Blackstone is expected to close its all-cash deal by Friday, andRichard Kincaid, president and chief executive officer of EOP, hasa meeting here in Chicago with an acquisition team, which willlikely include Jon Gray, Blackstone's senior managing director forreal estate, on Monday.

Kincaid might have a little explaining to do. In a pressconference following the EOP vote, Kincaid said it's his guess thatBlackstone will probably be selling off more of EOP's propertiesthan expected, because of the price Blackstone ended up payingafter the bidding war. "They may need to mark up the assets morethan they planned," Kincaid said. However, a source close to thedeal tells GlobeSt.com that Kincaid was talking out of school aboutBlackstone's plans for EOP assets.

Officially, Blackstone looks forward to closing the transaction,a spokesman says. "We are pleased to have secured what we believeis a compelling investment for Blackstone investors, and gratifiedby the overwhelming support of EOP shareholders," says thespokesman.