e424b5
CALCULATION OF
REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Title of Securities
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Amount to
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Offering Price
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Aggregate Offering
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Registration
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to be Registered
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be Registered
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per Share
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Price
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Fee(1)
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Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
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6,037,500
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$59.50
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$359,231,250
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$41,707
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(1) |
A filing fee of $41,707, calculated in accordance with
Rule 457(r), has been transmitted to the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission in connection with the securities
offered by means of this prospectus supplement.
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-159014
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated May 6, 2009)
5,250,000 Shares
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES,
INC.
Common Stock
We are offering 5,250,000 shares of common stock pursuant
to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol ELS. On June 1, 2011, the last
reported sale price for our common stock was $60.13 per share.
Members of our board of directors, senior management team,
business associates and related persons have indicated an
interest to purchase shares of common stock in this offering in
an aggregate amount expected not to exceed 3.0% of this offering.
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation contain
restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our capital
stock intended to assist us in maintaining our qualification as
a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Purchasers of common stock in this offering will be entitled to
receive the previously declared dividend of $0.375 per share,
payable on July 8, 2011 to common stockholders of record on
June 24, 2011 if such purchasers continue to own such
common stock on such date.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on
page S-14
of this prospectus supplement, page 10 of our Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and page 36 of
our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011.
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Per Share
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Total
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Public offering price
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$
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59.50
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312,375,000
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Underwriting discount
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$
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2.380
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$
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12,495,000
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$
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57.12
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$
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299,880,000
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The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional
787,500 shares of common stock from us at the public
offering price, less the underwriting discount, within
30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC,
nor any state or other securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The shares will be ready for delivery on or about June 7,
2011.
Book-Running Managers
Goldman, Sachs &
Co.
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BofA
Merrill Lynch |
Morgan Stanley |
RBC Capital Markets Wells Fargo Securities |
Co-Managers
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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods |
Piper
Jaffray |
RBS |
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The date of this prospectus is June 1, 2011.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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S-ii
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S-1
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S-13
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S-14
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S-18
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S-19
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S-20
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S-21
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S-22
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S-23
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S-24
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S-28
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S-28
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S-28
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S-29
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F-1
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Page
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PROSPECTUS
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You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the additional information described under the
headings Where You Can Find More Information and
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
before you make a decision to invest in our common stock. You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement and any related free
writing prospectus required to be filed with the SEC. Neither we
nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the common
stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any
other person to provide you with different or additional
information. If any other person provides you with different or
additional information, you should not rely on it. You should
assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus, any such free writing prospectus and
the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is
accurate only as of its date or the date which is specified in
those documents. Our business, financial condition, cash flows,
liquidity, results of operations, funds from operations and
prospects may have changed from any such date.
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus
supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering
and also adds to and updates information contained in the
accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which
gives more general information, some of which may not apply to
this offering.
To the extent there is a conflict between the information
contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and
the information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, the information in
this prospectus supplement shall control.
References in this prospectus supplement to the terms
we, us, our and our
company refer to all entities owned or controlled by
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., including MHC Operating
Limited Partnership, our Operating Partnership.
S-ii
SUMMARY
This summary description of us, our business and our common
stock highlights selected information contained elsewhere in
this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or the
documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. This
summary does not contain all of the information that you should
consider before making a decision to invest in our common stock
in this offering. You should carefully read this entire
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including
each of the documents incorporated herein and therein by
reference, before making an investment decision.
Company
Overview
General
We were formed in December 1992 as a Maryland corporation to
continue the property operations, business objectives and
acquisition strategies of an entity that had owned and operated
properties since 1969. We have been a public company since 1993
and have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust,
or a REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing
with our taxable year ended December 31, 1993.
We are a fully integrated owner and operator of
lifestyle-oriented properties, or Properties. We lease
individual developed areas, or sites, with access to utilities
for placement of factory-built homes, cottages, cabins or
recreational vehicles, or RVs. Customers may lease individual
sites or enter
right-to-use
contracts providing the customer access to specific Properties
for limited stays. As of March 31, 2011, we owned or had an
ownership interest in a portfolio of 307 Properties located
throughout the United States and Canada containing 111,004
residential sites. These Properties are located in
27 states and British Columbia, with the number of
Properties in each state or province shown parenthetically, as
follows: Florida (86), California (48), Arizona (37), Texas
(15), Washington (15), Pennsylvania (12), Colorado (10), Oregon
(9), North Carolina (8), Delaware (7), Nevada (6), New York (6),
Virginia (6), Wisconsin (5), Indiana (5), Maine (5), Illinois
(4), Massachusetts (3), New Jersey (3), South Carolina (3), Utah
(3), Michigan (2), New Hampshire (2), Ohio (2), Tennessee (2),
Alabama (1), Kentucky (1) and British Columbia (1).
Properties are designed and improved for several home options of
various sizes and designs that are produced off-site, installed
and set on designated sites, or Site Set, within the Properties.
These homes can range from 400 to over 2,000 square feet.
The smallest of these are referred to as Resort
Cottages. Properties may also have sites that can
accommodate a variety of RVs. Properties generally contain
centralized entrances, internal road systems and designated
sites. In addition, Properties often provide a clubhouse for
social activities and recreation and other amenities, which may
include restaurants, swimming pools, golf courses, lawn bowling,
shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, laundry facilities and cable
television service. In some cases, utilities are provided or
arranged for by us; otherwise, the customer contracts for the
utilities directly. Some Properties provide water and sewer
service through municipal or regulated utilities, while others
provide these services to customers from
on-site
facilities. Properties generally are designed to attract
retirees, empty-nesters, vacationers and second home owners;
however, certain of our Properties focus on affordable housing
for families. We focus on owning properties in or near large
metropolitan markets and retirement and vacation destinations.
Our operations are conducted primarily through our Operating
Partnership. We contributed the net proceeds from our initial
public offering and subsequent offerings to our Operating
Partnership for a general partnership interest. In 2004, the
general partnership interest was contributed to MHC Trust, a
private REIT subsidiary owned by us. The financial results of
the Operating Partnership and our subsidiaries are consolidated
in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, since
certain activities, if performed by us, may not be qualifying
REIT activities under the Internal Revenue Code
S-1
of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, we have
formed taxable REIT subsidiaries, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code, to engage in such activities.
Business
Objectives and Operating Strategies
Our primary business objective is to seek to maximize both
current income and long-term growth in income. We focus on
properties that have strong cash flow, and we expect to hold
such properties for long-term investment and capital
appreciation. In determining cash flow potential, we evaluate
our ability to attract and retain high quality customers who
take pride in the Property and in their homes. These business
objectives and their implementation are determined by our board
of directors and may be changed at any time. Our investment,
operating and financing approach includes:
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providing consistently high levels of services and amenities in
attractive surroundings to foster a strong sense of community
and pride of home ownership;
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efficiently managing the Properties to increase operating
margins by controlling expenses, increasing occupancy and
maintaining competitive market rents;
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increasing income and property values by strategic expansion
and, where appropriate, renovation of the Properties;
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utilizing management information systems to evaluate potential
acquisitions, identify and track competing properties and
monitor customer satisfaction;
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selectively acquiring properties that have potential for
long-term cash flow growth and creating property concentrations
in and around major metropolitan areas and retirement or
vacation destinations to capitalize on operating synergies and
incremental efficiencies; and
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managing our debt balances such that we maintain financial
flexibility, have minimal exposure to interest rate fluctuations
and maintain an appropriate degree of leverage to maximize
return on capital.
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Our operating strategy is to own and operate the highest quality
properties in sought-after locations near urban areas and
retirement and vacation destinations across the United States.
We focus on creating an attractive residential environment by
providing a well-maintained, comfortable Property with a variety
of organized recreational and social activities and superior
amenities as well as offering a multitude of lifestyle housing
choices. In addition, we regularly conduct evaluations of the
cost of housing in the marketplaces in which our Properties are
located and survey rental rates of competing properties. From
time to time, we also conduct satisfaction surveys of our
customers to determine the factors they consider most important
in choosing a property. We seek to improve site utilization and
efficiency by tracking types of customers and usage patterns and
marketing to those specific customer groups.
Acquisitions and
Dispositions
Over the last decade our portfolio of Properties has grown
significantly from 154 owned or partly owned Properties with
over 51,000 sites to 307 owned or partly owned Properties with
over 111,000 sites. For a discussion of additional properties we
have agreed to acquire, see Recent
Developments below. We continually review the Properties
in our portfolio to ensure that they fit our business
objectives. Over the last five years we sold 16 Properties, and
redeployed capital to markets we believe have greater long-term
potential. In that same time period we acquired 39 Properties
located in high growth areas such as Florida, Arizona and
California.
We believe that opportunities for property acquisitions are
still available. Increasing acceptability of and demand for a
lifestyle that includes Site Set homes and RVs, as well as
continued constraints on development of new properties, add to
the attractiveness of our Properties as investments. We believe
we have a competitive advantage in the acquisition of additional
properties due to our
S-2
experienced management, significant presence in major real
estate markets and substantial capital resources.
We are actively seeking to acquire additional properties and are
engaged in various stages of negotiations relating to the
possible acquisition of a number of properties. We anticipate
that new acquisitions will generally be located in the United
States, although we may consider other geographic locations
provided they meet certain acquisition criteria. We utilize
market information systems to identify and evaluate acquisition
opportunities, including the use of a market database to review
the primary economic indicators of the various locations in
which we expect to expand our operations. Acquisitions will be
financed from the most appropriate sources of capital, which may
include undistributed funds from operations, issuance of
additional equity securities, sales of investments,
collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings and issuance of
debt securities. In addition, we may acquire properties in
transactions that include the issuance of limited partnership
interests in our Operating Partnership, or OP Units, as
consideration for the acquired properties. We believe that an
ownership structure that includes the Operating Partnership will
permit us to acquire additional properties in transactions that
may defer all or a portion of the sellers tax consequences.
When evaluating potential acquisitions, we consider such factors
as:
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the replacement cost of the property, including land values,
entitlements and zoning;
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the geographic area and type of the property;
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the location, construction quality, condition and design of the
property;
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the current and projected cash flow of the property and the
ability to increase cash flow;
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the potential for capital appreciation of the property;
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the terms of tenant leases or usage rights, including the
potential for rent increases;
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the potential for economic growth and the tax and regulatory
environment of the community in which the property is located;
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the potential for expansion of the physical layout of the
property and the number of sites;
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the occupancy and demand by customers for properties of a
similar type in the vicinity and the customers profile;
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the prospects for liquidity through sale, financing or
refinancing of the property; and
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the competition from existing properties and the potential for
the construction of new properties in the area.
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When evaluating potential dispositions, we consider such factors
as:
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our ability to sell the Property at a price that we believe will
provide an appropriate return for our stockholders;
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our desire to exit certain non-core markets and recycle the
capital into core markets; and
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whether the Property meets our current investment criteria.
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When investing capital, we consider all potential uses of the
capital, including returning capital to our stockholders. Our
board of directors continues to review the conditions under
which it will repurchase our common stock. These conditions
include, but are not limited to, market price, balance sheet
flexibility, other opportunities and capital requirements.
Property
Expansions
Several of our Properties have available land for expanding the
number of sites available to be utilized by our customers.
Development of these sites, or Expansion Sites, are evaluated
based on the
S-3
following: local market conditions; ability to subdivide;
accessibility through the Property or externally; infrastructure
needs including utility needs and access as well as additional
common area amenities; zoning and entitlement; costs;
topography; and ability to market new sites. When justified,
development of Expansion Sites allows us to leverage existing
facilities and amenities to increase the income generated from
our Properties. Where appropriate, facilities and amenities may
be upgraded or added to certain Properties to make those
Properties more attractive in their markets. Our acquisition
philosophy includes owning Properties with potential Expansion
Site development. Approximately 79 of our Properties have
expansion potential, with approximately 5,300 acres
available for expansion.
Leases or Usage
Rights
At our Properties, a typical lease entered into between the
owner of a home and us for the rental of a site is for a
month-to-month
or
year-to-year
term, renewable upon the consent of both parties or, in some
instances, as provided by statute.
These leases are cancelable, depending on applicable law, for
non-payment of rent, violation of Property rules and regulations
or other specified defaults. Non-cancelable long-term leases,
with remaining terms ranging up to ten (10) years, are in
effect at certain sites within 30 of the Properties. Some of
these leases are subject to rental rate increases based on the
Consumer Price Index, or CPI, in some instances taking into
consideration certain floors and ceilings and allowing for
pass-throughs of certain items such as real estate taxes,
utility expenses and capital expenditures. Generally, market
rate adjustments are made on an annual basis. At Properties
zoned for RV use, long-term customers typically enter into
rental agreements and many customers prepay for their stays.
Many resort customers also leave deposits to reserve a site for
the following year. Generally these customers cannot live full
time on a Property. At resort Properties designated for use by
customers who have entered a
right-to-use
or membership contract, the contract generally grants the
customer access to designated Properties on a continuous basis
of up to 14 days. The customer typically makes a
nonrefundable upfront payment, and annual dues payments are
required to renew the contract. The contracts provide for an
annual dues increase, usually based on increases in the CPI.
Approximately 30% of current customers are not subject to annual
dues increases in accordance with the terms of their contracts,
generally because the customers are over 61 years old or in
certain other limited circumstances.
Regulations and
Insurance
Our Properties are subject to a variety of laws, ordinances and
regulations, including regulations relating to recreational
facilities such as swimming pools, clubhouses and other common
areas, regulations relating to providing utility services, such
as electricity, to our customers, and regulations relating to
operating water and wastewater treatment facilities at certain
of our Properties. We believe that each Property has all
material permits and approvals necessary to operate.
At certain of our Properties, principally in California, state
and local rent control laws limit our ability to increase rents
and to recover increases in operating expenses and the costs of
capital improvements. Enactment of such laws has been considered
from time to time in other jurisdictions. We presently expect to
continue to maintain Properties, and may purchase additional
properties, in markets that are either subject to rent control
or in which rent-limiting legislation exists or may be enacted.
For example, Florida has enacted a law requiring that rental
increases be reasonable. Also, certain jurisdictions in
California in which we own Properties limit rent increases to
changes in the CPI or some percentage thereof. As part of our
effort to realize the value of Properties subject to restrictive
regulation, we have initiated lawsuits against several
municipalities imposing such regulation in an attempt to balance
the interests of our stockholders with the interests of our
customers. Further, at certain of our Properties primarily used
as membership campgrounds, state statutes limit our ability to
close a Property unless a reasonable substitute property is made
available for members use. Many states also have consumer
protection laws regulating
right-to-use
or campground membership sales and the financing of such sales.
Some states have laws requiring us to register with a state
agency and obtain a permit to market.
S-4
Our Properties are insured against fire, flood, property damage,
earthquake, windstorm and business interruption, and the
relevant insurance policies contain various deductible
requirements and coverage limits. Our current property and
casualty insurance policies, which we plan to renew, expire on
April 1, 2012. We have a $100 million loss limit with
respect to our all-risk property insurance program, including
named windstorm, which include, for example, hurricanes. This
loss limit is subject to additional
sub-limits
as set forth in the policy form, including among others a
$25 million loss limit for earthquakes in California.
Policy deductibles primarily range from a $100,000 minimum to 5%
per unit of insurance for most catastrophic events. A deductible
indicates our maximum exposure, subject to policy
sub-limits,
in the event of a loss.
Recent
Developments
Acquisition of
the Hometown Portfolio
On May 31, 2011, we entered into purchase and other
agreements, which we collectively refer to as the purchase
agreements, with certain affiliates of Hometown America,
LLC, or Hometown, to acquire a portfolio of 76 manufactured home
communities, which we refer to as the Hometown
Properties, containing 31,167 sites on approximately
6,500 acres located in 16 states (primarily located in
Florida and the northeastern region of the United States) and
certain manufactured homes and loans secured by manufactured
homes located at the Hometown Properties, which we refer to as
the Home Related Assets and collectively with the
Hometown Properties, as the Hometown Portfolio, for
a stated purchase price of $1.43 billion. We refer to this
pending acquisition as the Acquisition. In
connection with executing the purchase agreements, we will
deposit $25.0 million of earnest money into an escrow
account. We also expect to expense approximately
$21.0 million of closing and debt defeasance costs.
We anticipate that the acquisition of approximately 39 of the
Hometown Properties and Home Related Assets associated with such
39 properties (with an aggregate stated purchase price of
approximately $519.0 million) will close on or after
July 1, 2011. Prior to this initial closing we may, upon
three days notice, require Hometown to enter into an escrow
agreement with us. Pursuant to the escrow agreement Hometown
would be required to deliver deeds transferring these 39
properties and assignments relating to certain indebtedness we
intend to assume, and we would be required to deposit
$275.0 million, with an escrow agent. If the initial
closing is not consummated for any reason by 1:00 p.m.
(CST) on July 1, 2011, the escrow agent would automatically
return the deeds and assignments to Hometown and return our cash
deposit to us, without prejudice to our rights and obligations
under the purchase agreements. Our acquisition of the balance of
the Hometown Properties and assumption of the indebtedness
thereon is subject to receipt of loan servicer consents. The
Acquisition is also subject to other customary closing
conditions. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that the
Acquisition will be completed in its entirety in accordance with
the anticipated timing or at all.
We anticipate that the Acquisition will be funded through:
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the net proceeds from this offering;
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the assumption, by us, of approximately $524.3 million of
fixed-rate, non-recourse mortgage indebtedness (as of
March 31, 2011) secured by 34 properties in the
Hometown Portfolio with a weighted average interest rate of
approximately 5.63% per annum and a weighted average maturity of
approximately 6.0 years;
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the issuance by us to Hometown of:
(i) 1,708,276 shares of our common stock, par value
$0.01 per share and (ii) 1,740,000 shares of our
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, or the Series B
Preferred Stock which have a stipulated aggregate value of
$200.0 million in the purchase agreements;
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approximately $300.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated ten-year secured financing that we plan to raise
after completion of this offering; and
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S-5
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approximately $200.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated six-year unsecured term loan that we plan to raise
after completion of this offering.
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Our acquisition philosophy has been to target opportunistically
what we believe to be high quality communities near major
metropolitan areas with attractive, stable, predictable cash
flows. Over the past few years, we have passed on many one-off
acquisition opportunities because they did not fit our
objectives and because we believed they were extremely
competitively priced. Instead, we focused on enhancing our
operating platform and positioning our balance sheet for larger
strategic portfolio transactions.
We believe that the Hometown Portfolio presents a rare
opportunity to acquire a high quality portfolio that is
consistent with and complementary to our strategy at what we
believe to be an attractive price. The Hometown Portfolio
acquisition is larger, by purchase price and number of assets,
than all of our major portfolio acquisitions combined since our
initial public offering, and we believe that our ability to move
quickly, provide certainty of execution, and utilize our equity
as a component of the consideration significantly helped us
secure the Acquisition.
The manufactured home communities included in the Hometown
Portfolio are primarily located in Florida and the northeastern
region of the United States, which we consider to be among our
core, high barrier to entry, markets. For the ten-year period
ended December 31, 2010 our core portfolio achieved average
annual growth of 3.9% in income from property operations,
excluding deferrals related to
right-to-use
contracts. Our properties located in Florida and the
northeastern region have experienced superior performance within
the portfolio over the last ten years. We expect that the
Acquisition will also increase the recurring, stable revenue
stream from annual manufactured home sites. Pro forma for the
Acquisition, our 2010 community base rental income as a percent
of total property operating revenues would have increased from
51.2% to 60.4%.
The Acquisition will provide us with additional scale and
significantly increase our portfolio of manufactured home
communities. As of March 31, 2011, pro forma for the
Acquisition, our portfolio would have included 383 total
communities located in 32 states, of which 211 are
manufactured home communities and 172 are RV communities. The
following table sets forth the total sites on a pro forma basis
for the Acquisition as of March 31, 2011.
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As of March 31, 2011
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Pro Forma for the
Acquisition
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Community sites
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75,400
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Resort sites:
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Annual
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20,800
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Seasonal
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8,900
|
|
Transient
|
|
|
9,700
|
|
Right-to-use(1):
|
|
|
24,300
|
|
Joint
Venture(2):
|
|
|
3,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
142,200
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes approximately 3,000 sites rented on an annual basis. |
|
(2) |
|
Joint venture income is included in Equity in income of
unconsolidated joint ventures on our consolidated statements of
operations. |
S-6
The following table sets forth certain information relating to
the Hometown Properties as of March 31, 2011, categorized
according to major markets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stated
|
|
|
Stated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
Region
|
|
Property
|
|
City
|
|
State
|
|
Sites
|
|
|
Price(1)
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
|
Audubon
|
|
Orlando
|
|
FL
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beacon Hill Colony
|
|
Lakeland
|
|
FL
|
|
|
201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beacon Terrace
|
|
Lakeland
|
|
FL
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carefree Village
|
|
Tampa
|
|
FL
|
|
|
406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheron Village
|
|
Davie
|
|
FL
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clover Leaf Farms
|
|
Brooksville
|
|
FL
|
|
|
780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clover Leaf Forest
|
|
Brooksville
|
|
FL
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colony
Cove(2)
|
|
Ellenton
|
|
FL
|
|
|
2,211
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Covington Estates
|
|
Saint Cloud
|
|
FL
|
|
|
241
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crystal Lakes-Zephyrhills
|
|
Zephyrhills
|
|
FL
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emerald Lake
|
|
Punta Gorda
|
|
FL
|
|
|
201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featherock
|
|
Valrico
|
|
FL
|
|
|
521
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foxwood
|
|
Ocala
|
|
FL
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haselton Village
|
|
Eustis
|
|
FL
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heron Cay
|
|
Vero Beach
|
|
FL
|
|
|
597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hidden Valley
|
|
Orlando
|
|
FL
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kings & Queens
|
|
Lakeland
|
|
FL
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lake Village
|
|
Nokomis
|
|
FL
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lake Worth Village
|
|
Lake Worth
|
|
FL
|
|
|
826
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lakeland Harbor
|
|
Lakeland
|
|
FL
|
|
|
504
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lakeland Junction
|
|
Lakeland
|
|
FL
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lakeside Terrace
|
|
Fruitland Park
|
|
FL
|
|
|
241
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Lake
|
|
Clermont
|
|
FL
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palm Beach Colony
|
|
West Palm Beach
|
|
FL
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parkwood Communities
|
|
Wildwood
|
|
FL
|
|
|
695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ridgewood Estates
|
|
Ellenton
|
|
FL
|
|
|
381
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shady Oaks
|
|
Clearwater
|
|
FL
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shady Village
|
|
Clearwater
|
|
FL
|
|
|
156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Starlight Ranch
|
|
Orlando
|
|
FL
|
|
|
783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tarpon Glen
|
|
Tarpon Springs
|
|
FL
|
|
|
170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vero Palm
|
|
Vero Beach
|
|
FL
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Village Green
|
|
Vero Beach
|
|
FL
|
|
|
781
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whispering Pines
|
|
Largo
|
|
FL
|
|
|
392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,184
|
|
|
|
667.6
|
|
|
|
52
|
%
|
Northeast
|
|
Stonegate
Manor(3)
|
|
North Windham
|
|
CT
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Glen
|
|
Norwell
|
|
MA
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hillcrest
|
|
Rockland
|
|
MA
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fernwood
|
|
Capitol Heights
|
|
MD
|
|
|
329
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Williams Estates and Peppermint Woods
|
|
Middle River
|
|
MD
|
|
|
804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pine Ridge at Crestwood
|
|
Whiting
|
|
NJ
|
|
|
1,035
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Woodlands
|
|
Lockport
|
|
NY
|
|
|
1,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenbriar Village
|
|
Bath
|
|
PA
|
|
|
319
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lil Wolf
|
|
Orefield
|
|
PA
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain View
|
|
Walnutport
|
|
PA
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regency Lakes
|
|
Winchester
|
|
VA
|
|
|
523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northeast Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,144
|
|
|
|
262.4
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
West
|
|
Apache East
|
|
Apache Junction
|
|
AZ
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denali Park
|
|
Apache Junction
|
|
AZ
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunshine Valley
|
|
Chandler
|
|
AZ
|
|
|
380
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westpark
|
|
Wickenburg
|
|
AZ
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stated
|
|
|
Stated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
Region
|
|
Property
|
|
City
|
|
State
|
|
Sites
|
|
|
Price(1)
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Ranchos
|
|
Apple Valley
|
|
CA
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mountain View
|
|
Henderson
|
|
NV
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,594
|
|
|
|
104.5
|
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
Other Midwest / ID
|
|
Coach Royale
|
|
Boise
|
|
ID
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maple Grove
|
|
Boise
|
|
ID
|
|
|
270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shenandoah Estates
|
|
Boise
|
|
ID
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Meadow Estates
|
|
Boise
|
|
ID
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hoosier Estates
|
|
Lebanon
|
|
IN
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Glen Village
|
|
Westfield
|
|
IN
|
|
|
289
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rockford Riverview Estates
|
|
Rockford
|
|
MN
|
|
|
428
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rosemount Woods
|
|
Rosemount
|
|
MN
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cedar Knolls
|
|
Apple Valley
|
|
MN
|
|
|
458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cimarron Park
|
|
Lake Elmo
|
|
MN
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buena Vista
|
|
Fargo
|
|
ND
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meadow Park
|
|
Fargo
|
|
ND
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Midwest / ID Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,361
|
|
|
|
143.6
|
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
Michigan
|
|
Avon
|
|
Rochester Hills
|
|
MI
|
|
|
617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chesterfield
|
|
Chesterfield
|
|
MI
|
|
|
345
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clinton
|
|
Clinton Township
|
|
MI
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cranberry Lake
|
|
White Lake
|
|
MI
|
|
|
328
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ferrand Estates
|
|
Wyoming
|
|
MI
|
|
|
420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand
Blanc(3)
|
|
Grand Blanc
|
|
MI
|
|
|
478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holly
Hills(3)
|
|
Holly
|
|
MI
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lake in the Hills
|
|
Auburn Hills
|
|
MI
|
|
|
238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Macomb
|
|
Macomb
|
|
MI
|
|
|
1,426
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Novi
|
|
Novi
|
|
MI
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Old Orchard
|
|
Davison
|
|
MI
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Estates
|
|
Kalamazoo
|
|
MI
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swan Creek
|
|
Ypsilanti
|
|
MI
|
|
|
294
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Westbrook
|
|
Macomb
|
|
MI
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,884
|
|
|
|
118.9
|
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Grand Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,167
|
|
|
|
1,297.0
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The stated purchase price in the purchase agreements with
Hometown is $1.43 billion which includes the stated
purchase price of the 76 Hometown Properties noted above as well
as the Home Related Assets. The stated purchase price for the
Home Related Assets is $169.7 million. These purchase
prices are subject to change for customary closing costs and
prorations. Further, our actual allocation of purchase price
among the Hometown Properties and the Home Related Assets will
be based on the fair market value of the all the assets
purchased and may differ from the stated contract price. |
|
(2) |
|
For purposes of this table, we have also increased the total
stated purchase price for this property by $33.4 million.
