NEWPORT BEACH, CA-The Texas-based firm uses the Orange County office as the base of operations for the new specialty group, which has been two years in development. Brian Kjos is picked to lead a seven-member team that's expected to grow.

WOODLAND HILLS, CA-Fallbrook Center, one of the first shopping centers to open in the San Fernando Valley in the 1960s, is in the final leg of a two-year conversion from a traditional mall into an open-air center. Most renovated areas are now open for business.

HAWTHORNE, CA-The closing price of the 29-year-old La Josetta Apartments is one of the highest per-unit deals for a property of its era and unit mix in Hawthorne. Putting up the winning offer in excess of $3.5 million is Pan American Properties of Tustin.

VICTORVILLE, CA-The Sagebrush Properties LLC affiliate of pet food maker Nutro Products and packaged foods company ConAgra plan new facilities at 5,000-acre Southern California Logistics Airport.

LOS ANGELES-The investment management affiliate of CB Richard Ellis Inc. makes five personnel changes via hires and promotions. Mark Zikakis, marking his fifth year with the group, and Todd Anderson, newly hired, are named senior directors.

LOS ANGELES-LA developer Richard Paek gets construction financing for Berendo Tower, a project under the MTA microscope in a rare bid to build above the subway. The plan includes 77 residential units and 9,000 sf of street-level office and retail condos.

VICTORVILLE, CA-The Sagebrush Properties LLC affiliate of pet food maker Nutro Products and packaged foods company ConAgra plan new facilities at 5,000-acre Southern California Logistics Airport.

ARCADIA, CA-The mall owner will add 250,000 sf of theaters, dining and new shops to the near 1.1-million-sf super-regional mall. Completion is set for fall 2004, including two parking structures with an extra 970 spaces.