MINNEAPOLIS-The new hires will go to the regional architectural firm's Rochester, MN office. Minneapolis staff members Charles Brown, Mark Thiede and Pravin Patel have been named associates of the firm.

DALLAS-Texas execs say 1031 exchanges are increasingly popular among the investment crowd, so much so that a Grubb & Ellis VP has had four of his last five deals fall under the like-kind swaps. Stories about racing the clock are bountiful.

WALTHAM, MA-This city has to deal with its first project proposal to file for permit approval under the state's affordable housing law. The law allows developers to override local zoning restrictions and is coming under fire from some towns that claim developers are taking advantage of the law.

MIAMI-The nation's second-largest homebuilder intends to occasionally issue the new securities primarily for acquisitions purposes.