HEALTH & RETIREMENT PROPERTIES TRUST
S-3, 1997-09-02
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                                                      Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             -----------------------

                                    FORM S-3

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             -----------------------


                     HEALTH AND RETIREMENT PROPERTIES TRUST

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                             -----------------------

             Maryland                               04-6558834
  (State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer 
   incorporation or organization)              Identification Number)

                                400 Centre Street
                           Newton, Massachusetts 02158
                                 (617) 332-3990
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
               code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                              ---------------------

                           David J. Hegarty, President
                     Health and Retirement Properties Trust
                                400 Centre Street
                           Newton, Massachusetts 02158
                                 (617) 332-3990
         (Name, address, including zip code, telephone number, including
                        area code, of agent for service)
                              ---------------------

                                    Copy to:
                       Alexander A. Notopoulos, Jr., Esq.
                            Sullivan & Worcester LLP
                             One Post Office Square
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                                 (617) 338-2800
                              ---------------------

         Approximate  date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From
time  to  time or at one  time  after  the  effective  date of the  Registration
Statement as determined by the Selling  Shareholders.  All of the Shares offered
hereby are for the respective accounts of the Selling Shareholders.
         If the only securities  being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. |_|
         If any of the  securities  being  registered  on  this  Form  are to be
offered  on a  delayed  or  continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415  under  the
Securities Act of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|
         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|
- -------------
         If this  Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed  pursuant  to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act  registration   statement  number  of  the  earlier  effective  registration
statement for the same offering. |_| _____________
         If delivery of the  prospectus  is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. |_|
                             -----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                                                                        Proposed Maximum      Proposed Maximum   
                                                       Amount to         Offering Price      Aggregate Offering       Amount of
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered   be Registered          Per Unit                Price         Registration Fee
<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share .................................        86,188              $18.19(1)           $1,567,759.72          $476(2)
<FN>
         (1) Estimated  pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for purposes of calculation of the  registration  fee on the basis of the $18
3/16 average of the high and low sales prices for the Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on August 27, 1997.

         (2) Pursuant to Rule 429(a) of the rules and  regulations  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  the  Prospectus
contained  herein also relates to 3,898,840  Common Shares  included in the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
333-29675).  The amount of the filing fee associated with such securities that was previously paid with such registration  statement
was $21,786.25.
</FN>
</TABLE>
         The Registrant hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its  effective  date until the  Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically  states that this Registration
Statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities  Act of 1933 or until this  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>

Information   contained  herein  is  subject  to  completion  or  amendment.   A
registration  statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there by any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

                              Subject to Completion
                 Preliminary Prospectus Dated September 2, 1997
PROSPECTUS

                                3,985,028 Shares
                     Health and Retirement Properties Trust
                      Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

                             ----------------------

     This  Prospectus  relates to the  reoffer  and  resale by  certain  selling
shareholders  described herein (the "Selling  Shareholders") of common shares of
beneficial interest,  par value $.01 per share ("Common Shares"),  of Health and
Retirement  Properties  Trust (the  "Company").  The  Company  is a real  estate
investment  trust  ("REIT") which invests  primarily in retirement  communities,
assisted  living centers,  long-term care facilities and other income  producing
healthcare related properties and in office buildings leased to various agencies
of the United States government.  The Common Shares offered hereby (the "Offered
Shares")  are  being  reoffered  and  resold  for  the  account  of the  Selling
Shareholders,  and the Company  will not receive any of the  proceeds  from such
reoffering and resale.

     The Selling  Shareholders  have  advised the Company that the resale of the
Offered Shares may be effected from time to time in one or more  transactions on
the New  York  Stock  Exchange  (the  "NYSE"),  in  negotiated  transactions  or
otherwise  at  market  prices  prevailing  at the time of the sale or at  prices
otherwise  negotiated.  The Selling Shareholders may effect such transactions by
selling  the  Offered  Shares  to or  through  broker-dealers  who  may  receive
compensation  in the form of  discounts,  concessions  or  commissions  from the
Selling  Shareholders  and/or the purchasers of the Offered Shares for whom such
broker-dealers  may act as  agent or to whom  they  sell as  principal,  or both
(which  compensation  as to a  particular  broker-dealer  may  be in  excess  of
customary commissions).  Any broker-dealer acquiring the Offered Shares from the
Selling  Shareholders  may sell such  securities  in its  normal  market  making
activities,  through other brokers on a principal or agency basis, in negotiated
transactions,  to its  customers or through a combination  of such methods.  See
"Plan of Distribution."

     The Company will bear all expenses  incurred by it in  connection  with the
reoffering   and  resale  of  the  Offered   Shares,   excluding  any  fees  and
disbursements of underwriters,  brokers or dealers,  underwriting  discounts and
commissions, broker or dealer discounts,  concessions or commissions and certain
expenses of the Selling Shareholders. The Company's estimated expenses aggregate
$80,000,  and the Selling  Shareholders  have  advised  the  Company  that their
estimated expenses aggregate $5,000.

     The Common  Shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "HRP." On August
27, 1997, the last sale price for the Common Shares on the NYSE was $18 3/16.

                             ----------------------

    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 COM-
        MISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
            ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                             ----------------------

              The date of this Prospectus is ______________, 1997.

<PAGE>

     No  person  has  been  authorized  to give any  information  or to make any
representations  other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus in connection  with the offer  contained in this  Prospectus  and, if
given or made, such  information or  representations  must not be relied upon as
having  been  authorized  by  the  Company,  the  Selling  Shareholders  or  any
underwriters, agents or dealers. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to
sell or  solicitation  of an offer to buy securities in any  jurisdiction to any
person to whom it is  unlawful to make such offer or  solicitation.  Neither the
delivery  of this  Prospectus  nor any sale  made  hereunder  shall,  under  any
circumstances,  create  an  implication  that  there  has been no  change in the
affairs  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  since  the date  hereof  or the
information contained or incorporated by reference herein is correct at any time
subsequent to the date hereof.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company has filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission")  in  Washington,  D.C.,  a  registration  statement  on  Form  S-3
(together with all exhibits, schedules and amendments thereto, the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
with  respect to the Offered  Shares.  This  Prospectus,  which is a part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement.  Statements 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  documents  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 concerning the Company and the Offered Shares,  reference is
made to the Registration Statement.  Copies of the Registration Statement may be
obtained from the Commission at its principal  office in  Washington,  D.C. upon
payment of the prescribed fee.

     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  and  other  information  with  the  Commission.  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  can be inspected  and copies  obtained at the public  reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices of
the Commission:  Chicago Regional  Office,  Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street,
Chicago,  Illinois  60661-2511;  and New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade
Center,  New York,  New York 10048.  Copies of such  material can be obtained at
prescribed  rates from the Public  Reference  Section of the  Commission  at its
principal  office  at 450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549.  The
Commission  maintains  a World Wide Web site that  contains  reports,  proxy and
information  statements and other  information  regarding  registrants that file
electronically   with   the   Commission.   The   address   of   the   site   is
http://www.sec.gov. The Company's Common Shares are traded on the NYSE under the
symbol "HRP," and similar information concerning the Company may be inspected at
the office of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents, which have been filed with the Commission pursuant
to the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated in this Prospectus and specifically
made a part hereof by reference:  (i) the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1996 (the  "Annual  Report"),  (ii) the
Company's  Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1997
and June 30, 1997,  (iii) the Company's  Current  Reports on Form 8-K dated June
23, 1997,  July 2, 1997 and September 2, 1997,  (iv) the  information in Item 5,
Other Events,  under the caption "Legal Proceedings"  contained in the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated  February 13, 1997,  (v) the Company's  Current
Reports  on Form 8-K  dated  February  17,  1997 and March  14,  1997,  (vi) the
consolidated  financial statements of Marriott  International,  Inc. ("MII"), at
and for the fiscal year ended  January 3, 1997,  as  contained  in MII's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended  January  3, 1997  (Commission  File No.
1-12188),  (vii) the  consolidated  financial  statements  of MII at and for the
quarters ended March 28, 1997 and June 20, 1997, as contained in MII's Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the  quarters  ended March 28, 1997 and June 20,  1997,
and (viii) the  description  of the  Company's  Common  Shares  contained in the
Company's  Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated November 8, 1986, as amended
by Form 8 dated July 30, 1991.  All documents  filed by the Company  pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) subsequent to the date
of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the

                                        2

<PAGE>


offering of the Offered Shares and (ii)  subsequent to the date of filing of the
registration  statement  of which  this  Prospectus  forms a part  and  prior to
effectiveness of such registration  statement shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference  into this  Prospectus  and to be a part hereof from the respective
dates of filing of such documents.

