<PAGE>
Registration No. 333-24653
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Maryland 6513 36-3877868
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
</TABLE>
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 474-1300
(Address, including ZIP Code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Douglas Crocker II
President and Chief Executive Officer
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 466-1300
(Name, address, including ZIP Code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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<S> <C>
Alan S. Pearce, Esq.
Errol R. Halperin, Esq. Steven G. Scheinfeld, Esq.
Hal M. Brown, Esq. Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
Rudnick & Wolfe & Berman, LLP
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1800 1290 Avenue of the Americas
Chicago, Illinois 60601 New York, New York 10104-0053
(312) 368-4000 (212) 541-2000
(312) 236-7516 (telecopier) (212) 541-4630 (telecopier)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
LOGO
TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
April 25, 1997
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders of
Equity Residential Properties Trust ("EQR") to be held at One North Franklin,
Chicago, Illinois, on May 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time (the "EQR
Special Meeting").
At the EQR Special Meeting, you will be asked to approve the acquisition of
the multifamily property business of Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford"), by EQR through the tax-
free merger of EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger"). In the Merger, each
outstanding common share of beneficial interest of Wellsford ("Wellsford
Common") will be converted into .625 of a common share of beneficial interest
of the surviving trust ("Survivor Common"). Each outstanding common share of
beneficial interest of EQR ("EQR Common") will be converted into one share of
Survivor Common.
Details of the proposed Merger and information regarding EQR and Wellsford
are contained in the attached Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement, which you are encouraged to read carefully. Special note should be
taken of the risk factors relating to the proposed Merger, which are discussed
beginning on page 24 of the attached Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and which include the following
risks:
. The surviving trust is subject to the risks normally associated with
debt or preferred equity financings, including the risk that the
surviving trust's cash flow will be insufficient to meet required
payments of principal, interest and distributions.
. A substantial portion of the surviving trust's debt was issued pursuant
to indentures which restrict the amount of indebtedness (including
acquisition financing) that the surviving trust may incur.
. Immediately following consummation of the Merger, the surviving trust
will own properties and bonds collateralized by properties that are
subject to restrictive covenants or deed restrictions.
. Risks associated with (a) a potential change in the relative stock
prices of EQR Common and Wellsford Common prior to the effective time of
the Merger, and (b) a possible reduction in the market price of Survivor
Common following the Merger.
. Shareholders of Wellsford and shareholders of EQR are not entitled to
dissenting shareholders' appraisal rights under Maryland law.
. EQR and Wellsford are large enterprises with operations in a number of
different states. There can be no assurance that costs or other factors
associated with the integration of the two companies would not adversely
affect future combined results of operations or the benefits of expected
cost savings.
<PAGE>
Your Board of Trustees believes that the proposed acquisition of Wellsford by
EQR will benefit EQR by making the resulting company better equipped to meet
competitive challenges by increasing its diversification and improving its
access to capital. The surviving trust in the Merger will be one of the largest
publicly traded real estate investment trusts ("REIT") (based on the aggregate
market value of its outstanding equity capitalization).
EQR, one of the largest publicly traded REITs (based on the aggregate market
value of its outstanding equity capitalization), is a self-administered and
self-managed equity REIT. EQR was organized as a Maryland real estate
investment trust in March 1993 and commenced operations as a publicly traded
company on August 18, 1993 upon completion of its initial public offering. EQR
was formed to continue the multifamily property business objectives and
acquisition strategies of certain affiliated entities controlled by Mr. Samuel
Zell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of EQR. These entities had been engaged
in the acquisition, ownership and operation of multifamily properties since
1969. EQR's senior executives average over 23 years of experience in the
multifamily property business.
Your Board of Trustees has carefully reviewed and considered the terms and
conditions of the Merger and has received and considered the written opinion of
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ("J.P. Morgan") dated January 16, 1997 to the
effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to
certain matters stated therein, the consideration to be paid by EQR in
connection with the Merger was fair to EQR from a financial point of view. A
copy of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan is included as Appendix C to the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and should be read
carefully in its entirety. Your Board of Trustees has approved the Merger and
believes the Merger is in the best interests of EQR and its shareholders, and
recommends that all shareholders vote FOR approval of the Merger.
The Merger requires the affirmative vote of EQR shareholders owning two-
thirds of the outstanding shares of EQR Common. Accordingly, whether or not you
plan to attend the EQR Special Meeting, please complete, sign and date the
accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed prepaid envelope. You may
revoke your proxy in the manner described in the accompanying Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement at any time before it has been voted
at the EQR Special Meeting. If you attend the EQR Special Meeting, you may vote
in person even if you have previously returned your proxy card. Your prompt
cooperation will be greatly appreciated. This solicitation is made on behalf of
the Board of Trustees of EQR.
Sincerely,
LOGO
Douglas Crocker II,
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Trustee
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
610 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10020
April 25, 1997
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders of
Wellsford Residential Property Trust ("Wellsford") to be held at The Princeton
Club, 15 West 43rd Street, New York, New York, on May 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time (the "Wellsford Special Meeting").
At the Wellsford Special Meeting, you will be asked to approve the
acquisition of the multifamily property business of Wellsford by Equity
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"),
through the tax-free merger of EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger"). In the
Merger, each outstanding common share of beneficial interest of Wellsford
("Wellsford Common") will be converted into .625 of a common share of
beneficial interest of the surviving trust ("Survivor Common").
Immediately prior to the Merger, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of all conditions thereto, Wellsford will contribute certain of its assets to
its subsidiary (the "Contribution"), Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. ("WRP
Newco"), and distribute to its common shareholders, on a pro rata basis, all
of the shares it owns in WRP Newco (the "Distribution"). Details of the
proposed Merger and Distribution and information regarding EQR, Wellsford and
WRP Newco are contained in the attached Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, which you are encouraged to read
carefully. Special note should be taken of risk factors relating to the
proposed Merger, which are discussed beginning on page 24 of the attached
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and include the
following risks:
. Conflicts of interest due to the fact that certain members of the Board
of Trustees and management of Wellsford have certain interests that
arise in connection with the Merger and the Contribution and
Distribution that are in addition to the interests of shareholders of
Wellsford generally.
. The surviving trust is subject to the risks normally associated with
debt or preferred equity financings, including the risk that the
surviving trust's cash flow will be insufficient to meet required
payments of principal, interest and distributions.
. A substantial portion of the surviving trust's debt was issued pursuant
to indentures which restrict the amount of indebtedness (including
acquisition financing) that the surviving trust may incur.
. Immediately following consummation of the Merger, the surviving trust
will own properties and bonds collateralized by properties that are
subject to restrictive covenants or deed restrictions.
. Risks associated with (a) a potential change in the relative stock
prices of common shares of beneficial interest of EQR and Wellsford
Common prior to the effective time of the Merger, and (b) a possible
reduction in the market price of Survivor Common following the Merger.
. Shareholders of Wellsford and shareholders of EQR are not entitled to
dissenting shareholders' appraisal rights under Maryland law.
. The obligation to pay a substantial break-up fee and/or break-up
expenses under certain circumstances may adversely affect the ability of
Wellsford to engage in another transaction in the event the Merger is
not consummated.
. Upon consummation of the Merger, holders of shares of Wellsford Common
will own approximately 17% of the Survivor Common and will not have
separate approval rights with respect to any actions or decisions of the
surviving trust.
. After the Merger, the distributions payable with respect to Survivor
Common are expected to be less than the distributions payable with
respect to Wellsford Common.
. EQR and Wellsford are large enterprises with operations in a number of
different states. There can be no assurance that costs or other factors
associated with the integration of the two companies would not adversely
affect future combined results of operations or the benefits of expected
costs savings.
. Ownership of interests in WRP Newco may also involve significant risks.
<PAGE>
At the Wellsford Special Meeting you will be asked to approve (i) the
Merger, including the adoption of an amended and restated declaration of trust
for the surviving trust (excluding the Additional Provisions, as defined
below) and (ii) certain modifications to the amended and restated declaration
of trust of the surviving trust (the "Additional Provisions"), to conform
substantially the declaration of trust for the surviving trust to the
declaration of trust of EQR. You will also be asked to approve (i) the
issuance (the "Additional Share Offering") by WRP Newco of up to 12,000,000
shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of WRP Newco and (ii) the
adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan.
Your Board of Trustees has carefully reviewed and considered the terms and
conditions of the Merger and Distribution and has received and considered the
written opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill Lynch") dated January 16, 1997 to the effect that, as of the date of
such opinion, and based upon and subject to certain matters stated therein,
the proposed consideration to be received by the holders of shares of
Wellsford Common pursuant to the Merger and the Distribution, was fair to such
shareholders from a financial point of view. A copy of the written opinion of
Merrill Lynch dated January 16, 1997 is included as Appendix D to the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and should be read carefully
in its entirety.
Your Board of Trustees has approved the Merger, the Contribution and the
Distribution and believes they are in the best interests of Wellsford and its
shareholders, and recommends that all shareholders vote FOR approval of the
Merger, including the adoption of an amended and restated declaration of trust
for the surviving trust. Shareholders are not being asked to approve the
Contribution or the Distribution, which are not subject to shareholder
approval. However, approval of the Merger will, in effect, constitute approval
of the Contribution and Distribution. Your Board of Trustees also recommends
that all shareholders vote FOR the Additional Provisions, and your Board of
Trustees and the Board of Directors of WRP Newco recommend that all
shareholders vote FOR the Additional Share Offering and FOR the adoption of
WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan.
The Merger requires the affirmative vote of Wellsford shareholders owning a
majority of the outstanding Wellsford Common. The approval of the Additional
Provisions requires the affirmative vote of Wellsford shareholders owning two-
thirds of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common. The approval of the
Additional Share Offering and the adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan each require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common voting. Accordingly, whether or
not you plan to attend the Wellsford Special Meeting, please complete, sign
and date the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed prepaid
envelope. You may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the
accompanying Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement at any
time before it has been voted at the Wellsford Special Meeting. If you attend
the Wellsford Special Meeting, you may vote in person even if you have
previously returned your proxy card. Your prompt cooperation will be greatly
appreciated. This solicitation is made on behalf of the Board of Trustees of
Wellsford.
Sincerely,
LOGO
Jeffrey H. Lynford,
Chairman of the Board
LOGO
Edward Lowenthal,
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders ("EQR Special
Meeting") of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust ("EQR"), will be held at One North Franklin, Chicago,
Illinois, on May 28, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., local time, to consider and vote on a
proposal to approve the merger of EQR into Wellsford Residential Property
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford"), pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by EQR and Wellsford on January 16,
1997.
Only holders of record of common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par
value per share, of EQR at the close of business on April 14, 1997 will be
entitled to vote at the EQR Special Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Bruce C. Strohm
Secretary
Chicago, Illinois
April 25, 1997
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR EQR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED, SELF-
ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders ("Wellsford
Special Meeting") of Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("Wellsford"), will be held at The Princeton Club,
15 West 43rd Street, New York, New York, on May 28, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., local
time, to consider and vote on the following proposals:
(i) the approval of the merger (the "Merger") of Equity Residential
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), into
Wellsford, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by
Wellsford and EQR on January 16, 1997, including the adoption of an
amended and restated declaration of trust for the surviving trust
(excluding the modifications set forth in proposal (ii) below);
(ii) the approval of modifications to certain sections, including Sections
2.3, 6.6, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 of, and the addition of a new Article VII
to, the amended and restated declaration of trust of the surviving
trust;
(iii) the issuance by Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. ("WRP Newco"), a
subsidiary of Wellsford, shares of which are to be distributed to the
common shareholders of Wellsford, pro rata, immediately prior to the
Merger, of up to 12,000,000 additional shares of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of WRP Newco, to satisfy the requirements of the
American Stock Exchange; and
(iv) the adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan.
Only holders of record of common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par
value per share, of Wellsford at the close of business on April 14, 1997 will
be entitled to vote at the Wellsford Special Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Jeffrey H. Lynford
Secretary
New York, New York
April 25, 1997
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR WELLSFORD PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED,
SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES
<PAGE>
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
AND
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
---------------
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
PROSPECTUS
---------------
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
INFORMATION STATEMENT
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement is being
furnished to the shareholders of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), in connection with the
solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Trustees of EQR ("EQR Board
of Trustees") for use at a special meeting of the holders of common shares of
beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share, of EQR ("EQR Common") to be
held on May 28, 1997 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof ("EQR
Special Meeting"). At the EQR Special Meeting, holders of EQR Common ("EQR
Common Shareholders") will be asked to approve the acquisition of the
multifamily property business of Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford"), by approving the merger
of EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of January 16, 1997 by and between EQR and Wellsford (the
"Merger Agreement"). A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as
Appendix A. The surviving trust in the Merger ("Surviving Trust") will be one
of the largest publicly traded real estate investment trusts ("REIT") (based
on the aggregate market value of its outstanding equity capitalization), and
will be a self-administered and self-managed equity REIT. The Surviving Trust
intends to continue the multifamily property business objectives and
acquisition strategies of EQR. The name of the Surviving Trust will be Equity
Residential Properties Trust.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement also is being
furnished to the shareholders of Wellsford in connection with the solicitation
of proxies on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford ("Wellsford Board
of Trustees") for use at a special meeting ("Wellsford Special Meeting" and,
together with the EQR Special Meeting, the "Meetings of Shareholders") of the
holders of common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share, of
Wellsford ("Wellsford Common") to be held on May 28, 1997 and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof. At the Wellsford Special Meeting, holders
of Wellsford Common ("Wellsford Common Shareholders") will be asked to approve
(i) the Merger, including the adoption of an amended and restated declaration
of trust for the Surviving Trust (excluding the Additional Provisions, as
defined below), (ii) modifications to certain sections, including Sections
2.3, 6.6, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 of, and the addition of a new Article VII to, the
amended and restated declaration of trust of the Surviving Trust (the
"Additional Provisions") as described more fully in "Proposal Regarding
Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions" below, (iii) the issuance by
Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. ("WRP Newco"), a subsidiary of Wellsford,
shares of which are to be distributed to the Wellsford Common Shareholders,
pro rata, immediately prior to the Merger, of up to 12,000,000 additional
shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of WRP Newco ("WRP Newco
Common"), to satisfy the requirements of the American Stock Exchange ("ASE")
(the "Additional Share Offering"), and (iv) the adoption of WRP Newco's 1997
Management Incentive Plan.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement also is being
furnished to the shareholders of Wellsford to provide them with information
regarding WRP Newco. Immediately prior to the Merger, Wellsford will
contribute certain of its assets to WRP Newco, WRP Newco will assume certain
liabilities of Wellsford, and Wellsford will distribute to the Wellsford
Common Shareholders, pro rata, all of the outstanding shares of WRP Newco
Common owned by Wellsford (the "Distribution"). In addition, an affiliate of
EQR will enter into certain financial and business arrangements with WRP
Newco, as described herein.
In considering whether to approve the Merger, the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford voting on the Merger should consider, in addition to the other
information in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement,
the matters discussed under "Risk Factors." Such matters include:
. The surviving trust is subject to the risks normally associated with
debt or preferred equity financings, including the risk that the
surviving trust's cash flow will be insufficient to meet required
payments of principal, interest and distributions.
<PAGE>
. A substantial portion of the surviving trust's debt was issued pursuant
to indentures which restrict the amount of indebtedness (including
acquisition financing) that the surviving trust may incur.
. Immediately following consummation of the Merger, the surviving trust
will own properties and bonds collateralized by properties that are
subject to restrictive covenants or deed restrictions.
. Risks associated with (a) a potential change in the relative stock
prices of EQR Common and Wellsford Common prior to the effective time of
the Merger, and (b) a possible reduction in the market price of Survivor
Common following the Merger.
. EQR and Wellsford are large enterprises with operations in a number of
different states. There can be no assurance that costs or other factors
associated with the integration of the two companies would not adversely
affect future combined results of operations or the benefits of expected
cost savings.
. Shareholders of EQR and Wellsford do not have appraisal rights in
connection with the Merger under Maryland law.
Shareholders of Wellsford should also consider the matters discussed under
"Risk Factors" and "WRP Newco Risk Factors" in addition to the matters
discussed above. Such matters include:
. Conflicts of interest due to the fact that certain members of the Board
of Trustees and management of Wellsford have certain interests that
arise in connection with the Merger and the Contribution and
Distribution that are in addition to the interests of shareholders of
Wellsford generally.
