VORNADO REALTY TRUST
8-K, 1997-04-08
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>   1
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1997.


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                             CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
                          TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934




Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)     April 3, 1997
                                                --------------------------------

                              VORNADO REALTY TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


                                    Maryland
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


       1-11954                                            22-1657560
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Commission File Number)                       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


Park 80 West, Plaza II, Saddle Brook, New Jersey                        07663
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)


                                 (201) 587-1000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


                                Page 1 of 6 Pages
                             Exhibit Index on Page 5

<PAGE>   2
Items 1-4.        Not Applicable.


Item 5.           Other Events.

                  On April 3, 1997, Vornado Realty Trust, a real estate 
investment trust organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (the 
"Company"), entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
and a related Pricing Agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, 
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives 
(the "Representatives") of the several underwriters named therein (the 
"Underwriters"), relating to the issuance and sale by the Company of an 
aggregate of 5 million $3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of 
Beneficial Interest, liquidation preference $50.00 per share (the "Series A 
Preferred Shares"), of the Company (the "Firm Offered Securities"), plus an 
additional 750,000 Series A Preferred Shares, the issuance and sale of which 
is subject to the exercise of an over-allotment option (the "Additional 
Offered Securities" and, together with the Firm Offered Securities, the 
"Offered Securities"). On April 7, 1997, the Representatives of the several 
Underwriters exercised the over-allotment option to purchase the 750,000 
Additional Offered Securities. The Offered Securities were registered under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Company's Registration 
Statements on Form S-3 (File No. 33-52441 and File No. 33-62395).


Item 6.           Not Applicable.


Item 7.           Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and 
                  Exhibits.


   (a) - (b)      Not applicable.


         (c)      Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.


     Exhibit No.                      Exhibit
     -----------                      -------

         1.1      Underwriting Agreement, dated April 3, 1997, between the
                  Company and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

         1.2      Pricing Agreement, dated April 3, 1997, between the Company
                  and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
                  Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC.

         3.1      Articles of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Declaration
                  of Trust of the Company filed with the State Department of
                  Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on April 
                  3, 1997.

         4.1      Articles Supplementary Classifying the Company's Series A
                  Preferred Shares filed with the State Department of
                  Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on April 
                  8, 1997.


                                Page 2 of 6 Pages

<PAGE>   3
         4.2      Specimen Share Certificate representing the Company's Series A
                  Preferred Shares.

         8.1      Tax Opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell, dated April 7, 1997
                  (Exhibit A referenced in Sullivan & Cromwell's tax opinion is
                  filed herewith as Exhibit 8.2).

         8.2      Tax Opinion of Shearman & Sterling, dated April 7, 1997.

         23.1     Consent of Sullivan & Cromwell (included in Exhibit 8.1).

         23.2     Consent of Shearman & Sterling (included in Exhibit 8.2).

         23.3     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for Two Penn Plaza Associates,
                  L.P.

         23.4     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for B&B Park Avenue L.P.

         23.5     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for M Eleven Associates, M 393
                  Associates and Eleven Penn Plaza Company.

         23.6     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for 1740 Broadway Associates,
                  L.P.

         23.7     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for 866 U.N. Plaza Associates
                  LLC.

         23.8     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
                  independent accountants for Two Park Company.




Item 8.           Not Applicable.


                                Page 3 of 6 Pages


<PAGE>   4
                                   SIGNATURES


                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                            VORNADO REALTY TRUST



Dated:  April 7, 1997                     By:   /s/ Joseph Macnow
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Joseph Macnow
                                                  Vice President --
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


                                Page 4 of 6 Pages


<PAGE>   5
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


     Exhibit No.                         Exhibit
     -----------                         -------

         1.1      Underwriting Agreement, dated April 3, 1997, between the
                  Company and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

         1.2      Pricing Agreement, dated April 3, 1997, between the Company
                  and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
                  Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC.

         3.1      Articles of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Declaration
                  of Trust of the Company filed with the State Department of
                  Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on April 
                  3, 1997.

         4.1      Articles Supplementary Classifying the Company's Series A
                  Preferred Shares filed with the State Department of
                  Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on April 
                  8,1997.

         4.2      Specimen Share Certificate representing the Company's Series A
                  Preferred Shares.

         8.1      Tax Opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell, dated April 7, 1997
                  (Exhibit A referenced in Sullivan & Cromwell's tax opinion is
                  filed herewith as Exhibit 8.2).

         8.2      Tax Opinion of Shearman & Sterling, dated April 7, 1997.

         23.1     Consent of Sullivan & Cromwell (included in Exhibit 8.1).

         23.2     Consent of Shearman & Sterling (included in Exhibit 8.2).

         23.3     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for Two Penn Plaza Associates,
                  L.P.

         23.4     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for B&B Park Avenue L.P.

         23.5     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for M Eleven Associates, M 393
                  Associates and Eleven Penn Plaza Company.


                                Page 5 of 6 Pages

<PAGE>   6
         23.6     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for 1740 Broadway Associates,
                  L.P.

         23.7     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of Friedman, Alpren & Green,
                  LLP, independent accountants for 866 U.N. Plaza Associates
                  LLC.

         23.8     Consent, dated April 3, 1997, of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
                  independent accountants for Two Park Company.


                                Page 6 of 6 Pages


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 1.1

                              Vornado Realty Trust
                     Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

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

                             Underwriting Agreement

                                                                   April 3, 1997

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         From time to time Vornado Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust (the "Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing
Agreements (each a "Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such
additions and deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to
the terms and conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the
firms named in Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms
constituting the Underwriters with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the
securities specified therein) certain shares of its Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, no par value per share (the "Shares"), specified in
Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing Agreement,
the "Firm Shares"). If specified in such Pricing Agreement, the Company may
grant to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election an additional
number of shares, specified in such Pricing Agreement as provided in Section 3
hereof (the "Optional Shares"). The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares, if any,
which the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 3 hereof are herein
collectively called the "Designated Shares".

         The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Shares
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto.

         1. Particular sales of Designated Shares may be made from time to time
to the Underwriters of such Shares, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Shares in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives"). The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to Underwriters who act without any firm being designated
as their representative. This Underwriting Agreement shall not be construed as
an obligation of the Company to sell any of the Shares or as an obligation of
any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the Shares. The obligation of the
Company to issue and sell any of the Shares and the obligation of any of the
Underwriters to purchase any of the Shares shall be evidenced by the Pricing
Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares specified therein. Each Pricing
Agreement shall specify the aggregate number of the Firm Shares, the maximum
number of Optional Shares, if any, the initial public offering price of such
Firm and Optional Shares or the manner of determining such price, the purchase
price to the Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of the
Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters, the number of such Designated Shares to be purchased by each
Underwriter and the


<PAGE>   2
commission, if any, payable to the Underwriters with respect thereto and shall
set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such Firm and Optional
Shares, if any, and payment therefor. The Pricing Agreement shall also specify
(to the extent not set forth in the registration statement and prospectus with
respect thereto) the terms of such Designated Shares. A Pricing Agreement shall
be in the form of an executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be
evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid
transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications
transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each
Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

         2.       The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each
of the Underwriters that:

         (a)      Two registration statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-52441
         and 33-62395) in respect of the Shares and other securities of the
         Company have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
         (the "Commission"); such registration statements and any post-effective
         amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered or to be
         delivered to the Representatives and, excluding exhibits to such
         registration statements, but including all documents incorporated by
         reference in the prospectus included therein, to the Representatives
         for each of the other Underwriters have been declared effective by the
         Commission in such form; no other document with respect to such
         registration statements or documents incorporated by reference therein
         has heretofore been filed, or transmitted for filing, with the
         Commission (other than prospectuses filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of
         the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act of
         1933, as amended (the "Act"), each in the form heretofore delivered to
         the Representatives); and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
         such registration statements has been issued and no proceeding for that
         purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission (any
         preliminary prospectus included in such registration statements or
         filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act, is
         hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of
         such registration statements, including all exhibits thereto and the
         documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in the
         registration statements at the time such part of the registration
         statements became effective, each as amended at the time such part of
         the registration statements became effective, are hereinafter
         collectively called the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus
         relating to the Shares, in the form in which it has most recently been
         filed, or transmitted for filing, with the Commission on or prior to
         the date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any
         reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall
         be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by
         reference therein pursuant to the applicable form under the Act, as of
         the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may
         be; any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary
         Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include
         any documents filed after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or
         Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of
         1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and incorporated by reference in
         such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any
         reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be
         deemed to refer to and include any report of the Company filed pursuant
         to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date
         of the Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the
         Registration Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended
         or supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended
         or supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated Shares in the
         form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
         under the Act in


                                        2

<PAGE>   3
         accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents
         incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such filing);

                  (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus,
         when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the
         case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of
         the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents
         contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading; and any further documents so filed
         and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any further
         amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become effective
         or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in
         all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange
         Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
         or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided,
         however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
         statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with
         information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of
         Designated Shares directly or through the Representatives expressly for
         use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
         Shares;

                  (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and
         any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or
         the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the
         requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date
         as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of
         the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or
         supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided,
         however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
         statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with
         information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of
         Designated Shares directly or through the Representatives expressly for
         use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
         Shares;

                  (d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
         sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
         included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material
         loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or
         other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
         dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise
         than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the
         capitalization or long-term debt of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries or any material adverse change in or affecting the
         condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or
         business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
         whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;

                  (e) The Company has been duly organized and is validly
         existing as a real estate investment trust in good standing under the
         laws of the State of Maryland, with trust power and authority to own,


                                        3

<PAGE>   4
         lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
         described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement; and the
         Company is duly qualified as a foreign organization to transact
         business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
         qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
         leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the
         failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the
         condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or
         business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
         whole.

                  (f) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
         and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
         laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a
         foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by
         reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
         business, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
         material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or
         the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
         its subsidiaries taken as a whole; all of the issued and outstanding
         capital stock of each such subsidiary has been duly authorized and
         validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is owned by the
         Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any
         security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
         equity, except as disclosed in the Prospectus.

                  (g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
         in the Prospectus (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to
         this Agreement or pursuant to the terms of reservations, agreements or
         employee benefit plans, including, without limitation, the Vornado
         Realty Trust Omnibus Share Plan, dividend reinvestment plans and
         employee or director stock option plans, or the exercise of options
         outstanding on the date hereof or on the date of the applicable Pricing
         Agreement, and in each case referred to in the Prospectus), and all of
         the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company
         have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
         non-assessable;

                  (h) The Shares have been duly and validly authorized, and,
         when the Firm Shares are issued and delivered pursuant to this
         Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
         Shares and, in the case of any Optional Shares, pursuant to
         Over-allotment Options (as defined in Section 3 hereof) with respect to
         such Shares, such Designated Shares will be duly and validly issued and
         fully paid and non-assessable; the Shares conform to the description
         thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the Designated
         Shares will conform to the description thereof contained in the
         Prospectus as amended or supplemented with respect to such Designated
         Shares;

                  (i) If the Designated Shares are convertible into common
         shares of beneficial interest, par value $.04 per share, of the Company
         ("Common Shares"), a sufficient number of Common Shares will be validly
         authorized and reserved for issuance at all times upon conversion of
         the Designated Shares; and, if and when Designated Shares are converted
         into Common Shares, such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully
         paid and nonassessable.


                                        4

<PAGE>   5
                  (j) The issue and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the
         Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement, any Pricing
         Agreement and each Over-allotment Option, if any, and the consummation
         of the transactions contemplated herein and therein have been duly
         authorized by all necessary trust action and, except as would not have
         a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or
         the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
         its subsidiaries taken as a whole, will not conflict with or result in
         a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
         constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
         loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
         its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of
         the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action
         result in any violation of the provisions of the Amended and Restated
         Declaration of Trust or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any
         order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental authority,
         agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
         properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order,
         registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental
         agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the
         consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement or any Pricing Agreement or any Over-allotment Option, except
         such as have been, or will have been prior to each Time of Delivery (as
         defined in Section 4 hereof), obtained under the Act and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission thereunder and such consents, approvals,
         authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
         under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase
         and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;

                  (k) This Agreement has been, and, when signed, the applicable
         Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares will be, duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                  (l) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no
         legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries is the subject, which, if determined
         adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually
         or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the condition,
         financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business
         prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and, to
         the best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened
         or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;
         and there are no contracts or documents of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries which are required to be filed as exhibits to the
         Registration Statement by the Act or the rules and regulations
         thereunder which have not been so filed.

                  (m) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of its charter documents or by-laws or in default in the
         performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement,
         covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage,
         deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument
         to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
         assets may be bound, which default would have a material adverse effect
         on the general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders'
         equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries;

                  (n) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
         captions "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest", "Federal
         Income Tax Considerations", "Plan of Distribution" and "Underwriting",


                                        5

<PAGE>   6
         insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and
         documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair
         summaries;

                  (o) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject
         to registration as an "investment company" under the Investment Company
         Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

                  (p) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain
         financial statements and financial statement schedules of the Company
         and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the
         Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required
         by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

                  (q) The financial statements and the financial statement
         schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of
         the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as at the dates
         indicated, the results of their operations for the periods specified
         and the information required to be stated therein; and said financial
         statements and financial statement schedules have been prepared in
         conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
         consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The selected
         financial data included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
         present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on
         a basis consistent with that of the consolidated financial statements
         included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
         Any pro forma financial statements and other pro forma financial
         information included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
         comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
         Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and present fairly the
         information shown therein; the pro forma adjustments, if any, have been
         properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of such
         statements, and in the opinion of the Company, the assumptions used in
         the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein
         are appropriate to give effect to the transactions or circumstances
         referred to therein;

                  (r) Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, and
         except as would not have a material adverse effect on the condition,
         financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business
         prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole: (i)
         each of the Company and its subsidiaries has good and marketable title
         to all properties and assets described in the Prospectus as owned by
         such party, in each case free of all liens, encumbrances and defects;
         (ii) all of the leases under which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries holds or uses real property or assets as a lessee are in
         full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its
         subsidiaries is in material default in respect of any of the terms or
         provisions of any of such leases and no claim has been asserted by
         anyone adverse to any such party's rights as lessee under any of such
         leases, or affecting or questioning any such party's right to the
         continued possession or use of the leased property or assets under any
         such leases; (iii) all liens, charges, encumbrances, claims, or
         restrictions on or affecting the properties and assets of the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries that are required to be disclosed in the
         Prospectus are disclosed therein; (iv) neither the Company, any of its
         subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any lessee of any
         portion of any such party's properties is in default under any of the
         leases pursuant to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries leases
         its properties and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
         knows of any event which, but for the passage of time or the giving of


                                        6

<PAGE>   7
         notice, or both, would constitute a default under any of such leases;
         (v) no tenant under any lease pursuant to which the Company or any of
         its subsidiaries leases its properties has an option or right of first
         refusal to purchase the premises leased thereunder; (vi) to the best of
         its knowledge, each of the properties of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries complies with all applicable codes and zoning laws and
         regulations; and (vii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
         has knowledge of any pending or threatened condemnation, zoning change
         or other proceeding or action that will in any manner affect the size
         or use of, improvements or construction on or access to the properties
         of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

                  (s)      Except as specifically disclosed in the Prospectus,
         or as is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
         condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or
         business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
         whole:

                           (i)      each of the Company and its subsidiaries is
                  in compliance with all applicable laws relating to pollution
                  or the discharge of materials into the environment, including
                  common law relating to damage to property or injury to persons
                  ("Environmental Laws"). Each of the Company and its
                  subsidiaries currently holds all governmental authorizations
                  required under Environmental Laws in order to conduct their
                  businesses as described in the Prospectus, and none of the
                  above has any basis to believe that any such governmental
                  authorization may be modified, suspended or revoked, or cannot
                  be renewed in the ordinary course of business;

                           (ii)     there are no past or present actions,
                  activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents,
                  including, without limitation, the release, threatened
                  release, or disposal of any material (including radiation and
                  noise), that could form the basis of any claim (whether by a
                  governmental authority or other person or entity) under
                  Environmental Laws for cleanup costs, damages, penalties,
                  fines, or otherwise, against any of the Company or its
                  subsidiaries, or against any person or entity whose liability
                  for such claim may have been retained by any of the Company or
                  its subsidiaries, whether by contract or law; and

                           (iii)    the Company and its subsidiaries have fully
                  disclosed to the Underwriters and their counsel all studies,
                  reports, assessments, audits and other information in their
                  possession or control relating to any pollution or release,
                  threatened release or disposal of materials regulated under
                  Environmental Laws on, at, under, from or transported from any
                  of their currently or formerly owned, leased or operated
                  properties, including, without limitation, all information
                  relating to underground storage tanks and asbestos containing
                  materials.

