IRT PROPERTY CO
424B2, 1997-01-10
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
                                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
                                                Registration No. 33-63523

 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 9, 1995)
                                                                      (IRT LOGO)
 
                              IRT PROPERTY COMPANY
                            4,000,000 COMMON SHARES
                            ------------------------
 
     The 4,000,000 shares of Company common stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the "Common Stock"), offered hereby are offered by the Company (the
"Offering"). In addition to the 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock being offered
by the Company hereby, 358,315 shares of Common Stock are being sold in a
concurrent offering (the "Concurrent Offering") through the underwriter named
below by certain shareholders of the Company (the "Selling Shareholders"). The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
Selling Shareholders. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "IRT." On January 8, 1997, the last
reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $11.25 per share. See
"Underwriting."
 
      SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGES S-3 TO S-6 FOR CERTAIN FACTORS RELEVANT
                      TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
  UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Underwriting                      
                                        Price to           Discounts and         Proceeds to 
                                         Public           Commissions(1)         Company(2)  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share.........................        $11.25              $0.5625             $10.6875
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..........................      $45,000,000         $2,250,000           $42,750,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify PaineWebber Incorporated ("PaineWebber")
     against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act
     of 1933 in connection with the Offering. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $188,000 payable by the Company.
(3) The Company has granted to PaineWebber an option for 30 days to purchase up
     to 653,747 additional shares of Common Stock at the price to the public,
     solely to cover over-allotments. If such option is exercised in full, the
     total price to public, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds
     to Company will be $52,354,654, $2,617,733, and $49,736,921, respectively.
     See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
     The Common Stock offered hereby is offered by PaineWebber, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by PaineWebber, and subject to
its right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of
the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and in the Concurrent Offering will be
made on or about January 14, 1997.
                            ------------------------
 
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                            ------------------------
           THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS JANUARY 8, 1997.
<PAGE>   2
 
     CERTAIN MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER THE CAPTIONS "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
SUMMARY"; "RISK FACTORS"; "THE COMPANY"; AND "TAXATION," AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ATTACHED PROSPECTUS, AND THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE HEREIN, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS,
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, AND TAX CONSIDERATIONS, MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AND AS SUCH MAY INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN
RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS,
PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM
FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE ACTUAL
RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THE COMPANY'S EXPECTATIONS ARE DISCLOSED IN THIS PROSPECTUS ("CAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS"), INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE STATEMENTS MADE IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDED UNDER "RISK FACTORS"
AND OTHERWISE HEREIN. ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY
ARE EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
<PAGE>   3
 
                         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information included elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus, or incorporated herein or therein by reference. Unless
the context otherwise requires, all references in this Prospectus Supplement to
the "Company" or "IRT" shall mean IRT Property Company and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, as well as their respective predecessors. Information in
this Prospectus Supplement assumes that PaineWebber's over-allotment option is
not exercised. See "Underwriting."
 
THE COMPANY
 
     IRT is an owner, operator and redeveloper of neighborhood and community
shopping centers, primarily in the Southeastern United States. Founded in 1969
and based in Atlanta, Georgia, IRT is a self-administered and self-managed real
estate investment trust ("REIT"), with acquisition, redevelopment, financing,
property management and leasing capabilities. As of September 30, 1996, on a
cost basis, approximately 97% of the Company's investment portfolio was located
in the Southeastern United States and such investments consisted primarily of
neighborhood and community shopping centers. The Company owned, at December 1,
1996, 83 shopping centers, including four free-standing Wal-Marts (two of which
were subsequently sold) and certain other small commercial properties. As of
December 1, 1996, the Company's shopping centers contained in excess of 8.4
million square feet of leasable space, which was approximately 94% leased. See
"The Company -- Properties."
 
     The Company's focus on neighborhood and community shopping centers in the
Southeastern United States provides it with a high degree of market familiarity
and promotes greater efficiencies in the Company's acquisition, property
management and leasing activities. Such focus facilitates the Company in
establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with major national
and regional retailers which serve the Southeastern market. The Company's
leading tenants include supermarkets such as Publix, Kroger, Winn-Dixie,
Delchamps, Harris Teeter and Food Lion, drug stores such as Revco, Eckerd and
K&B, and national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart.
 
     IRT's strategy has been to acquire and operate high-quality, well-located
shopping centers which are anchored by supermarkets, drug stores and other
consumer necessity or value-oriented retailers. The Company also intends to
pursue a strategy which contemplates supplementing its traditional business with
several new initiatives. These new initiatives include developing neighborhood
and community shopping centers, whether for the Company's own account or in
strategic alliances with prominent Southeastern shopping center developers, and
greater emphasis on redeveloping and expanding existing centers. In 1996, the
Company began taking a more active approach to the disposition of certain of its
properties. In addition, the Company intends to pursue co-investment
opportunities with respect to Southeastern shopping centers where a taxable
affiliate would manage the shopping center after its acquisition or development,
thereby providing management fee income in addition to an investment return. The
Company evaluates from time to time various potential property acquisitions,
both directly and indirectly through mergers, acquisitions and combinations with
companies engaged in similar business. See "Risk Factors -- Uncertainty of
Meeting Acquisition Objectives and New Business Initiatives" and "Recent
Developments."
 
     The Company's Southeastern shopping centers are spread among 62 counties in
10 states. Based on data provided by McGraw Hill/DRI, for the period from 1997
to 2001, the weighted average population growth rate in the Company's
Southeastern counties is estimated to be 5.1% compared to an estimated growth
rate of 3.7% for the United States as a whole. In addition, based on data
provided by McGraw Hill/DRI, these Southeastern counties are projected to have a
weighted average growth rate in nonfarm employment of 7.6% over the same period,
compared to an estimated national average of 5.6%.
 
     Since its founding in 1969, the Company has successfully operated and grown
through three major real estate recessions. Senior management has an average of
23 years of real estate experience,
<PAGE>   4
 
with a combined total of over 160 years. The Company's Common Stock has been
publicly traded since 1971.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 200 Galleria
Parkway, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30339, telephone (770) 955-4406.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     IRT has paid 76 consecutive quarterly distributions to its shareholders.
The current annual dividend rate is $0.90 per share. See "Distributions."
 
RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Common Stock involves various risks, many of which are
related to real estate activities generally, and prospective investors should
carefully consider the matters discussed under "Risk Factors" prior to any
investment in the Company.
 
THE OFFERING
 
     Common Stock Offered by the Company................4,000,000 shares(1)
     Common Stock Outstanding After the Offering.......29,783,911 shares(2)
     Use of Proceeds..................................To reduce outstanding
                                               indebtedness and for general
                                                         corporate purposes
     NYSE Symbol........................................................IRT
- ---------------
 
(1) In addition to the 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock being offered by the
     Company hereby, 358,315 shares of Common Stock are being sold in the
     Concurrent Offering through PaineWebber by the Selling Shareholders. The
     Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
     Selling Shareholders. See "Underwriting."
(2) Based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 1996,
     excluding 8,028,404 shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's 7.3%
     Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "Convertible Subordinated
     Debentures") and the exercise of outstanding stock options granted under
     the Company's stock option plans. This amount does not include the 653,747
     shares of Common Stock subject to PaineWebber's over-allotment option.
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   5
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Common Stock involves various risks. Prospective
investors should carefully consider the following information in conjunction
with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus Supplement and the attached Prospectus before making a decision to
purchase Common Stock.
 
SUBSTANTIAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS AND TERMS OF DEBT
 
     The Company's indebtedness includes a revolving bank line of credit,
mortgage indebtedness, senior notes and debentures. The unsecured revolving line
of credit (the "Line of Credit") is for a maximum of $100 million and bears
interest at a variable rate, and as of November 30, 1996, the Company had an
outstanding balance of approximately $13.0 million. As of November 30, 1996, the
Company had approximately $84.1 million of secured borrowings outstanding under
mortgage loans. These loans have stated rates of interest ranging from 7.60% to
11.00% per annum, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.50%. Such loans are
payable in monthly installments with maturities from February 1997 to July 2013.
The Company has outstanding $84.9 million of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, which are convertible at any time prior to maturity into shares of
Common Stock at a conversion price of $11.25 per share. The Company has reserved
7,547,111 shares of Common Stock for conversion of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. In March 1996, the Company issued $50 million of 7.45% Senior Notes
due 2001.
 
     If and to the extent drawings under the Line of Credit are repaid, the
Company's borrowing capacity will be increased, and Company management expects
the Company to make additional draws under such Line of Credit. The Company
expects that such reborrowings and other indebtedness will be used primarily for
the purpose of completing additional shopping center acquisitions and other
expansion, development or redevelopment activities. The Company presently has no
interest rate protection agreements, and to the extent the Company's exposure to
increases in interest rates on its variable rate debt is not hereafter reduced
through interest rate protection or cap agreements, such rate increases will
adversely affect the Company's net income and funds from operations ("FFO") and
may affect the amount of distributions it can make to its shareholders. Failure
to pay secured debt obligations when due could result in the Company losing its
interest in the properties collateralizing such secured indebtedness.
 
     Based upon the Company's outstanding indebtedness of $232 million as of
November 30, 1996 and its equity capitalization of $290 million (based upon the
closing price of its Common Stock on January 8, 1997) the Company's total market
capitalization prior to this Offering was approximately $522 million and its
ratio of debt to total market capitalization was approximately 44.4%. On this
basis, applying the estimated net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the
Common Stock to the reduction of indebtedness would reduce the Company's ratio
of debt to total market capitalization to approximately 36.1%, assuming no
conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
     The Company believes that the ratio of debt to total market capitalization
is a useful factor to consider in evaluating a REIT's debt level because this
ratio is an indicator of a REIT's ability to borrow funds. The Company believes
that using the ratio of debt to book value of assets is not as useful as an
indicator of a REIT's debt level because the book value of a REIT's assets
indicates only the depreciated value of its properties without consideration of
the market value of such assets at a particular point in time. The use of the
ratio of debt to total market capitalization of a REIT is more variable than the
ratio of debt to book value because it is dependent on the REIT's current stock
price. Accordingly, there is no assurance that using the ratio of debt to total
market capitalization to evaluate the Company's debt level will accurately
predict the Company's risks, including its ability to incur additional
borrowings.
 
     The foregoing risks associated with the debt obligations of the Company may
adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and may inhibit the
Company's ability to raise capital and issue equity in both the public and
private markets.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   6
 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
 
  Dependence on the Southeast and the Retail Industry
 
     As of September 30, 1996, substantially all (97% on a cost basis) of the
Company's investment portfolio was located in the Southeastern United States,
and such investments consisted predominantly of community and neighborhood
shopping centers. The Company's performance therefor is linked to economic
conditions in the Southeast and in the local markets for retail space generally.
The market for retail space has been adversely affected by the ongoing
consolidation in the retail sector, the adverse financial condition of certain
large companies in this sector and excess retail space in certain markets. To
the extent that these conditions affect the market rents for retail space, they
could result in a reduction of net income and FFO and thus affect the amount of
distributions the Company can make to its shareholders.
 