This amount represents a purchase price credit we will receive
for the purchase of Colony Cove in Florida. The credit is
intended to reimburse us for the option to acquire a fee simple
interest for a portion of this property (which is currently
subject to a ground lease) which is expected to be exercised in
the next few years in accordance with the terms of the lease
agreement. |
|
(3) |
|
These three properties, which represent an aggregate stated
purchase price of $24.0 million, were recently acquired by
Hometown and are not reflected in the historical statements of
revenues and certain operating expenses for the other Hometown
Properties or in our pro forma financial statements included in
this prospectus supplement for the periods presented. |
S-8
Immediately prior to the Acquisition, we expect Hometown to
defease and repay all mortgage indebtedness secured by the
Hometown Portfolio that matures on or before December 31,
2013, other than certain mortgage indebtedness secured by four
properties that mature on or after October 31, 2012 and
have an aggregate outstanding balance of approximately
$48.5 million, which we have agreed to assume. Pro forma
for the Acquisition, but excluding approximately
$500.0 million of indebtedness that we intend to incur
after completion of this offering to fund a portion of the
Acquisition, the aggregate payments of principal on our
long-term borrowings for each of the next six years and
thereafter are as follows (amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Amount(1)
|
|
|
2011
|
|
$
|
52,248
|
|
2012
|
|
|
34,995
|
|
2013
|
|
|
119,045
|
|
2014
|
|
|
202,530
|
|
2015
|
|
|
611,636
|
|
2016
|
|
|
232,109
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
678,001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,930,564
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Excludes net unamortized premiums and approximately
$500.0 million of indebtedness that we intend to incur
after the completion of this offering to fund the Acquisition. |
The Series B Preferred Stock that we expect to issue to
Hometown in connection with the Acquisition will accrue
dividends in an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid
distributions declared on our common stock. Holders of
Series B Preferred Stock may require us to redeem (upon
seven (7) days notice), at any time and from time to time,
such securities for cash in an amount per share
S-9
equal to the last reported sale price per share of our common
stock at the close of the last trading day immediately preceding
the notice, or, at our option, for shares of common stock on a
one-for-one
basis. We will register under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Act, the resale of the
1,708,276 shares of common stock we issue directly to
Hometown and the 1,740,000 shares of common stock that may
be issued in connection with the redemption of the Series B
Preferred Stock received by Hometown in connection with the
Acquisition.
In connection with the Acquisition, we have waived the ownership
limit in our charter, which generally prohibits a stockholder
from holding more than 5% of our outstanding equity, as measured
in number of shares or by value and will instead permit Hometown
to hold the 1,708,276 shares of our common stock and
1,740,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock (including
any common stock issued upon redemption) received in the
Acquisition. We have also granted Samuel Zell, the chairman of
our board of directors, a waiver, in addition to previously
granted waivers, to purchase up to an additional $5.0 million of
common stock, in this offering. We have granted these waivers
based on our belief that such waivers will not cause us to be
closely held within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. Further,
Hometown has agreed to enter into a 90 day lock-up agreement
with us with respect to approximately 1,437,931 of the shares of
common stock and approximately 286,207 of the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock acquired in connection with the initial closing
regarding the Acquisition.
Pro forma for the Acquisition, our net loss per share available
for common shares and our funds from operations, or
FFO, per share of common stock, fully diluted, as
adjusted for managements estimates of costs that would
have been incurred during the year ended December 31, 2010
for property management and additional general and
administrative expenses for the Hometown Portfolio, or pro
forma FFO (as adjusted), would have been approximately
$(0.03) and $4.01 for the year ended December 31, 2010,
respectively. Without giving effect to the Acquisition, our net
income per share available for common shares and our FFO per
share of common stock, fully diluted, for the year ended
December 31, 2010, respectively, were $1.25 and $3.47. FFO
is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a description of how we
define FFO and a reconciliation of FFO to net income, please see
Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures on
page F-15
of this prospectus supplement.
In connection with the Acquisition, we may enter into an
agreement with Hometown to provide certain property management
services for a limited period of time for a market based fee.
We have received three non-binding term sheets from financial
institutions to structure and provide our Operating Partnership
with, subject to certain conditions, a ten-year
$300.0 million debt financing to be secured by certain of
our existing properties and certain of the properties that we
anticipate acquiring as part of the Acquisition with an
indicative interest rate of approximately 5.24% per annum. There
is no assurance that we will execute definitive documentation
for this debt financing on a timely basis, or at all, or that
the terms of this financing will be similar to those referred to
above.
We have received three non-binding terms sheets from financial
institutions to structure and provide our Operating Partnership
with, subject to certain conditions, a $200.0 million
unsecured term loan. We expect we will guarantee the obligations
under this term loan. The term sheets contemplate a six-year
term with an indicative interest rate of approximately 3.34% per
annum. The indicative interest rate of 3.34% per annum reflects
current pricing to fix our interest rate for a three-year
period. Our Operating Partnership will be subject to certain
restrictive covenants and will be responsible for certain fees
to the lender. We may hedge our interest rate exposure with
respect to this financing. There is no assurance that we will
execute definitive documentation for this unsecured term loan on
a timely basis, or at all, or that the terms of this financing
will be similar to those referred to above.
The foregoing summary of the Acquisition is qualified in its
entirety by the definitive purchase agreements which are filed
as an exhibit to our Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on May 31, 2011.
S-10
Transaction
Background
We and our predecessors have been operating in the manufactured
home community business since 1969. We believe that high quality
manufactured home communities are scarce mainly due to
(i) high investor demand given the stable and predictable
cash flow growth characteristics of generally fully occupied
communities, and (ii) the lack of new supply and high cost
of development.
Our acquisition philosophy has been to target opportunistically
what we believe to be high quality communities near major
metropolitan areas with attractive, stable, predictable cash
flows.
Over the past few years, we have passed on many one-off
acquisition opportunities because they did not fit our
objectives and strategy, and because we believed they were
extremely competitively priced. Instead, we focused on enhancing
our operating platform and positioning our balance sheet for
larger, strategic portfolio transactions. Larger transactions
have been characterized by the need to move quickly,
necessitating a flexible balance sheet and prior knowledge of
the assets to be acquired. The acquisition of the Hometown
Portfolio is larger, by purchase price and number of assets,
than all of our major portfolio acquisitions combined since our
initial public offering, and we believe that our ability to move
quickly, provide certainty of execution, and utilize our equity
as a component of the consideration significantly helped us
secure the Acquisition.
In 2003, we engaged in an attempt to purchase Chateau
Communities, Inc., or Chateau, which owned approximately 200
manufactured home communities. Our offer price, at the time,
reflected our belief that the Chateau portfolio included only
certain assets that met our long term, core investment criteria.
We believed that a substantial portion of the Chateau portfolio
included assets that had exposure to markets that had low cost
single family housing alternatives. Eventually, Chateau was
acquired by Hometown. We believe that many of the assets we are
purchasing in this Acquisition are among the highest quality
assets that were included in the original Chateau portfolio that
was acquired by Hometown, and would have met our core investment
criteria at the time we made an offer to acquire the Chateau
portfolio.
The majority of the Hometown Properties we are acquiring are
located in our core markets, and approximately 80.0% of the
stated purchase price under the purchase agreements is allocated
to properties located in Florida and the northeastern and
western regions of the United States. As part of the
Acquisition, we are also acquiring properties in Michigan, which
we do not consider one of our core markets. However, these
assets represent only approximately 9% of the stated purchase
price under the purchase agreements in the Acquisition.
Therefore, we believe that the Acquisition allows us to make an
attractive portfolio investment meeting our criteria of stable,
predictable cash flow growth and attractive risk adjusted
returns.
Our portfolio investments have shifted over time away from the
all-age sector toward the age-restricted sector. In the early
2000s, we determined that the market characteristics of
the all-age sector were declining as the single family market
became more widely accessible. By 2002, we had sold most of our
assets in markets where the pricing for single family housing
narrowed compared to the pricing of all-age assets. However, we
maintained our ownership of all-age assets in markets where
single family housing had high per square foot costs, such as in
California, Colorado and the Northeast.
The Chateau transaction solidified our view that, at that time,
pricing of manufactured home communities was extremely high. We
responded by shifting our focus to RV resort communities. We
believe that RV resort communities contain cash flow, market and
tenant demographic characteristics similar to our age-restricted
manufactured home communities. However, we perceived that there
was less competition for, and greater availability of, high
quality RV resort communities. We acquired the substantial
majority of our existing RV resort portfolio from 2003 to 2005.
Since then, acquisition opportunities for these assets have
become more competitively priced.
S-11
We believe that the current dynamics of the single family
housing market make all-age manufactured housing attractive to
customers who cannot afford to purchase single family homes but
who desire such a lifestyle (including a neighborhood home in a
community environment that offers a front/back yard). We also
believe that the current dynamics of the multi-family rental
market makes manufactured housing attractive. We believe that we
can increase occupancy through renting homes in our communities
at attractive risk adjusted returns compared to new apartment
developments. In addition, we are currently exploring
non-recourse financing and joint venture capital from third
parties to further invest in rental homes, and believe that
these financing options can enhance the economics we receive
from our rental homes.
We are also acquiring, as part of the Acquisition, a portfolio
of manufactured homes and loans secured by manufactured homes.
Over the past few years we have increased our exposure to rental
homes. As the single family market became challenged in 2008, we
successfully rented new homes previously held for sale, gaining
valuable operating experience with new home rentals. We also
purchased additional new homes for rent to offset the
obsolescence occurring in our portfolio. In 2009 and 2010 we
strategically utilized rental homes to maintain our community
occupancy. We acquired and rented approximately 250 new homes
per year over that period. We believe that the decline of the
single family housing market and the corresponding upturn in the
apartment sector in recent years affords us the opportunity to
gain occupancy on an incremental basis by switching from a
defensive use of new home rentals (replacement of obsolete
homes) to an offensive use of new home rentals (occupancy gains
at what we believe to be an attractive return on capital). This
highlights what we believe to be the operational flexibility of
the manufactured housing (i.e., ground lease) business model.
Amended Line of
Credit
On May 19, 2011, our Operating Partnership entered into an
amended and restated credit agreement with a syndicate of
financial institutions led by Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as administrative agent, or the
administrative agent, to increase the borrowing
capacity from $100 million under our current line of credit
to $380 million, or the Amended Line of Credit,
and to extend the maturity date to September 18, 2015. We
have an eight month extension option under the Amended Line of
Credit, subject to payment by us of certain administrative fees
and the satisfaction of certain other enumerated conditions. The
Amended Line of Credit accrues interest at an annual rate equal
to the applicable LIBOR rate plus 1.65% to 2.50% and contains a
0.30% to 0.40% facility fee as well as customary negative and
affirmative covenants. The spread over LIBOR and the facility
fee pricing are variable based on leverage throughout the loan
term. We incurred commitment and arrangement fees of
approximately $3.6 million to enter into the Amended Line
of Credit. As of May 24, 2011, we had no amounts
outstanding under our Amended Line of Credit.
Pursuant to an amended and restated guaranty, or the Amended
Guaranty, dated as of May 19, 2011, among us and certain of
our subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent, we and two of our
subsidiaries have guaranteed all of the obligations of our
Operating Partnership under the Amended Line of Credit when due,
whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Principal
Executive Offices and Website
Our principal executive offices are located at Two North
Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60606 and our telephone
number is
(312) 279-1400.
We maintain a website at www.equitylifestyle.com. Our
reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual
reference only. Information contained on our website is not, and
should not be interpreted to be, part of this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
S-12
THE
OFFERING
For a description of our common stock, see Description of
Common Stock in the accompanying prospectus.
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Common stock offered by us |
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5,250,000 shares of common stock (and up to an additional
787,500 shares of common stock, if the underwriters
option to purchase additional shares is exercised in
full).(1) |
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Common stock and Operating Partnership units to be
outstanding on a pro forma basis after this offering |
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38,154,594 shares of common stock and 4,312,958 operating
partnership
units.(1)(2) |
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Use of proceeds |
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We expect that the net proceeds from this offering will be
approximately $298.9 million (or approximately
$343.9 million if the underwriters option to purchase
additional shares is exercised in full), after deducting the
underwriting discount and other estimated expenses of this
offering payable by us. We intend to contribute to our Operating
Partnership the net proceeds from this offering. Our Operating
Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from this offering
to partially fund the cash consideration due in connection with
the Acquisition, or if the Acquisition does not occur, for
general corporate purposes. See Use of Proceeds. |
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Restrictions on ownership and transfer |
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Our amended and restated articles of incorporation contain
restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our capital
stock intended to assist us in maintaining our qualification as
a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, our
amended and restated articles of incorporation generally
restrict any person from acquiring beneficial ownership, either
directly or indirectly, of more than 5.0%, in value or number of
shares, subject to certain adjustments, whichever is more
restrictive, of our outstanding equity, as more fully described
in the section entitled Description of Common Stock
in the accompanying prospectus. |
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Risk factors |
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See Risk Factors beginning on
page S-14
of this prospectus supplement, page 10 of our Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and page 36 of
our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011. |
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New York Stock Exchange symbol |
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ELS. |
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(1) |
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Unless expressly stated otherwise, the information set forth
above and throughout this prospectus supplement assumes no
exercise of the underwriters option to purchase up to
787,500 additional shares of common stock and excludes shares
issuable pursuant to options outstanding and common stock that
may be issued in the future under our incentive plans. |
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(2) |
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The number of shares of common stock and operating partnership
units outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering
is based on 31,196,318 shares of common stock and 4,312,958
operating partnership units outstanding as of March 31,
2011 and includes the issuance to Hometown of 1,708,276 shares
of our common stock in connection with the Acquisition, but
excludes 1,740,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock that
may be converted into common stock on a
one-for-one
basis. The number of operating partnership units exclude those
held by us. |
S-13
RISK
FACTORS
Your investment in our common stock involves certain risks.
In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you
should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set
forth below, as well as the risk factors discussed in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and our Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended March 31, 2011 and any subsequently
filed periodic reports which are incorporated by reference into
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
before making a decision to invest in our common stock in this
offering. If any of the risks contained in or incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus are realized, our business, financial condition, cash
flows, liquidity, results of operations, funds from operations
and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the
market price of our common stock could decline and you may lose
all or part of your investment.
There Can be
no Assurance that the Acquisition Will be Consummated in its
Entirety in Accordance with the Anticipated Timing or at All,
and the Closing of this Offering is not Conditioned on the
Consummation of the Acquisition.
We anticipate that the acquisition of approximately 39 of the
Hometown Properties and Home Related Assets associated with such
39 properties (with an aggregate stated purchase price of
approximately $519.0 million) will close on or after
July 1, 2011. In order to consummate the Acquisition of the
Hometown Portfolio, we and Hometown must obtain certain
approvals and consents from lenders of loans on 34 of the
remaining 37 Hometown Properties in a timely manner. If
these approvals or consents are not received, or they are not
received on terms that satisfy the conditions set forth in the
purchase agreements, then we and Hometown will not be obligated
to close, or we will not be permitted to close, on those
properties. The purchase agreements also contain certain other
closing conditions relating to some or all of the Hometown
Properties and the Home Related Assets that are part of the
Acquisition, which may not be satisfied or waived. In addition,
under circumstances specified in the purchase agreements, we or
Hometown may terminate the purchase agreements. As a result,
there can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be
consummated in its entirety in accordance with the anticipated
timing or at all. Furthermore, if the Acquisition is consummated
in part, the composition of the Hometown Portfolio that we
acquire will change and we may not acquire the most attractive
properties that are part of the anticipated Hometown Portfolio,
which would materially and adversely affect us and the benefits
we expect from the Acquisition in whole. Furthermore, our pro
forma financial statements included herein will not accurately
present such a partial Acquisition.
The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the
consummation of the Acquisition. Therefore, upon the closing of
this offering, you will become a holder of our common stock
irrespective of whether the Acquisition is consummated, delayed,
restructured or terminated. If the Acquisition is not completed,
our common stock that you have purchased in this offering will
not reflect any interest in the Hometown Portfolio; if the
Acquisition is delayed, this interest will not be reflected
during the period of delay; and if the Acquisition is
restructured, it is uncertain as to whether this interest will
be adversely affected. If this offering is consummated and the
Acquisition does not occur, your expected earnings per share of
our common stock may be significantly reduced. Also, the price
of our common stock may decline to the extent that the current
market price of our common stock reflects a market assumption
that the Acquisition will be consummated and that we will
realize certain anticipated benefits of the Acquisition.
If We are
Unable to Raise Sufficient Proceeds through this Offering and
the Contemplated Debt Financings, We Would Need to Utilize Cash
on Hand and Borrowings Under our Amended Line of Credit in Order
to Close the Acquisition, the Sufficiency of Which Cannot be
Assured, or Seek Alternative Sources of Financing to Close the
Acquisition, and We Cannot
S-14
Assure You that Such Alternative Sources of Financing Will
be Available on Favorable Terms or at All.
This offering of common stock forms part of a larger financing
plan for the Acquisition described elsewhere in this prospectus
supplement. See Summary Recent
Developments. We intend to seek secured and unsecured debt
financings in the aggregate amount of approximately
$500.0 million but cannot assure you that such debt
financings will be available on favorable terms in a timely
manner or at all. If we are unable to raise sufficient proceeds
from this offering and the contemplated debt financings, we
would need to utilize cash on hand and borrowings under our
Amended Line of Credit, the sufficiency of which cannot be
assured, or seek alternative sources of financing to close the
Acquisition. There can be no assurance that such alternative
sources of financing will be available on favorable terms or at
all. Our obligations under the purchase agreements are not
conditioned upon the consummation of any or all of the financing
transactions.
We Will Incur
Substantial Expenses and Payments Even if the Acquisition is not
Completed.
We have incurred substantial legal, accounting, financial
advisory
and/or other
costs and our management has devoted considerable time and
effort in connection with the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is
not completed, we will bear certain fees and expenses associated
with the Acquisition without realizing the benefits of the
Acquisition. The fees and expenses may be significant and could
have an adverse impact on our operating results.
The Intended
Benefits of the Acquisition may not be Realized, Which Could
have a Negative Impact on the Market Price of Our Common Stock
After the Acquisition.
The Acquisition poses risks for our ongoing operations,
including that:
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senior managements attention may be diverted from the
management of daily operations to the integration of the
Hometown Portfolio;
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costs and expenses associated with any undisclosed or potential
liabilities;
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the Hometown Portfolio may not perform as well as we
anticipate; and
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unforeseen difficulties may arise in integrating the Hometown
Portfolio into our portfolio.
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As a result of the foregoing, we cannot assure you that the
Acquisition will be accretive to us in the near term or at all.
Furthermore, if we fail to realize the intended benefits of the
Acquisition, the market price of our common stock could decline
to the extent that the market price reflects those benefits.
Volatility in
Capital and Credit Markets Could Materially and Adversely Impact
Us.
The capital and credit markets have experienced extreme
volatility and disruption in recent years, which has made it
more difficult to borrow money or raise equity capital. Market
volatility and disruption could hinder our ability to obtain new
debt financing or refinance our maturing debt on favorable terms
or at all. In addition, our future access to the equity markets
could be limited. Any such financing or refinancing issues could
materially and adversely affect us. Market turmoil and
tightening of credit in recent years has also led to an
increased lack of consumer confidence and widespread reduction
of business activity generally, which also could materially and
adversely impact us, including our ability to acquire and
dispose of assets on favorable terms or at all. The volatility
in capital and credit markets may also have a material adverse
effect on the market price of our common stock.
This Offering
is Expected to be Dilutive.
Giving effect to the issuance of common stock in this offering,
the receipt of the expected net proceeds and the use of those
proceeds, we expect that this offering will have a dilutive
effect on our
S-15
expected earnings per share and FFO per share for the year
ending December 31, 2011. The actual amount of dilution
cannot be determined at this time and will be based on numerous
factors.
Future Sales
or Issuances of Our Common Stock May Cause the Market Price of
Our Common Stock to Decline.
The sale of substantial amounts of our common stock, whether
directly by us or in the secondary market, the perception that
such sales could occur or the availability for future sale of
shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock could
materially and adversely affect the market price of our common
stock and our ability to raise capital through future offerings
of equity or equity-related securities. In connection with the
acquisition of the Hometown Portfolio, we will issue shares of
common stock and shares of Series B Preferred Stock to
Hometown, and we will be required to register the resale under
the Securities Act of such shares of common stock and the common
stock that may be issued in connection with the redemption of
the Series B Preferred Stock. In addition, we may issue
capital stock that is senior to our common stock in the future
for a number of reasons, including to finance our operations and
business strategy, to adjust our ratio of debt to equity, to
satisfy obligations upon the exchange of units of our Operating
Partnership or the exercise of options or for other reasons.
The Market
Price of Our Common Stock May Fluctuate
Significantly.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly
in response to many factors, including, but not limited to:
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actual or anticipated variations in our operating results, FFO,
cash flows or liquidity;
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changes in our earnings estimates or those of analysts;
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our failure to consummate the Acquisition of the Hometown
Portfolio in its entirety as contemplated above under
Summary Recent Developments or the
inability to secure approximately $500.0 million of secured
and unsecured debt to fund a portion of the stated purchase
price of the Acquisition on favorable terms or at all, or the
timing thereof;
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changes in our dividend policy;
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publication of research reports about us or the real estate
industry generally;
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increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our
common stock to demand a higher dividend yield;
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changes in market valuations of similar companies;
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adverse market reaction to the amount of our outstanding debt at
any time, the amount of our maturing debt in the near-and
medium-term and our ability to refinance such debt and the terms
thereof, or our plans to incur additional debt in the future;
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additions or departures of key management personnel;
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actions by institutional stockholders;
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speculation in the press or investment community;
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the realization of any of the other risk factors included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus; and
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general market and economic conditions.
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Many of the factors listed above are beyond our control. Those
factors may cause the market price of our common stock to
decline significantly, regardless of our financial performance
and condition and prospects. It is impossible to provide any
assurance that the market price of our
S-16
common stock will not fall in the future, and it may be
difficult for holders to resell shares of our common stock at
prices they find attractive, or at all.
We May Choose
to Pay Dividends in Our Own Stock, in Which Case You May be
Required to Pay Income Taxes in Excess of the Cash Dividends You
Receive.
We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash and
shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder.
Under IRS Revenue Procedure
2010-12, up
to 90% of any such taxable dividend for 2011 could be payable in
our stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be
required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary
income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result,
a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay income taxes with
respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends
received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives
as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may
be less than the amount included in income with respect to the
dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time
of the sale. For more information on the tax consequences of
distributions with respect to our common stock, see
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations Taxation of Taxable
U.S. Stockholders, Taxation of
Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders in the accompanying
prospectus. Furthermore, with respect to
non-U.S. stockholders,
we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to
such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such
dividend that is payable in stock. For more information on the
tax consequences of distributions with respect to our common
stock, see Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations Taxation of Non-
U.S. Stockholders in the accompanying prospectus. In
addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine
to sell shares of our common stock in order to pay taxes owed on
their dividends, it may put downward pressure on the market
price of our common stock. Further, while IRS Revenue Procedure
2010-12
applies only to taxable dividends payable in cash or stock with
respect to any taxable year ending on or before
December 31, 2011, it is unclear whether and to what extent
we will be able to pay taxable dividends in cash and stock in
later years. Moreover, various aspects of such a taxable
cash/stock dividend are uncertain and have not yet been
addressed by the IRS. No assurance can be given that the IRS
will not impose additional requirements in the future with
respect to taxable cash/stock dividends, including on a
retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such
taxable cash/stock dividends have not been met.
S-17
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the
documents incorporated by reference herein and therein include
certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
When used, words such as anticipate,
expect, believe, project,
intend, may be and will be
and similar words or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless
the context requires otherwise, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements and may include, without limitation,
information regarding our expectations, goals or intentions
regarding the future, statements regarding the anticipated
closing of our pending Acquisition of the Hometown Portfolio and
the expected effect of the Acquisition on us. These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions,
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
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our ability to control costs, real estate market conditions, the
actual rate of decline in customers, the actual use of sites by
customers and our success in acquiring new customers at our
Properties (including those that we may acquire);
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our ability to maintain historical rental rates and occupancy
with respect to Properties currently owned or that we may
acquire;
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our assumptions about rental and home sales markets;
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in the age-qualified Properties, home sales results could be
impacted by the ability of potential homebuyers to sell their
existing residences as well as by financial, credit and capital
markets volatility;
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results from home sales and occupancy will continue to be
impacted by local economic conditions, lack of affordable
manufactured home financing and competition from alternative
housing options, including site-built single-family housing;
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impact of government intervention to stabilize site-built single
family housing and not manufactured housing;
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the completion of the Acquisition of the Hometown Portfolio in
its entirety and future acquisitions, if any, and timing and
effective integration with respect thereto;
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our inability to secure the contemplated debt financings to fund
a portion of the stated purchase price of the Acquisition on
favorable terms or at all and the timing with respect thereto;
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unanticipated costs or unforeseen liabilities associated with
the Acquisition;
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ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt on
favorable terms or at all;
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the effect of interest rates;
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the dilutive effects of issuing additional securities;
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the effect of accounting for the sale of agreements to customers
representing a
right-to-use
the Properties under the Codification Topic Revenue
Recognition; and
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other risks indicated from time to time in our filings with the
SEC.
|
These forward-looking statements are based on managements
present expectations and beliefs about future events. As with
any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently
susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We are
under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation
to, update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a
result of such changes, new information, subsequent events or
otherwise.
S-18
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We expect that the net proceeds from this offering will be
approximately $298.9 million (or approximately
$343.9 million if the underwriters option to purchase
additional shares is exercised in full), after deducting the
underwriting discount and other estimated expenses of this
offering payable by us.
We intend to contribute to our Operating Partnership the net
proceeds from this offering. Our Operating Partnership intends
to use the net proceeds from this offering to partially fund the
cash consideration due in connection with the Acquisition, or if
the Acquisition does not occur, for general corporate purposes.
Pending such use, the Operating Partnership will invest the net
proceeds from this offering in readily marketable interest
bearing securities consistent with our intention to qualify as a
REIT; accordingly, we will hold more cash and cash equivalents
than has historically been the case until such time as these
funds are used to partially fund the Acquisition or for other
general purposes.
S-19
PRICE RANGE OF
OUR COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Our shares of common stock are listed and traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol ELS. The following
table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low
sale prices of our common stock as reported on the New York
Stock Exchange and the distributions declared per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price per Share
|
|
Distribution
|
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
per Share
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
42.44
|
|
|
$
|
28.34
|
|
|
$
|
0.250
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
46.28
|
|
|
|
33.56
|
|
|
|
0.250
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
47.47
|
|
|
|
34.09
|
|
|
|
0.300
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
51.18
|
|
|
|
40.57
|
|
|
|
0.300
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
54.95
|
|
|
$
|
46.01
|
|
|
$
|
0.300
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
58.51
|
|
|
|
46.65
|
|
|
|
0.300
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
56.26
|
|
|
|
46.63
|
|
|
|
0.300
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
59.51
|
|
|
|
53.05
|
|
|
|
0.300
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
58.35
|
|
|
$
|
54.35
|
|
|
$
|
0.375
|
|
Second Quarter (through June 1, 2011)
|
|
|
60.36
|
|
|
|
55.83
|
|
|
|
0.375
|
|
On June 1, 2011, the reported last sale price for our
shares of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $60.13
per share.
For a description of our shares of common stock, see
Description of Common Stock in the accompanying
prospectus and our amended and restated articles of
incorporation, which was filed as an exhibit to our current
Report on
Form 8-K
on May 17, 2007.
S-20
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of
March 31, 2011 (1) on a historical basis and
(2) on a pro forma basis, as adjusted to give effect to
this offering and the Acquisition. You should read this table in
conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and our unaudited
financial statements and related notes for the quarter ended
March 31, 2011, included therein. Amounts in thousands,
except for share and per share data.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2011
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|
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(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma, As
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
Adjusted(1)
|
|
Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortgage notes payable
|
|
$
|
1,407,176
|
|
|
$
|
2,271,476
|
|
Term Loan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
1,407,176
|
|
|
|
2,471,476
|
|
8.034% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at
March 31, 2011
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
1,740,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2011; 1,740,000 shares issued and
outstanding on a pro forma basis at March 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,781
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share,
100,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2011;
31,196,318 shares issued and outstanding at March 31,
2011; 38,154,594 shares issued and outstanding on a pro
forma basis at March 31, 2011
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
|
380
|
|
Paid in capital
|
|
|
465,959
|
|
|
|
855,913
|
|
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings
|
|
|
(229,740
|
)
|
|
|
(250,740
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Stockholders equity
|
|
|
236,530
|
|
|
|
605,553
|
|
Non-controlling interests Common OP Units
|
|
|
33,208
|
|
|
|
33,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity
|
|
|
269,738
|
|
|
|
638,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt, preferred stock and equity
|
|
$
|
1,876,914
|
|
|
$
|
3,411,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Assumes no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase
up to 787,500 additional shares of common stock from us. |
S-21
DISTRIBUTION
POLICY
In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, we must distribute 90% or more of our taxable income
(without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding
capital gains) to our stockholders. On May 11, 2011, our
Board of Directors declared a dividend on our common stock of
$0.375 per share, representing, on an annualized basis, a
dividend of $1.50 per share. The dividend will be paid on
July 8, 2011 to stockholders of record on June 24,
2011. Purchasers of common stock in this offering will be
entitled to receive this dividend if such purchasers continue to
own such common stock on the record date.