                  (t)      The Company has not taken and will not take, directly
         or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be reasonably
         expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the
         price of the Shares or the Common Shares.

         3.       Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares and authorization by the Representatives of the release of the
Firm Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented.


                                        7

<PAGE>   8
         The Company may specify in the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares that the Company thereby grants to the Underwriters the right
(an "Overallotment Option") to purchase at their election up to the number of
Optional Shares set forth in such Pricing Agreement, on the terms set forth in
the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the
sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be
exercised by written notice from the Representatives to the Company, given
within a period specified in the Pricing Agreement, setting forth the aggregate
number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional
Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives, but in no
event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof)
or, unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing,
earlier than or later than the respective number of business days after the date
of such notice set forth in such Pricing Agreement.

         The number of Optional Shares to be added to the number of Firm Shares
to be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule I to the Pricing
Agreement applicable to such Designated Shares shall be, in each case, the
number of Optional Shares which the Company has been advised by the
Representatives have been attributed to such Underwriter; provided that, if the
Company has not been so advised, the number of Optional Shares to be so added
shall be, in each case, that proportion of Optional Shares which the number of
Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter under such Pricing Agreement
bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares (rounded as the Representatives may
determine to the nearest 100 shares). The total number of Designated Shares to
be purchased by all the Underwriters pursuant to such Pricing Agreement shall be
the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I to such Pricing
Agreement plus the aggregate number of Optional Shares which the Underwriters
elect to purchase.

         4.       Certificates for the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares to be
purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement relating
thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing Agreement and in such authorized
denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request
upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company, shall be delivered
by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives for the account of such
Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of the
purchase price therefor to the Company in the funds specified in such Pricing
Agreement, (i) with respect to the Firm Shares, all in the manner and at the
place and time and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other
place and time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in
writing, such time and date being herein called the "First Time of Delivery" and
(ii) with respect to the Optional Shares, if any, in the manner and at the time
and date specified by the Representatives in the written notice given by the
Representatives of the Underwriters' election to purchase such Optional Shares,
or at such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree
upon in writing, such time and date, if not the First Time of Delivery, herein
called the "Second Time of Delivery". Each such time and date for delivery is
herein called a "Time of Delivery".

         5.       The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any
Designated Shares:

                  (a)      To prepare the Prospectus as amended and supplemented
         in relation to the applicable Designated Shares in a form approved by
         the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b)
         under the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on the
         second business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing
         Agreement relating to the applicable Designated Shares or, if
         applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to
         make no further


                                        8

<PAGE>   9
         amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus
         as amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement
         relating to such Shares and prior to any Time of Delivery for such
         Shares which shall be disapproved by the Representatives for such
         Shares promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the
         Representatives promptly of any such amendment or supplement after any
         Time of Delivery for such Shares and furnish the Representatives with
         copies thereof; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy
         or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the
         Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
         Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in
         connection with the offering or sale of such Shares, and during such
         same period to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives
         notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration
         Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the
         Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with the
         Commission, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of
         any order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating
         to the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of such Shares
         for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or
         threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request
         by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration
         Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the
         event of the issuance of any such stop order or of any such order
         preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the
         Shares or suspending any such qualification, promptly to use its best
         efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

                  (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
         Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Shares for
         offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as
         the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to
         permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such
         jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the
         distribution of such Shares, provided that in connection therewith the
         Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to
         file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

                  (c) To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus
         as amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives
         may from time to time reasonably request and, if the delivery of a
         prospectus is required at any time in connection with the offering or
         sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as
         a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
         include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
         material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
         light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
         Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason,
         it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement
         the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document
         incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the
         Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their
         request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge
         to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as
         the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an
         amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct
         such statement or omission or effect such compliance;

                  (d) To make generally available to its security holders as
         soon as practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months
         after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in
         Rule 158(c) under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and
         its subsidiaries (which need


                                        9

<PAGE>   10
         not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules
         and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option
         of the Company, Rule 158); and

                  (e)      During the period beginning from the date of the
         Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares and continuing to and
         including the later of (i) the termination of trading restrictions for
         such Designated Shares, as notified to the Company by the
         Representatives, and (ii) the last Time of Delivery for such Designated
         Shares, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of,
         or announce its intent to take any such action, except as provided
         hereunder, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar
         to the Designated Shares, including but not limited to any securities
         that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the
         right to receive, Common Shares or Preferred Shares or any such
         substantially similar securities (other than pursuant to employee stock
         option plans existing on, or upon the conversion of convertible or
         exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of the Pricing
         Agreement for such Designated Shares) without the prior written consent
         of the Representatives.

         6.       The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters
that, except as may be otherwise set forth in the applicable Pricing Agreement
relating to Designated Shares, the Company will pay or cause to be paid the
following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and
accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and
all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any
Blue Sky Memorandum, closing documents (including compilations thereof) and any
other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of
the Shares; (iii) all expenses, if any, in connection with the qualification of
the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in
Section 5(b) hereof, including any fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the
Blue Sky survey(s); (iv) any filing fees incident to, and the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, any required
reviews by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of
the sale of the Shares; (v) the cost of preparing, issuing and delivering
certificates for the Shares; (vi) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or
registrar or dividend disbursing agent; and (vii) all other costs and expenses
incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder and under any
Over-allotment Options which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this
Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section,
and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs
and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of
any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any
offers they may make.

         7.       The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Shares
under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Shares shall be subject,
in the discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company in or
incorporated by reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated
Shares or in certificates of any officer of the Company delivered pursuant to
the provisions hereof and thereof are, at and as of each Time of Delivery for
such Designated Shares, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall
have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and
the following additional conditions:


                                       10

<PAGE>   11
                  (a)      The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
         to such Designated Shares shall have been filed with the Commission
         pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed
         for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in
         accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall
         have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been
         initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for
         additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been
         complied with to the Representatives' reasonable satisfaction;

                  (b)      Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for
         the Underwriters, shall have furnished to the Representatives such
         opinion or opinions, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated
         Shares, with respect to the matters covered in paragraphs (i), (iii),
         (v), (vi), and (xi) of subsection (c) below as well as such other
         related matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such
         counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may
         reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

                  (c)      Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the Company, shall
         have furnished to the Representatives their written opinions, dated
         each Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares, in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

                           (i)      The Company is a real estate investment
                  trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State
                  of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department
                  of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland;

                           (ii)     The Company has the trust power and
                  authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct
                  its business substantially as described in the Prospectus and
                  the Company has the trust power and authority to enter into
                  and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
                  Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares;

                           (iii)    The issuance and sale of the Designated
                  Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and the
                  Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares have
                  been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the
                  Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement
                  with respect to the Designated Shares against payment pursuant
                  to such agreements, the Designated Shares will be validly
                  issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

                           (iv)     Such counsel does not know of any litigation
                  or governmental proceedings instituted or threatened against
                  the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would be required
                  to be disclosed in the Prospectus and is not so disclosed; and
                  such counsel does not know of any documents that are required
                  to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement and are
                  not so filed or of any documents that are required to be
                  summarized in the Prospectus that are not so summarized;

                           (v)      This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement
                  with respect to the Designated Shares have been duly
                  authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;


                                       11

<PAGE>   12
                           (vi)     The Registration Statements have been
                  declared effective under the Act, and, to the best of such
                  counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the
                  effectiveness of the Registration Statements have been issued
                  and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or
                  are pending under the Act; and

                           (vii)    All regulatory consents, authorizations,
                  approvals and filings required to be obtained or made by the
                  Company under the Federal laws of the United States and the
                  laws of the State of New York for the issuance, sale and
                  delivery of the Designated Shares by the Company to the
                  Underwriters have been obtained or made; provided, however,
                  that for purposes of this paragraph (vii), such counsel need
                  not express any opinion with respect to state securities laws;

                           (viii)   The execution and delivery by the Company of
                  this Agreement and the applicable Pricing Agreement do not,
                  and the issuance of the Designated Shares and the sale of the
                  Designated Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this
                  Agreement and the applicable Pricing Agreement and the
                  performance by the Company of its obligations under this
                  Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
                  Designated Shares and the consummation of the transactions
                  herein and therein contemplated will not (A) violate the
                  Company's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust or Bylaws
                  or the certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws of
                  any of its subsidiaries, (B) violate any court order or
                  administrative decree known to such counsel or any federal law
                  of the United States or law of the State of New York
                  applicable to the Company, or (C) result in a default under or
                  breach of any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement,
                  note, lease or other instrument filed as an exhibit to the
                  Registration Statement or as an exhibit to any current
                  document incorporated by reference therein to which the
                  Company or any subsidiary is a party or by which any of them
                  may be bound, or to which any of their property is subject,
                  subject, in the case of clauses (A), (B) and (C) of this
                  paragraph (viii), to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
                  transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
                  general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
                  rights and to general equity principles; provided, however,
                  that for purposes of this paragraph (viii), such counsel need
                  not express any opinion with respect to federal or state
                  securities laws, other antifraud laws or fraudulent transfer
                  laws;

                           (ix)     The information set forth in the Prospectus
                  under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations",
                  and under such other heading in the Prospectus, as amended or
                  supplemented with respect to the Designated Shares, describing
                  the tax considerations in connection with the Designated
                  Shares, to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or
                  legal conclusions, is correct in all material respects;
                  provided that such opinion may be rendered in reliance upon
                  representations made by third parties and, as to the
                  qualification of Alexander's, Inc. as a real estate investment
                  trust for federal income tax purposes, an opinion of Shearman
                  & Sterling;

                           (x)      Neither the Company nor any of its
                  subsidiaries is an "investment company" or an entity
                  "controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are
                  defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940;


                                       12

<PAGE>   13
                           (xi)     On the basis of the information which was
                  reviewed in the course of the performance of the services
                  referred to in their opinion considered in the light of their
                  understanding of the applicable law (including the
                  requirements of Form S-3 and the character of the prospectus
                  contemplated thereby) and the experience they have gained
                  through their practice under the Act, such counsel are of the
                  opinion that the Registration Statement, as of its effective
                  date, and the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus,
                  appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all
                  material respects to the requirements of the Act and the
                  applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
                  and that nothing that came to their attention in the course of
                  their review has caused them to believe that the Registration
                  Statement, as of its effective date, contained any untrue
                  statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material
                  fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
                  statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as
                  of its date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact
                  or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to
                  make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
                  under which they were made, not misleading; also, nothing that
                  has come to such counsel's attention in the course of certain
                  procedures (as described in such opinion) has caused such
                  counsel to believe that the Prospectus, as of the date and
                  time of delivery of such opinion, contained any untrue
                  statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material
                  fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
                  light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
                  misleading; provided, however, that such opinion may state
                  that the limitations inherent in the independent verification
                  of factual matters and the character of determinations
                  involved in the registration process are such that such
                  counsel do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy,
                  completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
                  Registration Statement or the Prospectus, except as otherwise
                  specifically referred to in paragraph (viii) above and except
                  for those made under the heading "Description of Common
                  Shares" in the Prospectus insofar as they relate to the
                  provisions of documents therein described, and that such
                  counsel need not express any opinion or belief as to the
                  financial statements and schedules or other financial data
                  contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.


                  In giving these opinions, Sullivan & Cromwell may state that
         they are admitted to the bar of the State of New York and do not
         express any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction other than
         the federal laws of the United States of America and may rely (1) as to
         all matters of fact, upon certificates and written statements of
         officers and employees of and accountants for the Company and (2) as to
         the qualification and good standing of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries, upon opinions of counsel in such other jurisdictions and
         certificates of appropriate government officials.

