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NEW YORK CITY-Archstone-Smith has spent $266 million for two apartment communities here, adding 450 units to its holdings. In just four years, the Denver-based REIT has amassed a portfolio of 3,745 apartment units here with an investment of approximately $1.8 billion.

The company's newest additions are the Marlborough House, a 270-unit, 35-story community in Murray Hill, and 180 Montague St., a 192-unit, 33-story community in Brooklyn Heights. The firm paid $165 million for Marlborough House and $101 million for 180 Montague. Marlborough House is one block north of Archstone East 39th, which was acquired in 2004. The acquisitions were funded primarily through tax-deferred exchange proceeds. Information on the sellers was not released.

"New York City is an important component of our long-term strategy of owning apartment communities in highly desirable neighborhoods with expensive housing costs," says R. Scot Sellers, chairman and chief executive officer. According to Archstone-Smith, it is now the largest public owner of apartments in Manhattan.