Business Specialties

Colliers: Outside Factors Force Manhattan Office Pause

Describing the larger real estate picture around the United States as “tenuous,” a new report by Colliers International says the supply-and-demand balance of the Manhattan office market will remain virtually unchanged in the first few months of 2012 due to the combined impact of the larger worldwide economic situation.

Vornado, HFZ Buy Upper East Side Apartment Building for $170M

A joint venture of Vornado Capital Partners and HFZ Capital Group has purchased 11 E. 68th St. in New York City for $170 million plus closing costs and adjustments.

Economy Watch: Employment Trend Index Up, Home Prices Down

Six of eight components of the Employment Trend Index showed positive growth in December. Total U.S. consumer borrowing rose $20.4 billion in November alone. And amid new fears of Greek insolvency, investors are pouring money into Germany.

Nike Plans 600 KSF Move to Tishman’s New Shanghai Campus

Following increased demand for its products in China, Nike has just announced plans to build a 600,000-square-foot corporate campus in Shanghai that will be located in Tishman Speyer’s $2.5 billion The Springs development.

General Services Administration Signs 254 KSF Lease in D.C.

The U.S. Small Business Association is staying put in its digs at the 420,100-square-foot Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C., as the U.S. General Services Administration just entered into a new lease renewal agreement with Vornado/Charles E. Smith for the SBA’s approximately 254,300-square-foot headquarters at the office property.

Oak Grove Capital Originates $45M Fannie Mae Loan for Florida Apartments

Oak Grove Capital’s financing origination spree for apartment properties continues as the mortgage lender completes a $45M Fannie Mae affordable loan for The Waves, a 488-unit rental community in Plantation, Fla.

2012 Seniors Housing Preview with Mel Gamzon

Longtime seniors housing real estate expert Mel Gamzon offers insights into the seniors housing market. 2011 was a big year for seniors housing and healthcare REITs, and Mel explores what strategies companies are likely to develop in 2012.

American Healthcare, Griffin Capital Complete Transfer of Grubb Healthcare REIT

Grubb & Ellis has finalized the transfer of the dealer and advisory agreements of its REIT — formerly the Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT II — to a co-sponsorship between American Healthcare Investors and Griffin Capital.

Grubb & Ellis Gets Bumped from NYSE, Now Trades OTC

The New York Stock Exchange has delisted Grubb & Ellis Co., the long-beleaguered services and investment firm, whose common stock began trading over-the-counter on Friday, on the OTCQB marketplace operated by OTC Markets Group.

Hines Takes 255 KSF Minnesota Office Building for $70M

Hines Global REIT has picked up a premier 254,900-square-foot office property in Minneapolis with a $69.5 million sale-leaseback transaction with Cargill Inc.