sv3
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 14, 2005
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Governing
Instruments)
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Maryland |
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20-1142292 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 222
San Diego, California 92128
(858) 485-9840
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Alan D. Gold
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 222
San Diego, California 92128
(858) 485-9840
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Craig M. Garner, Esq.
Latham & Watkins LLP
12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400
San Diego, California 92130
(858) 523-5400
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: From time to time after the effective date of this
Registration Statement as determined by market conditions.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans,
please check the following
box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than
securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following
box. þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement of the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434, please check the following
box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
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Amount to be |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Aggregate |
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Registration |
Title of Securities Being Registered(1)(2) |
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Registered(3) |
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Offering Price |
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Offering Price(4)(5) |
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Fee |
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Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares, Warrants, Rights and Units(3)
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(6) |
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(6) |
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$500,000,000 |
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$58,850 |
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(1) |
This registration statement also covers delayed delivery
contracts that may be issued by the registrant under which the
counterparty may be required to purchase common stock, preferred
stock, depositary shares or warrants to purchase debt
securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares.
Such contracts may be issued together with the specific
securities to which they relate. In addition, securities
registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as
units with other securities registered hereunder. |
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(2) |
Subject to footnote (5), there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate amount of debt securities, common stock, preferred
stock, depositary shares, warrants to purchase debt securities,
common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, rights to
purchase common stock or units of two or more of the foregoing
securities as may be sold, from time to time, by BioMed Realty
Trust, Inc. |
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(3) |
In U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof denominated in one or
more foreign currencies or units of two or more foreign
currencies or composite currencies (such as European Currency
Units). |
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(4) |
The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with
Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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(5) |
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration
fee. No separate consideration will be received for shares of
common stock that are issued upon conversion of depositary
shares or preferred stock or upon exercise of common stock
warrants registered hereunder. The aggregate maximum offering
price of all securities issued pursuant to this registration
statement will not exceed $500,000,000. |
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(6) |
Not applicable, as provided in General Instruction II.D to
Form S-3. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this registration statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this
registration statement shall become effective on such date as
the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
The information in
this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it
is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER
14, 2005
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Units
We may from time to time offer, in one or more classes or
series, 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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debt securities, which may consist of debentures, notes or other
types of debt, |
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shares of common stock, |
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shares of preferred stock, |
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shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, |
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warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common
stock or depositary shares, |
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rights to purchase shares of common stock, and |
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units consisting of two or more of the foregoing. |
We refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock,
depositary shares, warrants, rights and units registered
hereunder collectively as the securities in this
prospectus. The securities will have a maximum aggregate
offering price of $500,000,000 or its equivalent in a foreign
currency based on the exchange rate at the time of sale, in
amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the
offering of any such security.
The specific terms of each series or class of the securities
will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and
may include limitations on actual or constructive ownership and
restrictions on transfer of the securities, in each case as may
be appropriate to preserve the status of our company as a REIT.
The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain
information, where applicable, about certain United States
federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on
a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such
prospectus supplement.
The securities may be offered directly by us, through agents
designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters
or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved
in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any
applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be
calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable
prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled Plan of
Distribution and About this Prospectus for
more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
describing the method and terms of the offering of such series
of securities.
Our common stock currently trades on the New York Stock
Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol BMR.
You should consider the risks that we have described in
Risk Factors on page 2 before investing in our
securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus
is ,
2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
References in this prospectus to we,
our, us and our company
refer to BioMed Realty Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation,
BioMed Realty, L.P., and any of our other subsidiaries. BioMed
Realty, L.P. is a Maryland limited partnership of which we are
the sole general partner and to which we refer in this
prospectus as our operating partnership.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus, in an accompanying prospectus supplement or
incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with information or make any
representation that is different. If anyone provides you with
different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement
do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer
to buy any securities other than the registered securities to
which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction
where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an
offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the
information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement is correct on any date after the
respective dates of the prospectus and such prospectus
supplement or supplements, as applicable, even though this
prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are
delivered or shares are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such
prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the
respective dates of the prospectus contained in this
registration statement and any accompanying prospectus
supplement, our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed. We may only use this
prospectus to sell the securities if it is accompanied by a
prospectus supplement.
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BIOMED REALTY TRUST
We are a real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on
acquiring, developing, owning, leasing and managing laboratory
and office space for the life science industry. Our tenants
include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, scientific
research institutions, government agencies and other entities
involved in the life science industry. Our current properties
and primary acquisition targets are located in markets with well
established reputations as centers for scientific research,
including Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle,
Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York/ New Jersey.
As of September 30, 2005, we owned 36 properties with
an aggregate of 4.4 million rentable square feet of
laboratory and office space. Our properties were approximately
90.6% leased to 81 tenants. Of the remaining unleased
space, approximately 269,316 square feet, or 6.1% of our
total rentable square footage, was under redevelopment.
Our senior management team has significant experience in the
real estate industry, principally focusing on properties
designed for life science tenants. We operate as a fully
integrated, self-administered and self-managed REIT, providing
management, leasing, development and administrative services to
our properties.
Our executive offices are located at 17140 Bernardo Center
Drive, Suite 222, San Diego, California 92128. Our
telephone number at that location is (858) 485-9840. Our
website is located at www.biomedrealty.com. The information
found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not
incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus
or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
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RISK FACTORS
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this
prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the
risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and the other information contained in
this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the
applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such
securities.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a
shelf registration process. Under this process, we
may sell debt securities, common stock, preferred stock,
depositary shares, warrants, rights and units in one or more
offerings up to a total dollar amount of $500,000,000. 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 applicable offering. Such prospectus
supplement may add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus supplement together with additional
information described under the heading Where You Can Find
More Information.
We may offer the securities directly, through agents, or to or
through underwriters. The applicable prospectus supplement will
describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the
names of any underwriters involved in the sale of the
securities. See Plan of Distribution beginning on
page 46 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.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements
and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission at the public reference room
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of
the public reference room may be obtained by calling the
Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0300. Copies of
all or a portion of the registration statement can be obtained
from the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon payment of prescribed fees. Our Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including our registration
statement, are also available to you on the Securities and
Exchange Commissions website, www.sec.gov.
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement on Form S-3, of which this
prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and
amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this
registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to
the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any
accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits
and schedules to the registration statement. For further
information with respect to our company and the securities
registered hereby, reference is made to the registration
statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement.
Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or
other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference in,
this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are
not necessarily complete and, where that contract is an exhibit
to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in
all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates.
Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and
schedules to the registration statement, may be examined without
charge at the public reference room of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. Information about the operation of the public reference
room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0300. Copies of all or a portion of the
registration statement can be obtained from the public reference
room of the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
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payment of prescribed fees. Our Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including our registration statement, are
also available to you on the Securities and Exchange
Commissions website, www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to
incorporate by reference the information we file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means that we
can disclose important information to you by referring to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is an
important part of this prospectus. The incorporated documents
contain significant information about us, our business and our
finances. Any statement contained in a document which is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically
updated and superseded if information contained in this
prospectus, or information that we later file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, modifies or replaces this
information. We incorporate by reference the following documents
we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, |
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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005, |
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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K/ A filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2005, |
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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2005, |
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the description of our common stock included in our registration
statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 30, 2004, and |
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all documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the underlying securities. |
We also specifically incorporate by reference any documents
filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date of the initial registration statement and prior
to effectiveness of the registration statement.
To the extent that any information contained in any current
report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, was furnished
to, rather than filed with, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such information or exhibit is specifically not
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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We will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written
or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the
documents we are incorporating by reference into this
prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless those
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those
documents. A written request should be addressed to BioMed
Realty Trust, Inc., 17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 222,
San Diego, California 92128, Attention: Secretary.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the
documents that we incorporate by reference in each contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Also,
documents we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and incorporate by reference will contain
forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining
to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of
operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our pro
forma financial statements and other pro forma information
incorporated by reference and all our statements regarding
anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated
market conditions, demographics and results of operations are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve
numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them
as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements
depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or
imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not
guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen
as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify
forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as believes, expects,
may, will, should,
seeks, approximately,
intends, plans, pro forma,
estimates or anticipates or the negative
of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can
also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of
strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among
others, could cause actual results and future events to differ
materially from those set forth or contemplated in the
forward-looking statements:
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adverse economic or real estate developments in the life science
industry or the California or Boston regions, |
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general economic conditions, |
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our ability to compete effectively, |
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defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants, |
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increased interest rates and operating costs, |
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our failure to obtain necessary outside financing, |
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our ability to successfully complete real estate acquisitions,
developments and dispositions, |
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our failure to successfully operate acquired properties and
operations, |
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our failure to maintain our status as a REIT, |
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government approvals, actions and initiatives, including the
need for compliance with environmental requirements, |
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financial market fluctuations, and |
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changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real
property tax rates. |
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs,
they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors
that could impact our future results, performance or
transactions, see the section above entitled Risk
Factors, including the risks incorporated therein from our
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our
future filings.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we intend to contribute the net proceeds from any
sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus to our
operating partnership. Our operating partnership will
subsequently use the net proceeds received from us to
potentially acquire or develop additional properties and for
general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of
existing indebtedness and improvements to the properties in our
portfolio. Pending application of cash proceeds, we will invest
the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term,
interest-bearing securities which are consistent with our
intention to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income
tax purposes. Further details regarding the use of the net
proceeds of a specific series or class of the securities will be
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth ratios of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods shown:
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BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. Predecessor | |
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BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. | |
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Historical Combined | |
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Year Ended | |
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Historical Consolidated Period | |
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Historical | |
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Combined Period | |
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April 1 - | |
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January 1 - | |
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August 11 - | |
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December 31, | |
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June 30, | |
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December 31, | |
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January 1 - | |
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2005 | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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August 17, 2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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2001 | |
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2000 | |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
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1.2 |
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5.4 |
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5.3 |
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1.6 |
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1.8 |
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1.5 |
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1.3 |
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2.0 |
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The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by
dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings
consist of income before extraordinary items and fixed charges
included in expense. Fixed charges consist of interest costs,
whether expensed or capitalized, and the amortization of debt
issuance costs.
