51 Monroe St. part of Brookfield securitization move

Brookfield Property Partners has been criticized for carrying too much debt by some investment experts. The company also has office properties in moribund office markets like Montgomery County, also considered risky. Now BPP is placing several D.C. area properties into a $223.4 million securitization scheme through Morgan Stanley.

51 Monroe St., the tallest building in Rockville, is one of the office properties. Also in the securitization deal are One Central Plaza and 6110 Executive Boulevard, both located in Bethesda.

Whether the move will ease critics fears of risk is unclear, however. Some argue that such deals themselves magnify risk, and obscure the equity the owner holds in the properties in question. Such securities were one of several factors that led to the "Great Recession" a decade ago.

51 MONROE STREET REBRANDED IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

The tallest building in Rockville (for now) is still called 51 Monroe Street. But it's looking a bit different these days. Recently renovated by owner Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT), the 1978 office tower complex has a new logo. Look closely at the top of the building, and you can see where the iconic "51" numerals were pried off, and replaced with the new design. WRIT also renovated the main lobby. Sorry, but I'm a fan of the old, larger 70s font numerals.

See the remnants of the
old logo? I preferred it
to the new design, which
is a step down, in
my opinion

Still one of the top
office buildings in
Montgomery County

The renovated lobby