     Any statement  contained herein or in a document  incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein,
or  in  any  subsequently  filed  document  that  also  is or  is  deemed  to be
incorporated  herein by reference,  modifies or supersedes such  statement.  Any
such  statement  so modified  or  superseded  shall not be deemed,  except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     The Company hereby  undertakes to provide  without charge to each person to
whom this  Prospectus  is  delivered,  upon the written or oral  request of such
person, a copy of any and all of the information  that has been  incorporated by
reference  in this  Prospectus  (excluding  exhibits  unless such  exhibits  are
specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
incorporates).  Requests  for such  copies  should be made to the Company at its
principal executive offices,  400 Centre Street,  Newton,  Massachusetts  02158,
Attention: Investor Relations, telephone (617) 332-3990.


                                        3

<PAGE>

                                   THE COMPANY

     The  Company is a real  estate  investment  trust  ("REIT")  which  invests
primarily in retirement  communities,  assisted living  centers,  long-term care
facilities  and other  income  producing  healthcare  related real estate and in
office buildings leased to various agencies of the United States government.  At
August 1,  1997,  the  Company  had  investments  totaling  (at cost)  over $1.8
billion, of which  approximately 71% represented  healthcare related properties,
23% represented  U.S.  Government-leased  office buildings and 6% represented an
equity  investment in Hospitality  Properties  Trust  ("HPT"),  a New York Stock
Exchange-listed  REIT  founded by the  Company  which  invests  in  hotels.  The
Company's  investments  on such date were in over 220  properties  located in 32
states. Additionally, on August 1, 1997, HPT owned and leased an aggregate of 93
hotels located in 29 states.

     The Company is organized as a Maryland real estate  investment  trust.  The
Company's   principal   place  of  business  is  400  Centre   Street,   Newton,
Massachusetts 02158 and its telephone number is (617) 332-3990.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Company will receive no proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares by
the  Selling  Shareholders.  All  proceeds  will  be  received  by  the  Selling
Shareholders.

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The  following  table sets forth certain  information  as of August 1, 1997
with respect to the number of Common Shares  beneficially  owned by each Selling
Shareholder  prior to the offering and the maximum number of Common Shares being
offered  hereby.  Because the Selling  Shareholders  may offer all, a portion or
none of the Common Shares offered pursuant to this  Prospectus,  no estimate can
be given as to the  number of Common  Shares  that will be held by each  Selling
Shareholder upon termination of the offering. See "Plan of Distribution." To the
extent  required,  the  names  of  any  agent,  dealer,  broker  or  underwriter
participating  in any such sales and any applicable  commission or discount with
respect to the sale will be set forth in a supplement  to this  Prospectus.  The
Common Shares  offered by means of this  Prospectus  may be offered from time to
time by the Selling Shareholders named in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Number of Common Shares
                                                           Beneficially Owned Prior to the           Maximum Number of Common
Name of Selling Shareholder                                            Offering                        Shares Being Offered
- -------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                                   <C>

Government Property Investors, Inc.                                   1,502,536                             1,502,536
("GPI") (1)
The 1818 Fund II, L.P. ("The 1818 Fund")                              1,375,869                             1,375,869
(1)(2)
GovProp Sub-Debt Partners, L.P.                                       1,106,623                             1,106,623
("GovProp") (1)(3)
<FN>

(1)  The 1818 Fund and  Rosecliff  Realty,  L.P.  ("RRLP"),  an affiliate of GovProp,  collectively,  own  substantially  all of the
     outstanding capital stock of GPI. In addition,  pursuant to GPI's Plan of Liquidation,  designees of The 1818 Fund and RRLP are
     the  liquidators of GPI. As a result,  The 1818 Fund and GovProp may be deemed to have joint voting and  investment  power with
     respect to the Common Shares owned by GPI in addition to the Common Shares directly owned by each such entity.

(2)  The 1818 Fund is a Delaware limited partnership. The general and managing partner of The 1818 Fund is Brown Brothers Harriman &
     Co., a New York partnership, which has designated its partners T. Michael

                                        4

<PAGE>


     Long and Lawrence C. Tucker as the sole and exclusive  partners  having voting power and  investment  power with respect to the
     Common Shares that are held by The 1818 Fund.

(3)  GovProp and RRLP are Delaware limited  partnerships  controlled by their general partner,  Rosecliff-  GovProp Holdings,  Inc.,
     which is 100% owned by Peter T. Joseph.  Accordingly,  Mr. Joseph may be deemed to beneficially  own the Common Shares owned by
     GovProp.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                   THE MERGER

     The Merger and the Merger  Agreement.  The Offered  Shares were  originally
issued by the Company to GPI in a private placement  pursuant to an Agreement of
Merger (as amended,  the "Merger  Agreement"),  between the Company and GPI. The
Merger Agreement  provided for the merger (the "Merger") of Government  Property
Holdings  Trust  (together  with its  subsidiaries,  except  where  the  context
otherwise requires,  "GPH"), a Maryland real estate investment trust which was a
wholly owned  subsidiary of GPI, with and into a wholly owned  subsidiary of the
Company ("HRP Merger Sub").  As a result of the Merger,  all of the  outstanding
shares of GPH  converted  into the right to  receive  the  merger  consideration
described below.

     Through  the Merger and  pursuant  to  provisions  of the Merger  Agreement
contemplating  additional  acquisitions by the Company,  the Company acquired or
agreed to acquire up to 30 office buildings containing approximately 3.4 million
square  feet,  substantially  all of which is leased to various  agencies of the
United  States  government.  The  consideration  to be  paid  under  the  Merger
Agreement was payable in two portions, the "First Closing Consideration" and the
"Second Closing  Consideration." The First Closing  Consideration was payable in
approximately  4.2 million Common  Shares,  subject to adjustment as provided in
the Merger Agreement,  issuable in part on the date of the Merger and in part on
subsequent  closing  dates in  respect  of  properties  which GPH had a right to
acquire or was  developing  at the time of the  Merger;  the  assumption  by the
Company  through  subsidiaries of  approximately  $28 million of debt secured by
mortgages on four acquired  properties and by the payment of approximately  $337
million  to  retire  other  debt  and  pay  certain  obligations  of GPI and its
subsidiaries  assumed by the Company's  subsidiaries  at the time of the Merger.
The Merger occurred on March 25, 1997 (the "First Closing Date"),  at which time
the Company  issued to GPI 3,862,716  Common  Shares.  GovProp and The 1818 Fund
received their Common Shares from GPI in repayment of certain  indebtedness owed
to them by GPI. Subsequent closings in respect of two properties occurred on (i)
May 15,  1997,  on which date the Company  issued to GPI an  aggregate of 36,124
Common  Shares  (which  amount   includes   Common  Shares  issued  for  certain
post-closing  adjustments)  and (ii) July 11,  1997,  on which date the  Company
issued to GPI an aggregate of 86,188 Common Shares.  The 3,985,028 Common Shares
issued on the First Closing Date and such  subsequent  closing dates  constitute
the Offered Shares.

     In addition to the First Closing  Consideration,  the Company has agreed to
pay the Second  Closing  Consideration  in an amount  equal to the greater of $8
million or 3% of the aggregate cost of certain additional properties acquired by
the Company  from GPI as described  in the Merger  Agreement  prior to the first
anniversary  of the  First  Closing  Date  (the  "Second  Closing  Date") by the
issuance of Common Shares valued at the arithmetic  average of the closing sales
prices for the Common  Shares as  reported  by the NYSE for the 20 trading  days
immediately prior to the Second Closing Date.

         The  Second  Closing  Consideration  payable in Common  Shares  will be
adjusted (i) if the amounts paid to GPI or its successor pursuant to the Service
Contract (as hereafter  defined) (the "Service Contract  Payment") are less than
the amounts actually paid by GPI or its successor for office expenses,  salaries
and other operating expenses through July 31, 1997, by the addition of an amount
of up to the  difference  between such amounts,  provided that such amount shall
not exceed the difference  between  $974,935 and the Service  Contract  Payment;
(ii) if the aggregate  amount funded or  anticipated to be funded by the Company
subsequent  to the  consummation  of  the  Merger  to  complete  one of the  GPI
properties  located in Golden,  Colorado  (including  interest  thereon) exceeds
$9,046,823,  by the  deduction  of  one-half  of such  excess;  and (iii) if the
aggregate amount funded or anticipated to be funded by the Company subsequent to
the consummation of the Merger to complete one of the GPI properties  located in
San Diego,  California  (including interest thereon) exceeds $1,063,264,  by the
deduction of one-half of such excess.