  Financial Condition and Bankruptcy of Tenants
 
     Since substantially all of the Company's income has been, and is expected
to continue to be, derived from rental income from retail shopping centers, the
Company's net income, FFO and cash required for debt service and distributions
to shareholders could be adversely affected if a significant number of tenants
were unable to meet their obligations to the Company or if the Company were
unable to lease, on economically favorable terms, a material amount of space in
its shopping centers. In addition, in the event of default by a tenant, the
Company may experience delays and incur substantial costs in enforcing its
rights as landlord.
 
     At any time, a tenant of the Company's properties may seek the protection
of the bankruptcy laws, which could result in the rejection and termination of
the tenant's lease. Such an event could cause a reduction of net income, FFO and
cash required for debt service and distributions to shareholders. No assurance
can be given that any tenant which has filed for bankruptcy protection will
continue making payments under its lease, that additional tenants will not file
for bankruptcy protection in the future or, if any tenants file, that they will
continue to make rental payments in a timely manner. In addition, tenants may,
from time to time, experience a downturn in their business, which may weaken
their financial condition and result in a reduction of, or failure to make,
rental payments when due. If a lessee or sublessee defaults in its obligations
to the Company, the Company may experience delays in enforcing its rights as
lessor or sublessor and may incur substantial costs and significant delays
associated with protecting its investment, including costs incurred in
renovating and re-leasing the property.
 
  Vacancies and Lease Renewals; Tenant Closings
 
     In the normal course of the Company's business, tenant leases at its
properties routinely expire. Some of these lease expirations provide the Company
with the opportunity to increase rentals or to lease such space to stronger
tenants. In other cases, there may be no immediately foreseeable strong tenancy
for the space, and the space may remain vacant for a longer period than
anticipated or may be re-leased at less favorable rents. In certain instances,
the tenant may, without violating the lease, elect to cease operations at the
leased location. Although such tenant would continue to be responsible for its
rental obligations, any percentage rents payable to the Company under such lease
may no longer be due, and such closures could adversely affect the traffic to
the related center and to other tenants. The Company and its properties are
subject to competitive and economic conditions over which the Company has no
control. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the effects of possible
vacancies or lease renewals at the Company's properties may not reduce the
rental income, net income, FFO and cash required for debt service and
distributions to shareholders below levels anticipated by the Company. See "The
Company -- Properties -- Shopping Center Lease Expirations."
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   7
 
  Possible Environmental Liabilities
 
     Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an
owner or operator of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on or in such property.
Such laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or
operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or
toxic substances. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly
remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's or operator's
ability to sell or rent such property or to use such property as collateral in
its borrowings.
 
     Phase I environmental site assessments (which generally did not include
environmental sampling, monitoring or laboratory analysis) were obtained by the
Company with respect to properties acquired by the Company from 1989 to the
present. The Company has not commissioned independent environmental analyses
with respect to properties acquired prior to 1989, except as required pursuant
to a former secured revolving term loan. No assurance can be given that
hazardous substances are not located on any of the Company's properties.
However, other than as described in this Prospectus Supplement, the attached
Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
Supplement, the Company has no knowledge that any environmental contamination
has occurred nor that any violation of any applicable environmental law,
statute, regulation or ordinance exists that would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
The Company presently carries no insurance coverage for the types of
environmental risks described above.
 
     For a more complete description of various environmental matters, reference
is made to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year
ended December 31, 1995 (the "Annual Report"), particularly "Item
1 -- Regulation" and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
     Since the date of the Annual Report, the Company has discovered that its
Charlotte, North Carolina industrial facility was the site of additional
releases of petroleum-related substances into the soil and groundwater at the
premises of a former trucking company tenant. The former trucking company tenant
may be responsible for some or all of these releases. The Company has not
completed its investigation of these releases, but Company management currently
believes that the cost of addressing the releases discovered to date would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial
position or liquidity.
 
     The State of Florida has established a program covering part of the cost of
addressing releases of dry cleaning-related solvents from certain dry cleaning
facilities in the state. Since the date of its Annual Report, the Company has
encouraged its dry cleaning tenants at its Florida properties to enter this
program and to investigate whether their operations have resulted in the release
of dry cleaning-related solvents. These investigations are ongoing and have
resulted in the discovery of releases from dry cleaning tenants to the soil and
groundwater at certain Company properties. Based on the information provided to
the Company to date, the Company believes that the cost of addressing the
releases discovered to date would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
UNCERTAINTY OF MEETING ACQUISITION OBJECTIVES AND NEW BUSINESS INITIATIVES
 
     The Company continually seeks prospective acquisitions of additional
shopping centers and portfolios of shopping centers which the Company believes
can be purchased at attractive initial yields and/or which demonstrate the
potential for revenue and cash flow growth through renovation, expansion,
re-tenanting and re-leasing programs similar to those that the Company has
undertaken historically. The Company also evaluates from time to time mergers
and acquisitions with companies engaged in similar business. There can be no
assurance that the Company will complete any potential acquisition or merger
that it may evaluate. The evaluation process involves certain costs which are
non-recoverable in the event the transactions are not consummated. In
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   8
 
addition, notwithstanding the Company's criteria for evaluating and conducting
due diligence with respect to potential acquisitions, there can be no assurance
that any acquisition that is consummated will meet the Company's expectations.
The Company also has initiated several new strategies, including potential
co-investments, joint developments, and management of shopping center properties
for third-party owners, and no assurance can be given that these will be
successful. See "Prospectus Supplement Summary -- The Company" and "Recent
Developments."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The Company and its properties compete with numerous other real estate
companies and retail properties, respectively. Other retail properties within
the market areas of each of the Company's properties compete with the Company
for tenants, and the number of such competitive retail properties could have a
material effect on both the Company's ability to rent space at its properties
and the amount of rents chargeable. Other real estate companies compete for
development, redevelopment and acquisition opportunities, may be willing and
able to pay more for such opportunities than the Company, and may increase the
prices sought by sellers of such properties. Some of the Company's competitors
have substantially greater resources than the Company.
 
OWNERSHIP LIMITS AND CERTAIN EFFECTS OF FAILING TO QUALIFY AS A REIT
 
     In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must satisfy
various tests, including tests related to the source and amount of its income,
the nature of its assets, and its stock ownership. For example, not more than
50% in value of the outstanding shares of the Company may be owned, directly or
indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")). To minimize the possibility that the
Company will fail to qualify as a REIT under this test, the Company's Articles
of Incorporation (the "Articles") authorize the directors to take such action as
may be required to preserve its qualification as a REIT and generally limits the
ownership of Common Stock by any particular shareholder. The ownership limits in
the Articles may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of the Company. In
addition, the ownership of the Company's assets must comply with certain asset
tests that both limit the type of assets it may hold to certain types of real
estate and other investment assets and limit the concentration of those assets
in otherwise permitted investments. See "Taxation."
 
     If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to federal
income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable
income at corporate rates. In addition, unless entitled to relief under certain
statutory provisions, the Company will also be disqualified from treatment as a
REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is
lost. This treatment would reduce the net earnings of the Company available for
investment or distribution to shareholders because of the additional tax
liability for the year or years involved. In addition, distributions would no
longer be required to be made. See "Taxation."
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is an owner, operator and redeveloper of neighborhood and
community shopping centers, primarily in the Southeastern United States. Founded
in 1969 and based in Atlanta, IRT is a self-administered and self-managed REIT,
with acquisition, redevelopment, financing, property management and leasing
capabilities. As of September 30, 1996, on a cost basis, approximately 97% of
the Company's investment portfolio consisted of shopping centers located
primarily in the Southeastern United States. As of December 1, 1996, the Company
owned 83 shopping centers, including four freestanding Wal-Marts (two of which
were subsequently sold in December 1996) and certain other small commercial
properties. As of December 1, 1996, the Company's properties contained in excess
of 8.4 million square feet of leasable space, which was approximately 94%
leased. See "-- Properties."
 
     The Company's focus on neighborhood and community shopping centers in the
Southeastern United States provides it with a high degree of market familiarity
and promotes greater efficiencies in the Company's acquisition, property
management and leasing activities. Such focus facilitates the Company in
establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with major national
and regional retailers which serve the Southeastern market. The Company's
leading tenants include supermarkets such as Publix, Kroger, Winn-Dixie,
Delchamps, Harris Teeter and Food Lion, drug stores such as Revco, Eckerd and
K&B, and national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     In 1996, the Company determined its management succession, took various
actions to implement its acquisition and disposition strategy, and began new
initiatives in the co-investment, joint development and property management
areas.
 
  Chief Executive Officer Succession
 
     Effective January 1, 1997, Thomas H. McAuley, President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company since October 1, 1995, assumed the additional role of
Chief Executive Officer, a position formerly held by Donald W. MacLeod. Mr.
McAuley has been a Director of the Company since 1987 and has 19 years of real
estate experience at the Company, Faison Associates, Ewing Southeast Realty and
Johnstown Mortgage Company. Mr. MacLeod continues to serve as Chairman of the
Board of Directors.
 
  Strategic Initiatives
 
     The Company has initiated new plans to complement its strategy of acquiring
and operating high-quality, well-located shopping centers which are anchored by
supermarkets, drug stores and other consumer necessity or value-oriented
retailers. This strategy includes developing neighborhood and community shopping
centers, whether for the Company's own account or in strategic alliances with
prominent Southeastern shopping center developers, and greater emphasis on
redeveloping and expanding existing centers. In 1996, the Company began taking a
more active approach to the disposition of certain investment properties. In
addition, the Company intends to pursue co-investment opportunities with respect
to Southeastern shopping centers where IRT Capital Corporation ("IRT Capital"),
a taxable affiliate of the Company, would manage the center after its
acquisition or development, thereby providing management fee income in addition
to its investment return.
 
  Acquisitions
 
     The Company constantly evaluates possible property acquisitions. In 1996,
the Company acquired two additional shopping centers for a total cash
consideration of approximately $14.8 million.
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   10
 
     On August 30, 1996, the Company purchased Salisbury Marketplace in
Salisbury, North Carolina for $4.6 million cash. This property, which was built
in 1987, contains approximately 77,000 square feet of retail space, is anchored
by Food Lion and Revco and, as of December 1, 1996, was 100% leased.
 
     On November 25, 1996, the Company purchased Alafaya Commons in Orlando,
Florida for $10.2 million cash, funded from the Company's Line of Credit.
Alafaya, which was built in 1987, contains approximately 121,000 square feet of
retail space, and was 100% leased as of December 1, 1996. The anchor tenants are
a 54,000 square foot Publix and an 11,000 square foot JoAnn Fabrics.
 
     In addition, the Company has one pending contract to purchase a shopping
center for $7.1 million, subject to completion of environmental and other
diligence.
 
