GREATER BOSTON-The area's real estate market continues to attract investment capital despite economic signals that are decidedly mixed, according to Meredith & Grew's mid-year report.

NEWTON, MA-Hospitality Properties Trust acquires seven Candlewood Suites Hotels for $65 million. The hotels have 888 suites and are located in six states across the country.

BOSTON-The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority signs the Boston Gift Show to host six shows at the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

BOSTON-Citizens Energy leases 11,200 sf of office space at 88 Black Falcon Ave., a 400,000 sf office and industrial building located in the Marine Industrial Park. The firm is relocating its headquarters from Russia Wharf, which is about to undergo a major renovation.

BOSTON-A recently released mid-year survey by Meredith & Grew provides mixed messages on the city's real estate market. While the market experienced positive absorption this quarter, the vacancy rate is relatively unchanged and rental rates have declined slightly.

BOSTON-The Boston Wharf Co. sells its vast real estate portfolio in the waterfront's Fort Point Channel to New York-based Tishman Speyer Properties. The deal involves 44 industrial buildings which were sold for a reported $500 million.

BOSTON-In a relocation from Washington Street, Hearts on Fire, a wholesale dealer of diamonds, leases 18,100 sf of office space at 99 Summer St. The 271,000-sf building has recently seen a flurry of leasing activity and is nearly fully leased.

BOSTON-The Boston Wharf Co. sells its vast real estate portfolio in the waterfront's Fort Point Channel to New York-based Tishman Speyer Properties. The deal involves 44 industrial buildings which were sold for a reported $500 million.