The deal has been in the works most of the year, William L.Hutchinson, president of the Dallas-based Dunhill, tellsGlobeSt.com. He says the hurdle to clear was a $10.1-million loanassumption held by the Charlotte, NC-headquartered Wachovia Corp.,with six years left on the term.

Hutchinson, who's been eyeing the asset for five years, toldindependent broker, Howard Kollinger, that he'd like to add the9090 Skillman St. property to his four-center toehold on northeastDallas retail space. Shortly thereafter, Kollinger returned with anopening to negotiate with the seven-year titleholder fromDallas.

"We like to pre-empt the market, jump in real fast, seal thedeal and be in the title company before people know it," Hutchinsonsays. The equity came from Behringer Harvard Short-Term OpportunityFund I LP, which has a three- to five-year hold strategy much likeits new partner's. The teaming, like the deal, was delivered with aquiet introduction. Rob Jones with Trammell Crow Co. tookHutchinson to meet Robert Behringer to marry the forces of alongtime retail owner, with in-house leasing and management, todeep-pocketed equity for additional retail buys.