EOP OPERATING LTD PARTNERSHIP
8-K, 1999-01-25
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549

                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT
                   Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                      

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  JANUARY 21, 1999



                      EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          DELAWARE                       1-13625                36-4156801
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                   Identification Number)


2 NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
SUITE 2200
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                                                      60606
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (312) 466-3300



                               NOT APPLICABLE
        (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



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                       EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST


ITEM 5  -  OTHER EVENTS

Attached as Exhibits to this form are the documents listed below:

  Exhibit                    Document
  -------                    --------

    1.1                      Underwriting Agreement dated January 21, 1999,
                             by and among EOP Operating Limited Partnership and
                             Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
                             & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the
                             several underwriters listed on Schedule A thereto.

    4.1                      Form of 6.375% Note.

    4.2                      Form of 6.5% Note.

    4.3                      Form of 6.8% Note.

    5.1                      Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. regarding the
                             legality of the Notes.


                                    - 2 -



<PAGE>   3



                                  SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
          
                                       EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP




                                       By:  Equity Office Properties, its
                                            Managing General Partner





Date: January 22, 1999                 By: /s/ Stanley M. Stevens
                                          -----------------------------
                                          Stanley M. Stevens
                                          Executive Vice President and
                                          Secretary


                                    - 3 -



<PAGE>   4


                                EXHIBIT INDEX

                                      
  Exhibit                    Document
  -------                    --------

    1.1                      Underwriting Agreement dated January 21, 1999,
                             by and among EOP Operating Limited Partnership and
                             Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
                             & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the
                             several underwriters listed on Schedule A thereto.

    4.1                      Form of 6.375% Note.

    4.2                      Form of 6.5% Note.

    4.3                      Form of 6.8% Note.

    5.1                      Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. regarding the
                             legality of the Notes.




<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1


                        EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                        (a Delaware limited partnership)

                                 $1,000,000,000

                       $200,000,000 6.375% Notes due 2002

                        $300,000,000 6.5% Notes due 2004

                        $500,000,000 6.8% Notes due 2009


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                                January 21, 1999


MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
on behalf of the Underwriters listed on Schedule A hereof

c/o MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
               INCORPORATED
     World Financial Center
     North Tower
     New York, New York 10281-1209

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

         EOP Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Operating Partnership"), confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") on behalf
of the Underwriters listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the
"Underwriters," which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as
provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch is acting as
representative (in such capacity, the "Representative"), with respect to the
sale by the Operating Partnership and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting
severally and not jointly, of $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.375%
Notes due 2002 (the "2002 Notes"), $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
6.5% Notes due 2004 (the "2004 Notes") and $500,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 6.8% Notes due 2009 (the "2009 Notes" and, together with the 2002
Notes and the 2004 Notes, the "Securities"). The Securities will be issued
pursuant to an indenture dated as of September 2, 1997 (such indenture, as
supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Operating Partnership and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Securities will
be issued in book-entry form only to Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to a letter agreement, to be dated as of the
Closing Time (as 



<PAGE>   2


defined in Section 2(c)) (the "DTC Agreement"), among the Operating Partnership,
the Trustee and DTC. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein,
"you" and "your" shall mean the parties to whom this Underwriting Agreement
(this "Agreement") is addressed. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Prospectus (as
defined below) relating to the Securities.

          The Operating Partnership understands that the Underwriters propose to
make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representative deems
advisable after this Agreement has been executed.

          The Operating Partnership has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No.
333-58689) covering the registration of debt securities, including the
Securities, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses. Promptly after
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Operating Partnership will prepare
and file a prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with
the provisions of Rule 424(b) ("Rule 424(b)") of the rules and regulations of
the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations"). Any prospectus
supplement relating to the Securities that omitted certain pricing information
and was used after the effectiveness of such registration statement and prior to
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the prospectus contained in
such registration statement are collectively referred to as herein as a
"preliminary prospectus." Such registration statement, including the exhibits
thereto, schedules thereto, if any, and the documents incorporated by reference
therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, at the time it
became effective, is herein called the "Registration Statement." Any
registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations
is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement," and after
such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement. The final prospectus and the prospectus supplement
relating to the Securities, including the documents incorporated by reference
therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, in the form first
furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with confirming sales of the
Securities, are collectively referred to herein as the "Prospectus." For
purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission
pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system
("EDGAR").

          All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules
and other information which is "contained," "included," "set forth" or "stated"
in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or
other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such
financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of
any document under the Securities Exchange Act of




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<PAGE>   3


1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), which is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the
case may be.

          The "Company" shall mean Equity Office Properties Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust, which is the managing general partner of the
Operating Partnership.

          Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Operating
Partnership.

          (a) The Operating Partnership represents and warrants to each
Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Time, and agrees with
each Underwriter, as follows:

                  (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Operating
          Partnership meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933
          Act. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
          Registration Statement, has become effective under the 1933 Act and no
          stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
          has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose
          have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the
          Operating Partnership, are contemplated by the Commission, and any
          request on the part of the Commission for additional information has
          been complied with.

                  At the respective times the Registration Statement and any
          post-effective amendments thereto became effective and at the Closing
          Time, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto complied
          and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the
          1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act of
          1939, as amended (the "1939 Act") and the rules and regulations of the
          Commission under the 1939 Act (the "1939 Act Regulations"), and did
          not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
          omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
          necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the
          Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the
          Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the
          Closing Time, included or will include an untrue statement of a
          material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact
          necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
          circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
          representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to
          statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
          Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
          furnished to the Operating Partnership in writing by any Underwriter
          through the Representative expressly for use in the Registration
          Statement or Prospectus.

                  Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectus filed as part
          of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any
          amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act
          Regulations, complied when so filed in all material respects with the
          1933 Act Regulations, and each preliminary




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<PAGE>   4


          prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in
          connection with this offering was identical to the electronically
          transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to
          EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

                  (ii) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or
          deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
          and the Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they
          were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will
          comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act
          and the 1933 Act Regulations or the 1934 Act and the rules and
          regulations of the Commission thereunder (the "1934 Act Regulations"),
          as applicable, and, when read together with the other information in
          the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement became
          effective, at the time the Prospectus was issued and at the Closing
          Time, did not and will not include an untrue statement of a material
          fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
          statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
          were made, not misleading.

                  (iii) Independent Accountants. Each of Ernst & Young LLP and
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the accounting firms that certified the
          financial statements and supporting schedules included in the
          Registration Statement, is an independent public accountant as
          required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (iv) Financial Statements. The financial statements included
          in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with the
          related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of
          the respective entity or entities presented therein at the respective
          dates indicated and the results of their operations for the respective
          periods specified, and except as otherwise stated therein, said
          financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally
          accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis.
          The supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement
          present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be
          stated therein. The financial information and data included in the
          Prospectus present fairly the information included therein and have
          been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the books and records
          of the respective entities presented therein. The Statements of
          Revenues and Certain Operating Expenses included in the Prospectus for
          certain of the Properties (as defined below) present fairly the
          information included therein and have been prepared on a basis
          consistent with that of the books and records of the respective
          entities presented therein. Pro forma financial information included
          in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus has been prepared in
          accordance with the applicable requirements of Rules 11-01 and 11-02
          of Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act, and the necessary pro forma
          adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in
          the compilation of such information, and, in the opinion of the
          Operating Partnership,



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<PAGE>   5


          the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the
          adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the
          transactions and circumstances referred to therein.

                  (v) No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as
          of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no
          material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or
          in the earnings, assets, or business affairs of the Operating
          Partnership and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether
          or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse
          Change"), (B) no casualty loss or condemnation or other adverse event
          with respect to any Property has occurred that would result in a
          Material Adverse Effect (as defined below), (C) there have been no
          transactions or acquisitions entered into by the Operating Partnership
          or any of its subsidiaries, other than those arising in the ordinary
          course of business, which are material with respect to the Operating
          Partnership and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, (D)
          except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
          and except for regular quarterly distributions on the partnership
          interests of the Operating Partnership, there has been no distribution
          of any kind declared, paid or made by the Operating Partnership with
          respect to its partnership interests, and (E) there has been no
          material change in the partnership interests of the Operating
          Partnership, or any material increase in the indebtedness of the
          Operating Partnership.

                  (vi) Good Standing of the Operating Partnership. The Operating
          Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited
          partnership in good standing under the Delaware Revised Uniform
          Limited Partnership Act (the "Delaware Act") with partnership power
          and authority to own, lease and operate any real property or
          improvements thereon owned or leased by the Operating Partnership or
          its subsidiaries (each individually, a "Property" and collectively,
          the "Properties"), to conduct the business in which it is engaged or
          proposes to engage as described in the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under or
          contemplated under this Agreement. The Operating Partnership is duly
          qualified or registered as a foreign partnership and is in good
          standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification or
          registration is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
          leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the
          failure to so qualify, register or be in good standing would not
          result in a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
          otherwise, or the earnings, assets, business affairs or business
          prospects of the Operating Partnership and the its subsidiaries
          considered as one enterprise (a "Material Adverse Effect").

                  (vii) Good Standing of the Subsidiaries. Each of the
          subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership listed on Schedule C to this
          Agreement (collectively, the "Significant Subsidiaries"), if any, has
          been duly organized and is validly



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<PAGE>   6


          existing as a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or
          real estate investment trust in good standing under the laws of its
          respective jurisdiction of organization, with all power and authority
          to own, lease and operate its Properties and to conduct the business
          in which it is engaged or proposes to engage as described in the
          Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Each of the subsidiaries of
          the Operating Partnership is duly qualified or registered as a foreign
          partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or real estate
          investment trust and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
          the business conducted by such subsidiary is required and permitted,
          whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the
          conduct of business, except where the failure, singly or in the
          aggregate, to so qualify would not result in a Material Adverse
          Effect. Each of the partnership or operating agreements of the
          Significant Subsidiaries is in full force and effect.