. The obligation to pay a substantial break-up fee and/or break-up
expenses under certain circumstances may adversely affect the ability of
Wellsford to engage in another transaction in the event the Merger is
not consummated.
. Upon consummation of the Merger, holders of shares of Wellsford Common
will own approximately 17% of the Survivor Common and will not have
separate approval rights with respect to any actions or decisions of the
surviving trust.
. After the Merger, the distributions payable with respect to Survivor
Common are expected to be less than the distributions payable with
respect to Wellsford Common.
. Ownership of interests in WRP Newco may also involve significant risks.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement also relates to
the common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share, of the
Surviving Trust issuable upon consummation of the Merger. On April 18, 1997,
the last reported sales price of a share of EQR Common, on the NYSE was
$43.125. On April 18, 1997, the last reported sales price of a share of
Wellsford Common on the NYSE was $28.875.
This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and the forms of
proxy are first being mailed to all of EQR Common Shareholders and Wellsford
Common Shareholders on or about April 25, 1997.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 24 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF EQR AND WELLSFORD.
---------------
THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION
STATEMENT RELATE HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement is
April 25, 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
EQR has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"),
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") covering the
common shares of beneficial interest and preferred shares of beneficial
interest of the Surviving Trust to be issued in connection with the Merger. As
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement omits certain information, exhibits
and undertakings contained in the Registration Statement. For further
information pertaining to the securities offered hereby, reference is made to
the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed as a part thereof.
EQR and Wellsford are subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and, in
accordance therewith, file reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Commission. WRP Newco has filed a registration statement on Form 10
and, as of the date of the Distribution, WRP Newco will also be subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Reports, proxy statements and
other information filed by EQR, Wellsford and WRP Newco can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; and at its Regional Offices
located at Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and
Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The
Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of the Commission's Web site
is: http://www.sec.gov. The EQR Common and preferred shares of beneficial
interest of EQR ("EQR Preferred" and, collectively, "EQR Shares") and the
Wellsford Common and preferred shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford
("Wellsford Preferred" and, collectively, "Wellsford Shares") are currently
listed on the NYSE and such reports, proxy statements and other information
concerning EQR and Wellsford can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. WRP Newco has applied for listing of
the WRP Newco Common on the ASE.
All information contained in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement with respect to Wellsford and WRP
Newco has been supplied by Wellsford, and all information with respect to EQR
and ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership ("ERP
Operating Partnership"), has been supplied by EQR.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Information Statement, or incorporated in it by reference, and, if given or
made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having
been authorized. This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement
does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to
purchase, the securities offered by this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, or the solicitation of a proxy, in
any jurisdiction where or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such
offer, or solicitation of an offer, or proxy solicitation. Neither the
delivery of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement nor
any distribution of the securities offered pursuant to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement shall, under any circumstances,
create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of EQR,
Wellsford or WRP Newco since the date of this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement.
All documents that are incorporated by reference in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement but which are not delivered
herewith are available without charge (other than exhibits to such documents
which are not specifically incorporated by reference therein) upon request
from, in the case of documents relating to EQR, Two North Riverside Plaza,
Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Cynthia McHugh, telephone (312)
474-1300, and, in the case of documents relating to Wellsford, 610 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Kim Ezzy, telephone (212) 333-
2300. In order to insure timely delivery of the documents, any request should
be made by May 16, 1997.
I-1
<PAGE>
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT
The following documents filed with the Commission by EQR or by Wellsford
pursuant to the Exchange Act are hereby incorporated in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement by reference:
1. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated May 23, 1996, as amended.
2. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated November 15, 1996, as amended.
3. EQR's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996,
as amended by Form 10-K/A filed on April 3, 1997.
4. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated January 16, 1997.
5. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated March 12, 1997.
6. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated March 17, 1997.
7. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 1997.
8. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 1997.
9. EQR's current report on Form 8-K dated March 24, 1997.
10. The information prescribed by Items 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of Form S-11
contained in EQR's Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-80420)
dated July 20, 1994, as amended.
11. The description of EQR Common contained in EQR's Registration Statement
on Form 8-A, as amended, dated August 10, 1993.
12. The description of EQR's 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share,
contained in EQR's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended,
dated May 17, 1995.
13. The description of Depositary Shares each representing a 1/10
fractional interest in EQR's 9 1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share,
contained in EQR's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 23,
1995.
14. The description of Depositary Shares each representing a 1/10
fractional interest in EQR's 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share,
contained in EQR's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September
10, 1996.
15. Wellsford's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996.
16. Wellsford's current report on Form 8-K, dated January 16, 1997.
17. Wellsford's current report on Form 8-K, dated February 3, 1997.
18. The description of Wellsford Common contained in Wellsford's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated November 10, 1992 and the
information thereby incorporated by reference contained in Wellsford's
Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-52406), as amended by
Amendment No. 1 thereto dated November 3, 1992, under the heading
"Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest."
19. The description of Wellsford's Series A Convertible Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share, contained in Wellsford's
Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 33-69868) dated October 1,
1993 and in Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 thereto dated October 22, 1993 and
November 4, 1993, respectively, under the heading "Description of
Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares."
20. The description of Wellsford's Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share, contained in
Wellsford's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September 5, 1995,
under the heading "Description of Registrant's Securities to be
Registered."
21. All documents subsequently filed by EQR or Wellsford pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the date
of the meetings of shareholders.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Information Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement or in any other subsequently
filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
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JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SUMMARY................................................................... 1
RISK FACTORS.............................................................. 24
Conflicts of Interest................................................... 24
Adverse Consequences of Debt Financing.................................. 24
Restrictions on Indebtedness of the Surviving Trust..................... 25
Other Restrictive Covenants............................................. 25
Potential Change in Relative Stock Prices............................... 25
Risks to Wellsford Common Shareholders.................................. 25
No Appraisal Rights under Maryland Law.................................. 25
Potential Adverse Effects of Combining the Companies.................... 26
General Real Estate Investment Considerations; Changes in Laws.......... 26
Potential Environmental Liability Affecting the Surviving Trust......... 26
Consequences of Failure to Qualify as a REIT............................ 27
Dependence on Key Personnel............................................. 27
Distribution Requirements Potentially Increasing Indebtedness of the
Surviving Trust........................................................ 27
9.8% Ownership Limit.................................................... 28
Limits on Changes in Control............................................ 28
Control and Influence by Significant Shareholders of EQR................ 29
Exemptions for Mr. Zell and Others from Maryland Business Combination
Law which Tend to Inhibit Takeovers.................................... 29
Tax Termination of ERP Operating Partnership............................ 29
WRP NEWCO RISK FACTORS.................................................... 30
General Risks........................................................... 30
Nature of Investments Made by WRP Newco May Involve High Risk;
Illiquidity of Real Estate Investments................................. 30
Difficulty of Locating Suitable Investments; Competition................ 30
Risks of Acquisition, Development, Construction and Renovation
Activities............................................................. 30
Vacancies at Existing Properties; Dependence on Rental Income from Real
Property............................................................... 31
Operating Risks......................................................... 31
Adverse Consequences of Debt Financing.................................. 32
Lack of Control and Other Risks of Equity Investments in and with Third
Parties................................................................ 32
Risks of Investments in Debt Instruments................................ 33
Risks of Investments in Mortgage Loans.................................. 33
Risk of Loss on Investments in Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities.... 33
Limitations on Remedies................................................. 34
Third-Party Bankruptcy Risks............................................ 34
No Prior Operating History.............................................. 34
Risks of Uninsured Loss................................................. 34
Potential Environmental Liability Related to the Properties............. 34
Dependence on Key Personnel............................................. 35
Tax Consequences of the Distribution.................................... 35
Changes in Policies Without Stockholder Approval........................ 35
Absence of Public Market; Risk of Changes in Share Price................ 35
Costs of Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Similar
Laws................................................................... 36
Noncompliance with Other Laws........................................... 36
Effect on Common Stock Price of Shares Available for Future Sale........ 36
Hedging Policies/Risks.................................................. 36
Anti-Takeover Effect Resulting From a Staggered Board/Ability of Newco
to Issue Preferred Shares/and Certain Provisions of Maryland Law....... 36
THE MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS.............................................. 38
EQR..................................................................... 38
Wellsford............................................................... 38
THE MERGER................................................................ 39
Terms of the Merger..................................................... 39
Background of the Merger................................................ 40
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Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the EQR Board of Trustees...... 43
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Wellsford Board of
Trustees................................................................ 44
Opinion of Financial Advisor--EQR........................................ 46
Opinion of Financial Advisor--Wellsford.................................. 49
Effective Time of the Merger............................................. 54
Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger................. 54
Appraisal Rights......................................................... 55
Regulatory Matters....................................................... 55
Termination Provisions................................................... 55
Termination Fee and Expenses............................................. 56
No Solicitation of Other Transactions.................................... 56
Conversion of Shares..................................................... 57
Appointment of Exchange Agent............................................ 57
Exchange of Certificates................................................. 58
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger................................... 58
Waiver and Amendment..................................................... 60
Stock Exchange Listing................................................... 60
Anticipated Accounting Treatment......................................... 60
Shares Available for Resale.............................................. 60
Contribution of Assets of Wellsford to ERP Operating Partnership......... 60
Federal Income Tax Consequences.......................................... 61
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER AND DISTRIBUTION................ 69
Benefits of Key Executives............................................... 69
Agreements with the Surviving Trust and ERP Operating Partnership........ 71
Agreements with WRP Newco................................................ 71
SURVIVING TRUST SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA....... 72
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST SELECTED HISTORICAL AND COMBINED
FINANCIAL DATA............................................................ 74
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA.... 76
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE SURVIVING TRUST............ 78
POLICIES OF THE SURVIVING TRUST WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES......... 85
Business Objectives and Operating Strategies............................. 85
Acquisition Strategies................................................... 85
Disposition Strategies................................................... 85
Investment Policies...................................................... 86
Financing Policies....................................................... 86
Lending Policies......................................................... 87
Policies with Respect to Other Activities................................ 87
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SURVIVING TRUST AFTER THE MERGER........... 88
Trustees and Executive Officers.......................................... 88
Committees of the Board of Trustees...................................... 90
Compensation of Trustees................................................. 90
Consulting Agreements.................................................... 90
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS....................................... 91
Authorized and Issued Shares............................................. 91
Amendment to Declaration and Bylaws...................................... 91
Special Meetings......................................................... 92
Boards of Trustees....................................................... 92
Mergers, Consolidations, and Sale of Substantially all Assets............ 92
Restrictions on the Ownership, Transfer or Issuance of Shares............ 93
PROPOSAL REGARDING ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF TRUST PROVISIONS.............. 95
THE CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION.......................................... 97
Background of and Reasons for the Distribution........................... 97
Manner of Effecting the Contribution and Distribution.................... 97
Listing and Trading of WRP Newco Common.................................. 97
Conditions; Termination.................................................. 98
Contribution and Distribution Agreement.................................. 98
Tax Consequences of the Distribution..................................... 99
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WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC............................................. 101
General.................................................................. 101
Business Strategy........................................................ 101
Initial Capital and Financing............................................ 102
WRP Newco Line of Credit................................................. 103
Management............................................................... 103
WRP NEWCO PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION......................................... 105
WRP NEWCO DIVIDEND POLICY.................................................. 105
WRP NEWCO'S BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES........................................ 105
Wellsford Commercial Properties.......................................... 105
Wellsford High Yield Investment Portfolio................................ 107
Wellsford Property Development........................................... 108
Cash..................................................................... 110
Legal Proceedings........................................................ 110
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN WRP NEWCO AND ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP......... 110
Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement...................... 110
Registration Rights Agreement............................................ 111
Agreement Regarding Palomino Park........................................ 112
Credit Enhancement Agreement............................................. 113
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OF WRP NEWCO................... 113
Investment Policies...................................................... 113
Financing Policies....................................................... 115
Policies with Respect to Other Activities................................ 115
MANAGEMENT OF WRP NEWCO.................................................... 116
Directors and Executive Officers......................................... 116
Key Employee............................................................. 116
Compensation of Directors................................................ 116
Board Committees......................................................... 116
Executive Compensation................................................... 118
Employment Agreements.................................................... 118
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.............. 119
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF WRP NEWCO........................................ 120
WRP NEWCO'S CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS........................................... 121
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
(PREDECESSOR)............................................................. 121
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS............................................. 122
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS...... 123
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT.... 124
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOW...................................................................... 125
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME
STATEMENT................................................................. 129
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE
SHEET..................................................................... 132
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF WRP NEWCO.................................. 135
General.................................................................. 135
Common Stock............................................................. 135
Preferred Stock.......................................................... 136
Classification or Reclassification of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.... 136
Power to Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock..... 136
Class A Common Stock..................................................... 136
Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock....................... 137
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF WRP NEWCO'S CHARTER AND BYLAWS... 140
Classification of the Board of Directors................................. 140
Removal of Directors..................................................... 141
Business Combinations.................................................... 141
Amendment to the Charter and Bylaws...................................... 141
Merger, Consolidation, Sale of Assets.................................... 141
Dissolution of WRP Newco................................................. 141
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business.................. 141
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Meetings of Stockholders.................................................. 142
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification............................... 142
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE WRP NEWCO ADDITIONAL SHARE OFFERING..................... 143
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE WRP NEWCO'S 1997 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN.............. 144
LEGAL MATTERS............................................................... 147
EXPERTS..................................................................... 147
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS....................................................... 148
APPENDIX A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER..................................... A-1
APPENDIX B ARTICLES OF MERGER............................................... B-1
APPENDIX C OPINION OF J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC............................ C-1
APPENDIX D OPINION OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED.... D-1
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in the Summary and under captions "Risk Factors," "WRP
Newco Risk Factors," "The Merger--Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the
EQR Board of Trustees" "--Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the
Wellsford Board of Trustees," "--Opinion of Financial Advisor--EQR" and "--
Opinion of Financial Advisor--Wellsford" and elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of EQR, Wellsford or WRP Newco or industry
results to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business
conditions, which will, among other things, affect demand for multifamily
properties, availability and credit worthiness of prospective tenants, lease
rents and the availability of financing; adverse changes in the real estate
markets including, among other things, competition with other companies, risks
of real estate development and acquisition; governmental actions and
initiatives; environmental/safety requirements; ability to achieve anticipated
cost savings and operating efficiencies from the Merger; and other changes and
factors referenced in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement and the documents incorporated herein by reference. With respect to
WRP Newco, such factors may also include: difficulty of locating suitable
investments; illiquidity of real estate investments; risks regarding the
Palomino Park development; limited control of entities in which investments are
made; risks of investments in debt instruments, including reduction in the
value of collateral and the inability to enforce remedies; risks of highly
leveraged transactions; dependence on key personnel; and lack of prior
operating history. See "Risk Factors" and "WRP Newco Risk Factors."
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement. Reference is made to,
and this summary is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information
and financial statements contained in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, the Appendices hereto and the
documents incorporated by reference herein.
Certain capitalized terms used in this summary are defined elsewhere in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement. As used in this Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, except where the context
requires otherwise, "EQR" means Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust and its subsidiaries; "ERP Operating Partnership"
means ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership of
which EQR is the general partner, and its subsidiaries; "Wellsford" means
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust,
and its subsidiaries; and "WRP Newco" means Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a
Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries.
As used in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement,
"Surviving Trust" means the surviving Maryland real estate investment trust in
the Merger. The name of the Surviving Trust will be Equity Residential
Properties Trust.
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
EQR. EQR, one of the largest publicly traded REITs (based on the aggregate
market value of its outstanding equity capitalization), is a self-administered
and self-managed equity REIT. EQR was organized in March 1993 and commenced
operations as a publicly traded company on August 18, 1993 upon the completion
of its initial public offering (the "IPO"). EQR was formed to continue the
multifamily property business objectives and acquisition strategies of certain
affiliated entities controlled by Mr. Samuel Zell, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of EQR. These entities had been engaged in the acquisition, ownership
and operation of multifamily properties since 1969. EQR's senior executives
average over 23 years of experience in the multifamily property business.
