e424b5
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(B)(5)
Registration No. 333-162775
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed.
This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities, nor a solicitation
of an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offering is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED APRIL 13, 2011
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus Dated October 30, 2009)
Shares
% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
(Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share)
We are offering to the public of our % Series J Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, which we refer to
as the Series J Preferred Shares. The underwriters named in this prospectus supplement may
purchase up to additional Series J Preferred Shares from us to cover
over-allotments, if any.
Dividends on the Series J Preferred Shares will be cumulative from but excluding the date of
original issue and payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each
year, commencing on July 1, 2011, at the rate of % of the liquidation preference per annum,
or $ per Series J Preferred Share per annum.
Except in instances relating to preservation of our status as a real estate investment trust, the
Series J Preferred Shares are not redeemable until April , 2016. On and after April , 2016,
we may redeem the Series J Preferred Shares in whole at any time or in part from time to time at a
redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends through the date of
redemption. The Series J Preferred Shares have no maturity date and will remain outstanding
indefinitely unless redeemed.
We intend to file an application to list the Series J Preferred Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange. If this application is approved, trading of the Series J Preferred Shares on the New York
Stock Exchange is expected to begin within 30 days following initial delivery of the Series J
Preferred Shares.
See Risk Factors beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement and under Item 1A. Risk
Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of
the risks relevant to an investment in our Series J Preferred Shares.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
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Per Share |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
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Plus accrued dividends, if any, from but excluding the date of original issue. |
The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional shares of the Series J
Preferred Shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30
days from the date of this prospectus supplement to cover over-allotments, if any.
The underwriters expect that the Series J Preferred Shares will be ready for delivery in book-entry
form through The Depository Trust Company on or about April , 2011.
Joint Book-Running Managers
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BofA Merrill Lynch
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Citi
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UBS Investment Bank
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Wells Fargo Securities |
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Deutsche Bank Securities
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Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
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J.P. Morgan
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RBC Capital Markets |
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April , 2011
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying
prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to give you different or
additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that
the information in this prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date after their respective dates. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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PROSPECTUS
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i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which adds to and
updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the prospectus,
provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we
refer to this prospectus supplement, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To
the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on
the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, you
should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, together with the additional information described under the
heading Available Information, in the accompanying prospectus.
All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
ii
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, constitute forward-looking statements as
such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
performance. They represent our intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs and are subject to
numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our future results, financial condition and business
may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You can find many
of these statements by looking for words such as approximates, believes, expects,
anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, would, may or other similar expressions in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in
the accompanying prospectus. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of these and our
other forward-looking statements are beyond our ability to control or predict. For further
discussion of factors that could materially affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements
and our future results and financial condition, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus, as applicable. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by
the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any
obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances occurring after the date of this prospectus supplement or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the
reports we file from time to time with the SEC. See Available Information in the accompanying
prospectus.
iii
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following information may not contain all the information that may be important to you.
You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the
documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment
decision. All references to we, our, us and Vornado in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus mean Vornado Realty Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where
it is clear that the term means only the parent company. All references to the Operating
Partnership in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus mean Vornado Realty L.P.
Unless indicated otherwise, all references to areas of properties provided in square feet or cubic
feet in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are approximations.
Vornado and the Operating Partnership
We are a fully integrated real estate investment trust organized under the laws of Maryland.
We conduct our business through, and substantially all of our interests in properties are held by,
the Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of, and owned an approximately 93.2% of
the common limited partnership interest in, the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2010.
As of December 31, 2010, Vornado Realty Trust, through the Operating Partnership, owned
directly or indirectly:
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all or portions of 28 office properties aggregating approximately 17.4 million
square feet in the New York City metropolitan area (primarily Manhattan); |
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all or portions of 82 office properties aggregating 21.1 million square feet in
the Washington, DC / Northern Virginia areas; and |
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a 70% controlling interest in 555 California Street, a three-building complex
aggregating 1.8 million square feet in San Franciscos financial district, known
as the Bank of America Center; |
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161 properties aggregating approximately 25.6 million square feet primarily in
Manhattan, the northeastern states, California and Puerto Rico; |
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Merchandise Mart Properties: |
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six properties aggregating approximately 6.9 million square feet of showroom
and office space, including the 3.5 million square foot Merchandise Mart in
Chicago; |
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a 32.7% interest in Toys R Us, Inc., which owns and/or operates 1,589 stores
worldwide, including 857 stores in the United States and 732 stores
internationally; |
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Other Real Estate Investments: |
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32.4% of the common stock of Alexanders, Inc. (NYSE: ALX), which has seven
properties aggregating 3.2 million square feet in the greater New York
metropolitan area; |
S-1
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the Hotel Pennsylvania containing 1.4 million square feet in New York City; |
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a 9.9% economic interest in J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), a major
retailer that operates 1,108 department stores nationwide; |
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a 26.2% equity interest in LNR Property Corporation, an industry leading
servicer and special servicer of commercial mortgage loans and CMBS, and a
diversified real estate, investment and finance company; |
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a 36.4% interest in our real estate investment fund, Vornado Capital Partners,
in which we are the general partner and investment manager with aggregate equity
commitments of $550 million, of which we committed $200 million; and |
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other real estate and investments, including marketable securities and
mezzanine loans on real estate. |
Our principal executive offices are located at 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
and our telephone number is (212) 894-7000.
Recent Development
On February 24, 2011, we closed $250 million of additional commitments to Vornado Capital
Partners. After the closing, we owned a 25.0% interest in Vornado Capital Partners with aggregate
equity commitments of $800 million. Vornado Capital Partners is our exclusive investment vehicle
for real estate and real estate-related investments that fit within the investment parameters of
Vornado Capital Partners during its three-year investment period.
The Offering
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Issuer
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Vornado Realty Trust. |
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Shares Offered
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of our Series J Preferred Shares (
shares if the underwriters over-allotment
option is exercised in full). |
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Dividends
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Dividends on each Series J Preferred Share will
be cumulative from but excluding the date of original
issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on
January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each
year, commencing July 1, 2011, at the rate of
% of the liquidation preference per annum,
or $ per Series J Preferred
Share per annum. |
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Liquidation Preference
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$25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not
earned or declared). |
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Maturity
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The Series J Preferred Shares have no maturity
date, and we are not required to redeem the
Series J Preferred Shares. Accordingly, the
Series J Preferred Shares will remain
outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to
redeem them. We are not required to set aside
funds to redeem the Series J Preferred Shares. |
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Ranking
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The Series J Preferred Shares will rank senior
to our common shares and any other junior shares
that we may issue in the future, and on parity
with our Series A Convertible Preferred Shares,
Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares,
Series F Cumulative |
S-2
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Redeemable Preferred Shares,
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares,
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares,
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
and any other parity shares that we may issue in
the future, in each case with respect to payment
of dividends and distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up. We
intend to contribute the net proceeds from the
offering to the Operating Partnership in
exchange for preferred units in the Operating
Partnership (with economic terms that mirror the
terms of the Series J Preferred Shares). These
preferred units will rank, as to distributions
and upon liquidation, senior to the Class A
Common Units of limited partnership interest in
the Operating Partnership and on parity with the
other preferred units in the Operating
Partnership. |
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Conversion Rights
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The Series J Preferred Shares are not
convertible into or exchangeable for any
property or any of our other securities. |
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Redemption at Option of
Vornado
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Except in instances relating to preservation of
our status as a real estate investment trust,
the Series J Preferred Shares are not redeemable
until April , 2016. On and after April ,
2016, we may redeem the Series J Preferred
Shares, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at a redemption price of $25.00
per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends
through the date of redemption. The Series J
Preferred Shares have no maturity date and will
remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed. |
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Voting Rights
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You will generally have no voting rights.
However, if dividends on the Series J Preferred
Shares are in arrears for six quarterly dividend
periods (whether or not consecutive), the
holders of the Series J Preferred Shares (voting
separately as a class with holders of all other
series of parity preferred stock upon which like
voting rights have been conferred and are
exercisable) will have the right to elect two
additional trustees to serve on our Board of
Trustees until such dividend arrearage is
eliminated. In addition, certain changes that
would be material and adverse to the rights of
holders of the Series J Preferred Shares cannot
be made without the affirmative vote of holders
of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series
J Preferred Shares and all other series of
parity preferred shares upon which like voting
rights have been conferred and are exercisable,
voting as a single class. If any such changes
would be material and adverse to holders of some
but not all series of parity preferred shares, a
vote of at least two-thirds of the holders of
only the series materially and adversely
affected would be required. |
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Listing
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We intend to file an application to list the
Series J Preferred Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange. |
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Use of Proceeds
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We will contribute the net proceeds from this
offering to the Operating Partnership in
exchange for preferred units of the |
S-3
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Operating
Partnership. The Operating Partnership will use
the proceeds for general business purposes,
which may include payment of the redemption or
repurchase price for preferred stock and units. |
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Restrictions on Ownership
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In order to maintain our qualification as a real
estate investment trust for federal income tax
purposes, ownership by any person of more than
9.9% of the outstanding preferred shares of any
class is prohibited by our Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust. |
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Settlement Date
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Delivery of the shares of Series J Preferred
Shares will be made against payment therefor on
or about April , 2011. |
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Form
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The Series J Preferred Shares will be maintained
in book-entry form registered in the name of the
nominee of The Depository Trust Company, except
under limited circumstances. |
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Risk Factors
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See Risk Factors beginning on page S-5 of this
prospectus supplement, as well as Item 1A. Risk
Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2010, for a
discussion of certain considerations relevant to
an investment in our Series J Preferred Shares.
The discussion under Risk Factors in this
prospectus supplement updates, and to the extent
inconsistent therewith supersedes, the
discussion under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2010. |
S-4
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision.
The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known
to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business,
financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these
risks. The trading price of Series J Preferred Shares could decline due to any of these risks, and
you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the documents incorporated in the accompanying prospectus by reference also contain
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain
factors, including the risks faced by us described below and under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Series J Preferred Shares Are Equity and Are Subordinate to Our Existing and Future Indebtedness.
Series J Preferred Shares are equity interests in Vornado Realty Trust and do not constitute
indebtedness. As such, Series J Preferred Shares will rank junior to all indebtedness and other
non-equity claims on Vornado Realty Trust with respect to assets available to satisfy claims on
Vornado Realty Trust, including in a liquidation of Vornado Realty Trust.
Your Interests Could Be Diluted by the Issuance of Additional Preferred Shares and by Other
Transactions.
Our Board of Trustees has the power to reclassify unissued preferred shares, and to amend our
Declaration of Trust, without any action by our shareholders, to increase the aggregate number of
shares or the number of shares of any class or series, including preferred shares, that we have
authority to issue. The issuance of additional preferred shares on parity with or senior to Series
J Preferred Shares would dilute the interests of the holders of Series J Preferred Shares, and any
issuance of preferred stock senior to Series J Preferred Shares or of additional indebtedness could
affect our ability to pay dividends on, redeem or pay the liquidation preference on Series J
Preferred Shares. Series J Preferred Shares do not contain any provisions affording the holders of
Series J Preferred Shares protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction,
including a merger or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all our assets or
business, that might adversely affect the holders of Series J Preferred Shares, so long as the
rights of the holders of Series J Preferred Shares are not materially and adversely affected.
Series J Preferred Shares May Not Have an Active Trading Market.
Series J Preferred Shares are a new issue with no established trading market. Although we plan
to apply to have Series J Preferred Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange, there is no
guarantee that we will be able to list Series J Preferred Shares. Even if Series J Preferred Shares
are listed, there may be little or no secondary market for Series J Preferred Shares. Even if a
secondary market for Series J Preferred Shares develops, it may not provide significant liquidity
and transaction costs in any secondary market could be high. As a result, the difference between
bid and asked prices in any secondary market could be substantial.
Holders of Series J Preferred Shares Will Have Limited Voting Rights.
Holders of Series J Preferred Shares have no voting rights with respect to matters that
generally require the approval of voting shareholders. However, holders of Series J Preferred
Shares will have the right to vote as a class on certain limited matters, as described under
Description of the Series J Preferred Shares Voting Rights below. In addition, if dividends on
Series J Preferred Shares have not been declared or paid for the equivalent of six dividend
payments, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, holders of the outstanding shares of
Series J Preferred Shares, together with holders of any other
series of our preferred stock ranking on parity with Series J Preferred Shares with similar
voting rights, will
S-5
be entitled to vote for the election of two additional trustees, subject to the
terms and to the limited extent described under Description of the Series J Preferred Shares
Voting Rights below. Series J Preferred Shares place no restrictions on our business or operations
or on our ability to incur indebtedness or engage in any transactions, subject only to the limited
voting rights referred to above.
S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the Series J Preferred Shares are estimated to be
approximately $ , after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated
offering expenses payable by us (approximately $ if the underwriters
over-allotment option is exercised in full).
We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to the Operating Partnership in
exchange for units of % Series J Preferred Units (the Series J Preferred
Units) in the Operating Partnership equal to the number of Series J Preferred Shares offered and
sold hereby. The Operating Partnership will use the net proceeds from that issuance for general
business purposes which may include redemption or repurchase of outstanding preferred stock and
units. Pending such use, the net proceeds may be invested in short-term income-producing
investments. The Series J Preferred Units will have a distribution preference equal to the
distribution preference on the Series J Preferred Shares and will rank, as to distributions and
upon liquidation, senior to the Class A Common Units of limited partnership interest in the
Operating Partnership and on a parity with other preferred units in the Operating Partnership. See
Description of the Series J Preferred Shares Ranking for information about the ranking of the
Series J Preferred Units.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
Our consolidated ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends for
each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were as follow:
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2.06 |
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1.50 |
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1.11 |
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0.96 |
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For purposes of calculating these ratios, (a) earnings represent income from continuing
operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges, and (b) fixed charges represent interest
expense on all indebtedness, including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, and the
portion of operating lease rental expense that management considers representative of the interest
factor, which is one-third of operating lease rentals.
S-7
DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES J PREFERRED SHARES
The summary of certain terms and provisions of the % Series J Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the
Series J Preferred Shares), of Vornado Realty Trust contained in this prospectus supplement does
not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
terms and provisions of our Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated (the Declaration of
Trust), our Bylaws and the Articles Supplementary setting forth the particular terms of the Series
J Preferred Shares (the Articles Supplementary), copies of which are filed or incorporated by
reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus form a part and are available from us. The following description of the
particular terms of the Series J Preferred Shares supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with,
replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of our preferred shares of beneficial
interest, no par value per share (the Preferred Shares), set forth in the accompanying
prospectus.
General
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of up to 720,000,000 shares of beneficial
interest, consisting of 250,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par value per share
(the Common Shares), 110,000,000 Preferred Shares and 360,000,000 excess shares, $.04 par value
per share. The Preferred Shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series, without
shareholder approval, with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption thereof as established by our Board of Trustees.
As permitted by Maryland law, the Declaration of Trust authorizes our Board of Trustees,
without any action by our shareholders, to amend the Declaration of Trust from time to time to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest or the number of shares
of beneficial interest of any class that we are authorized to issue. The effect of this provision
in our Declaration of Trust is to permit our Board of Trustees, without shareholder action, to
increase or decrease (a) the total number of authorized shares of beneficial interest of Vornado
Realty Trust and/or (b) the number of authorized shares of beneficial interest of any one or more
classes. Maryland law permits a real estate investment trust to have shares of beneficial interest
that are assigned to a particular class as well as shares that are not assigned to a particular
class but are available to be classified by the Board of Trustees at a later time. Thus, the total
number of authorized shares of beneficial interest may exceed the total number of authorized shares
of all classes. Currently, all of our authorized shares of beneficial interest are assigned to one
of the three classes set forth above.
Prior to the completion of the offering, the Board of Trustees will supplement our Declaration
of Trust to classify of our authorized Preferred Shares as Series J Preferred
Shares and authorize the issuance thereof. We may from time to time, without notice to or the
consent of holders of Series J Preferred Shares, issue additional Series J Preferred Shares. All
such additional Series J Preferred Shares issued hereafter would be deemed to form a single series
with Series J Preferred Shares being offered hereby. When issued, the Series J Preferred Shares
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of Series J Preferred Shares will
have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of beneficial interest of Vornado Realty Trust
or any other securities of Vornado Realty Trust convertible into or carrying rights or options to
purchase any such shares. The Series J Preferred Shares will not be subject to any sinking fund and
we have no obligation to redeem or retire the Series J Preferred Shares. Unless redeemed by us, the
Series J Preferred Shares will have a perpetual term, with no maturity.
Our income (including income available for distribution on the Series J Preferred Shares)
consists primarily of our share of the income of the Operating Partnership, and our cash flow
consists primarily of our share of distributions from the Operating Partnership. Distributions by
the Operating Partnership are determined by our Board of Trustees and are dependent on a number of
factors, including funds from operations available for distribution, the Operating Partnerships
financial condition, any decision by our Board of Trustees to reinvest funds rather than to
distribute such funds, the Operating Partnerships capital
S-8
expenditures, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and such other factors as our Board of Trustees
deems relevant. See Item 1.A. Risk Factors Our Organizational and Financial Structure Gives Rise
to Operational and Financial Risks on page 17 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2010 for further information regarding the availability of income to us.
We intend to file an application to list the Series J Preferred Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange. See Underwriting for a discussion of the expected trading of the Series J Preferred
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
Ranking
The Series J Preferred Shares will rank senior to the Junior Shares (as defined under
Dividends below), including the Common Shares, with respect to payment of dividends and amounts
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. While any Series J Preferred Shares are outstanding,
we may not authorize, create or increase the authorized amount of any class or series of beneficial
interest that ranks senior to the Series J Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of
dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up without the consent of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding Series J Preferred Shares and all other shares of Voting Preferred
Shares (as defined under
Voting Rights below), voting as a single class. However, we may
create additional classes of beneficial interest, increase the authorized number of Preferred
Shares or issue series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the Series J Preferred Shares
with respect, in each case, to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up (Parity Shares) without the consent of any holder of Series J Preferred Shares.
See Voting Rights below for a discussion of the voting rights applicable if we seek to create
any class or series of beneficial interest senior to the Series J Preferred Shares.
The following series of shares of beneficial interest are Parity Shares with respect to each
other:
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$3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, liquidation
preference $50.00 per share; |
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7.00% Series D-10 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest,
liquidation preference $25.00 per share; |
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7.20% Series D-11 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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3.00% Series D-13 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.75% Series D-14 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.875% Series D-15 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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7.0% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.75% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.625% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.75% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6.625% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; and |
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% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, described in this prospectus
supplement. |
S-9
As of December 31, 2010, 40,009 Series A Preferred Shares, 3,000,000 Series E Preferred
Shares, 6,000,000 6.75% Series F Preferred Shares, 8,000,000 6.625% Series G Preferred Shares,
4,500,000 6.75% Series H Preferred Shares and 10,800,000 6.625% Series I Preferred Shares were
issued and outstanding. The Series D Preferred Shares may be issued, at our option, to satisfy
requests for redemption of an equivalent number of units of the Operating Partnership with terms
that substantially mirror the economic terms of the shares to be issued. The Series A Preferred
Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr A, the Series E Preferred Shares are listed
on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr E, the Series F Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under
the symbol VNO Pr F, the Series G Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO
Pr G, the Series H Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr H and the
Series I Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr I. No Series D-10,
Series D-11, Series D-13, Series D-14 or Series D-15 Preferred Shares were issued and
outstanding as of December 31, 2010.
Ranking of Series J Preferred Units
We intend to contribute the net proceeds from the offering of the Series J Preferred Shares to
the Operating Partnership in exchange for a number of Series J Preferred Units equal to the number
of Series J Preferred Shares offered and sold hereby. The Series J Preferred Units to be acquired
by us will substantially mirror the economic terms of the Series J Preferred Shares and will rank
senior to the Class A Common Units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership
with respect to the payment of distributions and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Operating Partnership.
The Series J Preferred Units will rank on parity with the following classes of units of the
Operating Partnership as well as any other units issued in the future and designated as Parity
Units, in each case with respect to the payment of distributions and amounts upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Operating Partnership, without preference or priority of one over
the other:
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Series A Preferred Units; |
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7.00% Series D-10 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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7.20% Series D-11 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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3.00% Series D-13 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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6.75% Series D-14 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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6.875% Series D-15 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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5.00% Series D-16 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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7.00% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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6.75% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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6.625% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; |
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Floating Rate Series G-1 Preferred Units; |
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5.50% Series G-2 Preferred Units; |
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Floating Rate Series G-3 Preferred Units; |
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5.50% Series G-4 Preferred Units; |
S-10
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6.75% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units; and |
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6.625% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units. |
The following table summarizes the Operating Partnerships outstanding preferred units as of
December 31, 2010:
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Conversion |
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Per Unit |
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Preferred or |
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Rate Into |
Unit |
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Number of |
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Liquidation |
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Annual |
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Class A |
Series |
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Units |
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Preference |
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Distribution Rate |
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Units |
Convertible Preferred: |
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Series A Preferred(1)
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40,009 |
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$ |
50.00 |
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$ |
3.25 |
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1.4334 |
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Series D-13 Preferred(2)
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1,867,311 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
0.75 |
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N/A |
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Perpetual Preferred: |
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Series D-10 Preferred(3)
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3,200,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.75 |
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N/A |
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Series D-11 Preferred(3)
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1,400,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.80 |
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N/A |
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Series D-14 Preferred(3)
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4,000,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.6875 |
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N/A |
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Series D-15 Preferred(3)
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1,800,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.71875 |
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N/A |
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Series D-16 Preferred(4)
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1 |
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$ |
1,000,000.00 |
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$ |
50,000.00 |
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N/A |
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Series E Preferred(5)
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3,000,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.75 |
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N/A |
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Series F Preferred(5)
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6,000,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.6875 |
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N/A |
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Series G Preferred(5)
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8,000,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.65625 |
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N/A |
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Series G-1 Preferred(6)
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5,828 |
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$ |
25.00 |
(5) |
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Floating Rate |
(7) |
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N/A |
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Series G-2 Preferred(6)
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32,423 |
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$ |
25.00 |
(5) |
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$ |
1.3750 |
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N/A |
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Series G-3 Preferred(6)
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104,013 |
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$ |
25.00 |
(5) |
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Floating Rate
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(7) |
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N/A |
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Series G-4 Preferred(6)
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194,290 |
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$ |
25.00 |
(5) |
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$ |
1.3750 |
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N/A |
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Series H Preferred(5)
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4,500,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.6875 |
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N/A |
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Series I Preferred(5)
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10,800,000 |
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$ |
25.00 |
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$ |
1.65625 |
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N/A |
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(1) |
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Distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears. The Series A
Preferred Units are convertible at any time at the option of their respective holders
at a conversion rate of 1.4334 Class A unit per Series A Preferred Unit, subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances. In addition, upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions the Operating Partnership, at its option, may redeem the $3.25 Series A
Preferred Units at a current conversion rate of 1.4334 Class A unit per Series A
Preferred Unit, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. At no time are the
Series A Preferred Units redeemable for cash. |
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(2) |
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Holders have the right to require the Operating Partnership to redeem the
outstanding Series D-13 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units commencing December 30,
2006 for cash equal to the Liquidation Preference of $25.00 per share, although we may
determine to deliver, instead of cash, at our option, common shares with a value equal
to the Liquidation Preference of $25.00 per share. |
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(3) |
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Distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears. These units
are generally redeemable by us for cash, at our option, after the fifth anniversary of
the date of issuance (ranging from November 17, 2008, in the case of the Series D-10
Preferred Units, to May 2, 2011, in the case of the Series D-15 Preferred Units) and
at the option of the holder after the 10th anniversary of the date of issuance for
cash or, at our option, an equivalent amount of preferred shares. These units have no
maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless they are redeemed. |
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(4) |
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Issued in connection with the acquisition of the interest of the Operating
Partnerships partner in the Springfield Mall in Fairfax County, Virginia, in December
2010. Distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears. The Series D-16
Preferred Units are redeemable for cash (i) at our option and (ii) at the option of
the holder, in each case following certain events for $25 million less the aggregate amount of debt-financed
distributions. The Series D-16 Preferred Units have no maturity date and will remain
outstanding indefinitely unless they are redeemed. |
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(5) |
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These units are held by us and we may require the Operating Partnership to
redeem these units for cash in connection with the redemption of Series E Preferred
Shares, Series F Preferred Shares, Series G Preferred Shares, Series H |
S-11
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Preferred
Shares and Series I Preferred Shares, as the case may be, and are otherwise redeemable
by us at our option for cash. |
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(6) |
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Distributions are cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears. Redeemable (i)
at the option of the Operating Partnership on or after the tenth anniversary from the
date of issuance and (ii) at the option of the holder after the fourth anniversary
from the date of issuance, in each case at a redemption price of $25.00 per unit
(subject to increase to $37.50 per unit or decrease to $12.50 per unit based on the
per share price of the Common Shares at the time of redemption (with respect to Series
G-2 and Series G-3) or capital account balances of the holder (with respect to Series
G-1 and Series G-4)), plus any accrued and unpaid distributions. The redemption price
payable upon a redemption at the option of the holder will be in cash or qualified
debt financed distribution by the Operating Partnership to the holder, while the
redemption price payable upon a redemption at the option of the Operating Partnership
will be in cash, qualified debt financed distribution or Class A units of the
Operating Partnership. These units have no maturity date and will remain outstanding
indefinitely unless they are redeemed. |
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(7) |
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LIBOR plus 90 basis points. |
The Operating Partnership may create additional classes of Parity Units or issue
additional units of any series of Parity Units without the consent of any holder of Series J
Preferred Shares or any other series of Preferred Shares of Vornado.
