A partnership, led by Sperry Van Ness/Visions Commercial senior adviser Steve Fithian, put the five-story, class B building at 5601 Bridge St. on the market in September 2007 for $10.5 million, taking one of two full-price offers just two months later. Fithian tells GlobeSt.com that the deal died due to the capital markets so the owner of the 3.1-acre prime piece of real estate did a second run last February at a $10.2-million ask. "The markets had obviously changed," he explains.

Fithian says Navika Capital Group LLC came in with a bid two months ago, quickly placing a contract only to see its loan commitment fall by the wayside and escrow break. The deal subsequently was resurrected and repackaged. "It was a pretty grueling market due to the capital markets," he says, adding the down time resulted in a higher occupancy at sale time.

The seller acquired the holding in July 2006, with occupancy at 78%, and sold it to Navika at 98.5%. Fithian's team, which has offices in 4,500 square feet, will continue to manage the asset. "It was really a successful building for our partnership," he says.