EQR is the largest publicly traded REIT owner of multifamily properties
(based on the number of apartment units owned and total revenues earned). As of
March 31, 1997, EQR owned or had interests in a portfolio of 250 multifamily
properties containing 75,100 apartment units and managed 12,804 additional
units owned by affiliated entities. As of March 31, 1997, the 250 properties
EQR owned or had interests in had an average occupancy rate of approximately
94%. These properties are located in the following 31 states: Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
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All of EQR's interests in its properties are held directly or indirectly by,
and substantially all of its operations relating to the properties are
conducted through, ERP Operating Partnership. EQR controls ERP Operating
Partnership as the sole general partner and, as of March 31, 1997, owned
approximately 88% of ERP Operating Partnership's outstanding partnership
interests (excluding preference units) ("OP Units"), which may be exchanged by
the holders thereof for either shares of EQR Common, on a one-for-one basis or,
at EQR's option, the cash equivalent thereof.
EQR's corporate headquarters and executive offices are located at Two North
Riverside Plaza, Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number
is (312) 474-1300. In addition, EQR has regional operations centers in Chicago,
Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Tampa, Florida
and Bethesda, Maryland, and area offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas,
Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; San Antonio and Houston, Texas;
Irvine, California; Ypsilanti, Michigan; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida.
Wellsford. Wellsford is a publicly traded, self-administered and self-managed
equity REIT, formed in 1992, which owns and operates multifamily properties
located in the Western, Southwestern and Pacific regions of the United States.
As of December 31, 1996, Wellsford owned 72 properties containing 19,004
apartment units. Wellsford's average occupancy rate on March 24, 1997 was
approximately 95.3%. Wellsford's properties are located in the following
states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and
Washington.
Wellsford's corporate headquarters and executive offices are located at 610
Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020, and its telephone number is (212) 333-
2300. In addition, Wellsford has operating headquarters in Denver, Colorado and
area offices in Dallas, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma; Phoenix, Arizona; and Tacoma, Washington.
TERMS OF THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth therein, EQR will be merged into Wellsford. The name of
the Surviving Trust will be Equity Residential Properties Trust. The EQR Board
of Trustees and Wellsford Board of Trustees have each approved the Merger as
set forth in the Merger Agreement. Upon consummation of the Merger (the
"Effective Time"), each outstanding share of Wellsford Common will be converted
into .625 (the "Exchange Ratio") of a common share of beneficial interest, $.01
par value per share, of the Surviving Trust ("Survivor Common"). At the
Effective Time, each outstanding share of EQR Common will be converted into one
share of Survivor Common. At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of
Wellsford Preferred and EQR Preferred will be converted into one preferred
share of the Surviving Trust ("Survivor Preferred") having the same preferences
and other terms as the preferred shares previously outstanding of the same
series; provided, however, the conversion ratio for Wellsford's Series A
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value
per share ("Wellsford Series A") will be adjusted in accordance with its terms.
See "The Merger--Terms of the Merger." At the Effective Time, approximately
3.2% of Survivor Common will be owned by affiliates of the Surviving Trust
(assuming that no outstanding options are exercised and no OP Units are
exchanged for shares of EQR Common).
THE DISTRIBUTION OF WRP NEWCO COMMON
Immediately prior to the Merger, Wellsford will contribute certain of its
assets, including an 80% interest in phases I and II of, and in options to
acquire and develop phases III, IV and V of, a 182-acre five-phase development
project located in Denver, Colorado ("Palomino Park"), a $17.8 million mortgage
receivable (the "Sonterra Loan"), on a 344-unit multifamily property located in
Tucson, Arizona ("Sonterra"), an option to purchase Sonterra and approximately
$18 million of cash to WRP Newco and WRP Newco will assume certain obligations
of Wellsford (the "Contribution"). Immediately after the Contribution and
immediately prior to the Merger, Wellsford will distribute to the holders of
Wellsford Common all the outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common owned by
Wellsford as a distribution subject to income tax under Section 301 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Pursuant to the
Distribution, the holders of Wellsford Common will receive one share of WRP
Newco Common for each four shares of Wellsford Common owned by such holder.
Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. The Contribution and the
Distribution are not subject to approval by the shareholders of Wellsford.
No shares of WRP Newco Common will be distributed to EQR Common Shareholders.
EQR Common Shareholders will participate indirectly in WRP Newco through the
interests of ERP Operating Partnership in WRP Newco as described under "Certain
Agreements between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership."
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Pre-Merger
3
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Post-Merger
4
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Map
5
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REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES
The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Merger, including the
consideration to be paid by EQR, is fair and in the best interests of EQR and
its shareholders. The EQR Trustees who voted on the Merger unanimously approved
the Merger and unanimously recommend that the EQR Common Shareholders vote FOR
the Merger. The EQR Board of Trustees considered certain potentially negative
factors which could arise from the Merger. These included (i) the significant
costs involved in connection with consummating the Merger, (ii) the substantial
management time and effort required to effectuate the Merger and integrate the
businesses of EQR and Wellsford, (iii) the increase in the total debt of the
Surviving Trust from the total debt of EQR, (iv) the possible adverse effects
upon the market for shares of EQR Common and upon EQR's ability to raise
capital and issue equity in both the public and private markets which might
result if the Merger were not consummated, and (v) the risk that the
anticipated benefits of the Merger might not be fully realized. The favorable
factors the EQR Board of Trustees considered in reaching the foregoing
conclusions were the beliefs that (i) the Merger would solidify EQR's
leadership position in the multifamily property industry and the Surviving
Trust will be one of the largest publicly traded REITs (based on the aggregate
market value of its outstanding equity capitalization), (ii) the Merger would
increase operating efficiencies through economies of scale, (iii) the Merger
would provide greater access to the public equity and debt markets, (iv) the
Surviving Trust would be a larger and financially stronger company, which would
make it easier to combine with other entities, (v) the combination of the
Wellsford properties with those of EQR would expand the geographic focus of
EQR's operations in the Southwest, Western and Pacific regions of the United
States, and (vi) the Merger could be effectuated through the issuance of shares
of equity to shareholders in the Merger rather than through the use of cash or
a separate public offering of equity or debt securities. The EQR Board of
Trustees also received the written opinion, dated January 16, 1997, of J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. ("J.P. Morgan") to the effect that, as of such date and
based upon and subject to certain matters stated therein, the consideration to
be paid by EQR in connection with the Merger was fair, from a financial point
of view, to EQR. See "The Merger--Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the
EQR Board of Trustees" and "Opinion of Financial Advisors--EQR."
The Wellsford Board of Trustees believes that the Merger and Distribution are
fair to, and in the best interests of, Wellsford and its shareholders. By
unanimous vote, the Wellsford Board of Trustees approved the Merger, the
Distribution and the transactions contemplated thereby, and unanimously
recommend that the Wellsford Common Shareholders vote FOR the Merger. Although
Wellsford Common Shareholders are not being asked to approve the Distribution,
approval of the Merger will, in effect, constitute approval of the
Distribution. The Board of Trustees reached its decision after careful
consideration of a wide variety of factors, including certain potentially
negative factors. These negative factors consisted of the following: (i) the
risk that the anticipated benefits of the Merger might not be fully realized;
(ii) the significant costs aggregating approximately $23.6 million involved in
connection with consummating the Merger; (iii) the substantial management time
and effort required to effectuate the Merger; (iv) the possibility that
Wellsford may be required, if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances, to pay EQR a Break-Up Fee (as defined herein) of $14.0 million
and to reimburse EQR Break-Up Expenses (as defined herein) of up to $2.5
million; and (v) after the Merger, the distributions payable with respect to
the Survivor Common is expected to be approximately 19.5% less than the
distributions payable with respect to the Wellsford Common based upon the
current annualized distributions per share of EQR Common and Wellsford Common.
In making its determination with respect to the Merger and the Distribution,
the Wellsford Board of Trustees also considered, among other things, the
following advantages: (i) the Merger would afford shareholders a significant
participation in a much larger and more geographically diversified REIT with
greater potential for long-term appreciation and improved access to capital
markets, (ii) the Merger was the best alternative reasonably available to
Wellsford Common Shareholders, providing the greatest feasibility and potential
to maximize shareholder value, (iii) the Merger offered anticipated cost
savings and operating efficiencies to the Surviving Trust, including the
anticipated reduction of overhead expenses by approximately $4.1 million per
year, (iv) the market capitalization of the Surviving Trust is expected to be
approximately $4 billion greater than the then-current market capitalization of
Wellsford, (v) the Exchange Ratio fairly reflected the relative contributions
of both companies to the combined entity, and (vi) the Merger would be tax-
free. The Wellsford Board of Trustees received further confirmation of its
decision in the form of the written opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), dated January 16, 1997, to the effect
that, as of such date and based upon certain assumptions and considerations,
the consideration to be received by Wellsford Common Shareholders pursuant to
the Merger and the Distribution was fair to such shareholders from a financial
point of view. See "The Merger--Reasons for the Merger" and "Opinion of
Financial Advisor--Wellsford."
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
EQR. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of EQR on January 15, 1997, J.P.
Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the Board of Trustees of EQR that, as of
such date, the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the proposed
6
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Merger was fair from a financial point of view to EQR. J.P. Morgan has
confirmed its January 15, 1997 oral opinion by delivering its written opinion
to the Board of Trustees of EQR, dated January 16, 1997, that as of such date,
the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the proposed Merger was
fair from a financial point of view to EQR. No limitations were imposed by
EQR's Board of Trustees upon J.P. Morgan with respect to the investigations
made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinions. See "The Merger--
Opinion of Financial Advisor--EQR."
Wellsford. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford on January
16, 1997, Merrill Lynch rendered its oral opinion to the Board of Trustees of
Wellsford, and subsequently on such date Merrill Lynch delivered its written
opinion, that, as of such date and based upon the assumptions made, matters
considered and limits of review, as set forth in such opinion, the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of Wellsford Common pursuant to the
Merger and the Distribution was fair to such shareholders from a financial
point of view. No limitations were imposed by Wellsford's Board of Trustees
upon Merrill Lynch with respect to the investigations made or procedures
followed by it in rendering its opinions. See "The Merger--Opinion of Financial
Advisor--Wellsford."
RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to approve the Merger, the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford voting on the Merger should consider, in addition to the other
information in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, the
matters discussed under "Risk Factors." Such matters include:
. Adverse consequences normally associated with debt or preferred equity
financing, including the risk that the Surviving Trust's cash flow will
be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest.
. Risks associated with the potential change in the relative share prices
of EQR Common and Wellsford Common prior to the time the Merger becomes
effective.
. Possible payment of liquidated damages and expenses: the Merger Agreement
provides for a "Break-Up Fee" of $14 million (the "Break-Up Fee") plus
"Break-Up Expenses" of up to $2.5 million (the "Break-Up Expenses")
payable by Wellsford to EQR if the Merger Agreement is terminated by
either EQR or Wellsford under certain circumstances and, within one year
thereafter, Wellsford enters into an agreement regarding an "Acquisition
Proposal," as defined herein, which is consummated. If the Merger
Agreement is terminated by either EQR or Wellsford under certain other
circumstances, either EQR or Wellsford will be required to pay the other
party's Break-Up Expenses of up to $2.5 million. See "The Merger--
Termination Provisions."
. Possible conflicts of interest due to the fact that certain members of
management of Wellsford, pursuant to existing agreements, have certain
interests that arise in connection with the Merger and the Distribution
that are in addition to the interests of shareholders of Wellsford
generally.
. Shareholders of EQR and Wellsford do not have appraisal rights in
connection with the Merger under Maryland law.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
In considering whether to approve the Merger, shareholders should be aware
that certain members of the management of Wellsford and the Wellsford Board of
Trustees have certain interests that arise in connection with the Merger and
the Distribution that are in addition to the interests of shareholders of
Wellsford generally. The Board of Trustees considered these interests and
deliberated upon any resulting conflicts of interest unanimously concluding
that the advantages of the Merger and Distribution and the benefits thereof to
the shareholders outweighed any conflicts of interest. These additional
interests arise under existing agreements with, and annual compensation awards
from, Wellsford, which were approved by Wellsford's independent trustees in
prior years, and proposed agreements with WRP Newco and the Surviving Trust
relating to, among other things, severance payments to be made to certain
executive officers (but not Jeffrey H. Lynford, Chairman of the Board, and
Edward Lowenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer), the forgiveness of
loans made to certain executive officers incurred to acquire shares of
Wellsford Common, the issuance of additional shares of Wellsford Common to
certain executive officers, the acceleration of vesting of restricted share
grants issued to certain executive officers (but not Messrs. Lynford and
Lowenthal), payments to be made to certain executive officers to satisfy income
and excise tax obligations resulting from certain monies and other benefits to
be paid to them in connection with the Merger and the issuance of WRP Newco
stock options to certain executive officers and trustees of Wellsford in
replacement of certain existing Wellsford share options and reload options
granted in connection with the exercise of vested Wellsford options. In
addition, upon completion of the Merger, WRP Newco will enter into employment
agreements with Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal for approximately five and one-
half years and employment agreements with Gregory F. Hughes, Chief Financial
Officer of Wellsford, and David M. Strong, a Vice President of Wellsford, for
two years. WRP Newco will also assume the existing split dollar life insurance
arrangements between Wellsford and Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal. See
"Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and Distribution."
7
<PAGE>
Further, upon completion of the Merger, Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will
each enter into a five-year consulting agreement with ERP Operating Partnership
and will be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Surviving Trust for a
three-year term. In addition, Donald D. MacKenzie, Executive Vice President--
Director of Operations of Wellsford, will be a Senior Vice President of the
Surviving Trust upon completion of the Merger. The Surviving Trust will
indemnify each trustee and officer of Wellsford for all actions on or prior to
the Effective Time to the same extent such individuals were indemnified by
Wellsford prior to the Effective Time.
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE CONTRIBUTION AND THE DISTRIBUTION
As stated in "The Contribution and Distribution," the Contribution and the
Distribution will take place immediately prior to the Merger.
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER AND CLOSING DATE
The closing ("Closing") of the Merger will take place at 10:00 a.m. on the
date to be specified by EQR and Wellsford, which will be no later than the
third business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
the Merger Agreement (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Rudnick & Wolfe,
203 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, unless another date or place
is agreed to in writing by the parties. The Merger will become effective at the
time the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the
"Department") accepts for record the Articles of Merger (the "Articles"), or at
such time as EQR and Wellsford will agree should be specified in the Articles
(not to exceed 30 days after the Articles are accepted for record by the
Department). It is currently anticipated that the Merger will be effective on
or about May 30, 1997.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
The obligations of EQR and Wellsford to consummate the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, among others, (i)
obtaining the requisite approval of the shareholders of EQR and shareholders of
Wellsford, (ii) the absence of any material adverse change in the financial
condition, business or operations of Wellsford or EQR, (iii) the receipt of
certain legal opinions, including opinions with respect to the tax consequences
of the Merger, (iv) the receipt of all material consents, authorizations,
orders and approvals of governmental agencies and third parties, (v) the
consummation of certain transactions by and between EQR, ERP Operating
Partnership and WRP Newco, (vi) the execution of certain agreements between
each of Wellsford and EQR and their respective affiliates, and (vii) the
consummation of the Contribution and the Distribution. EQR and Wellsford each
have the right to waive any conditions to their respective obligations to
consummate the Merger. See "The Merger--Conditions of the Merger."
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Shareholders of Wellsford and shareholders of EQR are not entitled to
dissenting shareholders' appraisal rights under Maryland law. Maryland law does
not provide appraisal rights to shareholders of a REIT in connection with a
merger if their shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as
the NYSE, on the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote on
such merger. All of the shares of EQR and Wellsford outstanding on the record
date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote on the Merger were
listed on the NYSE.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Tax Consequences of Merger. The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). For a more detailed discussion of certain U.S. Federal
income tax consequences of the Merger and certain other matters related
thereto, see "The Merger--Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Tax Consequences of Distribution. To the extent the fair market value of the
shares of WRP Newco Common distributed in the Distribution to Wellsford Common
Shareholders exceeds Wellsford's tax basis in such shares, gain will be
recognized by Wellsford. Assuming Wellsford qualifies as a REIT and has a
dividends paid deduction for distributions to its shareholders at least equal
to its REIT taxable income (as computed before taking into account the
dividends paid deduction), no REIT level tax will be incurred on account of the
Distribution.
8
<PAGE>
The distribution of shares of WRP Newco Common will, however, be taxable to
Wellsford Common Shareholders to the same extent as any other distribution made
by Wellsford to the Wellsford Common Shareholders. Thus, so long as Wellsford
qualifies for taxation as a REIT, distributions with respect to its shares,
including the Distribution, made out of current or accumulated earnings and
profits allocable thereto (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will
be includible by the Wellsford Common Shareholders as ordinary income for
Federal income tax purposes. For a more detailed discussion, see "Tax
Consequences of the Distribution."