Dividends
Holders of Series J Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized
by our Board of Trustees, out of funds of Vornado Realty Trust legally available for payment, and
declared by us, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of % per share of the
liquidation preference thereof (equivalent to $ per Series J Preferred Share per annum). Dividends
on each Series J Preferred Share will be cumulative from but excluding the date of original issue
and are payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year,
commencing July 1, 2011 (and, in the case of any accrued but unpaid dividends, at such additional
times and for such interim periods, if any, as determined by the Board of Trustees), at such annual
rate; provided, however, that if any dividend payment date falls on any day other than a business
day, as defined in the Articles Supplementary, the dividend due on such dividend payment date shall
be paid on the first business day immediately following such dividend payment date. Each dividend
is payable to holders of record as they appear on our share records at the close of business on the
record date, not exceeding 30 days preceding the payment dates thereof as fixed by our Board of
Trustees. Dividends are cumulative from the most recent dividend payment date to which dividends
have been paid, whether or not in any dividend period or periods there shall be funds of Vornado
Realty Trust legally available for the payment of such dividends. Accumulations of dividends on
Series J Preferred Shares will not bear interest. Dividends payable on the Series J Preferred
Shares for any period greater or less than a full dividend period will be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends payable on the Series J Preferred
Shares for each full dividend period will be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by four.
No dividend will be declared or paid on any Parity Shares unless full cumulative dividends
have been declared and paid or are contemporaneously declared and funds sufficient for payment set
aside on the Series J Preferred Shares for all prior dividend periods; provided, however, that if
accrued dividends on the Series J Preferred Shares for all prior dividend periods have not been
paid in full, then any dividend declared on the Series J Preferred Shares for any dividend period
and on any Parity Shares will be declared ratably in proportion to accrued and unpaid dividends on
the Series J Preferred Shares and such Parity Shares.
We will not (i) declare, pay or set apart funds for the payment of any dividend or other
distribution with respect to any Junior Shares (as defined below) (other than in shares of Junior
Shares) or (ii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Junior Shares through a
sinking fund or otherwise (other than a redemption or purchase or other acquisition of Common
Shares made for purposes of an
employee incentive or benefit plan of Vornado or any subsidiary, or a conversion into or
exchange for Junior Shares or redemptions for the purpose of preserving our qualification as a
REIT), unless (A) all cumulative dividends with respect to the Series J Preferred Shares and any
Parity Shares at the time such dividends are payable have been paid or funds have been set apart
for payment of such dividends and
S-12
(B) sufficient funds have been paid or set apart for the payment
of the dividend for the then current dividend period with respect to the Series J Preferred Shares
and any Parity Shares.
As used herein, (i) the term dividend does not include dividends payable solely in shares of
Junior Shares on Junior Shares, or in options, warrants or rights to holders of Junior Shares to
subscribe for or purchase any Junior Shares, and (ii) the term Junior Shares means the Common
Shares, and any other class of capital stock of Vornado now or hereafter issued and outstanding
that ranks junior as to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution and
winding up to the Series J Preferred Shares.
Redemption
Except as otherwise provided under the Declaration of Trust to protect our status as a REIT,
Series J Preferred Shares will not be redeemable by Vornado prior to April , 2016. On and after
April , 2016, the Series J Preferred Shares will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in
part, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price of $25.00 per Series J Preferred
Share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption.
A notice of redemption will be mailed, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series J
Preferred Shares at their respective addresses as they appear on our transfer records. A failure to
give such notice or any defect in the notice or in its mailing will not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any Series J Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom
notice was defective or not given. Each notice will state:
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the redemption date; |
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the redemption price; |
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the number of Series J Preferred Shares to be redeemed; |
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the place or places where the certificates evidencing the Series J Preferred Shares
are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and |
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that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such
redemption date. |
If fewer than all the Series J Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the
notice mailed to such holder will also specify the number of Series J Preferred Shares to be
redeemed from such holder. If fewer than all of the outstanding Series J Preferred Shares are to be
redeemed, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or pro rata or in some other equitable
manner determined by us.
On the redemption date, we must pay on each Series J Preferred Share to be redeemed any
accrued and unpaid dividends, in arrears, for any dividend period ending on or prior to the
redemption date. In the case of a redemption date falling after a dividend payment record date and
prior to the related payment date, the holders of Series J Preferred Shares at the close of
business on such record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares on the
corresponding dividend payment date, notwithstanding the redemption of such shares prior to such
dividend payment date. Except as provided for in the preceding sentence, no payment or allowance
will be made for accrued dividends on any Series J Preferred Shares called for redemption.
If full cumulative dividends on the Series J Preferred Shares and any Parity Shares have not
been paid or declared and set apart for payment, the Series J Preferred Shares may not be redeemed
in part and we may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Series J Preferred Shares or any
Parity Shares other than in exchange for Junior Shares; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the purchase by us of
S-13
Excess Shares in order to ensure that we continue to meet the
requirements for qualification as a REIT. See Restrictions on Ownership for a discussion of
such purchases of Excess Shares by us.
On and after the date fixed for redemption, provided that we have made available at the office
of the registrar and transfer agent a sufficient amount of cash to effect the redemption, dividends
will cease to accrue on the Series J Preferred Shares called for redemption (except that, in the
case of a redemption date after a dividend payment record date and prior to the related payment
date, holders of Series J Preferred Shares on the dividend payment record date will be entitled on
such dividend payment date to receive the dividend payable on such shares), such shares shall no
longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares as holders of
Series J Preferred Shares shall cease except the right to receive the cash payable upon such
redemption, without interest from the date of such redemption.
Liquidation Preference
The holders of Series J Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vornado, whether voluntary or involuntary, $25.00 per
Series J Preferred Share (the Liquidation Preference) plus an amount per Series J Preferred Share
equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the date
of final distribution to such holders.
Until the holders of the Series J Preferred Shares have been paid the Liquidation Preference
and all accrued and unpaid dividends in full, no payment will be made to any holder of Junior
Shares upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vornado. If, upon any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of Vornado, the assets of Vornado, or proceeds thereof, distributable
among the holders of the Series J Preferred Shares are insufficient to pay in full the Liquidation
Preference and all accrued and unpaid dividends and the liquidation preference and all accrued and
unpaid dividends with respect to any other shares of Parity Shares, then such assets, or the
proceeds thereof, will be distributed among the holders of Series J Preferred Shares and any such
Parity Shares ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would be payable on such
Series J Preferred Shares and any such Parity Shares if all amounts payable thereon were paid in
full. None of (i) a consolidation or merger of Vornado with one or more entities, (ii) a statutory
share exchange by Vornado or (iii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of Vornados
assets will be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of
Vornado.
Voting Rights
Except as indicated below, the holders of Series J Preferred Shares will have no voting
rights.
If and whenever six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on the Series J
Preferred Shares or any other Parity Shares are in arrears, whether or not earned or declared, the
number of trustees then constituting our Board of Trustees will be increased by two and the holders
of Series J Preferred Shares, voting together as a class with the holders of any other series of
Parity Shares (any such other series, the Voting Preferred Shares), will have the right to elect
these two additional trustees at an annual meeting of shareholders or a properly called special
meeting of the holders of the Series J Preferred Shares and such Voting Preferred Shares and at
each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders until all such dividends and dividends for the then
current quarterly period on the Series J Preferred Shares and such other Voting Preferred Shares
have been paid or declared and set aside for payment. Whenever all arrears in dividends on the
Series J Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares then outstanding have been paid and full
dividends on the Series J Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares for the then current
quarterly dividend period have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment in full,
then the right of the holders of the Series J Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares to
elect these two additional trustees will cease, the terms of office of these two trustees will
forthwith terminate and the number of members of the Board of Trustees will be reduced accordingly. However, the right of the
holders of the Series J Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares to elect two additional
trustees will again vest if and whenever six quarterly dividends are in arrears, as described
above.
S-14
The approval of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of outstanding
Series J Preferred Shares and all other series of Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class
regardless of Series either at a meeting of shareholders or by written consent, is required in
order (i) to amend, alter or repeal any provisions of the Declaration of Trust or Articles
Supplementary, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, to affect materially and adversely
the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of the Series J Preferred Shares or the
Voting Preferred Shares, unless in connection with any such amendment, alteration or repeal, each
Series J Preferred Share remains outstanding without the terms thereof being materially changed in
any respect adverse to the holders thereof or is converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of
the surviving entity having preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption thereof
identical to those of the Series J Preferred Shares, or (ii) to authorize, create, or increase the
authorized amount of, any class or series of beneficial interest having rights senior to the Series
J Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up (provided that if such amendment affects materially and adversely the
rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of one or more but not all of the series of Voting
Preferred Shares, the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
each such series so affected is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in
addition to) the consent of the holders of two-thirds of the Voting Preferred Shares as a class).
However, Vornado may create additional classes of Parity Shares and Junior Shares, increase the
authorized number of shares of Parity Shares and Junior Shares and issue additional series of
Parity Shares and Junior Shares without the consent of any holder of Series J Preferred Shares.
Conversion Rights
The Series J Preferred Shares are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property
or securities of Vornado.
Restrictions on Ownership
For us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of
our outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five
or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the
last half of a taxable year, and the shares of beneficial interest must be beneficially owned by
100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year). For this and other reasons, the Declaration of
Trust and the Articles Supplementary contain provisions that restrict the ownership and transfer of
shares of beneficial interest.
Our Declaration of Trust contains a Preferred Share ownership limit that restricts
shareholders from owning, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, more than 9.9% of the
outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series and a Common Share ownership limit that
generally restricts shareholders from owning, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code,
more than 6.7% of the Outstanding Common Shares. Shares owned in excess of these limits will be
automatically exchanged for Excess Shares pursuant to our Declaration of Trust. Excess Shares will
be held in trust by us and, while held in trust, will not be entitled to vote or participate in
dividends or distributions made by us. For a more detailed discussion of the restrictions on
ownership of the shares of beneficial interest, see Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest
of Vornado Realty Trust Description of Preferred Shares of Vornado Realty Trust Restrictions
on Ownership and Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest of Vornado Realty Trust
Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty Trust Restrictions on Ownership of Common Shares
in the accompanying prospectus.
Transfer Agent, Registrar, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Redemption Agent
The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Series J
Preferred Shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.
S-15
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion supplements, and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, amends, the
discussion set forth in the accompanying prospectus under the heading Federal Income Tax
Considerations and is subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth therein.
We urge you to consult with your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of
acquiring, owning and selling Series J Preferred Shares, including the Federal, state, local and
foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling these securities in your particular
circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.
Medicare Tax. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. person that is an
individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt
from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. persons net investment
income for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. persons modified gross income
for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between
$125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individuals filing status). A holders net investment
income will generally include its dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of shares,
unless such dividends or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or
business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities).
If you are a U.S. person that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax
advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of
your investment in the shares.
Withholding on Return of Capital Dividends. In addition to the withholding on non-U.S.
shareholders described in the accompanying prospectus, Vornado could potentially be required to
withhold at least 10% of any distribution in excess of Vornados current and accumulated earnings
and profits, even if the non-U.S. shareholder is not liable for U.S. tax on the receipt of that
distribution. However, a non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if
the non-U.S. shareholders tax liability with respect to the distribution is less than the amount
withheld. Such withholding should generally not be required if a non-U.S. shareholder would not be
taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act upon a sale or exchange of Series J
Preferred Shares. See discussion in the accompanying prospectus under Federal Income Tax
Considerations Taxation of Holders of Common Shares or Preferred Shares Sales of Shares.
Reporting of Dividend Payments to Non-U.S. Shareholders. If you are a non-U.S. shareholder,
we and other payors are required to report payments of dividends on IRS Form 1042-S even if the
payments are exempt from withholding.
Withholdable Payments to Foreign Financial Entities and Other Foreign Entities. Under
recently enacted legislation, a 30% withholding tax would be imposed on certain payments that are
made after December 31, 2012 to certain foreign financial institutions, investment funds and other
non-U.S. persons that fail to comply with information reporting requirements in respect of their
direct and indirect United States shareholders and/or United States accountholders. Such payments
would include U.S.-source dividends and the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of
stock that can produce U.S.-source dividends.
S-16
UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint
book-running managers of our Series J Preferred Shares offering. Subject to the terms and
conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement,
each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that
underwriter, the respective number of shares of our Series J Preferred Shares set forth opposite
the underwriters name.
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Underwriter |
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Number of Shares |
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated |
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated |
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UBS Securities LLC |
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
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Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
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J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
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Total |
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and
accept delivery of the Series J Preferred Shares offered hereby are subject to the approval of
certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are
obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of Series J Preferred Shares offered hereby (other
than those covered by the underwriters overallotment option described below) if any such shares
are taken.
The underwriters propose to offer the Series J Preferred Shares directly to the public
initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement
and to selected dealers at such price less a concession not to exceed $ per share. The underwriters
may allow, and such selected dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed $ per share. The
Series J Preferred Shares will be available for delivery, when, as and if accepted by the
underwriters and subject to prior sale and to withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the
offering without notice. The underwriters reserve the right to reject any order for purchase of the
shares in whole or in part. After the commencement of this offering, the underwriters may change
the public offering price and other selling terms.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this
prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an aggregate of additional Series J
Preferred Shares at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting
discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of
covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the Series J Preferred
Shares offered hereby. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a
number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriters initial purchase
commitment.
We intend to file an application to list the Series J Preferred Shares on the NYSE. Trading of
the Series J Preferred Shares on the NYSE, if listing is approved, is expected to commence within
30 days after initial delivery of the Series J Preferred Shares. The underwriters have advised us
that they intend to make a market in the Series J Preferred Shares prior to the commencement of
trading on the NYSE. However, the underwriters will have no obligation to make a market in the
Series J Preferred Shares and may cease market-making activities, if commenced, at any time.
S-17
In order to facilitate the offering of the Series J Preferred Shares, the underwriters may
engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Series J
Preferred Shares. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering,
creating a short position in the Series J Preferred Shares for its own account. In addition, to
cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the Series J Preferred Shares, the underwriters
may bid for, and purchase, Series J Preferred Shares in the open market. Finally, the underwriters
may reclaim selling concessions allowed to a dealer for distributing the Series J Preferred Shares
in the offering, if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed Series J Preferred Shares in
transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of
these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Series J Preferred Shares above
independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may
end any of these activities at any time.
We expect to deliver the Series J Preferred Shares against payment for the Shares on or about
the date specified in the next to last paragraph on the cover page of this prospectus supplement,
which will be the fifth business day following the date of the pricing of the sale of the Series J
Preferred Shares to the several underwriters. Since trades in the secondary market generally
settle in three business days, purchasers who wish to trade the Series J Preferred Shares on the
date of pricing or the next succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that
the Series J Preferred Shares initially will settle in T + 5, to specify alternative settlement
arrangements to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of Series J Preferred Shares who wish to
trade the securities on the date of pricing should consult their own advisors.
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the
Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), other than Germany, with effect from and
including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state, an offer of securities described in this prospectus may not be
made to the public in that relevant member state other than:
(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
(b) by the underwriters to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented
the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other
than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus
Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or
(c) in
any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a
prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of securities to the public in any
relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient
information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor
to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that
member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the
expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the
2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes
any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and includes any relevant
implementing measure in each relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means
Directive 2010/73/EU.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will
be approximately $300,000.
S-18
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions
engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment
banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment,
hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters or their respective affiliates have provided
banking and other financial services to us or our affiliates from time to time for which they have
received customary fees and expenses. Certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates are lenders
under our credit facility. The underwriters or their respective affiliates will in the future continue to
provide banking and other financial services to us or our affiliates for which they will receive
customary compensation. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the
underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and
actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial
instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers,
and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the
issuer. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations
and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments
and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in
such securities and instruments.
VALIDITY OF THE SERIES J PREFERRED SHARES
The validity of the Series J Preferred Shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by
Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, and by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York, New York. Certain
legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
New York, New York. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP will rely upon the opinion of Venable LLP with respect
to certain matters of Maryland law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2010, the related financial statement schedules incorporated
in this prospectus by reference from Vornado Realty Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended,
for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness of Vornado Realty Trusts internal
control over financial reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports (which reports included an
unqualified opinion), which are incorporated in the accompanying prospectus by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.
S-19
VORNADO
REALTY TRUST
Debt Securities
Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Depositary Shares
VORNADO
REALTY L.P.
Debt Securities
Guarantees
Vornado Realty Trust from time to time may offer to sell debt securities, common
shares and preferred shares. The debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust may be convertible into
common or preferred shares of Vornado Realty Trust and the payment of principal, premium, if any,
and interest on the debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Vornado Realty
L.P. The preferred shares may either be sold separately or represented by depositary shares.
Vornado Realty L.P. from time to time may offer to sell debt securities. The debt securities of
Vornado Realty L.P. may be exchangeable for common or preferred shares of Vornado Realty Trust, and
the preferred shares of Vornado Realty Trust may be convertible into common shares or into
preferred shares of another series.
Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. may offer and sell these securities to or through
one or more underwriters, dealers and agents or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed
basis.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the
general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered,
and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this
prospectus.
Vornado Realty Trusts common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol VNO, its Series A Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr A, its
Series E Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr E, its Series F
Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr F, its Series G Preferred Shares
are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr G, its Series H Preferred Shares are listed on the
NYSE under the symbol VNO Pr H and its Series I Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the
symbol VNO Pr I. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement will contain information on any
listing on a securities exchange of securities covered by that prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated October 30, 2009.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in these documents. No dealer, salesperson or
other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. If anyone
provides you with different, inconsistent or unauthorized information or representations, you must
not rely on them. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement are an offer to sell
only the securities offered by these documents, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions
where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement is current only as of the date on the front of those documents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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i
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. are required to file annual, quarterly and
current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You may read and copy any documents filed by us at the SECs public reference room at
100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public
through the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and through the New York Stock Exchange, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which Vornado Realty Trusts common shares and Series A,
Series E, Series F, Series G, Series H and Series I Preferred Shares are listed.
We have filed registration statements on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities
covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statements and does not
contain all of the information in the registration statements. Whenever a reference is made in this
prospectus to a contract or other document, please be aware that the reference is only a summary
and that you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statements for a copy
of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statements at the
SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SECs Internet site.
The SECs rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any
information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file
that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before
the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will
automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. incorporate by reference into this prospectus the
following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or
information deemed to have been Furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
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Annual report of Vornado Realty Trust on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2008 (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on February 24, 2009; |
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Annual report of Vornado Realty Trust on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2008 (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on March 2, 2009; |
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Annual report of Vornado Realty L.P. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008 (File No. 000-22685), filed with the SEC on March 10, 2009; |
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Quarterly reports of Vornado Realty Trust on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009
and June 30, 2009 (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on May 5, 2009 and August 4, 2009,
respectively; |
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Quarterly reports of Vornado Realty Trust on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June
30, 2009 (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on August 21, 2009; |
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Quarterly reports of Vornado Realty L.P. on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009
and June 30, 2009 (File No. 000-22685), filed with the SEC on May 8, 2009 and August 6, 2009,
respectively; |
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Current reports on Form 8-K of Vornado Realty Trust, dated January 14, 2009, February
20, 2009, March 11, 2009, April 20, 2009, April 22, 2009, April 30, 2009, April 30, 2009, May
14, 2009, June 11, 1009, September 14, 2009, and October 13, 2009 (File No. 001-11954) filed
with the SEC on January 16, 2009, February 23, 2009, March 13, 2009, April 20, 2009, |
1
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April 29, 2009, April 30, 2009, May 8, 2009, May 15, 2009, June 11, 2009, September
16, 2009 and October 13, 2009, respectively; |
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Current reports on Form 8-K of Vornado Realty L.P., dated January 14, 2009, February 20,
2009, April 20, 2009, April 27, 2009, April 30, 2009, April 30, 2009, May 14, 2009, and
October 16, 2009 (File No. 000-22685), filed with the SEC on January 16, 2009, February 23,
2009, April 20, 2009, April 28, 2009, April 30, 2009, May 8, 2009, May 15, 2009, and October
16, 2009 respectively; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts common shares contained in Vornado Realty Trusts
registration statement on Form 8-B (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on May 10, 1993; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series A Preferred Shares contained in Vornado
Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on
April 3, 1997; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series E Preferred Shares contained in
Vornado Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the
SEC on April 20, 2004; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series F Preferred Shares contained in Vornado
Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on
November 17, 2004; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series G Preferred Shares contained in
Vornado Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the
SEC on December 21, 2004; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series H Preferred Shares contained in Vornado
Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the SEC on
June 16, 2005; |
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The description of Vornado Realty Trusts Series I Preferred Shares contained in
Vornado Realty Trusts registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11954), filed with the
SEC on August 30, 2005; and |
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All documents filed by Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. under Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
prospectus and before the termination of this offering or after the date of the initial
registration statement and before effectiveness of the registration statement, except that the
information referred to in Item 402(a)(8) of Regulation S-K of the SEC is not incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. |
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents
referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into
those documents. You can request those documents from our corporate secretary, 888 Seventh Avenue,
New York, New York 10019, telephone (212) 894-7000. Alternatively, copies of these documents may be
available on our website (www.vno.com). Any other documents available on our website are not
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference in it, contains
forward-looking statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and
business. These statements may be made directly in this document or they may be made part of this
document by reference to other documents filed with the SEC, which is known as incorporation by
reference. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as believes,
expects, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans or similar expressions in this prospectus
or the documents incorporated by reference. Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise
specified, references in this prospectus to Vornado, we, us or our refer to Vornado Realty
Trust and its subsidiaries, including Vornado Realty L.P., except where we make clear that we mean
only the parent company, Vornado Realty Trust. In addition, we sometimes refer to Vornado Realty
L.P. as the Operating Partnership.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking statements include, among others, those listed under the caption Risk Factors in
the Annual Reports on Form 10-K and, to the extent applicable, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
of each of Vornado Realty Trust and the Operating Partnership, and any applicable prospectus
supplement, as well as the following possibilities:
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national, regional and local economic conditions; |
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competition from other available space; |
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local conditions such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real
estate in the area; |
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how well we manage our properties; |
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changes in market rental rates; |
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the timing and costs associated with property improvements and rentals; |
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whether we are able to pass some or all of any increased operating costs through
to tenants; |
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changes in real estate taxes and other expenses; |
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whether tenants and users such as customers and shoppers consider a property
attractive; |
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the financial condition of our tenants, including the extent of tenant
bankruptcies or defaults; |
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availability of financing on acceptable terms or at all; |
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fluctuations in interest rates; |
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our ability to secure adequate insurance; |
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changes in taxation or zoning laws; |
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government regulation; |
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consequences of any armed conflict involving, or terrorist attack against, the
United States; |
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potential liability under environmental or other laws or regulations; and |
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general competitive factors. |
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Our future results, financial condition and business may differ
materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will
determine these items are beyond our ability to control or predict. For these statements, we claim
the protection of the safe
3
harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this prospectus or, if applicable, the date of the applicable document
incorporated by reference.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements
contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly
any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For more information on
the uncertainty of forward-looking statements, see Risk Factors in the Annual Reports on Form
10-K and, to the extent applicable, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, of each of Vornado Realty
Trust and the Operating Partnership and any applicable prospectus supplement.
