EXCEL REALTY TRUST INC
424B5, 1996-06-28
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
Previous: ASSET BACKED SECURITIES CORP, S-3/A, 1996-06-28
Next: VLC TRUST, NSAR-A, 1996-06-28



<PAGE>   1
                                                  This filing is made pursuant
                                                  to Rule 424(b)(5) under
                                                  the Securities Act of
                                                  1933 in connection with
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT                             Registration No. 33-59195
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 26, 1996)

                                1,500,000 SHARES
                            EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
                               ------------------
 
     Excel Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") is a self-administered,
self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") which acquires, owns and
manages neighborhood and community shopping centers and other retail and
commercial properties which are primarily leased on a long-term basis to major
retail companies throughout the United States. As of March 31, 1996, the Company
owned or managed 39 shopping centers, 70 single tenant properties, three
commercial properties and office buildings, and one additional property which is
held for sale.
 
     The 1,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), offered hereby (the "Offering") are being sold by
the Company. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the
"NYSE") under the symbol "XEL." The last reported sale price of the shares of
Common Stock on the NYSE on June 26, 1996 was $20.875 per share. See "Price
Range of Common Stock and Distributions."
 
     The shares of Common Stock are subject to certain restrictions on ownership
designed to preserve the Company's status as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes. See "Description of Common Stock" and "Restrictions on Ownership of
Capital Stock" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-6 FOR CERTAIN FACTORS RELEVANT TO AN
INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
                               ------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
                  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                UNDERWRITING
                                             PRICE TO             DISCOUNTS           PROCEEDS TO
                                              PUBLIC         AND COMMISSIONS(1)     THE COMPANY(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share..............................        $20.625              $1.02               $19.605
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)...............................      $30,937,500         $1,530,000           $29,407,500
======================================================================================================

</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $150,000 payable by the Company.
 
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriter an option to purchase up to an
    additional 225,000 shares of Common Stock on the same terms set forth above
    to cover over-allotments, if any. If all such shares are purchased, the
    total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds
    to Company will be $35,578,125, $1,759,500 and $33,818,625, respectively.
    See "Underwriting."
                               ------------------
 
          THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED
                ON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY
                  REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
                               ------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if issued by the Company, delivered to and accepted by the
Underwriter, subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel for the
Underwriter and certain other conditions. The Underwriter reserves the right to
withdraw, cancel or modify such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part.
It is expected that delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made in New
York, New York on or about July 1, 1996.
                               ------------------
                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
                               ------------------
 
            The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June 26, 1996.
<PAGE>   2
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
                         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed
information and financial information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus
Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus or incorporated herein or therein by
reference. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial and statistical information
contained in this Prospectus Supplement is presented as of March 31, 1996 and
assumes that the Underwriter's over-allotment option is not exercised. All
references to the Company in this Prospectus Supplement include the Company and
those entities owned or controlled by the Company, unless the context indicates
otherwise.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a self-administered, self-managed REIT which acquires, owns
and manages neighborhood and community shopping centers and other retail and
commercial properties which are primarily leased on a long-term basis to major
retail companies throughout the United States. As of March 31, 1996, the Company
owned or managed 39 shopping centers (the "Shopping Centers"), 70 single tenant
properties (the "Single Tenant Properties"), three commercial properties and
office buildings (the "Commercial Properties") and one additional property which
is held for sale. The Shopping Centers consist of neighborhood and community
shopping centers which typically range from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet in
size. The Single Tenant Properties typically are either anchor stores within
shopping centers not owned by the Company or free standing properties located in
commercial areas, with triple net leases which require the lessee to be
responsible for substantially all of the costs and expenses associated with the
ongoing maintenance of the property, including but not limited to property
taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. The Commercial Properties consist
of office buildings and commercial properties which the Company typically
purchases at an attractive price to take advantage of a distressed situation or
underutilized space. The Shopping Centers, Single Tenant Properties and
Commercial Properties accounted for approximately 61%, 38% and 1%, respectively,
of the annualized base rental income ("ABR") of the Company at March 31, 1996.
As of March 31, 1996, the Company's 112 properties were located in 27 states,
contained approximately 7.4 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"),
had an average age of seven years and were 96.5% leased.
 
     The Company emphasizes investments in retail properties where a substantial
portion of such properties' GLA is subject to long-term net leases to national
or regional retail tenants. The Company seeks to lease to national or regional
retail tenants that market basic goods and services to consumers and enjoy a
leading position in their respective industries.
 
     The Company's primary objective is to acquire, own and manage a portfolio
of commercial retail properties that will provide cash for quarterly
distributions to stockholders while protecting investor capital and providing
potential for capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve this objective
by (i) aggressively managing its existing properties, (ii) continuing to acquire
well-located neighborhood and community shopping centers with tenants that have
a national or regional presence and an established credit quality, (iii)
disposing of mature properties to continually update its core property
portfolio, and (iv) continuing to maintain a strong and flexible financial
position to facilitate growth.
 
     Following the Company's public offering in August 1993 through March 31,
1996, the Company has successfully acquired 37 properties for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $193.1 million (representing approximately 3.9
million square feet of GLA) and disposed of 18 properties for an aggregate sales
price of approximately $36.0 million (representing approximately 639,000 square
feet of GLA). In addition, during 1995, the Company increased its ABR from $41.0
million to approximately $45.6 million, increased its funds from operations from
$21.0 million to approximately $26.5 million and obtained a new unsecured
revolving credit facility of up to $150.0 million.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Shares Offered...............................  1,500,000 shares of Common Stock(1)
Shares to be Outstanding After the
  Offering...................................  14,743,196 shares of Common Stock(1)(2)
Use of Proceeds..............................  To acquire neighborhood and community
                                               shopping centers, to repay certain
                                               indebtedness and for general corporate
                                               purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
New York Stock Exchange Symbol...............  "XEL"
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Does not include up to 225,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued
    upon exercise of the Underwriter's over-allotment option.
 
(2) Does not include approximately 672,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    the exercise of options and warrants which are presently outstanding and up
    to approximately 10,000 other shares of Common Stock issuable to various
    parties upon the occurrence of certain events as of March 31, 1996.
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
                  SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR NUMBERS OF OPERATING PROPERTIES AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        THREE MONTHS
                                       ENDED MARCH 31,                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     -------------------   ----------------------------------------------------
                                       1996       1995       1995       1994       1993        1992      1991
                                     --------   --------   --------   --------   ---------   --------   -------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Total revenue....................    $ 12,740   $ 13,426   $ 55,229   $ 41,014   $  22,525   $  5,827   $ 2,472
Depreciation and amortization....       1,797      1,649      6,933      6,887       4,186        608       280
Total operating expenses.........       4,640      5,523     22,403     14,165       9,235      3,357     1,162
Net operating income.............       8,100      7,903     32,826     26,849      13,290      2,470     1,310
Interest expense.................       4,772      4,441     22,458     14,190       9,360      2,218     1,340
Net income.......................       5,858      3,917     18,192     13,796       3,232        454        65
Net income per share.............        0.44       0.36       1.51       1.27        0.55       0.41      0.11
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF 
  PERIOD):
Real estate after accumulated
  depreciation...................    $407,568   $348,791   $372,016   $349,255   $ 273,362   $112,971   $22,890
Total assets.....................     449,463    379,904    428,307    375,100     290,226    116,621    24,768
Mortgages payable................     145,330    196,868    123,813    201,157     113,487     89,442    14,582
Total debt.......................     239,341    216,756    219,629    211,202     128,264     93,343    15,119
Stockholders' equity.............     210,122    163,148    208,678    163,898     161,962     22,312     9,649
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(1)........................    $ 12,427   $ 10,007   $ 47,583   $ 34,873   $  16,778   $  3,280   $ 1,685
Funds from operations(2).........       7,110      5,714     26,536     20,964       8,891        998       313
Cash flows provided (used):
  Operating activities...........       5,775      5,738     28,895     24,652       6,263      1,364       666
  Investing activities...........      (8,430)    (7,177)   (28,425)   (58,872)   (110,605)   (11,308)   (2,249)
  Financing activities...........      (6,311)       480      5,211     32,975     109,281      9,534     2,099
Distributions....................       5,879      4,679     16,264     18,604       8,881      1,156        65
Distributions per share(3).......        0.45       0.43       1.32       1.71        1.42       1.13      1.02
Common shares outstanding
  (weighted average).............      13,248     10,909     12,084     10,883       5,878      1,110       615
Gross leasable area (sq. ft. at
  end of period).................       7,400      8,556      7,374      7,163       5,866      2,158       516
Number of operating properties
  (at end of period).............         112        119        112        110          98         42         9
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) For purposes of this calculation, EBITDA is defined as earnings before
    interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not
    intended to represent cash flow for the period nor has it been presented as
    an alternative to earnings from operations as an indicator of operating
    performance and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
    measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles.
 
(2) Funds from operations ("FFO") do not represent cash flows from operations
    and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other REITs. The
    Company believes that to facilitate a clear understanding of its operating
    results, however, FFO should be examined in conjunction with its net income.
    The Company is accounting for FFO as net income before gains (losses) on
    sales of real estate plus depreciation on real estate, amortization,
    amortized leasing commission costs and loan costs written off. Management
    believes that reductions for these charges are not meaningful in evaluating
    income-producing real estate, which historically has not depreciated. See
    "Funds From Operations." In May 1995, the National Association of Real
    Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) issued a clarification of its definition
    of FFO. Beginning in 1996, the Company revised its definition of FFO to
    exclude the amortization of loan costs and depreciation of furniture,
    equipment and vehicles as add-back items. FFO for periods prior to 1996 has
    been restated to conform with the revised definition.
 
(3) In April 1995, the Company adopted a policy of declaring distributions to
    stockholders of record on the first day of the succeeding quarter, instead
    of the last day of the current quarter. The payment date of 15 days
    following each quarter remained unchanged. In 1996, a distribution of $0.445
    per share was declared on January 1 and paid on January 15. Had the Company
    not changed its distribution declaration date, the distributions would have
    been $1.77 in 1995.
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should carefully consider, among other factors, the
matters described below before purchasing shares of Common Stock in the
Offering.
 
     Certain statements in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially
different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors
include, but are not limited to, the followings risks:
 
GENERAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT RISKS
 
     Economic Performance and Value of Centers Dependent on Many Factors.  Real
property investments are subject to varying degrees of risk. The economic
performance and values of real estate can be affected by many factors, including
changes in the national, regional and local economic climates, local conditions
such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for retail space in the
area, the attractiveness of the properties to tenants, competition from other
available space, the ability of the owner to provide adequate maintenance and
insurance and increased operating costs.
 
     Dependence on Rental Income from Real Property.  Since substantially all of
the Company's income is derived from rental income from real property, the
Company's income and funds for distribution would be adversely affected if a
significant number of the Company's tenants were unable to meet their
obligations to the Company or if the Company were unable to lease a significant
amount of space in its properties on economically favorable lease terms. There
can be no assurance that any tenant whose lease expires in the future will renew
such lease or that the Company will be able to release space on economically
advantageous terms.
 
     Illiquidity of Real Estate Investments.  Equity real estate investments are
relatively illiquid and therefore tend to limit the ability of the Company to
vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other
conditions. In addition, mortgage payments and, to the extent the properties are
not subject to triple net leases, certain significant expenditures such as real
estate taxes and maintenance costs, are generally not reduced when circumstances
cause a reduction in income from the investment, and should such events occur,
the Company's income and funds for distribution would be adversely affected. A
portion of the Company's properties are mortgaged to secure payment of
indebtedness, and if the Company were unable to meet its mortgage payments, a
loss could be sustained as a result of foreclosure on such properties by the
mortgagee.
 
     Risk of Bankruptcy of Major Tenants.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of a
major tenant or a number of smaller tenants may have an adverse impact on the
properties affected and on the income produced by such properties. Under
bankruptcy law, a tenant has the option of affirming (continuing) or rejecting
(terminating) any unexpired lease. If the tenant affirms its lease with the
Company, the tenant must cure all defaults under the lease and provide the
Company with adequate assurance of its future performance under the lease. If
the tenant rejects the lease, the Company's claim for breach of the lease would
(absent collateral securing the claim) be treated as a general unsecured claim.
The amount of the claim would be capped at the amount owed for unpaid
pre-petition lease payments unrelated to the rejection, plus the greater of one
years' lease payments or 15% of the remaining lease payments payable under the
lease (but not to exceed the amount of three years' lease payments).
 
     Environmental Risks.  Under various federal, state and local laws,
ordinances and regulations, the Company may be considered an owner or operator
of real property or may have arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous
or toxic substances and, therefore, may become liable for the costs of removal
or remediation of certain hazardous substances released on or in its property or
disposed of by it, as well as certain other potential costs which could relate
to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to
persons and property). Such liability may be imposed whether or not the Company
knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic
substances.
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
RELIANCE ON MAJOR TENANTS
 
     As of March 31, 1996, the Company's two largest tenants were Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc. and Kmart Corporation, which accounted for approximately 15.0% and
13.6%, respectively, of the Company's ABR as of such date. The financial
position of the Company and its ability to make distributions may be adversely
affected by financial difficulties experienced by either of such tenants, or any
other major tenant of the Company, including a bankruptcy, insolvency or general
downturn in the business of any such tenant, or in the event any such tenant
does not renew its leases as they expire. In that regard, it has been reported
in the media that Kmart is experiencing operating and financial difficulties.
See "Business and Properties -- Principal Lessees."
 
CONTROL BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     As of March 31, 1996, directors and executive officers of the Company
beneficially owned approximately 12.9% of the Company's Common Stock (including
shares representing approximately 4.3% of the Common Stock which may be acquired
upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days). Accordingly, such
persons should continue to have substantial influence over the Company and on
the outcome of matters submitted to the Company's stockholders for approval.
 
LIMITATIONS ON ACQUISITION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
     Ownership Limit.  The Company's charter prohibits ownership of more than
9.8% by value of the Company's capital stock by any single person. Such
restriction is likely to have the effect of precluding acquisition of control of
the Company by a third party without consent of the Board of Directors even if a
change in control were in the interest of stockholders.
 
     Staggered Board.  The Board of Directors of the Company has three classes
of directors, the terms of which will expire in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Directors
for each class are chosen for a three-year term. The staggered terms for
directors may affect the stockholders' ability to change control of the Company
even if a change in control were in the interest of stockholders.
 
NO LIMITATION IN ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS ON INCURRENCE OF DEBT
 
     The Company currently has a policy of limiting the extent of its borrowing
to approximately 50% of its total market capitalization (i.e., the sum of the
aggregate market value of the Company's Common Stock, the liquidation preference
of any preferred shares outstanding, and the Company's total debt), but the
organizational documents of the Company do not contain any limitation on the
amount or percentage of indebtedness the Company may incur. Accordingly, the
Board of Directors could alter or eliminate the current policy on borrowing. If
this policy were changed, the Company could become more highly leveraged,
resulting in an increase in debt service that could adversely affect the
Company's funds from operations and ability to make expected distributions to
stockholders and in an increased risk of default on its obligations.
 
ADVERSE IMPACT ON DISTRIBUTIONS OF FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS A REIT
 
     The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes since 1987, and expects to continue to elect such status. Although the
Company believes that it has been operating in conformity with the requirements
for qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), no assurance can be given that the Company will remain qualified as a
REIT. If in any taxable year the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT, the
Company would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in
computing taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax (including
any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular
corporate rates. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations to the Company
of its REIT Election -- Failure to Qualify" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a self-administered, self-managed REIT which acquires, owns
and manages neighborhood and community shopping centers and other retail and
commercial properties which are primarily leased on a long-term basis to major
retail companies throughout the United States. As of March 31, 1996, the Company
owned or managed 39 shopping centers (the "Shopping Centers"), 70 single tenant
properties (the "Single Tenant Properties"), three commercial properties and
office buildings (the "Commercial Properties") and one additional property which
is held for sale. The Shopping Centers consist of neighborhood and community
shopping centers which typically range from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet in
size. The Single Tenant Properties typically are either anchor stores within
shopping centers not owned by the Company or free standing properties located in
commercial areas, with triple net leases which require the lessee to be
responsible for substantially all of the costs and expenses associated with the
ongoing maintenance of the property, including but not limited to property
taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. The Commercial Properties consist
of office buildings and commercial properties which the Company typically
purchases at an attractive price to take advantage of a distressed situation or
underutilized space. The Shopping Centers, Single Tenant Properties and
Commercial Properties accounted for approximately 61%, 38% and 1%, respectively,
of the annualized base rental income ("ABR") of the Company at March 31, 1996.
As of March 31, 1996, the Company's 112 properties were located in 27 states,
contained approximately 7.4 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"),
had an average age of seven years and were 96.5% leased.
 
     The Company emphasizes investments in retail properties where a substantial
portion of such properties' GLA is subject to long-term net leases to national
or regional retail tenants. The Company seeks to lease to national or regional
retail tenants that market basic goods and services to consumers and enjoy a
leading position in their respective industries.
 
     The Company's principal executive officers have worked together in
acquiring and managing retail and commercial real estate for over 15 years and
have administered the investments and affairs of the Company since 1989. As of
March 31, 1996, management of the Company owned approximately 12.9% of the
Company's Common Stock (including shares representing approximately 4.3% of the
Common Stock which may be acquired upon the exercise of options exercisable
within 60 days).
 
     The Company was incorporated under the laws of California in 1985 and
reincorporated as a Maryland corporation in July 1993. The Company's executive
offices are located at 16955 Via Del Campo, Suite 110, San Diego, California
92127, and the Company's telephone number is (619) 485-9400.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The Company's primary objective is to acquire, own and manage a portfolio
of commercial retail properties that will provide cash for quarterly
distributions to stockholders while protecting investor capital and providing
potential for capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve this objective
by (i) aggressively managing its existing properties, (ii) continuing to acquire
well-located neighborhood and community shopping centers with tenants that have
a national or regional presence and an established credit quality, (iii)
disposing of mature properties to continually update its core property
portfolio, and (iv) continuing to maintain a strong and flexible financial
position to facilitate growth.
 
     Following the Company's public offering in August 1993 through March 31,
1996, the Company has successfully acquired 37 properties for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $193.1 million (representing approximately 3.9
million square feet of GLA) and disposed of 18 properties for an aggregate sales
price of approximately $36.0 million (representing approximately 639,000 square
feet of GLA). In addition, during 1995, the Company increased its ABR from $41.0
million to approximately $45.6 million, increased its funds from operations from
$21.0 million to approximately $26.5 million and obtained a new unsecured
revolving credit facility of up to $150.0 million.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
  Aggressive Management
 
     The Company aggressively manages its properties, with an emphasis on
maintaining high occupancy rates and a strong base of nationally recognized
anchor tenants. In addition, the Company emphasizes monitoring of the physical
condition of the properties and the financial condition of the tenants. The
Company follows a schedule of regular physical maintenance with a view towards
tenant expansion, renovations and refurbishing to preserve and increase the
value of its properties. Renovations include upgrading of existing facades,
updating signage, resurfacing parking lots and improving parking lot and
exterior building lighting. Through the maintenance and repair of its own
parking lots and roofs, the Company estimates that it saves approximately 30% of
such costs annually.
 
     The Company employs approximately 16 property management personnel at its
five field offices in Phoenix, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; Lexington, Kentucky;
Chattanooga, Tennessee and Raleigh, North Carolina. Each of the Company's field
offices is responsible for managing the leasing, property management and
maintenance of the Company's properties in its region. In addition, the Company
employs a team of seven people at its Salt Lake City, Utah office whose efforts
are dedicated solely to acquisitions and dispositions of the Company's
properties.
 
     Over time, the Company will seek to increase cash flow and portfolio value
primarily through contractual rent increases during the terms of its leases,
reletting of existing space at higher rents, expansion of existing properties
and the minimization of overhead and operating costs.
 
  Acquisition of Properties
 
     The Company intends to continue its portfolio focus on retail properties
with predictable cash flow and growth potential. The Company seeks to expand its
portfolio by acquiring well-located neighborhood and community shopping centers
and other retail properties with tenants that have a national or regional
presence and an established credit quality and that the Company believes will
have the ability to make timely lease payments over the term of the lease. When
acquiring properties, however, primary emphasis is placed on the quality of the
location and comparable market rents as opposed to a particular tenant. The
Company intends to continue to concentrate its property acquisitions in the
southwestern and southeastern United States, where a majority of its current
properties are located. Management believes that such emphasis will allow the
Company to utilize its current property management and maintenance personnel in
these areas. The Company may, however, acquire properties in other areas of the
United States. Additionally, the Company intends to continue to evaluate its
property type mix and may purchase from time to time other properties that the
Company believes will meet its objectives.
 
     In 1995 and 1994, respectively, the Company acquired ten and 13 Shopping
Centers, the aggregate cost of which was approximately $47.8 million and $62.6
million. In connection with such purchases, the Company assumed $22.9 million
and $17.5 million of existing indebtedness, respectively.
 
