SOUTHFIELD, MI-The absorption skills of the Motor City office markets, both Downtown and the suburbs, will be tested in 2001, according to a first-quarter report by Marcus and Millichap.

AKRON, OH-The 402-unit Chapel Hill Towers senior housing complex at 1111 Independence Ave., along with a 20-acre site, is sold by Cleveland-based Forest City Residential to locally-based Summit Management Co.

SOUTHFIELD, MI-Joel Gershenson, Bruce Gershenson and Michael A. Ward will serve on an advisory committee, undertaking specific project-oriented tasks, opening up opportunities for other executives, says the company's CEO.

LIVONIA, MI-A Grubb & Ellis team represents an independent paper distributor in its leasing of 32,736 sf at 35255 Glendale. Location near an expressway and six truckwells are factors in the decision.

DETROIT-Well-known financier of Detroit development Max Fisher earns praise from Wayne State University, which gives him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his commitment to economic, cultural and charitable causes.

SALEM TOWNSHIP, MI-Magna International purchases land from Real Estate Interest Group held by Taubman Companies for mall development. Horse racing, restaurants and hotels could be in a mixed-use entertainment facility.

TOLEDO, OH-A broker claims the deal is the largest single-investor purchase ever in city. Harvey A. Tolson buys a 514,000-sf industrial/flex complex from the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio for $15.7 million.

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI-The 35,339-sf medical office building, owned by Rontal Investment Co. LLC, is financed with a $4.75-million loan arranged by Bernard Financial Group. The lender is Clarica U.S. Inc.