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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 1999.
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CABOT INDUSTRIAL TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its governing instruments)
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Maryland 04-3397866
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)
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Two Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 723-0900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Robert E. Patterson
President
Cabot Industrial Trust
Two Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 723-0900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
James R. Walther, Esq.
Mayer, Brown & Platt
350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071-1503
(213) 229-9597
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
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If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following
box. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Proposed maximum
Title of each class of Amount maximum offering aggregate offering Amount of
security to be registered to be registered price per share (1) price (1) registration fee
=============================================================================================================================
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Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest 33,815,684 shares $ 19.65625 $ 664,689,539 $ 184,784
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Share Purchase 33,815,684 rights N/A N/A N/A
Rights (2)
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(1) In accordance with Rule 457(c), estimated solely for purposes of determining
the registration fee on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices
of the Common Shares of Beneficial Interest as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on January 27, 1999.
(2) One Preferred Share Purchase Right will be issued without separate
consideration with each Common Share.
--------------------------------
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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Prospectus
CABOT INDUSTRIAL TRUST
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
The shareholders of Cabot Industrial Trust named in this prospectus (the
"Selling Shareholders") may offer and sell up to 33,815,684 of their common
shares of beneficial interest ("Common Shares") as described in this prospectus.
The Common Shares covered by this prospectus are shares that may be issued to
the Selling Shareholders from time to time on conversion of limited partnership
interests ("Units") in Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. (the "Operating
Partnership") that were issued as consideration for the acquisition of
properties by the Operating Partnership or shares that were issued directly to
the Selling Shareholders in connection with such acquisitions. See "Selling
Shareholders." We have agreed to prepare this prospectus and to register the
shares described herein with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
facilitate such offers and sales, but such registration does not necessarily
mean that any of the Common Shares will be sold. We will not receive any
proceeds from sales of the Common Shares covered by this prospectus.
The Selling Shareholders may offer their shares in public or private
transactions, on or off the New York Stock Exchange, at prevailing market
prices, at fixed prices that may be changed from time to time or at privately
negotiated prices. Such transactions may be conducted through underwriters,
dealers or agents or may be conducted directly by the Selling Shareholders. See
"Plan of Distribution."
Our Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol:
"CTR." The last reported sale price of our Common Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange on January 27, 1999 was $ 19.4375 per share.
In order to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust
("REIT") for federal income tax purposes, we restrict ownership of more than
9.8% in number or value of our issued and outstanding Common Shares by any
single shareholder, with certain exceptions described herein. See "Description
of Shares of Beneficial Interest -- Restrictions on Transfer."
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 for descriptions of certain factors
relevant to an investment in the Common Shares.
_________________________
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved these securities or determined that this prospectus is
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
_________________________
The date of this prospectus is February __, 1999.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in the
other documents referred to herein under the caption "Where You Can Find More
Information." We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any different
information.
This prospectus is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to
buy the Common Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be
unlawful. You should not assume that the information contained in this
prospectus is correct on any date after the date of this prospectus stated at
the bottom of the cover page hereof, even though this prospectus is delivered,
or the Selling Shareholders offer or sell the Common Shares referred to herein,
on a later date.
Table of Contents
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Page
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Forward-Looking Statements...................................................................... 5
Where You Can Find More Information............................................................. 5
Risk Factors.................................................................................... 7
We May Not Be Able to Maintain Shareholder Distributions at Our Current Level......... 7
Declaration of Trust and Bylaw Provisions, Staggered Board and
Shareholder Rights Plan May Discourage Changes in Control of the Company;
Other Tax Risks..................................................................... 7
We Would Incur Adverse Tax Consequences if We Fail to Qualify as a REIT............... 8
We Can Change Our Investment, Financing, Distribution and Other
Policies Without Your Approval; No Limitation on Our Debt........................... 8
Real Estate Investment Risks.......................................................... 9
Conflicts of Interest................................................................. 12
Increases in Market Interest Rates May Adversely Affect the
Market Price of the Common Shares................................................... 13
Shares that Become Available for Future Sale May Adversely
Affect the Market Price of the Common Shares........................................ 13
Real Estate Financing Risks........................................................... 13
ERISA Risks........................................................................... 14
Cabot Industrial Trust.......................................................................... 15
Use of Proceeds................................................................................. 15
Selling Shareholders............................................................................ 15
Plan of Distribution............................................................................ 18
Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest.................................................... 18
General............................................................................... 18
Common Shares......................................................................... 19
Shareholder Rights Plan............................................................... 20
Restrictions on Transfer.............................................................. 20
Federal Income Tax Consequences................................................................. 22
Taxation of Company................................................................... 23
Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Partnerships........................................ 28
Taxation of Shareholders.............................................................. 29
Other Tax Considerations.............................................................. 31
Legal Matters................................................................................... 33
Experts......................................................................................... 33
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
contains forward-looking statements, such as those pertaining to our capital
resources, portfolio performance and future results of operations, market
conditions and prospects. The pro forma financial statements and other pro forma
information incorporated by reference in this prospectus also contain forward-
looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by their use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "pro forma," "estimates" or "anticipates"
or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases.
Discussions of strategy, plans or intentions also include forward-looking
statements.
Forward-looking statements inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties
and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. The following
factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ
materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking
statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
. defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants,
. increased interest rates and operating costs
. failure to obtain necessary outside financing
. difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and in effecting
acquisitions
. failure to successfully integrate acquired properties and operations
. risks and uncertainties affecting property development and construction,
including construction delays, cost overruns, inability to obtain
necessary permits and public opposition to such activities
. failure to qualify and maintain our status as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Tax Code")
. environmental liabilities and risks
. risks related to natural disasters
. financial market fluctuations
. changes in real estate and zoning laws
. increases in real property tax rates
Our success also depends upon economic trends generally, including interest
rates, income tax laws, governmental regulations, legislation and population
changes and the additional matters discussed in this prospectus under the
caption "Risk Factors." We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-
looking statements, which reflect our analysis and judgements only.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may
read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference rooms at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the SEC's regional offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York,
New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. You may telephone the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the SEC's public reference facilities. The SEC also
maintains a computer site on the world wide web (http://www.sec.gov) that
contains the reports, proxy and information statements and other information
that we and other registrants file electronically with the SEC. You can also
inspect reports and other information we file at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The
registration statement contains additional information about us. You may read
the registration statement and exhibits without charge at the office of the SEC
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC's website
referred to in the preceding paragraph. You may also obtain copies of it from
the SEC at prescribed rates.
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The SEC allows us to provide information about our business and other important
information to you by "incorporating by reference" the information we file with
the SEC. This means that we can disclose that information to you by referring in
this prospectus to the documents we filed with the SEC. Any statement contained
in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically
superseded by any contrary or later dated information contained in this
prospectus or in any subsequent document of the types described below. We
incorporate by reference the following documents filed by us with the SEC
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
and the Securities Act, each of which documents should be considered an
important part of this prospectus:
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SEC Filing (File No. 1-13829) Period Covered or Date of Filing
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended Year ended December 31, 1997
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q Quarters ended March 31, 1998, June
30, 1998 and September 30, 1998
Current Reports on Form 8-K Filed on June 15, 1998, September 16,
1998 and January 29, 1999
Description of Common Shares Filed on January 27, 1998
contained in Registration Statement
on Form 8-A, as amended
Financial statements included in Filed on August 14, 1998
our Registration Statement on Form
S-11, as amended (Registration No.
333-61543)
All subsequent documents filed by us After the date of this prospectus and
with the SEC pursuant to Sections prior to the termination of the
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the offering.
Exchange Act
</TABLE>
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus (other than exhibits to these documents, unless the exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in the documents), telephone or write
Cabot Industrial Trust, Two Center Plaza, Suite 200, Boston, MA, 02108,
Attention: Secretary; telephone: 617/723-0900.
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Risk Factors
Investing in our Common Shares involves various risks. You should carefully
consider the following types of risks that we and our investors face and should
read this entire prospectus before purchasing our Common Shares.
We May Not Be Able to Maintain Shareholder Distributions at Our Current Level
We base the level of our cash distributions to shareholders on numerous
assumptions and projections that we make regarding our future performance and
our own decisions to reinvest rather than distribute available cash. Our
assumptions and projections relate, among other things, to: property occupancy
and the profitability of tenants, the amount of future capital expenditures and
expenses relating to our properties, the level of leasing activity and future
rental rates at our properties, the strength of the industrial real estate
market in the areas in which we own properties, competition, the costs of
compliance with environmental and other laws. While we expect to maintain or
increase our current level of distributions over time, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Declaration of Trust and Bylaw Provisions, Staggered Board and Shareholder
Rights Plan May Discourage Changes in Control of the Company.
Declaration of Trust and Bylaws contain several provisions that may delay,
defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a price
for the Common Shares or other attributes that shareholders may consider
desirable. See "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest."
Ownership Limitation. In order to remain qualified as a REIT under the Tax Code,
five or fewer persons (defined in the Tax Code to include certain entities)
cannot own (or be deemed to own) more than 50% in value of our outstanding
shares at any time during the last half of any taxable year, other than our
first taxable year. To preserve our qualification as a REIT, our Declaration of
Trust provides that no person may own more than 9.8% in number of our issued and
outstanding shares of beneficial interest or more than 9.8% of the total equity
value of such shares of beneficial interest. Our Board of Trustees has the power
to exempt a proposed transferee from this ownership limit based on an Internal
Revenue Service ruling, an opinion of counsel or other satisfactory evidence
that the proposed ownership of Common Shares by the transferee would not result
in the termination of our REIT status. If the proposed transfer would violate
these limits, the transfer may be void. These ownership restrictions may delay,
defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control which could involve an
offer for your shares above the then prevailing market price or that you may for
other reasons consider to be in your best interest.
Staggered Elections of Trustees. Our Board of Trustees is divided into three
classes with staggered terms of three years each. One class is elected each
year. These staggered terms may reduce the possibility of a tender offer or
other attempt to acquire control of the Company.
Shareholder Rights Plan, Possibility of Additional Share Issuances, Other
Matters. We have adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan that could delay, defer or
prevent a transaction or a change in control of the Company. See "Description of
Shares of Beneficial Interest -- Shareholder Rights Plan." In addition, our
Board of Trustees can, without shareholder approval, increase or decrease the
aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest of any class that we have
authority to issue, issue additional shares of beneficial interest, classify
or reclassify any unissued Common Shares and preferred shares of beneficial
interest and set the rights, preferences and other terms of those shares. We
expect to acquire additional properties in exchange for Units of limited
partnership interest in the Operating Partnership on a continuing basis, which
Units will be exchangeable for our Common Shares (subject to our right to
purchase the Units for cash instead of issuing our Common Shares in exchange for
them). Under the Maryland law governing our operations, you
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will have no preemptive right to acquire any such equity securities. If we issue
additional equity securities, your investment may be diluted.
We Would Incur Adverse Tax Consequences if the Company Fails to Qualify as a
REIT; Other Tax Risks
Adverse Consequences of Failure to Qualify as a REIT; Limited Management
Experience in Maintaining REIT Qualification. We intend to operate so as
to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, but we do not intend to
request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that we do in fact qualify as
a REIT. In our legal counsel's opinion, we are organized in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT (as of the taxable year ended December
31, 1998) and our actual and proposed method of operation (each as we have
described them to our counsel) satisfies the requirements for REIT
qualification. Our counsel's opinion, however, is not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service and is based on our representations as to factual matters and on
our counsel's review and analysis of existing law, which includes no controlling
precedent.
Our continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet various
requirements concerning, among other things, the ownership of our outstanding
shares, the nature of our assets, the sources of our income and the amounts we
distribute to shareholders. Our management has limited experience in operating
in compliance with these requirements.
If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, we would not be
permitted to deduct the amount we distribute to shareholders from our taxable
income and we would have to pay federal income tax (including any alternative
minimum tax) at regular corporate rates. Unless entitled to relief under certain
Tax Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for
the four taxable years following the year during which our REIT qualification
was lost. As a result, cash available for distribution would be reduced for each
of the years involved. Our Board of Trustees is authorized to revoke our REIT
election at any time in response to future economic, market, legal, tax or other
considerations.
Other Tax Liabilities. Even if we qualify as a REIT, we are required to pay
state and local taxes on our income and property and may also have to pay
certain federal taxes. In addition, the net taxable income, if any, from
activities conducted through the Management Company referred to herein (see
"Cabot Industrial Trust") will be subject to federal and state income tax.
Borrowings May Be Required to Meet REIT Minimum Distribution Requirements. In
order to qualify as a REIT, we are generally required to distribute at least 95%
of our net taxable income (excluding any net capital gain) to our shareholders.