  Dispositions
 
     The Company continually assesses its portfolio for possible dispositions,
and in 1996, it sold three investments for cash and purchase-money financing
totaling approximately $10.8 million. On March 31, 1996, the Company sold its
only regional mall, Valley West Mall in Glendale, Arizona, for a total sales
price of $5.45 million, consisting of $1.65 million in cash and a purchase-money
mortgage of $3.80 million bearing interest at 9% per annum. On December 24,
1996, the Company sold its vacant Wal-Mart stores in Fremont and Kearney,
Nebraska for a total consideration of $5.35 million, consisting of $4.35 million
in cash and a $1.00 million, 7.00% purchase-money second mortgage due in 1998.
These sales of non-Southeastern properties which, in the opinion of Company
management, had little or no further growth potential, were made in accordance
with the Company's objective to focus on Southeastern properties.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The Company's properties are typically anchored by prominent consumer
necessity-oriented tenants, such as supermarkets and drug stores, which tend to
attract shoppers for basic household goods. In addition, the Company's tenants
include national value retailing chains. Company management believes that the
generally high quality of its shopping center locations is attractive to new
tenants and aids in the retention of existing tenants. The Company seeks to
diversify the credit risk within its portfolio and among the retailers that
occupy shopping centers. The Company's 1995 annual revenue was derived from over
1,050 leases with 750 different tenants, with no single tenant or corporate
entity accounting for more than 7.9% of revenues. Nine different supermarket
chains and two national value chains comprise 11 of the 15 tenants which
accounted for 1% or more of the Company's revenues during 1995. Together,
supermarkets accounted for approximately 29% of such revenues, while national
value retailers and drugstores accounted for approximately 15% and 4%,
respectively. The Company's leading tenants include supermarkets such as Publix,
Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Delchamps, Harris Teeter and Food Lion, drug stores such as
Revco, Eckerd, and K&B, and national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart.
 
     The Company's Southeastern shopping centers are spread among 62 counties in
10 states. Based on data provided by McGraw Hill/DRI, for the period from 1997
to 2001, the weighted average population growth rate in the Company's
Southeastern counties is estimated to be 5.1% compared to an estimated growth
rate of 3.7% for the United States as a whole. In addition, based on data
provided by McGraw Hill/DRI, these Southeastern counties are projected to have a
weighted average growth rate in nonfarm employment of 7.6% over the same period,
compared to an estimated national average of 5.6%.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   11
 
     The following table lists all of the Company's real estate investments, as
of December 1, 1996, with shopping centers grouped by state and metropolitan
markets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR
                                                    COMPANY           PERCENT      COMPLETED,            PRINCIPAL TENANTS
                                     DATE         OWNED GROSS          LEASED     RENOVATED OR    -------------------------------
          DESCRIPTION              ACQUIRED      LEASEABLE AREA       12/1/96       EXPANDED           TENANT         SQUARE FEET
- --------------------------------   ---------   ------------------     --------    ------------    -----------------   -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>                    <C>         <C>             <C>                 <C>
SHOPPING CENTERS
ALABAMA
 COLUMBUS, (GA)
   Stadium Plaza                     8/92          70,475 sq. ft.        94%          1988        Piggly Wiggly           30,625
     Phenix City, AL                                                                              Big B Drugs             10,950
 MOBILE
   West Gate Plaza                  6/74 &         64,378 sq. ft.        98%         1974 &       Winn-Dixie              44,000
     Mobile, AL                      1/85                                             1995        K&B Drugs               12,000
FLORIDA
 DAYTONA BEACH
   Masonova Plaza(1)                 6/79         157,955 sq. ft.        40%          1969
     Daytona Beach, FL
   New Smyrna Beach Regional         8/92         118,451 sq. ft.        99%          1987        Publix                  42,112
     New Smyrna Beach, FL                                                                         Walgreens               13,070
                                                                                                  Beall's Outlet           8,000
   Old Kings Commons                 5/88          84,759 sq. ft.        99%          1988        Wal-Mart(2)             54,233
     Palm Coast, FL
 FT. LAUDERDALE
   Countryside Shops                 6/94         173,161 sq. ft.       100%       1986, 1988     Eckerd Drugs            10,356
     Cooper City, FL                                                                 & 1991       Publix                  39,795
                                                                                                  J. Byrons               44,000
   Westgate Square                   6/94         104,893 sq. ft.        95%         1984 &       Winn-Dixie              36,320
     Sunrise, FL                                                                      1988        Walgreens               13,000
 FT. WALTON BEACH
   Ft. Walton Beach Plaza            7/86          48,248 sq. ft.       100%          1986        Food World              42,848
     Ft. Walton Beach, FL
 JACKSONVILLE
   South Beach Regional              8/92         289,319 sq. ft.        99%         1990 &       Kmart                   86,479
     Jacksonville Beach, FL                                                           1991        Stein Mart              35,077
                                                                                                  Beall's                 35,500
                                                                                                  Food Lion               29,000
 NAPLES
   Gulf Gate Plaza                   6/79         173,216 sq. ft.        81%         1969 &       Publix                  29,120
     Naples, FL                                                                       1974        Beall's Outlet          17,500
                                                                                                  JoAnn Fabrics           15,138
 ORLANDO
   Alafaya Commons                   11/96        120,586 sq. ft.       100%          1987        Publix                  54,230
     Orlando, FL                                                                                  JoAnn Fabrics           11,000
   Hoffner Plaza(1)                  6/79          39,370 sq. ft.        20%          1972
     Orlando, FL
 PENSACOLA
   Parkmore Plaza                    12/92        159,067 sq. ft.        99%         1986 &       Wal-Mart                90,399
     Milton, FL                                                                       1992        Delchamps               49,968
   Pensacola Plaza                   7/86          56,098 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Food World              42,848
     Pensacola, FL
 SARASOTA-BRADENTON
   North River Village Center       12/92 &       177,128 sq. ft.       100%         1988 &       Kmart                   94,841
     Ellenton, FL                    12/93                                            1993        Publix                  42,112
                                                                                                  Walgreens               13,500
                                                                                                  Beall's                  9,000
   Venice Plaza(3)                   6/79         144,850 sq. ft.        94%         1971 &       TJX                     77,117
     Venice, FL                                                                       1979        Kash & Karry            22,200
                                                                                                  Rite Aid(2)              7,500
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   12
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR
                                                    COMPANY           PERCENT      COMPLETED,            PRINCIPAL TENANTS
                                     DATE         OWNED GROSS          LEASED     RENOVATED OR    -------------------------------
          DESCRIPTION              ACQUIRED      LEASEABLE AREA       12/1/96       EXPANDED           TENANT         SQUARE FEET
- --------------------------------   --------      --------------       -------      ----------     ----------------    -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>                    <C>         <C>             <C>                 <C>
 TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER
   Chelsea Place                     7/93          81,144 sq. ft.       100%          1992        Publix                  48,890
     New Port Richey, FL                                                                          Eckerd Drugs             9,504
   Palm Gardens                      6/79          52,670 sq. ft.       100%          1970        Food Lion               34,050
     Largo, FL
   Seven Hills                       7/93          64,890 sq. ft.       100%          1991        Publix                  48,890
     Spring Hill, FL
GEORGIA
 ATLANTA
   Douglas Commons                   8/92          97,027 sq. ft.        93%          1988        Kroger                  59,431
     Douglasville, GA
   Macland Pointe                    1/93          79,699 sq. ft.        98%         1992 &       Publix                  55,999
     Marietta, GA                                                                     1993
   Paulding Commons                  8/92         192,391 sq. ft.        98%          1991        Kmart                   86,479
     Dallas, GA                                                                                   Kroger                  49,700
   Spalding Village                  8/92         235,318 sq. ft.       100%          1989        Kmart                   86,479
     Griffin, GA                                                                                  Kroger                  59,431
                                                                                                  J.C. Penney's           33,796
   Wesley Chapel Crossing            12/92        170,792 sq. ft.        98%          1989        Wal-Mart                91,124
     Decatur, GA                                                                                  Ingles                  32,000
                                                                                                  Big B Drugs              8,468
 MACON
   Watson Central                   12/92 &       227,747 sq. ft.        95%         1989 &       Wal-Mart               122,382
     Warner Robins, GA               10/93                                            1993        Winn-Dixie              45,000
 VARIOUS
   Colony Square                     2/88          50,000 sq. ft.       100%          1987        Food Lion               25,000
     Fitzgerald, GA
   Commerce Crossing                 12/92        100,668 sq. ft.       100%          1988        Wal-Mart                50,968
     Commerce, GA                                                                                 Ingles                  32,000
   Heritage Walk                     6/93         159,362 sq. ft.       100%         1991 &       Kmart                   86,479
     Milledgeville, GA                                                                1992        Bi-Lo                   30,623
                                                                                                  Goody's                 25,000
   West Towne Square                 3/90          89,596 sq. ft.        94%          1988        Bruno's Foodmax         44,512
     Rome, GA
KENTUCKY
   Scottsville Square                8/92          38,450 sq. ft.        25%          1986
     Bowling Green, KY
LOUISIANA
 BATON ROUGE
   Bluebonnet Village                12/94         89,879 sq. ft.        98%          1983        Delchamps               33,387
     Baton Rouge, LA                                                                              K&B Drugs               15,000
   Millervillage Shopping Center     12/94         94,559 sq. ft.        92%         1983 &       Delchamps               56,052
     Baton Rouge, LA                                                                  1992        K&B Drugs               15,000
   Sherwood South                    12/94         75,607 sq. ft.       100%       1972, 1988     Sav-A-Center            22,500
     Baton Rouge, LA                                                                 & 1992       Eckerd Drugs            12,000
                                                                                                  Cloth World              9,750
   Siegen Village                    12/94        115,762 sq. ft.       100%         1988 &       Kmart                   92,079
     Baton Rouge, LA                                                                  1996        Office Depot            31,200
 HOUMA
   Tarpon Heights                    1/95          56,605 sq. ft.       100%          1982        Delchamps               28,092
     Galliano, LA                                                                                 Eckerd Drugs             8,905
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   13
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR
                                                    COMPANY           PERCENT      COMPLETED,            PRINCIPAL TENANTS
                                     DATE         OWNED GROSS          LEASED     RENOVATED OR    -------------------------------
          DESCRIPTION              ACQUIRED      LEASEABLE AREA       12/1/96       EXPANDED           TENANT         SQUARE FEET
- --------------------------------   --------      --------------       -------      ----------     ----------------    -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>                    <C>         <C>             <C>                 <C>
 LAFAYETTE
   Ambassador Row                    12/94        193,982 sq. ft.        99%         1980 &       Kmart                   83,067
     Lafayette, LA                                                                    1991        K&B Drugs               18,580
                                                                                                  Big Lots                32,109
   Ambassador Row Courtyards         12/94        155,483 sq. ft.        82%         1986 &       Delchamps               54,084
     Lafayette, LA                                                                    1991        Marshalls               22,500
   Pinhook Plaza                     12/94        190,319 sq. ft.        98%         1979 &       Kmart                   72,897
     Lafayette, LA                                                                    1992        Delchamps               42,599
   Plaza Acadienne(4)                12/94        105,419 sq. ft.       100%          1980        Delchamps               28,092
     Eunice, LA                                                                                   K&B Drugs               15,000
   The Boulevard                     12/94         68,012 sq. ft.       100%         1976 &       Campo Concept           30,975
     Lafayette, LA                                                                    1994        Piccadilly              10,440
 NEW ORLEANS
   Country Club Plaza                1/95          64,686 sq. ft.        92%          1982        Delchamps               33,387
     Slidell, LA                                                                                  K&B Drugs                8,450
   The Crossing                      12/94        113,989 sq. ft.       100%         1988 &       Albertson's             58,432
     Slidell, LA                                                                      1993        Campo Concept           20,000
                                                                                                  Piccadilly              11,250
   Elmwood Oaks                      1/92         130,284 sq. ft.       100%          1989        Wal-Mart                95,079
     Harahan, LA                                                                                  Blockbuster Music       12,045
                                                                                                  Western Auto            10,560
   Village at Northshore             12/94        144,373 sq. ft.       100%         1988 &       Delchamps               51,348
     Slidell, LA                                                                      1993        Service
                                                                                                    Merchandise           50,000
MISSISSIPPI
   Delchamps Plaza                   4/88          66,857 sq. ft.       100%          1987        Delchamps               42,057
     Pascagoula, MS                                                                               K&B Drugs               15,000
NORTH CAROLINA
 ASHEVILLE
   Asheville Plaza(5)                4/86          49,800 sq. ft.       100%          1967        The Paty Company        49,800
     Asheville, NC
 CHARLOTTE-GASTONIA-ROCK HILL
   Providence Square                 12/71         85,690 sq. ft.        90%          1973        Harris Teeter           35,702
     Charlotte, NC                                                                                Eckerd Drugs             9,600
   Stanley Market Place              1/92          40,364 sq. ft.       100%         1980 &       Winn-Dixie              28,400
     Stanley, NC                                                                      1991        Revco                    6,000
 GREENSBORO-WINSTON SALEM-HIGH
   POINT
   Thomasville Commons               8/92         148,754 sq. ft.        98%          1991        Kmart                   86,479
     Thomasville, NC                                                                              Ingles                  32,000
                                                                                                  Revco                    8,450
   Salisbury Marketplace             8/96          76,970 sq. ft.       100%          1987        Food Lion               29,000
     Salisbury, NC                                                                                Revco                    8,470
 GREENVILLE
   University Center                 12/89         56,180 sq. ft.        93%          1989        Harris Teeter           32,960
     Greenville, NC                                                                               Kerr Drugs               9,720
 HICKORY-MORGANTON-LENOIR
   Taylorsville Shopping Center     8/86 &         48,537 sq. ft.       100%         1982 &       Harris Teeter           31,137
     Taylorsville, NC                12/88                                            1988
 RALEIGH-DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL
   Centre Pointe Plaza              12/92 &       163,642 sq. ft.       100%         1989 &       Wal-Mart                91,155
     Smithfield, NC                  12/93                                            1993        Winn-Dixie              38,547
   Riverview Shopping Center         3/72         130,058 sq. ft.        84%         1973 &       Kroger                  53,538
     Durham, NC                                                                       1994        Upchurch Drugs          10,000
   Willowdaile Shopping Center      8/86 &        120,815 sq. ft.        95%          1986        Harris Teeter           27,985
     Durham, NC                      12/87                                                        Carmike Cinemas         25,383
                                                                                                  Kerr Drugs               9,600
 WILMINGTON
   The Galleria                     8/86 &         92,344 sq. ft.        90%      1986, 1990 &    Harris Teeter           28,000
     Wrightsville Beach, NC          12/87                                            1996        Kerr Drugs               9,600
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   14
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR
                                                    COMPANY           PERCENT      COMPLETED,            PRINCIPAL TENANTS
                                     DATE         OWNED GROSS          LEASED     RENOVATED OR    -------------------------------
          DESCRIPTION              ACQUIRED      LEASEABLE AREA       12/1/96       EXPANDED           TENANT         SQUARE FEET
- --------------------------------   ---------   ------------------     --------    ------------    -----------------   -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>                    <C>         <C>             <C>                 <C>
 VARIOUS
   Chadwick Square                   1/92          31,700 sq. ft.        95%          1985        Food Lion               25,000
     Hendersonville, NC
   Chestnut Square                   1/92          39,640 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Food Lion               21,000
     Brevard, NC                                                                                  Eckerd Drugs(2)          8,640
   Eden Centre                       11/94         56,355 sq. ft.       100%          1991        Food Lion               29,000
     Eden, NC                                                                                     Revco                    8,450
   First Street Station              8/94          52,230 sq. ft.        98%          1989        Harris Teeter           32,960
     Albemarle, NC                                                                                Eckerd Drugs             8,640
   Forest Hills Centre               8/90          74,180 sq. ft.       100%          1990        Harris Teeter           32,960
     Wilson, NC                                                                                   Eckerd Drugs             8,640
   Plaza North                       8/92          47,240 sq. ft.        92%          1986        Bi-Lo                   25,590
     Hendersonville, NC                                                                           Revco                    8,450
   Shelby Plaza(4)                   4/86         103,000 sq. ft.        67%          1972        Big Lots                30,000
     Shelby, NC                                                                                   Heilig-Meyers           25,000
SOUTH CAROLINA
 VARIOUS
   Abbeville Plaza(1)                4/86          59,525 sq. ft.        50%          1970
     Abbeville, SC
   Carolina Place                    5/89          36,560 sq. ft.        97%          1989        Bi-Lo                   32,960
     Hartsville, SC
   Chester Plaza                    4/86 &         71,443 sq. ft.        66%         1967 &       Bi-Lo                   30,623
     Chester, SC                     2/92                                             1992        Revco                    5,500
   Lancaster Plaza                   4/86          77,400 sq. ft.       100%          1971        Bi-Lo                   19,200
     Lancaster, SC                                                                                Revco                    6,600
   Lancaster Shopping Center        8/86 &         29,047 sq. ft.       100%         1963 &       Harris Teeter           24,045
     Lancaster, SC                   12/87                                            1987
   Litchfield Landing                8/86          42,201 sq. ft.        98%          1984        Harris Teeter           24,806
     North Litchfield, SC                                                                         Eckerd Drugs             8,640
   North Village Center(3)           8/86          60,356 sq. ft.       100%          1984        Harris Teeter           24,806
     North Myrtle Beach, SC                                                                       Revco                   10,500
TENNESSEE
 NASHVILLE
   Smyrna Village                    8/92          83,334 sq. ft.       100%          1992        Kroger                  59,214
     Smyrna, TN
 VARIOUS
   Lawrence Commons                  8/92          52,295 sq. ft.       100%          1987        Kroger                  37,245
     Lawrenceburg, TN
   Forrest Gallery                   12/92        214,450 sq. ft.        93%          1987        Wal-Mart(2)             65,930
     Tullahoma, TN                                                                                Kroger                  48,780
                                                                                                  Ira A. Watson           32,680
VIRGINIA
 LYNCHBURG
   Waterlick Plaza                   10/89         98,694 sq. ft.        97%         1973 &       Harris Teeter           30,780
     Lynchburg, VA                                                                    1988        Piece Goods             22,260
                                                                                                  Revco                   10,500
 VARIOUS
   Smyth Valley Crossing             12/92        126,841 sq. ft.       100%          1989        Wal-Mart(6)             65,930
     Marion, VA                                                                                   Ingles                  32,000
   Harris Teeter(5)                 6/88 &         36,535 sq. ft.       100%         1981 &       Harris Teeter           36,535
     Lexington, VA                   6/89                                             1989
                                               --------                                                               -----------
TOTAL FOR 76 SHOPPING CENTERS                   7,693,704 sq. ft.                                                      5,027,349
                                               ========                                                               ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   15

