STAMFORD, CT-GE Commercial Finance Real Estate Japan forms a $1.1-billion partnership with Shinsei Bank LTD that will invest in large commercial real estate properties throughout Japan.

STAMFORD, CT-GE Commercial Finance Real Estate Japan forms a $1.1-billion partnership with Shinsei Bank LTD that will invest in large commercial real estate properties throughout Japan.

STAMFORD, CT-BPG Properties of Philadelphia increases its portfolio in Fairfield County with the purchase of 1010 Washington Blvd. here for $21.4 million. The firm, formerly known as the Berwind Property Group, purchases the 137,589-sf office from MetLife.

RYE BROOK, NY–In a deal first reported by GlobeSt.com, illycafe north america has signed a lease for approximately 13,000 sf at the former Altria Group complex here at 800 Westchester Ave. The company becomes the second tenant to sign a deal at the property since RPW Group acquired the building last year.

NEW BRITAIN, CT-Yale Realty Services Corp. of Pleasantville, NY purchases the 189,724-sf Newington Commons shopping center here for $24.5 million. The property is 87.6% occupied.

ALBANY-Two prominent real estate trade organizations in the state have come out against a proposal by Gov. George Pataki to raise the state's mortgage-recording tax. The proposal, realtors say, will put undue additional costs on purchasing a commercial property or home in the state.

ARDSLEY, NY-Supresta US LLC, a global chemical retardant manufacturer, has signed a 35,000-sf lease at the Ardsley Park Science & Tech Center here. The firm, a spin-off of Akzo Nobel NV, is in the process of relocating about 50 employees to the complex.

SHELTON, CT-A 126,000-sf industrial building net leased to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s overhaul and repair operations sells to Elm Street Partners LLC for $8.4 million.