$6-billion proposal

The move comes as the Uniondale-based office REIT confirms it has received a letter from Rome Acquisition Limited Partnership topping SL Green's bid, with a $49-per-share offer of its own. The cash offer would cover all Reckson's outstanding shares, subject to due diligence. According to Reckson officials, the letter states that Rome--a partnership of entities associated with Harry Macklowe and Carl Icahn--expects to have a definitive binding proposal along with binding commitments from lenders no later than Dec. 4.

However, officials stress in a statement that to date, Macklowe and Icahn have not submitted a binding proposal to acquire Reckson, or "that such a proposal would result in a transaction with Reckson at either the price set forth in such proposal or otherwise."

Reckson remains subject to a binding merger agreement with SL Green, which has the backing of the Reckson board. This deal--which made headlines in August--totals $43.31 per Reckson common share and OP unit, as GlobeSt.com previously reported. At that time, Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, said the deal would enhance the overall quality of the company's portfolio, with the addition of more than four million sf of office space in Manhattan and properties in Southern Connecticut and Westchester County.