TERMINATION
The Merger Agreement provides that it may be terminated in a number of
circumstances at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after
the approval of the Merger by the shareholders of EQR and shareholders of
Wellsford. See "The Merger--Termination Provisions."
TERMINATION FEES
Depending on the reason for the Merger Agreement's termination, Wellsford may
be required to pay EQR either the Break-Up Fee and Break-Up Expenses or Break-
Up Expenses, or EQR may be required to pay Wellsford the Break-Up Expenses. See
"The Merger--Termination Fees and Expenses."
ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be treated as a purchase in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16.
NO SOLICITATION OF OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Wellsford has agreed that it (and its subsidiaries) will not, and will use
its best efforts to not permit its officers, trustees, employees, agents or
financial advisors to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly,
any inquiries or the making or implementation of any proposal or offer
(including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its shareholders) with
respect to a merger, acquisition, tender offer, exchange offer, consolidation,
sale of assets or similar transactions involving all or any significant portion
of the assets or any equity securities of, it or any of its subsidiaries, other
than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Merger
Agreement does not, however, prohibit Wellsford from entering into discussions
with respect to an unsolicited proposal if the Board of Trustees of Wellsford
determines that such action is required by its duties to its shareholders
imposed by law.
EQR has agreed that if it enters into negotiations with another entity having
a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act regarding the
acquisition of such entity (whether effected through a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, tender offer or other form), then at least three business days
prior to executing any definitive agreement with such entity with respect to
such acquisition or making a tender offer for the shares or other ownership
interests of such entity, EQR will notify Wellsford of such transaction and
consult with Wellsford with respect thereto, it being understood, however, that
Wellsford will have no approval rights with respect thereto.
CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Each share of Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time will be converted into .625 share of validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable Survivor Common. Each share of EQR Common outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be converted into one share of validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable Survivor Common. Each share of EQR Preferred and
Wellsford Preferred outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will
continue as one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Survivor
Preferred, with all the preferences, rights and powers that each share
previously had as shares issued by EQR or Wellsford, as the case may be, and
will rank pari passu with each other outstanding Survivor Preferred; provided,
however, that the conversion ratio relating to the Wellsford Series A will be
adjusted in accordance with its terms.
All shares of Wellsford Common, when converted pursuant to the Merger, will
no longer be outstanding and will automatically be canceled and retired and
each holder of a certificate representing Wellsford Common will cease to have
any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive shares of Survivor
Common, and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Survivor Common, as well
as any distributions declared with respect thereto with a record date after the
Effective Time. At the Effective Time, each certificate representing
outstanding shares of Wellsford Preferred will cease to have any
9
<PAGE>
rights with respect to such shares, except the right to receive a certificate
of the Surviving Trust representing an equal number of Survivor Preferred.
Wellsford Common Shareholders should not tender their certificates for
Wellsford Common with their proxy. As promptly as practicable after the
Effective Time, Boston EquiServe LLP, an affiliate of First National Bank of
Boston, as the exchange agent ("Exchange Agent"), will mail to the shareholders
of Wellsford transmittal materials for use in exchanging certificates
evidencing Wellsford Shares for certificates evidencing shares of the Survivor
Common or Survivor Preferred ("Survivor Shares"). See "The Merger--Exchange of
Certificates."
At the Effective Time, each certificate evidencing outstanding shares of EQR
Common and EQR Preferred will, without any action by the holders thereof,
thereafter evidence the same number of shares of Survivor Common and Survivor
Preferred, as the case may be.
MANAGEMENT OF THE SURVIVING TRUST
The Surviving Trust will initially have twelve trustees. The Board of
Trustees of the Surviving Trust will be made up of the current trustees of EQR,
Jeffrey H. Lynford, the Chairman of the Wellsford Board of Trustees, and Edward
Lowenthal, a Trustee and the President of Wellsford. The Board of Trustees of
the Surviving Trust will be divided into three equally numbered classes serving
staggered three-year terms. One class will serve as trustees until the 1997
annual meeting of shareholders, one class will serve as trustees until the 1998
annual meeting of shareholders, and one class will serve as trustees until the
1999 annual meeting of shareholders.
Senior management of the Surviving Trust will be drawn from the present
management of EQR. As a condition to the consummation of the Merger, Jeffrey H.
Lynford and Edward Lowenthal will enter into consulting agreements with ERP
Operating Partnership. In addition, Donald MacKenzie, Executive Vice
President--Director of Operations of Wellsford, will be a Senior Vice President
of the Surviving Trust upon completion of the Merger. See "The Merger--
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and Distribution."
After the Merger, management and control of ERP Operating Partnership will be
vested in the Surviving Trust, which will serve as its sole general partner.
The Merger Agreement also contains provisions relating to, among other
things, employee benefits and indemnification and liability coverage of former
trustees and officers of Wellsford after the Merger. See "The Merger--Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger and Distribution."
THE MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
EQR
The EQR Special Meeting has been called to consider and vote on the approval
of the Merger. The EQR Special Meeting will be held on May 28, 1997 at 10:00
a.m., local time, at One North Franklin, Chicago, Illinois. Only holders of
record of EQR Common at the close of business on April 14, 1997 will be
entitled to vote at the EQR Special Meeting. Each holder of EQR Common is
entitled to one vote per share on the Merger as proposed in the notice of the
EQR Special Meeting. EQR had outstanding 53,713,158 shares of EQR Common as of
the close of business on April 1, 1997, of which 1,022,666 shares (or
approximately 1.9% of the outstanding shares of EQR Common) (excluding 681,534
shares where beneficial ownership is disclaimed) were owned beneficially by the
officers and trustees of EQR, and such persons have indicated their intention
to vote such shares in favor of each of the proposals. Approval of the Merger
requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the holders of the outstanding
shares of EQR Common.
Wellsford
The Wellsford Special Meeting has been called to consider and vote on the
approval of the Merger, including the adoption of an amended and restated
declaration of trust of the Surviving Trust, the approval of the Additional
Provisions, the approval of the Additional Share Offering and the adoption of
WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. See
"--Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions," "--Proposals
Regarding WRP Newco," "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust
Provisions," "Proposal to Approve WRP Newco Additional Share Offering" and
"Proposal to Approve WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan." The Wellsford
Special Meeting will be held on May 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at The
Princeton Club, 15 West 43rd Street, New York, New York. Only holders of record
of Wellsford Common at the close of business on April 14, 1997 will be entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Wellsford Special Meeting. Each holder of
Wellsford Common is entitled to one vote per share as proposed in the notice of
10
<PAGE>
the Wellsford Special Meeting. Wellsford had outstanding 17,261,897 shares of
Wellsford Common as of the close of business on April 18, 1997, of which
599,828 shares (or approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares of Wellsford
Common) (excludes 29,727 shares where beneficial ownership is disclaimed) were
owned beneficially by the officers and trustees of Wellsford, and such persons
have indicated their intention to vote such shares in favor of the proposals.
Approval of the Merger requires the affirmative vote of the Wellsford Common
Shareholders holding a majority of the Wellsford Common Shares. Approval of the
Additional Provisions requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common. Approval of the
Additional Share Offering and adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive
Plan require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Wellsford Common voting. Wellsford Common Shareholders
may revoke their proxies at any time prior to the voting thereof by giving
written notice of such revocation to Wellsford, by executing and delivering a
proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Wellsford Special Meeting and
voting in person.
SURVIVING TRUST SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth the summary unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for the Surviving Trust as a combined entity, giving effect to
the Merger as if it had occurred on the dates indicated herein, after giving
effect to the pro forma adjustments described in the notes to the unaudited pro
forma financial statements included elsewhere in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined operating data are presented as if
the Merger had been consummated at the beginning of the period presented.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data is presented as
if the Merger had occurred on December 31, 1996. The Merger has been accounted
for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16. In the opinion of management, all significant
adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of the Merger have been made.
The summary pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction
with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the respective historical audited
financial statements and notes thereto of EQR and Wellsford incorporated by
reference into this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and
the unaudited pro forma financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The summary unaudited pro forma operating and balance sheet data are
presented for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of
what the actual combined results of EQR and Wellsford would have been for the
period and dates presented. Nor does such data purport to represent the results
of future periods.
11
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
OPERATING DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
----------------------
(AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C>
REVENUES:
Rental income........................................... $578,820
Fee and asset management................................ 6,749
Interest income-investment in mortgage notes............ 12,819
Interest and other income............................... 11,061
--------
Total revenues...................................... 609,449
--------
EXPENSES:
Property and maintenance................................ 167,526
Real estate taxes and insurance......................... 54,010
Property management..................................... 21,506
Fee and asset management................................ 3,837
Depreciation............................................ 124,211
Interest:
Expense incurred...................................... 103,538
Amortization of deferred financing costs.............. 4,242
General and administrative............................ 10,353
--------
Total Expenses...................................... 489,223
--------
Income before gain on disposition of properties and
(loss) on joint venture communities.................... 120,226
Gain on disposition of properties....................... 22,336
(Loss) on joint venture communities..................... (58)
--------
Income before extraordinary item and allocation to
Minority Interests..................................... 142,504
Extraordinary Item:
Write-off of unamortized cost on refinanced debt........ (3,512)
--------
Income before allocation to Minority Interests.......... 138,992
Income allocated to Minority Interests.................. (15,706)
--------
Net income.............................................. 123,286
Preferred distributions................................. 41,563
--------
Net income available for Common Shares.................. $ 81,723
========
Net income per weighted average Common Share
outstanding............................................ $ 1.53
========
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding.............. 53,317
========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
DECEMBER 31, 1996
-----------------
<S> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
(at end of period)
Real estate, after accumulated depreciation................... $3,708,310
==========
Total assets.................................................. $3,968,482
==========
Total debt.................................................... $1,576,869
==========
Minority Interests............................................ $ 190,793
==========
Shareholders' Equity.......................................... $2,048,133
==========
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND COMBINED FINANCIAL
DATA
The following tables set forth summary historical and combined financial data
for EQR. The summary historical combined financial data for each of the years
ended December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the audited
financial statements of EQR as reported in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K. The
summary historical financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified in its entirety by, the historical and combined financial statements
and notes thereto of EQR incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Revenues
Rental income......... $ 454,412 $ 373,919 $ 220,727 $104,388 $ 86,597
Fee and asset
management........... 6,749 7,030 4,739 4,651 4,215
Interest income-
investment in
mortgage notes....... 12,819 4,862 -- -- --
Interest and other
income............... 4,405 4,573 5,568 3,031 2,161
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Total revenues.... 478,385 390,384 231,034 112,070 92,973
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Expenses
Property and
maintenance.......... 127,172 112,186 66,534 35,324 30,680
Real estate taxes and
insurance............ 44,128 37,002 23,028 11,403 10,274
Property management... 17,512 15,213 10,249 4,938 2,912
Property management-
non-recurring........ -- -- 879 -- --
Fee and asset
management........... 3,837 3,837 2,056 2,242 2,403
Depreciation.......... 93,253 72,410 37,273 15,384 13,442
Interest:
Expense incurred.... 81,351 78,375 37,044 26,042 31,926
Amortization of
deferred financing
costs.............. 4,242 3,444 1,930 3,322 2,702
Refinancing costs..... -- -- -- 3,284 --
General and
administrative....... 9,857 8,129 6,053 1,994 1,915
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Total expenses.... 381,352 330,646 185,046 103,933 96,254
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before
gain on disposition of
properties,
extraordinary items and
allocation to Minority
Interests.............. 97,033 59,738 45,988 8,137 (3,281)
Gain on disposition of
properties............. 22,402 21,617 -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items and
allocation to Minority
Interests.............. 119,435 81,355 45,988 8,137 (3,281)
Extraordinary Items:
Write-off of unamortized
costs on refinanced
debt................... (3,512) -- -- -- --
Gain on early
extinguishment of debt. -- 2,000 -- -- --
Gain on discharge of
indebtedness........... -- -- -- 1,792 18,203
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income before allocation
to Minority Interests.. 115,923 83,355 45,988 9,929 14,922
Income allocated to
Minority Interests..... (14,299) (15,636) (11,570) (3,834) --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income.............. 101,624 67,719 34,418 6,095 14,922
Preferred distributions. (29,015) (10,109) -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income available for
Common Shares.......... $ 72,609 $ 57,610 $ 34,418 $ 6,095 $ 14,922
========== ========== ========== ======== =========
Net income per weighted
average Common Share
outstanding............ $ 1.70 $ 1.68 $ 1.34 $ .42 --
Weighted average Common
Shares outstanding..... 42,586 34,358 25,621 14,601 --
BALANCE SHEET DATA (at
end of period):
Real estate, before
accumulated
depreciation......... $2,983,510 $2,186,636 $1,963,476 $634,577 $ 358,212
Real estate, after
accumulated
depreciation......... $2,681,998 $1,969,453 $1,770,735 $478,210 $ 218,825
Total assets.......... $2,986,127 $2,141,260 $1,847,685 $535,914 $ 238,878
Total debt............ $1,254,274 $1,002,219 $ 994,746 $278,642 $ 343,282
Minority Interests.... $ 150,637 $ 168,963 $ 177,438 $ 83,159 $ --
Shareholders' Equity
(Net Deficit)........ $1,458,830 $ 884,517 $ 609,936 $146,485 $(122,094)
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth summary historical financial data for
Wellsford. The summary historical financial data for each of the years ended
December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the audited
financial statements of Wellsford as reported in its Annual Reports on Form 10-
K. The summary historical financial data should be read in conjunction with,
and is qualified in its entirety by, the historical financial statements and
notes thereto of Wellsford incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement. Certain reclassifications have been
made to Wellsford's historical financial data to conform to EQR's presentation.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------
HISTORICAL (000S EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
--------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................... $ 131,821 $ 131,232 $ 82,794 $ 42,007 $ 26,229
Expenses................... (109,035) (113,712) (73,299) (34,816) (26,991)
Gain (loss) on sale of
investment communities.... (66) (819) -- 882 --
Loss on joint venture
communities............... (58) (279) -- -- --
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item........ $ 22,662 $ 16,422 $ 9,495 $ 8,073 $ (762)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss).......... $ 22,662 $ 10,869 $ 9,495 $ 8,073 $ (762)
Preferred dividends........ (12,548) (8,973) (7,000) (972) --
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) available
for common shareholders... $ 10,114 $ 1,896 $ 2,495 $ 7,101 $ (762)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss) per
common share.............. $ 0.59 $ 0.11 $ 0.25 $ 0.91 $ (0.34)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. 17,057 16,938 10,070 7,813 2,273
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Real Estate assets before
accumulated depreciation.. $ 795,580 $ 736,399 $747,519 $301,389 $156,568
Real estate assets after
accumulated depreciation.. 711,614 677,908 712,742 282,224 143,787
Total Assets............... 756,289 729,638 745,754 322,400 165,963
Mortgages Payable.......... 82,731 77,137 208,858 24,203 17,155
Convertible note payable... -- -- -- 46,070 55,358
Unsecured credit facility.. 18,075 -- 140,000 -- --
Senior unsecured notes..... 248,496 223,307 -- -- --
Shareholders' equity....... 376,686 398,359 371,655 239,775 89,986
Cash dividends declared per
Series A preferred share.. $ 1.75 $ 1.75 $ 1.75 $ 0.24 $ --
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Cash dividends declared per
Series B preferred share.. $ 2.41 $ 0.86 $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Cash dividends declared per
common share.............. $ 1.94 $ 1.92 $ 1.80 $ 1.68 $ 0.16
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following summary presents selected comparative unaudited per share
information for EQR and Wellsford on an historical basis and EQR and Wellsford
on a pro forma combined basis assuming the combination had been effective
throughout the periods presented. Wellsford pro forma equivalent per share
amounts are presented with respect to pro forma information. Such per share
amounts allow comparison of historical information with respect to the value of
one share of Wellsford Common to the corresponding information with respect to
the projected value of one share of Survivor Common as a result of the Merger
by multiplying the pro forma amounts by the Exchange Ratio of .625 to 1.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1996
------------
<S> <C>
Net Income Per Common Share
EQR................................................... $ 1.70
Wellsford............................................. .59
Surviving Trust pro forma combined (A)................ 1.53
Wellsford pro forma equivalent (B).................... .96
Cash Distributions Declared Per Common Share
EQR................................................... $ 2.40
Wellsford............................................. 1.94
Surviving Trust pro forma combined (A)................ 2.40
Wellsford pro forma equivalent (B).................... 1.50
Shareholders' Equity Per Common Share
EQR................................................... $28.52
Wellsford............................................. 22.03
Surviving Trust pro forma combined (A)................ 33.10
Wellsford pro forma equivalent (B).................... 20.69
</TABLE>
- -------
(A) The pro forma combined Net Income Per Common Share and Cash Distributions
Declared Per Common Share data for the Surviving Trust has been prepared
assuming that in the Merger each share of Wellsford Common is converted
into .625 of a share of Survivor Common resulting in total weighted average
outstanding shares of Survivor Common of 53,317,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. For the Shareholder's Equity Per Common Share data,
total outstanding shares of Survivor Common was 61,886,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1996.
