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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5


             Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants


American Realty Trust, Inc.
   Dallas, Texas

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March
14, 1997, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of
National Realty, L.P. appearing in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996.

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus.

                                        /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP

     
                               BDO Seidman, LLP

Dallas, Texas
December 31, 1997