FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE EQUITY & MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS
SC 13D/A, 1998-08-14
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                               UNITED STATES
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                SCHEDULE 13D

                 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             (AMENDMENT NO. 32)


          First Union Real Estate Equity and Mortgage Investments
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (Name of Issuer)


               Shares of Beneficial Interest, $1.00 par value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (Title of Class of Securities)


                                 337400105
                           --------------------
                               (CUSIP Number)

                           Stephen Fraidin, P.C.
                  Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
                             One New York Plaza
                          New York, New York 10004
                              (212) 859-8140

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
                    Receive Notices and Communications)


                              August 11, 1998
          -------------------------------------------------------
          (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing  person has  previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the  acquisition  which is the subject of this  Schedule 13D, and is
filing  this  schedule  because  of  Rule  13d-1(b)(3)  or (4),  check  the
following box |_|.


Check the following  box if a fee is being paid with the statement  |_|. (A
fee is not  required  only if the  reporting  person:  (1)  has a  previous
statement on file reporting  beneficial ownership of more than five percent
of the  class  of  securities  described  in Item 1;  and (2) has  filed no
amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent
or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7.)


NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are
to be sent.


*The  remainder  of this cover  page  shall be filled  out for a  reporting
person's  initial  filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities,  and for any subsequent amendment containing  information which
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.


The  information  required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be  "filed"  for the  purpose  of  Section  18 of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities  of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the
Act (however, see the Notes).


                                SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 337400105                                      Page 2 of 11 Pages


1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

    Gotham Partners, L.P.

2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*    (a)  [X]
                                                         (b)  [ ]

3   SEC USE ONLY

4   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

    WC

5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
    PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                           [ ]

6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    New York

  NUMBER OF      7  SOLE VOTING POWER

   SHARES           2,573,543 Shares

 BENEFICIALLY    8  SHARED VOTING POWER

OWNED BY EACH       0

 REPORTING       9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

PERSON WITH         2,573,543 Shares

                10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                    0

11  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    2,573,543 Shares

12  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11)             [ ]
    EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

13  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

    8.14%

14  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

    PN


                             *SEE INSTRUCTIONS


                                SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 337400105                                      Page 3 of 11 Pages


1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

    Gotham Partners II, L.P.

2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*    (a)  [X]
                                                         (b)  [ ]

3   SEC USE ONLY

4   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

    WC

5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
    PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                           [ ]

6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    New York

  NUMBER OF      7  SOLE VOTING POWER

   SHARES           30,449 Shares

 BENEFICIALLY    8  SHARED VOTING POWER

OWNED BY EACH       0

 REPORTING       9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

PERSON WITH         30,449 Shares

                10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                    0

11  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    30,449 Shares

12  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11)             [ ]
    EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

13  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

    0.10%

14  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

    PN


                             *SEE INSTRUCTIONS


                                SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 337400105                                      Page 4 of 11 Pages

1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

    Gotham International Advisors, L.L.C.

2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*    (a)  [X]
                                                         (b)  [ ]

3   SEC USE ONLY

4   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

    WC

5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
    PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                           [ ]

6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Delaware

  NUMBER OF      7  SOLE VOTING POWER

   SHARES           415,400

 BENEFICIALLY    8  SHARED VOTING POWER

OWNED BY EACH       0

 REPORTING       9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

PERSON WITH         415,400

                10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                    0

11  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    415,400

12  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11)             [ ]
    EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

13  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

    1.31%

14  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

    00; IA


                             *SEE INSTRUCTIONS


                                SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 337400105                                      Page 5 of 11 Pages

1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

    Gotham Partners III, L.P.

2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*    (a)  [X]
                                                         (b)  [ ]

3   SEC USE ONLY

4   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

    WC

5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
    PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                           [ ]

6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    New York

  NUMBER OF      7  SOLE VOTING POWER

   SHARES           28,408 Shares

 BENEFICIALLY    8  SHARED VOTING POWER

OWNED BY EACH       0

 REPORTING       9  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

PERSON WITH         28,408 Shares

                10  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                    0

11  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    28,408 Shares

12  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11)             [ ]
    EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

13  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

    0.09%

14  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

    PN


                             *SEE INSTRUCTIONS


     This Amendment No. 32 (the  "Amendment")  amends and  supplements  the
Statement on Schedule 13D (the  "Schedule  13D")  relating to the shares of
beneficial  interest,  par value $1.00 per share (the  "Shares"),  of First
Union Real Estate Equity and Mortgage  Investments,  an Ohio business trust
(the  "Issuer"),  previously  filed by Gotham  Partners,  L.P.  ("Gotham"),
Gotham Partners II, L.P. ("Gotham II"), both New York limited partnerships,
and Gotham International Advisors,  L.L.C. ("Gotham Advisors"),  a Delaware
limited  liability  company.  This  Amendment has been filed to reflect the
inclusion of an additional Reporting Person, and to update the Schedule 13D
in light of certain recent events.  Capitalized  terms used and not defined
in this Amendment have the meanings set forth in the Schedule 13D.


     Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment does not modify
any of the information previously reported on the Schedule 13D.


Item 2 is hereby amended to add the following information:


"Item 2. Identity and Background


     This Statement is being filed by Gotham Partners III, L.P., a New York
limited partnership ("Gotham III", and together with Gotham,  Gotham II and
Gotham Advisors,  the "Reporting Persons") with respect to the Shares owned
by Gotham III.  Section H Partners,  L.P., a New York  limited  partnership
("Section  H"), is the sole  general  partner of Gotham III.  The  business
address of Gotham III is 110 East 42nd Street,  18th Floor,  New York,  New
York 10017.


     Effective July 1, 1998,  Gotham  converted to a Section 3(c)(7) exempt
entity from a Section  3(c)(1) exempt entity under the  Investment  Company
Act of 1940,  as amended (the "Act").  Gotham III was created in connection
with  Gotham's  conversion to a Section  3(c)(7)  exempt entity in order to
provide an investment  entity for those limited  partners of Gotham who did
not meet the  definition  of a "qualified  purchaser"  set forth in Section
2(a)(51)  of the Act.  Only  "qualified  purchasers"  may invest in Section
3(c)(7) exempt  entities.  Gotham  distributed  approximately  1.09% of its
assets and  liabilities to withdrawing  limited  partners,  who contributed
such assets and liabilities to Gotham III in return for limited partnership
interests therein.  Gotham III buys and sells securities for investment for
its own account.


     During the last five years, Gotham III (i) has not been convicted in a
criminal proceeding  (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors)
and  (ii)  has not  been a party to a civil  proceeding  of a  judicial  or
administrative  body of  competent  jurisdiction  and as a  result  of such
proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future  violations of, or prohibiting or mandating  activities  subject to,
federal or state  securities  laws or finding any violation with respect to
such laws."


Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following information:


"Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction


     On July 10, 1998, Issuer commenced a Tender Offer to repurchase all of
its  $100,000,000  outstanding  8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2003. On August 11,
1998,  following the  expiration of the Tender  Offer,  Issuer  repurchased
approximately  $87,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Issuer's Notes.
In connection with the repurchase of the Notes, Issuer borrowed $90,000,000
from a syndicate of lenders, led by Bankers Trust Company,  which included,
among others, Gotham and Gotham III. Issuer intends to repay this loan from
the  proceeds of a Rights  Offering  which  Issuer will  conduct as soon as
practicable.  To fund the  loan,  the  lenders  required  standby  purchase
commitments  under the planned Rights  Offering for the amount of the loan.
Gotham and Gotham III, and an additional lender,  have entered into Standby
Purchase  Agreements,  each dated as of August 11,  1998,  to provide  such
commitments. Gotham and Gotham III are committed under the Standby Purchase
Agreements  to  purchase,  in  the  aggregate,  up to  $70,000,000  of  the
securities  to be  issued  in the  contemplated  Rights  Offering  if  such
securities are not otherwise  purchased by  shareholders,  including Gotham
and Gotham  III,  in  connection  with the  Rights  Offering.  The  Standby
Purchase Agreements of Gotham and Gotham III, attached hereto as Exhibit 56
and Exhibit 57, respectively, are each incorporated herein."

Item 5 is hereby amended to add the following information:


"Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer


     (a) Gotham  owns  2,573,543  Shares as of the date of this  amendment,
representing an aggregate of approximately  8.14% of the outstanding Shares
of the Issuer. Gotham II owns 30,449 Shares as of the date of this Schedule
13D,  representing an aggregate of  approximately  0.10% of the outstanding
Shares of the Issuer.  Gotham III owns 28,408 Shares as of the date of this
Schedule  13D,  representing  an  aggregate of  approximately  0.09% of the
outstanding Shares of the Issuer.  Gotham International owns 415,400 Shares
as of  the  date  of  this  Schedule  13D,  representing  an  aggregate  of
approximately  1.31% of the outstanding  Shares of the Issuer. The combined
interest  of Gotham,  Gotham II,  Gotham  III and Gotham  International  is
3,047,800 Shares,  representing an aggregate of approximately  9.64% of the
outstanding  Shares  of the  Issuer.  None of  Section  H  Partners,  L.P.,
Karenina Corporation,  DPB Corporation, Mr. Ackman, Mr. Berkowitz or Gotham
Advisors  beneficially  owns  any of the  Shares  (other  than  the  Shares
beneficially   owned  by  Gotham,   Gotham   II,   Gotham  III  and  Gotham
International).


