NEW YORK CITY-The question and answer period of a conference call yesterday (Thursday, Dec. 21) to discuss the impact of the late-night signing of the deal for stockholders had officials on the defensive.

CARY, NC-To save on real-estate costs, the area's largest corporate employer is moving from 180,000 sf in Weston One, a 220,000-sf building in Weston Business Park and 141,000 sf in Research Triangle Park. The workers will be housed in nearby offices IBM either owns or leases. Cary and Research Triangle Park are 200 miles northeast of Downtown Charlotte.

SEATTLE-New York City-based Aegis Realty Inc. is acquiring 19 community shopping centers from Dallas, Texas-based P.O.B. Montgomery & Co. and its investment partners, as well as P.O.B's ongoing development business.

OAKLAND, CA-Construction has begun on a new $12 million, 140-room hotel that will include residential-style living quarters, a hospitality center and a 24-hour convenience store. The three-story hotel is expected to open in October 2001.