"That's pretty good information," one source tells GlobeSt.comof rumors that Synergy Investment & Development has outpaced abevy of bidders vying for 100 Franklin St., which is owned by Asianentrepreneur Raymond C. Lee. Other sources concur, and say Synergyand the seller are now in negotiations and working towards aclosing. Sources could not provide a price range, but a Leespokesman had indicated in previous comments that 100 Franklin St.was expected to fetch nearly $40 million. Lee's affiliate, OasisDevelopment Enterprises, acquired the building in 2004 for $19.5million.

Cushman & Wakefield is brokering the sale for Oasis, but membersof the real estate firm's Capital Markets Group did not respond toinquiries regarding 100 Franklin St. Equally mum are officials atBoston-based Synergy, who also did not comment for the GlobeSt.comstory regarding the acquisition of 100North Washington St. for $11.7 million from A.W. Perry Co. Synergywas founded in 2005 by Irish native David Greaney and alreadycontrols several buildings close to 100 Franklin St., including 211Congress St., 27 School St. and 141 Tremont St.

The steady pace of purchases by Synergy comes amidst a difficultstretch for the investment sales sector, and bucks anecdotalreports that Irish players are easing up on commercial real estatein New England and other US markets. Some industry watchersmaintain the slowdown is a result of the Irish financial boom beinginterrupted, while others say safety conscious Irish funds are waryof the shaky global economy and US woes in particular. OneBoston-based advisor for a heretofore active Irish group tellsGlobeSt.com that his investors have opted to head for the sidelinesuntil conditions stabilize. "It's not for the faint of heart," theadvisor says of the 2008 investment climate.