SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 14, 2006
LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES
(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)
Maryland | 1-14045 | 36-4219376 | ||
(State of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
3 Bethesda Metro Center
Suite 1200
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (301) 941-1500
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 3.03. | Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders. |
On November 17, 2006, LaSalle Hotel Properties (the Company) issued 4,000,000 7.25% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share (the Series G Preferred Shares). As set forth in the Articles Supplementary establishing the rights and preferences of the Series G Preferred Shares filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation on November 16, 2006, the Series G Preferred Shares rank senior to the Companys common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and on parity with the Companys Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred Shares, Series E Preferred Shares, and, if and when issued, our Series C Preferred Shares issuable upon redemption of preferred units in our operating partnership that we issued in connection with an acquisition. Holders of the Series G Preferred Shares, if authorized by the Board of Trustees and declared by the Company, are entitled to a cumulative quarterly dividend, at the annualized rate of $1.8125 per share, that will be paid before any dividend on the common stock is paid. In addition to other preferential rights, the holders of the Series G Preferred Shares are entitled to receive the liquidation value, which is $25.00 per share, before the holders of the common stock in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Companys affairs.
In the event that the Company is both: 1) not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market; and 2) not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), the holders of outstanding Series G Preferred Shares will be entitled to a cumulative quarterly dividend, at the annualized rate of 8.25% per share, or $2.0625 per share (the Special Distribution), until such time as either the Company is again listed or quoted, subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
Generally, the Series G Preferred Shares are not redeemable by the Company before November 17, 2011. However, during any period in which the Company is required to pay a Special Distribution, the Company may redeem the Series G Preferred Shares within 90 days of the date in which the Special Distribution is triggered.
A complete description of the Series G Preferred Shares is contained in the Articles Supplementary incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3.1 to this report.
On November 17, 2006, the Company, as general partner of the Operating Partnership, executed an amendment to the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership creating a series of preferred units (the Series G Preferred Units) that mirrors the rights and preferences of the Series G Preferred Shares described above. At the closing of the offering, the proceeds were contributed by the Company to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 4,000,000 Series G Preferred Units.
Item 5.03. | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
The information set forth under Item 3.03 of this report regarding the Series G Preferred Shares is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On November 14, 2006, the Company and the Operating Partnership entered into an underwriting agreement (the Underwriting Agreement) with Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agreed to sell up to 4,000,000 Series G Preferred Shares to the underwriters at a discount to the public offering price of $25.00.
The offering closed on November 17, 2006.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(a) | Exhibits |
1 | Underwriting Agreement dated as of November 14, 2006 among Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representative of the several underwriters, the Company and the Operating Partnership | |
3.1 | Articles Supplementary filed on November 16, 2006 with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2006 | |
3.2 | Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership | |
4 | Form of certificate evidencing the 7.25% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares | |
5 | Opinion of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP re legality | |
8 | Opinion of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP re tax matters |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
LASALLE HOTEL PROPERTIES | ||
By: | /s/ Hans S. Weger | |
Hans S. Weger Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: November 17, 2006
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