The amount, timing and form of any future dividends to our
stockholders will be at the sole discretion of our Board of
Directors and will depend upon numerous factors, including, but
not limited to, our actual and projected results of operations
and funds from operations; our actual and projected financial
condition, cash flows and liquidity; our business prospects; our
operating expenses; our capital expenditure requirements; our
debt service requirements; restrictive covenants in our
financing or other contractual arrangements; restrictions under
Maryland law; our taxable income; the annual distribution
requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code; and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems
relevant.
S-22
ADDITIONAL
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain additional
U.S. federal income tax considerations with respect to the
ownership of our common stock and supplements the discussion
under the heading Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations in the accompanying prospectus.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors
regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign
income and other tax consequences to them in light of their
particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring,
holding, and disposing of our common stock.
Foreign
Accounts
Recently enacted legislation may impose withholding taxes on
certain types of payments made to foreign financial
institutions and certain other
non-U.S. entities.
Under this legislation, the failure to comply with additional
certification, information reporting and other specified
requirements could result in withholding tax being imposed on
payments of dividends and sales proceeds to
U.S. stockholders who own shares of our common stock
through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain
non-U.S. stockholders.
The legislation imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on,
and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our
common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a
foreign entity other than a financial institution, unless
(i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain
diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign
entity that is not a financial institution either certifies it
does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes
identifying information regarding each substantial United States
owner. If the payee is a foreign financial institution, it must
enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department
requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify
accounts held by certain United States persons or United
States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain
information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to
account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with
these reporting and other requirements. The legislation would
apply to payments made after December 31, 2012. Prospective
investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding this
legislation.
Medicare Tax on
Unearned Income
Recently enacted legislation requires certain
U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts
to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends
on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors
regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their
ownership and disposition of our common stock.
Sunset of
Beneficial Tax Rates
The 15% maximum tax rate for long-term capital gains and
qualified dividend income will revert, under recently enacted
law, to prior higher rates for taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2012. For such years, the capital gains tax
rate is scheduled to increase to 20%, the rate applicable to
dividends is scheduled to increase to the tax rate then
applicable to ordinary income.
S-23
UNDERWRITING
We and the underwriters named below have entered into an
underwriting agreement with respect to the shares being offered.
Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally
agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated in the
following table. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells
Fargo Securities, LLC are the representatives of the
underwriters.
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriters
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
|
1,785,000
|
|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
|
|
|
787,500
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
|
|
|
787,500
|
|
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
|
|
|
787,500
|
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
|
|
787,500
|
|
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
Piper Jaffray & Co.
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
RBS Securities Inc.
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
5,250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the
shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares
covered by the option described below unless and until this
option is exercised.
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional 787,500 shares from us. They may exercise that
option for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to
this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in
approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table
above.
The following table shows the per share and total underwriting
discounts to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are
shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the
underwriters option to purchase up to 787,500 additional
shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid by Us
|
|
No Exercise
|
|
Full Exercise
|
|
Per Share
|
|
$
|
2.380
|
|
|
$
|
2.380
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
12,495,000
|
|
|
$
|
14,369,250
|
|
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the
initial public offering price, approximately 3.0% of the shares
of our common stock sold in this offering to some of our
directors, some members of our senior management team and some
of our business associates and related persons. If these persons
purchase reserved common stock, it will reduce the number of
shares of our common stock available for sale to the general
public. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be
offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same
terms as the other shares offered by this prospectus supplement.
Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be
offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover of this prospectus supplement. Any shares sold by the
underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of
up to $1.428 per share from the initial public offering price.
If all the shares are not sold at the initial public offering
price, the representatives may change the offering price and the
other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the
underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to
the underwriters right to reject any order in whole or in
part.
We, our directors and our executive officers have agreed with
Goldman, Sachs & Co., subject to certain exceptions,
not to dispose of or hedge any of our common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of
our common stock during the period from the date of this
prospectus supplement continuing through the date 30 days
after the date of this prospectus
S-24
supplement, except with the prior written consent of Goldman,
Sachs & Co. This agreement does not apply to any
existing employee benefit plans.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase
and sell shares of our common stock in the open market. These
transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions
and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Shorts
sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number
of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering.
Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not
greater than the underwriters option to purchase
additional shares granted by us in this offering. The
underwriters may close out any covered short position by either
exercising their option to purchase additional shares or
purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source
of shares to close out the covered short position, the
underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of
shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to
the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant
to the option granted to them. Naked short sales are
any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close
out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open
market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if
the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward
pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market
after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase
in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various
bids for or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters
in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when
a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of
the underwriting discount received by it because the
representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the
account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing
transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for
their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock, and
together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the market price of our common
stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher
than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If
these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued at any
time. These transactions may be effected on NYSE, in the
over-the-counter
market or otherwise.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or
sell securities not covered by this prospectus supplement to
third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In
connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell
securities covered by this 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 or will be identified in a post-effective amendment.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the
offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be
approximately $1.0 million.
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
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. Certain of the underwriters and their respective
affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the
future perform, various financial advisory and investment
banking services for us, for which they received or will receive
customary fees and expenses.
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
S-25
(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 our securities
and/or
instruments. 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.
Selling
Restrictions
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area,
or the EEA, that has implemented the Prospectus Directive, each
of which we refer to as a Relevant Member State, an offer to the
public of any shares of our common stock that are the subject of
the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement, or the
Shares, may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except
that an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member
State may be made at any time under the following exemptions
under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in
that Relevant Member State:
(a) at any time to any legal entity which is a qualified
investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
(b) at any time 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; or
(c) in any other circumstances falling within
Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of the Shares shall result in a
requirement for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus
pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision and the buyers
representation below, the expression an offer of the
Shares to the public in relation to the Shares 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 Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to
decide to purchase the Shares, as the same may be varied in that
Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus
Directive in that Relevant Member State, 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 each Relevant
Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending
Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.
Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any
communication in respect of, or who acquires, any of the Shares
will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and
with the underwriters and us that:
(a) it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the
law in that Relevant Member State implementing
Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and
(b) in the case of any Shares acquired by it as a financial
intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the
Prospectus Directive, (i) the Shares acquired by it in the
offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been
acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any
Relevant Member State other than qualified
investors, as defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in
circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriter has
been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where the Shares
have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant
Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those
Shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as
having been made to such persons.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity
(within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services
and Markets Act 2000 (the FSMA)), in connection with
the issue or sale of
S-26
the Shares, has only been, and will only be, communicated or
caused to be communicated in circumstances in which
Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the us.
Anything done in relation to the Shares in, from or otherwise
involving the United Kingdom, has been, and may only be done, in
compliance with all applicable provisions of the FSMA.
The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document
other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an
offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to
professional investors within the meaning of the
Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong)
and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other
circumstances which do not result in the document being a
prospectus within the meaning of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement,
invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or
may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue
(in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is
directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed
or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do
so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to
shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to
persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional
investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures
Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made
thereunder.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have
not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority
of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other
document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or
invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not
be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or
sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription
or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in
Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under
Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act,
Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA),
(ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to
Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions,
specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise
pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other
applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under
Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a
corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole
business of which is to hold investments and the entire share
capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of
whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the
trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to
hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,
shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that
corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest in
that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after
that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under
Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor
under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or
any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance
with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA;
(2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or
(3) by operation of law.
The securities have not been and will not be registered under
the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the
Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has
agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly
or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any
resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person
resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity
organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering
or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of
Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial
Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws,
regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
S-27
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this
prospectus supplement and certain federal income tax matters
will be passed upon for us by Clifford Chance US LLP. Sidley
Austin LLP, New York, New York will act as counsel to the
underwriters.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial
statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2010, as set forth in their reports, which are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and
elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial
statements and schedules are incorporated by reference in
reliance on Ernst & Young LLPs reports, given on
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The combined statement of revenues and certain operating
expenses of the Hometown
3-14 Properties,
appearing in our Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on May 31, 2011, has been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included
therein, and included in this prospectus supplement. Such
combined statement of revenues and certain operating expenses is
included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and
current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other
information we file at the SECs public reference room
located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public from commercial
document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the
SEC at
http://www.sec.gov.
We maintain a website at www.equitylifestyle.com. Our reference
to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference
only. Information contained on our website is not, and should
not be interpreted to be, a part of this prospectus supplement
or the accompanying prospectus. Our securities are listed on the
NYSE and all such material filed by us with the New York Stock
Exchange also can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE,
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-3,
of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act with respect to
the common stock offered hereby. This prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the SEC. For further information concerning us
and the common stock, reference is made to the accompanying
prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or
document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each
such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
S-28
INCORPORATION OF
CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC.
The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part
of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we
have previously filed with the SEC (File
No. 001-11718).
These documents contain important information about us and our
prospects.
|
|
|
Document
|
|
Period
|
|
|
|
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
Document
|
|
Period
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
|
|
Quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
Document
|
|
Filed
|
|
|
|
Current Reports on
Form 8-K
|
|
January 21, 2011, January 25, 2011 (with respect to
Item 5.02 only), March 4, 2011, March 10, 2011,
March 10, 2011, April 5, 2011, May 12, 2011,
May 12, 2011, May 25, 2011 and
May 31, 2011 (except for Item 2.02)
|
|
|
|
Document
|
|
Filed
|
|
|
|
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
|
|
March 31, 2011
|
All documents that we file pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
prospectus supplement but before the end of the offering of
securities made under this prospectus supplement will also be
considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
If you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you
with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated herein
by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of
charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits
are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should
be addressed to Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., Attention:
Investor Relations, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800,
Chicago, Illinois 60606, telephone number:
1-800-247-5279,
email: investor_relations@equitylifestyle.com.
S-29
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying combined statement of revenues
and certain operating expenses of the Hometown
3-14 Properties
(as defined in Note 1) for the year ended
December 31, 2010. This financial statement is the
responsibility of the management of the Hometown 3-14
Properties. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
financial statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statement is free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the basis
of accounting used and significant estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial
statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
The accompanying financial statement was prepared for the
purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. as described in
Note 1, and is not intended to be a complete presentation
of the Hometown
3-14 Properties
revenues and expenses.
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above
presents fairly, in all material respects, the combined revenues
and certain operating expenses described in Note 1 of the
Hometown
3-14 Properties
for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
May 31, 2011
F-2
HOMETOWN
3-14 PROPERTIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
Three Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental income
|
|
$
|
34,473
|
|
|
$
|
34,015
|
|
|
$
|
135,193
|
|
Utility income and other property income
|
|
|
3,402
|
|
|
|
3,231
|
|
|
|
11,978
|
|
Interest Income
|
|
|
2,229
|
|
|
|
2,146
|
|
|
|
8,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
|
40,104
|
|
|
|
39,392
|
|
|
|
155,865
|
|
Certain operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property operating expenses
|
|
|
8,474
|
|
|
|
8,210
|
|
|
|
32,445
|
|
Ground rent expense
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
349
|
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
Real estate taxes and insurance
|
|
|
3,644
|
|
|
|
3,536
|
|
|
|
13,669
|
|
Mortgage interest expense
|
|
|
7,885
|
|
|
|
7,523
|
|
|
|
30,106
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total certain operating expenses
|
|
|
20,372
|
|
|
|
19,618
|
|
|
|
77,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in excess of certain operating expenses
|
|
$
|
19,732
|
|
|
$
|
19,774
|
|
|
$
|
78,218
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to combined statements of revenues and
certain operating expenses.
F-3
HOMETOWN 3-14
PROPERTIES
NOTES TO COMBINED
STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND CERTAIN OPERATING EXPENSES
On May 31, 2011, Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (the
Buyer) entered into purchase and other agreements
with certain affiliates of Hometown America, LLC
(Hometown) to acquire the manufactured home
properties containing 31,167 sites (unaudited), on approximately
6,500 acres (unaudited), located in 16 states
(unaudited) (the Hometown Properties) and certain
other assets.
The accompanying combined statements of revenues and certain
operating expenses include the revenues and certain operating
expenses of 73 of the 76 manufactured home communities and
interest income on certain notes receivable (the Hometown
3-14
Properties). The accompanying combined statements of
revenues and certain operating expenses exclude the operations
of three properties that were not owned by Hometown for any of
the periods presented. The Hometown
3-14
Properties are not a legal entity, but rather a combination of
limited liability companies and partnership interests under
common control and management.
The accompanying combined statements of revenues and certain
operating expenses have been prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting for the purpose of complying with
Rule 3-14
of
Regulation S-X
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
Commission) for inclusion in the Current Report on
Form 8-K
of the Buyer. Accordingly, certain historical expenses that may
not be comparable to the expenses expected to be incurred in the
future have been excluded. The combined statements of revenues
and certain operating expenses exclude the following items that
are not comparable to the proposed future operations of the
acquired properties: interest on mortgage loans not to be
assumed by the Buyer, depreciation and amortization and other
overhead costs not directly related to the future operations of
the Hometown
3-14
Properties.
|
|
2.
|
Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of revenues and certain operating expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Rental income attributable to leases is recorded when earned
from residents. Leases entered into by tenants range from
month-to-month
to one year and are renewable by mutual agreement of the
Hometown
3-14
Properties and residents or, in some cases, as provided by
statute. Rent received in advance is deferred and recognized in
income when earned.
|
|
(c)
|
Reimbursements
from Tenants
|
Reimbursements from tenants of operating expenses are recognized
as income when they become billable to the tenants.
|
|
(d)
|
Repair and
Maintenance
|
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as
incurred.
|
|
3.
|
Interest on
Mortgage Loans
|
The interest expense included in the combined statements of
revenues and certain operating expenses is based on mortgage
loans expected to be assumed by the Buyer, which were
outstanding
F-4
HOMETOWN 3-14
PROPERTIES
NOTES TO COMBINED
STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND CERTAIN OPERATING
EXPENSES (Continued)
during the periods presented. On December 31, 2010
approximately $526.5 million of mortgage loans on 34
manufactured home communities, with interest rates ranging from
3.25% to 8.30% and various maturities from 2012 to 2023 were
outstanding. The mortgage loans are collateralized by those 34
respective properties.
The Hometown
3-14
Properties entered into ground leases for a portion of one of
the communities. The Hometown
3-14
Properties record the resulting lease payments as an operating
expense on a straight-line basis. The stated lease terms extend
through May 2107. Upon the death of the landlord, Hometown has
the right to purchase the ground lease property for a stated
purchase price that increases each year. The option payment
provided in the ground leases as of each of January 1,
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is $31.4 million,
$33.4 million, $35.5 million, $37.8 million and
$40.3 million, respectively.
The ground lease payments were approximately $0.4 million
and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31,
2011 and 2010, respectively, and approximately $1.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2010. Future ground lease
payments increase approximately 5% annually through the end of
the lease term.
F-5
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
As of, and For,
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and For the Year
Ended December 31, 2010
On May 31, 2011, Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (the
Company) entered into purchase and other agreements
with certain affiliates of Hometown America, LLC
(Hometown) to acquire (the Acquisition)
a portfolio of 76 manufactured home communities containing
31,167 sites on approximately 6,500 acres located in
16 states (primarily located in Florida and the
northeastern region of the United States, the Hometown
Properties).
The stated purchase price is approximately $1.43 billion.
Included in the stated purchase price are certain manufactured
homes and loans secured by manufactured homes located at the
Hometown Properties (the Home Related Assets, and
collectively with the Hometown Properties, the Hometown
Portfolio). The Hometown
3-14
Properties refers to 73 of the Hometown Properties and
interest income on certain notes receivable. The Company also
expects to expense approximately $21.0 million of closing
and debt defeasance costs. In connection with executing the
purchase agreements, the Company will deposit $25.0 million
of earnest money into an escrow account.
The Acquisition is expected to be funded through:
|
|
|
|
|
approximately $291.1 million of net proceeds from this
offering;
|
|
|
|
the assumption, by the Company, of approximately
$524.3 million of fixed-rate non-recourse mortgage
indebtedness (as of March 31, 2011) secured by 34
properties in the Hometown Portfolio with a weighted average
interest rate of approximately 5.63% per annum and a weighted
average maturity of approximately 6.0 years;
|
|
|
|
the issuance by the Company, to Hometown of:
(i) 1,708,276 shares of the Companys common
stock, par value $0.01 per share; and
(ii) 1,740,000 shares of the Companys
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
Series B Preferred Stock), which have a
stipulated aggregate value of $200.0 million in the
purchase agreements;
|
|
|
|
approximately $300.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated ten-year secured financing that the Company plans to
raise after completion of this offering; and
|
|
|
|
approximately $200.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated six-year unsecured term loan that the Company plans
to raise after completion of this offering.
|
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of March 31, 2011 has been prepared as if
the transactions described above occurred on March 31,
2011. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended
March 31, 2011 and for the year ended December 31,
2010 have been prepared as if the transactions described above
occurred as of January 1, 2010. The accompanying unaudited
pro forma financial statements exclude revenues and certain
operating expenses of the three properties that were not owned
by Hometown during the year ended December 31, 2010 or for
the entirety of the three month periods ended March 31,
2011 and 2010.
The allocation of the purchase price of the Hometown Portfolio
reflected in these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements has been based upon preliminary estimates
of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities ultimately
assumed. A final determination of the fair values of the assets
and liabilities assumed from the Hometown Portfolio, which
cannot be made prior to the completion of the Acquisition, will
be based on the actual valuation of the tangible and intangible
assets and liabilities of the Hometown Portfolio that exist as
of the date of completion of the Acquisition. Consequently,
amounts preliminarily allocated to identifiable tangible and
intangible assets and liabilities could change significantly
from those used in the pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements presented and could result in a material
change in amortization of tangible and intangible assets and
liabilities. Additionally, proceeds assumed in the pro forma
column to satisfy our purchase
F-6
obligation is predicated on anticipated issuances of equity
securities and debt by the Company. There can be no assurance
that such transactions will occur on the terms estimated or at
all.
Our pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are
presented for informational purposes only and should be read in
conjunction with the historical financial statements and related
notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement. In the opinion of the Companys
management, the pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements include all significant necessary adjustments that
can be factually supported to reflect the effect of the
Acquisition. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements are based on assumptions and estimates
considered appropriate by the Companys management;
however, they are not necessarily, and should not be assumed to
be, an indication of the Companys financial position or
results of operations that would have been achieved had the
Acquisition been completed as of the dates indicated or that may
be achieved in the future. The completion of the valuation, the
allocation of the purchase price, the impact of ongoing
integration activities, the timing of completion of the
Acquisition and other changes to Hometown Portfolios
tangible and intangible assets and liabilities that occur prior
to completion of the Acquisition, as well as the inability to
obtain loan servicer consents or satisfy other closing
conditions, could cause material differences in the information
presented.
F-7
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
As of
March 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
Hometown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
(Amount in thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment in real estate
|
|
$
|
1,876,362
|
|
|
$
|
1,422,600
|
(c)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,298,962
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
|
|
|
92,406
|
|
|
|
(735,776
|
)
|
|
|
787,780
|
|
|
|
144,410
|
|
Notes receivable, net
|
|
|
24,629
|
|
|
|
50,700
|
(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,329
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
73,465
|
|
|
|
5,500
|
(e)
|
|
|
3,300
|
(h)
|
|
|
82,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
2,066,862
|
|
|
$
|
743,024
|
|
|
$
|
791,080
|
|
|
$
|
3,600,966
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortgage notes payable
|
|
$
|
1,407,176
|
|
|
$
|
564,300
|
(e)
|
|
$
|
300,000
|
(i)
|
|
$
|
2,271,476
|
|
Unsecured lines of credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
(j)
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
189,948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
189,948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
|
1,597,124
|
|
|
|
564,300
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
2,661,424
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.034% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 8,000,000 issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2011
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,781
|
(f)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,781
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
|
17
|
(f)
|
|
|
52
|
(k)
|
|
|
380
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
|
|
465,959
|
|
|
|
98,926
|
(f)
|
|
|
291,028
|
(k)
|
|
|
855,913
|
|
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings
|
|
|
(229,740
|
)
|
|
|
(21,000
|
)(g)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(250,740
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Stockholders Equity
|
|
|
236,530
|
|
|
|
77,943
|
|
|
|
291,080
|
|
|
|
605,553
|
|
Non-controlling interests Common OP Units
|
|
|
33,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Equity
|
|
|
269,738
|
|
|
|
77,943
|
|
|
|
291,080
|
|
|
|
638,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Equity
|
|
$
|
2,066,862
|
|
|
$
|
743,024
|
|
|
$
|
791,080
|
|
|
$
|
3,600,966
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements.
F-8
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
For the Three
Months Ended March 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Hometown
3-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Properties
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro
|
|
|
|
(aa)
|
|
|
(bb)
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(Amount in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental income
|
|
$
|
102,651
|
|
|
$
|
34,473
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
137,124
|
|
Right-to-use
contracts (net of deferrals of $2.5 million)
|
|
|
13,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,369
|
|
Utility and other property income
|
|
|
13,062
|
|
|
|
3,402
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,464
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
1,039
|
|
|
|
2,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,268
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
3,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
133,455
|
|
|
|
40,104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,559
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property operating and maintenance
|
|
|
44,311
|
|
|
|
8,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,785
|
|
Ground lease expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369
|
|
Real estate taxes
|
|
|
8,057
|
|
|
|
3,644
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,701
|
|
Sales and marketing (net of deferrals of $1.0 million)
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256
|
|
Property management
|
|
|
8,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(cc)
|
|
|
8,463
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
5,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dd)
|
|
|
5,647
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
17,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
(ee)
|
|
|
23,476
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
Interest and related amortization
|
|
|
21,389
|
|
|
|
7,885
|
|
|
|
4,200
|
(ff)
|
|
|
33,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
108,607
|
|
|
|
20,372
|
|
|
|
10,200
|
|
|
|
139,179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
24,848
|
|
|
|
19,732
|
|
|
|
(10,200
|
)
|
|
|
34,380
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income from continuing operations
|
|
|
25,632
|
|
|
|
19,732
|
|
|
|
(10,200
|
)
|
|
|
35,164
|
|
Income allocated to non-controlling interests Common
OP Units
|
|
|
(2,621
|
)
|
|
|
(1,938
|
)
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
|
(3,523
|
)
|
Income allocated to non-controlling interests
Perpetual Preferred OP Units
|
|
|
(2,801
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,801
|
)
|
Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock Dividends
|
|
|
(1,250
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,250
|
)
|
Series B Preferred Stock Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(653
|
)(gg)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(653
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available for Common Shares
|
|
$
|
18,960
|
|
|
$
|
17,141
|
|
|
$
|
(9,164
|
)
|
|
$
|
26,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per Common Share Basic
|
|
$
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
Net Income per Common Share Fully Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
Common Shares outstanding Basic
|
|
|
30,996
|
|
|
|
1,708
|
(f)
|
|
|
5,250
|
(k)
|
|
|
37,954
|
|
Common Shares outstanding Fully Diluted(hh)
|
|
|
35,609
|
|
|
|
3,448
|
(f)
|
|
|
5,250
|
(k)
|
|
|
44,307
|
|
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements.
F-9
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
For the Year
Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
Hometown
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
3-14
Properties
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro
|
|
|
|
(aa)
|
|
|
(bb)
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(Amount in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental income
|
|
$
|
388,832
|
|
|
$
|
135,193
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
524,025
|
|
Right-to-use
contracts (net of deferrals of $14.9 million)
|
|
|
54,471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,471
|
|
Utility and other property income
|
|
|
48,357
|
|
|
|
11,978
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,335
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
4,419
|
|
|
|
8,694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,113
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
15,282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
511,361
|
|
|
|
155,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
667,226
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property operating and maintenance
|
|
|
185,786
|
|
|
|
32,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
218,231
|
|
Ground lease expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
Real estate taxes
|
|
|
32,110
|
|
|
|
13,669
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,779
|
|
Sales and marketing (net of deferrals of $5.5 million)
|
|
|
7,081
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,081
|
|
Property management
|
|
|
32,639
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(cc)
|
|
|
32,639
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
22,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dd)
|
|
|
22,559
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
69,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,000
|
(ee)
|
|
|
173,205
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
8,594
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,594
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
3,635
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,635
|
|
Interest and related amortization
|
|
|
91,151
|
|
|
|
30,106
|
|
|
|
16,840
|
(ff)
|
|
|
138,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
452,760
|
|
|
|
77,647
|
|
|
|
120,840
|
|
|
|
651,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint venture
|
|
|
58,601
|
|
|
|
78,218
|
|
|
|
(120,840
|
)
|
|
|
15,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
2,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income from continuing operations
|
|
|
60,628
|
|
|
|
78,218
|
|
|
|
(120,840
|
)
|
|
|
18,006
|
|
Income allocated to non-controlling interests Common
OP Units
|
|
|
(5,903
|
)
|
|
|
(8,406
|
)
|
|
|
13,343
|
|
|
|
(966
|
)
|
Income allocated to non-controlling interests
Perpetual Preferred OP Units
|
|
|
(16,140
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,140
|
)
|
Series B Preferred Stock Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,088
|
)(gg)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,088
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares
|
|
$
|
38,585
|
|
|
$
|
67,724
|
|
|
$
|
(107,497
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,188
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss) per Common Share Basic
|
|
$
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Net Income (loss) per Common Share Fully Diluted
|
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Common Shares outstanding Basic
|
|
|
30,517
|
|
|
|
1,708
|
(f)
|
|
|
5,250
|
(k)
|
|
|
37,475
|
|
Common Shares outstanding Fully Diluted(hh)
|
|
|
35,518
|
|
|
|
1,708
|
(f)
|
|
|
5,250
|
(k)
|
|
|
37,475
|
|
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial statements.
F-10
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
Note 1
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (the Company) is a
Maryland corporation that qualifies for U.S federal income
tax purposes as a real estate investment trust
(REIT) that is a fully integrated owner and operator
of manufactured home communities and recreational vehicle
resorts. The Company leases individual developed areas with
access to utilities for placement of factory built homes,
cottages, cabins or recreational vehicles. Customers may lease
individual sites or enter
right-to-use
contracts providing the customer access to specific properties
for limited stays. The Company consolidates its majority-owned
subsidiaries in which it has the ability to control the
operations of the subsidiaries and all variable interest
entities with respect to which it is the primary beneficiary.
The Company also consolidates entities in which it has a
controlling direct or indirect voting interest. All
inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
On May 31, 2011, Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. ( the
Company) entered into purchase and other agreements
with certain affiliates of Hometown America, LLC
(Hometown) to acquire (the Acquisition)
a portfolio of 76 manufactured home communities containing
31,167 sites on approximately 6,500 acres located in
16 states (primarily located in Florida and the
northeastern region of the United States, the Hometown
Properties).
The stated purchase price is approximately $1.43 billion.