If we fail to meet this requirement we will have to pay a 4% nondeductible
excise tax on the amount, if any, by which certain distributions are less than
the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for that year, (2) 95% of our capital
gain net income for that year and (3) 100% of our undistributed taxable income
from prior years. We intend to comply with the 95% of net taxable income
distribution requirements.
We derive our income primarily from our share of the Operating Partnership's
income and the cash available for distribution to our shareholders comes
primarily from cash distributions from the Operating Partnership. We may have to
borrow funds on a short-term (or possibly on a long-term) basis to meet the 95%
of net taxable income distribution requirement and thereby avoid being required
to pay the nondeductible excise tax referred to above. This is due to
differences in timing between when we actually receive income and pay
deductible expenses, and when the income and expenses are included in our
taxable income.
We Can Change Our Investment, Financing, Distribution and Other Policies Without
Your Approval; No Limitation on Our Debt
Our Board of Trustees determines our investment, financing and distribution
policies, and our policies with respect to all other activities, including
growth, capitalization and operations.
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Among others, it is our Board's current policy to limit our Debt-to-Total Market
Capitalization Ratio to 40%, but our organizational documents do not limit the
amount of indebtedness that we may incur without shareholder approval. The Board
may amend or revise policy or any of our other policies without your consent.
(Our Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization Ratio is the ratio of our total
consolidated and unconsolidated debt to the sum of the market value of all of
our outstanding Common Shares and all outstanding Units of the Operating
Partnership that we do not own plus our total consolidated and unconsolidated
debt.)
Real Estate Investment Risks
General Risks. Real property investments involve various risks. The yields
available from equity investments in real estate depend in large part on the
amount of rental income earned and capital appreciation generated, as well as
operating and other expenses. If our properties do not generate revenues
sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service, tenant
improvement costs, leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, we may
have to borrow additional amounts to cover our fixed costs, and our cash flow
and ability to make distributions to shareholders may be adversely affected.
A number of factors may adversely affect our revenues and the value of our
properties over time, including: (1) the national, state and local economic
climate and real estate conditions (such as oversupply of or reduced demand for
space and changes in market rental rates), (2) the perceptions of prospective
tenants of the attractiveness, convenience and safety of our properties, (3) our
ability to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance, (4) our
ability to collect rent from tenants on a timely basis, (5) the expense of
periodically renovating, repairing and reletting spaces in our properties, (6)
increasing operating costs (including real estate taxes and utilities) to the
extent that such increased costs cannot be passed through to tenants, (7)
compliance with environmental and tax laws, (8) interest rate levels and (9) the
availability of financing.
Tenant Defaults and Bankruptcy. We derive the majority of our income from
rental payments. If a significant number of tenants fail to meet their lease
obligations, our cash flow will decrease and we may be unable to make expected
distributions to our shareholders.
Defaulting tenants may seek bankruptcy protection, which could result in payment
delays or the rejection and termination of the tenants' leases. This would
reduce our cash flow and the amounts available to distribute to shareholders. In
addition, a tenant may suffer business losses which may weaken its financial
condition and result in the failure to make rental payments when due. If tenant
leases are not affirmed following bankruptcy or if a tenant's financial
condition weakens, our cash flow and the amounts available to us for
distribution to our shareholders may decrease.
Operating Risks. Our properties are subject to operating risks common to
commercial real estate in general, any and all of which may adversely affect
occupancy and rental rates. Commercial properties are subject to increases in
operating expenses such as cleaning, electricity, heating, ventilation and air
conditioning and maintenance, insurance and administrative costs, and other
general costs associated with security, landscaping, repairs and maintenance.
While our current tenants are generally obligated to pay a portion of increases
in operating costs, there is no assurance that our existing tenants will agree
to pay all or any portion of such costs upon renewal of their leases or that new
tenants will agree to pay such costs. If operating expenses increase,
competition in the local rental market may limit the extent to which rents may
be increased to meet increased expenses without decreasing occupancy rates.
Risks of Non-Renewal of Leases and Vacancies. When leases of space in our
properties expire, the leases may not be renewed, the related space may not be
relet promptly or the terms of renewal or reletting (including the cost of
required renovations) may be less favorable than the terms of expiring leases.
In formulating our annual business plans, we make estimates for renovation and
reletting costs that take into consideration our views of both current and
expected future business conditions in our markets. We cannot guarantee
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that these estimates will be accurate. If we are unable promptly to relet or
renew the leases for all or a substantial portion of our space, if the rental
rates upon such renewal or reletting are significantly lower than expected rates
or if our estimates for these purposes prove inadequate, then our cash flow and
ability to make expected distributions to shareholders may be adversely
affected.
We May Not Be Able to Meet Our Targeted Levels of Leasing Activity,
Acquisitions and Development Due to the Highly Competitive Nature of the
Industrial Property Markets. Numerous industrial properties compete with our
properties in attracting tenants to lease space and additional properties can be
expected to be built in the markets in which our properties are located. The
number and quality of competitive industrial properties in a particular area
will have a material effect on our ability to lease space at the properties or
at newly acquired properties and on the rents charged. Some of these competing
properties may be newer or better located than our properties.
The industrial real estate investment market is also highly competitive. There
are a significant number of buyers of industrial property, including other
publicly traded industrial REITs, many of which have significant financial
resources. This has resulted in increased competition in acquiring attractive
industrial properties. Accordingly, we may not be able to meet our targeted
level of property acquisitions and developments due to such competition or other
factors which may have an adverse effect on our expected growth in funds from
operations.
Possible Environmental Liabilities. Under various federal, state and local
environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner or
operator of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation
of hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in such property. Such laws often
impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was
responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances.
In addition, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances, or the failure to
remediate such property properly, may adversely affect the owner's ability to
borrow using such real property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the
disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also be liable for
the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances at the disposal or
treatment facility, whether or not such facility is or ever was owned or
operated by such person.
Certain environmental laws and common law principles could be used to impose
liability for release of and exposure to hazardous substances, including
asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs"), into the air, and third parties may
seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury or
property damage associated with exposure to released hazardous substances,
including ACMs. As the owner of real properties, we may be potentially liable
for any such costs.
Phase I environmental site assessment reports ("Phase I ESAs") were obtained
by our original contributing investors in connection with their initial
acquisition of the properties or were obtained by us in connection with the
transactions resulting in our formation as a publicly traded company. In
accordance with our acquisition policies, we have also obtained Phase I ESAs for
all of the properties that we have acquired since the date of our formation. The
purpose of Phase I ESAs is to identify potential sources of contamination for
which we may be responsible and to assess the status of environmental regulatory
compliance. The earliest of the Phase I ESAs for our properties were obtained in
1988 and Phase I ESAs on approximately 19% of the properties were obtained prior
to 1995. Commonly accepted standards and practices for Phase I ESAs have evolved
to encompass higher standards and more extensive procedures over the period from
1988 to the present.
The Phase I ESAs obtained for our properties have not revealed any environmental
liability that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business,
assets or results of operations, nor are we aware of any such material
environmental liability. It is possible, however, that the Phase I ESAs relating
to the properties do not reveal all environmental liabilities. Moreover, future
laws, ordinances or regulations may impose material environmental liability or
our properties' current environmental condition may be affected by tenants, by
the condition of land or operations in the vicinity of the properties (such as
the presence of underground storage tanks) or by third parties unrelated to us.
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We May Be Adversely Affected by Changes in Laws. Because increases in income or
service taxes generally are not passed through to tenants under our leases, such
increases may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to make
distributions to our shareholders.
Our properties are also subject to various federal, state and local regulatory
requirements and to state and local fire and life-safety requirements. Failure
to comply with these requirements could result in the imposition of fines by
governmental authorities or awards of damages to private litigants. We believe
that our properties are in material compliance with all such regulatory
requirements. However, new requirements may be imposed which would require us to
make significant unanticipated expenditures and could have an adverse effect on
our cash flow and ability to make expected distributions to shareholders.
We Could Be Adversely Affected If Hazard Losses On Our Properties Exceed the
Amount of Our Insurance Coverage or Are Not Covered by Insurance. We carry
commercial general liability insurance, standard "all-risk" property insurance,
and flood and earthquake (where appropriate) and rental loss insurance with
respect to our properties with policy terms and conditions customarily carried
for similar properties. However, our insurance is subject to normal limitations
on the amounts of coverage and certain types of losses (such as from wars or
from earthquakes for properties located in California) may be either uninsurable
or not economically insurable. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of
the amount of our insurance coverage occur, we could lose the capital invested
in a property, as well as the anticipated future revenue from that property, and
we would continue to be obligated on any mortgage indebtedness or other
obligations related to the property.
In light of the California earthquake risk, California building codes have since
the early 1970's established construction standards for all new buildings and
also contain guidelines for seismic upgrading of existing buildings that are
intended to reduce the possibility and severity of loss from earthquakes. The
construction standards and upgrading, however, do not eliminate the possibility
of earthquake loss. It is our current policy to obtain earthquake insurance if
available at acceptable cost. As of December 31, 1998, all of our 50 properties
located in California are covered by earthquake insurance. At December 31, 1998,
seismic upgrading has been completed on 11 of the California properties and
seismic upgrading is expected to be completed on ten additional California
properties within nine months from the date of this prospectus. We currently
maintain blanket earthquake insurance coverage for all properties located
outside California in amounts we believe to be reasonable.
Possible Adverse Effects of Illiquidity of Real Estate Investments. Equity
real estate investments are relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity will tend to
limit our ability to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changes in
economic or other conditions. In addition, the Tax Code limits a REIT's ability
to sell properties held for fewer than four years, which may affect our ability
to sell properties without adversely affecting returns to common shareholders.
Possible Adverse Effects of Acquisition, Development and Construction
Activities. We intend to acquire existing industrial properties to the extent
that they can be acquired on advantageous terms and meet our investment
criteria. These acquisitions will entail general investment risks associated
with any real estate investment, including the risk that investments will fail
to perform as expected, the risk of unexpected liabilities and the risk that
necessary property improvement costs may be greater than we estimated in
deciding to acquire a property.
11
<PAGE>
We also intend to grow through the selective development and construction of
industrial properties, including build-to-suit properties and speculative
development, as suitable opportunities arise. The risks associated with such
real estate development and construction activities include: (1) the risk that
we may find it necessary to abandon development project activities after
expending significant resources to determine their feasibility, (2) the
construction cost of a project may exceed our original estimates, (3) occupancy
rates and rents at a newly completed property may not be sufficient to make the
property profitable (4) financing may not be available on favorable terms for
development of a property and (5) the construction and lease-up of a property
may not be completed on schedule, which would result in increased debt service
and construction costs). Development activities are also subject to the risks of
failing to obtain or delays in obtaining, necessary zoning, land-use, building
occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations. In
addition, new development activities may require a substantial portion of our
management's time and attention.
Conflicts of Interest
Limitations on the Company's Remedies for Breaches of Representations and
Warranties. The investors who contributed properties or other assets to us in
the transactions resulting in our formation as a publicly traded REIT (the
"Formation Transactions"), including our senior executive officers, each made
certain representations and warranties in the Contribution Agreement entered
into among such investors in connection with the Formation Transactions. Such
representations and warranties, related, among other things, to their authority
to enter into the Formation Transactions, their ownership of the properties or
other assets contributed by them, the absence of certain liabilities and other
matters relating to the properties and such assets. The liability of the
contributing investors in the event of breach of any of such representations and
warranties or breach of other provisions of the Contribution Agreement was, with
certain limited exceptions, limited to claims for indemnification made within
one year after the February 4, 1998 consummation of the Formation Transactions.
In addition, such indemnification obligations are subject to an overall
limitation under the Contribution Agreement equal to the value of the Units or
Common Shares received in the Formation Transactions ($20 per Unit or Common
Share) and are subject to the further limitation that any such indemnification
obligation relating to a specific property is limited to the contribution value
assigned to such property by the parties in the Contribution Agreement. The
obligation to make any such indemnification payments may be satisfied by making
cash payments or by delivering Common Shares or Units, valued at the then market
price for Common Shares, to the Company.
Possible Differing Objectives Between Certain Officers and the Company Relating
to Sales of Properties. As holders of Units, certain of our senior executive
officers, including Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld , who is the Company's Chairman
of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert E. Patterson,
who is the President and a Trustee of the Company, have unrealized taxable gains
associated with their interests in the properties and assets they contributed to
the Operating Partnership in the Formation Transactions. Because such officers
may incur different and more adverse tax consequences than other investors upon
the sale of those properties and assets, they may have different views regarding
the appropriate pricing and timing of any sale of such properties. While the
full Board of Trustees has the ultimate authority to determine whether and on
what terms to sell our properties, such officers could have an incentive to
discourage sales of such properties even though such sales might be financially
advantageous for the Company and its other shareholders.
