NEW YORK CITY—In a survey of 200-plus commercial real estate executives, most were relatively upbeat about the general state of the market, says CIT Real Estate Finance's Matt Galligan.

IRVINE, CA—The spun-off company is expected to have a portfolio of more than 320 properties, led by facilities operated by HCR ManorCare.

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK CITY—Such a combination, the companies said Friday, would create "a world-class diversified real estate and investment management equity REIT." However, there's no guarantee a deal will occur.

ARLINGTON, VA—April's numbers would have been better if not for "mild winter weather that allowed contractors to hire or retain workers in the first quarter instead of waiting until spring," says the Associated General Contractors' Ken Simonson.

NEW YORK CITY—Cushman & Wakefield predicts that "demand will remain strong, vacancy will tighten and rental growth will continue this year—albeit unevenly for some asset classes," says Americas forecasting head Rebecca Rockey.

NEW YORK CITY—The hiring of industry veteran John Pierce comes at what the Rockefeller Group's Daniel Rushin calls "an important time for the company as we advance several of our largest projects in many years."

LONDON—Core is now the most popular real estate investment strategy among sovereign wealth funds, says Preqin. A year ago, it was value-add.

GUANGZHOU, CHINA—The recently opened Hampton by Hilton Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town is the first property under that flag in the world's most populous nation, geared toward serving the world's largest middle class.