"Boston is a core market for us," Suydam tells GlobeSt.com. "Wehave an investment threshold that makes sense for our expectedreturns. I think it's a strong statement on our company that wedon't get swayed by the energy of wanting to buy. We have a verystringent set of parameters and can show restraint."

That strategy has made Equity Office one of the top investors inthe Boston market with 25 strategic and well-known downtown andsuburban properties in its local portfolio. Among its Bostonholdings are Center Plaza, One Post Office Square, South Stationand Russia Wharf, which it is currently being redeveloped toinclude a hotel along with residential, office and retailspace.

Because the firm has about a 30% share of the city's centralbusiness district, EOP has become a force among the office propertybuyers. "In the class A tower market, we probably see every dealthat goes by," she says. "We're in a really terrific position to beahead of where our market is. If something in starting to move,we're going to see it before the institutional investor. That givesus a competitive advantage."