Influence of Significant Shareholders, Trustees and Executive Officers. Our
senior management beneficially owns approximately 3.8% of the outstanding Common
Shares (assuming the exchange of all Units not held by the Company for Common
Shares). The IBM Retirement Plan Trust, the New York State Teachers' Retirement
System and the Pennsylvania Public School Employes' Retirement System
beneficially own approximately 23.6%, 13.7% and 12.7%, respectively, of the
outstanding Common Shares (assuming the exchange of all Units not held by the
Company for Common Shares). These investors could have significant influence on
our operations and the outcome of matters submitted to a shareholder vote
12
<PAGE>
and could, were they to agree to act in concert with each other, exercise
effective control over our affairs. Management is not aware of any such
agreements among these or any other investors.
Conflicts Relating to the Operating Partnership. As the general partner of the
Operating Partnership, Cabot Industrial Trust owes fiduciary duties to the
Operating Partnership's limited partners. Discharging these fiduciary duties
could conflict with its shareholders' interests. Pursuant to the Operating
Partnership Agreement, however, the limited partners have acknowledged that we
are acting both on behalf of our shareholders and, in our capacity as general
partner of the Operating Partnership, on behalf of the limited partners. The
limited partners have agreed in the Operating Partnership Agreement that we are
under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the limited partners
in deciding whether to cause the Operating Partnership to take (or to decline to
take) any actions.
Increases in Market Interest Rates May Adversely Affect the Market Price of the
Common Shares
One of the factors that influence the market price of our Common Shares is the
annual rate of distributions that we pay on the Common Shares, as compared with
market interest rates. An increase in market interest rates may lead purchasers
of REIT shares to demand higher annual distribution rates, which could adversely
affect the market price of the Common Shares unless we are able to increase our
distributions on outstanding Common Shares and elect to do so.
Shares that Become Available for Future Sale May Adversely Affect the Market
Price of the Common Shares
Substantial sales of Common Shares, or the perception that such sales may occur,
could adversely affect the prevailing market prices of the Common Shares. At
December 31, 1998, we had 18,586,764 outstanding Common Shares, including
8,961,764 shares now covered by this prospectus that were not transferable (with
limited exceptions) until February 4, 1999. Such shares will remain subject to
more limited restrictions on transfer until February 4, 2000. This prospectus
also covers resales of a total of 24,853,920 additional Common Shares that are
issuable on conversion of Units in the Operating Partnership, of which
22,699,884 are subject to the same limited restrictions on transfer as the
shares described in the preceding two sentences and 2,154,036 are not
transferable (with limited exceptions) until February 4, 2000. See "Selling
Shareholders". In addition, we have reserved a total of 4,347,500 Shares for
issuance pursuant to options to be granted to employees, officers and Trustees
under our Long Term Incentive Plan, of which 3,143,815 shares are subject to
options that have been granted to date, subject to four year vesting schedules.
We are not able to assess the extent to which perceptions of possible future
sales of any of the above described Common Shares have affected the prevailing
market prices of the Common Shares to date or may do so from time to time in the
future.
Real Estate Financing Risks
Debt Financing and Potential Adverse Effects on Cash Flows and Distributions.
As a result, among other things, of the annual income distribution requirements
applicable to REITs under the Tax Code, we rely to a significant extent on
borrowings to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and other items and expect
to continue to do so. We are therefore subject to real estate and general
financing risks, including changes from period to period in the availability of
such financing, the risk that our cash flow may not cover both required debt
service payments and distributions to our shareholders, and the risk that we
will not be able to refinance indebtedness secured by properties or that the
refinancing terms will be unfavorable. If we do not make mortgage payments, the
property or properties subject to such mortgage indebtedness could be foreclosed
upon by or transferred to the lender.
13
<PAGE>
Rising Interest Rates. We have a variable interest rate bank credit facility
that permits us to borrow up to $325 million of borrowings for property
acquisitions and other purposes, and we may incur additional variable rate
indebtedness in the future. Variable-rate debt creates higher debt service
requirements if market interest rates increase, which would adversely affect our
cash flow and the amounts available to distribute to our shareholders. While we
have entered into hedging arrangements that are intended to reduce our exposure
to rising interest rates and may enter into additional arrangements for that
purpose in the future, changes in interest rates will still affect our business
and results of operations.
ERISA Risks
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and Section 4975
of the Tax Code prohibit certain transactions that involve an employee
retirement plan that is subject to ERISA and a "party in interest" or
"disqualified person" with respect to the plan (collectively referred to herein
as a "party in interest") unless there is an applicable exemption to such
prohibition. Cabot Partners (our sponsor and organizer) was a party in interest
with respect to one ERISA plan that was a contributing investor in the Formation
Transactions. It is not clear that the Formation Transactions would have
constituted a prohibited transaction with respect to that plan. Nevertheless,
the plan informed Cabot Partners that it was relying on Prohibited Transaction
Exemption 84-14 ("PTE 84-14") and retained a qualified professional asset
manager ("QPAM") to decide whether or not to participate in the Formation
Transactions. The applicability of that exemption in certain circumstances has
been questioned by the Department of Labor. If it were ultimately determined
that the Formation Transactions constituted a prohibited transaction with
respect to the plan, and also that PTE 84-14 did not apply to the plan's
participation in the Formation Transactions, then sanctions could be imposed on
Cabot Partners and the fiduciaries of the plan that could include reallocation
of Units between Cabot Partners and the plan or other remedies, possibly
including rescission of the property transfers from the plan, for the purpose of
putting the plan in a financial position not worse than that in which it would
have been if the parties had acted in accordance with the requirements of ERISA.
Cabot Partners and the Company received an opinion from Mayer, Brown & Platt in
connection with the Formation Transactions that PTE 84-14 applied to the
Formation Transactions with respect to the plan, but, such opinion is not
binding on the Department of Labor, the Service or any court.
14
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
We are an internally managed, fully integrated real estate company formed to
continue to expand the national industrial real estate business of Cabot
Partners Limited Partnership ("Cabot Partners"). We commenced operations in our
current form upon completion of our initial public offering on February 4, 1998.
At December 31, 1998, we owned 206 properties located in 21 states throughout
the United States and containing approximately 28.0 million rentable square
feet. These properties were approximately 97% leased to 414 tenants at that
date, with no single tenant accounting for more than 4.0% of our total
annualized base rent.
We own and operate a diversified portfolio of bulk distribution, multitenant
distribution and "workspace" (light assembly and flex/R&D) properties and have a
significant presence in targeted markets across the United States. We believe
our geographic and property diversification and substantial presence in multiple
markets is a strategic advantage that allows us to serve industrial space users
with multiple site and property type requirements, compete more effectively in
our chosen markets, and respond quickly to acquisition opportunities across the
country.
Substantially all of our properties and other assets are held by, and our
operations are conducted primarily through the Operating Partnership which is a
Delaware limited partnership. We are the sole general partner, and thereby
control the operations, of the Operating Partnership and held an approximate
42.7% ownership interest therein as of December 31, 1998. The Operating
Partnership receives substantially all of the economic benefit of the real
estate investment management business carried on by Cabot Advisors, Inc. (the
"Management Company") by virtue of its ownership of all of the Management
Company's outstanding preferred stock. Unless otherwise, indicated or the
context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, the terms "Cabot", the
"Company", "we", "us", "our" or similar references mean Cabot Industrial Trust
and its subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries.
Our executive offices are located at Two Center Plaza, Suite 200, Boston,
Massachusetts 02108 and our telephone number at that address is (617) 723-0900.
Use of Proceeds
We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of Common Shares covered by
this prospectus.
Selling Shareholders
The following table lists, as of January 27, 1999, the Selling Shareholders and
the maximum number of Common Shares that each may sell pursuant to this
prospectus. Each Selling Shareholder listed below may sell all, some or none of
the shares listed for such Selling Shareholder. The Selling Shareholders may
also purchase Common Shares from time to time. No estimate can be made of the
number of Common Shares that may be sold by the respective Selling Shareholders
or of the number of Common Shares that will be owned by them at the completion
of sales of Common Shares pursuant to this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Shares
Position with Common Shares and Percent of Outstanding that May Be
Selling Shareholder Company Units Owned Shares and Units Sold Hereunder
------------------ ------- ----------- ---------------- --------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Contributing Investors (1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM Retirement Plan Trust(2) 10,246,244 23.56% 10,246,244
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Public School 5,502,973 12.65% 5,502,973
Employes' Retirement System
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Teachers' 5,951,526 13.68% 5,951,526
Retirement System(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Wisconsin Investment 2,959,534 6.81% 2,959,534
Board
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leland Stanford Jr. Endowment 2,367,923 5.44% 2,367,923
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Prudential Insurance 2,504,699 5.76% 2,228,749
Company of America
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argo Partnership II, L.P.(4) 1,586,484 3.65% 1,586,484
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Four B's 717,016 1.65% 717,016
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management and Others(5)
- --------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld Chairman of Board of 1,346,806 3.10% 1,345,806
Trustees, Chief Executive
Officer(7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert E. Patterson President, Trustee 142,590 * 128,590
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld Chief Financial Officer 25,791 * 21,291
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew D. Ebbott Senior Vice President - 38,499 * 36,499
Director of Acquisitions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard B. Hodgson, Jr. Senior Vice President - 37,499 * 36,499
Director of Real Estate
Operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eugene F. Reilly Senior Vice President - 30,446 * 30,416
Director of Marketing
and Development
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil E. Waisnor Senior Vice President - 36,499 * 36,499
Finance, Treasurer and
Secretary
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald Ianetta Vice President -- Director 9,124 * 9,124
of Asset Management
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gund Family(6) 311,644 * 311,644
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Others 197,718 * 197,718
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomasovich Family Trust(1) 101,149 * 101,149
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------------
* Less than 1 % of the Common Shares and units.
----
(1) Shares subject to limited restrictions on sales until February 4, 2000. See
accompanying text below.
(2) Based on 10,246,244 Units held of record by Chase Manhattan Bank as Directed
Trustee for the IBM Retirement Plan Trust.
(3) Based on 2,186,947 Common Shares and 3,764,579 Units held of record by three
title holding entities and six title holding entities, respectively, which are
each wholly owned by New York State Teachers' Retirement System.
(4) Based on 1,586,484 Common Shares held of record by West Coast Industrial,
L.L.C. which are beneficially owned by its managing member, Argo Partnership II,
L.P.
(5) Shares may not be sold prior to February 4, 2000 without our consent. See
accompanying text below.
(6) Shares are held by Llura Gund, Gordon Gund, Grant A. Gund, Gordon Z. Gund
and Gordon Z. Gund Trusts C-1 and C-2, each of which was a partner in Cabot
Partners.
(7) Includes 469,964 Units held of record by C-M Holdings , L.P., which
Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld beneficially owns 12,166 Units held of record
by Cabot Realty Advisors Corp., which are beneficially owned by Mr. Colloredo-
Mansfeld.
The Selling Shareholders listed in the above table under the caption
"Contributing Investors" are institutional and other accredited investors who
contributed properties to the Company in the Formation Transactions in exchange
for Common Shares or for Units that are convertible into Common Shares (subject
to our right to redeem the Units for cash instead of issuing Common Shares).
The Contributing Investors agreed that the Common Shares they received,
including shares issued to them on conversion of Units, would not be
transferable (except for transfers to related parties, donative transfers and
bona fide pledges of shares) without our consent until February 4, 1999 and
that such shares would be subject to the following additional limitations on the
volume or manner of resales of such shares for an additional one-year period
ending February 4, 2000: Each Selling Shareholder's resales are limited to (1)
an amount in any three-month period equal to the number of shares which the
Selling Shareholder would be permitted to sell pursuant to Rule 144(e) if that
rule were applicable to the Selling Shareholder's sales (which amount is equal
to the greater of 1% of the total number of Common Shares outstanding or the
average weekly trading volume of the Common Shares during the four weeks
preceding sale) or (2) negotiated principal transactions involving a "block
sale" (which includes the sale of a quantity of shares with a purchase price
16
<PAGE>
of at least $200,000 or the sale of at least 5,000 shares for a purchase price
of at least $50,000) or (3) in an underwritten public offering. The shares
listed in the above table for the "Tomasovich Family Trust" are subject to the
same restrictions described in this paragraph.
