The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "seek," "target," or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have an adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
changes in national, international, regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically, changes in legislation/regulation (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts), our ability to qualify and maintain our status as a real estate investment trust, availability and attractiveness of financing (including both public and private capital) to us and to our potential counterparties, availability and attractiveness of terms of additional debt repurchases, interest rates, our credit agency ratings, our ability to comply with applicable financial covenants, competition, changes in supply and demand for industrial properties (including land, the supply and demand for which is inherently more volatile than other types of industrial property) in the Company's current and proposed market areas, difficulties in consummating acquisitions and dispositions, risks related to our investments in properties through joint ventures, environmental liabilities, slippages in development or lease-up schedules, tenant creditworthiness, higher-than-expected costs, changes in asset valuations and related impairment charges, changes in general accounting principles, policies and guidelines applicable to real estate investment trusts, international business risks and those additional factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 ("2008 Form 10-K"), in the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in this quarterly report. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak only as of the date of this report or the dates indicated in the statements. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., First Industrial, L.P. and their controlled subsidiaries. We refer to our operating partnership, First Industrial, L.P., as the "Operating Partnership." Effective September 1, 2009 , our taxable REIT subsidiary, First Industrial Investment, Inc. (the "old TRS") merged into First Industrial Investment II, LLC ("FI LLC"), which is wholly owned by the Operating Partnership. Immediately thereafter, certain assets and liabilities of FI LLC were contributed to a new subsidiary, FR Investment Properties, LLC ("FRIP"). FRIP is 1% owned by FI LLC and 99% owned by a new taxable REIT subsidiary, First Industrial Investment Properties, Inc. (the "new TRS," which, collectively with the old TRS, will be referred to as the "TRSs"), which is wholly owned by FI LLC (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company was organized in the state of Maryland on August 10, 1993. We are a real estate investment trust ("REIT") as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").

We began operations on July 1, 1994. Our operations are conducted primarily through the Operating Partnership, of which we are the sole general partner with an approximate 89.7% and 87.6% ownership interest at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, and through the old TRS prior to September 1, 2009, and FI LLC, the new TRS and FRIP subsequent to September 1, 2009. We also conduct operations through other partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies, the operating data of which, together with that of the Operating Partnership, FI LLC, FRIP and the TRSs, are consolidated with that of the Company, as presented herein. Noncontrolling interest at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 of approximately 10.3% and 12.4%, respectively, represents the aggregate partnership interest in the Operating Partnership held by the limited partners thereof.

We also own noncontrolling equity interests in, and provide services to, seven joint ventures whose purpose is to invest in industrial properties (the "2003 Net Lease Joint Venture," the "2005 Development/Repositioning Joint Venture," the "2005 Core Joint Venture," the "2006 Net Lease Co-Investment Program" the "2006 Land/Development Joint Venture," the "2007 Canada Joint Venture" and the "2007 Europe Joint Venture," together the "Joint Ventures"). The Joint Ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The 2007 Europe Joint Venture does not own any properties.

The operating data of the Joint Ventures is not consolidated with that of the Company as presented herein.

As of September 30, 2009, we owned 787 industrial properties (inclusive of developments in process) located in 28 states in the United States and one province in Canada, containing an aggregate of approximately 69.7 million square feet of gross leaseable area ("GLA").

We maintain a website at www.firstindustrial.com. Information on this website shall not constitute part of this Form 10-Q. Copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports are available without charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter, along with supplemental financial and operating information prepared by us, are all available without charge on our website or upon request to us. Amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that apply to our executive officers or directors will also be posted to our website. We also post or otherwise make available on our website from time to time other information that may be of interest to our investors. Please direct requests as follows:

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. 311 S. Wacker, Suite 4000 Chicago, IL 60606 Attn: Investor Relations

We believe our financial condition and results of operations are, primarily, a function of our performance and our Joint Ventures' performance in four key areas: leasing of industrial properties, acquisition and development of additional industrial properties, redeployment of internal capital and access to external capital.

