DALLAS-Just three months after Weeks Robinson made its first acquisition in the Metroplex, the Atlanta-based firm has increased its stake in the market by establishing an office here and buying two industrial properties totaling 827,890 square feet in south Dallas.

Weeks Robinson hired Bob Rice, formerly a regional vice president with Seefried Properties, to lead its new local office, according to Forrest Robinson, CEO of Weeks Robinson. “In terms of our long-term business strategy, we always thought we would have a Texas office, either in Dallas or Houston,” he tells GlobeSt.com. “When we found out that Bob was available, we decided to go ahead and set up the office.”

In addition to his time with Seefried Properties, Rice also served as vice president of leasing for Duke Realty Corp. and district manager with RREEF Funds, overseeing a 3.5 million-square-foot industrial portfolio. In his new role, Rice will supervise the leasing and management of the firm’s local portfolio, as well as source new investment opportunities.