EOP shareholders will receive $55.50 in cash per share. "Ourmerger with The Blackstone Group, the largest private equity buyoutin history, is a tribute to the dedication of our employees," saysRichard Kincaid, president and CEO of EOP, in a statement. "We haveworked hard over the past ten years to build a great company andmaximize shareholder value. We are proud to have assembled anirreplaceable portfolio of extraordinary assets."

Shareholders approved the merger on Wednesday.This was after an intense January that was highlighted by biddingping-pong between Vornado Realty Trust and Blackstone - eachcompany trying to raise the other's offer.

Just before the merger closed, MackloweProperties took a 6.5-million-sf, New York office portfoliofor $7 billion from Equity Office Properties Trust. The deal comesjust before the official closing of the merger between EOP andBlackstone Group, which is expected for later today. .