     Acquisitions through Partnerships.  The Company may from time to time
acquire properties from unaffiliated property owners by forming partnerships and
exchanging limited partnership units in such partnerships for the property
owners' equity in the acquired properties. Such partnership units are generally
exchangeable for shares of Common Stock under certain circumstances. The Company
believes that this acquisition method may permit the Company to acquire
properties at attractive prices from property owners wishing to enter into tax
deferred transactions. In 1994, the Company acquired six properties through a
single partnership using the foregoing structure. In 1995, the Company formed a
second partnership, Excel Realty Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("ER Partners"), to facilitate additional potential acquisitions. In 1995, ER
Partners acquired five properties with a value of $28.5 million in exchange for
partnership units, assumption of mortgage debt and cash.
 
     Ground Lease Development.  The Company may from time to time finance
properties under development, provided that the developer of each such property
has previously obtained (i) all necessary entitlements allowing completion of
the property and (ii) signed leases from the principal tenant(s) who will occupy
the property. Under this financing method, the Company purchases the undeveloped
property and leases such
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
property back to the developer, and upon completion, the Company has the option
to purchase the development. The Company believes that this method of financing
may give the Company opportunities to purchase developed properties at
capitalization rates slightly above those which might otherwise be available
after completion of development. The Company acquired two properties in 1994 and
financed the development of nine properties in 1995 using the foregoing
financing method.
 
     A summary of acquisition activity since the Company's public offering in
August 1993 is set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PERCENT        PURCHASE
 ACQUISITION                                                             COMPANY'S     TOTAL GLA     LEASED AS OF      PRICE
     DATE               PROPERTY NAME                 LOCATION           INTEREST      (SQ.FT.)        03/31/96       (1,000'S)
- --------------    -------------------------    ----------------------    ---------     ---------     ------------     --------
<S>               <C>                          <C>                       <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>
1st Qtr. 1996     Crossroads                   Statesville, NC              100%        246,791           100%        $ 16,180
1st Qtr. 1996     Granville Corners            Oxford, NC                   100         136,549           100            7,902
1st Qtr. 1996     The Shops of Riverdale       Riverdale, GA                100          34,255            88            2,715
1st Qtr. 1996     Roanoke Landing              Williamston, NC              100         156,561            98            8,088
4th Qtr. 1995     Farrar Place                 Manchester, TN               100          39,220           100            3,060
4th Qtr. 1995     Hazel Path Shopping          Hendersonville, TN           100          68,345           100            3,780
                  Center
4th Qtr. 1995     Palmetto Crossing            Hilton Head, SC              100          40,920           100            3,240
3rd Qtr. 1995     Anson Station                Wadesboro, NC                100         130,800           100            6,410
3rd Qtr. 1995     Kinston Pointe               Kinston, NC                  100         170,166            88            8,210
2nd Qtr. 1995     Foothills Market             Jonesville, NC               100          44,350            91            2,320
2nd Qtr. 1995     Piney Grove Plaza            Kernersville, NC             100          49,709            98            2,909
2nd Qtr. 1995     Roxboro Square               Roxboro, NC                  100          98,980           100            5,158
2nd Qtr. 1995     Siler Crossing               Siler City, NC               100         132,639            96            6,563
2nd Qtr. 1995     Village Marketplace          Asheboro, NC                 100          87,800            96            6,026
4th Qtr. 1994     Chapel Square                Kannapolis, NC               100          45,450           100            2,959
3rd Qtr. 1994     Q-Club                       Scottsdale, AZ               100          44,374           100            5,207
2nd Qtr. 1994     Q-Club                       Phoenix, AZ                  100          44,374           100            5,179
2nd Qtr. 1994     Lexington Road Plaza         Versailles, KY               100         182,732           100           11,091
2nd Qtr. 1994     Sun Valley Plaza             Mesa, AZ                     100          80,678            79            3,012
2nd Qtr. 1994     Lake Wales Center            Lake Wales, FL               100         102,161           100            5,795
1st Qtr. 1994     Valley View Plaza            Marion, IN                   100(1)       30,000            88            1,877
1st Qtr. 1994     Stanly County Plaza          Albermarle, NC               100(1)       63,637            96            2,811
1st Qtr. 1994     London Marketplace           London, KY                   100         169,032           100            9,574
1st Qtr. 1994     Circle Center                Hilton Head, SC              100          65,313            99            6,946
1st Qtr. 1994     Lakewood Village             Celina, OH                   100(1)      113,897            96            4,434
1st Qtr. 1994     Woodland Plaza               Warsaw, IN                   100(1)       31,000            93            1,625
1st Qtr. 1994     Wabash Valley Plaza          Terre Haute, IN              100(1)       79,135            98            4,631
1st Qtr. 1994     Brooksville Square           Brooksville, FL              100(1)       96,562            89            5,084
1st Qtr. 1994     Lowes Home Centers, Inc.     Middletown, OH               100         126,400           100            6,248
1st Qtr. 1994     Lucky                        Phoenix, AZ                  100          28,217           100            1,346
1st Qtr. 1994     Kmart                        Atlantic, IA                 100          40,318           100            1,613
1st Qtr. 1994     Excel Building               San Diego, CA                100          19,942           100            2,515
1st Qtr. 1994     Kash n Karry                 Homosassa Springs, FL        100          29,600           100            1,080
4th Qtr. 1993     Covington Gallery            Covington, GA                100         172,482            99            9,110
4th Qtr. 1993     Ashland Square               Ashland, OH                  100         162,749           100            7,683
3rd Qtr. 1993     Galleria                     Scottsdale, AZ               100         670,000           100            6,000
3rd Qtr. 1993     Irving West                  Irving, TX                   100          70,056           100            4,729
                                                                                       ---------                      --------
Total                                                                                  3,905,194                      $193,110
                                                                                       =========                      ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company owns a 99.82% interest in these properties, as the sole general
    partner of the partnership holding the properties, E.H. Properties, L.P. The
    limited partner has an option to convert its equity interest of 0.18% into
    Common Stock of the Company at $22.25 per share. Upon such conversion, the
    partnership will be dissolved.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   11
 
  Disposition of Properties
 
     The Company continually analyzes each asset in its portfolio and identifies
those properties which can be sold or exchanged (to the extent consistent with
REIT qualification requirements) for optimal sales prices (or exchange values)
given prevailing market conditions and the particular characteristics of each
property. Through this strategy, the Company seeks to continually update its
core property portfolio by disposing of properties which have limited
appreciation potential and redeploy capital into newer properties or properties
where its aggressive management techniques may maximize property values. The
Company engages from time to time in like-kind property exchanges (i.e., 1031
exchanges) which allow the Company to dispose of properties and redeploy
proceeds in a tax efficient manner. Following the Company's public offering in
August 1993 through March 31, 1996, the Company has disposed of or exchanged 18
properties for an aggregate sales price (or exchange value) of approximately
$36.0 million.
 
     The Company holds its properties for investment and the production of
rental income, and not for sale to customers or other buyers in the ordinary
course of the Company's business. If the Company were treated as holding
properties for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its business, it
would be subject to tax equal to 100% of its gain from each property sold or
exchanged (with no offset allowed for properties sold at a loss). In addition,
if the gain recognized in any taxable year from certain asset dispositions were
to exceed specified limits, such gain could cause the disqualification of the
Company as a REIT. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations to the Company
of its REIT Election -- Taxation of the Company as a REIT -- Sales or
Dispositions of Assets" in the accompanying Prospectus. The Company intends to
take appropriate measures before entering into any binding agreement to dispose
of an asset to determine that such disposition will not result in the
disqualification of the Company as a REIT.
 
     A summary of disposition activity since the Company's public offering in
August 1993 is set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 SALES
    DISPOSITION                                                                    TOTAL GLA     PRICE
       DATE                      PROPERTY NAME                    LOCATION         (SQ. FT.)   (1,000'S)
- -------------------  -------------------------------------  ---------------------  ---------   ----------
<S>                  <C>                                    <C>                    <C>         <C>
1st Qtr. 1996        Kindercare                             Ventura, CA               7,472     $    880
4th Qtr. 1995        Kmart(1)                               Goose Creek, SC          72,897        2,000
4th Qtr. 1995        Talley Plaza                           Phoenix, AZ             225,870       16,860
4th Qtr. 1995        Osco Drug(1)                           Phoenix, AZ              25,625          800
4th Qtr. 1995        Kmart(1)                               Casa Grande, AZ          50,000          800
3rd Qtr. 1995        Payless ShoeSource                     Veradale, WA              3,010          564
2nd Qtr. 1995        Safeway                                Colorado Springs, CO     44,240        3,334
2nd Qtr. 1995        Safeway                                Houston, TX              50,848        2,807
2nd Qtr. 1995        Safeway                                Chehalis, WA             24,960        1,524
1st Qtr. 1995        Osco Drug(1)                           Mesa, AZ                 24,789        1,091
1st Qtr. 1995        Chester's                              Roseville, MN             5,000          377
4th Qtr. 1994        Lucky(1)                               Champaign, IL            29,427        1,597
2nd Qtr. 1994        Miami Wings & Things                   Miami, FL                 2,768          384
2nd Qtr. 1994        Otero Savings & Loan                   Pueblo, CO                4,000          263
1st Qtr. 1994        Safeway(1)                             Odessa, TX               44,382          844
1st Qtr. 1994        Diversified Hospitality Group, Inc.    League City, TX           1,675          196
4th Qtr. 1993        Green Mill                             St. Paul, MN             14,240          791
4th Qtr. 1993        Fuddruckers                            Tucson, AZ                7,500          898
                                                                                    -------      -------
     Total                                                                          638,703     $ 36,010
                                                                                    =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company received a lease termination fee from this tenant in addition to
    sales proceeds.
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   12
 
FINANCING STRATEGY
 
     The Company intends to finance future acquisitions with the most
advantageous sources of capital available to the Company at that time, which may
include the sale of Common Stock, preferred stock or debt securities through
public offerings or private placements, the incurrence of additional
indebtedness through secured or unsecured borrowings, and the reinvestment of
proceeds from the disposition of assets. The Company is presently considering
the sale of additional shares of Common Stock to a limited number of
institutional investors. The Company's financing strategy is to maintain a
strong and flexible financial position by (i) maintaining a low level of
leverage (i.e., a ratio of debt to total market capitalization of 50% or less),
(ii) maintaining a large pool of unencumbered properties, (iii) managing its
variable rate exposure, (iv) amortizing existing mortgages over the term of the
leases for such mortgaged properties, and (v) maintaining a low distribution
payout ratio (i.e., distributions paid in respect of a year as a percentage of
FFO for such year).
 
     After giving effect to the Offering, the Company's ratio of debt to total
market capitalization at March 31, 1996 on a pro forma basis would be
approximately 43%. In addition, since the repayment in full of the Company's
REMIC in December 1995 (as described below), approximately 66% of the Company's
portfolio of properties is unencumbered.
 
     The Company may seek variable rate financing from time to time if such
financing appears advantageous in light of then-prevailing market conditions. In
such case, the Company will consider hedging against interest rate risk through
interest rate protection agreements, interest rate swaps or other means.
 
     In December 1995, the Company obtained an unsecured, two-year revolving
credit facility (the "Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility") of up to $150.0
million from a group of six banks led by The First National Bank of Boston
("FNBB"). Upon obtaining the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, the Company
borrowed $82.8 million and used approximately $76.0 million of such borrowings
to repay in full the outstanding balance of the Company's securitized mortgage
financing known as a real estate mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC"), and the
balance to repay in full the Company's former secured revolving credit facility
with FNBB (the "Secured Revolving Credit Facility") and for loan fees. With the
Company's unsecured real estate base at March 31, 1996, the Company had an
additional $16.0 million available under the Unsecured Revolving Credit
Facility. See "Certain Indebtedness."
 
     The Company's distribution payout ratio for the period ended March 31, 1996
was 82%, allowing the Company to retain capital to maintain the quality of its
portfolio, as well as to develop and expand properties.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     In June 1996, the Company obtained a term loan (the "Term Loan") of $10.0
million from FNBB. Upon obtaining the Term Loan, the Company used the proceeds
to make a loan in the amount of approximately $9.5 million to a Canadian company
(the "Canadian Loan") for use by such company to acquire a 50% joint venture
interest in a commercial building known as "Atrium on Bay" located in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Loan is secured by the Canadian company's interest
in the "Atrium on Bay," and the Term Loan is secured by all indebtedness owing
to the Company from the Canadian company, together with all security held by the
Company with respect to the Canadian Loan. The borrowings under the Term Loan
bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum (7.3% at March 31, 1996)
and mature on the earlier to occur of November 14, 1996 or the date proceeds are
received by the Company from an offering of common, preferred or other classes
of stock in the Company. The Canadian Loan bears interest at a rate of 25% per
annum and matures in seven years. See "Certain Indebtedness."
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   13
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock offered
hereby (excluding estimated expenses of $150,000) are approximately $29.4
million ($33.8 million if the Underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised
in full). The Company presently intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering
for property acquisitions, to repay $10.0 million of indebtedness outstanding
under the Term Loan and for general corporate purposes. The Company has
presently identified seven properties (with an aggregate purchase price in
excess of $47.5 million) which meet its general investment objectives, and
certain of these properties may be purchased with the net proceeds of the
Offering. The Term Loan was obtained in June 1996 to enable the Company to make
a loan to a Canadian company for use by such company to acquire a joint venture
interest in a commercial building located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. See
"Recent Developments." Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest at a rate of
LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum (7.3% at March 31, 1996) and mature on the earlier to
occur of November 14, 1996 or the date proceeds are received by the Company from
an offering of common, preferred or other classes of stock in the Company.
 
     Pending such use, the Company may invest proceeds of the Offering in
short-term income producing investments such as investments in commercial paper,
government securities or money market funds that invest in government
securities.
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
March 31, 1996, and as adjusted to give effect to the Offering and the
anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering to repay indebtedness outstanding
under the Company's Term Loan, as described under "Use of Proceeds."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           AS
                                                                       OUTSTANDING     ADJUSTED(2)
                                                                       -----------     -----------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>
Debt:
  Notes payable(1).................................................     $  86,484       $  86,484
  Mortgages payable................................................       145,330         145,330
                                                                         --------        --------
     Total debt....................................................     $ 231,814       $ 231,814
                                                                         ========        ========
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares
     authorized, none issued and outstanding.......................            --              --
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares
     authorized, 13,242,128 shares issued and outstanding and
     14,742,128 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted.........           132             147
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................       219,996         249,239
  Accumulated distributions in excess of net income................       (10,006)        (10,006)
                                                                         --------        --------
     Total stockholders' equity....................................     $ 210,122       $ 239,380
                                                                         --------        --------
          Total capitalization.....................................     $ 441,936       $ 471,194
                                                                         ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes approximately $82.8 million outstanding under the Unsecured
    Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 1996.
 
(2) Assumes that the Underwriter does not exercise the over-allotment option.
 
(3) Does not include approximately 672,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
    the exercise of options and warrants presently outstanding and up to
    approximately 10,000 other shares of Common Stock issuable to various
    parties upon the occurrence of certain events as of March 31, 1996.
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   14
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR NUMBERS OF OPERATING PROPERTIES AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for the
Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company and Notes thereto included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, as amended, and the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996, as
amended, each incorporated by reference herein. Operating results for the three
months ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that
may be expected for the entire year ended December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS
                                                     ENDED
                                                   MARCH 31,                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             ---------------------     ---------------------------------------------------
                                               1996         1995         1995       1994       1993       1992      1991
                                             --------     --------     --------   --------   --------   --------   -------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Total revenue..............................  $ 12,740     $ 13,426     $ 55,229   $ 41,014   $ 22,525   $  5,827   $ 2,472
Depreciation and amortization..............     1,797        1,649        6,933      6,887      4,186        608       280
Total operating expenses...................     4,640        5,523       22,403     14,165      9,235      3,357     1,162
Net operating income.......................     8,100        7,903       32,826     26,849     13,290      2,470     1,310
Interest expense...........................     4,772        4,441       22,458     14,190      9,360      2,218     1,340
Net income.................................     5,858        3,917       18,192     13,796      3,232        454        65
Net income per share.......................      0.44         0.36         1.51       1.27       0.55       0.41      0.11
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Real estate after accumulated
  depreciation.............................  $407,568     $348,791     $372,016   $349,255   $273,362   $112,971   $22,890
Total assets...............................   449,463      379,904      428,307    375,100    290,226    116,621    24,768
Mortgages payable..........................   145,330      196,868      123,813    201,157    113,487     89,442    14,582
Total debt.................................   239,341      216,756      219,629    211,202    128,264     93,343    15,119
Stockholders' equity.......................   210,122      163,148      208,678    163,898    161,962     22,312     9,649
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(1)..................................  $ 12,427     $ 10,007     $ 47,583   $ 34,873   $ 16,778   $  3,280   $ 1,685
Funds from operations(2)...................     7,110        5,714       26,536     20,964      8,891        998       313
Cash flows provided (used):
  Operating activities.....................     5,775        5,738       28,895     24,652      6,263      1,364       666
  Investing activities.....................    (8,430)      (7,177)     (28,425)   (58,872)  (110,605)   (11,308)   (2,249)
  Financing activities.....................    (6,311)         480        5,211     32,975    109,281      9,534     2,099
Distributions..............................     5,879        4,679       16,264     18,604      8,881      1,156        65
Distributions per share(3).................      0.45         0.43         1.32       1.71       1.42       1.13      1.02
Common shares outstanding (weighted
  average).................................    13,248       10,909       12,084     10,883      5,878      1,110       615
Gross leasable area (sq. ft. at end of
  period)..................................     7,400        8,556        7,374      7,163      5,866      2,158       516
Number of operating properties (at end of
  period)..................................       112          119          112        110         98         42         9
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) For purposes of this calculation, EBITDA is defined as earnings before
    interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not
    intended to represent cash flow for the period nor has it been presented as
    an alternative to earnings from operations as an indicator of operating
    performance and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
    measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles.
 
(2) FFO does not represent cash flows from operations and may not be comparable
    to similarly titled measures of other REITs. The Company believes that to
    facilitate a clear understanding of its operating results, however, FFO
    should be examined in conjunction with its net income. The Company is
    accounting for FFO as net income before gains (losses) on sales of real
    estate plus depreciation on real estate, amortization, amortized leasing
    commission costs and loan costs written off. Management believes that
    reductions for these charges are not meaningful in evaluating
    income-producing real estate, which historically has not depreciated. See
    "Funds From Operations." In May 1995, the National Association of Real
    Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) issued a clarification of its definition
    of FFO. Beginning in 1996, the Company revised its definition of FFO to
    exclude the amortization of loan costs and depreciation of furniture,
    equipment and vehicles as add-back items. FFO for periods prior to 1996 has
    been restated to conform with the revised definition.
 
