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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: May 5, 1999
FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
District of Columbia 1-7533 52-0782497
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1626 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, Maryland 20852-4041
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 301/998-8100
Exhibit Index appears on page 3.
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Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
(a) On May 5, 1999, Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Registrant")
appointed the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
accountants to replace Grant Thornton LLP, which was dismissed effective
the same date. The Registrant's Board of Trustees approved the decision to
change independent accountants upon the recommendation of the Registrant's
Audit Committee. During the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years and
interim period subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Registrant has not
consulted with Arthur Andersen LLP regarding the application of accounting
principles to a specified transaction, the type of audit opinion that might
be rendered on the Registrant's financial statements, or any matter that
was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event.
(b) During the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years and interim period
subsequent to December 31, 1998, there were no disagreements with Grant
Thornton LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, and there were no
reportable events.
(c) The reports issued by Grant Thornton LLP on the financial statements for
the past two fiscal years of the Registrant contained no adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified as to uncertainty, audit
scope or accounting principles.
(d) The Registrant has provided Grant Thornton LLP with a copy of this
disclosure and has requested that Grant Thornton LLP furnish it with a
letter addressed to the Commission stating whether or not it agrees with
the above statements. A copy of such letter is filed as an exhibit to this
Form 8-K.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits.
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16.1 Letter from Grant Thornton LLP
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized:
FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
Date: May 10, 1999 By: /s/ Cecily A. Ward
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Cecily A. Ward
Vice President, Controller
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exh. No. Exhibit Page No.
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16.1 Letter from Grant Thornton LLP 4
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EXHIBIT 16.1
[LETTERHEAD OF GRANT THORNTON LLP]
May 10, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
Mail Stop 9-5
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20459
Dear Sir/Madam:
We have read and agree with the comments relating to Grant Thornton LLP in Item
4 of Form 8-K for Federal Realty Investment Trust dated May 5, 1999.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
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Grant Thornton LLP