4
VORNADO REALTY TRUST AND VORNADO REALTY L.P.
Vornado Realty Trust is a fully integrated real estate investment trust organized under the
laws of Maryland. Vornado conducts its business through, and substantially all of its interests in
properties are held by, Vornado Realty L.P. Vornado Realty Trust is the sole general partner of,
and owned approximately 91.9% of the common limited partnership interest in, Vornado Realty L.P. as
of June 30, 2009.
Vornado Realty Trust, through Vornado Realty L.P., currently owns directly or indirectly:
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all or portions of 28 office properties aggregating approximately 16.2 million
square feet in the New York City metropolitan area (primarily Manhattan); |
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all or portions of 82 office properties aggregating 18.1 million square feet in
the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia areas; and |
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a 70% controlling interest in 555 California Street, a three-building complex
aggregating 1.8 million square feet in San Franciscos financial district; |
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173 retail properties in 21 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico aggregating
approximately 22.4 million square feet, including the 3.7 million square feet built by
tenants on land leased from us; |
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Merchandise Mart Properties: |
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eight properties in five states aggregating approximately 8.9 million square feet
of showroom and office space, including the 3.5 million square foot Merchandise Mart in
Chicago; |
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a 32.7% interest in Toys R Us, Inc., which owns and/or operates 1,552 stores
worldwide, including 849 stores in the United States and 703 stores internationally; |
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Other Real Estate Investments: |
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32.4% of the common stock of Alexanders, Inc. (NYSE: ALX), which has seven
properties in the greater New York metropolitan area; |
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the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City consisting of a hotel portion containing
1.0 million square feet with 1,700 rooms and a commercial portion containing 400,000 square
feet of retail and office space; |
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mezzanine loans to entities that have significant real estate assets; and |
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interests in other real estate, including interests in office, industrial and
retail properties net leased to major corporations; six dry warehouse/industrial properties
in New Jersey containing approximately 1.2 million square feet; and other investments and
marketable securities. |
Our principal executive offices are located at 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
and our telephone number is (212) 894-7000.
5
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
Vornado Realty Trusts consolidated ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preference dividends for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and
2008 and the six months ended June 30, 2009 are as follows:
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Six Months |
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Ended |
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2004 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
Ratio of
earnings to
combined fixed
charges and
preference
dividends
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2.49 |
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2.21 |
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2.04 |
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1.51 |
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1.12 |
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1.01 |
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Excluding non-cash impairment charges recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008 and
the six months ended June 30, 2009, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preference dividends was 1.31 and 1.34, respectively. |
For purposes of calculating these ratios, (a) earnings represent income from continuing
operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges, and (b) fixed charges represent interest
expense on all indebtedness, including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, and the
portion of operating lease rental expense that management considers representative of the interest
factor, which is one-third of operating lease rentals.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED
FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
Vornado Realty L.P.s consolidated ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference
distributions for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and
the six months ended June 30, 2009 are as follows:
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Six Months |
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Ended |
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Year Ended December 31, |
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June 30, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
Ratio of
earnings to
combined fixed
charges and
preference
distributions
(unaudited) |
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2.49 |
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2.21 |
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2.04 |
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1.51 |
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Excluding non-cash impairment charges recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008 and
the six months ended June 30, 2009, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preference distributions was 1.31 and 1.34, respectively. |
For purposes of calculating these ratios, (a) earnings represent income from continuing
operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges, and (b) fixed charges represent interest
expense on all indebtedness, including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, and the
portion of operating lease rental expense that management considers representative of the interest
factor, which is one-third of operating lease rentals.
6
USE OF PROCEEDS
Vornado Realty Trust is required by the terms of the partnership agreement of Vornado Realty
L.P. to contribute the net proceeds of any sale of common shares, preferred shares or depositary
shares to Vornado Realty L.P. in exchange for additional units or preferred units, as the case may
be. If Vornado Realty Trust issues any debt securities, it may lend those proceeds to Vornado
Realty L.P. As will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement, Vornado Realty
Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for
general trust or partnership purposes or other uses. These other uses may include, among others,
the funding of an acquisition or the repayment of indebtedness.
7
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF VORNADO REALTY L.P.
Please note that in this section entitled Description of Debt Securities of Vornado Realty
L.P., references to the issuer, we, our and us refer either to Vornado Realty Trust or to
Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be, as the issuer of the applicable series of debt securities
and not to any subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. Also, in this section,
references to holders mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names on the
books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose and not those who own beneficial interests
in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form
through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read
the section below entitled Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.
Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated
Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. may issue senior or subordinated debt securities.
Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any
property or assets of Vornado Realty Trust, Vornado Realty L.P. or any of their respective
subsidiaries. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are an unsecured creditor of Vornado Realty
Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be.
Neither any limited or general partner of Vornado Realty L.P., including Vornado Realty Trust,
nor any principal, shareholder, officer, director, trustee or employee of any limited or general
partner of Vornado Realty L.P. or of any successor of any limited or general partner of Vornado
Realty L.P. has any obligation for payment of debt securities or for any of Vornado Realty Trusts
or Vornado Realty L.P.s obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the debt securities or
the applicable indenture. By accepting the debt securities, you waive and release all liability of
this kind. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of debt
securities. This waiver and release will not apply to the liability of Vornado Realty L.P. solely
in its capacity of guarantor of any series of debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and solely to
the extent of any such guarantee.
The senior debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the senior debt securities of Vornado
Realty L.P. will be issued under the applicable senior debt indenture, as described below, and will
rank equally with all of Vornado Realty Trusts or Vornado Realty L.P.s, as the case may be, other
senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
The subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the subordinated debt securities
of Vornado Realty L.P. will be issued under the applicable subordinated debt indenture, as
described below, and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of Vornado Realty Trusts or
Vornado Realty L.P.s senior indebtedness, as defined in the applicable subordinated debt
indenture. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the
information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of
senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of Vornado Realty Trusts or Vornado Realty L.P.s,
as the case may be, most recent fiscal quarter. As of June 30, 2009, $2,176,978,000 aggregate
principal amount of Vornado Realty Trusts total indebtedness constituted senior indebtedness, all
of which is guaranteed by Vornado Realty L.P. As of June 30, 2009, $3,688,815,000 aggregate
principal amount of Vornado Realty L.P.s total indebtedness constituted senior indebtedness. None
of the indentures limit Vornado Realty Trusts or Vornado Realty L.P.s ability to incur additional
senior indebtedness, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series
of debt securities.
Vornado Realty Trust senior indebtedness will be structurally subordinate to the indebtedness
of Vornado Realty L.P. (unless Vornado Realty L.P. guarantees such indebtedness and solely to the
extent of any such guarantee), and will be structurally subordinate to the indebtedness of the
subsidiaries of Vornado Realty L.P. Vornado Realty L.P.s senior indebtedness is, and any
additional senior indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P. will be, structurally subordinate to the
indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P.s subsidiaries and
will be structurally senior to any indebtedness of Vornado Realty Trust, unless Vornado Realty L.P.
guarantees such indebtedness of Vornado Realty Trust. See Vornado
8
Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to
Indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P. and Vornado Realty L.P.s Subsidiaries below.
When we refer to senior debt securities in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt
securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the senior debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P., unless
the context requires otherwise. When we refer to subordinated debt securities in this prospectus,
we mean both the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the subordinated debt
securities of Vornado Realty L.P., unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to debt
securities in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt
securities, unless the context requires otherwise.
The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Vornado Realty L.P.
The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. are
each governed by a document called an indenturethe senior debt indenture, in the case of the
senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt
securities. Each indenture is a contract between Vornado Realty L.P. and The Bank of New York
Mellon, which will initially act as trustee. These indentures governing the debt securities of
Vornado Realty L.P. are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to
subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.
The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:
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First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are
some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe
later under Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default. |
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Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending
interest payments and notices. |
See Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s Relationship with the Trustee below
for more information about the trustee.
When we refer to the indenture or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Vornado
Realty L.P., we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee
under that indenture.
The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Vornado Realty Trust
The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust are
each governed by a document called an indenturethe senior debt indenture, in the case of the
senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt
securities. Each indenture is a contract between Vornado Realty Trust as the issuer of the debt
securities, Vornado Realty L.P. as the guarantor of the debt securities, if applicable, and The
Bank of New York Mellon, which will initially act as trustee. These indentures governing the debt
securities of Vornado Realty Trust are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating
to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.
Vornado Realty L.P. may, under each indenture, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or
in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more
series of debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust. See Description of Vornado Realty L.P.
Guarantee below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and
terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.
9
The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:
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First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There
are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we
describe later under Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default. |
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Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending
interest payments and notices. |
See Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s Relationship with the Trustee below
for more information about the trustee.
When we refer to the indenture, the guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt
securities of Vornado Realty Trust, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are
issued, the guarantor of those debt securities and the trustee under that indenture.
We May Issue Many Series of Debt Securities
We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under a debt indenture as we wish.
This section of the prospectus summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all
series. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms
different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to
reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of
that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of a series including
any additional terms of any guarantee, if applicable, whether it be a series of the senior debt
securities or subordinated debt securities, in the prospectus supplement accompanying this
prospectus. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.
As you read this section of the prospectus, please remember that the specific terms of your
debt security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and, if applicable, that
description may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any
differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus, your prospectus supplement will
control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.
When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean a series issued under the applicable
indenture. When we refer to your prospectus supplement, we mean the prospectus supplement
describing the specific terms of the debt security you purchase. The terms used in your prospectus
supplement have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
Amounts That We May Issue
None of the indentures limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the
number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. In addition, the indentures and
the debt securities do not limit either Vornado Realty Trusts or Vornado Realty L.P.s ability to
incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus
supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Also, neither Vornado Realty Trust nor
Vornado Realty L.P. are subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt
securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt
securities.
Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity
The principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated
maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt
security is its face amount. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates are not
deemed to be outstanding for certain determinations under the indenture.
10
The term stated maturity with respect to any debt security means the day on which the
principal amount of the debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due
sooner, by reason of redemption or acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the
terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the
stated maturity or earlier, is called the maturity of the principal.
We also use the terms stated maturity and maturity to refer to the days when other
payments become due. For example, we refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment
of interest is scheduled to become due as the stated maturity of that installment.
When we refer to the stated maturity or the maturity of a debt security without specifying
a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the
principal.
Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to Indebtedness of Vornado Realty
L.P.
and Vornado Realty L.P.s Subsidiaries
Vornado Realty Trusts indebtedness is structurally subordinate to debt of Vornado Realty
L.P., except to the extent of any guarantee of such indebtedness by Vornado Realty L.P. In
addition, because Vornado Realty Trusts assets consist principally of interests in Vornado Realty
L.P. and because Vornado Realty L.P.s assets consist principally of interests in the subsidiaries
through which we own our properties and conduct our businesses, our right to participate as an
equity holder in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiarys
liquidation or otherwise, and thus the ability of our security holders to benefit from the
distribution, is junior to creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that any claims we may
have as a creditor of the subsidiary are recognized. Furthermore, because some of our subsidiaries
are partnerships in which we are a general partner, we may be liable for their obligations. We may
also guarantee some obligations of our subsidiaries. Any liability we may have for our
subsidiaries obligations could reduce our assets that are available to satisfy our direct
creditors, including investors in our debt securities.
This Section Is Only a Summary
The indentures and their associated documents, including your debt security, contain the full
legal text of the matters described in this section and your prospectus supplement. We have filed
forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statements. See Available
Information above for information on how to obtain copies of them.
This section and your prospectus supplement summarize all of the material terms of the
indentures and your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indentures
and your debt security. For example, in this section and your prospectus supplement, we use terms
that have been given special meaning in the indentures, but we describe the meaning for only the
more important of those terms.
Governing Law
The indentures, the debt securities and any guarantees of those debt securities will be
governed by New York law.
Currency of Debt Securities
Amounts that become due and payable on a debt security in cash will be payable in a currency,
currencies or currency units specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement. We refer to this
currency, currencies or currency units as a specified currency. The specified currency for a debt
security will be U.S. dollars, unless your prospectus supplement states otherwise. Some debt
securities may have different specified currencies for principal and interest. You will have to pay
for your debt securities by delivering the requisite amount of the specified currency for the
principal to us or the
11
underwriters, agents or dealers that we name in your prospectus supplement, unless other
arrangements have been made between you and us or you and that firm. We will make payments on a
debt security in the specified currency, except as described below in Payment Mechanics for Debt
Securities.
Form of Debt Securities
We will issue each debt security in globali.e., book-entryform only, unless we specify
otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be
represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder
of all of the debt securities represented by that global security. Those who own beneficial
interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositarys securities
clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable
procedures of the depositary and its participants. We describe book-entry securities below under
Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.
In addition, we will issue each debt security in fully registered form, without coupons.
Types of Debt Securities
We may issue any of the following types of senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities:
Fixed Rate Debt Securities
A debt security of this type will bear interest at a fixed rate described in your prospectus
supplement. This type includes zero coupon debt securities, which bear no interest and are instead
issued at a price usually significantly lower than the principal amount. See Original Issue
Discount Debt Securities below for more information about zero coupon and other original issue
discount debt securities.
Each fixed rate debt security, except any zero coupon debt security, will bear interest from
its original issue date or from the most recent date to which interest on the debt security has
been paid or made available for payment. Interest will accrue on the principal of a fixed rate debt
security at the fixed yearly rate stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, until the
principal is paid or made available for payment or the debt security is exchanged. Each payment of
interest due on an interest payment date or the date of maturity will include interest accrued from
and including the last date to which interest has been paid, or made available for payment, or from
the issue date if none has been paid or made available for payment, to but excluding the interest
payment date or the date of maturity. We will compute interest on fixed rate debt securities on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. We will pay interest on each interest payment date
and at maturity as described below under Payment Mechanics for Debt Securities.
Floating Rate Debt Securities
A debt security of this type will bear interest at rates that are determined by reference to
an interest rate formula. In some cases, the rates may also be adjusted by adding or subtracting a
spread or multiplying by a spread multiplier and may be subject to a minimum rate or a maximum
rate. If a debt security is a floating rate debt security, the formula and any adjustments that
apply to the interest rate will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each floating rate debt security will bear interest from its original issue date or from the
most recent date to which interest on the debt security has been paid or made available for
payment. Interest will accrue on the principal of a floating rate debt security at the yearly rate
determined according to the interest rate formula stated in the applicable prospectus supplement,
until the principal is paid or made available for payment or the security is exchanged. We will pay
interest on
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each interest payment date and at maturity as described below under Payment Mechanics for Debt
Securities.
Calculation of Interest. Calculations relating to floating rate debt securities will be
made by the calculation agent, an institution that we appoint as our agent for this purpose. The
prospectus supplement for a particular floating rate debt security will name the institution that
we have appointed to act as the calculation agent for that debt security as of its original issue
date. We may appoint a different institution to serve as calculation agent from time to time after
the original issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the
change.
For each floating rate debt security, the calculation agent will determine, on the
corresponding interest calculation or determination date, as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the interest rate that takes effect on each interest reset date. In addition, the
calculation agent will calculate the amount of interest that has accrued during each interest
periodi.e., the period from and including the original issue date, or the last date to which
interest has been paid or made available for payment, to but excluding the payment date. For each
interest period, the calculation agent will calculate the amount of accrued interest by multiplying
the face or other specified amount of the floating rate debt security by an accrued interest factor
for the interest period. This factor will equal the sum of the interest factors calculated for each
day during the interest period. The interest factor for each day will be expressed as a decimal and
will be calculated by dividing the interest rate, also expressed as a decimal, applicable to that
day by 360 or by the actual number of days in the year, as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Upon the request of the holder of any floating rate debt security, the calculation agent will
provide for that debt security the interest rate then in effectand, if determined, the interest
rate that will become effective on the next interest reset date. The calculation agents
determination of any interest rate, and its calculation of the amount of interest for any interest
period, will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.
All percentages resulting from any calculation relating to a debt security will be rounded
upward or downward, as appropriate, to the next higher or lower one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, e.g., 9.876541% (or .09876541) being rounded down to 9.87654% (or .0987654) and
9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded up to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All amounts used in or
resulting from any calculation relating to a floating rate debt security will be rounded upward or
downward, as appropriate, to the nearest cent, in the case of U.S. dollars, or to the nearest
corresponding hundredth of a unit, in the case of a currency other than U.S. dollars, with one-half
cent or one-half of a corresponding hundredth of a unit or more being rounded upward.
In determining the base rate that applies to a floating rate debt security during a particular
interest period, the calculation agent may obtain rate quotes from various banks or dealers active
in the relevant market, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Those reference banks
and dealers may include the calculation agent itself and its affiliates, as well as any
underwriter, dealer or agent participating in the distribution of the relevant floating rate debt
securities and its affiliates.
Indexed Debt Securities
A debt security of this type provides that the principal amount payable at its maturity, and
the amount of interest payable on an interest payment date, will be determined by reference to:
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securities of one or more issuers; |
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one or more currencies; |
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one or more commodities; |
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any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the
occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance; or |
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one or more indices or baskets of the items described above. |
13
If you are a holder of an indexed debt security, you may receive an amount at maturity that is
greater than or less than the face amount of your debt security depending upon the value of the
applicable index at maturity. The value of the applicable index will fluctuate over time.
If you purchase an indexed debt security, your prospectus supplement will include information
about the relevant index and about how amounts that are to become payable will be determined by
reference to the price or value of that index. The prospectus supplement will also identify the
calculation agent that will calculate the amounts payable with respect to the indexed debt
security. The calculation agent may exercise significant discretion in determining such amounts.
Original Issue Discount Debt Securities
A fixed rate debt security, a floating rate debt security or an indexed debt security may be
an original issue discount debt security. A debt security of this type is issued at a price lower
than its principal amount and provides that, upon redemption or acceleration of its maturity, an
amount less than its principal amount will be payable. An original issue discount debt security may
be a zero coupon debt security. A debt security issued at a discount to its principal may, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, be considered an original issue discount debt security, regardless of
the amount payable upon redemption or acceleration of maturity. The U.S. federal income tax
consequences of owning an original issue discount debt security may be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
Information in the Prospectus Supplement
A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of a particular series of debt
securities, which will include some or all of the following:
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whether the issuer of the debt securities is Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado
Realty L.P.; |
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the title of the debt securities; |
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whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if
they are subordinated debt securities, any changes in the subordination provisions described
in this prospectus applicable to those subordinated debt securities; |
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the same
series; |
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the person to whom any interest on any debt security of the series will be
payable, if other than the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close
of business on the regular record date; |
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the stated maturity; |
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the specified currency, currencies or currency units for principal and interest,
if not U.S. dollars; |
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the price at which we originally issue the debt securities, expressed as a
percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date; |
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whether the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities, floating rate debt
securities or indexed debt securities; |
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if the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities, the yearly rate at which
the debt securities will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates; |
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the regular record date for any interest payable on any interest payment date; |
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the place or places where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
debt securities will be payable; |
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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable, if other than
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000; |
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if the debt securities are floating rate debt securities, the interest rate
basis; any applicable index currency or maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial,
maximum or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates;
the day count used to calculate interest payments for any period; and the calculation agent; |
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any index or formula used to determine the amount of payments of principal of
and any premium and interest on the debt securities; |
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if the debt securities may be converted, in the case of debt securities of
Vornado Realty Trust, or exchanged, in the case of debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P.,
for common or preferred shares of Vornado Realty Trust or other securities, the terms on
which such conversion or exchange may occur, including whether such conversion or exchange is
mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which such
conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange rate and the
circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred shares issuable upon
conversion or exchange may be adjusted or calculated according to the market price of Vornado
Realty Trust common or preferred shares or such other securities; |
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if the debt securities are original issue discount debt securities, the yield to
maturity; |
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if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the
debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the
debt securities; |
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if applicable, the circumstances under which the debt securities may be
mandatorily redeemed by us, redeemed at our option or repaid at the holders option before
the stated maturity, including any redemption commencement date, repayment date(s),
redemption price(s) and redemption period(s); |
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if the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable at the
maturity of the debt securities will not be determinable as of any date before maturity, the
amount which will be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities; |
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the applicability of any provisions described under Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance; |
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the depositary for the debt securities, if other than DTC, and any circumstances
under which the holder may request securities in non-global form; |
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the applicability of any provisions described under Default, Remedies and
Waiver of Default; |
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any additional covenants applicable to the debt securities and any elimination
of or modification to the covenants described under Covenants; |
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the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents,
paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities; |
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the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of fixed rate debt
securities that are zero coupon or original issue discount debt securities, floating rate
debt securities, indexed debt securities or original issue discount debt securities; |
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if the debt securities are issued by Vornado Realty Trust, whether Vornado
Realty L.P. will guarantee the due and punctual payment of principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the debt securities and the extent of any such guarantee; and |
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any other terms of the debt securities or any applicable guarantee, which could
be different from those described in this prospectus. |
Redemption and Repayment
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a debt security will not
be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fundthat is, we will not deposit money on a regular
basis into any separate custodial account to repay the debt securities. In addition, we will not be
entitled to redeem a debt security before its stated maturity unless the prospectus supplement
specifies a redemption commencement date. You will not be entitled to require us to buy a debt
security from you before its stated maturity unless your prospectus supplement specifies one or
more repayment dates.
If your applicable prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date or a
repayment date, it will also specify one or more redemption prices or repayment prices, which may
be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the debt security. It may also specify one
or more redemption periods during which the redemption prices relating to a redemption of debt
securities during those periods will apply.
If we redeem less than all of the debt securities of any series, we will, at least 60 days
before the redemption date set by us or any shorter period that is satisfactory to the trustee,
notify the trustee of the redemption date, of the principal amount of debt securities to be
redeemed and if applicable, of the tenor of the debt securities to be redeemed. The trustee will
select from the outstanding securities of the series the particular debt securities to be redeemed
not more than 60 days before the redemption date. This procedure will not apply to any redemption
of a single debt security.
If your prospectus supplement specifies a redemption commencement date, the debt security will
be redeemable at our option at any time on or after that date or at a specified time or times. If
we redeem the debt security, we will do so at the specified redemption price, together with
interest accrued to the redemption date. If different prices are specified for different redemption
periods, the price we pay will be the price that applies to the redemption period during which the
debt security is redeemed.
If your prospectus supplement specifies a repayment date, the debt security will be repayable
at the holders option on the specified repayment date at the specified repayment price, together
with interest accrued to the repayment date.
If we exercise an option to redeem any debt security, we will give to the holder written
notice of the principal amount of the debt security to be redeemed, not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days before the applicable redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described
below in Notices.
If a debt security represented by a global debt security is subject to repayment at the
holders option, the depositary or its nominee, as the holder, will be the only person that can
exercise the right to repayment. Any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global
debt security and wish to exercise a repayment right must give proper and timely instructions to
their banks or brokers through which they hold their interests, requesting that they notify the
depositary to exercise the repayment right on their behalf. Different firms have different
deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and you should take care to act promptly
enough to ensure that your request is given effect by the depositary before the applicable deadline
for exercise.
Street name and other indirect owners should contact their banks or brokers for information
about how to exercise a repayment right in a timely manner.
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We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from
time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at
negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold
or canceled.