(3) In April 1995, the Company adopted a policy of declaring distributions to
    stockholders of record on the first day of the succeeding quarter, instead
    of the last day of the current quarter. The payment date of 15 days
    following each quarter remained unchanged. In 1996, a distribution of $0.445
    per share was declared on January 1 and paid on January 15. Had the Company
    not changed its distribution declaration date, the distributions would have
    been $1.77 in 1995.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   15
 
                             FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS
 
     The Company calculates funds from operations ("FFO") as net income before
gains (losses) on sales of real estate plus depreciation on real estate,
amortization, amortized leasing commission costs and loan costs written off. FFO
does not represent cash flows from operations as defined by generally accepted
accounting principles and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of
other REITs. The Company believes, however, that to facilitate a clear
understanding of its operating results, FFO should be examined in conjunction
with its net income as reductions for certain items are not meaningful in
evaluating income-producing real estate, which historically has not depreciated.
The following information is included to show the items included in the
Company's FFO (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     THREE MONTHS
                                                         ENDED
                                                       MARCH 31,         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    ---------------     --------------------------
                                                     1996     1995       1995      1994      1993
                                                    ------   ------     -------   -------   ------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Net income......................................    $5,858   $3,917     $18,192   $13,796   $3,232
Depreciation:
  Buildings.....................................     1,684    1,520       6,314     5,685    3,157
  Tenant improvements...........................        87      109         531       353      213
  Equity Investments............................         1       --          --        --       --
Amortization(1):
  Leasing commissions...........................        42       53         724       166      157
  Management contract...........................        --       --          --       766      766
  Organization costs............................         1        1           4         2       --
Loan costs written off..........................        --      106       4,453        88      110
Buy out of advisory contract....................        --       --          --        --    1,655
Gain from sale of loan rate cap.................      (415)      --          --        --       --
(Gain) loss on sale of buildings................      (148)       8      (3,682)      108     (399)
                                                    ------   ------       -----     -----   ------
Funds from operations(2)........................    $7,110   $5,714     $26,536   $20,964   $8,891
                                                    ======   ======       =====     =====   ======
Other Information:
  Leasing commissions paid......................    $  278   $   78     $   335   $   329   $  228
  Tenant improvements paid......................       135      197         741     1,095      796
  Building improvements paid....................        49       52         716       459      631
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Only amortization of the management contract and organizational costs are
    shown as amortization expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of
    Income. The management contract was fully amortized in 1994. Leasing
    commission amortization is classified as other operating expenses in the
    Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
(2) In May 1995, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
    (NAREIT) issued a clarification of its definition of FFO. Beginning in 1996,
    the Company revised its definition of FFO to exclude the amortization of
    loan costs and depreciation of furniture, equipment and vehicles as add-back
    items. FFO for periods prior to 1996 has been restated to conform with the
    revised definition.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   16
 
                 PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     Since the Company's public offering in August 1993, the Company's Common
Stock has been listed on the NYSE under the symbol "XEL." The following sets
forth the high and low closing sale prices for the Common Stock for the fiscal
periods indicated as reported by the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape and
the distributions per share paid by the Company with respect to each such
period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               HIGH         LOW       DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                              -------     -------     -------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
1994
  First Quarter...........................................    $22.250     $18.125        $ 0.415
  Second Quarter..........................................    $20.875     $19.500        $ 0.430
  Third Quarter...........................................    $20.375     $18.000        $ 0.430
  Fourth Quarter..........................................    $18.375     $15.625        $ 0.430
1995
  First Quarter...........................................    $19.125     $16.375        $ 0.430
  Second Quarter..........................................    $20.750     $18.125        $ 0.000(1)
  Third Quarter...........................................    $20.125     $19.000        $ 0.445
  Fourth Quarter..........................................    $21.125     $18.250        $ 0.445
1996
  First Quarter...........................................    $20.875     $19.125        $ 0.445
  April 1 through June 26.................................    $21.125     $18.000        $ 0.460(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) In April 1995, the Company adopted a policy of declaring distributions to
    stockholders of record on the first day of the succeeding quarter, instead
    of the last day of the current quarter. The payment date of 15 days
    following each quarter remained unchanged. In 1996, a distribution of $0.445
    per share was declared on January 1 and paid on January 15.
 
(2) On June 4, 1996, the Company declared a second quarter 1996 distribution of
    $0.460 per share payable to all stockholders of record on July 1, 1996.
    Purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby are entitled to participate in
    such second quarter distribution.
 
     On June 26, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the
NYSE was $20.875.
 
     Future distributions by the Company will be at the discretion of the Board
of Directors and will depend on the actual cash flow of the Company, its
financial condition, capital requirements, the annual distribution requirements
under the REIT provisions of the Code and such other factors as the Board of
Directors deems relevant, and there can be no assurance that distributions will
be made at historical rates, or at all.
 
     Distributions by the Company to the extent of its current earnings and
profits for federal income tax purposes are taxable to stockholders as ordinary
dividend income (unless such distributions are designated as capital gain
distributions). Distributions in excess of earnings and profits generally are
treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a stockholder's
basis in the Common Stock. A return of capital distribution has the effect of
deferring taxation until a stockholder's sale of the Common Stock. See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations to Holders of Common Stock." The Company has
determined that approximately 72.7% of the distributions paid during 1995
represented ordinary dividend income to its stockholders and approximately 27.3%
represented return of capital. Distributions paid during 1994 have been
determined by the Company to be comprised of approximately 86.2% ordinary
dividend income and 13.8% return of capital.
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
     The Company has implemented a dividend reinvestment plan under which common
stockholders may elect to automatically reinvest their distributions in shares
of Common Stock. The Company may, from time to time, repurchase shares of Common
Stock in the open market for purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this
dividend reinvestment plan or may elect to issue additional shares of Common
Stock.
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   17
 
                            BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
 
     The Company's properties consist of 39 Shopping Centers, 70 Single Tenant
Properties, three Commercial Properties and one additional property which is
held for sale. As set forth in the following table, such properties were located
in 27 states, contained approximately 7.4 million square feet of GLA and
generated approximately $45.6 million in ABR as of March 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PERCENT OF
                                                                                                SCHEDULED
                                 NUMBER OF     PERCENT        TOTAL GLA    ANNUALIZED BASE     ANNUAL BASE
             STATE               PROPERTIES     LEASED        (SQ. FT.)     RENTAL INCOME     RENTAL INCOME
- -------------------------------  ----------    --------       ---------    ---------------    -------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>                <C>
Alabama                                3         100.0%          94,329      $   530,585            1.2%
Arizona                               11          96.9          790,956        5,702,030           12.5
Arkansas                               2         100.0          105,459          528,883            1.2
California                             2         100.0           34,558          682,137            1.5
Colorado                               3         100.0          156,776          627,770            1.4
Florida                                6          97.0          542,822        3,507,896            7.7
Georgia                                6          83.5          506,095        3,548,785            7.8
Illinois                               9         100.0          397,127        2,596,479            5.7
Indiana                               13          97.4          490,302        2,797,652            6.1
Iowa                                   3         100.0          104,208          562,969            1.2
Kentucky                               4          99.6          612,696        3,746,556            8.2
Louisiana                              1         100.0           41,293          228,671            0.5
Michigan                               3         100.0          107,614          555,691            1.2
Minnesota                              2         100.0           11,562          168,209            0.4
Missouri                               4          61.4          188,957        1,116,859            2.5
Nebraska                               3         100.0           70,513          429,978            0.9
New Jersey                             1         100.0           55,552          271,780            0.6
North Carolina                        12          97.3        1,363,432        8,327,892           18.3
North Dakota                           1         100.0           55,552          295,000            0.6
Ohio                                   5          98.5          449,823        2,303,710            5.1
Oklahoma                               1         100.0           45,510          280,344            0.6
Pennsylvania                           3         100.0          180,288        1,156,348            2.5
South Carolina                         3          99.5          148,363        1,174,081            2.6
Tennessee                              3         100.0          293,169        1,217,134            2.7
Texas                                  6         100.0          301,066        1,867,801            4.1
Virginia                               1         100.0          193,238        1,119,024            2.5
Wisconsin                              1         100.0           59,097          218,017            0.5
                                     ---          ----        ---------        ---------      -----------
     Total                           112          96.5%(1)    7,400,357      $45,562,281(2)       100.0%
                                     ===          ====        =========        =========      ===========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Percent of total GLA leased as of March 31, 1996.
 
(2) Includes income from space leased for which rent is being paid but which is
    not presently occupied. See "Single Tenant Properties" table below.
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>   18
 
     The following table contains a summary of certain information regarding the
Company's properties as of March 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              GROSS LEASABLE AREA                    ANNUALIZED BASE RENTAL INCOME
                                           -------------------------                 -----------------------------
                                                        PERCENT OF     PERCENT                        PERCENT OF
              PROPERTY TYPE                 SQ.FT.     COMPANY TOTAL   LEASED          AMOUNT        COMPANY TOTAL
- -----------------------------------------  ---------   -------------   -------       -----------     -------------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>
Shopping Centers.........................  4,477,467        60.5%        97.5%       $27,892,188          61.2%
Single Tenant Properties.................  2,872,706        38.8         99.1         17,090,912          37.5
Commercial Properties....................     50,184         0.7        100.0            579,181           1.3
                                           ---------       -----        -----        -----------         -----
          Total..........................  7,400,357       100.0%        96.5%(1)    $45,562,281(2)      100.0%
                                           =========       =====        =====        ===========         =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Percent of total GLA leased as of March 31, 1996.
 
(2) Includes income from space leased for which rent is being paid but which is
    not presently occupied. See "Single Tenant Properties" table below.
 
     Shopping Centers.  The Company's Shopping Centers consist of 39
neighborhood and community centers that are leased primarily to major retail
companies. The Shopping Centers typically range from 100,000 to 200,000 square
feet in size, and as of March 31, 1996 contained approximately 4.5 million
square feet of GLA and accounted for approximately 61% of the Company's ABR. The
table below sets forth certain pertinent information regarding the Shopping
Centers as of March 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ANNUALIZED                                          PERCENT OF
                                            ----------------------   PERCENT OF                         CENTER         LEASE
                      TOTAL                     BASE                    TOTAL                          LEASED BY    EXPIRATION OF
                       GLA        NUMBER       RENTAL      RENT PER     CENTER          PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
  LOCATION          (SQ.FT.)    OF TENANTS     INCOME       SQ.FT.      LEASED          TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)
- ------------        ---------   ----------   -----------   --------   ----------     --------------   ----------   -------------
<S>                 <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>               <C>          <C>
ARIZONA
  Mesa
    Sun Valley
    Shopping Ctr.... 107,533       17       $   578,572    $ 5.38        79%              ABCO              33%          2001
                                                                                        Phoenix             20           2001
                                                                                     Newspaper Inc.

    Kmart Plaza..... 182,581       12           637,780      3.49       100              Kmart              65           1998

  Phoenix
    Metro Market-
    place........... 251,156       39         2,178,488      8.67        99             Toys-R-Us           18           2014
                                                                                        Sheplers            17           1997
                                                                                        Officemax           13           2001
CALIFORNIA
  Burbank
    Sony/Kinko
    Building........  14,616        2           506,011     34.62       100               Sony              72           1999
                                                                                          Kinko             28           1998
FLORIDA
 Brooksville
   Brooksville
   Square(1)........  96,391       21           680,112      7.06        93              Publix             44           2007
                                                                                        Walgreen            13           2037
  Deland
    Northgate
    Shopping Ctr.... 186,074        8         1,253,469      6.74       100               Kmart             60           2018
                                                                                         Publix             30           2013
  Lake Wales
    Eastgate   
    Center.......... 102,161        2           613,843      6.01       100               Kmart             93           2019
                                                                                         Perrie              7           1999
  Leesburg
    Leesburg 
    Square..........  91,846       14           633,780      6.90        89              Publix             43           2006
                                                                                        Walgreen            14           2026
                                                                                       Fashion Bug          13           2000
GEORGIA
  Atlanta
    Shops of
    Riverdale.......  34,255       11           352,560     10.29        87             Fashion Bug         27           2006
                                                                                      Famous Footwear       16           2005
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>   19
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ANNUALIZED                                        PERCENT OF
                                               ----------------------   PERCENT OF                       CENTER         LEASE
                        TOTAL                     BASE                    TOTAL                        LEASED BY    EXPIRATION OF
                         GLA        NUMBER       RENTAL      RENT PER     CENTER        PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
  LOCATION            (SQ.FT.)    OF TENANTS     INCOME       SQ.FT.      LEASED        TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)
- ------------          ---------   ----------   -----------   --------   ----------  ----------------  ----------   -------------
<S>                   <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>               <C>          <C>
GEORGIA--(CONTINUED)
  Covington
    Covington 
    Gallery.........  174,882        17        $ 1,025,112    $ 5.86         99%          Kmart             49%          2016
                                                                                         Ingles             25           2011
  Perry
    Perry
    Marketplace.....  179,973        15          1,108,434      6.16         97           Kmart             53           2017
                                                                                         Kroger             21           2012
                                                                                       B.C. Moore            9           2008
INDIANA
  Marion
    Valley View
    Plaza(1)........   29,975        11            197,479      6.59         75      Webb's Hallmark        16           1999
                                                                                     Sycamore Stores        10           2000
  Terre Haute
    Wabash Valley
    Plaza(1)........   79,135        11            545,736      6.90         96     Supervalue Store        58           2009
                                                                                        Clothes
                                                                                    Quarters of T.H.         9           1996
  Warsaw
    Woodland        
    Plaza(1)........   31,000        14            228,578      7.37         93         Shoe Show           15           1999
                                                                                     Broadway Video         13           1997
KENTUCKY
  Elizabethtown
    Kmart Plaza.....  130,466         8            774,114      5.93         99           Kmart             70           2017
                                                                                        Food Lion           22           2011
  Glasgow
    Highland        
    Commons.........  130,466         7            722,107      5.53        100           Kmart             70           2017
                                                                                        Food Lion           22           2012
  London
    London
    Marketplace.....  169,032         7          1,037,764      6.14        100           Kmart             56           2018
                                                                                         Kroger             24           2014
                                                                                         Goody's            12           2003
  Versailles
    Lexington Road
    Plaza...........  182,732         9          1,212,571      6.64        100           Kmart             52           2018
                                                                                         Kroger             33           2014
                                                                                       Fashion Bug           5           2004
NORTH CAROLINA
  Albemarle
    Stanly  County
    Plaza(1)........   63,637        17            382,048      6.00        100          Ingles             50           2008
  
  Ashboro
    Village
    Marketplace.....   87,800        26            695,989      7.93         97       Harris-Teeter         34           2008
                                                                                       Old America          19           2000
  Jonesville
    Foothills
    Market..........   44,350         6            245,930      5.55         91         Food Lion           56           2008
                                                                                      Family Dollar         14           2000
  Kannapolis
    Chapel Square...   45,450         6            362,842      7.98        100         Food Lion           64           2013
                                                                                          Revco             19           2008
  Kenersville
    Piney Grove
    Plaza...........   49,709         9            357,470      7.19        100        Lowe's Food          64           2008
                                                                                      Scotty Drugs          12           1998
  Kinston
    Kinston Pointe..  170,166        23            866,420      5.09         89         Wal-Mart            53           2011
                                                                                        Food Lion           15           2011
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>   20
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ANNUALIZED                                        PERCENT OF
                                               ----------------------   PERCENT OF                       CENTER         LEASE
                        TOTAL                     BASE                    TOTAL                        LEASED BY    EXPIRATION OF
                         GLA        NUMBER       RENTAL      RENT PER     CENTER        PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
  LOCATION            (SQ.FT.)    OF TENANTS     INCOME       SQ.FT.      LEASED        TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)      TENANT(S)
- ------------          ---------   ----------   -----------   --------   ----------   ----------------  ----------   -------------
<S>                   <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>               <C>          <C>
NORTH CAROLINA--
(CONTINUED)
  Oxford
    Granville
    Corners.......... 136,549         24       $   879,491    $ 6.44         99%        Wal-Mart                52%          2012
                                                                                      Byrd's Foods              20           2011
  Roxoboro
    Roxoboro Square..  98,980         16           578,061      5.84        100         Wal-Mart                70           2009
                                                                                          Cato                   6           1999
  Siler City
    Siler Crossing... 132,639         17           705,377      5.32         96           Rose's
                                                                                     Department Store           34           2008
                                                                                        Food Lion               19           2008
                                                                                       Belk-Yates               17           2008
                                                                                          REVCO                  6           2003
                                                                                          Cato                   5           1998
  Statesville
    Crossroads 
    Center........... 246,791         33         1,619,237      6.56        100         Wal-Mart                48           2011
                                                                                       Bi-Lo Foods              13           2011
                                                                                          Cato                   4           2001
                                                                                         Goody's                 9           2001
  Wadesboro
    Anson Station.... 130,800         19           714,512      5.46        100         Wal-Mart                40           2008
                                                                                         BCMoore                14           2004
                                                                                        Food Lion               19           2008
                                                                                          REVCO                  6           2004
  Williamston
    Roanoke Landing.. 156,561         22           920,515      5.88         96         Wal-Mart                45           2011
                                                                                       Winn-Dixie               23           2011
                                                                                          REVCO                  5           2006
                                                                                          Cato                   3           1996
OHIO
  Ashland
    Ashland Square... 163,168         13           860,999      5.28         98         Wal-Mart                42           2010
                                                                                        Food Town               26           2010
                                                                                       JC Penneys               14           2008
  Celina
    Lakewood
    Village(1)....... 113,897          9           544,461      4.78         96         Wal-Mart                60           2010
                                                                                         Ulmans                 16           2005
SOUTH CAROLINA
  Hilton Head
    Circle Center....  65,313         14           635,436      9.73         99           Bi-Lo                 56           2012
                                                                                          Revco                 13           2004
  Hilton Head
    Palmetto
    Crossing.........  40,920          7           315,356      7.71        100         Food Lion               71           2010

TENNESSEE
  Hendersonville
    Hazel Path
    Commons..........  68,345         19           466,881      6.83        100         Food Lion               42           2010
                                                                                          Cato                   9           1999
  Knoxville
    Chapman Ford
    Crossing(2)...... 185,604         16           495,328      2.67        100         Wal-Mart                51           2010
                                                                                        Food Lion               16           2010
                                                                                         Goody's                14           2000
  Manchester
    Farrar Place....   39,220          5           254,925      6.50        100         Food-Lion               64           2009
                                                                                        Rite Aid                17           1999
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>   21
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ANNUALIZED                                  PERCENT OF
                                               ----------------------   PERCENT OF                 CENTER         LEASE
                        TOTAL                     BASE                    TOTAL                   LEASED BY    EXPIRATION OF
                         GLA        NUMBER       RENTAL      RENT PER     CENTER     PRINCIPAL    PRINCIPAL      PRINCIPAL
  LOCATION            (SQ.FT.)    OF TENANTS     INCOME       SQ.FT.      LEASED     TENANT(S)    TENANT(S)     TENANT(S)
- ------------          ---------   ----------   -----------   --------   ----------  -----------  -----------   -------------
<S>                   <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
TEXAS
  Irving
    Irving West
    Shopping
    Center.........      70,056       18       $   585,376    $ 8.36        100%     Winn Dixie       64%          2007

VIRGINIA
  Norton
    VA-KY Regional
    Shopping Ctr....    193,238       21         1,119,024      5.79        100       Wal-Mart        45           2009
                                                                                       Ingles         17           2009
                                                                                       Goody's        16           1999
                      ---------                -----------    ------
    Total...          4,477,467                $27,892,188    $ 6.23
                       ========                ===========    ======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company owns a 99.82% interest in these properties, as the sole general
    partner of the partnership holding the properties, E.H. Properties, L.P. The
    limited partner has an option to convert its equity interest of 0.18% into
    Common Stock of the Company at $22.25 per share. Upon such conversion, the
    partnership will be dissolved.
 
(2) The Company owns a 50.0% interest in this property.
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>   22
 
     Single Tenant Properties.  The Company's Single Tenant Properties consist
of 70 properties leased primarily to major retail companies. Approximately 80%
of the Company's ABR derived from Single Tenant Properties is attributable to
properties located within shopping centers not otherwise owned by the Company,
while approximately 20% of such ABR comes from free standing properties located
in commercial areas. In general, the leases on the Single Tenant Properties
require the lessee to be responsible for substantially all of the costs and
expenses associated with the ongoing maintenance of the property, including but
not limited to property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. The Single
Tenant Properties contained approximately 2.9 million square feet of GLA and
accounted for approximately 38% of the Company's ABR as of March 31, 1996. The
table below sets forth certain pertinent information regarding the Single Tenant
Properties as of March 31, 1996.
 
