NEW YORK CITY-The retail industry here has showed considerable improvement in leasing activity during the past six months, according to the Real Estate Board's Fall Retail Report. All but the Downtown area attracted increased tenant interest.

NEW YORK CITY-The firm has appointed Celina Antunes as CEO of South American operations, marking the first woman to climb to C-Suite status at the firm. Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she will oversee all of C&W's expansion plans throughout the continent.

NEW YORK CITY-Two Greenwich Village apartment buildings change hands here. The new owner, 11th Street Equities LLC, secures two mortgages, totaling $14 million, from New York-based M&T Bank.

NEW YORK CITY-Drew O'Malley, a 14-year industry vet, was appointed principal and director of brokerage services for Trammell Crow Co.'s New York regional office.

NEW YORK CITY-According to speakers at a recent event sponsored by Kaye Insurance Associates, President Bush will pass the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 tomorrow morning. Once his pen hits the paper, all terrorism insurance exclusions will be null and void, and insurance companies must begin immediately offering the coverage to clients.

NEW YORK CITY-Hours before the Senate passed terrorism legislation, the issue joined the continued economic volatility as the twin hot topics at yesterday's NYU Capital Markets luncheon.

NEW YORK CITY-During an event held here late last week, three real estate appraisal experts explained the harsh realities facing valuations of Lower Manhattan real estate. Unfortunately, said the experts, a turnaround in property assessments is not in the foreseeable future.

CHICAGO-Equity Office Properties' Board of Trustees has promoted Richard D. Kincaid, a seven-year veteran of the company, to the position of president and trustee. Kincaid will also take over the role of CEO from Sam Zell in spring 2003.