HOUSTON-Brooks Equipment Co. will move into 7,875 sf at 5925 South Loop, signing a three-year lease for a multi-tenant structure situated six miles northwest of its soon-to-be-vacated warehouse. The new deal adds 3,000 sf of working space.

STAFFORD, TX-Gurwitch Products, 51% owned by Neiman Marcus, signs a medium-term lease for industrial space at 13259 N. Promenade Rd. as a consolidation location for operations in Dallas and Houston.

HOUSTON-The local developer is expected to break ground in early 2005 on a 1.4-acre tract, reportedly bought for close to $4 million. The project, though still unnamed, will place 300, class A units at the gateway to the Riverway Complex.

HOUSTON-Toyota is moving its motor credit division from Greenspoint Plaza to a 7,000-sf space at Paragon Center One within the Greenspoint submarket.

HOUSTON-A oil and gas drilling services firm has renewed its lease for 22,713 sf in the Westchase submarket. The firm has signed a long-term deal at a 310,296-sf suburban office structure.

HOUSTON-Australian John Greig has been inaugurated president of FIABC. The new leader vows to increase the organization's use of web technologies and partnership with the United Nations.

HOUSTON-Harris County Appraisal District will pay about $2 million per year for a 196,000-sf office building and parking garage along Northwest Freeway. Under the plan, Midway Cos. will turn over the deed for $100 when the lease expires.

HOUSTON-A 10-member task force concludes the city's building permitting method stacks up favorably with other cities, but picked customer service as the weakest link in the process after surveying 171 members of the development community.