CHICAGO-Breck Hanson with Associated Banc-Corp tells GlobeSt.com that lenders are moving to clear up issues by the end of the year, to put 2011 back to an earnings situation.

MADRID-Hines developed the 350,000-square-foot Tripark Las Rozas early this year, but the project is only 40% leased. Hines officials blamed Spain’s weak activity for the slow leasing.

CHICAGO-Retailers struggling to make it through to the next up cycle would do well now by defining themselves as either luxury or value, says JLL Retail CEO Greg Maloney.

CALGARY, CANADA-Brookfield Homes Corp. and the residential division of Brookfield Properties Corp. have agreed to merge, making a firm with a value of $1 billion.

NEW LENOX, IL-The partnership is building a second, 182,000-square-foot office facility at the new $400 million Silver Cross hospital campus.

BRUSSELS- The newly-renamed AG RE will have an immediate investment budget of $626 million, around 8% of total assets of the AG group, which are now around $7 billion.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY-The firm has refinanced the Deutsch-Japanisches Center, including a 386-room hotel, convention center, and 90,000 square feet of office and retail.

BERLIN-Episo, a fund co-advised by AEW Europe and Tristan Capital Partners, is joining Caleus Capital Investors GMBH to invest up to $410 million in local multifamily assets.