                  (d)      Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, special Maryland
         counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives
         their written opinions, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated
         Shares, respectively, in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Representatives, to the effect that:


                                       13

<PAGE>   14
                           (i)      The Company is a real estate investment
                  trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the State
                  of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department
                  of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland;

                           (ii)     The Company has the power to own, lease and
                  operate its properties and to conduct its business
                  substantially as described in the Prospectus and to enter into
                  and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
                  applicable Pricing Agreement;

                           (iii)    The authorized, issued and outstanding
                  shares of beneficial interest of the Company are as set forth
                  in the Prospectus under "Capitalization"; the issued and
                  outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company have
                  been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
                  nonassessable; and none of the outstanding shares of
                  beneficial interest of the Company was issued in violation of
                  any preemptive rights of any shareholder of the Company
                  arising under Maryland law or the Declaration of Trust or
                  Bylaws of the Company or, to the best of such counsel's
                  knowledge, otherwise;

                           (iv)     The issuance and sale of the Designated
                  Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and the
                  Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares have
                  been duly authorized, and, when issued and delivered by the
                  Company against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement
                  and the Pricing Agreement, the Designated Shares will be
                  validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

                           (v)      The information in the Prospectus under the
                  heading "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest" and
                  under such other heading in the Prospectus as supplemented
                  with respect to the Designated Shares which sets forth the
                  terms of the Designated Shares, to the extent that it
                  constitutes matters of Maryland law, summaries of legal
                  matters, documents or proceedings or legal conclusions, has
                  been reviewed by such counsel and is correct in all material
                  respects;

                           (vi)     The Designated Shares conform in all
                  material respects as to matters of Maryland law to the
                  description thereof contained in the Prospectus and the form
                  of certificate used to evidence the Designated Shares is in
                  due and proper form in accordance with applicable statutory
                  requirements;

                           (vii)    The issuance of the Designated Shares is not
                  subject to any preemptive or similar rights arising under
                  Maryland law, the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws of the
                  Company or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge,
                  otherwise;

                           (viii)   No authorization, approval, consent or order
                  of any court or governmental authority or agency of the State
                  of Maryland is required in connection with the offering,
                  issuance or sale of the Designated Shares to the Underwriters,
                  except such as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933
                  Act Regulations or securities laws or regulations of any state
                  or other jurisdiction;


                                       14

<PAGE>   15
                           (ix)     This Agreement and the applicable Pricing
                  Agreement relating to the Designated Shares have been duly
                  authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

                           (x)      The execution, delivery and performance of
                  this Agreement and the applicable Pricing Agreement, the
                  consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
                  therein and the compliance by the Company with its obligations
                  hereunder and thereunder will not result in any violation of
                  (A) the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of
                  Trust or Bylaws of the Company or the charter documents or
                  bylaws of any subsidiary of the Company incorporated in New
                  Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania (as appropriately
                  identified on an exhibit to such opinion or otherwise), or (B)
                  any applicable law or administrative regulation or, to the
                  best knowledge of such counsel, administrative or court
                  decree, except with respect to clause (B), such violations as
                  would not have a material adverse effect on the general
                  affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity
                  or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
                  and subject, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), to
                  bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
                  moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating
                  to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
                  principles;

                           (xi)     [If the Designated Shares are convertible
                  into Common Shares:] The Common Shares reserved for issuance
                  upon conversion of the Designated Shares have been validly
                  authorized and reserved for such purpose; and, if and when the
                  Designated Shares are converted into Common Shares in
                  accordance with the conversion rights set forth in the
                  Articles Supplementary relating to such Designated Shares,
                  such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
                  nonassessable, and the issuance of such shares will not be
                  subject to any preemptive or similar rights; and

                           (xii)    [If the Designated Shares are convertible
                  into Common Shares:] The Articles Supplementary relating to
                  the Designated Shares have been duly authorized and executed
                  in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland and have
                  been filed with the State Department of Assessments and
                  Taxation of the State of Maryland on or prior to the Time of
                  Delivery;

                  In giving these opinions, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
         may state that such opinions are limited to the laws of the States of
         Maryland and New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and
         Delaware corporate law and may rely (1) as to all matters of fact, upon
         certificates and written statements of officers and employees of and
         accountants for the Company and (2) as to the qualification and good
         standing of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any other
         jurisdiction, upon opinions of counsel in such other jurisdictions and
         certificates of appropriate government officials.

                  (e)      On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such
         Designated Shares and at each Time of Delivery for such Designated
         Shares, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent accountants of the
         Company who have certified the financial statements of the Company and
         its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the
         Registration Statement, shall have furnished to the Representatives a
         letter, dated the effective date of the Registration Statement or the
         date of the most recent report filed with the Commission containing
         financial statements and incorporated by reference in the Registration


                                       15

<PAGE>   16
         Statement, if the date of such report is later than such effective
         date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, to the
         effect set forth in Annex II hereto, and with respect to such letter
         dated such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as the
         Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Representatives;

                  (f)      (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
         shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial
         statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as
         amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
         Designated Shares any loss or interference with its business from fire,
         explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
         insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
         order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the
         Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement
         relating to the Designated Shares, and (ii) since the respective dates
         as of which information is given in the Prospectus as amended prior to
         the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares
         there shall not have been any change in the capitalization or long-term
         debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change, or any
         development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
         affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or
         results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise
         than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as amended prior to
         the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares,
         the effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or (ii),
         is in the judgment of the Representatives so material and adverse as to
         make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public
         offering or the delivery of the Designated Shares on the terms and in
         the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as amended relating to the
         Designated Shares;

                  (g)      On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement
         relating to the Designated Shares (i) no downgrading shall have
         occurred in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities or
         preferred stock by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
         organization," as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes
         of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such organization shall
         have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with
         possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's debt
         securities or preferred stock;

                  (h)      On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement
         relating to the Designated Shares there shall not have occurred any of
         the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in
         securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a suspension
         or material limitation in trading in the Company's securities on the
         New York Stock Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial
         banking activities declared by either Federal or New York State
         authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities
         involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of
         a national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified
         in this Clause (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives makes it
         impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
         delivery of the Firm Shares or Optional Shares or both on the terms and
         in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or
         supplemented relating to the Designated Shares;

                  (i)      If requested by the Underwriters, the Shares at each
         Time of Delivery shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of
         issuance, on the NYSE;


                                       16

<PAGE>   17
                  (j)      The Company shall have furnished or caused to be
         furnished to the Representatives at each Time of Delivery for the
         Designated Shares certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory
         to the Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and
         warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as
         to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder
         to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as to the matters
         set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this Section and as to such
         other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request; and

                  (k)      On or before the applicable Time of Delivery, if
         requested, the Company shall have received and provided to the
         Representatives copies of valid and binding agreements duly executed by
         the persons or entities named in the applicable Pricing Agreement,
         pursuant to which each such person or entity shall agree not to,
         without the prior written consent of the Representatives, sell, offer
         to sell, grant any option for the sale of, contract to sell or
         otherwise transfer or dispose of or announce its intent to take any
         such action, any Shares or Common Shares or any security convertible or
         exchangeable for Shares or Common Shares, for the period specified in
         the applicable Pricing Agreement.

                  In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option
provided in Section 3 hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Optional
Shares, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and
the statements in any certificates furnished hereunder shall be true and correct
as of each Time of Delivery and, at the applicable Time of Delivery, the
Representatives shall have received the certificates and opinions, dated the
relevant Time of Delivery, referred to in this Section 7.

         8.       (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each
Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any
preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Shares, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Shares directly or through the Representatives expressly for use
in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Shares.

         (b)      Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary


                                       17

<PAGE>   18
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Shares, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
directly or through the Representatives expressly for use therein; and will
reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim
as such expenses are incurred.

         (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought
against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and,
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be
liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local
counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in
connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the
same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.
No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified
party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect
of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not
the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim)
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action
or claim and (ii) does not include any statement as to or an admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Shares on the other from the offering of the Designated Shares
to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof)
relates. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if


                                       18

<PAGE>   19
the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c)
above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Shares on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering
(before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters. The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on the other and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that
it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection
(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the applicable Designated Shares underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters
of Designated Shares in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such
Shares and not joint.

         (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

         9.  (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares which it has agreed to purchase under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Shares, the Representatives may in their
discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to purchase
such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such
default by any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase
of such Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective
prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they have so
arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notifies the
Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such


                                       19

<PAGE>   20
Shares, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone a
Time of Delivery for such Shares for a period of not more than seven days, in
order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any
other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which
in the opinion of the Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term
"Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted
under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a
party to the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Shares.

         (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection
(a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased does
not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of the Firm Shares or Optional
Shares, as the case may be, to be purchased at the respective Time of Delivery,
then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter
to purchase the number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be,
which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement relating
to such Designated Shares and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting
Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Firm Shares
or Optional Shares, as the case may be, which such Underwriter agreed to
purchase under such Pricing Agreement) of the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as
the case may be, of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such
arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting
Underwriter from liability for its default.

         (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection
(a) above, the aggregate number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case
may be, which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number
of the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, to be purchased at
the respective Time of Delivery, as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if
the Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to
require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Firm Shares or Optional Shares,
as the case may be, of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Firm Shares or the Over-allotment Option
relating to such Optional Shares, as the case may be, shall thereupon terminate,
without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company,
except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as
provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in
Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from
liability for its default.

         10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

         11. If any Pricing Agreement or Over-allotment Option shall be
terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any
liability to any Underwriter with respect to the Firm Shares


                                       20

<PAGE>   21
or Optional Shares with respect to which such Pricing Agreement shall have been
terminated except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof; but, if for any other
reason, Designated Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as
provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the
Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the
Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably
incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and
delivery of such Designated Shares, but the Company shall then be under no
further liability to any Underwriter with respect to such Designated Shares
except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

         12. In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters
of Designated Shares shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

         All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to the Company at Park 80 West, Plaza II, Saddle
Brook, NJ 07663, Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an
Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in
its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which
address will be supplied to the Company by the Representatives upon request. Any
such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt
thereof.

         13. This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon,
and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the
extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the
Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such
purchase.

         14. Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement. As used
herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office
in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

         15. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         16. This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any
one or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.


                                       21

<PAGE>   22
         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us four counterparts hereof.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        Vornado Realty Trust



                                        By: /s/ Steven Roth
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Steven Roth
                                            Title:  Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                         Officer

Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.



By:  /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
     -----------------------------------
        (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


<PAGE>   23
                                                                         ANNEX I

                                Pricing Agreement


Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
[Name(s) of Co-Representative(s),]
    As Representatives of the several
      Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto,
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
85 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10004

                                                                          , 19..

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Vornado Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the
"Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in
the Underwriting Agreement, dated .......... , 1997 (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), between the Company on the one hand and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on the
other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
(the "Underwriters") the Shares specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated
Shares" [consisting of Firm Shares and any Optional Shares the Underwriters may
elect to purchase]). Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a
representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and
warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Shares which are the
subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to the Representatives herein
and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined
in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The
Representatives designated to act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf
of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Shares pursuant to Section 12 of
the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to in
such Section 12 are set forth in Schedule II hereto.

         An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Shares, in the form
heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

         Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at


<PAGE>   24
the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto, the
number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule I hereto [and, (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters
shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares, as provided below, the
Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at
the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto that
portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have
been exercised].

         [The Company hereby grants to each of the Underwriters the right to
purchase at their election up to the number of Optional Shares set forth
opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto on the terms referred
to in the paragraph above for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in
the sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may
be exercised by written notice from the Representatives to the Company given
within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Pricing Agreement,
setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the
date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the
Representatives, but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery or,
unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing, no
earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.]


<PAGE>   25
         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us [one for the Company and one for each of the Representatives
plus one for each counsel] counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance
hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated
herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the
Underwriters and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this
letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the
authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which
shall be submitted to the Company for examination, upon request, but without
warranty on the part of the Representatives as to the authority of the signers
thereof.


                                           Very truly yours,

                                           Vornado Realty Trust


                                           By: 
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:
                                               Title:
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Name(s) of Co-Representative(s)
By: 
    ---------------------------------
         (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


<PAGE>   26
                                   SCHEDULE I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Maximum Number
                                                                               of Optional
                                                              Number of        Shares Which
                                                             Firm Shares          May be
            Underwriter                                    to be Purchased      Purchased
            -----------                                    ---------------      ---------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co.              
[Name(s) of Co-Representative(s)]
[Names of other Underwriters]............................
Total....................................................
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   27
                                   SCHEDULE II

Title of Designated Shares:

Number of Designated Shares:
         Number of Firm Shares:
         Maximum Number of Optional Shares:

Initial Offering Price to Public:
         [$........ per Share] [Formula]

Purchase Price by Underwriters:
         [$........ per Share] [Formula]

Commission Payable to Underwriters:
$........ per Share in [specify same form of funds as in Specified Funds below

Form of Designated Shares:
Definitive form, to be made available for checking [and packaging] at least
twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of [The Depository
Trust Company or its designated custodian] [the Representatives]

Specified Funds for Payment of Purchase Price:

Blackout Provisions:

Time of Delivery:
 ......... a.m. (New York City time), .................., 19..

Closing Location:

Names and Addresses of Representatives:
         Designated Representatives:
         Address for Notices, etc.:

Other Terms:


<PAGE>   28
                                                                        ANNEX II

         Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

                  (i)      They are independent certified public accountants
         with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of
         the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

                  (ii)     In their opinion, the financial statements and any
         supplementary financial information and schedules (and, if applicable,
         financial forecasts and/or pro forma financial information) examined by
         them and included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects
         with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act or the Exchange
         Act, as applicable, and the related published rules and regulations
         thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a review in accordance
         with standards established by the American Institute of Certified
         Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial statements,
         selected financial data, pro forma financial information, financial
         forecasts and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited
         financial statements of the Company for the periods specified in such
         letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have
         been furnished to the representatives of the Underwriters (the
         "Representatives");

                  (iii)    They have made a review in accordance with standards
         established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
         of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
         consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
         included in the Prospectus and/or included in the Company's quarterly
         reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as
         indicated in their reports thereon copies of which have been separately
         furnished to the Representatives; and on the basis of specified
         procedures including inquiries of officials of the Company who have
         responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding whether
         the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements referred to
         in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material
         respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
         Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations, nothing
         came to their attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited
         condensed consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in
         all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
         the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
         regulations;

                  (iv)     The unaudited selected financial information with
         respect to the consolidated results of operations and financial
         position of the Company for the five most recent fiscal years included
         in the Prospectus and included or incorporated by reference in Item 6
         of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal
         year agrees with the corresponding amounts (after restatement where
         applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements for such
         five fiscal years which were included or incorporated by reference in
         the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;


<PAGE>   29
                  (v)      They have compared the information in the Prospectus
         under selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation
         S-K and on the basis of limited procedures specified in such letter
         nothing came to their attention as a result of the foregoing procedures
         that caused them to believe that this information does not conform in
         all material respects with the disclosure requirements of items 301,
         302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of Regulation S-K;

                  (vi)     On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting
         an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
         standards, consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial
         statements and other information referred to below, a reading of the
         latest available interim financial statements of the Company and its
         subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Company and its
         subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements
         included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, inquiries of
         officials of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial
         and accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may
         be specified in such letter, nothing came to their attention that
         caused them to believe that:

                           (A)      (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated
                  statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
                  consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
                  Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference in the
                  Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by
                  reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all
                  material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
                  of the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published
                  rules and regulations, or (ii) any material modifications
                  should be made to the unaudited condensed consolidated
                  statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
                  consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
                  Prospectus or included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on
                  Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, for
                  them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
                  principles;

                           (B)      any other unaudited income statement data
                  and balance sheet items in the Prospectus do not agree with
                  the corresponding items in the unaudited consolidated
                  financial statements from which such data and items were
                  derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not
                  determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis
                  for the corresponding amounts in the audited consolidated
                  financial statements included or incorporated by reference in
                  the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent
                  fiscal year;

                           (C)      the unaudited financial statements which
                  were not included in the Prospectus but from which were
                  derived the unaudited condensed financial statements referred
                  to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and
                  balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to
                  in Clause (B) were not determined on a basis substantially
                  consistent with the basis for the audited financial statements
                  included or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

                           (D)      any unaudited pro forma consolidated
                  condensed financial statements included or incorporated by
                  reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all
                  material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
                  of the Act and the published


<PAGE>   30
                  rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments
                  have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in
                  the compilation of those statements;

                           (E)      as of a specified date not more than five
                  days prior to the date of such letter, there have been any
                  changes in the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial
                  interest of the Company (other than issuances of shares upon
                  exercise of options and stock appreciation rights, upon
                  earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions of
                  convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on
                  the date of the latest balance sheet included or incorporated
                  by reference in the Prospectus) or any increase in the
                  consolidated long-term debt of the Company and its
                  subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current
                  assets or stockholders' equity or in property rentals, total
                  revenue, income from continuing operations before
                  extraordinary item, income per share from continuing
                  operations or Funds from operations of the Company and its
                  subsidiaries, or any increases in any items specified by the
                  Representatives, in each case as compared with amounts shown
                  in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by
                  reference in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes,
                  increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have
                  occurred or may occur or which are described in such letter;
                  and

                           (F)      for the period from the date of the latest
                  financial statements included or incorporated by reference in
                  the Prospectus to the specified date referred to in Clause (E)
                  there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues or
                  operating profit or the total or per share amounts of
                  consolidated net income or other items specified by the
                  Representatives, or any increases in any items specified by
                  the Representatives, in each case as compared with the
                  comparable period of the preceding year and with any other
                  period of corresponding length specified by the
                  Representatives, except in each case for increases or
                  decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may
                  occur or which are described in such letter; and

                  (vii)    In addition to the examination referred to in their
         report(s) included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and
         the limited procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other
         procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have
         carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting an
         examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
         with respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial information
         specified by the Representatives which are derived from the general
         accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in
         the Prospectus (excluding documents incorporated by reference), or in
         Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules to, the Registration Statement
         specified by the Representatives or in documents incorporated by
         reference in the Prospectus specified by the Representatives, and have
         compared certain of such amounts, percentages and financial information
         with the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and
         have found them to be in agreement.