Mergers and Similar Transactions
Each of Vornado Realty L.P. and Vornado Realty Trust are generally permitted to merge or
consolidate with another entity. Each of Vornado Realty L.P. and Vornado Realty Trust are also
permitted to sell their assets substantially as an entirety to another entity. With regard to any
series of debt securities, however, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the issuer of the debt securities, whether Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P.,
as the case may be, may not take any of these actions unless all of the following conditions are
met:
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If the successor entity in the transaction is not the issuer, the successor
entity must be a corporation, partnership or trust organized under the laws of the United
States, any state in the United States or the District of Columbia and must expressly assume
the obligations of the issuer under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with
respect to that series. |
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Immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default under the debt
securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, default under
the debt securities of that series means an event of default with respect to that series or
any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements
for giving us a default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period
of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under Default, Remedies and
Waiver of Default. |
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The issuer or the successor entity, as the case may be, must take such steps as
will be necessary to secure the debt securities of that series equally and ratably with or
senior to all new indebtedness if, as a result of the transaction, properties or assets of
the issuer, would become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other
encumbrance which would not be permitted by the applicable indenture. |
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The issuer and the guarantor, if applicable, have delivered to the trustee an
officers certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that the transaction complies in
all respects with the indenture. |
If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any
series, Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be, as issuer of those debt
securities will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to
merge or consolidate or to sell its assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if the issuer of
those debt securities wishes to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell its assets
substantially as an entirety to another entity. The issuer of those debt securities will not need
to satisfy these conditions if it enters into other types of transactions, including any
transaction in which the issuer acquires the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction
that involves a change of control of the issuer but in which the issuer does not merge or
consolidate and any transaction in which the issuer sells less than substantially all of its
assets.
Any limitation applicable to the ability of Vornado Realty L.P., in its capacity as guarantor
of debt securities of any series of Vornado Realty Trust, to participate in any of the actions
described above will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such series of debt securities.
Subordination Provisions
Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the
subordinated debt indenture may prohibit the issuer of the subordinated debt securities from making
payments on those securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture or in the
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provisions of the applicable debt securities, to all of the issuers senior debt, as defined in the
subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities the issuer has issued and will issue
under the senior debt indenture.
The subordinated debt indenture defines senior debt as the principal of and premium, if any,
and interest on all indebtedness of the issuer, other than the subordinated debt securities,
whether outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which
is (a) for money borrowed, (b) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with
the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind or (c) obligations of the
issuer, as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under
generally accepted accounting principles or leases of property or assets made as part of any sale
and lease-back transaction to which the issuer is a party. For the purpose of this definition,
interest includes interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the issuer, to the extent that the claim for post-petition interest is
allowed in the proceeding. Also for the purpose of this definition, indebtedness of the issuer
includes indebtedness of others guaranteed by the issuer and amendments, renewals, extensions,
modifications and refundings of any indebtedness or obligation of the kinds described in the first
sentence of this paragraph. However, indebtedness of the issuer for the purpose of this
definition does not include any indebtedness or obligation if the instrument creating or evidencing
the indebtedness or obligation, or under which the indebtedness or obligation is outstanding,
provides that the indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the
subordinated debt securities.
The subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or
interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in
respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:
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in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership,
liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding involving the issuer or its assets; |
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in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the issuer,
whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy; |
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in the event of any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshalling of assets and liabilities of the issuer; |
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if any subordinated debt securities of issuer have been declared due and payable
before their stated maturity; or |
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(a) in the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of
principal, premium or interest on any senior debt beyond any applicable grace period or if
any event of default with respect to any senior debt of the issuer has occurred and is
continuing, permitting the holders of that senior debt of the issuer or a trustee to
accelerate the maturity of that senior debt, unless the event of default has been cured or
waived or ceased to exist and any related acceleration has been rescinded, or (b) if any
judicial proceeding is pending with respect to a payment default or an event of default
described in (a). |
If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt
securities receive any payment or distribution that they know is prohibited under the subordination
provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the
senior debt.
Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the
subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that
series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated
debt
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indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any
money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.
Covenants
The following covenants apply to Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., as applicable,
with respect to the debt securities of each series it issues unless otherwise specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement. As used in this section, we refers to either Vornado Realty
Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., as issuer of the applicable debt securities.
Maintenance of Properties. We must maintain all properties used in our business in good
condition. However, we may discontinue the maintenance or operation of any of our properties if in
our judgment, discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of our business and is not disadvantageous
in any material respect to the holders of debt securities.
Insurance. We must keep all of our insurable properties insured against loss or damage with
insurers of recognized responsibility. The insurance must be in commercially reasonable amounts and
types.
Existence. Except as described under Mergers and Similar Transactions, we must do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence,
rights and franchises. However, we are not required to preserve any right or franchise if we
determine that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of
our business and that the loss of the right or franchise is not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the holders of the debt securities.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We are required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid
or discharged (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us or any
subsidiary or upon our income, profits or property or the income, profits or property of any
subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by
law become a lien upon our property or the property of any subsidiary. We must pay these taxes and
other claims before they become delinquent. However, we are not required to pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged any tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or
validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Provision of Financial Information. We will file with the trustee, within 15 days after we
file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and
other reports that we may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act. If we are not required to file with the SEC information, documents or reports
pursuant to either of those sections, then we will file with the trustee and the SEC such reports,
if any, as may be prescribed by the SEC at such time.
Additional covenants described in the applicable prospectus supplement may apply to the issuer
of the debt securities and, if applicable, Vornado Realty L.P. in its capacity as guarantor of debt
securities of Vornado Realty Trust, with respect to a particular series of debt securities.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The provisions for full defeasance and covenant defeasance described below apply to each
senior and subordinated debt security, and any applicable guarantee, if so indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement. In general, we expect these provisions to apply to each debt
security that has a specified currency of U.S. dollars and is not a floating rate or indexed debt
security.
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Full Defeasance. If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law, as described below, we can
legally release ourselves and any guarantor from all payment and other obligations on any debt
securities. This is called full defeasance. For us to do so, each of the following must occur:
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The issuer of your debt securities must deposit in trust for the benefit of all
holders of those debt securities a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S.
government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal
and any other payments on those debt securities on their various due dates; |
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(a) No event of default under the indenture applicable to such debt securities
may have occurred and be continuing and (b) no event of default described in the sixth bullet
point under Default, Remedies and Waiver of DefaultEvents of Default may have occurred
and be continuing at any time during the 90 days following the deposit in trust; |
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There must be a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an Internal Revenue
Service ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing the holders of the debt
securities to be taxed on those debt securities any differently than if we did not make the
deposit and just repaid those debt securities ourselves. Under current federal tax law, the
deposit and our legal release from your debt security would be treated as though we took back
your debt security and gave you your share of the cash and notes or bonds deposited in trust.
In that event, you could recognize gain or loss on your debt security; and |
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We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax
law change described above. |
If we ever fully defeased your debt security, you would have to rely solely on the trust
deposit for payments on your debt security. You would not be able to look to us for payment if
there was any shortfall.
Covenant Defeasance. Under current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of
deposit described above and we and any guarantor will be released from the restrictive covenants
relating to your debt security listed in the bullets below and any additional restrictive covenants
that may be described in your prospectus supplement. This is called covenant defeasance. In that
event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants. In order to achieve covenant
defeasance for any debt securities, we must take the same steps as are required for full
defeasance.
If we accomplish covenant defeasance with regard to your debt security, the following
provisions of the applicable indenture and your debt security would no longer apply:
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The requirement to secure the debt securities equally and ratably with all new
indebtedness of the issuer of your debt securities in the event of a merger or consolidation; |
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The covenants regarding existence, maintenance of properties, payment of taxes
and other claims, insurance and provision of financial information applicable to us or the
guarantor, if applicable; |
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Any additional covenants that your prospectus supplement states are applicable
to your debt security; and |
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The events of default resulting from a breach of covenants, described below in
the fourth, fifth and seventh bullet points under Default, Remedies and Waiver of
DefaultEvents of Default. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance on your debt security, we must still repay your debt
security if there is any shortfall in the trust deposit. You should note, however, that if one of
the remaining events of default occurred, such as our bankruptcy, and your debt security became
immediately due and
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payable, there may be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able
to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default
You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your series of debt
securities occurs and is continuing, as described in this subsection.
Events of Default. Unless your prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an
event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean any of the following:
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The issuer of your debt securities does not pay interest on any debt security of
that series within 30 days after the due date; |
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The issuer of your debt securities does not pay the principal or any premium of
any debt security of that series on the due date; |
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The issuer of your debt securities does not deposit a sinking fund payment with
regard to any debt security of that series on the due date, but only if the payment is
required under the applicable prospectus supplement; |
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The issuer of your debt securities or the guarantor of your debt securities, if
applicable, remains in breach of any covenant it makes in the indenture for the benefit of
the relevant series for 90 days after it receives a written notice of default stating that it
is in breach and requiring it to remedy the breach. The notice must be sent by the trustee or
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities; |
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The issuer of your debt securities does not pay an indebtedness of $50,000,000
or more in principal amount outstanding when due after the expiration of any applicable grace
period, or we default on an indebtedness of this amount resulting in acceleration of the
indebtedness, in either case within ten days after written notice of the default is sent to
us. The notice must be sent by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount
of the relevant series of debt securities; |
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The issuer of your debt securities or, if applicable, the guarantor of your debt
securities, files for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
relating to the issuer or, if applicable, the guarantor of your debt securities, occur; or |
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If your prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default
applies to the series, that event of default occurs. |
Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs
If you are the holder of a subordinated debt security, all of the remedies available upon the
occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the
restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described above under Subordination
Provisions.
If an event of default has occurred with respect to any series of debt securities and has not
been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal amount of the debt
securities of that series to be due immediately. If the event of default occurs because of events
in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the issuer of your debt securities the
entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated,
without any action by the trustee or any holder.
Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the maturity of the
affected series of debt securities. If the maturity of any series is accelerated, a judgment for
payment has not yet
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been obtained, we pay or deposit with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay all amounts due on
the securities of the series, and all events of default with respect to the series, other than the
nonpayment of the accelerated principal, have been cured or waived, then the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration
for the entire series.
If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the
trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the relevant indenture, and
to use the same degree of care and skill in doing so, that a prudent person would use in that
situation in conducting his or her own affairs.
Except as described in the prior paragraph, the trustee is not required to take any action
under the relevant indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee
reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is
provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of all debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee
with respect to that series. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any
other action under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.
Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take
other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to any debt security or any
guarantee, all of the following must occur:
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The holder of your debt security must give the trustee written notice of a
continuing event of default; |
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The holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of
your series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default,
and they or other holders must offer to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; |
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The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after the above steps have
been taken; and |
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During those 60 days, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt
securities of your series must not have given the trustee directions that are inconsistent
with the written request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt
securities of your series. |
You are entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your
debt security on or after its due date.
Waiver of Default. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of a series may waive a default for all debt securities of that series.
If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment
default on your debt security or a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series,
however, without the approval of the particular holder of that debt security.
Annual Provision of Information to the Trustee About Defaults. The issuer, and if the due
and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on one or more series of debt securities is
guaranteed, the guarantor, will furnish to each trustee every year a written statement of two of
our officers certifying that to their knowledge the issuer and the guarantor, if applicable, are in
compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under it, or else
specifying any default under the indenture.
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Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on
how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an
acceleration of the maturity. Book-entry and other indirect owners are described below under Legal
Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance.
Changes of the Indentures Requiring Each Holders Approval
There are certain changes that cannot be made without the approval of each holder of a debt
security affected by the change under a particular indenture. Here is a list of those types of
changes:
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change the stated maturity for any principal or interest payment on a debt
security; |
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reduce the principal amount or the interest rate or the premium payable upon the
redemption of any debt security; |
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reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any
other debt security payable upon acceleration of its maturity; |
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change the currency of any payment on a debt security; |
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change the place of payment on a debt security; |
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impair a holders right to sue for payment of any amount due on its debt
security; |
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modify or affect in any adverse manner the terms and conditions of the
obligations of Vornado Realty L.P. in respect of its guarantee, if any, of the due and
punctual payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any sinking fund or
additional amounts with respect to any guaranteed debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust; |
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any series,
the approval of whose holders is needed to change the applicable indenture or those debt
securities; |
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any series,
the consent of whose holders is needed to waive our compliance with the applicable indenture
or to waive defaults; and |
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change the provisions of the applicable indenture dealing with modification and
waiver in any other respect, except to increase any required percentage referred to above or
to add to the provisions that cannot be changed or waived without approval of the holder of
each affected debt security. |
Modification of Subordination Provisions
Neither Vornado Realty Trust nor Vornado Realty L.P. may amend the subordinated debt indenture
governing the subordinated debt securities it has issued to alter the subordination of any
outstanding subordinated debt securities it has issued without the consent of each holder of senior
debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected. In addition, neither Vornado Realty Trust
nor Vornado Realty L.P. may modify the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt indenture
governing the subordinated debt securities it has issued in a manner that would adversely affect
the outstanding subordinated debt securities it has issued of any one or more series in any
material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
all affected series, voting together as one class.
Changes of the Indentures Not Requiring Approval
Another type of change does not require any approval by holders of the debt securities of an
affected series. These changes are limited to clarifications and changes that would not adversely
affect
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the debt securities of that series in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make
changes that affect only debt securities or any guarantees of that series to be issued under the
applicable indenture after the changes take effect or to add a guarantee to any outstanding debt
securities not guaranteed or to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or
automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded.
We may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect a particular debt
security or the guarantee of that debt security, even if they affect other debt securities and
guarantees. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected
debt security; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt
securities.
Changes of the Indentures Requiring Majority Approval
Any other change to a particular indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture
would require the following approval:
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If the change affects only the debt securities of a particular series, it must
be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that
series. |
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If the change affects the debt securities of more than one series of debt
securities issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of each series affected by the change. |
The same majority approval would be required for us or the guarantor, if applicable, to obtain
a waiver of any of the applicable covenants in the indenture. The covenants include the promises we
or the guarantor, if applicable, make about merging and similar transactions, which are described
above under Mergers and Similar Transactions. If the requisite holders approve a waiver of a
covenant, neither we nor the guarantor, as the case may be, will have to comply with it. The
holders, however, cannot approve a waiver of any provision in a particular debt security, or in the
applicable indenture as it affects that debt security, that cannot be changed without the approval
of the holder of that debt security as described above in Changes of the Indentures Requiring
Each Holders Approval, unless that holder approves the waiver.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on
how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or
request a waiver.
Special Rules for Action by Holders
When holders take any action under a debt indenture, such as giving a notice of default,
declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction, we
will apply the following rules.
Only Outstanding Debt Securities Are Eligible
Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to
participate in any action by holders of debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only
outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking
action have been met. For these purposes, a debt security will not be outstanding:
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if it has been surrendered for cancellation or cancelled; |
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if we have deposited or set aside, in trust for its holder, money for its
payment or redemption; |
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if we have fully defeased it as described above under Defeasance and Covenant
DefeasanceFull Defeasance; |
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if it has been exchanged for other debt securities of the same series due to
mutilation, destruction, loss or theft; or |
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if we or one of our affiliates is the owner, unless the debt security is pledged
under certain circumstances described in the indenture. |
Eligible Principal Amount of Some Debt Securities
In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of a debt
security that is to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen,
for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time
or is not to be fixed until maturity.
For any debt security of the kind described below, we will decide how much principal amount to
attribute to the debt security as follows:
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For an original issue discount debt security, we will use the principal amount
that would be due and payable on the action date if the maturity of the debt security were
accelerated to that date because of a default; |
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For a debt security whose principal amount is not determinable, we will use any
amount that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement for that debt security. The
principal amount of a debt security may not be determinable, for example, because it is based
on an index that changes from time to time and the principal amount is not to be determined
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For debt securities with a principal amount denominated in one or more non-U.S.
dollar currencies or currency units, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent, which we will
determine. |
Determining Record Dates for Action by Holders
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited
circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we
or the trustee set a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote
or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be
taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets
the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to
time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the
action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with
procedures established by the depositary from time to time. Accordingly, record dates for global
debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities.
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Debt Securities
Unless we indicate otherwise in your prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be
issued:
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only in fully registered form; and |
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in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. |
Holders may exchange their debt securities for debt securities of the same series in any
authorized denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Holders may exchange or transfer their debt securities at the office of the trustee. They may
also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We have appointed
the trustee
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to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring and
replacing debt securities.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their debt
securities, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated
with the registration, exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be
made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holders proof of legal ownership. The
transfer agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities.
If a debt security is issued as a global debt security, only the depositarye.g., DTC,
Euroclear and Clearstreamwill be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described
in this subsection, since the depositary will be the sole holder of the debt security.
The rules for exchange described above apply to exchange of debt securities for other debt
securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible into or exchangeable for
common or preferred shares of Vornado Realty Trust, the rules governing that type of conversion or
exchange will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Payment Mechanics for Debt Securities
If interest is due on a debt security on an interest payment date, we will pay the interest to
the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular
record date relating to the interest payment date as described below under Payment and Record
Dates for Interest. If interest is due at maturity but on a day that is not an interest payment
date, we will pay the interest to the person entitled to receive the principal of the debt
security. If principal or another amount besides interest is due on a debt security at maturity, we
will pay the amount to the holder of the debt security against surrender of the debt security at a
proper place of payment or, in the case of a global debt security, in accordance with the
applicable policies of the depositary, DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable.
Payment and Record Dates for Interest
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, interest on any fixed
rate debt security will be payable semiannually each May 15 and November 15 and at maturity, and
the regular record date relating to an interest payment date for any fixed rate debt security will
be the May 1 or November 1 next preceding that interest payment date. The regular record date
relating to an interest payment date for any floating rate debt security will be the 15th calendar
day before that interest payment date. These record dates will apply regardless of whether a
particular record date is a business day, as defined below. For the purpose of determining the
holder at the close of business on a regular record date when business is not being conducted, the
close of business will mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on that day.
Business Day. The term business day means, with respect to the debt securities of a
series, a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking
institutions in the place of payment for the debt securities of that series are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close and that satisfies any other criteria specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
How We Will Make Payments Due in U.S. Dollars
We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts due in U.S.
dollars. Payments of amounts due in other currencies will be made as described in the next
subsection.
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Payments on Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a global debt security in
accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under
those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any
indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owners right
to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its
participants, as described below in the section entitled Legal Ownership and Book-Entry
IssuanceWhat Is a Global Security?
Payments on Non-Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a debt security in
non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment
date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the
trustees records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other
payments by check to the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All
payments by check will be made in next-day fundsi.e., funds that become available on the day
after the check is cashed.
Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the
holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date.
To request a wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer
instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of
any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person
or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment,
payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire
instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are
given in the manner described above.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on
how they will receive payments on their debt securities.
How We Will Make Payments Due in Other Currencies
We will follow the practice described in this subsection when paying amounts that are due in a
specified currency other than U.S. dollars.
Payments on Global Debt Securities. We will make payments on a global debt security in
accordance with the applicable policies as in effect from time to time of the depositary, which
will be DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary
for all debt securities in global form. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs
book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate, but we assume no
responsibility for the accuracy thereof. The policies and procedures of DTC may govern payments,
transfers, exchanges and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security. When
DTC is the depositary, such securities would be subject to DTCs rules and procedures, as then in
effect. We understand that DTCs policies, as currently in effect, are as follows.
Unless otherwise indicated in your prospectus supplement, if you are an indirect owner of
global debt securities denominated in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and if you have
the right to elect to receive payments in that other currency and do so elect, you must notify the
participant through which your interest in the global debt security is held of your election:
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on or before the applicable regular record date, in the case of a payment of
interest; or |
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on or before the 16th day before the stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date,
in the case of payment of principal or any premium. |
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Your participant must, in turn, notify DTC of your election on or before the third DTC
business day after that regular record date, in the case of a payment of interest, and on or before
the 12th DTC business day prior to the stated maturity, or on the redemption or repayment date if
your debt security is redeemed or repaid earlier, in the case of a payment of principal or any
premium.
DTC, in turn, will notify the paying agent of your election in accordance with DTCs
procedures.
If complete instructions are received by the participant and forwarded by the participant to
DTC, and by DTC to the paying agent, on or before the dates noted above, the paying agent, in
accordance with DTCs instructions, will make the payments to you or your participant by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located
in the country issuing the specified currency or in another jurisdiction acceptable to us and the
paying agent.
If the foregoing steps are not properly completed, we expect DTC to inform the paying agent
that payment is to be made in U.S. dollars. In that case, we or our agent will convert the payment
to U.S. dollars in the manner described below under Conversion to U.S. Dollars. We expect that
we or our agent will then make the payment in U.S. dollars to DTC, and that DTC in turn will pass
it along to its participants.
Indirect owners of a global debt security denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars
should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to request payment in the specified
currency.
Payments on Non-Global Debt Securities. Except as described in the last paragraph under
this heading, we will make payments on debt securities in non-global form in the applicable
specified currency. We will make these payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
any account that is maintained in the applicable specified currency at a bank designated by the
holder and which is acceptable to us and the trustee. To designate an account for wire payment, the
holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire instructions at least five business days before
the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment
date, the instructions must be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the regular
record date. In the case of any other payment, the payment will be made only after the debt
security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any instructions, once properly given, will remain in
effect unless and until new instructions are properly given in the manner described above.
If a holder fails to give instructions as described above, we will notify the holder at the
address in the trustees records and will make the payment within five business days after the
holder provides appropriate instructions. Any late payment made in these circumstances will be
treated under the applicable indenture as if made on the due date, and no interest will accrue on
the late payment from the due date to the date paid.
Although a payment on a debt security in non-global form may be due in a specified currency
other than U.S. dollars, we will make the payment in U.S. dollars if the holder asks us to do so.
To request U.S. dollar payment, the holder must provide appropriate written notice to the trustee
at least five business days before the next due date for which payment in U.S. dollars is
requested. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the request must be
made by the person or entity who is the holder on the regular record date. Any request, once
properly made, will remain in effect unless and until revoked by notice properly given in the
manner described above.
Book-entry and other indirect owners of a debt security with a specified currency other than
U.S. dollars should contact their banks or brokers for information about how to receive payments in
the specified currency or in U.S. dollars.
Conversion to U.S. Dollars. When we are asked by a holder to make payments in U.S. dollars
of an amount due in another currency, either on a global debt security or a non-global debt
security as
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described above, the exchange rate agent described below will calculate the U.S. dollar amount the
holder receives in the exchange rate agents discretion.
A holder that requests payment in U.S. dollars will bear all associated currency exchange
costs, which will be deducted from the payment.
When the Specified Currency Is Not Available. If we are obligated to make any payment in a
specified currency other than U.S. dollars, and the specified currency or any successor currency is
not available to us due to circumstances beyond our controlsuch as the imposition of exchange
controls or a disruption in the currency marketswe will be entitled to satisfy our obligation to
make the payment in that specified currency by making the payment in U.S. dollars, on the basis of
the exchange rate determined by the exchange rate agent described below, in its discretion.
The foregoing will apply to any debt security, whether in global or non-global form, and to
any payment, including a payment at maturity. Any payment made under the circumstances and in a
manner described above will not result in a default under any debt security or the applicable
indenture.
Exchange Rate Agent. If we issue a debt security in a specified currency other than U.S.
dollars, we will appoint a financial institution to act as the exchange rate agent and will name
the institution initially appointed when the debt security is originally issued in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We may change the exchange rate agent from time to time after the original
issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the change.
All determinations made by the exchange rate agent will be in its sole discretion unless we
state in the applicable prospectus supplement that any determination requires our approval. In the
absence of manifest error, those determinations will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on
you and us, without any liability on the part of the exchange rate agent.
Payment When Offices Are Closed
If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the
payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments postponed to the next business day in this
situation will be treated under the applicable indenture as if they were made on the original due
date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under any debt security or the
applicable indenture, and no interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due
date to the next day that is a business day. The term business day has a special meaning, which we
describe above under Payment and Record Dates for Interest.
Paying Agent
We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose
designated offices debt securities in non-global entry form may be surrendered for payment at their
maturity. We call each of those offices a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying
agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. Initially, we have
appointed the trustee, at its corporate trust office in New York City, as the paying agent. We must
notify the trustee of changes in the paying agents.
Unclaimed Payments
Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After
that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other
paying agent or anyone else.
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Notices
Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary,
in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to
holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of
the holders as they appear in the trustees records. Neither the failure to give any notice to a
particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the
sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on
how they will receive notices.
Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s Relationship with the Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon has provided commercial banking and other services for Vornado
Realty Trust, Vornado Realty L.P. and its affiliates in the past and may do so in the future.