We generate revenue primarily from rental income and tenant recoveries from long-term (generally three to six years) operating leases of our industrial properties and our Joint Ventures' industrial properties. Such revenue is offset by certain property specific operating expenses, such as real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, property management, utilities and insurance expenses, along with certain other costs and expenses, such as depreciation and amortization costs and general and administrative and interest expenses. Our revenue growth is dependent, in part, on our ability to (i) increase rental income, through increasing either or both occupancy rates and rental rates at our properties and our Joint Ventures' properties, (ii) maximize tenant recoveries and (iii) minimize operating and certain other expenses. Revenues generated from rental income and tenant recoveries are a significant source of funds, in addition to income generated from gains/losses on the sale of our properties and our Joint Ventures' properties (as discussed below), for our distributions. The leasing of property, in general, and occupancy rates, rental rates, operating expenses and certain non-operating expenses, in particular, are impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. The leasing of property also entails various risks, including the risk of tenant default. If we were unable to maintain or increase occupancy rates and rental rates at our properties and our Joint Ventures' properties or to maintain tenant recoveries and operating and certain other expenses consistent with historical levels and proportions, our revenue would decline. Further, if a significant number of our tenants and our Joint Ventures' tenants were unable to pay rent (including tenant recoveries) or if we or our Joint Ventures were unable to rent our properties on favorable terms, our

financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, our common stock would be adversely affected.

Our revenue growth is also dependent, in part, on our ability and our Joint Ventures' ability to acquire existing, and acquire and develop new, additional industrial properties on favorable terms. The Company itself, and through our various Joint Ventures, continually seeks to acquire existing industrial properties on favorable terms, and, when conditions permit, also seeks to acquire and develop new industrial properties on favorable terms. Existing properties, as they are acquired, and acquired and developed properties, as they are leased, generate revenue from rental income, tenant recoveries and fees, income from which, as discussed above, is a source of funds for our distributions. The acquisition and development of properties is impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. The acquisition and development of properties also entails various risks, including the risk that our investments and our Joint Ventures' investments may not perform as expected. For example, acquired existing and acquired and developed new properties may not sustain and/or achieve anticipated occupancy and rental rate levels. With respect to acquired and developed new properties, we may not be able to complete construction on schedule or within budget, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs and delays in leasing the properties. Also, we, as well as our Joint Ventures, face significant competition for attractive acquisition and development opportunities from other well-capitalized real estate investors, including both publicly-traded REITs and private investors. Further, as discussed below, we and our Joint Ventures may not be able to finance the acquisition and development opportunities we identify. If we and our Joint Ventures were unable to acquire and develop sufficient additional properties on favorable terms, or if such investments did not perform as expected, our revenue growth would be limited and our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, our common stock would be adversely affected.

We also generate income from the sale of our properties and our Joint Ventures' properties (including existing buildings, buildings which we or our Joint Ventures have developed or re-developed on a merchant basis and land). The Company itself and through our various Joint Ventures is continually engaged in, and our income growth is dependent in part on, systematically redeploying capital from properties and other assets with lower yield potential into properties and other assets with higher yield potential. As part of that process, we and our Joint Ventures sell, on an ongoing basis, select properties or land. The gain/loss on, and fees from, the sale of such properties are included in our income and can be a significant source of funds, in addition to revenues generated from rental income and tenant recoveries, for our operations. Also, a significant portion of our proceeds from such sales is used to fund the acquisition of existing, and the acquisition and development of new, industrial properties. The sale of properties is impacted, variously, by property specific, market specific, general economic and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. The sale of properties also entails various risks, including competition from other sellers and the availability of attractive financing for potential buyers of our properties and our Joint Ventures' properties. Further, our ability to sell properties is limited by safe harbor rules applying to REITs under the Code which relate to the number of properties that may be disposed of in a year, their tax bases and the cost of improvements made to the properties, along with other tests which enable a REIT to avoid punitive taxation on the sale of assets. If we and our Joint Ventures were unable to sell properties on favorable terms, our income growth would be limited and our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, our common stock would be adversely affected.

We utilize a portion of the net sales proceeds from property sales, borrowings under our unsecured line of credit (the "Unsecured Line of Credit") and proceeds from the issuance, when and as warranted, of additional debt and equity securities to finance future acquisitions and developments, refinance debt and to fund our equity commitments to our Joint Ventures. Access to external capital on favorable terms plays a key role in our financial condition and results of operations, as it impacts our cost of capital and our ability and cost to refinance existing indebtedness as it matures and to fund acquisitions, developments and contributions to our Joint Ventures or through the issuance, when and as warranted, of additional equity securities. Our ability to access external capital on favorable terms is dependent on various factors, including general market conditions, interest rates, credit ratings on our capital stock and debt, the market's perception of our growth potential, our current and potential future earnings and cash distributions and the market price of our capital stock. If we were unable to access external capital on

favorable terms, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends on, and the market price of, our common stock would be adversely affected.