         All references in this Annex II to the Prospectus shall be deemed to
refer to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference
therein) as defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter
delivered on the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and
to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents
incorporated by reference therein) in relation to the


<PAGE>   31
applicable Designated Shares for purposes of the letter delivered at the Time of
Delivery for such Designated Shares.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 1.2


                                Pricing Agreement


                                                                   April 3, 1997


Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated
UBS Securities LLC,
  as Representatives of the several Underwriters
  named in Schedule I hereto
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York  10004


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  Vornado Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Company"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and
in the Underwriting Agreement, dated April 3, 1997 (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), between the Company, on the one hand, and Goldman, Sachs & Co., on
the other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
(the "Underwriters") the Shares specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated
Shares" consisting of Firm Shares and any Optional Shares the Underwriters may
elect to purchase). Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a
representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and
warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Shares which are the
subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to the Representatives herein
and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined
in the


<PAGE>   2
Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined and terms which are
not otherwise defined herein or therein are used herein as defined in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Shares. The
Representative designated to act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf
of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Shares pursuant to Section 12 of
the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representative referred to in
such Section 12 are set forth in Schedule II hereto.

                  An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to
the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Shares, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

                  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in
the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, (a) the Company
agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at
the time and place and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in
Schedule II hereto, the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and, (b) in the event and to the extent
that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares,
as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in
Schedule II hereto that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which
such election shall have been exercised.

                  The Company hereby grants to each of the Underwriters the
right to purchase at their election up to the number of Optional Shares set
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto on the terms
referred to in the paragraph above for the sole purpose of covering
over-allotments in the sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase
Optional Shares may be exercised by written notice from the Representatives to
the Company given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this
Pricing Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be
purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as
determined by the Representatives, but in no event earlier than the First Time
of Delivery or, unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in
writing, no earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of
such notice.


                                        2

<PAGE>   3
                  If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding,
please sign and return to us seven counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance
hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such
acceptance hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement
incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between
each of the Underwriters and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance
of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to
the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of
which shall be submitted to the Company for examination, upon request, but
without warranty on the part of the Representatives as to the authority of the
signers thereof.



                                      Very truly yours,
                                 
                                      Vornado Realty Trust
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                       By: /s/ Steven Roth
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Steven Roth
                                           Title: Chairman and Chief
                                              Executive Officer


Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated
UBS Securities LLC



By: /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
    ---------------------------------
               (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


On behalf of each of the Underwriters


                                        3

<PAGE>   4
                                   SCHEDULE I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Maximum Number of
                                                            Number of Firm           Optional Shares Which
                     Underwriter                        Shares to be Purchased          May be Purchased
                     -----------                        ----------------------          ----------------
<S>                                                            <C>                           <C>    
Goldman, Sachs & Co. .............................             1,588,800                     238,320
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated             1,191,600                     178,740
UBS Securities LLC ...............................             1,191,600                     178,740
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. .........................               118,000                      17,700
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated ..................               118,000                      17,700
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ........................               118,000                      17,700
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. ........................               118,000                      17,700
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC ..........................               118,000                      17,700
Advest, Inc. .....................................                73,000                      10,950
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated ...............                73,000                      10,950
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. ......................                73,000                      10,950
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated .............                73,000                      10,950
Stephens Inc. ....................................                73,000                      10,950
Tucker Anthony Incorporated ......................                73,000                      10,950
                                                                                      
     Total .......................................             5,000,000                     750,000
                                                               =========                   =========
</TABLE>
                                                                               

                                        4

<PAGE>   5
                                   SCHEDULE II


TITLE OF DESIGNATED SHARES:
         $3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

NUMBER OF DESIGNATED SHARES:
         NUMBER OF FIRM SHARES:  5,000,000
         MAXIMUM NUMBER OF OPTIONAL SHARES:  750,000

INITIAL OFFERING PRICE TO PUBLIC:
         $50.00 per Share

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:
         $48.00 per Share

COMMISSION PAYABLE TO UNDERWRITERS:
         $2.00 per Share

EXPENSES:
         The Underwriters will reimburse the Company for expenses incurred in
         connection with the Offering in an amount not to exceed $625,000.

FORM OF DESIGNATED SHARES:
         Definitive form, to be made available for checking and packaging at
         least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery.

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:
         Wire transfer of same day funds.

LOCK UP:
         During the period beginning from the date of this Pricing Agreement and
         continuing to and including the date 60 days after the date of this
         Pricing Agreement, the Company will not offer, sell, contract to sell
         or otherwise dispose of any Common Shares of Beneficial Interest of the
         Company ("Common Shares") or any securities of the Company which are
         substantially similar to the Common Shares or which are convertible or
         exchangeable into securities which are substantially similar to the
         Common Shares (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans
         existing, or on the conversion or exchange of convertible or
         exchangeable securities outstanding,


                                        5

<PAGE>   6
         on the date of this Agreement) without the consent of Goldman, Sachs &
         Co.

TIME OF DELIVERY:
         10:00 a.m. (New York City time), April 9, 1997

CLOSING LOCATION:
         Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
         919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022

NAME AND ADDRESS OF DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE:
         Designated Representative:         Goldman, Sachs & Co.
         Address for Notices, etc.:         c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
                                            85 Broad Street
                                            New York, New York 10004

DIVIDENDS:
         Cumulative at the annual rate of 6.50% per share on the liquidation
         preference of the Series A Preferred Shares payable quarterly in
         arrears on the first calendar day of January, April, July and October
         of each year, commencing July 1, 1997.

LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE:
         $50.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends
         (whether or not earned or declared).

RANKING:
         If the Mendik Transaction (as defined in the Prospectus) is
         consummated, the Company will acquire Series A Preferred Units of the
         Operating Partnership (with terms mirroring the terms of the Series A
         Preferred Shares) in exchange for the cash proceeds from the sale of
         the Series A Preferred Shares. Series A Preferred Units will rank
         senior to all classes of Operating Partnership units, including the
         Class A, C, D and E Operating Partnership units issued in connection
         with the Mendik Transaction, with respect to payment of dividends and
         amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Operating
         Partnership.


                                        6

<PAGE>   7
CONVERSION RIGHTS:
         The Series A Preferred Shares are convertible, in whole or in part, at
         the option of the holder at any time, unless previously redeemed, into
         shares of the Company's Common Shares, at an initial conversion price
         of $72.75 per Common Share (equivalent to a conversion rate of 0.68728
         Common Shares per Series A Preferred Share), subject to adjustment in
         certain circumstances.

REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE COMPANY:
         Except in certain circumstances relating to the preservation of the
         Company's status as a REIT, the Series A Preferred Shares are not
         redeemable prior to April 1, 2001, and at no time will the Series A
         Preferred Shares be redeemable for cash. On and after April 1, 2001,
         the Series A Preferred Shares will be redeemable by the Company, in
         whole or in part, at the option of the Company, for such number of
         Common Shares as are issuable at the initial conversion rate of 0.68728
         Common Shares for each Series A Preferred Share, subject to adjustment
         in certain circumstances. The Company may exercise this option only if
         for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days,
         including the last trading day of such period, the closing price of the
         Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange exceeds $87.30 per share,
         subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In order to exercise
         its redemption option, the Company must issue a press release
         announcing the redemption prior to the opening of business on the
         second trading day after the conditions described in the preceding
         sentences have, from time to time, been met, but may not issue any such
         press release prior to April 1, 2001.

VOTING RIGHTS:
         Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares generally will have no voting
         rights. However, if dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares are in
         arrears for six quarterly dividend periods, the holders of the Series A
         Preferred Shares (voting separately as a class with holders of all
         other series of parity preferred stock upon which like voting rights
         have been conferred and are exercisable) will have the right to elect
         two additional trustees to serve on the Company's Board of Trustees
         until such dividend arrearage is eliminated. In addition, the approval
         of two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares (voting
         separately as a class with holders of all other series of parity
         preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and
         are exercisable) is required in order to


                                        7

<PAGE>   8
         amend the Company's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and
         Articles Supplementary to affect materially and adversely the rights,
         preferences or voting powers of the holders of the Series A Preferred
         Shares or such parity shares or to authorize, create, or increase the
         authorized amount of, any class of stock having rights senior to the
         Series A Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or
         amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

LISTING:
         New York Stock Exchange: "VNO Pr A"


                                        8

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 3.1

                              VORNADO REALTY TRUST

                  ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT OF DECLARATION OF TRUST

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

                  FIRST: The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as
amended (the "Declaration of Trust"), of Vornado Realty Trust, a Maryland real
estate investment trust (the "Trust"), is hereby amended by deleting Article VI,
Section 6.1 of the Declaration of Trust in its entirety and replacing it with
the following:

                           "SECTION 6.1 Authorized Shares. The total number of
                           shares of beneficial interest which the Trust is
                           authorized to issue is 180,000,000 shares, of which
                           20,000,000 shall be preferred shares of beneficial
                           interest, no par value per share ("Preferred Stock"),
                           70,000,000 shares shall be common shares of
                           beneficial interest, $.04 par value per share
                           ("Common Stock"), and 90,000,000 shares shall be
                           excess shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par value
                           per share ("Excess Stock")."

                  SECOND: The foregoing amendment has been approved by the Board
of Trustees of the Trust as required by Section 8-203(a)(7) of the Corporations
and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and Article IX,
Section 9.1(b) of the Declaration of Trust.

                  THIRD: The total number of shares of beneficial interest which
the Trust had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment was
102,000,000, consisting of 50,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $.04
par value per share, 1,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, no par
value per share, and 51,000,000 excess shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par
value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of beneficial
interest having par value was $4,040,000.

                  FOURTH: The total number of shares of beneficial interest
which the Trust has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment is
180,000,000, consisting of 70,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $.04
par value per share, 20,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, no par
value per share, and 90,000,000 excess shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par
value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of beneficial
interest having par value is $6,400,000.


<PAGE>   2
                  FIFTH: The undersigned Chairman of the Board acknowledges this
amendment to be the trust act of the Trust and, as to all matters or facts
required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chairman of the Board
acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these
matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this Statement is
made under the penalties for perjury.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused this amendment to be
signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chairman of the Board and attested
to by its Secretary on this 2nd day of April, 1997.

ATTEST:                                             VORNADO REALTY TRUST



/s/ Susan D. Schmider                               /s/ Steven Roth       (SEAL)
- ---------------------------------                   ----------------------------
Susan D. Schmider                                   Steven Roth
Secretary                                           Chairman of the Board


                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1

                              VORNADO REALTY TRUST

                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

                   $3.25 SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES
                    (LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $50.00 PER SHARE)


                  Vornado Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Trust"), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland that:

                  FIRST: Under a power contained in Article VI of the Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust (the "Declaration"), the Board of
Trustees of the Trust (the "Board of Trustees"), by informal action in lieu of a
special meeting, dated April 3, 1997, classified and designated 5,750,000 shares
(the "Shares") of the Preferred Stock, no par value per share (as defined in the
Declaration), as shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest, liquidation preference $50.00 per share ("Series A Preferred Shares"),
with the following preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions,
qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption, which upon any
restatement of the Declaration, shall be deemed to be part of Article VI of the
Declaration:


                  SECTION 1. NUMBER OF SHARES AND DESIGNATION. This series of
Preferred Stock shall be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, liquidation preference $50.00 per share (the "Series A
Preferred Shares"), and 5,750,000 shall be the number of shares of Preferred
Stock constituting such series.

                  SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of the Series A Preferred
Shares, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

                  "Act" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph (g) of
         Section 5 hereof.

                  "Board of Trustees" shall mean the Board of Trustees of the
         Trust or any committee authorized by such Board of Trustees to perform
         any of its responsibilities with respect to the Series A Preferred
         Shares.

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
         Sunday or a day on which state or federally chartered banking
         institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.


<PAGE>   2
                  "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
         paragraph (b) of Section 5 hereof.

                  "Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial
         interest of the Trust, par value $.04 per share.

                  "Constituent Person" shall have the meaning set forth in
         paragraph (e) of Section 7 hereof.

                  "Conversion Price" shall mean the conversion price per Common
         Share for which the Series A Preferred Shares are convertible, as such
         Conversion Price may be adjusted pursuant to Section 7 hereof. The
         initial conversion price shall be $72.75 (equivalent to a conversion
         rate of 0.68728 Common Shares for each Series A Preferred Share).

                  "Current Market Price" of publicly traded Common Shares or any
         other class of shares of beneficial interest or other security of the
         Trust or any other issuer for any day shall mean the last reported
         sales price, regular way, on such day, or, if no sale takes place on
         such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices on
         such day, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock
         Exchange ("NYSE") or, if such security is not listed or admitted for
         trading on the NYSE, on the principal national securities exchange on
         which such security is listed or admitted for trading or, if not listed
         or admitted for trading on any national securities exchange, on the
         NASDAQ National Market or, if such security is not quoted on such
         NASDAQ National Market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
         on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if
         bid and asked prices for such security on such day shall not have been
         reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices on
         such day as furnished by any NYSE member firm regularly making a market
         in such security selected for such purpose by the Chief Executive
         Officer of the Trust or the Board of Trustees.

