Charter Hall Said to Seek Bids for $1.7 Billion U.S. Assets

Charter Hall Office REIT, the Australian property company, is seeking offers for a U.S. portfolio that may fetch more than its $1.7 billion book value, according to four people with knowledge of the sale.

Blackstone Group LP, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Highwoods Properties Inc. are among the firms that have expressed interest in some or all of the 14 U.S. assets, which include offices in Boston and Washington, said the people, who asked not to be named because the process is private. Bank of America Corp., hired by Sydney-based Charter Hall to evaluate offers, plans to send out materials on the properties this week, the people said.