HOUSTON-Flush with success from its first project along Beltway 8, Vantage Cos. begins construction on a second one. The 17-acre development will have 215,000 sf of flex office and warehouse space in five buildings--all coming out as spec.

PHOENIX-Ferguson Enterprises Inc. of Newport News, VA leases the 196,673-sf, four-building Bayless Distribution Center. The executive team, closing a deal valued at $11 million, is now weighing which of the 11 local locations to consolidate.

PHOENIX-Ferguson Enterprises Inc. of Newport News, VA leases the 196,673-sf, four-building Bayless Distribution Center. The executive team, closing a deal valued at $11 million, is now weighing which of the 11 local locations to consolidate.

PHOENIX-JRD Management Corp. of Mamaroneck, NY wins the deed to the 232-unit Stonybrook with a $9.8-million offer. The buyer manages to outmaneuver seven other potential buyers, backing up the highest offer with a strong balance sheet.

FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ-After falling out of escrow twice, a 18,564-sf, class B office building, Fountainview Place, finally trades to a 1031 exchange buyer from Henderson, NV. The new owner plans to relocate to the Valley to oversee the lease-up.

HOUSTON-Caldwell Watson Real Estate Group picks 20-year management veteran, John Hudson, to fill the newly created position of senior vice president of commercial brokerage to lead its 25 brokers.

LOUISVILLE, KY-KFC's same-store sales were up 12% year-over-year, giving Yum a 6% boost overall.

PHOENIX-Shea Commercial buys 24 acres and flips 11.5 to Chivas Retail. The build-out plan is 98,000 sf of office condos and 90,000 sf of retail space. Shea's Villages at Sonoran Canyon breaks ground in September, but the retail's not likely to start until midyear 2006.