CHICAGO-Heller Financial decides to move its franchise finance unit from San Diego within the next 90 days to 500 W. Monroe St., where no additional space will be needed. Efficiency is the goal of the consolidation.

PALATINE, IL-This northwest suburb is the latest to hop the Downtown redevelopment train. Village officials approve the 280-unit Groves of Palatine multifamily development and 117,000-sf Gateway Center office and retail project.

BATAVIA, IL-Pechiney Plastic Products and Leggett & Platt take 227,200 sf in two speculative buildings in Ridge Realty Group LLC's Batavia Industrial Center in this far west suburb. Another 57,600 sf is available.

CHICAGO-Prime Group Realty Trust announces first-quarter funds from operations were down 27.4% to $0.43 per share in the first quarter. Meanwhile, its 8-million-sf suburban office and industrial portfolio remains unsold.

CHICAGO- Columbus, OH-based Pizzuti Cos. vice president of sales and leasing Bill Baumgardner says "The activity is very strong with the big-box users -- 500,000-sf or more...the quality of the companies looking has been very good.

CHICAGO- Columbus, OH-based Pizzuti Cos. vice president of sales and leasing Bill Baumgardner says "The activity is very strong with the big-box users -- 500,000-sf or more...the quality of the companies looking has been very good.

CHICAGO- New York City-based Cushman & Wakefield forms a "strategic alliance" with Near North Side retail brokerage firm Baum Realty Group, which closed approximately 25% of Loop retail deals during the past five years.

CHICAGO- Columbus, OH-based Pizzuti Cos. vice president of sales and leasing Bill Baumgardner says "The activity is very strong with the big-box users -- 500,000-sf or more...the quality of the companies looking has been very good.