                  (viii) Capitalization of Operating Partnership. The
          capitalization of the Operating Partnership is as set forth in the
          Prospectus as of the date referenced therein. All of the partnership
          interests outstanding at the date hereof were duly authorized for
          issuance by the Operating Partnership and are validly issued and fully
          paid. The outstanding partnership interests were offered and sold in
          compliance with all applicable laws (including, without limitation,
          federal and state securities laws).

                  (ix) Authorization of the Indenture. The Indenture has been
          duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Operating Partnership,
          and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee,
          constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Operating
          Partnership, enforceable against the Operating Partnership in
          accordance with its terms, except as (i) the enforceability thereof
          may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
          or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) rights
          of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be
          limited by equitable principles of general applicability.

                  (x) Authorization of the Securities. The Securities have been
          duly authorized by the Operating Partnership and, at the Closing Time,
          will have been duly executed by the Operating Partnership and, when
          authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the
          Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor
          as provided in this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding
          obligations of the Operating Partnership, enforceable against the
          Operating Partnership in accordance with their terms, except as (i)
          the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
          reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
          generally and (ii) rights of acceleration and the availability of
          equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general
          applicability, and the Securities will be in the form contemplated by,
          and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.




                                       6
<PAGE>   7


                  (xi) Description of the Securities and the Indenture. The
          Securities and the Indenture will conform in all material respects to
          the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus
          and will be in substantially the respective forms filed or
          incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as exhibits to the
          Registration Statement.

                  (xii) Absence of Defaults. Neither the Operating Partnership
          nor any Significant Subsidiary is in violation of its declaration of
          trust, charter, by-laws, limited liability company agreement,
          certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, as the
          case may be, and neither the Operating Partnership nor any Significant
          Subsidiary is in default in the performance or observance of any
          obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any
          contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other
          instrument to which such entity is a party or by which such entity may
          be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of such entity is
          subject, except where a default thereunder would not result in a
          Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xiii) Absence of Conflicts. The execution and delivery of
          this Agreement and the Indenture, the performance of the obligations
          set forth herein or therein, and the consummation of the transactions
          contemplated hereby or thereby or in the Prospectus (including the
          issuance and sale of the Securities by the Operating Partnership) will
          not result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon the
          Properties or conflict with or constitute a breach or violation by the
          Operating Partnership or any of its subsidiaries, or default under,
          (A) any material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note,
          lease, joint venture or partnership agreement or other instrument or
          agreement to which such entity is a party or by which they, any of
          them, any of their respective assets or any Property may be bound or
          subject, (B) the declaration of trust, the charter, by-laws,
          certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, or limited
          liability company agreement, as the case may be, of such entity or (C)
          any applicable law, rule, order, administrative regulation or
          administrative or court decree, except in the cases of clauses (A) and
          (C) for such liens, charges, encumbrances, conflicts, breaches,
          violations or defaults as would not result in a Material Adverse
          Effect.

                  (xiv) Authorization of Agreement. The Operating Partnership
          has the requisite power and authority under its organizational
          documents to enter into this Agreement, and this Agreement has been
          duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Operating Partnership.

                  (xv) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit or
          proceeding before or brought by any court or governmental agency or
          body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the
          Operating Partnership, threatened against or affecting the Operating
          Partnership, the Company, any Significant Subsidiary, any Property or
          any officer or trustee of the




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<PAGE>   8


          Company that, if determined adversely to the Operating Partnership,
          the Company, any Significant Subsidiary, any Property or any such
          officer or trustee, might (A) result in any Material Adverse Effect or
          (B) materially and adversely affect the consummation of the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement. There are no legal or
          governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Operating
          Partnership, threatened to which the Operating Partnership or any
          significant subsidiary is a party or to which any of their respective
          assets, properties or operations is the subject that are required to
          be described in the Prospectus that are not so described. The
          aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which
          the Operating Partnership, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
          is a party or of which any of their respective assets, properties or
          operations is the subject which are not described in the Prospectus,
          including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business,
          could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
          Effect.

                  (xvi) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or
          documents which are required to be described in the Registration
          Statement, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference
          therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so
          described and filed as required.

                  (xvii) Investment Company Act. Neither the Operating
          Partnership nor any Significant Subsidiary is, or at the Closing Time
          will be, required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of
          1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                  (xviii) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Operating
          Partnership and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on
          reasonable terms, the trademarks, service marks, trade names, or other
          intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property")
          necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and no such
          entity has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any
          infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with
          respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances
          which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to
          protect the interest of such entities therein, and which infringement
          or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or
          finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate,
          would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xix) Absence of Further Requirements. All authorizations,
          approvals and consents of any court or governmental authority or
          agency that are necessary in connection with the offering, issuance or
          sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the other
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Indenture have been
          obtained, except such as have been already obtained or as may be
          required under the securities, blue sky or real estate syndication
          laws of various states in connection with such offer, issuance and
          sale.




                                       8
<PAGE>   9


                  (xx) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Operating
          Partnership and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses,
          approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
          "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state, or
          local regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business
          now conducted by them, or proposed to be conducted by them, as
          described in the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess any
          such Governmental License would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
          The Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries are in compliance with
          the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except
          where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate,
          result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses
          are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of
          such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental
          Licenses to be in full force and effect would not result in a Material
          Adverse Effect. Neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its
          subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
          revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which,
          singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision,
          ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxi) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the
          employees of the Operating Partnership or any of its subsidiary exists
          or, to the knowledge of the Operating Partnership, is imminent, which
          may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxii) Title to Property. (A) With respect to the Properties
          in which the Operating Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, all
          of the ownership interest therein, the Operating Partnership or its
          subsidiaries have good and marketable fee simple title to the land
          underlying such Properties (or, to the extent described in the
          Prospectus, a valid leasehold estate in such land) and (except for the
          Property known as "500 Orange") good and marketable title to the
          improvements thereon and all other assets that are required for the
          effective operation of such Properties in the manner in which they
          currently are operated, subject, however, to existing mortgages on
          such Properties, to utility easements serving such Properties, to
          liens of ad valorem taxes not due and payable as of the Closing Time
          (or which are being contested pursuant to applicable law), to zoning
          and similar governmental land use matters affecting such Properties
          that are consistent with the current uses of such Properties, to
          matters of title not adversely affecting marketability of title to
          such Properties, other statutory liens not due and payable as of the
          Closing Time, title matters that may be material in character, amount
          or extent but which do not materially detract from the value, or
          interfere with the use, of the Properties or otherwise materially
          impair the business operations being conducted or proposed to be
          conducted thereon, tenant leases, service marks and trade names used
          in connection with such Properties, ground leases and ownership by
          others of certain items of equipment and other items of personal
          property that are not material to the conduct of business operations
          at such Properties; (B) with respect to the Properties in which the
          Operating



                                       9
<PAGE>   10



          Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, less than all of the
          ownership interest (the "Joint Venture Properties"), the Operating
          Partnership or its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to such
          ownership interests and the respective entities owning the Joint
          Venture Properties have good and marketable title to such interests in
          the Joint Venture Properties and good and marketable title to the
          improvements thereon and all other assets that are required for the
          effective operation of such Properties in the manner in which they
          currently are operated, subject to the exceptions set forth in clause
          (A) above; (C) the ground leases under which the applicable
          subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership lease the land on which
          certain Properties are located are in full force and effect, and each
          of such subsidiaries is not in default in respect of any of the terms
          or provisions of such leases and neither the Operating Partnership nor
          any such subsidiary has not received notice of the assertion of any
          claim by anyone adverse to such subsidiaries' rights as lessees under
          such leases, or affecting or questioning such subsidiaries' right to
          the continued possession or use of the Property under such leases or
          of a default under such leases; (D) all liens, charges, encumbrances,
          claims, or restrictions on or affecting any of the Properties and the
          assets of the Operating Partnership or any of its subsidiaries are
          disclosed in the Prospectus, subject to the exceptions set forth in
          clause (A) above; (E) neither any subsidiary of the Operating
          Partnership nor any tenant of any of the Properties is in default
          under any of the leases pursuant to which the Operating Partnership or
          any of its subsidiaries, as lessor, leases its Property (and the
          Operating Partnership does not know of any event which, but for the
          passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a
          default under any of such leases) other than such defaults and
          unmatured events of default that would not result in a Material
          Adverse Effect; (F) except for such rights of first refusal as may be
          contained in the agreements related to the Joint Venture Properties,
          no person has an option or right of first refusal to purchase all or
          part of any Property or any interest therein; (G) each of the
          Properties complies with all applicable codes, laws and regulations
          (including, without limitation, building and zoning codes, laws and
          regulations and laws relating to access to the Properties), except if
          and to the extent disclosed in the Prospectus and except for such
          failures to comply that would not individually or in the aggregate
          result in a Material Adverse Effect; (H) there is in full force and
          effect insurance coverages for the assets of the Properties that are
          commercially reasonable for such types of assets, and neither the
          Operating Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries has received from
          any insurance company notice of any material defects or deficiencies
          affecting the insurability of any such assets (including the
          Properties); and (I) neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its
          subsidiaries has any knowledge of any pending or threatened
          condemnation proceedings, zoning change, or other similar proceeding
          or action that will in any manner affect the size of, use of,
          improvements on, construction on or access to the Properties, except
          such proceedings or actions as are disclosed in the Prospectus or that
          would not have a Material Adverse Effect.





