BOSTON-The Boston Redevelopment Authority institutes a set of interim guidelines for the Longwood Medical Area--a center of medical and academic institutions in the heart of the city--to control future development.

BOSTON-A fire in a RI club, in which 100 people were killed, has prompted the Greater Boston Real Estate Board to reverse its position and come out in favor of a bill that would require sprinkler systems to be installed in any new or renovated building larger than 7,500 sf.

SOMERVILLE, MA-Mystic View Task Force, a 200-member local activist group, files an appeal to block the construction of a 280,000-sf IKEA store. The Swedish furniture company wants to build the store on a 16.6-acre parcel at Assembly Square.

TEWKSBURY, MA-In a deal that demonstrates the growing health of this market in the Route 495/North area, Bowstreet takes 18,420 sf in a sublease deal with Chelmsford, MA-based Brooks Automation. The software development company is relocating its headquarters from Portsmouth, NH.

LEXINGTON, MA-The town looks to develop the 9.6-acre parcel that currently houses its Department of Public Works. The property is situated in a prime location on Bedford Street near Routes 4 and 128. Fourteen developers have responded to the town's request for information.

BOSTON-In a sale that is one the city's most significant real estate deals in recent history, John Hancock Financial Services Inc. sells three of its home office complex buildings to Beacon Capital Partners, a locally based real estate investment company, for $910 million.

BOSTON-The Museum of Science plans a $135-million expansion and renovation project that involves adding a new wing onto the 200,000-sf facility. Museum officials anticipate that the project will make the museum a center for technological education.

BOSTON-One of the Big Dig's most significant phases is near completion with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority saying that it is just about ready to open the underground northbound lanes of Route 93. The opening marks the near completion of the massive highway project.