     (b) Each of  Gotham,  Gotham II and  Gotham III have the sole power to
vote and to dispose of all of the Shares beneficially owned by it. Pursuant
to the Investment Management  Agreement,  Gotham Advisors currently has the
power to vote and to  dispose of all of the  Shares  beneficially  owned by
Gotham International.


     (c) The  tables  below  set  forth  information  with  respect  to all
purchases and sales of Shares by Gotham International since March 31, 1998.
In each case, the transactions took place on the New York Stock Exchange.


                                Shares of Common Stock
       Date                        Purchased/(Sold)         Price per Share
       ----                        ----------------         ---------------

       Gotham International

       04/06/98                         32,100                 $11.9250
       04/07/98                         20,000                 $11.8469
       04/08/98                         30,400                 $11.8000
       04/14/98                         45,000                 $11.3000

      (d) and (e) Not applicable."

Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following information:


"Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits


     55. An amended and restated  agreement relating to the filing of joint
acquisition  statements as required by Rule 13d-1(f)(1)  promulgated  under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


     56. Standby Purchase Agreement by and among Gotham, Issuer and Bankers
Trust Company, as Agent, dated as of August 11, 1998.


     57.  Standby  Purchase  Agreement by and among Gotham III,  Issuer and
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, dated as of August 11, 1998."


          After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of our  knowledge  and
belief,  the  undersigned  certify that the  information  set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.


August 14, 1998


                             GOTHAM PARTNERS, L.P.


                             By:    Section H Partners, L.P.,
                                    its general partner


                                By: Karenina Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section
                                    H Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ William A. Ackman
                                       -------------------------
                                       William A. Ackman
                                       President


                                By: DPB Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section H 
                                    Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                       -------------------------
                                       David P. Berkowitz
                                       President


                             GOTHAM PARTNERS II, L.P.


                             By:    Section H Partners, L.P.,
                                    its general partner


                                By: Karenina Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section H 
                                    Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ William A. Ackman
                                       -------------------------
                                       William A. Ackman
                                       President


                                By: DPB Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section H
                                    Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                       --------------------------
                                       David P. Berkowitz
                                       President


                             GOTHAM PARTNERS III, L.P.


                             By:    Section H Partners, L.P.,
                                    its general partner


                                By: Karenina Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section H
                                    Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ William A. Ackman
                                       -------------------------
                                       William A. Ackman
                                       President


                                By: DPB Corporation,
                                    a general partner of Section H
                                    Partners, L.P.


                                    By: /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                       -------------------------
                                       David P. Berkowitz
                                       President


                             GOTHAM INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.


                             By:  /s/ William A. Ackman
                                 ----------------------------
                                 William A. Ackman
                                 Senior Managing Member


                             By:  /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                 ----------------------------
                                 David P. Berkowitz
                                 Senior Managing Member

                                                            EXHIBIT 55
                                                            

                            AMENDED AND RESTATED
                        JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENT
                         PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(f)1

          The   undersigned   acknowledge  and  agree  that  the  foregoing
statement  on Schedule  13D, as amended,  is filed on behalf of each of the
undersigned  and  that  all  subsequent  amendments  to this  statement  on
Schedule  13D,  as  amended,  shall  be  filed  on  behalf  of  each of the
undersigned  without the necessity of filing  additional joint  acquisition
statements.  The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for
the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy
of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but shall not be
responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning
the  other,  except  to the  extent  that he or it knows or has  reason  to
believe that such information is inaccurate.

DATED:  August 14, 1998

                              GOTHAM PARTNERS, L.P.

                              By:  Section H Partners, L.P.
                                   its general partner

                                   By:  Karenina Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ William A. Ackman
                                            ------------------------------
                                            William A. Ackman
                                            President

                                   By:  DPB Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                            ------------------------------
                                            David P. Berkowitz
                                            President


                              GOTHAM PARTNERS II, L.P.

                              By:  Section H Partners, L.P.
                                   its general partner

                                   By:  Karenina Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ William A. Ackman
                                            ------------------------------
                                            William A. Ackman
                                            President

                                   By:  DPB Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                            ------------------------------
                                            David P. Berkowitz
                                            President


                              GOTHAM PARTNERS III, L.P.

                              By:  Section H Partners, L.P.,
                                   its general partner

                                   By:  Karenina Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ William A. Ackman
                                            ------------------------------
                                            William A. Ackman
                                            President

                                   By:  DPB Corporation,
                                        a general partner of Section H
                                        Partners, L.P.

                                        By:  /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                            ------------------------------
                                            David P. Berkowitz
                                            President


                              GOTHAM INTERNATIONAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.

                              By:   /s/ William A. Ackman
                                   ----------------------------------
                                   William A. Ackman
                                   Senior Managing Member


                              By:   /s/ David P. Berkowitz
                                   ----------------------------------
                                   David P. Berkowitz
                                   Senior Managing Member


                                                            EXHIBIT 56

                         STANDBY PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS  STANDBY  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  (as the  same  may be  amended  or
otherwise  modified from time to time, the  "AGREEMENT"),  made and entered
into as of August 11,  1998,  by and  between  (i) First  Union Real Estate
Equity and Mortgage Investments,  a business trust organized under the laws
of Ohio (the "COMPANY"), and (ii) Gotham Partners, L.P., a New York limited
partnership  (together with its permitted  successors and assigns hereunder
the  "PURCHASER")  and  acknowledged  and  agreed to by (a)  Bankers  Trust
Company, a New York banking corporation,  as agent under that certain Fixed
Rate Loan Agreement (as the same may be amended or otherwise  modified from
time to time,  the "BANK LOAN  AGREEMENT")  dated as of August 11, 1998 (in
such capacity, together with its successors and assigns under the Bank Loan
Agreement,  the "BANK AGENT"),  and (b) Bankers Trust  Company,  a New York
banking corporation,  as agent under that certain Fixed Rate Loan Agreement
(as the same may be amended or otherwise  modified  from time to time,  the
"GFB LOAN  AGREEMENT";  the Bank Loan  Agreement and the GFB Loan Agreement
are referred to herein collectively,  as the "LOAN AGREEMENTS") dated as of
August 11, 1998 (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns
under the GFB Loan Agreement,  the "GFB AGENT";  the Bank Agent and the GFB
Agent are referred to herein collectively, as the "Agents").

                                WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS,  under  the  terms  of  the  Loan  Agreements,   the  lenders
thereunder (the "LENDERS") have agreed to make certain loans to the Company
(the "LOANS");

     WHEREAS,  in  accordance  with the terms of the Loan  Agreements,  the
Company is required to implement a rights offering (the "RIGHTS  OFFERING")
pursuant to which it anticipates  issuing  certain rights (the "RIGHTS") to
subscribe  for and  purchase  additional  securities  of the  Company  (the
securities  issued  pursuant  to  such  Rights  being  referred  to  herein
individually as a "SECURITY", and collectively,  as the "SECURITIES") which
Securities may consist,  in whole or in part, of a unit entitling the owner
of such unit to purchase one or more securities of the Company,  at a price
per Security (the "SUBSCRIPTION  PRICE") to be determined by the Company at
the time such Rights are  issued,  and which in any event  would,  if fully
subscribed,  result in  aggregate  proceeds to the Company of not less than
the outstanding principal,  accrued and unpaid interest, fees and any other
amounts due in connection with the Loan Agreements; and

     WHEREAS,  in order to  induce  the  Lenders  to make the  Loans to the
Company,  the Purchaser is required to, and by these presents  hereby does,
agree to serve as a  Standby  Purchaser  (defined  below)  for a  specified
amount  of  Securities  available  for  issuance  upon  the  expiration  of
unexercised  Rights,  and the  Company  has agreed  with the Agents and the
Purchaser to issue and sell such  Securities  to the  Purchaser,  all as is
more particularly set forth herein.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  for and in consideration of the premises,  and other
good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of all of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   RIGHTS OFFERING.
          ---------------

     The Company will, as promptly as possible, (i) prepare the appropriate
documentation  for the Rights  Offering,  (ii) commence the Rights Offering
and (iii)  consummate  the  Rights  Offering,  all in  accordance  with the
Company's obligations under Article XI of the Loan Agreements.

