Globest Sectors

NEW YORK CITY-Sources confirm reports that Merrill Lynch is inches away from a deal with Vornado to build new in Midtown. It's not a prospect that makes the Downtown Alliance smile.

PHILADELPHIA-As contracts mount, Rotem USA exits its Navy Yard location for new expanded headquarters under a 20-year lease at 2400 Weccacoe Ave.

NEW YORK CITY-Manhattan's apartment rental market weakens for the first time in 2007 with one- and two-bedroom units in a doorman building showing the most significant decrease.

NORWOOD, MA-The occupant, a high-tech training school, could remain at the property for another 35 years.

MINNEAPOLIS-The London-based firm is the new owner of the one-million-sf Fifth Street Towers here, and RiverPark in Norwalk, CT.

RICHMOND, VA-HFF places the 10-year, fixed-rate loan with Quadrant Real Estate Advisors on behalf of prior lender AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ-The 18-story building will house the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey and other medical research operations.

CHICAGO-The historic Rookery building, at 209 S. LaSalle St., is being sold by Broadway Real Estate Partners LLC, which bought it last year for $56 million.