                                        5

<PAGE>

     A copy of the Merger  Agreement is filed as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement of which this  Prospectus  forms a part. The description of the Merger
set forth herein describes certain provisions of the Merger Agreement,  but does
not purport to be complete  and is subject to, and  qualified in its entirety by
reference  to, all of the  provisions  of the Merger  Agreement,  including  the
definition of certain terms therein.

     Pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement,  the  agreements  described  below (the
"Additional Agreements") were also entered into by certain parties to the Merger
Agreement and others.  A copy of the form of each Additional  Agreement and each
of  certain  other  related  agreements  is filed as a  schedule  to the  Merger
Agreement.  The descriptions of the Additional  Agreements describe the material
provisions  of each  of the  Additional  Agreements,  but do not  purport  to be
complete and are subject to, and  qualified in their  entirety by reference  to,
all of the  provisions  of  each of the  Additional  Agreements,  including  the
definition of certain terms therein.

     Registration  Rights Agreement.  Pursuant to an investment and registration
rights  agreement  between  the  Company  and  GPI  (the  "Registration   Rights
Agreement"),  the  Company  agreed  to file  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  a  registration  statement  relating to the offer and sale of Common
Shares  delivered  on the  First  Closing  Date to GPI  pursuant  to the  Merger
Agreement  by the  holders  thereof.  The  Company has also agreed to amend such
registration  statement  from time to time to include  additional  Common Shares
delivered after the First Closing Date to GPI and its successors pursuant to the
Merger  Agreement.  The Company is required to use its best efforts to have such
registration  statement  declared  effective as soon as  reasonably  practicable
after filing and to maintain the continuous  effectiveness of such  registration
statement for three years from the First Closing Date or such shorter  period as
will terminate when all such Common Shares have been sold. The Company has filed
the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part pursuant to the
Registration  Rights Agreement.  The Registration  Rights Agreement provides for
suspension  periods when the  registration  statement is not  effective  and for
block out periods in connection  with other  offerings of the  securities of the
Company,  each on  customary  terms  and  conditions.  The  Registration  Rights
Agreement  also  provides  certain  cross-indemnities  between  the  Company and
sellers of the Common Shares subject to the Registration Rights Agreement.  Such
indemnities may be  unenforceable,  in whole or in part,  under federal or state
securities laws or certain public policies.

     Indemnification Agreement. Pursuant to an indemnification agreement between
the Company and GPI (the  "Idemnification  Agreement"),  GPI will  indemnify the
Company and other related  parties for certain  losses arising out of any breach
of any  warranty  or  representation  made by GPI in the Merger  Agreement,  the
Registration Rights Agreement or the Indemnification  Agreement;  provided that,
any  claim  for  indemnification   must  be  made  by  December  31,  1997.  The
Indemnification  Agreement  provides that GPI shall be liable only for losses in
excess of $1,500,000 in the aggregate  (except for certain losses related to the
property located in College Park, Maryland) and that GPI shall have no liability
for losses in excess of the Second Closing Consideration.

     Voting Agreement.  At the time of the Merger, the Company and The 1818 Fund
and RRLP (the "Principal  Stockholders")  entered into the voting agreement (the
"Voting Agreement"), pursuant to which each Principal Stockholder agreed that it
will not,  until the  occurrence  of a Change in  Management  (as defined in the
Voting Agreement) or until such Principal Stockholder, with its affiliates, owns
less than 25% of the  aggregate  Common  Shares  issued  pursuant  to the Merger
Agreement,  unless  otherwise  approved by the Board of Trustees of the Company,
(i) transfer any Common Shares held by Principal  Stockholder to any person who,
to the Principal Stockholders' knowledge,  holds directly, or is an affiliate of
a person  who  holds,  5% or more of the  aggregate  Common  Shares  at the time
outstanding;  (ii) make directly or indirectly or  participate in an unsolicited
offer to  purchase  any  Common  Shares;  (iii) vote (or direct to be voted) any
Common Shares or any other shares of equity  interest in the Company as to which
either  has  direct  or  indirect  voting  power  or  control  in  favor  of any
transaction  that could  result in a Change of Control (as defined in the Voting
Agreement) of the Company; or (iv) present any shareholder proposal dealing with
a Change of Control of the Company.

     Information  Access Agreement.  At the time of the Merger,  the Company and
the Principal Stockholders entered into an information access agreement pursuant
to which the Company agreed upon request to permit the Principal Stockholders to
inspect the Company's properties,  provide certain financial  information,  make
certain of the  Company's  officers  available for  consultation  and inform the
Principal Stockholders of significant corporate

                                        6

<PAGE>


actions.  Each Principal  Stockholder has agreed to hold all such information in
confidence.  Such  information  access  agreement  will  terminate  on the third
anniversary of the First Closing Date.

     Service Contract.  At the time of the Merger,  GPI and M&P Partners Limited
Partnership  ("M&P"),  an affiliate of HRPT  Advisors,  Inc.  ("Advisors"),  the
Company's investment advisor,  which is owned by Advisors and Messrs.  Gerard M.
Martin and Barry M. Portnoy, the Managing Trustees of the Company,  entered into
a service contract (the "Service Contract"), pursuant to which certain employees
of GPI provide  administrative and support services to HRP Merger Sub until July
31,  1997.  HRP Merger Sub is  required  to  reimburse  GPI for such  employees'
compensation  and for rent payments for GPI's office space in  Washington,  D.C.
until July 31, 1997 in an amount not to exceed $700,000.

                              DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

     The Declaration of Trust ("Declaration") authorizes the Company to issue an
aggregate  of  175,000,000   shares  of  beneficial   interest  in  the  Company
("Shares"),  including (i) 125,000,000  Common Shares, par value $.01 per share,
and (ii)  50,000,000  Preferred  Shares,  par value  $.01 per share  ("Preferred
Shares").   The  Declaration  permits  the  Company's  Board  of  Trustees  (the
"Trustees")  to amend the  Declaration  to increase or decrease  the  authorized
shares  of  beneficial  interest  of the  Company  without  the  requirement  of
shareholder approval.

     The Declaration authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, from
time to time to divide the  Preferred  Shares into  classes or series and to set
(or  change,  if the class or series has been  previously  established)  the par
value,  if  any,  preferences,   conversion  or  other  rights,  voting  powers,
restrictions,   limitations  as  to  dividends,   qualifications  or  terms  and
conditions of redemption of such  Preferred  Shares as are not prohibited by the
Declaration or applicable  law. In connection with the adoption of the Company's
shareholders  rights plan (see  "Redemption;  Business  Combinations and Control
Share  Acquisitions  --  Rights  Plan,"  below),  the  Trustees  established  an
authorized but unissued class of 1,250,000  Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per
share (the "Junior Participating Preferred Shares"), described more fully below,
and as of August 1, 1997 no other class or series of  Preferred  Shares had been
established.

     As of August 1, 1997 there were 98,836,840 Shares outstanding, all of which
were Common  Shares.  The Company  also had  outstanding  as of such date $211.7
million  aggregate  principal  amount  convertible  subordinated  debentures  of
various series,  all of which are convertible  into Common Shares at an exercise
price equal on such date to $18 per share.

     The  following  descriptions  do not purport to be complete and are subject
to,  and  qualified  in their  entirety  by  reference  to,  the  more  complete
descriptions thereof set forth in the Declaration. Capitalized terms not defined
herein are as defined in the Declaration.

     Except as otherwise determined by the Trustees with respect to any class or
series  of  Preferred  Shares,  all  Shares:  (i) will  participate  equally  in
dividends  payable to shareholders  when, as and if declared by the Trustees and
ratably in net assets  available for distribution to shareholders on liquidation
or dissolution;  (ii) will have one vote per share on all matters submitted to a
vote of the  shareholders,  (iii) will not have cumulative  voting rights in the
election of Trustees;  and (iv) will have no preference,  conversion,  exchange,
sinking fund, redemption rights or preemptive or similar rights.

