NEW YORK CITY-Although it was snowing outside, the mood inside the Baruch College Conference Center was sunny and spring-like. Speakers at the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute's conference have high hopes for Midtown West.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY-eLECT Communications reports it has acquired the former Lillian Vernon Call Center building at 543 Main St. Downtown for $1.5 million where the company will eventually employ 250 workers.

IRVINE, CA-Local developer, manager and builder of commercial and residential real estate throughout the western United States sells a newly built, premier multifamily property in north San Diego County.

AUSTIN-Year-end investments net $15 million for QuickArrow, one of the state capital's growing software providers. Three local capital investment groups participate in the second-round funding.