Yale University’s new Sculpture Building has been named to the American Institute of Architect’s top ten green projects of 2008 list. The building, designed by architects Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake, also earned a platinum LEED certificate. Both recognitions are for the building’s sustainable architecture and, in particular, its innovative energy-saving “envelope.” The envelope was designed and made by Newington, Conn.-based Schuco USA , a subsidiary of the German parent company, Schuco International.The Sculpture Building is part of a major campus-wide initiative. Yale has stated a commitment to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below 1990…

Less than a month after the launch of Thompson National Properties L.L.C., the firm has acquired two Dallas Class B office buildings as the company’s first acquisition on behalf of the Bruin Fund, a $250 million opportunity fund. The properties, Oakwood Tower and One Lee Park West, were acquired for an undisclosed amount. Located in the Uptown/Turtle Creek submarket, the buildings total approximately 118,400 leasable square feet. Built in 1964 and 1972, the properties are designed for smaller tenants ranging from 500 to 6,000 square feet. The buildings are considered value added because rents are 30 to 40 percent below…

The New South Ocean Development Co. will erect a $1 billion luxury resort on 385 acres along the pristine southwestern coast of New Providence Island in Nassau, Bahamas. To be developed at a cost of over $1 billion, the New South Ocean Resort will occupy the last of three parcels in the area designated by officials of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for full-scale casino and hotel operations. Details of New South Ocean’s offerings have not been set in stone, however, the resort will feature upscale hotel rooms, a casino, retail, residences, conference facilities, a tennis center, a mega-yacht marina…

Equibase Capital Group L.L.C. and WestCorp Management Group have partnered to create a strategic joint venture that will pursue multi-family investment opportunities throughout the United States. The JV will focus on “value-add and opportunistic investment situations including direct asset acquisitions and purchases of performing and non-performing debt,” according to a prepared statement. “Equibase has had a long and successful track record investing with [WestCorp chairman] Kenneth M. Woolley and his team in both multi-family and self-storage assets,” Michael Husman, managing principal of Equibase, said in the statement. The JV will not be a separate corporate entity, an Equibase spokesperson told…

Capital Growth Madison Marquette of Minneapolis and DRA Properties L.L.C., an Ankeny, Iowa-based real estate company, have formed a partnership to develop about 500,000 square feet of retail space in Ankeny. The retail space will be part of a larger mixed-use development, the 1,031-acre Prairie Trail, which is being developed by DRA on the former site of the Iowa State University research farm. The master plan for Prairie Trail calls for two retail components. Town Center at Prairie Trail, a lifestyle center, will feature fashion anchors, restaurants and a mix of regional and national merchants. There will also be a…

Has JPMorgan Chase finally backed off on plans to build an office tower at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan? That may be happening despite word two months ago that the Wall Street giant would still develop a skyscraper on the site of the former Deutsche Bank building even though it had agreed to acquire troubled Bear Stearns and its Midtown office tower and trading floors at 383 Madison Ave. JPMorgan Chase officials had reportedly assured the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, lead agency for the World Trade Center redevelopment, that it would develop the…

The market, the industry and the way we communicate and seek news and information is changing. And now, so are we.The widespread use of the Internet, e-newsletters, RSS feeds and 24-hour cable news channels has added an immediate delivery aspect to the news cycle. With so many different opportunities to serve you better, we’re happy to announce that there’s a new CPN coming your way.As always, we will continue to provide perspective on breaking news, in-depth analysis of headlines and industry trends, along with actionable data and conversations with and about industry thought leaders—in print, online and face to face….

Expectations for the single-tenant retail market remain positive despite cooling economic growth and lingering concerns over the housing slowdown. This year, retail sales are expected to advance at their slowest rate since 2001, as fewer homeowners tap home-equity lines of credit to finance large purchases. Consumer spending will decelerate most severely within markets that are heavily impacted by housing- and employment-related weaknesses.Real estate investors will likely see continued cooling in sales velocity during 2008 as cap rates rise due to a slowing economy and more conservative lending practices. Economic expansion is expected to moderate this year as the housing market…