ATLANTA-The value of the deal was not disclosed. But Mission chairman Tom Smith says the transaction was long-planned to create one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the United States.

ORLANDO-Watkins Development Co. of Atlanta sold the eight-year-old, 99,172-sf, 100%-leased shopping center near the University of Central Florida campus to Melbourne Shopping Centers Inc. of West Palm Beach, FL, for $10.86 million.

ORLANDO-The 44-year-old Florida executive of the 31-year-old, Encino, CA-based firm is credited with growing the Tampa and Orlando divisions into two of the strongest offices in the company's network.

DALLAS, TX-The Texas Department of Economic Development is providing a $600,000 loan to the Atlanta Economic Development Corp. for the construction of a 50,000-sf prefabricated metal building in the southwest Texas town of Atlanta, located on the border of Arkansas.

ATLANTA-Locally based Turner Associates/Architects and Planners is taking 17,500 sf for 10 years at an estimated aggregate rent of $2.63 million. Turner and Hard Rock Cafi are the sole tenants in the 77-year-old Downtown structure.

ATLANTA-The 33-year-old Leominster, MA-based manufacturer of plastic house wares and storage products is investing $15 million in the facility in suburban McDonough, GA, 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta.

ATLANTA-The former marketing chief for Princess Cruises of Santa Clarita, CA and an ex-Coca-Cola Co. marketing manager reports directly to Tom Seddon, senior vice president, Americas Brands Strategy, Six Continents Hotels Inc.

ORLANDO-The joint developers tell GlobeSt.com the 700-room joint venture, five miles south of Walt Disney World, is the largest hotel project begun in the United States since Sept. 11. ChampionsGate is a $750 million-buildout project.