                  "Dividend Payment Date" shall mean the first calendar day of
         January, April, July and October, in each year, commencing on July 1,
         1997; provided, however, that if any Dividend Payment Date falls on any
         day other than a Business Day, the dividend payment due on such
         Dividend Payment Date shall be paid on the first Business Day
         immediately following such Dividend Payment Date.

                  "Dividend Periods" shall mean quarterly dividend periods
         commencing on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year and
         ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next
         succeeding Dividend Period (other than the initial Dividend Period,


                                       -2-

<PAGE>   3
         which shall commence on the Issue Date and end on and include June 30,
         1997).

                  "Fair Market Value" shall mean the average of the daily
         Current Market Prices per Common Share during the five (5) consecutive
         Trading Days selected by the Trust commencing not more than 20 Trading
         Days before, and ending not later than, the earlier of the day in
         question and the day before the "ex" date with respect to the issuance
         or distribution requiring such computation. The term "'ex' date," when
         used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first day
         on which the Common Shares trade regular way, without the right to
         receive such issuance or distribution, on the exchange or in the
         market, as the case may be, used to determine that day's Current Market
         Price.

                  "Issue Date" shall mean the first date on which any Series A
         Preferred Shares are issued and sold.

                  "Junior Shares" shall mean the Common Shares and any other
         class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
         constituting junior stock within the meaning set forth in paragraph (c)
         of Section 9 hereof.

                  "Liquidation Preference" shall have the meaning set forth in
         paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof.

                  "Non-Electing Share" shall have the meaning set forth in
         paragraph (e) of Section 7 hereof.

                   "Parity Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph
         (b) of Section 9 hereof.

                  "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership,
         corporation, limited liability company or other entity, and shall
         include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

                  "Press Release" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph
         (b) of Section 5 hereof.

                  "Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph
         (d)(iii) of Section 7 hereof.

                  "Series A Preferred Shares" shall have the meaning set forth
         in Section 1 hereof.

                  "Set apart for payment" shall be deemed to include, without
         any action other than the following, the recording by the Trust in its
         accounting ledgers of any accounting or bookkeeping entry which
         indicates, pursuant to a declaration of a dividend or other
         distribution by the Board of Trustees, the allocation of funds to be so


                                       -3-

<PAGE>   4
         paid on any series or class of shares of beneficial interest of the
         Trust; provided, however, that if any funds for any class or series of
         Junior Shares or any class or series of shares of beneficial interest
         ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to the
         payment of dividends are placed in a separate account of the Trust or
         delivered to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent, then "set
         apart for payment" with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares shall
         mean placing such funds in a separate account or delivering such funds
         to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent.

                  "Trading Day" shall mean any day on which the securities in
         question are traded on the NYSE, or if such securities are not listed
         or admitted for trading on the NYSE, on the principal national
         securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted, or
         if not listed or admitted for trading on any national securities
         exchange, on the NASDAQ National Market, or if such securities are not
         quoted on such NASDAQ National Market, in the applicable securities
         market in which the securities are traded.

                  "Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in
         paragraph (e) of Section 7 hereof.

                  "Transfer Agent" means First Union National Bank of North
         Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, or such other agent or agents of
         the Trust as may be designated by the Board of Trustees or its designee
         as the transfer agent
         for the Series A Preferred Shares.

                  "Voting Preferred Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10 hereof.

                  SECTION 3. DIVIDENDS. (a) The holders of Series A Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized and declared by
the Board of Trustees out of assets legally available for that purpose,
dividends payable in cash at the rate per annum of $3.25 per Series A Preferred
Share (the "Annual Dividend Rate"). Such dividends shall be cumulative from the
Issue Date, whether or not in any Dividend Period or Periods there shall be
assets of the Trust legally available for the payment of such dividends, and
shall be payable quarterly, when, as and if authorized and declared by the Board
of Trustees, in arrears on Dividend Payment Dates, commencing on the first
Dividend Payment Date after the Issue Date. Dividends are cumulative from the
most recent Dividend Payment Date to which dividends have been paid, whether or
not in any Dividend Period or Periods there shall be assets legally available
therefor. Each such dividend shall be payable in arrears to the holders of
record of the Series A Preferred Shares, as they appear on the stock records of
the Trust at the close of business on such record dates, not more


                                       -4-

<PAGE>   5
than 30 days preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date (the "Dividend
Payment Record Date"), as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees. Accrued and
unpaid dividends for any past Dividend Periods may be authorized and declared
and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to
holders of record on such date, not exceeding 45 days preceding the payment date
thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees.

                  (b) The amount of dividends payable for each full Dividend
Period for the Series A Preferred Shares shall be computed by dividing the
Annual Dividend Rate by four. The amount of dividends payable for the initial
Dividend Period, or any other period shorter or longer than a full Dividend
Period, on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be computed on the basis of
twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares
shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or
stock, in excess of cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on the Series A
Preferred Shares. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be
payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series A Preferred
Shares that may be in arrears.

                  (c) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding,
no dividends, except as described in the immediately following sentence, shall
be authorized and declared or paid or set apart for payment on any series or
class or classes of Parity Shares for any period unless full cumulative
dividends have been or contemporaneously are authorized and declared and paid or
authorized and declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart
for such payment on the Series A Preferred Shares for all Dividend Periods
terminating on or prior to the Dividend Payment Date on such class or series of
Parity Shares. When dividends are not paid in full or a sum sufficient for such
payment is not set apart, as aforesaid, all dividends authorized and declared
upon Series A Preferred Shares and all dividends authorized and declared upon
any other series or class or classes of Parity Shares shall be authorized and
declared ratably in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends
accumulated and unpaid on the Series A Preferred Shares and such Parity Shares.

                  (d) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding,
no dividends (other than dividends or distributions paid solely in shares of, or
options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Junior
Shares) shall be authorized and declared or paid or set apart for payment or
other distribution authorized and declared or made upon Junior Shares, nor shall
any Junior Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (other than a
redemption, purchase or other acquisition of Common Shares made for purposes of
and in compliance with requirements of an


                                       -5-

<PAGE>   6
employee incentive or benefit plan of the Trust or any subsidiary, or as
permitted under Article VI of the Declaration), for any consideration (or any
moneys to be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of
any shares of such stock) by the Trust, directly or indirectly (except by
conversion into or exchange for Junior Shares), unless in each case (i) the full
cumulative dividends on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and any other
Parity Shares of the Trust shall have been paid or set apart for payment for all
past Dividend Periods with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and all past
dividend periods with respect to such Parity Shares and (ii) sufficient funds
shall have been paid or set apart for the payment of the dividend for the
current Dividend Period with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and any
Parity Shares.

                  SECTION 4. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. (a) In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, whether voluntary or
involuntary, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Trust
(whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders of
Junior Shares, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per Series A Preferred Share (the "Liquidation
Preference") plus an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution to such
holder; but such holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to
any further payment. If, upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Trust, the assets of the Trust, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the
holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be insufficient to pay in full the
preferential amount aforesaid and liquidating payments on any other Parity
Shares, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among
the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares and any such other Parity Shares
ratably in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such
Series A Preferred Shares and any such other Parity Shares if all amounts
payable thereon were paid in full. For the purposes of this Section 4, (i) a
consolidation or merger of the Trust with one or more entities, (ii) a statutory
share exchange and (iii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the
Trust's assets (including, without limitation, the conversion of the Trust into
an Umbrella Partnership REIT), shall not be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Trust.

                  (b) Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any
series or class or classes of shares of beneficial interest ranking on a parity
with or prior to the Series A Preferred Shares upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, after
payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares, as provided in this Section 4,


                                       -6-

<PAGE>   7
any series or class or classes of Junior Shares shall, subject to any respective
terms and provisions applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets
remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares shall not be entitled to share therein.

                  SECTION 5. REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE TRUST. (a) Except
as otherwise permitted by Article VI of the Declaration, the Series A Preferred
Shares shall not be redeemable by the Trust prior to April 1, 2001. On and after
April 1, 2001, the Trust, at its option, may redeem the shares of Series A
Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, as set forth herein, subject to the
provisions described below.

                  (b) The Series A Preferred Shares may be redeemed, in whole or
in part, at the option of the Trust, at any time, only if for 20 Trading Days
within any period of 30 consecutive Trading Days, including the last Trading Day
of such period, the Current Market Price of the Common Shares on each of such 20
Trading Days exceeds $87.30. In order to exercise its redemption option, the
Trust shall issue a press release announcing the redemption (the "Press
Release") prior to the opening of business on the second Trading Day after the
condition in the preceding sentence has, from time to time, been met. The Trust
shall not issue a Press Release prior to February 1, 2001. The Press Release
shall announce the redemption and set forth the number of Series A Preferred
Shares that the Trust intends to redeem. The Redemption Date (which may not be
before April 1, 2001) shall be selected by the Trust, shall be specified in the
notice of redemption and shall be not less than 30 days or more than 60 days
after the date on which the Trust issues the Press Release (the "Redemption
Date").

                  (c) Upon redemption of Series A Preferred Shares by the Trust
on the Redemption Date, each Series A Preferred Share so redeemed shall be
converted into a number of Common Shares equal to the aggregate Liquidation
Preference of the shares of Series A Preferred Shares being redeemed divided by
the Conversion Price as of the opening of business on the Redemption Date.

                  Upon any redemption of Series A Preferred Shares, the Trust
shall pay any accrued and unpaid dividends in arrears for any Dividend Period
ending or on prior to the Redemption Date. If the Redemption Date falls after a
Dividend Payment Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment
Date, then each holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business on
such Dividend Payment Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on
such Series A Preferred Shares on the corresponding dividend payment date
notwithstanding the redemption of such Series A Preferred Shares before such
Dividend Payment Date. Except as provided above, the Trust shall make no payment
or allowance


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   8
for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares
called for redemption or on the Common Shares issued upon such redemption.

                  (d) If full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred
Shares and any other series or class or classes of Parity Shares of the Trust
have not been paid or declared and set apart for payment, except as otherwise
permitted under Article VI of the Declaration, the Series A Preferred Shares may
not be redeemed in part and the Trust may not purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire Series A Preferred Shares or any Parity Shares other than in exchange
for Junior Shares.

                  (e) If the Trust shall redeem shares of Series A Preferred
Shares pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 5, notice of such redemption
shall be given not more than four Business Days after the date on which the
Trust issues the Press Release to each holder of record of the Series A
Preferred Shares to be redeemed. Such notice shall be provided by first class
mail, postage prepaid, at such holder's address as the same appears on the stock
records of the Trust, or by publication in The Wall Street Journal or The New
York Times, or if neither such newspaper is then being published, any other
daily newspaper of national circulation. If the Trust elects to provide such
notice by publication, it shall also promptly mail notice of such redemption to
the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed. Neither the failure
to mail any notice required by this paragraph (e), nor any defect therein or in
the mailing thereof, to any particular holder, shall affect the sufficiency of
the notice or the validity of the proceedings for redemption with respect to the
other holders. Any notice that was mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
conclusively presumed to have been duly given on the date mailed whether or not
the holder receives the notice. Each such mailed or published notice shall
state, as appropriate: (1) the Redemption Date; (2) the number of Series A
Preferred Shares to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the Series A Preferred
Shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such Series A
Preferred Shares to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the number of Common
Shares to be issued with respect to each Series A Preferred Share; (4) the place
or places at which certificates for such Series A Preferred Shares are to be
surrendered for certificates representing Common Shares; (5) the then-current
Conversion Price; and (6) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed shall
cease to accrue on such Redemption Date except as otherwise provided herein.
Notice having been published or mailed as aforesaid, from and after the
Redemption Date (unless the Trust shall fail to make available a number of
Common Shares or amount of cash necessary to effect such redemption), (i) except
as otherwise provided herein, dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares so
called for redemption shall cease to accrue, (ii) said shares shall no longer be
deemed to be outstanding, and


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   9
(iii) all rights of the holders thereof as holders of Series A Preferred Shares
of the Trust shall cease (except the rights to receive the Common Shares and
cash payable upon such redemption, without interest thereon, upon surrender and
endorsement of their certificates if so required and to receive any dividends
payable thereon). The Trust's obligation to provide Common Shares and cash in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall be deemed fulfilled if, on or
before the Redemption Date, the Trust shall deposit with a bank or trust company
(which may be an affiliate of the Trust) that has an office in the Borough of
Manhattan, City of New York, or in Baltimore, Maryland and that has, or is an
affiliate of a bank or trust company that has, a capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000, Common Shares and any cash necessary for such redemption, in trust,
with irrevocable instructions that such Common Shares and cash be applied to the
redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption. At the
close of business on the Redemption Date, each holder of Series A Preferred
Shares to be redeemed (unless the Trust defaults in the delivery of the Common
Shares or cash payable on such Redemption Date) shall be deemed to be the record
holder of the number of Common Shares into which such Series A Preferred Shares
is to be redeemed, regardless of whether such holder has surrendered the
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Shares. No interest shall
accrue for the benefit of the holder of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed
on any cash so set aside by the Trust. Subject to applicable escheat laws, any
such cash unclaimed at the end of two years from the Redemption Date shall
revert to the general funds of the Trust, after which reversion the holders of
such shares so called for redemption shall look only to the general funds of the
Trust for the payment of such cash.

                  As promptly as practicable after the surrender in accordance
with said notice of the certificates for any such Series A Preferred Shares so
redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so
require and if the notice shall so state), such Series A Preferred Shares shall
be exchanged for certificates of Common Shares and any cash (without interest
thereon) for which such Series A Preferred Shares have been redeemed. If fewer
than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the
Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trust from the
outstanding Series A Preferred Shares not previously called for redemption by
lot or pro rata (as nearly as may be) or by any other method determined by the
Trust in its sole discretion to be equitable. If fewer than all the Series A
Preferred Shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, then new
certificates representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Shares shall be
issued without cost to the holder thereof.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>   10
                  (f) No fractional shares or scrip representing fractions of
Common Shares shall be issued upon redemption of a Series A Preferred Share.
Instead of any fractional interest in a Common Share that would otherwise be
deliverable upon the redemption of a share of Series A Preferred Shares, the
Trust shall pay to the holder of such Series A Preferred Share an amount in cash
(computed to the nearest cent) based upon the Current Market Price of Common
Shares on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date. If more
than one Series A Preferred Share shall be surrendered for redemption at one
time by the same holder, the number of full Common Shares issuable upon
redemption thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of
Series A Preferred Shares so surrendered.

                  (g) The Trust covenants that any Common Shares issued upon
redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable. The Trust shall endeavor to list the Common Shares required
to be delivered upon redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares, prior to such
redemption, upon each national securities exchange, if any, upon which the
outstanding Common Shares are listed at the time of such delivery.