     2.   PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF UNSUBSCRIBED SECURITIES.
          ------------------------------------------------

          (a) The Purchaser,  the Agents and the Company hereby acknowledge
and agree that the Company may enter into, or  contemplates  entering into,
one or more other Standby  Purchase  Agreements  (the  "ADDITIONAL  STANDBY
AGREEMENTS") with certain other parties  (together with the Purchaser,  the
"STANDBY  PURCHASERS")  providing  for  the  same  Subscription  Price  per
Security as this Agreement and having material terms substantially  similar
to those in this Agreement except that they may provide for the purchase of
a different number of Standby Securities (defined below) in subsection 2(b)
and in certain  instances,  may not provide  for  delivery of the waiver of
ownership  limitations  described in subsection 7(a) and Section 17 of this
Agreement.  The rights or obligations of the Agents,  the Purchaser and the
Company   hereunder  are  not  contingent  on  the   consummation   of  the
transactions  contemplated  in any of the  Additional  Standby  Agreements.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Purchaser,  the Agents and the Company
hereby  acknowledge  and  agree  that if any  Standby  Purchaser  fails  to
purchase its  "Standby  Securities"  ("DEFAULTED  STANDBY  SECURITIES")  in
accordance with the terms of its respective  Additional  Standby Agreement,
the Purchaser shall have the right (but not the obligation), at its option,
in its sole  discretion,  to purchase all or any portion of such  Defaulted
Standby Securities at a price equal to the Subscription Price per Security;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if multiple Standby Purchasers (including the Purchaser)
exercise rights to acquire  Defaulted  Standby  Securities (the "EXERCISING
STANDBY PURCHASERS"),  such Defaulted Standby Securities shall be allocated
to each such Exercising  Standby  Purchaser pro rata in the same proportion
as the Standby  Securities that each such Exercising  Standby Purchaser has
agreed to purchase bears to the aggregate  number of Standby  Securities to
be purchased by all Exercising Standby Purchasers,  to the extent necessary
to  avoid  an  oversubscription  with  respect  to such  Defaulted  Standby
Securities.

          (b)  Subject to the terms and  conditions  herein set forth,  the
Company  hereby  agrees with the Agents and the Purchaser to issue and sell
to the Purchaser,  and the Purchaser  hereby agrees with the Agents and the
Company to purchase from the Company, at the Subscription Price, the number
of Securities  (the "STANDBY  SECURITIES")  equal to 77.00% of the Residual
Securities  (defined  below).  For  purposes  of this  Agreement  the  term
"RESIDUAL SECURITIES" shall mean a number of Securities (which number shall
not be less than zero),  equal to (i) the aggregate  outstanding  principal
amount of the Loans,  plus all accrued and unpaid interest and fees and any
other  amounts due  thereunder,  as of the date the Rights may no longer be
exercised  by the  recipients  of the Rights  pursuant  to the terms of the
Rights Offering,  DIVIDED BY the Subscription  Price, minus (ii) the number
of Securities  validly subscribed for through the exercise of the Rights in
accordance with the terms of the Rights Offering (including the exercise of
any oversubscription options or privileges).

     3.   THE CLOSING.
          -----------

     Promptly  following  its  determination  of the  number of  Securities
validly  subscribed  for through the  exercise of the Rights in  accordance
with the  terms of the  Rights  Offering  (including  the  exercise  of any
oversubscription  options or  privileges),  the  Company  shall  notify the
Purchaser of the number of Standby  Securities,  if any, to be purchased by
the Purchaser pursuant to Section 2(b). The delivery of and payment for the
Standby  Securities  shall  take  place at the New York  offices  of Fried,
Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
date of the sale of the Securities to the  subscribing  shareholders in the
Rights  Offering  (such time and date  being  referred  to as the  "CLOSING
TIME", the date of the Closing Time being referred to as the "CLOSING DATE"
and  the  consummation  of  the  transaction   being  referred  to  as  the
"CLOSING").

     4.   DELIVERY OF STANDBY SECURITIES.
          ------------------------------

     At  the  Closing,  the  Standby  Securities  to be  purchased  by  the
Purchaser hereunder, registered in the name of the Purchaser or such of its
nominees as the  Purchaser  may specify at least two business days prior to
the Closing Date,  shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Purchaser,  for the  Purchaser's  account,  and Purchaser shall deliver the
Subscription  Price for each Standby Security purchased by the Purchaser in
immediately available funds in the form of one or more wire transfers to an
account designated by the Company.

     5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
          ------------------------------

          (a) The Company  hereby  represents and warrants to the Purchaser
and the Agents as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows:

               (i) The Company is a real estate investment trust (a "REIT")
          within the meaning of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code of
          1986, as amended (the "CODE"),  has complied with all  applicable
          material  provisions  of the Code relating to a REIT and has been
          duly formed and is an existing  business  trust in good  standing
          under the laws of the State of Ohio with all requisite  power and
          authority to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
          Rights Offering.

               (ii)  The  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
          Agreement by the Company and the  consummation  by the Company of
          the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
          all necessary  trust action of the Company;  and this  Agreement,
          when  duly   executed  and   delivered  by  the   Purchaser   and
          acknowledged and agreed to by the Agents, will constitute a valid
          and legally  binding  instrument  of the Company  enforceable  in
          accordance  with its terms,  subject to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
          reorganization,   moratorium   and   similar   laws  of   general
          applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights and to
          general equity principles.

               (iii) On or prior to the date the Rights  Offering  shall be
          commenced by the Company,  the Rights and the Standby  Securities
          shall  have been duly  authorized  by the  Company,  the  Standby
          Securities and any securities  into which the Standby  Securities
          may be exercisable  or  convertible  shall have been reserved for
          issuance by the Company  and the Standby  Securities  when issued
          and  delivered  by  the  Company  against  payment   therefor  as
          contemplated  hereby,  will be  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
          non-assessable.

               (iv) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement by the
          Company,  the  consummation  by the  Company of the  transactions
          herein  contemplated  and the  compliance by the Company with the
          terms hereof do not and will not violate the Amended  Declaration
          of Trust or  By-laws  of the  Company as in effect as of the date
          hereof, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
          provisions  of, or  constitute a default  under,  any  indenture,
          mortgage,  deed of trust,  loan  agreement or other  agreement or
          instrument  to which  the  Company  is a party  or by  which  the
          Company is bound or to which any of its  Properties or assets are
          subject,  with  such  exceptions  as would  not  have a  Material
          Adverse Effect, or any applicable statute or any order, judgment,
          decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or
          body  having   jurisdiction  over  the  Company  or  any  of  its
          Properties or assets;  and no consent,  approval,  authorization,
          order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
          governmental   agency   or  body  is   required   for  the  valid
          authorization, execution, delivery and performance by the Company
          of this  Agreement,  the  issue  of the  Rights  and the  Standby
          Securities  or the  consummation  by  the  Company  of the  other
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  except such as have
          been, or prior to the Closing Time will have been, obtained under
          the Securities Act, and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
          registrations  or   qualifications   as  may  be  required  under
          applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.

               (v) The Standby  Securities,  and any securities  into which
          they are  exercisable  or  convertible,  shall be  issued  by the
          Company under either that certain registration  statement on Form
          S-3 (No.  333-31695)  originally  filed with the  Securities  and
          Exchange  Commission  (the  "COMMISSION")  on July 21, 1997,  and
          declared  effective on August 6, 1997, as the same may be amended
          and  supplemented  through one or more prospectus  supplements or
          post-effective  amendments  and/or  under  a  subsequently  filed
          registration statement necessary to implement the Rights Offering
          in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Section  1  of  this
          Agreement (collectively, the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT"). The
          Shelf  Registration  Statement  shall be effective at the time of
          the purchase by the  Purchaser of any Standby  Securities  and no
          stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of such  registration
          statement or any amendment or supplement  thereto shall have been
          issued.  Any common stock that comprises a portion of the Standby
          Securities   and  any   securities   issuable  upon  exercise  or
          conversion of the Standby  Securities  shall be listed on the New
          York Stock Exchange as of the Closing Date.

               (vi) As of the date hereof, the Shelf Registration Statement
          does not include any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit
          to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or
          necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  and, as
          of the Closing  Date,  the Shelf  Registration  Statement and the
          prospectus included therein will not include any untrue statement
          of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
          be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
          misleading.

          (b) The Purchaser  hereby  represents and warrants to the Company
and the Agents as follows:

               (i) The  Purchaser  is a limited  partnership  duly  formed,
          validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
          of New York, with partnership  power and authority to perform its
          obligations  under this  Agreement and to own or hold under lease
          its  properties and to transact the businesses in which it is now
          engaged, and to execute and deliver this Agreement.