Included in the stated purchase price are certain manufactured
homes and loans secured by manufactured homes located at the
Hometown Properties (the Home Related Assets,
collectively with the Hometown Properties, the Hometown
Portfolio). The Hometown 3-14 Properties
refers to 73 of the Hometown Properties and interest income on
certain notes receivable. The Company also expects to expense
approximately $21.0 million of closing and debt defeasance
costs. In connection with executing the purchase agreements, the
Company will deposit $25.0 million of earnest money into an
escrow account. The accompanying unaudited pro forma financial
statements exclude revenues and certain operating expenses of
the three properties that were not owned by Hometown during the
year ended December 31, 2010 or for the entirety of the
three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
The Acquisition is expected to be funded through:
|
|
|
|
|
approximately $291.1 million of net proceeds from this
offering;
|
|
|
|
the assumption, by the Company, of approximately
$524.3 million of fixed-rate non-recourse mortgage
indebtedness (as of March 31, 2011) secured by 34
properties in the Hometown Portfolio with a weighted average
interest rate of approximately 5.63% per annum and a weighted
average maturity of approximately 6.0 years;
|
|
|
|
the issuance, by the Company, to Hometown of:
(i) 1,708,276 shares of the Companys common
stock, par value $0.01 per share; and
(ii) 1,740,000 shares of the Companys
Series B Subordinated Non-Voting Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
Series B Preferred Stock), which have a
stipulated aggregate value of $200.0 million in the
purchase agreements;
|
|
|
|
approximately $300.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated ten-year secured financing that the Company plans to
raise after completion of this offering; and
|
|
|
|
approximately $200.0 million of debt capital through an
anticipated six-year unsecured term loan that the Company plans
to raise after completion of this offering.
|
Note 2
Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet
(a) Represents the historical consolidated balance sheet of
the Company as of March 31, 2011.
F-11
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
(b) Reflects the preliminary estimates of the fair value of
the balance sheet of the Hometown Portfolio as of March 31,
2011. The acquisition of the Hometown Portfolio will be
accounted for as an acquisition under the acquisition method of
accounting and recognized at the estimated fair value of
acquired assets and assumed liabilities on the date of
acquisition. The fair values of these assets and liabilities
have been preliminary allocated in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC)
section 805-10,
Business Combinations. A final determination of the fair
values of the assets and liabilities assumed in connection with
the Acquisition, which cannot be made prior to the completion of
the Acquisition, will be based on the actual valuation of the
tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of the Hometown
Portfolio that exist as of the date of completion of the
Acquisition.
(c) Estimated fair value of real estate acquired:
|
|
|
|
|
Land(1)
|
|
$
|
622,300
|
|
Manufactured Homes
|
|
|
37,600
|
|
In-place leases
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
Depreciable property
|
|
|
682,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment in real estate
|
|
$
|
1,422,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The estimated fair market value of land presented above is net
of a purchase price credit of $33.4 million related to a
ground lease option that the Company is assuming on a portion of
one Hometown Property. |
(d) Represents the estimated fair market value of loans
secured by manufactured homes located at the Hometown Properties.
(e) Represents the mortgage loans that the Company expects
to assume, of approximately $524.3 million as of
March 31, 2011 on 34 manufactured home communities, with
interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 8.30% with a weighted
average interest rate of 5.63% per annum and various maturities
from 2012 to 2023 with a weighted average maturity of
approximately 6.0 years. The mortgage loans are
collateralized by the respective properties. The estimated fair
value of the debt assumed is approximately $564.3 million.
The difference between the stated mortgage loan amount and its
fair value will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense
over the term of the loans. In connection with the assumption of
the mortgage loans, the Company expects to incur approximately
$5.5 million of assumption costs.
(f) Represents the private placement of
1,708,276 shares of common stock and 1,740,000 shares
of our Series B Preferred Stock. The purchase agreements
have stipulated a issuance price of $58.00 per share for both
the common stock and Series B Preferred Stock. The fair
market value of the shares will be determined at issuance, net
of issuance costs. The estimated issuance price per share below
is based on the last reported sales price of the Companys
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 23,
2011. The shares of common and preferred stock are valued as
follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Preferred
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Number of shares issued
|
|
|
1,708,276
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|
|
|
1,740,000
|
|
Estimated issuance price, per share
|
|
$
|
57.92
|
|
|
$
|
57.92
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross value of shares issued
|
|
$
|
98,943
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|
|
$
|
100,781
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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F-12
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
(g) Represents estimated closing costs to be paid by the
Company for the Acquisition, including debt defeasance costs for
the Hometown Portfolio debt that the Company is not assuming.
(h) Represents estimated costs to originate new loans
referenced in (i) and (j).
(i) Represents new secured borrowings the Company plans to
raise after completion of this offering based on non-binding
term sheets from large financial institutions received by the
Company on a combination of existing properties the Company owns
and newly acquired properties from the Hometown Portfolio. The
anticipated borrowings of $300.0 million are estimated to
bear interest of approximately 5.24% and mature in 10 years.
(j) Represents the anticipated incurrence of a new
$200.0 million unsecured term loan the Company plans to
raise after completion of this offering based on non-binding
term sheets from large financial institutions received by the
Company with an estimated interest rate of approximately 3.34%
and maturing in six years.
(k) Represents the net proceeds from the issuance of
5,250,000 shares of the Companys common stock based
on $57.92 per share in this offering, net of expected issuance
costs of approximately $13.0 million. The estimated price
per share is equal to the last reported sales price of the
Companys common stock on the NYSE on May 23, 2011.
|
|
Note 3
|
Adjustments to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Earnings
|
(aa) Represents the historical consolidated statements of
operations for the Company for the three months ended
March 31, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010.
(bb) Represents the historical combined statements of
revenues and certain operating expenses for the Hometown
3-14
Properties for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and
year ended December 31, 2010.
(cc) The Company has estimated that its annual incremental
property management expenses associated with the Hometown
Portfolio are approximately $5.8 million. These estimated
expenses are not reflected in these pro forma financial
statements.
(dd) The Company has estimated that its annual incremental
general and administrative expenses associated with the Hometown
Portfolio are approximately $1.6 million. The
Companys annual estimate includes approximately
$1.0 million of servicing costs on the loans described in
(d) above and approximately $0.6 million of other
general and administrative expenses. These estimated expenses
are not reflected in these pro forma financial statements.
(ee) Represents the estimated depreciation of the acquired
real estate of approximately $24.0 million and estimated
amortization expenses of an intangible asset for in-place leases
of approximately $80.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2010 and depreciation of approximately
$6.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2011. Depreciation of real estate is on a straight-line basis
using a
30-year
estimated life and in-place leases are amortized over one year.
(ff) Represents, for the year ended December 31, 2010,
estimated interest expense of approximately $22.7 million
on $500 million of debt capital that the Company plans to
raise after the completion of the offering and related
amortization of estimated costs incurred to assume or originate
debt of approximately $1.4 million, offset by approximately
$7.3 million of amortization of note premium on the 34
assumed loans. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the
estimated interest expense on the debt capital being raised is
approximately $5.7 million, amortization of estimated costs
F-13
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
to assume or originate debt of approximately $0.4 million,
offset by approximately $1.9 million of amortization of
note premium on the assumed loans. See notes (i) and
(j) above for terms of the new debt.
(gg) Represents the estimated dividends paid for the
Series B Preferred Stock of 1,740,000 shares for the
year ended December 31, 2010 at a rate of $1.20 per share
and for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 at a rate of
$0.375 per share. Per share dividend amounts represent our
dividend per share declared on our common stock for such periods.
(hh) For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the
issuance of 1,740,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to
Hometown are included in the computation of Common Shares
outstanding Fully Diluted. As a result of the
Company Pro Forma Net loss available for Common Shares for the
year ended December 31, 2010, both the Companys
weighted average approximately 4.7 million common
OP Units (which were dilutive to the Company Historical
operations) and the issuance of 1,740,000 shares of
Series B Preferred Stock were anti-dilutive, and therefore
both were excluded from the computation of the Company Pro Forma
Common Shares outstanding Fully Diluted.
F-14
EQUITY LIFESTYLE
PROPERTIES, INC.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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For the Year Ended
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December 31, 2010
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|
|
|
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|
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Hometown
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|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
Company
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|
|
Portfolio(1)
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|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
(As Adjusted)
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except per share data)
|
|
|
Computation of Funds From Operations (FFO)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss) available for common shares
|
|
$
|
38.6
|
|
|
$
|
(39.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.2
|
)
|
Income (loss) allocated to common OP Units
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
|
|
(4.9
|
)
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
Series B preferred stock dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Depreciation on real estate, amortization of in-place leases,
and other costs
|
|
|
68.1
|
|
|
|
104.0
|
|
|
|
172.1
|
|
Depreciation on unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
Right-to-use
contract upfront payments, deferred, net
|
|
|
14.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.9
|
|
Right-to-use
contract commissions, deferred, net
|
|
|
(5.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.5
|
)
|
General and administrative expenses(2)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
|
(1.6
|
)
|
Property management expenses(3)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.8
|
)
|
|
|
(5.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FFO available for common shares
|
|
$
|
123.2
|
|
|
$
|
54.0
|
|
|
$
|
177.2
|
|
Common shares outstanding fully diluted(4)
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|
|
35.5
|
|
|
|
8.7
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|
|
|
44.2
|
|
FFO per common share fully diluted
|
|
$
|
3.47
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|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.01
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|
Accretion ($ per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
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|
Accretion (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.6
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%
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Excludes the revenues and certain operating expenses of three
Hometown Properties, which represent an aggregate stated
purchase price of $24.0 million, for which 2010 operating
data is not available. |
|
(2) |
|
Estimates of loan servicing costs of approximately
$1.0 million and other general and administrative expenses
of approximately $0.6 million for the Hometown Portfolio
for the year ended December 31, 2010. |
|
(3) |
|
Estimates of incremental property management expenses of
approximately $5.8 million for the Hometown Portfolio for
the year ended December 31, 2010. |
|
(4) |
|
Common shares outstanding fully diluted in the
Company Historical column of 35.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2010, includes certain dilutive
securities, primarily OP Units, on a weighted average basis, of
approximately 4.7 million. The Hometown Portfolio
Adjustment column includes (i) the private placement of
1,708,276 shares of common stock and 1,740,000 shares
of Series B Preferred Stock as part of the Acquisition and
(ii) the issuance of 5,250,000 shares of common stock
in this offering. |
Funds from Operations (FFO) and pro forma FFO (as
adjusted) are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes
that FFO, as defined by the Board of Governors of the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
(NAREIT), is generally an appropriate measure of
performance for an equity REIT. Additionally, the Company
believes that pro forma FFO (as adjusted) is useful in
evaluating the impact of certain costs that management estimates
would have been incurred for property management and additional
general and administrative expenses relating to the Hometown
Portfolio. While FFO is a relevant and widely used measure of
operating performance for equity REITs, it does not, nor does
pro forma FFO (as adjusted), represent cash flow from operations
F-15
or net income as defined by GAAP, and neither measure should be
considered as an alternative to these indicators in evaluating
liquidity or operating performance.
The Company defines FFO as net income, computed in accordance
with GAAP, excluding gains or actual or estimated losses from
sales of properties, plus real estate related depreciation and
amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated
partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated
partnerships and joint ventures are calculated to reflect FFO on
the same basis. The Company receives up-front non-refundable
payments from the entry of
right-to-use
contracts. In accordance with GAAP, the upfront non-refundable
payments and related commissions are deferred and amortized over
the estimated customer life. Although the NAREIT definition of
FFO does not address the treatment of nonrefundable
right-to-use
payments, the Company believes that it is appropriate to adjust
for the impact of the deferral activity in its calculation of
FFO. The Company believes that FFO is helpful to investors as
one of several measures of the performance of an equity REIT.
The Company further believes that by excluding the effect of
depreciation, amortization and gains or actual or estimated
losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on
historical costs and which may be of limited relevance in
evaluating current performance, FFO can facilitate comparisons
of operating performance between periods and among other equity
REITs. The Company believes that the adjustment to FFO for the
net revenue deferral of upfront non-refundable payments and
expense deferral of
right-to-use
contract commissions also facilitates the comparison to other
equity REITs. The Company defines pro forma FFO (as adjusted) as
FFO less managements estimates of costs that would have
been incurred during the year ended December 31, 2010 for
property management and additional general and administrative
expenses relating to the Hometown Portfolio.
Investors should review FFO and pro forma FFO (as adjusted),
along with GAAP net income and cash flow from operating
activities, investing activities and financing activities, when
evaluating the Companys operating performance. The Company
computes FFO in accordance with its interpretation of standards
established by NAREIT, which may not be comparable to FFO
reported by other REITs that do not define the term in
accordance with the current NAREIT definition or that interpret
the current NAREIT definition differently than the Company does.
Neither FFO or pro forma FFO (as adjusted) represents cash
generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor
does either measure represent cash available to pay
distributions and should not be considered as an alternative to
net income, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication
of the Companys financial performance, or to cash flow
from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP,
as a measure of the Companys liquidity, nor is either
measure indicative of funds available to fund the Companys
cash needs, including its ability to make cash distributions.
F-16
PROSPECTUS
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares
Representing Preferred Stock,
Warrants and Rights
We may from time to time offer, in one or more series or
classes, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and
on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this
prospectus, the following securities:
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|
|
|
|
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
|
|
|
|
shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share;
|
|
|
|
depositary shares representing entitlement to all rights and
preferences of fractions of shares of preferred stock of a
specified series and represented by depositary receipts;
|
|
|
|
warrants to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock or
depositary shares; or
|
|
|
|
rights to purchase shares of common stock, preferred stock,
depository shares or other offered securities.
|
We refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary
shares, warrants and rights collectively as the
securities in this prospectus.
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 set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The
prospectus supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the
securities covered by such prospectus supplement. It is
important that you read both this prospectus and the applicable
prospectus supplement before you invest in the securities.
We 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. The prospectus supplement will
describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the
names of any agents, dealers or underwriters involved in the
sale of the securities. See Plan of Distribution
beginning on page 56 for more information on this topic. No
securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus
supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of
those securities.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or
the NYSE, under the symbol ELS. On May 4, 2009,
the closing sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was
$39.43 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should read
carefully the risk factors described in our Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008, before investing in
our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 6, 2009
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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ii
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1
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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10
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25
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28
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30
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31
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35
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38
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56
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58
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58
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58
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59
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You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any
accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different or additional information.
If anyone provides you with different or additional information,
you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell
these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is
not permitted. The information appearing in this prospectus, any
accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents
incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as
of their respective dates or on other dates which are specified
in those documents. Our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects may have changed since those
dates.
i
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration
statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or the SEC, in accordance with General
Instruction I.D. of
Form S-3,
using a shelf registration process for the delayed
offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the
offered securities described in this prospectus in one or more
offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell
securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing
specific information about the terms of the securities being
offered and the specific manner in which they will be offered.
The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do
not contain all of the information included in the registration
statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For
further information, we refer you to the registration statement
on
Form S-3
of which this prospectus is a part, including its exhibits.
Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any
agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the
SECs rules and regulations require that an agreement or
document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement,
please see that agreement or document for a complete description
of these matters.
You should read this prospectus together with any additional
information you may need to make your investment decision. You
should also read and carefully consider the information in the
documents we have referred you to in Where You Can Find
More Information below. Information incorporated by
reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or
change information contained in this prospectus. Any information
in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this
prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or
any earlier prospectus supplement.
As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise
requires, the terms we, us,
our and our company refer to all
entities owned or controlled by Equity LifeStyle Properties,
Inc., including MHC Operating Limited Partnership, our operating
partnership.
ii
INFORMATION
ABOUT EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES, INC.
We were formed in December 1992 as a Maryland corporation to
continue the property operations, business objectives and
acquisition strategies of an entity that had owned and operated
properties since 1969. We have been a public company since 1993
and have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust,
or a REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing
with our taxable year ended December 31, 1993.
We are a fully integrated owner and operator of
lifestyle-oriented properties, or Properties. We lease
individual developed areas, or sites, with access to utilities
for placement of factory built homes, cottages, cabins or
recreational vehicles, or RVs. Customers may lease individual
sites or purchase
right-to-use
contracts providing the customer access to specific Properties
for limited stays. As of December 31, 2008, we owned or had
an ownership interest in a portfolio of 309 Properties located
throughout the United States and Canada consisting of 112,074
residential sites. These Properties are located in
28 states and British Columbia (with the number of
Properties in each state or province shown parenthetically) as
follows: Florida (86), California (48), Arizona (35), Texas
(15), Pennsylvania (13), Washington (14), Colorado (10), Oregon
(9), North Carolina (8), Delaware (7), New York (6), Nevada (6),
Virginia (6), Wisconsin (6), Indiana (5), Maine (5), Illinois
(4), Massachusetts (4), New Jersey (4), Michigan (3), South
Carolina (3), New Hampshire (2), Ohio (2), Tennessee (2), Utah
(2), Alabama (1), Kentucky (1), Montana (1), and British
Columbia (1).
Properties are designed and improved for several home options of
various sizes and designs that are produced off-site, installed
and set on designated sites, or Site Set, within the Properties.
These homes can range from 400 to over 2,000 square feet.
The smallest of these are referred to as Resort
Cottages. Properties may also have sites that can
accommodate a variety of RVs. Properties generally contain
centralized entrances, internal road systems and designated
sites. In addition, Properties often provide a clubhouse for
social activities and recreation and other amenities, which may
include restaurants, swimming pools, golf courses, lawn bowling,
shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, laundry facilities and cable
television service. In some cases, utilities are provided or
arranged for by us; otherwise, the customer contracts for the
utility directly. Some Properties provide water and sewer
service through municipal or regulated utilities, while others
provide these services to customers from
on-site
facilities. Properties generally are designed to attract
retirees, empty-nesters, vacationers and second home owners;
however, certain of our Properties focus on affordable housing
for families. We focus on owning properties in or near large
metropolitan markets and retirement and vacation destinations.
Our operations are conducted primarily through MHC Operating
Limited Partnership, or our Operating Partnership. We
contributed the proceeds from our initial public offering and
subsequent offerings to our Operating Partnership for a general
partnership interest. In 2004, the general partnership interest
was contributed to MHC Trust, a private REIT subsidiary owned by
us. The financial results of the Operating Partnership and the
Subsidiaries are consolidated in our consolidated financial
statements. In addition, since certain activities, if performed
by us, may not be qualifying REIT activities under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code,
we have formed taxable REIT subsidiaries, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code, to engage in such activities.
Our primary business objective is to seek to maximize both
current income and long-term growth in income. We focus on
properties that have strong cash flow and we expect to hold such
properties for long-term investment and capital appreciation. In
determining cash flow potential, we evaluate our ability to
attract and retain high quality customers in our Properties who
take pride in the Property and in their home.
Our operating strategy is to own and operate the highest quality
properties in sought-after locations near urban areas,
retirement and vacation destinations across the United States.
We focus on creating an attractive residential environment by
providing a well-maintained, comfortable Property with a variety
of organized recreational and social activities and superior
amenities as well as offering a multitude of lifestyle housing
choices. In addition, we regularly conduct evaluations of the
cost of housing in the marketplaces in which our Properties are
located and survey rental rates of competing properties. From
time to time we also conduct satisfaction surveys of our
customers to determine the factors they consider most important
in choosing a
property. We improve site utilization and efficiency by tracking
types of customers and usage patterns and marketing to those
specific customer groups.
Our principal executive offices are located at Two North
Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60606 and our telephone
number is
(312) 279-1400.
We maintain a website at www.equitylifestyle.com. Our
reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual
reference only. Information contained on our website is not, and
should not be interpreted to be, part of this prospectus.
2
RISK
FACTORS
Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You
should carefully consider the risks described in the section
Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008, which has been filed
with the SEC, in addition to the other information contained in
this prospectus, in an applicable prospectus supplement, or
incorporated by reference herein, before purchasing any of our
securities. The section Risk Factors contained in
our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 is incorporated herein
by reference. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently
known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also
materially and adversely affect our business operations. Any of
these risks described could materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition, results of operations, or ability
to make distributions to our stockholders. In such case, you
could lose a portion of your original investment. In connection
with the forward-looking statements that appear in this
prospectus, you should carefully review the risk factors
discussed in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the cautionary
statements referred to in Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements beginning on page 4 of
this prospectus.
3
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by
reference herein contain certain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used, words such as
anticipate, expect, believe,
project, intend, may be and
will be and similar words or phrases, or the
negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions,
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
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|
in the age-qualified properties, home sales results could be
impacted by the ability of potential homebuyers to sell their
existing residences as well as by financial, credit and capital
markets volatility;
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|
|
|
in the all-age properties, results from home sales and occupancy
will continue to be impacted by local economic conditions, lack
of affordable manufactured home financing, and competition from
alternative housing options including site-built single-family
housing;
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|
|
|
in the properties we recently started operating as a result of
our acquisition of Privileged Access and all properties, our
ability to control costs, property market conditions, the actual
rate of decline in customers, the actual use of sites by
customers and our success in acquiring new customers;
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|
our ability to maintain rental rates and occupancy with respect
to properties currently owned or pending acquisitions;
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|
|
|
our assumptions about rental and home sales markets;
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|
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|
the completion of pending acquisitions and timing with respect
thereto;
|
|
|
|
ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt;
|
|
|
|
the effect of interest rates;
|
|
|
|
the effect of accounting for the sale of agreements to customers
representing a
right-to-use
the properties previously leased by Privileged Access under
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue
Recognition in Consolidated Financial Statements,
Corrected; and
|
|
|
|
other risks indicated from time to time in our filings with the
SEC.
|
These forward-looking statements are based on managements
present expectations and beliefs about future events. As with
any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently
susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We are
under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation
to, update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a
result of such changes, new information, subsequent events or
otherwise.
4
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDENDS
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the
periods indicated.
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Three Months
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Ended
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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March 31, 2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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(Unaudited)
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Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
Dividends(1)
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1.71
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1.33
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1.37
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1.31
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1.06
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1.14
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|
(1) |
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Earnings have been calculated by adding combined fixed charges
to consolidated income from continuing operations. Combined
fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of
deferred financing costs and perpetual preferred OP Unit
distributions. For all periods, we computed the ratio of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
by dividing earnings by combined fixed charges. We have not
issued any preferred stock in any period, and therefore there
were no preferred stock dividends included in our calculation of
ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends for these periods. |
5
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we intend to contribute the net proceeds from the
sale of the securities offered hereby to our Operating
Partnership, which would use such net proceeds for general
corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing
indebtedness, the development or acquisition of additional
Properties (including through the acquisition of individual
Properties, portfolios and companies) as suitable opportunities
arise and the renovation, expansion and improvement of our
existing Properties. Further details relating to the use of the
net proceeds from the sale of a specific series or class of
securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
6
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON STOCK
The following description of the terms of our common stock is
only a summary. This description is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, our charter and bylaws, each of
which has previously been filed with the SEC and which we
incorporate by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the Maryland
General Corporation Law, or MGCL.
General
Our charter provides that we may issue up to
100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value
per share. Subject to the provisions of our charter
regarding excess stock (as described below), each outstanding
share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the
election of directors, and, except as otherwise provided by law
or except as provided with respect to any other class or series
of stock, the holders of this stock will possess the exclusive
voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of
directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the
directors then standing for election and the holders of the
remaining shares, if any, will not be able to elect any
directors. On May 4, 2009, there were
25,278,455 shares of common stock outstanding. Under
Maryland law, our stockholders are generally not personally
liable for any debt or obligation of our company solely as a
result of their status as a stockholder of our company.
All shares of common stock offered hereby have been duly
authorized, and will be fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to
the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock
and to the provisions of our charter regarding excess stock,
holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive
distributions on their stock if, as and when authorized and
declared by our board of directors out of assets legally
available therefor. The holders of shares of our common stock
are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally
available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of
our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or
adequate provision for all our known debts and liabilities.
Holders of shares of common stock have no preference,
conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal
rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our
securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding
excess stock, shares of common stock will have equal dividend,
distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no
preference, exchange or appraisal rights.
Restrictions
on Ownership
Our charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains certain
restrictions on the number of shares of our stock that a person
may own. Our charter contains a stock ownership limit which
prohibits any person from acquiring or holding, directly or
indirectly, applying attribution rules under the Internal
Revenue Code, shares of stock in excess of 5.0% of the total
number of shares or value of our outstanding stock, subject to
certain adjustments, whichever is more restrictive. Our charter
further prohibits (1) any person from beneficially or
constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in
us being closely held under Section 856(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the shares
are owned during the last half of a taxable year), and
(2) any person from transferring shares of our stock if
such transfer would result in shares of our stock being owned by
fewer than 100 persons (as determined without reference to
the rules of attribution). Unless exempted by our board of
directors, no person may own more than 5.0% of the aggregate
value of the outstanding shares of our stock. However, our board
of directors may not grant and has not granted such an exemption
to any person whose ownership, direct or indirect, of in excess
of 5.0% of the number or value of the outstanding shares of our
stock (whichever is more restrictive) would result in us being
closely held within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise
would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT.
The person seeking an exemption must represent to the
satisfaction of our board of directors that the exemption will
not result in us failing to qualify as a REIT. The person also
must agree that any violation or attempted violation of any of
the foregoing restrictions will result in the automatic transfer
of the shares of stock causing such violation to the trust (as
defined below). Our board of directors may require a ruling from
the IRS or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and
substance satisfactory to our board of directors in its sole
discretion, to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT.
7
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire
beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that
will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on
transferability and ownership, or any person who would have
owned shares of our stock that resulted in a transfer of shares
to the trust in the manner described below, will be required to
give notice immediately to us and provide us with such other
information as we may request in order to determine the effect
of such transfer on us.
If any transfer of shares of our stock occurs which, if
effective, would result in any person beneficially or
constructively owning shares of our stock in excess or in
violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then
that number of shares of our stock the beneficial or
constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such
person to violate such limitations (rounded to the nearest whole
share) shall be treated as excess stock and automatically
transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more
beneficiaries, designated by the person so long as (i) the
shares of excess stock held in the trust would not be excess
stock in the hands of such designated beneficiary and
(ii) the prohibited owner does not receive a price for
designating the beneficiary that reflects a price per share for
such excess stock that exceeds (x) the price per share the
prohibited owner paid for the shares of stock in the purported
transfer that resulted in the stock being treated as excess
stock, or (y) if the prohibited owner did not give value
for such excess stock (through a gift, devise or other
transaction), a price per share equal to the market price
(as the term is defined in our charter) for the shares of the
excess stock on the date of the purported transfer that resulted
in the excess stock. The prohibited owner shall not acquire any
rights in such shares. Such automatic transfer shall be deemed
to be effective as of the close of business on the business day
prior to the date of the violative transfer. Shares of excess
stock held in the trust shall be issued and outstanding shares
of our stock. The prohibited owner shall not benefit
economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the
trust, shall have no rights to distributions (except upon
liquidation) and shall not possess any rights to vote or other
rights attributable to the shares of excess stock held in the
trust. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the excess stock
may be retransferred by the prohibited owner to any person (if
the excess stock would not be considered excess stock in the
hands of the person) at a price not to exceed the price paid by
the prohibited owner or, if the prohibited owner did not give
value for the excess stock (e.g., a transfer by gift or devise),
the fair market value (as described below) at the time of the
proposed transfer that resulted in the excess stock, at which
point the excess stock will automatically be exchanged for the
stock to which the excess stock is attributable. In addition,
the excess stock held in trust is subject to purchase by us at a
purchase price equal to the lesser of the price paid for the
stock by the Company (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the
fair market value at the time of such devise or gift) and the
fair market value of the excess stock on the date we exercise
our right to purchase. Fair market value shall be the last
reported sales price of the stock on the NYSE on the trading day
immediately preceding the relevant date, or if not then traded
on the NYSE, the last reported sales price of the stock on the
trading day immediately preceding the relevant date as reported
on any exchange or quotation system over which the stock may be
traded, or if not then traded over any exchange or quotation
system, then the fair market value of such stock on the relevant
date as determined in good faith by the board of directors. Our
right to purchase shall be effective for a period of
90 days after the later of the date of the purported
transfer which resulted in the excess stock and the date the
board of directors determines in good faith that such a transfer
has occurred. From and after the intended transfer to the
prohibited owner of the excess stock, the prohibited owner shall
cease to be entitled to distributions (except upon liquidation),
voting rights and other benefits with respect to the stock
except the right to payment of the purchase price for the stock
limited as described above or the retransfer of stock as
provided above. Any dividend or distribution paid to a
prohibited owner on excess stock prior to the discovery by us
that the stock has been transferred in violation of the
provisions of our charter shall be repaid to us upon demand. If
the foregoing transfer restrictions are determined to be void or
invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or
regulation, then the prohibited owner of any excess stock may be
deemed, at our option, to have acted as an agent on behalf of us
in acquiring such excess stock and to hold the excess stock on
behalf of us.
