DALLAS-Brian Cheek, one of a handful of VPs at Grubb & Ellis' Dallas office, has headed to a seven-month-old commercial real estate company as the EVP. He's now courting the Dallas-Fort Worth ranks to build the team.

IRVING, TX-The operations center will go from the Dallas CBD to new space at Esters 114 Office Center. A 10-year lease at the right price, with substantial TIs, and easy-in, easy-out access to mainline stops for couriers win the deal.

DALLAS-Gillean Properties wins the heated bidding on the Dallas County Courthouse steps for 9825 Webb Chapel Rd., a 10-building complex with ample upside. Armed with the capital for the play, Gillean starts making over the 85%-leased property.

DALLAS-The 395,910-sf Premier Place's deed is just the first that Cornerstone will collect as it ends a six-year hiatus from buying in Dallas. It has the wherewithal to get the deal done, as it proved by collapsing a single-asset REIT to take over Premier Place.

DALLAS-The Dallas seller caps the play after 18 months of ownership, selling the 123-unit Catalina Court Apartments in Oak Cliff for about $22,000 a door. The new owner takes out a five-year loan to pay for what's intended to be a long-term hold.

DALLAS-Tony Long is named regional director for the Central US, the largest geographical division in the Trammell Crow Co. network. Stepping into Long's role as head of Dallas-Fort Worth is longtime employee, Mark Fewin.

DALLAS-Transwestern Investment stages a "meet and greet" yesterday to strut the overhaul plan and new team for its newest Dallas office purchase. The buyer won't say, but sources close to the deal insist the package cost in the mid-$65 million range.

DALLAS-American Realty Investors Inc. officially abandons a merger plan with two sister real estate companies. A decision has been on hold since mid-March when a stock purchase satisfied a settlement with shareholders.