WASHINGTON, DC—New apartment construction powered the monthly increases as reported by the federal government; economists including NAHB's Crowe cite “a gradual but consistent pace” in housing's recovery.

NEW YORK CITY—FBIC's Deborah Weinswig expects up to $633 billion in holiday spending during November and December, while ICSC says more Americans plan holiday purchases this year.

LONDON—The independently owned and operated Coldwell Banker Commercial London is being chaired by Chris Palmer, who brings more than four decades of commercial property investment experience to the affiliation.

NORCROSS, GA—Despite some bright spots, including a year-over-year increase in new starts for warehouse construction, “there hasn't been a worse September figure in the past decade,” according to Alex Carrick, chief economist at CMD Group.

PARIS—The current head of GE Capital Real Estate's Asia-Pacific region will assume his new post effective Jan. 1.

CHICAGO—The acquisition of the student housing REIT, which began reviewing its options last October, represents locally based Harrison Street Real Estate Capital's biggest investment in the sector to date.

NEW YORK CITY—The new freeze on one-year leases for rent-stabilized apartments, and the de Blasio administration's lack of clarity on affordable housing requirements, have cast uncertainty on multifamily, said experts at RealShare New York.

PARIS—The NYC-Paris Business Exchange aims to help companies in the tech, clean tech, fashion and design, tourism, food and beverage, and arts sectors overcome barriers that inhibit entry to foreign markets.