The Selling Shareholders listed in the above table under the caption "Management
and Others" were partners in Cabot Partners, our sponsor and organizer and that
contributed its business to us in the Formation Transactions, or in C-M Holdings
L.P. or one of its affiliated partnerships (the "C-M Property Partnerships"),
that contributed properties to us in the Formation Transactions. The C-M
Property Partnerships were owned by Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld and members of
his family, including Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld. The Common Shares held by each
of these persons are subject to the restriction that they may not be transferred
(except for transfers to related parties, donative transfers and bona fide
pledges of shares) without our consent until February 4, 2000.
We agreed in connection with the Formation Transactions or subsequent
transactions to bear all expenses (other than underwriting discounts, selling
commissions, fees and expenses of counsel to the Selling Shareholders and
transfer taxes) relating to the registration and sale of the Common Shares
issued to the Selling Shareholders listed in this prospectus and certain of
their transferees.
17
<PAGE>
Plan of Distribution
The Selling Shareholders may sell Common Shares covered by this prospectus from
time to time in transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in underwritten
offerings, in negotiated transactions or otherwise, and may conduct such
transactions directly or through underwriters, dealers or agents. The Common
Shares may be sold at fixed prices which may be changed from time to time, at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any brokers or dealers used in
such sales may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Selling Shareholders or the purchasers of the Common Shares
for whom such brokers or dealers may act as agent or to whom they may sell as
principal, or both. Such compensation to a particular broker or dealer may
exceed customary brokerage commissions.
Any brokers, other agents or dealers that participate in sales of Common Shares
may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act,
and any commissions they receive or any profit they realize on the resale of
Common Shares may be deemed underwriting commissions or discounts under the
Securities Act.
The Selling Shareholders may enter into hedging transactions through or with
brokers or dealers, and the brokers or dealers may engage in short sales of the
Common Shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the
Selling Shareholders. The Selling Shareholders may sell the Common Shares short
and deliver the Common Shares to close out such short positions. The Selling
Shareholders also may enter into option or other transactions through or with
brokers or dealers that involve the delivery of Common Shares to the brokers or
dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer such Common Shares. The
Selling Shareholders also may loan or pledge Common Shares to a broker or dealer
and the broker or dealer may sell the Common Shares so loaned or upon a default
may foreclose upon and sell or otherwise transfer the pledged shares.
We have agreed to indemnify the Selling Shareholders and the underwriters of
their shares, if any, against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising
under the Securities Act.
Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest
General
Our Declaration of Trust currently provides that we may issue up to 150,000,000
shares of beneficial interest, which may consist of Common Shares and preferred
shares of beneficial interest ("Preferred Shares"), each with a par value of
$.01 per share, in any combination. We have issued no Preferred Shares to date.
As permitted by Maryland law, the Declaration of Trust permits our Board of
Trustees, without shareholder consent, to amend the Declaration of Trust to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest or
the number of shares of any class of shares of beneficial interest that we have
authority to issue.
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board of Trustees to classify any
unissued shares of beneficial interest and to reclassify any previously
classified but unissued shares of beneficial interest of any series from time to
time in one or more series. Prior to the issuance of shares of each series, the
Board is required by Maryland law and our Declaration of Trust to establish the
preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or
conditions of redemption, if any, for each such series.
Both Maryland law and our Declaration of Trust provide that no shareholder will
be personally liable for the Company's obligations solely as a result of such
shareholder's status as a shareholder. The Declaration of Trust further provides
that we will indemnify and hold each shareholder harmless against any claim or
liability to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of such
shareholder's being or having been a shareholder or former shareholder, subject
to such shareholder providing prompt notice of the claim or
18
<PAGE>
liability, and will also pay or reimburse each shareholder or former shareholder
for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by the shareholder in
connection with any claim or liability unless, in either case, it is established
by a court that such claim or liability arose out of such shareholder's bad
faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence. In addition, it is our policy to
include provisions in our contracts to the effect that our shareholders assume
no personal liability for obligations entered into on our behalf. Nevertheless,
with respect to tort claims, contractual claims where shareholder liability is
not so negated, claims for taxes and certain statutory liabilities, judicial
decisions relating to business trusts organized under the laws of certain
jurisdictions other than Maryland might be asserted in such jurisdictions as a
basis for personal liability of shareholders to the extent that we do not
satisfy any such claims. We carry public liability insurance in amounts that we
consider adequate. Any risk of personal liability to shareholders is therefore
limited to situations in which our assets plus our insurance coverage would be
insufficient to satisfy the claims against us and our shareholders.
Common Shares
All of the Common Shares covered by this prospectus are duly authorized, fully
paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any series of
Preferred Shares that we may issue and to the provisions of our Declaration of
Trust regarding the restrictions on transfer of Common Shares described below,
holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive dividends on such shares if, as
and when authorized and declared by our Board of Trustees out of assets legally
available therefor and to share ratably in the assets legally available for
distribution to our shareholders after payment of, or adequate provision for,
all our known debts and liabilities in the event of the liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up.
Each outstanding Common Share entitles the holder of such Common Share to one
vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election
of Trustees, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series
of shares of beneficial interest, the holders of our Common Shares possess the
exclusive voting power with respect to matters that require or are submitted for
shareholder approval. Cumulative voting is not permitted in the election of
Trustees. The absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority
of the outstanding Common Shares can elect all of the Trustees then standing for
election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any
Trustees. Holders of Common Shares have no preference, conversion, sinking fund,
redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for
any securities that we may issue. Subject to the provisions of the Declaration
of Trust regarding the restriction on transfer of all Common Shares (see below),
Common Shares have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights.
Under Maryland law, a Maryland real estate investment trust is generally not
permitted to amend its declaration of trust or merge without the approval of
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the
matter, or such lesser percentage of such shares as is set forth in the real
estate investment trust's declaration of trust (but not less than a majority of
all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter). Our Declaration of Trust
provides for approval by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of our
outstanding Common Shares entitled to vote on the matter in all situations
permitting or requiring action by the shareholders, except with respect to: (1)
the election of Trustees (which, under our Bylaws, requires a plurality of all
the votes cast at a shareholders' meeting at which a quorum is present), (2) the
removal of Trustees (which requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest entitled to vote
generally in the election of Trustees, which action can only be taken by vote at
a shareholder meeting), (3) our merger with or into another entity,
consolidation or sale (or other disposition) of all or substantially all of our
assets (which requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote on the matter, which action can only be
taken by vote at a shareholder meeting), and (4) our dissolution (which
requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares). As
allowed under Maryland law, our Declaration of Trust permits the
19
<PAGE>
Trustees, acting by a two-thirds vote, to amend the Declaration of Trust from
time to time to qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Tax Code or
Maryland law without the approval of our shareholders.
Shareholder Rights Plan
On June 11, 1998, our Board of Trustees declared a dividend of one preferred
share purchase right for each Common Share outstanding, payable to common
shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 1998. The holders of
any additional Common Shares issued after that date and before the redemption or
expiration of the purchase rights are also entitled to receive one purchase
right for each such additional Common Share issued. Each purchase right entitles
the holder, under certain circumstances, to purchase one one-hundredth of a
share of a series of participating preferred shares, par value $.01 per share
(the "Participating Preferred Shares") at a price of $85.00 per one one-
hundredth of a Participating Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. The
purchase rights will become exercisable if a person or group of persons (an
"Acquiring Person") (1) acquires 15% or more of our outstanding Common Shares or
(2) announces a tender offer or exchange offer for 15% or more of our
outstanding Common Shares or (3) files a document with a governmental agency
regarding any transaction or series of transactions that would result in such
person or persons becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our
outstanding Common Shares. Certain existing holders of Common Shares specified
in the Rights Agreement referred to below (the "Grandfathered Persons" may be
deemed to have beneficially owned 15% or more of our outstanding Common Shares
as of the date of the initial distribution of the purchase rights will not be
deemed, however, to be Acquiring Persons unless they become the beneficial owner
of an additional 1% of our outstanding Common Shares without our prior written
approval. The terms of the purchase rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement,
dated as of June 11, 1998, as amended, between Cabot and BankBoston, N.A., as
Rights Agent.
If any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring
Person, each purchase right other than purchase rights held by the Acquiring
Person will entitle the holder to purchase, at the purchase right's then current
exercise price, a number of Common Shares having a market value equal to twice
the purchase right's exercise price. If we are acquired pursuant to a merger or
other business combination, or if 50% or more of our consolidated assets or
earning power is sold after any person or group has become an Acquiring Person,
the purchase rights will entitle each holder to purchase, at the purchase
right's then current exercise price, a number of the acquiring company's common
shares having a market value equal to twice the purchase right's exercise price.
The purchase rights will expire on June 11, 2008 and, prior to the time they
become exercisable, are subject to redemption in whole, but not in part, at a
price of $.01 per purchase right payable in cash, common shares or any other
form of consideration determined by our Board of Trustees. In addition, we have
the right under certain circumstances to exchange each purchase right that has
become exercisable for one newly issued Common Share.
Restrictions on Transfer
To qualify as a REIT under the Tax Code, we must meet certain requirements
concerning the ownership of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest.
Specifically, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of beneficial
interest may be owned, directly or indirectly (taking into account certain
attribution rules), by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Tax Code to
include certain entities) at any time during the last half of a taxable year
(other than the first year we elected to be taxed as a REIT), and 100 or more
persons must be beneficial owners of our shares during at least 335 days of a
taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter
taxable year.
To assist us in meeting the above requirements, the Declaration of Trust
provides, subject to certain exceptions described below, that no person may own,
or be deemed to own by virtue of the ownership attribution or "deemed
ownership" provisions of the Tax Code, more than 9.8% of our issued and
outstanding shares or 9.8% of the total value of such shares (the "Ownership
Limit"). Any transfer of Common Shares or Preferred Shares that would result in
any person owning, directly or indirectly (taking into account certain
attribution rules), more Common Shares or Preferred Shares than permitted by the
Ownership Limit, or would result in our
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Common Shares and Preferred Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons
(determined without reference to any special rules of attribution or "deemed
ownership" under the Tax Code), or would result in the Company being "closely
held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Tax Code, will be null and
void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such Common or
Preferred Shares.
Subject to certain exceptions described below, if any purported transfer of
Common or Preferred Shares would result in any person owning, directly or
indirectly, (taking into account certain attribution rules), more Common or
Preferred Shares than permitted by the Ownership Limit, would result in our
Common Shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons or would result in the
Company being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Tax
Code, the Common or Preferred Shares exceeding the Ownership Limit will be
designated as "excess shares" and will be deemed to be automatically transferred
to a trust (the "Share Trust") effective as of the close of business on the
business day before the purported transfer of such excess Common or Preferred
Shares. The record holder of the Common or Preferred Shares that are designated
as excess shares (the "Purported Transferee") will have no rights in such shares
except as described below. We will designate the trustee of the Share Trust (the
"Share Trustee"), but the designee will not be affiliated with us. We will name
one or more charitable organizations as beneficiaries of the Share Trust.
Excess shares will remain issued and outstanding Common or Preferred Shares and
will be entitled to the same rights and privileges as all other shares of the
same class or series. The Share Trust will receive all dividends and
distributions on the excess shares and will hold such dividends and
distributions in trust for the benefit of the Beneficiary. The Share Trustee
will vote all excess shares. At our direction, the Share Trustee must transfer
the shares held in the Excess Share Trust to a person whose ownership of the
shares will not violate the Ownership Limit. Such transfer must be made within
60 days after the latest of the date of the transfer that resulted in such
excess shares and the date that our Board of Trustees determines in good faith
that a transfer resulting in excess shares has occurred, if we do not receive
notice of such transfer. Upon such a transfer, which is subject to our waiving
our purchase right described below, the Purported Transferee generally will
receive from the Share Trustee the lesser of the price per share such Purported
Transferee paid for the Common or Preferred Shares that were designated as
excess shares (or, in the case of a gift or devise, the market price (as defined
below) per share on the date of such transfer) and the price per share received
by the Share Trustee from the sale of such excess shares. Any amounts received
by the Share Trustee in excess of the amounts to be paid to the Purported
Transferee will be distributed to the Beneficiary.
The excess shares will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our
designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of the price per share in the
transaction that created such excess shares (or, in the case of a gift or
devise, the market price per share on the date of such transfer) and the market
price per share on the date that we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer.
We have the right to accept such offer for a period of 90 days after the later
of the date of the purported transfer which resulted in such excess shares and
the date we determine in good faith that a transfer resulting in such excess
shares occurred.
"Market price" means the last sales price reported on the New York Stock
Exchange for a particular class of shares on the trading day immediately
preceding the relevant date, or if not then traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, the last reported sales price for such class of shares on the trading
day immediately preceding the relevant date as reported on any exchange or
quotation system on or through which such class of shares may be traded, or if
not then traded on or through any exchange or quotation system, then the market
price of such class of shares on the relevant date as determined in good faith
by our Board of Trustees.
Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire Common Shares or Preferred Shares
in violation of the foregoing restrictions, or any person who owned Common or
Preferred Shares that were transferred to a Share Trust, will be required to
give us immediate written notice of such event or, in the event of a proposed or
attempted transfer, must give at least 15 days prior written notice of such
event, and will be further required to provide to us such other information as
we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our
REIT status.
The Declaration of Trust requires all persons who own, directly or indirectly,
more than 5% (or such lower percentage as may be required pursuant to the
regulations adopted under the Tax Code) of the number or
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value of the outstanding Common and Preferred Shares, within 30 days after
January 1 of each year, to provide to us a written statement of the name and
address of such direct or indirect owner, the number of Common and Preferred
Shares owned directly or indirectly by such person and a description of how such
shares are held. In addition, each direct or indirect shareholder must provide
to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the
effect, if any, of such ownership on our REIT status and to ensure compliance
with the Ownership Limit.
The Ownership Limit generally will not apply to the acquisition of Common Shares
or Preferred Shares by an underwriter that participates in a public offering of
such shares. In addition, the Board of Trustees, upon receipt of a ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel and upon such other
conditions as the Board may direct, may exempt a person from the Ownership Limit
under certain circumstances. However, the Board may not grant an exemption from
the Ownership Limit to any proposed transferee whose ownership, direct or
indirect, of shares of beneficial interest in excess of the Ownership Limit
would result in the termination of our REIT status. The foregoing restrictions
will continue to apply until the Board determines that it is no longer in our
best interest to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
The Ownership Limit could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the
Common Shares or that might for other reasons be considered by shareholders to
be in their best interest.
All certificates representing our Common or Preferred Shares are required to
bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
We intend to operate in a manner that permits us to satisfy the requirements for
taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Tax Code. We can give
no assurance, however, that such requirements will be met. The following
summarizes the federal income tax considerations for the Company and our
shareholders with respect to our treatment as a REIT. The information below, to
the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters or
legal conclusions, is based on the opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt. Mayer Brown
& Platt has served as counsel to the Company regarding the material federal
income tax consequences relevant to purchasers of the common shares.
Based on the matters described below, in the opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt, we
have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a
REIT, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1998, and our actual
and proposed method of operation (as we represented to Mayer, Brown & Platt)
will enable us to continue to satisfy the requirements for such qualification.
Their opinion is based on certain assumptions relating to the organization and
operation of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Management Company.
These assumptions include: (1) that the Formation Transactions were consummated
in accordance with the operative documents therefor, (2) that such documents
accurately reflect the material facts of such transactions, (3) that the
Company, the Operating Partnership and the Management Company will each be
operated in the manner described in their applicable organizational documents
and in representations we have given to Mayer, Brown & Platt, and (4) that all
terms and provisions of such documents will be complied with by all parties
involved. Their opinion is also conditioned upon certain representations made to
them in reference to certain factual matters relating to our organization. In
addition, this opinion is based on the law existing and in effect on this date.
Our qualification and taxation as a REIT will depend on compliance with such law
existing and in effect on this date and as the same may be later amended. Our
qualification and taxation as a REIT will further depend upon our ability to
meet, on a continuing basis through actual operating results, asset composition,
distribution levels and diversity of share ownership, the various qualification
tests imposed under the Tax Code discussed below. Counsel will not review
compliance with these tests on a continuing basis and no assurance can be given
that we will satisfy such tests on a continuing basis.
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In brief, a corporation that invests primarily in real estate can claim a tax
deduction for the dividends it pays to its shareholders as long as it meets the
REIT provisions of the Tax Code described below. Such a corporation generally
is not taxed on its "REIT taxable income" to the extent such income is currently
distributed to shareholders. This substantially eliminates the "double
taxation" (i.e., at both the corporate and shareholder levels) that generally
results from an investment in a corporation. However, as discussed in greater
detail below, such an entity remains subject to tax in certain circumstances
even if it qualifies as a REIT. Further, if the entity fails to qualify as a
REIT in any year, it will not be able to deduct any portion of the dividends it
paid to its shareholders. Thus it would be subject to full federal income
taxation on its earnings, thereby significantly reducing or eliminating the cash
available for distribution to its shareholders. See "--Taxation of the Company--
General" and "--Taxation of the Company--Failure to Qualify."
Our Board of Trustees currently believes that we have operated and will operate
in a manner that permits us to elect (and that we will timely and effectively
elect) REIT status for our taxable year ended December 31, 1998 and in each
taxable year after that. There can be no assurance, however, that this
expectation will be fulfilled for the following reasons. Qualification as a
REIT depends on our continuing to satisfy the numerous asset, income and
distribution tests described below, which in turn will depend on our operating
results.
The following summary is based on the Tax Code, its legislative history,
administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and United States Treasury
Department ("Treasury") regulations. Subsequent changes to any of these may
affect the tax consequences described here, possibly on a retroactive basis. The
following summary neither exhausts all possible tax considerations, nor gives a
detailed discussion of any state, local, or foreign tax considerations, nor
discusses all of the aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to
a prospective shareholder in light of his or her particular circumstances or to
certain types of shareholders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt
entities, financial institutions, broker- dealers, foreign corporations and
persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) subject to
special treatment under the federal income tax laws.
Taxation of Company
General. In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be
subject to federal income tax on that portion of our REIT taxable income or
capital gain which is distributed to shareholders. We may, however, be subject
to tax at normal corporate rates upon any taxable income or capital gain not
distributed. Under recently enacted legislation and to the extent we elect to
retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gains, shareholders are
required to include their proportionate share of the Company's undistributed
long-term capital gain in income. However, they receive a credit for their share
of any taxes paid on such gain by the Company.
Notwithstanding our qualification as a REIT, we may also may be subject to
taxation in certain other circumstances. If we should fail to satisfy either the
75% or the 95% gross income test (discussed below), but maintain our
qualification as a REIT (because certain other requirements are met), we will be
subject to a 100% tax on the greater of the amount by which the Company fails
either the 75% or the 95% test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect the
Company's profitability. We will also be subject to a tax of 100% on net income
from any "prohibited transaction" (as described below). If we have net income
from the sale or other disposition of "foreclosure property," which is held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, or if we
have other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be subject
to tax on such income from foreclosure property at the highest corporate rate.
In addition, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least
the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our
REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable
income from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of
such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent
that we elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gains,
such retained amounts will be treated as distributed for purposes of the 4%
excise tax. We may also be subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax, as
well as to tax in certain situations not presently contemplated. Our Management
Company will be taxed on its income at regular corporate
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rates. We will use the calendar year both for federal income tax purposes, as is
required of a newly organized REIT, and for financial reporting purposes.
REIT Qualification Requirements. In order to qualify as a REIT, we must meet,
among others, the following requirements:
Share Ownership Tests. Our shares of beneficial interest (which term, in our
case, currently means the Common Shares) must be held by a minimum of 100
persons for at least 335 days in each taxable year (or a proportional number of
days in any short taxable year). In addition, at all times during the second
half of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares
of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly and including the
effects of certain constructive ownership rules, by five or fewer individuals,
which for this purpose includes certain tax-exempt entities. However, for
purposes of this test, any shares of beneficial interest held by a qualified
domestic pension or other retirement trust will be treated as held directly by
its beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial interest in such trust rather
than by such trust. These share ownership requirements need not be met until the
second taxable year of the Company for which a REIT election is made. As we have
represented to Mayer, Brown & Platt, we have satisfied and will continue to
satisfy these requirements.
In order to attempt to ensure compliance with the foregoing share ownership
tests, we have placed certain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of the
shares of beneficial interest. This should prevent additional concentration of
stock ownership. Moreover, to show evidence of compliance with these
requirements, Treasury regulations require us to maintain records which disclose
the actual ownership of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest and such
regulations impose penalties against us for failing to do so. In fulfilling our
obligations to maintain records, we must and will demand written statements each
year from the record holders of designated percentages of our shares of
beneficial interest. The statements must disclose the actual owners of such
shares of beneficial interest (as prescribed by Treasury regulations). A list of
those persons failing or refusing to comply with such demand must be maintained
as part of our records. A shareholder failing or refusing to comply with the
written demand must submit with his tax return a similar statement, disclosing
the actual ownership of shares of beneficial interest and certain other
information. In addition, our Declaration of Trust provides restrictions
regarding the ownership and transfer of shares of beneficial interest that are
intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements.
See "Description of Common Shares--Restrictions on Transfer."
Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy
two tests, which relate to the nature of our assets (determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles). First, at least 75% of the value
of our total assets must be represented by interests in real property, interests
in mortgages on real property, shares in other REITs, cash, cash items,
government securities and qualified temporary investments. Second, although the
remaining 25% of our assets generally may be invested without restriction,
securities in this class may not exceed:
(1) in the case of securities of any one non-government issuer, 5% of
the value of our total assets (the "Value Test"); or
(2) 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one such issuer
(the "Voting Stock Test").
As we have represented to Mayer, Brown & Platt, we have and will satisfy the 75%
asset test, the Value Test, and the Voting Test at the close of each quarter of
our taxable years ended 1998 and afterwards. Where we invest in a partnership
(such as the Operating Partnership), we will be deemed to own a proportionate
share of the partnership's assets. The partnership interest does not constitute
a security for purposes of these tests. See "--Tax Aspects of the Company's
Investments in Partnerships--General." Accordingly, our investment in the
properties through our interest in the Operating Partnership is intended to
constitute an investment in qualified assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.
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The Operating Partnership owns 100% of the non-voting preferred stock of the
Management Company. By virtue of our partnership interest in the Operating
Partnership, we are deemed to own initially a pro rata share of such non-voting
preferred stock. Because the Operating Partnership owns none of the voting
common stock of the Management Company, and because the non-voting preferred
stock's approval right is limited to certain fundamental corporate actions that
could adversely affect the preferred stock as a class, we believe the Voting
Stock Test should be satisfied.
Based upon the analysis of the estimated value of the stock of the Management
Company (owned by the Operating Partnership) relative to the estimated value of
the total assets (owned by the Operating Partnership), we believe that our pro
rata share of the stock of the Management Company (held by the Operating
Partnership) does not exceed on the date of this prospectus 5% of the value of
our total assets. In rendering its opinion as to our qualification as a REIT,
Mayer, Brown & Platt is relying on our representations to such effect with
respect to the value of such stock and assets.
The Value Test must be satisfied at the end of any quarter in which we increase
our interest in the Management Company or acquire other property. If any limited
partner exercises its conversion option to exchange Units for Common Shares, we
will thereby increase our proportionate (indirect) ownership interest in the
Management Company. This will require us to meet the Value Test in any quarter
in which such conversion option is exercised. A similar result will follow in
the case of any exchange of Units by employees of the Operating Partnership or
the Management Company that they received pursuant to our Long Term Incentive
Plan. We plan to take steps to ensure that the Value Test is satisfied for any
quarter in which retesting is to occur. However, we cannot give assurance that
such steps will always be successful and will not require a reduction in the
Operating Partnership's overall interest in the Management Company.
Gross Income Tests. There are two separate percentage tests relating to the
sources of our gross income which must be satisfied for each taxable year. For
purposes of these tests, where we invest in a partnership, we will be treated as
receiving our share of the income and loss of the partnership. The gross income
of the partnership will retain the same character in our hands as it has in the
hands of the partnership. See "--Tax Aspects of the Company's Investments in
Partnerships--General" below. The two tests are separately described below:
The 75% Test. At least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year must
be "qualifying income." Qualifying income generally includes:
(1) rents from real property (except as modified below);
(2) interest on obligations secured by mortgages on, or interests in,
real property;
(3) gains from the sale or other disposition of interests in real
property and real estate mortgages, other than gain from property
bought primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
our trade or business ("dealer property");
(4) dividends or other distributions on shares in other REITs, as
well as gain from the sale of such shares;
(5) abatements and refunds of real property taxes;
(6) income from the operation, and gain from the sale, of property
acquired at or in lieu of a foreclosure of the mortgage secured
by such property ("foreclosure property"); and
(7) commitment fees received for agreeing to make loans secured by
mortgages on real property or to purchase or lease real property.