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEAR
                                                    COMPANY           PERCENT      COMPLETED,            PRINCIPAL TENANTS
                                     DATE         OWNED GROSS          LEASED     RENOVATED OR    -------------------------------
          DESCRIPTION              ACQUIRED      LEASEABLE AREA       12/1/96       EXPANDED           TENANT         SQUARE FEET
- --------------------------------   ---------   ------------------     --------    ------------    -----------------   -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>                    <C>         <C>             <C>                 <C>
NET LEASED WAL-MARTS
   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.             6/85          54,223 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Wal-Mart                54,223
     Mathews, LA
   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(7)          6/85          64,890 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Wal-Mart(2)             64,890
     Fremont, NE
   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(7)         6/85 &         83,249 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Wal-Mart(2)             83,249
     Kearney, NE                     1/91
   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.             7/85          53,571 sq. ft.       100%          1985        Wal-Mart(2)             53,571
     Marble Falls, TX
LAND PURCHASE LEASEBACKS
   Lawrence County Shopping
     Center                          5/71         135,605 sq. ft.       100%          1971        N/A                        N/A
     Sybene, OH
   Grand Marche Shopping Center      9/72         200,585 sq. ft.       100%          1969        N/A                        N/A
     Lafayette, LA
   Manatee County Shopping
     Center                          5/71         120,500 sq. ft.       100%          1971        N/A                        N/A
     Bradenton, FL                              ---------
     
TOTAL FOR 83 SHOPPING CENTERS                   8,406,327 sq. ft.
                                                =========
APARTMENT
   Whitehall Kent Apartments         6/79             188 units          79%          1968        N/A                        N/A
     Kent, OH                                   =========
              
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES
   Industrial Buildings              6/79         188,513 sq. ft.        78%         1956 &       ABF Freight
     Charlotte, NC                                                                    1963          System                82,400
   Plasti-Kote                       6/79          41,000 sq. ft.       100%         1961 &       Plasti-Kote             41,000
     Medina, OH                                 ---------                             1966 
                                                                                           
                                                  229,513 sq. ft.
                                                =========
BANKS
   The Old Phoenix National
     Bank(8)                         12/84         73,074 sq. ft.       100%        Various       Old Phoenix             73,074
     Medina County, OH                          =========                                           National Bank         
                                                                                                                          
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Masonova Plaza, Hoffner Plaza and Abbeville Plaza represent candidates for
    sale or redevelopment.
(2) The named tenants have vacated but are still paying minimum rental under
    their leases.
(3) The Company owns a 54.5% interest in North Village Center and a 75% interest
    in Venice Plaza Shopping Center, which are consolidated for financial
    reporting purposes with minority interests recorded.
(4) Subject to ground leases expiring in 1997 for Shelby Plaza and 1998 and 2008
    for Plaza Acadienne. The Company has an option to purchase the land at
    Shelby Plaza for $265,000 in 1997.
(5) Asheville Plaza and Harris Teeter shopping center investments represent net
    leased properties not managed or operated by the Company.
(6) Tenant expanded its space by 32,980 sq. ft. to a total of 98,910 sq. ft. at
    its expense and at no additional rental on the increased square footage.
(7) Sold December 24, 1996.
(8) This investment represents ten branch bank properties leased to one tenant.
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   16
 