For the periods shown, we had no outstanding shares of preferred
stock. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends are identical to the ratios presented
in the table above.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of
our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series
of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the
series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate
in the supplement whether the general terms and provisions
described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of
debt securities. To the extent the information contained in the
supplement differs from this summary description, you should
rely on the information in the supplement.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us
and a trustee. We have summarized select portions of the
indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the
indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement and you should read the indenture carefully for
provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used
in the summary and not defined in this prospectus have the
meaning specified in the indenture.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established
by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set
forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers
certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms
of each series of debt securities will be described in a
prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any
pricing supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus,
the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations
and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness. We can issue an unlimited amount of
debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more
series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a
premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus
supplement, including any pricing supplement, relating to any
series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal
amount and the following terms of the debt securities:
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the title of the debt securities, |
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the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal
amount) at which we will sell the debt securities, |
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities, |
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the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt
securities, |
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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or
the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any
commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial
index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date
or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on
which interest will commence and be payable and any regular
record date for the interest payable on any interest payment
date, |
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the place or places where principal of, premium and interest on
the debt securities will be payable, |
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the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt
securities, |
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any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the
option of a holder of debt securities, |
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the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will
repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt
securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these
repurchase obligations, |
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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued,
if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, |
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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of
certificated debt securities or global debt securities, |
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the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other
than the principal amount, |
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the currency of denomination of the debt securities, |
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the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in
which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt
securities will be made, |
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if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt
securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency
units other than that or those in which the debt securities are
denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect
to these payments will be determined, |
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the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of,
premium or interest on the debt securities will be determined,
if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index
based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the
debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or
by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange
index or financial index, |
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any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt
securities, |
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any addition to or change in the events of default described in
this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt
securities and any change in the acceleration provisions
described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to
the debt securities, |
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any addition to or change in the covenants described in this
prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt
securities, |
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any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify or
delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that
series, |
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a discussion of any material United States federal income tax
consequences applicable to an investment in such debt
securities, and |
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any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange
rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt
securities. |
In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue
convertible or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion or
subordination provisions of a particular series of debt
securities will be set forth in the officers certificate
or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt
securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus
supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion,
either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option,
in which case the number of shares of common stock or other
securities to be received by the holders of debt securities
would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the
prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less
than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the
terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on
the other special considerations applicable to any of these debt
securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt
securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign
currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium
and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a
foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or
units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions,
elections, specific terms and other information with respect to
that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or
currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
Transfer and Exchange
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more
global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company, as Depositary, or a nominee (we will refer to any debt
security represented by a global debt security as a
book-entry debt security), or a certificate issued
in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt
security represented by a certificated security as a
certificated debt security) as set
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forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set
forth under the heading Global Debt Securities and
Book-Entry System below, book-entry debt securities will
not be issuable in certificated form.
Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or
exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain
for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture.
No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of
certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge
payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.
You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and
the right to receive the principal of, and premium and interest
on, certificated debt securities only by surrendering the
certificate representing those certificated debt securities and
either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the
new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new
certificate to the new holder.
Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global
debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary, and registered
in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary.
We will require the depositary to agree to follow the following
procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.
Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities
will be limited to persons who have accounts with the depositary
for the related global debt security, which we refer to as
participants, or persons who may hold interests through
participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the
depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the participants accounts with the
respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities
represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by
such participants. The accounts to be credited will be
designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating
in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership
of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer
of such ownership interests will be effected only through,
records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt
security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the
records of participants (with respect to interests of persons
holding through participants). The laws of some states may
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may
impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial
interests in book-entry debt securities.
So long as the depositary for a global debt security, or its
nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security,
the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt
securities represented by such global debt security for all
purposes under the indenture. Except as described below,
beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be
entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a
certificate in definitive form representing securities and will
not be considered the owners or holders of those securities
under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially
owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of
the depositary for the related global debt security and, if such
person is not a participant, on the procedures of the
participant through which such person owns its interest, to
exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
We understand, however, that under existing industry practice,
the depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it
holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of
holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we,
the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder
of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement
of the depositary with respect to that global debt security for
purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be
given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the
indenture.
We will make payments of principal of, and premium and interest
on, book-entry debt securities to the depositary or its nominee,
as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related
global debt security. We, the trustee and any other agent of
ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments
made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global
debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to beneficial ownership interests.
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We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of
principal of, and premium or interest on, a global debt
security, will immediately credit participants accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts
of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown
on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments
by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry
debt securities held through those participants will be governed
by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is
now the case with the securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in street
name, and will be the responsibility of those participants.
We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each
global debt security if the depositary is at any time unwilling
or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor
depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange
Act is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, we
may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have
the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one
or more global debt securities and, in that event, will issue
certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt
securities of that series. Global debt securities will also be
exchangeable by the holders for certificated debt securities if
an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt
securities represented by those global debt securities has
occurred and is continuing. Any certificated debt securities
issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered
in such name or names as the depositary shall instruct the
trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon
directions received by the depositary from participants with
respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to
such global debt security.
We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the
depositary and the depositarys book-entry system from
sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility
for the accuracy of this information.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions
that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the
event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results
in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of
debt securities.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any
restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and
assets to, any person, which we refer to as a successor person,
unless:
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we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if
other than us) is a corporation organized and validly existing
under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and
expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and
under the indenture, |
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of
default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or
both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and
be continuing under the indenture, and |
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certain other conditions are met. |
Events of Default
Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt
securities, any of the following:
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default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of
that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of
that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire
amount of the |
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payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying
agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period), |
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default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt
security of that series when due and payable, |
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default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as
due in respect of any debt security of that series, |
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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or
warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the
benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series),
which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days
after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the
trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series as provided in the indenture, |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
our company, and |
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any other event of default provided with respect to debt
securities of that series that is described in the applicable
prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus. |
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt
securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event
of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.
The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of
default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time
to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of
default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an
event of default under certain of our other indebtedness
outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any
series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if
given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately
the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are
discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may
be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series.
In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or
such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt
securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with
respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has
been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of
default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and
interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that
series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.
We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series
of debt securities that are discount securities for the
particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of
the principal amount of such discount securities upon the
occurrence of an event of default.
The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt
securities, unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory
to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain
rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right
to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect
to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or
trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
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that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice
of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities
of that series, and |
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the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series have made written
request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to
institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not
received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction
inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the
proceeding within 60 days. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security
will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment
of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt
security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt
security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.
The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of
our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to
compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the
trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any series of any default or event of default (except in payment
on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt
securities of that series if it in good faith determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those
debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the
modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or
amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected
debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:
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reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent
to an amendment or waiver, |
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reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest
(including default interest) on any debt security, |
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reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed
maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or
postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or
analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt
securities, |
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reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon
acceleration of maturity, |
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waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or
interest on any debt security (except a rescission of
acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders
of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the
payment default that resulted from such acceleration), |
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make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt
security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt
security, |
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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating
to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities
to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on
those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement
of any such payment and to waivers or amendments, or |
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waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all
debt securities of that series waive our compliance with
provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any
series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities
of such series
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waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that
series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of
the principal of, or premium or any interest on, any debt
security of that series or in respect of a covenant or
provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the
series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,
including any related payment default that resulted from the
acceleration.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in
Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless
otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt
securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt
securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated
debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies
and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held
by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit
with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government
obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a
single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government
obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal
in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants to pay and discharge each
installment of principal, premium and interest on and any
mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt
securities of that series on the stated maturity of those
payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those
debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we
have received from, or there has been published by, the United
States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of
execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case
to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm
that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to United States federal income
tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and
discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides
that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable
series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain
conditions:
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we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the
heading Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets and
certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as
any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement, and |
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any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute
a default or an event of default with respect to the debt
securities of that series, or covenant defeasance. |
The conditions include:
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depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government
obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a
single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government
obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal
in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants to pay and discharge each
installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any
mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt
securities of that series on the stated maturity of those
payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those
debt securities, and |
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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant
defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income
tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if the deposit and related
covenant defeasance had not occurred. |
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Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event
we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with
respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities
of that series are declared due and payable because of the
occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or
U.S. government obligations or foreign government
obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to
pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the
time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay
amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of
the acceleration resulting from the event of default. In such a
case, we would remain liable for those payments.
Foreign Government Obligations means, with
respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in
a currency other than U.S. dollars:
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direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be
issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its
full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or
redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, or |
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obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as
an agency or instrumentality of that government the timely
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith
and credit obligation by that government which are not callable
or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof. |
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of
New York.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
General
This prospectus describes the general terms of our common stock.
For a more detailed description of these securities, you should
read the applicable provisions of the Maryland General
Corporation Law, or MGCL, and our charter and bylaws. When we
offer to sell a particular class or series of stock, we will
describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus
supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any
class or series of stock, you must refer to both the prospectus
supplement relating to that class or series and the description
of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information
contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary
description, you should rely on the information in the
prospectus supplement.
Our charter provides that we may issue up to
100,000,000 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par
value per share, or common stock. Our charter authorizes our
board of directors to amend our charter to increase or decrease
the number of authorized shares of any class or series without
stockholder approval. As of September 30, 2005,
46,635,890 shares of our common stock were issued and
outstanding. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not
liable for the corporations debts or obligations.
All shares of our common stock offered hereby will be duly
authorized, 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 the restrictions on
transfer of stock, holders of shares of our common stock are
entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when
authorized by our board of directors out of assets legally
available therefor and declared by us and to share ratably in
the assets of our company 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 known
debts and liabilities of our company.
Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the
restrictions on transfer of stock, each outstanding share of our
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 provided with respect to any other
class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will
possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative
voting in the election of our directors, which means that the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common
stock can
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elect all of the directors then standing for election and the
holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any
directors.
Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference,
conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal
rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any
securities of our company. Subject to the provisions of our
charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, shares
of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and
other rights.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot
dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially
all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in
similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business
unless such action is advised by the board of directors and
approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to
cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority
of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set
forth in the corporations charter. Our charter provides,
except with respect to an amendment to the section relating to
the removal of directors and the corresponding reference in the
general amendment provision, that the foregoing items may be
approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter. However, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer
all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of
the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if
all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned,
directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Because operating
assets may be held by a corporations subsidiaries, as in
our situation, this may mean that our subsidiary can merge or
transfer all of its assets without a vote of our stockholders.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and
reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into other
classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each
series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our
charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter
regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, 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 such class or series.
Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional
Shares of Our Common Stock
We believe that the power of our board of directors to increase
the number of authorized shares of stock, to cause us to issue
additional authorized but unissued shares of our common stock
and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common
stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or
reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased
flexibility in structuring possible future financings and
acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The
additional classes or series, as well as the common stock, will
be available for issuance without further action by our
stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated
quotation system on which our securities may be listed or
traded. Although our board of directors does not intend to do
so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could,
depending upon the terms of the particular class or series,
delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of
our company that might involve a premium price for our
stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax
requirements applicable to REITs, we have adopted certain
restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our
common stock. See Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer.
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Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is The
Bank of New York.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
General
This prospectus describes the general terms of our preferred
stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you
should read the applicable provisions of the MGCL and our
charter and bylaws. When we offer to sell a particular class or
series of stock, we will describe the specific terms of the
series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a
description of the terms of any class or series of stock, you
must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that
class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus.
To the extent the information contained in the prospectus
supplement differs from this summary description, you should
rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
Our charter provides that we may issue up to
15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value
per share, or preferred stock. Our charter authorizes our board
of directors to amend our charter to increase or decrease the
number of authorized shares of any class or series without
stockholder approval. As of September 30, 2005, no shares
of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any
unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any
previously classified but unissued shares of any class or
series. Prior to issuance of shares of each series, our board of
directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set 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 such class or series. Thus, our board of
directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred
stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of
control of our company that might involve a premium price for
holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best
interest.