(B) The Wellsford pro forma equivalent is determined by multiplying the
Exchange Ratio (.625) by the Surviving Trust pro forma combined per share
amounts so that the per share amounts are equated to the comparative values
for each share of Wellsford Common.
COMPARATIVE SHARE PRICES
EQR
The EQR Common has been traded on the NYSE under the symbol "EQR" since
August 11, 1993. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low
sales prices per share of EQR Common reported on the NYSE, as well as the
quarterly distributions declared per share of EQR Common, from January 1, 1995
through April 18, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DISTRIBUTIONS
------ ------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter.......................... 29 1/8 25 5/8 .53
Second Quarter......................... 29 3/4 24 7/8 .53
Third Quarter.......................... 31 3/4 27 3/4 .53
Fourth Quarter......................... 31 7/8 28 .59
1996
First Quarter.......................... 33 3/4 28 1/4 .59
Second Quarter......................... 33 1/2 30 7/8 .59
Third Quarter.......................... 36 1/8 32 7/8 .59
Fourth Quarter......................... 43 3/8 35 5/8 .625
1997
First Quarter.......................... 46 39 3/4 .625(1)
Second Quarter (through April 18,
1997)................................. 45 42 3/4 N/A
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) The first quarter distribution was paid on April 11, 1997 to shareholders
of record as of March 28, 1997 and represents an annual distribution rate
of $2.50 per share.
15
<PAGE>
On April 18, 1997, the last reported sale price of a share of EQR Common on
the NYSE was 43 1/8 per share. On January 16, 1997, the last full trading day
prior to the pubic announcement of the Merger, the last reported sale price of
a share of EQR Common on the NYSE was 43 3/8. As of April 18, 1997, EQR's
transfer agent reported 544 record holders of EQR Common and, as of April 1997,
The Depository Trust Company held EQR Common on behalf of approximately 19,500
beneficial owners.
Wellsford
The Wellsford Common has been traded on the NYSE under the symbol "WRP" since
November 20, 1992. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low
sales prices per share of Wellsford Common reported on the NYSE, as well as the
quarterly distributions declared per share of Wellsford Common from January 1,
1995 through April 18, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DISTRIBUTIONS
------ ------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter.......................... 21 3/4 19 1/4 $ .48
Second Quarter......................... 22 3/4 20 .48
Third Quarter.......................... 22 3/4 21 1/8 .48
Fourth Quarter......................... 23 1/8 19 5/8 .48
1996
First Quarter.......................... 24 1/4 21 3/8 .485
Second Quarter......................... 22 7/8 20 1/2 .485
Third Quarter.......................... 23 1/8 20 3/4 .485
Fourth Quarter......................... 25 21 1/2 .485
1997
First Quarter.......................... 31 3/4 24 1/8 .485
Second Quarter (through April 18,
1997)................................. 30 1/2 28 1/2 N/A
</TABLE>
On April 18, 1997, the last reported sale price of a share of Wellsford
Common on the NYSE was 28 7/8 per share. On January 16, 1997, the last full
trading day prior to the pubic announcement of the Merger, the last reported
sale price of a share of Wellsford Common on the NYSE was 25 3/4. As of April
18, 1997, Wellsford's transfer agent reported 629 record holders of Wellsford
Common and, as of April 18, 1997, The Depository Trust Company held Wellsford
Common on behalf of approximately 13,500 beneficial owners.
BECAUSE THE EXCHANGE RATIO IS FIXED AND THE MARKET PRICE OF EQR COMMON IS
SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATION, THE MARKET VALUE OF THE SURVIVOR COMMON THAT HOLDERS OF
WELLSFORD COMMON WILL RECEIVE IN THE MERGER MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE PRIOR TO
AND FOLLOWING THE MERGER. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET
QUOTATIONS FOR EQR COMMON AND WELLSFORD COMMON.
PROPOSAL REGARDING ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF TRUST PROVISIONS
The Wellsford Common Shareholders are being asked to separately approve the
Additional Provisions to the Surviving Trust Declaration (defined herein) to
further conform the Surviving Trust Declaration to the terms of the EQR
Declaration (defined herein) and to update the Surviving Trust Declaration to
reflect the current approaches in the REIT industry regarding share ownership
restrictions necessary to maintain REIT status.
Removal of Trustees. Section 2.3 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides for the removal of Trustees, with or without cause, by the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Wellsford Shares then
outstanding and entitled to vote on the election of trustees. The Additional
Provisions will provide for the removal of Trustees only with cause.
Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares. In order to maintain its
status as a REIT under the Code and Title 8, Section 6.6 of the Wellsford
Declaration currently imposes a number of restrictions on the transfer and
ownership of Wellsford Shares. See "Comparison of Rights of Shareholders--
Restrictions on the Ownership, Transfer or Issuance of Shares." Since the
adoption of the Wellsford Declaration in 1992, the comparable section of the
declarations of other REITs has evolved into more detailed provisions relating
to the applicable ownership limits and compliance with the Code. The Additional
Provisions will modify the restrictions on transfer to reflect the effects of
the Merger and the Surviving Trust's relationship with ERP Operating
Partnership.
16
<PAGE>
Amendment to Declaration. Section 9.1 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides for its amendment by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than a majority of the Wellsford Shares outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon, except that amendments related to the removal of trustees, the
restrictions on the ownership of Wellsford Shares, the reorganization of
Wellsford and the merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially of
Wellsford's property must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the Wellsford's Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on
the matter. The Additional Provisions will require the foregoing to be approved
by a two-thirds vote of the Survivor Shares then outstanding and entitled to
vote thereon.
Mergers, Consolidation, or Sale of Trust Property. Section 9.2 of the
Wellsford Declaration currently states that, upon the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Wellsford Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon, the trustees of Wellsford may reorganize
Wellsford by creating a separate entity into which Wellsford will merge or sell
its assets. In addition, Section 9.3 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides that if Wellsford is not the surviving entity in a merger or
consolidation, or in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of
Wellsford's property, that transaction must be approved by two-thirds of the
Wellsford Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. In all other
cases, such a merger or consolidation need only be approved by a majority of
the Wellsford Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. The
Additional Provisions provide that any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or
substantially all of the Surviving Trust's property will be required to be
approved by the holders of a majority of the Survivor Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon. For a more detailed description of the Additional
Provisions, see "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust
Provisions."
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
WRP Newco was organized to create and realize value by identifying and making
opportunistic real estate investments through the direct acquisition,
rehabilitation, development, financing and management of real properties and/or
participation in these activities through the purchase of debt or equity
securities of entities engaged in such real estate businesses. Management will
concentrate its efforts on defining and building focused operating businesses
with recurring sources of income. WRP Newco intends to maximize shareholder
value over time through growth in cash flow and net asset value per share.
WRP Newco believes that while liquidity has returned to many real estate
markets and that the supply and demand of many real estate asset classes are in
relative equilibrium, there are specific opportunities which are expected to
continue to exist because of market inefficiencies and impediments to
investment, such as transactional complexity, time-consuming regulatory
approvals, the prospect of no or limited immediate cash flow and a lack of
available property information and market information analysis. In this regard,
WRP Newco will initially focus its investments on three distinct aspects of the
real estate business which management believes currently offer such
opportunities. They are (i) acquiring underperforming office and other
commercial properties below replacement cost, renovating and/or repositioning
them, and owning, operating and/or reselling such properties, (ii) investing in
real estate-related debt instruments with the potential for high-yields or
returns more characteristic of equity ownership and (iii) engaging in selective
property development when justified by expected returns. As opportunities
emerge, WRP Newco may in the future expand its real estate-related businesses
and activities.
WRP Newco currently does not intend to qualify as a REIT under the Code.
Consequently, WRP Newco will have the flexibility to respond quickly to
opportunities without the structural limitations inherent in REITs and to
operate, when deemed advantageous by management, on a more highly leveraged
basis than most REITs. By not qualifying as a REIT under the Code (which would
require WRP Newco to distribute each year at least 95% of its net taxable
income, excluding capital gains), WRP Newco will have the ability and currently
intends to retain for reinvestment its cash flow generated from operations and
to sell properties without the substantial income tax penalties which may be
imposed on REITs in such transactions. In addition, WRP Newco will differ from
opportunity funds that are typically structured as private partnerships. In
that regard, the business of WRP Newco will be conducted without the payment of
acquisition, disposition or advisory fees to general partners which should
result in additional cash flow being available for reinvestment as well as
mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest. In addition, unlike investors
in opportunity funds, WRP Newco's shareholders are expected to have enhanced
liquidity through their ability to sell or margin their stock. WRP Newco also
hopes to attract a broader range of investors because there will be no
stipulated investment minimum. However, unlike REITs and opportunity funds, WRP
Newco will be subject to corporate level taxation.
WRP Newco's management will include Jeffrey H. Lynford, Chairman, and Edward
Lowenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, who were co-founders of, and
served in the same capacities at, Wellsford, supported by a management
17
<PAGE>
team with experience in real estate acquisitions, development, asset management
and financing. WRP Newco believes that the over 50 years of combined experience
of management in real estate, capital markets and public company operations,
their knowledge, credibility, and business relationships, and their
demonstrated track record of recognizing and profiting from emerging real
estate trends should help WRP Newco accomplish its business objectives. Since
the completion by Wellsford f the initial public offering of its common shares
of beneficial interest in November 1992 (the "Wellsford IPO"), Messrs. Lynford
and Lowenthal, through Wellsford Residential, acquired 69 multifamily
properties containing 16,332 units. From calendar year 1992 through calendar
year 1996, Wellsford's revenues increased from $26.5 million to $131.8 million,
representing a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 49%, and
Wellsford's earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization ("Wellsford
EBITDA") increased from $13.8 million to $72.8 million, representing a
compounded annual growth rate of approximately 52%. In analyzing potential
investments and market trends and inefficiencies, management has reviewed, and
will continue to review, current economic and market information.
To date, WRP Newco has implemented its business strategy by identifying,
negotiating and, except in one instance, consummating the following initial
investments: (i) six office buildings located in Northern New Jersey containing
an aggregate of approximately 940,400 gross square feet, five of which are
vacant, acquired below replacement cost for an aggregate of $47.6 million, or
$50 per gross square foot of building area, with respect to which WRP Newco
currently expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $13.7 million in
renovation and repositioning costs; (ii) a $20 million subordinated secured
mezzanine loan with respect to a class A office building located at 277 Park
Avenue, New York City, expected to close in April 1997, (iii) a $17.8 million
mortgage on, and option to purchase, a 344-unit class A residential apartment
complex in Tucson, Arizona and (iv) an approximate 80% interest in Phases I and
II of, and in options to acquire (at fixed prices) and develop Phases III, IV
and V of, a 1,880-unit class A multifamily development in a suburb of Denver,
Colorado. See "WRP Newco's Business and Properties".
Upon completion of the Distribution and consummation of the Merger, WRP Newco
expects to have available various sources of capital, financing and credit
support, including (i) the proceeds of $3.5 million from the acquisition by ERP
Operating Partnership of WRP Newco's Class A common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("WRP Newco Class A Common") at a price equal to the per share sales
price to any institutional purchaser of WRP Newco Common Stock on or prior to
the Effective Time or, if there is no such purchaser, at a price equal to the
book value (the "WRP Newco Book Value") per share of WRP Newco Common Stock
(which is currently estimated to be $10.43 per share) at the time of the Merger
(the "Issuance Price"), (ii) the commitment of ERP Operating Partnership to
acquire at WRP Newco's option up to $25 million of WRP Newco's Series A 8%
Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock ("WRP Newco Series A Preferred"), each
share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred being convertible into shares of WRP
Newco Common Stock at a premium equal to 8% of the Issuance Price ("ERP
Preferred Commitment") and (iii) a $50 million two-year line of credit
(extendible for one year) from The First National Bank of Boston ("Bank of
Boston") and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan Guaranty")
("WRP Newco Line of Credit") which will initially bear interest at an annual
rate equal to LIBOR plus 175 basis points. The ERP Preferred Commitment will be
pledged as security for the WRP Newco Line of Credit. See "Wellsford Real
Properties, Inc.--Initial Capital and Financing" and "Description of Capital
Stock of WRP Newco--Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock".
WRP NEWCO RISK FACTORS
In addition to general investment and real estate risks and those factors set
forth elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement
under "WRP Newco Risk Factors," in connection with WRP Newco's future business
activities, Wellsford Common Shareholders should be aware of, among other
things, the following factors:
. Nature of investments may involve high risk.
. Illiquidity of WRP Newco's real estate investments.
. Competition in identifying and making investments and attracting tenants.
. Risks of excessive costs and delays associated with the acquisition,
development, construction and renovation of properties.
. Risks of vacancies at existing properties.
. Lack of control and risks associated with equity investments in and with
third parties.
. Lack of limitation on the amount of debt that may be incurred and risks
of highly leveraged investments.
18
<PAGE>
. Risks associated with debt instruments held by WRP Newco, including the
possibility that borrowers may not be able to make payments when due,
that the value of collateral may be less than amounts owed and that
interest rates charged may be less than WRP Newco's cost of funds.
. Risks associated with investments in mortgage loans and junior mortgages,
including lack of control over the collateral and any foreclosure
procedures.
. Risks associated with investments in commercial mortgage-backed
securities, resulting, in part, from the fact that the process of rating
and servicing such securities is difficult and existing credit support is
inadequate.
. WRP Newco is a newly-formed entity without any prior operating history.
. Risks of uninsured loss at WRP Newco's properties.
. Potential liability for unknown or future environmental liabilities.
. WRP Newco is dependent primarily upon the efforts of its Chairman of the
Board and President and Chief Executive Officer.
. Tax consequences of the Distribution.
. The ability of WRP Newco's Board of Directors to amend or revise WRP
Newco's investment and other policies without a vote of stockholders.
. The lack of a prior market for shares of WRP Newco Common.
. The potential antitakeover effect of certain provisions of WRP Newco's
Articles of Amendment and Restatement (the "Newco Charter") and Maryland
law.
MANAGEMENT
The management of WRP Newco will be led by substantially all of the current
senior management of Wellsford, including, as noted above, Messrs. Lynford and
Lowenthal. During the last 11 years Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal, together
with other members of their team, succeeded in accomplishing the following:
. Researched and identified multifamily properties in the Southwestern
United States as an opportunity for above-market returns with modest
risk.
. Identified, evaluated and negotiated the acquisition of over 21,000 high-
quality multifamily units in eight states. Wellsford currently owns 72
multifamily properties containing 19,004 units. From calendar year 1992
through calendar year 1996, Wellsford's revenues increased from $26.5
million to $131.8 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate
of approximately 49%, and Wellsford EBITDA increased from $13.8 million
to $72.8 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of
approximately 52%.
. Completed a $100 million initial public offering of Wellsford, which was
the first publicly-traded REIT dedicated exclusively to the ownership of
multifamily properties.
. Raised approximately $585 million in eight subsequent offerings of
Wellsford's common shares, convertible preferred shares, perpetual
preferred shares and senior unsecured debt.
. Obtained an investment grade rating for Wellsford's senior unsecured debt
and subsequently obtained a rating increase to BBB by Standard & Poor's
Rating Services, Inc. ("S&P") and Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("Duff & Phelps").
. Obtained a $150 million unsecured line of credit for Wellsford from a
consortium of domestic and foreign banks.
. Consummated one of the first public REIT mergers when Wellsford
Residential acquired Holly Residential Properties, Inc.
. Created an internal property management operation for Wellsford which
directly managed 84% of its properties.
. Structured the Merger with EQR in a transaction that valued Wellsford at
approximately $1 billion.