Current Business Risks and Uncertainties

The real estate markets have been significantly impacted by recent events in the global capital markets. The current recession has resulted in downward pressure on our net operating income and has impaired our ability to sell properties.

Our Unsecured Line of Credit and the indentures under which our senior unsecured indebtedness is, or may be, issued contain certain financial covenants, including, among other things, coverage ratios and limitations on our ability to incur total indebtedness and secured and unsecured indebtedness. Consistent with our prior practice, we will, in the future, continue to interpret and certify our performance under these covenants in a good faith manner that we deem reasonable and appropriate. However, these financial covenants are complex and there can be no assurance that these provisions would not be interpreted by our lenders in a manner that could impose and cause us to incur material costs. Any violation of these covenants would subject us to higher finance costs and fees, or accelerated maturities. In addition, our credit facilities and senior debt securities contain certain cross-default provisions, which are triggered in the event that our other material indebtedness is in default. Under the Unsecured Line of Credit, an event of default can also occur if the lenders, in their good faith judgment, determine that a material adverse change has occurred which could prevent timely repayment or materially impair our ability to perform our obligations under the loan agreement.

We believe that we were in compliance with our financial covenants as of September 30, 2009, and we anticipate that we will be able to operate in compliance with our financial covenants for the remainder of 2009. However, our ability to meet our financial covenants may be reduced if economic and credit market conditions limit our property sales and reduce our net operating income below our projections. We plan to enhance our liquidity, and reduce our indebtedness, through a combination of capital retention, mortgage and equity financing, asset sales and the repayment of outstanding debt.

• Capital Retention - We plan to retain capital by distributing the minimum amount of dividends required to maintain our REIT status. We did not pay a common dividend in April 2009, July 2009 or October 2009 and may not pay dividends for the last quarter of 2009 depending on our taxable income. If we are required to pay common stock dividends for 2009, we may elect to satisfy this obligation by distributing a combination of cash and common shares.

• Mortgage Financing - During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we originated $47.1 and $201.3 million, respectively, in mortgage financings with maturities ranging from September 2014 to July 2019 and interest rates ranging from 6.42% to 7.87% (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We believe these mortgage financings comply with all covenants contained in our Unsecured Line of Credit and our senior debt securities, including coverage ratios and total indebtedness, total unsecured indebtedness and total secured indebtedness limitations. We are in active discussions with various lenders regarding the origination of additional mortgage financing and the terms and conditions thereof. We expect to use proceeds from our mortgage financings to pay down our debt. No assurances can be made that additional mortgage financing will be obtained.

• Equity Financing - During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we sold 3,034,120 shares of the company's common stock, generating approximately $15.9 million in net proceeds, under the direct stock purchase component of the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan ("DRIP"). On September 29, 2009, we agreed to sell in an underwritten public offering 12,500,000 shares, with an underwriters overallotment option to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional shares, of the Company's common stock at a price to the public of $5.25 per share (see Note 6). We may opportunistically access the equity markets again, subject to contractual restrictions, and may continue to issue shares under the direct stock purchase component of the DRIP. We expect to use the proceeds from our equity sales to reduce our indebtedness.

• Asset Sales - During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 we sold five industrial properties and several land parcels, and 11 industrial properties and several land parcels, respectively, for gross proceeds of $23.8 million and $57.2 million, respectively. We are in various stages of discussions with third parties for the sale of additional properties for the remainder of 2009 and plan to continue to market other properties for sale throughout 2009. We expect to use sales proceeds to pay down additional debt. If we are unable to sell properties on an advantageous basis, this may impair our liquidity and our ability to meet our financial covenants.

• Debt Reduction - During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased $123.7 million and $158.7 million, respectively, of our senior unsecured notes (including $19.3 million of our 2009 Notes prior to their repayment at maturity on June 15, 2009) (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) at a discount to the principal amounts of the notes. We may from time to time repay additional amounts of our outstanding debt. Any repayments would depend upon prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors we consider important. Future repayments may materially impact our liquidity, future tax liability and results of operations.