The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred
stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to
that class or series, including a prospectus supplement
providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise
of warrants we issue. The description of preferred stock set
forth below and the description of the terms of a particular
class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles
supplementary relating to that class or series.
The preferences and other terms of the preferred stock of each
class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary
relating to such class or series. A prospectus supplement,
relating to each class or series, will specify the terms of the
preferred stock as follows:
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the designation and stated value of such preferred stock, |
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the number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the
liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such
preferred stock, |
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the dividend rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s) or
method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such preferred
stock, |
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whether such preferred stock is cumulative or not and, if
cumulative, the date from which dividends on such preferred
stock shall accumulate, |
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the provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred
stock, |
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the provision for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred
stock, |
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any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange, |
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preemptive rights, if any, |
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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such
preferred stock will be converted into our common stock,
including the conversion price (or manner of calculation
thereof), |
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a discussion of any material United States federal income tax
consequences applicable to an investment in such preferred stock, |
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any limitations on actual and constructive ownership and
restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to
preserve our status as a REIT, |
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the relative ranking and preferences of such preferred stock as
to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of our company, |
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any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred
stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series
of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our
company, |
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any voting rights of such preferred stock, and |
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of such preferred stock. |
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: (1) senior to all classes or series of
our common stock, and to any other class or series of our stock
expressly designated as ranking junior to the preferred stock;
(2) on parity with any class or series of our stock
expressly designated as ranking on parity with the preferred
stock; and (3) junior to any other class or series of our
stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the preferred
stock.
Conversion Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any
class or series of preferred stock are convertible into our
common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number
of shares of our 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 such
class or series of preferred stock, the events requiring an
adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting
conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or
series of preferred stock.
Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional
Shares of Our Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the power to increase the number of
authorized shares of stock, to cause us to issue additional
authorized but unissued shares of our preferred stock and to
classify or reclassify unissued shares of our preferred stock
and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or
reclassified shares of stock. The additional classes or series
will be available for issuance without further action by our
stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated
quotation system on which our securities may be listed or
traded. Although our board of directors does not intend to do
so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could,
depending upon the terms of the particular class or series,
delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of
our company that might involve a premium price for our
stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
To assist us in complying with certain United States federal
income tax requirements applicable to REITs, we have adopted
certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of
our common stock. We expect to adopt similar restrictions with
respect to any class or series offered pursuant to this
prospectus under the articles supplementary for each such class
or series. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any
additional ownership limitation relating to such class or
series. See Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares rather
than full shares of preferred stock. Each depositary share 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 us, 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 the 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, our charter and the form of articles
supplementary for the applicable class or 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 us 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 us) that it
is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the
depositary may (with our approval) 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
applicable 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 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.
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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 and 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 us 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 us
upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the
applicable depositary if (1) such termination is necessary
to preserve our status as a REIT or (2) 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 status 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
(a) all outstanding depositary shares thereunder shall have
been redeemed, (b) 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 receipts evidencing the depositary
shares representing such preferred stock or (c) each share
of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into
stock of our company not so represented by depositary shares.
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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. The applicable prospectus supplement will include
information with respect to fees and charges, if any, in
connection with the deposit or substitution of the underlying
securities, the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale
or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the underlying
security, and the transferring, splitting or grouping of
receipts. The applicable prospectus supplement will also include
information with respect to the right to collect the fees and
charges, if any, against dividends received and deposited
securities.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary
receipts all notices, reports and proxy soliciting material 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 notices, reports and proxy soliciting
material received from us which are received by the depositary
as the holder of preferred stock. The applicable prospectus
supplement will include information about the rights, if any, of
holders of receipts to inspect the transfer books of the
depositary and the list of holders of receipts.
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 us, on the other hand, the
depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or
instructions received from us.
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 and having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities,
common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and may issue
warrants independently or together with debt securities, common
stock, preferred stock
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or 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.
Debt Warrants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
the debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being
delivered, including, where applicable, the following:
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the title of the debt warrants, |
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the aggregate number of the debt warrants outstanding, |
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the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued, |
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the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the
debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants,
and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of
the debt warrants, |
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the designation and terms of any related debt securities with
which the debt warrants are issued, and the number of the debt
warrants issued with each security, |
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the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the
related securities will be separately transferable, |
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the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon
exercise of each debt warrant, and the price at which the debt
securities may be purchased upon exercise, |
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the provisions, if any, for changes to or adjustments in the
exercise price, |
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the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire, |
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the minimum or maximum amount of debt 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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a discussion of certain United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to the debt warrants, and |
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any other terms of the debt warrants, including terms,
procedures and limitations relating to the transferability,
exercise and exchange of such warrants. |
Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt
warrant certificates of different denominations and debt
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 debt
warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the
rights of holders, and will not be entitled to payments of
principal, premium or interest on, the securities purchasable
upon the exercise of debt warrants.
Equity Warrants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
the warrants to purchase depositary shares, common stock or
preferred stock, or equity warrants, in respect of which this
prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the
following:
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the title of the equity warrants, |
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the aggregate number of the equity warrants outstanding, |
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the price or prices at which the equity warrants will be issued, |
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the type and number of securities purchasable upon exercise of
the equity warrants, |
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the date, if any, on and after which the equity warrants and the
related securities will be separately transferable, |
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the price at which each security purchasable upon exercise of
the equity warrants may be purchased, |
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the provisions, if any, for changes to or adjustments in the
exercise price, |
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the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants
shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire, |
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the minimum or maximum amount of equity 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 United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to the equity warrants, and |
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any other terms of the equity warrants, including terms,
procedures and limitations relating to the transferability,
exercise and exchange of such warrants. |
Equity warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new equity
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 equity warrants,
holders of equity 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 depositary shares, common stock or preferred stock
purchasable upon such exercise may be entitled.
Except as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
exercise price and the number of depositary shares, shares of
common stock or shares of preferred stock purchasable upon the
exercise of each equity warrant will be subject to adjustment in
certain events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to
the holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock or
a stock split, reverse stock split, combination, subdivision or
reclassification of the underlying common stock or preferred
stock, as the case may be. In lieu of adjusting the number of
shares purchasable upon exercise of each equity warrant, we may
elect to adjust the number of equity warrants. Unless otherwise
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, no adjustments
in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the equity
warrants will be required until all cumulative adjustments
require an adjustment of at least 1% thereof. We may, at our
option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional
shares will be issued upon exercise of equity warrants, but we
will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise
issuable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, in case of any
consolidation, merger or sale or conveyance of our property as
an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the holder of each
outstanding equity warrant will have the right to the kind and
amount of shares of stock and other securities and property,
including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of
depositary shares, shares of common stock or shares of preferred
stock into which each equity warrant was exercisable immediately
prior to the particular triggering event.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such
number of debt securities, depositary shares, shares of common
stock or shares of 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.
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of
our common stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a
separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a
bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent will
act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates
relating to the rights of the series of certificates 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 statements made in this section relating to the
rights are summaries only. These summaries are not complete.
When we issue rights, we will provide the specific terms of the
rights and the applicable rights agreement in a prospectus
supplement. To the extent the information contained in the
prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you
should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. For
more detail, we refer you to the applicable rights agreement
itself, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by
reference in, the registration statement.
We will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms
of the rights being issued:
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the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights
distribution, |
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the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon
exercise of the rights, |
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the exercise price, |
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the aggregate number of rights issued, |
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the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be
separately transferable, |
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the date on which the right to exercise the rights will
commence, and the date on which the right will expire, |
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a discussion of any material or special United States federal
income tax considerations applicable to the rights, and |
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any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise
of the rights. |
Exercise of Rights
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for
cash the principal amount of shares of common stock at the
exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business
on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the
expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights
certificate properly completed and duly executed at the
corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as
practicable, forward the shares of common stock purchasable upon
exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in
any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed
securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or
through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination
of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting
arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent
securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified
period of time may be transferable only as a single security,
rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising
such units. The statements made in this section relating to the
units are summaries only. These summaries are not complete. When
we issue units, we will provide the specific terms of the units
in a prospectus supplement. To the extent the information
contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary
description, you should rely on the information in the
prospectus supplement.
When we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement
the following terms of the units being issued:
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the title of any series of units, |
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identification and description of the separate constituent
securities comprising the units, |
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the price or prices at which the units will be issued, |
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the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities
comprising the units will be separately transferable, |
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information with respect to any book-entry procedures, |
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a discussion of any material or special United States federal
income tax considerations applicable to the units, and |
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any other terms of the units and their constituent securities. |
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER
The following summary with respect to restrictions on
ownership and transfer of our stock sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of our charter documents to which any
prospectus supplement may relate. This summary does not purport
to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety
by reference to our charter documents, as amended and
supplemented from time to time, including any articles
supplementary relating to any issuance of preferred stock
pursuant to this prospectus. Copies of our existing charter
documents are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any
amendment or supplement to our charter documents relating to an
issuance of securities pursuant to this prospectus shall be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall be
incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the applicable
prospectus supplement. See Where You Can Find More
Information.
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, our stock must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least
335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (other than the
first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or
during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not
more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of stock
may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer
individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities)
during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first
year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).
Our charter contains restrictions on the number of shares of our
stock that a person may own. No person may acquire or hold,
directly or indirectly, in excess of 9.8% in value of our
outstanding shares of capital stock. In addition, no person may
acquire or hold, directly or indirectly, common stock in excess
of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more
restrictive) of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Our charter further prohibits (1) any person from owning
shares of our stock that would result in our being closely
held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise
cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and (2) any person
from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would
result in our stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons. Any
person who acquires or intends to acquire shares of our stock
that may violate any of these restrictions, or who is the
intended transferee of shares of our stock which are transferred
to a trust, as
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described below, is required to give us immediate notice and
provide us with such information as we may request in order to
determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT.
The above restrictions will not apply if our board of directors
determines that it is no longer in our best interests to
continue to qualify as a REIT.
Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the
ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if it:
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determines that such ownership will not cause any
individuals beneficial ownership of shares of our common
stock to violate the ownership limit and that any exemption from
the ownership limit will not jeopardize our status as a
REIT, and |
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determines that such stockholder does not and will not own,
actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of ours (or
a tenant of any entity owned in whole or in part by us) that
would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a
9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the
Code) in such tenant or that any such ownership would not cause
us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code. |
As a condition of our waiver, our board of directors may require
an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our board of
directors, and/or representations or undertakings from the
applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status.
Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would
result in our stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons will
be null and void. Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if
effective, would result in violation of the ownership limits
discussed above or in our being closely held under
Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify
as a REIT, will cause the number of shares causing the violation
(rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically
transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more
charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not
acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be
deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the
business day prior to the date of the transfer. Shares of our
stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares.