  Shopping Center Lease Expirations
 
     The following tables show, as of September 30, 1996, anchor tenant and shop
tenant lease expirations, respectively, for the next 10 calendar years, assuming
that no tenants exercise renewal options:
 
                               ANCHOR TENANTS(1)
                           LEASE EXPIRATION SCHEDULE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    APPROXIMATE      PERCENT OF       ANNUALIZED        AVERAGE
                        NUMBER OF      LEASED       TOTAL LEASED      BASE RENT      BASE RENT PER
        LEASE YEAR       LEASES       AREA IN      SQUARE FOOTAGE   UNDER EXPIRING    SQUARE FOOT
        EXPIRATION      EXPIRING    SQUARE FEET       EXPIRING          LEASES         EXPIRING
    ------------------  ---------   ------------   --------------   --------------   -------------
    <S>                 <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>
    1997..............      10          157,438           2%          $  496,749         $3.16
    1998..............       6          209,134           3              963,804          4.61
    1999..............       5           65,955           1              407,422          6.18
    2000..............       4           53,500           1              172,200          3.22
    2001..............       7           74,850           1              482,027          6.44
    2002..............       6           96,825           1              474,859          4.90
    2003..............       5           79,543           1              504,422          6.34
    2004..............       7          206,651           3            1,274,102          6.17
    2005..............      12          360,288           5            1,772,388          4.92
    2006..............       9          376,108           5            2,194,726          5.84
                            --        ---------          --           ----------         -----
                            71        1,680,292          23%          $8,742,699         $5.20
                            ==        =========          ==           ==========         =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Anchor tenants include all supermarkets, drug stores, national value
     retailers and department stores and other tenants leasing in excess of
     10,000 square feet which, in management's opinion, have the
     traffic-generating qualities necessary to be considered an anchor.
 
                                SHOP TENANTS(1)
                           LEASE EXPIRATION SCHEDULE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    APPROXIMATE      PERCENT OF       ANNUALIZED        AVERAGE
                        NUMBER OF      LEASED       TOTAL LEASED      BASE RENT      BASE RENT PER
        LEASE YEAR       LEASES       AREA IN      SQUARE FOOTAGE   UNDER EXPIRING    SQUARE FOOT
        EXPIRATION      EXPIRING    SQUARE FEET       EXPIRING          LEASES         EXPIRING
    ------------------  ---------   ------------   --------------   --------------   -------------
    <S>                 <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>
    1997..............     233          498,608           7%         $  4,436,148       $  8.90
    1998..............     190          340,178           5             3,383,268          9.95
    1999..............     173          340,364           5             3,480,129         10.22
    2000..............     100          290,730           4             2,829,642          9.73
    2001..............      71          246,365           3             1,902,622          7.72
    2002..............      11           36,512           0               368,263         10.09
    2003..............       9           20,608           0               231,586         11.24
    2004..............       5           11,530           0                83,284          7.22
    2005..............       8           25,764           0               394,372         15.31
    2006..............       6            7,991           0               178,816         22.38
                           ---        ---------          --           -----------        ------
                           806        1,818,650          24%         $ 17,288,130       $  9.51
                           ===        =========          ==           ===========        ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Shop tenants include all tenants except anchor tenants.
 
MORTGAGE LOAN INVESTMENTS
 
     The Company held fixed rate mortgage loan investments with respect to five
properties aggregating $12,219,270 as of September 30, 1996. Each of these loans
are secured by first mortgage liens, except as described below. Interest rates
on such investments ranged from 8.63% to 12.38%,
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   17
 
with maturity dates from August 1998 to May 2009. One of the Company's mortgage
loan investments is a $5,115,451 purchase-money second lien mortgage taken back
on the sale of a former equity investment, Spanish Quarter Apartments. The
Spanish Quarter Apartments mortgage loan investment is part of a wrap-around
mortgage financing and is subordinate to $742,760 of mortgage debt owed by the
Company with respect to such property. All of the Company's mortgage loan
investments are current, and the Company considers all such loans to be
well-secured. See "Recent Developments -- Dispositions" for a description of
purchase-money financing taken back on the December 1996 sale of two Wal-Mart
stores.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Company intends to use the estimated $42,562,000 of net proceeds to the
Company from this Offering to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes.
The Company's outstanding indebtedness that may be repaid, repurchased or
redeemed in whole or in part with such proceeds of this Offering to the Company
includes certain mortgage indebtedness that is maturing or may be paid with
relatively small prepayment fees, certain borrowings under its Line of Credit,
and/or the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Following the Offering, the
Company expects to continue to borrow under its Line of Credit or to incur
secured or other indebtedness for the acquisition, development, redevelopment,
renovation and expansion of properties.
 
                                 DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Company has paid 76 consecutive quarterly distributions to its
shareholders. The Company's current quarterly dividend is $0.225 per share, or
$0.90 per share annually, which represents a current annual yield of 8.0% (based
on the January 8, 1997 closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE of $11.25).
 
     In January of each year, the Company provides its shareholders with
information concerning the amount of distributions paid during the preceding
year which constitute ordinary income, net capital gain or return of capital.
For federal income tax purposes, the Company has determined that approximately
10% and 28% of the distributions paid in 1994 and 1995, respectively, were non-
taxable returns of capital to shareholders.
 
                                    TAXATION
 
     The provisions of the Code pertaining to REITs are highly technical and
complex. The following is a very general summary of certain provisions which
currently govern the federal income tax treatment of the Company and its
shareholders. For the particular provisions which govern the federal income tax
treatment of the Company and its shareholders, reference is made to Sections 856
through 860 of the Code and the Income Tax Regulations promulgated thereunder.
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by such reference. This
discussion does not address any state tax considerations or issues that arise as
a result of an investor's special circumstances or special status under the
Code.
 
     Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
tax consequences arising under federal law and the laws of any state,
municipality or other taxing jurisdiction. Foreign investors should consult
their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of an investment in the
Company including the possibility of U.S. income tax withholding on Company
distributions.
 
     The Company believes that at all times it has been organized and has
operated and the Company intends to continue to operate, in such a manner as to
qualify as a REIT under the Code. Although management of the Company believes it
was organized, has operated and is operating in such a manner, no assurance can
be given that the Company has so qualified or it will at all times so qualify.
The Company has received an opinion of Alston & Bird, its counsel in connection
with the
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   18
 
Offering, that the Company has qualified as a REIT as defined by Code Section
856(a) for its taxable years ended December 31, 1987 through 1996 and its
proposed method of operation will enable it to continue its qualification as a
REIT within the definition of Code Section 856(a) for each of its subsequent
taxable years assuming there is no change in applicable law or relevant factual
matters. Such opinion is based on certain representations made by the Company
and legal conclusions. In addition, the Company's continued qualification and
taxation as a REIT during future taxable years is dependent, among other things,
upon its meeting the requirements of Section 856 throughout the year and for the
year as a whole. Accordingly, because IRT's satisfaction of such requirements
will depend on future events, it is not possible to assure that IRT will satisfy
the requirements to be a real estate investment trust during those years. In
addition qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical
and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial or
administrative interpretations and the determination of various factual matters
and circumstances not entirely within the Company's control. No assurance can be
given that new legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or
court decisions will not change the tax laws with respect to qualification as a
REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification. The Company,
however, is not aware of any currently pending tax legislation that would
adversely affect its ability to continue to operate as a REIT.
 
     To qualify as a REIT under the Code for a taxable year, the Company must
meet certain organizational and operational requirements, which generally
require it to be a passive investor in operating real estate and to avoid
excessive concentration of its ownership of capital stock. Generally, for each
taxable year, at least 75% of a REIT's gross income must be derived from
specified real estate sources and 95% must be derived from such real estate
sources plus certain other permitted sources. In addition, gross income from the
sale or other disposition of stock or securities held for less than one year and
real property held for less than four years must constitute less than 30% of the
gross income of the REIT for each taxable year. At least 75% of the value of the
total assets of the Company at the end of each calendar quarter must consist of
real estate assets, cash or governmental securities. In addition, the value of
any one issuer's securities owned by the Company may not exceed 5% of the value
of the Company's total assets, and the Company may not own more than 10% of any
one issuer's outstanding voting securities. The Company owns 1% of the voting
stock and approximately 96% of the nonvoting stock, representing approximately
95% of the equity, of IRT Capital with the remaining equity interests currently
owned by certain officers of the Company. In addition, based upon its analysis
of the estimated value of the debt and equity securities of IRT Capital to be
owned by the Company relative to the estimated value of the other assets to be
owned by the Company, the Company believes that the debt and equity securities
of IRT Capital held by the Company will not exceed, at the closing of the
Offering, 5% of the total value of the Company's assets. No independent
appraisals will be obtained to support this conclusion, and Alston & Bird, in
rendering its opinion as to the qualification of the Company as a REIT, is
relying on a representation of the Company with respect to the value of IRT
Capital. After reasonable inquiry, Alston & Bird is not aware of any facts
inconsistent with this conclusion. Although the Company plans to take steps to
ensure that it satisfies the 5% value test, there can be no assurance that such
steps will always be successful or will not require a reduction in the Company's
overall interest in IRT Capital at some future time.
 
     So long as the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT and distributes at
least 95% of its REIT taxable income (computed without regard to net capital
gain or the dividends paid deduction) for its taxable year to its shareholders,
it will generally not be subject to federal income tax with respect to income
which it distributes to its shareholders. However, the Company may be subject to
federal income tax under certain circumstances, including taxes at regular
corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable income, the "alternative
minimum tax" on its items of tax preference, and taxes imposed on income and
gain generated by certain extraordinary transactions. If the Company fails to
qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to federal income tax (including any
applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at corporate rates. In
addition, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the
Company will also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   19
 
four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost. This
treatment would reduce the net earnings of the Company available for investment
or distribution to shareholders because of the additional tax liability for the
year or years involved. In addition, distributions would no longer be required
to be made. To the extent that distributions to shareholders would have been
made in anticipation of the Company's qualifying as a REIT, the Company might be
required to borrow funds or to liquidate certain of its investments to pay the
applicable tax. The failure to qualify as a REIT also would constitute a default
under certain debt obligations of the Company.
 
     The failure to qualify as a REIT would have a material adverse effect on an
investment in the Company as the taxable income of the Company would be subject
to federal income taxation at corporate rates, and, therefore, the amount of
cash available for distribution to its shareholders would be reduced or
eliminated.
 