Further, assuming consummation of the Merger, investors who bought their
shares of Wellsford Common at the initial public offering in November, 1992,
would have received an average annual return of approximately 22.8% on their
investment, based upon the April 1, 1997 closing market price of a share of EQR
Common on the NYSE and assuming (i) all distributions received on such shares
of Wellsford Common were immediately reinvested in Wellsford Common and (ii) a
value for each share of WRP Newco Common distributed in the Distribution equal
to their book value (which is currently estimated to be $10.43 per share).
19
<PAGE>
BUSINESS STRATEGY
In furtherance of its business strategy, WRP Newco will initially focus its
investments on three distinct aspects of the real estate business. As
opportunities emerge, WRP Newco may in the future expand or modify its real
estate-related businesses and activities.
Commercial Properties. WRP Newco will seek to acquire office and other
commercial properties below replacement cost and operate and/or resell the
properties after renovation, redevelopment and/or repositioning. WRP Newco
believes that appropriate well-located commercial properties which are
currently underperforming can be acquired on advantageous terms and
repositioned with the expectation of achieving enhanced returns which are
greater than returns which could be achieved by acquiring a stabilized
property. WRP Newco also believes that there are opportunities available to
acquire properties that are not attractive to REITs and institutional investors
because the properties have no or limited cash flow as a result of required
rehabilitation and their not being substantially leased.
High Yield Debt Investments. WRP Newco will make loans that constitute, or
will invest in real estate-related senior, junior or otherwise subordinated
debt instruments, which may be unsecured or secured by liens on real estate,
interests therein or the economic benefits thereof, and which have the
potential for high yields or returns more characteristic of equity ownership.
These investments may include debt that is acquired at a discount, mezzanine
financing, commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"), secured and
unsecured lines of credit, distressed loans, and loans previously made by
foreign and other financial institutions. WRP Newco believes that there are
opportunities to acquire real estate debt securitized by the use of CMBS,
especially in the low or below investment grade tranches, at significant
returns as a result of inefficiencies in pricing.
Property Development. WRP Newco will engage in selective development
activities as opportunities arise and when justified by expected returns.
Initially, WRP Newco will continue the development of Palomino Park, its five-
phase residential community begun by Wellsford, taking advantage of the fixed-
price land purchase options obtained by Wellsford two years ago. This
development may be retained for investment and operated by WRP Newco, sold, or
converted to condominium ownership. See "WRP Newco's Business and Properties -
Wellsford Property Development--Palomino Park". Certain development activities
may be conducted in joint ventures with local developers who may bear the
substantial portion of the economic risks associated with the construction,
development and initial rent-up of properties. As part of its strategy, WRP
Newco may seek to obtain bond financing from local governmental authorities
which generally bear interest at rates substantially below rates with respect
to conventional financing.
WRP Newco may in the future make equity investments in entities owned and/or
operated by unaffiliated parties and which engage in real estate-related
businesses and activities or businesses that service the real estate business.
Some of the entities in which WRP Newco may invest may be start-up companies or
companies in need of additional capital. WRP Newco may also manage and lease
properties owned by it or in which it has an equity or debt investment.
INITIAL CAPITAL AND FINANCING
Initially, WRP Newco expects to have available the following sources of
capital, financing and credit support:
. $3.5 million of proceeds from the sale to ERP Operating Partnership of
shares of WRP Newco's Class A Common at a price equal to the Issuance
Price.
. $25 million pursuant to the ERP Preferred Commitment to acquire up to
1,000,000 shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred at the request of WRP
Newco and subject to certain limited conditions. Each share of WRP Newco
Series A Preferred is convertible into shares of WRP Newco Common at a
premium equal to 8% of the Issuance Price. The ERP Preferred Commitment
will be pledged as security for the WRP Newco Line of Credit.
. $50 million under a two-year line of credit as to which Bank of Boston
and Morgan Guaranty have issued a commitment. The WRP Newco Line of
Credit will initially bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus
175 basis points and will be extendible for an additional one-year
period.
. Approximately $81.6 million in construction financing and credit
enhancement with respect to Palomino Park.
See "Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.--Initial Capital and Financing,"
"Description of Capital Stock of WRP Newco" and "Certain Agreements Between WRP
Newco and ERP Operating Partnership".
20
<PAGE>
INITIAL INVESTMENTS
In furtherance of its business strategy, WRP Newco has identified, negotiated
and, except in one instance, consummated the acquisition of the following
investments:
. Five properties consisting of six office buildings located in Northern
New Jersey, all of which are vacant except for Greenbrook Corporate
Center, which was approximately 85.7% occupied at April 1, 1997. WRP
Newco currently intends to invest an aggregate of approximately $13.7
million to renovate and reposition such properties. At the time of its
acquisition of these properties, WRP Newco obtained the right to develop
for no additional consideration an additional 1.1 million square feet of
commercial space at these properties.
The buildings are described as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURCHASE PRICE
LOCATION & PLANNED
IN NEW GROSS AREA PURCHASE PRICE/PURCHASE PLANNED IMPR. PER SQ.
PROPERTY NAME JERSEY (SQ. FT.) PRICE PER SQ. FT.(1) IMPROVEMENTS FT.(1)
- ------------- --------- ---------- ----------------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Point View.............. Wayne 560,000 $ 15.8 million/$28 $9.1 million $44.4
Main Campus
(two buildings)
Greenbrook Corp. Ctr.... Fairfield 190,000 23.7 million/125 0.5 million 127.4
1700 Valley Road........ Wayne 70,600 1.0 million/14 0.2 million 17
Chatham Building(2)..... Chatham 65,000 5.1 million/78 3.1 million 126.2
1800 Valley Road........ Wayne 54,800 2.0 million/36 0.8 million 51.1
------- ------------------- -------------
Total/Weighted
average.............. 940,400 $47.6 million/$50.1 $13.7 million $65.2
======= =================== =============
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Assumes no allocation of purchase price for undeveloped land.
(2) WRP Newco has entered into a ten-year lease for approximately 22,000 square
feet in the Chatham Building at an initial gross rent of $26.00 per square
foot and rising to approximately $28.00 per square foot in the sixth year.
. $20 million of an $80 million subordinated secured mezzanine loan to the
owner of the approximately 1.74 million square foot, 52-story class A
office building located in mid-town Manhattan at 277 Park Avenue, New
York City (the "277 Park Loan"), expected to close in April 1997. The 277
Park Loan will be payable in full in May, 2007 and will bear interest
payable monthly at the rate of approximately 12% per annum.
. A $17.8 million mortgage loan on, and option (the "Sonterra Option") to
purchase for approximately $20.5 million through December, 1997 and for
$21 million during 1998, a 344-unit, newly constructed class A
residential apartment project located in Tucson, Arizona known as
"Sonterra at Williams Centre". The Sonterra Loan was originated in July
1996, and is payable in full on July 1, 1999 and bears interest payable
monthly at the rate of 9% percent per annum.
. An approximate 80% interest in Phases I and II of, and in options to
acquire and develop Phases III, IV and V of, a 1,880-unit class A
multifamily development known as "Palomino Park," located on 182 acres,
of which 65 acres have been developed, in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
Palomino Park is being constructed around a centrally located 24-acre
park and has a 29,000-square-foot recreation center. Phase I, which is to
consist of 456 units, is approximately 65% completed and is expected to
be completed in late 1997. Construction on Phase II which is to consist
of 304 units is expected to be completed in late 1998. An aggregate of
approximately $21.3 million has been invested in Palomino Park, exclusive
of amounts advanced under the existing construction loan for Phase I. ERP
Operating Partnership will have an approximate 20% interest in Palomino
Park.
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN WRP NEWCO AND ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
. Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement--Provides for the
purchase by ERP Operating Partnership of (i) $3.5 million of WRP Newco
Class A Common and (ii) $25 million of WRP Newco Series A Preferred as
requested by WRP Newco over a 3-year period. ERP Operating Partnership is
entitled to elect a nominee to the WRP Newco Board of Directors for a
minimum of two years. For ten years after the Effective Time, WRP Newco
has the right to direct the voting of all shares of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred, WRP Newco Class A Common and WRP Newco Common owned by ERP
Operating Partnership or any of its affiliates on most matters. See
"Certain Agreements Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--
Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement."
21
<PAGE>
. Registration Rights Agreement--Provides for registration rights at WRP
Newco's expense with respect to shares of WRP Newco Class A Common, WRP
Newco Series A Preferred and WRP Newco Common held by ERP Operating
Partnership. See "Certain Agreements Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating
Partnership--Registration Rights Agreement."
. Sonterra Option Agreement--Provides ERP Operating Partnership with a
right of first offer to acquire the Sonterra Option and a right to
acquire the Sonterra Option if WRP Newco does not exercise it. If WRP
Newco acquires Sonterra, ERP Operating Partnership will have a "Right of
First/Last Offer" for the property.
. Agreement Regarding Palomino Park--Governs the relationship between WRP
Newco and ERP Operating Partnership as 80% and 20% shareholders,
respectively, of the entity controlling Palomino Park, including certain
rights of first offer and put/call rights with respect to each other's
shares. ERP Operating Partnership has also agreed to be a stand-by
purchaser of Phase I if the construction loan thereon is not paid, and to
be similarly obligated with respect to Phase II. See "Certain Agreements
Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park."
. Credit Enhancement Agreement--Provides for ERP Operating Partnership to
make its own credit available for a period of eight years in the form of
a guaranty of WRP Newco's obligations to repay the bonds issued to
finance the park and certain infrastructure within Palomino Park. See
"Certain Agreements Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--
Credit Enhancement Agreement."
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR) SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth the summary unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. (Predecessor) as a combined
entity, giving effect to the Merger, Contribution and Distribution as if they
had occurred on the dates indicated herein, after giving effect to the pro
forma adjustments described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma combined
financial statements included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined operating data are presented as if
the Merger, Contribution and Distribution had been consummated on January 1,
1996. In addition to the Merger, Contribution and Distribution, the pro forma
combined operating data gives effect to certain material events which occurred
between January 1, 1996 and March 31, 1997 as if they had occurred on January
1, 1996. See the notes to the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statement for
the year ended December 31, 1996 included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data are presented as
if the Merger, Contribution and Distribution had occurred on December 31, 1996.
In addition to the Merger, Contribution and Distribution, the pro forma
combined balance sheet data gives effect to certain material events which
occurred between October 1, 1996 and March 31, 1997 as if they had occurred on
December 31, 1996. See the notes to the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance
Sheet at December 31, 1996 included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement. In the opinion of management, all
necessary adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of the Merger,
Contribution and Distribution have been made.
The summary unaudited pro forma financial data should be read in conjunction
with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the respective historical financial
statements and notes thereto of Wellsford and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
(Predecessor) incorporated by reference into, and included in, this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, respectively.
The summary unaudited pro forma operating and balance sheet data are
presented for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of
what the actual combined results of Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
(Predecessor) would have been for the period and as of the date presented; nor
does such data purport to represent the results of future periods.
22
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
SUMMARY UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA YEAR HISTORICAL YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 1996
------------------- ------------------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
-----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING DATA:
Revenues:
Rental income............... $ 3,632
Other income................ 250
Interest income............. 3,952 $ 757
------------------- -----------------
7,834 757
------------------- -----------------
Expenses:
Property operating and
maintenance................ 852
Real estate taxes........... 428
Interest.................... 1,550
General and administrative.. 1,750
Depreciation................ 510
Property management......... 181
------------------- -----------------
5,271 0
------------------- -----------------
Income before income taxes.... 2,563 757
Provision for income taxes.... 1,047
Net income.................... $ 1,516 $ 757
=================== =================
Net income per common share... $ 0.31
Weighted average common shares
outstanding.................. 4,900
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA HISTORICAL HISTORICAL
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1996 1995
------------ ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Real estate.............................. $ 68,906 $21,306 $ 7,955
Mortgage notes and interest receivable... $ 37,934 $17,934 $ 0
Total assets............................. $113,192 $44,760 $18,369
Total debt............................... $ 59,755 $14,755 $14,755
Total equity............................. $ 51,109 $30,005 $ 3,614
</TABLE>
PROPOSALS REGARDING WRP NEWCO
In order to satisfy the requirements of the ASE, Wellsford Common
Shareholders will also be asked to approve the Additional Share Offering.
Wellsford Common Shareholders will also be asked to approve the adoption of WRP
Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan.
The Additional Share Offering would dilute the equity of existing
stockholders if the purchase price for the Additional Shares is less than the
book value of WRP Newco Common on the date of the Distribution. On the other
hand, the Board of Trustees of Wellsford and the Board of Directors of WRP
Newco believe that the Additional Share Offering will provide more capital
available for investment, enhance WRP Newco's capital structure and increase
the liquidity of WRP Newco Common. See "Proposal to Approve WRP Newco
Additional Share Offering."
The issuance of shares of WRP Newco Common pursuant to WRP Newco's 1997
Management Incentive Plan could be dilutive to existing stockholders or could
adversely affect prevailing market prices. On the other hand, the Board of
Trustees of Wellsford and the Board of Directors of WRP Newco believe that WRP
Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan will enable WRP Newco to attract and
retain personnel and will align the interests of management with those of WRP
Newco's stockholders. See "Proposal to Approve WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan."
23
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to approve the Merger, the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford should consider, in addition to the other information in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, the matters described in this
section.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In considering whether to approve the Merger, shareholders should be aware
that certain members of the management of Wellsford and the Wellsford Board of
Trustees have certain interests that arise in connection with the Merger and
the Contribution and Distribution that are in addition to the interests of
shareholders of Wellsford generally. These interests arise under existing
agreements with, and annual compensation awards from, Wellsford, which were
approved by Wellsford's independent trustees in previous years, and proposed
agreements with WRP Newco and the Surviving Trust relating to, among other
things, (i) severance payments to be made to Messrs. Kelley, MacKenzie, Hughes
and Strong, executive officers of Wellsford, in the amounts of $1,149,563,
$764,070, $692,440 and $585,000, respectively, approximately $240,051,
$391,062, $347,583 and $260,250 of which (assuming receipt of an annual bonus
each year equal to the average annual bonus received for the prior three fiscal
years, which bonuses are not guaranteed), respectively, will be received under
existing employment agreements if the Merger does not take place, (ii) the
forgiveness of approximately $1.5 million, $1.5 million, $281,000, $1.1
million, $1.1 million and $369,000 of loans made to Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal
, Kelley, MacKenzie, Hughes and Strong to acquire shares of Wellsford Common,
approximately $659,000, $659,000, $125,000, $503,000, $503,000 and $181,000 of
which, respectively, will be forgiven over the remaining terms of the loans if
the Merger does not take place, (iii) the issuance of 22,346 shares of
Wellsford Common to each of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal and Kelley, which will
not be issued if the Merger is not approved, (iv) the acceleration of vesting
of 2,843 restricted shares issued to each of Messrs. MacKenzie and Hughes,
which will not be accelerated if the Merger is not consummated, but would vest
in subsequent years if Wellsford satisfied certain performance criteria, (v)
payments of $2.6 million, $2.4 million, $420,000, $1.0 million, $1.1 million
and $500,000 to be made on behalf of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley,
MacKenzie, Hughes and Strong, respectively, to satisfy income and excise tax
obligations resulting from certain monies and other benefits to be paid to them
in connection with the Merger, subject to adjustment to the extent the actual
value of Wellsford Common at the Effective Time is greater or less than $27.50,
which amounts will not be paid if the Merger is not consummated and (vi) the
issuance of WRP Newco stock options to certain executive officers and trustees
of Wellsford in replacement of certain existing Wellsford share options and
reload options granted in connection with the exercise of vested Wellsford
share options, which replacement options will not be issued if the Merger is
not consummated. See "Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and
Distribution--Benefits of Key Executives." In addition, upon completion of the
Merger, WRP Newco will enter into employment agreements with Messrs. Lynford
and Lowenthal for approximately five and one-half years at annual base salaries
of $275,000 and employment agreements with Messrs. Hughes and Strong for two
years at annual base salaries of $175,000 and $125,000, respectively. WRP Newco
will also assume the existing split dollar life insurance arrangements between
Wellsford and Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal.
Further, upon completion of the Merger, Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will
each enter into a five-year consulting agreement with ERP Operating Partnership
for annual compensation of $200,000. Subsequent to the Merger, Messrs. Lynford
and Lowenthal will also be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Surviving
Trust for a three year term. In addition, Mr. MacKenzie, Executive Vice
President-Director of Operations of Wellsford, will be a Senior Vice President
of the Surviving Trust upon completion of the Merger at an initial salary of
$175,000 per annum. The Surviving Trust will indemnify each trustee and officer
of Wellsford for all actions on or prior to the Effective Time to the same
extent such individuals were indemnified by Wellsford prior to the Effective
Time. See "Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and Distribution."
ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF DEBT FINANCING AND PREFERRED SHARES
The Surviving Trust is subject to the risks normally associated with debt or
preferred equity financing, including the risk that the Surviving Trust's cash
flow will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal, interest and
distributions, the risk that existing indebtedness may not be refinanced or
that the terms of such refinancing will not be as favorable as the terms of
current indebtedness and the risk that necessary capital expenditures for such
purposes as renovations and other improvements may not be financed on favorable
terms or at all. If the Surviving Trust were unable to refinance its
indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, the Surviving Trust might be
forced to dispose of one or more of the properties on disadvantageous terms,
which might result in losses to the Surviving Trust and might adversely affect
the cash available for distributions to shareholders. If interest rates or
other factors at the time of the refinancing result in higher interest rates
upon refinancing, the Surviving Trust's interest expense would increase, which
would affect the Surviving Trust's ability to make distributions to its
shareholders. Furthermore, if a property is mortgaged to secure payment of
indebtedness and the Surviving Trust is unable to meet mortgage payments, the
mortgagee could foreclose upon the property, appoint a receiver
24
<PAGE>
and receive an assignment of rents and leases or pursue other remedies, all
with a consequent loss of income and asset value to the Surviving Trust.
Foreclosures could also create taxable income without accompanying cash
proceeds, thereby hindering the Surviving Trust's ability to meet the REIT
distribution requirements of the Code.
RESTRICTIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS OF THE SURVIVING TRUST
A substantial portion of the Surviving Trust's debt was issued pursuant to
five different indentures which restrict the amount of indebtedness (including
acquisition financing) the Surviving Trust may incur. Accordingly, in the event
that the Surviving Trust is unable to raise additional equity or borrow money
because of the debt restrictions in the indentures, the Surviving Trust's
ability to acquire additional properties may be limited. If the Surviving Trust
is unable to acquire additional properties, its ability to increase the
distributions with respect to Surviving Common will be limited to management's
ability to increase funds from operations, and thereby cash available for
distributions, from the existing properties in the Surviving Trust's portfolio
at such time.
OTHER RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
Immediately following consummation of the Merger, the Surviving Trust will
own properties that are subject to restrictive covenants or deed restrictions
relating to current or previous tax-exempt bond financing and owns the bonds
collateralized by additional properties. The Surviving Trust will retain an
independent outside consultant to monitor compliance with the restrictive
covenants and deed restrictions that affect these properties. The bond
compliance requirements may have the effect of limiting the Surviving Trust's
income from certain of these properties in the event the Surviving Trust is
required to lower its rental rates to attract low or moderate income tenants,
or eligible/qualified tenants.
POTENTIAL CHANGE IN RELATIVE STOCK PRICES
In considering whether to approve the Merger, shareholders of Wellsford and
EQR should consider the risks associated with (a) a potential change in the
relative stock prices of EQR Common and Wellsford Common prior to the Effective
Time, and (b) a possible reduction in the market price of Survivor Common
following the Merger, due to future sales of shares of Survivor Common or the
availability of such shares for future sales, government regulatory action, tax
laws, interest rates and market conditions in general.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of Survivor Common or the perception
that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices
for shares of Survivor Common.
RISKS TO WELLSFORD COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
Termination Payments if Merger Fails to Occur. The Merger Agreement provides
for a Break-Up Fee payable by Wellsford of $14 million plus Break-Up Expenses
of up to $2.5 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated by either EQR or
Wellsford under certain circumstances and, within one year after such
termination, Wellsford enters into an agreement regarding an "Acquisition
Proposal" (as hereinafter defined), which is consummated. In addition, if the
Merger Agreement is terminated for certain reasons, EQR or Wellsford will be
required to pay the other party's Break-Up Expenses of up to $2.5 million. See
"The Merger--Termination Fee and Expenses."
The obligation to pay the Break-Up Fee and/or Break-Up Expenses may adversely
affect the ability of Wellsford to engage in another transaction in the event
the Merger is not consummated.
Reduction in Ownership and Voting. Upon consummation of the Merger, Wellsford
Common Shareholders will own approximately 17% of the Survivor Common and will
not have separate approval rights with respect to any actions or decisions of
the Surviving Trust.
Reduction in Distributions. After the Merger, the distributions payable with
respect to Survivor Common are expected to be less than the distributions
payable with respect to Wellsford Common. Based upon the current annualized
distributions per share of EQR Common and Wellsford Common, the distributions
payable with respect to the Survivor Common would be approximately 19.5% less
than the distributions payable with respect to Wellsford Common.
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER MARYLAND LAW
Shareholders of Wellsford and shareholders of EQR are not entitled to
dissenting shareholders' appraisal rights under Maryland law. Maryland law does
not provide appraisal rights to shareholders of a REIT in connection with a
merger if
25
<PAGE>
their shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the NYSE, on
the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote on such merger.
All of the shares of EQR and Wellsford outstanding on the record date for
determining the shareholders entitled to vote on the Merger were listed on the
NYSE.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF COMBINING THE COMPANIES
EQR and Wellsford are large enterprises with operations in a number of
different states. There can be no assurance that costs or other factors
associated with the integration of the two companies would not adversely affect
future combined results of operations or the benefits of expected costs
savings.
GENERAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS; CHANGES IN LAWS
General. Real property investments are subject to varying degrees of risk and
are relatively illiquid. Income from real property investments and the
Surviving Trust's resulting ability to make expected distributions to
shareholders may be adversely affected by the general economic climate, local
conditions such as oversupply of apartment units or a reduction in demand for
apartment units in the area, the attractiveness of the properties owned by the
Surviving Trust to tenants, zoning or other regulatory restrictions, the
ability of the Surviving Trust to provide adequate maintenance and insurance,
and increased operating costs (including insurance premiums and real estate
taxes). The Surviving Trust's income would also be adversely affected if
tenants were unable to pay rent or the Surviving Trust were unable to rent
apartment units on favorable terms. If the Surviving Trust were unable to
promptly relet units or renew the leases for a significant number of apartment
units, or if the rental rates upon such renewal or reletting were significantly
lower than expected rates, then the Surviving Trust's funds from operations and
ability to make expected distributions to shareholders may be adversely
affected. In addition, certain expenditures associated with each equity
investment (such as real estate taxes and maintenance costs) generally are not
reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in income from the investment.
Furthermore, real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore,
will tend to limit the ability of the Surviving Trust to vary its portfolio
promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
Changes in Laws. Increases in real estate taxes, income taxes and service or
other taxes generally are not passed through to tenants under existing leases
and may adversely affect the Surviving Trust's funds from operations and its
ability to make distributions to shareholders. Similarly, changes in laws
increasing the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on
properties or increasing the restrictions on discharges or other conditions may
result in significant unanticipated expenditures, which would adversely affect
the Surviving Trust's funds from operations and its ability to make
distributions to shareholders.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY AFFECTING THE SURVIVING TRUST
Under various Federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and
regulations, an owner of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on such property. These
laws often impose environmental liability without regard to whether the owner
knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic
substances. The presence of such substances, or the failure properly to
remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or
rent the property or to borrow using the property as collateral. Persons who
arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances may also
be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at a
disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is owned or
operated by such person. Certain laws impose liability for release of asbestos-
containing materials ("ACMs") into the air and third parties may seek recovery
from owners or operators of real properties for personal injury associated with
ACMs. In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation,
management and development of real properties, the Surviving Trust may be
considered an owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for
the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore,
potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as for certain
other related costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons and
property.
All of EQR's properties have been the subject of a Phase I and, in certain
cases, a supplemental environmental assessment completed by qualified
independent environmental consultant companies. All of the environmental
assessments were conducted within the last five years and were obtained prior
to the acquisition by EQR of each of the properties. These environmental
assessments have not revealed, nor is EQR aware of, any environmental liability
that EQR's management believes would have a material adverse effect on the
Surviving Trust's business, results of operations, financial condition or
liquidity.
All of Wellsford's properties have been the subject of a Phase I or similar
environmental assessment completed by qualified independent environmental
consultant companies. Of these environmental assessments, 16 were conducted
during
26
<PAGE>
the period from 1989 through 1991 and 63 were conducted during the period from
1992 through the present. These environmental assessments have not revealed,
nor is Wellsford aware of, any environmental liability that Wellsford's
management believes would have a material adverse effect on the Surviving
Trust's business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
No assurance can be given that existing environmental assessments with
respect to any EQR or Wellsford properties reveal all environmental
liabilities, that any prior owner of a property did not create any material
environmental condition not known to EQR or Wellsford, or that a material
environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more
properties of EQR or Wellsford.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO QUALIFY AS A REIT
Taxation as a Corporation. The Surviving Trust intends to operate in a manner
so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. However, no assurance can be given
that the Surviving Trust was organized and will be able to operate in a manner
so as to qualify or remain so qualified. Qualifications as a REIT involves the
satisfaction of numerous requirements (some on an annual and quarterly basis)
established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there
are only limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the
determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within
the Surviving Trust's control.
If the Surviving Trust were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year,
the Surviving Trust would be subject to Federal income tax (including any
applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at corporate rates.
Moreover, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the
Surviving Trust also would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the
four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost. This
treatment would reduce the net earnings of the Surviving Trust available for
investment or distribution to shareholders because of the additional tax
liability to the Surviving Trust for the years involved. In addition,
distributions to shareholders would no longer be required to be made. See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Other Tax Liabilities. Even if the Surviving Trust qualifies as a REIT, it
will be subject to certain Federal, state and local taxes on its income and
property. See "The Merger--Federal Income Tax Consequences--Other Tax
Considerations--State and Local Taxes." In addition, the Surviving Trust's
management operations, which will be conducted through Equity Residential
Properties Management Limited Partnership, Equity Residential Properties
Management Limited Partnership II and Equity Residential Properties Management
Limited Partnership III (collectively, the "Management Partnerships") generally
will be subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate rates. See "The
Merger--Federal Income Tax Consequences--Qualification of Surviving Trust as a
REIT."
Consequences of Failure to Qualify as Partnerships. The Surviving Trust
intends that ERP Operating Partnership, the Management Partnerships and each of
the other partnership and limited liability company subsidiaries will be
organized as partnerships and will qualify for treatment as such under the
Code. If any of such subsidiaries fails to qualify for such treatment under the
Code, the Surviving Trust would cease to qualify as a REIT, and such subsidiary
would be subject to Federal income tax (including any alternative minimum tax)
on its income at corporate rates. See "The Merger--Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Qualification of Surviving Trust as a REIT."
Each of EQR and Wellsford believes it has operated in a manner so as to
qualify as a REIT under the Code for all taxable years ending on or before
December 31, 1996 and for the period beginning January 1, 1997 and ending on
the date hereof.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Surviving Trust will be dependent on the efforts of its executive
officers. While the Surviving Trust believes that it could find replacements
for these key personnel, the loss of their services may have a temporary
adverse effect on the operations of the Surviving Trust. None of these officers
has entered or will enter into employment agreements with the Surviving Trust.
DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS POTENTIALLY INCREASING INDEBTEDNESS OF THE SURVIVING
TRUST
The Surviving Trust may be required from time to time, under certain
circumstances, to accrue as income for tax purposes interest and rent earned
but not yet received. In such event, or upon the repayment by the Surviving
Trust of principal on debt, the Surviving Trust could have taxable income
without sufficient cash to enable the Surviving Trust to meet the distribution
requirements of a REIT. Accordingly, the Surviving Trust could be required to
borrow funds or
27
<PAGE>
liquidate investments on adverse terms in order to meet such distribution
requirements. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations."
9.8% OWNERSHIP LIMIT; INAPPLICABILITY TO MR. ZELL AND OTHERS
In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more
than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the
Surviving Trust may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer
individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities). Certain
beneficial owners (the "Zell Holders") affiliated with Mr. Zell and Equity
Properties Management Corp. ("EPMC") (i.e., beneficiaries of trusts established
for the benefit of Mr. Zell and his family and trusts established for the
benefit of the family of Mr. Robert Lurie, a deceased partner of Mr. Zell (the
"Lurie Family Trusts")) and certain entities controlled by Starwood Capital
Partners L.P. and its affiliates which contributed 23 of the properties to EQR
at the time of EQR's initial public offering (the "IPO") (the "Starwood
Original Owners") (through their potential ownership rights of EQR Common)
together constitute four individuals for purposes of this test and, under the
Code, will be deemed to own approximately 10% of the value of the outstanding
shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust. Due to such concentration
of ownership of the Surviving Trust, ownership of more than 9.8% of the lesser
of the number or value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the
Surviving Trust by any single shareholder has been restricted, with certain
exceptions, for the purpose of maintaining the Surviving Trust's qualification
as a REIT under the Code. The Surviving Trust's Board of Trustees, upon receipt
of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service"), an opinion of
counsel or other evidence satisfactory to the Board of Trustees and upon such
other conditions as the Board of Trustees may direct, may also exempt a
proposed transferee from this restriction. See "Comparison of Right of
Shareholders--Restrictions on Ownership, Transfer and Issuance of Shares."
Additionally, the Surviving Trust's Declaration of Trust will allow certain
transfers of such Survivor Common without the transferees being subject to the
9.8% ownership limit, provided such transfers do not result in an increased
concentration in the ownership of the Surviving Trust. Finally, if the
Additional Provisions are approved by the Wellsford Common Shareholders, such
restrictions in the Surviving Trust's Declaration of Trust will be reduced to
5%. See "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions."
LIMITS ON CHANGES IN CONTROL
Ownership Limit. The 9.8% ownership limit, as well as the ability of the
Surviving Trust to issue additional Survivor Common or other shares of
beneficial interest (which may have rights and preferences senior to the
Survivor Common), may discourage a change of control of the Surviving Trust and
may also (i) deter tender offers for the Survivor Common, which offers may be
advantageous to shareholders, and (ii) limit the opportunity for shareholders
to receive a premium for their Survivor Common that might otherwise exist if an
investor were attempting to assemble a block of Survivor Common in excess of
9.8% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust or
otherwise effect a change of control of the Surviving Trust. If the Additional
Provisions are approved by the Wellsford Common Shareholders, such restrictions
in the Surviving Trust's Declaration of Trust will be reduced to 5%. See
"Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions."
Staggered Board. The Board of Trustees of the Surviving Trust will be divided
into three classes of trustees. The terms of the classes will expire in 1997,
1998 and 1999, respectively. As the term of each class expires, trustees for
that class will be elected for a three-year term and the trustees in the other
two classes will continue in office. The staggered terms for trustees may
impede the shareholders' ability to change control of the Surviving Trust even
if a change in control were in the shareholders' interest.
Preferred Shares. The Surviving Trust's Declaration will authorize the Board
of Trustees to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of Survivor Preferred and to
establish the preferences and rights (including the right to vote and the right
to convert into Survivor Common) of any Survivor Preferred issued. The power to
issue Survivor Preferred could have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of the Surviving Trust even if a change in control were in
the shareholders' interest. There are additional limitations on ownership
regarding each outstanding series of EQR Preferred and Wellsford Preferred.
Maryland Business Combination Law. Under the Maryland General Corporation
Law, as amended ("MGCL"), certain "business combinations" (including a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer
or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland real
estate investment trust and any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the
voting power of the trust's shares of beneficial interest or an affiliate of
the trust who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in
question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the
trust's shares of beneficial interest (an "Interested Shareholder"), or an
affiliate of such Interested Shareholder, are prohibited for five years after
the most recent date on which the Interested Shareholder becomes an Interested
Shareholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by
the board of trustees of such trust and
28
<PAGE>
approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to
be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the
trust and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting
shares of beneficial interest of the trust other than shares held by the
Interested Shareholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business
combination is to be effected (unless, among other conditions, the holders of
the common shares of the trust receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL)
for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form
as previously paid by the Interested Shareholder for its common shares). Such
provisions could have the effect of inhibiting a change in control even if a
change in control were in the shareholders' interest.
