Eric Trump, VP of acquisition and development for his father'sNew York City-based company, admitted to GlobeSt.com that it wasall about timing. "It's a bit of a crazy world right now," he says."Timing is our saving grace. I think the chances of gettingfinancing in this market for a project like ours, or the Spire, arepretty much non-existent. There's just not too many projects goingforward in this market."

However, he admits that though 75% of the condos have buyers,the remaining 25% have been difficult to sell. "With Bear Stearnsfailing, the market flopping, it's hurt everybody, there's noquestion about it. But I think when you're dealing with thishigh-end type of buyer, it's not going to affect them as much, theyhave more access to capital than those in mid- to lower-levelprojects."

Plus, he says amenities such as 20,000 sf of fitness and spa, apool on the 27th floor, 100,000 sf of retail, a restaurant(Sixteen) that is already booked solid for more than a month andincredible views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, havereally attracted buyers. "We put together the best in every marketwe're in," Trump says.