     As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to the
Company's taxable U.S. shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and
profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will be taken into
account by such U.S. shareholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible
for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations.
Distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as
long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed the Company's actual
net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the period for which
the shareholder has held his Common Stock. However, corporate shareholders may
be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary
income. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits
will not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the
adjusted basis of the shareholder's Common Stock, but rather will reduce the
adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that distributions in excess of
current and accumulated earnings and profits exceed the adjusted basis of a
shareholder's Common Stock, the distributions will be included in income as
long-term capital gain (or short-term capital gain if the Common Stock has been
held for one year or less) assuming the Common Stock is a capital asset in the
hands of the shareholder. In addition, any dividend declared by the Company in
October, November or December of any year and payable to a shareholder of record
on a specified date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by the
Company and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided
that the distribution is actually paid by the Company during January of the
following calendar year.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions of the underwriting agreement
by and among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and PaineWebber (the
"Underwriting Agreement"), PaineWebber has agreed to purchase from the Company,
and the Company has agreed to sell to PaineWebber, 4,000,000 shares of Common
Stock. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, PaineWebber has agreed to
purchase from the Selling Shareholders, and the Selling Shareholders have agreed
to sell to PaineWebber, in the Concurrent Offering and not pursuant to this
Prospectus, upon the same terms and conditions as the shares offered by the
Company, 358,315 shares of Common Stock. The Selling Shareholders are DRM Five
Realty Corporation, DRM Sixteen Realty Corporation, DRM Nineteen Realty
Corporation and DRM Twenty-Eight Realty Corporation, none of which, to the
Company's knowledge, are affiliates of the Company. The Selling Shareholders
have informed the Company that the Selling Shareholders are currently the
beneficial owners of an aggregate of 358,315 shares of Common Stock. The Selling
Shareholders have agreed to pay $15,000 of the expenses of the Company incurred
in connection with the Offering and the Concurrent Offering.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have been advised by PaineWebber
that PaineWebber proposes to offer the Common Stock offered in the Offering and
the Concurrent Offering in part to the public at the price to the public set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and in part to certain
securities dealers (which may include PaineWebber) at such price less a
concession not in excess of $0.33 per share; and that PaineWebber and such
dealers may reallow a discount not in excess of $0.10 per share to other
dealers, including PaineWebber. The
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>   20
 
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock by the Selling Shareholders.
 
     The Company has granted PaineWebber an option, exercisable during the
30-day period after the date of this Prospectus Supplement, under which
PaineWebber may purchase up to 653,747 additional shares of Common Stock from
the Company (15% of the total shares offered pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement) at the price to the public set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus Supplement, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
PaineWebber may exercise the option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made
in connection with the offering of the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
     The Company, and its executive officers and directors have agreed, with
limited exceptions, including, among other things, the grant or exercise of
stock options, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company's
dividend reinvestment plan, the issuance of shares of Common Stock for purposes
of repurchasing, redeeming, converting or exchanging Convertible Subordinated
Debentures and the issuance of shares of Common Stock for the direct or indirect
acquisition of additional properties, not to offer, sell, contract to sell,
grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock of
the Company, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or
rights to purchase or acquire capital stock, for a period of 90 days after the
date of this Prospectus Supplement without the prior written consent of
PaineWebber. In addition, other than the shares offered in the Concurrent
Offering, the Selling Shareholders have agreed not to offer, sell, contract to
sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital
stock of the Company, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital
stock or rights to purchase or acquire capital stock, for a period of 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus Supplement without the prior written consent
of PaineWebber.
 
     The Company and each of the Selling Shareholders, severally and not
jointly, have agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to indemnify PaineWebber
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribute to payments PaineWebber may be required to make in respect
thereof. The Selling Shareholders have agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to
indemnify the Company and the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement
to indemnify the Selling Shareholders, against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters, including the legality of the Common Stock, will be
passed upon for the Company by Alston & Bird, Atlanta, Georgia. Certain legal
matters for PaineWebber will be passed upon by Rogers & Wells, New York, New
York. With regard to matters of Georgia law covered by its opinion, Rogers &
Wells will rely upon the opinion of Alston & Bird.
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>   21
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                              IRT PROPERTY COMPANY
 
                                  $200,000,000
                        DEBT SECURITIES AND COMMON STOCK
 
                             ---------------------
     IRT Property Company (the "Company") may from time to time issue, in one or
more series, its (i) unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities (the "Debt
Securities") and (ii) shares of Common Stock, $1 par value ("Common Stock"),
having an aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $200,000,000 (or
its equivalent in any other currency or composite currency based on the exchange
rate at the time of sale) in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at
the time of offering. The Debt Securities and Common Stock (collectively, the
"Securities") may be offered, separately or together, in separate series, in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in a supplement or supplements
to this Prospectus ("Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Company and
may be either senior debt securities ("Senior Securities") or subordinated debt
securities ("Subordinated Securities"). The Senior Securities will rank equally
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The
Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to all existing and future Senior
Debt of the Company, as defined. See "Description of Debt Securities."
 
     The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and
will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific
title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form (which may be registered or
bearer, or certificated or global), authorized denominations, maturity, rate (or
manner of calculation thereof) and time of payment of interest, terms for
redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the
Holder, terms for sinking fund payments, terms for conversion into Common Stock,
additional covenants and any initial public offering price; and (ii) in the case
of Common Stock, any initial public offering price. In addition, such specific
terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions
on transfer of the Securities, in each case including limitations as may be
appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a real estate investment
trust ("REIT") for federal income tax purposes.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities covered
by such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Securities may be offered directly by the Company, through agents
designated from time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or
dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the
Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be
calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." No Securities may be sold without
delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement or a term sheet describing the
method and terms of the offering of such series of Securities.
 
                             ---------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
       THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR
          ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                                    THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOVEMBER 9, 1995.
<PAGE>   22
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the Public
Reference Section maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048. In addition, the Common Stock is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") and similar information about the Company
can be inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the offices of the NYSE, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, the Commission maintains a
site on the World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports,
information statements and other information regarding the Company and other
registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities being offered hereby. For
further information with respect to the Company and the Securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is
made to the copy of such contract or documents filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
1-7859) are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and are made a part
hereof:
 
          1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1994, as amended and restated under Form 10-K/A Amendment No.
     1 filed September 28, 1995.
 
          2. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
     March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995.
 
          3. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 1995
     (date of event reported December 21, 1994), as amended by Form 8-K/A
     Amendment No. 1 filed January 20, 1995 and Form 8-K/A Amendment No. 2 filed
     March 1, 1995.
 
          4. The description of the Company Common Stock contained in the
     Company's prospectus dated August 5, 1991 which constitutes a part of
     Registration Statement No. 33-41301 filed with the Commission.
 
     Each document filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the
termination of the offering of all Securities to which this Prospectus relates
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such document.
 
     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement herein, in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of Securities
or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Subject to the foregoing, all information
appearing in this Prospectus and each accompanying Prospectus Supplement is
qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents
incorporated by reference.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   23
 
     Upon written or oral request of any person to whom a Prospectus is
delivered, the Company will provide, without charge, a copy of the documents
which have been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. Requests for such
documents should be directed to Lee A. Harris, Senior Vice President and
Secretary, IRT Property Company, 200 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1400, Atlanta,
Georgia 30339, telephone (770) 955-4406.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company, founded in 1969, is a self-administered and self-managed
equity REIT which invests primarily in neighborhood and community shopping
centers which are located in the Southeastern United States and are anchored by
supermarkets, drug stores and/or discount variety stores. As of June 30, 1995,
the Company owned 83 shopping centers comprising approximately 8.7 million
square feet of leasable space.
 
     The Company conducts its property management and leasing activities
internally through its offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale
and New Orleans. The Company believes that this approach promotes efficiencies
in property maintenance, leasing, cost control and the identification of
expansion and redevelopment opportunities. The Company is and has been an active
redeveloper of properties and believes it can add significantly to operating
results and values by a continued emphasis on property enhancement.
 
     The Company conducts its operations in order to qualify as a REIT under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Company's principal
executive offices are located at 200 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1400, Atlanta,
Georgia 30339, and its telephone number is (770) 955-4406.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for any
offering of Securities, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the
sale of Securities offered by the Company to repay debt (including repayments of
amounts drawn on lines of credit), improve, expand or redevelop its properties,
acquire or develop additional properties and for working capital. Pending use
for the foregoing purposes, such proceeds may be invested in short-term,
interest-bearing time or demand deposits with financial institutions, cash items
or qualified government securities.
 
                                 CERTAIN RATIOS
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of
earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           SIX MONTHS
                                                                      YEARS ENDED                             ENDED
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,                           JUNE 30,
                                                     ---------------------------------------------       ---------------
                                                     1990      1991      1992      1993      1994        1994      1995
                                                     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----       -----     -----
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.................   2.07x     1.78x     1.99x     2.20x     1.58x       1.30x     1.86x
</TABLE>
 
     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. For these purposes, earnings consist of income before
extraordinary items plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest
expense (including interest costs capitalized), amortization of debt costs and
the portion of rent expense representing an interest factor.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   24
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Senior Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and SunTrust Bank, Atlanta,
as Trustee, and the Subordinated Securities are to be issued under an indenture
(the "Subordinated Indenture"), also to be entered into between the Company and
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as Trustee. The term "Trustee" as used herein shall
refer to SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, or such other bank as the Company may appoint
as trustee pursuant to the terms of the applicable Indenture, in its or their
capacity as Trustee for the Senior Securities or the Subordinated Securities, as
appropriate. The forms of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture
(being sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Indentures" and
individually as an "Indenture") are filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement. The Indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), and may be supplemented from time to time
following execution. The statements made under this heading relating to the Debt
Securities and the Indentures are summaries of the provisions thereof and do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Indentures and such Debt Securities. All section references below are to
sections of the Indentures and capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indentures.
 
     As of June 30, 1995, the Company had $84,905,000 aggregate principal amount
of 7.3% Convertible Subordinated Debentures outstanding due in 2003. SunTrust
Bank, Atlanta serves as the trustee under the indenture pursuant to which such
convertible subordinated debentures were issued.
 
TERMS
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
The indebtedness represented by the Senior Securities will rank equally with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The indebtedness
represented by the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of the Senior Debt of the Company as
described under "Subordination."
 
     Each Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without
limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as
established from time to time in, or pursuant to authority granted by, a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to such Indenture. Debt Securities may be issued
with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued; all Debt
Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless
otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders
of the Debt Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt
Securities of such series (Section 301 of each Indenture).
 