               (ii)  The  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
          Agreement by the Purchaser and the  consummation by the Purchaser
          of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
          by all necessary  partnership  action of the Purchaser;  and this
          Agreement, when duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser will
          constitute a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in
          accordance  with its terms  subject  to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
          reorganization,   moratorium   and   similar   laws  of   general
          applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights and to
          general equity principles.

               (iii) The Purchaser is not insolvent and has sufficient cash
          funds on hand (including funds under management) and/or access to
          margin loans or other  credit to purchase the Standby  Securities
          on the terms and conditions  contained in this Agreement and will
          have  such  funds  on  the  Closing   Date.   The  Purchaser  has
          simultaneously  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
          or  prior  thereto  provided  the  Company  and the  Agents  with
          evidence or substantiated  that Purchaser has the financial means
          to satisfy its financial obligations under this Agreement and the
          foregoing  evidence  and  substantiation  is a true and  accurate
          representation of such means.

               (iv) No state,  federal  or  foreign  regulatory  approvals,
          permits,  licenses,  or  consents or other  contractual  or legal
          obligations are required in order for the Purchaser to enter into
          this  Agreement  or otherwise  purchase  the Standby  Securities,
          except those that have been obtained or performed and those which
          the failure to obtain or perform will not impair the  Purchaser's
          ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

               (v)  The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the
          consummation  by  the  Purchaser  of  the   transactions   herein
          contemplated  and the  compliance by the Purchaser with the terms
          hereof do not and will not conflict  with,  or result in a breach
          or violation of any of the terms or provisions  of, or constitute
          a default  under the  partnership  agreement of the  Purchaser or
          other  applicable   document   governing  the  Purchaser  or  any
          indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement  or other
          agreement or  instrument  to which the Purchaser is a party or by
          which  any of its  Properties  or  assets  are  bound,  with such
          exceptions  as would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
          financial  condition of the Purchaser,  or any applicable statute
          or any order,  judgment,  decree, rule or regulation of any court
          or  governmental  agency or body,  domestic  or  foreign,  having
          jurisdiction  over  the  Purchaser  or any of its  Properties  or
          assets;   and  no  consent,   approval,   authorization,   order,
          registration  or  qualification  of or with  any  such  court  or
          governmental   agency   or  body  is   required   for  the  valid
          authorization,   execution,   delivery  and  performance  by  the
          Purchaser of this Agreement or the  consummation by the Purchaser
          of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               (vi) The  Purchaser  has not  entered  into  any  contracts,
          arrangements,   understandings   or   relationships   (legal   or
          otherwise)  with any other  person or persons with respect to any
          securities of the Company,  including but not limited to transfer
          or  voting  of  any  of  the  securities,  finder's  fees,  joint
          ventures, loan or option arrangements,  puts or calls, guarantees
          of  profits,  division  of  profits  or loss,  or the  giving  or
          withholding  of  proxies,  except  to the  extent  that  any such
          contract,  arrangement,  understanding or relationship shall have
          only a minimal  adverse  effect on the  ability of  Purchaser  to
          consummate the transaction  contemplated  in this Agreement;  and
          the  Purchaser  does not own any  securities of the Company which
          are pledged or otherwise  subject to a contingency the occurrence
          of which would give another  person  voting  power or  investment
          power over such  securities,  except to the extent  that any such
          pledge or contingency shall have only a minimal adverse effect on
          the  ability  of  Purchaser   to   consummate   the   transaction
          contemplated in this Agreement.

               (vii)  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE  (VII),  there are no
          actions,  suits or  proceedings  at law or in equity by or before
          any  Governmental  Authority  or other  agency now pending or, to
          Purchaser's knowledge, threatened against or affecting Purchaser,
          except to the extent  that any such  action,  suit or  proceeding
          shall  have  only a minimal  adverse  effect  on the  ability  of
          Purchaser to  consummate  the  transaction  contemplated  in this
          Agreement.

               (viii)  The  Purchaser  is not  party  to any  agreement  or
          instrument  or  subject  to any  restriction  which does or could
          reasonably be expected to result in a material  adverse effect on
          the  ability  of the  Purchaser  to  consummate  the  transaction
          contemplated in this  Agreement.  The Purchaser is not in default
          in  any  material  respect  in  the  performance,  observance  or
          fulfillment  of any of the  obligations,  covenants or conditions
          contained in any material  agreement or instrument to which it is
          a party or by which such  Purchaser is bound except to the extent
          that any such default shall have only a minimal adverse effect on
          the  ability  of  Purchaser   to   consummate   the   transaction
          contemplated in this Agreement.

               (ix) The Purchaser has not filed,  and is not  contemplating
          either  the  filing of a  petition  under  any  state or  federal
          bankruptcy or insolvency law or the liquidation of all or a major
          portion  of its  assets or  property,  and the  Purchaser  has no
          knowledge  of any  Person  contemplating  the  filing of any such
          petition against it.

     6.   PURCHASER NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
          ----------------------------

     From the date hereof through the Closing Date, the Purchaser covenants
and agrees with Agents that it will not do, directly or indirectly,  any of
the following:

          (a) The Purchaser  shall not dissolve,  terminate or liquidate or
     suffer any liquidation or dissolution.

          (b) The  Purchaser  shall not  cancel  or  otherwise  forgive  or
     release any material  claim or material  Debt owed to the Purchaser by
     any  Person,  unless  such  forgiveness  or  release  is for  adequate
     consideration  and in the  ordinary  course of  Purchaser's  business,
     except to the extent that any forgiveness or release shall have only a
     minimal  adverse  effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the
     transaction contemplated in this Agreement.

          (c) The  Purchaser  shall not enter  into,  or be a party to, any
     transaction  with  any  Affiliate  of  any  Purchaser,  except  in the
     ordinary  course of business and on terms which are no less  favorable
     to the  Purchaser  or such  Affiliate  than  would  be  obtained  in a
     comparable  arm's-length  transaction with an unrelated third party or
     except  to the  extent  that any such  transaction  shall  have only a
     minimal  adverse  effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the
     transaction contemplated in this Agreement.

          (d) The  Purchaser  shall  not take any other  action or  actions
     which  individually  or in the aggregate would result in the Purchaser
     failing to have  sufficient  funds  available  on the Closing  date to
     purchase the Standby  Securities on the terms and conditions set forth
     in this Agreement.

     7.   CLOSING CONDITIONS.
          ------------------

          The  obligations  of the Purchaser to consummate the purchase and
     sale of the Standby Securities shall be subject,  in the discretion of
     the Purchaser,  to satisfaction of each of the following conditions on
     or before the Closing:

          (a) the Company shall have caused to be issued to the Purchaser a
     waiver of the ownership limitations set forth in Article VI, Section 6
     of the  By-Laws  of the  Company,  in form  and  substance  reasonably
     satisfactory  to Purchaser,  to the extent  necessary (in light of all
     other  equity   securities  of  the  Company   directly,   indirectly,
     beneficially  or  constructively  owned or controlled by or subject to
     the  power  to  vote of (in  each  case,  within  the  meaning  of the
     Company's Amended Declaration of Trust, the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Code
     and the rules and regulations thereunder) the Purchaser) to permit the
     Purchaser to acquire the Standby Securities;

          (b) all of the Company's representations and warranties and other
     statements in this Agreement (excluding  subsection 5(a)(ii)) shall be
     true,  correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing
     Time;

          (c) no stop  order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the  Shelf
     Registration  Statement or any amendment or  supplement  thereto shall
     have been issued and no  proceeding  for that purpose  shall have been
     initiated  or  threatened  by the  Commission  or any  other  state or
     federal authority; and

          (d) the Subscription Price and other material terms of the Rights
     Offering shall be fair and  reasonable to each of the  Purchaser,  the
     Company and shareholders of the Company entitled to participate in the
     Rights Offering,  and the Rights Offering shall otherwise  provide for
     customary terms and provisions for rights offerings to shareholders of
     publicly  traded  companies  that  qualify as real estate  investments
     trusts under the Code.

     8.   TERMINATION.
          -----------

     The  Purchaser  may  terminate  this  Agreement  if  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby are not  consummated  by February  11, 2000 through no
fault of the Purchaser.  In addition,  this Agreement  shall terminate upon
mutual consent of the parties hereto and the Agents.

