PHOENIX-After 18 months of wrangling, American Express Co. holds tight to a 169,071-sf building in the Canyon Corporate Plaza for another 10 years. The lengthy decision-making pitted the renewal against a build-to-suit at the corporate campus.

AVONDALE, AZ-A Camarillo, CA private investor has settled on a $2.6-million purchase of the 60-unit Country Aire Apartments along North Palo Verde Drive. Occupancy shot from 85% to 100% during the short closing process.

TEMPE, AZ-The class A office property is providing a 4,076-sf office for the General Services Administration and 10,000 sf of extra room for Logan Simpson Design Inc., a 3.5-year tenant pushing the ante from 5,000 sf.

MESA, AZ-The 210,000-sf Stapley Corporate Center promises class A office and retail space in a submarket that has experienced very little new construction over the last three years. If the plan stays on course, ground could break in December.

PHOENIX-Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants Inc. crafts a 10-year lease for a 25,596-sf building in the Southbank submarket to get an extra 8,000 sf of operating space. The relocation will wrap up before the upcoming holiday weekend.

CHANDLER, AZ-Michael A. Pollack buys 13 acres on the northwest corner of Alma School and Pecos roads for $3 million. His eyes are on a family entertainment-oriented complex, but the development direction will hinge on the first anchor to sign.

PHOENIX-The Muller Co. buys its third office property in the metroplex by outbidding 30 other investors jockeying for the 431,435-sf Pointe Corporate Center complex. The asset, bought with a 55% occupancy, is being repositioned as the Plaza at Squaw Peak.

PHOENIX-Four tenants sign a combined 14,152 sf to take occupancy to 84% in a 292,000-sf office project slowly transitioning to a medical-oriented lineup. The largest new deal is Family Practice Specialists, which will get its keys in November.