                                       10
<PAGE>   11


                  (xxiii) Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed in the
          Prospectus or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect: (A) each
          Property, including, without limitation, the Environment (as defined
          below) associated with such Property, is free of any Hazardous
          Substance (as defined below) in violation of any Environmental Law (as
          defined below) applicable to such Property, except for Hazardous
          Substances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; (B)
          neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries has
          during the period of its ownership caused or suffered to occur any
          Release (as defined below) of any Hazardous Substance into the
          Environment on, in, under or from any Property in violation of any
          Environmental Law applicable to such Property, and no condition exists
          on, in, under or, to the knowledge of the Operating Partnership or any
          of its subsidiaries adjacent to, any Property that could result in the
          incurrence of material liabilities or any material violations of any
          Environmental Law applicable to such Property, or give rise to the
          imposition of any Lien (as defined below) under any Environmental Law;
          (C) neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries is
          engaged in or intends to engage in any manufacturing at the Properties
          that (1) requires the use, handling, transportation, storage,
          treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substance (other than cleaning
          solvents and similar materials and other than insecticides and
          herbicides that are used in the ordinary course of operating the
          Properties and in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws)
          or (2) requires permits or is otherwise regulated pursuant to any
          Environmental Law; (D) neither the Operating Partnership nor any of
          its subsidiaries has received any notice of a claim under or pursuant
          to any Environmental Law applicable to a Property or under common law
          pertaining to Hazardous Substances on or originating from any
          Property; (E) neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its
          subsidiaries has received any notice from any Governmental Authority
          (as defined below) claiming any violation of any Environmental Law
          that is uncured or unremediated as of the date hereof; and (F) no
          Property is included or, to the knowledge of the Operating Partnership
          nor any of its subsidiaries, proposed for inclusion on the National
          Priorities List issued pursuant to CERCLA (as defined below) by the
          United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") or on the
          Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
          Information System database maintained by the EPA, and has not
          otherwise been identified by the EPA as a potential CERCLA removal,
          remedial or response site or included or, to the knowledge of the
          Operating Partnership, proposed for inclusion on, any similar list of
          potentially contaminated sites pursuant to any other applicable
          Environmental Law nor has the Operating Partnership nor any of its
          subsidiaries received any written notice from the EPA or any other
          Governmental Authority proposing the inclusion of any Property on such
          list; and (G) there are no underground storage tanks located on or in
          any Property which have not been disclosed to the Representative.

                  As used herein, the term "Hazardous Substance" shall include,
          without limitation, any hazardous substance, hazardous waste, toxic or
          dangerous



                                       11
<PAGE>   12

          substance, pollutant, solid waste or similarly designated materials,
          including, without limitation, oil, petroleum or any petroleum-derived
          substance or waste, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, PCBs,
          pesticides, explosives, radioactive materials, dioxins, urea
          formaldehyde insulation or any constituent of any such substance,
          pollutant or waste, including any such substance, pollutant or waste
          identified or regulated under any Environmental Law (including,
          without limitation, materials listed in the United States Department
          of Transportation Optional Hazardous Material Table, 49 C.F.R. Section
          172.101, as heretofore amended, or in the EPA's List of Hazardous
          Substances and Reportable Quantities, 40 C.F.R. Part 302, as
          heretofore amended); "Environment" shall mean any surface water,
          drinking water, ground water, land surface, subsurface strata, river
          sediment, buildings, structures, and ambient workplace and indoor air;
          "Environmental Law" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental
          Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42
          U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.) ("CERCLA"), the Resource Conservation and
          Recovery Act of 1976, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq.),
          the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq.), the
          Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. Section 1251, et seq.), the
          Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. Section 2601, et
          seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended (29
          U.S.C. Section 651, et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation
          Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et seq.), and all other
          federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, orders,
          decisions and permits relating to the protection of the environment or
          of human health from environmental effects; "Governmental Authority"
          shall mean any federal, state or local governmental office, agency or
          authority having the duty or authority to promulgate, implement or
          enforce any Environmental Law; "Lien" shall mean, with respect to any
          Property, any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest,
          lien, encumbrance, penalty, fine, charge, assessment, judgment or
          other liability in, on or affecting such Property; and "Release" shall
          mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
          discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, emanating or
          disposing of any Hazardous Substance into the Environment, including,
          without limitation, the abandonment or discard of barrels, containers,
          tanks (including, without limitation, underground storage tanks) or
          other receptacles containing or previously containing any Hazardous
          Substance or any release, emission, discharge or similar term, as
          those terms are defined or used in any Environmental Law.

                  (xxiv) Tax Compliance. Each of the Operating Partnership and
          its subsidiaries has filed all federal, state, and local income tax
          returns which have been required to be filed and has paid all taxes
          required to be paid and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied
          against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and
          payable, except, in all cases, for any such tax, assessment, fine or
          penalty that is being contested in good faith, and except in any case
          in which the failure to so file or pay would not have a Material
          Adverse Effect.





                                       12
<PAGE>   13

                  (xxv) No Price Manipulation. Neither the Operating Partnership
          nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries, nor any of their directors,
          officers or controlling persons, has taken or will take, directly or
          indirectly, any action designed to cause or result under the 1934 Act,
          or otherwise in, or which has constituted or which reasonably might be
          expected to constitute, the unlawful stabilization or manipulation of
          the price of any security of the Operating Partnership to facilitate
          the sale or resale of the Securities.

                  (xxvi) Plan Assets. The assets of the Operating Partnership
          and its subsidiaries do not constitute "plan assets" under the
          Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including
          the regulations and published interpretations thereof.

                  (xxvii) Regulations G, T, U and X. None of the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the use
          of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities) will violate or
          result in a violation of Section 7 of the 1934 Act, or any regulation
          promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulations G,
          T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                  (xxviii)Partnership Classification. The Operating Partnership
          and each of the Significant Subsidiaries that are partnerships are
          properly classified as partnerships, and not as corporations or as
          associations taxable as corporations, for federal income tax purposes
          throughout the period from July 11, 1997 through the date hereof, or,
          in the case of any Significant Subsidiary partnerships that have
          terminated, through the date of termination of such Significant
          Subsidiary partnerships.

                  (xxix) Cross Defaults. The mortgages and deeds of trust
          encumbering the properties and assets described in general in the
          Prospectus are not convertible and are not cross-defaulted or
          cross-collateralized to any property not owned by the Operating
          Partnership or any of its subsidiaries; and, except as disclosed in
          the Prospectus, neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its
          subsidiaries holds participating interests in such mortgages and deeds
          of trust.

          (b) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company, on behalf of
the Operating Partnership, and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for
the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Operating
Partnership to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.


          Section 2. Sale and Delivery; Closing.

          (a) Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties
herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the
Operating Partnership agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not
jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and 




                                       13
<PAGE>   14


not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Operating Partnership, at the price set
forth in Schedule B, the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in
Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional principal
amount of Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase
pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

          (b) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, the Securities shall be made at the offices of Brown & Wood
LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, or at such other
place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Operating
Partnership, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third business day after
the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section
10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as
shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Operating Partnership (such
time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing Time").

          Payment shall be made to the Operating Partnership by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Operating
Partnership, against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts
of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them.
It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representative, for
its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the
purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill
Lynch, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but
shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities
to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the
Closing Time, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its
obligations hereunder.

          (c) Denominations; Registration. The Securities shall be in book-entry
form only and shall be represented by global certificates in such denominations
and registered in such names as the Representative may request in writing at
least two full business days before the Closing Time. The Securities will be
made available for examination and packaging by the Representative in The City
of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the business day
prior to the Closing Time.

          Section 3. Covenants of the Operating Partnership. The Operating
Partnership covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

          (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.
During the period when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be
delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, the Operating Partnership
will notify the Representative immediately, and confirm the notice in writing,
(i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become
effective, or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been
filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any
request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, and
(iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of 




                                       14
<PAGE>   15


the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in
any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any
of such purposes. The Operating Partnership will promptly effect the filings
necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps as it deems necessary
to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing
under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event
that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make
every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any
stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
moment.

          (b) Filing of Amendments. During the period when the Prospectus is
required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the
Securities, the Operating Partnership will give the Representative notice of its
intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement
(including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or
revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the
time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act or otherwise, will furnish the Representative with copies of any
such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use,
as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the
Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

          (c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Operating Partnership has
furnished or will deliver to the Representative and counsel for the
Underwriters, without charge, conformed copies of the Registration Statement as
originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed
therewith or incorporated by reference therein) and conformed copies of all
consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the
Representative, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement
as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of
the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment
thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically
transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR.

          (d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Operating Partnership has delivered
to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary
prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Operating
Partnership hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by
the 1933 Act. The Operating Partnership will furnish to each Underwriter,
without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be
delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, such number of copies of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably
request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to
the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies
thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent
permitted by Regulation S-T.

          (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Operating
Partnership will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934
Act and the 1934 Act Regulations and the 1939 Act and the 1939 Act Regulations
so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as
contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any 



                                       15
<PAGE>   16



time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection
with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as
a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the
Underwriters or for the Operating Partnership, to amend the Registration
Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus
will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading
in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a
purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any
such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the
Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933
Act Regulations, the Operating Partnership will promptly prepare and file with
the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be
necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Operating
Partnership will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such
amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

          (f) State Law. The Operating Partnership will use its best efforts, in
cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and
sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other
jurisdictions, including real estate syndication laws, as the Representative may
designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less
than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement
and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided, however, that the
Operating Partnership shall not be obligated to file any general consent to
service of process or to qualify as a foreign limited partnership or as a dealer
in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject
itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it
is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have
been so qualified, the Operating Partnership will file such statements and
reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such
qualification in effect for a period of not less than one year from the
effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement. The Operating Partnership will also supply the Underwriters with such
information as is necessary for the determination of the legality of the
Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the
Underwriters may request.

