Chicago continues to be a strong draw for financial services and healthcare companies, as a number of “green” companies are eschewing the coasts and moving here as well. One of them, DBT, is the #1 electric vehicle charging station manufacturer in Europe; they’ve just announced a new U.S. subsidiary in Chicago. DBT will be joined by two other “green” names – Native Foods Café and the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Chicago keeps growing thanks to a diversified field of businesses that want to call our city home. Here’s a list of companies that have grown here over the past 3 months:

AlphaMetrix Group LLC has expanded to approximately 40,000 square feet at 181 W. Madison St. The firm is expanding from the 34th floor of the building to occupy a portion of the 33rd floor at the 50-story building.

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios recently closed on a 450,000-square-foot building to create film studio and soundstages at the 48-acre Ryerson plant campus on Chicago’s Southwest Side, with plans for continued expansion at the site.  Last year, “Transformers” and the “Chicago Code” as well as other productions filmed there while Cinespace rented the space. Currently the new cable drama “Boss” is filming at the site.

DBT, the No. 1 electric vehicle charging station manufacturer in Europe, opened a new U.S. subsidiary in Chicago.

Euro USA has purchased a 35,748-square-foot, Class A food processing facility at 4430 South Tripp St.

GolinHarris and Weber Shandwick, two international PR agencies, are moving to the John Hancock Center at 875 N. Michigan Ave., where their New York-based parent, Interpublic Group of Cos., leased about 140,000 square feet for the two firms.

Groupon added another 150,000 square feet at 303 E. Wacker Dr. and extended its short-term lease through May 2012; the company now leases a total of 196,189 square feet in the 27-story building.

Groupon signed a 220,000-square-foot sublease deal that more than doubles its River North headquarters in the 600 W. Chicago Ave. (“600 West”) complex.

HDI-Gerling America Insurance Co., the U.S. unit of a German insurance company is expanding its offices by 50% in a move to 161 N. Clark St.

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a non-profit that promotes efficient energy usage in 13 Midwest states, is expanding and moving its headquarters to the Civic Opera Building. The organization has leased 8,800 square feet on the 13th floor at 20 N. Wacker Dr., and plans to move there next month from its 5,000-square-foot office at 645 N. Michigan Ave.

Native Foods Café, a California vegan restaurant chain, is entering the Chicago market; moving its headquarters from Palm Desert, Calif. to a River North office building.

Northstar Lottery Group, the private partnership taking over the Illinois Lottery, has opened its headquarters in the Loop, leasing 6,515 square feet at 180 N. LaSalle St.

Nuva-Reach Scrap has purchased a 34,000-square-foot crane building on 5.37 acres of land in the Pullman neighborhood.

Pierce & Associates, a law firm, signed a lease renewal and expansion for 80,000 square feet at 1 N. Dearborn St.

PNC Bank signed an extension and expansion deal at One North Franklin. PNC currently has approximately 80,000 square feet in the tower and plans to expand to nearly 116,000 square feet.

Red Frog Events, has signed a 21,756-square-foot lease at 555 W. 14th Pl.

Stifel Nicolaus is undertaking a 50,000-square-foot office build-out of the company’s Chicago office, within Three First National Plaza at 70 W. Madison St.

Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc., a division of Thomson Reuters, signed a new lease for 40,695 square feet on the 14th floor of 1 N. Dearborn St. where it is relocating from Evanston.

University Health System Consortium , an organization of university hospitals which provides group buying and consulting services, is moving its headquarters downtown to Wacker Drive from Oak Brook.

Wells Fargo & Co. signed a 17-year lease for 300,000 square feet at 10 S. Wacker Dr. The company is consolidating its wealth management and wholesale banking operations from five buildings.

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Photo CC By afunkydamsel on Flickr