All certificates representing shares of our common stock and, to
the extent issued, our preferred stock, will bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.
Every record holder of 0.5% or more (or such other percentage as
required by the Internal Revenue Code and the related Treasury
regulations) of all classes or series of our stock, including
shares of our common stock on any distribution record date
during each taxable year, within 30 days after the end of
the taxable
8
year, shall be required to give written notice to us stating the
name and address of such record holder, the number of shares of
each class and series of our stock which the record holder
beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which such
shares are held. Each such record holder shall provide to us
such additional information as we may request in order to
determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on
our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the
stock ownership limits. In addition, each record holder shall
upon demand be required to provide to us such information as we
may reasonably request in order to determine our qualification
as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing
authority or governmental authority or to determine such
compliance. We may request such information after every sale,
disposition or transfer of our common stock prior to the date a
registration statement for such stock becomes effective. A
record holder who fails to supply the required information will
be required to file a supplemental statement with the Internal
Revenue Service along with such holders U.S. federal
income tax returns.
These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a change in
control or other transaction of us that might involve a premium
price for the common stock or otherwise be in the best interest
of the stockholders.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC.
9
DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following description of the terms of our preferred stock
is only a summary. For more detail regarding the
Series D & F Units and the
Series D & F Preferred Stock (both as defined
below) you should refer to the applicable preference unit term
sheet and joinder to the Partnership Agreement and the
applicable articles supplementary. The specific terms of any
series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. These descriptions and the description
contained in any prospectus supplement are subject to and
qualified in their entirety by reference to our charter, which
includes the articles supplementary relating to each series of
preferred stock, and our bylaws, each of which has previously
been filed with the SEC and which we incorporate by reference as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part, and the MGCL.
General
Our charter provides that we may issue up to
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value
per share. As of May 4, 2009, there were no shares of
preferred stock outstanding, but there were 7,000,000 authorized
series D preferred shares and 2,000,000 authorized
series F preferred shares. However, our Operating
Partnership has issued (i) 6,000,000 8.0625% Series D
Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preference Units, or the
Series D 8% Units, which are convertible into shares of our
8.0625% Series D cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred
stock under certain circumstances and (ii) 2,000,000 7.95%
Series F Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preference Units,
or the Series F Units, which are convertible into shares of
our Series F cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred
stock under certain circumstances (together, the
Series D & F Unit(s)), each as described below.
Following that is a general description of preferred stock as to
which any prospectus supplement may relate.
8.0625%
Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preference Units
and 7.95% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual
Preference Units
On March 24, 2005, our Operating Partnership issued the
Series D 8% Units to institutional investors, which are
convertible into up to 6,000,000 Series D preferred shares
of stock. Our Operating Partnership had previously issued 9.000%
Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preference Units
on September 29, 1999, or the Series D 9% Units, which
were convertible into up to 5,000,000 Series D preferred
shares of stock. In connection with the issuance of the
Series D 8% Units, the name of the Series D 9% Units
was amended to be the Series D 8% Units, the number of
shares authorized was increased from 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 and
the institutional investors holding the Series D 9% Units
agreed to lower the dividend rate on the units to 8.0625% per
annum from 9.000% per annum. The Series D 8% Units are
non-callable for five years and all of the units have no
stated maturity or mandatory redemption. Net proceeds from our
offering of the Series D 8% Units were used to pay down
amounts outstanding under our lines of credit.
On June 30, 2005, our Operating Partnership issued the
Series F Units to institutional investors, which are
convertible into up to 2,000,000 Series F preferred shares
of stock. The Series F Units are non-callable for
five years and have no stated maturity or mandatory
redemption. Net proceeds from our offering of the
Series F Units were used to pay down amounts
outstanding under our lines of credit.
We refer to the preferred stock issuable in exchange for the
Series D 8% Units and the Series F Units as the
Series D & F Preferred Stock, or separately as
the Series D Preferred Stock and the Series F
Preferred Stock.
The Series D 8% Units will be exchangeable in whole or in
part at anytime on or after March 24, 2015, at the option
of the holders, for authorized but previously unissued shares
Series D Preferred Stock and the Series F Units will
be exchangeable in whole or in part at anytime on or after
June 30, 2015, at the option of the holders, for authorized
but previously unissued shares of Series F Preferred Stock,
both under certain circumstances as set forth below.
The Series D & F Units are exchangeable at a rate
of one share of Series D & F Preferred Stock, for
one Series D & F Unit, subject to adjustment as
described below, or the Exchange Price, provided that the
10
Series D & F Units will become exchangeable at
any time, in whole or in part, at the option of the holders of
Series D & F Units for Series D &
F Preferred Stock if (x) at any time full distributions
shall not have been made on the applicable distribution date on
any Series D & F Units with respect to six prior
quarterly distribution periods, whether or not consecutive,
unless the distribution is considered timely in accordance with
the circumstances set forth in the applicable preference unit
term sheet and joinder to the Partnership Agreement, or
(y) upon receipt by a holder, or holders of
Series D & F Units of (l) notice from the
general partner that the general partner or our company or a
subsidiary of the general partner or us has taken the position
that the Operating Partnership is, or upon the occurrence of a
defined event in the immediate future will be a publicly
traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704
of the Internal Revenue Code, or a PTP, and (2) an opinion
rendered by independent counsel to the general partner or us
familiar with such matters addressed to a holder or holders of
Series D & F Units, that the Operating
Partnership is or likely is, or upon the occurrence of a defined
event in the immediate future will be or likely will be, a PTP.
In addition, the Series D 8% Units may be exchanged for
Series D Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at the
option of any holder prior to March 24, 2015 and after
March 24, 2008 and the Series F Units may be
exchanged, in whole or in part, at the option of any holder
prior to June 30, 2015 and after June 30, 2008, both
if such holders of a Series D & F Units shall
deliver to the general partner either (i) a private letter
ruling addressed to the holder of the Series D &
F Units or (ii) an opinion of independent counsel
reasonably acceptable to the general partner and our company
based on the enactment of temporary or final Treasury
Regulations or the publication of a Revenue Ruling, in either
case to the effect that an exchange of the
Series D & F Units at such earlier time would not
cause the Series D & F Units to be considered
stock and securities within the meaning of
Section 351(e) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of
determining whether the holders of the Series D &
F Units are an investment company under
section 721(b) of the Internal Revenue Code if an exchange
is permitted at such earlier date. Furthermore, the
Series D & F Units may be exchanged in whole but
not in part by any holder thereof which is a real estate
investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through
859 of the Internal Revenue Code for Series D & F
Preferred Stock (but only if the exchange in whole may be
accomplished consistently with the ownership limitations set
forth under Article VII of our charter (taking into account
exceptions thereto)) if at any time, (i) the Operating
Partnership reasonably determines that the assets and income of
the Operating Partnership for a taxable year after 2005 would
not satisfy the income and assets tests of Section 856 of
the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year if the Operating
Partnership were a real estate investment trust within the
meaning of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) any such
holder of Series D & F Units shall deliver to the
Operating Partnership and the general partner and us an opinion
of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the general
partner and us to the effect that, based on the assets and
income of the Operating Partnership for a taxable year after
2005, the Operating Partnership would not satisfy the income and
assets tests of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code
for the taxable year if the Operating Partnership were a real
estate investment trust within the meaning of the Internal
Revenue Code and that the failure would create a meaningful risk
that a holders of the Series D & F Units would
fail to maintain qualification as a real estate investment trust.
In the event an exchange of all or a portion of
Series D & F Units pursuant to the above
paragraph would violate our provisions on ownership limitation
set forth in Article VII of our charter, or the Ownership
Limit, with respect to the Series D & F Preferred
Stock, the general partner shall give written notice to each
holder of record of Series D & F Units, within
fifteen Business Days (as defined in the Partnership Agreement)
following receipt of the exchange notice and each holder shall
be entitled to exchange, a number of Series D & F
Units which would comply with the provisions of the Ownership
Limit and any Series D & F Units not so
exchanged, or the Excess Units, shall be redeemed by the
Operating Partnership for cash in an amount equal to the
original Capital Contribution (as defined in the Partnership
Agreement) per Excess Unit; plus any accrued and unpaid
distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of
redemption, in each case in accordance with the applicable
provisions set forth in the applicable preference unit term
sheet and joinder to the Partnership Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the
applicable preference unit term sheet and joinder to the
Partnership Agreement, if an exchange notice has been delivered
to the general partner, then the general partner may (in
accordance with the applicable notice provisions in the
applicable preference unit term sheet
11
and joinder to the Partnership Agreement) at its option, elect
to redeem or cause the Operating Partnership to redeem all or a
portion of the outstanding Series D & F Units for
cash in an amount equal to the original Capital Contribution (as
defined in the Partnership Agreement) per
Series D & F Unit plus all accrued and unpaid
distributions thereon to the date of redemption.
Any exchange shall be exercised pursuant to an exchange notice
delivered to our general partner by the holder who is exercising
the exchange right. The exchange of Series D & F
Units, or a specified portion thereof, may be effected after the
fifteenth Business Day (as defined in the Partnership Agreement)
following receipt by our general partner of the exchange notice
by delivering certificates, if any, representing the
Series D & F Units to be exchanged together with,
if applicable, written notice of exchange and a proper
assignment of the Series D & F Preference Units
to the office of our general partner maintained for such purpose.
In the event of an exchange of Series D & F Units
for shares of Series D & F Preferred Stock, an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or
not declared, to the date of exchange on any
Series D & F Units tendered for exchange shall
(A) accrue on the shares of the Series D & F
Preferred Stock into which such Series D & F
Units are exchanged, and (B) continue to accrue on the
Series D & F Preference Units, which shall remain
outstanding following the exchange, with the general partner as
the holder of the Series D & F Units.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, in no
event shall holders of a Series D & F Units that
were validly exchanged into Series D & F
Preferred Stock pursuant to the applicable section of the
applicable preference unit term sheet and joinder to the
Partnership Agreement (other than our general partner now
holding the Series D & F Units), receive a cash
distribution out of Available Cash (as defined in the applicable
preference unit term sheet and joinder to the Partnership
Agreement) of the Operating Partnership, if such holder, after
exchange, is entitled to receive a distribution out of Available
Cash with respect to the shares of Series D & F
Preferred Stock for which the Series D & F Units
were exchanged or redeemed.
We will pay a cash adjustment based upon the fair market value
of the Series D & F Preferred Stock on the day
prior to the exchange date as determined in good faith by our
board of directors in lieu of issuing fractional shares. The
exchange price is subject to adjustment upon subdivisions, stock
splits, stock dividends, combinations and reclassification of
the Series D & F Preferred Stock.
In case that we shall be a party to any transaction (including,
without limitation, a merger, consolidation, statutory share
exchange, tender offer for all or substantially all of our
capital stock or sale of all or substantially all of our
assets), in each case as a result of which the
Series D & F Preferred Stock will be converted
into the right to receive shares of capital stock, other
securities or other property (including cash or any combination
thereof), each Series D & F Unit will thereafter
be exchangeable into the kind and amount of shares of capital
stock and other securities and property receivable (including
cash or any combination thereof) upon the consummation of such
transaction by a holder of that number of shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock or fraction thereof
into which one Series D & F Unit was exchangeable
immediately prior to the transaction. We may not become a party
to any such transaction unless the terms are consistent with the
foregoing.
Description
of Series D & F Preferred Stock
Rank
The Series D & F Preferred Stock will, with
respect to distributions and rights upon voluntary or
involuntary liquidation,
winding-up
or dissolution of our company, rank senior to all classes or
series of common stock (as defined in our charter) and to all
classes or series of our equity securities now or hereafter
authorized, issued or outstanding, other than any class or
series of our equity securities expressly designated as ranking
on a parity with or senior to the Series D & F
Preferred Stock as to distributions and rights upon voluntary or
involuntary liquidation,
winding-up
or dissolution of our company.
12
Distributions
Subject to the rights of holders of any claim or series of
equity securities designated by our company to rank on parity
with the Series D & F Preferred Stock with
respect to distributions, winding up or dissolution of our
company, or the Parity Preferred Stock, as to the payment of
distributions and holders of equity securities ranking senior to
the Series D & F Preferred Stock as to payment of
distributions, holders of Series D & F Preferred
Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
our company, out of funds legally available for the payment of
distributions, cumulative preferential cash distributions at the
rate per annum of 8.0625% or 7.95% of the $25 liquidation
preference per share of Series D Preferred Stock and the
Series F Preferred Stock, respectively. All distributions
shall be cumulative, shall accrue (a) for the Series D
Preferred Stock from September 29, 1999 (or, with respect
to the Series D Preferred Stock registered for conversion
of the 1,000,000 additional series D preference units
issued in March 2005, from the date of issuance of the
additional series D preference units) or (b) for the
Series F Preferred Stock from the original date of issuance
and shall be payable (i) quarterly (such quarterly periods
for purposes of payment and accrual will be the quarterly
periods ending on the dates specified in this sentence and not
calendar quarters) in arrears, on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on the
first of the dates to occur after (a) for the Series D
Preferred Stock, September 29, 1999 (or, with respect to
the Series D Preferred Stock registered for conversion of
the 1,000,000 additional series D preference units issued
in March 2005, from the date of issuance of the additional
series D preference units) or (b) for the
Series F Preferred Stock from the original date of issuance
and, (ii) in the event of a redemption, on the redemption
date (each such payment or redemption date, or a Preferred
Shares Distribution Payment Date). The amount of the
distribution payable for any period will be computed based on
the ratio of a
360-day year
of twelve
30-day
months and for any period shorter than a full quarterly period
for which distributions are computed, the amount of the
distribution payable will be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed in such a period to ninety days.
Distributions on the Series D & F Preferred Stock
will be made to the holders of record of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock on the relevant
record dates, which, unless otherwise provided by our company
with respect to any distribution, will be fifteen Business Days
(as defined in the Partnership Agreement) prior to the relevant
Preferred Stock Distribution Payment Date, each a Distribution
Record Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, each share of Series D & F Preferred
Stock shall also continue to accrue all accrued and unpaid
distributions up to the exchange date on any series D or F
Preference Units (as defined in the Second Amended
and Restated MHC Operating Limited Partnership Agreement of
Limited Partnership, dated as of March 15, 1996, as
amended, or the Partnership Agreement), validly exchanged into
such shares of Series D & F Preferred Stock in
accordance with the provisions of the Partnership Agreement.
No distributions on the Series D & F Preferred
Stock shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment by our
company at such time as the terms and provisions of any
agreement of our company, including any agreement relating to
our indebtedness, prohibits such declaration, payment or setting
apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or
setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a
default thereunder, or if such declaration, payment or setting
apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock will accrue whether
or not declared, whether or not the terms and provisions set
forth in the applicable section of the relevant articles
supplementary at any time prohibit the current payment of
distributions, whether or not our company has earnings, whether
or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such
distributions and whether or not such distributions are
authorized or declared. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock will accumulate as
of the Preferred Stock Distribution Payment Date on which they
first become payable. Accumulated and unpaid distributions will
not bear interest.
So long as any Series D & F Preferred Stock is
outstanding, no distribution of cash or other property shall be
authorized, declared, paid or set apart for payment on or with
respect to any class or series of common stock or any class or
series of other stock of our company ranking junior to the
Series D & F Preferred Stock as to the payment of
distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up,
or the Junior Stock, nor shall any cash or other property be set
aside for or applied
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to the purchase, redemption or other acquisition for
consideration of any Series D & F Preferred
Stock, any Parity Preferred Stock or any Junior Stock, unless,
in each case, all distributions accumulated on all
Series D & F Preferred Stock and all classes and
series of outstanding Parity Preferred Stock have been paid in
full (or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not
irrevocably deposited in trust for immediate payment). The
foregoing sentence will not prohibit (i) distributions
payable solely in Junior Stock, (ii) the conversion of
Junior Stock or Parity Preferred Stock into stock of our company
ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to
distributions and upon liquidation,
winding-up
or dissolution, (iii) purchase by our company of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock, Parity Preferred
Stock or Junior Stock pursuant to Article VII of our
charter to the extent required to preserve our status as a REIT,
(iv) any distributions to us necessary for us to maintain
our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, or
(v) the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of Junior
Stock made for purposes of and in compliance with requirements
of an employee incentive or benefit plan of our company or any
subsidiary of the Operating Partnership or us.
So long as distributions have not been paid in full (or a sum
sufficient for such full payment is not irrevocably deposited in
trust for immediate payment) upon the Series D &
F Preferred Stock, all distributions authorized and declared on
the Series D & F Preferred Stock and all classes
or series of outstanding Parity Preferred Stock shall be
authorized and declared so that the amount of distributions
authorized and declared per share of Series D & F
Preferred Stock and such other classes or series of Parity
Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same
ratio that accrued distributions per share on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock and such other
classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for
prior distribution periods if such class or series of Parity
Preferred Stock does not have cumulative distribution rights)
bear to each other.
Holders of Series D & F Preferred Stock shall not
be entitled to any distributions, whether payable in cash, other
property or otherwise, in excess of the full cumulative
distributions described herein.
Liquidation
Preference
Subject to the rights of holders of Parity Preferred Stock with
respect to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up
of our company and subject to equity securities ranking senior
to the Series D & F Preferred Stock with respect
to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up
of our company, the holders of Series D & F
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets
of our company legally available for distribution or the
proceeds thereof, after payment or provision for debts and other
liabilities of our company, but before any payment or
distributions of the assets shall be made to holders of common
stock or any other class or series of shares of our company that
ranks junior to the Series D & F Preferred Stock
as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of our company, an amount equal to the sum of (i) a
liquidation preference of $25 per share of
Series D & F Preferred Stock, and (ii) an
amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid distributions
thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of payment. In the
event that, upon such voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up,
there are insufficient assets to permit full payment of
liquidating distributions to the holders of
Series D & F Preferred Stock and any Parity
Preferred Stock as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of our company, all payments of liquidating distributions on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock and such Parity
Preferred Stock shall be made so that the payments on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock and such Parity
Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same
ratio that the respective rights of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock and such other
Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not include any accumulation
in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distribution
periods if such Parity Preferred Stock does not have cumulative
distribution rights) upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of our company bear to each other.
After payment of the full amount of the liquidating
distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of
Series D & F Preferred Stock will have no right
or claim to any of the remaining assets of our company.
The voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for
cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all
or substantially all of the property or assets of our company
to, or the consolidation or merger or other business combination
of our company with or into any corporation, trust or other
entity (or of
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any corporation, trust or other entity with or into our company)
shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution, or
winding-up
of our company.
Optional
Redemption
The Series D Preferred Stock may not be redeemed at the
election of the Operating Partnership prior to March 24,
2010 and the Series F Preferred Stock may not be redeemed
prior to June 30, 2010. On or after such dates, we shall
have the right to redeem the Series D & F
Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time
to time, upon not less than thirty nor more than sixty
days written notice, at a redemption price, or the
Redemption Price, payable in cash, equal to $25 per share
of Series D & F Preferred Stock plus accumulated
and unpaid distributions, whether or not declared, to the date
of redemption. If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed,
the shares of Series D & F Preferred Stock to be
redeemed shall be selected pro rata (as nearly as practicable
without creating fractional units). Further, in order to ensure
that we remain a qualified REIT for federal income tax purposes,
the Series D & F Preferred Stock will also be
subject to the provisions of Article VII of our charter.
We may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock unless all
accumulated and unpaid distributions have been paid on all
outstanding Series D & F Preferred Stock for all
quarterly distribution periods terminating on or prior to the
date of redemption; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the purchase or acquisition of
Series D & F Preferred Stock or Parity Preferred
Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same
terms to holders of all Series D & F Preferred
Stock or Parity Preferred Stock, as the case may be, which offer
may be accepted by such holders in such holders sole
discretion.
Notice of redemption will be (i) faxed, and
(ii) mailed by us, postage prepaid, not less than thirty
nor more than sixty days prior to the redemption date, addressed
to the respective holders of record of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock to be redeemed at
their respective addresses as they appear on our transfer
records. No failure to give or defect in such notice shall
affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any
Series D & F Preferred Stock except as to the
holder to whom such notice was defective or not given. In
addition to any information required by law or by the applicable
rules of any exchange upon which the Series D & F
Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each such
notice shall state: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the
redemption price, (iii) the number of shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock to be redeemed,
(iv) the place or places where such shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock are to be
surrendered for payment of the redemption price, (v) that
distributions on the Series D & F Preferred Stock
to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date
and (vi) that payment of the redemption price and any
accumulated and unpaid distributions will be made upon
presentation and surrender of such Series D & F
Preferred Stock. If fewer than all of the shares of
Series D & F Preferred Stock held by any holder
are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also
specify the number of shares of Series D & F
Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed.
If we give a notice of redemption in respect of
Series D & F Preferred Stock (which notice will
be irrevocable) then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
redemption date, we will deposit irrevocably in trust for the
benefit of the Series D & F Preferred Stock being
redeemed funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption
price, plus any accumulated and unpaid distributions, if any, on
such shares to the date fixed for redemption, without interest,
and will give irrevocable instructions and authority to pay such
redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions,
whether or not declared, if any, on the shares to the holders of
the Series D & F Preferred Stock upon surrender
of the Series D & F Preferred Stock by the
holders at the place designated in the notice of redemption. If
fewer than all Series D & F Preferred Stock
evidenced by any certificate is being redeemed, a new
certificate shall be issued upon surrender of the certificate
evidencing all Series D & F Preferred Stock,
evidencing the unredeemed Series D & F Preferred
Stock without cost to the holder thereof. On and after the date
of redemption, distributions will cease to accumulate on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock or portions thereof
called for redemption, unless we default in the payment of the
distributions. If payment of the redemption price or any
accumulated or unpaid distributions in respect of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock is improperly
withheld or otherwise not paid by us, distributions on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock will continue to
accumulate from the original redemption date to the date of
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payment, in which case the actual payment date will be
considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of
calculating the applicable redemption price and any accumulated
and unpaid distributions.
Any Series D & F Preferred Stock that shall at
any time have been redeemed shall, after such redemption, have
the status of authorized but unissued preferred stock, without
designation as to class or series until such shares are once
more designated as part of a particular class or series by our
board of directors.
Mandatory
Redemption at Holders Election
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, so long as any
shares of Series D & F Preferred Stock remain
outstanding, in the event of the occurrence of a Covered
Transaction (as defined below), we shall redeem, on the date the
Covered Transaction is completed or occurs, all of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock outstanding at the
Redemption Price, if redemption of the Series D
Preferred Stock was elected in writing by the holders of not
less than a majority of the then outstanding
Series D & F Preferred Stock in accordance with
the applicable section of the articles supplementary. We shall
give written notice of a Covered Transaction to each of the
respective holders of record of the Series D & F
Preferred Stock, at their respective addresses as they appear on
our transfer records, not less than thirty days prior to the
completion or occurrence of a Covered Transaction. Each of the
holders of record of the Series D & F Preferred
Stock shall have until 5:00 p.m. New York Time on the
15th day following receipt of such notice from us to give
us notice of the holders election that the
Series D & F Preferred Stock be redeemed.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, with respect to a
Covered Transaction that arises under clause (iii) of the
definition of Covered Transaction set forth below, in the event
that we fail to qualify as a REIT for any reason other than an
affirmative election by us not to qualify, (i) we shall
give notice of the occurrence of a Covered Transaction to each
of the holders of record of the Series D & F
Preferred Stock within 15 days of discovery of such failure
to qualify, (ii) each of the holders of record of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock shall have until
5:00 p.m. New York Time on the 15th day following
receipt of such notice from us to give us notice of such
holders election that the Series D & F
Preferred Stock be redeemed and (iii) if the holders of not
less than a majority of the then outstanding
Series D & F Preferred Stock have elected to have
the Series D & F Preferred Stock redeemed, the
Series D & F Preferred Stock shall be redeemed on
a date not later than 45 days following the date of
discovery of our failure to qualify.
On or before the date of redemption, we shall give notice of
redemption to the respective holders of record of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock, at their respective
addresses as they appear on our transfer records and the
provisions of the applicable articles supplementary, shall apply
to the notice of redemption.
The term Covered Transaction shall mean (i) our
completion of a
Rule 13e-3
transaction (as defined in
Rule 13e-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or the
Exchange Act), in which, as a result of such transaction, our
common stock is no longer registered under Section 12 of
the Exchange Act, except that this clause (i) shall not
apply to any delisting of our common stock from the New York
Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange (as defined
in the Exchange Act), (ii) the completion of any
transaction or series of transactions that would result in a
Reorganization Event (defined below) of our company or
(iii) our companys failure (or election not) to
qualify as a REIT as defined in Section 856 (or any
successor section) of the Internal Revenue Code of (it being
understood that a failure of our company to satisfy a
requirement specified in the Internal Revenue Code for such
treatment will not in and of itself constitute a Covered
Transaction if we are permitted to and do in fact take
mitigating actions which allow us to retain our status as a
REIT).
The term Reorganization Event shall mean
(x) any sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of our company, as the case may be, to an
entity that is not an affiliate of ours; or (y) any
consolidation, amalgamation, merger, business combination, share
exchange, reorganization or similar transaction involving our
company, as the case may be, pursuant to which our stockholders
immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction will
own less than a majority of the equity interests in the entity
surviving the transaction; provided, however, that a
Reorganization Event shall not include any transaction
contemplated by clauses (x) or (y) of this definition
if the surviving entity has unsecured debt outstanding which is
rated at least the lowest credit rating level established as
investment grade by at least two of Standard &
Poors,
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Moodys Investor Service and Fitch Ratings (it being
understood that as of the date of the applicable articles
supplementary the lowest investment grade rating of
Standard & Poors is BBB-, the lowest investment
grade rating of Moodys Investor Service is Baa3 and the
lowest investment grade rating of Fitch Ratings is BBB-) and
such rating has been reaffirmed in light of the contemplated
transaction.
Voting
Rights
Holders of the Series D & F Preferred Stock will
not have any voting rights, except as set forth below.
If at any time full distributions shall not have been timely
made on any Series D & F Preferred Stock with
respect to any six (6) prior quarterly distribution
periods, whether or not consecutive, a Preferred Distribution
Default, the holders the Series D & F Preferred
Stock, voting together as a single class with the holders of
each class or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like
voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have
the right to elect two additional directors to serve on our
board of directors, or the Preferred Stock Directors, at a
special meeting called by the holders of record of at least l0%
of the outstanding shares of Series D & F
Preferred Stock or any such class or series of Parity Preferred
Stock or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each
subsequent annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting
held in place thereof, until all such distributions in arrears
and distributions for the current quarterly period on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock and each class or
series of Parity Preferred Stock have been paid in full.
