Cushman & Wakefield of Massachusetts principal Edward Maher,who participated in both transactions involving 45 Milk St. LP,confirmed that an agreement has been struck, but declined toidentify the winners or provide financial details. Anglo-Irishofficials tell GlobeSt.com that, "We are familiar with thistransaction, but have nothing to report at this time." Sources,however, pegged Anglo-Irish as the buyer for its client.

A member of C&W's renowned New England investment salesteam, Maher did say he was surprised by the crush of capitalpursuing 45 Milk St. Even in anticipating substantial interestgiven the lack of opportunities and the property's variousstrengths, "We had no idea it would be as sought after as it was,"Maher tells GlobeSt.com. There were 13 actual bidders, he reports,five from overseas and the remainder representing domestic capital,among those a mix of private and institutional funds.

The robust response led to an accelerated marketing process,acknowledged Maher, who says the campaign was launched in mid-Mayand culminated a few weeks later after Anglo-Irish survived aspirited final process. A closing could occur as early as nextweek, sources estimate. Besides the number of bidders, which Mahersays had to be restricted early on, those who chased 45 Milk St.were not easily turned away. "Once people see the building, theyfall in love with it," says Maher.