A Tall Order for Stock Investors

The Malkin family of New York, which currently controls the 102-story landmark, filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday saying that it has "embarked on a course of action" that could result in the skyscraper being included in a newly formed real- estate investment trust.

The building was valued in the summer at $1.65 billion, when the Malkin family refinanced the property. The building's net annual income is $63 million, according to Commercial Mortgage Alert.

The Malkin family stake in the skyscraper dates back to the days when Harry Helmsley bought a controlling stake in the property in the early 1960s with Lawrence Wien, the father-in-law of Peter Malkin. Mr. Malkin has since taken control but only after years of battling with Ms. Helmsley, who inherited her husband's interest.

Developed in the early 1930s by group of investors led by tycoon John Raskob, the Empire State Building hit the market during the Depression and sat mostly empty for years. Gradually, though, the building filled up with hundreds of tenants and became a Hollywood darling featured in movies such as "King Kong" and "Sleepless in Seattle."

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Tall Order in the Big Easy

A 25-year-old real-estate investment trust, which has sparked some criticism for its strong appetite for acquisitions, has agreed to buy New Orleans's tallest skyscraper for $107 million, according to people familiar with the property.

CommonWealth REIT, of Newton, Mass., is buying the 51-story office building named One Shell Square from MetLife Inc., the people said. CommonWealth and MetLife declined to comment on the deal.

The deal reflects the pressure many buyers are facing to push into new territories for buildings as competition has made major market bargains scarcer. "Things have been getting a little more challenging," John Popeo, CommonWealth's chief ...

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