                  The Trust shall endeavor to take any action necessary to
ensure that any Common Shares issued upon the redemption of Series A Preferred
Shares are freely transferable and not subject to any resale restrictions under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or any applicable state
securities or blue sky laws (other than any Common Shares issued upon redemption
of any Series A Preferred Shares that are held by an "affiliate" (as defined in
Rule 144 under the Act) of the Trust).

                  SECTION 6.  REACQUIRED SHARES TO BE RETIRED.

                  All Series A Preferred Shares which shall have been issued and
reacquired in any manner by the Trust shall be restored to the status of
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to
series.

                  SECTION 7.  CONVERSION.

                  Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the right to
convert all or a portion of such shares into Common Shares, as follows:

                  (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this
Section 7, a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the right, at his or
her option, at any time to convert such shares into the number of fully paid and
non-assessable Common Shares obtained by dividing the aggregate Liquidation
Preference of such Series A Preferred Shares by the Conversion Price (as in
effect at the time and on the date


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
provided for in the last paragraph of paragraph (b) of this Section 7) by
surrendering such Series A Preferred Shares to be converted, such surrender to
be made in the manner provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 7; provided,
however, that the right to convert Series A Preferred Shares called for
redemption pursuant to Section 5 hereof shall terminate at the close of business
on the Redemption Date fixed for such redemption, unless the Trust shall default
in making payment of the Common Shares and any cash payable upon such redemption
under Section 5 hereof.

                  (b) In order to exercise the conversion right, the holder of
each Series A Preferred Share to be converted shall surrender the certificate
representing such Series A Preferred Share, duly endorsed or assigned to the
Trust or in blank, at the office of the Transfer Agent, accompanied by written
notice to the Trust that the holder thereof elects to convert such Series A
Preferred Shares. Unless the Common Shares issuable on conversion are to be
issued in the same name as the name in which such Series A Preferred Shares are
registered, each share surrendered for conversion shall be accompanied by
instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trust, duly executed by the
holder or such holder's duly authorized attorney and an amount sufficient to pay
any transfer or similar tax (or evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trust
demonstrating that such taxes have been paid).

                  Holders of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business
on a Dividend Payment Record Date shall be entitled to receive the dividend
payable on such Series A Preferred Shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment
Date notwithstanding the conversion thereof following such Dividend Payment
Record Date and prior to such Dividend Payment Date. However, Series A Preferred
Shares surrendered for conversion during the period between the close of
business on any Dividend Payment Record Date and the opening of business on the
corresponding Dividend Payment Date (except Series A Preferred Shares converted
after the issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to a Redemption Date
during such period or coinciding with such Dividend Payment Date, such Series A
Preferred Shares being entitled to such dividend on the Dividend Payment Date)
must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on
such Series A Preferred Shares on such Dividend Payment Date. A holder of Series
A Preferred Shares on a Dividend Payment Record Date who (or whose transferees)
tenders any such Series A Preferred Shares for conversion into Common Shares on
such Dividend Payment Date will receive the dividend payable by the Trust on
such Series A Preferred Shares on such date, and the converting holder need not
include payment of the amount of such dividend upon surrender of Series A
Preferred Shares for conversion. Except as provided above, the Trust shall make
no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in


                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12
arrears, on converted Series A Preferred Shares or for dividends on the Common
Shares issued upon such conversion.

                  As promptly as practicable after the surrender of certificates
for Series A Preferred Shares as aforesaid, the Trust shall issue and shall
deliver at such office to such holder, or on his or her written order, a
certificate or certificates for the number of full Common Shares issuable upon
the conversion of such shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section
7, and any fractional interest in respect of a Common Share arising upon such
conversion shall be settled as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section 7.

                  Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected
immediately prior to the close of business on the date on which the certificates
for Series A Preferred Shares shall have been surrendered and such notice (and
if applicable, payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on such Series
A Preferred Shares) received by the Trust as aforesaid, and the person or
persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for Common Shares
shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the holder
or holders of record of the Common Shares represented thereby at such time on
such date, and such conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect at
such time and on such date unless the stock transfer books of the Trust shall be
closed on that date, in which event such person or persons shall be deemed to
have become such holder or holders of record at the close of business on the
next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such
conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date on which such
Series A Preferred Shares shall have been surrendered and such notice received
by the Trust.

                  (c) No fractional shares or scrip representing fractions of
Common Shares shall be issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Instead of any fractional interest in a Common Share that would otherwise be
deliverable upon the conversion of a Series A Preferred Share, the Trust shall
pay to the holder of such Series A Preferred Share an amount in cash based upon
the Current Market Price of Common Shares on the Trading Day immediately
preceding the date of conversion. If more than one Series A Preferred Share
shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number
of full Common Shares issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the
basis of the aggregate number of Series A Preferred Shares so surrendered.

                  (d) The Conversion Price shall be adjusted from time to time
as follows:

                  (i) If the Trust shall after the Issue Date (A) pay a dividend
         or make a distribution on its shares of beneficial interest in Common
         Shares, (B) subdivide its


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
         outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of shares, (C) combine
         its outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares or (D)
         issue any shares of beneficial interest by reclassification of its
         Common Shares, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of
         business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of
         shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or at
         the opening of business on the day following the day on which such
         subdivision, combination or reclassification becomes effective, as the
         case may be, shall be adjusted so that the holder of any Series A
         Preferred Share thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled
         to receive the number of Common Shares that such holder would have
         owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening of any of
         the events described above had such Series A Preferred Shares been
         converted immediately prior to the record date in the case of a
         dividend or distribution or the effective date in the case of a
         subdivision, combination or reclassification. An adjustment made
         pursuant to this subparagraph (i) shall become effective immediately
         upon the opening of business on the day next following the record date
         (subject to paragraph (h) below) in the case of a dividend or
         distribution and shall become effective immediately upon the opening of
         business on the day next following the effective date in the case of a
         subdivision, combination or reclassification.

                  (ii) If the Trust shall issue after the Issue Date rights,
         options or warrants to all holders of Common Shares entitling them (for
         a period expiring within 45 days after the record date mentioned below)
         to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at a price per share less
         than the Fair Market Value per Common Share on the record date for the
         determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights, options
         or warrants, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of
         business on the day next following such record date shall be adjusted
         to equal the price determined by multiplying (I) the Conversion Price
         in effect immediately prior to the opening of business on the day
         following the date fixed for such determination by (II) a fraction, the
         numerator of which shall be the sum of (A) the number of Common Shares
         outstanding on the close of business on the date fixed for such
         determination and (B) the number of shares that the aggregate proceeds
         to the Trust from the exercise of such rights, options or warrants for
         Common Shares would purchase at such Fair Market Value, and the
         denominator of which shall be the sum of (A) the number of Common
         Shares outstanding on the close of business on the date fixed for such
         determination and (B) the number of additional Common Shares offered
         for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights, options or
         warrants. Such adjustment shall become effective immediately upon


                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14
         the opening of business on the day next following such record date
         (subject to paragraph (h) below). In determining whether any rights,
         options or warrants entitle the holders of Common Shares to subscribe
         for or purchase Common Shares at less than such Fair Market Value,
         there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the
         Trust upon issuance and upon exercise of such rights, options or
         warrants, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be
         determined by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Trustees,
         whose determination shall be conclusive.

                  (iii) If the Trust shall distribute to all holders of its
         Common Shares any shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (other
         than Common Shares) or evidence of its indebtedness or assets
         (excluding cash dividends or distributions paid out of assets based
         upon a fair valuation of the assets, in excess of the sum of the
         liabilities of the trust and the amount of stated capital attributable
         to Common Shares, determined on the basis of the most recent annual
         consolidated cost basis and current value basis and quarterly
         consolidated balance sheets of the Trust and its consolidated
         subsidiaries available at the time of the declaration of the dividend
         or distribution) or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any
         of its securities (excluding those rights and warrants issued to all
         holders of Common Shares entitling them for a period expiring within 45
         days after the record date referred to in subparagraph (ii) above to
         subscribe for or purchase Common Shares, which rights and warrants are
         referred to in and treated under subparagraph (ii) above) (any of the
         foregoing being hereinafter in this subparagraph (iii) called the
         "Securities"), then in each case the Conversion Price shall be adjusted
         so that it shall equal the price determined by multiplying (I) the
         Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business
         on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to
         receive such distribution by (II) a fraction, the numerator of which
         shall be the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Shares on the
         record date mentioned below less the then fair market value (as
         determined by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Trustees,
         whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the shares
         of beneficial interest or assets or evidences of indebtedness so
         distributed or of such rights or warrants applicable to one Common
         Share, and the denominator of which shall be the Fair Market Value per
         share of the Common Shares on the record date mentioned below. Such
         adjustment shall become effective immediately upon the opening of
         business on the day next following (subject to paragraph (h) below) the
         record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive
         such distribution. For the purposes of this


                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15
         subparagraph (iii), the distribution of a Security, which is
         distributed not only to the holders of the Common Shares on the date
         fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to such
         distribution of such Security, but also is required to be distributed
         with each Common Share delivered to a Person converting a Series A
         Preferred Share after such determination date, shall not require an
         adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this subparagraph (iii);
         provided that on the date, if any, on which a person converting a
         Series A Preferred Share would no longer be entitled to receive such
         Security with a Common Share (other than as a result of the termination
         of all such Securities), a distribution of such Securities shall be
         deemed to have occurred, and the Conversion Price shall be adjusted as
         provided in this subparagraph (iii) (and such day shall be deemed to be
         "the date fixed for the determination of the shareholders entitled to
         receive such distribution" and "the record date" within the meaning of
         the two preceding sentences).

                  The occurrence of a distribution or the occurrence of any
         other event as a result of which holders of Series A Preferred Shares
         shall not be entitled to receive rights, including exchange rights (the
         "Rights"), pursuant to any shareholders protective rights agreement
         (the "Agreement") that may be adopted by the Trust as if such holders
         had converted such shares into Common Shares immediately prior to the
         occurrence of such distribution or event shall not be deemed a
         distribution of Securities for the purposes of any Conversion Price
         adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) or otherwise give rise
         to any Conversion Price adjustment pursuant to this Section 7;
         provided, however, that in lieu of any adjustment to the Conversion
         Price as a result of any such a distribution or occurrence, the Trust
         shall make provision so that Rights, to the extent issuable at the time
         of conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares,
         shall issue and attach to such Common Shares then issued upon
         conversion in the amount and manner and to the extent and as provided
         in the Agreement in respect of issuances at the time of Common Shares
         other than upon conversion.

                  (iv) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required
         unless such adjustment would require a cumulative increase or decrease
         of at least 1% in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments
         that by reason of this subparagraph (iv) are not required to be made
         shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
         adjustment until made; and provided, further, that any adjustment shall
         be required and made in accordance with the provisions of this Section
         7 (other than this subparagraph (iv)) not later than such


                                      -15-

<PAGE>   16
         time as may be required in order to preserve the tax-free nature of a
         distribution to the holders of Common Shares. Notwithstanding any other
         provisions of this Section 7, the Trust shall not be required to make
         any adjustment of the Conversion Price for the issuance of any Common
         Shares pursuant to any plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends
         or interest payable on securities of the Trust and the investment of
         additional optional amounts in Common Shares under such plan. All
         calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent
         with $.005 being rounded upward) or to the nearest one-tenth of a share
         (with .05 of a share being rounded upward), as the case may be.
         Anything in this paragraph (d) to the contrary notwithstanding, the
         Trust shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law, to make such
         reductions in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by
         this paragraph (d), as it in its discretion shall determine to be
         advisable in order that any stock dividends, subdivision of shares,
         reclassification or combination of shares, distribution of rights,
         options or warrants to purchase stock or securities, or a distribution
         of other assets (other than cash dividends) hereafter made by the Trust
         to its shareholders shall not be taxable.

                  (e) If the Trust shall be a party to any transaction
(including without limitation a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange,
self tender offer for all or substantially all Common Shares, sale of all or
substantially all of the Trust's assets or recapitalization of the Common Shares
and excluding any transaction as to which subparagraph (d)(i) of this Section 7
applies) (each of the foregoing being referred to herein as a "Transaction"), in
each case as a result of which Common Shares shall be converted into the right
to receive stock, securities or other property (including cash or any
combination thereof), each Series A Preferred Share that is not converted into
the right to receive stock, securities or other property in connection with such
Transaction shall thereafter be convertible into the kind and amount of shares
of stock, securities and other property (including cash or any combination
thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Transaction by a holder of
that number of Common Shares into which one Series A Preferred Share was
convertible immediately prior to such Transaction, assuming such holder of
Common Shares (i) is not a Person with which the Trust consolidated or into
which the Trust merged or which merged into the Trust or to which such sale or
transfer was made, as the case may be (a "Constituent Person"), or an affiliate
of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his or her rights of the
election, if any, as to the kind or amount of stock, securities and other
property (including cash) receivable upon such Transaction (provided that if the
kind or amount of stock, securities and other property (including cash)
receivable upon such


                                      -16-

<PAGE>   17
Transaction is not the same for each Common Share of the Trust held immediately
prior to such Transaction by other than a Constituent Person or an affiliate
thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been
exercised ("Non-Electing Share"), then for the purpose of this paragraph (e) the
kind and amount of stock, securities and other property (including cash)
receivable upon such Transaction by each Non-Electing Share shall be deemed to
be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the Non-
Electing Shares). The Trust shall not be a party to any Transaction unless the
terms of such Transaction are consistent with the provisions of this paragraph
(e), and it shall not consent or agree to the occurrence of any Transaction
until the Trust has entered into an agreement with the successor or purchasing
entity, as the case may be, for the benefit of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares that will contain provisions enabling the holders of the Series
A Preferred Shares that remain outstanding after such Transaction to convert
their Series A Preferred Shares into the consideration received by holders of
Common Shares at the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such
Transaction. The provisions of this paragraph (e) shall similarly apply to
successive Transactions.

