BOSTON—Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced on Tuesday that it will begin a major renovation of its Copley Place retail center here in September. The firm also says it will begin construction sometime before the end of this year on the much-anticipated $500-million Copley Place Tower nearby.

NEW YORK CITY—Rudin Management Co. reports it has completed a multi-million redesign and renovation program at its 22-story 560 Lexington Ave. office building here.

ROCKVILLE, MD—IT and cybersecurity solutions firm VariQ Corp. is receiving nearly $400,000 in incentives from the State of Maryland to expand its operations here.

CAMBRIDGE, MA—TIAA-CREF has entered the burgeoning life sciences sector here in a big way. The New York City-based financial services firm has acquired a 70% interest in 225 Binney St. from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. for $190.1 million.

NEW YORK CITY—Convene, a developer of meeting and event spaces, is partnering with 237 Park Avenue's owners to bring a new, nearly 30,000-square-foot facility to the office building.

LARGO, MD—Organizers of the upcoming trade mission by Prince George's County to China next month say that one of the projects they will seek funding from Chinese investors for is a proposed $125-million film and television studio.

BOSTON—Commercial brokerage firm Cresa continues its international expansion program with the opening of a new office in Budapest, Hungary.

NEW YORK CITY—The commercial investment sales market in Brooklyn for the first six months of this year easily surpassed activity posted for the same period last year.