Sources close to the deal say Mortimer Zuckerman's Boston Properties Inc. recently dropped out of the bidding, but the privately held Shorenstein Co., which owns 50% of the center, remains confident of the sale and the price.

According to investment analysts, if the BofA Center sells for $1 billion, Shorenstein could take a $500 million cut, giving the real estate investment firm a 33% return on its original $660 million investment. The other 50% interest in the property belongs to Charlotte's NationsBank, which acquired Bank of America in 1998.

The Bank of America Center occupies a corner of downtown on California and Montgomery streets. The Center is comprised of three buildings including 555 California St., a 1.5-million-sf class A office building.

Shorenstein bought the property in 1985 and then reacquired a 50 percent stake in the complex in 1992 for about $380 million. Since 1985 the firm has gathered $880 million in sales proceeds from the property.

The timing for the sale looks good since Shorenstein since is trying to raise $500 million to launch its sixth real estate fund this summer. Company chairman and CEO Doug Shorenstein usually sticks to his fund's strategy of buying low-profile Class A office space, according to the experts and using lower leverage than other funds. His five successful funds have quadrupled the company's assets under management to more than $5 billion and its portfolio to more than 25 million square feet.

Instant Insights /

BofA Center Expected to Change Hands This Month

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