SINGLE TENANT PROPERTIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 ANNUALIZED
                                                                                         ---------------------------
                                                                              TOTAL         BASE
                                                                               GLA         RENTAL        RENT PER        LEASE
   LOCATION                  TENANT                      SUBTENANT          (SQ.FT.)       INCOME         SQ.FT.       EXPIRATION
- ---------------  -------------------------------  -----------------------  -----------   -----------   -------------   ----------
<S>              <C>                              <C>                      <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
ALABAMA
  Muscle Shoals  Kroger(1)                        Sack N Save                   42,130      $252,780      $  6.00         2007
  Muscle Shoals  Super X(1)                       Handy TV                      10,069        60,414         6.00         2007
  Scottsboro     Kroger(1)                        Bruno's (Food World)          42,130       217,391         5.16         2007
ARKANSAS
  Pine Bluff     Kmart(1)                         Country Market                60,842       288,232         4.74          2006
  Sherwood       Safeway(1)                       Harvest Foods                 44,617       240,651         5.39         2002
ARIZONA
  Mesa           Lucky(1)                         ABCO                          29,827       126,438         4.24         2002
  Phoenix        Lucky(1)                         ABCO                          28,217       154,620         5.48         2001
  Phoenix        Q-Club                                                         44,374       676,740        15.25         2019
  Scottsdale     Q-Club                                                         44,374       675,852        15.23         2019
  Tucson         Lucky(2)                                                       29,700       149,779         5.04         2003
  Tucson         Ben Franklin Crafts                                            25,800       135,545         5.25         1996
  Yuma           Longs(1)                         Payless Drugs                 25,834       113,050         4.38         2001
COLORADO
  Brighton       Wal-Mart                                                       94,220       343,021         3.64         2008
  Durango        Kmart(1)                         Payless Drugs                 50,000       201,738         4.03         2003
  Pueblo         United Artists                                                 12,556        83,011         6.61         2002
FLORIDA
  Brandon        Lucky/Kash N Karry(3)                                          36,750       202,582         5.51         2002
  Homosassa      Lucky/Kash N Karry(3)                                          29,600       124,110         4.19         2002
    Springs
GEORGIA
  Albany         (4)                                                            72,897       810,500        11.12         1997
  East Albany    Kroger(1)                        JH Harvey                     34,019       197,612         5.81         2007
  East Albany    SuperX(1)                        Rite Aid                      10,069        54,567         5.42         2007
IOWA
  Atlantic       Kmart                                                          40,318       160,000         3.97         2005
  Coralville     Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 28,875       172,669         5.98         2006
  Dubuque        Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 35,015       230,300         6.58         2000
ILLINOIS
  Decatur        Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 29,000       181,996         6.28         2003
  Moline         Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 38,681       227,420         5.88         2001
  New Lenox      Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 39,410       259,016         6.57         2002
  Orland Hills   Wal-Mart                                                      114,513       824,075         7.20         2009
  Ottawa         Kroger                                                         44,088       278,866         6.33         2007
  Peoria         Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 30,000       208,133         6.94         2003
  Springfield    Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 30,000       180,090         6.00         2002
  Sterling       Lucky/Eagle(5)                                                 40,265       229,748         5.71         2000
  Waterloo       Kroger(1)                        National Super Markets        31,170       207,135         6.65         2007
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>   23
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 ANNUALIZED
                                                                                         ---------------------------
                                                                              TOTAL         BASE
                                                                               GLA         RENTAL        RENT PER        LEASE
   LOCATION                  TENANT                      SUBTENANT          (SQ.FT.)       INCOME         SQ.FT.       EXPIRATION
- ---------------  -------------------------------  -----------------------  -----------   -----------   -------------   ----------
<S>              <C>                              <C>                      <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
INDIANA
  Decatur        Wal-Mart                                                       72,200      $324,301      $  4.49         2009
  Fort Wayne     Kindercare                                                      4,584        49,694        10.84         2000
  Hobart         Eagle(2)                                                       29,300       190,792         6.51         2003
  Indianapolis   Kindercare                                                      4,212        49,694        11.80         2000
  Indianapolis   Kindercare                                                      4,452        49,694        11.16         2000
  Indianapolis   Kindercare                                                      4,268        49,694        11.64         2000
  Indianapolis   Kindercare                                                      4,452        21,600         4.85         2000
  Michigan City  Eagle                                                          29,000       158,000         5.45         2003
  Terre Haute    Lowes Home Center                                             104,259       557,786         5.35         2013
  Wabash         Wal-Mart                                                       93,465       374,604         4.01         2008
LOUISIANA
  West Monroe    Safeway(1)                       Brookshire Grocery            41,293       228,671         5.54         2002
MICHIGAN
  Big Rapids     Wal-Mart                                                       91,440       337,628         3.69         2008
  Dearborne      Mountain Jacks                                                  9,914                      15.13         2006
    Heights                                                                                  150,000
  Kalamazoo      Kindercare                                                      6,260        68,063        10.87         2005
MINNESOTA
  Maplewood      Egghead Discount                                                2,880        40,320        14.00         1997
MISSOURI
  Fenton         Kinderdare                                                      4,659        22,560         4.84         1997
  High Ridge     Kindercare                                                      4,654        32,299         6.94         2000
  Springfield    Kmart                                                         106,747       400,000         3.75         2007
  St. Charles    (4)                                                            72,897       662,000         9.08         1997
NORTH DAKOTA
  Fargo          (4)                                                            55,552       295,000         5.31         2007
NEBRASKA
  Grand Island   Autoworks                                                       5,671        68,303        12.04         2008
  Hastings       Autoworks                                                       4,000        48,900        12.23         2008
  Omaha          Kmart                                                          60,842       312,775         5.14         2006
NEW JERSEY
  Somerville     Kmart                                                          55,552       271,780         4.89         2007
OHIO
  Mentor         Mountain Jacks                                                  6,040       107,250        17.76         2005
  Middletown     Lowes Home Supply                                             126,400       650,000         5.14         2013
  Waverly        Kmart                                                          40,318       141,000         3.50         2006
OKLAHOMA
  Muskogee       Safeway(1)                       Homeland                      45,510       280,344         6.16         2002
PENNSYLVANIA
  Clearfield     Kroger(1)                        Super Value                   31,170       210,000         6.74         2007
  Pittsburgh     Kroger(1)                        Giant Eagle                   34,026       266,680         7.84         2007
  Wyomissing     Wal-Mart                                                      115,092       679,668         5.91         2008
SOUTH CAROLINA
  James Island   Kroger(1)                        Bi Lo                         42,130       223,289         5.30         2007
TEXAS
  DeSoto         Kmart                                                          72,897       299,910         4.11         2005
  Houston        Diversified Hospitality Grp(2)                                  1,675        42,887        25.60         2011
  Houston        Diversified Hospitality Grp(2)                                  1,675        30,568        18.25         2011
  Missouri City  Kroger                                                         44,183       229,289         5.19         2002
  Temple         Wal-Mart                                                      110,580       679,771         6.15         2008
WISCONSIN
  Berlin         Wal-Mart                                                       59,097       218,017         3.69         2009
                                                                             ---------   -----------       ------
    Total                                                                    2,872,706   $17,090,912      $  5.95
                                                                             =========   ===========       ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>   24
 
- ---------------
(1) Property is subleased. Nevertheless, the tenant under the lease remains
    responsible for payment of all rents due under such lease.
 
(2) Property is currently unoccupied. Nevertheless, the tenant under the lease
    remains responsible for payment of all rents due under such lease.
 
(3) This property was originally built by Lucky for its subsidiary Kash n Karry
    Food Stores, Inc. Lucky has subsequently sold such subsidiary but remains
    obligated under this lease.
 
(4) The Company received a lease termination fee from the former tenant of this
    property, which is treated as pre-paid rent and is being amortized using the
    straight line method over the estimated time to re-lease or sell the related
    property.
 
(5) This property was originally built by Lucky for its subsidiary Eagle Food
    Centers, Inc. Lucky has subsequently sold such subsidiary but remains
    obligated under this lease.
 
     Commercial Properties.  The Company's Commercial Properties consist of two
office buildings and one commercial property, which contained approximately
50,000 square feet of GLA and accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's
ABR as of March 31, 1996. Although the Company's stated focus is on
retail-oriented properties, under certain circumstances the Company may acquire
properties that are not necessarily retail-oriented, but where management views
an opportunity to take advantage of a distressed situation or underutilized
space and is able to purchase the property at an attractive price. The table
below sets forth certain pertinent information regarding the Commercial
Properties as of March 31, 1996.
 
COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       ANNUALIZED                                         PERCENT OF     LEASE
                                                   -------------------                                     PROPERTY    EXPIRATION
                            TOTAL                    BASE                PERCENT OF                       LEASED BY        OF
                             GLA        NUMBER      RENTAL    RENT PER    PROPERTY        PRINCIPAL       PRINCIPAL    PRINCIPAL
        LOCATION          (SQ. FT.)   OF TENANTS    INCOME    SQ. FT.      LEASED         TENANT(S)       TENANT(S)    TENANT(S)
- ------------------------  ---------   ----------   --------   --------   ----------   ------------------  ----------   ----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>                 <C>          <C>
ARIZONA
  Scottsdale
    Genzyme Corp.           21,560         1       $275,165    $12.76        100%     Genzyme Corp.           100%        2005
CALIFORNIA
  San Diego
    Excel Building          19,942        10        176,127      8.83        100      Excel Realty Trust       32          N/A
MINNESOTA
  Stillwater
    Stillwater
      Government Bldg.       8,682         4        127,889     14.73        100      Washington County        76         2000
                          ---------                --------   --------       ---
    Total                   50,184                 $579,181    $11.54
                           =======                 ========   =======
</TABLE>
 
PRINCIPAL LESSEES
 
     Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Wal-Mart") is the Company's largest lessee in terms
of both GLA and ABR, representing approximately 20.9% of the Company's GLA and
approximately 15.0% of the Company's ABR at March 31, 1996. Wal-Mart is the
nation's largest retailer and operates approximately 2,000 discount department
stores and over 400 warehouse clubs. WalMart is listed on the NYSE and as of
March 31, 1996 had credit ratings of AA from Standard and Poor's Corporation
("Standard and Poor's") and Aa2 from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's"). Of the 18 stores which Wal-Mart currently leases from the Company,
ten contained GLA of over 80,000 square feet and 12 were less than five years
old as of March 31, 1996.
 
     Kmart Corporation ("Kmart") is the Company's second largest lessee in terms
of both GLA and ABR, representing approximately 17.8% of the Company's GLA and
approximately 13.6% of the Company's ABR at March 31, 1996. Kmart's principal
business is general merchandise retailing through a chain of discount department
stores. It is one of the world's largest retailers based on sales volume. Kmart
has experienced flat or declining earnings in recent periods and has announced
plans to eliminate a significant number of jobs and close certain of its
existing stores. In May 1996, Moody's lowered their rating on Kmart's long-term
debt to Ba3. In June 1996, Standard and Poor's lowered their rating on Kmart's
long-term debt to B+. Kmart has closed five stores that were leased from the
Company. The Company received lease termination fees with
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>   25
 
respect to five of these properties, two of which were subsequently sold. The
Company is currently in the process of re-leasing or selling the other three
properties. Of the 16 stores which Kmart currently leases from the Company, ten
contained GLA of over 80,000 square feet and eight were less than five years old
as of March 31, 1996. Should Kmart in the future announce additional store
closures, the Company believes that Kmart would continue its lease payments for
the term of the leases unless lease termination fees were negotiated, or that
the properties could be re-leased at rental rates which would not cause a
material loss of revenue for the Company. However, the Company cannot fully
predict the effect on the Company of material deterioration in Kmart's financial
position.
 
     Wal-Mart and Kmart are publicly-traded companies, and financial and other
information regarding these lessees is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
 
     Other significant lessees include three major operators of retail
supermarkets: The Kroger Co. ("Kroger"), Lucky Stores, Inc. ("Lucky") and Food
Lion, Inc. ("Food Lion"). Leases to Kroger (including SuperX Drugs Corporation,
on whose leases Kroger is a guarantor) involve 14 properties and accounted for
approximately 6.8% of the Company's GLA and 7.1% of its ABR at March 31, 1996.
Kroger's primary focus is combination food and drug stores (with over 1,300
supermarkets operating in 1995), and it also operates food wholesaling and
specialty retailing businesses at various locations. Kroger is listed on the
NYSE, and its credit ratings as of January 1996 were Ba3 and BB+ according to
Moody's and Standard and Poor's, respectively. Lucky (including Eagle Food
Centers, Inc. and Kash n Karry Food Stores, Inc., on whose leases Lucky is a
guarantor) leases 15 properties, representing approximately 6.5% of the
Company's GLA and 6.1% of its ABR at March 31, 1996. Lucky, a national
supermarket chain, is owned by American Stores, Inc., a NYSE company which as of
January 1996 had credit ratings of Baa3 and BBB+ from Moody's and Standard and
Poor's, respectively. Food Lion leases 11 properties from the Company,
accounting for approximately 4.0% of the Company's GLA and 4.2% of its ABR at
March 31, 1996. Food Lion is a major operator of retail supermarkets in the
United States and Canada, is listed on the NYSE and as of January 1996 had
credit ratings of A2 and A- according to Moody's and Standard and Poor's,
respectively.
 
     The Company's lessees also include other companies with a national or
regional presence, such as Sports & Fitness Clubs of America, Inc., Lowe's Home
Centers, Inc., Publix Super Markets, Inc., Safeway, Inc. and The Cato
Corporation. As of March 31, 1996, over 86% of the Company's ABR was derived
from major national or regional lessees.
 
     Certain information as of March 31, 1996 with respect to the ten largest
lessees of the Company is set forth in the following table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               GROSS LEASABLE AREA         ANNUALIZED BASE RENTAL INCOME
                                           ---------------------------     -----------------------------
                             NUMBER OF                    PERCENT OF                        PERCENT OF
LESSEE                        LEASES        SQ. FT.      COMPANY TOTAL       AMOUNT        COMPANY TOTAL
- ---------------------------  ---------     ---------     -------------     -----------     -------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>           <C>               <C>             <C>
Wal-Mart...................      18        1,543,281          20.9%        $ 6,844,695          15.0%
Kmart......................      16        1,317,770          17.8           6,207,422          13.6
Kroger.....................      14          504,249           6.8           3,242,026           7.1
Lucky(1)...................      15          483,640           6.5           2,795,693           6.1
Food Lion..................      11          299,000           4.0           1,902,450           4.2
Sports & Fitness Club......       2           88,748           1.2           1,352,592           3.0
Lowe's.....................       2          230,659           3.1           1,207,786           2.7
Publix.....................       3          137,907           1.9             889,276           2.0
Safeway....................       3          131,420           1.8             749,666           1.6
Cato Stores................      14           83,550           1.1             676,631           1.5
                                 --
                                           ---------          ----         -----------          ----
  Total....................      98        4,820,224          65.1%        $25,868,237          56.8%
                                 ==        =========          ====         ===========          ====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Figures include two currently unoccupied properties for which Lucky remains
     responsible for payment of all rents due under the leases.
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>   26
 
     Certain leases related to the lessees in the table above have either been
subleased or assigned to such party. Nevertheless, the original lessee under the
lease remains responsible for payment of all rents and other obligations due
under such lease. An assignment of the lease would not affect the terms of the
lease. Generally, all subtenants are currently required to pay the same rent to
the lessee as the lessee is required to pay to the Company. Subleased properties
generally have been subleased for a term that is approximately the same as the
remaining term of the lease. In the event that the subtenant defaults under the
sublease and vacates the property, or in the event that the term of the sublease
expires earlier than the term of the lease, the property could remain unoccupied
until a new subtenant is located. In any event, the original lessee will remain
responsible for payment of all rents and other obligations due under the lease
for the full remaining term of the lease.
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>   27
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
directors and executive officers of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  NAME                     AGE                         POSITION
- -----------------------------------------  ---     ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>     <C>
Gary B. Sabin............................  41      Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard B. Muir..........................  40      Director, Executive Vice President and Secretary
Graham R. Bullick. Ph.D..................  46      Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Ronald H. Sabin..........................  44      Senior Vice President
David A. Lund............................  43      Chief Financial Officer
S. Eric Ottesen..........................  40      Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Mark T. Burton...........................  35      Senior Vice President Acquisitions
Boyd A. Lindquist........................  58      Director
D. Charles Marston.......................  80      Director
Robert E. Parsons, Jr....................  40      Director
Bruce A. Staller.........................  57      Director
John H. Wilmot...........................  53      Director
</TABLE>
 
     Gary B. Sabin has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 1989. Mr. Sabin has
served as Chief Executive Officer of various companies since his founding of a
property management company and its affiliates starting in 1977. He has been
active in diverse aspects of the financial services industry, including the
evaluation and negotiation of real estate acquisitions, management, financing
and disposition.
 
     Richard B. Muir has served as Director, Executive Vice President and
Secretary of the Company since January 1989. Mr. Muir has served as an officer
and director for various affiliates of the Company since 1978, primarily in
administrative and executive capacities, including asset acquisition, financing
and management.
 
     Graham R. Bullick, Ph.D. has served as Senior Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of the Company since January 1991. Previously, Dr. Bullick was
associated with the Company as a Director from 1991 to 1992. From 1985 to 1991,
Dr. Bullick served as Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Gemini
Properties Inc., an Arizona-based real estate investment firm, where his
responsibilities included acquisition and financing of investment real estate
projects.
 
     Ronald H. Sabin has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since
January 1989. Mr. Sabin has served as an officer or otherwise been employed by
affiliates of the Company since 1979, primarily providing property management
services. Mr. Sabin has managed the Company's properties for 15 years. He is a
licensed real estate broker and a licensed property and casualty insurance
agent. Ronald Sabin is the brother of Gary Sabin.
 
     David A. Lund has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since
1994 and as a Vice President of the Company since 1988. Mr. Lund has served as
an officer and director of certain affiliates of the Company since 1983.
 
     S. Eric Ottesen has served as General Counsel of the Company since January
1995 and as Senior Vice President since October 1995. Previously, Mr. Ottesen
was a senior partner in a San Diego law firm from 1987 to 1995.
 
     Mark T. Burton has served as Senior Vice President Acquisitions of the
Company since October 1995 and as a Vice President of the Company since January
1989. Mr. Burton has been associated with the Company, its predecessor and its
affiliates since 1983, primarily in the evaluation and selection of property
acquisitions.
 
     Boyd A. Lindquist has served as a Director of the Company since February
1992. Mr. Lindquist is presently President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of Republic Bank. Prior to joining Republic Bank in July 1991, Mr.
Lindquist served since prior to 1987 as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Bank of
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>   28
 
San Diego, where he was responsible for the management of the six-branch bank.
Mr. Lindquist has over 30 years experience in managing financial institutions.
 
     D. Charles Marston has served as a Director of the Company since February
1992. Mr. Marston is the owner and designated supervising broker for Acacia
Realty, a real estate brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate in
northern San Diego County, California. Since prior to 1987, Mr. Marston has
served as a mediator with the Mediation Tribunal Associations for the U.S.
District Court, Detroit, Michigan, and the Wayne County Circuit Court in
Michigan. Mr. Marston was a senior partner and litigation counsel for the firm
of Marston, Sachs, Nunn, Kahn, Kadushin and O'Hare until his retirement in 1980.
 
     Robert E. Parsons, Jr. has served as a Director of the Company since
January 1989. Mr. Parsons is presently Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Host Marriott Corporation, a company he joined in 1981. He
also serves as a Director and an officer of several Host Marriott subsidiaries,
and as a Director of Merrill Financial Corporation, a privately-held real estate
company.
 
     Bruce A. Staller has served as a Director of the Company since its
inception. Prior to establishing Bruce Atwater Staller, Registered Investment
Advisor in 1995, Mr. Staller served as President and Director of First Wilshire
Securities Management, Inc., a privately-held securities brokerage firm, from
1988 to 1995. Mr. Staller is also a founder and Director of The Monrovia Schools
Foundation, Inc., a privately-held company which provides financial support to
the Monrovia Unified School District.
 
     John H. Wilmot has served as a Director of the Company since 1989. Mr.
Wilmot, individually and through his wholly-owned corporations, develops and
manages real property, primarily in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and has been
active in such business since prior to 1989.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>   29
 
                              CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
     In December 1995, the Company obtained an unsecured, two-year revolving
credit facility (the "Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility") of up to $150.0
million from a group of six banks led by FNBB. Upon obtaining the Unsecured
Revolving Credit Facility, the Company borrowed $82.8 million and used
approximately $76.0 million of such borrowings to repay in full the outstanding
balance of the Company's REMIC, and the balance to repay in full the Company's
Secured Revolving Credit Facility and for loan fees. Borrowings under the
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%
(7.3% at March 31, 1996) and are available for, among other things,
acquisitions, working capital and repayment of indebtedness. The principal
amount outstanding under the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is due in
December 1997. At March 31, 1996, outstanding borrowings under the Unsecured
Revolving Credit Facility totalled approximately $82.8 million.
 
     The actual amount available to the Company under the Unsecured Revolving
Credit Facility is dependent upon the Company's meeting certain covenants and
ratios. These covenants and ratios include, among others, (i) the Company's
total unsecured debt must be no more than 50% of the value of the Company's
unencumbered real estate assets, (ii) a debt service coverage ratio of at least
1.6:1 on the Company's total unsecured debt, (iii) the Company's maximum
recourse debt (other than the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility) is limited to
10% of the Company's total indebtedness, (iv) the ratio of total debt to "fair
market" net worth (valuing the Company's properties at a 10% capitalization rate
less total liabilities) must not exceed 1:1 from the date of the loan until the
Company's first equity offering after such date and 0.9:1 thereafter until the
Company becomes an investment-grade rated company, at which point the ratio
reverts to 1:1, (v) the Company's maximum secured debt is limited to 40% of
total assets, (vi) the ratio of earnings before interest, depreciation and
amortization ("EBIDA") (adjusted for development properties) to interest expense
must be at least 2:1, (vii) the ratio of EBIDA (adjusted for development
properties) to fixed charges must be at least 1.75:1, (viii) the ratio of the
Company's net operating income to interest expense on unsecured debt must not be
less than 2.25:1, and (ix) certain debt restrictions at the investment
partnership level (including, without limitation, ER Partners).
 
     With the Company's unsecured real estate base at March 31, 1996, the
Company had an additional $16.0 million available under the Unsecured Revolving
Credit Facility.
 
     In June 1996, the Company obtained a term loan (the "Term Loan") of $10.0
million from FNBB. Upon obtaining the Term Loan, the Company used the proceeds
to make a loan in the amount of approximately $9.5 million to a Canadian company
(the "Canadian Loan") for use by such company to acquire a joint venture
interest in a commercial building known as "Atrium on Bay" located in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Loan is secured by the Canadian company's interest
in the "Atrium on Bay," and the Term Loan is secured by all indebtedness owing
to the Company from the Canadian company, together with all security held by the
Company with respect to the Canadian Loan. The borrowings under the Term Loan
bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum (7.3% at March 31, 1996)
and mature on the earlier to occur of November 14, 1996 or the date proceeds are
received by the Company from an offering of common, preferred or other classes
of stock in the Company. The Canadian Loan bears interest at a rate of 25% per
annum and matures in seven years.
 
