LONDON-New research from the College of Estate Management at Reading University says new technology is loosening the ties that once bound financial services companies to the City of London. Many businesses plan to relocate to cheaper locations, while those that plan to stay will require less office space.

CHICAGO-The Northwest Side shopping center is worth $22 million, the city concedes, $5 million less than the first mortgage on the property. The city will take $1 million to settle an $8-million Urban Development Action Grant loan, according to a proposed ordinance.

CHICAGO-The 325 units at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. will start at $1.4 million, setting a new high-water mark for the Lincoln Park condominium market when sales are expected to begin in 2006. The property has been under contract for more than a year.

SAN DIEGO, CA-The Shidler Group and The Praedium Group LLC have paired up to acquire Carmel Corporate Plaza, a two-story, class A corporate office property in the Carmel Mountain area of San Diego. Encompassing 90,000 sf, the facility contains a clean room and a 3,000-sf full-service cafeteria. It is currently occupied by Cadence Design Systems.