UPDATE 1-GM Building attracts record high bids --sources

(Updates with second source, other bids)

By Ilaina Jonas

NEW YORK, Feb 19 (Reuters) - New York real estate titan Harry Macklowe has received bids for the General Motors Building, with several of them topping $3 billion, two sources familiar with the process said on Tuesday.

One source with knowledge of the bids said "a number" came in over $3 billion, a price that would set a record for a U.S. office building. Macklowe bought the GM Building, on Fifth Avenue, in 2003 for a then-record $1.4 billion.

New York developer Larry Silverstein, who is rebuilding the World Trade Center site, has submitted a bid that was greater than $3 billion and less than $3.5 billion, another source said.

Silverstein, through a spokesman, declined to comment. CB Richard Ellis Group Inc (CBG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the broker handling the bids, also declined to comment, as did Macklowe's representative.

Over the past year and a half, Silverstein, backed by $2 billion from his cash-rich financial partner, California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), purchased three Manhattan office buildings: 99 Church Street, 575 Lexington Avenue and 1177 Avenue of the Americas. CalSTRS could contribute another $2 billion in funds for more acquisitions, this person said.

Macklowe spent about $7 billion last year for seven Manhattan buildings previously owned by Equity Office Properties Trust and has since struggled to refinance those loans. On Friday, he reached extension agreements with his chief lenders Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Proceed from the GM Building may be used to repay Macklowe's lenders. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Keehner; Editing by Andre Grenon, Gary Hill)