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                                                                     EXHIBIT 99









                  FIRST INDUSTRIAL NAMES MICHAEL W. BRENNAN
                    PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


CHICAGO, November 11, 1998 - First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) has
announced that Michael T. Tomasz, 56, has resigned as the Company's President
and Chief Executive Officer and as a Director to pursue other personal and
business interests.  Effective immediately, the Board of Directors has
appointed Michael W. Brennan, 41, as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Brennan, a co-founder and director of First Industrial, previously served as
Chief Operating Officer.  Before co-founding First Industrial, Brennan served
as a president and executive officer in two of the Company's predecessors.
Brennan has 19 years experience in industrial real estate operations,
investment and management.

Tomasz commented, "To achieve First Industrial's next level of success, I
believe this is a well-timed opportunity for me to step down and usher in a new
era of leadership.  Mike Brennan, as both COO of the Company and my close
partner for 12 years, has proven himself dynamic, dedicated and resourceful.
He will do an excellent job managing the organization, which is primed to build
upon and operate its national franchise.  I have every confidence that Mike, in
his expanded role, will further promote First Industrial's operational
excellence."

Brennan said, "Mike Tomasz has built First Industrial from its inception in
1994 to a national, $2.7 billion corporation.  I would like to thank him for
his vision to establish First Industrial as the country's premier owner and
operator of industrial real estate.  He has graciously agreed to be available
to consult with the Company during this transition period.  I am very pleased
to be able to serve in this more extensive capacity and continue this vision."

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. is a fully integrated, self-advised real
estate company that owns and operates 70 million square feet of industrial real
estate in the U.S.  The Company's strategy is to create shareholder value
through the operation of its national franchise, focusing on superior localized
customer service, operational efficiencies, low-risk developments, and
strategic and opportunity-driven acquisitions.


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