LONDON-Prior to 11 September, institutional investment in property had been increasing again. The latest government figures for the second quarter of 2001 show an 11 per cent increase in net investment by insurance companies and pension funds.

SANTA MONICA, CA-The multimillionaire apartment landlord, often feted for his humanitarian work, allegedly had employees threaten tenants in his rent-controlled apartments here with eviction. The $25,000-settlement will be shared by eight renters and the city government.

AUSTIN-A new report is singing the blues over the impact of rising commercial and residential rent on Austin's music industry. The industry pumps about $616 million into the economy and generates $11 million in city taxes. Creativity is at stake, says the report.

HOUSTON-Koch Machine Tool acquires an acre in Westland Business Park in northwest Houston. The plan, says one of the brokers, is to build a high-end industrial facility in the Koontz McCombs-owned park.