     Each Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under an
Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of Debt
Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such
series (Section 608 of each Indenture). In the event that two or more persons
are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each
such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the applicable Indenture
separate and apart from the trust administered by any other Trustee (Section 101
and Section 609 of each Indenture), and, except as otherwise indicated herein,
any action described herein to be taken by each Trustee may be taken by each
such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series
of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the applicable Indenture.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   25
 
     Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to the
series of Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof,
including, but not limited to:
 
          (1) the title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities
     are Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities;
 
          (2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any
     limit on such aggregate principal amount;
 
          (3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt
     Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof,
     the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of
     acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the
     principal amount of such Debt Securities which is convertible into Capital
     Stock (as defined in the Indentures) or the method by which any such
     portion shall be determined;
 
          (4) if convertible, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
     transferability of the Common Stock into which such Debt Securities are
     convertible including such limitations in connection with the preservation
     of the Company's status as a REIT;
 
          (5) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or
     dates, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable and
     the amount of principal payable thereon;
 
          (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method
     by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt
     Securities will bear interest, if any;
 
          (7) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or
     dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates
     on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates if
     any, for such interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest
     Payment Dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the
     Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which
     interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year
     consisting of twelve 30-day months;
 
          (8) the place or places where the principal of (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount, if any) interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if
     any, payable in respect of such Debt Securities will be payable, where such
     Debt Securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of
     transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in
     respect of such Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture may be served;
 
          (9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including
     premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
     currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and the
     other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed,
     as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company if the Company is to
     have such an option;
 
          (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
     purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods
     within which, the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the
     currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies in which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Debt
     Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part,
     pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (11) if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies
     in which such Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a
     foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite
     currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
 
          (12) whether the amount of payment of principal of (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may
     be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which
     index, formula or method may, but need not be,
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   26
 
     based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, composite currency
     or currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and the manner
     in which such amounts shall be determined;
 
          (13) whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
     any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on such Debt Securities are
     to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a
     currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies other than that in which such Debt Securities are denominated or
     stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
     conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner
     of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for,
     determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency
     unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt
     Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or
     currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
     which such Debt Securities are to be payable;
 
          (14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of
     such Debt Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be
     specified;
 
          (15) any addition to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of
     such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set
     forth in the applicable Indenture;
 
          (16) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form and terms and conditions relating thereto;
 
          (17) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
     and terms and conditions relating thereto, and if in registered form, the
     denominations thereof if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple
     thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations thereof if other than
     $5,000;
 
          (18) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
     defeasance provisions of the applicable Indenture;
 
          (19) the terms, if any, upon which such Debt Securities may be
     convertible into Capital Stock of the Company and the terms and conditions
     upon which such conversion will be effected, including, without limitation,
     the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period;
 
          (20) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
     Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in the applicable Indenture on
     such Debt Securities to any Holder who is not a United States person in
     respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether
     the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in lieu of
     paying such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option); and
 
          (21) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the applicable Indenture (Section 301 of each Indenture).
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities") (Section 502 of each Indenture). Any
special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable
to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of any series issued in registered form will be issuable in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Unless otherwise
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities of
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   27
 
any series issued in bearer form will be issuable in denominations of $5,000
(Section 302 of each Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and applicable premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest,
if any, on any series of Debt Securities will be payable at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee, initially located at 58 Edgewood Ave., Room 400, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303 in the case of each of the Senior Securities and the Subordinated
Securities, provided that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may
be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it
appears in the Security Register for such series or by wire transfer of funds to
such Person at an account maintained within the United States (Sections 301,
305, 307 and 1002 of each Indenture).
 
     Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
applicable Trustee, notice whereof shall be mailed to each Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the
applicable Indenture (Section 307 of each Indenture).
 
     Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in
book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for
other Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such
Debt Securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred
to above. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt
Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be
surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange at the
corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to above. Every Debt
Security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange shall
be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service
charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt
Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith (Section 305 of
each Indenture). If the applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer
agent (in addition to the applicable Trustee) initially designated by the
Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at any
time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in
the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that the Company
will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such
series. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with
respect to any series of Debt Securities (Section 1002 of each Indenture).
 
     Neither the Company nor any Trustee shall be required to: (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing or publication of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof,
called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being
redeemed in part; (iii) exchange any Bearer Security selected for redemption,
except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of
that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be
simultaneously surrendered for redemption; or (iv) issue, register the transfer
of or exchange any Debt Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the
option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to
be so repaid (Section 305 of each Indenture).
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   28
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation
or trust or entity provided that: (i) either the Company shall be the continuing
entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or
resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the
transfer of such assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest (including any Additional
Amounts), if any, on all of the Debt Securities and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in
each Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and
treating any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or any
Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default under the
Indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
become such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) an officers' certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions shall
be delivered to the Trustee (Sections 801 and 803 of each Indenture).
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Existence.  Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the
Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in
full force and effect its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and
franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business (Section 1005 of each
Indenture).
 
     Maintenance of Properties.  The Company will cause all of its material
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any
Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business
carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted
at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not
be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of their properties in the
ordinary course of business (Section 1006 of each Indenture).
 
     Insurance.  The Company will keep, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to keep, all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage in an
amount at least equal to their then full insurable value with financially sound
and acceptable insurance companies (Section 1007 of each Indenture).
 
     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.  The Company will pay or discharge, or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which,
if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings (Section 1008 of each Indenture).
 
     Provision of Financial Information.  Whether or not the Company is subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, within 15 days of
each of the respective dates by which the Company would have been required to
file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the Commission
pursuant to such Section 13 and 15(d) if the Company were so subject, (i)
transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities, as their names and addresses
appear in the Security Register, without cost to such Holders, copies of the
annual reports and quarterly reports that the Company would have been required
to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
if the Company were subject to such Sections, (ii) file with
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   29
 
the applicable Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that the Company would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject
to such Sections and (iii) promptly upon written request and payment of the
reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to
any prospective Holder (Section 1009 of each Indenture).
 
     Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit to comply with any term,
provision or condition of the foregoing covenants, and with any other term,
provision or condition with respect to the Debt Securities of any series
specified in Section 301 of the Indentures (except any such term, provision or
condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of Debt
Securities of such series), if before or after the time for such compliance the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance
in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition
except to the extent so expressly waived, and until such waiver shall become
effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in
respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and
effect (Section 1012 of each Indenture).
 
     Additional Covenants.  Any additional covenants with respect to any series
of Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     Each Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (i) default for
30 days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts, if
any, payable on any Debt Security of such series; (ii) default in the payment of
the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Debt Security
of such series at its Maturity; (iii) default in making any sinking fund payment
as required for any Debt Security of such series; (iv) default in the
performance or breach of any other covenant of the Company contained in the
Indenture (other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit
of a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder other than such series),
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the applicable
Indenture; (v) default under a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the
repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is
directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor) having a principal
amount outstanding in excess of $10,000,000, (other than indebtedness which is
non-recourse to the Company or the Subsidiaries), whether such indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such
indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on
which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration
having been rescinded or annulled within 30 days after written notice to the
Company as provided in the Indenture; (vi) the entry by a court of competent
jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or decrees against the Company or
any Subsidiary in an aggregate amount (excluding amounts fully covered by
insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 and such judgments, orders or decrees remain
undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate amount (excluding amounts
fully covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 for a period of 60
consecutive days; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the
property of either, and (viii) any other Event of Default provided with respect
to a particular series of Debt Securities (Section 501 of each Indenture). The
term "Significant Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Company.
 
     If an Event of Default under an Indenture with respect to Debt Securities
of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every
such case the applicable Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare
the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal
amount as may be specified
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   30
 
in the terms thereof) of and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on all of the
Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written
notice thereof to the Company (and to the applicable Trustee if given by the
Holders). However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with
respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then
Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) has been made,
but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained
by the applicable Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be)
may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (i) the Company
shall have deposited with the applicable Trustee all required payments of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, and any
Additional Amounts, on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be),
plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable
Trustee and (ii) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal (or a specified portion thereof and the premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any) or interest, with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all
Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may
be) have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture (Section 502 of each
Indenture). Each Indenture also provides that the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as
the case may be) may waive any past default with respect to such series and its
consequences, except a default (x) in the payment of principal of (or premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on any
Debt Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant or provision
contained in the applicable Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby
(Section 513 of each Indenture).
 
     The Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that such Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default
with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal of
(or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if
any, on any Debt Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund
installment in respect of any Debt Security of such series) if the Responsible
Officers of such Trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of such
Holders (Section 601 of each Indenture).
 
     Each Indenture provides that no Holder of Debt Securities of any series may
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such Indenture
or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the applicable
Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to
institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (Section
507 of each Indenture). This provision will not prevent, however, any Holder of
Debt Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest if any, on
or Additional Amounts, if any, payable with respect to such Debt Securities at
the respective due dates thereof (Section 508 of each Indenture).
 
     Subject to provisions in each Indenture relating to its duties in case of
default, the Trustee is under an obligation to exercise any of its rights or
powers under such Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of any
series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee thereunder reasonable security or
indemnity (Section 602 of each Indenture). The Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under each Indenture, as the case
may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable Trustee, or of
exercising any
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   31
 
trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to
follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the applicable
Indenture, which may involve such Trustee in personal liability or which may be
unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining
therein (Section 512 of each Indenture).
 
     Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Company must
deliver to each Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified
officers, stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under
the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature
and status thereof (Section 1010 of each Indenture).
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
     Modification and amendment of an Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture which are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security
affected thereby, (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or Premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or any installment of principal of or interest or
Additional Amounts, if any, payable on, any such Debt Security, (ii) reduce the
principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium or
Make-Whole Amount, payable on redemption of or any Additional Amount, if any,
payable with respect to any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of
principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in
bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any such
Debt Security, (iii) change the Place of Payment, or the coin or currency, for
payment of principal of (and Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest
on, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect to, any such Debt Security,
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to any such Debt Security, (v) reduce the percentage of the Holders
of outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the
applicable Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or
certain defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting
requirements set forth in the applicable Indenture, or (vi) modify any of the
foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain
past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage
to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be
modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security
(Section 902 of each Indenture).
 
     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under either Indenture have the right to waive compliance
by the Company with certain covenants in such Indenture (Section 1012 of each
Indenture).
 
     Modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by the Company and
the respective Trustee thereunder without the consent of any Holder of Debt
Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Company as obligor under such Indenture; (ii) to add to
the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series
of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company
in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions of
an Indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of,
Debt Securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt
Securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any
material respect; (v) to add, change or eliminate any provisions of an
Indenture, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall become
effective only when there are no Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such provision; (vi)
to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt
Securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures, if
applicable, for the conversion of such Debt Securities into Capital
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   32
 
Stock of the Company; (viii) to provide for the acceptance or appointment of a
successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under an
Indenture by more than one Trustee; (ix) to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency in an Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of Holders of Debt Securities of any series issued under
such Indenture; (x) to close an Indenture with respect to the authentication and
delivery of additional series of Debt Securities or to qualify, or maintain
qualification of, an Indenture under the TIA; or (xi) to supplement any of the
provisions of an Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate
defeasance and discharge of any series of such Debt Securities, provided that
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt
Securities of any series in any material respect (Section 901 of each
Indenture).
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation,
dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to
the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (Sections 1601 and 1602 of the
Subordinated Indenture), but the obligation of the Company to make payment of
the principal of and interest on the Subordinated Securities will not otherwise
be affected (Section 1608 of the Subordinated Indenture). No payment of
principal or interest may be made on the Subordinated Securities at any time if
a default on Senior Debt exists that permits the holders of such Senior Debt to
accelerate its maturity and the default is the subject of judicial proceedings
or the Company receives notice of the default (Section 1603 of the Subordinated
Indenture). The Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Securities when
the default is cured or waived, or 120 days pass after the notice is given if
the default is not the subject of judicial proceedings, if the subordination
provisions of the Subordinated Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time
(Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture). After all Senior Debt is paid in
full and until the Subordinated Securities are paid in full, Holders will be
subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to the extent that
distributions otherwise payable to Holders have been applied to the payment of
Senior Debt (Section 1607 of the Subordinated Indenture). By reason of such
subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain
general creditors of the Company may recover more, ratably, than Holders of the
Subordinated Securities.
 
