DENVER-Betting the economy will be in better shape when newly-constructed units are ready for occupancy, developers have pulled permits for 33% more units in the first nine months this year compared to the same time in 2000.

DENVER-Two real estate veterans are added to a Julien J. Studley Inc. office that opened earlier this year. Former US Olympic swimmer David McCagg, who was directly involved with the Fiddlers Green Center, is one of the hires.

PHOENIX-Allred Two at Southbank sells for $15.4 million to Robert F. and Robert L. Caldwell of San Francisco, who were involved in a Section 1031 Exchange. Douglas Allred Co. of San Diego is the seller.

LAS VEGAS-In addition to an 8.3% vacancy rate, three months free rent is now common on five-year leases, with some tenants winning five months. That's up from the usual one or two months.

DENVER-In one of the largest land deals in years, Gates Corp. deals off two-thirds of its Denver campus to Cherokee Investments Partners II, L.P. The acreage includes 2.2 million sf spread over 12 buildings.

AURORA, CO-New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc., which was owed $13.6 million by Phoenix-based Ellman Cos., is the new owner of the prominent "power" retail center after an all-cash deal.

ARVADA, CO-FDG 83-1 L.P., owner of the two-story, 15,867-sf Employers Unity Inc. office building at 7903 Allison Way, gets a $1.3-million mortgage arranged by the Denver office of Minneapolis-based NorthMarq Capital.

PHOENIX-The Downtown portion of the 14.1-million-sf CBD boasts a slightly lower vacancy rate as well as lower asking rents. Uptown, however, is the larger piece of the CBD submarket.