At any time when the voting rights shall have vested, a proper
officer of our company shall call or cause to be called, upon
written request of holders of record of at least 10% of the
outstanding shares of Series D & F Preferred
Stock, a special meeting of the holders of
Series D & F Preferred Stock and all the series
of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have
been conferred and are exercisable, or, collectively, the Parity
Securities, by mailing or causing to be mailed to the holders a
notice of such special meeting to be held not less than ten and
not more than forty-five days after the date such notice is
given. The record date for determining holders of the Parity
Securities entitled to notice of and to vote at the special
meeting will be the close of business on the third Business Day
(as defined in the Partnership Agreement) preceding the day on
which the notice is mailed. At any the special meeting, all of
the holders of the Parity Securities, by plurality vote, voting
together as a single class without regard to series will be
entitled to elect two directors on the basis of one vote per $25
of liquidation preference to which such Parity Securities are
entitled by their terms (excluding amounts in respect of
accumulated and unpaid dividends) and not cumulatively. The
holder or holders of one-third of the Parity Securities then
outstanding, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a
quorum for the election of the Preferred Stock Directors except
as otherwise provided by law. Notice of all meetings at which
holders of the Series D & F Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to vote will be given to the holders at their
addresses as they appear in our transfer records. At any such
meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum,
subject to the provisions of any applicable law, the holders of
a majority in interest of the Parity Securities present in
person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting
for the election of the Preferred Stock Directors, without
notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
is present. If a Preferred Distribution Default shall terminate
after the notice of a special meeting has been given but before
the special meeting has been held, we shall, as soon as
practicable after such termination, mail or cause to be mailed
notice of the termination to holders of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock that would have been
entitled to vote at the special meeting.
If and when all accumulated distributions and the distribution
for the current distribution period on the
Series D & F Preferred Stock shall have been paid
in full or a sum sufficient for the payment is irrevocably
deposited in trust for payment, the holders of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock shall be divested of
the voting rights as described in this section (subject to
revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Distribution
Default) and, if all distributions in arrears and the
distributions for the current distribution period have been paid
in full or set aside for payment in full on all other classes or
series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights
have been conferred and are exercisable, the term and office of
each Preferred Stock Director so elected shall terminate. Any
Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time with or
without cause by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise
than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding Series D & F Preferred Stock when
they have the voting rights set forth as described in this
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section (voting separately as a single class with all other
classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like
voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable). So long
as a Preferred Distribution Default shall continue, any vacancy
in the office of a Preferred Stock Director may be filled by
written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in
office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders
of record of a majority of the outstanding
Series D & F Preferred Stock when they have the
voting rights set forth in this section (voting separately as a
single class with all other classes or series of Parity
Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been
conferred and are exercisable). The Preferred Stock Directors
shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.
So long as any Series D & F Preferred Stock
remains outstanding, we shall not, without the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
Series D & F Preferred Stock outstanding at the
time (i) designate or create, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of shares ranking senior
to the Series D & F Preferred Stock with respect
to payment of distributions or rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up
or reclassify any authorized shares of our company into any such
shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligations or
security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase
any such shares, (ii) designate or create, or increase the
authorized or issued amount of, any Parity Preferred Stock or
any stock which purport to be on parity with the
Series D & F Preferred Stock as to either (but
not both) distributions or rights upon dissolution, liquidation
or winding up, or reclassify any authorized shares of our
company into any such shares, or create, authorize or issue any
obligations or security convertible into or evidencing the right
to purchase any such shares, but only to the extent such Parity
Preferred Stock or any stock which purport to be on parity with
the Series D & F Preferred Stock as to either
(but not both) distributions or rights upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up is issued to an affiliate of our
company, or (iii) either (A) consolidate, merge into
or with, or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially
as an entirety, to any corporation or other entity, or
(B) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter
(including the applicable articles supplementary) or by-laws,
whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, in each case in
such a way that would materially and adversely affect the
powers, special rights, preferences, privileges or voting power
of the Series D & F Preferred Stock or the
holders thereof; provided, however, that with respect to the
occurrence of a merger, consolidation or a sale or lease of all
of our assets as an entirety, so long as (a) we are the
surviving entity and the Series D & F Preferred
Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof unchanged, or
(b) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is a
corporation organized under the laws of any state and
substitutes for the Series D & F Preferred Stock
other preferred stock having substantially the same terms and
same rights as the Series D & F Preferred Stock,
including with respect to distributions, voting rights and
rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up,
then the occurrence of any such event shall not be deemed to
materially and adversely affect the rights, privileges or voting
powers of the holders of the Series D & F
Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in clause (ii) above, we may (x) create
additional classes and series of Parity Preferred Stock and
stock junior to the Series D & F Preferred Stock
with respect to payment of distributions or the distribution of
assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up,
or both, (y) increase the authorized number of shares of
Parity Preferred Stock and stock junior to the
Series D & F Preferred Stock with respect to
payment of distributions or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up,
or both, and (z) issue additional classes and series of
Parity Preferred Stock and stock junior to the
Series D & F Preferred Stock with respect to
payment of distributions or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up,
without the consent of any holders of Series D &
F Preferred Stock, to any affiliate of ours (as such
term is defined in Rule 144 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Act), provided that any such
Parity Preferred Stock or any stock which purport to be on
parity with the Series D & F Preferred Stock as
to either (but not both) distributions or rights upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is issued with the
consent of the majority of our independent directors.
Transfer
Restrictions
The Series D & F Preferred Stock shall be subject
to the provisions of Article VII of our charter.
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Conversion
Rights
The holders of the Series D & F Preferred Stock
shall not have any rights to convert the shares into shares of
any other class or series of stock or into any other securities
of, or interest in, our company.
Sinking
Fund
No sinking fund shall be established for the retirement or
redemption of Series D & F Preferred Stock.
Preemptive
Rights
No holders of the Series D & F Preferred Stock
shall, as the holders, have any preemptive rights to purchase or
subscribe for additional shares of stock of our Company or any
other security of ours which it may issue or sell.
General
Description of Preferred Stock
The following description of the preferred stock sets forth
general terms and provisions of the preferred stock to which any
prospectus supplement may relate. The statements below
describing the preferred stock are in all respects subject to
and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable
provisions of our charter and bylaws and any applicable articles
supplementary to the charter designating terms of a series of
preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely
affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of
holders of common stock. Although our board of directors does
not have this intention at this present time, it could establish
another series of preferred stock, that could, depending on the
terms of the series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a
change in control of our company that might involve a premium
price for the common stock or otherwise be in the best interest
of the holders thereof. Management believes that the
availability of preferred stock will provide us with increased
flexibility in structuring possible future financing and
acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.
Terms
Subject to the limitations prescribed by our charter, our board
of directors is authorized to classify any unissued shares of
preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but
unissued share of any series of preferred stock previously
authorized by our board of directors. Prior to issuance of
shares of each class or series of preferred stock, our board of
directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to fix the
terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each series.
Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement
relating to the series of preferred stock offered thereby for
the specific terms thereof, including:
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The title and stated value of the preferred stock;
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The number of shares of the preferred stock, the liquidation
preference per share of the preferred stock and the offering
price of the preferred stock;
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The dividend rate(s), period(s)
and/or
payment day(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to
the preferred stock;
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The date from which dividends on the preferred stock shall
accumulate, if applicable;
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The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the
preferred stock;
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The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred
stock;
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The provision for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred
stock;
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Any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;
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The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the
preferred stock may or will be convertible into our common
stock, including the conversion price or manner of calculation
thereof;
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The relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as
to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of our affairs;
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Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to
preserve the qualification of our company as a REIT;
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A discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations
applicable to the preferred stock; and
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Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of the preferred stock.
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Rank
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend
rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
our company, rank:
(a) senior to all classes or series of common stock and to
all equity securities issued by us the terms of which provide
that the equity securities shall rank junior to the preferred
stock;
(b) on a parity with all equity securities issued by us
other than those referred to in clauses (a)
and (c); and
(c) junior to all equity securities issued by us which the
terms of the preferred stock provide will rank senior to it. The
term equity securities does not include convertible
debt securities.
Dividends
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the preferred stock will have the rights with
respect to payment of dividends set forth below.
Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled
to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors,
out of our assets legally available for payment, cash dividends
in the amounts and on the dates as will be set forth in, or
pursuant to, the applicable prospectus supplement. Each dividend
shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on our
share transfer books on the record dates as shall be fixed by
our board of directors.
Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or
non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will be cumulative from
and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. If the board of directors fails to declare a
dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of
preferred stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the
holders of this series of preferred stock will have no right to
receive a dividend in respect of the related dividend period and
we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for the
period, whether or not dividends on this series of preferred
stock are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.
If preferred stock of any series is outstanding, no full
dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on
any of our capital stock of any other series ranking, as to
dividends, on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of
this series for any period unless:
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if this series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend,
full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for the payment for all past dividend
periods and the then current dividend period; or
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if this series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for the
payment on the preferred stock of this series.
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When dividends are not paid in full or a sum sufficient for the
full payment is not so set apart upon preferred stock of any
series and the shares of any other series of preferred stock
ranking on a parity as to
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dividends with the preferred stock of this series, all dividends
declared upon the preferred stock of this series and any other
series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends
with the preferred stock shall be declared pro rata so
that the amount of dividends declared per share of preferred
stock of this series and the other series of preferred stock
shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that
accrued dividends per share on the preferred stock of this
series and the other series of preferred stock which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for
prior dividend periods if the preferred stock, does not have a
cumulative dividend, bear to each other. No interest, or sum of
money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any
dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of this series
which may be in arrears.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph,
unless (a) if this series of preferred stock has a
cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the preferred
stock of this series have been or contemporaneously are declared
and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment
thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and
the then current dividend period, and (b) if this series of
preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full
dividends on the preferred stock of this series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the
then current dividend period, no dividends, other than in shares
of common stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the
preferred stock of this series as to dividends and upon
liquidation, shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment
or other distribution shall be declared or made upon the common
stock, or any of our other capital stock ranking junior to or on
a parity with the preferred stock of this series as to dividends
or upon liquidation, nor shall any shares of common stock, or
any other of our capital stock ranking junior to or on a parity
with the preferred stock of this series as to dividends or upon
liquidation, be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for
any consideration or any moneys be paid to or made available for
a sinking fund for the redemption of any of the shares by us
except:
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by conversion into or exchange for other of our capital stock
ranking junior to the preferred stock of this series as to
dividends and upon liquidation; or
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redemptions for the purpose of preserving our qualification as a
REIT.
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Redemption
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or
redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case
upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set
forth in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred
stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the
number of shares of the preferred stock that shall be redeemed
by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a
redemption price per share to be specified, together with an
amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon
which shall not, if the preferred stock does not have a
cumulative dividend, include any accumulation in respect of
unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, to the date of
redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other
property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is
payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our
capital stock, the terms of the preferred stock may provide
that, if no capital stock shall have been issued or to the
extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to
pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the
preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted
into the applicable capital stock of our company pursuant to
conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (a) if this series of
preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends on all shares of any series of preferred stock shall
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for
payment for all past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period, and (b) if this series of preferred stock
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the
preferred stock of any series have been or contemporaneously are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current
dividend period, no shares of any series of preferred stock
shall be redeemed unless all outstanding
21
preferred stock of this series is simultaneously redeemed;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prevent the purchase or acquisition of preferred stock of this
series to preserve our REIT qualification or pursuant to a
purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of
all outstanding preferred stock of this series. In addition,
unless (a) if this series of preferred stock has a
cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all
outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all
past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, and
(b) if this series of preferred stock does not have a
cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of
any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid
or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set
apart for payment for the then current dividend period, we shall
not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any
shares of preferred stock of this series except by conversion
into or exchange for our capital stock ranking junior to the
preferred stock of this series as to dividends and upon
liquidation; provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of preferred stock
of this series to preserve our REIT qualification or pursuant to
a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders
of all outstanding preferred stock of this series.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock
of any series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be
redeemed will be determined by us and the shares may be redeemed
pro rata from the holders of record of the shares in
proportion to the number of the shares held or for which
redemption is requested by the holder, with adjustments to avoid
redemption of fractional shares, or by lot in a manner
determined by us.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but
not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each
holder of record of preferred stock of any series to be redeemed
at the address shown on our share transfer books. Each notice
shall state:
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the redemption date;
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the number of shares and series of the preferred stock to be
redeemed;
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the redemption price;
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the place or places where certificates for the preferred stock
are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
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that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to
accumulate on the redemption date; and
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the date upon which the holders conversion rights, if any,
as to the shares shall terminate.
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If fewer than all the shares of preferred stock of any series
are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each holder thereof
shall also specify the number of shares of preferred stock to be
redeemed from each holder. If notice of redemption of any
preferred stock has been given and if the funds necessary for
the redemption have been set aside by us in trust for the
benefit of the holders of any preferred stock so called for
redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends
will cease to accumulate on the preferred stock, and all rights
of the holders of the preferred stock will terminate, except the
right to receive the redemption price.
Liquidation
Preference
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or
payment shall be made to the holders of any common stock or any
other class or series of our capital stock ranking junior to the
preferred stock of this series in the distribution of assets
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company,
the holders of the preferred stock shall be entitled to receive
out of our assets of our company legally available for
distribution to stockholders liquidating distributions in the
amount of the liquidation preference per share that is set forth
in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus an amount equal to
all dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon, which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for
prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have a
cumulative dividend. After payment of the full amount of the
liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the
holders of preferred stock will have no rights or claim to any
of our remaining assets. In the event that, upon any voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our
available assets are
22
insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions
on all outstanding preferred stock of this series and the
corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or
series of capital stock of our company ranking on a parity with
the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the
holders of the preferred stock and all other classes or series
of capital stock shall share ratably in any distribution of
assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to
which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
Our consolidation or merger with or into any other entity, or
the merger of another entity with or into our company, or a
statutory share exchange by us, or the sale, lease or conveyance
of all or substantially all of our property or business, shall
not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of our company.
Voting
Rights
Holders of the preferred stock will not have any voting rights,
except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time
required by law or as indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Whenever dividends on any series of preferred stock shall be in
arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the holders of the
preferred stock, voting separately as a class with all other
series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have
been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to vote for
the election of two additional directors of our company at a
special meeting called by the holders of record of at least ten
percent of any series of preferred stock so in arrears, unless
the request is received less than 90 days before the date
fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the
stockholders, or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and
at each subsequent annual meeting until (a) if this series
of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, all dividends
accumulated on these shares of preferred stock for the past
dividend periods and the then current dividend period shall have
been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment
thereof set aside for payment or (b) if this series of
preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, four
quarterly dividends shall have been fully paid or declared and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In
these cases, the entire board of directors will be increased by
two directors.
Unless provided otherwise for any series of preferred stock, so
long as any shares of the preferred stock remain outstanding, we
will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders
of at least two-thirds of the shares of this series of preferred
stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy,
either in writing or at a meeting with this series voting
separately as a class:
(a) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of capital stock ranking
senior to the preferred stock with respect to payment of
dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of our company, or reclassify any of
our authorized capital stock into this series of preferred
stock, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security
convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any of this
series of preferred stock; or
(b) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the charter or
the designating amendment for this series of preferred stock,
whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to
materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege
or voting power of this series of preferred stock or the holders
thereof;
provided, however, with respect to the occurrence
of any of the events set forth in (b) above, so long as
this series of preferred stock remains outstanding with the
terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that
upon the occurrence of an event we may not be the surviving
entity, the occurrence of any similar event shall not be deemed
to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences,
privileges or voting powers of holders of this series of
preferred stock; and provided, further, that
(x) any increase in the amount of the authorized preferred
stock or the creation or issuance of any other series of
preferred stock, or (y) any increase in the amount of
authorized shares of this series of preferred stock or any other
series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on a parity with
or junior to the preferred stock of this series with respect to
payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, shall not
be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights,
preferences, privileges or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior
to the time when the act with respect to which the vote or
consent would otherwise be required shall be effected, all
outstanding shares of this series
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of preferred stock shall have been converted, redeemed or called
for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in
trust to effect the redemption.
Conversion
Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of
preferred stock is convertible into shares of common stock will
be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms
will include the number of shares of common stock into which the
shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price,
or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the
holders of our preferred stock or us, the events requiring an
adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting
conversion in the event of the redemption of the preferred stock.
Stockholder
Liability
Maryland law provides that no stockholder, including holders of
preferred stock, shall be personally liable for our acts and
obligations and that our funds and property shall be the only
recourse for these acts or obligations.
Restrictions
on Ownership
To qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more
than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time
during the last half of a taxable year. An individual for these
purposes is defined by the U.S. federal income tax laws
pertaining to REITs and is very complex. Therefore, the
designating amendment for each series of preferred stock may
contain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the
preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will
specify any additional ownership limitation relating to a series
of preferred stock.
Registrar
and Transfer Agent
The company currently has no preferred stock outstanding and
therefore does not currently have a Registrar and Transfer Agent
for the preferred stock.
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following description of the terms of the depositary
shares is only a summary. This description is subject to, and
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the
deposit agreement, our charter and the form of articles
supplementary for the applicable series of preferred stock.
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares rather
than full shares of preferred stock. In the event such option is
exercised, each of the depositary shares will represent
ownership of and entitlement to all rights and preferences of a
fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specified series
(including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).
The applicable fraction will be specified in a prospectus
supplement. The shares of preferred stock represented by the
depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in
the applicable prospectus supplement, under a deposit agreement,
among our company, the depositary and the holders of the
certificates evidencing depositary shares, or depositary
receipts. Depositary receipts will be delivered to those persons
purchasing depositary shares in the offering. The depositary
will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing
agent for the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts
agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires
holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of
residence and paying certain charges.
The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this
prospectus does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit
agreement and the form of designating amendment for the
applicable series of preferred stock.
Dividends
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the series of preferred
stock represented by the depositary shares to the record holders
of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary
shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, which
will be the same date as the record date fixed by our company
for the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary,
however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed
without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one
cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and
treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for
distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then
outstanding.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the
depositary will distribute property received by it to the record
holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, in proportion,
as nearly as may be practicable, to the number of depositary
shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, unless
the depositary determines (after consultation with our company)
that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case
the depositary may (with the approval of our company) adopt any
other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and
appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place
or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and
appropriate) and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale
to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share
to the extent that it represents any preferred stock converted
into excess stock.
Liquidation
Preference
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to the
fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of
the applicable series of preferred stock as set forth in the
prospectus supplement.
Redemption
If the series of preferred stock represented by the applicable
series of depositary shares is redeemable, such depositary
shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the
depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part,
of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem
any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will
redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary
shares
25
representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary
will mail the notice of redemption promptly upon receipt of such
notice from us and not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock
and the depositary shares to the record holders of the
depositary receipts.
Voting
Promptly upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the
holders of the series of preferred stock represented by the
applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the
depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of
meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts as of
the record date for such meeting. Each such record holder of
depositary receipts will be entitled to instruct the depositary
as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number
of shares of preferred stock represented by such record
holders depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor,
insofar as practicable, to vote such preferred stock represented
by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions,
and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed
necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to
do so. The depositary will abstain from voting any of the
preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific
instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.
Withdrawal
of Preferred Stock
Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of
the depositary, upon payment of any unpaid amount due the
depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement,
the owner of the depositary shares evidenced thereby is entitled
to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and
all money and other property, if any, represented by such
depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be
issued. 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 whole shares of
preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to
such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing
such excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred
stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit
such shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary
receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Amendment
and Termination of Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares
and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time and
from time to time be amended by agreement between our company
and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and
adversely alters the rights of the holders (other than any
change in fees) of depositary shares will not be effective
unless such amendment has been approved by at least a majority
of the depositary shares then outstanding. No such amendment may
impair the right, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement,
of any owner of any depositary shares to surrender the
depositary receipt evidencing such depositary shares with
instructions to the depositary to deliver to the holder of the
preferred stock and all money and other property, if any,
represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory
provisions of applicable law.
The deposit agreement will be permitted to be terminated by our
company upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to
the applicable depositary if (i) such termination is
necessary to preserve our qualification as a REIT or (ii) a
majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such
termination consents to such termination, whereupon such
depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each
holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary
receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional
shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary
shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any
other property held by such depositary with respect to such
depositary receipts. We will agree that if the deposit agreement
is terminated to preserve our qualification as a REIT, then we
will use our best efforts to list the preferred stock issued
upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national
securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will
automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary
shares thereunder shall have been redeemed, (ii) there
shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related
preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution
or
winding-up
of our company and such distribution shall have been distributed
to the holders of depositary
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receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such
preferred stock or (iii) each share of the related
preferred stock shall have been converted into stock of our
company not so represented by depositary shares.
Charges
of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental
charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary
arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in
connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and
initial issuance of the depositary shares, and redemption of the
preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners
of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay
transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and
certain other charges as are provided in the deposit agreement
to be for their accounts. In certain circumstances, the
depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, may
withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary
shares evidenced by such depositary receipt if such charges are
not paid.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary
receipts all reports and communications from us which are
delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish
to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the
depositary will make available for inspection by holders of
depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary,
and at such other places as it may from time to time deem
advisable, any reports and communications received from us which
are received by the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Neither the depositary nor our company assumes any obligation or
will be subject to any liability under the deposit agreement to
holders of depositary receipts other than for its negligence or
willful misconduct. Neither the depositary nor our company 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 obligations of our company and
the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to
performance in good faith of their duties thereunder, and they
will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal
proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred
stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Our company
and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or
accountants, on information provided by holders of the
depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to
be competent to give such information and on documents believed
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties.
In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims,
requests or instructions from any holders of depositary
receipts, on the one hand, and our company, on the other hand,
the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests
or instructions received from our company.
Resignation
and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice
of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the
depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon
the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of
such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed
within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation
or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its
principal office in the United States of America and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Owners of depositary shares will be treated for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of
the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares.
Accordingly, such owners will be entitled to take into account,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income and deductions
to which they would be entitled if they were holders of such
preferred stock. In addition, (i) no gain or loss will be
recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the
withdrawal of preferred stock to an exchange owner of depositary
shares, (ii) the tax basis of each share of preferred stock
to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will, upon such
exchange, be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the
depositary shares exchanged therefor, and (iii) the holding
period for preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner
of depositary shares will include the period during which such
person owned such depositary shares.
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DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
The following description of the terms of the warrants is
only a summary. This description is subject to, and qualified in
its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant
agreement.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock,
preferred stock or depositary shares and may issue warrants
independently or together with common stock, preferred stock,
depositary shares or attached to or separate from such
securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a
separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust
company as warrant agent, as specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection
with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of warrant
holders. The following sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of the warrants that may be offered under this
registration statement. Further terms of the warrants and the
applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being
delivered, including, where applicable, the following:
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the title of such warrants;
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the aggregate number of such warrants;
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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
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the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of
such warrants;
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the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with
which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants
issued with each such offered security;
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the date, if any, on and after which such warrants and the
related securities will be separately transferable;
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the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of
such warrants may be purchased;
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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
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the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be
exercised at any one time;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
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any anti-dilution protection;
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a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations; and
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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures
and limitations relating to the transferability, exercise and
exchange of such warrants.
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Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant
certificates of different denominations and warrants may be
exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or
any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of
warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
securities purchasable upon such exercise or to any dividend
payments or voting rights as to which holders of the shares of
common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise
may be entitled.
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such
number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, at such
exercise price as shall, in each case, be set forth in, or be
determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus
supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement,
warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New
York City time on the expiration date set forth in applicable
prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m. New York City time
on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.
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Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of
payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly
executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or
any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the
securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of
the warrants are presented by such warrant certificate of
exercise, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the
remaining amount of warrants.
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DESCRIPTION
OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our common stock, preferred
stock, depositary shares or other offered securities
independently or together with any other offered securities. Any
rights that we may issue may or may not be transferable by the
person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with
any rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a
standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more
underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such
underwriters or other person would purchase any offered
securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights
offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate
rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank
or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act
solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating
to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship
of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights
certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material
will describe the specific terms of any offering of rights for
which this prospectus is being delivered, including the
following to the extent applicable:
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the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
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the exercise price payable for each share of common stock,
preferred stock, depositary shares or other offered security
upon the exercise of the rights;
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the number and terms of the shares of common stock, preferred
stock, depositary shares or other offered securities which may
be purchased per each right;
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the extent to which the rights are transferable;
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the date on which the holders ability to exercise the
rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall
expire;
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the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription
privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or
other arrangement entered into by us in connection with the
offering of such rights; and
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any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures,
conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise
of the rights.
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The description in the applicable prospectus supplement or other
offering material of any rights that we may offer will not
necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by
reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be
filed with the SEC.
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CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND
BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law
and our charter and bylaws contains the material terms of our
charter and our bylaws and is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by, reference to Maryland law and to our charter and
our bylaws.
Classification
of Board of Directors
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors may be
established, increased or decreased by our board of directors
but may not be fewer than the minimum number required by the
MGCL (which currently is one) nor more than 15. All directors
are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of our
stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and
qualify. Any vacancy on our board may be filled by a majority of
the remaining directors, even if such a majority constitutes
less than a quorum, except that a vacancy resulting from an
increase in the number of directors must be filled by a majority
of the entire board of directors. Our stockholders may elect a
successor to fill a vacancy on our board which results from the
removal of a director. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our
board of directors must be independent directors.
Removal
of Directors
Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for
cause and only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the
votes entitled to be cast for the election of our directors.
This provision, when coupled with the provision in our bylaws
authorizing our board of directors to fill vacant directorships,
will preclude stockholders from removing incumbent directors and
filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own
nominees except upon a substantial affirmative vote.
Limitation
of Liability and Indemnification
The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its
charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and
officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money
damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual
receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or
services, or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty
established by a final judgment as being material to the cause
of action. Article IX of our charter contains such a
provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent
permitted by the MGCL.
Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law, to indemnify any person who is or was a party to,
or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened or
pending proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or
was a director or officer of our company, or while a director or
officer of our company is or was serving, at our request, as a
director, officer, agent, partner, employee or trustee of any
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise, or whether conducted for profit or
not. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, the
indemnification provided for in our charter and bylaws shall
include reasonable expenses (including attorneys fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and any such
expenses may be paid or reimbursed by us in advance of the final
disposition of any such proceeding.
The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides
otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director
or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise,
in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by
reason of his service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a
corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and
officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in
connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or
threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in
those or other capacities unless it is established that
(1) the act or omission of the director or officer was
material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and
(a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result
of active and deliberate dishonesty, (2) the director or
officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services, or (3) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under
the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an
adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation
or for a judgment of liability
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on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received,
unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then
only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation
to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the
corporations receipt of (1) a written affirmation by
the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met
the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the
corporation, and (2) a written undertaking by or on his
behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation
if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of
conduct was not met.
Indemnification
Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our
directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements
require, among other things, that we indemnify such persons to
the fullest extent permitted by law, and advance to such persons
all reasonable related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it
is subsequently determined that indemnification is not
permitted. Under these agreements, we must also indemnify and
advance all reasonable expenses incurred by such persons seeking
to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreements,
and may cover our directors and executive officers under our
directors and officers liability insurance. Although
the form of indemnification agreement offers substantially the
same scope of coverage afforded by law, it provides greater
assurance to our directors and executive officers and such other
persons that indemnification will be available because, as a
contract, it cannot be modified unilaterally in the future by
our board of directors or the stockholders to eliminate the
rights it provides.
Maryland
Business Combination Act
The MGCL establishes special requirements for business
combinations between a Maryland corporation and
interested stockholders unless exemptions are
applicable. An interested stockholder is any person who
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the
voting power of our then-outstanding voting stock. Among other
things, the law prohibits for a period of five years a merger
and other similar transactions between us and an interested
stockholder unless our board of directors approved the
transaction prior to the party becoming an interested
stockholder. The five-year period runs from the most recent date
on which the interested stockholder became an interested
stockholder. The law also requires a supermajority stockholder
vote for these transactions after the end of the five-year
period. This means that the transaction must be approved by at
least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
voting shares; and
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66% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
voting shares other than shares held by the interested
stockholder or an affiliate of the interested stockholder with
whom the business combination is to be effected.
