CHICAGO—Jack Houze takes over property management just as the company completes the purchase of 221 N. LaSalle.

CHICAGO—Mark Hellwig will work nationally on office and industrial properties, with a specialty focus on GSA leased assets.

CLEVELAND—The Canada-based firm continues its aggressive expansion by opening its second office in Ohio, and its 60th overall.

CINCINNATI—Although the portfolio has a relatively small footprint, it serves an affluent area with high-end, niche retailers.

CHICAGO—The US office market has tightened up considerably, but with little new construction on the horizon, many cities may switch from tenants' markets to ones that favor landlords.

WICHITA, KS—The extended-stay hotel chain has brought in a new cadre of leadership and has now hired a new chief marketing officer.

MINNEAPOLIS—The Illinois-based storage firm Metro Storage has made a push into Minnesota, and like other big national players, through the economics of scale it should be able to boost the occupancy of its new properties.

CHICAGO—A shrunken inventory has curtailed sales, but a slowdown in foreclosure sales is also partially responsible.