Buchanan Street Partners, a real estate investment bank whichalso has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago andWashington, DC, is opening its sixth office in Atlanta for severalreasons, McCarthy says. The region has "economic growth, populationgrowth, and job growth--all the drivers of strong real estatetrends are evident in the southeast," he says.

The firm will be focusing on investments in retail, office,industrial and multifamily developments. Buchanan will initiallyfocus on the areas of Atlanta, Charlotte, NC and both central andsouthern Florida. "They fit our criteria for major metropolitanareas that have diversified economics and growing populations,increasing job growth and the fundamental elements which make for astrong real estate market," he says.

The firm will be investing in joint ventures with "strongregional or local operator developers," McCarthy says. Buchananwill be investing in projects that have a value between $25 millionand $200 million with the amount of equity invested ranging from$10 million and $50 million per investment, McCarthy tellsGlobeSt.com. The office has just opened and the "are just at theearly stages" of establishing relationships and brand awareness, hesays.