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Rents received from a customer will not, however, qualify as rents from real
property in satisfying the 75% gross income test (or the 95% gross income test
described below) if we own or are deemed to own, or an owner or declined owner
of 10% or more of the Company owns, directly or constructively 10% or more of
such customer. If the portion of any rent (attributable to personal property
leased in connection with a lease of real property) is greater than 15% of the
total rent received under the lease, the portion of such rent will not qualify
as rents from real property. Moreover, an amount received or accrued will not
qualify as rents from real property (or as interest income) for the 75% and 95%
gross income tests, if it is based, in whole or in part, on the income or
profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not
be excluded from "rents from real property" solely by reason of being based on a
fixed percentage, or percentages, of receipts or sales. Finally, for rents
received to qualify as rents from real property for the 75% and 95% gross income
tests, we generally must not operate or manage the property, or furnish or
render services to customers other than through an "independent contractor" from
whom we derive no income, except that the "independent contractor" requirement
does not apply to the extent that the services provided by us are "usually or
customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only,
or are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant for his convenience"
of the amounts received with respect to such services do not exceed 1% of all
amounts received or accrued, directly or indirectly, by us during the taxable
year with respect to such property.
We monitor our operations in the context of these standards so as to satisfy the
75% and 95% gross income tests and have represented to Mayer, Brown & Platt that
we have and will satisfy these tests for our taxable years ended 1998 and
afterwards. The Operating Partnership provides certain services at the
properties that it owns and may provide such services at any newly acquired
properties of the Operating Partnership. We believe that for purposes of the 75%
and 95% gross income tests, the services provided at such properties (and any
other services and amenities provided by the Operating Partnership or its
agents) are or will be of the type, which is usually or customarily rendered in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and not those rendered to
the occupant for his convenience. Mayer, Brown & Platt, in rendering its opinion
as to our qualification as a REIT, is relying on our representations to that
effect. We intend that independent contractors will perform services that cannot
be provided directly by the Operating Partnership, the Management Company or
other agents. We anticipate that the dividend income on our indirect investment
in the Management Company will not cause us to fail the 75% gross income test.
The 95% Test. In addition to deriving 75% of our gross income from the
sources above, at least 95% of our gross income for the taxable year must be
derived from the above-described qualifying income or from dividends, interest,
or gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or other securities that
are not dealer property. Dividends and interest on any obligations (not
collateralized by an interest in real property) are included for purposes of the
95% test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition,
payments to us under an interest rate swap, cap agreement, option, futures
contract, forward rate agreement or any similar financial instrument entered
into by us to hedge our indebtedness incurred or to be incurred (and gain from
the sale or other disposition of these instruments) are treated as qualifying
income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the
75% gross income test. We closely monitor our non-qualifying income and
anticipate that non-qualifying income from other activities will not result in
our failing to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income test.
To determine whether we comply with the 75% and the 95% gross income tests,
gross income does not include income from prohibited transactions. A sale of
dealer property (excluding foreclosure property) is a "prohibited transaction",
except that a sale of property will not be a prohibited transaction if we hold
such property for at least four years, and certain other requirements (relating
to the number of properties sold in a year, their tax bases, and the cost of
improvements made thereto) are satisfied. See "--Taxation of the Company--
General" and "--Tax Aspects of the Company's Investments in Partnerships--Sale
of Properties."
We believe that, for purposes of both the 75% and the 95% gross income tests,
our investment in properties through the Operating Partnership in major part
gives rise to qualifying income in the form of rents. We also believe that
gains on sales of the properties, or of our interest in the Operating
Partnership, generally will also constitute qualifying income.
Even if we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests for
any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are
entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Tax Code. These relief
provisions will generally be available if:
(1) our failure to comply is due to reasonable cause and not to
willful neglect;
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(2) We report the nature and amount of each item of our income
included in the tests on a schedule attached to our tax return;
and
(3) any incorrect information on this schedule is not due to fraud
with intent to evade tax.
If these relief provisions apply, however, we will nonetheless be subject to a
100% tax on the greater of the amount by which it fails either the 75% or 95%
gross income test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our
profitability. Annual Distribution Requirements. In order to qualify as a REIT,
we are required to distribute dividends to our shareholders each year in an
amount at least equal to: (1) the sum of (x) 95% of our REIT taxable income
(computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the Company's net
capital gain) and (y) 95% of the net income (after tax), if any, from
foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain items of non-cash income.
We must pay such distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in
the following taxable year, if they are declared before we timely file our tax
return for such year and if they are paid on or before the first regular
dividend payment after the declaration. To the extent that we do not distribute
all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 95%, but less than 100%, of
our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the
undistributed amount at regular capital gain or ordinary corporate tax rates, as
the case may be.
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual
distribution requirements, as described in the first sentence of the preceding
paragraph. We have represented to Mayer, Brown & Platt that we have and will
satisfy these distribution requirements for our taxable years ended 1998 and
afterwards. In this regard, the Operating Partnership Agreement authorizes us in
our capacity as general partner to take such steps as may be necessary to cause
the Operating Partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to
permit us to meet the distribution requirements. It is possible that we may not
have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the 95% distribution
requirement. This may be due to timing differences between the actual receipt of
income and actual payment of expenses on the one hand and the inclusion of such
income and deduction of such expense (in computing our REIT taxable income) on
the other hand. Additionally, this may be due to the Operating Partnership's
inability to control cash distributions (relating to any properties over which
it does not have decision making control), or for other reasons. We will closely
monitor the relationship between our REIT taxable income and cash flow and, if
necessary, borrow funds (or cause the Operating Partnership or other affiliates
to borrow funds) to satisfy the distribution requirement. However, we cannot
assure that such borrowing would be available at such time.
If we fail to meet the 95% distribution requirement as a result of an adjustment
to our tax return by the Internal Revenue Service, we may retroactively cure the
failure by paying a "deficiency dividend" (plus applicable penalties and
interest) within a specified period.
Failure to Qualify. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable
year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax
(including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at
regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in any year in which we
fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they generally
be required to be made under the Tax Code. In such event, to the extent of
current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders
will be taxable as ordinary income and subject to certain limitations in the Tax
Code. Also, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received
deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we
also will be disqualified from re-electing taxation as a REIT for the four
taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.
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Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Partnerships
General. We hold a partnership interest in the Operating Partnership. In
general, a partnership is a "pass-through" entity which is not subject to
federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of
the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are
potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partner
received a distribution from the partnership. We will include our proportionate
share of the foregoing partnership items for purposes of the various REIT gross
income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. See "--Taxation
of the Company--General" and "--Gross Income Tests."
Each partner's share of a partnership's tax attributes is determined in
accordance with the partnership agreement although, the allocations will be
adjusted for tax purposes if they do not comply with the technical provisions of
Tax Code Section 704(b) and the regulations under Tax Code Section 704(b). The
Operating Partnership's allocation of tax attributes are intended to comply with
these provisions. Notwithstanding these allocation provisions, for purposes of
complying with the gross income and asset tests discussed above, we will be
deemed to own our proportionate share of each of the assets of the partnership
and will be deemed to have received a share of the income of the Partnership
based on our capital interest in the Operating Partnership. Accordingly, any
resultant increase in our REIT taxable income from our interest in the Operating
Partnership (whether or not a corresponding cash distribution is also received
from the Operating Partnership) will increase our distribution requirements (see
"--Taxation of the Company--Annual Distribution Requirements"), but will not be
subject to federal income tax in our hands. This is provided that we distribute
an amount equal to such income to our shareholders. Moreover, for purposes of
the REIT asset tests (see "--Taxation of the Company--Asset Tests"), we will
include our proportionate share of assets held by the Operating Partnership.
Entity Classification. Based on our representations that the Operating
Partnership will satisfy certain conditions to avoid classification as a
"publicly traded partnership" status under the Tax Code, in the opinion of
Mayer, Brown & Platt under existing federal income tax law and regulations, the
Operating Partnership will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
partnership, and not as an association taxable as a corporation. Such opinion,
however, is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service.
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties. Pursuant to Section 704(c) of
the Tax Code, income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to appreciated or
depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership (such as certain of the properties or interests
therein) must be allocated in a manner such that the contributing partner is
charged with, or benefits from, respectively, the unrealized gain or unrealized
loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of
such unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference
between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of
contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of
contribution (a "Book-Tax Difference"). Such allocations are solely for federal
income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other
economic arrangements among the partners. The formation of the Operating
Partnership included contributions of appreciated property (including certain of
the properties or interests therein). Consequently, the Operating Partnership
Agreement requires certain allocations to be made in a manner consistent with
Section 704(c) of the Tax Code.
In general, certain of the limited partners of the Operating Partnership as
contributors of certain of the properties or interests therein will be allocated
lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes and increased taxable
income and gain on sale by the Operating Partnership on the contributed assets
(including certain of such properties). This will tend to eliminate the Book-Tax
Difference over the life of the Operating Partnership. However, the special
allocation rules of Section 704(c) do not always entirely rectify the Book-Tax
Difference on an annual basis or with respect to a specific taxable transaction
such as a sale, and accordingly variations from normal Section 704(c) principles
may arise, which could result in the allocation of additional taxable income to
us in excess of corresponding cash proceeds in certain circumstances.
Treasury regulations under Section 704(c) of the Tax Code provide partnerships
with a choice of several methods of accounting for Book-Tax Differences. Such
determinations could have differing timing and other effects on us.
28
<PAGE>
Properties acquired by the Operating Partnership in taxable transactions will in
general have a tax basis equal to their fair market value. Section 704(c) of the
Tax Code will not apply in such cases.
Sale of Properties. Our share of any gain realized by the Operating Partnership
on the sale of any "dealer property" generally will be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction that is subject to 100% penalty tax. See "--Taxation of
the Company--General" and "--Gross Income Tests--The 95% Test." Under existing
law, whether property is dealer property is a question of fact that depends on
all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. We
intend to hold (and, to the extent within our control, to have any joint venture
to which the Operating Partnership is a partner hold) properties for investment
with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring,
owning, operating and developing the properties, and to make such occasional
sales of our properties and other properties acquired subsequent to the date
hereof as are consistent with our investment objectives. Based upon our
investment objectives, we believe that overall, our properties should not be
considered dealer property and that the amount of income from prohibited
transactions, if any, will not be material.
Taxation of Shareholders
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Shareholders. As long as we qualify as a REIT,
distributions made to our taxable domestic shareholders out of current or
accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends)
generally will be taxed to such shareholders as ordinary dividend income and
will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
Distributions of net capital gain that we designate as capital gain dividends
will be taxed to such shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent they
do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the fiscal year) without regard to
the period for which the shareholder has held its shares of beneficial interest.
However, corporate shareholders may be required to treat up to 20% of capital
gain dividends as ordinary income. To the extent that we make distributions in
excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions will
be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the shareholder, reducing
the tax basis of a shareholder's common shares by the amount of such excess
distribution (but not below zero), with distributions in excess of the
shareholder's tax basis being taxed as capital gains (if the common shares are
held by the shareholder as a capital asset). See "Distribution Policy." In
addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any
year, which is payable to a shareholder of record on a specific date in any such
month, shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on
December 31 of such year as long as we actually pay the dividend during January
of the following calendar year. Shareholders may not include our net operating
losses in their individual income tax returns. Federal income tax rules may also
require that certain minimum tax adjustments and preferences be apportioned to
our shareholders.
We are permitted under the Tax Code to elect to retain and pay income tax on our
net capital gain for any taxable year. If we so elect, a shareholder must
include in income such shareholder's proportionate share of our undistributed
capital gain for the taxable year. The shareholder also will be deemed to have
paid such shareholder's proportionate share of the income tax we pay with
respect to such undistributed capital gain. Such tax would be credited against
the shareholder's tax liability and subject to normal refund procedures. In
addition, each shareholder's basis in such shareholder's shares would be
increased by the amount of undistributed capital gain (less the tax we paid)
included in the shareholder's income.
The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 provides that
gain from the sale or exchange of certain investments held for more than one
year is taxed at a maximum capital gain rate of 20%. Pursuant to Internal
Revenue Service guidance, we may, classify portions of our capital join
dividends as gains eligible for the 20% capital gains rate discussed above or
as unrecaptured Tax Code Section 1250 gain taxable at a maximum rate of 25%.
29
<PAGE>
designated capital gain dividend as: (1) a 20% rate gain distribution (which
would be taxed as capital gain in the 20% group); (2) an unrecaptured Section
1250 gain distribution (which would be taxed as capital gain in the 25% group);
or (3) a 28% rate gain distribution (which would be taxed as capital gain in
the 28% group). Under Notice 97-64, if no designation is made, the entire
designated capital gain dividend will be treated as a 28% rate capital gain
distribution. Notice 97-64 provides that a REIT must determine the maximum
amounts that it may designate as 20% and 25% rate capital gain dividends by
performing the computation required by the Tax Code as if the REIT were an
individual whose ordinary income was subject to a marginal tax rate of at least
28%. Notice 97-64 has not yet been modified to incorporate the changes made to
holding period requirements under the 1998 Act.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of common shares by a shareholder
who has held such common shares for six months (after applying certain holding
period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent
distributions from the Company were required to be treated by such shareholders
as long-term capital gains.
