First American names Argyros to board George...

First American names Argyros to board

George Argyros, chairman and chief executive of Costa Mesa-based

Arnel & Affiliates, was named a member of First American Corp.’s

board of directors.

First American, a Santa Ana business information firm, announced

the appointment Thursday. Argyros was a member of the firm’s board

for 13 years before he was appointed ambassador to Spain in 2001. He

returned to his position with Arnel & Affiliates after serving for

three years as an ambassador, according to First American.

Argyros is also the principal financial provider to Costa

Mesa-based Westar Capital, according to that firm’s website.

Koll buys building in Rolling Hills Estates

Newport Beach’s Koll Co. announced Wednesday that the firm paid

$9.2 million to buy an office building in Rolling Hills Estates.

The seller was Newport Beach-based Corona-Capo Realty Investors,

according to a release. The two-story building has more than 44,500

square feet of space and is 80% full. The Koll Co. plans to upgrade

the building and market space for small, upscale companies.

William Lyon reports fewer home orders

William Lyon Homes, based in Newport Beach, reported Wednesday

that new home orders for first nine months of 2005 were slightly down

compared to last year’s numbers.

Through Sept. 30, the company reported 2,861 new home orders, a

small dip from the 2,878 homes ordered during the first nine months

of last year.

From July through September, William Lyon Homes’ business was up

compared to last year. During the third quarter of 2005, new home

orders were up 27% to 834 homes, compared to 659 orders during the

same quarter last year.

William Lyon Homes does business in California, Arizona and

Nevada.