         (f)      If:

                  (i)      the Trust shall declare a dividend (or any other
         distribution) on the Common Shares (other than in cash out of assets,
         based on a fair valuation of assets, in excess of the sum of the
         liabilities of the trust and the amount of stated capital attributable
         to Common Shares, determined on the basis of the most recent annual
         consolidated cost basis and current value basis and quarterly
         consolidated balance sheets of the Trust and its consolidated
         subsidiaries available at the time of the declaration of the dividend
         or distribution); or

                  (ii)     the Trust shall authorize the granting to the holders
         of the Common Shares of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase
         any shares of any class or any other rights or warrants (other than
         Rights to which the second paragraph of subparagraph (d)(iii) of this
         Section 7 applies); or

                  (iii)    there shall be any reclassification of the Common
         Shares (other than an event to which subparagraph (d) (i) of this
         Section 7 applies) or any consolidation or merger to which the Trust is
         a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Trust is
         required, or a statutory share exchange involving the conversion or
         exchange of Common Shares into securities or other property, or a self
         tender offer by the Trust for all or substantially all of its
         outstanding Common Shares, or the sale or transfer of all or
         substantially all of the


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18
         assets of the Trust as an entirety and for which approval of any
         shareholders of the Trust is required; or

                  (iv)     there shall occur the voluntary or involuntary
         liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust,

then the Trust shall cause to be filed with the Transfer Agent and shall cause
to be mailed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares at their addresses
as shown on the stock records of the Trust, as promptly as possible, but at
least 15 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice
stating (A) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be
taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Shares of record to be
entitled to such dividend, distribution or rights or warrants are to be
determined or (B) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, statutory share exchange, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution or
winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is
expected that holders of Common Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange
their Common Shares for securities or other property, if any, deliverable upon
such reclassification, consolidation, merger, statutory share exchange, sale,
transfer, liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Failure to give or receive
such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of
the proceedings described in this Section 7.

                  (g)      Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein
provided, the Trust shall promptly file with the Transfer Agent an officer's
certificate setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting
forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which
certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment
absent manifest error. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Trust
shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Price setting forth
the adjusted Conversion Price and the effective date of such adjustment becomes
effective and shall mail such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Price
to the holders of each Series A Preferred Share at such holder's last address as
shown on the stock records of the Trust.

                  (h)      In any case in which paragraph (d) of this Section 7
provides that an adjustment shall become effective on the day next following the
record date for an event, the Trust may defer until the occurrence of such event
(A) issuing to the holder of any Series A Preferred Share converted after such
record date and before the occurrence of such event the additional Common Shares
issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such event
over and above the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion before giving
effect to such adjustment and (B) paying to such holder any


                                      -18-

<PAGE>   19
amount of cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section
7.

                  (i) There shall be no adjustment of the Conversion Price in
case of the issuance of any shares of beneficial interest of the Trust in a
reorganization, acquisition or other similar transaction except as specifically
set forth in this Section 7. If any action or transaction would require
adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to more than one paragraph of this
Section 7, only one adjustment shall be made, and such adjustment shall be the
amount of adjustment that has the highest absolute value.

                  (j) If the Trust shall take any action affecting the Common
Shares, other than action described in this Section 7, that in the opinion of
the Board of Trustees would materially adversely affect the conversion rights of
the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Conversion Price for the
Series A Preferred Shares may be adjusted, to the extent permitted by law, in
such manner, if any, and at such time, as the Board of Trustees, in its sole
discretion, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances.

                  (k) The Trust covenants that it will at all times reserve and
keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the aggregate of its
authorized but unissued Common Shares, for the purpose of effecting conversion
of the Series A Preferred Shares, the full number of Common Shares deliverable
upon the conversion of all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares not theretofore
converted. For purposes of this paragraph (k), the number of Common Shares that
shall be deliverable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Shares shall be computed as if at the time of computation all such
outstanding shares were held by a single holder.

                  The Trust further covenants that any Common Shares issued upon
conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable. Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Conversion Price below the then-par value of the Common Shares
deliverable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Trust shall
take any corporate action that, in the opinion of its counsel, may be necessary
in order that the Trust may validly and legally issue fully paid and
non-assessable Common Shares at such adjusted Conversion Price.

                  The Trust shall endeavor to list the Common Shares required to
be delivered upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, prior to such
delivery, upon each national securities exchange, if any, upon which the
outstanding Common Shares are listed at the time of such delivery.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>   20
                  Prior to the delivery of any securities that the Trust shall
be obligated to deliver upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares, the
Trust shall endeavor to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations
thereunder requiring the registration of such securities with, or any approval
of or consent to the delivery thereof, by any governmental authority.

                  (l) The Trust shall pay any and all documentary stamp or
similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of
Common Shares or other securities or property on conversion of the Series A
Preferred Shares pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Trust shall not be
required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue or delivery of any Common Shares or other securities or property in
a name other than that of the holder of the Series A Preferred Shares to be
converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the
person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Trust the amount of any
such tax or established, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trust, that such
tax has been paid.

                  SECTION 8. PERMISSIBLE DISTRIBUTIONS. In determining whether a
distribution (other than upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up), whether
by dividend, or upon redemption or other acquisition of shares or otherwise, is
permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if the Trust were to
be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights
upon dissolution of holders of shares of any class or series of beneficial
interest whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior or prior to
those receiving the distribution shall not be added to the Trust's total
liabilities.

                  SECTION 9.  RANKING.  Any class or series of shares
of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be deemed to rank:

                  (a) prior to the Series A Preferred Shares, as to the payment
of dividends and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, if the holders of such class or series shall be entitled to the
receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of
Series A Preferred Shares;

                  (b) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, as to the
payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment
dates or redemption or liquidation prices per share thereof be different from
those of the Series A Preferred Shares, if the holders of such class of stock or
series and the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to the receipt of
dividends and of amounts


                                      -20-

<PAGE>   21
distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in proportion to their
respective amounts of accrued and unpaid dividends per share or liquidation
preferences, without preference or priority one over the other ("Parity
Shares"); and

                  (c) junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, as to the payment
of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up, if such stock or series shall be Common Shares or if the holders
of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of
amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case
may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such stock or
series, and such stock or series shall not in either case rank prior to the
Series A Preferred Shares.

                  SECTION 10. VOTING. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the
Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any relative, participating, optional
or other special voting rights and powers, and the consent of the holders
thereof shall not be required for the taking of any corporate action.

                  If and whenever six quarterly dividends (whether or not
consecutive) payable on the Series A Preferred Shares or any series or class of
Parity Shares shall be in arrears (which shall, with respect to any such
quarterly dividend, mean that any such dividend has not been paid in full),
whether or not earned or declared, the number of trustees then constituting the
Board of Trustees shall be increased by two and the holders of Series A
Preferred Shares, together with the holders of shares of every other series or
class of Parity Shares having like voting rights (shares of any such other
series, the "Voting Preferred Shares"), voting as a single class regardless of
series, shall be entitled to elect the two additional trustees to serve on the
Board of Trustees at any annual meeting of shareholders or special meeting held
in place thereof, or at a special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred
Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares called as hereinafter provided. Whenever
all arrears in dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting
Preferred Shares then outstanding shall have been paid and full dividends
thereon for the current quarterly dividend period shall have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment, then the right of the holders of the Series
A Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares to elect such additional two
trustees shall cease (but subject always to the same provision for the vesting
of such voting rights in the case of any similar future arrearages in six
quarterly dividends), and the terms of office of all persons elected as trustees
by the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares
shall forthwith terminate and the number trustees constituting the Board of
Trustees shall be reduced accordingly. At any time after such voting power


                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22
shall have been so vested in the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Shares
and the Voting Preferred Shares, the Secretary of the Trust may, and upon the
written request of any holder of Series A Preferred Shares (addressed to the
Secretary at the principal office of the Trust) shall, call a special meeting of
the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and of the Voting Preferred Shares
for the election of the two trustees to be elected by them as herein provided,
such call to be made by notice similar to that provided in the Bylaws of the
Trust for a special meeting of the shareholders or as required by law. If any
such special meeting required to be called as above provided shall not be called
by the Secretary within 20 days after receipt of such request, then any holder
of Series A Preferred Shares may call such meeting, upon the notice above
provided, and for that purpose shall have access to the stock books of the
Trust. The trustees elected at any such special meeting shall hold office until
the next annual meeting of the shareholders or special meting held in lieu
thereof if such office shall not have previously terminated as above provided.
If any vacancy shall occur among the trustees elected by the holders of the
Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares, a successor shall be
elected by the Board of Trustees, upon the nomination of the then-remaining
trustee elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting
Preferred Shares or the successor of such remaining trustee, to serve until the
next annual meeting of the shareholders or special meeting held in place thereof
if such office shall not have previously terminated as provided above.

                  So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, in
addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by the
Declaration, the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the votes entitled to
be cast by the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred
Shares, at the time outstanding, voting as a single class regardless of series,
given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at
any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or
validating:

                           (a) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the
         provisions of the Declaration or these Articles Supplementary that
         materially adversely affects the voting powers, rights or preferences
         of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares or the Voting Preferred
         Shares; provided, however, that (i) the amendment of the provisions of
         the Declaration so as to authorize or create or to increase the
         authorized amount of, any Junior Shares or any shares of any class or
         series ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares or the
         Voting Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to materially adversely
         affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of
         Series A Preferred Shares and (ii) any filing with the State Department
         of


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23
         Assessments and Taxation of Maryland by the Trust in connection with a
         merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets
         of the Trust shall not be deemed to be an amendment, alteration or
         repeal of any of the provisions of the Declaration or these Articles
         Supplementary; and provided further, that if any such amendment,
         alteration or repeal would materially adversely affect any voting
         powers, rights or preferences of the Series A Preferred Shares or one
         or more but not all series of Voting Preferred Shares at the time
         outstanding, the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the votes
         entitled to be cast by the holders of all series similarly affected,
         similarly given, shall be required in lieu of the affirmative vote of
         at least 66-2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the
         Series A Preferred Shares and the Voting Preferred Shares otherwise
         entitled to vote in accordance herewith; or

                           (b) The authorization or creation of, or the increase
         in the authorized amount of, any shares of any class or series or any
         security convertible into shares of any class or series ranking prior
         to the Series A Preferred Shares in the distribution of assets on any
         liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust or in the payment
         of dividends;

provided, however, that, in the case of each of subparagraphs (a) and (b), no
such vote of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares or Voting Preferred
Shares, as the case may be, shall be required if, at or prior to the time when
such amendment, alteration or repeal is to take effect, or when the issuance of
any such prior shares or convertible security is to be made, as the case may be,
provision is made for the redemption of all Series A Preferred Shares or Voting
Preferred Shares, as the case may be, at the time outstanding in accordance with
Section 5 hereof.

                  For purposes of the foregoing provisions of this Section 10,
each Series A Preferred Share shall have one (1) vote per share, except that
when any other series of Preferred Stock shall have the right to vote with the
Series A Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, then the Series A
Preferred Shares and such other series shall have with respect to such matters
one (1) vote per $50.00 of stated liquidation preference.

                  SECTION 11. RECORD HOLDERS. The Trust and the Transfer Agent
may deem and treat the record holder of any Series A Preferred Shares as the
true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Trust nor the
Transfer Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


                                      -23-

<PAGE>   24
                  SECTION 12. RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER. The Series
A Preferred Shares constitute Preferred Stock, and Preferred Stock constitutes
Equity Stock of the Trust. Therefore, the Series A Preferred Shares, being
Equity Stock, are governed by and issued subject to all the limitations, terms
and conditions of the Declaration applicable to Equity Stock generally,
including but not limited to the terms and conditions (including exceptions and
exemptions) of Article VI of the Declaration applicable to Equity Stock. The
foregoing sentence shall not be construed to limit the applicability to the
Series A Preferred Shares of any other term or provision of the Declaration.


                  SECOND: The Shares have been classified and designated by the
Board of Trustees under the authority contained in the Declaration.


                  THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the
Board of Trustees in the manner and by the vote required by law.


                  FOURTH: Each of the undersigned acknowledges these Articles
Supplementary to be the trust act of the Trust and, as to all matters or facts
required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that to the
best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts
are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the
penalties for perjury.


                                      -24-

<PAGE>   25
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused these Articles
Supplementary to be executed by a majority of its entire Board of Trustees on
this 5th day of April, 1997.



                                            /s/ Steven Roth
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Steven Roth, Trustee



                                            /s/ Michael D. Fascitelli
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Michael D. Fascitelli, Trustee



                                            /s/ David Mandelbaum
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            David Mandelbaum, Trustee



                                            /s/ Stanley Simon
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stanley Simon, Trustee



                                            /s/ Richard R. West
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Richard R. West, Trustee



                                            /s/ Ronald G. Targan
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Ronald G. Targan, Trustee



                                            /s/ Russell B. Wight, Jr.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Russell B. Wight, Jr., Trustee


                                      -25-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 4.2

Number *0*                                                      Shares *0*

THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE                SEE REVERSE FOR
IN THE CITIES OF NEW YORK, N.Y.                 IMPORTANT NOTICE
AND CHARLOTTE, N.C.                             ON TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
                                                AND OTHER INFORMATION

                                                           CUSIP 929042 20 8

                              VORNADO REALTY TRUST
                         ------------------------------
                         a Real Estate Investment Trust
                 Formed Under the Laws of the State of Maryland

        THIS CERTIFIES THAT **Specimen**

is the owner of **Zero (0)**

fully paid and nonassessable Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, liquidation preference $50.00 per share, no par value, of

                              VORNADO REALTY TRUST
                         ------------------------------

(the "Trust"), transferable on the books of the Trust by the holder hereof in
person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate
properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are
issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Declaration of
Trust of the Trust and any amendments thereto. This Certificate is not valid
until countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

        WITNESS the facsimile seal and the facsimile signatures of the duly
authorized officers of the Trust.

DATED 
      ---------------------
Countersigned and Registered:
First Union National Bank of North Carolina
             (Charlotte, N.C.)

                                [IMPRESSION OF
        Transfer Agent            TRUST SEAL]           /s/ Steven Roth
        and Registrar                                   -----------------------
                                                        Chief Executive Officer

By:                                                     /s/ Susan Schmider
    ------------------------                            -----------------------
    Authorized Signature                                      Secretary
                            





<PAGE>   2
                                IMPORTANT NOTICE

        The Trust will furnish to any shareholder, on request and without
charge, a full statement of the information required by Section 8-203(d) of the
Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland with
respect to the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other
distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the
shares of each class of beneficial interest which the Trust has authority to
issue and, if the Trust is authorized to issue any preferred or special class
in series, (i) the differences in the relative rights and preferences between
the shares of each series to the extent set, and (ii) the authority of the
Board of Trustees to set such rights and preferences of subsequent series. The
foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, a copy of which will be sent without charge to each shareholder who so
requests. Such request must be made to the Secretary of the Trust at its
principal office or to the Transfer Agent.