     9.   NOTICES.
          -------

     All  communications  hereunder  will  be in  writing  and,  if to  the
Company,  will be mailed,  delivered or facsimiled  and confirmed to it, at
the offices of the Company at Suite 1900, 55 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio
44113-1937,  Attention:  Paul F. Levin,  Facsimile:  (216) 781-7364, with a
copy to Fried, Frank, Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson,  One New York Plaza, New
York,  New  York,  10004-1980  Attention:   Steven  G.  Scheinfeld,   Esq.,
Facsimile:  (212) 859-8585; if to the Bank Agent at 130 Liberty Street, New
York,  New  York  10006,  Attention:   Jeffrey  Baevsky,  Facsimile:  (212)
669-0764,  with a copy Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10154, Attention:  Kenneth D. Freeman, Esq., Facsimile:  (212) 407-4990; if
to the  GFB  Agent  at 130  Liberty  Street,  New  York,  New  York  10006,
Attention:  Jeffrey Baevsky,  Facsimile: (212) 669-0764, with a copy Loeb &
Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, Attention:  Kenneth D.
Freeman, Esq., Facsimile: (212) 407-4990; and, if to the Purchaser, will be
mailed,  delivered  or  facsimiled  and  confirmed to it, at the offices of
Purchaser at Gotham  Partners  Management  Co.,  LLC, 110 East 42nd Street,
18th  Floor,  New York,  New York  10017,  Attention:  William  A.  Ackman,
Facsimile: (212) 286-1133, with copies to Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, LLP, 599
Lexington Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention:  Richard
J. Holmstrom,  Facsimile: (212) 355-3333; with a copy to the Bank Agent and
the GFB Agent at 130 Liberty Street,  New York, New York 10006,  Attention:
Jeffrey Baevsky,  Facsimile:  (212) 669-0764; and Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park
Avenue,  New York,  New York 10154,  Attention:  Kenneth D. Freeman,  Esq.,
Facsimile: (212) 407-4990.

     10.  BINDING EFFECT.
          --------------

     This  Agreement  shall be binding upon,  and shall inure solely to the
benefit of, each of the parties hereto, and each of their respective heirs,
executors,  administrators,  successors and permitted assigns, and no other
person  shall  acquire  or  have  any  right  under  or by  virtue  of this
Agreement.  The parties  acknowledge  that this  Agreement is being entered
into in order to  induce  the  Lenders  to make  the  Loans to the  Company
pursuant to the Loan Agreements, that the Lenders would not make such Loans
in the absence of this  Agreement and that the Lenders are relying upon the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby in making the Loans.
The  parties  therefore  expressly  agree that  monetary  damages  would be
insufficient  to  compensate  the Agents  for any breach by the  Company or
Purchaser  of this  Agreement  and that the  Agents  shall be  entitled  to
specifically  enforce  any  and all of the  terms  and  provisions  of this
Agreement  against the Company  and/or the Purchaser on their own behalf or
on behalf of the Lenders.  Neither the Company nor the  Purchaser may amend
this Agreement or assign any of its rights or obligations  hereunder to any
other  person or entity  without the prior  written  consent of the Agents;
provided,  however,  that  Purchaser  may assign  its  rights  (but not its
obligation)  to  purchase  all or any  portion  of the  Standby  Securities
without the consent of either the Company or the Agents.

     11.  GOVERNING LAW.
          -------------

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of New York (without  regard to its conflict
of laws provisions) in effect at the time of the execution hereof.

     12.  EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.
          -------------------------

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,  each of
which  counterparts when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an
original,  but all such respective  counterparts shall together  constitute
but one and the same instrument.

     13.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
          ----------------

     Except for any Subscription Rights Certificate which the Purchaser may
execute,  this  Agreement,  together  with the Loan  Agreements  and  other
agreements related thereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof.

     14.  DEFINED TERMS.
          -------------

     Capitalized  terms used herein  without  definition and defined in the
Loan  Agreements  shall have  meanings  ascribed  to such terms in the Loan
Agreements.

     15.  NON-SOLICITATION, ETC.
          ---------------------

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company
is not  making,  and shall not be  deemed to have  made,  any offer to sell
securities  to  the  Purchaser  or  any  solicitation  of an  offer  to buy
securities from the Purchaser. Any offer by the Company to the Purchaser to
purchase  securities  or  solicitation  by the  Company  of an offer to buy
securities  from  the  Purchaser  shall  be  made  pursuant  to  the  Shelf
Registration  Statement with respect to the proposed  Rights Offering which
covers an offer to Purchaser of the Standby Securities.

     16.  LIABILITY OF OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, ETC.
          ------------------------------------

     Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,  this
Agreement has been executed and delivered by a duly  authorized  officer of
the Company,  for and on behalf of the Company's  trustees.  The Agents and
Purchaser each  acknowledge  that neither the trustees of the Company,  nor
any additional or successor  trustees of the Company,  nor any beneficiary,
officer,  employee  or  agent of the  Company,  shall  have  any  personal,
individual liability hereunder.

     17.  COMPANY COVENANT.
          ----------------

     The Company  hereby  covenants  and agrees to use its best  efforts to
cause to be issued to the Purchaser a waiver of the  ownership  limitations
set forth in Article VI,  Section 6 of the By-Laws of the Company,  in form
and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Purchaser,  to the extent
necessary (in light of all other equity  securities  directly,  indirectly,
beneficially  or  constructively  owned or  controlled by or subject to the
power to vote of (in each case, within the meaning of the Company's Amended
Declaration of Trust,  the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and
the rules and  regulations  thereunder  and the Code  Exchange  Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder) the Purchaser) to permit the Purchaser to
acquire the Standby Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that notwithstanding the
foregoing  (i) the  Company  shall  not be  obligated  to take  any  action
hereunder  which would prevent the Company from qualifying or continuing to
qualify for taxation under the Internal Revenue Code as a REIT or result in
the Company  becoming  disqualified for taxation under the Internal Revenue
Code as a REIT,  and (ii) the Company  shall not be prevented or restricted
hereunder  with respect to taking any action which the Board of Trustees of
Borrower  shall deem advisable to prevent  disqualification  of the Company
for taxation under the Internal Revenue Code as a REIT.

     18.  ASSIGNMENT.
          ----------

     Notwithstanding  anything  herein  or in the  Loan  Agreements  to the
contrary,  Agents and  Company  acknowledge  and agree that  Purchaser  may
assign any or all of its  rights  and  interests  to  acquire  the  Standby
Securities  hereunder to one or more persons without the consent and either
the  Agent or  Company  provided  however,  that  notwithstanding  any such
assignment,  Purchaser  shall  remain  responsible  in all respects for the
performance of all of its obligations hereunder.


      [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound thereby, each of
the  Purchaser  and the Company has signed or caused to be signed its name,
all as of the day and year first above written.

                                    FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE
                                    EQUITY AND MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS


                                    By: /s/ Thomas T. Kmiecik
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Thomas T. Kmiecik
                                       Title: Senior Vice President-
                                              Treasurer

                                    GOTHAM PARTNERS,  L.P.

                                    By:  Section H Partners, L.P.

                                         By:  Karenina Corp.

                                              By: /s/ William A. Ackman
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                 Name:  William A. Ackman
                                                 Title: President


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Bank Agent


By:   /s/ Alexander B. Johnson
     -------------------------------
     Name:  Alexander B. Johnson
     Title: Managing Director

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as GFB Agent


By:   /s/ Alexander B. Johnson
     -------------------------------
     Name:  Alexander B. Johnson
     Title: Managing Director




                               SCHEDULE (VII)

                             CERTAIN LITIGATION

                                    NONE

                                                       EXHIBIT 57

                         STANDBY PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS  STANDBY  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  (as the  same  may be  amended  or
otherwise  modified from time to time, the  "AGREEMENT"),  made and entered
into as of August 11,  1998,  by and  between  (i) First  Union Real Estate
Equity and Mortgage Investments,  a business trust organized under the laws
of Ohio (the  "COMPANY"),  and (ii) Gotham  Partners III,  L.P., a New York
limited  partnership  (together  with its permitted  successors and assigns
hereunder the  "PURCHASER")  and  acknowledged and agreed to by (a) Bankers
Trust Company, a New York banking corporation,  as agent under that certain
Fixed Rate Loan Agreement (as the same may be amended or otherwise modified
from time to time, the "BANK LOAN  AGREEMENT")  dated as of August 11, 1998
(in such capacity,  together with its successors and assigns under the Bank
Loan  Agreement,  the "BANK AGENT"),  and (b) Bankers Trust Company,  a New
York  banking  corporation,  as agent  under that  certain  Fixed Rate Loan
Agreement  (as the same may be amended or otherwise  modified  from time to
time,  the "GFB LOAN  AGREEMENT";  the Bank Loan Agreement and the GFB Loan
Agreement are referred to herein  collectively,  as the "LOAN  AGREEMENTS")
dated as of August 11, 1998 (in such capacity, together with its successors
and assigns under the GFB Loan Agreement,  the "GFB AGENT";  the Bank Agent
and the GFB Agent are referred to herein collectively, as the "Agents").