          (g) Rule 158. The Operating Partnership will timely file such reports
pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available
to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the
purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of
Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

          (h) Use of Proceeds. The Operating Partnership will use the net
proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified
in the Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds."

          (i) Reporting Requirements. The Operating Partnership, during the
period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the
1934 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and
the 1934 Act Regulations.




                                       16
<PAGE>   17


          (j) DTC. The Operating Partnership shall use its reasonable best
efforts in cooperation with the Underwriters to permit the Securities to be
eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

          (k) Ratings. The Operating Partnership will use its reasonable best
efforts to enable Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") to provide their respective credit ratings
of the Securities.

          (l) Notification of Certain Events. Prior to the Closing Time, the
Operating Partnership will notify the Representative in writing immediately if
any event occurs that renders any of the representations and warranties of the
Operating Partnership contained herein inaccurate or incomplete.

          Section 4. Payment of Fees and Expenses.

          (a) Expenses. The Operating Partnership will pay all expenses incident
to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the
preparation and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial
statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment and
supplement thereto, (ii) the preparation and delivery to the Underwriters of
this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters, the Indenture, and such other
documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and
delivery of the Securities, including any global securities, (iii) the
preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities, including any global
Securities, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Operating Partnership's
counsel, accountants, and other advisors or agents (including transfer agents
and registrars), (v) the qualification of the Securities under state securities
laws and real estate syndication laws in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in
connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of a blue sky memorandum
(the "Blue Sky Memorandum") and any amendment or supplement thereto, (vi) the
printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary
prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii)
any fees charged by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations for
the rating of the Securities, (viii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee, in
connection with the Indenture and the Securities, (ix) all expenses and listing
fees incurred in connection with the clearance and settlement of the Securities
through DTC and (x) all expenses and listing fees incurred in connection with
the application to obtain CUSIP numbers for the Securities.

          (b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the
Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 hereof, the
Operating Partnership shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriters.

          Section 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The several
obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, as of the
date hereof and as of the Closing Time, of the representations and warranties of
the Operating Partnership contained in 




                                       17
<PAGE>   18


Section 1(a) hereof, to the performance by the Operating Partnership of its
covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further
conditions:

          (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become
effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings
therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part
of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to
the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters.

          (b) (i) At the Closing Time, you shall have received the favorable
opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., counsel for
the Operating Partnership, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the
effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

              (ii) At the Closing Time, the Representative shall have received
the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of Brown & Wood LLP,
counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to the matters set forth in Items (1)
(as to formation, valid existence and good standing only), (3),(4),(5),(6),(7), 
(8) and (14) of Exhibit A hereto and a statement similar to the statement
referred to in the last paragraph of Exhibit A hereto.

In giving their opinions required by Section 5(b)(i) and (ii), each of Hogan &
Hartson L.L.P. and Brown & Wood LLP may rely, (A) as to all matters of fact,
upon certificates and written statements of officers and employees of and
accountants for each of the Operating Partnership or the Significant
Subsidiaries and (B) as to the qualification and good standing of each of the
Operating Partnership or the Significant Subsidiaries to do business in any
state or jurisdiction, upon certificates of appropriate government officials or
opinions of counsel in such jurisdictions, which opinions shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

          (c) At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any
Material Adverse Change, and you shall have received a certificate of the Chief
Executive Officer and the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the
Company, on behalf of the Operating Partnership, dated as of the Closing Time,
evidencing compliance with the provisions of this subsection (c), stating that
(i) there has been no Material Adverse Change, (ii) the representations and
warranties set forth in Section 1(a) hereof are accurate as though expressly
made at and as of the Closing Time, and (iii) the conditions precedent set forth
in this Section 5 have been satisfied or waived and (iv) no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and
no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to such
officer's knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission.

          (d) (i) At the time of execution of this Agreement, you shall have
received from Ernst & Young, LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance
satisfactory to you, containing statements and information of the type
ordinarily 



                                       18
<PAGE>   19


included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the
financial statements and certain financial information contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

              (ii) At the time of execution of this Agreement, you shall have
received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter dated such date, in form and
substance satisfactory to you.

          (e) (i) At the Closing Time, you shall have received from Ernst &
Young LLP a letter dated as of the Closing Time to the effect that they reaffirm
the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (d)(i) of
this Section 5, except that the "specified date" referred to shall be a date not
more than three days prior to the Closing Time. Any exception will be identified
in such letter.

              (ii) At the Closing Time, you shall have received from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter dated as of the Closing Time to the effect
that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to
subsection (d)(ii) of this Section 5.

          (f) At the Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been
furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose
of enabling them to pass upon the issuance of the Securities as herein
contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations
or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained;
and all proceedings taken by the Operating Partnership in connection with the
issuance of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form
and substance to you and counsel for the Underwriters.

          (g) At or prior to the Closing Time, the Securities shall be rated at
least Baa1 by Moody's and BBB by S&P and the Operating Partnership shall have
delivered to the Representative evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Representative confirming that the Securities have such ratings; and since the
date of the Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating
assigned to the Securities or any of the Operating Partnership's other debt
securities or the Company's preferred shares of beneficial interest by any
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as that term is defined
by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act, and no such
securities rating organization shall have publicly announced that it has under
surveillance or review any rating of the Securities or any of the Operating
Partnership's other debt securities or the Company's preferred shares of
beneficial interest.

          (h) If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been
fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated
by you by notice to the Operating Partnership at any time at or prior to the
Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to
any other party except as provided in Sections 4 and except that Sections 6, 7,
8 and 13 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.




                                       19
<PAGE>   20

          Section 6. Indemnification.

          (a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Operating Partnership agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who
controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act, and any director, officer, employee or affiliate
thereof, as follows:

                  (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
          expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement
          or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
          Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or
          alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
          therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
          arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
          material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or
          supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of
          a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
          the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
          misleading;

                  (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
          expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
          paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or
          proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
          threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
          statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
          omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such
          settlement is effected with the written consent of the Operating
          Partnership; and

                  (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever (including,
          without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
          chosen by the Representative), reasonably incurred in investigating,
          preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or
          proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
          threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
          statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
          omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or
          (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Operating
Partnership by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in
the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

          (b) Indemnification of the Operating Partnership. Each Underwriter,
severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Operating
Partnership, and each person, if any, who controls the Operating Partnership
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act,
and any trustee, officer, employee or affiliate thereof,



                                       20
<PAGE>   21


against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the
indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only
with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or
omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning
such Underwriter furnished to the Operating Partnership through the
Representative by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

          (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party
shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying
party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be
sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not
relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is
not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve
it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this
indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a)
above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the
Representative, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b)
above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Operating
Partnership. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the
defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying
party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be
counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be
liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local
counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in
connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.
No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought
under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties
are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or
consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or
a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party
agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by
Section 6(a)(iii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of
the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being
entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such
indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement.




                                       21
<PAGE>   22


          Section 7. Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in
Section 6 hereof is for any reason held to be unenforceable by the indemnified
parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the Operating
Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, shall
contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of
the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Operating
Partnership and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the
Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that
the discounts and commissions appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus
bears to the price to investors appearing thereon and the Operating Partnership
is responsible for the balance; provided, however, that no person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

          For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each trustee of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Operating
Partnership within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Operating
Partnership. The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to
this Section 7 are several in proportion to the principal amount of Securities
set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

          Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities purchased and sold by it to purchasers exceeds the
amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay
by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission in the Prospectus.


          Section 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company, on behalf of the
Operating Partnership, submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in
full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Underwriters or any controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Operating
Partnership or any controlling person, and shall survive delivery of the
Securities to the Underwriters.

          Section 9. Termination of Agreement.

          (a) The Representative may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the
Operating Partnership, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time, (i) if there
has been, since the date of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Change, (ii)
if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in
the United States or any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other
calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change
in national or international political, financial, or economic conditions, in
each case, the effect of which is




                                       22
<PAGE>   23


such as to make it, in the Representative's reasonable judgment, impracticable
to market the Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities,
(iii) if trading in any of the Company's shares of beneficial interest or the
Operating Partnership's debt securities has been suspended by the Commission or
the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market has been
suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum
ranges for prices have been required, by either of said exchanges or by such
system or by order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or any other governmental authority, or (iv) if a banking
moratorium has been declared by either federal, New York, Delaware or Maryland
authorities.

          (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as
provided in Sections 4 and 10 hereof and provided further that Sections 4, 6, 7,
8 and 13 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and
effect.

          Section 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more
of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time to purchase the Securities
which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the "Defaulted
Securities"), the Representative shall have the right, within 24 hours
thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all,
of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the
terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representative shall not have completed
such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

          (a) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not
exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased
hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not
jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their
respective purchase obligations hereunder bear to the purchase obligations of
all non-defaulting Underwriters.

          (b) if the aggregate principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds
10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased
hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter.

          No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

          In the event of any such default which does not result in a
termination of this Agreement, either the Representative or the Operating
Partnership shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time for a period not
exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used
herein, the term " Underwriter" includes any person substituted for an
Underwriter under this Section 10.




                                       23
<PAGE>   24


          Section 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the
Underwriters shall be directed to the Representative at World Financial Center,
North Tower, New York, New York 10281-1305, attention of Michael Berman,
Managing Director; and notices to the Operating Partnership shall be directed to
it at Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606, attention of
Stanley M. Stevens, Chief Legal Counsel.

