Yesterday afternoon, we stopped by the Homer Building for Akridge's 10th annual March Madness party. But before checking out the day's slate of games, we caught up with the acquisitions team who just handled the purchase of 1199 N Fairfax on Alexandria's waterfront: Brian Connolly, Andy Pace, Matt Konrad, Christiana Chiang, and Max Bickett. Matt tells us the firm was attracted to the building's diverse tenant base (tenant bases are like NCAA teams—you want a little of everything: defense, offense, spirit, and a good marching band). They also like Alexandria's long-term future, with so many large-scale projects on the way. Akridge will make a few aesthetic improvements to the building, Matt says; Tishman Speyer was the seller, and Akridge partnered up with Stockbridge Capital on the buy.

Also on hand: Washington Humane Society CEO Lisa LaFontaine (red), who tells us her nonprofit is working with Akridge to help build a new HQ building somewhere in DC. She's joined by Akridge's Dodd Walker, colleague Julie Conway, and Akridge's Andy Boliek.

The CBRE crew: Matt Plunket, Harry Stephens, Tony Bolino, and Melissa Byrd.

The Akridge team got so into March Madness, they even dressed up the Homer Building's Spirit of American Youth statue. Here's the firm's marketing mavens Heather Davis and Meaghan Treanor welcoming their new teammate.