WASHINGTON, DC-The Mandarin Oriental makes its official "society" debut with a recent grand opening celebration and gala to benefit a charity for seriously ill children. The 400-room luxury hotel, which occupies a parcel on the waterfront, cost $150 million to develop.

FREDERICK, MD-The Riverside Technology Park signs on a new tenant, BBI Biotech Research Laboratories, to a 65,000-sf flex office space. For the biotechnology company, the leasing of space in one of the park's six buildings represents a relocation and expansion.

RESTON, VA-Government Scientific Source takes on 36,600 sf at Sunrise Technology Park, a four-building business compound containing of office and R&D space. The scientific equipment distributor will relocate from its current location in the Tysons Corner area.

WASHINGTON, DC-A recent National Association of Realtors study finds that a majority of the voting population is unhappy with the Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency rule, which exempts banking institutions from real estate lending regulations.

BETHESDA, MD-Hotel REIT LaSalle Hotel Properties plans to pocket more than $55 million from a public offering of 2.7 million of its common shares of beneficial interest. The proceeds will be directed toward the reduction of a $215 million senior credit facility.

ARLINGTON, VA-It's a done deal. Leading hotel REIT MeriStar Hospitality Corp. is now the official owner of the super ritzy Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. The 366-room luxury hotel property, developed 14 years ago, cost MeriStar $93 million to acquire.

WASHINGTON, DC-Fannie Mae reveals in its first quarter report to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it recorded a $1.9-billion profit for the three months ending March 31. However, the mortgage lender's stockholder equity slipped by $1.5 billion.

ARLINGTON, VA-A big chunk of the office segment of the mixed-use Arlington Gateway project, currently in development, will go to Watson Wyatt & Co. The global consulting firm is pre-leasing 120,000 sf at the 350,000-sf office building, leaving behind its Washington, DC digs.