          Section 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. Nothing
expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the
Operating Partnership and their respective successors and the controlling
persons and officers and trustees referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their
successors, heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein
contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended
to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and said controlling persons and officers and directors
and their successors, heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no
other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any
Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

          Section 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE
TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SAID STATE. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY
REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

          Section 14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed
counterparts shall constitute a single instrument.

          Section 15. Effect of Headings. The Article, Section and Sub-Section
headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction
hereof.

                                    * * * * *




                                       24
<PAGE>   25


          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement please sign and return to the Operating Partnership a counterpart
hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a
binding agreement among the Underwriters and the Operating Partnership in
accordance with its terms.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          EOP OPERATING LIMITED
                                          PARTNERSHIP

                                          By:    Equity Office Properties Trust
                                                 Managing General Partner

                                          By:    /s/ Richard D. Kincaid
                                                 -------------------------------
                                          Name:  Richard D. Kincaid 
                                          Title: Executive Vice President and 
                                                 Chief Financial Officer

Confirmed and Accepted, 
as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
For themselves and as the Representative of the
other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto



By:  /s/ Eric Wilson
     ---------------------------                                   
     Authorized Signatory













                                       25
<PAGE>   26


                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Underwriter                                  Aggregate       Aggregate          Aggregate 
                                                        Principal       Principal          Principal 
                                                        Amount of       Amount of          Amount of 
                                                        2002 Notes      2004 Notes         2002 Notes
                                                       ------------    ------------       ------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>                <C>         
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                  $104,000,000    $156,000,000       $260,000,000
        Incorporated.......................
Chase Securities Inc.......................              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co........................              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ...............              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000
Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated.........              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC......              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000
Salomon Smith Barney Inc...................              16,000,000      24,000,000         40,000,000



                                                       ------------    ------------       ------------
        Total..............................            $200,000,000    $300,000,000       $500,000,000
                                                       ============    ============       ============
</TABLE>
                                                            










                                    Sch A-1
<PAGE>   27


                                   SCHEDULE B



                        EOP Operating Limited Partnership

                                 $1,000,000,000

                       $200,000,000 6.375% Notes due 2002
                        $300,000,000 6.5% Notes due 2004
                        $500,000,000 6.8% Notes due 2009

         1. The initial public offering price of the 2002 Notes, the 2004 Notes
and the 2009 Notes shall be 99.862%, 99.727% and 99.554%, respectively, of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from January
26, 1999.

         2. The purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters for the 2002
Notes, the 2004 Notes and the 2009 Notes shall be 99.412%, 99.127% and 98.904%,
respectively, of the aggregate principal amounts thereof.

         3. The interest rate on the 2002 Notes, the 2004 Notes and the 2009
Notes shall be 6.375%, 6.5% and 6.8%, respectively, per annum.

         4. The 2002 Notes will mature on January 15, 2002, the 2004 Notes will
mature on January 15, 2004 and the 2009 Notes will mature on January 15, 2009,
unless, in each case, redeemed at the option of the Operating Partnership at the
redemption price.












                                    Sch B-1

<PAGE>   28


                                   SCHEDULE C



                            Significant Subsidiaries


                                      None














                                    Sch C-1
<PAGE>   29



                                    EXHIBIT A

                        Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

                    (1) The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership
          formed and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
          State of Delaware and has the partnership power and partnership
          authority under the limited partnership agreement of the Operating
          Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") and the Delaware Revised
          Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Delaware Act") to own, lease and
          operate its current properties, to conduct the business in which it is
          engaged or proposes to engage as described in the Prospectus and to
          enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting
          Agreement and the Indenture (collectively, the "Listed Agreements"),
          and the Securities. The Operating Partnership is qualified or
          registered as a foreign limited partnership and is in good standing
          under the laws of the States listed on Appendix A hereto as of the
          respective dates of the certificates received from such States. The
          Company is the managing general partner of the Operating Partnership.
          As of January ___, 1999 there were ___ Units outstanding and the
          Company held of record _______ Units, as reflected in the Partnership
          Agreement.

                    (2) All of the outstanding units of partnership interest
          ("Units") of the Operating Partnership have been duly authorized for
          issuance by the Operating Partnership to the holders thereof, and
          assuming receipt of the capital contributions specified in the
          Partnership Agreement, are validly issued and fully paid.

                    (3) The Securities have been duly authorized by the
          Operating Partnership. The Securities, when issued and authenticated
          in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against
          payment in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, will be
          entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and will constitute valid
          and legally binding obligations of the Operating Partnership,
          enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with their
          terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
          insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting
          creditors' rights (including, without limitation, the effect of
          statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent
          transfers and preferential transfers) and as may be limited by the
          exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of
          equity, including, without limitation, requirements of good faith,
          fair dealing, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether
          enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

                    (4) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized,
          executed and delivered by the Operating Partnership.



                                      A-1


<PAGE>   30


                    (5) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Operating Partnership and (assuming due
          authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties
          thereto) constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Operating
          Partnership, enforceable against the Operating Partnership in
          accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
          insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting
          creditors' rights (including, without limitation, the effect of
          statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent
          transfers and preferential transfers) and as may be limited by the
          exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of
          equity, including, without limitation, requirements of good faith,
          fair dealing, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether
          such agreement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and
          except that a waiver of rights under any usury law may be
          unenforceable.

                    (6) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939
          Act.

                    (7) The Securities and the Indenture conform in all material
          respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus.

                    (8) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
          Registration Statement, has been declared effective under the 1933
          Act; any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has
          been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule
          424(b); and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no stop order
          suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule
          462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and
          no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
          threatened by the Commission.

                    (9) The execution, delivery and performance as of the date
          hereof by the Operating Partnership of the Listed Agreements and the
          issuance and sale of the Securities do not (i) violate the Delaware
          Act or the Partnership Agreement, (ii) to such counsel's knowledge,
          violate any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
          decree of any Delaware agency or court, or (iii) breach or constitute
          a default under any agreement or contract listed on Appendix B hereto.

                    (10) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
          Registration Statement, and the Prospectus, excluding the documents
          incorporated by reference therein, and each amendment or supplement to
          the Registration Statement and Prospectus, excluding the documents
          incorporated by reference therein, as of their respective effective or
          issue dates (other than the financial statements and supporting
          schedules included 



                                      A-2
<PAGE>   31

          therein or omitted therefrom, and the Trustee's Statement of
          Eligibility on Form T-1 (the "Form T-1"), as to which such counsel
          need express no opinion), complied as to form in all material respects
          with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                    (11) The documents incorporated by reference in the
          Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than the financial
          statements and supporting schedules included therein or omitted
          therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when
          they became effective or were filed with the Commission , as the case
          may be, complied as to form in all material respects with the
          requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, as applicable, and the
          rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                    (12) Neither the Operating Partnership nor any Significant
          Subsidiary is or after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities
          and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the
          Prospectus will be, as of the date hereof, an "investment company"
          within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

                    (13) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
          filing or registration with, the Commission or any Delaware court or
          governmental agency or body is required to be obtained or made by the
          Operating Partnership for the issuance of the Securities or the
          performance as of the date hereof of the obligations contained in the
          Securities and the Listed Agreements by the Operating Partnership.

                    (14) The information in the Prospectus under the captions
          "Description of Notes," "Description of Debt Securities" and "Plan of
          Distribution" to the extent that such information constitutes matters
          of law or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is correct in
          all material respects

                    (15) The Operating Partnership is classified as a
          partnership, and is not taxed as a corporation or association taxable
          as a corporation, for Federal income tax purposes throughout the
          period from July 7, 1997 through the date hereof.

                    The opinions as to enforceability expressed in Paragraphs
          (3) and (5) above shall be understood to mean only that if there is a
          default in performance of an obligation, (i) if a failure to pay or
          other damage can be shown and (ii) if the defaulting party can be
          brought into a court which will hear the case and apply the governing
          law, then, subject to the availability of defenses, and to the
          exceptions set forth in Paragraphs (3) and (5) above, the court will
          provide a money damage (or perhaps injunctive or specific performance)
          remedy.


                                      A-3


<PAGE>   32


                    In giving its opinion required by Section 5(b)(i), such
          counsel shall additionally state that no facts have come to their
          attention which cause such counsel to believe that (i) the
          Registration Statement or any amendment thereto (except for the Form
          T-1, as to which such counsel need make no statement), at the time
          such Registration Statement or any such amendment became effective,
          contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
          material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
          statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus or any
          amendment or supplement thereto (except for the Form T-1, as to which
          such counsel need make no statement), at the time the Prospectus was
          issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented prospectus was
          issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an untrue
          statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material
          fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
          of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii)
          there are any legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened
          against the Operating Partnership that are required to be disclosed in
          the Prospectus, other than those disclosed therein, or (iii) there are
          any contracts or documents of a character required to be described in
          the Prospectus that are not described or referred to therein; provided
          that in making the foregoing statements (which shall not constitute an
          opinion), such counsel need not express any views as to the financial
          statements and supporting schedules and other financial information
          and data included in or omitted from the Prospectus. In making the
          foregoing statement, such counsel may state that such statement is
          based upon such counsel's participation in conferences with officers
          and other representatives of the Operating Partnership,
          representatives of the independent public accountants for the
          Operating Partnership and with you and your representatives during the
          course of the preparation of the Registration Statement and the
          Prospectus.





                                      A-4
<PAGE>   33

                                                                      Appendix A

                       States Requiring Registration by or
                   Qualification of the Operating Partnership
                        as a Foreign Limited Partnership

















                                      A-1
<PAGE>   34



                                                                      Appendix B

                        Material Agreements and Contracts
                          of the Operating Partnership



















                                      B-1

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

                        EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                              6.375% NOTES DUE 2002

NO. 00_                                                         PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
CUSIP NO. 268766 BG6                                              $_____________


         UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO
SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

         UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES
IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC
TO A NOMINEE THEREOF OR BY A NOMINEE THEREOF TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF DTC OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.