Although we believe we will be successful in meeting our liquidity needs through a combination of capital retention, mortgage and equity financing and asset sales, if we were to be unsuccessful in executing one or more of the strategies outlined above, we could be materially adversely affected.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Our net (loss) income available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s common stockholders and participating securities was $(25.1) million and $92.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively. Basic and diluted net (loss) income available to First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.'s common stockholders were $(0.56) per share and $2.10 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, respectively.

The tables below summarize our revenues, property and construction expenses and depreciation and other amortization by various categories for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008. Same store properties are properties owned prior to January 1, 2008 and held as an operating property through September 30, 2009 and developments and redevelopments that were placed in service prior to January 1, 2008 or were substantially completed for 12 months prior to January 1, 2008. Properties which are at least 75% occupied at acquisition are placed in service. All other properties are placed in service as they reach the earlier of a) stabilized occupancy (generally defined as 90% occupied), or b) one year subsequent to acquisition or development completion. Acquired properties are properties that were acquired subsequent to December 31, 2007 and held as an operating property through September 30, 2009. Sold properties are properties that were sold subsequent to December 31, 2007. (Re)Developments and land are land parcels and developments and redevelopments that were not a) substantially complete 12 months prior to January 1, 2008 or
b) placed in service prior to January 1, 2008. Other revenues are derived from the operations of our maintenance company, fees earned from our Joint Ventures and other miscellaneous revenues. Construction revenues and expenses represent revenues earned and expenses incurred in connection with the TRSs acting as general contractor or development manager to construct industrial properties and also includes revenues and expenses related to the development and sale of properties built for third parties. Other expenses are derived from the operations of our maintenance company and other miscellaneous regional expenses.

Our future financial condition and results of operations, including rental revenues, may be impacted by the future acquisition and sale of properties. Our future revenues and expenses may vary materially from historical rates.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the occupancy rates of our same store properties were 84.4% and 88.5%, respectively.

                                                    Nine Months             Nine Months
                                                       Ended                   Ended
                                                September 30, 2009      September 30, 2008      $ Change       % Change
                                                                              ($ in 000's)

REVENUES
Same Store Properties                           $           222,937     $           238,615     $ (15,678 )         (6.6 )%
Acquired Properties                                          21,083                   7,927        13,156          166.0 %
Sold Properties                                               1,730                  30,519       (28,789 )        (94.3 )%
(Re)Developments and Land, Not Included Above                17,090                   8,111         8,979          110.7 %
Other                                                        13,912                  22,422        (8,510 )        (38.0 )%

                                                $           276,752     $           307,594     $ (30,842 )        (10.0 )%
Discontinued Operations                                      (5,563 )               (34,663 )      29,100          (84.0 )%

Subtotal Revenues                               $           271,189     $           272,931     $  (1,742 )         (0.6 )%

Construction Revenues                                        52,703                 101,600       (48,897 )        (48.1 )%

Total Revenues                                  $           323,892     $           374,531     $ (50,639 )        (13.5 )%

Revenues from same store properties decreased $15.7 million due primarily to a decrease in occupancy, a decrease in tenant recoveries and a decrease of $1.6 million in lease termination fees. Revenues from acquired properties increased $13.2 million due to the 26 industrial properties acquired subsequent to December 31, 2007 totaling approximately 3.1 million square feet of GLA, as well as acquisitions of land parcels in September and October 2008 for which we receive ground rents. Revenues from sold properties decreased $28.8 million due to the 125 industrial properties sold subsequent to December 31, 2007 totaling approximately 10.5 million square feet of GLA. Revenues from (re)developments and land increased $9.0 million primarily due to an increase in occupancy. Other revenues decreased $8.5 million due primarily to a decrease in fees earned from our Joint Ventures and a decrease in fees earned related to us assigning our interest in certain purchase contracts to third parties for consideration. Construction revenues decreased $48.9 million primarily due to the substantial completion of certain development projects for which we were acting in the capacity of development manager, offset by a development project that commenced in August 2008 for which we are acting in the capacity of development manager.

                                                    Nine Months             Nine Months
                                                       Ended                   Ended
                                                September 30, 2009      September 30, 2008      $ Change       % Change
                                                                              ($ in 000's)

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENSES
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