The Blackstone Group has become a huge, almost public, brand seemingly overnight in the real estate game. It could elevate itself even more if it succeeds in buying the Freedom Tower, the iconic ground-zero building. That would be a trophy purchase to say the least. The rumor is that the Blackstone Group has approached the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey about acquiring the tower, which is scheduled to be finished in 2012. It wouldn't be out of the question, though the firm denies it is making such a move. The commercial real estate market in Manhattan is surging and that bodes well for many of the ground-zero buildings. JPMorgan Chase has indicated that it is interested in developing one such building.

For more:
- here's the article in the New York Post