         THIS NOTE WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM
DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

         EOP Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Issuer," which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or
registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________ Dollars on January
15, 2002 (the "Stated Maturity Date"), (or any Redemption Date, (as defined on
the reverse hereof) or any earlier date of acceleration of maturity, (each such
date being referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal
repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon from January 26, 1999 (or
from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest
has been paid or duly provided for), semiannually in arrears on July 15 and
January 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 1999 (each, an "Interest Payment
Date"), and on the Maturity Date, at a rate of 6.375% per annum, until payment
of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Interest on this Note
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

         The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on an
Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described below, be
paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the "Regular Record Date" for such
payment, which will be the date 15 calendar days (regardless of whether such day
is a Business Day (as defined below)) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Any interest not so punctually



<PAGE>   2


paid or duly provided for on an Interest Payment Date ("Defaulted Interest")
shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date,
and shall be paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more
predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a special record
date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given
to the Holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior
to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

         The principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, with respect to this
Note payable on the Maturity Date will be paid against presentation and
surrender of this Note at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that
purpose in Boston, Massachusetts with a drop facility maintained in New York,
New York. The Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee in Boston, Massachusetts as the office to be maintained by it where
Notes may be presented for payment, registration of transfer, or exchange and
where notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes or the
Indenture may be served.

         Interest payable on this Note on any Interest Payment Date and on the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, will be the amount of interest accrued during
the applicable Interest Period (as defined below).

         An "Interest Period" is each period from and including the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date (or from and including January 26, 1999, in the
case of the initial Interest Period) to but excluding the applicable Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If any Interest Payment
Date or Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, principal,
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest payable on such date will be paid on the
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the
date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so payable
for the period from and after such date to such succeeding Business Day.
"Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, on which
banking institutions in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts are not
required or authorized by law or executive order to close.

         Payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note will be made by U.S. dollar check or by wire transfer (such
a wire transfer to be made only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of
Notes in excess of $10,000,000, and only if such Holder shall have furnished
wire instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the
relevant payment date and acknowledged that a wire transfer fee shall be
payable) of immediately available funds in such coin or currency of the United
States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts.

         Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place. Capitalized terms used herein,
including on the reverse hereof, and not defined herein or on the reverse hereof
shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture.

         This Note shall not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or be
valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of
authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee.




                                       2
<PAGE>   3


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by duly authorized officers of the General Partner.


Dated:  January 26, 1999     EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                               as Issuer

                             By:   EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST, not
                                   individually but as Managing General Partner



                                   By:    
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Richard D. Kincaid    
                                   Its:   Executive Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer



                             and   By:                
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Stanley M. Stevens
                                   Its:   Executive Vice President and
                                          Chief Legal Counsel


                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:  January 26, 1999           STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                                   as Trustee


                                   By:    
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Authorized Officer








                                       3

<PAGE>   4


                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]
                        EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                              6.375% NOTES DUE 2002

       This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of senior Notes of the
Issuer (hereinafter called the "Notes") of the series hereinafter specified, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of September
2, 1997 (as amended, the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer
to State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee,"
which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to
the series of Notes of which this Note is a part), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, and immunities
thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer, and the Holders of the Notes, and of the
terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The
Notes may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued
in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear
interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject to different redemption
provisions (if any), and may otherwise vary as provided in the Indenture. This
Note is one of a series designated as the 6.375% Notes due 2002 of the Issuer
(the "Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to $200,000,000, subject to
the provisions in the Indenture.

         In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof and Make-Whole Amount (if any)
may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect, and subject to the conditions provided in the
Indenture.

         The Issuer may redeem this Note, at any time in whole or from time to
time in part, at the election of the Issuer, at a redemption price equal to the
sum of (i) the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to
the date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Date") and (ii) the Make-Whole
Amount with respect hereto (the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, that
interest installments due on an Interest Payment Date which is on or prior to
the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder hereof (or one or more
predecessor Notes) as of the close of business on the Record Date preceding such
Interest Payment Date. If notice has been given as provided in the Indenture and
funds for the redemption of this Note or any part thereof called for redemption
shall have been made available on the Redemption Date, this Note or such part
thereof will cease to bear interest on the Redemption Date referred to in such
notice and the only right of the Holder will be to receive payment of the
Redemption Price. Notice of any optional redemption of any Notes will be given
to the Holder hereof (in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture), not
more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date. In the event of
redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the
unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms and provisions as
this Note shall be issued by the Issuer in the name of the Holder hereof upon
the presentation and surrender hereof.

         The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.




                                       4
<PAGE>   5


         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding of all series to
be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as provided in the Indenture, to
execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
the Notes of each series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture
shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note at the time Outstanding so
affected, (i) change the final maturity of any Note, or reduce the principal
amount thereof or any premium or Make-Whole Amount thereon, if any, or reduce
the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or impair or
affect the rights of any Holder to institute suit for the payment on any Note,
or (ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Notes, the
Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, or
(iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Notes, the
Holders of which are required to consent to any waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or any waiver of certain defaults
thereunder. It is also provided in the Indenture that, with respect to certain
defaults or Events of Default regarding the Notes of any series, the Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount Outstanding of the Notes of such series
(or, in the case of certain defaults or Events of Default, all series of Notes)
may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes of such series (or all of the
Notes, as the case may be) waive any such past default or Event of Default and
its consequences, prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of such
Notes, or, subject to certain conditions, may rescind a declaration of
acceleration and its consequences with respect to such Notes. The preceding
sentence shall not, however, apply to a default in or Event of Default relating
to, the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or
interest on any of the Notes or in respect of a covenant or provision contained
in the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holders of each Note at the time Outstanding affected thereby. Any such consent
or waiver by the Holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the
Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future
Holders and owners of this Note and any Notes that may be issued in exchange or
substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is
made upon this Note or such other Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any Make-Whole Amount
and interest on this Note in the manner, at the respective times, at the rate
and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

         This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of this
series of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Issuer
in Boston, Massachusetts, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
herein and in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge
except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.




                                       5

<PAGE>   6


         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the Issuer in Boston, Massachusetts, one or more new Notes
of authorized denominations in an equal aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations
provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge except
for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

         This Note is not subject to a sinking fund requirement.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture, or any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced hereby or thereby (including, without limitation, any obligation or
indebtedness relating to the principal of, or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any, interest or any other amounts due, or claimed to be due, on this Note), or
for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had (i)
against the General Partner or any other partner, or any Person which owns an
interest, directly or indirectly, in any partner, in the Issuer, or (ii) against
any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder,
officer, trustee or partner, as such, of the Issuer or the General Partner or of
any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or the General Partner or
any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by
the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.

         Prior to due presentation of this Note for registration of transfer,
the Issuer, the Trustee, and any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee
may deem and treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the
absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon), for the
purpose of receiving payment of, or on account of, the principal hereof and
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and subject to the provisions herein and on the face
hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and neither the Issuer nor
the Trustee nor any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary, except as required by law.

         THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.




                                       6

<PAGE>   7


 
                   ASSIGNMENT FORM AND CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

     To assign this Note fill in the form below:

     (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number, if any)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     Your signature:   
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

     Date:  
           -------------------------------------------

     Signature Guarantee:* 
                           ---------------------------


















- -----------------------
*    Signature must be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company or member 
     firm or a major stock exchange



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                                 [FACE OF NOTE]

                        EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                               6.5% NOTES DUE 2004

NO. 00_                                                         PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
CUSIP NO. 268766 BE1                                                $___________


         UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO
SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

         UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES
IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC
TO A NOMINEE THEREOF OR BY A NOMINEE THEREOF TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF DTC OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.

         THIS NOTE WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM
DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

         EOP Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Issuer," which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _________________ Dollars on January
15, 2004 (the "Stated Maturity Date"), (or any Redemption Date, (as defined on
the reverse hereof) or any earlier date of acceleration of maturity, (each such
date being referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the principal
repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon from January 26, 1999 (or
from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest
has been paid or duly provided for), semiannually in arrears on July 15 and
January 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 1999 (each, an "Interest Payment
Date"), and on the Maturity Date, at a rate of 6.5% per annum, until payment of
said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Interest on this Note
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

         The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on an
Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described below, be
paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the "Regular Record Date" for such
payment, which will be the date 15 calendar days (regardless of whether such day
is a Business Day (as defined below)) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Any interest not so punctually




<PAGE>   2


paid or duly provided for on an Interest Payment Date ("Defaulted Interest")
shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date,
and shall be paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more
predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a special record
date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given
to the Holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior
to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

         The principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, with respect to this
Note payable on the Maturity Date will be paid against presentation and
surrender of this Note at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that
purpose in Boston, Massachusetts with a drop facility maintained in New York,
New York. The Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee in Boston, Massachusetts as the office to be maintained by it where
Notes may be presented for payment, registration of transfer, or exchange and
where notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes or the
Indenture may be served.

         Interest payable on this Note on any Interest Payment Date and on the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, will be the amount of interest accrued during
the applicable Interest Period (as defined below).

         An "Interest Period" is each period from and including the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date (or from and including January 26, 1999, in the
case of the initial Interest Period) to but excluding the applicable Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If any Interest Payment
Date or Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, principal,
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest payable on such date will be paid on the
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the
date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so payable
for the period from and after such date to such succeeding Business Day.
"Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, on which
banking institutions in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts are not
required or authorized by law or executive order to close.

         Payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in
respect of this Note will be made by U.S. dollar check or by wire transfer (such
a wire transfer to be made only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of
Notes in excess of $10,000,000, and only if such Holder shall have furnished
wire instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the
relevant payment date and acknowledged that a wire transfer fee shall be
payable) of immediately available funds in such coin or currency of the United
States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts.

         Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place. Capitalized terms used herein,
including on the reverse hereof, and not defined herein or on the reverse hereof
shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture.

         This Note shall not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or be
valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of
authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee.




                                       2

<PAGE>   3


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by duly authorized officers of the General Partner.


Dated:  January 26, 1999      EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                as Issuer

                              By:   EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST, not
                                    individually but as Managing General Partner



                                    By:    
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Richard D. Kincaid
                                    Its:   Executive Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer



                              and   By:                                      
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Stanley M. Stevens
                                    Its:   Executive Vice President and
                                           Chief Legal Counsel


                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:  January 26, 1999            STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                                    as Trustee


                                    By:    
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Authorized Officer








                                       3
<PAGE>   4


                                [REVERSE OF NOTE]
                        EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                               6.5% NOTES DUE 2004

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of senior Notes of the
Issuer (hereinafter called the "Notes") of the series hereinafter specified, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of September
2, 1997 (as amended, the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer
to State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee,"
which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to
the series of Notes of which this Note is a part), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, and immunities
thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer, and the Holders of the Notes, and of the
terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The
Notes may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued
in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear
interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject to different redemption
provisions (if any), and may otherwise vary as provided in the Indenture. This
Note is one of a series designated as the 6.5% Notes due 2004 of the Issuer (the
"Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to $300,000,000, subject to the
provisions in the Indenture.

         In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof and Make-Whole Amount (if any)
may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect, and subject to the conditions provided in the
Indenture.

         The Issuer may redeem this Note, at any time in whole or from time to
time in part, at the election of the Issuer, at a redemption price equal to the
sum of (i) the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to
the date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Date") and (ii) the Make-Whole
Amount with respect hereto (the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, that
interest installments due on an Interest Payment Date which is on or prior to
the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder hereof (or one or more
predecessor Notes) as of the close of business on the Record Date preceding such
Interest Payment Date. If notice has been given as provided in the Indenture and
funds for the redemption of this Note or any part thereof called for redemption
shall have been made available on the Redemption Date, this Note or such part
thereof will cease to bear interest on the Redemption Date referred to in such
notice and the only right of the Holder will be to receive payment of the
Redemption Price. Notice of any optional redemption of any Notes will be given
to the Holder hereof (in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture), not
more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date. In the event of
redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the
unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms and provisions as
this Note shall be issued by the Issuer in the name of the Holder hereof upon
the presentation and surrender hereof.

         The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.



                                       4

<PAGE>   5


         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding of all series to
be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as provided in the Indenture, to
execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
the Notes of each series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture
shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note at the time Outstanding so
affected, (i) change the final maturity of any Note, or reduce the principal
amount thereof or any premium or Make-Whole Amount thereon, if any, or reduce
the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, or impair or
affect the rights of any Holder to institute suit for the payment on any Note,
or (ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Notes, the
Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, or
(iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Notes, the
Holders of which are required to consent to any waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or any waiver of certain defaults
thereunder. It is also provided in the Indenture that, with respect to certain
defaults or Events of Default regarding the Notes of any series, the Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount Outstanding of the Notes of such series
(or, in the case of certain defaults or Events of Default, all series of Notes)
may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes of such series (or all of the
Notes, as the case may be) waive any such past default or Event of Default and
its consequences, prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of such
Notes, or, subject to certain conditions, may rescind a declaration of
acceleration and its consequences with respect to such Notes. The preceding
sentence shall not, however, apply to a default in or Event of Default relating
to, the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or
interest on any of the Notes or in respect of a covenant or provision contained
in the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holders of each Note at the time Outstanding affected thereby. Any such consent
or waiver by the Holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the
Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future
Holders and owners of this Note and any Notes that may be issued in exchange or
substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is
made upon this Note or such other Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any Make-Whole Amount
and interest on this Note in the manner, at the respective times, at the rate
and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

         This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of this
series of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Issuer
in Boston, Massachusetts, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided
herein and in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge
except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.



                                       5

<PAGE>   6


         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the Issuer in Boston, Massachusetts, one or more new Notes
of authorized denominations in an equal aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations
provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge except
for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

         This Note is not subject to a sinking fund requirement.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture, or any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced hereby or thereby (including, without limitation, any obligation or
indebtedness relating to the principal of, or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any, interest or any other amounts due, or claimed to be due, on this Note), or
for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had (i)
against the General Partner or any other partner, or any Person which owns an
interest, directly or indirectly, in any partner, in the Issuer, or (ii) against
any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder,
officer, trustee or partner, as such, of the Issuer or the General Partner or of
any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or the General Partner or
any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by
the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.

         Prior to due presentation of this Note for registration of transfer,
the Issuer, the Trustee, and any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee
may deem and treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the
absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon), for the
purpose of receiving payment of, or on account of, the principal hereof and
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and subject to the provisions herein and on the face
hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and neither the Issuer nor
the Trustee nor any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary, except as required by law.

         THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.



                                       6

<PAGE>   7


                   ASSIGNMENT FORM AND CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

     To assign this Note fill in the form below:

     (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number, if any)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     Your signature:                                                         
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

     Date:  
          ----------------------------------------------

     Signature Guarantee:*  
                          ------------------------------


















- ------------------------
*    Signature must be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company or member 
     firm or a major stock exchange


                                       7

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                               [FACE OF NOTE]

                      EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                             6.8% NOTES DUE 2009


NO. 00_                                                         PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
CUSIP NO. 268766 BF8                                               $____________



     UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR
TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC,
ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY
PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.

     UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS NOTE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN
CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO
A NOMINEE THEREOF OR BY A NOMINEE THEREOF TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR
BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF DTC OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH
SUCCESSOR.

     THIS NOTE WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM
DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

     EOP Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Issuer," which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or
registered assigns, the principal sum of  ___________________ Dollars on
January 15, 2009 (the "Stated Maturity Date"), (or any Redemption Date, (as
defined on the reverse hereof) or any earlier date of acceleration of maturity,
(each such date being referred to as the "Maturity Date" with respect to the
principal repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon from January 26,
1999 (or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for), semiannually in arrears on July
15 and January 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 1999 (each, an "Interest
Payment Date"), and on the Maturity Date, at a rate of 6.8% per annum, until
payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for.  Interest on
this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     The interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on an
Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described below, be
paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes)
is registered at the close of business on the "Regular Record Date" for such
payment, which will be the date 15 calendar days (regardless of whether such
day is a Business Day (as defined below)) next preceding such Interest Payment
Date.  Any interest not so punctually


<PAGE>   2


paid or duly provided for on an Interest Payment Date ("Defaulted Interest")
shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date,
and shall be paid to the Holder in whose name this Note (or one or more
predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a special record
date (the "Special Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given
to the Holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior
to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

     The principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, with respect to this Note
payable on the Maturity Date will be paid against presentation and surrender of
this Note at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in
Boston, Massachusetts with a drop facility maintained in New York, New York.
The Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee in Boston, Massachusetts as the office to be maintained by it where
Notes may be presented for payment, registration of transfer, or exchange and
where notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes or the
Indenture may be served.

     Interest payable on this Note on any Interest Payment Date and on the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, will be the amount of interest accrued
during the applicable Interest Period (as defined below).

     An "Interest Period" is each period from and including the immediately
preceding Interest Payment Date (or from and including January 26, 1999, in the
case of the initial Interest Period) to but excluding the applicable Interest
Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be.  If any Interest Payment
Date or Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, principal,
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest payable on such date will be paid on
the succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid
on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so
payable for the period from and after such date to such succeeding Business
Day.  "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, on which
banking institutions in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts are not
required or authorized by law or executive order to close.

     Payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in respect
of this Note will be made by U.S. dollar check or by wire transfer (such a wire
transfer to be made only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of Notes
in excess of $10,000,000, and only if such Holder shall have furnished wire
instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the
relevant payment date and acknowledged that a wire transfer fee shall be
payable) of immediately available funds in such coin or currency of the United
States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of
public and private debts.

     Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the
reverse hereof.  Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.  Capitalized terms used herein,
including on the reverse hereof, and not defined herein or on the reverse
hereof shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Indenture.

     This Note shall not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or be
valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of
authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee.


                                      2


<PAGE>   3


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be signed manually
or by facsimile by duly authorized officers of the General Partner.


Dated: January 26, 1999         EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                  as Issuer

                                By: EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST, not
                                    individually but as Managing General Partner
                                     



                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                         Richard D. Kincaid
                                    Its: Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                       



                                and By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                         Stanley M. Stevens
                                    Its: Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Legal Counsel



                   TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.


Dated: January 26, 1999         STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                                as Trustee


                                By:
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   Authorized Officer


                                      3


<PAGE>   4



                              [REVERSE OF NOTE]
                      EOP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                             6.8% NOTES DUE 2009

     This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of senior  Notes of the Issuer
(hereinafter called the "Notes") of the series hereinafter specified, all
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of September
2, 1997 (as amended, the "Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the
Issuer to State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with
respect to the series of Notes of which this Note is a part), to which
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for
a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer, and the Holders of the Notes,
and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and
delivered.  The Notes may be issued in one or more series, which different
series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at
different times, may bear interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject
to different redemption provisions (if any), and may otherwise vary as provided
in the Indenture.  This Note is one of a series designated as the 6.8% Notes
due 2009 of the Issuer (the "Notes"), limited in aggregate principal amount to
$500,000,000, subject to the provisions in the Indenture.

