The National Bank of Detroit opened the 14-story building as itsheadquarters in 1959. In 1998, NBD merged with Bank One, which wasbought by Chase in 2004. The building has been up for sale sincethen, says a company spokeswoman, and the bank employees have beenslowly moving materials to just the first eight floors inpreparation for leasing the property. "We prefer to be a long-termtenant than own the building ourselves," the spokeswoman says. "Ourexpertise is helping people and companies with financial needs, notreal estate." The building's name will remain as part of the leasedeal, she says.

Danny Samson, vice president of the Sterling Group, tellsGlobeSt.com that his firm has confidence in the city. The firm islocated across the street from Chase Tower, making it easier to bea responsible landlord, he says. "This building truly represents agreat opportunity, similar to our Guardian Building that we ownDowntown," Samson says. "We took that from 6% occupancy to about50% occupancy in three years. We believe we have the advantages tobring in tenants."

Samson says the firm is looking to fill the rest of the buildingwith one or two large suburban tenants. "We need to educate them onwhy Detroit is a great place to do business. They're out there, andwe will have very aggressive rates to bring them in," he says. Theasking lease rates will be in the low teens, he says.