WASHINGTON, DC-The JE Robert Cos. chairman and CEO Joseph E. Robert Jr. becomes a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award for Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Success. Robert, who has been operating his McLean, VA-based namesake real estate investment management company since 1981, is one of 10 honored with the award this year.

COLUMBIA, MD-Plans to sell the Merriweather Post Pavilion are shelved as a result of the property owner's decision to keep the concert hall open and unchanged. Howard County officials had previously considered purchasing the property from owner General Growth Properties in an effort to maintain it as a part of a bigger Town Center master plan.

BALTIMORE-With the Maryland Board of Public Works approval in place, the Inner Harbor's World Trade Center will soon hit the market. The board's determination that the 380,800-sf, 28-story office tower at the city's Inner Harbor is surplus property means it is cleared for disposition.

WASHINGTON, DC-In a transaction valued at nearly $1.5 billion, Marriott International Inc. agrees to acquire 32 hotel properties and designated hotel interests from Hong Kong's CTF Holdings Ltd. The arrangement--part of which allows the District-based company to, in turn, sell 13 of the properties to Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. and Walton Street Capital LLC in two separate transactions--brings to a close the CTF Holdings-initiated legal proceedings against Marriott in another matter.

WASHINGTON, DC-In a transaction valued at nearly $1.5 billion, Marriott International Inc. agrees to acquire 32 hotel properties and designated hotel interests from Hong Kong's CTF Holdings Ltd. The arrangement--part of which allows the District-based company to, in turn, sell 13 of the properties to Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. and Walton Street Capital LLC in two separate transactions--brings to a close the CTF Holdings-initiated legal proceedings against Marriott in another matter.

TYSONS CORNER, VA-An office property finds a new owner in a recent deal valued at $60.1 million. Located at 8270 Greensboro Dr., the 158,100-sf building is currently fully occupied, with 70% of the tenant roster holding leases that will not expire until 2010 or beyond.

NORTH BETHESDA, MD-Plans for Georgetown Preparatory School's new 145,000-sf athletic facility move forward with school officials' selection of Hess Construction Co. to build the facility and accompanying athletic fields. Construction of the Leo A. Daly-designed project is on target to begin early next month.

WASHINGTON, DC-Law firm Bracewell & Giuliani LLP adds 4,000 sf to its existing 39,000-sf office digs, and signs on to occupy the space for an 11-and-a-half year term.