     Upon issuance in accordance  with the  Declaration  and applicable law, the
Offered  Shares will be fully paid and  nonassessable.  The holders of Shares do
not have preemptive  rights with respect to the issuance of additional Shares or
other securities of the Company.

     The authorized but unissued Shares will be available for issuance from time
to time by the Company at the sole  discretion  of its Board of Trustees for any
proper  trust  purpose,   which  could  include   raising   capital,   providing
compensation  or benefits to employees  and others,  paying  stock  dividends or
acquiring  companies,  businesses or  properties.  The issuance of such unissued
Shares  could have the effect of diluting  the earnings per share and book value
per share of currently outstanding Shares.

                                        7

<PAGE>


     In connection with the adoption of the Company's  shareholders rights plan,
the Trustees  established an authorized  but unissued class of 1,250,000  Junior
Participating  Preferred  Shares.  See  "Redemption;  Business  Combinations and
Control Share Acquisitions"  below.  Certain powers,  preferences and rights and
certain qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Junior Participating
Preferred Shares, when and if issued, are as follows.  The statements below with
respect to the Junior Participating Preferred Shares are in all respects subject
to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable  provisions of
the Declaration (including the applicable articles supplementary) and By-Laws.

     The holder of each  Junior  Participating  Preferred  Share is  entitled to
quarterly  dividends in the greater  amount of $5.00 or 100 times the  quarterly
per share dividend, whether cash or otherwise,  declared upon the Common Shares.
Dividends on the Junior Participating Preferred Shares are cumulative.  Whenever
dividends  on the Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares are in  arrears,  the
Company,  among other things,  is prohibited from declaring or paying dividends,
making other  distributions  on, or redeeming or  repurchasing  Common Shares or
other Shares ranking junior to the Junior  Participating  Preferred Shares,  and
upon failure of the Company to pay such dividends for six quarters,  the holders
of the Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares  will be  entitled  to elect two
Trustees. The holder of each Junior Participating Preferred Share is entitled to
100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, voting (unless
otherwise provided in the Declaration or by law) together with holders of Common
Shares as one class. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
the  holders  of  Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares  are  entitled  to  a
liquidation  preference  of $100 per share  plus the amount of any  accrued  and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon (the "Liquidation Preference"), prior
to payment  of any  distribution  in  respect of the Common  Shares or any other
Shares ranking junior to the Junior  Participating  Preferred Shares.  Following
payment of the  Liquidation  Preference,  the  holders  of Junior  Participating
Preferred Shares are not entitled to further  distributions until the holders of
Common  Shares  shall  have  received  an amount per share  (the  "Common  Share
Adjustment")  equal to the  Liquidation  Preference  divided by 100 (adjusted to
reflect  events such as stock  splits,  stock  dividends  and  recapitalizations
affected the Common Shares) (the "Adjustment Number").  Following the payment of
the full amount of the Liquidation  Preference and the Common Share  Adjustment,
holders of Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares are entitled to  participate
proportionately  on a per share  basis  with  holders  of  Common  Shares in the
distribution  of the remaining  assets to be distributed in respect of Shares in
the ratio of the Adjustment Number to one, respectively. The powers, preferences
and  rights of the Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares  are  subject to the
superior  powers,  preferences  and  rights  of any  senior  series  or class of
Preferred  Shares which the Trustees  shall,  from time to time,  authorize  and
issue.

     For certain other  information with respect to the Shares,  see "Limitation
of Liability; Shareholder Liability" and "Redemption;  Business Combinations and
Control Share Acquisitions" below.

                 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY

     Maryland law permits a REIT to provide, and the Declaration provides,  that
no trustee, officer, shareholder, employee or agent of the Company shall be held
to any personal liability,  jointly or severally, for any obligation of or claim
against the Company, and that, as far as practicable,  each written agreement of
the Company is to contain a  provision  to that  effect.  Despite  these  facts,
counsel  has  advised the Company  that in some  jurisdictions  the  possibility
exists that  shareholders of a  non-corporate  entity such as the Company may be
held  liable for acts or  obligations  of the  Company.  Counsel has advised the
Company  that the  State  of Texas  may not give  effect  to the  limitation  of
shareholder  liability afforded by Maryland law, but that Texas law would likely
recognize  contractual  limitations of liability such as those discussed  above.
The  Company  intends to conduct its  business in a manner  designed to minimize
potential  shareholder  liability by, among other things,  inserting appropriate
provisions in written  agreements of the Company;  however,  no assurance can be
given  that   shareholders   can  avoid   liability  in  all  instances  in  all
jurisdictions.

     The  Declaration  provides that,  upon payment by a shareholder of any such
liability,  the shareholder will be entitled to  indemnification by the Company.
There can be no assurance  that, at the time any such  liability  arises,  there
will  be  assets  of  the   Company   sufficient   to  satisfy   the   Company's
indemnification obligation. The Trustees intend to conduct the operations of the
Company, with the advice of counsel, in such a way as to minimize or avoid,

                                        8

<PAGE>


as far as  practicable,  the  ultimate  liability  of  the  shareholders  of the
Company.  The Trustees do not intend to provide insurance covering such risks to
the shareholders.

        REDEMPTION; BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS

Redemption and Business Combinations

     For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code,  in any taxable  year,
not more than 50% in value of its outstanding  Shares may be owned,  directly or
indirectly,  by five or fewer  individuals  during  the last six  months of such
year,  and the shares must be owned by 100 or more  persons  during at least 335
days of a taxable  year or a  proportionate  part of a taxable year less than 12
months.  In order to meet these and other  requirements,  the Trustees  have the
power to redeem or prohibit  the  transfer of a  sufficient  number of Shares to
maintain  or bring  the  ownership  of the  Shares  into  conformity  with  such
requirements.  In connection  with the foregoing,  if the Trustees shall, at any
time and in good faith,  be of the opinion that direct or indirect  ownership of
shares representing more than 8.5% in value of the total Shares outstanding (the
"Excess  Shares") has or may become  concentrated in the hands of one beneficial
owner, other than Excepted Persons, as defined in the Declaration,  the Trustees
shall have the power (i) to purchase  from any  shareholder  of the Company such
Excess  Shares,  and (ii) to refuse to  transfer  or issue  Shares to any person
whose  acquisition of such Shares would, in the opinion of the Trustees,  result
in the  direct  or  indirect  beneficial  ownership  by  any  person  of  Shares
representing more than 8.5% in value of the outstanding  Shares. Any transfer of
Shares, options, or other securities convertible into Shares that would create a
beneficial owner (other than any of the Excepted Persons) of Shares representing
more than 8.5% in value of the total Shares  outstanding shall be deemed void ab
initio,  and the  intended  transferee  shall  be  deemed  never  to have had an
interest therein.  Further the Declaration  provides that transfers or purported
acquisitions,  directly,  indirectly or by attribution, of Shares, or securities
convertible into Shares, that could result in disqualification of the Company as
a REIT are null and void and permits the Trustees to repurchase  Shares or other
securities to the extent  necessary to maintain the Company's  status as a REIT.
The purchase price for any Shares so purchased  shall be determined by the price
of the Shares on the principal  exchange on which they are then traded, or if no
such price is available, then the purchase price shall be equal to the net asset
value of such Shares as determined by the Trustees in accordance with applicable
law. From and after the date fixed for purchase by the Trustees,  and so long as
payment of the purchase  price for the Shares to be so redeemed  shall have been
made or duly  provided  for,  the  holder of any  Excess  Shares  so called  for
purchase shall cease to be entitled to distributions,  voting rights and any and
all other  benefits with respect to such Shares,  except the right to payment of
the purchase price for the Shares.

     The Declaration also requires that Business Combinations, as defined in the
Declaration,  between the Company and a beneficial  holder of 10% or more of the
outstanding  Shares (a "Related  Person") be approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 75% of the Shares  unless (1) the  Trustees by unanimous
vote or written consent shall have expressly approved in advance the acquisition
of the  outstanding  Shares that  caused the Related  Person to become a Related
Person or shall have  approved  the  Business  Combination  prior to the Related
Person involved in the Business  Combination  having become a Related Person; or
(2) the  Business  Combination  is solely  between  the Company and a 100% owned
affiliate  of the  Company.  As  permitted by law, the Company has elected to be
governed by such provisions  rather than the provisions of Subtitle 6 of Title 3
of the Corporations  and Associations  Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland
regarding business combinations.