The Bank of New York Mellon is initially serving as the trustee for the senior debt securities
and the subordinated debt securities. We may appoint other parties to serve as trustee or
co-trustee as may be indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Consequently, if an actual
or potential event of default occurs with respect to any of these securities, the trustee may be
considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that
case, the trustee may be required to resign under one or more of the indentures, and the issuer of
the debt securities would be required to appoint a successor trustee. For this purpose, a
potential event of default means an event that would be an event of default if the requirements
for giving the issuer of the debt securities default notice or for the default having to exist for
a specific period of time were disregarded.
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DESCRIPTION OF VORNADO REALTY L.P. GUARANTEE
Vornado Realty L.P. may guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner)
the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more
series of debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the
indenture. In case of the failure of Vornado Realty Trust punctually to pay any principal, premium
or interest on any guaranteed debt security, Vornado Realty L.P. will cause any such payment to be
made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment
or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by Vornado Realty Trust. The particular terms of the
guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt
securities. Any guarantee by Vornado Realty L.P. will be of payment only and not of collection.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF VORNADO REALTY TRUST
The following descriptions of the material terms of the shares of beneficial interest of
Vornado Realty Trust are only a summary and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by
reference to, the more complete descriptions of the shares in the following documents: (a) Vornado
Realty Trusts amended and restated declaration of trust, including the applicable articles
supplementary, and (b) Vornado Realty Trusts amended and restated bylaws, copies of which are
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Please note that in this
section entitled Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest of Vornado Realty Trust, references
to Vornado, we, our and us refer only to Vornado Realty Trust and not to its subsidiaries
or Vornado Realty L.P. unless the context requires otherwise.
For Vornado to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code (the
Code), not more than 50% of the value of its outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include
certain entities, at any time during the last half of a taxable year and the shares of beneficial
interest must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Accordingly, the
declaration of trust contains provisions that restrict the ownership and transfer of shares of
beneficial interest.
The declaration of trust authorizes the issuance of up to 720,000,000 shares, consisting of
250,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par value per share, 110,000,000 preferred
shares of beneficial interest, no par value per share, and 360,000,000 excess shares of beneficial
interest, $.04 par value per share.
Description of Preferred Shares of Vornado Realty Trust
The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our preferred shares.
The particular terms of any series of preferred shares will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement, which will supplement the information below.
The description of the material terms of Vornados preferred shares contained in this
prospectus is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the declaration
of trust, which includes the articles supplementary relating to each series of the preferred
shares, which will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part at or before the time of issuance of the series of
preferred shares.
As of September 30, 2009, the declaration of trust authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000
preferred shares. Of the authorized 110,000,000 preferred shares, Vornado has designated:
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5,750,000 as $3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares; |
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4,800,000 as Series D-10 7.00% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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1,400,000 as Series D-11 7.20% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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800,000 as Series D-12 6.55% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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4,000,000 as Series D-14 6.75% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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1,800,000 as Series D-15 6.875% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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3,450,000 as 7.00% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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6,000,000 as 6.75% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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8,000,000 as 6.625% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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4,500,000 as 6.750% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; and |
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10,800,000 as 6.625% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares. |
As of September 30, 2009, 52,324 $3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, 1,600,000 Series
D-10 7.00% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, 3,000,000 7.00% Series E Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares, 6,000,000 6.75% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, 8,000,000 6.625%
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, 4,500,000 6.750% Series H Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares, and 10,800,000 6.625% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares were
outstanding. No Series D-11 7.20% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series D-12 6.55%
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series D-14 6.75% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares or
Series D-15 6.875% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding as of
September 30, 2009. Shares of each of these series may be issued in the future upon redemption of
preferred units of limited partnership interest of Vornado Realty L.P. of a corresponding series
that were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2009.
The preferred shares authorized by our declaration of trust may be issued from time to time in
one or more series in the amounts and with the designations, preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption as may be fixed by the board of trustees. Under certain circumstances, the
issuance of preferred shares could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of
control of Vornado and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common
shares. The declaration of trust authorizes the board of trustees to classify or reclassify, in one
or more series, any unissued preferred shares and to reclassify any unissued shares of any series
of preferred shares by setting or changing the number of preferred shares constituting the series
and the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the
preferred shares.
The preferred shares have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights described
below, as supplemented or changed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each
particular series of the preferred shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
following terms of the series of preferred shares:
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the title of the preferred shares and the number of shares offered; |
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the amount of liquidation preference per share; |
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the initial public offering price at which the preferred shares will be issued; |
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the dividend rate or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable
and the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate, if any; |
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any redemption or sinking fund provisions; |
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any conversion or exchange rights; |
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any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights,
preferences, limitations and restrictions; |
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any listing of the preferred shares on any securities exchange; |
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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred shares as to dividend rights and
rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of Vornado; |
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any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a
parity with the series of preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of Vornado; and |
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any limitations on direct, beneficial or constructive ownership and restrictions on
transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of Vornado as a REIT or
for other purposes. |
The applicable prospectus supplement may also include a discussion of federal income tax
considerations applicable to the preferred shares.
The preferred shares will be issued in one or more series. The preferred shares, upon issuance
against full payment of the applicable purchase price, will be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable. The liquidation preference is not indicative of the price at which
the preferred shares will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.
Rank
With respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
Vornado, the preferred shares will rank senior to our common shares and excess shares created when
our ownership limits are breached as described under Description of Common Shares of Vornado
Realty TrustRestrictions on Ownership of Common Shares below, other than certain excess shares
resulting from the conversion of preferred shares, and to all other classes and series of equity
securities of Vornado now or later authorized, issued or outstanding, other than any classes or
series of equity securities of Vornado that by their terms specifically rank equal or senior to the
preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
Vornado. We refer to the common shares and the other classes and series of equity securities to
which the preferred shares rank senior as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Vornado as junior stock; we refer to equity securities of Vornado
that by their terms rank equal to the preferred shares as parity stock; and we refer to equity
securities of Vornado that by their terms rank senior to the preferred shares as senior stock.
The preferred shares are junior to all outstanding debt of Vornado. We may create and issue senior
stock, parity stock and junior stock to the extent not expressly prohibited by the declaration of
trust.
Dividends
Holders of our preferred shares are entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our
board of trustees and declared by Vornado out of our assets legally available for payment,
dividends or distributions in cash, property or other assets of Vornado or in securities of Vornado
or from any other source as our board of trustees in its discretion determines and at the dates and
annual rate per share as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This rate may be fixed
or variable or both. Each authorized dividend is payable to holders of record as they appear at the
close of business on the books of Vornado on the record date, not more than 30 calendar days
preceding the payment date, as determined by our board of trustees.
These dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. If dividends on a series of preferred shares are noncumulative and if our board of
trustees fails to authorize a dividend in respect of a dividend period with respect to that series,
then holders of those preferred shares will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of that
dividend period, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend for that period, whether or not
dividends are authorized and payable on any future dividend payment dates. If dividends of a series
of preferred shares are cumulative, the dividends on those shares will accrue from and after the
date stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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No full dividends may be authorized or paid or set apart for payment on preferred shares of
any series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the series of preferred shares
offered by the applicable prospectus supplement for any period unless full dividends for the
immediately preceding dividend period on the preferred shares, including any accumulation in
respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on the preferred shares are
cumulative, have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum
sufficient for payment is set apart for payment. When dividends are not paid in full, or a sum
sufficient for the full payment is not set apart, upon the preferred shares offered by the
applicable prospectus supplement and any other preferred shares ranking on a parity as to dividends
with those preferred shares, dividends upon those preferred shares and dividends on the other
preferred shares must be authorized proportionately so that the amount of dividends authorized per
share on those preferred shares and the other preferred shares in all cases bear to each other the
same ratio that accrued dividends for the then-current dividend period per share on those preferred
shares, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if
dividends on those preferred shares are cumulative, and accrued dividends, including required or
permitted accumulations, if any, on shares of the other preferred shares, bear to each other. No
interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend
payment(s) on preferred shares that are in arrears. Unless full dividends on the series of
preferred shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement have been authorized and paid or
set apart for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period, including any accumulation in
respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on the preferred shares are
cumulative:
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no cash dividend or distribution, other than in shares of junior stock, may be authorized,
set aside or paid on the junior stock; |
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we may not, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
junior stock, or pay any monies into a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares, except
by conversion into or exchange for junior stock; and |
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we may not, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any preferred
shares or parity stock, or pay any monies into a sinking fund for the redemption of any
shares, otherwise than in accordance with proportionate offers to purchase or a concurrent
redemption of all, or a proportionate portion, of the outstanding preferred shares and shares
of parity stock, except by conversion into or exchange for junior stock. |
Any dividend payment made on a series of preferred shares will first be credited against the
earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of the series.
Redemption
The terms, if any, on which preferred shares of any series may be redeemed will be described
in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Liquidation
If we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, the holders of
a series of our preferred shares will be entitled, subject to the rights of creditors, but before
any distribution or payment to the holders of our common shares, excess shares, other than certain
excess shares resulting from the conversion of preferred shares, or any junior stock, to receive a
liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference per share stated in the
applicable prospectus supplement plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend
period, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if
dividends on the series of preferred shares are cumulative. If the amounts available for
distribution with respect to our preferred shares and all other outstanding parity stock are not
sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all of the outstanding
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preferred shares and parity stock, then the holders of each series of the stock will share ratably
in the distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amount, which in
the case of preferred shares may include accumulated dividends, to which they are entitled. After
payment of the full amount of the liquidation distribution, the holders of preferred shares will
not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by us.
Vornado is organized as a Maryland real estate investment trust under Title 8 of the
Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Title 8 does not contain
any specific provisions on the power of a Maryland real estate investment trust to make
distributions, including dividends, to its shareholders. It is possible that a Maryland court may
look to the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) for guidance on matters, such as the
making of distributions to shareholders, not covered by Title 8. The MGCL requires that, after
giving effect to a distribution, (1) the corporation must be able to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business and (2) the corporations total assets must at least equal the
sum of its total liabilities plus the preferential rights on dissolution of shareholders whose
rights on dissolution are superior to those shareholders receiving the distribution unless the
distribution is made from (i) the net earnings of the corporation for the fiscal year in which the
distribution is made, (ii) the net earnings of the corporation for the preceding fiscal year, or
(iii) the sum of the net earnings of the corporation for the preceding eight fiscal quarters.
However, the MGCL also provides that the charter of the corporation may provide that senior
dissolution preferences will not be included with liabilities for purposes of determining amounts
available for distribution. The applicable articles supplementary may include a similar provision.
The Articles Supplementary for the Series A Preferred Shares, Series E Preferred Shares, Series F
Preferred Shares, Series G Preferred Shares, Series H Preferred Shares and Series I Preferred
Shares each contain such a provision.
Voting
The preferred shares of a series will not be entitled to vote, except as described below or in
the applicable prospectus supplement. Without the affirmative vote of a majority of the preferred
shares then outstanding, voting separately as a class together with any parity stock, we may not:
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increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class or any security
ranking senior to the preferred shares; |
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increase or decrease the par value of the shares of the class; or |
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alter or change the voting or other powers, preferences or special rights of the class so
as to affect them adversely. |
An amendment that increases the number of authorized shares of the class or authorizes the
creation or issuance of other classes or series of junior stock or parity stock, or substitutes the
surviving entity in a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination for
Vornado, will not be considered to be an adverse change.
No Other Rights
The shares of a series of preferred shares will not have any preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions,
qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption except as described above or in the
applicable prospectus supplement, the declaration of trust and in the applicable articles
supplementary or as otherwise required by law.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for each series of preferred shares will be American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York, unless a different transfer agent is named in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
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Restrictions on Ownership
As discussed below, for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more
than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or
constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities,
at any time during the last half of a taxable year, and the shares of beneficial interest must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months,
or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Therefore, the declaration of trust
contains, and the articles supplementary for each series of preferred shares may contain,
provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the preferred shares.
Our declaration of trust contains a preferred shares beneficial ownership limit that restricts
shareholders from owning, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, more than 9.9% of the
outstanding preferred shares of any class. The attribution rules which apply for purposes of the
common shares beneficial ownership limit also apply for purposes of the preferred shares beneficial
ownership limit. For more information about these attribution rules, see Description of Common
Shares of Vornado Realty TrustRestrictions on Ownership of Common Shares. Investors should be
aware that events other than a purchase or other transfer of preferred shares may result in
ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, of preferred shares in excess of the
preferred shares beneficial ownership limit. We urge investors to consult their own tax advisors
concerning the application of the attribution rules of the Code in their particular circumstances.
Holders of preferred shares are also subject to the constructive ownership limit, which
restricts them from owning, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, more than 9.9% of
the outstanding shares of any class. See Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty
TrustRestrictions on Ownership of Common Shares below for more information about the
constructive ownership limit.
The attribution rules that apply for purposes of the constructive ownership limit differ from
those that apply for purposes of the preferred shares beneficial ownership limit. See
Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty TrustRestrictions on Ownership of Common
Shares for more information about these attribution rules. Investors should be aware that events
other than a purchase or other transfer of preferred shares may result in ownership, under the
applicable attribution rules of the Code, of preferred shares in excess of the constructive
ownership limit. We urge investors to consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of
the attribution rules of the Code in their particular circumstances.
The declaration of trust provides that a transfer of preferred shares that would otherwise
result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, of preferred shares in
excess of the preferred shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit, or
which would cause the shares of beneficial interest of Vornado Realty Trust to be beneficially
owned by fewer than 100 persons, will be void and the purported transferee will acquire no rights
or economic interest in the preferred shares. In addition, preferred shares that would otherwise be
owned, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, in excess of the preferred shares
beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit will be automatically exchanged for
our excess shares that will be transferred, by operation of law, to Vornado as trustee of a trust
for the exclusive benefit of a beneficiary designated by the purported transferee or purported
holder. While held in the trust, excess shares are not entitled to vote and are not entitled to
participate in any dividends or distributions made by Vornado. Any dividends or distributions
received by the purported transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares before Vornado
discovers the automatic exchange for excess shares must be repaid to Vornado upon demand.
If the purported transferee or holder elects to designate a beneficiary of an interest in the
trust with respect to the excess shares, the purported transferee or holder may only designate a
person whose ownership of the shares will not violate the preferred shares beneficial ownership
limit or the
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constructive ownership limit. When the purported transferee or purported holder designates an
eligible person, the excess shares will be automatically exchanged for preferred shares of the same
class as the preferred shares that were originally exchanged for the excess shares. The declaration
of trust contains provisions designed to ensure that the purported transferee or other holder of
the excess shares may not receive in return for the transfer an amount that reflects any
appreciation in the preferred shares for which the excess shares were exchanged during the period
that the excess shares were outstanding but will bear the burden of any decline in value during
that period. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other holder for designating a
beneficiary in excess of the amount permitted to be received must be turned over to Vornado. Our
declaration of trust provides that we may purchase any excess shares that have been automatically
exchanged for preferred shares as a result of a purported transfer or other event. The price at
which we may purchase the excess shares will be equal to the lesser of:
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in the case of excess shares resulting from a purported transfer for value, the price per
share in the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess shares or,
in the case of excess shares resulting from some other event, the market price of the
preferred shares exchanged on the date of the automatic exchange for excess shares; and |
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the market price of the preferred shares exchanged for the excess shares on the date that
Vornado accepts the deemed offer to sell the excess shares. |
Our purchase right with respect to excess shares will exist for 90 days, beginning on the date that
the automatic exchange for excess shares occurred or, if Vornado did not receive a notice
concerning the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess shares, the
date that our board of trustees determines in good faith that an exchange for excess shares has
occurred.
Our board of trustees may exempt certain persons from the preferred shares beneficial
ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit if evidence satisfactory to the trustees is
presented showing that the exemption will not jeopardize Vornados status as a REIT under the Code.
Before granting an exemption of this kind, the board of trustees is required to obtain a ruling
from the IRS or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it and representations and undertakings,
including representations, from the applicant that demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction of
the board of trustees that such ownership would not jeopardize the REIT status of Vornado.
The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of
trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests of Vornado to attempt to qualify, or
to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
All certificates evidencing preferred shares will bear a legend referring to the restrictions
described above.
All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the applicable attribution rules of the Code,
more than 2% of the outstanding preferred shares of any series must give a written notice to
Vornado containing the information specified in our declaration of trust by January 31 of each
year. In addition, each shareholder upon demand must disclose to Vornado any information Vornado
may request, in good faith, in order to determine Vornados status as a REIT or to comply with
Treasury regulations promulgated under the REIT provisions of the Code.
Depositary Shares
We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares, which represent receipts for
fractional interests in preferred shares rather than full preferred shares. If we offer depositary
shares, depositary receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a
share of a particular series of preferred shares, will be issued as described below. The prospectus
supplement relating to any series of depositary shares will state the fraction of a preferred share
represented by each depositary share.
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The description below of the material provisions of the deposit agreement and of
the depositary shares and depositary receipts is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipts relating to each series of the
depositary shares that have been or will be filed with the SEC at or before the time of the
offering or sale of a series of depositary shares. The particular terms of depositary shares
representing fractional interests in any particular series of preferred shares will be described in
the applicable prospectus supplement, which will supplement the information in this prospectus.
The shares of any series of preferred shares represented by depositary shares will be
deposited under a deposit agreement between Vornado and the depositary. Subject to the deposit
agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable
fraction of a preferred share represented by the depositary share, to all of the preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other
distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the preferred shares
represented by the depositary share.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in
respect of the preferred shares to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the
preferred shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by the holders.
If we make a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received
by it to the record holders of depositary shares in an equitable manner, unless the depositary
determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, in which case the depositary may sell
the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
Withdrawal of Preferred Shares
Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, unless
the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into excess
shares or otherwise, each depositary receipt holder will be entitled to delivery at the
depositarys corporate trust office, to or upon the holders order, of the number of whole or
fractional shares of the class or series of preferred shares and any money or other property
represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts. Holders of depositary
receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related class or series of
preferred shares on the basis of the fraction of a preferred share represented by each depositary
share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of the preferred shares
will not be entitled to receive depositary shares representing the preferred shares after
exchanging the depositary shares for preferred shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the
holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares
representing the number of preferred shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the
holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If a series of preferred shares represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the
depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the
redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of preferred shares held by the depositary. The
redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption
price per share payable with respect to the series of preferred shares. Whenever we redeem
preferred shares held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date
the number of depositary shares representing the redeemed preferred shares. If fewer than all of
the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by
lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.
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Voting the Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred shares are
entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to
the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred shares. Each record holder of
these depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the preferred shares represented by the
holders depositary shares. The record date for voting the depositary shares will be the same as
the record date for voting the preferred shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as
practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares in
accordance with the instructions, and we will take all reasonable action deemed necessary by the
depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting the
preferred shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of
depositary shares representing those preferred shares.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
Vornado and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary
shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any amendment that
materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be
effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding
approve the amendment. The deposit agreement will only terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary
shares have been redeemed or (b) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred
shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Vornado and that
distribution has been distributed to the holders of the related depositary shares.
Charges of Depositary
Vornado will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the
existence of the depositary arrangements. Vornado will pay charges of the depositary in connection
with the initial deposit of the preferred shares and issuance of depositary receipts, all
withdrawals of preferred shares by owners of depositary shares and any redemption of the preferred
shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental
charges and any other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their account.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Vornado notice of its election to do
so, and Vornado may at any time remove the depositary. The resignation or removal will take effect
upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor
depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal
and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Restrictions on Ownership
In order to safeguard Vornado against an inadvertent loss of REIT status, the deposit
agreement or the declaration of trust or both will contain provisions restricting the ownership and
transfer of depositary shares. These restrictions will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Reports; Liability of Depositary and Vornado Realty Trust
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from Vornado that are delivered to
it and that Vornado is required or otherwise determines to furnish to the holders of the preferred
shares.
Neither the depositary nor Vornado will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any
circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The
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obligations of Vornado and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to
performance in good faith of their duties under the deposit agreement, and they will not be
obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or
preferred shares unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon written advice of
counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred shares for deposit,
holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to
be genuine.
Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty Trust
The following description of the common shares is only a summary of, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the provisions governing the common shares contained in the declaration
of trust and bylaws. Copies of the declaration of trust and bylaws are exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. See Available Information for information about how
to obtain copies of the declaration of trust and bylaws.
As of September 30, 2009, 179, 523, 984 common shares were issued and outstanding. No excess
shares were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2009. The common shares of Vornado Realty
Trust are listed on the NYSE under the symbol VNO.
Dividend and Voting Rights of Holders of Common Shares
The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends when, if and as authorized by
the board of trustees and declared by Vornado out of assets legally available to pay dividends, if
receipt of the dividends is in compliance with the provisions in the declaration of trust
restricting the ownership and transfer of shares of beneficial interest. However, if any preferred
shares are at the time outstanding, Vornado may only pay dividends or other distributions on common
shares or purchase common shares if full cumulative dividends have been paid on outstanding
preferred shares and there is no arrearage in any mandatory sinking fund on outstanding preferred
shares. The terms of the series of preferred shares that are now issued and outstanding do not
provide for any mandatory sinking fund.
The holders of common shares are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters on which
shareholders are entitled to vote, including elections of trustees. There is no cumulative voting
in the election of trustees, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding common
shares can elect all of the trustees then standing for election. The holders of common shares do
not have any conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any securities of Vornado.
If Vornado is dissolved, liquidated or wound up, holders of common shares are entitled to share
proportionally in any assets remaining after the prior rights of creditors, including holders of
Vornados indebtedness, and the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares then
outstanding are satisfied in full.
The common shares have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights and have no
preference, appraisal or exchange rights. All outstanding common shares are, and any common shares
offered by a prospectus supplement, upon issuance, will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.
The transfer agent for the common shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York,
New York.
Restrictions on Ownership of Common Shares
The Common Shares Beneficial Ownership Limit. For Vornado to maintain its qualification as
a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of the value of its outstanding shares of beneficial
interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the
last half of a taxable year and the shares of beneficial interest must be beneficially owned by 100
or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate
part of a shorter taxable year. The Code defines individuals to include some entities for
purposes of the preceding
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sentence. All references to a shareholders ownership of common shares in this section The
Common Shares Beneficial Ownership Limit assume application of the applicable attribution rules of
the Code under which, for example, a shareholder is deemed to own shares owned by his or her
spouse.
The declaration of trust contains a number of provisions that restrict the ownership and
transfer of shares and are designed to safeguard Vornado against an inadvertent loss of its REIT
status. These provisions also seek to deter non-negotiated acquisitions of, and proxy fights for,
us by third parties. The declaration of trust contains a limitation that restricts, with some
exceptions, shareholders from owning more than a specified percentage of the outstanding common
shares. We call this percentage the common shares beneficial ownership limit. The common shares
beneficial ownership limit was initially set at 2.0% of the outstanding common shares. Our board of
trustees subsequently adopted a resolution raising the common shares beneficial ownership limit
from 2.0% to 6.7% of the outstanding common shares and has the authority to grant exemptions from
the common shares beneficial ownership limit. The shareholders who owned more than 6.7% of the
common shares immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 may continue
to do so and may acquire additional common shares through stock option and similar plans or from
other shareholders who owned more than 6.7% of the common shares immediately after that merger.
However, common shares cannot be transferred if, as a result, more than 50% in value of the
outstanding shares of Vornado would be owned by five or fewer individuals. While the shareholders
who owned more than 6.7% of the common shares immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into
Vornado in May 1993 are not generally permitted to acquire additional common shares from any other
source, these shareholders may acquire additional common shares from any source if Vornado issues
additional common shares, up to the percentage held by them immediately before Vornado issues the
additional shares.
Shareholders should be aware that events other than a purchase or other transfer of common
shares can result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, of common
shares in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. For instance, if two
shareholders, each of whom owns 3.5% of the outstanding common shares, were to marry, then after
their marriage both shareholders would be deemed to own 7.0% of the outstanding common shares,
which is in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. Similarly, if a shareholder who
owns 4.9% of the outstanding common shares were to purchase a 50% interest in a corporation which
owns 4.8% of the outstanding common shares, then the shareholder would be deemed to own 7.3% of the
outstanding common shares. You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the application of
the attribution rules of the Code in your particular circumstances.
