A buyer has been nominated for the Palmer Square building that has housed Princeton’s post office since 1934. But the identity of that purchaser is being withheld until a contract is officially signed, probably after the first of next year.

“We’re not disclosing the nominated purchaser just now,” said Alec Monaghan, first vice president of the global firm CBRE Inc., which is handling the sale of the office and several other United States Post Office locations throughout the country. “It’s not even under contract yet,” he continued. “But we have picked a purchaser, a lead bidder, and it’s a very good offer.”

One bidder officially out of the running is Palmer Square Management, which oversees the tenants of the Square. “Apparently it has been sold to someone other than us,” said David Newton, Palmer Square vice president. “It’s got to be someone who bid at a very high price. It’s disappointing, but it was a price we weren’t prepared to go beyond.”

Mr. Newton added that despite his disappointment, Palmer Square Management looks forward to welcoming the buyer. “As long as they’re respectful of everything that we tried to accomplish, we’re happy to work with them,” he said.

Mr. Monaghan said the nominated purchaser “will be very respectful. They have a historical architect that they’ve retained. We think they’ll be good for the town.”

The prospective buyers are “looking at broadly retail but haven’t ruled out a restaurant” for the building, he said. “I don’t think a restaurant is their first choice, but it could be considered.”

Several bidders showed interest in the building, which is listed on the state and national registers of historic places. After narrowing the list down to five serious candidates, the selection was made. Mr. Monaghan said the nominated purchasers have a local and national presence.

Just where the Princeton post office will relocate is another unanswered question, but the search has been narrowed down to two downtown locations — 51 Hulfish Street, and another one “close to the existing location,” Mr. Monaghan said. The Hulfish store is currently the temporary home to a toy store.