NEWTON, MA-HRPT Properties Trust, as of July 1, 2010 will be nomore. The locally based REIT will continue to exist, however itwill undergo a name change. The new moniker for the publicly-tradedreal estate trust will be "CommonWealth REIT." The switch willhappen on July 1, 2010, at which point the ticker symbol for theNew York Stock Exchange will switch from HRP to CWH.

HRPT is also agreeing to divest of 15 properties to GovernmentProperties Income Trust for $231 million, all of which are majorityleased by the government. HRPT is anticipating net capital gains ofabout $20 million from the sale. HRPT owns 31.8% of GOV's totalcommon shares and will receive an additional $10 million in capitalgains from the deal, as well. The property was sold with an 8.5%cap rate of cash NOI.

A storied history of name changes, the original HRP was "Healthand Rehabilitation Properties Trust" owning healthcare andrehabilitation facilities, primarily. That was 1986, but by 1994senior housing was incorporated, which led to a simple change,swapping "Rehabilitation" for "Retirement." As the REITincorporated office properties in 1998, the name was truncated tosimply be HRPT Properties Trust and now with a move away fromhealth facilities, the trust will take on its new name. HRPTdid not return GlobeSt inquiries by deadline.