     Under the Declaration the number of trustees may be fixed from time to time
by  two-thirds  of the  Trustees or by an amendment  of the  Declaration  by the
shareholders  of the  Company,  with a  minimum  of three  and a  maximum  of 12
trustees,  a majority of whom must be  Independent  Trustees,  as defined in the
Declaration. The Declaration fixes the current number of trustees of the Company
at five and divides the Trustees into three  groups.  Trustees in each group are
elected to three-year  terms.  As the trustees' terms expire,  replacements  are
elected by a majority of the outstanding  Shares.  The classified  nature of the
Trustees  may  make it  more  difficult  for  the  shareholders  to  remove  the
management  of the Company than if all trustees were elected on an annual basis.
Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining  trustees,  except that a
vacancy  among the  Independent  Trustees  must be filled by a  majority  of the
remaining Independent Trustees or by majority vote of the Company's

                                        9

<PAGE>


shareholders.  Any  trustee  may be  removed  for  cause  by all  the  remaining
trustees,  or without cause by vote of two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon.

     The provisions regarding business combinations and the classified nature of
the Trustees and certain  other  matters may not be repealed or amended  without
the  affirmative  vote  of at  least  75% of the  shareholders  of the  Company,
provided that the Trustees,  by two-thirds  vote,  may,  without the approval or
consent  of the  shareholders,  adopt  any  amendment  that  they in good  faith
determine  to be  necessary to permit the Company to qualify as a REIT under the
Code.

     The foregoing  provisions  may have the effect of  discouraging  unilateral
tender offers or other takeover proposals which certain  shareholders might deem
in their interests or pursuant to which they might receive a substantial premium
for their  Shares.  The  provisions  could  also have the  effect of  insulating
current  management  against the  possibility of removal and could,  by possibly
reducing  temporary  fluctuations  in market  price caused by  accumulations  of
Shares,  deprive  shareholders of opportunities to sell at a temporarily  higher
market  price.  However,  the Trustees  believe  that  inclusion of the business
combination  provisions  in the  Declaration  may help assure fair  treatment of
shareholders and preserve the assets of the Company.

Control Share Acquisition

     Maryland law provides for a limitation of voting rights in a "control share
acquisition."  The Maryland  statute defines a control share  acquisition at the
20%,  33 1/3%  and 50%  acquisition  levels,  and  requires  a  two-thirds  vote
(excluding  shares  owned  by  the  acquiring  person  and  certain  members  of
management)  to  accord  voting  rights to shares  acquired  in a control  share
acquisition.  The statute  would  require  the target  company to hold a special
meeting at the request of an actual or proposed  control share acquiror  subject
to compliance with certain conditions by such acquiror. In addition,  unless the
charter,  declaration of trust or By-Laws provide  otherwise,  the statute gives
the Company, within certain time limitations, various redemption rights if there
is a  shareholder  vote on the  issue  and the  grant of  voting  rights  is not
approved,  or if an "acquiring  person statement" is not delivered to the target
company within 10 days following a control share acquisition.  Moreover,  unless
the charter,  declaration  of trust or By-Laws  provide  otherwise,  the statute
provides that if, before a control share acquisition  occurs,  voting rights for
control shares are approved at a shareholders'  meeting and the acquiror becomes
entitled  to vote a majority  of the  shares  entitled  to vote,  then all other
shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The statute does not apply to shares
acquired in a merger,  consolidation or share exchange if the company is a party
to the  transaction.  An  acquisition of shares may be exempted from the control
share statute provided that a charter,  declaration of trust or By-Law provision
is adopted for such purpose prior to the control share acquisition. There are no
such provisions in the Declaration or By-Laws of the Company.

Rights Plan

     In October 1994 the Trustees adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights
Plan").   The  Rights  Plan  provides  for  the   distribution   of  one  Junior
Participating  Preferred Share purchase right (a "Right") for each Common Share.
Each  Right  entitles  the  holder  to buy  1/100th  of a  Junior  Participating
Preferred Share (or, in certain circumstances, to receive cash, property, Common
Shares or other  securities  of the  Company)  at an  exercise  price of $50 per
1/100th of a Junior Participating  Preferred Share. Certain powers,  preferences
and rights and  certain  qualifications,  limitations  and  restrictions  of the
Junior Participating Preferred Shares are summarized above under "Description of
Shares."

     Initially,  the Rights are  attached to  certificates  representing  Common
Shares.  The Rights will separate  from such Common  Shares and a  "Distribution
Date" will occur upon earlier of (1) 10 business days (or such later date as the
Trustees may determine  before a  Distribution  Date occurs)  following a public
announcement  by the Company  that a person or group  affiliated  or  associated
persons,  with certain exceptions (an "Acquiring Person"),  has acquired, or has
obtained  the  right  to  acquire,  beneficial  ownership  of 10% or more of the
outstanding  Common  Shares  (the  date of  such  announcement  being  a  "Share
Acquisition  Date") or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as the Trustees
may determine before a Distribution Date occurs) following the commencement of a
tender  offer or  exchange  offer  that  would  result in a person  becoming  an
Acquiring Person.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     Until the  Distribution  Date,  (i) the  Rights  will be  evidenced  by the
certificates  for Common Shares and will be transferred  with and only with such
Common  Share  certificates,  (ii)  Common  Share  certificates  will  contain a
notation  incorporating  the rights agreement  pursuant to which the Rights were
issued  (the  "Rights  Agreement")  by  reference  and (iii) the  surrender  for
transfer of any certificates for Common Shares  outstanding will also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by such
certificates.

     The Rights are not exercisable  until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of  business  on October  17,  2004,  unless  earlier  redeemed  or
exchanged by the Company as described  below.  Until a Right is  exercised,  the
holder  thereof,  as  such,  has no  rights  as a  shareholder  of the  Company,
including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

     In the event (a  "Flip-In  Event") a Person  becomes  an  Acquiring  Person
(except pursuant to a tender or exchange offer for all outstanding Common Shares
at a price and on terms which a majority of the Company's  Outside  Trustees (as
defined in the Rights  Agreement)  determines to be fair to and otherwise in the
best  interests  of the Company and its  shareholders  (a "fair  offer")),  each
holder of a Right will  thereafter  have the right to receive,  upon exercise of
such Right, Common Shares (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other
securities  of the  Company)  having a Current  Market  Price (as defined in the
Rights  Agreement)  equal  to  two  times  the  exercise  price  of  the  Right.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  following the occurrence of any Flip-In Event,
all Rights that are, or (under  certain  circumstances  specified  in the Rights
Agreement)  were,  beneficially  owned by any  Acquiring  Person  (or by certain
related  parties)  will be null and void in the  circumstances  set forth in the
Rights  Agreement.  However,  Rights  will  not  be  exercisable  following  the
occurrence  of any  Flip-In  Event  until  such time as the Rights are no longer
redeemable by the Company as set forth below.

     In the event (a "Flip-Over  Event") that, at any time on or after the Share
Acquisition  Date, (i) the Company shall take part in a merger or other business
combination  transaction  (other than certain  mergers that follow a fair offer)
and the Company shall not be the surviving entity or (ii) the Company shall take
part in a merger or other business  combination  transaction in which the Common
Shares are changed or exchanged  (other than certain  mergers that follow a fair
offer) or (iii) 50% or more of the Company's  assets or earning power is sold or
transferred,  each holder of a Right (except Rights which  previously  have been
voided,  as set forth above) shall  thereafter  have the right to receive,  upon
exercise,  a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring  company having a
Current Market Price equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. Flip-In
Events and Flip-Over Events are collectively referred to as "Triggering Events."

     The Purchase Price payable and the number of Junior Participating Preferred
Shares (or the  amount of cash,  property  or other  securities)  issuable  upon
exercise  of the Rights are subject to  adjustment  from time to time to prevent
dilution (i) in the event of a share dividend on, or a subdivision,  combination
or  reclassification  of, the Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares,  (ii) if
holders of the Junior Participating  Preferred Shares are granted certain rights
or  warrants  to  subscribe  for  Junior   Participating   Preferred  Shares  or
convertible  securities  at less than the  Current  Market  Price of the  Junior
Participating  Preferred Shares or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the
Junior  Participating  Preferred  Shares of evidences of  indebtedness or assets
(excluding  regular  quarterly  cash  dividends)  or of  subscription  rights or
warrants  (other than those  referred to above).  With  certain  exceptions,  no
adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until  cumulative  adjustments
amount to at least 1% of the  Purchase  Price.  The  Company is not  required to
issue fractional  Shares upon the exercise of any Right, and in lieu thereof,  a
cash payment will be made.