The Constructive Ownership Limit. Under the Code, rental income received by a REIT from
persons in which the REIT is treated, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, as owning
a 10% or greater interest does not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the income
requirements that REITs must satisfy. For these purposes, a REIT is treated as owning any stock
owned, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, by a person that owns 10% or more of the
value of the outstanding shares of the REIT. The attribution rules of the Code applicable for these
purposes are different from those applicable with respect to the common shares beneficial ownership
limit. All references to a shareholders ownership of common shares in this section The
Constructive Ownership Limit assume application of the applicable attribution rules of the Code.
In order to ensure that rental income of Vornado will not be treated as nonqualifying income
under the rule described in the preceding paragraph, and thus to ensure that Vornado will not
inadvertently lose its REIT status as a result of the ownership of shares by a tenant, or a person
that holds an interest in a tenant, the declaration of trust contains an ownership limit that
restricts, with some exceptions, shareholders from owning more than 9.9% of the outstanding shares
of any class. We refer to this 9.9% ownership limit as the constructive ownership limit. The
shareholders who owned shares in excess of the constructive ownership limit immediately after the
merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 generally are not subject to the constructive
ownership limit. The declaration of
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trust also contains restrictions that are designed to ensure that the shareholders who owned shares
in excess of the constructive ownership limit immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into
Vornado in May 1993 will not, in the aggregate, own a large enough interest in a tenant or
subtenant of the REIT to cause rental income received, directly or indirectly, by the REIT from
that tenant or subtenant to be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the income
requirements that REITs must satisfy. The restrictions described in the preceding sentence have an
exception for tenants and subtenants from whom the REIT receives, directly or indirectly, rental
income that is not in excess of a specified threshold.
Shareholders should be aware that events other than a purchase or other transfer of shares can
result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, of shares in excess of the
constructive ownership limit. As the attribution rules that apply with respect to the constructive
ownership limit differ from those that apply with respect to the common shares beneficial ownership
limit, the events other than a purchase or other transfer of shares which can result in share
ownership in excess of the constructive ownership limit can differ from those which can result in
share ownership in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. You should consult your
own tax advisors concerning the application of the attribution rules of the Code in your particular
circumstances.
Issuance of Excess Shares If the Ownership Limits Are Violated. The declaration of trust
provides that a transfer of common shares that would otherwise result in ownership, under the
applicable attribution rules of the Code, of common shares in excess of the common shares
beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit, or which would cause the shares of
beneficial interest of Vornado to be beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, will be void and
the purported transferee will acquire no rights or economic interest in the common shares. In
addition, the declaration of trust provides that common shares that would otherwise be owned, under
the applicable attribution rules of the Code, in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership
limit or the constructive ownership limit will be automatically exchanged for excess shares. These
excess shares will be transferred, by operation of law, to Vornado as trustee of a trust for the
exclusive benefit of a beneficiary designated by the purported transferee or purported holder.
While so held in trust, excess shares are not entitled to vote and are not entitled to participate
in any dividends or distributions made by Vornado. Any dividends or distributions received by the
purported transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares before Vornado discovers the
automatic exchange for excess shares must be repaid to Vornado upon demand.
If the purported transferee or purported holder elects to designate a beneficiary of an
interest in the trust with respect to the excess shares, he or she may designate only a person
whose ownership of the shares will not violate the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the
constructive ownership limit. When the designation is made, the excess shares will be automatically
exchanged for common shares. The declaration of trust contains provisions designed to ensure that
the purported transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares may not receive, in return
for transferring an interest in the trust with respect to the excess shares, an amount that
reflects any appreciation in the common shares for which the excess shares were exchanged during
the period that the excess shares were outstanding but will bear the burden of any decline in value
during that period. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other purported holder for
designating a beneficiary in excess of the amount permitted to be received must be turned over to
Vornado. The declaration of trust provides that Vornado, or its designee, may purchase any excess
shares that have been automatically exchanged for common shares as a result of a purported transfer
or other event. The price at which Vornado, or its designee, may purchase the excess shares will be
equal to the lesser of:
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in the case of excess shares resulting from a purported transfer for value, the
price per share in the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess
shares, or in the case of excess shares resulting from some other event, the market price of
the common shares exchanged on the date of the automatic exchange for excess shares; and |
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the market price of the common shares exchanged for the excess shares on the date
that Vornado accepts the deemed offer to sell the excess shares. |
Vornados right to buy the excess shares will exist for 90 days, beginning on the date that
the automatic exchange for excess shares occurred or, if Vornado did not receive a notice
concerning the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess shares, the
date that the board of trustees determines in good faith that an exchange for excess shares has
occurred.
Other Provisions Concerning the Restrictions on Ownership. Our board of trustees may exempt
persons from the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit,
including the limitations applicable to holders who owned in excess of 6.7% of the common shares
immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993, if evidence satisfactory to
the board of trustees is presented showing that the exemption will not jeopardize Vornados status
as a REIT under the Code. No exemption to a person that is an individual for purposes of Section
542(a)(2) of the Code, however, may permit the individual to have beneficial ownership in excess of
9.9% of the outstanding shares of the class. Before granting an exemption of this kind, the board
of trustees is required to obtain a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it
and representations and undertakings, including representations, from the applicant that
demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction of the board of trustees that such ownership would not
jeopardize the REIT status of Vornado.
The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the board of
trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests of Vornado to attempt to qualify, or
to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the applicable attribution rules of the Code,
more than 2.0% of the outstanding common shares must give a written notice to Vornado containing
the information specified in the declaration of trust by January 31 of each year. In addition, each
shareholder will be required to disclose to Vornado upon demand any information that Vornado may
request, in good faith, to determine Vornados status as a REIT or to comply with Treasury
regulations promulgated under the REIT provisions of the Code.
The ownership restrictions described above may have the effect of precluding acquisition of
control of Vornado unless the Vornado board determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer
in the best interests of Vornado.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
The following description of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our declaration of
trust and bylaws is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to Maryland law, our
declaration of trust and our bylaws.
Classification of the Board of Trustees
Our declaration of trust provides that the number of our trustees may be established by the
board of trustees, provided however that the tenure of office of a trustee will not be affected by
any decrease in the number of trustees. Our bylaws provide that any vacancy on the board may be
filled only by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not
constitute a quorum. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly
elected and qualifies.
Our declaration of trust divides our board of trustees into three classes. Shareholders elect
our trustees of each class for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms.
Shareholders elect only one class of trustees each year. We believe that classification of our
board of trustees helps to assure the continuity of our business strategies and policies. There is
no cumulative voting in the
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election of trustees. Consequently, at each annual meeting of shareholders, the holders of a
majority of our common shares are able to elect all of the successors of the class of trustees
whose term expires at that meeting. Under our bylaws, a plurality of all the votes cast at a
meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a
trustee.
The classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent
trustees more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders will
generally be required to effect a change in a majority of the board of trustees. Thus, the
classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent trustees will retain their
positions. The staggered terms of trustees may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt
to change control of Vornado, even though the tender offer or change in control might be in the
best interest of the shareholders.
Removal of Trustees
Our declaration of trust provides that a trustee may be removed only for cause and only by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of
trustees. This provision, when coupled with the provision in our bylaws authorizing the board of
trustees to fill vacant trusteeships, precludes shareholders from removing incumbent trustees
except for cause and by a substantial affirmative vote and filling the vacancies created by the
removal with their own nominees.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, business combinations between a Maryland real estate investment trust
and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five
years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested
shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in
circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity
securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
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any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the
trusts shares; or |
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an affiliate or associate of the trust who, at any time within the two-year
period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the
voting power of the then-outstanding voting shares of the trust. |
A person is not an interested shareholder under the statute if the board of trustees approved
in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested shareholder.
However, in approving a transaction, the board of trustees may provide that its approval is subject
to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the
board.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland trust and an
interested shareholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the trust and
approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of
the trust; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the
trust other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate
the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the
interested shareholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the trusts common shareholders receive
a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other
consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares.
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The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations
that are exempted by the board of trustees before the time that the interested shareholder becomes
an interested shareholder.
Our board of trustees has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between any
trustee or officer of Vornado, or their affiliates, and Vornado. Consequently, the five-year
prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations
between us and any of them. As a result, the trustees and officers of Vornado and their affiliates
may be able to enter into business combinations with us without compliance with the super-majority
vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute. With respect to business combinations
with other persons, the business combination provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law may
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Vornado or other
transaction that might involve a premium price or otherwise be in the best interest of the
shareholders. The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control
of Vornado and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that control shares of a Maryland real estate investment trust acquired
in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by
officers or by employees who are trustees of the trust are excluded from shares entitled to vote on
the matter. Control Shares are voting shares which, if aggregated with all other shares owned by
the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of
voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise
voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third, |
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one-third or more but less than a majority, or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of
having previously obtained shareholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition
of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of
trustees of the trust to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand
to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting
is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses
of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the trust may itself present the question at
any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver
an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the trust may redeem for fair value
any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been
approved. The right of the trust to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and
limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the
control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any
meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved.
If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquiror becomes
entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise
appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may
not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.
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The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger,
consolidation or share exchange if the trust is a party to the transaction, or (b) to acquisitions
approved or exempted by the declaration of trust or bylaws of the trust.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and
all acquisitions by any person of our shares. There can be no assurance that this provision will
not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Approval of Extraordinary Trust Action; Amendment of Declaration of Trust and Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland real estate investment trust generally cannot amend its
declaration of trust or merge with another entity, unless approved by the affirmative vote of
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a
Maryland real estate investment trust may provide in its declaration of trust for approval of these
matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter. Vornado may merge or consolidate with another entity or entities or sell or
transfer all or substantially all of the trust property, if approved by the board of trustees and
by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter. Similarly, our declaration of trust provides for approval of amendments by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Some limited exceptions
(including amendments to the provisions of our declaration of trust related to the removal of
trustees, ownership and transfer restrictions and amendments) require the affirmative vote of
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter.
Under Maryland law, the declaration of trust of a Maryland real estate investment trust may
permit the trustees, by a two-thirds vote, to amend the declaration of trust from time to time to
qualify as a REIT under the Code or the Maryland REIT Law, without the affirmative vote or written
consent of the shareholders. Our declaration of trust permits such action by the board of trustees.
In addition, our declaration of trust, as permitted by Maryland law, contains a provision that
permits our Board, without a shareholder vote, to amend the declaration of trust to increase or
decrease the authorized shares of any class or series of beneficial interest that we are authorized
to issue.
Our bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter
or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.
Advance Notice of Trustee Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of
persons for election to the board of trustees and the proposal of business to be considered by
shareholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the board of
trustees or (iii) by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with
the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only
the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations
of persons for election to the board of trustees at a special meeting may be made only (i) by the
board of trustees, or (ii) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, provided that the board of
trustees has determined that trustees will be elected at the meeting, by a shareholder who is
entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the
bylaws.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws
The business combination provisions and, if the applicable provision in our bylaws is
rescinded, the control share acquisition provisions of Maryland law, the provisions of our
declaration of trust on classification of the board of trustees and removal of trustees and the
advance notice provisions of our
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bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of Vornado that might
involve a premium price for holders of common shares or otherwise be in their best interest.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
In this section, we describe special considerations that will apply to registered securities
issued in globali.e., book-entryform. First we describe the difference between legal ownership
and indirect ownership of registered securities. Then we describe special provisions that apply to
global securities.
Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?
Each debt security, common or preferred share and depositary share in registered form will be
represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or
more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. We refer to those who have
securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee or other agent
maintain for this purpose, as the holders of those securities. These persons are the legal
holders of the securities. We refer to those who, indirectly through others, own beneficial
interests in securities that are not registered in their own names as indirect owners of those
securities. As we discuss below, indirect owners are not legal holders, and investors in securities
issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect owners.
Book-Entry Owners
We expect to issue debt securities, preferred shares and depositary shares in book-entry form
only. However, we may issue common shares in book-entry form. This means those securities will be
represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that
holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the
depositarys book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial
interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Under each indenture or other applicable agreement, only the person in whose name a security
is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Consequently, for securities issued in
global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities and we will make
all payments on the securities, including deliveries of common or preferred shares in exchange for
exchangeable debt securities, to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it
receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the
beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with
one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the
securities.
As a result, investors will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial
interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that
participates in the depositarys book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As
long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect owners, and not
holders, of the securities.
Street Name Owners
In the future we may terminate a global security or issue securities initially in non-global
form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in street
name. Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank,
broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a
beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and
other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those
securities and we will make all payments on those securities, including deliveries of common or
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preferred shares in exchange for exchangeable debt securities, to them. These institutions pass
along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because
they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so.
Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect owners, not holders, of those
securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee under either indenture and the
obligations, if any, of any other third parties employed by us, the trustee or any agents, run only
to the holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial
interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the
case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect owner of a security or has no choice because we
are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further
responsibility for that payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with
depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect owners but does
not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purposee.g., to
amend the indenture for a series of debt securities or to relieve us of the consequences of a
default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenturewe would seek
the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect owners, of the relevant securities.
Whether and how the holders contact the indirect owners is up to the holders.
When we refer to you in this section of the prospectus, we mean those who invest in the
securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners
of those securities. When we refer to your securities in this section of the prospectus, we mean
the securities in which you will hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Owners
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in
book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
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how it handles securities payments and notices; |
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whether it imposes fees or charges; |
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how it would handle a request for the holders consent, if ever required; |
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whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own
name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future; |
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how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or
other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and |
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if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositarys rules and
procedures will affect these matters. |
What Is a Global Security?
A global security is issued in book-entry form only. Each security issued in book-entry form
will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of one or
more financial institutions or clearing systems, or their nominees, which we select. A financial
institution or clearing system that we select for any security for this purpose is called the
depositary for that security. A security will usually have only one depositary but it may have
more.
Each series of these securities will have one or more of the following as the depositaries:
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The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which is known as DTC; |
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a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Euroclear Bank
S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, which is known as Euroclear; |
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a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme, Luxembourg, which is known as Clearstream; and |
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any other clearing system or financial institution named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. |
The depositaries named above may also be participants in one anothers systems. Thus, for
example, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, investors may hold beneficial interests in
that security through Euroclear or Clearstream, as DTC participants. The depositary or depositaries
for your securities will be named in your prospectus supplement; if none is named, the depositary
will be DTC.
A global security may represent one or any other number of individual securities. Generally,
all securities represented by the same global security will have the same terms. We may, however,
issue a global security that represents multiple securities of the same kind, such as debt
securities, that have different terms and are issued at different times. We call this kind of
global security a master global security. Your prospectus supplement will indicate whether your
securities are represented by a master global security.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the
depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those
situations below under Holders Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When
a Global Security Will Be Terminated. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its
nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global
security, and investors will be permitted to own only indirect interests in a global security.
Indirect interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial
institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does.
Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the
security, but only an indirect owner of an interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be
issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times
unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can
occur below under Holders Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a
Global Security Will Be Terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through
another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any
book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect owner, an investors rights relating to a global security will be governed by
the account rules of the depositary and those of the investors financial institution or other
intermediary through which it holds its interest (e.g., Euroclear or Clearstream, if DTC is the
depositary), as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this
type of investor or any intermediary as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the
depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of
the following:
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An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her own name,
and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except
in the special situations we describe below; |
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An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or
broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to
the securities, as we describe above under Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered
Security?; |
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An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance
companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in
non-book-entry form; |
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An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in
circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender
or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; |
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The depositarys policies will govern payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges,
notices and other matters relating to an investors interest in a global security, and those
policies may change from time to time. We, the trustee and any agents will have no
responsibility for any aspect of the depositarys policies, actions or records of ownership
interests in a global security. We, the trustee and any agents also do not supervise the
depositary in any way; |
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The depositary will require that those who purchase and sell interests in a
global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds and your broker
or bank may require you to do so as well; and |
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Financial institutions that participate in the depositarys book-entry system and
through which an investor holds its interest in the global securities, directly or
indirectly, may also have their own policies affecting payments, deliveries, transfers,
exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities, and those policies may
change from time to time. For example, if you hold an interest in a global security through
Euroclear or Clearstream, when DTC is the depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as
applicable, will require those who purchase and sell interests in that security through them
to use immediately available funds and comply with other policies and procedures, including
deadlines for giving instructions as to transactions that are to be effected on a particular
day. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an
investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the policies or actions or records of
ownership interests of any of those intermediaries. |
Holders Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
If we issue any series of securities in book-entry form but we choose to give the beneficial
owners of that series the right to obtain non-global securities, any beneficial owner entitled to
obtain non-global securities may do so by following the applicable procedures of the depositary,
any transfer agent or registrar for that series and that owners bank, broker or other financial
institution through which that owner holds its beneficial interest in the securities. For example,
in the case of a global security representing preferred shares or depositary shares, a beneficial
owner will be entitled to obtain a non-global security representing its interest by making a
written request to the transfer agent or other agent designated by us. If you are entitled to
request a non-global certificate and wish to do so, you will need to allow sufficient lead time to
enable us or our agent to prepare the requested certificate.
In addition, in a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated
and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the
securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the securities
directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or
brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to
their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street
name investors above under Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?
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The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:
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if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary for that global security or the depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency
registered under the Securities Exchange Act, and in either case we do not appoint another
institution to act as depositary within 90 days; |
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in the case of a global security representing debt securities, if an event of
default has occurred with regard to the debt securities and has not been cured or waived; or |
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any other circumstances specified for this purpose in the applicable prospectus
supplement. |
If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee for any
debt securities, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the
securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the
holders of those securities.
Considerations Relating to Euroclear and Clearstream
Euroclear and Clearstream are securities clearance systems in Europe. Both systems clear and
settle securities transactions between their participants through electronic, book-entry delivery
of securities against payment.
Euroclear and Clearstream may be depositaries for a global security. In addition, if DTC is
the depositary for a global security, Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global
security as participants in DTC.
As long as any global security is held by Euroclear or Clearstream, as depositary, you may
hold an interest in the global security only through an organization that participates, directly or
indirectly, in Euroclear or Clearstream. If Euroclear or Clearstream is the depositary for a global
security and there is no depositary in the United States, you will not be able to hold interests in
that global security through any securities clearance system in the United States.
Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the
securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those
systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over
those systems or their participants and we take no responsibility for their activities.
Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and participants in
DTC, on the other hand, when DTC is the depositary, would also be subject to DTCs rules and
procedures.
Special Timing Considerations for Transactions in Euroclear and Clearstream
Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments,
deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held
through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not
be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in
the United States.
In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the
securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a
payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular
day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or
Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular
day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests
through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any
purchases or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those
transactions may settle later than would be the case for transactions within one clearing system.
52
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the taxation of Vornado Realty Trust and the material
Federal income tax consequences to holders of the common shares, preferred shares and fixed rate
debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be, that are not
original issue discount or zero coupon debt securities, for your general information only. It is
not tax advice. The tax treatment of these holders will vary depending upon the holders particular
situation, and this discussion addresses only holders that hold these securities as capital assets
and does not deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular holders in light
of their personal investment or tax circumstances. This section also does not deal with all aspects
of taxation that may be relevant to certain types of holders to which special provisions of the
Federal income tax laws apply, including:
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dealers in securities or currencies; |
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for
their securities holdings; |
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banks; |
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tax-exempt organizations; |
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certain insurance companies; |
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persons liable for the alternative minimum tax; |
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persons that hold securities that are a hedge, that are hedged against interest rate or
currency risks or that are part of a straddle or conversion transaction; and |
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U.S. shareholders or U.S. debt security holders whose functional currency is not the U.S.
dollar. |
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), its
legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court
decisions. This summary describes the provisions of these sources of law only as they are currently
in effect. All of these sources of law may change at any time, and any change in the law may apply
retroactively.
We urge you to consult with your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of
acquiring, owning and selling common shares, preferred shares and fixed rate debt securities,
including the Federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling
these securities in your particular circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.
Taxation of Vornado Realty Trust as a REIT
In the opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31,
1993, Vornado Realty Trust has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for taxable years ending prior to the date
hereof, and Vornado Realty Trusts proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet
the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for subsequent taxable
years. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or
any court.
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In providing its opinion, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is relying, without independent
investigation,
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as to certain factual matters upon the statements and representations contained in a
certificate provided to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP with respect to Vornado; |
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as to certain factual matters upon the statements and representations contained in
certificates provided to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP with respect to certain other REITs in which
Vornado has held or holds an interest (the REIT Subsidiaries); |
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upon the opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP concerning the qualification of Alexanders as
a REIT for each taxable year commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1995; and |
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upon the opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP concerning the qualification of
Lexington Realty Trust as a REIT for each taxable year commencing with its taxable year ended
December 31, 1993. |
In providing its opinion regarding the qualification of Alexanders as a REIT for Federal
income tax purposes, Shearman & Sterling LLP is relying, as to certain factual matters, upon
representations received from Alexanders.
In providing its opinion regarding the qualification of Lexington Realty Trust as a REIT for
Federal income tax purposes Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is relying, as to certain factual
matters, upon representations received from Lexington Realty Trust.
Vornados qualification as a REIT will depend upon the continuing satisfaction by Vornado and,
given Vornados current and previous ownership interests in its REIT Subsidiaries, by the REIT
Subsidiaries, of the requirements of the Code relating to qualification for REIT status. Some of
these requirements depend upon actual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of stock
ownership, asset composition, source of income and record keeping. Accordingly, while Vornado
intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the actual results of Vornado or any of the
REIT Subsidiaries for any particular year might not satisfy these requirements. Neither Sullivan &
Cromwell LLP nor any other such law firm will monitor the compliance of Vornado or any REIT
Subsidiary with the requirements for REIT qualification on an ongoing basis.
The sections of the Code applicable to REITs are highly technical and complex. The following
discussion summarizes material aspects of these sections of the Code.
As a REIT, Vornado generally will not have to pay Federal corporate income taxes on its net
income that it currently distributes to shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the
double taxation at the corporate and shareholder levels that generally results from investment in
a regular corporation. Vornados dividends, however, generally will not be eligible for (i) the
reduced rates of tax applicable to dividends received by noncorporate shareholders and (ii) the
corporate dividends received deduction.
However, Vornado will have to pay Federal income tax as follows:
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First, Vornado will have to pay tax at regular corporate rates on any
undistributed real estate investment trust taxable income, including undistributed net
capital gains. |
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Second, under certain circumstances, Vornado may have to pay the alternative
minimum tax on its items of tax preference. |
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Third, if Vornado has (a) net income from the sale or other disposition of
foreclosure property, as defined in the Code, which is held primarily for sale to customers
in the ordinary course of business or (b) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure
property, it will have to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on that income. |
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Fourth, if Vornado has net income from prohibited transactions, as defined in the Code,
Vornado will have to pay a 100% tax on that income. Prohibited transactions are, in general,
certain sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. |
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Fifth, if Vornado should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income
test, as discussed below under Requirements for QualificationIncome Tests, but has
nonetheless maintained its qualification as a REIT because Vornado has satisfied some other
requirements, it will have to pay a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the gross income
attributable to the greater of (i) 75% of Vornados gross income over the amount of gross
income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% test, and (ii) 95% of Vornados
gross income over the amount of gross income that is qualifying income for purposes of the
95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect Vornados profitability. |
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Sixth, if Vornado should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(1) 85% of its real estate investment trust ordinary income for that year, (2) 95% of its
real estate investment trust capital gain net income for that year and (3) any undistributed
taxable income from prior periods, Vornado would have to pay a 4% excise tax on the excess of
that required distribution over the sum of the amounts actually distributed and retained
amounts on which income tax is paid at the corporate-level. |
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Seventh, if Vornado acquires any asset from a C corporation in certain transactions in
which Vornado must adopt the basis of the asset or any other property in the hands of the C
corporation as the basis of the asset in the hands of Vornado, and Vornado recognizes gain on
the disposition of that asset during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which
Vornado acquired that asset, then Vornado will have to pay tax on the built-in gain at the
highest regular corporate rate. A C corporation means generally a corporation that has to pay
full corporate-level tax. |
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Eighth, if Vornado derives excess inclusion income from a residual interest in a real
estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC, or certain interests in a taxable mortgage
pool, or TMP, Vornado could be subject to corporate level Federal income tax at a 35% rate
to the extent that such income is allocable to certain types of tax-exempt shareholders that
are not subject to unrelated business income tax, such as government entities. |
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Ninth, if Vornado receives non-arms-length income from a taxable REIT subsidiary (as
defined under Requirements for QualificationAsset Tests), or as a result of services
provided by a taxable REIT subsidiary to tenants of Vornado, Vornado will be subject to a
100% tax on the amount of Vornados non-arms-length income. |
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Tenth, if Vornado fails to satisfy a REIT asset test, as described below, due to reasonable
cause and Vornado nonetheless maintains its REIT qualification because of specified cure
provisions, Vornado will generally be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000
or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying
assets that caused Vornado to fail such test. |
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Eleventh, if Vornado fails to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in its
failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the REIT gross income tests or a
violation of the asset tests described below) and the violation is due to reasonable cause,
Vornado may retain its REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000
for each such failure. |
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Requirements for Qualification
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association
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which is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
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the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable
certificates of beneficial interest; |
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that would otherwise be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859
of the Code; |
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that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company to which certain
provisions of the Code apply; |
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the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; |
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during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding
stock of which is owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined
in the Code to include certain entities; and |
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that meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and
assets. |
The Code provides that the conditions described in the first through fourth bullet points
above must be met during the entire taxable year and that the condition described in the fifth
bullet point above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a
proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months.
