CHICAGO—The newly launched platform will target core and core-plus investments in key urban and suburban markets around gateway US cities.

NEW YORK CITY—“New issuance will have to be the main driver of further rate decreases going forward,” says Trepp's Joe McBride.

LOS ANGELES—CBRE is acquiring its Columbia, SC affiliate, while Avison Young has made Remington Group founder William Connor a principal and Colliers has expanded its North Texas base.

WASHINGTON, DC—REIT returns slumped by 4.7% in April, but this “doesn't mean the bull market is over,” says NAREIT's Brad Case in a video interview.

NEW YORK CITY—By the numbers, here's an alphabetical compendium of quarterly results from 45 public REITs that reported over the past week.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL—The $300-million partnership follows similar deals Sears Holdings has struck with Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties, both announced earlier this month.

WASHINGTON, DC—Seeking to capitalize on what CEO Andrew Florance calls “the $2-trillion US multifamily asset class,” CoStar plans to operate Apartments.com and Apartment Finder as distinct, complementary brands.

STAMFORD, CT—The hotelier, which has hired Lazard to help it explore its options, is considering “a full range of strategic and financial alternatives to increase shareholder value.”