Backup Withholding. We will report to our domestic shareholders and to the
Internal Revenue Service the amount of dividends paid for each calendar year,
and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect thereto. Under the backup
withholding rules, a shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate
of 31% with respect to dividends paid unless the shareholder is a corporation or
comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates
this fact or the shareholder provides a taxpayer identification number,
certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise
complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A
shareholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification
number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Any amount paid as backup withholding is available as a credit against the
shareholder's income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold
a portion of capital gain distributions made to any shareholders who fail to
certify their non-foreign status to us. See "-- Taxaction of the Shareholders --
Taxation of Foreign Shareholders" below.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a
revenue ruling in which it held that amounts distributed by a REIT to a tax-
exempt employees' pension trust do not constitute unrelated business taxable
income ("UBTI"). Subject to the discussion below regarding a "pension-held
REIT," based upon that ruling and the statutory framework of the Tax Code,
distributions by us to a shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity should not
constitute UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the
acquisition of its shares with "acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of
the Tax Code, that the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or
business of the tax-exempt entity, and that we, consistent with our present
intent, do not hold a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment
conduit ("REMIC") that is an entity or arrangement that satisfies the standards
set forth in Section 860D of the Tax Code.
If any pension or other retirement trust that qualifies under Section 401(a) of
the Tax Code (a "qualified pension trust") holds more than 10% by value of the
interests in a "pension-held REIT" at any time during a taxable year, a portion
of the dividends paid to the qualified pension trust by such REIT may constitute
UBTI. For these purposes, a "pension-held REIT" is defined as a REIT that would
not have qualified as a REIT but for the provisions of the Tax Code which look
through such a qualified pension trust in determining ownership of shares of the
REIT and as to which at least one qualified pension trust holds more than 25% by
value of the interests of such REIT or one or more qualified pension trusts
(each owning more than a 10% interest by value in the REIT) hold in the
aggregate more than 50% by value of the interests in such REIT.
We do not believe we are currently a "pension--held REIT". However, pension
funds hold significant amounts of Operating Partnership Units, which may,
subject to certain limitations, be exchanged for Common Shares. In addition,
pension funds may purchase Common Shares in the market. As a result, we may in
the future be deemed to constitute a "pension-held REIT" as a result of
exchanges of Units for Common Shares or market purchases of Common Shares by
pension funds.
Taxation of Foreign Shareholders. The rules governing United States federal
income taxation of non-resident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign
partnerships and other foreign shareholders
30
<PAGE>
(collectively, "Non-U.S. Shareholders") are highly complex and may be affected
by other considerations. The following is only a summary of such rules.
Prospective Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to
determine the impact of federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to
an investment in our Common Shares, including any reporting requirements.
We will qualify as a "domestically-controlled REIT" so long as less than 50% in
value of our shares of beneficial interest are held by foreign persons (i.e.,
non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates).
We currently anticipate that we will qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT.
Under these circumstances, gain from the sale of our Common Shares by a foreign
person should not be subject to United States taxation, unless such gain is
effectively connected with such person's United States trade or business or, in
the case of an individual foreign person, such person is present within the
United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year. However,
notwithstanding our current anticipation that we will qualify as a domestically-
controlled REIT, because our Common Shares will be publicly traded no assurance
can be given that we will so qualify.
Distributions of cash generated by our real estate operations (but not by the
sale or exchange of properties) that are paid to foreign persons generally will
be subject to United States withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless an
applicable tax treaty reduces that tax and the foreign shareholder files with us
the required form evidencing such lower rate, or the foreign shareholder files
an Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 with us claiming that the distribution is
"effectively connected" income.
Distributions of proceeds attributable to the sale or exchange of United States
real property interests by us are subject to income and withholding taxes
pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"),
and may also be subject to branch profits tax in the hands of a shareholder
which is a foreign corporation if it is not entitled to treaty relief or
exemption. We are required by applicable Treasury regulations to withhold 35% of
any distribution to a foreign person that could be designated as a capital gain
dividend. This amount is creditable against the foreign shareholder's FIRPTA tax
liability.
Other Tax Considerations
Management Company. The income of the Management Company will be subject to
federal and state income tax at full corporate rates. The Management Company
cannot claim a deduction for the dividends it pays to its shareholders,
including the Operating Partnership. To the extent that the Management Company
pays federal, state or local taxes, it will have less cash available to
distribute to its shareholders, thereby reducing cash available for us to
distribute to our shareholders. The Management Company will attempt to minimize
the amount of such taxes, but there can be no assurance whether or the extent to
which the measures it takes to minimize taxes will be successful.
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<PAGE>
Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Consequences. You should
recognize that the present federal income tax treatment of an investment in the
Company may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any
time and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously
made. The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly in review by
persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service
and the Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of regulations and revised
interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. No
assurance can be given as to the form or content (including with respect to
effective dates) of any tax legislation which may be enacted. Revisions in
federal tax laws and interpretations thereof can adversely affect the tax
consequences of your investment in our Company.
State and Local Taxes. Both the Company and our shareholders may be subject to
state or local taxation, and the Company and the Operating Partnership may be
subject to state or local tax withholding requirements in various jurisdictions,
including those in which we or they transact business or reside. The state and
local tax treatment of the Company and our shareholders may not conform to the
federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, you should
consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an
investment in Common Shares.
32
<PAGE>
Legal Matters
Our legal counsel, Mayer, Brown & Platt, has issued its opinion to us regarding
the validity of the common shares offered hereby. Mayer, Brown & Platt has
relied on Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, as to
certain matters of Maryland law. The description of federal income tax
consequences contained in this prospectus, to the extent that it constitutes
summaries of legal matters or legal conclusions, constitutes the
opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt as to such matters.
Experts
The audited financial statements and schedules (if applicable) of Cabot
Industrial Trust, Cabot Partners Limited Partnership, Existing Investors
Property Group, Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. II, Prudential Properties Group,
West Coast Industrial, LLC, The 4B's, Seefried Properties Group, Prudential
Properties Group II, DFW Trade Center I, L.P., Buildings 1, 2 and 3, 1055
Dornoch Court, San Diego, CA, Hampden I and II Properties Group, South Royal
Associates Properties Group, Joseph A. Leroy Family LP Property, Raco/Melaver,
L.L.C., TLI/Cahill Partnership--Spiral Drive, Terraden/Ontario, I L.P., Kojo
Building Property Group, Everest Investments Limited Partnership Property Group,
The Phoenix Group, Arizona Property and Hemmer Properties Group incorporated by
reference in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as of and for the periods indicated in
their reports and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
reports.
The financial statements and related schedule of Pennsylvania Public School
Employes' Retirement System Industrial Properties Portfolio incorporated by
reference in this prospectus have been audited by KPMG LLP,
independent certified public accountants, to the extent and for the periods
indicated in their report thereon also incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements and related schedule have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
The historical cost basis combined statements of assets and liabilities of
Orlando Central Park and 500 Memorial Drive as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
the related historical cost basis combined statements of income, changes in net
assets, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been incorporated
by reference herein in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent auditors, given on the authority of that firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The historical cost basis balance sheet of Knickerbocker Properties, Inc. II as
of December 31, 1996 and the related historical cost basis statements of
operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
33
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth estimates of the expenses that will be incurred
by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common
shares being registered.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount
------
<S> <C>
SEC Registration Fee............ $184,784
Legal Fees and Expenses......... 40,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses.... 35,000
Printing and Engraving.......... 35,000
Expenses........................ 50,000
Miscellaneous................... ________
Total......................... $344,784
========
</TABLE>
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Article 9, Section 1 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as
follows with respect to the limitation of liability for Trustees and officers
and indemnification:
"To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits
limitation of the liability of trustees and officers of a REIT, no trustee or
officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any shareholder for
money damages. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of this Section 1, nor the
adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust
inconsistent with this Section 1, shall apply to or affect in any respect the
applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to
act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. In the absence
of any Maryland statute limiting the liability of trustees or officers of a
Maryland REIT for money damages in a suit by or on behalf of the Trust or by
any shareholder, no trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the
Trust or to any shareholder for money damages except to the extent that (a)
the trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in
money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money,
property or services actually received or (b) a judgment or other final
adjudication adverse to the trustee or officer is entered in a proceeding
based on a finding in the proceeding that the trustee's or officer's action or
failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was
material to the cause of the action adjudicated in the proceeding."
Article 9, Section 3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as
follows with respect to the indemnification of Trustees and officers:
"Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the
Trust, for the purpose of providing indemnification for its Trustees and
officers, shall have the authority, without specific shareholder approval, to
enter into insurance or other arrangements to indemnify all Trustees and
officers of the Trust against any and all liabilities and expenses incurred by
them by reason of their being Trustees or officers of the Trust, whether or
not the Trust would otherwise have the power under this Declaration of Trust
or under Maryland law to indemnify such persons against such liability.
Without limiting the power of the Trust to procure or maintain any kind of
insurance or other arrangement, the Trust may, for the benefit of persons
indemnified by it, (a) create a trust fund, (b) establish any form of self-
insurance, (c) secure its indemnity obligation by grant of any security
interest or other lien on the assets of the Trust, or (d) establish a letter
of credit, guaranty or surety arrangement. Any such insurance or other
arrangement may be procured, maintained or established within the Trust or
with any insurer or other person deemed appropriate by the Board regardless of
whether all or part of the stock or other securities thereof are owned in
whole or in part by the Trust. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of the
Board as to the terms and conditions of insurance or other arrangement and the
identity of the insurer or other person participating in any arrangement shall
be conclusive, and such insurance or other arrangement shall not be subject to
II-1
<PAGE>
voidability, nor subject the Trustees approving such insurance or other
arrangement to liability on any ground, regardless of whether Trustees
participating and approving such insurance or other arrangement shall be
beneficiaries thereof."
The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its officers
and Trustees which provide for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities of
such officer or Trustee, arising out of any lawsuit or claim against such
officer or Trustee due to the fact that such person was or is serving as an
officer or Trustee, except for such liabilities and expenses (a) the payment of
which is judicially determined to be unlawful, (b) relating to claims under
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or (c) relating to
judicially determined criminal violations.
It is expected that forms of underwriting agreements that may be filed in
connection with this Registration Statement will provide for reciprocal
indemnification by the underwriters, and their respective directors, officers
and controlling persons, against certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
Item 16. Exhibits.
See the Exhibit Index which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum-aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table
in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement:
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
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<PAGE>
(4) If the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements
required by Rule 3-19 of this chapter at the start of any delayed offering or
throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information
otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished,
provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-
effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph
(a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in
the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial
statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration
statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to
include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Act or Rule 3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and
information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form
F-3.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers, and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Boston, State of Massachusetts, on January 29, 1999.
CABOT INDUSTRIAL TRUST
/s/ Robert E. Patterson
By: ____________________________________
Robert E. Patterson
President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned Trustees and
officers of Cabot Industrial Trust, hereby constitutes and appoints Ferdinand
Colloredo-Mansfeld, Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld and Neil E. Waisnor its or his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, for it or him and in its or his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, each with full power to act alone,
to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, and to file each
such amendment to this registration statement with all exhibits thereto, and any
and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as it or he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates stated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Signature Title Date
------------------ ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Ferdinand Colloredo-
Mansfeld
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Ferdinand Colloredo- Chairman of the Board, Chief
Mansfeld Executive Officer, Trustee
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Robert E. Patterson
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Robert E. Patterson President, Trustee
/s/ Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer)
/s/ Neil E. Waisnor
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Neil E. Waisnor Senior Vice President - Finance,
Treasurer and Secretary (Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Christopher C. Milliken
- ---------------------------- January 26, 1999
Christopher C. Milliken Trustee
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ W. Nicholas Thorndike
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
W. Nicholas Thorndike Trustee
/s/ Maurice Segall
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Maurice Segall Trustee
/s/ Ronald L. Skates
- ---------------------------- January 29, 1999
Ronald L. Skates Trustee
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
- -------
Number Exhibit
- ------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
3.1 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated January 26, 1998, of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to the Registrant's Form S-11 Registration Statement (File No. 333-38383) (the "Form S-11").
3.2 Bylaws of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-k dated
September 10, 1998.
3.3 Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, dated as of February 4, 1998, between the Company, the Contributing
Investors and various other persons identified therein (included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 4.1).
