TORONTO—Expected to close in the third quarter, the acquisition follows the deal announced two weeks ago for Bentall Kennedy, as the Canadian insurer beefs up its asset management platform.

HACKENSACK, NJ—“It seems as though sale-leasebacks go in and out of vogue” among retail companies, says Cole Schotz's Richard Abramson, who has handled many such transactions over the past few decades.

NEW YORK CITY—The REIT's acquisition of $4.8 billion in commercial real estate debt is just one of five components of the $23-billion sale to Blackstone and Wells Fargo, first announced in April.

NEW YORK CITY—“Bon-Ton has built a strong track record of tenancy with W. P. Carey since our first transaction 18 years ago,” says Gino Sabatini, managing director of the net lease REIT.

HONG KONG—Nigel Smith joins Colliers International after 13 years with CBRE, and is the latest in a series of senior-level appointments at the firm in the Asia Pacific region.

SANTA BARBARA, CA—As West Coast markets such as Portland, OR and San Francisco lead the way with double-digit year-over-year gains, Yardi predicts that rent growth will only intensify in the year's second half.

DALLAS—A 23-property select-service portfolio going on the market and a new emphasis on upper upscale marks “another step towards our goal with the Ashford group of companies of having very well-defined, distinct strategies,” says CEO Monty J. Bennett

NEW YORK CITY—For office leasing, the mantra may be no longer be “location, location, location,” but “connection, connection, connection,” judging by WiredScore's study.