     In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have occurred
and be continuing, the principal hereof and Make-Whole Amount (if any) may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect, and subject to the conditions provided in the
Indenture.

     The Issuer may redeem this Note, at any time in whole or from time to time
in part, at the election of the Issuer, at a redemption price equal to the sum
of (i) the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the
date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Date") and (ii) the Make-Whole
Amount with respect hereto (the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, that
interest installments due on an Interest Payment Date which is on or prior to
the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder hereof (or one or more
predecessor Notes) as of the close of business on the Record Date preceding
such Interest Payment Date.  If notice has been given as provided in the
Indenture and funds for the redemption of this Note or any part thereof called
for redemption shall have been made available on the Redemption Date, this Note
or such part thereof will cease to bear interest on the Redemption Date
referred to in such notice and the only right of the Holder will be to receive
payment of the Redemption Price. Notice of any optional redemption of any Notes
will be given to the Holder hereof (in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture), not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the Redemption
Date.  In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like
tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms and
provisions as this Note shall be issued by the Issuer in the name of the Holder
hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

     The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire
indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with
respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set
forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.


                                      4


<PAGE>   5


     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee,
with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding of all series to be
affected (voting as one class), evidenced as provided in the Indenture, to
execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
the Notes of each series; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note at the time
Outstanding so affected, (i) change the final maturity of any Note, or reduce
the principal amount thereof or any premium or Make-Whole Amount thereon, if
any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon,
or impair or affect the rights of any Holder to institute suit for the payment
on any Note, or (ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
Notes, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental
indenture, or (iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
Notes, the Holders of which are required to consent to any waiver of compliance
with certain provisions of the Indenture or any waiver of certain defaults
thereunder.  It is also provided in the Indenture that, with respect to certain
defaults or Events of Default regarding the Notes of any series, the Holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount Outstanding of the Notes of such
series (or, in the case of certain defaults or Events of Default, all series of
Notes) may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes of such series (or all of
the Notes, as the case may be) waive any such past default or Event of Default
and its consequences, prior to any declaration accelerating the maturity of
such Notes, or, subject to certain conditions, may rescind a declaration of
acceleration and its consequences with respect to such Notes.  The preceding
sentence shall not, however, apply to a default in or Event of Default relating
to, the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or
interest on any of the Notes or in respect of a covenant or provision contained
in the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holders of each Note at the time Outstanding affected thereby.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the
Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future
Holders and owners of this Note and any Notes that may be issued in exchange or
substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is
made upon this Note or such other Notes.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any Make-Whole Amount
and interest on this Note in the manner, at the respective times, at the rate
and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

     This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof.  Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes
of this series of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the
Issuer in Boston, Massachusetts, in the manner and subject to the limitations
provided herein and in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service
charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection
therewith.


                                      5


<PAGE>   6



     Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
office or agency of the Issuer in Boston, Massachusetts, one or more new Notes
of authorized denominations in an equal aggregate principal amount will be
issued to the transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations
provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge except
for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

     This Note is not subject to a sinking fund requirement.

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained
in the Indenture, or any Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced hereby
or thereby (including, without limitation, any obligation or indebtedness
relating to the principal of, or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, interest
or any other amounts due, or claimed to be due, on this Note), or for any claim
based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had (i) against the
General Partner or any other partner, or any Person which owns an interest,
directly or indirectly, in any partner, in the Issuer, or (ii) against any
promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer,
trustee or partner, as such, of the Issuer or the General Partner or of any
successor, either directly or through the Issuer or the General Partner or any
successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the
enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or
otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.

     Prior to due presentation of this Note for registration of transfer, the
Issuer, the Trustee, and any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may
deem and treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the absolute
owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon), for the
purpose of receiving payment of, or on account of, the principal hereof and
Make-Whole Amount, if any, and subject to the provisions herein and on the face
hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and neither the Issuer nor
the Trustee nor any authorized agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary, except as required by law.

     THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.


                                      6



<PAGE>   7



                 ASSIGNMENT FORM AND CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

     To assign this Note fill in the form below:

     (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  (Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number, if any)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     Your signature:
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Sign exactly as your name appears on the 
                                 other side of this Note)

     Date: 
          ------------------------------------------

     Signature Guarantee:* 
                         -  -------------------------










_________________________
*   Signature must be guaranteed by a commercial bank, trust company or member
- -   firm or a major stock exchange


                                      7


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                                                                     -----------


                   [LETTERHEAD OF HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.]

                                      



                              January 25, 1999


Board of Trustees
Equity Office Properties Trust
2 North Riverside Plaza
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60606

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are acting as counsel to EOP Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware
limited partnership (the "Company"), in connection with its registration
statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-58689) (the "Registration Statement"),
previously declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
relating to the proposed public offering of up to $2,000,000,000 in aggregate
amount of one or more series of the Company's unsecured debt securities or
warrants exercisable for debt securities which may be offered and sold by the
Company from time to time as set forth in a prospectus and one or more
supplements thereto, all of which form a part of the Registration Statement.
This opinion letter is rendered in connection with the proposed public offering
of $1,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.375% Notes
due January 15, 2002 (the "2002 Notes"), 6.5% Notes due January 15, 2004 (the
"2004 Notes"), and 6.8% Notes due January 15, 2009 (the "2009 Notes" and,
together with the 2002 Notes and the 2004 Notes, the "Notes"), as described in
a Prospectus dated July 22, 1998 (the "Prospectus"), and a Prospectus
Supplement dated January 21, 1999 (the "Prospectus Supplement").  This opinion
letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the
requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. Section
229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

     For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the
following documents:

     1. Executed copy of the Registration Statement.

     2. The Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement.



<PAGE>   2


Board of Trustees
Equity Office Properties Trust
January 25, 1999
Page 2



     3. The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Company, as certified by 
        the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 21, 1999 
        and as certified by the Secretary of Equity Office Properties Trust, a 
        Maryland real estate investment trust and managing general partner of 
        the Company ("EOPT"), on the date hereof as being complete, accurate 
        and in effect.

     4. The Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as  of  
        July 3, 1997, as amended, as certified by the Secretary of EOPT, as
        managing general partner of the Company, on the date hereof as being
        complete, accurate and in effect.

     5. Certain resolutions of the Board of Trustees of EOPT (the "Board"), 
        adopted by unanimous written consent on January 14, 1999, authorizing, 
        among other things, the offer, issuance and sale of the Notes and 
        arrangements in connection therewith, as certified by the Secretary of 
        EOPT on the date hereof as being complete, accurate and in effect.

     6. Certain resolutions of the Pricing Committee of the Board adopted by  
        written  consent on January 21, 1999, as certified by the Secretary of 
        EOPT on the date hereof as being complete, accurate and in effect, 
        relating to, among other things, establishment of the Notes as three 
        new series of the Company's unsecured debt securities under the 
        Indenture dated as of September 2, 1997, between the Company and State
        Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee, as supplemented by the First
        Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 9, 1998, between the
        Company and the Trustee (the "Indenture"), authorization of the
        Underwriting Agreement (as defined below), and arrangements in
        connection therewith, and the issuance of the Notes on the terms set
        forth therein and in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

     7. Executed copies of the Underwriting Agreement dated January 21, 1999,  
        by and among the Company and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
        Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several
        underwriters listed on Schedule A thereto (the "Underwriting
        Agreement").


<PAGE>   3


Board of Trustees
Equity Office Properties Trust
January 25, 1999
Page 3


     8. Executed copy of the Indenture.

     In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the
accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of
all original documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of
all documents submitted to us as copies (including telecopies).  This opinion
letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the
foregoing.

     This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on applicable
provisions of (i) the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as
amended, (ii) Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, and (iii) the laws of the State of New  
York relating to the creation and enforceability of contracts, but not
including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules, or
regulations of any political subdivision of the State of New York, and we
express no opinion as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or
regulations (such as federal or state securities or "blue sky" laws).

     Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that, assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee and the due
execution and delivery of the Notes on behalf of the Company against payment of
the consideration for the Notes specified in the Underwriting Agreement, the
Notes constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws affecting creditors' rights (including, without limitation, the
effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent
transfers and preferential transfers) and as may be limited by the exercise of
judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, including,
without limitation, requirements of good faith, fair dealing, conscionability
and materiality (regardless of whether the Notes are considered in a proceeding
at law or in equity).

     The opinion as to enforceability expressed above shall be understood to
mean only that if there is a default in performance of an obligation, (i) if a
failure to pay or other damage can be shown and (ii) if the defaulting party
can be brought into a court which will hear the case and apply the governing
law, then, subject to the availability of defenses, and to the exceptions set
forth above, the court will provide a money damage (or perhaps injunctive or
specific performance) remedy.



<PAGE>   4


Board of Trustees
Equity Office Properties Trust
January 25, 1999
Page 4


     To the extent that the obligations of the Company under the Indenture may
be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the
Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is duly qualified to
engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that the Indenture has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and constitutes the
valid and binding obligation of the Trustee enforceable against the Trustee in
accordance with its terms; that the Trustee is in compliance, with respect to
acting as a trustee under the Indenture, with all applicable laws and
regulations; and that the Trustee has the requisite organizational and legal
power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture.

     We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing
subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter.  This opinion letter has
been prepared solely in connection with the filing by the Company of a Current
Report on Form 8-K on the date hereof, which Form 8-K will be incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement.  This opinion letter should not be
quoted in whole or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor filed with or
furnished to any governmental agency or other person or entity, without the
prior written consent of this firm.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to
the above-described Form 8-K and to the reference to this firm under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement.  In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an "expert" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


                                           Very truly yours,

                                           /s/ HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.
                                           --------------------------
                                           HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.





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