3.4 Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P., dated February 4,
1998. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
4.1 Contribution Agreement relating to the Capitalization of Cabot Industrial Trust, dated as of October 10, 1997, among
the Company, the Operating Partnership, Cabot Partners and Various Contributors and Title Holding Entities Identified
Therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
5.1 Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt as to the legality of the Common Shares.
5.2 Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll as to the legality of the Common Shares.
8.1 Opinion of Mayer, Brown & Platt as to certain tax matters.
10.1 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the Trustees. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Registrant's Form S-11 (File No. 333-61543).
10.2 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the officers of the Company. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Form S-11 (File No. 333-61543)
10.3 Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1997, between the Company and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.,
on behalf of certain of its institutional investors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Form
S-11.
10.4 Form of Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement, between the Company and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc., on
behalf of certain of its institutional investors, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
10.5 Cabot Industrial Trust Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Form
S-11.
10.6 Form of Employment Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Ferdinand Colloredo-Mansfeld. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
10.7 Form of Employment Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Robert E. Patterson. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
10.8 Form of Employment Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Form S-11.
10.9 Form of Employment Agreement between Cabot Industrial Properties, L.P. and, respectively, Andrew D. Ebbott, Howard B.
Hodgson, Jr., Neil E. Waisnor and Eugene F. Reilly. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's Form
S-11.
10.10 Revolving Credit Agreement between the Operating Partnership and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, dated March
27, 1998. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's 1997 Form 10-K.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
10.11 Rights Agreement, dated as of June 11, 1998, as amended, between the Company and BankBoston, N.A., as Rights Agent,
including Exhibit A thereto (Form of Articles Supplementary relating to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Shares) and Exhibit B thereto (Form of Right Certificate). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 10, 1998.
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.3 Consent of KPMG LLP
23.4.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.4.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.5 Consent of Mayer, Brown & Platt (included in the opinions filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
23.6 Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 5.2).
24 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
[MAYER, BROWN & PLATT LETTERHEAD]
February 1, 1999
The Board of Trustees
Cabot Industrial Trust
Two Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, MA 02108-1906
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Cabot Industrial Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust (the "Company"), in connection with the offer and sale of
up to 33,815,684 common shares of beneficial interest (the "Common Shares") of
the Company, par value $.01 per share, by certain shareholders of the Company as
described in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to which this opinion is an exhibit.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the
Registration Statement.
As counsel to the Company, we have examined originals or copies certified
or otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true and complete copies of
the Company's Declaration of Trust, the Company's Bylaws, resolutions of the
Company's Board of Trustees and such records, certificates and other documents
and have considered such questions of law, as we have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. As to certain factual matters
relevant to our opinion, we have relied upon certificates of public officials
and written and oral statements of officers of the Company. In rendering such
opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic
original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
issuance of the Common Shares to the Selling Shareholders was duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action of the Company and that the Common Shares, when
sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
Insofar as the foregoing opinion involves matters governed by Maryland law,
we have relied, with your approval, upon the opinion of the law firm of Ballard
Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll dated the date hereof and our opinion is subject to
the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to all references to our firm in the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
MAYER, BROWN & PLATT
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.2
[Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LP]
February 1, 1999
Cabot Industrial Trust
Two Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel to Cabot Industrial Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust (the "Company"), in connection with certain matters
of Maryland law arising out of the registration of up to 33,815,684 Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Common
Shares"), issuable, together with the Preferred Share Purchase Rights (as
hereinafter defined) attached thereto, to certain shareholders of the Company
(the "Selling Shareholders") upon conversion of limited partnership interests
("Units") in the Operating Partnership, and covered by the above-referenced
Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (the "Registration
Statement"), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"). As used herein, "Preferred Share Purchase Rights" means the rights to
purchase one one-hundredth of a share of the Company's Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Shares, issued as a dividend to the holders of Common
Shares on or about July 15, 1998, the terms of which are set forth in a Rights
Agreement, dated as of June 11, 1998, as amended (the "Rights Agreement"),
between the Company and BankBoston, N.A., as Rights Agent. Unless otherwise
defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in the Registration Statement.
In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for
the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 2
examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "Documents"):
1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included
therein in the form in which it was transmitted to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the 1933 Act;
2. The Declaration of Trust of the Company, certified as of a recent date
by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "SDAT");
3. The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by its
Securities;
4. Resolutions (the "Resolutions") adopted by the Board of Trustees of
the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the issuance
and sale of the Common Shares to the Selling Shareholders and the registration
of the Common Shares and the Preferred Share Purchase Rights under the above
Registration Statement, certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary of the
Company;
5. The Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the
"Partnership Agreement");
6. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company dated
as of a recent date;
7. A certificate executed by Neil E. Waisnor, Secretary of the Company,
as of the date hereof; and
8. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate to express the opinion set forth in this letter, subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed, and so far as
is known to us there are no facts inconsistent with, the following:
1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of
such individual or any other person, is legally competent to do so.
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 3
2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party
(other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the
Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to
which such party is a signatory, and such party's obligations set forth therein
are legal, valid and binding.
4. Any Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and
content of the Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in
any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents
as executed and delivered. Any Documents submitted to us as certified or
photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such
Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on
our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in
the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written
modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no
waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the
parties or otherwise.
5. The outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company have not
been and will not be transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation
contained in the Declaration of Trust. The Common Shares will not be sold or
transferred in violation of the provisions of Article 3 of the Declaration of
Trust of the Company, entitled "Restriction on Transfer, Acquisition and
Redemption of Shares," or any other restriction or limitation contained in the
Declaration of Trust.
6. The issuance of the Common Shares to the Selling Shareholders upon
conversion of the Unites from time to time has been, or will be, approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, in
accordance with Maryland law (with such approval referred to herein as the
"Corporate Proceedings").
The phrase "known to us" is limited to the actual knowledge, without
independent inquiry, of the lawyers at our firm who have performed legal
services in connection with the issuance of this opinion.
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 4
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and
qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company is a real estate investment trust duly formed and existing
under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing
with the SDAT.
2. Upon completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Common
Shares and the due execution, countersignature and delivery of certificates
evidencing the Common Shares, the Common Shares will be (assuming that, upon
issuance, the total number of Common Shares of Beneficial Interest issued and
outstanding will not exceed the total number of Common Shares of Beneficial
Interest that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Declaration of
Trust) duly authorized and, when and if delivered upon conversion of the Units
in accordance with the Corporate Proceedings, will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
3. The Preferred Share Purchase Rights have been duly authorized and,
when issued in accordance with the Resolutions and the Rights Agreement, will be
validly issued.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of
Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We
express no opinion as to compliance with the securities (or "blue sky") laws or
the real estate syndication laws of the State of Maryland.
We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law
changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might
change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and, accordingly, may not be relied
upon by, quoted in any manner to, or delivered to any other person or entity
(except Mayer, Brown & Platt, counsel to the Company) without, in each instance,
our prior written consent.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of the name of our firm in the section entitled "Legal
Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit
that we are
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 5
within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the
1933 Act.
Very truly yours,
Ballard Spahr Andrews &
Ingersoll, LP
<PAGE>
Exhibit 8.1
[Mayer, Brown & Platt letterhead]
February 1, 1999
Cabot Industrial Trust
Two Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
RE: Partnership Classification; Status as a Real Estate Investment Trust
("REIT"); Information in the Prospectus under "FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 1999 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to possible sales from time to time by certain shareholders
identified therein of up to 33,815,684 Common Shares in Cabot Industrial Trust,
a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "Company"), you have requested our
opinions concerning (i) the treatment of the Operating Partnership as a
partnership for Federal income tax purposes, and not as an association taxable
as a corporation; (ii) the qualification and taxation for Federal income tax
purposes of the Company as a REIT; and (iii) the information in the Prospectus
under the heading "FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES."
In formulating our opinions, we have reviewed and relied upon (i) the
Operating Partnership Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws of the
Company, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Management
Company (collectively, the "Organizational Documents"), (ii) the Prospectus and
(iii) such other documents and information provided by you, and such applicable
provisions of law as we have considered necessary for purposes of the opinions
expressed herein.
In addition, we have relied upon the Company's certificate (the "Officer's
Certificate"), executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company, setting
forth certain representations relating to the organization and the actual and
the proposed method of operation of the Company, the Operating Partnership, and
the Management Company. For purposes of our opinions, we have not made an
independent investigation of the facts and representations set
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 2
forth in the Officer's Certificate or in the Organizational Documents or any of
the information set forth in the Registration Statement. We have, consequently,
relied upon your representations that the information presented in such
documents accurately and completely describes all material facts. No facts have
come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy or
completeness of such facts or documents in any material respect.
In rendering these opinions, we have assumed (i) the Company, the Operating
Partnership, and the Management Company will each be operated in the manner
described in the applicable Organizational Documents and in the Prospectus, and
that all terms and provisions of such agreements and documents will be complied
with by all parties thereto; and (ii) each partner in the Operating Partnership
has been motivated in acquiring its partnership interest by its anticipation of
economic rewards apart from tax considerations.
The opinions expressed herein are based on the Code, the Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder, and interpretations of the Code and such
regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service, all as they are in
effect and exist at the date of this letter. It should be noted that statutes,
regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject
to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A
material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases
for our opinions could adversely affect our conclusions. Other than as
expressly stated below, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the
Operating Partnership, the Company or to any investment therein.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that:
1. The Operating Partnership will be treated, for Federal income tax
purposes, as a partnership, and not as an association taxable as a corporation.
2. Beginning with the Company's taxable year ending December 31, 1998,
and assuming that the actions contemplated in the Prospectus are completed in a
timely fashion, the Company has been organized in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and the Company's
actual and proposed method of operation, as described in the Prospectus and as
represented in the Officer's Certificate, will enable it to satisfy the
requirements for qualification as a REIT.
3. The information in the Prospectus under the heading "FEDERAL INCOME
TAX CONSEQUENCES," to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries
of legal matters, or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is correct
in all material respects.
<PAGE>
Cabot Industrial Trust
February 1, 1999
Page 3
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein.
Very truly yours,
MAYER, BROWN & PLATT
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our reports
covering the audited historical financial statements of Knickerbocker
Properties, Inc. II, dated July 20, 1998 and The Phoenix Group, dated August 12,
1998, incorporated by reference into this registration statement of Cabot
Industrial Trust on Form S-3.
Arthur Andersen LLP
New York, New York
January 29, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our reports
covering the audited historical financial statements of Cabot Industrial Trust,
dated March 27, 1998, Cabot Partners Limited Partnership, dated March 27, 1998,
Existing Investors Property Group, dated July 13, 1998, Prudential Properties
Group, dated July 13, 1998, West Coast Industrial, LLC, dated June 30, 1998, The
4 B's, dated August 3, 1998, Seefried Properties Group, dated June 30, 1998,
Prudential Properties Group II, dated June 30, 1998, DFW Trade Center I, L.P.,
Buildings 1, 2 and 3, dated June 30, 1998, 1055 Dornoch Court, San Diego, CA,
dated June 30, 1998, Hampden I and II Properties Group, dated June 30, 1998,
South Royal Associates Property Group, dated June 30, 1998, Joseph A. Leroy
Family LP Property, dated June 30, 1998, Raco/Melaver, L.L.C., dated June 30,
1998, TLI/Cahill Partnership--Spiral Drive, dated June 30, 1998,
Terraden/Ontario, I L.P., dated June 30, 1998, Kojo Building Property Group,
dated June 30, 1998, Everest Investments Limited Partnership Property Group,
dated July 10, 1998, Arizona Property, dated January 28, 1999, and Hemmer
Properties Group, dated January 28, 1999 incorporated by reference into this
registration statement of Cabot Industrial Trust on Form S-3.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 29, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Trustees of
Cabot Industrial Trust:
We consent to the incorporation by reference herein of our report dated July 2,
1998, relating to the combined balance sheets of the Pennsylvania Public School
Employes' Retirement System Industrial Properties Portfolio as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and the related combined statements of operations, owner's
equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and the
period from July 6, 1995 (date of acquisition) to December 31, 1995, and the
related schedule as of December 31, 1997, incorporated by reference herein, and
to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in this registration
statement on Form S-3 of Cabot Industrial Trust.
KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 1, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.4.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference into the registration statement of
Cabot Industrial Trust on Form S-3 of our report dated July 1, 1998 on our
audits of the historical cost basis combined financial statements of Orlando
Central Park and 500 Memorial Drive as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. We also consent
to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts."
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 1, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.4.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement of
Cabot Industrial Trust on Form S-3 of our report dated April 25, 1997 on our
audits of the historical cost basis financial statements of Knickerbocker
Properties, Inc. II as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 1996. We also consent to the reference to
our firm under the caption "Experts."
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 1, 1999
