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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 24, 1999, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules
of National Realty, L.P. appearing in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form
10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998.

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

/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
BDO Seidman, LLP


Dallas, Texas
July 29, 1999