     The Company also has a $4.0 million line of credit due September 1996 that
is collateralized by certain notes receivable, and an unsecured $1.0 million
revolving bank line.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                           TO HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following summary of certain federal income tax considerations to
holders of Common Stock is based on current law, is for general information
only, and is not tax advice. The tax treatment of a holder of Common Stock will
vary depending upon such holder's particular situation, and this discussion does
not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to
particular stockholders in light of their personal investment or tax
circumstances, or to certain types of stockholders (including insurance
companies,
 
                                      S-29
<PAGE>   30
 
financial institutions or broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, foreign
corporations, and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United
States, except to the extent discussed under the heading "Taxation of Tax-Exempt
Stockholders" and "Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders") subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws.
 
     This discussion does not address any aspects of federal income taxation to
the Company relating to its election to be taxed as a REIT. A summary of certain
federal income tax considerations to the Company is provided in the Prospectus.
 
     EACH INVESTOR SHOULD REFER TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR A SUMMARY OF THE FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO THE COMPANY OF ITS REIT ELECTION. EACH INVESTOR IS
ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
HIM OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACQUISITION,
OWNERSHIP AND SALE AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
TAXATION OF TAXABLE U.S. STOCKHOLDERS GENERALLY
 
     As used herein, the term "U.S. Stockholder" means a holder of shares of
Common Stock who (for United States Federal income tax purposes) (i) is a
citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) is a corporation, partnership or
other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or
of any political subdivision thereof or (iii) is an estate or trust the income
of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its
source.
 
     As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made by the
Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not
designated as capital gain dividends) will constitute dividends taxable to its
taxable U.S. Stockholders as ordinary income. Such distributions will not be
eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. Stockholders
that are corporations. Distributions made by the Company that are properly
designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be taxable to taxable
U.S. Stockholders as long-term capital gains (to the extent that they do not
exceed the Company's actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without
regard to the period for which a U.S. Stockholder has held his shares of stock.
U.S. Stockholders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to
20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
 
     To the extent that the Company makes distributions (not designated as
capital gain dividends) in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and
profits, such distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of
capital to each U.S. Stockholder, reducing the adjusted basis which such U.S.
Stockholder has in his shares of stock for tax purposes by the amount of such
distribution (but not below zero), with distributions in excess of a U.S.
Stockholder's adjusted basis in his shares taxable as capital gains (provided
that the shares have been held as a capital asset). Dividends declared by the
Company in October, November or December of any year and payable to a
stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month shall be treated as
both paid by the Company and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such
year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by the Company on or before
January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their
own income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of the
Company.
 
     Distributions made by the Company and gain arising from the sale or
exchange by a U.S. Stockholder of shares of Common Stock will not be treated as
passive activity income, and, as a result, U.S. Stockholders generally will not
be able to apply any "passive losses" against such income or gain. Distributions
made by the Company (to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital)
generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the
investment income limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition of
Common Stock and capital gain dividends, however, will not be treated as
investment income unless the U.S. Stockholder elects to reduce the amount of
such U.S. Stockholder's total net capital gain eligible for the 28% maximum
capital gains rate by the amount of such gain.
 
                                      S-30
<PAGE>   31
 
     Upon any sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock, a U.S.
Stockholder will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an
amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair
market value of any property received on such sale or other disposition and (ii)
the holder's adjusted basis in the shares for tax purposes. Such gain or loss
will be capital gain or loss if the shares have been held by the U.S.
Stockholder as a capital asset, and will be long-term gain or loss if such
shares have been held for more than one year. In general, any loss recognized by
a U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Company
that have been held for six months or less (after applying certain holding
period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent of
distributions received by such U.S. Stockholder from the Company which were
required to be treated as long-term capital gains.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     The Company will report to its U.S. Stockholders and the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and
the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a
stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect
to dividends paid unless such holder (a) is a corporation or comes within
certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or
(b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of
exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable
requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. Stockholder that does not
provide the Company with the correct taxpayer identification number may also be
subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding
will be creditable against the stockholder's income tax liability. In addition,
the Company may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions
to any stockholders who fail to certify their nonforeign status to the Company.
See "--Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders."
 
TAXATION OF TAX-EXEMPT STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Generally, a tax-exempt investor that is exempt from tax on its investment
income, such as an individual retirement account ("IRA") or a 401(k) plan, that
holds the Common Stock as an investment will not be subject to tax on dividends
paid by the Company. However, if such tax-exempt investor is treated as having
purchased its Common Stock with borrowed funds, some or all of its distributions
will be subject to tax. In addition, after 1993, under some circumstances
certain pension plans (including 401(k) plans but not including IRAs and
government pension plans) that own more than 10% (by value) of the Company's
outstanding stock, including preferred stock, could be subject to tax on a
portion of their distributions even if their stock is held for investment and is
not treated as acquired with borrowed funds. The ownership limit provisions (see
the discussion in the Prospectus under the heading "Description of Common
Stock--Restrictions on Ownership" and "Restrictions on Ownership of Capital
Stock"), however, should prevent this result in most cases.
 
TAXATION OF NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The rules governing United States Federal income taxation of the ownership
and disposition of stock by persons that are, for purposes of such taxation,
nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or
foreign estates or trusts (collectively, "Non-U.S. Stockholders") are complex,
and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such
rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of United States
Federal income tax and does not address state, local or foreign tax consequences
that may be relevant to a Non-U.S. Stockholder in light of his particular
circumstances. In addition, this discussion is based on current law, which is
subject to change, and assumes that the Company qualifies for taxation as a
REIT. Prospective Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with their own tax
advisors to determine the impact of Federal, state, local and foreign income tax
laws with regard to an investment in stock, including any reporting
requirements.
 
     Distributions.  Distributions by the Company to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that
are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by the Company of
United States real property interests nor designated by the Company as capital
gain dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent
that they are made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the
Company. Such distributions ordinarily will be
 
                                      S-31
<PAGE>   32
 
subject to withholding of United States Federal income tax on a gross basis
(that is, without allowance of deductions) at a 30% rate or such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions
are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S.
Stockholder of a United States trade or business or, if an income tax treaty
applies, as attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S.
Stockholder. Distributions that are effectively connected with such a trade or
business or are attributable to such a U.S. permanent establishment will be
subject to tax on a net basis (that is, after allowance of deductions) at
graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. Stockholders are taxed with respect
to such distributions, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such
distributions received by a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a corporation may also
be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate
as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
 
     Pursuant to current Treasury regulations, distributions paid to an address
in a country outside the United States are generally presumed to be paid to a
resident of such country for purposes of determining the applicability of
withholding discussed above and the applicability of a tax treaty rate. Under
proposed Treasury regulations, not currently in effect, however, a Non-U.S.
Stockholder who wished to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty would be
required to satisfy certain certification requirements. Under certain treaties,
lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to
distributions from a REIT, such as the Company. Certain certification
requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the
effectively connected income and permanent establishment exemptions discussed
above.
 
     Distributions in excess of current or accumulated earnings and profits of
the Company will not be taxable to a Non-U.S. Stockholder to the extent that
they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder's stock, but rather
will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that such
distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholder's stock, they
will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax
treatment of which is described below. For withholding purposes, the Company is
required to treat all distributions as if made out of current or accumulated
earnings and profits. However, amounts thus withheld are generally refundable if
it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of
current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company. A Non-U.S.
Stockholder may obtain such a refund by filing the appropriate claim for refund
with the IRS.
 
     Distributions to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are designated by the Company
at the time of distribution as capital gain dividends (other than those arising
from the disposition of a United States real property interest) generally will
not be subject to United States Federal income taxation, unless (i) investment
in the stock is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's United
States trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable
to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Stockholder), in which case
the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S.
Stockholders with respect to such gain (except that a stockholder that is a
foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as
discussed above), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a nonresident alien
individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the
taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the
nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's
capital gains.
 
     Distributions to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are attributable to gain from
sales or exchanges by the Company of United States real property interests will
cause the Non-U.S. Stockholder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income
effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Non-U.S.
Stockholders would thus generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S.
Stockholders (subject to a special alternative minimum tax in the case of
nonresident alien individuals). Also, such gain may be subject to a 30% branch
profits tax in the hands of a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a corporation, as
discussed above. The Company is required to withhold 35% of any such
distribution that could be designated by the Company as a capital gain dividend.
Any such withheld amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. Stockholder's United
States Federal income tax liability.
 
     Sale of Stock.  Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or
exchange of shares of stock generally will not be subject to United States
taxation unless the stock constitutes a "United States real property interest"
within the meaning of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980
 
                                      S-32
<PAGE>   33
 
("FIRPTA"). The stock will not constitute a "United States real property
interest" so long as the Company is a "domestically controlled REIT." A
"domestically controlled REIT" is a REIT in which at all times during a
specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or
indirectly by Non-U.S. Stockholders. In addition, FIRPTA does not apply to gain
recognized upon a sale of shares of a class of the Company's stock regularly
traded on an established securities market by a Non-U.S. Stockholder holding
(during specified periods) 5% or less of such class of stock. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of shares of stock not otherwise
subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a Non-U.S. Stockholder if either (i)
investment in the stock is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's
United States trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, as
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Stockholder), in
which case the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a
U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain (a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a
foreign corporation may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax, as
discussed above) or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a nonresident alien
individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the
taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the
nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% United States withholding
tax on the amount of such individual's gain.
 
     If the Company is not or ceases to be a "domestically-controlled REIT,"
whether gain arising from the sale or exchange by a Non-U.S. Stockholder of
shares of stock would be subject to United States taxation under FIRPTA as a
sale of a "United States real property interest" will depend on whether the
shares are "regularly traded" (as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations),
on an established securities market (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) and on
the size of the selling Non-U.S. Stockholder's interest in the Company. If gain
on the sale or exchange of shares of stock were subject to taxation under
FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to regular United States
income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Stockholder
(subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative
minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals), and the purchaser of
the stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase
price. The 10% withholding tax will not apply if the shares are "regularly
traded" on an established securities market during the calendar year in which
such sale or disposition occurs; moreover, regular United States income tax will
not be imposed on such gain if the shares are so traded and if the Non-U.S.
Stockholder does not own, actually or constructively, 5% or more of the stock of
the Company during a certain holding period.
 
     Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting.  Backup withholding tax
(which generally is a withholding tax imposed at the rate of 31% on certain
payments to persons that fail to furnish certain information under the United
States information reporting requirements) and information reporting will
generally not apply to distributions paid to Non-U.S. Stockholders outside the
United States that are treated as (i) dividends subject to the 30% (or lower
treaty rate) withholding tax discussed above, (ii) capital gain dividends or
(iii) distributions attributable to gain from the sale or exchange by the
Company of United States real property interests. As a general matter, backup
withholding and information reporting will not apply to a payment of the
proceeds of a sale of stock by or through a foreign office of a foreign broker.
Information reporting (but not backup withholding) will apply, however, to a
payment of the proceeds of a sale of stock by a foreign office of a broker that
(a) is a United States person, (b) derives 50% or more of its gross income for
certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or
(c) is a "controlled foreign corporation" (generally, a foreign corporation
controlled by United States stockholders) for United States tax purposes, unless
the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a Non-U.S.
Stockholder and certain other conditions are met, or the stockholder otherwise
establishes an exemption. Payment to or through a United States office of a
broker of the proceeds of sale of stock is subject to both backup withholding
and information reporting unless the stockholder certifies under penalties of
perjury that the stockholder is a Non-U.S. Stockholder, or otherwise establishes
an exemption. A Non-U.S. Stockholder may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld
under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund
with the IRS.
 
     The backup withholding and information reporting rules would be revised by
recently proposed Treasury Regulations. The proposed Treasury Regulations would,
if adopted, alter the foregoing rules in certain aspects.
 
                                      S-33
<PAGE>   34
 
Among other things, the proposed Treasury Regulations provide certain
presumptions under which Non-U.S. Stockholders may be subject to backup
withholding in the absence of required certification.
 
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The Company and its stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation
in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they
transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of the Company
and its stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences
discussed in the Prospectus. Consequently, prospective stockholders should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws
on an investment in the Company.
 
                                      S-34
<PAGE>   35
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the terms
agreement and related underwriting agreement (collectively, the "Underwriting
Agreement"), Smith Barney Inc. (the "Underwriter") has agreed to purchase, and
the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriter, the Common Stock offered
hereby.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter
to pay for and accept delivery of the shares is subject to approval of certain
legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriter is
obligated to take and pay for all shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other
than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any such
shares are taken.
 
     The Underwriter initially proposes to offer the Common Stock to the public
at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession of $0.62 per
share. After the initial offering, the public offering price and concession to
dealers may be changed.
 
     The Company has granted to the Underwriter an option, exercisable for 30
days from the date of this Prospectus Supplement, to purchase up to an aggregate
of 225,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, minus the underwriting
discounts and commissions. The Underwriter may exercise such option to purchase
additional shares solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any,
incurred in connection with the sale of the shares offered hereby. To the extent
any such additional shares are purchased subsequent to July 1, 1996, the Company
will pay to the Underwriter on the date the additional shares are purchased an
amount equal to $0.46 per share, representing the distribution payment for each
such share, for each additional share so purchased.
 
     Subject to certain exceptions, the Company has agreed that it will not,
directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for or
exercisable for Common Stock, or publicly announce an intent to take such
action, prior to the expiration of 30 days from the date hereof without the
prior written consent of the Underwriter.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain civil
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Latham & Watkins, San Diego, California and for the
Underwriter by Cahill Gordon & Reindel (a partnership including a professional
corporation), New York, New York. Latham & Watkins and Cahill Gordon & Reindel
will rely as to certain matters of Maryland law, including the legality of the
shares offered hereby, on the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll,
Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, the description of federal income tax
consequences contained in this Prospectus Supplement is based on the opinion of
Latham & Watkins.
 
                                      S-35
<PAGE>   36
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                            EXCEL REALTY TRUST, INC.
 
                                  $250,000,000
 
                        DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK
                  DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
     Excel Realty Trust, Inc. ("Excel" or the "Company") may from time to time
offer in one or more series (i) its unsecured senior debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), (ii) shares or fractional shares of its preferred stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), (iii) shares of its Preferred Stock
represented by depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares"), (iv) shares of its
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), or (v) warrants to
purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities
(the "Warrants"), with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to
$250,000,000 on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants
(collectively, the "Offered Securities") may be offered, separately or together,
in separate series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in a
supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The specific terms of the Offered Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Debt
Securities, the specific title, aggregate principal amount, currency of
denomination and payment, form (which may be registered or bearer, or
certificated or global), authorized denominations, maturity, rate (or manner of
calculation thereof) and time of payment of interest, terms for redemption at
the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the Holder, terms for
sinking fund payments, terms for conversion into Preferred Stock or Common
Stock, and any initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of Preferred
Stock, the specific title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation,
redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering
price; (iii) in the case of Depositary Shares, the fractional share of Preferred
Stock represented by each such Depositary Share; (iv) in the case of Common
Stock, any initial public offering price; and (v) in the case of Warrants, the
securities as to which such Warrants may be exercised, the duration, offering
price, exercise price and detachability. In addition, such specific terms may
include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on
transfer of the Offered Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to
preserve the status of the Company as a real estate investment trust ("REIT")
for federal income tax purposes.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities
covered by such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated
from time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If
any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Offered
Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or
discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be
calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." No Offered Securities may be sold
without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement describing the method
and terms of the offering of such series of Offered Securities.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
         ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                      THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
       THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR
            ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION
                          TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
                            ------------------------
 
                 The date of this Prospectus is June 26, 1996.
<PAGE>   37
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Company's Exchange
Act file number is 1-12244. The Registration Statement, the exhibits and
schedules forming a part thereof and the reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company with the Commission in accordance with the
Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the Commission's Public Reference
Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following
regional offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. In addition, the Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and similar information concerning the Company can be inspected and
copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") (of which this Prospectus is a part) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Offered Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted
as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to
the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information
regarding the Company and the Offered Securities, reference is hereby made to
the Registration Statement and such exhibits and schedules which may be obtained
from the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of
the fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The documents listed below have been filed by the Company under the
Exchange Act with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          a. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
     1995, filed with the Commission on March 31, 1996, as amended by Amendment
     No. 1 on Form 10-K/A, filed with the Commission on May 8, 1996, and
     Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A, filed with the Commission on June 4, 1996;
 
          b. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
     31, 1996, filed with the Commission on May 9, 1996, as amended by Amendment
     No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A, filed with the Commission on June 13, 1996;
 
          c. All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
     Exchange Act since the end of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31,
     1995; and
 
          d. The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on
     July 30, 1993.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering of the Offered Securities shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof
from the date of filing such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
(or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   38
 
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Copies of all documents which are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such information) will be provided
without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner of the Offered
Securities, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request.
Requests should be directed to the Secretary of the Company, 16955 Via Del
Campo, Suite 110, San Diego, California 92127 (telephone number: (619)
485-9400).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a self-administered, self-managed REIT which acquires, owns
and manages neighborhood and community shopping centers and other retail and
commercial properties which are primarily leased on a long-term basis to major
retail companies throughout the United States. As of March 31, 1996, the Company
owned or managed 39 shopping centers (the "Shopping Centers"), 70 single tenant
properties (the "Single Tenant Properties"), three commercial properties and
office buildings (the "Commercial Properties") and one additional property which
is held for sale. The Shopping Centers consist of neighborhood and community
shopping centers which typically range from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet in
size. The Single Tenant Properties typically are either anchor stores within
shopping centers not owned by the Company or free standing properties located in
commercial areas, with triple net leases which require the lessee to be
responsible for substantially all of the costs and expenses associated with the
ongoing maintenance of the property, including but not limited to property
taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. The Commercial Properties consist
of office buildings and commercial properties which the Company typically
purchases at an attractive price to take advantage of a distressed situation or
underutilized space. The Shopping Centers, Single Tenant Properties and
Commercial Properties accounted for approximately 61%, 38% and 1%, respectively,
of the annualized base rental income ("ABR") of the Company at March 31, 1996.
As of March 31, 1996, the Company's 112 properties were located in 27 states,
contained approximately 7.4 million square feet of gross leasable area ("GLA"),
had an average age of seven years and were 96.5% leased.
 
     The Company emphasizes investments in retail properties where a substantial
portion of such properties' GLA is subject to long-term net leases to national
or regional retail tenants. The Company seeks to lease to national or regional
retail tenants that market basic goods and services to consumers and enjoy a
leading position in their respective industries.
 
     The Company's primary objective is to acquire, own and manage a portfolio
of commercial retail properties that will provide cash for quarterly
distributions to stockholders while protecting investor capital and providing
potential for capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve this objective
by (i) aggressively managing its existing properties, (ii) continuing to acquire
well-located neighborhood and community shopping centers with tenants that have
a national or regional presence and an established credit quality, (iii)
disposing of mature properties to continually update its core property
portfolio, and (iv) continuing to maintain a strong and flexible financial
position to facilitate growth.
 
     The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes since 1987, and expects to continue to elect such status. Although the
Company believes that it was organized and has been operating in conformity with
the requirements for qualification under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), no assurance can be given that the Company will continue
to qualify as a REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly
technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial
or administrative interpretations. If in any taxable year the Company were to
fail to qualify as a REIT, the Company would not be allowed a deduction for
distributions to stockholders in computing taxable income and would be subject
to federal taxation at regular corporate rates. As a result, such a failure
would adversely affect the Company's ability to make distributions to its
stockholders and could have an adverse affect on the market value and
marketability of the Offered Securities.
 
     To ensure that the Company qualifies as a REIT, transfer of the shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock is subject to certain restrictions, and
ownership of capital stock by any single person is limited to 9.8% by value of
such capital stock, subject to certain exceptions. The Company's Charter
provides that any purported transfer in violation of the above-described
ownership limitations shall be void ab initio.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   39
 
     The shares of Common Stock of the Company are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "XEL." The Company has paid regular and uninterrupted
distributions on its Common Stock since it commenced operations as a REIT in
1987. These distributions have increased from $0.18 per share of Common Stock in
the fourth quarter of 1987 to $0.46 per share of Common Stock for the second
quarter of 1996. The Company intends to continue making regular quarterly
distributions to its common stockholders. Distributions depend upon a variety of
factors, and there can be no assurance that distributions will be made.
 