        The shares of Preferred Stock represented by this certificate are
subject to restrictions on ownership and transfer for the purpose of the
Trust's maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust ("REIT")
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). No Person may
Beneficially Own shares of Preferred Stock of any class in excess of 9.9% of
the outstanding Preferred Equity Stock of such class and no Person may
Constructively Own Preferred Stock of any class in excess of 9.9% of the
outstanding Preferred Equity Stock of such class (unless such person is an
Existing Constructive Holder). Any Person who attempts to Beneficially Own or
Constructively Own Shares in excess of the above limitations must immediately
notify the Trust. In addition, the shares of Common Stock into which the shares
of Preferred Stock represented by this certificate are convertible are subject
to restrictions on ownership and transfer for the purpose of the Trust's
maintenance of its status as a REIT under the Code. No Person may Beneficially
Own shares of Common Stock in excess of 6.7% of the outstanding Common Equity
Stock of the Trust (unless such Person is an Existing Holder) and no Person may
Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of 9.9% of the outstanding
Common Equity Stock of the Trust (unless such person is an Existing
Constructive Holder). Any Person who attempts to Beneficially Own or
Constructively Own Shares in excess of the above limitations must immediately
notify the Trust. Due to the attribution rules that exist with respect to these
ownership limitations, persons holding, or treated as holding under the
relevant attribution rules, shares of Preferred Stock will be treated, for
purposes of the ownership limitations, as owning the shares of Common Stock
into which their shares of Preferred Stock can be converted even prior to such
conversion if such ownership would cause ownership of shares of Common Stock
in excess of the applicable ownership limit. Accordingly, shareholders should
take their direct and constructive ownership of shares of Common Stock into
account in determining whether they can hold shares of Preferred Stock without
violating the ownership limit with respect to the shares of Common Stock. All
capitalized terms used in this legend have the meanings set forth in the
Declaration of Trust, a copy of which, including the restrictions on ownership
and transfer, will be sent without charge to each stockholder who so requests.
Such request must be made to the Secretary of the Trust at its principal office
or to the Transfer Agent. If the restrictions on ownership and transfer are
violated, the shares of Preferred Stock represented hereby will be
automatically exchanged for shares of Excess Stock which will be held in trust
by the Trust.

        KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR
          DESTROYED, THE TRUST WILL REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A
            CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

        The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM   -     as tenants in common
TEN ENT   -     as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN    -     as joint tenants with right
                of survivorship and not as tenants
                in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT ______ Custodian _______
                  (Cust)           (Minor)
                  Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of
                  ____________________________________
                  (State)

        Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, __________________ HEREBY SELLS, ASSIGNS AND TRANSFERS UNTO 

_______________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

_______________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE)

________________________ (_________________) of the shares represented by the
within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________
Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Trust
with full power of substitution in the premises.
<PAGE>   3
Dated _______________   _______________________________________________________
                        NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND
                        WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THIS
                        CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR
                        ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 8.1



Sullivan & Cromwell

                                   125 Broad Street
                                   New York, New York 10004
                                   Phone: 212-558-4000
                                   Fax:   212-558-3588


                                        April 8, 1997




Vornado Realty Trust,
   Park 80 West, Plaza II,
      Saddle Brook, New Jersey 07663.


Dear Sirs:

          You have requested our opinion in connection with the

qualification for United States federal income tax purposes of Vornado

Realty Trust ("Vornado") as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT"),

within the meaning of section 856(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,

as amended (the "Code").

          In rendering this opinion, we have reviewed such documents as we

have considered necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation,

the Master Consolidation Agreement among Vornado, Vornado/Saddle Brook

L.L.C., The Mendik Company, L.P. and various parties defined therein

collectively as "The Mendik Group", dated March 12, 1997 (including the

Exhibits thereto, the "Document").  In addition, in rendering this opinion,

we have relied upon


<PAGE>   2
Vornado Realty Trust



(i) the statements and representations contained in (x) the certificates
provided to us by Vornado dated April 8, 1997 (the "Vornado Certificates"),
and (y) the certificate provided to us from Alexander's, Inc.
("Alexander's") dated April 8, 1997 (together with the Vornado
Certificates, the "Certificates"), and (ii) the opinion of Shearman &
Sterling, dated April 8, 1997, concerning the qualification of Alexander's
as a REIT, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A (the "Shearman &
Sterling Opinion").  We understand that, in providing the Vornado
Certificates, Vornado is relying upon certificates, dated April 8, 1997,
provided to it by David R. Greenbaum.

          In rendering this opinion we have also assumed, with your
approval, that (I) the statements and representations made in the
Certificates are true and correct, (II) the Certificates have been executed
by appropriate and authorized officers of Vornado and Alexander's,
(III) the assumptions and conditions underlying the Shearman & Sterling
Opinion are true and correct, (IV) the Document will be executed in the
form reviewed by us, (V) at and following the Effective Time (as defined in
the Document) no services with respect to properties in which Vornado holds
or is treated as holding, directly or indirectly, an interest for purposes
of Section 856 of the Code which, in order to avoid the treatment of
amounts as excluded from the definition of "rents from real property" in
Section 856(d) of the Code, must be provided through an "independent
contractor" (as defined in Section 856(d)(3) of the Code) from whom Vornado
derives and receives no income


<PAGE>   3
Vornado Realty Trust



will be provided other than through such an independent contractor.

          Based on the foregoing and reliance thereon and subject thereto
and on an analysis of the Code, Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial
authority and current administrative rulings and such other laws and facts
as we have deemed relevant and necessary, we hereby confirm (i) that we
have reviewed the statements made in the Prospectus of Vornado dated
December 26, 1995 under the heading "Federal Income Tax Considerations", as
supplemented by the discussion set forth in the Prospectus Supplement of
Vornado dated April 3, 1997, under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations" and, to the extent that such statements constitute matters
of law or legal conclusions, such statements are correct in all material
respects, and (ii) our opinion that, commencing with its taxable year
ending December 31, 1993, Vornado has been organized in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed
method of operation will enable it to satisfy the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT.

          Vornado's qualification as a REIT will depend upon the continuing
satisfaction by Vornado and its subsidiaries and, given Vornado's current
ownership interest in Alexander's and Vornado's anticipated indirect
ownership interest in Alexander's following the completion of the
transactions described in the Document, by Alexander's and its subsidiaries
(collectively with Vornado, the "Company") of requirements of the Code
relating to qualification for REIT status; which requirements include those
that are


<PAGE>   4
Vornado Realty Trust

  

dependent upon actual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of
stock ownership, asset composition, source of income and recordkeeping. We do
not undertake to monitor whether the Company actually has satisfied or will
satisfy the various qualification tests, and we express no opinion concerning
whether the Company actually has satisfied or will satisfy these various
qualifications tests.

        This opinion is based on current federal income tax law, and we do not
undertake to advise you as to future changes in federal income tax law that may
affect this opinion unless we are specifically engaged to do so. This opinion
relates solely to federal income tax law, and we do not undertake to render any
opinion as to the taxation of Vornado under any state or local corporate
franchise or income tax law. Furthermore, this opinion is rendered solely for
your benefit and is not to be relied upon by any other person without our prior
written consent.

        We hereby consent to (i) the use of our name and the making of
statements with respect to us as set forth under the heading of "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus Supplement of Vornado
Realty Trust dated April 3, 1997 and (ii) the incorporation by reference of
this opinion into Registration Statement No. 33-52441 and into Registration
Statement No. 33-62395. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1993, as amended. 

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       SULLIVAN & CROMWELL

<PAGE>   1
                        [SHEARMAN & STERLING LETTERHEAD]

FAX: 212-848-5252              CITICORP CENTER
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TELEX: 667290 WUI         NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022-4676                      BEIJING
                                212 848-4000                          DUSSELDORF
                                                                       FRANKFURT
                                                                       HONG KONG
WRITER'S DIRECT NUMBER:                                                   LONDON
                                                                     LOS ANGELES
                                                                        NEW YORK
                                           April 8, 1997                   PARIS
                                                                   SAN FRANCISCO
                                                                       SINGAPORE
                                                                           TOKYO
                                                                         TORONTO
                                                                WASHINGTON, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust
Park 80 West, Plaza II
Saddle Brook, NJ  07663

Sullivan & Cromwell
125 Broad Street
New York, NY  10004


                           Alexander's REIT Election
                           -------------------------


Dear Sirs:

          You have requested our opinion in connection with the election by
Alexander's,  Inc.  ("Alexander's")  to  be  treated for Federal income tax
purposes as a real estate investment trust (a  "REIT"),  within the meaning
of  section  856(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as  amended  (the
"Code").  We understand  that  Alexander's  has  elected to be treated as a
REIT initially for its taxable year ended December 31, 1995, and intends to
continue to be so treated for subsequent taxable years.

          In  rendering this opinion, we have relied  upon  statements  and
information contained  in  Alexander's  letter to us, dated the date hereof
and delivered in connection with this opinion,  and in the Exhibits to such
letter  (such  letter  and  Exhibits  hereinafter  referred   to   as   the
"Representation  Letter").  We have assumed that the statements made in the
Representation Letter  are  true  and  correct  and that the Representation
Letter  has  been  executed  by  appropriate  and  authorized  officers  of
Alexander's.

          In rendering this opinion, with your permission we have also made
the following assumptions:


<PAGE>   2
     (a) Alexander's has made a valid election to be taxed as a REIT for its
taxable year ended December 31, 1995, which election has not been, and will not
be, revoked or terminated.

     (b) Since January 1, 1995, the outstanding shares of Alexander's have been
held by at least 100 or more persons, and such shares will continue to be held
by 100 or more persons.

     (c) Not more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding shares of
Alexander's have been or will be owned directly or indirectly, actually or
constructively (within the meaning of section 542(a)(2) of the Code, as modified
by section 856(h) of the Code), by five or fewer individuals (or entities
treated as individuals for purposes of section 856(h) of the Code), during the
second half of every taxable year following the taxable year ended December 31,
1995.

     (d) Alexander's will not receive or accrue (and since January 1, 1995, has
not received or accrued) any amount from (i) any corporation in which it owns
(or since July 1, 1994, has owned) 10 percent or more of the total combined
voting power of all shares of stock entitled to vote or 10 percent or more of
the total number of shares of all classes of stock of such corporation, or (ii)
any unincorporated entity in which it owns (or since July 1, 1994, has owned) an
interest of 10 percent or more in the assets or net profits of such person.  For
purposes of this assumption, ownership is determined in accordance with section
856(d)(5) of the Code.

     (e) Alexander's has requested and maintained, and will continue to request
and maintain, records concerning ownership of its outstanding shares in
accordance with section 857(a)(2) of the Code and section 1.857-8 of the
Treasury Regulations.

     (f) Alexander's has made and will make distributions to its stockholders
sufficient  to  meet  the 95 percent distribution requirements of section
857(a)(1) of the Code for the taxable year for which the REIT election was made
and every subsequent taxable year.

     (g) For its taxable year ended  December  31, 1995, Alexander's had a
deficit in earnings and profits (as defined in the Code) in excess of its
accumulated earnings and profits (if any) as of the close of its taxable year
ended December 31, 1994.

     Based on the foregoing and in reliance thereon and subject thereto and on
an analysis of the Code, Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial authority and
current administrative rulings and such other laws and facts as we have deemed
relevant and necessary, we are of the opinion that Alexander's has been
organized and operated in

 
<PAGE>   3
conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the
Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to
meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

     Qualification of Alexander's as a REIT will depend upon the satisfaction by
Alexander's and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), through actual operating
results, distribution levels, diversity of stock ownership and otherwise, of the
applicable asset composition, source of income, shareholder diversification,
distribution, recordkeeping and other requirements of the Code necessary for a
corporation to qualify as a REIT. No assurance can be given that the actual
results of the Company's operations for any one taxable year will satisfy all
such requirements. We do not undertake to monitor whether the Company will
actually satisfy the various qualification tests, and we express no opinion
whether the Company actually will satisfy these various qualification tests in
the future.

     This opinion is based on current Federal income tax law, and we do not
undertake to advise you as to future changes in Federal income tax law that may
affect this opinion unless we are specifically engaged to do so. This opinion
relates solely to Federal income tax law, and we do not undertake to render any
opinion as to the taxation of the Company under any state or local corporate
franchise or income tax law. Furthermore, this opinion is rendered solely for
your benefit and is not to be relied upon by any other person without our prior
written consent.

     We hereby consent to (i) the use of our name and the making of statements
with respect to us as set forth under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations" in the Prospectus Supplement of Vornado Realty Trust dated April
3, 1997 and (ii) the incorporation by reference of this opinion into
Registration Statement No. 33-62395 and into Registration Statement No.
333-09159. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


                                            Very truly yours,


 
                                             Shearman & Sterling


<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.3



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE PARTNERS
TWO PENN PLAZA ASSOCIATES L.P.


        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the Prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated January 15, 1997, except for Note 2,
as to which the date is March 12, 1997, on the financial statements of Two Penn
Plaza Associates L.P., as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
statements of operations, changes in Partners' capital and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report
appears in the Form 8-K of Vornado Realty Trust dated March 12, 1997, and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus
Supplement. 




                                            Friedman Alpren & Green LLP



New York, New York
April 3, 1997

<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.4



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE PARTNERS
B&B PARK AVENUE L.P.


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the Prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated January 15, 1997, except for Note 2, as
to which the date is March 12, 1997, on the financial statements of B&B Park
Avenue L.P., as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of
operations, changes in Partners' capital and cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report appears in the Form
8-K of Vornado Realty Trust dated March 12, 1997, and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus Supplement. 




                                            Friedman Alpren & Green LLP



New York, New York
April 3, 1997

<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.5



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE PARTNERS
M ELEVEN ASSOCIATES, M 393 ASSOCIATES AND ELEVEN PENN PLAZA COMPANY


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the Prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated January 14, 1997, except for Note 2, as
to which the date is March 12, 1997, on the financial statements of M Eleven
Associates, M 393 Associates and Eleven Penn Plaza Company, as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related statements of operations, changes in Partners'
capital and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996, which report appears in the Form 8-K of Vornado Realty Trust
dated March 12, 1997, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus Supplement.




                                            Friedman Alpren & Green LLP



New York, New York
April 3, 1997

<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.6



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE PARTNERS
1740 BROADWAY ASSOCIATES, L.P.


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the Prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated January 16, 1997, except for Note 2, as
to which the date is March 12, 1997, on the financial statements of 1740
Broadway Associates, L.P., as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related
statements of operations, changes in Partners' capital and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report
appears in the Form 8-K of Vornado Realty Trust dated March 12, 1997, and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus Supplement.




                                            Friedman Alpren & Green LLP



New York, New York
April 3, 1997

<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.7



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE MEMBERS
866 U.N. PLAZA ASSOCIATES LLC


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the Prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated January 15, 1997, except for Note 2, as
to which the date is March 12, 1997, on the financial statements of 866 U.N.
Plaza Associates LLC (formerly 866 U.N. Plaza Associates), as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related statements of operations, changes in Partners'
capital and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996, which report appears in the Form 8-K of Vornado Realty Trust
dated March 12, 1997, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus Supplement.




                                            Friedman Alpren & Green LLP



New York, New York
April 3, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.8

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Partners
Two Park Company:

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus 
Supplement dated April 3, 1997, to the prospectus dated December 26, 1995, of 
Vornado Realty Trust of our report dated March 14, 1997, with respect to the 
balance sheets of Two Park Company, a New York general partnership, as of 
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statements of operations, changes 
in partners' capital and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year 
period ended December 31, 1996, which report appears in the Form 8-K of Vornado
Realty Trust dated March 12, 1997, and to the reference to our firm under the 
heading "Experts" in the prospectus supplement.

                                                   /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

                                                     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
April 3, 1997


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