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RI's 'Superman' Tower Trades for $33M

PROVIDENCE, RI-The iconic 1927 art deco structure is the tallest building in the state at 458 feet.

By Joe Clements | Updated on January 28, 2008

PROVIDENCE, RI-One of New England’s most famous commercial addresses has been sold, as High Rock Westminster Street LLC pays $33 million for the Bank of America Tower at 111 Westminster St. The 26-story art deco structure is known as the “Superman” building because of its similarity to the Daily Planet tower used as a backdrop in that action hero’s 1950′s television series.

“It’s an unbelievable property,” says NAI Hunneman Commercial Co. VP Jonathan Aron, who joined Hunneman EVP Robert Tito in brokering the off-market transaction between High Rock and the seller, Inland Real Estate Exchange. Besides being an “absolute net-leased” asset thanks to the full-building commitment by Bank of America that runs for another six years, Aron says 111 Westminster St. should benefit from Providence’s continued growth and its prominence as the tallest building in Rhode Island at 458 feet tall. Constructed in 1927, the 350,000-sf building previously served as the corporate headquarters of the Fleet Bank Corp., which was bought out by Bank of America.

Aron credits his client and the buyer for navigating the difficult investment sales climate to follow through on the sale. “We thought it was a good fit for everybody,” Aron says in assessing the outcome. High Rock principal David Sweetser did not respond to inquiries by press deadline, but Aron says he believes there is “great upside” in the deal for the new ownership, which paid about $100 per sf for the tower.

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