     The Company was incorporated under the laws of California in 1985 and
reincorporated as a Maryland corporation in July 1993. The Company's executive
offices are located at 16955 Via Del Campo, Suite 110, San Diego, California
92127, and the Company's telephone number is (619) 485-9400.
 
                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended
March 31, 1996 was 2.20, and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993,
1992 and 1991 was 1.65, 1.98, 1.30, 1.20 and 1.05, respectively. To date, the
Company has not issued any Preferred Stock. Therefore, the ratio of earnings to
combined fixed charges and dividend requirements are unchanged from the
foregoing ratios.
 
     For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings have been calculated by
adding fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) to income (loss) before
real estate sales, income taxes and extraordinary items. Fixed charges consist
of interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, the interest component of
rental expense, and amortization and write-off of debt discounts and issue
costs, whether expensed or capitalized.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities
for general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition of
multi-tenant retail properties, single tenant properties or commercial
properties as suitable opportunities arise, the expansion and improvement of
certain properties in the Company's portfolio, and the repayment of certain
outstanding indebtedness at such time.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, to be dated as of
May 8, 1995, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and is available for
inspection at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at 150 Royall St.,
Canton, Massachusetts 02021 or as described above under "Available Information."
The Indenture is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended (the "TIA"). The statements made hereunder relating to the Indenture
and the Debt Securities to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain
provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Indenture and
such Debt Securities. All section references appearing herein are to sections of
the Indenture, and capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company
and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness
of the Company. The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued
without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each
case as established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to the Indenture. All Debt Securities of one series
need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may
be reopened,
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   40
 
without the consent of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, for
issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series (Section 301).
 
     The Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under
the Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Debt Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to
such series (Section 608). In the event that two or more persons are acting as
Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee
shall be a Trustee of a trust under the Indenture separate and apart from the
trust administered by any other Trustee (Section 609), and, except as otherwise
indicated herein, any action described herein to be taken by the Trustee may be
taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or
more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the Indenture.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of
Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including:
 
          (1) the title of such Debt Securities;
 
          (2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any
     limit on such aggregate principal amount;
 
          (3) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
     principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
     maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of
     such Debt Securities which is convertible into Common Stock or Preferred
     Stock, or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
 
          (4) if convertible, in connection with the preservation of the
     Company's status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
     transferability of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock into which such Debt
     Securities are convertible;
 
          (5) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or
     dates, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable;
 
          (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method
     by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt
     Securities will bear interest, if any;
 
          (7) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or
     dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates
     on which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for
     such Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such Dates shall be
     determined, the Person to whom such interest shall be payable, and the
     basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a
     360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
 
          (8) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any)
     and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, such Debt
     Securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or
     exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such
     Debt Securities and the Indenture may be served;
 
          (9) the date or dates on which, or period or periods within which, the
     price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Debt
     Securities may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the
     Company, if the Company is to have such an option;
 
          (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
     purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the date or dates on
     which, or period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
     the terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities will be redeemed,
     repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (11) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which
     such Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be units of two
     or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the
     terms and conditions relating thereto;
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   41
 
          (12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if
     any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may be determined with
     reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or
     method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit
     or units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such
     amounts shall be determined;
 
          (13) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of
     such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default and notice and
     waiver thereof or covenants set forth in the Indenture;
 
          (14) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form;
 
          (15) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
     and, if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000
     and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations
     thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto;
 
          (16) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
     defeasance provisions of Article XIV of the Indenture;
 
          (17) if such Debt Securities are to be issued upon the exercise of
     debt warrants, the time, manner and place for such Debt Securities to be
     authenticated and delivered;
 
          (18) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Debt Securities
     may be convertible into Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company and
     the terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected,
     including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the
     conversion period;
 
          (19) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
     Additional Amounts as contemplated in the Indenture on such Debt Securities
     in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
     whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in
     lieu of making such payment; and
 
          (20) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the Indenture (Section 301).
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities"). Special U.S. federal income tax,
accounting and other considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Except as set forth below under "Certain Covenants -- Limitations on
Incurrence of Debt" and "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets," the Indenture
does not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of the Company to
incur indebtedness or to substantially reduce or eliminate the Company's assets,
which may have an adverse affect on the Company's ability to service its
indebtedness (including the Debt Securities) or that would afford Holders of
Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar
transaction involving the Company or in the event of a change of control.
However, restrictions on ownership and transfers of the Company's Common Stock
and Preferred Stock designed to preserve its status as a REIT may act to prevent
or hinder a change of control. See "Description of Common Stock" and
"Description of Preferred Stock." Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus
Supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of
or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
 
     A significant number of the Company's properties are owned through its
subsidiaries (including EM Funding). Therefore, the rights of the Company and
its creditors, including holders of Debt Securities, to participate in the
assets of such subsidiaries upon the liquidation or recapitalization of such
subsidiaries or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of such
subsidiaries' respective creditors (except to the extent that claims of the
Company itself as a creditor may be recognized).
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   42
 
DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof (Section 302).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities
will be payable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, initially located
at 150 Royall St., Canton, Massachusetts 02021, provided that, at the option of
the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register or by wire
transfer of funds to such Person at an account maintained within the United
States (Sections 301, 305, 306, 307 and 1002).
 
     Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of such Debt Security not
less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time
in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the Indenture.
 
     Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in
book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for
other Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such
Debt Securities at the corporate trust office of the Trustee referred to above.
In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued
in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be surrendered for
conversion or registration of transfer or exchange thereof at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee referred to above. Every Debt Security surrendered
for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made
for any registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith (Section 305). If the
applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to
the Trustee) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of
Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such
transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such
transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a
transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any
time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt
Securities (Section 1002).
 
     Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof, called for
redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in
part; or (iii) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security
which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the
portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid (Section 305).
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS
 
     For so long as the Debt Securities are outstanding, the Company may
consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its
assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation, only to the extent that
(a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor
corporation (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such
consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such assets
shall be a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall
expressly assume payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on all of the Debt Securities and the due and punctual performance and
observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture;
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   43
 
Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default under the
Indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
become such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c)
an officer's certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions shall be
delivered to the Trustee (Sections 801 and 803).
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company will comply with the covenants set
forth below so long as the Debt Securities are outstanding.
 
     Limitations on Incurrence of Debt. The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined below) if, immediately
after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt, the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles is greater than 60% of the sum of (i) Undepreciated Real Estate
Assets (as defined below) as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not
permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of
such additional Debt and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets
acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar
quarter, including those obtained in connection with the incurrence of such
additional Debt (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire such
real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt) (Section
1004).
 
     In addition to the foregoing limitation on the incurrence of Debt, the
Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt secured
by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any
kind upon any of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary if, immediately
after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt, the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge,
encumbrance or security interest on property of the Company or any Subsidiary is
greater than 40% of the sum of (i) Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of the
end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with
the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with
the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (ii) the
purchase price of any real estate assets acquired by the Company or any
Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those obtained in
connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt (Section 1004).
 
     In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, the
Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt if
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) for any 12
consecutive calendar months within the 15 calendar months immediately preceding
the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less
than 1.5 times the Maximum Annual Service Charge (as defined below) on the Debt
of the Company and all Subsidiaries to be outstanding immediately after the
incurring of such additional Debt (Section 1004).
 
     Maintenance of Unencumbered Total Asset Value. The Company will at all
times maintain an Unencumbered Total Asset Value (as defined below) in an amount
not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of
the Company and its Subsidiaries that is unsecured (Section 1014).
 
     Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions. The Company will not, in
respect of any shares of any class of its capital stock, (a) declare or pay any
dividends (other than dividends payable in capital stock of the Company)
thereon, (b) apply any of its property or assets to the purchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement thereof, (c) set apart any sum for the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement thereof, or (d) make any other
distribution, by reduction of capital or otherwise if, immediately after such
declaration or other action referred to above, the aggregate of all such
declarations and other actions since the date on which the Indenture was
originally executed shall exceed the sum of (i) Funds from Operations (as
defined below) from April 1, 1995 until the end of the calendar quarter covered
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as
the case may be, most recently filed with the
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   44
 
Commission prior to such declaration or action and (ii) $32,800,000; provided,
however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any declaration or
other action referred to above which is necessary to maintain the Company's
status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), if the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the
Company and its Subsidiaries at such time is less than 65% of Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be,
most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted
under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to such declaration or other
action (Section 1005).
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be prohibited from
making the payment of any dividend within 30 days of the declaration thereof if
at such date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions
of the immediately preceding paragraph (Section 1005).
 
     Existence. Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale of
Assets," the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and that of
each of its Subsidiaries and their respective rights (charter and statutory) and
franchises; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company
or any Subsidiary to preserve any right or franchise (or, in the case of any
Subsidiary, its existence) if the Company or such Subsidiary determines that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business and
that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the
Holders of the Debt Securities (Section 1006).
 
     Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all of its Properties
used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary
to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and
supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary
repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in
the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times;
provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented
from selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary
course of business (Section 1007).
 
     Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
keep all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage at least
equal to their then full insurable value with insurers of recognized
responsibility and having a rating of at least A:VIII in Best's Key Rating Guide
(Section 1008).
 
     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which,
if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings (Section 1009).
 
     Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not the Company is subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent
permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required
to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) (the "Financial
Statements") if the Company were so subject, such documents to be filed with the
Commission on or prior to the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by
which the Company would have been required so to file such documents if the
Company were so subject. The Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days
of each Required Filing Date (i) transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt
Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register,
without cost to such Holders copies of the annual reports and quarterly reports
which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such
Sections and (ii) file with the Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly
reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file
with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the
Company were subject to such Sections and (y) if filing such documents by the
Company with the Commission is not permitted under
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   45
 
the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable
cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any
prospective Holder (Section 1010).
 
     Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants of the Company with respect
to a series of the Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto.
 
     As used herein,
 
     "Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service" for any period means
Consolidated Net Income (as defined below) of the Company and its Subsidiaries
plus amounts which have been deducted for (a) interest on Debt of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, (b) provision for taxes of the Company and its
Subsidiaries based on income, (c) amortization of debt discount, (d) property
depreciation and amortization and (e) the effect of any noncash charge resulting
from a change in accounting principles in determining Consolidated Net Income
for such period.
 
     "Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the amount of consolidated
net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
     "Debt" of the Company or any Subsidiary means any indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of (i) borrowed
money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii)
indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any
security interest existing on property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary,
(iii) letters of credit or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid
of the purchase price of any property except any such balance that constitutes
an accrued expense or trade payable or (iv) any lease of property by the Company
or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on the Company's Consolidated
Balance Sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, in the case of items of indebtedness under (i) through
(iii) above to the extent that any such items (other than letters of credit)
would appear as a liability on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and also includes, to
the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by the Company or any
Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise
(other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business),
indebtedness of another person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) (it
being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by the Company or any
Subsidiary whenever the Company or such Subsidiary shall create, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).
 
     "Funds from Operations" for any period means the Consolidated Net Income of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period computed in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, excluding gains (or losses) from debt
restructuring and sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization, and
after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
 
     "Maximum Annual Service Charge" as of any date means the maximum amount
which may become payable in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months from
such date for interest on, and required amortization of, Debt. The amount
payable for amortization shall include the amount of any sinking fund or other
analogous fund for the retirement of Debt and the amount payable on account of
principal on any such Debt which matures serially other than at the final
maturity date of such Debt.
 
     "Total Assets" as of any date means the sum of (i) Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets (as defined) and (ii) all other assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles).
 
     "Undepreciated Real Estate Assets" as of any date means the amount of real
estate assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on such date, before
depreciation and amortization, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "Unencumbered Total Asset Value" as of any date means the sum of Total
Assets which are unencumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security
interest that secures the payment of any obligations under any Debt.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   46
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default for
30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security of
such series; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity; (c) default in making any
sinking fund payment as required for any Debt Security of such series; (d)
default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company contained in the
Indenture (other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit
of a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder other than such series),
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e)
default under any evidence of indebtedness of the Company or any mortgage,
indenture or other instrument under which such indebtedness is issued or by
which such indebtedness is secured, which results in the acceleration of such
indebtedness prior to its maturity, if such indebtedness so accelerated exceeds
$10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, but only if such indebtedness is not
discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled in accordance with
the Indenture; (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization,
or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or either of its property; and (g) any other Event of
Default provided with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities (Section
501). The term "Significant Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary (as
defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Company.
 
     If an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities
of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every
such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount
(or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of all of the Debt Securities of that series to
be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by the Holders). However, at any time after such a
declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or
of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be)
has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has
been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) may rescind
and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company shall have
deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all
Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be), plus
certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and (b) all
Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or
specified portion hereof), with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of
all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be)
have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture (Section 502). The
Indenture also provides that the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all
Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) may
waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except
a default (x) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Debt Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant or
provision contained in the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby
(Section 513).
 
     The Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the Indenture; provided, however, that the
Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt Securities of
any default with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such
series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt
Security of such series) if the Responsible Officers of the Trustee consider
such withholding to be in the best interest of such Holders (Section 601).
 
     The Indenture provides that no Holders of Debt Securities of any series may
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture
or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the Trustee, for
60 days, to act after it has received a written request to institute proceedings
in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   47
 
Securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it (Section 507). This provision will not prevent, however, any
Holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Securities
at the respective due dates thereof or to convert any of the Debt Securities in
accordance with its terms (if applicable) (Section 508).
 
     Subject to provisions in the Indenture relating to its duties in case of
default, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or
powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of any
series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under the Indenture, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity
(Section 602). The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities then
Outstanding under the Indenture, as the case may be) shall have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in
conflict with any law or the Indenture, which may involve the Trustee in
personal liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt
Securities of such series not joining therein (Section 512).
 
     Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Company must
deliver to the Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified
officers, stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under
the Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status
thereof (Section 1011).
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities which are affected by such modification or
amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may,
without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security affected thereby,
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
interest (or premium, if any) on, any such Debt Security; (b) reduce the
principal amount of, or the rate (or change the manner of calculating the rate)
or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption or repayment of,
any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in
bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any such
Debt Security; (c) change the Place of Payment, or the coin or currency, for
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any such Debt
Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security or to convert any such Debt
Security in accordance with its terms (if applicable); (e) reduce the
above-stated percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary
to modify or amend the Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions
thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum
or voting requirements set forth in the Indenture; (f) modify any of the
foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain
past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage
to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be
modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security; or
(g) modify any of the conversion provisions applicable to any Debt Security in a
manner adverse to the Holder thereof (Section 902).
 
     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities have the right to waive compliance by the Company of certain
covenants in the Indenture (Section 1013).
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee without the consent of any Holder of Debt Securities for any of
the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the
Company as obligor under the Indenture; (ii) to add to the covenants of the
Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities
or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company in the Indenture;
(iii) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any
series of Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions of the Indenture to
facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of, Debt Securities
in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in
uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   48
 
interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material
respect; (v) to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture, provided
that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are
no Debt Securities Outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are
entitled to the benefit of such provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities;
(vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series, including
the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of such Debt
Securities into Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company; (viii) to
provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate
the administration of the trusts under the Indenture by more than one Trustee;
(ix) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture, provided
that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of Holders of Debt
Securities of any series in any material respect; or (x) to supplement any of
the provisions of the Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate
defeasance and discharge of any series of such Debt Securities, provided that
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt
Securities of any series in any material respect (Section 901).
 
     The Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of a series have given
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that
shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof
that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, (ii) the principal amount
of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency that shall be deemed
outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date
for such Debt Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original
Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue date of such
Debt Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above), (iii) the
principal amount of an Indexed Security that shall be deemed outstanding shall
be the principal amount of such Indexed Security on the issue date, unless
otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301
of the Indenture, and (iv) Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other
obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such
other obligor shall be disregarded (Section 101).
 
     The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of a series (Section 1501). A meeting may be called at any time
by the Trustee, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of not
less than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in the Indenture (Section
1502). Except for any consent that must be given by the Holder of each Debt
Security affected by certain modifications and amendments of the Indenture, any
resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which
a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series; provided, however, that, except as referred to above, any
resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the
Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a
meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or
decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series duly
held in accordance with the Indenture will be binding on all Holders of Debt
Securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a
resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or
representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of a series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such
meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders of
not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of a series, the Persons holding or representing such specified
percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series
will constitute a quorum (Section 1504).
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a
meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series with respect to any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that
the Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   49
 
specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities
affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional
series: (i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting and
(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series that
vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining
whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action has been made, given or taken under the Indenture (Section
1504).
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may discharge certain obligations to Holders of any series of
Debt Securities that have not already been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and
payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by
irrevocably depositing with the Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
such Debt Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire
indebtedness on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium, if
any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have
become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or date of redemption or
repayment, as the case may be (Section 401).
 
     The Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen are made
applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to Section
301 of the Indenture, the Company may elect either (a) to defease and be
discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for the obligation (i) to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the
occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with
respect to payments on such Debt Securities, (ii) to convert the Debt Securities
in accordance with their terms (if applicable), (iii) to register the transfer
or exchange of such Debt Securities, (iv) to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, (v) to maintain an office or agency
in respect of such Debt Securities and (vi) to hold moneys for payment in trust)
("defeasance") (Section 1402) or (b) to be released from its obligations with
respect to such Debt Securities under Sections 1004 to 1010, inclusive, and
Section 1014 of the Indenture (being the restrictions described under "Certain
Covenants") or, if provided pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture, its
obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with
such obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with
respect to such Debt Securities ("covenant defeasance") (Section 1403), in
either case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Company with the Trustee, in
trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at
Stated Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both,
applicable to such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments
thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
 
     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in the
Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not
occurred (Section 1404).
 
     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the foreign
currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for
the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of
a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality
of the United States of America or such government which issued the foreign
currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are payable, the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with
respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on
or principal of any such
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   50
 
Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a
depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of
such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of
any such Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or
principal of any such Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt
(Section 101).
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security to
receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than
that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such Debt Security, or
(b) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency,
currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the
indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have been, and
will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on such Debt Security as they become due out
of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of such
Debt Security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which
such Debt Security becomes payable as a result of such election or such
cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate (Section 1405).
"Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency, currency unit
or composite currency both by the government of the country which issued such
currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other
public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the
ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of
transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or
(iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for the
purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise provided in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on any Debt Security that is payable in a foreign currency
that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in U.S.
dollars (Section 101).
 
     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default described
in clause (d) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to
Sections 1004 to 1010, inclusive, and Section 1014 of the Indenture (which
Sections would no longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in
clause (g) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to any
other covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in
such currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Securities
are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their
Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt
Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default.
However, the Company would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at
the time of acceleration.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are
convertible into Common Stock or Preferred Stock will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include
whether such Debt Securities are convertible into Common Stock or Preferred
Stock, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion
period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the Holders
or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and
provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such Debt
Securities.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   51
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities (the "Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities
may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or
permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to
a series of Debt Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company has the authority to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). At March 31, 1996, the
Company had outstanding 13,242,128 shares of Common Stock.
 
     The following description of the Common Stock sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Common Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may
relate, including a Prospectus Supplement providing that Common Stock will be
issuable upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock of the Company or
upon the exercise of the Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the
Company. The statements below describing the Common Stock are in all respects
subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable
provisions of the Company's Charter and Bylaws.
 
     Subject to the preferential rights of any other shares or series of capital
stock, holders of the Company's Common Stock will be entitled to receive
dividends when, as and if authorized and declared by the Board of Directors of
the Company, out of funds legally available therefor. Payment and declaration of
dividends on the Common Stock and purchases of shares thereof by the Company may
be subject to certain restrictions if the Company fails to pay dividends on the
Preferred Stock. See "Description of Preferred Stock." Upon the distribution of
assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders
of Common Stock will be entitled to share equally and ratably in any assets
available for distribution to them, after payment or provision for payment of
all known debts and liabilities of the Company and any preferential amounts
owing with respect to any outstanding Preferred Stock. Subject to certain
provisions of Maryland law and the Company's Charter and Bylaws, each
outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and,
except as otherwise required by law or except as provided with respect to any
other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the
exclusive voting power. Holders of Common Stock will not have cumulative voting
rights in the election of directors, which means that holders of more than 50%
of all of the shares of the Company's Common Stock voting for the election of
directors will be able to elect all of the directors if they choose to do so
and, accordingly, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect
any directors. Holders of shares of Common Stock will not have preemptive
rights, which means they have no right to acquire any additional shares of
Common Stock that may be issued by the Company at a subsequent date. Holders of
Common Stock also will have no conversion, sinking fund, redemption, preference
or exchange rights. The Common Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and
nonassessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
 
     With certain exceptions, the Company's Charter provides that no person may
own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution power of the Code, more
than 9.8% by value of the Company's capital stock. See "Restrictions on
Ownership of Capital Stock."
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
     The Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Company's Common Stock is The
First National Bank of Boston.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   52
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share. No shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding as of the
date hereof.
 