     At any time until 10 business days  following the Share  Acquisition  Date,
the Company may redeem the Rights in whole,  but not in part, at a price of $.01
per Right,  payable,  at the option of the Company,  in cash,  Common  Shares or
other  consideration  as  the  Trustees  may  determine.  Immediately  upon  the
effectiveness of the action of the Trustees  ordering  redemption of the Rights,
the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to
receive the $.01 per Right redemption price.

     The term of the  Rights,  other  than key  financial  terms and the date on
which  the  Rights  expire,  may  be  amended  by  the  Trustees  prior  to  the
Distribution Date. Thereafter, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may

                                       11

<PAGE>


be  amended  by the  Trustees  only in order to cure any  ambiguity,  defect  or
inconsistency,  to make changes which do not  adversely  affect the interests of
holders of Rights  (excluding the interests of any Acquiring  Person and certain
other  related  parties)  or to shorten or lengthen  any time  period  under the
Rights  Agreement;  provided,  however,  that no  amendment to lengthen the time
period  governing  redemption is permitted to be made at such time as the Rights
are not redeemable.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The Selling  Shareholders  have  provided  the Company  with the  following
information  concerning the reoffer and resale of the Offered  Shares.  Sales of
the Offered Shares by the Selling  Shareholders may be made from time to time in
one or more transactions, including block transactions, on the NYSE or any other
exchange or quotation system on which the Offered Shares may be listed or quoted
pursuant to and in accordance with the applicable rules of the exchanges,  or in
the over the counter market,  in negotiated  transactions or in a combination of
any such methods of sale, at fixed prices that may be changed,  at market prices
prevailing  at the time of sale,  at prices  related to such  prevailing  market
prices or at negotiated prices.  The Offered Shares may be offered directly,  to
or through  agents  designated  from time to time,  or to or through  brokers or
dealers,  or through any  combination  of these  methods of sale.  Such  agents,
brokers  or  dealers  may  receive   compensation  in  the  form  of  discounts,
concessions or commissions from the Selling  Shareholders  and/or the purchasers
of the Offered Shares for whom such  broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom
they  sell  as  principals,  or  both  (which  compensation  as to a  particular
broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions).  A member firm of an
exchange may be engaged to act as an agent in the sale of Offered  Shares by the
Selling Shareholders.

     GPI, one of the Selling  Shareholders,  may, from time to time,  distribute
all or a portion of its Offered Shares to its  stockholders.  At the time such a
distribution  is made, to the extent  required,  a supplement to this Prospectus
will be distributed  which will set forth the names and beneficial  ownership of
Common Shares of such GPI stockholders  receiving  Offered Shares as new Selling
Shareholders hereunder.

     The  Selling  Shareholders  and any  underwriters,  dealers or agents  that
participate  in the  distribution  of the  Offered  Shares  may be  deemed to be
underwriters,  and any profit on the sale of such Offered Shares by them and any
discounts, commissions or concessions received by any such underwriters, dealers
or agents might be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act. At the time a particular underwritten offer of Offered Shares is
made,  to  the  extent  required,  a  supplement  to  this  Prospectus  will  be
distributed  which will set forth the aggregate  amount of Offered  Shares being
offered  and the  terms  of the  offering,  including  the  name or names of any
underwriters,  dealers or agents,  and  discounts,  commissions  and other items
constituting  compensation  from the  Selling  Shareholders  and any  discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

     The Company  and the Selling  Shareholders  entered  into the  Registration
Rights  Agreement,  pursuant to which the Company agreed to register the Offered
Shares held by the Selling  Shareholders and maintain an effective  registration
statement  for a period of time after the  registration  statement  is  declared
effective by the Commission.  The Offered Shares registered  hereunder are being
registered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.  The Company agreed in
the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  to bear  all  expenses  incurred  by it in
connection with the reoffering and resale of the Offered  Shares,  excluding any
fees  and  disbursements  of  underwriters,  brokers  or  dealers,  underwriting
discounts  and  commissions,   broker  or  dealer   discounts,   concessions  or
commissions  and  certain  expenses  of  the  Selling  Shareholders.  Under  the
Registration Rights Agreement,  the Selling  Shareholders will be indemnified by
the Company against certain civil liabilities,  including  liabilities under the
Securities Act, and the Company will be indemnified by the Selling  Shareholders
against  certain  other  civil  liabilities,  including  liabilities  under  the
Securities Act.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal  matters with respect to the Offered  Shares  offered  hereby
will be passed  upon for the  Company  by  Sullivan  &  Worcester  LLP,  Boston,
Massachusetts.  Sullivan  &  Worcester  LLP,  will  rely,  as to all  matters of
Maryland law, upon one or more  opinions of Piper & Marbury  L.L.P.,  Baltimore,
Maryland. Barry

                                       12

<PAGE>


M.  Portnoy,  a retired  partner of the firm of Sullivan &  Worcester  LLP, is a
Managing  Trustee of the  Company  and HPT, a director  and 50%  shareholder  of
Advisors,  and a director and/or significant  shareholder of certain lessees and
mortgagors of the Company.  Sullivan & Worcester LLP represents  Advisors,  HPT,
certain of such lessees and  mortgagors  and certain  affiliates  of each of the
foregoing on various matters.

                                     EXPERTS

     The  respective  consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and GPI
included in the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  February 17, 1997,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,  independent  auditors,  as set forth in
their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
report on the consolidated  financial  statements of the Company, as to the year
1996, is based in part on the report of Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent public
accountants.  Such consolidated  financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance  upon such reports  given upon the authority of such firms
as experts in accounting and auditing.

     The  consolidated  financial  statements  of Marriott  International,  Inc.
incorporated by reference in this  Prospectus and elsewhere in the  registration
statement  to the extent and for the periods  indicated in their  reports,  have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent  public  accountants,  and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving
said reports.

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS.  SUCH STATEMENTS
ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES  WHICH COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS
TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED OR PROJECTED. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS
ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE  RELIANCE ON THESE  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS
WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF.  THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO
PUBLISH REVISED  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR  CIRCUMSTANCES
AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE  OCCURRENCE  OF PRESENTLY  UNANTICIPATED
EVENTS.

                                -----------------


THE AMENDED AND  RESTATED  DECLARATION  OF TRUST OF THE  COMPANY,  DATED JULY 1,
1994, A COPY OF WHICH, TOGETHER WITH ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO (THE "DECLARATION"),
IS DULY FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION OF THE
STATE OF  MARYLAND,  PROVIDES  THAT THE NAME "HEALTH AND  RETIREMENT  PROPERTIES
TRUST" REFERS TO THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE  DECLARATION  COLLECTIVELY  AS TRUSTEES,
BUT NOT INDIVIDUALLY OR PERSONALLY,  AND THAT NO TRUSTEE, OFFICER,  SHAREHOLDER,
EMPLOYEE  OR  AGENT OF THE  COMPANY  SHALL  BE HELD TO ANY  PERSONAL  LIABILITY,
JOINTLY OR SEVERALLY,  FOR ANY OBLIGATION OF, OR CLAIM AGAINST, THE COMPANY. ALL
PERSONS  DEALING WITH THE COMPANY,  IN ANY WAY, SHALL LOOK ONLY TO THE ASSETS OF
THE COMPANY FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY SUM OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OBLIGATION.



                                       13

<PAGE>




No  dealer,  salesperson  or any other  person has been  authorized  to give any
information or to make any  representations  other than those  contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer made by this Prospectus and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company or any of the Selling  Shareholders.  This  Prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell or the  solicitation of an offer to buy the
Offered Shares by anyone in any jurisdiction 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 any person to whom it is  unlawful  to make such
offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder  shall,  under  any  circumstances,  create  an  implication  that the
information  contained  herein is correct as of any time  subsequent to the date
hereof.


