VERNON HILLS, IL-The Dallas-based REIT sold nearly 250,000 sf of industrial space in this northern Chicago suburb recently as part of its strategy to focus on its core markets. Prentiss still owns an office park in nearby Bannockburn.

CHICAGO-The insurance company takes 22,508 sf at the Class A office building owned and managed by Prentiss Properties while Qwest renews a lease on nearly 20,000 sf it occupies in the complex along the Kennedy Expressway.

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL-Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers, Inc. will stay at 3701 W. Algonquin Rd. in this northwest suburb of Chicago after 122,701 sf of office space, more than 20,000-plus sf of office space it already had here.

CHICAGO-Corey B. Chase joins the Downtown office of Julien J. Studley, Inc. as managing director in the industrial services division. He represented industrial and office tenants in suburban Midwest markets for Douglas Elliman Beitler.

CHICAGO-Despite the city's preference for industry and the jobs it brings, some real estate practitioners can envision the 2-million-sf Brach & Brock Confection plant redeveloped for retail, housing and smaller industrial uses.

OAK BROOK, IL-CenterPoint Properties Trust recently sold 23 industrial buildings for $31.6 million while picking up another six for $19 million. The largest properties sold and bought were in suburbs next to the airport.

CHICAGO-LaSalle Bank chief economist Carl R. Tannenbaum hates to hear the "r" word because he thinks the economy is in for a soft landing. However, he warns retail brokers to be "very, very careful" in 2001.

JOLIET-More than 6 million sf of space built to handle high-capacity data and electrical needs of its tenants is coming to this city 40 miles southwest of Chicago. Ryan Cos. plans to break ground in the spring.