     Under the Company's Charter, shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from
time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by the Board of Directors,
generally without the approval of the stockholders. Prior to issuance of shares
of each series, the Board of Directors is required by the Maryland General
Corporation Law and the Company's Charter to adopt resolutions and file Articles
Supplementary (the "Articles Supplementary") with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, fixing for each such series the
designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of such series and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, including, but not
limited to, dividend rights, dividend rate or rates, conversion rights, voting
rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the
redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preferences as are permitted by
Maryland law. The Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of
Preferred Stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of
discouraging a takeover or other transaction which holders of some, or a
majority, of such shares might believe to be in their best interests or in which
holders of some, or a majority, of such shares might receive a premium for their
shares over the then market price of such shares.
 
     The following description of the Preferred Stock sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement
may relate. The statements below describing the Preferred Stock are in all
respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the
applicable provisions of the Company's Charter (including the applicable
Articles Supplementary) and Bylaws.
 
GENERAL
 
     Subject to limitations prescribed by Maryland law and the Company's Charter
and Bylaws, the Board of Directors is authorized to fix the number of shares
constituting each series of Preferred Stock and the designations and powers,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including such provisions
as may be desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or
matters as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or duly
authorized committee thereof. The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully
paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or
similar rights.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of
Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including:
 
          (1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Stock;
 
          (2) The number of shares of such Preferred Stock offered, the
     liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred
     Stock;
 
          (3) The dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or
     method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Stock;
 
          (4) Whether dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if
     cumulative, the date from which dividends on such Preferred Stock shall
     accumulate;
 
          (5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
     Preferred Stock;
 
          (6) The provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred
     Stock;
 
          (7) The provisions for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred
     Stock;
 
          (8) Any listing of such Preferred Stock on any securities exchange;
 
          (9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred
     Stock will be convertible into Common Stock of the Company, including the
     conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof) and conversion period;
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   53
 
          (10) Whether interests in such Preferred Stock will be represented by
     Depositary Shares;
 
          (11) A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to
     such Preferred Stock;
 
          (12) In addition to those limitations described below, any other
     limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer,
     in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as
     a REIT;
 
          (13) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
     restrictions of such Preferred Stock.
 
RANK
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank (i) senior to all classes or
series of Common Stock of the Company, and to all equity securities ranking
junior to such Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (ii) on a parity with all
equity securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide
that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock with
respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company; and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company
the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior
to the Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. As used in the Company's
Charter for these purposes, the term "equity securities" does not include
convertible debt securities.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Stock will have the rights with respect to payment of dividends set forth below.
 
     Holders of shares of the Preferred Stock of each series shall be entitled
to receive, when, as and if declared and authorized by the Board of Directors of
the Company, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, cash
dividends at such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record
as they appear on the stock transfer books of the Company on such record dates
as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be cumulative or
non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Dividends,
if cumulative, will accumulate from and after the date set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Directors of the Company fails
to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the
Preferred Stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the holders of such
series of the Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend in
respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and the
Company will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period,
whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future
dividend payment date.
 
     If any shares of the Preferred Stock of any series are outstanding, no full
dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Preferred
Stock of the Company of any other series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity
with or junior to the Preferred Stock of such series for any period unless (i)
if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for such payment on
the Preferred Stock of such series for all past dividend periods and the then
current dividend period or (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have
a cumulative dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for such payment on the Preferred
Stock of such series. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient
for such full payment is not so irrevocably set apart) upon the shares of
Preferred Stock of any series and the shares of any other series of preferred
stock ranking
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   54
 
on a parity as to dividends with the Preferred Stock of such series, all
dividends declared upon shares of Preferred Stock of such series and any other
series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with such
Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends
declared per share on the Preferred Stock of such series and such other series
of preferred stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that
accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Preferred Stock of such
series (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends
for prior dividend periods if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative
dividend) and such other series of preferred stock bear to each other. No
interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of
any dividend payment or payments on Preferred Stock of such series which may be
in arrears.
 
     Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (i) if
such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends on the Preferred Stock of such series have been or contemporaneously
are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof
irrevocably set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then
current dividend period and (ii) if such series of Preferred Stock does not have
a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Stock of such series have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for the then current
dividend period, no dividends (other than in Common Stock or other capital stock
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends and upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company) shall be declared or paid
or set aside for payment or other distribution shall be declared or made upon
the Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or
on a parity with the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, nor shall any Common
Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity
with the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company be redeemed, purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a
sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company
(except by conversion into or exchange for other capital stock of the Company
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends and upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company).
 
     Any dividend payment made on shares of a series of Preferred Stock shall
first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with
respect to shares of such series which remains payable.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the shares of
Preferred Stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at the
option of the Company, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at
the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of such
Preferred Stock that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing
after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified,
together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (which
shall not, if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include
any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods) to
the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other
property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the
redemption price for Preferred Stock of any series is payable only from the net
proceeds of the issuance of capital stock of the Company, the terms of such
Preferred Stock may provide that, if no such capital stock shall have been
issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to
pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such Preferred Stock shall
automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of the applicable capital
stock of the Company pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Stock
has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all shares of any series
of Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for
payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period and
(ii) if such series of Preferred Stock
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   55
 
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Stock of
any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and
a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for
the then current dividend period, no shares of any series of Preferred Stock
shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of such
series are simultaneously redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the purchase or acquisition of shares of Preferred Stock of such
series pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of such series, and, unless
(i) if such series of Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock have been
or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for all past dividend
periods and the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of
Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the
Preferred Stock of any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and
paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set
apart for payment for the then current dividend period, the Company shall not
purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Preferred
Stock of such series (except by conversion into or exchange for capital stock of
the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends
and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company).
 
     If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any
series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be
determined by the Company and such shares may be redeemed pro rata from the
holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held
by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares) or
any other equitable method determined by the Company that will not result in
violation of the ownership limitations set forth in the Charter.
 
     Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of record of a share of Preferred
Stock of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on the stock transfer
books of the Company. Each notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the
number of shares and series of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the
redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such Preferred
Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that
dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption
date; and (vi) the date upon which the holder's conversion rights, if any, as to
such shares shall terminate. If fewer than all the shares of Preferred Stock of
any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each such holder thereof
shall also specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed from
each such holder. If notice of redemption of any shares of Preferred Stock has
been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been irrevocably
set apart by the Company in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares
of Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption
date dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Preferred Stock, such
shares of Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights
of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the
redemption price.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Company, then, before any distribution or payment shall be
made to the holders of any Common Stock or any other class or series of capital
stock of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock in the distribution
of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
holders of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of
assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders
liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share
(set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and Articles Supplementary),
plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall
not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods if such Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend). After
payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are
entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of
the remaining assets of the Company. In the event that, upon any such voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the legally available
assets of the Company are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating
distributions on all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and the corresponding
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   56
 
amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital stock of the
Company ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock in the distribution of
assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then the
holders of the Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of capital
stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to
the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively
entitled.
 
     If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
shares of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Company shall be
distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, according to their respective rights and preferences and in
each case according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, the
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, or
the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the
property or business of the Company, shall not be deemed to constitute a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of the Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as
set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law or as
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Whenever dividends on any shares of Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for
six or more consecutive quarterly periods, the holders of such shares of
Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with all other series of preferred
stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable)
will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors of the
Company at a special meeting called by the holders or record of at least 10% of
the shares of Preferred Stock of any series so in arrears (unless such request
is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or
special meeting of the stockholders) or at the next annual meeting of
stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting, until (i) if such series of
Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend, all dividends accumulated on such
shares of Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment or (ii) if such series of
Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend, four consecutive quarterly
dividends shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment. In such case, the entire
Board of Directors of the Company will be increased by two directors.
 
     Unless provided otherwise for any series of Preferred Stock, so long as any
shares of Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company shall not, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of
each series of Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by
proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting separately as a
class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of,
any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to such series of Preferred
Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or reclassify any
authorized capital stock of the Company into any such shares, or create,
authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the
right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions
of the Company's Charter (including the Articles Supplementary for such series
of Preferred Stock), whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to
materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power
of such series of Preferred Stock or the holders thereof; provided, however,
that any increase in the amount of the authorized preferred stock or the
creation or issuance of any other series of preferred stock, or any increase in
the amount of authorized shares of such series or any other series of Preferred
Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Stock of
such series with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, shall not be deemed
to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or
voting powers.
 
     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall
be effected, all outstanding shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall have
been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds
shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   57
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any series of
Preferred Stock are convertible into Common Stock will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the
number of shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock is convertible,
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
Preferred Stock or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such Preferred Stock.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
 
     With certain restrictions, the Company's Charter provides that no person
may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution power of the Code,
more than 9.8% by value of the Company's capital stock. See "Restrictions on
Ownership of Capital Stock."
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
GENERAL
 
     The Company may issue receipts ("Depositary Receipts") for Depositary
Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a
particular series of Preferred Stock, as specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Shares of Preferred Stock of each series represented by Depositary
Shares will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement (each, a "Deposit
Agreement") among the Company, the depositary named therein (the "Preferred
Stock Depositary") and the holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts.
Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary
Receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of
a particular series of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Depositary Receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the
Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares (including dividend,
voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued
pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement. Immediately following the issuance
and delivery of the Preferred Stock by the Company to the Preferred Stock
Depositary, the Company will cause the Preferred Stock Depositary to issue, on
behalf of the Company, the Depositary Receipts. Copies of the applicable form of
Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt may be obtained from the Company upon
request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the Deposit Agreement and
the Depositary Receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain
provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the
applicable Deposit Agreement and related Depositary Receipts.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record
holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing the related Depositary Shares in
proportion to the number of such Depositary Receipts owned by such holders,
subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other
information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the Preferred Stock
Depositary.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Stock
Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depositary Receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders
to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges
and expenses to the Preferred Stock Depositary, unless the Preferred Stock
Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in
which case the Preferred Stock Depositary may, with the approval of the Company,
sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such
holders.
 
     No distribution will be made in respect of any Depositary Share to the
extent that it represents any Preferred Stock converted into other securities.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   58
 
WITHDRAWAL OF STOCK
 
     Upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Preferred Stock Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have
previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the
holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such
holder's order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of the Preferred
Stock and any money or other property represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary Receipts will be
entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related Preferred Stock on
the basis of the proportion of Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary
Share as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, but holders of such
shares of Preferred Stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive Depositary
Shares therefor. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a
number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares
representing the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the
Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new
Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     Whenever the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock held by the
Preferred Stock Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the
same redemption date the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of the
Preferred Stock so redeemed, provided the Company shall have paid in full to the
Preferred Stock Depositary the redemption price of the Preferred Stock to be
redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the
date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per Depositary Share will be
equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other
amounts per share payable with respect to the Preferred Stock. If fewer than all
the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed
will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating
fractional Depositary Shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the
Company that will not result in a violation of the Ownership Limit.
 
     From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of
the shares of Preferred Stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the
Depositary Shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and all rights of the holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing
the Depositary Shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to
receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property
to which the holders of such Depositary Receipts were entitled upon such
redemption and surrender thereof to the Preferred Stock Depositary.
 
VOTING OF THE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares which represent such
Preferred Stock. Each record holder of Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary
Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for
the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock Depositary
as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Preferred
Stock represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The Preferred Stock
Depositary will vote the amount of Preferred Stock represented by such
Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will
agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the
Preferred Stock Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to
do so. The Preferred Stock Depositary will abstain from voting the amount of
Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares to the extent it does not
receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing
such Depositary Shares. The Preferred Stock Depositary shall not be responsible
for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or
effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in
good faith and does not result from negligence or wilful misconduct of the
Preferred Stock Depositary.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   59
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
     In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each Depositary Receipt will be
entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of
Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Depositary Receipt, as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
CONVERSION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Depositary Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common Stock or
any other securities or property of the Company. Nevertheless, if so specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Depositary
Shares, the Depositary Receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the
Preferred Stock Depositary with written instructions to the Preferred Stock
Depositary to instruct the Company to cause conversion of the Preferred Stock
represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts into
whole shares of Common Stock, other shares of Preferred Stock of the Company or
other shares of stock, and the Company has agreed that upon receipt of such
instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, it will cause the
conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery
of Preferred Stock to effect such conversion. If the Depositary Shares evidenced
by a Depositary Receipt are to be converted in part only, a new Depositary
Receipt or Receipts will be issued for any Depositary Shares not to be
converted. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon conversion,
and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an
amount will be paid in cash by the Company equal to the value of the fractional
interest based upon the closing price of the Common Stock on the last business
day prior to the conversion.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares which
represent the Preferred Stock and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at
any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Preferred Stock
Depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the
rights of the holders of Depositary Receipts or that would be materially and
adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related
Preferred Stock will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by
the existing holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Depositary Shares evidenced by
the Depositary Receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right,
subject to certain exceptions in the Depositary Agreement, of any holder of
Depositary Receipts to surrender any Depositary Receipt with instructions to
deliver to the holder the related Preferred Stock and all money and other
property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every
holder of an outstanding Depositary Receipt at the time any such amendment
becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to
consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as
amended thereby.
 
     The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than
30 days' prior written notice to the Preferred Stock Depositary if (i) such
termination is necessary to preserve the Company's status as a REIT or (ii) a
majority of each series of Preferred Stock affected by such termination consents
to such termination, whereupon the Preferred Stock Depositary shall deliver or
make available to each holder of Depositary Receipts, upon surrender of the
Depositary Receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional
shares of Preferred Stock as are represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced
by such Depositary Receipts together with any other property held by the
Preferred Stock Depositary with respect to such Depositary Receipts. The Company
has agreed that if the Deposit Agreement is terminated to preserve the Company's
status as a REIT, then the Company will use its best efforts to list the
Preferred Stock issued upon surrender of the related Depositary Shares on a
national securities exchange. In addition, the Deposit Agreement will
automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares shall have been
redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the
related Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company and such distribution shall have been distributed to
the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares representing
such Preferred Stock or (iii) each share of the related Preferred Stock shall
have been converted into securities of the Company not so represented by
Depositary Shares.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   60
 
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
 
     The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the Deposit Agreement. In addition, the
Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Preferred Stock Depositary in
connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement.
However, holders of Depositary Receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the
Preferred Stock Depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be
performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the Deposit
Agreement.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITORY
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Stock Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Stock Depositary. A successor
Preferred Stock Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having
its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will forward to holders of Depositary
Receipts any reports and communications from the Company which are received by
the Preferred Stock Depositary with respect to the related Preferred Stock.
 
     Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it
is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control,
performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the
Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be
limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without
negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of Preferred
Stock represented by the Depositary Shares), gross negligence or willful
misconduct, and the Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary will not be
obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any
Depositary Receipts, Depositary Shares or shares of Preferred Stock represented
thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The Company and the
Preferred Stock Depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants,
or information provided by persons presenting shares of Preferred Stock
represented thereby for deposit, holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons
believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on
documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
 
     In the event the Preferred Stock Depositary shall receive conflicting
claims, requests or instructions from any holders of Depositary Receipts, on the
one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the Preferred Stock Depositary
shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from
the Company.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
     The Company may issue Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. Warrants may be issued
independently or together with any Offered Securities and may be attached to or
separate from such securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate warrant agreement (each, a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into
between the Company and a warrant agent specified therein ("Warrant Agent"). The
Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the
Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of
agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of Warrants.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms,
where applicable, of the Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered: (1) the title of such Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such
Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (4) the
currencies in which the price or prices of such Warrants may be payable; (5) the
designation, amount and terms of the Offered Securities purchasable upon
exercise of such Warrants; (6) the designation and terms of
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   61
 
the other Offered Securities with which such Warrants are issued and the number
of such Warrants issued with each such security; (7) if applicable, the date on
and after which such Warrants and the Offered Securities purchasable upon
exercise of such Warrants will be separately transferable; (8) the price or
prices at which and currency or currencies in which the Offered Securities
purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may be purchased; (9) the date on
which the right to exercise such Warrants shall commence and the date on which
such right shall expire; (10) the minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants
which may be exercised at any one time; (11) information with respect to
book-entry procedures, if any; (12) a discussion of certain Federal income tax
considerations; and (13) any other material terms of such Warrants, including
terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such
Warrants.
 
                   RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in
value of its outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by
five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities)
during the last half of a taxable year, and its capital stock must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.
 
     The Company's Charter provides, subject to certain exceptions specified
therein, that no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the
constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% by value (the
"Ownership Limit") of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. The Charter
further provides that any purported issuance or transfer of capital stock in
violation of the Ownership Limit shall be void ab initio. If shares of capital
stock in excess of the Ownership Limit, or shares of capital stock that would
cause the Company to be beneficially owned by less than 100 persons, are issued
or transferred to any person, the Charter provides that, subject to certain
exceptions, the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the stock. Shares
of capital stock transferred in excess of the Ownership Limit, or shares of
capital stock otherwise resulting in beneficial ownership of the Company being
vested in fewer than 100 persons or loss of the Company's REIT status
(collectively, an "Excess Transfer"), will automatically be transferred to an
independent trustee for the benefit of one or more charitable organizations to
be selected by the Company. While held by such trustee, the Charter provides
that such shares will continue to have voting and dividend rights and will
remain outstanding. The trustee may transfer such shares to any person whose
ownership will not violate the Ownership Limit or the other limitations
applicable to the intended transferee. If such a transfer is made by the
trustee, the sale proceeds shall be paid to the intended transferee to the
extent of the lesser of (a) the price paid by the intended transferee for the
shares in the Excess Transfer (or, if the Excess Transfer was a gift or similar
transaction, the market value of such shares at the time of the Excess Transfer)
and (b) the price realized by the trustee on the sale or other disposition of
such shares; any remaining proceeds, together with any dividends received by the
trustee, will be paid to the charitable beneficiaries. The Charter also provides
that shares of capital stock held by the trustee will be subject to a purchase
option in favor of the Company for a 90-day period following the Excess
Transfer.
 
     The constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause Common Stock or
Preferred Stock owned directly or constructively by a group of related
individuals and/or entities to be deemed constructively owned by one individual
or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% by value of the
capital stock of the Company (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity
which owns such capital stock) by an individual or entity could cause that
individual or entity (or another individual or entity) to own constructively in
excess of 9.8% by value of the capital stock, and thus subject such capital
stock to the Ownership Limit.
 
     The Board of Directors may waive the Ownership Limit with respect to a
particular stockholder if evidence satisfactory to the Board of Directors is
presented that such ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize the
Company's status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver, the Board of
Directors will require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, opinions of
counsel or other evidence satisfactory to the Board of Directors with respect to
preserving the REIT status of the Company. The foregoing restrictions on
transferability and ownership will not apply if the Board of Directors
determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt
to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   62
 
     The Ownership Limit will not be automatically removed even if the REIT
provisions of the Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership
concentration limitation or if the Board of Directors and the stockholders of
the Company determine that it is no longer in the best interest of the Company
to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as REIT. Except as otherwise
described above, any change of the Ownership Limit would require an amendment to
the Charter of the Company. Such amendments require the affirmative vote of
holders owning a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition
to preserving the Company's status as a REIT, the Ownership Limit may have the
effect of precluding an acquisition of control of the REIT without the approval
of the Board of Directors.
 
     All certificates representing shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
 
     All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of
the Code, more than a specified percentage of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock must file an affidavit with the Company containing the
information specified in the Charter within 30 days after January 1 of each
year. In addition, each such stockholder shall upon demand be required to
disclose to the Company in writing such information with respect to the direct,
indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the Board of Directors deems
necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code applicable to a REIT or to
comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency.
 
     These ownership limitations could have the effect of discouraging a
takeover or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of shares
of capital stock of the Company might receive a premium for their shares over
the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be
otherwise in their best interest.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
                      TO THE COMPANY OF ITS REIT ELECTION
 
     The following summary of certain federal income tax considerations to the
Company is based on current law, is for general information only, and is not tax
advice. The tax treatment of a holder of any of the Offered Securities will vary
depending upon the terms of the specific securities acquired by such holder, as
well as his particular situation, and this discussion does not attempt to
address any aspects of federal income taxation relating to holders of Offered
Securities. Certain federal income tax considerations relevant to holders of the
Offered Securities will be provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
     EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT,
AS WELL AS HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR, REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACQUISITION,
OWNERSHIP AND SALE AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY AS A REIT
 
     General. The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment
trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with its taxable
year ended December 31, 1987. The Company believes that, commencing with such
taxable year, it has been organized and has operated in such a manner as to
qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, commencing with such taxable
year, and the Company intends to continue to operate in such a manner, but no
assurance can be given that it has operated or will continue to operate in a
manner so as to qualify or remain qualified.
 
