Throughout most of Fairfield County, average asking rental rates dropped for nearly all building classes in every office submarket in the fourth quarter of 2012, while vacancy rates increased 2.3 percent from the third quarter, according to information from Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

Stamford-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is scheduled to open 28 hotels in North America in 2013, the most in one year since before the global economic crisis started.

Washington Management LLC has purchased two industrial complexes totaling 398,107 square feet in Ansonia.

Trauma Treatment Associates, a medical services provider, has leased two third-floor offices at 442 Orange St. in New Haven.

“All for one and one for all” isn\’t often the tune you hear sung by the architect and general contractor working on the same project, ostensibly as partners.

Although their funding has been cut, the crew operating the Helmets to Hardhats program continues its efforts – on a volunteer basis – to find jobs in construction trades for armed forces veterans.

As communities across America continue to experience empty storefronts and “big-box” retail buildings, undeveloped land and half-finished building projects that failed in the recession, the challenge remains: What can be done to restore commercial real estate vitality?

Grossman Marketing Group, a 103-year-old, fourth-generation family-run print and promotional products company, has acquired ASAP Inc., a Norwalk firm specializing in promotional products for a wide variety of businesses in the financial services, legal, education and consumer products sectors.

The former Pratt & Whitney site in North Haven is being developed into a 165-acre industrial park.

Dunkin’ Donuts has leased 3,400 square feet within a Hartford retail center.

Laurel Hall, a 67,000-square-foot classroom building that opened in 2011 on the University of Connecticut’s flagship Storrs campus, has received LEED Gold Certification for its environmentally friendly design and construction.

Baron Consulting Co. Inc. has leased 3,200 square feet of lab space at 181 Research Drive in Milford. Harry Agahigian, president of Baron, said the firm will use the four units of lab space for product development according to a statement.

William H. Farley, president of CBRE Connecticut region, will step down as president to become of counsel for the firm.

Diversified Project Management Inc. (DPM), a Hartford owner’s representative firm, has completed the construction and relocation project for The Jade Marketing Group of West Hartford.

A Middlebury property sold for $1.3 million to a local company that will redevelop the property.

A four-building, 34-unit apartment complex in downtown New Canaan fetched $8.375 million, or $246,320 per unit, in a recent sale.

A Chicago-based real estate investment trust purchased a Newington shopping center for $17.5 million.