by Calculated Risk on 3/30/2009 10:57:00 AM

From Bloomberg: Boston’s John Hancock Tower May Be Sold for Half of 2006 Price (ht Brian)

Boston’s John Hancock Tower, the tallest skyscraper in New England, may be sold to lenders led by Normandy Real Estate Partners for about half the $1.3 billion paid in 2006 by Broadway Partners, which defaulted on its loan.

This auction will give a good idea of how far commercial real estate prices have fallen.

Meanwhile, rents are falling too. From Bloomberg: Job cuts mean more office space available in Manhattan

The amount of Manhattan office space available for rent in the first quarter rose to 12 percent and rents fell as companies fired workers, FirstService Williams said.

The share of empty space plus occupied offices available for lease climbed from 10.9 percent at the end of 2008 ... The average rent sought by landlords fell to $65.18 a square foot from $74.49 in the fourth quarter, the company said.

So much for those $100 per sq ft pro forma projections ...