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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 17,
1998, 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, 1997.






                                                 /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP

Dallas, Texas
May 13, 1998