Vornado has satisfied the conditions described in the first through fifth bullet points of the
preceding paragraph and believes that it has also satisfied the condition described in the sixth
bullet point of the preceding paragraph. In addition, Vornados declaration of trust provides for
restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of Vornados shares of beneficial interest. These
restrictions are intended to assist Vornado in continuing to satisfy the share ownership
requirements described in the fifth and sixth bullet points of the preceding paragraph. The
ownership and transfer restrictions pertaining to the common shares are described in this
prospectus under the heading Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest of Vornado Realty
TrustDescription of Common Shares of Vornado Realty TrustRestrictions on Ownership of Common
Shares.
Vornado owns a number of wholly-owned corporate subsidiaries. Section 856(i) of the Code
provides that unless a REIT makes an election to treat the corporation as a taxable REIT
subsidiary, a corporation which is a qualified REIT subsidiary, as defined in the Code, will not
be treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction
and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of these
kinds of the REIT. Thus, in applying the requirements described in this section, Vornados
qualified REIT subsidiaries will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit of these subsidiaries will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of
these kinds of Vornado.
If a REIT is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be
deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be
entitled to the income of the partnership attributable to that share. In addition, the character of
the assets and gross income of the partnership will retain the same character in the hands of the
REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the
asset tests. Thus, Vornados proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of
any partnership in which Vornado is a partner, including the operating partnership, will be treated
as assets, liabilities and items of income of Vornado for purposes of applying the requirements
described in this section. Thus, actions taken by partnerships in which Vornado owns an interest,
either directly or through one or more tiers of partnerships or qualified REIT subsidiaries, can
affect Vornados ability to satisfy the
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REIT income and assets tests and the determination of whether Vornado has net income from
prohibited transactions. See the first bullet on page 55 for a brief description of prohibited
transactions.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary is any corporation in which a REIT
directly or indirectly owns stock, provided that the REIT and that corporation make a joint
election to treat that corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The election can be revoked at any
time as long as the REIT and the taxable REIT subsidiary revoke such election jointly. In addition,
if a taxable REIT subsidiary holds, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of the securities of any
other corporation other than a REIT (by vote or by value), then that other corporation is also
treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A corporation can be a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect
to more than one REIT.
A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate rates
(currently a maximum rate of 35%), and may also be subject to state and local taxation. Any
dividends paid or deemed paid by any one of Vornados taxable REIT subsidiaries will also be
taxable, either (1) to Vornado to the extent the dividend is retained by Vornado, or (2) to
Vornados shareholders to the extent the dividends received from the taxable REIT subsidiary are
paid to Vornados shareholders. Vornado may hold more than 10% of the stock of a taxable REIT
subsidiary without jeopardizing its qualification as a REIT notwithstanding the rule described
below under Asset Tests that generally precludes ownership of more than 10% of any issuers
securities. However, as noted below, in order for Vornado to qualify as a REIT, the securities of
all of the taxable REIT subsidiaries in which it has invested either directly or indirectly may not
represent more than 25% of the total value of its assets (20% with respect to Vornados taxable
years beginning prior to January 1, 2009). Vornado believes that the aggregate value of all of its
interests in taxable REIT subsidiaries has represented less than 20% (and believes that for its
taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, has represented and will continue to represent
less than 25%) of the total value of its assets; however, Vornado cannot assure that this has or
will always be true. Other than certain activities related to operating or managing a lodging or
health care facility, a taxable REIT subsidiary may generally engage in any business including the
provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of the parent REIT.
Income Tests. In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, Vornado annually must
satisfy two gross income requirements.
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First, Vornado must derive at least 75% of its gross income, excluding gross
income from prohibited transactions, for each taxable year directly or indirectly from
investments relating to real property, mortgages on real property or investments in REIT
equity securities, including rents from real property, as defined in the Code, or from
certain types of temporary investments. Rents from real property generally include expenses
of Vornado that are paid or reimbursed by tenants. |
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Second, at least 95% of Vornados gross income, excluding gross income from
prohibited transactions, for each taxable year must be derived from real property investments
as described in the preceding bullet point, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or
disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of these types of sources. |
Rents that Vornado receives will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income
requirements for a REIT described above only if the rents satisfy several conditions.
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First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded
from rents from real property solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages
of receipts or sales. |
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Second, the Code provides that rents received from a tenant will not qualify as
rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests if the REIT, directly or under
the applicable attribution rules, owns a 10% or greater interest in that tenant; except that
rents received from a taxable REIT subsidiary under certain circumstances qualify as rents
from real property even if |
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Vornado owns more than a 10% interest in the subsidiary. We refer to a tenant in which
Vornado owns a 10% or greater interest as a related party tenant. |
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Third, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a
lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then
the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real
property. |
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Finally, for rents received to qualify as rents from real property, the REIT
generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the
tenants of the property, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT
derives no revenue or through a taxable REIT subsidiary. However, Vornado may directly
perform certain services that landlords usually or customarily render when renting space for
occupancy only or that are not considered rendered to the occupant of the property. |
Vornado does not derive material rents from related party tenants other than rents received
with respect to its interest in Toys R Us, Inc. Vornado believes that the rents received with
respect to its interest in Toys R Us, Inc. have not and will not cause it to fail the gross
income requirements for a REIT described above. Vornado also does not and will not derive rental
income attributable to personal property, other than personal property leased in connection with
the lease of real property, the amount of which is less than 15% of the total rent received under
the lease.
Vornado directly performs services for some of its tenants. Vornado does not believe that the
provision of these services will cause its gross income attributable to these tenants to fail to be
treated as rents from real property. If Vornado were to provide non-de minimis services to a tenant
that are other than those landlords usually or customarily provide when renting space for occupancy
only, amounts received or accrued by Vornado for any of these services will not be treated as rents
from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests. However, the amounts received or
accrued for these services will not cause other amounts received with respect to the property to
fail to be treated as rents from real property unless the amounts treated as received in respect of
the services, together with amounts received for certain management services, exceed 1% of all
amounts received or accrued by Vornado during the taxable year with respect to the property. If the
sum of the amounts received in respect of the services to tenants and management services described
in the preceding sentence exceeds the 1% threshold, then all amounts received or accrued by Vornado
with respect to the property will not qualify as rents from real property, even if Vornado provides
the impermissible services to some, but not all, of the tenants of the property.
The term interest generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or
indirectly, if the determination of that amount depends in whole or in part on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from
the term interest solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or
sales.
From time to time, Vornado may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of
its assets or liabilities. Vornados hedging activities may include entering into interest rate
swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Except
to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income Vornado derives from a hedging
transaction that is clearly identified as such as specified in the Code, including gain from the
sale or disposition of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75%
or 95% gross income tests, and therefore will be excluded for purposes of these tests, but only to
the extent that the transaction hedges indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or
carry real estate. Income from any hedging transaction is, however, nonqualifying for purposes of
the 75% gross income test with respect to transactions entered into on or prior to June 30, 2008.
The term hedging transaction, as used above, generally means any transaction Vornado enters into
in the normal course of its business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or
currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations
incurred or to be incurred, by Vornado. For transactions entered
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into after July 30, 2008, hedging transaction also includes any transaction entered into
primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain
that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which
generates such income or gain), including gain from the termination of such a transaction. Vornado
intends to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize its status as a
REIT.
As a general matter, certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008 will be
excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests, as follows.
Real estate foreign exchange gain will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both
the 75% and 95% gross income test. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign
currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of
(or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on
interests in real property and certain foreign currency gain attributable to certain qualified
business units of a REIT.
Passive foreign exchange gain will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95%
gross income test. Passive foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange
gain as described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income
or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and foreign currency
gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under)
obligations that would not fall within the scope of the definition of real estate foreign exchange
gain.
If Vornado fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable
year, it may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if it satisfies the requirements of other
provisions of the Code that allow relief from disqualification as a REIT. These relief provisions
will generally be available if:
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Vornados failure to meet the income tests was due to reasonable cause and not
due to willful neglect; and |
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Vornado files a schedule of each item of income in excess of the limitations
described above in accordance with regulations to be prescribed by the IRS. |
Vornado might not be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions, however. Even if
these relief provisions apply, Vornado would have to pay a tax on the excess income. The tax will
be a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of (i) 75% of
Vornados gross income over the amount of gross income that is qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% test, and (ii) 95% of Vornados gross income over the amount of gross income that is
qualifying income for purposes of the 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect
Vornados profitability.
Asset Tests. Vornado, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, must also satisfy
three tests relating to the nature of its assets.
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First, at least 75% of the value of Vornados total assets must be represented
by real estate assets, including (a) real estate assets held by Vornados qualified REIT
subsidiaries, Vornados allocable share of real estate assets held by partnerships in which
Vornado owns an interest and stock issued by another REIT, (b) for a period of one year from
the date of Vornados receipt of proceeds of an offering of its shares of beneficial interest
or publicly offered debt with a term of at least five years, stock or debt instruments
purchased with these proceeds and (c) cash, cash items and government securities. |
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Second, not more than 25% of Vornados total assets may be represented by
securities other than those in the 75% asset class. |
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Third, not more than 25% of Vornados total assets may constitute securities
issued by taxable REIT subsidiaries (20% with respect to Vornados taxable years beginning
prior to January 1, |
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2009) and of the investments included in the 25% asset class, the value of any one
issuers securities, other than equity securities issued by another REIT or securities
issued by a taxable REIT subsidiary, owned by Vornado may not exceed 5% of the value
of Vornados total assets. Moreover, Vornado may not own more than 10% of the vote or
value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer, except for issuers that are
REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries or taxable REIT subsidiaries, or certain securities
that qualify under a safe harbor provision of the Code (such as so-called
straight-debt securities). Also, solely for the purposes of the 10% value test
described above, the determination of Vornados interest in the assets of any
partnership or limited liability company in which it owns an interest will be based on
Vornados proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or
limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in
the Code. As a consequence, if the IRS successfully challenges the partnership status
of any of the partnerships in which Vornado maintains a more than 10% vote or value
interest, and the partnership is reclassified as a corporation or a publicly traded
partnership taxable as a corporation, Vornado could lose its REIT status. |
Since March 2, 1995, Vornado has owned more than 10% of the voting securities of Alexanders.
Since April of 1997, Vornados ownership of Alexanders has been through the operating partnership
rather than direct. Vornados ownership interest in Alexanders will not cause Vornado to fail to
satisfy the asset tests for REIT status so long as Alexanders qualified as a REIT for each of the
taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1995 and continues to so qualify.
In the opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, commencing with Alexanders taxable year ended December
31, 1995, Alexanders has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will
enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the
Code. In providing its opinion, Shearman & Sterling LLP is relying upon representations received
from Alexanders.
Since November 3, 2008, Vornado has owned more than 10% of the voting securities of Lexington
Realty Trust. Vornados ownership interest in Lexington Realty Trust will not cause Vornado to fail
to satisfy the asset tests for REIT status so long as Lexington Realty Trust qualified as a REIT
for each of the taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2008 and continues
to so qualify. In the opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, commencing with Lexington
Realty Trusts taxable year ended December 31, 1993, Lexington Realty Trust has been organized and
operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the
Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. In providing its opinion, Paul, Hastings,
Janofsky & Walker LLP is relying upon representations received from Lexington Realty Trust.
Vornado has also owned and currently owns, through the operating partnership, more than 10% of
the vote or value of certain other REIT Subsidiaries. Vornados prior or current indirect ownership
interest in such REIT Subsidiaries will not cause Vornado to fail to satisfy the asset tests for
REIT status so long as each such REIT Subsidiary qualifies as a REIT for its first taxable year and
each subsequent taxable year during the periods relevant to Vornados qualification as a REIT.
Vornado believes that each such REIT Subsidiary will qualify (or qualified, as the case may be) as
a REIT with respect to such period.
Certain relief provisions may be available to Vornado if it fails to satisfy the asset tests
described above after the 30-day cure period. Under these provisions, Vornado will be deemed to
have met the 5% and 10% REIT asset tests if the value of its nonqualifying assets (i) does not
exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of its assets at the end of the applicable quarter
and (b) $10,000,000, and (ii) Vornado disposes of the nonqualifying assets within (a) six months
after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or
(b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued. For violations due to
reasonable cause and not willful neglect that
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are not described in the preceding sentence, Vornado may avoid disqualification as a REIT under any
of the asset tests, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps including (i) the disposition of
the nonqualifying assets to meet the asset test within (a) six months after the last day of the
quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time
prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (ii) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a)
$50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the
nonqualifying assets, and (iii) disclosing certain information to the IRS.
Annual Distribution Requirements. Vornado, in order to qualify as a REIT, is required to
distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to its shareholders in an amount at least
equal to (1) the sum of (a) 90% of Vornados real estate investment trust taxable income,
computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and Vornados net capital gain, and (b) 90%
of the net after-tax income, if any, from foreclosure property minus (2) the sum of certain items
of non-cash income.
In addition, if Vornado acquired an asset from a C corporation in a carryover basis
transaction and disposes of such asset within 10 years of acquiring it, Vornado may be required to
distribute at least 90% of the after-tax built-in gain, if any, recognized on the disposition of
the asset.
These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following
taxable year if declared before Vornado timely files its tax return for the year to which they
relate and if paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after the declaration. However,
for Federal income tax purposes, these distributions that are declared in October, November or
December as of a record date in such month and actually paid in January of the following year will
be treated as if they were paid on December 31 of the year declared.
To the extent that Vornado does not distribute all of its net capital gain or distributes at
least 90%, but less than 100%, of its real estate investment trust taxable income, as adjusted, it
will have to pay tax on those amounts at regular ordinary and capital gain corporate tax rates.
Furthermore, if Vornado fails to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85%
of its ordinary income for that year, (b) 95% of its capital gain net income for that year and (c)
any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, Vornado would have to pay a 4% excise tax on
the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.
Vornado intends to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.
From time to time, Vornado may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the 90%
distribution requirement due to timing differences between (a) when Vornado actually receives
income and when it actually pays deductible expenses and (b) when Vornado includes the income and
deducts the expenses in arriving at its taxable income. If timing differences of this kind occur,
in order to meet the 90% distribution requirement, Vornado may find it necessary to arrange for
short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock
dividends.
Under certain circumstances, Vornado may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution
requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to shareholders in a later year, which may
be included in Vornados deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, Vornado may be
able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, Vornado will be
required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Failure to Qualify as a REIT
If Vornado would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT because of a violation of one of the
requirements described above, its qualification as a REIT will not be terminated if the violation
is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and Vornado pays a penalty tax of $50,000 for
the violation. The immediately preceding sentence does not apply to violations of the income tests
described above or a violation of the asset tests described above, each of which have specific
relief provisions that are described above.
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If Vornado fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief
provisions do not apply, Vornado will have to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum
tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Vornado will not be able to deduct
distributions to shareholders in any year in which it fails to qualify, nor will Vornado be
required to make distributions to shareholders. In this event, to the extent of current and
accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be taxable to the
shareholders as dividend income (which may be subject to tax at preferential rates) and corporate
distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction if they satisfy the relevant
provisions of the Code. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, Vornado will
also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during
which qualification was lost. Vornado might not be entitled to the statutory relief described in
this paragraph in all circumstances.
Excess Inclusion Income
If Vornado holds a residual interest in a REMIC or certain interests in a TMP from which
Vornado derives excess inclusion income, Vornado may be required to allocate such income among
its shareholders in proportion to the dividends received by its shareholders, even though Vornado
may not receive such income in cash. To the extent that excess inclusion income is allocable to a
particular shareholder, the income (1) would not be allowed to be offset by any net operating
losses otherwise available to the shareholder, (2) would be subject to tax as unrelated business
taxable income in the hands of most types of shareholders that are otherwise generally exempt from
Federal income tax, and (3) would result in the application of U.S. Federal income tax withholding
at the maximum rate (30%), without reduction pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax
treaty, to the extent allocable to most types of foreign shareholders.
Taxation of Holders of Common Shares or Preferred Shares
U.S. Shareholders
As used in this section, the term U.S. shareholder means a holder of common shares or
preferred shares who, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, is:
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a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a domestic corporation; |
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation regardless of its source;
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a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trusts
administration and one or more United States persons have authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust. |
Taxation of Dividends. As long as Vornado qualifies as a REIT, distributions made by
Vornado out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain
dividends, will constitute dividends taxable to its taxable U.S. shareholders as ordinary income.
Noncorporate U.S. shareholders will generally not be entitled to the tax rate applicable to certain
types of dividends except with respect to the portion of any distribution (a) that represents
income from dividends Vornado received from a corporation in which it owns shares (but only if such
dividends would be eligible for the lower rate on dividends if paid by the corporation to its
individual shareholders), or (b) that is equal to the sum of Vornados real estate investment trust
taxable income (taking into account the dividends paid deduction available to Vornado) and certain
net built-in gain with respect to property acquired from a C corporation in certain transactions in
which Vornado must adopt the basis of the asset in the hands of the C corporation for Vornados
previous taxable year and less any taxes paid by Vornado during its previous taxable year, and (c)
the amount of earnings and profits distributed by Vornado that were accumulated in a prior non-REIT
taxable year, in each case, provided that certain
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holding period and other requirements are satisfied at both the REIT and individual shareholder
level. Noncorporate U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact
of tax rates on dividends received from Vornado. Distributions made by Vornado will not be eligible
for the dividends received deduction in the case of U.S. shareholders that are corporations.
Distributions made by Vornado that Vornado properly designates as capital gain dividends will be
taxable to U.S. shareholders as gain from the sale of a capital asset held for more than one year,
to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without
regard to the period for which a U.S. shareholder has held his common stock or preferred stock.
Thus, with certain limitations, capital gain dividends received by an individual U.S. shareholder
may be eligible for preferential rates of taxation. U.S. shareholders that are corporations may,
however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
To the extent that Vornado makes distributions, not designated as capital gain dividends, in
excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated
first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. shareholder. Thus, these distributions will
reduce the adjusted basis which the U.S. shareholder has in his shares for tax purposes by the
amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of a U.S. shareholders
adjusted basis in his shares will be taxable as capital gains, provided that the shares have been
held as a capital asset. For purposes of determining the portion of distributions on separate
classes of shares that will be treated as dividends for Federal income tax purposes, current and
accumulated earnings and profits will be allocated to distributions resulting from priority rights
of preferred shares before being allocated to other distributions.
Dividends authorized by Vornado in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a
shareholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by
Vornado and received by the shareholder on December 31 of that year, provided that Vornado actually
pays the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Shareholders may not
include in their own income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of Vornado.
Vornado recently made, and in the future may make, distributions to holders of its common
shares that are paid in common shares. These distributions are intended to be treated as dividends
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and a U.S. shareholder would, therefore, generally have
taxable income with respect to such distributions of commons shares and may have a tax liability on
account of such distribution in excess of the cash (if any) that is received.
U.S. shareholders holding shares at the close of Vornados taxable year will be required to
include, in computing their long-term capital gains for the taxable year in which the last day of
Vornados taxable year falls, the amount of Vornados undistributed net capital gain that Vornado
designates in a written notice mailed to its shareholders. Vornado may not designate amounts in
excess of Vornados undistributed net capital gain for the taxable year. Each U.S. shareholder
required to include the designated amount in determining the shareholders long-term capital gains
will be deemed to have paid, in the taxable year of the inclusion, the tax paid by Vornado in
respect of the undistributed net capital gains. U.S. shareholders to whom these rules apply will be
allowed a credit or a refund, as the case may be, for the tax they are deemed to have paid. U.S.
shareholders will increase their basis in their shares by the difference between the amount of the
includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder in respect of these gains.
Distributions made by Vornado and gain arising from a U.S. shareholders sale or exchange of
shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. shareholders generally
will not be able to apply any passive losses against that income or gain.
Sale or Exchange of Shares. When a U.S. shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of shares,
the shareholder will recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to
the difference between (a) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on
the sale or other disposition, and (b) the holders adjusted basis in the shares for tax purposes.
This gain or
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loss will be capital gain or loss if the U.S. shareholder has held the shares as a capital asset.
The gain or loss will be long-term gain or loss if the U.S. shareholder has held the shares for
more than one-year. Long-term capital gain of an individual U.S. shareholder is generally taxed at
preferential rates. In general, any loss recognized by a U.S. shareholder when the shareholder
sells or otherwise disposes of shares of Vornado that the shareholder has held for six months or
less, after applying certain holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to
the extent of distributions received by the shareholder from Vornado which were required to be
treated as long-term capital gains.
Redemption of Preferred Stock. Vornados preferred stock is redeemable by Vornado under
certain circumstances described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any redemption of
Vornados preferred stock for cash will be a taxable transaction for United States Federal income
tax purposes. If a redemption for cash by a U.S. shareholder is treated as a sale or redemption of
such preferred stock for United States Federal income tax purposes, the holder will recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the purchase price and the U.S. shareholders
adjusted tax basis in the preferred stock redeemed by Vornado. The gain or loss would be long-term
capital gain or loss if the holding period for the preferred stock exceeds one year. The
deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitations.
The receipt of cash by a shareholder in redemption of the preferred stock will be treated as a
sale or redemption for United States federal income tax purposes if the redemption:
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is not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to the holder under Section
302(b)(1) of the Code; |
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is a substantially disproportionate redemption with respect to the holder under Section
302(b)(2) of the Code; or |
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results in a complete termination of the holders stock interest in Vornado under Section
302(b)(3) of the Code. |
In determining whether any of these tests has been met, a holder must take into account not
only preferred stock or any other class of our stock it actually owns, but also any of Vornados
stock regardless of class it constructively owns within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code
(including stock that is owned, directly or indirectly, by certain members of the holders family
and certain entities (such as corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) in which the holder
has an equity interest as well as stock that may be acquired through options that it owns).
A distribution to a shareholder will be treated as not essentially equivalent to a dividend
if it results in a meaningful reduction in the shareholders stock interest (taking into account
all shares owned, regardless of class or series) in Vornado. Whether the receipt of cash by a
shareholder will result in a meaningful reduction of the shareholders proportionate interest will
depend on the shareholders particular facts and circumstances. If, however, as a result of a
redemption of preferred stock, a U.S. shareholder whose relative stock interest (actual or
constructive) in Vornado is minimal and who exercises no control over corporate affairs suffers a
reduction in its proportionate interest in Vornado (including any ownership of stock constructively
owned), the holder generally should be regarded as having suffered a meaningful reduction in its
interest in Vornado.
Satisfaction of the substantially disproportionate and complete termination exceptions is
dependent upon compliance with the respective objective tests set forth in Section 302(b)(2) and
Section 302(b)(3) of the Code. A distribution to a shareholder will be substantially
disproportionate if the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively
owned by the shareholder immediately following the redemption of preferred stock (treating
preferred stock redeemed as not outstanding) is less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding
voting stock actually and constructively owned by the shareholder immediately before the redemption
(treating preferred stock redeemed pursuant to the tender offer as not outstanding), and
immediately following the redemption
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the shareholder actually and constructively owns less than 50% of the total combined voting power
of Vornado. Because Vornados preferred stock is nonvoting stock, a holder would have to reduce
such holders holdings in any of our classes of voting stock (if any) to satisfy this test.
