Hillshire Brands, Walgreens and AT&T have either opened downtown offices or relocated their headquarters to the city.
McDonald’s opened a River North office in April to house digital employees while retaining its longtime Oak Brook headquarters. And this summer, ConAgra Foods will move its headquarters from Omaha, Neb., to the Mart.
Beam Suntory was created when Japan’s Suntory bought Beam for about $16 billion in April 2014, bringing together American brands such as Jim Beam bourbon and Japan’s Yamazaki single-malt whiskey.
Its brands include Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbon, Canadian Club whiskey and Kakubin, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskeys as well as Courvoisier cognac.
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