CHICAGO—JLL has just appointed facilities management executive Ron Gregory to lead its integrated facilities management business for the higher education sector across the US. Gregory has more than 38 years of experience and “is a force in the facilities management world owing to his deep understanding of the needs of institutional clients and his hands-on leadership style,” says Kevin Wayer, co-lead of JLL's public institutions business. “Ron's extensive experience and reputation as a leader in the highly specialized facilities management world makes him a perfect fit for JLL and our clients.” Based in the Midwest, Gregory joins from Sodexo in Chicago where he managed a division of more than 4,200 employees and worked closely with key decision makers, presidents and chief financial officers of major corporations, universities and private independent schools.

CHICAGO—Transwestern has just been recognized as one of the “Best Workplaces in Chicago” by Fortune magazine and research and consulting firm Great Place to Work®. The commercial real estate firm was ranked No. 19 out of 100 companies from various industries across the entire Chicago metro area. The honor follows the firm being named one of the “100 Best Workplaces for Women” by Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine for the second consecutive year. “We have created an environment where our team members are empowered to succeed professionally and personally. Transwestern is committed to promoting a healthy work/life balance by creating opportunities for our team members to volunteer, improve their physical health and well-being, and continuously hone their skills through one-on-one mentoring and educational seminars,” says Mike Watts, Transwestern's Midwest president.

DEALTRACKER

ST. CLOUD, MN—KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a $12 million Fannie Mae first mortgage loan for Heritage Park Estates, in Saint Cloud, MN. The multifamily property was built in 2003 and includes 150 units. Fred Dockweiler of Cleveland-based Key's commercial mortgage group arranged the nonrecourse financing with a 10-year term and 30-year amortization schedule. The loan was used to refinance existing debt.

KANSAS CITY—Jinyu Bio-technology Co., Ltd., the largest animal vaccine company in China, announced earlier this week that it will open a vaccine research lab and office at the new K-State Office Park Phase II building in the KC Animal Health Corridor. The company will focus its corridor location on research and design of vaccines for swine and cattle, as well as continuing education materials for Chinese companies and veterinarians. The company will partner with Kansas State University, the borough of Manhattan and the State of Kansas to develop new animal health products that can be marketed in China, Asia, Africa and the US. The KSU Foundation will break ground on the Phase II building in July 2017 and the company's space will become available in 2018. “Manhattan and Kansas State University are at the forefront of animal health research that is relevant to the Chinese animal agriculture industry and the world,” says Chongyu Zhang, chairman, Jinyu Bio-technology Co. “We are looking forward to developing a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with partners in the region.”

BY THE NUMBERS

CHICAGO—NYC steals much of the limelight when it comes new apartment construction, but developers in Chicago's Loop have also made their mark. According to apartment search website RENTCafé, which used data from its sister companies Yardi Matrix and Property Shark, the city's downtown is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the US for new construction. Since 2010, Loop developers have delivered 2,830 new units, securing the neighborhood the 17th spot among the country's hotspots for new deliveries. Eight new large-scale rental properties were built between 2010 and 2016 in the Windy City's CBD, making up 76% of the area's rental stock.

NEWS & NOTABLES

CHICAGO—JLL has just appointed facilities management executive Ron Gregory to lead its integrated facilities management business for the higher education sector across the US. Gregory has more than 38 years of experience and “is a force in the facilities management world owing to his deep understanding of the needs of institutional clients and his hands-on leadership style,” says Kevin Wayer, co-lead of JLL's public institutions business. “Ron's extensive experience and reputation as a leader in the highly specialized facilities management world makes him a perfect fit for JLL and our clients.” Based in the Midwest, Gregory joins from Sodexo in Chicago where he managed a division of more than 4,200 employees and worked closely with key decision makers, presidents and chief financial officers of major corporations, universities and private independent schools.

CHICAGO—Transwestern has just been recognized as one of the “Best Workplaces in Chicago” by Fortune magazine and research and consulting firm Great Place to Work®. The commercial real estate firm was ranked No. 19 out of 100 companies from various industries across the entire Chicago metro area. The honor follows the firm being named one of the “100 Best Workplaces for Women” by Great Place to Work® and Fortune magazine for the second consecutive year. “We have created an environment where our team members are empowered to succeed professionally and personally. Transwestern is committed to promoting a healthy work/life balance by creating opportunities for our team members to volunteer, improve their physical health and well-being, and continuously hone their skills through one-on-one mentoring and educational seminars,” says Mike Watts, Transwestern's Midwest president.

DEALTRACKER

ST. CLOUD, MN—KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a $12 million Fannie Mae first mortgage loan for Heritage Park Estates, in Saint Cloud, MN. The multifamily property was built in 2003 and includes 150 units. Fred Dockweiler of Cleveland-based Key's commercial mortgage group arranged the nonrecourse financing with a 10-year term and 30-year amortization schedule. The loan was used to refinance existing debt.

KANSAS CITY—Jinyu Bio-technology Co., Ltd., the largest animal vaccine company in China, announced earlier this week that it will open a vaccine research lab and office at the new K-State Office Park Phase II building in the KC Animal Health Corridor. The company will focus its corridor location on research and design of vaccines for swine and cattle, as well as continuing education materials for Chinese companies and veterinarians. The company will partner with Kansas State University, the borough of Manhattan and the State of Kansas to develop new animal health products that can be marketed in China, Asia, Africa and the US. The KSU Foundation will break ground on the Phase II building in July 2017 and the company's space will become available in 2018. “Manhattan and Kansas State University are at the forefront of animal health research that is relevant to the Chinese animal agriculture industry and the world,” says Chongyu Zhang, chairman, Jinyu Bio-technology Co. “We are looking forward to developing a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with partners in the region.”