PHILADELPHIA-CBRE Hotels is marketing the 306-room Sofitel in Center City and 398-room Sofitel in Midtown Manhattan. Both are net-leased to 2022. The aggregate value, including assumed debt, ranges from $175 million to $200 million.

EXTON, PA-The national tire conglomerate expands from 9,700 sf on Sheree Boulevard here to relocate and consolidate several area operations in 12,630 sf of office space at BET Investments' property on Welsh Pool Road.

PHILADELPHIA-The debate over KOZ designations and concern about out-of-state competition for Center City tenants promise a lively interaction during this second annual gathering of the region's most influential commercial real estate executives on Feb. 26.

READING, PA-The former Consolidated Freightways distribution center on Bern Street here goes to the highest bidder at auction on Thursday, Feb. 19 in Los Angeles. A contract price of $150,000 has been established.

MALVERN, PA-Announcing "a solid 2003 for Liberty in a tough environment," Bill Hankowsky, CEO, anticipates a continuation of depressed rental rates as 2004 space availability will more than offset any gains in demand.

PHILADELPHIA-The IRS grants PREIT the relief it sought, allowing it to maintain REIT status. Today PREIT makes its overlooked "taxable REIT subsidiary" election retroactively effective as of Oct. 12, 2001.

GETTYSBURG, PA-With the hiring of retail veteran William Feast, Boyds Collection plans to duplicate its 120,000-sf flagship Boyds Bear Country store here in Pigeon Forge, TN this year. Two more units are planned for 2005.

PHILADELPHIA-PREIT's 50%-stake in the partnership of an entity that owns one shopping center is at the core of its violation of REIT tax law. The stake represents just 1/100th of 1% of the company's total assets.