The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from
ownership of any shares of stock held in the trust, will have no
rights to dividends, to vote the shares, or to any other rights
attributable to the shares of stock held in the trust. The
trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to
dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in
the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive
benefit of a charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other
distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock
have been transferred to the trust must be paid by the recipient
to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution
authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any
dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in
trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law,
the trustee will have the authority (1) to rescind as void
any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery
that the shares have been transferred to the trust and
(2) to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of
the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable
beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible
corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority
to rescind and recast the vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of
our stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will
sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose
ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership
limitations. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable
beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee
will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed
transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The
proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the
price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the
proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in
connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the
trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar
transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the
event causing the shares to be held in the trust and
(2) the price received by the trustee from the sale or
other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess
of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid
immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our
discovery that shares of our stock have been transferred to the
trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then
(1) the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf
of the trust and (2) to the extent
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that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares
that exceeds the amount he was entitled to receive, the excess
must be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of our stock held in the trust will be
deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at
a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price per
share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the
trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at
the time of the devise or gift) and (2) the market price on
the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the
right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares.
Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in
the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute
the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.
All certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a
legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as
required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder)
of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable
year, is required to give us written notice, stating his name
and address, the number of shares of each class and series of
our stock which he beneficially owns and a description of the
manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner will
provide us with such additional information as we may request in
order to determine the effect, if any, of his beneficial
ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with
the ownership limits. In addition, each stockholder will upon
demand be required to provide us with such information as we may
request in good faith in order to determine our status as a REIT
and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a
transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium
price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest
of our stockholders.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF BIOMED REALTY, L.P.
The material terms and provisions of the Agreement of Limited
Partnership of BioMed Realty, L.P. which we refer to as the
partnership agreement are summarized below. For more
detail, you should refer to the partnership agreement itself, a
copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. For purposes of
this section, references to we, our,
us and our company refer to BioMed
Realty Trust, Inc.
Management of Our Operating Partnership
Our operating partnership, BioMed Realty, L.P., is a Maryland
limited partnership that was formed on April 30, 2004. Our
company is the sole general partner of our operating
partnership, and we conduct substantially all of our business in
or through it. As sole general partner of our operating
partnership, we exercise exclusive and complete responsibility
and discretion in its day-to-day management and control. We can
cause our operating partnership to enter into certain major
transactions including acquisitions, dispositions and
refinancings, subject to limited exceptions. The limited
partners of our operating partnership may not transact business
for, or participate in the management activities or decisions
of, our operating partnership, except as provided in the
partnership agreement and as required by applicable law. Some
restrictions in the partnership agreement restrict our ability
to engage in a business combination as more fully described in
Termination Transactions below.
The limited partners of our operating partnership expressly
acknowledged that we, as general partner of our operating
partnership, are acting for the benefit of our operating
partnership, the limited partners and our stockholders
collectively. Our company is under no obligation to give
priority to the separate interests of the limited partners or
our stockholders in deciding whether to cause our operating
partnership to take or decline to take any actions. If there is
a conflict between the interests of our stockholders on one hand
and the limited partners on the other, we will endeavor in good
faith to resolve the conflict in a manner not adverse to either
our stockholders or the limited partners; provided, however,
that for so long as we own a controlling interest in our
operating partnership, any conflict that cannot be resolved in a
manner not adverse to either our
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stockholders or the limited partners will be resolved in favor
of our stockholders. We are not liable under the partnership
agreement to our operating partnership or to any partner for
monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or
benefits not derived by limited partners in connection with such
decisions; so long as we have acted in good faith.
The partnership agreement provides that substantially all of our
business activities, including all activities pertaining to the
acquisition and operation of properties, must be conducted
through our operating partnership, and that our operating
partnership must be operated in a manner that will enable our
company to satisfy the requirements for being classified as a
REIT.
Transferability of Interests
Except in connection with a transaction described in
Termination Transactions below, we, as
general partner, may not voluntarily withdraw from our operating
partnership, or transfer or assign all or any portion of our
interest in our operating partnership, without the consent of
the holders of a majority of the limited partnership interests
(including our 93.5% limited partnership interest therein)
except for permitted transfers to our affiliates. The limited
partners agreed not to sell, assign, encumber or otherwise
dispose of their units in our operating partnership without our
consent for the twelve-month period following the completion of
our IPO in August 2004, other than to us, as general partner, to
an affiliate of the transferring limited partner, to other
original limited partners, to immediate family members of the
transferring limited partner, to a trust for the benefit of a
charitable beneficiary, or to a lending institution as
collateral for a bona fide loan, subject to specified
limitations. After the twelve-month period following the
completion of our IPO, any transfer of units by the limited
partners, except to the parties specified above, will be subject
to a right of first refusal by us and must be made only to
accredited investors as defined under Rule 501
of the Securities Act.
Capital Contributions
We contributed to our operating partnership all of the net
proceeds of our IPO as our initial capital contribution in
exchange for a 91.5% partnership interest. Some of our
directors, executive officers and their affiliates contributed
properties and assets to our operating partnership and became
limited partners and, together with other limited partners,
initially owned the remaining 8.5% limited partnership interest.
As of September 30, 2005, we owned a 94.2% partnership
interest and other limited partners, including some of our
directors, executive officers and their affiliates, owned the
remaining 5.8% limited partnership interest.
The partnership agreement provides that we, as general partner,
may determine that our operating partnership requires additional
funds for the acquisition of additional properties or for other
purposes. Under the partnership agreement, we are obligated to
contribute the proceeds of any offering of stock as additional
capital to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership
is authorized to cause partnership interests to be issued for
less than fair market value if we conclude in good faith that
such issuance is in the interests of our operating partnership.
The partnership agreement provides that we may make additional
capital contributions, including properties, to our operating
partnership in exchange for additional partnership units. If we
contribute additional capital and receive additional partnership
interests for the capital contribution, our percentage interests
will be increased on a proportionate basis based on the amount
of the additional capital contributions and the value of our
operating partnership at the time of the contributions.
Conversely, the percentage interests of the other limited
partners will be decreased on a proportionate basis. In
addition, if we contribute additional capital and receive
additional partnership interests for the capital contribution,
the capital accounts of the partners may be adjusted upward or
downward to reflect any unrealized gain or loss attributable to
the properties as if there were an actual sale of the properties
at the fair market value thereof. Limited partners have no
preemptive right or obligation to make additional capital
contributions.
Our operating partnership could issue preferred partnership
interests in connection with acquisitions of property or
otherwise. Any such preferred partnership interests would have
priority over common partnership
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interests with respect to distributions from our operating
partnership, including the partnership interests that our wholly
owned subsidiaries own.
Amendments of the Partnership Agreement
Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed by us,
as general partner, or by limited partners owning at least 25%
of the units held by limited partners.
Generally, the partnership agreement may be amended, modified or
terminated only with the approval of partners holding 50% of all
outstanding units (including the units held by us as general
partner and as a limited partner). However, as general partner,
we will have the power to unilaterally amend the partnership
agreement without obtaining the consent of the limited partners
as may be required to:
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add to our obligations as general partner or surrender any right
or power granted to us as general partner for the benefit of the
limited partners, |
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reflect the issuance of additional units or the admission,
substitution, termination or withdrawal of partners in
accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, |
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set forth or amend the designations, rights, powers, duties and
preferences of the holders of any additional partnership
interests issued by our operating partnership, |
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reflect a change of an inconsequential nature that does not
adversely affect the limited partners in any material respect, |
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cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions of the
partnership agreement not inconsistent with law or with other
provisions of the partnership agreement, or make other changes
concerning matters under the partnership agreement that will not
otherwise be inconsistent with the partnership agreement or law, |
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satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines of federal or
state law, |
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reflect changes that are reasonably necessary for us, as general
partner, to maintain our status as a REIT, or |
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modify the manner in which capital accounts are computed. |
Amendments that would convert a limited partners interest
into a general partners interest, adversely affect the
limited liability of a limited partner, alter a partners
right to receive any distributions or allocations of profits or
losses or materially alter or modify the redemption rights
described below (other than a change to reflect the seniority of
any distribution or liquidation rights of any preferred units
issued in accordance with the partnership agreement) must be
approved by each limited partner that would be adversely
affected by such amendment; provided that any such amendment
does not require the unanimous consent of all the partners who
are adversely affected unless the amendment is to be effective
against all adversely affected partners.
In addition, without the written consent of limited partners
holding a majority of the units, we, as general partner, may not
do any of the following:
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take any action in contravention of an express prohibition or
limitation contained in the partnership agreement, |
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enter into or conduct any business other than in connection with
our role as general partner of our operating partnership and our
operation as a public reporting company and as a REIT, |
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acquire an interest in real or personal property other than
through our operating partnership or our subsidiary partnerships, |
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withdraw from our operating partnership or transfer any portion
of our general partnership interest, except to an affiliate, or |
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be relieved of our obligations under the partnership agreement
following any permitted transfer of our general partnership
interest. |
Redemption/ Exchange Rights
Limited partners who acquired units in our formation
transactions have the right, commencing on October 1, 2005,
to require our operating partnership to redeem part or all of
their units for cash based upon the fair market value of an
equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the time of
the redemption. Alternatively, we may elect to acquire those
units in exchange for shares of our common stock. Our
acquisition will be on a one-for-one basis, subject to
adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends,
issuance of stock rights, specified extraordinary distributions
and similar events. We presently anticipate that we will elect
to issue shares of our common stock in exchange for units in
connection with each redemption request, rather than having our
operating partnership redeem the units for cash. With each
redemption or exchange, we increase our companys
percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership.
Commencing on October 1, 2005, limited partners who hold
units may exercise this redemption right from time to time, in
whole or in part, except when, as a consequence of shares of our
common stock being issued, any persons actual or
constructive stock ownership would exceed our companys
ownership limits, or violate any other restriction as provided
in our charter as described under the section entitled
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. In all
cases, unless we agree otherwise, no limited partner may
exercise its redemption right for fewer than 1,000 units or, if
a limited partner holds fewer than 1,000 units, all of the units
held by such limited partner.
Issuance of Additional Units, Common Stock or Convertible
Securities
As sole general partner, we have the ability to cause our
operating partnership to issue additional units representing
general and limited partnership interests. These additional
units may include preferred limited partnership units. In
addition, we may issue additional shares of our common stock or
convertible securities, but only if we cause our operating
partnership to issue to us partnership interests or rights,
options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of
our operating partnership having parallel designations,
preferences and other rights, so that the economic interests of
our operating partnerships interests issued are
substantially similar to the securities that we have issued.
Tax Matters
We are the tax matters partner of our operating partnership. We
have authority to make tax elections under the Code on behalf of
our operating partnership.
Allocations of Net Income and Net Losses to Partners
The net income or net loss of our operating partnership
generally will be allocated to us, as the general partner, and
to the limited partners in accordance with our respective
percentage interests in our operating partnership. However, in
some cases losses may be disproportionately allocated to
partners who have guaranteed debt of our operating partnership.
The allocations described above are subject to special
allocations relating to depreciation deductions and to
compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and
704(c) of the Code and the associated Treasury regulations. See
Federal Income Tax Considerations Tax Aspects
of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and
the Limited Liability Companies.
Operations and Distributions
The partnership agreement provides that we, as general partner,
will determine and distribute the net operating cash revenues of
our operating partnership, as well as the net sales and
refinancing proceeds, in such amount as determined by us in our
sole discretion, quarterly, pro rata in accordance with the
partners percentage interests.
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The partnership agreement provides that our operating
partnership will assume and pay when due, or reimburse us for
payment of all costs and expenses relating to the operations of,
or for the benefit of, our operating partnership.
