"Investors continue to see opportunities as vacancy isdecreasing in the suburban market," according to director of marketresearch Kevin A. Stanley in a recent U.S. Equities Realty's reportthat noted 21 suburban sales totaling 4.5 million sf. Of thatvolume, nine buildings totaling 1.6 million sf changed hands indeals totaling more than $162 million.

Two of the largest sales were in the 11.8-million-sf O'Haresubmarket, with John Buck Co. paying $90 million for the631,445-sf, two-building Triangle Plaza property along the KennedyExpressway and Equity Office Properties Trust's $57.7-millionacquisition of Pointe O'Hare I in Rosemont. Pointe O'Hare Icommanded the richest price among all first-quarter deals at $219per sf.

Still, the biggest-ticket sales were Downtown, with BeaconCapital Partners LLC paying $126 million for 200 S. Wacker Dr. andHenry Crown Co. buying 222 N. LaSalle St. for $120 million. Anothernine properties are on the market or under contract, U.S. EquitiesRealty reports. "If this pace of real estate transactionscontinues, 2006 could be another banner year for the Chicagomarketplace," according to the report.