                                WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS,  under  the  terms  of  the  Loan  Agreements,   the  lenders
thereunder (the "LENDERS") have agreed to make certain loans to the Company
(the "LOANS");

     WHEREAS,  in  accordance  with the terms of the Loan  Agreements,  the
Company is required to implement a rights offering (the "RIGHTS  OFFERING")
pursuant to which it anticipates  issuing  certain rights (the "RIGHTS") to
subscribe  for and  purchase  additional  securities  of the  Company  (the
securities  issued  pursuant  to  such  Rights  being  referred  to  herein
individually as a "SECURITY", and collectively,  as the "SECURITIES") which
Securities may consist,  in whole or in part, of a unit entitling the owner
of such unit to purchase one or more securities of the Company,  at a price
per Security (the "SUBSCRIPTION  PRICE") to be determined by the Company at
the time such Rights are  issued,  and which in any event  would,  if fully
subscribed,  result in  aggregate  proceeds to the Company of not less than
the outstanding principal,  accrued and unpaid interest, fees and any other
amounts due in connection with the Loan Agreements; and

     WHEREAS,  in order to  induce  the  Lenders  to make the  Loans to the
Company,  the Purchaser is required to, and by these presents  hereby does,
agree to serve as a  Standby  Purchaser  (defined  below)  for a  specified
amount  of  Securities  available  for  issuance  upon  the  expiration  of
unexercised  Rights,  and the  Company  has agreed  with the Agents and the
Purchaser to issue and sell such  Securities  to the  Purchaser,  all as is
more particularly set forth herein.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  for and in consideration of the premises,  and other
good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of all of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   RIGHTS OFFERING.
          ---------------

     The Company will, as promptly as possible, (i) prepare the appropriate
documentation  for the Rights  Offering,  (ii) commence the Rights Offering
and (iii)  consummate  the  Rights  Offering,  all in  accordance  with the
Company's obligations under Article XI of the Loan Agreements.

     2.   PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF UNSUBSCRIBED SECURITIES.
          ------------------------------------------------

          (a) The Purchaser,  the Agents and the Company hereby acknowledge
and agree that the Company may enter into, or  contemplates  entering into,
one or more other Standby  Purchase  Agreements  (the  "ADDITIONAL  STANDBY
AGREEMENTS") with certain other parties  (together with the Purchaser,  the
"STANDBY  PURCHASERS")  providing  for  the  same  Subscription  Price  per
Security as this Agreement and having material terms substantially  similar
to those in this Agreement except that they may provide for the purchase of
a different number of Standby Securities (defined below) in subsection 2(b)
and in certain  instances,  may not provide  for  delivery of the waiver of
ownership  limitations  described in subsection 7(a) and Section 17 of this
Agreement.  The rights or obligations of the Agents,  the Purchaser and the
Company   hereunder  are  not  contingent  on  the   consummation   of  the
transactions  contemplated  in any of the  Additional  Standby  Agreements.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Purchaser,  the Agents and the Company
hereby  acknowledge  and  agree  that if any  Standby  Purchaser  fails  to
purchase its  "Standby  Securities"  ("DEFAULTED  STANDBY  SECURITIES")  in
accordance with the terms of its respective  Additional  Standby Agreement,
the Purchaser shall have the right (but not the obligation), at its option,
in its sole  discretion,  to purchase all or any portion of such  Defaulted
Standby Securities at a price equal to the Subscription Price per Security;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if multiple Standby Purchasers (including the Purchaser)
exercise rights to acquire  Defaulted  Standby  Securities (the "EXERCISING
STANDBY PURCHASERS"),  such Defaulted Standby Securities shall be allocated
to each such Exercising  Standby  Purchaser pro rata in the same proportion
as the Standby  Securities that each such Exercising  Standby Purchaser has
agreed to purchase bears to the aggregate  number of Standby  Securities to
be purchased by all Exercising Standby Purchasers,  to the extent necessary
to  avoid  an  oversubscription  with  respect  to such  Defaulted  Standby
Securities.

          (b)  Subject to the terms and  conditions  herein set forth,  the
Company  hereby  agrees with the Agents and the Purchaser to issue and sell
to the Purchaser,  and the Purchaser  hereby agrees with the Agents and the
Company to purchase from the Company, at the Subscription Price, the number
of Securities (the "STANDBY SECURITIES") equal to 0.777778% of the Residual
Securities  (defined  below).  For  purposes  of this  Agreement  the  term
"RESIDUAL SECURITIES" shall mean a number of Securities (which number shall
not be less than zero),  equal to (i) the aggregate  outstanding  principal
amount of the Loans,  plus all accrued and unpaid interest and fees and any
other  amounts due  thereunder,  as of the date the Rights may no longer be
exercised  by the  recipients  of the Rights  pursuant  to the terms of the
Rights Offering,  DIVIDED BY the Subscription  Price, MINUS (ii) the number
of Securities  validly subscribed for through the exercise of the Rights in
accordance with the terms of the Rights Offering (including the exercise of
any oversubscription options or privileges).

     3.   THE CLOSING.
          -----------

     Promptly  following  its  determination  of the  number of  Securities
validly  subscribed  for through the  exercise of the Rights in  accordance
with the  terms of the  Rights  Offering  (including  the  exercise  of any
oversubscription  options or  privileges),  the  Company  shall  notify the
Purchaser of the number of Standby  Securities,  if any, to be purchased by
the Purchaser pursuant to Section 2(b). The delivery of and payment for the
Standby  Securities  shall  take  place at the New York  offices  of Fried,
Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
date of the sale of the Securities to the  subscribing  shareholders in the
Rights  Offering  (such time and date  being  referred  to as the  "CLOSING
TIME", the date of the Closing Time being referred to as the "CLOSING DATE"
and  the  consummation  of  the  transaction   being  referred  to  as  the
"CLOSING").

     4.   DELIVERY OF STANDBY SECURITIES.
          ------------------------------

     At  the  Closing,  the  Standby  Securities  to be  purchased  by  the
Purchaser hereunder, registered in the name of the Purchaser or such of its
nominees as the  Purchaser  may specify at least two business days prior to
the Closing Date,  shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Purchaser,  for the  Purchaser's  account,  and Purchaser shall deliver the
Subscription  Price for each Standby Security purchased by the Purchaser in
immediately available funds in the form of one or more wire transfers to an
account designated by the Company.

     5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
          ------------------------------

     (a) The Company  hereby  represents  and warrants to the Purchaser and
the Agents as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows:

               (i) The Company is a real estate investment trust (a "REIT")
          within the meaning of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code of
          1986, as amended (the "CODE"),  has complied with all  applicable
          material  provisions  of the Code relating to a REIT and has been
          duly formed and is an existing  business  trust in good  standing
          under the laws of the State of Ohio with all requisite  power and
          authority to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
          Rights Offering.

               (ii)  The  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
          Agreement by the Company and the  consummation  by the Company of
          the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
          all necessary  trust action of the Company;  and this  Agreement,
          when  duly   executed  and   delivered  by  the   Purchaser   and
          acknowledged and agreed to by the Agents, will constitute a valid
          and legally  binding  instrument  of the Company  enforceable  in
          accordance  with its terms,  subject to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
          reorganization,   moratorium   and   similar   laws  of   general
          applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights and to
          general equity principles.

               (iii) On or prior to the date the Rights  Offering  shall be
          commenced by the Company,  the Rights and the Standby  Securities
          shall  have been duly  authorized  by the  Company,  the  Standby
          Securities and any securities  into which the Standby  Securities
          may be exercisable  or  convertible  shall have been reserved for
          issuance by the Company  and the Standby  Securities  when issued
          and  delivered  by  the  Company  against  payment   therefor  as
          contemplated  hereby,  will be  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
          non-assessable.

               (iv) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement by the
          Company,  the  consummation  by the  Company of the  transactions
          herein  contemplated  and the  compliance by the Company with the
          terms hereof do not and will not violate the Amended  Declaration
          of Trust or  By-laws  of the  Company as in effect as of the date
          hereof, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
          provisions  of, or  constitute a default  under,  any  indenture,
          mortgage,  deed of trust,  loan  agreement or other  agreement or
          instrument  to which  the  Company  is a party  or by  which  the
          Company is bound or to which any of its  Properties or assets are
          subject,  with  such  exceptions  as would  not  have a  Material
          Adverse Effect, or any applicable statute or any order, judgment,
          decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or
          body  having   jurisdiction  over  the  Company  or  any  of  its
          Properties or assets;  and no consent,  approval,  authorization,
          order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
          governmental   agency   or  body  is   required   for  the  valid
          authorization, execution, delivery and performance by the Company
          of this  Agreement,  the  issue  of the  Rights  and the  Standby
          Securities  or the  consummation  by  the  Company  of the  other
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  except such as have
          been, or prior to the Closing Time will have been, obtained under
          the Securities Act, and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
          registrations  or   qualifications   as  may  be  required  under
          applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.