Termination Transactions
The partnership agreement provides that our company may not
engage in any merger, consolidation or other combination with or
into another person, sale of all or substantially all of our
assets or any reclassification or any recapitalization or change
in outstanding shares of our equity interests, each a
termination transaction, unless in connection with a termination
transaction either:
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(1) all limited partners will receive, or have the right to
elect to receive, for each unit an amount of cash, securities,
or other property equal to the product of: |
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the number of shares of our common stock into which each unit is
then exchangeable, and |
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the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid
to the holder of one share of our common stock in consideration
of one share of our common stock in the termination transaction, |
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provided that, if, in connection with a termination transaction,
a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to and accepted by
the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our
common stock, each holder of units will receive, or will have
the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash,
securities, or other property which such holder would have
received had it exercised its redemption right and received
shares of our common stock in exchange for its units immediately
prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange
offer and accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer, or |
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(2) the following conditions are met: |
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substantially all of the assets of the surviving entity are held
directly or indirectly by our operating partnership or another
limited partnership or limited liability company that is the
surviving partnership of a merger, consolidation or combination
of assets with our operating partnership, |
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the holders of units own a percentage interest of the surviving
partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net
assets of our operating partnership and the other net assets of
the surviving partnership immediately prior to the consummation
of the transaction, |
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the rights, preferences and privileges of such unit holders in
the surviving partnership are at least as favorable as those in
effect immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction
and as those applicable to any other limited partners or
non-managing members of the surviving partnership, and |
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the limited partners may redeem their interests in the surviving
partnership for either the consideration available to the common
limited partners pursuant to the first paragraph in this
section, or if the ultimate controlling person of the surviving
partnership has publicly traded common equity securities, shares
of those common equity securities, at an exchange ratio based on
the relative fair market value of those securities and our
common stock. |
Term
Our operating partnership will continue in full force and effect
until December 31, 2104, or until sooner dissolved in
accordance with its terms or as otherwise provided by law.
Indemnification and Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the partnership
agreement requires our operating partnership to indemnify us, as
general partner, and our officers, directors, employees, agents
and any other persons we may designate from and against any and
all claims arising from operations of our operating partnership
in
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which any indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be
involved, as a party or otherwise, unless it is established that:
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the act or omission of the indemnitee was material to the matter
giving rise to the proceeding and either was committed in bad
faith, fraud or was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty, |
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the indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in
money, property or services, or |
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in the case of any criminal proceeding, the indemnitee had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was
unlawful. |
Similarly, we, as general partner of our operating partnership,
and our officers, directors, agents or employees, are not liable
or accountable to our operating partnership for losses
sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a
result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or any
act or omission so long as we acted in good faith.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND
BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law
and of our charter and bylaws is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter and
bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. See Where
You Can Find More Information.
Our Board of Directors
Our charter and bylaws provide that our board of directors may
establish the number of directors of our company as long as the
number is not fewer than the minimum required under the MGCL
nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than 15. Any vacancy
may be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting
called for that purpose, by a majority of the remaining
directors.
Pursuant to our charter, each of our directors is elected by our
stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting and until
his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of
shares of our common stock will have no right to cumulative
voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each
annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
shares of our common stock will be able to elect all of our
directors.
Removal of Directors
Our charter provides that a director may be removed only by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to
be cast generally in the election of directors. This provision,
when coupled with the provision in our bylaws authorizing our
board of directors to fill vacant directorships, precludes
stockholders from removing incumbent directors and filling the
vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.
Business Combinations
Maryland law prohibits business combinations between
us and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an
interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date
on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. These business combinations include a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances
specified in the statute, an asset transfer, issuance or
transfer by us of equity securities, liquidation plan or
reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an
interested stockholder as:
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any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power
of our stock, or |
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an affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the
two-year period prior to the date in question, was the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our
then-outstanding voting stock. |
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A person is not an interested stockholder if our board of
directors approved in advance the transaction by which the
person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.
However, in approving a transaction, our board of directors may
provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after
the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined
by our board of directors.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination
between us and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an
interested stockholder generally must be recommended by our
board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at
least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our
then-outstanding shares of voting stock, and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our
voting stock other than stock held by the interested stockholder
with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to
be effected or stock held by an affiliate or associate of the
interested stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our
common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under
Maryland law, for their stock in the form of cash or other
consideration in the same form as previously paid by the
interested stockholder for its stock.
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions,
including business combinations that are approved or exempted by
the board of directors before the time that the interested
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of
directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business
combination between us and any person from the business
combination provisions of the MGCL, provided such business
combination is first approved by our board of directors
(including a majority of the directors who are not affiliates or
associates of such person). However, this resolution may be
altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time.
We can provide no assurance that our board of directors will not
amend or rescind this resolution in the future. If this
resolution is repealed, or our board of directors does not
otherwise approve a business combination, the business
combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire
control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any
offer.
Control Share Acquisitions
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 of stockholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the
acquiring person, or by officers or by directors who are our
employees, are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the
matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock
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:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third, |
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one-third or more but less than a majority, or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is
then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained
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, the corporation
may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
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If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the
acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement
as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions
and limitations, the corporation 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. 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.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to
shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if
the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) to
acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of
the corporation.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share
acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of
our common stock. We can provide no assurance that our board of
directors will not amend or eliminate such provision in the
future. Should this happen, the control share acquisition
statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of
us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Other Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland
corporation with a class of equity securities registered under
the Exchange Act and with at least three independent directors
to elect to be subject to any or all of five provisions:
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a classified board, |
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a two-thirds vote requirement to remove a director, |
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a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by the
vote of the directors, |
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a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the
remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of
the directorship in which the vacancy occurred, and |
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a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of
stockholders. |
A corporation can elect into this statute by provision in its
charter or bylaws or by a resolution of its board of directors.
Furthermore, a corporation can elect to be subject to the above
provisions regardless of any contrary provisions in the charter
or bylaws.
Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to
Subtitle 8, (1) vacancies on the board may be filled
by the remaining directors, (2) the number of directors may
be fixed only by the vote of the directors and (3) a
two-thirds vote is required to remove any director from the
board.
Amendment to Our Charter and Bylaws
Our charter may generally be amended only if declared advisable
by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote
of the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter under consideration.
However, the provision regarding director removal and the
corresponding amendment provision may be amended only if advised
by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote
of the stockholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of
all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our bylaws
provide that only our board of directors may amend or repeal our
bylaws or adopt new laws.
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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:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting, |
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by or at the direction of our board of directors, or |
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by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time
of giving the stockholders notice required by our bylaws
and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures
set forth in our bylaws. |
With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the
business specified in our companys notice of meeting may
be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of
persons for election to our board of directors may be made only:
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pursuant to our notice of the meeting, |
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by or at the direction of our board of directors, or |
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provided that our board of directors has determined that
directors will be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who
is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the
stockholders notice required by our bylaws and at the time
of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has
complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our
bylaws. |
Generally, under our bylaws, a stockholder seeking to nominate a
director or bring other business before our annual meeting of
stockholders must deliver a notice to our secretary not later
than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the
120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing
of the notice to stockholders for the prior years annual
meeting. For a stockholder seeking to nominate a candidate for
our board of directors, the notice must describe various matters
regarding the nominee, including name, address, occupation and
number of shares held, and other specified matters. For a
stockholder seeking to propose other business, the notice must
include a description of the proposed business, the reasons for
the proposal and other specified matters.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law
and of Our Charter and Bylaws
The provisions of our charter on removal of directors and the
advance notice provisions of the bylaws could delay, defer or
prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that
might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or
otherwise be in their best interest. Likewise, if our
companys board of directors were to rescind the resolution
exempting business combinations from the business combination
provisions of the MGCL (or does not otherwise approve a business
combination) or if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the
control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded,
these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover
effects.
Ownership Limit
Our charter provides that no person or entity may beneficially
own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable
constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8%
(by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive)
of the outstanding shares of our common stock. We refer to this
restriction as the ownership limit. For a fuller
description of this restriction and the constructive ownership
rules, see Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of the United States federal
income tax considerations related to our REIT election which are
anticipated to be material to purchasers of the securities
offered by this prospectus.
34
Your tax treatment will vary depending upon the terms of the
specific securities that you acquire, as well as your particular
situation. This discussion does not attempt to address any
aspects of federal income taxation relevant to your ownership of
the securities offered by this prospectus. Instead, the material
federal income tax considerations relevant to your ownership of
the securities offered by this prospectus will be provided in
the applicable prospectus supplement that relates to those
securities. This summary is for general information only and is
not tax advice.
The information in this summary is based on current law,
including:
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the Code, |
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current, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated
under the Code, |
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the legislative history of the Code, |
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current administrative interpretations and practices of the
IRS, and |
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court decisions, |
in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition,
the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS
include its practices and policies as expressed in private
letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS except with
respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received
those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury regulations,
administrative interpretations and practices and/or court
decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations contained
in this discussion. Any such change could apply retroactively to
transactions preceding the date of the change.
We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from
the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this
prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, we can
provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in
this summary will not be challenged by the IRS or will be
sustained by a court if so challenged. This summary does not
discuss any state, local or foreign tax consequences associated
with the acquisition, ownership, sale or other disposition of
our common stock or our election to be taxed as a REIT.
You are urged to consult the applicable prospectus
supplement, as well as your tax advisors, regarding the specific
tax consequences to you of:
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the acquisition, ownership, and/or sale or other disposition
of the securities offered under this prospectus, including the
federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences; |
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our election to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes; and |
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potential changes in the applicable tax laws. |
Taxation of Our Company
General. We elected to be taxed as a REIT under
Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with our
taxable year ended December 31, 2004. We believe that we
have been organized and have operated in a manner that will
allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code
commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004,
and we intend to continue to be organized and operate in this
manner. However, qualification and taxation as a REIT depend
upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed
under the Code, including through our actual annual operating
results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of
stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we
have been organized and have operated, or will continue to be
organized and operated, in a manner so as to qualify or remain
qualified as a REIT. See Failure to
Qualify.
The sections of the Code and corresponding Treasury regulations
that relate to qualification and operation as a REIT are highly
technical and complex. The following sets forth the material
aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the federal
income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code
provisions, relevant rules and regulations
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promulgated under the Code, and administrative and judicial
interpretations of the Code and these rules and regulations.
Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in
connection with this registration of our common stock and our
election to be taxed as a REIT. Latham & Watkins LLP
has rendered an opinion to us to the effect that, commencing
with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we have been
organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification
and taxation as a REIT, and our proposed method of operation
will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that
this opinion was based on various assumptions and
representations as to factual matters, including representations
made by us in a factual certificate provided by one of our
officers. In addition, this opinion was based upon our factual
representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our
qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to
meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code
which are discussed below, including through actual annual
operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and
diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been
and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results
of operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy those
requirements. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to
update its opinion subsequent to its date. Further, the
anticipated income tax treatment described in this prospectus
may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative,
administrative or judicial action at any time. See
Failure to Qualify.
Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will
not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on our net
income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This
treatment substantially eliminates the double
taxation that ordinarily results from investment in a C
corporation. A C corporation generally is required to pay tax at
the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the
corporate level when income is earned and once again at the
stockholder level when that income is distributed. We will,
however, be required to pay federal income tax as follows:
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First, we will be required to pay tax at regular corporate rates
on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including
undistributed net capital gains. |
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Second, we may be required to pay the alternative minimum
tax on our items of tax preference under some
circumstances. |
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Third, if we have (1) net income from the sale or other
disposition of foreclosure property held primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or
(2) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property,
we will be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on
this income. Foreclosure property is generally property we
acquired through foreclosure or after a default on a loan
secured by the property or a lease of the property. |
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Fourth, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income
from prohibited transactions. Prohibited transactions are, in
general, sales or other taxable dispositions of property, other
than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers
in the ordinary course of business. |
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Fifth, if we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the
95% gross income test, as described below, but have otherwise
maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other
requirements are met, we will be required to a pay a tax equal
to (1) the greater of (a) the amount by which 75% of
our gross income exceeds the amount qualifying under the 75%
gross income test, and (b) the amount by which 95% of our
gross income (90% for our taxable year ended December 31,
2004) exceeds the amount qualifying under the 95% gross income
test, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability. |
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Sixth, if we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as
described below, by more than a de minimis amount due to
reasonable cause 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 multiplied by the net income
generated by the nonqualifying assets that caused us to fail
such test. |
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Seventh, if we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that
would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a
violation of the REIT gross income tests or certain violations
of the asset tests described below) and the violation is due to
reasonable cause, 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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Eighth, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent
we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum
of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year,
(2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year,
and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. |
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Ninth, if we acquire any asset from a corporation which is or
has been a C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of
the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis
of the asset in the hands of the C corporation, and we
subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset
during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we
acquired the asset, then we will be required to pay tax at the
highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of
the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over
(2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case
determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset. The
results described in this paragraph with respect to the
recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain
from making an election to receive different treatment under
existing Treasury regulations on its tax return for the year in
which we acquire an asset from the C corporation. |
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Tenth, we will be subject to a 100% tax on any
redetermined rents, redetermined
deductions or excess interest. In general,
redetermined rents are rents from real property that are
overstated as a result of services furnished by a taxable
REIT subsidiary of our company to any of our tenants.
Redetermined deductions and excess interest represent amounts
that are deducted by our taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts
paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have
been deducted based on arms-length negotiations. See
Penalty Tax. |
Requirements for Qualification as a Real Estate Investment
Trust. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation,
trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) that issues transferable shares or transferable
certificates to evidence its beneficial ownership;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but
for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code;
(4) that is not a financial institution or an insurance
company within the meaning of certain provisions of the Code;
(5) that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons;
(6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of
which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer
individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities)
during the last half of each taxable year; and
(7) that meets other tests, described below, regarding the
nature of its income and assets and the amount of its
distributions.
The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive,
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 twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a
taxable year of less than twelve months. Conditions (5) and
(6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for
which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of
condition (6), pension funds and other specified tax-exempt
entities generally are treated as individuals except that a
look-through exception applies with respect to
pension funds.
We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have
issued sufficient shares of capital stock with sufficient
diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions
(1) through (7) inclusive during the relevant time
periods. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions
regarding the ownership and transfer of
37
our shares that are intended to assist us in continuing to
satisfy the share ownership requirements described in
(5) and (6) above. These stock ownership and transfer
restrictions are described in Restrictions on Ownership
and Transfer. These restrictions, however, may not ensure
that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share
ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above.
If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except
as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will
terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in
applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the
actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not
have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we
failed to meet the requirement described in condition
(6) above, we will be treated as having met this
requirement. See the section below entitled
Failure to Qualify.
In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our
taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to
have a calendar taxable year.
Ownership of Interests in Partnerships, Limited Liability
Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. In the case of a
REIT which is a partner in a partnership or a member in a
limited liability company treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that the REIT
will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of
the partnership or limited liability company, as the case may
be, based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to
special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below.
Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to the income of
the partnership or limited liability company attributable to its
pro rata share of the assets of that entity. The assets and
gross income of the partnership or limited liability company
retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes
of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross
income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our pro rata share of
the assets and items of income of our operating partnership,
including our operating partnerships share of these items
of any partnership or limited liability company in which it owns
an interest, are treated as our assets and items of income for
purposes of applying the requirements described in this
prospectus, including the REIT income and asset tests described
below. We have included a brief summary of the rules governing
the federal income taxation of partnerships and limited
liability companies below in Tax Aspects of
Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the
Limited Liability Companies.
We have control of our operating partnership and the subsidiary
partnerships and limited liability companies and intend to
continue to operate them in a manner consistent with the
requirements for our qualification as a REIT. In the future, we
may be a limited partner or non-managing member in a partnership
or limited liability company. If such a partnership or limited
liability company were to take actions which could jeopardize
our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we could be
forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition,
it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company
could take an action which could cause us to fail a REIT income
or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action
in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited
liability company or take other corrective action on a timely
basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless
we were entitled to relief, as described below. See
Failure to Qualify below.
We may from time to time own and operate certain properties
through wholly-owned subsidiaries that we intend to be treated
as qualified REIT subsidiaries under the Code. A
corporation will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we
own 100% of its outstanding stock and we do not elect with the
subsidiary to treat it as a taxable REIT subsidiary,
as described below. For federal income tax purposes, a qualified
REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation, and
all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets,
liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit (as the
case may be) of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code,
including the REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the
federal income tax requirements described in this prospectus,
any corporation in which we own a 100% interest (other than a
taxable REIT subsidiary) is ignored, and all assets,
liabilities, and items of income, deduction and credit of such
corporation are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of
income, deduction, and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is
not required to pay federal income tax, and our ownership of the
stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the
restrictions on ownership of securities described below under
Asset Tests.
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Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A
taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation other than a REIT in
which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has
made a joint election with the REIT to be treated as a taxable
REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary also includes any
corporation, other than a REIT, with respect to which a taxable
REIT subsidiary owns securities possessing more than 35% of the
total voting power or value. Other than some activities relating
to lodging and health care facilities, a taxable REIT subsidiary
may generally engage in any business, including the provision of
customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent
REIT. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to federal income tax
as a regular C corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT
subsidiary may be prevented from deducting interest on debt
funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain
tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiarys debt to
equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. A
REITs ownership of securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries
will not be subject to the 10% or 5% asset tests described
below. See Asset Tests.
We currently hold an interest in one taxable REIT subsidiary and
may acquire securities in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries
in the future.
Income Tests. We must satisfy two gross income
requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
First, in each taxable year, we must derive directly or
indirectly at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross
income from prohibited transactions, from investments relating
to real property or mortgages on real property, including
rents from real property and, in certain
circumstances, interest, or from certain types of temporary
investments. Second, in each taxable year, we must derive at
least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from
prohibited transactions, from the real property investments
described above, or from dividends, interest and gain from the
sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any
combination of the foregoing. For these purposes, the term
interest generally does not include any amount
received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the
determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on
the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received
or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term
interest solely by reason of being based on a fixed
percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as rents from
real property for the purpose of satisfying the gross
income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of
the following conditions are met:
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The amount of rent must not be based in any way on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue
generally will not be excluded from the term rents from
real property solely because it is based on a fixed
percentage or percentages of receipts or sales; |
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We, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our
capital stock, must not actually or constructively own 10% or
more of the interests in the tenant, or, if the tenant is a
corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all
classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a
tenant that is also our taxable REIT subsidiary, however, will
not be excluded from the definition of rents from real
property as a result of this condition if at least 90% of
the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to
third parties, and the rents paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary
are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants
for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a taxable REIT
subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by other
tenants is determined at the time the lease with the taxable
REIT subsidiary is entered into, extended, and modified, if such
modification increases the rents due under such lease.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a
controlled taxable REIT subsidiary is modified and
such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by
such taxable REIT subsidiary, any such increase will not qualify
as rents from real property. For purposes of this
rule, a controlled taxable REIT subsidiary is a
taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own stock possessing more
than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value; |
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Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection
with a lease of real property, is not greater than 15% of the
total rent received under the lease. If this requirement is not
met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal
property will not qualify as rents from real
property; and |
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We generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish
or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis
exception, other than through an independent contractor from
whom we |
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derive no revenue. We may, however, 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.
Examples of these services include the provision of light, heat,
or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of
common areas. In addition, we may employ an independent
contractor to provide customary services, or a taxable REIT
subsidiary, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to
provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants
without causing the rent we receive from those tenants to fail
to qualify as rents from real property. Any amounts
we receive from a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect to the
taxable REIT subsidiarys provision of noncustomary
services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75%
gross income test and, except to the extent received through the
payment of dividends, the 95% gross income test. |
We generally do not intend, and as a general partner of our
operating partnership, do not intend to permit our operating
partnership, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to
satisfy the rental conditions described above. However, we may
intentionally fail to satisfy some of these conditions to the
extent we conclude, based on the advice of our tax counsel, the
failure will not jeopardize our tax status as a REIT. In
addition, with respect to the limitation on the rental of
personal property, we have not obtained appraisals of the real
property and personal property leased to tenants. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our
determinations of value.
Income we receive that is attributable to the rental of parking
spaces at the properties will constitute rents from real
property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if certain
services provided with respect to the parking facilities are
performed by independent contractors from whom we derive no
income, either directly or indirectly, or by a taxable REIT
subsidiary, and certain other conditions are met. We believe
that the income we receive that is attributable to parking
facilities meets these tests and, accordingly, will constitute
rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income
tests.
From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions with
respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging
activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps,
and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and
forward contracts. Except to the extent provided by Treasury
regulations, any income we derive from a hedging transaction
which is clearly identified as such as specified in the Code,
including gain from the sale or disposition of such a
transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of
the 95% gross income test, and therefore will be exempt from
this test, but only to the extent that the transaction hedges
indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire or
carry real estate assets. Income from any hedging transaction
will, however, be nonqualifying for purposes of the 75% gross
income test. The term hedging transaction, as used
above, generally means any transaction we enter into in the
normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of
interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings
made or to be made by us. To the extent that we do not properly
identify such transactions as hedges, hedge with other types of
financial instruments, or hedge other types of indebtedness, the
income from those transactions will not be treated as qualifying
income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to
structure our hedging transactions in a manner that does not
jeopardize our status as a REIT.
To the extent our taxable REIT subsidiary pays dividends, we
generally will derive our allocable share of such dividend
income through our interest in our operating partnership. Such
dividend income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%,
REIT gross income test. We intend to monitor the amount of the
dividend and other income from our taxable REIT subsidiary and
we intend to take actions to keep this income, and any other
nonqualifying income, within the limitations of the REIT income
tests. While we expect these actions will prevent a violation of
the REIT income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions
will in all cases prevent such a violation.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income
tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a
REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain
provisions of the Code. Commencing with our taxable year
beginning January 1, 2005, we generally may make use of the
relief provisions if:
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following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or
95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule
with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for
purposes of the |
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75% or 95% gross income tests for such taxable year in
accordance with Treasury regulations to be issued; and |
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our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect. |
For our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we generally
may avail ourselves of the relief provisions if:
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our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect; |
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we attach a schedule of the sources of our income to our federal
income tax return; and |
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any incorrect information on the schedule was not due to fraud
with intent to evade tax. |
It is not possible, however, to state whether in all
circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these
relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross
income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally
accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income,
the IRS could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was
not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions do not
apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify
as a REIT. As discussed above in Taxation of
Our Company General, even if these relief
provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax
would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We
may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for
REIT qualification despite our periodic monitoring of our income.
Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that we realize
on the sale of property held as inventory or otherwise held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business, including our share of any such gain realized by our
operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary
partnerships and limited liability companies, will be treated as
income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100%
penalty tax. This prohibited transaction income may also
adversely affect our ability to satisfy the income tests for
qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is
held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact
that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the
particular transaction. Our operating partnership intends to
hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term
appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing
and owning its properties and to make occasional sales of the
properties as are consistent with our operating
partnerships investment objectives. We do not intend to
enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. However,
the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales
made by our operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships
or limited liability companies are prohibited transactions. We
would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable
share of the gains resulting from any such sales.
Penalty Tax. Any redetermined rents, redetermined
deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a
100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from
real property that are overstated as a result of services
furnished by our taxable REIT subsidiary to any of our tenants,
and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent
amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for
amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would
have been deducted based on arms-length negotiations.
Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they
qualify for the safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.
Our taxable REIT subsidiary currently does not provide any
services to our tenants. If, in the future, we employ a taxable
REIT subsidiary to provide services to our tenants, we intend to
set the fees paid to our taxable REIT subsidiary for such
services at arms length rates, although the fees paid may
not satisfy the safe harbor provisions referred to above. These
determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad
discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties
should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective
incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we
would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an
arms length fee for tenant services over the amount
actually paid.
Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of our taxable
year, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature and
diversification of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value
of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets,
cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this
test, the term real estate assets generally means
real property (including interests in real property and
interests in
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mortgages on real property) and shares (or transferable
certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, as well as
any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of
the proceeds of a stock offering or a public offering of debt
with a term of at least five years, but only for the one-year
period beginning on the date we receive such proceeds.
Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may
be represented by securities, other than those securities
includable in the 75% asset test.
Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, and
except for investments in other REITs, our qualified REIT
subsidiaries and our taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any
one issuers securities may not exceed 5% of the value of
our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total
vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer
except, in the case of the 10% value test, securities satisfying
the straight debt safe-harbor. Certain types of
securities we may own are disregarded as securities solely for
purposes of the 10% value test, 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, commencing with our taxable year beginning
January 1, 2005, solely for purposes of the 10% value test,
the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership
or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be
based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by
the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this
purpose certain securities described in the Code.
Fourth, not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may
be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT
subsidiaries.
To the extent that we own an interest in an issuer that does not
qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary, or a taxable
REIT subsidiary, we believe that the value of the securities of
any such issuer has not exceeded 5% of the total value of our
assets. Moreover, with respect to each issuer in which we own an
interest that does not qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary or
a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our ownership of the
securities of any such issuer has complied with the 10% voting
securities limitation and the 10% value limitation. We believe
that the value of our taxable REIT subsidiary does not exceed,
and believe that in the future it will not exceed, 20% of the
aggregate value of our gross assets. No independent appraisals
have been obtained to support these conclusions. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our
determinations of value.
The asset tests described above must be satisfied at the close
of each quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or
through our operating partnership) acquire securities in the
applicable issuer, increase our ownership of securities of such
issuer (including as a result of increasing our interest in our
operating partnership or other partnerships and limited
liability companies which own such securities), or acquire other
assets. For example, our indirect ownership of securities of
each issuer will increase as a result of our capital
contributions to our operating partnership or as limited
partners exercise their redemption/exchange rights. After
initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter,
we will not lose our status 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 fail to satisfy an asset test
because we acquire securities or other property during a
quarter, including as a result of an increase in our interest in
our operating partnership, we may cure this failure by disposing
of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the
close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained and
intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets
to ensure compliance with the asset tests. In addition, we
intend to take such actions within 30 days after the close
of any quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance.
Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005,
certain relief provisions may be available to us if we fail to
satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30 day
cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have
met the 5% and 10% asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying
assets (1) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the
total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter
or (b) $10,000,000, and (2) we dispose of the
nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such tests within
(a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which
the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or
(b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury regulations
to be issued. For violations due to reasonable cause and not due
to willful neglect that are in excess of the de minimis
exception described above, we may avoid
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disqualification as a REIT under any of the asset tests, after
the 30 day cure period, by taking steps including
(1) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or
the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset
tests within (a) six months after the last day of the
quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is
discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury
regulations to be issued, (2) paying a tax equal to the
greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate
tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the
nonqualifying assets, and (3) disclosing certain
information to the IRS.
Although we expect to satisfy the asset tests described above
and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy the tests
described above, there can be no assurance that our efforts will
always be successful, or will not require a reduction in our
operating partnerships overall interest in an issuer. If
we fail to timely cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in
a timely manner, and the relief provisions described above are
not available, we would cease to qualify as a REIT. See
Failure to Qualify below.
Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain our
qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute
dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our
stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:
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90% of our REIT taxable income; and |
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90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure
property; minus |
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the excess of the sum of certain items of non-cash income over
5% of our REIT taxable income. |
For these purposes, our REIT taxable income is
computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our
net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test,
non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped
rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt,
cancellation of indebtedness or a like-kind exchange that is
later determined to be taxable.
In addition, if we dispose of any asset we acquired from a
corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a
transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by
reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C
corporation, within the ten-year period following our
acquisition of such asset, we would be required to distribute at
least 90% of the after-tax gain, if any, we recognize on the
disposition of the asset, to the extent that gain does not
exceed the excess of (a) the fair market value of the
asset, over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each
case, on the date we acquired the asset.
We generally must pay the distributions described above in the
taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable
year if they are declared during the last three months of the
taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified
date during such period and paid during January of the following
year. Such distributions are treated as paid by us and received
by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which
they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution
for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax
return for such year and paid on or before the first regular
dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment
is made during the twelve-month period following the close of
such year. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders,
other than tax-exempt entities, in the year in which paid. This
is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year
for purposes of our 90% distribution requirement. The amount
distributed must not be preferential i.e., every
stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is
made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that
class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according
to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not
distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least
90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income,
as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed
amount at regular corporate tax rates. We believe we have made,
and intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient
to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to
minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the
partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes
us, as general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary
to cause our operating partnership to distribute to its partners
an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution
requirements.
We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our
cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges
included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we
anticipate that we will
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generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to
satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However,
from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other
liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to
timing differences between the actual receipt of income and
actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of
income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable
income. If these timing differences occur, we may be required to
borrow funds or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock
dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements.
Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an
inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirements
for a year by paying deficiency dividends to our
stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our
deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may
be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as
deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay
interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction taken
for deficiency dividends.
Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the
extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year, or in
the case of distributions with declaration and record dates
falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the
end of January immediately following such year, at least the sum
of 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, 95% of our
REIT capital gain income for the year and any undistributed
taxable income from prior periods. Any REIT taxable income and
net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any
year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for
purposes of calculating such tax.
Like-Kind Exchanges. We may dispose of properties in
transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under
the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the
deferral of gain for federal income tax purposes. The failure of
any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could
subject us to federal income tax, possibly including the 100%
prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and
circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.
Failure to Qualify
Commencing with our taxable year beginning January 1, 2005,
specified cure provisions will be available to us in the event
that we violate a provision of the Code that would result in our
failure to qualify as a REIT. These cure provisions would reduce
the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT
for violations due to reasonable cause and would instead
generally require the payment of a monetary penalty.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable
year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be
required to pay tax, including any applicable alternative
minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates.
Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to
qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, and we will not
be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a
result, we anticipate that our failure to qualify as a REIT
would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our
stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all
distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular
corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated
earnings and profits. In this event, corporate distributees may
be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Unless
entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will
also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four
taxable years following the year during which we lost our
qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all
circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary
Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies
General. All of our investments are held indirectly
through our operating partnership. In addition, our operating
partnership holds certain of its investments indirectly through
subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies which we
expect will be treated as partnerships (or disregarded entities)
for federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are
classified as partnerships (or disregarded entities) for federal
income tax purposes are pass-through entities which
are not required to pay federal income tax. Rather, partners or
members of such entities are allocated their shares of the items
of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the entity, and
are potentially required to pay tax thereon, without regard to
whether the partners or members receive a distribution of cash
from the entity. We include in our income our pro rata share of
the foregoing
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items for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in the
computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes
of the REIT asset tests and subject to special rules relating to
the 10% asset test described above, we will include our pro rata
share of the assets held by our operating partnership, including
its share of its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability
companies, based on our capital interest. See
Taxation of Our Company.
Entity Classification. Our interests in our operating
partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and limited
liability companies involve special tax considerations,
including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the
status of one or more of these entities as a partnership (or
disregarded entity), as opposed to an association taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes. If our operating
partnership, or a subsidiary partnership or limited liability
company, were treated as an association, it would be taxable as
a corporation and would be required to pay an entity-level tax
on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets
and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from
satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income
tests. See Taxation of Our Company
Asset Tests and Income Tests.
This, in turn, could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See
Failure to Qualify for a discussion of
the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable
year. In addition, a change in the tax status of our operating
partnerships or a subsidiary partnerships or limited
liability companys status might be treated as a taxable
event. In that case, we might incur a tax liability without any
related cash distributions. We believe our operating partnership
and each of our other partnerships and limited liability
companies will be classified as a partnership or a disregarded
entity for federal income tax purposes.
Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. The
operating partnership agreement generally provides that items of
operating income and loss will be allocated to the holders of
units in proportion to the number of units held by each such
unit holder. Certain limited partners have agreed to guarantee
debt of our operating partnership, either directly or indirectly
through an agreement to make capital contributions to our
operating partnership under limited circumstances. As a result
of these guarantees or contribution agreements, and
notwithstanding the foregoing discussion of allocations of
income and loss of our operating partnership to holders of
units, such limited partners could under limited circumstances
be allocated a disproportionate amount of net loss upon a
liquidation of our operating partnership, which net loss would
have otherwise been allocable to us.
If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply
with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the
Treasury regulations thereunder, the item subject to the
allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the
partners interests in the partnership. This reallocation
will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and
circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the
partners with respect to such item. Our operating
partnerships allocations of taxable income and loss are
intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b)
of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties. Under
Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and
deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property
that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest
in the partnership, must be allocated in a manner so that the
contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain or
benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property
at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized
gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference
between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax
basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution,
as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for
federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital
accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the
partners. Appreciated property was contributed to our operating
partnership in exchange for interests in our operating
partnership in connection with the formation transactions. The
partnership agreement requires that these allocations be made in
a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code.
Treasury regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the
Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of
accounting for book-tax differences. We and our operating
partnership have agreed to use the traditional
method for accounting for book-tax differences for the
properties initially contributed to our operating partnership.
