BOSTON-OneBeacon Insurance Group chooses a recently created boutique firm, Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, as its exclusive real estate services provider for its national portfolio. The locally based OneBeacon has over 50 locations totaling more than 1.5 million sf across the country.

BOSTON-Governor Mitt Romney signs legislation that will extend the state's ability to pursue claims on contractors on the Big Dig--the massive highway project going on in the heart of the city--for up to 10 years.

NORWOOD, MA-InterCept Inc., a Georgia-based provider of banking technology products and services, commits to 44,646 sf at 575 University Ave., an 88,379 sf single-story flex building.

NEWTON, MA-Senior Housing Properties Trust spends $61 million for 18 Alterra Healthcare Corp. properties in 10 states across the US and provides Alterra with a $6.9 million financing package. Alterra filed for bankruptcy protection in January.

CHELMSFORD, MA-In a deal that is good news for a market that has seen its overall available space shoot up over the past year, Biscom Inc. renews its lease for 19,000 sf of office and research and development space at 321 Billerica Rd.

NEWTON, MA-Senior Housing Properties Trust spends $61 million for 18 Alterra Healthcare Corp. properties in 10 states across the US and provides Alterra with a $6.9 million financing package. Alterra filed for bankruptcy protection in January.

CAMBRIDGE, MA-Cambridge Savings Bank leases 12,200 sf at 100 CambridgePark Dr., a 135,572-sf building, which is owned by an affiliate of Pennsylvania-based Berwind Property Group. The bank is relocating and expanding its operating center.

ANDOVER, MA-Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center leases 15,695 sf of office space at 200 Brickstone Square. While the lease is only for three years, it is still good news in a market that has 35% of its space available.