     Senior Debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal,
premium, if any, unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such
proceeding), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement and indemnification
obligations, and all other amounts payable under or in respect of the following
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, whether any such indebtedness
exists as of the date of the Subordinated Indenture or is created, incurred,
assumed or guaranteed after such date:
 
          (1) any debt (i) for money borrowed, or (ii) evidenced by a bond,
     note, debenture, or similar instrument (including purchase money
     obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any business,
     property or assets, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or
     otherwise, but shall not include any account payable or other obligation
     created or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with
     the obtaining of materials or services, or (iii) which is a direct or
     indirect obligation which arises as a result of banker's acceptances or
     bank letters of credit issued to secure obligations of the Company, or to
     secure the payment of revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company,
     whether contingent or otherwise;
 
          (2) any debt of others described in the preceding clause (1) which he
     Company has guaranteed or for which it is otherwise liable;
 
          (3) the obligation of the Company as lessee under any lease of
     property which is reflected on the Company's balance sheet as a capitalized
     lease; and
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   33
 
          (4) any deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, supplement or
     refunding of any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding
     clauses (1), (2), and (3);
 
provided, however, that, in computing the indebtedness of the Company, there
shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the maturity
thereof, there shall have been deposited with a depository in trust money (or
evidence of indebtedness if permitted by the instrument creating such
indebtedness) in the necessary amount to pay, redeem or satisfy such
indebtedness as it becomes due, and the amount so deposited shall not be
included in any computation of the assets of the Company provided, further, that
in computing the indebtedness of the Company hereunder, there shall be excluded
(i) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses (1)
through (4) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same
or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the
Subordinated Securities, or ranks pari passu with the Subordinated Securities,
(ii) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability which is subordinated to
indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as or to a greater
extent than the Subordinated Securities are subordinated and (iii) the
Subordinated Securities. (Section 101 of the Subordinated Indenture). At June
30, 1995, Senior Debt aggregated approximately $137.6 million. There are no
restrictions in the Subordinated Indenture upon the creation of additional
Senior Debt or other indebtedness.
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     Under each Indenture, the Company may discharge certain obligations to
Holders of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder that have not already
been delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation and that either have
become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or
scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the
applicable Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities
are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt
Securities in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts payable to the date of such deposit (if
such Debt Securities have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or
Redemption Date, as the case may be (Section 401 of each Indenture).
 
     Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof
are made applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to
Section 301 of such Indenture, the Company may elect either (i) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the
occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with
respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or agency in
respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
("defeasance") (Section 1402 of each Indenture) or (ii) to be released from its
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Sections of each
Indenture described under "Certain Covenants" or, if provided pursuant to
Section 301 of each Indenture, its obligations with respect to any other
covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute
a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt Securities ("covenant
defeasance") (Section 1403 of each Indenture), in either case upon the
irrevocable deposit by the Company with the applicable Trustee, in trust, of an
amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at Stated
Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both, applicable to
such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any)
and interest and any Additional Amounts on such Debt Securities, and any
mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   34
 
     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
each Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as
a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United
States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change
in applicable United States federal income tax laws occurring after the date of
such Indenture (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
 
     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for
the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of
a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are payable, the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with
respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on
or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required
by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt (Section 101 of each Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(i) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant to Section 301 of either Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security
to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than
that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such Debt Security, or
(ii) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency,
currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the
indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have been, and
will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of
(and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and any Additional
Amounts on such Debt Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting the amount so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Security
becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on
the applicable market exchange rate (Section 1405 of each Indenture).
 
     "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency, currency
unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries
other than the United States (other than the European Currency Unit ("ECU") or
other currency unit) both by the government of the country that issued such
currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other
public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the
ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of
transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or
(iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for the
purposes for which it was established (Section 101 of each Indenture). Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and any
Additional Amounts on any Debt Security that is payable in a Foreign Currency
that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in United
States dollars.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   35
 
     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default descried
in clause (iv) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to
Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, of either Indenture (which Sections would no
longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause (vii) under
"Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to a covenant as to which
there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such currency, currency unit
or composite currency in which such Debt Securities are payable, and Government
Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due
on such Debt Securities at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company would
remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are
convertible into Capital Stock will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include whether such Debt
Securities are convertible into Capital Stock, the conversion price (or manner
of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether
conversion will be at the option of the Holders or the Company, the events
requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting
conversion in the event of the redemption of such Debt Securities and any
restrictions on conversion, including restrictions directed at maintaining the
Company's REIT status.
 
BOOK ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities, if any,
issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with the Depository
Trust Company, as Depository. Global Securities may be issued in fully
registered form and may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. The
specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of Debt
Securities, if any, will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indentures are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Georgia.
 
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
 
     The Indentures provide that the Debt Securities may be redeemed at any time
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, for certain reasons including
those intended to protect the Company's status as a REIT. Debt Securities may
also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption on terms and conditions
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     From and after notice has been given as provided in the Indenture, if funds
for the redemption of any Debt Securities called for redemption shall have been
made available on such redemption date, such Debt Securities will cease to bear
interest on the date fixed for such redemption specified in such notice, and the
only right of the Holders of the Debt Securities will be to receive payment of
the Redemption Price.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   36
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Common Stock does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the terms and provisions of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles"), and By-laws, as amended, which are
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part.
 
     The Company is authorized to issue an aggregate of 75,000,000 shares of
Common Stock. As of October 1, 1995, there were 25,652,281 shares of Common
Stock outstanding held by approximately 4,000 shareholders of record. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
GENERAL
 
     Shareholders of the Company do not have preemptive rights. Shareholders of
record are entitled to cast one vote for each share held on all matters
presented for a vote of shareholders. Cumulative voting for the election of
directors is not permitted. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares present, either in person or by proxy,
shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, except on
matters where the Georgia Business Corporation Code requires the vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares, such as amending the Articles.
 
     The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, cause to be distributed
ratably among the shareholders such portion of the cash available from
operations, net profits, capital surplus or assets as it may from time to time
deem proper.
 
     Except as outlined below under "Restriction on Ownership/REIT
Qualification, "the shares are freely transferable and there are no conversion,
sinking fund, redemption or similar provisions regarding the shares.
 
RESTRICTION ON OWNERSHIP/REIT QUALIFICATION
 
     The Articles contain provisions restricting transfer of shares and
authorizing the directors to call shares for purchase as appropriate to maintain
the Company's qualification as a REIT under the Code. Among the requirements for
REIT qualification, the Company must have at least 100 shareholders, and five or
fewer individuals may not own directly or indirectly 50% or more of the
outstanding shares. In addition, 95% of the Company's gross annual income must
come from qualifying sources, including principally "rents from real property"
with the Code specifically excluding from the definition of such term any rents
received from any tenant which itself owns, or which is more than 10% owned by
any individual who owns, more than 10% of the shares. The Articles authorize the
directors to refuse to transfer shares and to call for the purchase of shares so
as to prevent concentrations of ownership potentially disqualifying the Company
as a REIT or potentially disqualifying income as "rents from real property." The
Articles also void any purported transfer of shares which would result in
ownership by less than 100 shareholders, or would result in five or fewer
individuals directly or indirectly owning more than 50% of the Company, or would
result in any tenant or 10% or more owner of a tenant owning more than 10% of
the Company; and further provide that the purported transferee of any such
shares shall be deemed never to have had an interest therein or alternatively
shall be deemed to have acquired and to be holding such shares for and on behalf
of the Company. Any call for purchase of any shares pursuant to the aforesaid
provisions of the Articles would most likely be from one or more holders of
significant blocks whose concentrated ownership is considered by the directors
to threaten the Company's REIT status.
 
RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION
 
     In the event of liquidation of the Company, shareholders are entitled to
share ratably in the assets available for distribution after payment of all
liabilities.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   37
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, serves as the Company's Transfer
Agent and Registrar. The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE (Symbol: IRT).
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell Securities to or through underwriters, and also may
sell Securities directly to other purchasers or through designated agents. Any
such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Securities will
be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Company also may, from
time to time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and
sell the Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in any Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Securities, for whom they
may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from
the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions
they receive from the Company, and any profit on the resale of Securities they
realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified, and any such
compensation received from the Company will be described, in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
series of Securities will be a new issue with no established trading market,
other than the Common Stock which is listed on the NYSE. Any Common Stock sold
pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to
official notice of issuance. The Company may elect to list any series of Debt
Securities on an exchange, but is not obligated to do so. It is possible that
one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of Securities, but will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the Securities.
 
     Under agreements the Company may enter into, underwriters, dealers and
agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to
indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, or be customers of, the Company in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to
solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company
pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date.
Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and
savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies,
educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such
institutions must be approved by the Company. The obligations of any purchaser
under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of
the Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of
the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such
other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or
performance of such contracts.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   38
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement
schedules incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, as amended and
restated on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 filed September 28, 1995, have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report
which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     The legality of the Securities offered hereby as well as certain federal
income tax matters will be passed upon for the Company by Alston & Bird.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   39
 
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     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR PAINEWEBBER. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED
SECURITIES TO WHICH THEY RELATE. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
           PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Prospectus Supplement Summary.........   S-1
Risk Factors..........................   S-3
The Company...........................   S-7
Use of Proceeds.......................  S-15
Distributions.........................  S-15
Taxation..............................  S-15
Underwriting..........................  S-17
Legal Matters.........................  S-18
                 PROSPECTUS
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
The Company...........................     3
Use of Proceeds.......................     3
Certain Ratios........................     3
Description of Debt Securities........     4
Description of Common Stock...........    16
Plan of Distribution..................    17
Experts...............................    18
Legal Opinions........................    18
</TABLE>
 
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                                4,000,000 SHARES
                              IRT PROPERTY COMPANY
 
                                   (IRT LOGO)
                                  COMMON STOCK
                     -------------------------------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                     -------------------------------------
 
                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
                            ------------------------
 
                                JANUARY 8, 1997
 
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