Under the traditional method, which is the least favorable
method from our perspective, the carryover basis of contributed
interests in the properties in the hands of our operating
partnership (1) will or could cause us to be allocated
lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than
would be allocated to us if all
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contributed properties were to have a tax basis equal to their
fair market value at the time of the contribution and
(2) could cause us to be allocated taxable gain in the
event of a sale of such contributed interests or properties in
excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a
result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the other
partners in our operating partnership. An allocation described
in (2) above might cause us or the other partners to
recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event
of a sale or other disposition of property, which might
adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT
distribution requirements. See Taxation of Our
Company Requirements for Qualification as a Real
Estate Investment Trust and Annual
Distribution Requirements. To the extent our depreciation
is reduced, or our gain on sale is increased, stockholders may
recognize additional dividend income without an increase in
distributions.
Any property acquired by our operating partnership in a taxable
transaction will initially have a tax basis equal to its fair
market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code will not apply.
Other Tax Consequences
State, local and foreign income tax laws may differ
substantially from the corresponding federal income tax laws,
and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of
the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. You
should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of state
and local tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT
and on an investment in our common stock.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities domestically or abroad to one or more
underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell
the securities to investors directly or through dealers or
agents, or through a combination of methods. Any underwriter,
dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities
will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at: (1) a
fixed price or prices, which may be changed, (2) market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, (3) prices related
to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or
(4) negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time,
authorize underwriters acting as their 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,
dealers 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. 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. The maximum compensation
to be received by any NASD member will not exceed 10% of the
gross offering proceeds plus an additional 0.5% for bona fide
due diligence expenses in connection with the sale of the
securities registered hereunder. 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. We will describe any indemnification
agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, any series of securities issued hereunder will be a
new issue with no established trading market (other than our
common stock, which is listed on the NYSE). If we sell any
shares of our common stock pursuant to a prospectus supplement,
such shares will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance. We may elect to list any other securities
issued hereunder on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do
so. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such
securities are sold by us or our operating partnership for
public offering and sale may
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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.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may
authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to
solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to
purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set
forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or
dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may
include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational
and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be
subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities
covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time
of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in
the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The
underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with
respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.
To facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons
participating in the offering may engage in transactions that
stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the
securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of
the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating
in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In
these circumstances, these persons would cover the
over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the
open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In
addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of
the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the
open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling
concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may
be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in
connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these
transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of
the securities at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market. These transactions may be
discontinued at any time.
The underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services
for us and our operating partnership in the ordinary course of
business.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by
Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California.
Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, has issued an opinion to us
regarding certain matters of Maryland law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheet of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, the balance sheet of
Inhale 201 Industrial Road, L.P., as of December 31, 2003,
and the related consolidated statements of income and
stockholders equity of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. and
subsidiaries for the period from August 11, 2004
(commencement of operations) through December 31, 2004, the
related statements of income and owners equity of Inhale
201 Industrial Road, L.P. for the period from January 1,
2004 through August 17, 2004 and the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, the related consolidated and
combined statement of cash flows of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
and subsidiaries and Inhale 201 Industrial Road, L.P. for the
year ended December 31, 2004, the related statements of
cash flows of Inhale 201 Industrial Road, L.P. for the years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related financial
statement schedule III of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. as of
December 31, 2004, all incorporated in this prospectus by
reference, have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accountants,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
The combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the
Lyme Portfolio, and the statements of revenues and certain
expenses of Bridgeview II, Nancy Ridge, Graphics Drive and
Phoenixville for the year ended December 31, 2004,
incorporated in this prospectus by reference, have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP,
independent auditors, and upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing. KPMG LLPs reports
refer to the fact that the statements of revenues and expenses
were prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and are
not intended to be a complete presentation of revenues and
expenses.
47
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
|
|
Item 14. |
Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in
connection with the issuance and registration of the securities
being registered hereunder. All amounts shown are estimates
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Registration Fee
|
|
$ |
58,850 |
|
Printing and Engraving Expenses(1)
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Legal Fees and Expenses (other than Blue Sky)(1)
|
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
Accounting Fees and Expenses(1)
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Miscellaneous(1)
|
|
$ |
11,150 |
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Does not include expenses of preparing any accompanying
prospectus supplements, listing fees, transfer agent fees and
other expenses related to offerings of particular securities. |
We will pay all of the costs identified above.
|
|
Item 15. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Maryland law 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. Our charter contains a provision which eliminates
directors and officers liability to the maximum
extent permitted by Maryland law.
Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law, to obligate ourselves to indemnify and to pay or
reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of
a proceeding to (1) any present or former director or
officer or (2) any individual who, while a director or
officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served
another REIT, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a trustee,
director, officer or partner of such REIT, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to
which such individual may become subject or which such
individual may incur by reason of his or her service in such
capacity. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent
permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a
proceeding to (1) any present or former director or officer
who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding
by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (2) any
individual who, while a director or officer of our company and
at our request, serves or has served another REIT, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise as a trustee, director, officer or partner and
who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding
by reason of his or her service in that capacity, against any
claim or liability to which he or she may become subject or may
incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former
director or officer of the company. Our charter and bylaws also
permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual
who served a predecessor of our company in any of the capacities
described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a
predecessor of our company.
Maryland law 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 or she is made, or
threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service
in that capacity. Maryland law 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
II-1
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 a 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, a
Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment
in a suit by or in the right if the corporation or if the
director or officer was adjudged to be liable on the basis of an
improperly received personal benefit, unless in either case a
court orders indemnification and then only for expenses.
Maryland law 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 or she has met the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (2) a
written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to
repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it shall ultimately
be determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our
executive officers and directors whereby we agree to indemnify
such executive officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted by Maryland law against all expenses and liabilities,
subject to limited exceptions. The indemnification agreements
require us to indemnify the director or officer party thereto,
the indemnitee, against all judgments, penalties, fines and
amounts paid in settlement and all expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by the indemnitee or on his or her behalf in
connection with a proceeding other than one initiated by or on
behalf of us. In addition, the indemnification agreements
require us to indemnify the indemnitee against all amounts paid
in settlement and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by the indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with a
proceeding that is brought by or on behalf of us. In either
case, the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification if it is
established that one of the exceptions to indemnification under
Maryland law set forth above exists.
In addition, the indemnification agreements require us to
advance reasonable expenses incurred by the indemnitee within
ten days of the receipt by us of a statement from the indemnitee
requesting the advance, provided the statement evidences the
expenses and is accompanied by:
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|
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|
|
a written affirmation of the indemnitees good faith belief
that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification, and |
|
|
|
an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the
amount if it is ultimately determined that the standard of
conduct was not met. |
The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures for
the determination of entitlement to indemnification, including
requiring such determination be made by independent counsel
after a change of control of us.
In addition, our directors and officers are indemnified for
specified liabilities and expenses pursuant to the partnership
agreement of BioMed Realty, L.P., the partnership in which we
serve as sole general partner.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of
directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability
arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
II-2
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by
reference into, this registration statement on Form S-3:
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|
Exhibit | |
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| |
|
|
|
1 |
.1 |
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1) |
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(2) |
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.(2) |
|
4 |
.1 |
|
Form of Certificate for Common Stock of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(3) |
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(1) |
|
4 |
.3 |
|
Form of Indenture.(4) |
|
4 |
.4 |
|
Form of Debt Security.(1) |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Form of Deposit Agreement.(1) |
|
4 |
.6 |
|
Form of Warrant.(1) |
|
4 |
.7 |
|
Form of Warrant Agreement.(1) |
|
4 |
.8 |
|
Form of Rights Agreement.(1) |
|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Venable LLP.(4) |
|
5 |
.2 |
|
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.(4) |
|
8 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax
matters.(4) |
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
BioMed Realty, L.P. dated as of August 13, 2004.(2) |
|
12 |
.1 |
|
Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.(4) |
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).(4) |
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.2).(4) |
|
23 |
.3 |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting
firm.(4) |
|
23 |
.4 |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors.(4) |
|
24 |
.1 |
|
Power of Attorney (included on Signature Page).(4) |
|
|
(1) |
To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in
connection with the offering of a particular class or series of
securities. |
|
(2) |
Incorporated herein by reference to BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2004. |
|
(3) |
Incorporated herein by reference to BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.s Registration Statement of Form S-11, as amended
(File No. 333-115204), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 5, 2004. |
|
(4) |
Filed herewith. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
|
|
|
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement: |
|
|
|
(i) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, |
|
|
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any |
II-3
|
|
|
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table
in the effective registration statement, |
|
|
(iii) To include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change such information
in the registration statement, |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do
not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
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|
|
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof. |
|
|
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Exchange Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that:
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|
|
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of
prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in
reliance under Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of
the time it was declared effective. |
|
|
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a
form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of
California, on this 14th day of October, 2005.
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|
BIOMED REALTY TRUST, INC. |
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Alan D. Gold |
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Alan D. Gold and Gary A.
Kreitzer, and each of them, with full power to act without the
other, such persons true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement, and any and
all pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto as well
as any related registration statements (or amendment thereto)
filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with
exhibits and schedules thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
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|
|
|
|
/s/ ALAN D. GOLD
Alan
D. Gold |
|
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ JOHN F. WILSON, II
John
F. Wilson, II |
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ KAREN A. SZTRAICHER
Karen
A. Sztraicher |
|
Vice President Chief Accounting Officer (Principal
Accounting Officer) |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ GARY A. KREITZER
Gary
A. Kreitzer |
|
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ BARBARA R. CAMBON
Barbara
R. Cambon |
|
Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
II-5
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|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ EDWARD A. DENNIS
Edward
A. Dennis |
|
Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ MARK J. RIEDY
Mark
J. Riedy |
|
Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ THEODORE D. ROTH
Theodore
D. Roth |
|
Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
|
/s/ M. FAYE WILSON
M.
Faye Wilson |
|
Director |
|
October 14, 2005 |
II-6
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
.1 |
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1) |
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(2) |
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.(2) |
|
4 |
.1 |
|
Form of Certificate for Common Stock of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(3) |
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock of BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.(1) |
|
4 |
.3 |
|
Form of Indenture.(4) |
|
4 |
.4 |
|
Form of Debt Security.(1) |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Form of Deposit Agreement.(1) |
|
4 |
.6 |
|
Form of Warrant.(1) |
|
4 |
.7 |
|
Form of Warrant Agreement.(1) |
|
4 |
.8 |
|
Form of Rights Agreement.(1) |
|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Venable LLP.(4) |
|
5 |
.2 |
|
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.(4) |
|
8 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax
matters.(4) |
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
BioMed Realty, L.P. dated as of August 13, 2004.(2) |
|
12 |
.1 |
|
Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.(4) |
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).(4) |
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).(4) |
|
23 |
.3 |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting
firm.(4) |
|
23 |
.4 |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors.(4) |
|
24 |
.1 |
|
Power of Attorney (included on Signature Page).(4) |
|
|
(1) |
To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in
connection with the offering of a particular class or series of
securities. |
|
(2) |
Incorporated herein by reference to BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2004. |
|
(3) |
Incorporated herein by reference to BioMed Realty Trust,
Inc.s Registration Statement of Form S-11, as amended
(File No. 333-115204), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 5, 2004. |
|
(4) |
Filed herewith. |