A distribution to a shareholder will result in a complete termination if either (1) all of
the preferred stock and all other classes of Vornados stock actually and constructively owned by
the shareholder are redeemed or (2) all of the preferred stock and Vornados other classes of stock
actually owned by the shareholder are redeemed or otherwise disposed of and the shareholder is
eligible to waive, and effectively waives, the attribution of Vornados stock constructively owned
by the shareholder in accordance with the procedures described in Section 302(c)(2) of the Code.
Any redemption may not be a redemption of all of Vornados preferred stock. If Vornado were to
redeem less than all of the preferred stock, a shareholders ability to meet any of the three tests
described above might be impaired. In consulting with their tax advisors, shareholders should
discuss the consequences of a partial redemption of Vornados preferred stock on the amount of
Vornados stock actually and constructively owned by such holder required to produce the desired
tax treatment.
If a U.S. shareholders receipt of cash attributable to a redemption of Vornados preferred
stock for cash does not meet one of the tests of Section 302 of the Code described above, then the
cash received by such holder in the tender offer will be treated as a dividend and taxed as
described above.
Backup Withholding. Vornado will report to its U.S. shareholders and the IRS the amount of
dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup
withholding rules, backup withholding may apply to a shareholder with respect to dividends paid
unless the holder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when
required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to
no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements
of the backup withholding rules. The IRS may also impose penalties on a U.S. shareholder that does
not provide Vornado with his correct taxpayer identification number. A shareholder may credit any
amount paid as backup withholding against the shareholders income tax liability. In addition,
Vornado may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any shareholders who
fail to certify their non-foreign status to Vornado.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders. The IRS has ruled that amounts distributed as
dividends by a REIT generally do not constitute unrelated business taxable income when received by
a tax-exempt entity. Based on that ruling, provided that a tax-exempt shareholder is not one of the
types of entity described in the next paragraph and has not held its shares as debt financed
property within the meaning of the Code, and the shares are not otherwise used in a trade or
business, the dividend income from shares will not be unrelated business taxable income to a
tax-exempt shareholder. Similarly, income from the sale of shares will not constitute unrelated
business taxable income unless the tax-exempt shareholder has held the shares as debt financed
property within the meaning of the Code or has used the shares in a trade or business.
Notwithstanding the above paragraph, tax-exempt shareholders will be required to treat as
unrelated business taxable income any dividends paid by Vornado that are allocable to Vornados
excess inclusion income, if any.
Income from an investment in Vornados shares will constitute unrelated business taxable
income for tax-exempt shareholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations,
supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from
Federal income taxation under the applicable subsections of Section 501(c) of the Code, unless the
organization is able to properly deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes
so as to offset the income generated by its shares. Prospective investors of the types described in
the preceding sentence should consult their own tax advisors concerning these set aside and
reserve requirements.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a pension-held
REIT will be treated as unrelated business taxable income to any trust which
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is described in Section 401(a) of the Code; |
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is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code; and |
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holds more than 10% (by value) of the equity interests in the REIT. |
Tax-exempt pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus funds that are described in Section 401(a)
of the Code are referred to below as qualified trusts. A REIT is a pension-held REIT if:
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it would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code
provides that stock owned by qualified trusts will be treated, for purposes of the not
closely held requirement, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust (rather than by the
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either (a) at least one qualified trust holds more than 25% by value of the interests in
the REIT or (b) one or more qualified trusts, each of which owns more than 10% by value of
the interests in the REIT, hold in the aggregate more than 50% by value of the interests in
the REIT. |
The percentage of any REIT dividend treated as unrelated business taxable income to a
qualifying trust is equal to the ratio of (a) the gross income of the REIT from unrelated trades or
businesses, determined as though the REIT were a qualified trust, less direct expenses related to
this gross income, to (b) the total gross income of the REIT, less direct expenses related to the
total gross income. A de minimis exception applies where this percentage is less than 5% for any
year. Vornado does not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT.
The rules described above under the heading U.S. Shareholders concerning the inclusion of
Vornados designated undistributed net capital gains in the income of its shareholders will apply
to tax-exempt entities. Thus, tax-exempt entities will be allowed a credit or refund of the tax
deemed paid by these entities in respect of the includible gains.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
The rules governing U.S. Federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign
corporations, foreign partnerships and estates or trusts that in either case are not subject to
U.S. Federal income tax on a net income basis who own common shares or preferred shares, which we
call non-U.S. shareholders, are complex. The following discussion is only a limited summary of
these rules. Prospective non-U.S. shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to
determine the impact of U.S. Federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment
in common shares or preferred shares, including any reporting requirements.
Ordinary Dividends. Distributions, other than distributions that are treated as
attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by Vornado of U.S. real property interests, as
discussed below, and other than distributions designated by Vornado as capital gain dividends, will
be treated as ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits of Vornado. A withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the
distribution will ordinarily apply to distributions of this kind to non-U.S. shareholders, unless
an applicable tax treaty reduces that tax. However, if income from the investment in the shares is
treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholders conduct of a U.S. trade or
business or is attributable to a permanent establishment that the non-U.S. shareholder maintains in
the United States if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for
subjecting the non-U.S. shareholder to U.S. taxation on a net income basis, tax at graduated rates
will generally apply to the non-U.S. shareholder in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed
with respect to dividends, and the 30% branch profits tax may also apply if the shareholder is a
foreign corporation. Vornado expects to withhold U.S. tax at the rate
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of 30% on the gross amount of any dividends, other than dividends treated as attributable to gain
from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and capital gain dividends, paid to a
non-U.S. shareholder, unless (a) a lower treaty rate applies and the required form evidencing
eligibility for that reduced rate is filed with Vornado or the appropriate withholding agent or (b)
the non-U.S. shareholder files an IRS Form W-8 ECI or a successor form with Vornado or the
appropriate withholding agent claiming that the distributions are effectively connected with the
non-U.S. shareholders conduct of a U.S. trade or business and in either case other applicable
requirements were met.
Distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder that are designated by Vornado at the time of
distribution as capital gain dividends which are not attributable to or treated as attributable to
the disposition by Vornado of a U.S. real property interest generally will not be subject to U.S.
Federal income taxation, except as described below.
If a non-U.S. shareholder receives an allocation of excess inclusion income with respect to
a REMIC residual interest or an interest in a TMP owned by Vornado, the non-U.S. shareholder will
be subject to U.S. Federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate of 30% with respect to such
allocation, without reduction pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty.
Return of Capital. Distributions in excess of Vornados current and accumulated earnings
and profits, which are not treated as attributable to the gain from Vornados disposition of a U.S.
real property interest, will not be taxable to a non-U.S. shareholder to the extent that they do
not exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. shareholders shares. Distributions of this kind will
instead reduce the adjusted basis of the shares. To the extent that distributions of this kind
exceed the adjusted basis of a non-U.S. shareholders shares, they will give rise to tax liability
if the non-U.S. shareholder otherwise would have to pay tax on any gain from the sale or
disposition of its shares, as described below. If it cannot be determined at the time a
distribution is made whether the distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings
and profits, withholding will apply to the distribution at the rate applicable to dividends.
However, the non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if it is
subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of current accumulated
earnings and profits of Vornado.
Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges
by Vornado of U.S. real property interests that are paid with respect to any class of stock which
is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and held by a
non-U.S. shareholder who does not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the
one year period ending on the date of distribution will be treated as a normal distribution by
Vornado, and such distributions will be taxed as described above in Ordinary Dividends.
Distributions that are not described in the preceding paragraph that are attributable to gain
from sales or exchanges by Vornado of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to a non-U.S.
shareholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as
amended. Under this statute, these distributions are taxed to a non-U.S. shareholder as if the gain
were effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, non-U.S. shareholders will be taxed on the
distributions at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, subject to any
applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of individuals.
Vornado is required by applicable Treasury regulations under this statute to withhold 35% of any
distribution that Vornado could designate as a capital gain dividend. However, if Vornado
designates as a capital gain dividend a distribution made before the day Vornado actually effects
the designation, then although the distribution may be taxable to a non-U.S. shareholder,
withholding does not apply to the distribution under this statute. Rather, Vornado must effect the
35% withholding from distributions made on and after the date of the designation, until the
distributions so withheld equal the amount of the prior distribution designated as a capital gain
dividend. The non-U.S. shareholder may credit the amount withheld against its U.S. tax liability.
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Share Distributions. Vornado has made, and in the future may make, distributions to holders
of its common shares that are paid in common shares. These distributions are intended to be treated
as dividends for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, would be treated in a manner
consistent with the discussion above under Ordinary Dividends and Capital Gains Dividends. If
Vornado is required to withhold an amount in excess of any cash distributed along with the common
shares, Vornado will retain and sell some of the common shares that would otherwise be distributed
in order to satisfy Vornados withholding obligations.
Sales of Shares. Gain recognized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or exchange of
common shares generally will not be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act if
Vornado is a domestically controlled REIT, defined generally as a REIT, less than 50% in value of
whose stock is and was held directly or indirectly by foreign persons at all times during a
specified testing period. Vornado believes that it is a domestically controlled REIT, and,
therefore, assuming that Vornado continues to be a domestically controlled REIT, that taxation
under this statute generally will not apply to the sale of Vornado shares. However, gain to which
this statute does not apply will be taxable to a non-U.S. shareholder if investment in the shares
is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholders U.S. trade or business or is
attributable to a permanent establishment that the non-U.S. shareholder maintains in the United
States if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the
non-U.S. shareholder to U.S. taxation on a net income basis. In this case, the same treatment will
apply to the non-U.S. shareholder as to U.S. shareholders with respect to the gain. In addition,
gain to which the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act does not apply will be taxable to a
non-U.S. shareholder if the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present
in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the
United States, or maintains an office or a fixed place of business in the United States to which
the gain is attributable. In this case, a 30% tax will apply to the nonresident alien individuals
capital gains. A similar rule will apply to capital gain dividends to which this statute does not
apply.
If Vornado does not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT, the tax consequences to a
non-U.S. shareholder of a sale of shares depends upon whether such stock is regularly traded on an
established securities market and the amount of such stock that is held by the non-U.S.
shareholder. Specifically, a non-U.S. shareholder that holds a class of shares that is traded on an
established securities market will only be subject to FIRPTA in respect of a sale of such shares if
the shareholder owned more than 5% of the shares of such class at any time during a specified
period. This period is generally the shorter of the period that the non-U.S. shareholder owned such
shares or the five-year period ending on the date when the shareholder disposed of the stock. A
non-U.S. shareholder that holds a class of Vornados shares that is not traded on an established
securities market will only be subject to FIRPTA in respect of a sale of such shares if on the date
the stock was acquired by the shareholder it had a fair market value greater than the fair market
value on that date of 5% of the regularly traded class of Vornados outstanding shares with the
lowest fair market value. If a non-U.S. shareholder holds a class of Vornados shares that is not
regularly traded on an established securities market, and subsequently acquires additional
interests of the same class, then all such interests must be aggregated and valued as of the date
of the subsequent acquisition for purposes of the 5% test that is described in the preceding
sentence. If tax under FIRPTA applies to the gain on the sale of shares, the same treatment would
apply to the non-U.S. shareholder as to U.S. shareholders with respect to the gain, subject to any
applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident
alien individuals.
Federal Estate Taxes
Common shares or preferred shares held by a non-U.S. shareholder at the time of death will be
included in the shareholders gross estate for U.S. Federal estate tax purposes, unless an
applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you are generally exempt from backup withholding and
information reporting requirements with respect to:
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dividend payments and |
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the payment of the proceeds from the sale of common shares effected at a United States
office of a broker, |
as long as the income associated with these payments is otherwise exempt from U.S. Federal income
tax, and:
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the payor or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United
States person and you have furnished to the payor or broker: |
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a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under
penalties of perjury, that you are a non-United States person, or |
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other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payments as made to a non-United
States person in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations, or |
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you otherwise establish an exemption. |
Payment of the proceeds from the sale of shares effected at a foreign office of a broker
generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale of
shares that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding if:
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the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the United States, |
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the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a United States
address, or |
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the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in U.S.
Treasury regulations, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States
person and the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish an
exemption.
In addition, a sale of common shares or preferred shares will be subject to information
reporting if it is effected at a foreign office of a broker that is:
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a United States person, |
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a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes, |
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the
conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, or |
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a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: |
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one or more of its partners are U.S. persons, as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations,
who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership,
or |
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such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a United States trade or business, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States
person and the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish an
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exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the
broker has actual knowledge that you are a United States person.
You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules
that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Other Tax Consequences
State or local taxation may apply to Vornado and its shareholders in various state or local
jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business or reside. The state and local
tax treatment of Vornado and its shareholders may not conform to the Federal income tax
consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective shareholders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in Vornado.
Taxation of Holders of Most Fixed Rate Debt Securities
This section describes the material United States Federal income tax consequences of owning
the fixed rate debt securities that Vornado or Vornado Realty L.P. may offer for your general
information only. It is not tax advice. It applies to you only if the fixed rate debt securities
that you purchase are not original issue discount or zero coupon debt securities and you acquire
the fixed rate debt securities in the initial offering at the offering price. If you purchase these
fixed rate debt securities at a price other than the offering price, the amortizable bond premium
or market discount rules may also apply to you. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding
this possibility.
The tax consequences of owning any fixed rate debt securities that are zero coupon debt
securities or original issue discount debt securities, floating rate debt securities, zero coupon
debt securities, original issue debt securities, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, or
indexed debt securities that we offer will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
United States Debt Security Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a United States debt security holder. You
are a United States debt security holder if you are a beneficial owner of a fixed rate debt
security to which this section applies and you are:
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a citizen or resident of the United States, |
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a domestic corporation, |
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an estate whose income is subject to United States Federal income tax regardless of its
source, or |
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a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trusts
administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all
substantial decisions of the trust. |
If you are not a United States debt security holder of a fixed rate debt security to which
this section applies, this subsection does not apply to you and you should refer to United
States Alien Debt Security Holders below.
Payments of Interest. You will be taxed on interest on your fixed rate debt security as
ordinary income at the time you receive the interest or when it accrues, depending on your method
of accounting for tax purposes.
Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Fixed Rate Debt Securities. Your tax basis in your fixed
rate debt security generally will be its cost. You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on
the sale or retirement of your note equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the
sale or
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retirement, excluding any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, and your tax basis
in your note. Capital gain of a noncorporate United States debt security holder is generally taxed
at preferential rates where the holder has a holding period greater than one year.
United States Alien Debt Security Holders
This subsection describes the tax consequences to a United States alien debt security holder.
You are a United States alien debt security holder if you are the beneficial owner of a fixed rate
debt security to which this section applies and are, for United States Federal income tax purposes:
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a nonresident alien individual, |
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a foreign corporation, |
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a foreign partnership, or |
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an estate or trust that in either case is not subject to United States Federal income tax
on a net income basis on income or gain from a debt security. |
If you are a United States debt security holder, this subsection does not apply to you.
Under United States federal income and estate tax law, and subject to the discussion of backup
withholding below, if you are a United States alien debt security holder:
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we and other U.S. payors generally will not be required to deduct United States
withholding tax from payments of principal and interest to you if, in the case of payments of
interest: |
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you do not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of Vornado (in the case of debt securities issued by
Vornado) or 10% or more of the capital or profits interest of Vornado Realty L.P. (in the
case of debt securities issued by Vornado Realty L.P.), |
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to Vornado or
Vornado Realty L.P. through stock ownership, and |
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the U.S. payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a
United States person and: |
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you have furnished to the U.S. payor an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or
an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you
are a non-United States person, |
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in the case of payments made outside the United States to you at an offshore
account (generally, an account maintained by you at a bank or other financial institution at
any location outside the United States), you have furnished to the U.S. payor documentation
that establishes your identity and your status as a non-United States person, |
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the U.S. payor has received a withholding certificate (furnished on an
appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form) from a person
claiming to be: |
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a withholding foreign partnership (generally a foreign partnership that has
entered into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to assume primary withholding
responsibility with respect to distributions and guaranteed payments it makes to its
partners), |
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a qualified intermediary (generally a non-United States financial institution
or clearing organization or a non-United States branch or office of a United States |
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financial institution or clearing organization that is a party to
a withholding agreement with the Internal Revenue Service), or |
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a U.S. branch of a non-United States bank or of a
non-United States insurance company, |
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and the withholding foreign partnership, qualified intermediary or U.S. branch has received
documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United States
person in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations (or, in the case of a qualified
intermediary, in accordance with its agreement with the Internal Revenue Service), |
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the U.S. payor receives a statement from a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business, |
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certifying to the U.S. payor under penalties of perjury that an Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form has been received from you by it
or by a similar financial institution between it and you, and |
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to which is attached a copy of the Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or
acceptable substitute form, or |
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The U.S. payor otherwise possesses documentation upon which it may rely
to treat the payment as made to a non-United States person in accordance with U.S.
Treasury regulations, and |
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no deduction for any United States Federal withholding tax will be made from any
gain that you realize on the sale or exchange of your note. |
Further, a fixed rate debt security held by an individual who at death is not a citizen or
resident of the United States will not be includible in the individuals gross estate for United
States Federal estate tax purposes if:
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the decedent did not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of Vornado (in the case of debt securities
issued by Vornado) or 10% or more of the capital or profits interest of Vornado Realty L.P.
(in the case of debt securities issued by Vornado Realty L.P.) at the time of death and |
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the income on the fixed rate debt security would not have been effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the decedent at the same time. |
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, if you are a noncorporate United States debt security holder, we and other payors
are required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all payments of principal and interest on
your fixed rate debt security. In addition, we and other payors are required to report to the
Internal Revenue Service any payment of proceeds of the sale of your fixed rate debt security
before maturity within the United States. Additionally, backup withholding will apply to any
payments if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number, or you are notified by
the Internal Revenue Service that you have failed to report all interest and dividends required to
be shown on your federal income tax returns.
In general, if you are a United States alien debt security holder, payments of principal or
interest made by us and other payors to you will not be subject to backup withholding and
information reporting, provided that the certification requirements described above under United
States Alien Debt Security Holders are satisfied or you otherwise establish an exemption. However,
we and other
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payors are required to report payments of interest on your fixed rate debt securities on Internal
Revenue Service Form 1042-S even if the payments are not otherwise subject to information reporting
requirements. In addition, payment of the proceeds from the sale of fixed rate debt securities
effected at a United States office of a broker will not be subject to backup withholding and
information reporting provided that:
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the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United
States person and you have furnished to the broker: |
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an appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or an acceptable substitute form upon
which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person, or |
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other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payment as made to a non-United
States person in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations, or |
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you otherwise establish an exemption. |
If you fail to establish an exemption and the broker does not possess adequate documentation
of your status as a non-United States person, the payments may be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding. However, backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to
an offshore account maintained by you unless the broker has actual knowledge that you are a United
States person.
In general, payment of the proceeds from the sale of fixed rate debt securities effected at a
foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding.
However, a sale effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding if:
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the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the United States, |
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the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a United States
address, or |
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the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in U.S.
Treasury regulations, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States
person and the documentation requirements described above (relating to a sale of debt securities
effected at a United States office of a broker) are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
In addition, payment of the proceeds from the sale of fixed rate debt securities effected at a
foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting if the broker is:
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a United States person, |
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a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes, |
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the
conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, or |
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a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: |
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one or more of its partners are U.S. persons, as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations,
who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership,
or |
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such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a United States trade or business, |
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States
person and the documentation requirements described above (relating to a sale of debt securities
effected at a United States office of a broker) are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
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Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has
actual knowledge that you are a United States person.
You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules
that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. may sell the securities to one or more
underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors directly
or through agents or through a combination of any of these methods of sale. Vornado Realty Trusts
common shares or preferred shares may be issued upon conversion of debt securities of Vornado
Realty Trust or in exchange for debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. The securities that Vornado
Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. distribute by any of these methods may be sold to the public,
in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated
prices.
Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the
related prospectus supplement. Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. have reserved the right
to sell the securities directly to investors on their own behalf in those jurisdictions where they
are authorized to do so.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices that may be changed,
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or
at negotiated prices. Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. also may, from time to time,
authorize dealers, acting as Vornado Realty Trusts or Vornado Realty L.P.s agents, to offer and
sell the securities upon the terms and conditions described in the related prospectus supplement.
Underwriters may receive compensation from Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P. in the form
of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the
securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through
dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters or commissions, which may be changed from time to time, from the
purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Any underwriting compensation paid by Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P. to
underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be stated in the
related prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the
securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and
any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the applicable securities laws. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be
entitled, under agreements entered into with Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., to
indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including any
liabilities under the applicable securities laws.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered
by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable
prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell
securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short
sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or
others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use
securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open
borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be
identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any securities issued
under this prospectus will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any
underwriters or agents to or through whom the securities are sold by Vornado Realty Trust or
Vornado Realty L.P. for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but the
underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any
time without notice. We do not know how liquid the trading market for any of our securities will
be.
In connection with an offering of securities, the underwriters may purchase and sell
securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering
transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of securities in excess of
the principal amount of securities to be purchased by the underwriters in an offering, which
creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the
securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short
positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of securities made for the
purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the
offering is in progress. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a
decline in the market price of the securities being offered. They may also cause the price of the
securities being offered to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market
in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the
over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they
may discontinue them at any time.
Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to
indemnification by us against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters or agents may be required to make in
that respect.
Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions
with, and perform services for, Vornado Realty Trust, Vornado Realty L.P. and their affiliates in
the ordinary course of business for which they may receive customary fees and expenses.
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
The validity of any guarantee or debt securities issued by Vornado Realty L.P. under this
prospectus will be passed upon for Vornado Realty L.P., and the validity of any depositary shares
issued under this prospectus will be passed upon for Vornado Realty Trust, by Sullivan & Cromwell
LLP, New York, New York, counsel to Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. The validity of
any debt securities issued by Vornado Realty Trust, preferred shares or common shares issued under
this prospectus will be passed upon for Vornado Realty Trust by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland,
Maryland counsel to Vornado Realty Trust. With respect to all matters of Maryland law, Sullivan &
Cromwell LLP will rely on the opinion of Venable LLP. The validity of any securities issued under
this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters by the counsel named in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, the related financial statement schedules
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s
current report on Form 8-K, dated October 13, 2009 and October 16, 2009, respectively, and the
effectiveness of Vornado Realty Trusts and Vornado Realty L.P.s internal control over financial
reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting
firm, as stated in their reports (which reports included an unqualified opinion and an explanatory
paragraph as to the effects of the retrospective application of new accounting guidance on
accounting for convertible debt instruments, noncontrolling interest, and earnings per share),
which are incorporated herein by reference, and have
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been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule of Lexington
Realty Trust and subsidiaries included in Lexington Realty Trusts Annual Report on Form 10-K as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2008, as updated by the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 1, 2009, and Managements
Annual Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting as of December 31, 2008, have been
incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Vornado Realty Trusts Current Report on Form 8-K,
dated October 13, 2009, in reliance upon the reports incorporated by reference herein of KPMG LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Lex-Win Concord LLC incorporated in this prospectus by reference
to Lexington Realty Trusts Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 1, 2009, which is
incorporated by reference in Vornado Realty Trusts Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 13,
2009, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report, which contains an explanatory paragraph
relating to Lex-Win Concord LLCs ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 16 to
the financial statements, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information of Vornado Realty Trust for the
periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 and June 30, 2009 and 2008, and the unaudited interim
financial information of Vornado Realty, L.P. for the periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 and
June 30, 2009 and 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, have applied limited procedures in accordance with
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) for a review of such
information. However, as stated in their reports included in Vornado Realty Trusts Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, and the Vornado
Realty L.P.s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30,
2009 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on
that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such
information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities
Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because those reports
are not reports or a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant
within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
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Shares
% Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
(Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share)
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
April , 2011
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch
Citi
Morgan Stanley
UBS Investment Bank
Wells Fargo Securities
Deutsche Bank Securities
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
J.P. Morgan
RBC Capital Markets