Blackstone Leads $36 Billion Office Deal

The Blackstone Group has agreed to acquire Chicago-based office building owner and manager Equity Office Properties Trust (NYSE: EOP) for $48.50 per share. The total deal is valued at approximately $36 billion, with acquisition financing to be led by Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Bear Stearns. www.blackstone.com www.equityoffice.com< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />