Sargent & Lundy’s continued growth in the power and energy sector is fueling rapid hiring in Chicago and around the globe. Over the past year, the firm has added more than 300 new local roles tied to its headquarters move and is planning to hire approximately 200 additional Chicago-based employees, alongside more than 1,500 openings worldwide, to meet rising demand for energy and power expertise.
To accommodate this momentum, the firm is once again expanding its future headquarters at 77 W. Wacker Drive. Building on a historic lease announced in late 2024, Sargent & Lundy is adding three additional floors totaling roughly 66,000 square feet, bringing its planned footprint in the 51-story tower to nearly 448,000 square feet – about 60% more space than its longtime headquarters at 55 E. Monroe St.
This latest expansion has drawn significant coverage from Crain’s Chicago Business, The Real Deal, CoStar News, Bisnow, and Bloomberg, which are highlighting Sargent & Lundy as a “rare growth story” in a downtown office market still grappling with high vacancies and hybrid work trends. Reporters point to three reasons this story is gaining attention:
- While many companies are shrinking or relocating, Sargent & Lundy is significantly increasing its downtown footprint and helping push 77 W. Wacker close to full occupancy.
- The firm’s multi-year hiring plans in Chicago underscore long-term confidence in the city and the continued need for specialized energy and power expertise.
- City and business leaders are citing Sargent & Lundy’s lease as evidence that downtown Chicago remains attractive to expanding employers, even amid high-profile corporate downsizing and relocations.