               (v) The Standby  Securities,  and any securities  into which
          they are  exercisable  or  convertible,  shall be  issued  by the
          Company under either that certain registration  statement on Form
          S-3 (No.  333-31695)  originally  filed with the  Securities  and
          Exchange  Commission  (the  "COMMISSION")  on July 21, 1997,  and
          declared  effective on August 6, 1997, as the same may be amended
          and  supplemented  through one or more prospectus  supplements or
          post-effective  amendments  and/or  under  a  subsequently  filed
          registration statement necessary to implement the Rights Offering
          in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Section  1  of  this
          Agreement (collectively, the "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT"). The
          Shelf  Registration  Statement  shall be effective at the time of
          the purchase by the  Purchaser of any Standby  Securities  and no
          stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of such  registration
          statement or any amendment or supplement  thereto shall have been
          issued.  Any common stock that comprises a portion of the Standby
          Securities   and  any   securities   issuable  upon  exercise  or
          conversion of the Standby  Securities  shall be listed on the New
          York Stock Exchange as of the Closing Date.

               (vi) As of the date hereof, the Shelf Registration Statement
          does not include any untrue  statement of a material fact or omit
          to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or
          necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  and, as
          of the Closing  Date,  the Shelf  Registration  Statement and the
          prospectus included therein will not include any untrue statement
          of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
          be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
          misleading.

     (b) The Purchaser  hereby  represents  and warrants to the Company and
the Agents as follows:

               (i) The  Purchaser  is a limited  partnership  duly  formed,
          validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
          of New York, with partnership  power and authority to perform its
          obligations  under this  Agreement and to own or hold under lease
          its  properties and to transact the businesses in which it is now
          engaged, and to execute and deliver this Agreement.

               (ii)  The  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
          Agreement by the Purchaser and the  consummation by the Purchaser
          of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
          by all necessary  partnership  action of the Purchaser;  and this
          Agreement, when duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser will
          constitute a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in
          accordance  with its terms  subject  to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
          reorganization,   moratorium   and   similar   laws  of   general
          applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights and to
          general equity principles.

               (iii) The Purchaser is not insolvent and has sufficient cash
          funds on hand (including funds under management) and/or access to
          margin loans or other  credit to purchase the Standby  Securities
          on the terms and conditions  contained in this Agreement and will
          have  such  funds  on  the  Closing   Date.   The  Purchaser  has
          simultaneously  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
          or  prior  thereto  provided  the  Company  and the  Agents  with
          evidence or substantiated  that Purchaser has the financial means
          to satisfy its financial obligations under this Agreement and the
          foregoing  evidence  and  substantiation  is a true and  accurate
          representation of such means.

               (iv) No state,  federal  or  foreign  regulatory  approvals,
          permits,  licenses,  or  consents or other  contractual  or legal
          obligations are required in order for the Purchaser to enter into
          this  Agreement  or otherwise  purchase  the Standby  Securities,
          except those that have been obtained or performed and those which
          the failure to obtain or perform will not impair the  Purchaser's
          ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

               (v)  The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the
          consummation  by  the  Purchaser  of  the   transactions   herein
          contemplated  and the  compliance by the Purchaser with the terms
          hereof do not and will not conflict  with,  or result in a breach
          or violation of any of the terms or provisions  of, or constitute
          a default  under the  partnership  agreement of the  Purchaser or
          other  applicable   document   governing  the  Purchaser  or  any
          indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement  or other
          agreement or  instrument  to which the Purchaser is a party or by
          which  any of its  Properties  or  assets  are  bound,  with such
          exceptions  as would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
          financial  condition of the Purchaser,  or any applicable statute
          or any order,  judgment,  decree, rule or regulation of any court
          or  governmental  agency or body,  domestic  or  foreign,  having
          jurisdiction  over  the  Purchaser  or any of its  Properties  or
          assets;   and  no  consent,   approval,   authorization,   order,
          registration  or  qualification  of or with  any  such  court  or
          governmental   agency   or  body  is   required   for  the  valid
          authorization,   execution,   delivery  and  performance  by  the
          Purchaser of this Agreement or the  consummation by the Purchaser
          of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               (vi) The  Purchaser  has not  entered  into  any  contracts,
          arrangements,   understandings   or   relationships   (legal   or
          otherwise)  with any other  person or persons with respect to any
          securities of the Company,  including but not limited to transfer
          or  voting  of  any  of  the  securities,  finder's  fees,  joint
          ventures, loan or option arrangements,  puts or calls, guarantees
          of  profits,  division  of  profits  or loss,  or the  giving  or
          withholding  of  proxies,  except  to the  extent  that  any such
          contract,  arrangement,  understanding or relationship shall have
          only a minimal  adverse  effect on the  ability of  Purchaser  to
          consummate the transaction  contemplated  in this Agreement;  and
          the  Purchaser  does not own any  securities of the Company which
          are pledged or otherwise  subject to a contingency the occurrence
          of which would give another  person  voting  power or  investment
          power over such  securities,  except to the extent  that any such
          pledge or contingency shall have only a minimal adverse effect on
          the  ability  of  Purchaser   to   consummate   the   transaction
          contemplated in this Agreement.

               (vii)  Except as set forth on Schedule  (vii),  there are no
          actions,  suits or  proceedings  at law or in equity by or before
          any  Governmental  Authority  or other  agency now pending or, to
          Purchaser's knowledge, threatened against or affecting Purchaser,
          except to the extent  that any such  action,  suit or  proceeding
          shall  have  only a minimal  adverse  effect  on the  ability  of
          Purchaser to  consummate  the  transaction  contemplated  in this
          Agreement.

               (viii)  The  Purchaser  is not  party  to any  agreement  or
          instrument  or  subject  to any  restriction  which does or could
          reasonably be expected to result in a material  adverse effect on
          the  ability  of the  Purchaser  to  consummate  the  transaction
          contemplated in this  Agreement.  The Purchaser is not in default
          in  any  material  respect  in  the  performance,  observance  or
          fulfillment  of any of the  obligations,  covenants or conditions
          contained in any material  agreement or instrument to which it is
          a party or by which such  Purchaser is bound except to the extent
          that any such default shall have only a minimal adverse effect on
          the  ability  of  Purchaser   to   consummate   the   transaction
          contemplated in this Agreement.

               (ix) The Purchaser has not filed,  and is not  contemplating
          either  the  filing of a  petition  under  any  state or  federal
          bankruptcy or insolvency law or the liquidation of all or a major
          portion  of its  assets or  property,  and the  Purchaser  has no
          knowledge  of any  Person  contemplating  the  filing of any such
          petition against it.

     6.   PURCHASER NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
          ----------------------------

     From the date hereof through the Closing Date, the Purchaser covenants
and agrees with Agents that it will not do, directly or indirectly,  any of
the following:

          (a) The Purchaser  shall not dissolve,  terminate or liquidate or
     suffer any liquidation or dissolution.

          (b) The  Purchaser  shall not  cancel  or  otherwise  forgive  or
     release any material  claim or material  Debt owed to the Purchaser by
     any  Person,  unless  such  forgiveness  or  release  is for  adequate
     consideration  and in the  ordinary  course of  Purchaser's  business,
     except to the extent that any forgiveness or release shall have only a
     minimal  adverse  effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the
     transaction contemplated in this Agreement.

          (c) The  Purchaser  shall not enter  into,  or be a party to, any
     transaction  with  any  Affiliate  of  any  Purchaser,  except  in the
     ordinary  course of business and on terms which are no less  favorable
     to the  Purchaser  or such  Affiliate  than  would  be  obtained  in a
     comparable  arm's-length  transaction with an unrelated third party or
     except  to the  extent  that any such  transaction  shall  have only a
     minimal  adverse  effect on the ability of Purchaser to consummate the
     transaction contemplated in this Agreement.

          (d) The  Purchaser  shall  not take any other  action or  actions
     which  individually  or in the aggregate would result in the Purchaser
     failing to have  sufficient  funds  available  on the Closing  date to
     purchase the Standby  Securities on the terms and conditions set forth
     in this Agreement.

     7.   CLOSING CONDITIONS.
          ------------------

     The  obligations  of the Purchaser to consummate the purchase and sale
of the  Standby  Securities  shall be  subject,  in the  discretion  of the
Purchaser, to satisfaction of each of the following conditions on or before
the Closing:

               (a) the  Company  shall  have  caused  to be  issued  to the
          Purchaser  a waiver  of the  ownership  limitations  set forth in
          Article VI, Section 6 of the By-Laws of the Company,  in form and
          substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Purchaser,  to the extent
          necessary (in light of all other equity securities of the Company
          directly,  indirectly,  beneficially or  constructively  owned or
          controlled  by or  subject to the power to vote of (in each case,
          within the meaning of the Company's Amended Declaration of Trust,
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and
          regulations thereunder and the Code and the rules and regulations
          thereunder) the Purchaser) to permit the Purchaser to acquire the
          Standby Securities;

               (b) all of the Company's  representations and warranties and
          other   statements  in  this  Agreement   (excluding   subsection
          5(a)(ii))  shall be true,  correct and  complete in all  material
          respects as of the Closing Time;

               (c) no stop order suspending the  effectiveness of the Shelf
          Registration  Statement or any  amendment or  supplement  thereto
          shall have been issued and no  proceeding  for that purpose shall
          have been  initiated or threatened by the Commission or any other
          state or federal authority; and

               (d) the  Subscription  Price and other material terms of the
          Rights  Offering  shall  be fair  and  reasonable  to each of the
          Purchaser,  the Company and  shareholders of the Company entitled
          to participate in the Rights  Offering,  and the Rights  Offering
          shall  otherwise  provide for customary  terms and provisions for
          rights  offerings to shareholders  of publicly  traded  companies
          that qualify as real estate investments trusts under the Code.

