CHICAGO-Order-execution and trade-clearing firm O'Connor & Company, LLC moves one block from 401 S. LaSalle St. to the fourth floor of the former Insurance Exchange Building, which underwent an $80-million gut rehab.

ROYAL OAK, MI-Auburn Hills-based Beacon Hill Development Co. wants to build an eight-story condominium, office and retail project along Woodward and I-696. It is offering $620,000 for a 1.5-acre site.

DEERFIELD, IL-Business consulting organization William M. Mercer, Inc. takes two full floors at 540 Lake-Cook Road in Equity Office Properties Trust's four-building complex, where asking rents are $19.50 per sf.

CHICAGO-All but 30,000 sf of lease expirations in 2002 have been wrapped up, while just 148,000 sf in the 3.5-million-sf tower comes up for renewal in 2003. TrizecHahn does project a $750,000 hit in lost Skydeck and retail revenue.

CHICAGO-Tenants across Central Business District submarkets willing to sign on the dotted line are finding cost-saving opportunities, building managers and leasing brokers report.

CHICAGO-Condominium conversions continue to take units out of the market, but rent concessions now run about 5.2%, according to Appraisal Research Counselors. Concessions cropped up in the second quarter, adds vice president John R. Jaeger.

CHICAGO-The retail REIT that has focused on redeveloping its malls is using 28 properties, appraised at $4.1 billion, as collateral in a deal that will result in an interest rate of 5.7% or less on its proceeds.

CHICAGO-Equity Office Properties expects the recession to be longer than anticipated, believes it is prepared to weather the storm. The US' largest office owner sees strength in Central Business Districts, softness in the suburbs.