                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page
Available Information.......................                                2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
   By Reference.............................                                2
The Company.................................                                4
Use of Proceeds.............................                                4
Selling Shareholders........................                                4
The Merger..................................                                5
Description of Shares.......................                                7
Limitation of Liability; Shareholders
   Liability................................                                8
Redemption; Business Combinations
   and Control Share Acquisitions...........                                9
Plan of Distribution........................                               12
Legal Matters...............................                               12
Experts.....................................                               13
Forward Looking Statements..................                               13


                                3,985,028 Shares



                             HEALTH AND RETIREMENT
                                PROPERTIES TRUST



                                Common Shares of
                              Beneficial Interest




                            ------------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------




                               ____________, 1997



<PAGE>

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

         Set forth below is an estimate  (except in the case of the registration
fee) of the amount of fees and  expenses to be incurred in  connection  with the
issuance and distribution of the Offered Shares  registered  hereby,  other than
underwriting  discounts and commission,  if any, incurred in connection with the
sale of the Offered Shares.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement,  all
such  amounts  (other  than  certain  legal  expenses  estimated  by the Selling
Shareholders to be $5,000) will be borne by the Company.

Registration Fee Under Securities Act                       $22,262.25
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses                                    1,000.00
Legal Fees and Expenses                                      30,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses                                 30,000.00
Printing                                                      1,000.00
Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses                                 737.75
                                                        --------------
   Total*:                                              $    85,000.00

- -------------- 

*  Includes  $21,786.25  paid as a  registration  fee on Common  Shares  carried
forward  from  the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-3  (File  No.
333-29675)  pursuant to Rule 429(a) and legal and  accounting  fees and expenses
and printing expenses pertaining to such Registration Statement of $24,000.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         Section 7.4 of the Company's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
filed as an Exhibit to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated July 10,
1996,  which  provides  for  indemnification  of  Trustees  and  officers of the
Company, is hereby incorporated by reference.

         Reference is made to the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  (included in
Exhibit 10.1 hereto) which contains certain  provisions for  indemnification  by
the Selling  Shareholders  of the Company,  Trustees,  officers and  controlling
persons under certain circumstances.

Item 16. Exhibits

3.1      Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust as amended by the amendment
         approved by the shareholders  June 28, 1996 and filed with the Maryland
         Department of Assessments and Taxation on July 9, 1996 (Incorporated by
         reference to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K, dated July 10,
         1996)
3.2      Amendment, effective March 3, 1997, to Health and Retirement Properties
         Trust's  Amended and Restated  Declaration  of Trust  providing  for an
         increase in the authorized common shares of beneficial  interest,  $.01
         par value per share,  from 100,000,000 to 125,000,000  (Incorporated by
         reference to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K, dated March 3,
         1997)
3.3      Amendment,  effective  May 14, 1997, to the Articles  Supplementary  to
         Health  and  Retirement   Properties   Trust's   Amended  and  Restated
         Declaration of Trust providing for an increase in the authorized Junior
         Participating  Preferred Shares, from 100,000 to 125,000  (Incorporated
         by reference to the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, dated May
         15, 1997)
3.3      Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
         Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995)
4.1      Rights  Agreement  dated October 17, 1994 between the Company and State
         Street Bank and Trust Company,  as Rights Agent  (including the form of
         Articles Supplementary  relating to the Junior Participating  Preferred
         Shares annexed as an exhibit thereto) (Incorporated by reference to the
         Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 24, 1994)

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



5.1      Opinion of  Sullivan &  Worcester  LLP 
5.2      Opinion of Piper & Marbury L.L.P.
8.1      Opinion  of  Sullivan  and  Worcester  LLP  re:   certain  tax  matters
         (Incorporated  by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
         for the year ended December 31, 1996)
10.1     Merger  Agreement  dated  February  17,  1997  between  the Company and
         Government  Property  Investors,   Inc.,   including  forms  of  Escrow
         Agreement,   Investment  and  Registration  Rights  Agreement,   Voting
         Agreement,  Information  Access Agreement,  Indemnification  Agreement,
         Service  Contract  and Non-  Solicitation  Agreement  (Incorporated  by
         reference to the Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  February
         17, 1997)
10.2     Amendment No. 1 to Agreement of Merger dated March 25, 1997 between the
         Company and Government  Properties  Investors,  Inc.  (Incorporated  by
         reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
         333-29675) filed with the Commission on June 20, 1997)
23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2     Consents of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.3     Consents of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.4     Consent of Piper & Marbury L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.2)
24       Powers of Attorney (Contained on Page II-4)
      

Item 17. Undertakings

(a)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
         a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                  (i)      To  include  any   prospectus   required  by  section
                           10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii)     To  reflect  in the  prospectus  any  facts or events
                           arising after the effective date of the  registration
                           statement   (or  the   most   recent   post-effective
                           amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or in  the
                           aggregate,  represent  a  fundamental  change  in the
                           information set forth in this registration statement.
                           Notwithstanding   the  foregoing,   any  increase  or
                           decrease  in volume  of  securities  offered  (if the
                           total dollar value of  securities  offered  would not
                           exceed that which was  registered)  and any deviation
                           from  the low or high  end of the  estimated  maximum
                           offering  range  may  be  reflected  in the  form  of
                           prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                           424(b)  (Section  230.424(b) of 17 C.F.R.) if, in the
                           aggregate,  the changes in volume and price represent
                           no more than a 20%  change in the  maximum  aggregate
                           offering  price  set  forth  in the  "Calculation  of
                           Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                           statement; and

                  (iii)    To include any material  information  with respect to
                           the plan of distribution not previously  disclosed in
                           this registration statement or any material change to
                           such information in this registration statement;

         provided,  however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
         information  required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment by
         those  paragraphs  is contained in the  periodic  reports  filed by the
         Registrant  pursuant to Section 13 or Section  15(d) of the  Securities
         and  Exchange  Act of 1934 that are  incorporated  by reference in this
         registration statement.

         (2) That  for the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under  the
         Securities Act of 1933,  each such  post-effective  amendment  shall be
         deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the Securities
         offered herein,  and the offering of such Securities at that time shall
         be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      II-2

<PAGE>



         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
         any of the  Securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold at the
         termination of the offering.

(b)      The  undersigned  Registrant  hereby further  undertakes  that, for the
         purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
         each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
         or  Section  15(d)  of  the   Securities   Exchange  of  1934  that  is
         incorporated  by  reference  in this  registration  statement  shall be
         deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the Securities
         offered herein,  and the offering of such Securities at that time shall
         be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
         Act of 1933 may be  permitted to  trustees,  officers  and  controlling
         persons of the Registrant  pursuant to the provisions  described  under
         Item  15 of this  registration  statement,  or  otherwise  (other  than
         insurance),  the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
         Securities  and Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is against
         public   policy   as   expressed   in  such  Act  and  is,   therefore,
         unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for  indemnification  against
         such liabilities  (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
         incurred  or paid by a trustee,  officer or  controlling  person of the
         Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
         is  asserted  by  such  trustee,   officer  or  controlling  person  in
         connection with the Securities being  registered,  the Registrant will,
         unless in the  opinion of its  counsel  the matter has been  settled by
         controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction
         the  question  whether  such  indemnification  by it is against  public
         policy  as  expressed  in such Act and will be  governed  by the  final
         adjudication of such issue.




                                      II-3

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant  certificates that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the  requirements  for  being  on  Form  S-3  and has  duly  caused  this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto
duly  authorized,  in the City of  Newton,  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  on
September 2, 1997.

                                 HEALTH AND RETIREMENT PROPERTIES TRUST


                                 By: /s/ David J. Hegarty
                                      David J. Hegarty
                                      President and Chief Operating Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this  Registration  Statement  on Form S-3  relating  to Common  Shares has been
signed below on September 2, 1997 by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates  indicated;  and each of the  undersigned  officers and trustees of
Health and Retirement  Properties Trust, hereby severally constitute and appoint
David J. Hegarty, Ajay Saini, Gerard M. Martin and Barry M. Portnoy, and each of
them,  to sign for him, and in his name in the capacity  indicated  below,  this
Registration  Statement for the purpose of registering such securities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and any and all amendments thereto, and any
other  Registration  Statement filed by Health and Retirement  Properties  Trust
pursuant to Rule 462(b) which  registers  additional  amounts of such securities
for the offering or offerings  contemplated  by this  Registration  Statement (a
"462(b) Registration  Statement") hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures
as they may be signed  by our  attorneys  to this  Registration  Statement,  any
462(b) Registration Statement and any and all amendments to either thereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

               Signature                                    Title                                   Date
<S>                                    <C>                                                  <C>

/s/ David J. Hegarty                     President and Chief Operating                        September 2, 1997
David J. Hegarty                         Officer (principal executive officer)

/s/ Ajay Saini                           Treasurer and Chief Financial                        September 2, 1997
Ajay Saini                               Officer

/s/ Bruce M. Gans                        Trustee                                              September 2, 1997
Bruce M. Gans, M.D.

