RIVERSIDE, CA-Aslan Realty Group of Irvine and the Buchanan Funds of Newport Beach acquire the 296-unit Birchwood Apartments, with Buchanan arranging acquisition financing plus joint venture funding.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA-The apartment market in the two-county region, which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties, takes the top spot out of 40 markets in the annual Marcus & Millichap National Apartment Index.

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA-Peppino's signs for 10 years at Foothill Ranch Towne Centre, filling the only empty space, 4203 sf, in the food court of the fourth phase. The Italian eatery will open in the summer.

LAKEWOOD, CA-Lakewood Plaza Dental Group will occupy about 20% of its 16,597-sf purchase, with the rest to remain as retail shops. The buyer was scouting for a third location when the broker zeroed in on the South Street center.

SUNLAND, CA-Independent Studio Services, a provider of a host of services for movie makers, more than doubles its space in a move from three smaller buildings. The 105,257-sf industrial building sits on 11 acres.

LOS ANGELES-The Southern California investment company more than doubles its retail portfolio with the purchase of the 850,000-sf Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza from Pan Pacific Retail Properties.

ANAHEIM, CA-The buyer and the seller were both in 1031 Exchanges in the trading of a 42-year-old property, which was 100% occupied. Built in 1961, the North Dresden Place asset is bringing in rents from $630 to $750 per month.

LOS ANGELES-The Main Mercantile Building, with Oxford Street Properties at the helm, joins the growing list of former office buildings being converted into loft-style apartments in Downtown LA.