     8.   TERMINATION.
          -----------

     The  Purchaser  may  terminate  this  Agreement  if  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby are not  consummated  by February  11, 2000 through no
fault of the Purchaser.  In addition,  this Agreement  shall terminate upon
mutual consent of the parties hereto and the Agents.

     9.   NOTICES.
          -------

     All  communications  hereunder  will  be in  writing  and,  if to  the
Company,  will be mailed,  delivered or facsimiled  and confirmed to it, at
the offices of the Company at Suite 1900, 55 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio
44113-1937,  Attention:  Paul F. Levin,  Facsimile:  (216) 781-7364, with a
copy to Fried, Frank, Harris,  Shriver & Jacobson,  One New York Plaza, New
York,  New  York,  10004-1980  Attention:   Steven  G.  Scheinfeld,   Esq.,
Facsimile:  (212) 859-8585; if to the Bank Agent at 130 Liberty Street, New
York,  New  York  10006,  Attention:   Jeffrey  Baevsky,  Facsimile:  (212)
669-0764,  with a copy to Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue,  New York,  New
York 10154, Attention: Kenneth D. Freeman, Esq., Facsimile: (212) 407-4990;
if to the GFB  Agent at 130  Liberty  Street,  New  York,  New York  10006,
Attention:  Jeffrey Baevsky, Facsimile: (212) 669-0764, with a copy to Loeb
& Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154,  Attention:  Kenneth
D. Freeman, Esq., Facsimile: (212) 407-4990; and, if to the Purchaser, will
be mailed,  delivered or facsimiled  and confirmed to it, at the offices of
Purchaser at Gotham  Partners  Management  Co.,  LLC, 110 East 42nd Street,
18th  Floor,  New York,  New York  10017,  Attention:  William  A.  Ackman,
Facsimile: (212) 286-1133, with copies to Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, LLP, 599
Lexington Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention:  Richard
J. Holmstrom,  Facsimile: (212) 355-3333; with a copy to the Bank Agent and
the GFB Agent at 130 Liberty Street,  New York, New York 10006,  Attention:
Jeffrey Baevsky,  Facsimile:  (212) 669-0764; and Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park
Avenue,  New York,  New York 10154,  Attention:  Kenneth D. Freeman,  Esq.,
Facsimile: (212) 407-4990.

     10   BINDING EFFECT.
          --------------

     This  Agreement  shall be binding upon,  and shall inure solely to the
benefit of, each of the parties hereto, and each of their respective heirs,
executors,  administrators,  successors and permitted assigns, and no other
person  shall  acquire  or  have  any  right  under  or by  virtue  of this
Agreement.  The parties  acknowledge  that this  Agreement is being entered
into in order to  induce  the  Lenders  to make  the  Loans to the  Company
pursuant to the Loan Agreements, that the Lenders would not make such Loans
in the absence of this  Agreement and that the Lenders are relying upon the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby in making the Loans.
The  parties  therefore  expressly  agree that  monetary  damages  would be
insufficient  to  compensate  the Agents  for any breach by the  Company or
Purchaser  of this  Agreement  and that the  Agents  shall be  entitled  to
specifically  enforce  any  and all of the  terms  and  provisions  of this
Agreement  against the Company  and/or the Purchaser on their own behalf or
on behalf of the Lenders.  Neither the Company nor the  Purchaser may amend
this Agreement or assign any of its rights or obligations  hereunder to any
other  person or entity  without the prior  written  consent of the Agents;
provided,  however,  that  Purchaser  may assign  its  rights  (but not its
obligation)  to  purchase  all or any  portion  of the  Standby  Securities
without the consent of either the Company or the Agents.

     11.  GOVERNING LAW.
          -------------

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of New York (without  regard to its conflict
of laws provisions) in effect at the time of the execution hereof.

     12.  EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.
          -------------------------

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,  each of
which  counterparts when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an
original,  but all such respective  counterparts shall together  constitute
but one and the same instrument.

     13.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
          ----------------

     Except for any Subscription Rights Certificate which the Purchaser may
execute,  this  Agreement,  together  with the Loan  Agreements  and  other
agreements related thereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof.

     14.  DEFINED TERMS.
          -------------

     Capitalized  terms used herein  without  definition and defined in the
Loan  Agreements  shall have  meanings  ascribed  to such terms in the Loan
Agreements.

     15.  NON-SOLICITATION, ETC.
          ---------------------

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company
is not  making,  and shall not be  deemed to have  made,  any offer to sell
securities  to  the  Purchaser  or  any  solicitation  of an  offer  to buy
securities from the Purchaser. Any offer by the Company to the Purchaser to
purchase  securities  or  solicitation  by the  Company  of an offer to buy
securities  from  the  Purchaser  shall  be  made  pursuant  to  the  Shelf
Registration  Statement with respect to the proposed  Rights Offering which
covers an offer to Purchaser of the Standby Securities.

     16.  LIABILITY OF OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, ETC.
          ------------------------------------

     Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,  this
Agreement has been executed and delivered by a duly  authorized  officer of
the Company,  for and on behalf of the Company's  trustees.  The Agents and
Purchaser each  acknowledge  that neither the trustees of the Company,  nor
any additional or successor  trustees of the Company,  nor any beneficiary,
officer,  employee  or  agent of the  Company,  shall  have  any  personal,
individual liability hereunder.

     17.  COMPANY COVENANT.
          ----------------

     The Company  hereby  covenants  and agrees to use its best  efforts to
cause to be issued to the Purchaser a waiver of the  ownership  limitations
set forth in Article VI,  Section 6 of the By-Laws of the Company,  in form
and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Purchaser,  to the extent
necessary (in light of all other equity  securities  directly,  indirectly,
beneficially  or  constructively  owned or  controlled by or subject to the
power to vote of (in each case, within the meaning of the Company's Amended
Declaration of Trust,  the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and
the rules and  regulations  thereunder  and the Code  Exchange  Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder) the Purchaser) to permit the Purchaser to
acquire the Standby Securities; provided, however, that notwithstanding the
foregoing  (i) the  Company  shall  not be  obligated  to take  any  action
hereunder  which would prevent the Company from qualifying or continuing to
qualify for taxation under the Internal Revenue Code as a REIT or result in
the Company  becoming  disqualified for taxation under the Internal Revenue
Code as a REIT,  and (ii) the Company  shall not be prevented or restricted
hereunder  with respect to taking any action which the Board of Trustees of
Borrower  shall deem advisable to prevent  disqualification  of the Company
for taxation under the Internal Revenue Code as a REIT.

     18.  ASSIGNMENT.
          ----------

     Notwithstanding  anything  herein  or in the  Loan  Agreements  to the
contrary,  Agents and  Company  acknowledge  and agree that  Purchaser  may
assign any or all of its  rights  and  interests  to  acquire  the  Standby
Securities  hereunder to one or more persons without the consent and either
the  Agent or  Company  provided  however,  that  notwithstanding  any such
assignment,  Purchaser  shall  remain  responsible  in all respects for the
performance of all of its obligations hereunder.

      [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound thereby, each of
the  Purchaser  and the Company has signed or caused to be signed its name,
all as of the day and year first above written.

                                    FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE
                                    EQUITY AND MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS


                                    By: /s/ Thomas T. Kmiecik
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Thomas T. Kmiecik
                                       Title: Senior Vice President-
                                              Treasurer

                                    GOTHAM PARTNERS III,  L.P.

                                    By:  Section H Partners, L.P.

                                         By:  Karenina Corp.

                                              By: /s/ William A. Ackman
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                 Name:  William A. Ackman
                                                 Title: President


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Bank Agent


By:   /s/ Alexander B. Johnson
     -------------------------------
     Name:  Alexander B. Johnson
     Title: Managing Director

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as GFB Agent


By:   /s/ Alexander B. Johnson
     -------------------------------
     Name:  Alexander B. Johnson
     Title: Managing Director




                               SCHEDULE (VII)
                               --------------

                             CERTAIN LITIGATION

                                    NONE


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