Strategic Names Morefield as Chief Financial Officer

Chicago-based Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. has named Diane Morefield executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Economy Watch: Investor Bags Helmsley Carlton House for $170M

Private-equity firm Angelo, Gordon & Co. and Extell Development Co. have agreed to buy the Helmsley Carlton House in Manhattan for about $170 million, according to Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal. The Madison Avenue property is currently owned by the estate of the late Leona Helmsley, and sports some of the most expensive retail space anywhere.

Lantana Media Campus Gets $85M in Financing

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. has arranged $85 million in financing for the Lantana Media Campus in Santa Monica, Calif., which was sold for $200 million in last year’s largest office property deal in Los Angeles County.

Insights from MBA: Dave Hendrickson

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Dave Hendrickson talks from the MBA-CREF conference about the commercial and multi-family acquisitions market.

Transition Year

The office vacancy rate is nearing its peak for this cycle, but the market will remain soft in 2010, according to Josh Scoville, director of strategic research for PPR, a CoStar Group company.