POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints John H. Clayton, Sherri L. Boyle and Scott A. Musil, and each of them
(with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign Forms ID or any comparable form subsequently adopted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and any amendments thereto, and Statements
of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 and Annual Statements of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership on Form 5, or any comparable forms subsequently adopted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any amendments thereto, with respect
to the undersigned's direct or indirect ownership, acquisition, disposition or
other transfer of any securities of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. or any
of its affiliates; and to file any of the above forms with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection with such matters, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or his
substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

The powers granted hereby shall be effective on and as of the date hereof and,
unless earlier revoked by written instrument, shall continue in effect for so
long as the undersigned, in his capacity as an officer and/or director of First
Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. is subject to Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder, as the same may be
amended from time to time.

Dated:  9/11/02


                                                     /s/ Gregory Downs
                                                     ------------------------
                                                     Name:  Gregory Downs
                                                     Title:  Managing Director