"It's basically his to lose," one source says of Chiofaro'spursuit of the nine-level Harbor Garage. The source claims at leastone other bidder remains in the running, but concurs with otherreports that Chiofaro and Prudential have been tentativelydesignated as the winners of a competition that has lingered formuch of the summer. The sales price is said to be in the range of$155 million to $160 million.

At this point, the parties involved are remaining mum on thenegotiations, with brokers at Cushman & Wakefield decliningcomment, while a call to Chiofaro's headquarters at hisInternational Place office complex in Boston was not returned bypress deadline. Despite the lack of input, Chiofaro has openlyindicated several times that he covets the property, even launchinga pre-emptive attempt back in 2006 to acquire the asset as part ofa mixed-use development plan that could include such elements asoffice space, a hotel and residential uses. Dominated by the1,380-vehicle garage, the site is considered ripe for additionalcapacity and uses, although such a vision would have to overcomethe state's onerous Chapter 91 laws regulating harbor developmentand potential opposition from wealthy neighbors in anotherhigh-rise condo.

As for getting a final commitment, sources could not predict howlong that might take, especially since reports of a deal beingstruck have been circulating for more than a month. One sourceclaims the current owners, InterPark, have slowed the process dueto a desire to somehow retain a role in the property going forward,but whether that remains an issue is unclear.