     The REIT provisions of the Code are highly technical and complex. The
following sets forth the material aspects of the sections that govern the
federal income tax treatment of a REIT. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all of
which are subject to change (which change may apply retroactively).
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   63
 
     In the opinion of Latham & Watkins, the Company is organized in conformity
with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, and its method of operation
will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion is
based on various assumptions and is conditioned upon such assumptions and
certain representations made by the Company as to factual matters. Moreover,
such qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon the Company's ability to
meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity
of stock ownership, the various qualification tests imposed under the Code
discussed below, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by
Latham & Watkins. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results
of the Company's operation for any particular taxable year have satisfied or
will satisfy such requirements. See "-- Failure to Qualify."
 
     If the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it generally will not be
subject to federal corporate income taxes on its net income that is currently
distributed to stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double
taxation" (at the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from
investment in a regular corporation. However, the Company will be subject to
federal income tax as follows: First, the Company will be taxed at regular
corporate rates on any undistributed real estate investment trust taxable
income, including undistributed net capital gains. Second, under certain
circumstances, the Company may be subject to the "alternative minimum tax" on
its items of tax preference. Third, if the Company has (i) net income from the
sale or other disposition of "foreclosure property" which is held primarily for
sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other
non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to tax at
the highest corporate rate on such income. Fourth, if the Company has net income
from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain sales or other
dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business other than foreclosure property), such income will be subject
to a 100% tax. Fifth, if the Company should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income
test or the 95% gross income test (as discussed below), but has nonetheless
maintained its qualification as a real estate investment trust because certain
other requirements have been met, it will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount
equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which
the Company fails the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to
reflect the Company's profitability. Sixth, if the Company should fail to
distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its real
estate investment trust ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its real
estate investment trust capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to
a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts
actually distributed. Seventh, with respect to an asset (a "Built-In Gain
Asset") acquired by the Company from a corporation which is or has been a C
corporation (i.e., generally, a corporation subject to full corporate-level tax)
in a transaction in which the basis of the Built-In Gain Asset in the hands of
the Company is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of
the C corporation, if the Company recognizes gain on the disposition of such
asset during the ten-year period (the "Recognition Period") beginning on the
date on which such asset was acquired by the Company, then, to the extent of the
Built-In Gain (i.e., the excess of (a) the fair market value of such asset over
(b) the Company's adjusted basis in such asset, determined as of the beginning
of the Recognition Period), such gain will be subject to tax at the highest
corporate tax rate pursuant to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations that
have not yet been promulgated. The results described above with respect to the
recognition of Built-In Gain assume that the Company will make an election
pursuant to IRS Notice 88-19 and that such treatment is not modified by certain
revenue proposals in the Administration's 1997 Budget Proposal.
 
     Requirements for Qualification. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation,
trust or association (1) which is managed by one or more trustees or directors,
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by
transferable certificates of beneficial interest, (3) which would be taxable as
a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code, (4) which
is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain
provisions of the Code, (5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or
more persons, (6) during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50%
in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, actually or constructively,
by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain
entities) and (7) which meets certain other tests, described below, regarding
the nature of its income and assets. The Code provides that conditions (1) to
(4), inclusive, must be met during
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   64
 
the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335
days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable
year of less than 12 months.
 
     The Company has previously issued sufficient shares to allow it to satisfy
conditions (5) and (6). In addition, the Company's Charter provides (and the
Articles Supplementary for any series of Preferred Stock will provide) for
restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of the Company's capital stock,
which restrictions are intended to assist the Company in continuing to satisfy
the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. The ownership
and transfer restrictions pertaining to a particular series of Preferred Stock
are described in "Description of Preferred Stock -- Restrictions on Ownership."
 
     The Company owns and operates a number of properties through wholly-owned
subsidiaries (the "Subsidiaries"). The Company has owned 100% of the stock of
each of the Subsidiaries at all times that each of the Subsidiaries has been in
existence. As a result, the Subsidiaries will be treated as "qualified REIT
subsidiaries" under the Code. Code Section 856(i) provides that a corporation
which is a "qualified REIT subsidiary" shall not be treated as a separate
corporation, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and
credit of a "qualified REIT subsidiary" shall be treated as assets, liabilities
and such items (as the case may be) of the REIT. Thus, in applying the
requirements described herein, the Subsidiaries will be ignored, and all assets,
liabilities and items of income, deduction, and credit of such Subsidiaries will
be treated as assets, liabilities and items of the Company. The Company has not,
however, sought or received a ruling from the IRS that the Subsidiaries are
"qualified REIT subsidiaries."
 
     The Company also owns and operates a number of properties through
partnerships. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, Treasury
Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share
of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be entitled to the income
of the partnership attributable to such share. In addition, the character of the
assets and gross income of the partnership will retain the same character in the
hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying
the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, the Company's proportionate
share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of the partnerships in
which the Company is a partner will be treated as assets, liabilities and items
of income of the Company for purposes of applying the requirements described
herein.
 
     Income Tests. In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company
annually must satisfy three gross income requirements. First, at least 75% of
the Company's gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions)
for each taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from investments
relating to real property or mortgages on real property (including "rents from
real property" and, in certain circumstances, interest) or from certain types of
temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of the Company's gross income
(excluding gross income from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must
be derived from such real property investments, dividends, interest and gain
from the sale or disposition of stock or securities (or from any combination of
the foregoing). Third, short-term gain from the sale or other disposition of
stock or securities, gain from prohibited transactions and gain on the sale or
other disposition of real property held for less than four years (apart from
involuntary conversions and sales of foreclosure property) must represent less
than 30% of the Company's gross income (including gross income from prohibited
transactions) for each taxable year. See "-- Sales or Dispositions of Assets."
 
     Rents received by the Company will qualify as "rents from real property" in
satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if
several conditions are met. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole
or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received
or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real
property" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages
of receipts or sales. Second, the Code provides that rents received from a
tenant will not qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the gross
income tests if the REIT, or an owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or
constructively owns 10% or more of such tenant (a "Related Party Tenant").
Third, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a
lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the
lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not
qualify as "rents from real property." Finally, for rents received to qualify as
"rents from real property," the REIT generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   65
 
services to the tenants of such property, other than through an independent
contractor from whom the REIT derives no revenue; provided, however, the Company
may directly perform certain services that are "usually or customarily rendered"
in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise
considered "rendered to the occupant" of the property. The Company does not and
will not (i) charge rent for any property that is based in whole or in part on
the income or profits of any person (except by reason of being based on a fixed
percentage of receipts or sales, as described above), (ii) rent any property to
a Related Party Tenant, (iii) derive rental income attributable to personal
property (other than personal property leased in connection with the lease of
real property, the amount of which is less than 15% of the total rent received
under the lease), or (iv) perform services which are not usually or customarily
rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only or which are
considered to be rendered to the occupant of the property, other than through an
independent contractor from whom the Company derives no revenue.
 
     The term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or
accrued (directly or indirectly) if the determination of such amount depends in
whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount
received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "interest"
solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross
receipts or sales.
 
     If the Company fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income
tests for any taxable year, it may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year
if it is entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief
provisions are generally expected to be available if the Company can establish
that its failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect, the Company attaches a schedule of the sources of its income to
its federal income tax return, and any incorrect information on the schedule was
not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not possible, however, to state
whether in all circumstances the Company would be entitled to the benefit of
these relief provisions. As discussed above under "-- General," even if these
relief provisions apply, a 100% tax would be imposed with respect to the excess
net income.
 
     Sales or Dispositions of Assets.  The Company, as a REIT, is generally
subject to two restrictions that limit its ability to sell real property. First,
as previously discussed, to qualify as a REIT, the Company must satisfy a 30%
gross income limitation. Under this limitation, less than 30% of its gross
income may be derived from the sale or disposition of (i) stock or securities
held for less than one year, (ii) property (excluding certain property obtained
through foreclosure) in which the Company is a "dealer," and (iii) real property
held for less than four years. Gain from the sale or disposition of certain real
property received in foreclosure or from involuntary conversion (e.g., eminent
domain or accidental destruction) of any real property is not counted in the 30%
income limitation calculation. Second, the Company is subject to a tax of 100%
on its gain (i.e., the excess, if any, of the amount realized over the Company's
adjusted basis in the property) from each sale of property (excluding certain
property obtained through foreclosure) in which it is a dealer. In calculating
its gains subject to the 100% tax, the Company is not allowed to offset gains on
sales of property with losses on other sales of property in which it is a
dealer.
 
     Under the Code, the Company would be deemed to be a dealer in any property
that the Company holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
its business. Such determination is a factual inquiry, and absolute legal
certainty of the Company's status generally cannot be provided. However, the
Company will not be treated as a dealer in real property for either the 30%
gross income limitation or the 100% tax if (i) it has held the property for at
least four years for the production of rental income, (ii) capitalized
expenditures on the property in the four years preceding sale are less than 30%
of the net selling price of the property, and (iii) the Company either (a) has
seven or fewer sales of property (excluding certain property obtained through
foreclosure) for the year or (b) the aggregate tax basis of property sold is 10%
or less of the aggregate tax basis of all assets of the Company as of the
beginning of the taxable year and substantially all of the marketing and
development expenditures with respect to the property sold are made through an
independent contractor from whom the Company derives no income. The sale of more
than one property to one buyer as part of one transaction constitutes one sale.
However, the failure of the Company to meet these "safe harbor" requirements
does not necessarily mean that it is a dealer in real property.
 
     Based on these rules, if the Company sells a property that it has held more
than four years and the Company satisfies the seven sales/10% tax basis safe
harbor described above, such sale will not cause the
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   66
 
Company to violate the 30% gross income limitation and thereby lose its REIT
status, or result in the imposition of the 100% tax on the gain. Even if the
Company's disposition of property does not qualify for the safe harbor, the
Company can maintain its REIT status by limiting sales so that the potential
gain would not exceed the 30% gross income limitation. However, because any
dealer gain that is not covered by the safe harbor is subject to the 100% tax,
any sale not covered by the safe harbor creates a risk that the REIT will be
considered to be a dealer in real property. Although any risk from a single
isolated sale may be small, the more regular, continuous, and ongoing the
Company's sales of assets are, the more likely the Company will be treated as a
dealer with respect to sales or dispositions of real property. Moreover, except
for certain sales of property obtained through foreclosure, all sales, including
sales of property held less than four years, count toward the seven sales/10%
tax basis safe harbor for purposes of determining whether the Company qualifies
for the safe harbor on any sales of property held for four years or more.
Furthermore, once the Company has exceeded the seven sales/10% tax basis safe
harbor, gain from all sales and not just the gain from sales in excess of such
safe harbor are potentially subject to the 100% tax.
 
     The Company may be able to avoid triggering gain for purposes of the 30%
gross income limitation on real property it has held less than four years if it
exchanges such property for other property in a transaction that qualifies as a
like-kind exchange under the Code, because the like-kind exchange provisions
result in the deferral of gain. The like-kind exchange provisions of the Code,
however, are not available to the Company on any property that it holds
primarily for sale rather than investment or the production of income. An
exchange of property for tax purposes that does not qualify for like-kind
exchange treatment or some other nonrecognition provision is treated the same as
a sale for cash. The Company may dispose of certain properties that it has held
less than four years in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges.
The Company intends to limit the gain realized from such transactions such that
if it were to be required to immediately recognize all such gain it would
nevertheless continue to satisfy the 30% income limitation. However, the failure
of the transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could subject the Company
to the 100% tax on its gains as described above even though the 30% income
limitation was satisfied.
 
     Asset Tests. The Company, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,
must also satisfy three tests relating to the nature of its assets. First, at
least 75% of the value of the Company's total assets must be represented by real
estate assets (including (i) assets held by the Company's qualified REIT
subsidiaries and the Company's allocable share of real estate assets held by
partnerships in which the Company owns an interest and (ii) stock or debt
instruments held for not more than one year purchased with the proceeds of a
stock offering or long-term (at least five years) debt offering of the Company),
cash, cash items and government securities. Second, not more than 25% of the
Company's total assets may be represented by securities other than those in the
75% asset class. Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, the
value of any one issuer's securities owned by the Company may not exceed 5% of
the value of the Company's total assets and the Company may not own more than
10% of any one issuer's outstanding voting securities.
 
     The Company currently holds 100% of the stock of each of the Subsidiaries.
As set forth above, the asset tests provide that a REIT may not own securities
of any one issuer which constitute more than 10% of such issuer's voting
securities or more than 5% of the value of the REIT's total assets. However, if
the Company's subsidiaries are "qualified REIT subsidiaries" as defined in the
Code, such subsidiaries will not be treated as separate corporations for federal
income tax purposes. Because the Subsidiaries will be treated as "qualified REIT
subsidiaries," the Company's ownership of the stock of the Subsidiaries will not
cause the Company to fail the asset tests.
 
     The Company owns 100% of the nonvoting preferred stock of ERT Development
Corporation. Such shares of nonvoting preferred stock will not constitute voting
securities for purposes of the asset tests. Furthermore, the Company does not
and will not own any of the voting securities of ERT Development Corporation.
Therefore, the Company will not be considered to own more than 10% of the voting
securities of such corporation. In addition, the Company believes (and has
represented to tax counsel to the Company for purposes of its opinion, as
described above) that the value of its securities of ERT Development Corporation
have not exceeded 5% of the total value of the Company's assets, and will not
exceed such amount in the future. Latham & Watkins, in rendering its opinion as
to the qualification of the Company as a REIT, is relying on the representation
of the Company to such effect. No independent appraisals have been obtained to
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   67
 
support this conclusion.
 
     Annual Distribution Requirements. The Company, in order to qualify as a
REIT, is required to distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to
its stockholders in an amount at least equal to (A) the sum of (i) 95% of the
Company's "REIT taxable income" (computed without regard to the dividends paid
deduction and by excluding the Company's net capital gain) and (ii) 95% of the
net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the excess
of the sum of certain items of non-cash income over 5% of "REIT taxable income"
as described in clause (A)(i) above. In addition, if the Company disposes of any
Built-In Gain Asset during its Recognition Period, the Company will be required,
pursuant to Treasury Regulations which have not yet been promulgated, to
distribute at least 95% of the Built-in Gain (after tax), if any, recognized on
the disposition of such asset. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable
year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before
the Company timely files its tax return for such year and if paid on or before
the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. To the extent that
the Company does not distribute all of its net capital gain or distributes at
least 95%, but less than 100%, of its "REIT taxable income," as adjusted, it
will be subject to tax thereon at regular ordinary and capital gain corporate
tax rates. Furthermore, if the Company should fail to distribute during each
calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such
year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain income for such year, and (iii) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to
a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts
actually distributed. The Company intends to make timely distributions
sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements.
 
     It is possible that the Company, from time to time, may not have sufficient
cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to
timing differences between (i) the actual receipt of income and actual payment
of deductible expenses and (ii) the inclusion of such income and deduction of
such expenses in arriving at taxable income of the Company. In the event that
such timing differences occur, in order to meet these distribution requirements,
the Company may find it necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-
term, borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends.
 
     Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to rectify a failure
to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends"
to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in the Company's
deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, the Company may be able
to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however,
the Company will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any
deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
 
FAILURE TO QUALIFY
 
     If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year,
and the relief provisions do not apply, the Company will be subject to tax
(including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at
regular corporate rates. Such a failure could have an adverse effect on the
market value and marketability of the Offered Securities. Distributions to
stockholders in any year in which the Company fails to qualify will not be
deductible by the Company nor will they be required to be made. In such event,
to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions
to stockholders will be taxable as ordinary income and, subject to certain
limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the
dividends received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory
provisions, the Company will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for
the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.
It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances the Company would be
entitled to such statutory relief.
 
     To qualify as a REIT, the Company must establish, among other things, that
it is not "closely held" (i.e., during the last half of each taxable year, not
more than 50% in value of the Company's outstanding stock may have been owned,
actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code
to include certain entities)). See "-- Taxation of the Company as a
REIT -- Requirements for Qualification." In order to ascertain the actual
ownership of the Company's outstanding shares, Treasury Regulations require that
the Company demand from certain stockholders written statements disclosing the
actual owners of the Company's stock. The Company unintentionally failed to make
the required demands for shareholder statements for
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   68
 
taxable years 1987 through and including 1991. As a consequence, the IRS may
contend that the Company failed to qualify as a REIT for some or all of such
years. The Company, however, believes that it has substantially complied with
the purposes of the shareholder demand regulation. At its own initiative, the
Company requested that the IRS enter into a closing agreement with the Company
whereby the IRS would agree not to treat the Company as failing to qualify as a
REIT because of the Company's failure strictly to comply with the shareholder
demand regulation for 1987-91. The IRS has informally notified the Company that
it will not accept the Company's offer to enter into such closing agreement. The
IRS has given no indication that it intends to challenge the Company's
qualification as a REIT for a failure to make the shareholder demands in
1987-91. If such challenge were to be successfully made, the Company
nevertheless believes that (a) it should still qualify as a REIT for 1992 and
subsequent periods and (b) any liability for income taxes and interest for
1987-91 would not be material because of net operating loss carryforwards. If
the IRS were to be successful in challenging the Company's REIT status for
failure to satisfy the shareholder demand regulation, the Company's
qualification as a REIT for 1992 would depend on the Company's ability to prove
that its failure to make the shareholder demand was due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect. Otherwise, the Company could not elect REIT status
until 1993. The Company estimates that, if it is unable to elect REIT status
until 1993, its aggregate liability for income taxes and interest for 1987-92
would be approximately $360,000.
 
OTHER TAX MATTERS
 
     Certain of the Company's investments are through partnerships which may
involve special tax risks. Such risks include possible challenge by the IRS of
(a) allocations of income and expense items, which could affect the computation
of income of the Company and (b) the status of the partnerships as partnerships
(as opposed to associations or publicly traded partnerships taxable as
corporations) for income tax purposes. If any of the partnerships is treated as
an association or a publicly traded partnership, it would be taxable as a
corporation. In such a situation, if the Company's ownership in any of the
partnerships exceeded 10% of the partnership's voting interests or the value of
such interest exceeded 5% of the value of the Company's total assets, the
Company would cease to qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, in such a situation,
distributions from any of the partnerships to the Company would be treated as
dividends, which are not taken into account in satisfying the 75% gross income
test described above and which could therefore make it more difficult for the
Company to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year in which such distribution was
received. In addition, in such a situation, the interest in any of the
partnerships held by the Company would not qualify as a "real estate asset,"
which could make it more difficult for the Company to meet the 75% asset test
described above. Finally, in such a situation, the Company would not be able to
deduct its share of losses generated by the partnerships in computing its
taxable income. See "Failure to Qualify" above for a discussion of the effect of
the Company's failure to meet such tests for a taxable year. The Company
believes that each of the partnerships will be treated for tax purposes as a
partnership (and not as an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable
as a corporation). However, no assurance can be given that the IRS may not
successfully challenge the tax status of any of the partnerships.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Offered Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell the Offered Securities to investors
directly or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer
and sale of the Offered Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices
at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The Company also may offer and sell
the Offered Securities in exchange for one or more of its then outstanding
issues of debt or convertible debt securities. The Company also may, from time
to time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell
the Offered Securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered
Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the
Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from any entity for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   69
 
may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agent.
 
     Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Offered Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts, concessions and commissions
received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered
Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the
Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under
agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification against and
contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date
or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an
amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities
sold pursuant to Contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective
amounts stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom
Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject
to the approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions
except (i) the purchase by an institution of the Offered Securities covered by
its Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of
any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject, and
(ii) if the Offered Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company shall
have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered
Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts.
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company and its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995
incorporated by reference herein have been incorporated herein in reliance on
the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   70
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
                                1,500,000 SHARES
                                  EXCEL REALTY
                                  TRUST, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                  ------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                  ------------
 
                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                 JUNE 26, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN THE
PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Prospectus Supplement Summary.........   S-3
Risk Factors..........................   S-6
The Company...........................   S-8
Recent Developments...................  S-12
Use of Proceeds.......................  S-13
Capitalization........................  S-13
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................  S-14
Funds From Operations.................  S-15
Price Range of Common Stock and
  Distributions.......................  S-16
Business and Properties...............  S-17
Management............................  S-27
Certain Indebtedness..................  S-29
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Considerations to Holders of Common
  Stock...............................  S-29
Underwriting..........................  S-35
Legal Matters.........................  S-35
PROSPECTUS
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
The Company...........................     3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....     4
Use of Proceeds.......................     4
Description of Debt Securities........     4
Description of Common Stock...........    16
Description of Preferred Stock........    17
Description of Depositary Shares......    22
Description of Warrants...............    25
Restrictions on Ownership of Capital
  Stock...............................    26
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Considerations to the Company of its
  REIT Election.......................    27
Plan of Distribution..................    33
Experts...............................    34
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission