"We offered more money than Goldman Sachs & Co.'s WhitehallFund," Younan says, "but we were told Friday that we didn't get thedeal. We know they offered attractive terms, such as requiring nodue diligence, fast closing and all cash."

Other bidders reportedly included Tishman Speyer, the John BuckCo. and Beitler Real Estate Corp., though none of the firmsreturned calls regarding the deal. A Shorenstein spokesman alsowould not confirm the deal, but did say a sale is close tohappening. Goldman Sachs did not return calls for comment.Officials with locally based Golub Co., which reportedly wouldmanage and lease the property, also did not return calls. NewYork-based Eastdil Secured, which usually does not comment on itstransactions, handled the brokerage on behalf of Shorenstein.

The sale is still attractive, at roughly $350 per sf. The dealincludes the 888,458-sf office portion of the John Hancock Centeras well as 152,897 sf of retail space there. The building, thethird tallest in Chicago, also has 700 condominiums, which were notincluded in the sale.