EXHIBIT 5.1





                        [MILES & STOCKBRIDGE LETTERHEAD]


                                                               February 26, 1997



HRE Properties, Inc.
321 Railroad Avenue
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         In connection  with the  registration  under the Securities Act of 1933
(the  "Act")  of 25,000  shares of common  stock  (the  "Common  Stock")  of HRE
Properties,  Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Corporation"),  we have examined
such corporate  records,  certificates  and documents as we deemed necessary for
the purpose of this opinion.  Based on that  examination,  we advise you that in
our opinion  the Common  Stock has been duly and validly  authorized  and,  when
issued  upon the terms set forth in the  Registration  Statement  filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the  "Commission"),  will be legally issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement.  In giving our consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the
Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                                Very truly yours,



                                                Miles & Stockbridge,
                                                  a Professional Corporation



                                                By:     /s/ J.W. Thompson Webb
                                                       -------------------------
                                                        Principal