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Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from
the provisions of the MGCL any business combination with
Mr. Samuel Zell, who is the chairman of the board of
directors of our company, certain holders of operating
partnership units who received them at the time of our initial
public offering, the General Motors Hourly Rate Employees
Pension Trust and the General Motors Salaried Employees Pension
Trust, and our officers who acquired common stock at the time we
were formed and each and every affiliate of theirs. However,
such resolution can be altered or repealed, in whole or in part,
at any time by our board of directors. This permits the board of
directors to determine whether alteration or repeal is in the
best interests of our company and its stockholders without the
delay inherent in taking such a determination to a stockholder
vote. If such resolution is repealed, the business combination
statute could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire
us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating these
offers, even if our acquisition would be in our
stockholders best interests.
Maryland
Control Share Acquisitions Act
The MGCL provides that control shares of a Maryland
corporation acquired in a control share acquisition
have no voting rights except to the extent approved at a special
meeting by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock
owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are
employees of the corporation. Control shares are
voting shares of stock
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which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock
previously acquired 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
directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
(1) one-tenth or more, but less than one-third;
(2) one-third or more, but less than a majority; or
(3) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares
do not include shares the acquiring person is entitled to vote
as a result of having previously obtained stockholder 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, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including
an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel our board of
directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held
within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of
the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, we may present
the question at any stockholders 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 Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, then,
subject to certain conditions and limitations, we may redeem any
or all of the control shares (except those for which voting
rights have previously been approved) for fair value 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 stockholders at which the
voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If
voting rights for control shares are approved at a
stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to
vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other
stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. This means that you
would be able to force us to redeem your stock for fair value.
Under Maryland law, the fair value of the shares as determined
for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the
highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control
share acquisition. Furthermore, certain limitations otherwise
applicable to the exercise of appraisal rights would not apply
in the context of a control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply (i) to
shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if
we are a party to the transaction, or (ii) to acquisitions
approved or exempted by our charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Article II Section 9 of our bylaws contains a
provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute
any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock.
We cannot assure you that such provision will not be amended or
eliminated at any time in the future. If such provision is
eliminated, the control share acquisition statute could have the
effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and increasing the
difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if our
acquisition would be in our stockholders best interests.
Anti-Takeover
Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law
The business combination provisions and the control share
acquisition provisions of the Maryland corporation law could
delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of
our company that might involve a premium price for stockholders
or otherwise be in their best interests.
Amendment
to the Charter
Except as provided below, our charter, including its provisions
on removal of directors may be amended only if approved by our
stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the
votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Unless our charter
provides otherwise, amendments to the provisions of our charter
will be required to be approved by our stockholders by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to
be cast on the matter.
Dissolution
Under the MGCL, our dissolution must be approved by our
stockholders by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds
of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
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Advance
Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of
stockholders, nominations of persons for election to our board
of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by
stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of
the meeting, (2) at the direction of our board of
directors, or (3) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote
at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice
procedures set forth in our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that with
respect to special meetings of our stockholders, only the
business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought
before the meeting, and nominations of persons for election to
our board of directors may be made only (a) pursuant to our
notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of our
board of directors, or (c) provided that our board
of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at
the meeting, by any stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and has complied with the applicable notice procedures
set forth in our bylaws.
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THE
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of material provisions in the
Partnership Agreement of our Operating Partnership. For more
detail, you should refer to the Partnership Agreement itself, a
copy of which is filed with the SEC and which we incorporate by
reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part.
General
MHC Operating Limited Partnership, or our Operating Partnership,
was formed in November 1992 to acquire and own our assets. We
are considered to be an umbrella partnership REIT, or an UPREIT,
in which all of our assets are owned directly or indirectly in a
limited partnership, the Operating Partnership, of which MHC
Trust is the general partner. MHC Trust is a private subsidiary
REIT owned by us. For purposes of satisfying the asset and
income tests for qualification as a REIT for tax purposes, MHC
Trusts proportionate share of the assets and income of our
Operating Partnership will be deemed to be MHC Trusts
assets and income.
Under our Partnership Agreement, our Operating Partnership is
structured to make distributions with respect to operating
partnership units that are equivalent to the distributions made
to our common stockholders. Our Operating Partnership is
structured to permit limited partners in our Operating
Partnership to exchange their operating partnership units for
shares of our common stock on a
one-for-one
basis (in a taxable transaction) and, achieve liquidity for
their investment. At our discretion, in lieu of issuing common
shares we may elect to pay the limited partner cash for their
operating partnership units.
MHC Trust is the sole general partner of the Operating
Partnership and is owned by us. As the sole general partner of
the Operating Partnership, MHC Trust has the exclusive power to
manage and conduct the business of the Operating Partnership and
shall have the right and power to make all decisions and take
any and every action with respect to the property, the business
and the affairs of the Operating Partnership and shall have all
the rights, power and authority generally conferred by law, or
necessary, advisable or consistent with accomplishing the
purposes of the Operating Partnership. All such decisions or
actions made or taken by the general partner pursuant to the
Partnership Agreement shall be binding upon all of the partners
and the Operating Partnership.
Although currently all of our assets are held through the UPREIT
structure, we may in the future elect for various reasons to
hold certain of our assets directly rather than through our
Operating Partnership. In the event we elect to hold assets
directly, the income of our Operating Partnership will be
allocated as between us and limited partners so as to take into
account the performance of such assets.
Capital
Contributions
We intend to transfer substantially all of the net proceeds from
the sale of the securities offered hereby to MHC Trust who will
transfer such proceeds to our Operating Partnership as a capital
contribution in the amount of the gross offering proceeds
received from investors. The Operating Partnership will be
deemed to have simultaneously paid the selling commissions and
other costs associated with the offering. If the Operating
Partnership requires additional funds at any time in excess of
capital contributions made by us or from borrowing, we may
borrow funds from third parties and lend such funds to the
Operating Partnership on the same terms and conditions as are
applicable to our borrowing of such funds.
Operations
The Partnership Agreement of the Operating Partnership provides
that the Operating Partnership is to be operated in a manner
that will enable us to satisfy the requirements for
classification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
The Partnership Agreement provides that the Operating
Partnership will distribute cash flow from operations to or for
the benefit of the partners of the Operating Partnership of
record as of the applicable Record Date (as defined in the
Partnership Agreement) not less frequently than annually, and as
follows: first to those partners
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holding Preference Units (as defined in the Partnership
Agreement) to the extent of the respective priorities (if any)
established by the applicable Preference Unit Term Sheets and
Other Securities Term Sheets (both as defined in the Partnership
Agreement); and then the balance pro rata among the partners
holding operating partnership units and the partners holding
Preference Units which, based on the provisions of the
applicable Preference Unit Term Sheets and Other Securities Term
Sheets, entitle the partners to participate in the distributions
on a pari passu basis with the holders of operating partnership
units, or the Residual Operating Cash Flow Preference Units, to
each partner based on the quotient (expressed as a percentage)
arrived at by dividing (i) the sum of the operating
partnership unit value of any Residual Operating Cash Flow
Preference Units held by the partner and the number of operating
partnership units held by that partner by (ii) the sum of
the operating partnership unit value of all Residual Operating
Cash Flow Preference Units issued and outstanding at the time
and the total number of operating partnership units issued and
outstanding at the time. This is intended to have the effect
that a holder of one unit of limited partnership interest in the
Operating Partnership receives the same amount of annual cash
flow distributions from the Operating Partnership as the amount
of annual distributions paid to the holder of one share of our
common stock.
Similarly, the Partnership Agreement of the Operating
Partnership provides that taxable income is allocated to the
partners of the Operating Partnership in accordance with their
relative percentage interests such that a holder of one unit of
limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership will
be allocated taxable income for each taxable year in an amount
equal to the amount of taxable income to be recognized by a
holder of one of our shares, subject to compliance with the
provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code and corresponding Treasury Regulations. Losses, if
any, will generally be allocated among the partners in
accordance with their respective percentage interests in the
Operating Partnership.
Upon the liquidation of the Operating Partnership, after payment
of debts and obligations, any remaining assets of the Operating
Partnership will be distributed to partners with positive
capital accounts in accordance with their respective positive
capital account balances.
All costs and expenses incurred by the general partner in
connection with its activities as the general partner under the
Partnership Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred by the
general partner and us in connection with our continued
corporate existence, qualification as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code and otherwise, and all other liabilities incurred
or suffered by our general partner or us in connection with the
pursuit of our respective business and affairs as contemplated
under the Partnership Agreement, shall be paid (or reimbursed to
our general partner or us, if paid by each respectively) by the
Operating Partnership unless and to the extent that any such
costs were paid by us in connection with the issuance of
additional shares of stock of ours as contemplated the
Partnership Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
this paragraph shall apply only to the extent that such costs,
expenses or liabilities exceed any cash distributed to our
general partner by any wholly-owned subsidiary of our general
partner.
Redemption Rights
Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, in the event of a
proposed repurchase or redemption for cash by us of
(i) common shares, or (ii) Other Securities (as
defined in the Partnership Agreement) with respect to which the
general partner had previously been issued Preference Units,
then, in such event, the Operating Partnership shall provide
cash to the general partner equal to the proposed repurchase or
redemption price which cash shall be distributed by the general
partner to us and one operating partnership unit (or, in the
case of redemption or repurchase by us of other securities
contemplated by clause (ii) above, one Preference Unit
which had been issued with respect to the other securities)
shall be cancelled with respect to each common share (or unit of
Other Securities) so repurchased or redeemed. Furthermore,
pursuant to our charter, these redemption rights may not be
exercised, however, if and to the extent that the delivery of
shares upon such exercise would (1) result in any person
owning shares in excess of our ownership limits, (2) result
in shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons or
(3) result in us being closely held within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Transferability
of Interests
In no event may the general partner at any time assign, sell,
transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any
portion of its partnership interest, except by operating of law
or as otherwise required or as permitted under certain
circumstances set forth in the Partnership Agreement. The
limited partners will not be able to transfer their interests in
the Operating Partnership, in whole or in part, without our
written consent as the general partner of the Operating
Partnership except under certain circumstances, including but
not limited to, by operation of law, testamentary disposition,
gift or by sale, in each case or for the benefit of his
parents(s), spouse or descendents.
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MATERIAL
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal
income tax considerations relating to our qualification and
taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, holding, and disposition
of our stock. For purposes of this section, under the heading
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations, references to the Company and
our refer only to Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
and not our subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as
otherwise indicated. The following discussion is not exhaustive
of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon
the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the
U.S. Treasury Department, or the Treasury regulations,
current administrative interpretations and practices of the
Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) (including
administrative interpretations and practices expressed in
private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with
respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received
those rulings) and judicial decisions, all as currently in
effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations
or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can
be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would
not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences
described below.
This summary is for general information only, and does not
purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation that may be important to a particular stockholder in
light of its investment or tax circumstances or to stockholders
subject to special tax rules, such as: financial institutions,
insurance companies, broker-dealers, regulated investment
companies, trusts and estates, U.S. stockholders (as
defined below) whose functional currency is not the
U.S. dollar, persons who
mark-to-market
our stock, persons holding our stock as part of a
straddle, hedge, or conversion
transaction, and persons subject to the alternative
minimum tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; and, except
to the extent discussed below,
non-U.S. stockholders
and tax-exempt organizations.
This summary assumes that stockholders will hold our stock as
capital assets, which generally means as property held for
investment.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR
STOCK TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER WILL DEPEND ON THE
STOCKHOLDERS PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED
TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
YOU, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX
CIRCUMSTANCES, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR STOCK.
Taxation
of the Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue
Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31,
1993. We believe that we have been organized and have operated
in a manner which allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT
under the Internal Revenue Code commencing with our taxable year
ended December 31, 1993, and we intend to continue to be
organized and operate in such a manner. In addition, each of MHC
Trust, or MHC Trust, and MHC T1000 Trust, or T1000, and together
with MHC Trust, the Subsidiary REITs, elected to be taxed as a
REIT commencing with its taxable year ended December 31,
2004. Each of the Subsidiary REITs believes that it was
organized and operated in a manner that will allow it to qualify
for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code
commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004,
and intends to continue to be organized and operate in such a
manner.
We hold a substantial amount of our assets in Subsidiary REITs.
Our Subsidiary REITs are each organized to qualify as a REIT for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, our
continued qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on, in
addition to our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through
actual results of operations, distribution levels and diversity
of stock ownership, various qualification requirements imposed
upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, our private REITs
operating results, organizational structure and each Subsidiary
REITs ability to meet, on a continuing basis through
actual annual results of operations, the various qualification
requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code
(including satisfying both the 95% and 75% gross income tests on
an annual basis and the REIT asset tests at the close of each
calendar quarter, as described below.)
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In the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, commencing with our
taxable year ended December 31, 1999, we have been
organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue
Code, and our current method of operation will enable us to
continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation
as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. It must be emphasized
that the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is based on various
assumptions relating to our organization and operation,
including that all factual representations and statements set
forth in all relevant documents, records and instruments are
true and correct, and that we will at all times operate in
accordance with the method of operation described in our
organizational documents and this prospectus, and is conditioned
upon factual representations and covenants made by us, regarding
our organization, assets, present and future conduct of our
business operations and other items requiring our ability to
meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and
assumes that such representations and covenants are accurate and
complete and that we will take no action inconsistent with our
qualification as a REIT. In connection with certain
transactions, we have received, and relied, on advice of counsel
as to the impact of such transactions on our qualification as a
REIT. Our qualification as a REIT requires analysis of various
facts and circumstances that may not be entirely within our
control, and we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS will
agree with our analysis or the analysis of our tax counsel. In
particular, the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of
right-to-use
and membership contracts is uncertain and there is no assurance
that the IRS will agree with the Companys treatment of
such contracts. If the IRS were to disagree with our analysis or
our tax counsels analysis of facts and circumstances, our
ability to qualify as a REIT may be adversely impacted. These
matters can affect our qualification as a REIT. While we believe
that we have been organized and operated and intend to continue
to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly
complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing
importance of factual determinations and the possibility of
future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no
assurance can be given by Clifford Chance US LLP or us that we
will so qualify for any particular year. Clifford Chance US LLP
will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our stock
of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or
assumed or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You
should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the
IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not
challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our and
Subsidiary REITs ability to meet, on a continuing basis,
through actual results of operations, distribution levels and
diversity of stock ownership, various qualification requirements
imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the results of
which will not be reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. No
assurance can be given that our or each Subsidiary REITs
actual result for any particular taxable year will satisfy these
requirements. In addition, qualification as a REIT depends on
future transactions and events that cannot be known at this time.
Taxation
of REITs in General
As indicated above, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends
upon our and Subsidiary REITs ability to meet, on a
continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed
upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material
qualification requirements are summarized below, under
Requirements for Qualification
General. While we intend to operate so that we and each
Subsidiary REIT qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given
that the IRS will not challenge our or each Subsidiary
REITs qualification as a REIT or that we or each
Subsidiary REITs will be able to operate in accordance
with the REIT requirements in the future. See
Failure to Qualify.
Provided that we and each Subsidiary REIT qualify as a REIT, we
will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we
pay and, therefore, will not be subject to U.S. federal
corporate income tax on our net income that is currently
distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially
eliminates the double taxation at the corporate and
stockholder levels that results generally from investment in a
corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is
taxed only at the stockholder level, upon a distribution of
dividends by the REIT.
For tax years through 2010, stockholders who are individual
U.S. stockholders (as defined below) are generally taxed on
corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 15% (the same as
long-term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though
not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has
historically
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applied to corporate dividends. With limited exceptions,
however, dividends received by individual U.S. stockholders
(as defined below) from us or from other entities that are taxed
as REITs will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to
ordinary income, which will be as high as 35% through 2010.
Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax
attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the
stockholders of the REIT, subject to special rules for certain
items, such as capital gains, recognized by REITs. See
Taxation of Stockholders.
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to
U.S. federal income tax in the following circumstances:
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We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed
net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
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We may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on
our items of tax preference, if any.
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If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are,
in general, sales or other dispositions of property held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be
subject to a 100% tax. See Prohibited
Transactions, and Foreclosure Property,
below.
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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with
a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold
terminations as foreclosure property, we may thereby
avoid (a) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that
property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited
transaction) and (b) the inclusion of any income from such
property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income
tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation
of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the
highest applicable rate (currently 35%).
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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross
income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our
qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we
will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the
greater of (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross
income test or (2) the amount by which we fail the 95%
gross income test (for our taxable year ended December 31,
2004, the amount by which 90% of our gross income exceeds the
amount qualifying under the 95% gross income test), as the case
may be, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect
our profitability.
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If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described
below, by larger than a statutory de minimis amount, but
our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful
neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification
because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay
a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate
tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the
nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to
satisfy the asset tests.
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If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Internal Revenue Code
that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other
than a gross income or asset test requirement) and the violation
is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we
may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay
a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
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If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the
sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year,
(b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year
and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior
periods, or the required distribution, we will be
subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required
distribution over the sum of (1) the amounts actually
distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior
years), plus (2) retained amounts on which income tax is
paid at the corporate level.
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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in
certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet
record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance
with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as
described below in Requirements for
Qualification General.
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A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and
expense that are directly or constructively paid between us and
our taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRS, (as described
below) if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts
the reported amounts of these items.
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If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not
a REIT in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the
assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted
tax basis of the assets in the hands of the non-REIT
corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at
the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we
subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets
during the
10-year
period following their acquisition from the non-REIT
corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that
the non-REIT corporation will not elect, in lieu of this
treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is
acquired by us.
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term
capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its
proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain
(to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the
stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax
that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for its
proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an
adjustment would be made to increase the stockholders
basis in our stock.
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We may have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier
entities that are subchapter C corporations, the earnings of
which could be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety
of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including
payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and
other taxes on assets and operations. As further described
below, any TRS in which we own an interest will be subject to
U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income. We
could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions
not presently contemplated.
Requirements
for Qualification General
The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust
or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by
transferable shares or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for
the special Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to REITs;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an
insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or
more persons;
(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year,
not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals
(as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified
entities);
(7) which meets other tests described below, including with
respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of
its distributions; and
(8) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current
taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable
year that has not been terminated or revoked.
The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions
(1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable
year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least
335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions
(5) and (6) do not need to be satisfied for the first
taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been
made. Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership
and transfer of its shares, which are intended to assist in
satisfying the share
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ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and
(6) above. For purposes of condition (6), an
individual generally includes a supplemental
unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or
a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively
for charitable purposes, but does not include a qualified
pension plan or profit sharing trust.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we
are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual
ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written
statements each year from the record holders of significant
percentages of our stock, in which the record holders are to
disclose the actual owners of the shares, i.e., the
persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid
by us. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply
with this demand must be maintained as part of our records.
Failure by us to comply with these record-keeping requirements
could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these
requirements and have no reason to know that condition
(6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied
such condition. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply
with the demand is required by Treasury regulations to submit a
statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of
the shares and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a
REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We satisfy
this requirement.
Effect of
Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests. In the
case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, including the
Operating Partnership, Treasury regulations provide that the
REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the
partnerships assets and to earn its proportionate share of
the partnerships gross income based on its pro rata
share of capital interest in the partnership for purposes of
the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as
described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value
test, described below, the determination of a REITs
interest in partnership assets will be based on the REITs
proportionate interest in any securities issued by the
partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded
securities as described in the Internal Revenue Code. In
addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership
generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands
of the REIT. Thus, our and each Subsidiary REITs
proportionate share of the assets and items of income of
partnerships in which it owns an equity interest, including the
Operating Partnership, is treated as assets and items of income
of it for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described
below. Consequently, to the extent that we or a Subsidiary REIT
directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest
in a partnership, the partnerships assets and operations
may affect our or a Subsidiary REITs ability to qualify as
a REIT, even though we or it may have no control or only limited
influence over the partnership.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If a REIT owns a
corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT
subsidiary, that subsidiary is disregarded for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets,
liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the
subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of
income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for
purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to
REITs, as summarized below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any
corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is
wholly-owned by a REIT, by other disregarded subsidiaries or by
a combination of the two. Single member limited liability
companies that are wholly-owned by a REIT are also generally
disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income
and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with
partnerships in which we or a Subsidiary REIT hold an equity
interest, are sometimes referred to herein as pass-through
subsidiaries.
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be
wholly-owned by us or a Subsidiary REIT for example,
if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a
person, including another REIT, other than us or another
disregarded subsidiary of us the subsidiarys
separate existence would no longer be disregarded for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have
multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or
a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the
circumstances, adversely affect our or a Subsidiary REITs
ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests
applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs
generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of
the
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value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another
corporation. See Asset Tests and
Gross Income Tests.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A REIT, in general,
may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not
wholly-owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The
separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike
a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an
entity would generally be subject to corporate income tax on its
earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our
subsidiaries in the aggregate and our ability to make
distributions to our stockholders.
A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other
taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that
the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the subsidiary
is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally
recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives
from the subsidiary. This treatment can affect the gross income
and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described
below. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and
income of such subsidiary corporations in determining the
parents compliance with the REIT requirements, such
entities may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly
activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude it from
doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries or render
commercially unfeasible (for example, activities that give rise
to certain categories of income such as nonqualifying hedging
income or inventory sales). If dividends are paid to us by one
or more of our TRSs, other than a TRS described in the preceding
paragraph, which would not be subject to U.S. corporate
income tax on its earnings, then a portion of the dividends that
we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates
generally will be eligible for taxation at preferential
qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary
income rates. See Taxation of
Stockholders Taxation of Taxable
U.S. Stockholders and Taxation of
Stockholders Distributions.
Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that
such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of
U.S. federal income taxation. First, a TRS may not deduct
interest payments made in any year to an affiliated REIT to the
extent that such payments exceed, generally, 50% of the
TRSs adjusted taxable income for that year (although the
TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the
disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that
year). In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by
a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants
and/or a
TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by
a party in an arms-length transaction, the REIT generally
will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess.
Rents we receive that include amounts for services furnished by
one of our TRSs to any of our tenants will not be subject to the
excise tax if such amounts qualify for the safe harbor
provisions contained in the Internal Revenue Code. Safe harbor
provisions are provided where (1) amounts are excluded from
the definition of impermissible tenant service income as a
result of satisfying the 1% de minimis exception;
(2) a TRS renders a significant amount of similar services
to unrelated parties and the charges for such services are
substantially comparable; (3) rents paid to us by tenants
that are not receiving services from the TRS are substantially
comparable to the rents paid by our tenants leasing comparable
space that are receiving such services from the TRS and the
charge for the services is separately stated; or (4) the
TRSs gross income from the service is not less than 150%
of the TRSs direct cost of furnishing the service.
We along with several of our corporate subsidiaries have made
elections for such subsidiaries to be treated as TRSs for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, following
the Companys restructuring on February 27, 2004, MHC
Trust, along with such corporate subsidiaries, made elections
for those subsidiaries to be treated as TRSs of MHC Trust for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each of the Company and
the Subsidiary REITs may form additional TRSs in the future. To
the extent that any such TRSs pay any taxes, they will have less
cash available for distribution to us. If dividends are paid by
TRSs to us, then the dividends we designate and pay to our
stockholders who are individuals, up to the amount of dividends
we receive from such entities, generally will be eligible to be
taxed at the reduced 15% maximum U.S. federal rate
applicable to qualified dividend income. See
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders. Currently, we
anticipate that the TRSs will retain its after tax income
subject to compliance with the 25% (20% for the taxable years
prior to January 1, 2009) asset test applicable to our
aggregate ownership of TRSs. See Asset Tests.
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Ownership
of Subsidiary REITs
Pursuant to the Companys restructuring on
February 27, 2004, the Company contributed all of its
assets, including its entire interest in the Operating
Partnership, to MHC Trust in exchange for substantially all of
the common and preferred stock of MHC Trust. The Company has
operated and intends to continue to operate MHC Trust in such a
manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code. As a result of the restructuring, MHC Trust, and
not the Company, is treated as holding the properties and other
assets that constitute the operations of the Company, and as
receiving any income earned from such assets and operations for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, all of the
Companys assets consist of shares in MHC Trust and all of
its income consists of dividends received on shares of MHC
Trust. Distributions received by the Company from MHC Trust that
are treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes (as opposed to tax-free returns of capital) will be
qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross
income test requirements applicable to the Company, and shares
in MHC Trust owned by the Company will be qualifying real estate
assets for purposes of the REIT asset test requirements
applicable to the Company, only to the extent that MHC Trust
qualifies for taxation as a REIT. See Gross Income
Tests, and Asset Tests. Accordingly,
the Companys qualification as a REIT depends on MHC Trust
satisfying the requirements for qualification as a REIT
described above, and both the 95% and 75% gross income tests on
an annual basis and the REIT asset tests at the close of each
calendar quarter, as described more fully below. If MHC Trust
were to fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable
year, the Company would also fail to qualify for taxation as a
REIT for such taxable year. See Failure to
Qualify.
Similarly, following the acquisition of T1000 by the Operating
Partnership, T1000 has operated and intends to continue to
operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT
under the Internal Revenue Code. Distributions treated as
received by MHC Trust from T1000 that are treated as dividend
income for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as opposed to
tax-free returns of capital), will be qualifying income for
purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income test requirements
applicable to MHC Trust, and shares in T1000 owned by MHC Trust
will be qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the REIT
asset test requirements applicable to MHC Trust, only to the
extent that T1000 qualifies for taxation as a REIT. See
Gross Income Tests, and Asset
Tests. MHC Trust and T1000 have made a protective joint
election, and will make an annual protective joint election
effective on or before the close of the first quarter of the
calendar year, to treat T1000 as a TRS of MHC Trust. The
protective TRS election is to be effective only if T1000 were to
fail to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year in which the
protective TRS election is in place, and is not intended as a
revocation of T1000s election to qualify for taxation as a
REIT. If T1000 were to fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in
any taxable year, distributions received by MHC Trust from T1000
that are treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income
tax purposes (as opposed to tax-free returns of capital), will
be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test,
but not the 75% gross income test, and shares in T1000 owned by
MHC Trust will not be qualifying real estate assets for purposes
of the REIT asset test. Moreover, if T1000 were to fail to
qualify for taxation as a REIT for any taxable year, the value
of the stock or securities held by MHC Trust in T1000 would be
included in the 25% (20% for the taxable years prior to
January 1, 2009) asset test described above.
Gross
Income Tests
In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, we and each
Subsidiary REITs annually must satisfy two gross income
tests. First, at least 75% of our and each Subsidiary
REITs gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross
income from sales of inventory or dealer property in
prohibited transactions, must be derived from
investments relating to real property or mortgages on real
property, including rents from real property,
dividends received from other REITs, interest income derived
from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain
types of mortgage-backed securities), and gains from the sale of
real estate assets, as well as income from certain kinds of
temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our and each
Subsidiary REITs gross income in each taxable year,
excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, must be
derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the
75% income test described above, as well as other dividends,
interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or
securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
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For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is
deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned
by any partnership, or any limited liability company treated as
a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in
which it owns an interest, which share is determined by
reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed
to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT
subsidiary.
Dividend Income. Dividends received (directly
or indirectly) from a REIT, to the extent of the current and
accumulated earnings and profits of the distributing REIT, will
be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross
income tests. Distributions received (directly or indirectly)
from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified
REIT subsidiaries will be classified as dividend income to the
extent of the current and accumulated earnings and profits of
the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally
constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test, but not under the 75% gross income test.
Rents from Real Property. Rents received will
qualify as rents from real property in satisfying
the gross income tests described above, only if several
conditions are met, including the following. If rent
attributable to personal property leased in connection with real
property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under
any particular lease, then all of the rent attributable to such
personal property will not qualify as rents from real property.
The determination of whether an item of personal property
constitutes real or personal property under the REIT provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code is subject to both legal and
factual considerations and is therefore subject to different
interpretations.
