HOUSTON-Bandwidth commodities trading and the potential of data storage commodity trading are pushing Houston into the forefront as a high-tech center. And, says one broker, the demand's sure to get even stronger.

HOUSTON-Caldwell Watson Real Estate has a rising star in its midst, according to NAIOP. Caleb Lawson also is being honored by ProLogis. The NAIOP award is handed out to brokers, with less than five years in the business.

HOUSTON-The DaPaul Collection and JoAnn's are heading to the upscale Champions Forest Plaza. DaPaul Collection is relocating from Willowbrook Mall while JoAnn's is opening its sixth store in the city.

HOUSTON-Houston Wayside Business Center has signed two tenants that will make for odd neighbors. One is a charter school and the other, a commodities inspection and testing firm. The office-warehouse design is ideal for classrooms, says the broker.

HOUSTON-Yet another energy-related, high-tech company has come to Houston to grab a market share of the city's robust trade. Pittsburgh-based FreeMarkets is subleasing a spot at Two Allen Center, with its eyes on expansion in the near future.

HOUSTON-Fine Arts Express and EOG Resources have new spots in the city. One's headed to 24,268 sf at Allen Center in the CBD and the other to 28,117 sf in University Park along the Gulf Freeway.

HOUSTON-Vantage Cos. gets ready to cap the first phase of its Beltway 8 Business Park. The four-building, 260,000-sf park offers three product types in one setting, a relatively unique deal, says the developer.

HOUSTON-KWI is moving its North American headquarters and client-training site to The Woodlands' Waterway Plaza I. The finish out will be completed in 30 days for the energy industry's niche software provider.