Mark Herr, spokesman for American International Group Inc., said the company is evaluating the sale of 70 Pine Street and 72 Wall Street as part of its efforts to boost operations.
The potential sale, first reported by The New York Post, comes at a difficult time for the insurance conglomerate and in the New York real estate market. Prices for office buildings are falling in the wake of tight credit and downsizing in the financial industry.
"I dare not even venture a guess on a price because this is exactly the type of asset lenders are avoiding like the plague right now," said Dan Fasulo, managing director at research firm Real Capital Analytics Inc.
If AIG leaves the building, securing a new tenant would be nearly impossible in a recession, Fasulo said.
The best option for a new owner is to redevelop the property into a hotel or residences, Fasulo said, which is also risky in the current climate.