In addition, in order for rents received by us or a Subsidiary
REIT to qualify as rents from real property, the
rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount will not be excluded
from rents from real property solely by being based on a fixed
percentage or percentages of sales or if it is based on the net
income of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income
with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially
all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the
subtenants would qualify as rents from real property, if earned
directly by us or a Subsidiary REIT. Moreover, for rents
received to qualify as rents from real property, we
or a Subsidiary REIT generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of
such property, other than through an independent
contractor who is adequately compensated and from which we
derive no income, or through a TRS, as discussed below. We or a
Subsidiary REIT are permitted, however, to perform services that
are usually or customarily rendered in connection
with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not
otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property.
In addition, we or a Subsidiary REIT may directly or indirectly
provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties
without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the
payment for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross
income from the property. In such a case, only the amounts for
non-customary services are not treated as rents from real
property and the provision of the services does not disqualify
the related rent. Moreover, we or a Subsidiary REIT are
permitted to provide services to tenants or others through a TRS
without disqualifying the rental income received from tenants
for purposes of the REIT income tests.
Rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to
the extent that we or a Subsidiary REIT do not directly or
constructively own, (1) in the case of any tenant which is
a corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote,
or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of
stock of such tenant, or (2) in the case of any tenant
which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the
assets or net profits of such tenant. However, rental payments
from a TRS will qualify as rents from real property even if we
or a Subsidiary REIT own more than 10% of the combined voting
power of the TRS if at least 90% of the property is leased to
unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially
comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for
comparable space.
In the past, our Operating Partnership and T1000 net leased
their membership campground properties to an independent
operator in exchange for rental payments. In order for the rent
payable under the lease to constitute rents from real
property, the lease must be respected as a true lease for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and not treated as a
service contract, joint venture or some other type of
arrangement. The
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determination of whether leases are true leases depends on an
analysis of all the surrounding facts and circumstances. We, our
Operating Partnership and T1000 believe that the lease was
properly treated as a true lease for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. If the net lease were characterized as a service
contract or partnership agreement, rather than as a true lease,
part or all of the payments that our Operating Partnership and
T1000 received as rent from the lessee may not be considered
rent or may not otherwise have satisfied the requirements for
qualification as rents from real property. In that
case, we and our Subsidiary REITs may not have been able to
satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income tests and, as a
result, each could have failed to qualify as a REIT. Our
Operating Partnership and T1000 have since terminated this lease
and have received advice from tax counsel that income received
pursuant to the current
right-to-use
and membership contracts entered into in connection with its
membership campgrounds property will not adversely impact each
of our or our Subsidiary REITs qualification as a REIT.
Interest Income. Interest income constitutes
qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross
income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by a
mortgage on real property. If we or a Subsidiary REIT receive
interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured
by both real property and other property and the highest
principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year
exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date
that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest
income will be apportioned between the real property and the
other property, and our or a Subsidiary REITs income from
the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross
income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to
the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real
property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may
nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent
interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the
sale of the property securing the loan (a shared
appreciation provision), income attributable to the
participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the
underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income
for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests,
provided that the property is not inventory or dealer
property in the hands of the borrower or us.
To the extent that we derive interest income from a loan where
all or a portion of the amount of interest payable is
contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of
the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross
receipts or sales and not the net income or profits of any
person.
Foreign Investments. To the extent that we or
a Subsidiary REIT hold or acquire foreign investments, such
investments may generate foreign currency gains and losses.
Foreign currency gains are generally treated as income that does
not qualify under the 95% or 75% gross income tests. On
July 30, 2008, the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 was
enacted. Under this act, foreign currency gain earned after
July 30, 2008 that qualifies as real estate foreign
exchange gain is excluded from both the 75% and 95% income
tests, while income from foreign currency gains that qualifies
as passive foreign exchange gain is excluded from
the 95% income test, but is treated as non-qualifying income for
the 75% income test.
Real estate foreign exchange gain is foreign
currency gain attributable to (i) any item of income or
gain which qualifies for purposes of the 75% income test,
(ii) the acquisition or ownership of obligations secured by
mortgages on real property or interests in real property; or
(iii) becoming or being the obligor under debt obligations
secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real
property. Real estate foreign exchange gain also includes
foreign currency gain attributable to a qualified business unit,
or QBU, of the REIT if the QBU meets the 75% income test for the
taxable year and the 75% asset test at the close of each quarter
of the taxable year that the REIT directly or indirectly owned
an interest in the QBU. Passive foreign exchange
gain includes all real estate foreign exchange gain plus
foreign currency gain attributable to (i) any item of
income or gain which qualifies for purposes of the 95% income
test, (ii) the acquisition or ownership of debt obligations
and (iii) becoming or being the obligor under debt
obligations. The Treasury Department has the authority to expand
the definition of real estate foreign exchange gain and passive
foreign exchange gain to include other items of foreign currency
gain. No assurance can be given that any foreign currency gains
recognized by us or a Subsidiary REIT directly or through
pass-through subsidiaries will not adversely affect our or a
Subsidiary REITs ability to satisfy the REIT qualification
requirements.
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Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests. We
intend to monitor our and each Subsidiary REITs sources of
income, including any non-qualifying income received by us or a
Subsidiary REIT, so as to ensure our and each Subsidiary
REITs compliance with the gross income tests. If we or a
Subsidiary REIT fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95%
gross income tests for any taxable year, we or a Subsidiary REIT
may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we or a Subsidiary
REIT are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will generally be
available if the failure of our company or a Subsidiary REIT to
meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect and, following the identification of such
failure, we or a Subsidiary REIT set forth a description of each
item of our or a Subsidiary REITs gross income that
satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable
year filed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Treasury. It is not possible to state whether we or a Subsidiary
REIT would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions
in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are
inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us
or a Subsidiary REIT, we will not qualify as a REIT. As
discussed above under Taxation of REITs in
General, even where these relief provisions apply, a tax
would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by
which we or a Subsidiary REIT fail to satisfy the particular
gross income test.
Asset
Tests
We and each Subsidiary REIT, at the close of each calendar
quarter, must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of
our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets
must be represented by some combination of real estate
assets, cash, cash items, U.S. government securities
and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments
purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets
include interests in real property, such as land, buildings,
leasehold interests in real property, stock of other
corporations that qualify as REITs (such as the Subsidiary
REITs) and certain kinds of mortgage-backed securities and
mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the
75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described
below.
The second asset test is that the value of any one issuers
securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our
gross assets. Third, we and our Subsidiary REITs may not own
more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding securities,
as measured by either voting power or value. Fourth, the
aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by us and our
Subsidiary REITs may not exceed 25% (20% for taxable years prior
to January 1, 2009), of the value of our and our Subsidiary
REITs gross assets.
The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs
and qualified REIT subsidiaries. The 10% value test does
not apply to certain straight debt and other
excluded securities, as described in the Internal Revenue Code,
including but not limited to any loan to an individual or an
estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any
security issued by a REIT. In addition, (a) a REITs
interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a
security for purposes of applying the 10% value test;
(b) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than
straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered
a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the
partnerships gross income is derived from sources that
would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and
(c) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than
straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered
a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the
REITs interest as a partner in the partnership.
For purposes of the 10% value test, straight debt
means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a
specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is
not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock,
(ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not
contingent on profits, the borrowers discretion, or
similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the
timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as
described in the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) in the
case of an issuer which is a corporation or a partnership,
securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will
not be so considered if we, and any of our controlled
TRSs as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, hold any
securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which:
(a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities
(prior to the application of this rule), and (b) have an
aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuers outstanding
securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer,
our interest as a partner in the partnership).
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After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any
quarter, we and our Subsidiary REITs will not lose our
qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests
at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in
asset values. If we or a Subsidiary REIT fail to satisfy the
asset tests because we acquire securities during a quarter, we
or the Subsidiary REIT can cure this failure by disposing of
sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the
close of that quarter. If we or a Subsidiary REIT fail the 5%
asset test, or the 10% vote or value asset tests at the end of
any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days
thereafter, we or the Subsidiary REIT may dispose of sufficient
assets or otherwise come into compliance with such asset
diversification requirements (generally within six months after
the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the
failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a
violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at
the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. In addition, if
we or a Subsidiary REIT fail any of the asset tests (including a
failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests) in excess of the de
minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was
due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we or the
Subsidiary REIT are permitted to avoid disqualification as a
REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps
including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset
test or otherwise coming into compliance with such asset
diversification requirements (generally within six months after
the last day of the quarter in which our or the Subsidiary
REITs identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT
asset test occurred) and paying a tax equal to the greater of
$50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate (currently 35%)
of the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets during
the period in which we or the Subsidiary REIT failed to satisfy
the asset test.
We received a ruling from the IRS that loans made by the
Operating Partnership to purchasers of factory built homes that
are secured by the factory built home, and for which the
Operating Partnership has the power to collect payment and
foreclose upon default and are amounts collected for the use or
forbearance of money and not for services rendered, will be
treated as real estate assets for purposes of the
REIT gross income and asset tests, and our allocable share of
amounts received by the Operating Partnership as interest with
respect to such loans will qualify as interest on
obligations secured by mortgages on real property for
purposes of the 75% gross income test, described above.
We believe that the Properties and mortgage related securities
(including loans secured by factory built homes) held by the
Operating Partnership generally will be qualifying assets for
purposes of the 75% asset test. However, other debt instruments
secured by non-real estate assets, or unsecured debt securities
may not be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.
Moreover, values of some assets, such as the value of the TRSs,
may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are
subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper
classification of an instrument as debt or equity for
U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some
circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT
asset tests. As an example, if an investment in equity
securities of a REIT issuer were determined by the IRS to
represent debt securities of such issuer, such securities would
also not qualify as real estate assets. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that interests in
subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers (including
REIT issuers) cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
Annual
Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute
dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our
stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
(a) the sum of:
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90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without
regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital
gains); and
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90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure
property (as described below); minus
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(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income that
exceeds a percentage of our income.
These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which
they relate or in the following taxable year if such
distributions are declared in October, November or December of
the taxable year, are payable to stockholders of record on a
specified date in any such month and are actually paid before
the end of January
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of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both
paid by the REIT and received by each stockholder on December 31
of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at the
REITs election, a distribution for a taxable year may be
declared before it timely files its tax return for the year and
be paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after
such declaration, provided that such payment is made
during the
12-month
period following the close of such taxable year. These
distributions are taxable to its stockholders in the year in
which paid, even though the distributions relate to its prior
taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order for distributions to be counted towards the
distribution requirement and to give rise to a tax deduction,
they must not be preferential dividends. A dividend
is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among
all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and is
in accordance with the preferences among different classes of
stock as set forth in the organizational documents.
To the extent that a REIT distributes at least 90%, but less
than 100%, of its REIT taxable income, as adjusted,
it will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the
retained portion. In addition, the REIT may elect to retain,
rather than distribute, its net long-term capital gains and pay
tax on such gains. In this case, the REIT could elect to have
its stockholders include their proportionate share of such
undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a
corresponding credit for their proportionate share of the tax
paid by the REIT. The REITs stockholders would then
increase the adjusted basis of their stock in the REIT by the
difference between the designated amounts included in their
long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to
their proportionate shares.
If the REIT fails to distribute during each calendar year at
least the sum of (a) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for
such year, (b) 95% of its REIT capital gain net income for
such year and (c) any undistributed taxable income from
prior periods, it will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the
excess of such required distribution over the sum of
(x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account
excess distributions from prior periods) and (y) the
amounts of income retained on which it has paid corporate income
tax. We and our Subsidiary REITs intend to make timely
distributions so that we and our Subsidiary REITs are not
subject to the 4% excise tax.
It is possible that we and our Subsidiary REITs, from time to
time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution
requirements due to timing differences between (a) the
actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from
our subsidiaries and (b) the inclusion of items in income
by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the event
that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the
distribution requirements, it might be necessary to arrange for
short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or to pay
dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of
property.
We and our Subsidiary REITs may be able to rectify a failure to
meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying
deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later
year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid
for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid
losing our qualification as a REIT or being taxed on amounts
distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be
required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of
any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Prohibited
Transactions
Net income derived from a prohibited transaction is subject to a
100% tax. The term prohibited transaction generally
includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than
foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to
customers, in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a
REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an
equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared
appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to the REIT. We
intend to hold our properties for investment with a view to
long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of owning and
operating properties and to make sales of properties that are
consistent with our investment objectives. However, whether
property is held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business depends on the
particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given
that any particular property in which we hold a direct or
indirect interest will not be treated as property held for sale
to customers or that certain safe-harbor provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code that prevent such treatment will apply.
The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the
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sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable
corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the
hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.
Failure
to Qualify
In the event that we or a Subsidiary REIT violate a provision of
the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our or a
Subsidiary REITs failure to qualify as a REIT, specified
relief provisions will be available to us to avoid such
disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable
cause and not due to willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty
of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy the provision and
(3) the violation does not include a violation under the
gross income or asset tests described above (for which other
specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision
reduces the instances that could lead to our or a Subsidiary
REITs disqualification as a REIT for violations due to
reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. If we or a
Subsidiary REIT fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any
taxable year and none of the relief provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code apply, we or the Subsidiary REIT will be subject to
tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our
taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to
stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be
deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this
situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and
profits, and, subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue
Code, distributions to stockholders will generally be taxable in
the case of stockholders who are individual
U.S. stockholders (as defined below), at a maximum rate of
15% (through 2010), and dividends in the hands of corporate
U.S. stockholders may be eligible for the dividends
received deduction. Unless we or the Subsidiary REIT are
entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we
or the Subsidiary REIT will also be disqualified from
re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years
following a year during which qualification was lost. It is not
possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be
entitled to statutory relief.
Taxation
of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders
that are not tax-exempt organizations. For these purposes, a
U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our stock that
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 corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States or of a political
subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or
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any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of such trust and
one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid
election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the
U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally
will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of
the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our stock
should consult its own tax advisor regarding the
U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the
partnership.
Distributions. Provided that we qualify as a
REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders
out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, and not
designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken
into account by them as ordinary dividend income and will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect
to our stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first
to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any,
and then to our stock. Dividends received from REITs are
generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified
dividend income rates applicable to individual
U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable
subchapter C corporations.
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In addition, distributions from us that are designated as
capital gain dividends will be taxed to U.S. stockholders
as long-term capital gains, to the extent that they do not
exceed the actual net capital gain of our company for the
taxable year, without regard to the period for which the
U.S. stockholder has held its stock. To the extent that we
elect under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. stockholders
will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a
corresponding credit for taxes paid by us on such retained
capital gains. U.S. stockholders will increase their
adjusted tax basis in our stock by the difference between their
allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of
the tax paid by us. Corporate U.S. stockholders may be
required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as
ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable
at maximum federal rates of 15% (through 2010) in the case
of U.S. stockholders who are individuals, and 35% for
corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of
depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are
subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for
individual U.S. stockholders who are individuals, to the
extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to
the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the
U.S. stockholders shares in respect of which the
distributions were made, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax
basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions
exceed the adjusted tax basis of an individual
U.S. stockholders shares, they will be included in
income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if
the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any
dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any
year and payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a
specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by
us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of
such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by
us before the end of January of the following calendar year.
With respect to U.S. stockholders who are taxed at the
rates applicable to individuals, we may elect to designate a
portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. stockholders
as qualified dividend income. A portion of a
distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend
income is taxable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders as
capital gain, provided that the U.S. stockholder has
held common stock with respect to which the distribution is made
for more than 60 days during the
121-day
period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the
date on which such common stock became ex-dividend with respect
to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our
distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend
income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:
(a) the qualified dividend income received by us during
such taxable year from non-REIT C corporations (including
dividends from MHC Trust attributable to TRSs which are subject
to U.S. federal income tax provided that MHC designates
such dividends as qualified dividend income);
(b) the excess of any undistributed REIT
taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year
over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to
such undistributed REIT taxable income; and
(c) the excess of any income recognized during the
immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a
built-in-gain
asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a
non-REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal income tax
paid by us with respect to such built-in gain.
Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as
qualified dividend income for purposes of (a) above if the
dividends are received from a domestic C corporation (other than
a REIT or a regulated investment company), or a qualifying
foreign corporation and specified holding period
requirements and other requirements are met.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and
capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses
may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in
order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See
Taxation of the Company and
Annual Distribution Requirements. Such losses, however,
are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not
offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor
do they affect the character of any distributions that are
actually
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made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of
U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or
accumulated earnings and profits.
Dispositions
of Our Stock
In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss
upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our
stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of
the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash
received in such disposition and the
U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis in the stock at
the time of the disposition. In general, a
U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis will equal the
U.S. stockholders acquisition cost, increased by the
excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the
U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on
it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains
recognized by individuals and other non-corporate
U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of
our stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income
tax rate of 15% for taxable years through 2010, if our stock is
held for more than 12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary
income rates (of up to 35% through 2010) if our stock is
held for 12 months or less. Gains recognized by
U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to
U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether
or not classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the
authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations
that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is
generally higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for
non-corporate holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by
a non-corporate holder on the sale of REIT stock or depositary
shares that would correspond to the REITs
unrecaptured Section 1250 gain. Holders are
advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to
their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a
U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our stock held for
more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered
long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to
offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not
ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may
offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition,
any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a
U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for six months or
less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received
from us that were required to be treated by the
U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.
Passive
Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or
exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our stock will not be
treated as passive activity income. As a result,
U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any
passive losses against income or gain relating to
our stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not
constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as
investment income for purposes of computing the investment
interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder that elects to
treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition
of stock or qualified dividend income as investment income for
purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at
ordinary income rates on such amounts.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders
U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee
pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement
accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income
taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their
unrelated business taxable income, which we refer to in this
offering memorandum as UBTI. While many investments in real
estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend
distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not
constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that
(1) a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder has not held our
stock as debt financed property within the meaning
of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e. where the acquisition
or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by
the tax-exempt stockholder) and (2) our stock is not
otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions
from us and income from the sale of our stock generally should
not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder.
Tax-exempt U.S. stockholders that are social clubs,
voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services
plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under
Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the
Internal Revenue Code, respectively, are subject to different
UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize
distributions from us as UBTI.
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In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is
described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code,
(2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our stock
could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us
as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will not
be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one
pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or
(B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding
more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more
than 50% of such stock; and (2) we would not have qualified
as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code provides that stock owned by such trusts
shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more
than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer
individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code
to include certain entities) by the beneficiaries of such
trusts. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our
stock should generally prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning
more than 10% of the value of our stock, or us from becoming a
pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and
foreign tax consequences of owning our stock.
Taxation
of Non-U.S.
Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income
tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition
of our stock applicable to
non-U.S. stockholders
of our stock. For purposes of this summary, a
non-U.S. stockholder
is a beneficial owner of our stock that is not a
U.S. stockholder. The discussion is based on current law
and is for general information only. It addresses only selective
and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation.
Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends
received by
non-U.S. stockholders
payable out of our earnings and profits that are not
attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of U.S. real
property interests and which are not effectively connected with
a U.S. trade or business of the
non-U.S. stockholder
will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax
at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an
applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however,
lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to
dividends from REITs.
In general,
non-U.S. stockholders
will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or
business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In
cases where the dividend income from a
non-U.S. stockholders
investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively
connected with the
non-U.S. stockholders
conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the
non-U.S. stockholder
generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at
graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders
are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be
subject to the 30% branch profits tax on the income after the
application of the income tax in the case of a
non-U.S. stockholder
that is a corporation.
Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless
(A) our stock constitutes a U.S. real property
interest or USRPI, or (B) either (1) if the
non-U.S. stockholders
investment in our stock is effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business conducted by such
non-U.S. stockholder
(in which case the
non-U.S. stockholder
will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders
with respect to such gain) or (2) if the
non-U.S. stockholder
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 (in which case the
non-U.S. stockholder
will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net
capital gain for the year), distributions by us which are not
dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax. If it cannot be determined at the
time at which a distribution is made whether or not the
distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and
profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the
rate applicable to dividends. However, the
non-U.S. stockholder
may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is
subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in
excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If
our companys stock constitutes a USRPI, as described
below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings
and profits plus the
non-U.S. stockholders
adjusted tax basis in our stock will be taxed under the Foreign
Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the
rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that
would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type
(e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may
be), and the
53
collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable
withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the
distribution exceeds the stockholders share of our
earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends. Under FIRPTA, a
distribution made by us to a
non-U.S. stockholder,
to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs
held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries
USRPI capital gains, will be considered effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business of the
non-U.S. stockholder
and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates
applicable to U.S. stockholders, without regard to whether
the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In
addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of
the amount of capital gain dividends to the extent the dividends
constitute USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA
may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of
a
non-U.S. holder
that is a corporation. However, the 35% withholding tax will not
apply to any capital gain dividend with respect to any class of
our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities
market located in the United States if the
non-U.S. stockholder
did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time
during the taxable year. Instead any capital gain dividend will
be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed
above under Taxation of
Non-U.S. Stockholders
Ordinary Dividends. Also, the branch profits tax will not
apply to such a distribution. A distribution is not a USRPI
capital gain if we held the underlying asset solely as a
creditor, although the holding of a shared appreciation mortgage
loan would not be solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends
received by a
non-U.S. stockholder
from a REIT that are not USRPI capital gains are generally
not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax,
unless either (1) if the
non-U.S. stockholders
investment in our stock is effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business conducted by such
non-U.S. stockholder
(in which case the
non-U.S. stockholder
will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders
with respect to such gain) or (2) if the
non-U.S. stockholder
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 (in which case the
non-U.S. stockholder
will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net
capital gain for the year).
Dispositions of Our Stock. Unless our stock
constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a
non-U.S. stockholder
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income
taxation under FIRPTA. The stock will not be treated as a USRPI
if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing
period consist of interests in real property located within the
United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real
property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We do not expect
that more than 50% of our assets will consist of interests in
real property located in the United States.
In addition, our stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a
domestically controlled REIT. A domestically
controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a
specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its
outstanding stock is held directly or indirectly by
non-U.S. stockholders.
We believe we are, and we expect to continue to be, a
domestically controlled REIT and, therefore, the sale of our
stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However,
because our stock is widely held, we cannot assure our investors
that we are or will remain a domestically controlled REIT. Even
if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT, a
non-U.S. stockholders
sale of our stock nonetheless will generally not be subject to
tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that
(a) our stock owned is of a class that is regularly
traded, as defined by applicable Treasury Department
regulations, on an established securities market, and
(b) the selling
non-U.S. stockholder
owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our outstanding
stock of that class at all times during a specified testing
period.
If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under
FIRPTA, the
non-U.S. stockholder
would be subject to the same treatment as a
U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to
applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative
minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and
the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of
the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be
subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United
States to a
non-U.S. stockholder
in two cases: (a) if the
non-U.S. stockholders
investment in our stock is effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business conducted by such
non-U.S. stockholder,
the
non-U.S. stockholder
will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder
54
with respect to such gain, or (b) if the
non-U.S. stockholder
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, the nonresident
alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the
individual s capital gain.
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting
We will report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the
amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the
amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules,
a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding
with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a
corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when
required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer
identification number or social security number, certifies as to
no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise
complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding
rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide his or her
correct taxpayer identification number or social security number
may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. In addition, we may be
required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to
any U.S. stockholder who fails to certify their non-foreign
status.
We must report annually to the IRS and to each
non-U.S. stockholder
the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld
with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether
withholding was required. Copies of the information returns
reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made
available to the tax authorities in the country in which the
non-U.S. stockholder
resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
A
non-U.S. stockholder
may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable
certification requirements are met.
Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our stock within the United
States is subject to both backup withholding and information
reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties
of perjury that it is a
non-U.S. stockholder
(and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know
that the beneficial owner is a United States person) or the
holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the
proceeds of a sale of our stock conducted through certain United
States related financial intermediaries is subject to
information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the
financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records
that the beneficial owner is a
non-U.S. stockholder
and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise
established.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be
allowed as a refund or a credit against such holders
U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
State,
Local and Foreign Taxes
Our company and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject
to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions,
including those in which it or they transact business, own
property or reside. We own interests in properties located in a
number of jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns
in certain of those jurisdictions. The state, local or foreign
tax treatment of our company and our stockholders may not
conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed
above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through
to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal
income tax liability. Prospective stockholders should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the application and effect of
state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an
investment in our companys stock.
55
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We 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. Any underwriter or agent involved
in the offer and sale of the securities, including but not
limited to
at-the-market
equity offerings, will be named in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Underwriters or agents could make sales in privately
negotiated transactions
and/or any
other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an
at the market offering as defined in Rule 415
promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made
directly on the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading
market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a
market maker other than on an exchange.
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 parties
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 parties in such sale transactions
will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus,
will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a
post-effective amendment).
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price
or prices, which may be changed related to the prevailing market
prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. We also may,
from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents
to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions
as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In
connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be
deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of
underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive
commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act
as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through
dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters
and/or
commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or
agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any
discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to
participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Underwriters, 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 Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and
agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us
and our Operating Partnership, to indemnification against and
contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, any securities issued hereunder (other than common
stock) will be new issues of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom
such securities are sold by us or the Operating Partnership for
public offering and sale may make a market in such securities,
but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading
market for any such securities.
In connection with an offering of securities, the underwriters
may engage in stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions.
These transactions may include over-allotments or short sales of
the securities, which 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.
56
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
or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these
transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
The underwriters, dealers, agents and their affiliates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services
for us and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business.
57
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Clifford
Chance US LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Equity LifeStyle
Properties, Inc. appearing in Equity LifeStyle Properties,
Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
(Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the
schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Equity
LifeStyle Properties, Inc.s internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon,
included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance
therewith, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and
copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the
SECs public reference rooms located at
100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public from commercial
document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by
the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov.
We maintain a web site at www.equitylifestyle.com. Our
reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual
reference only. The information on our web site is not, and you
must not consider the information to be, a part of this
prospectus. Our securities are listed on the NYSE and all such
material filed by us with the NYSE also can be inspected at the
offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-3,
of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act
with respect to the securities. This prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the registration statement,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the SEC. For further information concerning
our company and the securities, reference is made to the
registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other documents are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to
the copy of such contract or documents filed as exhibits to the
registration statement, each such statement being qualified in
all respects by such reference.
58
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference
information into this prospectus, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this
prospectus, except for any information superseded by information
in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference
the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with
the SEC. These documents contain important information about us,
our business and our finances.
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|
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Document
|
|
Period
|
|
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
(File
No. 1-11718)
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Document
|
|
Filed
|
|
Current Reports on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-11718)
|
|
January 22, 2009
January 27, 2009 (with respect to
Item 5.02 only)
February 25, 2009
March 12, 2009
April 1, 2009
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|
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Document
|
|
Filed
|
|
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
(File No. 1-11718)
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March 31, 2009
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|
|
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Document
|
|
Filed
|
|
Description of our common stock in Registration Statement on
Form 8-A
(File
No. 1-11718)
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February 9, 1993
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Description of our common stock in Registration Statement on
Form 8-A/A
(File
No. 1-11718)
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|
February 22, 1993
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All documents that we file pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, after the date of this prospectus but before the end of
any offering of securities made under this prospectus will also
be considered to be incorporated by reference.
If you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you
with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by
reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of
charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits
are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should
be addressed to Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., Attention:
Investor Relations, Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 800,
Chicago, Illinois 60606, telephone number:
1-800-247-5279,
email: investor_relations@mhchomes.com.
59
5,250,000 Shares
EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES,
INC.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Book-Running Managers
Goldman, Sachs &
Co.
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BofA
Merrill Lynch |
Morgan Stanley |
RBC Capital Markets Wells Fargo Securities |
Co-Managers
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Keefe,
Bruyette & Woods |
Piper Jaffray |
RBS |
June 1, 2011