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                                                                   Exhibit 23.1

 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-11
(File No. 333-25279) of our report dated May 1, 1997, on our audits of the
combined financial statements and financial statement schedule of the Boston
Properties Predecessor Group. We also consent to the references to our firm
under the caption "Experts".
 
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
   
May 27, 1997     
