Jones Lang's New York-area president Peter Riguardi tells GlobeSt.com JLL's strong Downtown client roster, combined with a desire to be part of Lower Manhattan's incipient post-Sept. 11 revitalization, were behind the decision to open the new office.

"We were prompted by our strong client base Downtown," says Riguardi, who came to Jones Lang last year after a longtime stint with Colliers/ABR. "We think that our commitment to New York is amplified by showing our commitment to the rebuilding of Downtown. We also had the opportunity to get terrific people with track records for success and experience that allows them to leverage the Jones Lang LaSalle platform."

Wheeler, Cento and Krantz will focus their energies on institutional clients, Riguardi adds, "servicing them on transactions, space dispositions, property management, facilities management and investment sales." He expects the Downtown office staff to number about a dozen by mid-year.