The New Biggest P.E. Deal Ever

What can $36 billion buy?

How about the largest publicly-held office building owner?

In the largest private equity transaction in history, The Blackstone Group’s real estate affiliate will acquire Equity Office Properties Trust, which owns all or parts of nearly 600 buildings in 16 states and Washington, D.C., for that astronomical amount, shattering the record, set this summer, by the $33 billion deal for hospital operator HCA, led by Bain Capital and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.