Also joining the new division is Bill Maggard, who will be itsSVP. He had been a SVP at Jones Lang LaSalle Development anddirector of development for the Healthcare Division since 1998, andbefore that was VP of the Medical Division at Duke RealtyInvestments, now Duke-Weeks Realty.

"Our primary objective is to develop investment programs thatcapitalize on the attractive risk-adjusted returns currentlyavailable in the medical office sector," says Bolen. "At a timewhen capital isn't available to traditional buyers of medicaloffice buildings--healthcare REITS--the underlying fundamentals ofthe sector are sound."

LaSalle Investment Management currently has about $21.5 billionof real estate assets under management. "With the formation of ourmedical office group, we'll be able to provide our clients accessto what we believe is a very attractive sector," says Lynn Thurber,CEO of LaSalle Investment Management.