/s/ Rev. Justinian Manning               Trustee                                              September 2, 1997
Rev. Justinian Manning, C.P.

/s/ Gerard M. Martin                     Managing Trustee                                     September 2, 1997
Gerard M. Martin

/s/ Barry M. Portnoy                     Managing Trustee                                     September 2, 1997
Barry M. Portnoy

/s/ Ralph J. Watts                       Trustee                                              September 2, 1997
Ralph J. Watts
</TABLE>


                                      II-4




                                                                  Exhibit 5.1



                                SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
                                ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
                              BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
                                    (617) 338-2800
                                 FAX NO. 617-338-2880
    IN WASHINGTON, D.C.                                    IN NEW YORK CITY
1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.                              767 THIRD AVENUE
   WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036                              NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
      (202) 775-8190                                         (212) 486-8200
   FAX NO. 202-293-2275                                    FAX NO. 212-758-2151


    

                                 August 29, 1997


Health and Retirement Properties Trust
400 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02158

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         In connection with the registration by Health and Retirement Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "Company"), of 86,188 common
shares of beneficial interest,  par value $.01 per share (the "Offered Shares"),
for  reoffering  and  resale by the  Selling  Shareholders,  as  defined  in the
Registration Statement, as defined below, from time to time, as set forth in the
prospectus which forms a part of the Registration  Statement (the "Prospectus"),
the  following  opinion  is  furnished  to the  Company  to be  filed  with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission")  as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Company's  Registration Statement on Form S-3, under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities  Act"), to be filed on or about the date hereof.  As
used in this opinion, the term "Registration  Statement" means, unless otherwise
stated, such Registration  Statement,  as amended when declared effective by the
Commission (including any necessary post-effective amendments thereto).

         In  connection  with this  opinion,  we have examined and relied upon a
copy of the  Registration  Statement to be filed with the Commission on or about
the date hereof.  We have also  examined and relied upon  originals or copies of
such records, agreements and instruments of the Company,  certificates of public
officials  and of officers of the Company and such other  documents and records,
and such matters of law, as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions
hereinafter  expressed.  In  making  such  examination,   we  have  assumed  the
genuineness  of all  signatures,  the legal  capacity  of natural  persons,  the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
the  originals of all documents  submitted to us as copies,  which facts we have
not independently verified.




<PAGE>


Health and Retirement Properties Trust
August 29, 1997
Page 2


         We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any  jurisdiction  other
than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the federal law of the United States,
and we express no opinion as to state  securities  or blue sky laws.  Insofar as
this opinion  involves  matters of Maryland law we have,  with your  permission,
relied solely on the opinion of Piper & Marbury L.L.P., a copy of which is being
filed herewith as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement,  and our opinion is
subject to the exceptions, qualifications and limitations therein expressed.

         Based on and subject to the  foregoing,  we are of the opinion that, as
of the date hereof,  the Offered Shares have been duly and validly authorized by
the  Company  and  such  Offered  Shares  are  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
nonassessable by the Company.

         With  respect to  personal  liability  attaching  to the holders of the
Offered  Shares,  we note the matters  described in the  Company's  Registration
Statement on Form 8-A dated November 8, 1986, as amended by the Company's Form 8
dated July 30, 1991,  with respect to the Company's  common shares of beneficial
interest and incorporated by reference into the Prospectus forming a part of the
Registration Statement.

         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement,  to the  incorporation  by reference from the Company's
annual  report  on Form  10- K for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1996 in the
Registration  Statement of our opinion  regarding certain tax matters and to the
reference  to our  firm in the  Prospectus  forming  a part of the  Registration
Statement.  In giving such consent,  we do not thereby admit that we come within
the category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the Act or
under the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

                                Very truly yours,


                                /s/  SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
                                SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP



                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.2





                               PIPER & MARBURY
                                    L.L.P.
                             CHARLES CENTER SOUTH
                           36 SOUTH CHARLES STREET
                        BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201-3018
                                 410-539-2530                   WASHINGTON
                              FAX: 410-539-0489                  NEW YORK
                                                               PHILADELPHIA
                                                                  EASTON


                                             August 29, 1997


Health and Retirement Properties Trust
400 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts  02158

Sullivan & Worcester LLP
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts  02109

                  Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3 of
                           Health and Retirement Properties Trust
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Health and Retirement  Properties  Trust, a
Maryland real estate  investment trust (the  "Company"),  in connection with the
preparation  of  a  Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-3  (the  "Registration
Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to
the registration of 86,188 common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value,
of the  Company  (the  "Shares")  to be  offered  and  sold by  certain  selling
shareholders from time to time.

         In our capacity as Maryland counsel, we have reviewed the following:

     (a)  The Declaration of Trust of the Company certified by an officer of the
          Company, as amended to date (the "Declaration of Trust");

     (b)  A copy of the  By-laws of the Company  certified  by an officer of the
          Company, as in effect on the date hereof (the "By-laws");

     (c)  The Registration Statement;






<PAGE>


                                                            Piper & Marbury
                                                                L.L.P.

Health and Retirement Properties Trust
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
August 29, 1997
Page 2




     (d)  The Agreement of Merger  between the Company and  Government  Property
          Investors, Inc. dated as of February 17, 1997, as amended by Amendment
          No. 1 thereto dated as of March 25, 1997;

     (e)  Certified  resolutions  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Company
          authorizing the issuance of the Shares and the Registration Statement;

     (f)  A good standing  certificate  for the Company,  dated August 29, 1997,
          issued by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation;

     (g)  An Officer's Certificate of the Company dated as of the date hereof as
          to certain factual matters (the "Officer's Certificate"); and

     (h)  Such other documents as we have considered  necessary to the rendering
          of the opinions expressed below.

         In   such   examination,   we   have   assumed,   without   independent
investigation,  the  genuineness  of all  signatures,  the legal capacity of all
individuals who have executed any of the aforesaid  documents,  the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals,  the conformity with originals of
all documents submitted to us as copies and that all public records received are
accurate and complete. As to any facts material to this opinion which we did not
independently  establish  or verify,  we have relied  solely upon the  Officer's
Certificate.  In addition,  this opinion is based upon the  assumption  that the
Registration Statement and any required  post-effective  amendments thereto have
become effective under the Securities Act.

         On the basis of the foregoing we are of the opinion that:

         1. The  Company  has been duly  formed and is validly  existing in good
standing  as a real  estate  investment  trust  under  the laws of the  State of
Maryland.

         2. The Shares have been duly authorized and are validly  issued,  fully
paid and nonassessable.






<PAGE>


                                                               Piper & Marbury
                                                                    L.L.P.

Health and Retirement Properties Trust
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
August 29, 1997
Page 3



         The  foregoing  opinions  are  limited  to the  laws  of the  State  of
Maryland, exclusive of securities or "blue sky" laws. We assume no obligation to
supplement  this opinion if any applicable  laws change after the date hereof or
if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions  expressed herein
after the date  hereof.  We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as
Exhibit 5 to the Registration  Statement and to the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ Piper & Marbury L.L.P.



                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We  consent to the  reference  to our firm under the  caption  "Experts"  in the
Registration   Statement  (Form  S-3)  and  related  Prospectus  of  Health  and
Retirement  Properties  Trust for the  registration  of 86,188  Common Shares of
Beneficial  Interest and to the  incorporation  by reference  therein of (i) our
report  dated  February  6, 1997,  with  respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements of Health and Retirement  Properties Trust, and (ii) our report dated
January 31, 1997  (except for the last  paragraphs  of Note 1 and Note 12, as to
which the date is February 18, 1997), with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Government Property Investors,  Inc., both included in the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Health and Retirement  Properties Trust dated February 17,
1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                      ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
August 29, 1997


                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As   independent   public   accountants,   we  hereby  consent  to  the
incorporation  by reference in this  registration  statement of our report dated
January 10, 1997, included in Health and Retirement Properties Trust's Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1996,  and to all references to our firm
included in this registration statement.

                                                     /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Washington, D.C.
August 26, 1997



<PAGE>




                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference in Health and Retirement Properties Trust's registration  statement on
Form  S-3  of  our  report  dated   February  24,  1997   included  in  Marriott
International,  Inc.'s  Form 10-K for the year  ended  January 3, 1997 (File No.
1-12188)  and to all  references  to our  Firm  included  in  this  registration
statement.

                                              /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Washington, D.C.
August 26, 1997




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