CONTROL AND INFLUENCE BY SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS OF EQR
As of December 31, 1996, the Zell Holders held certain OP Units issued at the
time of the IPO ("Original OP Units") to certain affiliates of Mr. Zell which
contributed 33 of the properties to EQR at the time of the IPO (the "Zell
Original Owners"), EPMC and other affiliates of Mr. Zell owned in the aggregate
approximately 7.92% of the shares of EQR Common (assuming that all of the
partnership interests in ERP Operating Partnership are exchanged for EQR
Common), and the Starwood Original Owners owned in the aggregate approximately
3.47% of the shares of EQR Common (assuming that all of the partnership
interests in ERP Operating Partnership are exchanged for EQR Common). The
Starwood Original Owners, together with the Zell Original Owners, will be
referred to as the "Original Owners." As of December 31, 1996, EQR had options
outstanding to purchase approximately 2.33 million shares of EQR Common which
it has granted to certain officers, employees and trustees of EQR and
consultants to EQR, some of whom are affiliated with Mr. Zell, representing in
the aggregate approximately 3.80% of the EQR Common (assuming that all such
options are exercised for EQR Common and all of the outstanding partnership
interests in ERP Operating Partnership are exchanged for EQR Common). Further,
the consent of affiliates of Mr. Zell who are Zell Holders and of the Starwood
Original Owners is required for certain amendments to ERP Operating
Partnership's partnership agreement. Accordingly, Mr. Zell and the Starwood
Original Owners may continue to have substantial influence over the Surviving
Trust, which influence might not be consistent with the interests of other
shareholders, and on the outcome of any matters submitted to the Surviving
Trust's shareholders for approval. In addition, although there is no current
agreement, understanding or arrangement for these shareholders to act together
on any matter, these shareholders would be in a position to exercise
significant influence over the affairs of the Surviving Trust if they were to
act together in the future.
EXEMPTIONS FOR MR. ZELL AND OTHERS FROM MARYLAND BUSINESS COMBINATION LAW WHICH
TEND TO INHIBIT TAKEOVERS
As permitted by the MGCL, the Surviving Trust will exempt any business
combination involving Mr. Zell, the Zell Holders, EPMC and their respective
affiliates and associates, present or future, or any other person acting in
concert or as a group with any of the foregoing persons and, consequently, the
five-year prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements will not apply
to a business combination between any of them and the Surviving Trust. As a
result, Mr. Zell, the Zell Holders, EPMC, any present or future affiliate or
associate of theirs or any other person acting in concert or as a group with
any of the foregoing persons may be able to enter into business combinations
with the Surviving Trust, which may not be in the best interest of the
shareholders, without compliance by the Surviving Trust with the super-majority
vote requirements and other provisions of the MGCL.
TAX TERMINATION OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
In connection with the Merger, more than 50% of the total interest in ERP
Operating Partnership's capital and profits will be exchanged. Therefore, the
Merger will result in the termination of ERP Operating Partnership for federal
income tax purposes. Under existing Treasury Regulations under the Code, this
partnership termination will cause a deemed distribution of all of the assets
of ERP Operating Partnership to the partners of ERP Operating Partnership
(including the Surviving Trust) followed by a deemed re-contribution of such
assets by such partners to a newly formed partnership. See "The Merger--Federal
Income Tax Consequences--Tax Termination of ERP Operating Partnership." Such
deemed distribution and re-contribution is not expected to cause gain
recognition to the Surviving Trust because the amount of cash deemed
distributed to the Surviving Trust as a result of the deemed liquidation
(including any deemed distribution occurring under Code Section 752 as a result
of a shifting of liabilities among the partners of the ERP Operating
Partnership) is not expected to exceed the Surviving Trusts's adjusted basis in
the ERP Operating Partnership. Moreover, because the taxable years of both the
ERP Operating Partnership and the Surviving Trust end on the same date, the
closing of the ERP Operating Partnership's taxable year as a result of the
termination should have no adverse tax consequences to the Surviving Trust.
However, the termination of the ERP Operating Partnership will cause the assets
of the ERP Operating Partnership to be depreciated as if they were newly
acquired by the ERP Operating Partnership, possibly resulting in lower annual
depreciation deductions to the Surviving Trust for federal income tax purposes.
This reduction in depreciation deductions could cause a greater proportion of
the distribution to holders of Survivor Common and Survivor Preferred to be
taxable as dividends at ordinary income
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rates. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences--Taxation of Taxable Domestic
Shareholders." In addition the deemed re-contribution of the assets to the ERP
Operating Partnership could result in a reallocation of the built-in gain
attributable to the properties owned by the ERP Operating Partnership. See
"Federal Income Tax Consequences--Tax Aspects of Surviving Trust's Investment
in Partnerships--Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties."
WRP NEWCO RISK FACTORS
Ownership of WRP Newco Common involves the following material risks:
GENERAL RISKS
If the properties of WRP Newco, of those entities in which it invests or of
those entities to which it will lend (collectively, the "WRP Newco Properties")
do not generate revenue sufficient to meet operating expenses, including debt
service and capital expenditures, the financial condition and results of
operations of WRP Newco may be adversely affected. WRP Newco's financial
condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by a number of
factors, including international and domestic general economic climate and
local real estate conditions (such as oversupply of or reduced demand for space
and changes in market rental rates); the perceptions of prospective tenants of
the safety, convenience and attractiveness of WRP Newco Properties; the ability
of the owner to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance; energy
and supply shortages; the ability to collect on a timely basis all rent from
tenants and interest from borrowers; the expense of periodically renovating,
repairing and reletting spaces; and increasing operating costs (including real
estate taxes and utilities) which may not be passed through to tenants. Certain
significant expenditures associated with investments in real estate (such as
mortgage payments, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance costs) are
generally not reduced when circumstances cause a reduction in rental revenues
from the investment. If a WRP Newco Property is mortgaged to secure the payment
of indebtedness and if WRP Newco or the entity in which WRP Newco invests or to
which it lends is unable to meet its mortgage payments, a loss could be
sustained as a result of foreclosure on the property or the exercise of other
remedies by the mortgagee. In addition, real estate values and income from
properties are also affected by such factors as compliance with laws, including
tax laws, interest rate levels and the availability of financing.
NATURE OF INVESTMENTS MADE BY WRP NEWCO MAY INVOLVE HIGH RISK; ILLIQUIDITY OF
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
WRP Newco may make investments in real estate-related assets and businesses
which have experienced severe financial difficulties, which difficulties may
never be overcome. Since WRP Newco may only make a limited number of
investments and since many of the investments may involve a high degree of
risk, poor performance by one of the investments could severely affect the
financial condition and results of operations of WRP Newco.
Equity and debt investments in real estate may be relatively illiquid. Such
illiquidity limits the ability of WRP Newco to modify its portfolio in response
to changes in economic or other conditions. Illiquidity may result from the
absence of an established market for the investments as well as legal or
contractual restrictions on their resale by WRP Newco.
DIFFICULTY OF LOCATING SUITABLE INVESTMENTS; COMPETITION
Identifying, completing and realizing on real estate investments has from
time to time been highly competitive, and involves a high degree of
uncertainty. WRP Newco will be competing for investments with many public and
private real estate investment vehicles, including financial institutions (such
as mortgage banks, pension funds and real estate investment trusts) and other
institutional investors, as well as individuals. There can be no assurance that
WRP Newco will be able to locate and complete investments which satisfy WRP
Newco's rate of return objective or realize upon their value or that it will be
able to fully invest its available capital.
Many of those with whom WRP Newco will compete for investments and its
services are far larger than WRP Newco, may have greater financial resources
than WRP Newco and may have management personnel with more experience than the
officers of WRP Newco.
RISKS OF ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION ACTIVITIES
Acquisition. WRP Newco intends to acquire existing properties to the extent
that they can be acquired on advantageous terms and meet WRP Newco's investment
criteria. Acquisitions of properties entail general investment risks associated
with any real estate investment, including the risk that investments will fail
to perform as expected, that estimates of the cost of improvements to bring an
acquired property up to standards established for the intended market position
may prove inaccurate and the occupancy rates and rents achieved may be less
than anticipated.
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Development, Construction and Renovation. WRP Newco also intends to pursue
the selective development, construction and renovation of commercial and
residential properties for its own account or the account of entities in which
it owns an equity interest as opportunities arise. Risks associated with WRP
Newco's development, construction and renovation activities include the risks
that: WRP Newco may abandon development opportunities after expending resources
to determine feasibility; construction and renovation costs of a project may
exceed original estimates; occupancy rates and rents at a newly completed
property may not be sufficient to make the property profitable; and
development, construction, renovation and lease-up may not be completed on
schedule (including risks beyond the control of WRP Newco, such as weather or
labor conditions or material shortages) resulting in increased debt service
expense and construction costs. Development, construction and renovation
activities are also subject to risks relating to the inability to obtain, or
delays in obtaining, all necessary zoning, land-use, building, occupancy and
other required governmental permits and authorizations. These risks could
result in substantial unanticipated delays or expenses and, under certain
circumstances, could prevent completion of development, construction and
renovation activities once undertaken, any of which could adversely affect the
financial condition and results of operations of WRP Newco. Properties under
development or acquired for development may generate little or no cash flow
from the date of acquisition through the date of completion of development and
may experience operating deficits after the date of completion. In addition,
new development and renovation activities, regardless of whether or not they
are ultimately successful, typically require a substantial portion of
management's time and attention.
WRP Newco may elect not to exercise its option to purchase the land
underlying Phases III, IV and/or V of Palomino Park, in some cases after having
expended money and time to determine the feasibility of developing such Phase.
In addition, WRP Newco may elect, after having acquired the land underlying one
or more of the Phases and paid the purchase price therefor, not to commence
construction, or to delay construction, because of local occupancy rates or
rents, excessive construction or renovation costs, lack of satisfactory
financing or for any other reason.
Any properties developed or renovated by WRP Newco will be subject to the
risks associated with the ownership and operation of real estate described
elsewhere in this section entitled "WRP Newco Risk Factors."
VACANCIES AT EXISTING PROPERTIES; DEPENDENCE ON RENTAL INCOME FROM REAL
PROPERTY
WRP Newco currently owns five office properties consisting of six buildings,
five of which buildings are vacant. The sixth office building is currently
approximately 85.7% leased. WRP Newco expects to incur significant costs,
including those relating to leasing commissions and tenant improvements, in
connection with the leasing of these properties and may be required to offer
tenant concessions, including free rental periods. The failure of WRP Newco to
lease these properties in a timely manner and on economically favorable terms
may have a material adverse effect on WRP Newco.
WRP Newco's cash flow, results of operations and value of its assets would be
adversely affected if a significant number of tenants of the WRP Newco
Properties failed to meet their lease obligations or if WRP Newco or the owner
of a WRP Newco Property were unable to lease a significant amount of space on
economically favorable terms. In the event of a default by a lessee, the owner
may experience delays in enforcing its rights as lessor and may incur
substantial costs in protecting its investment. The bankruptcy or insolvency of
a major tenant may have an adverse effect on a property. At any time, a tenant
may also seek protection under the bankruptcy laws, which could result in
rejection and termination of such tenant's lease and thereby cause a reduction
in the cash flow of the property. If a tenant rejects its lease, the owner's
claim for breach of the lease would (absent collateral securing the claim) be
treated as a general unsecured claim. Generally, the amount of the claim would
be capped at the amount owed for unpaid pre-petition lease payments unrelated
to the rejection, plus the greater of one year's lease payments or 15% of the
remaining lease payments payable under the lease (but not to exceed the amount
of three years' lease payments). No assurance can be given that the WRP Newco
Properties will not experience significant tenant defaults in the future.
OPERATING RISKS
The WRP Newco Properties are subject to operating risks common to the
particular property type, any and all of which may adversely affect occupancy
or rental rates. Such properties are subject to increases in operating expenses
such as cleaning; electricity; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning;
elevator repair and maintenance; insurance and administrative costs; and other
general costs associated with security, landscaping, repairs and maintenance.
While commercial tenants are often obligated to pay a portion of these
escalating costs, there can be no assurance that they will agree to pay such
costs or that the portion that they agree to pay will fully cover such costs.
If operating expenses increase, the local rental market may limit the extent to
which rents may be increased to meet increased expenses without decreasing
occupancy rates. To the extent rents cannot be increased or costs controlled,
the cash flow of WRP Newco and its financial condition may be adversely
affected.
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ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF DEBT FINANCING
Leverage. Some of the WRP Newco real estate equity investments may utilize a
leveraged capital structure, in which case a third party lender would be
entitled to cash flow generated by such investments prior to WRP Newco
receiving a return. As a result of such leverage, WRP Newco would be subject to
the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that cash
flow from operations and investments will be insufficient to meet required
payments of principal and interest, the risk that existing debt (which in most
cases will not have been fully amortized at maturity) will not be able to be
refinanced or that the terms of such refinancings will not be as favorable to
WRP Newco and the risk that necessary capital expenditures for such purposes as
renovations and other improvements will not be able to be financed on favorable
terms or at all. While such leverage may increase returns or the funds
available for investment by WRP Newco, it also will increase the risk of loss
on a leveraged investment. If WRP Newco defaults on secured indebtedness, the
lender may foreclose and WRP Newco could lose its entire investment in the
security for such loan. Because WRP Newco may engage in portfolio financings
where several investments are cross-collateralized, multiple investments may be
subject to the risk of loss. As a result, WRP Newco could lose its interests in
performing investments in the event such investments are cross-collateralized
with poorly performing or nonperforming investments. In addition, recourse
debt, which WRP Newco reserves the right to obtain, may subject other assets of
WRP Newco to risk of loss.
Existing Debt Maturities; Foreclosures. WRP Newco anticipates that only a
portion of the principal of WRP Newco's indebtedness outstanding from time to
time will be repaid prior to maturity. However, WRP Newco may not have
sufficient funds to repay such indebtedness at maturity; it may therefore be
necessary for WRP Newco to refinance debt through additional debt financing or
equity offerings. If WRP Newco is unable to refinance this indebtedness on
acceptable terms, WRP Newco may be forced to dispose of properties upon
disadvantageous terms, which could result in losses to WRP Newco and adversely
affect the amount of cash available for further investment.
Risk of Rising Interest Rates. WRP Newco may incur indebtedness in the future
that also bears interest at a variable rate or may be required to refinance its
debt at higher rates. Outstanding advances under the WRP Newco Line of Credit
will bear interest at a variable rate. Accordingly, increases in interest rates
could increase WRP Newco's interest expense and adversely effect the financial
condition and results of operations of WRP Newco.
Covenants. Various credit facilities or other debt obligations may require
WRP Newco to comply with a number of customary financial and other covenants on
an ongoing basis. Failure to comply with such covenants may limit WRP Newco's
ability to borrow funds or may cause a default under its then-existing
indebtedness.
No Limitation on Debt. The organizational documents of WRP Newco do not
contain any limitation on the amount of indebtedness WRP Newco may incur. WRP
Newco also has the ability to use a more highly leveraged business strategy
than typically used by REITs. Accordingly, WRP Newco could become highly
leveraged, resulting in an increase in debt service that could increase the
risk of default on WRP Newco's indebtedness.
LACK OF CONTROL AND OTHER RISKS OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN AND WITH THIRD PARTIES
WRP Newco may invest in shares of "REITs" or other equity interests of
"REITs" or other entities that invest in real estate assets. In such cases, WRP
Newco will be relying on the assets, investments and management of the REIT or
other entity in which it is investing. Such entities and their properties will
be subject to the other risks affecting the ownership and operation of real
estate set forth in this section entitled "WRP Newco Risk Factors."
WRP Newco may also co-invest with third parties through partnerships, joint
ventures or other entities, acquiring non-controlling interests in or sharing
responsibility for managing the affairs of a property, partnership, joint
venture or other entity and, therefore, will not be in a position to exercise
sole decision-making authority regarding the property, partnership, joint
venture or other entity.
Investments in partnerships, joint ventures, or other entities may, under
certain circumstances, involve risks not present were a third party not
involved, including the possibility that WRP Newco's partners or co-venturers
might become bankrupt or otherwise fail to fund their share of required capital
contributions, that such partners or co-venturers might at any time have
economic or other business interests or goals which are inconsistent with the
business interests or goals of WRP Newco, and that such partners or co-
venturers may be in a position to take action contrary to the instructions or
the requests of WRP Newco and contrary to WRP Newco's policies or objectives.
Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasse on decisions, such
as a sale, because neither WRP Newco nor the partner or co-venturer would have
full control over the partnership or joint venture. Consequently, actions by
such partner or co-venturer might result in subjecting properties owned by the
partnership or joint venture to additional risk. In addition, WRP Newco may in
certain circumstances be liable for the actions of its third-party partners or
co-venturers.
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RISKS OF INVESTMENTS IN DEBT INSTRUMENTS
WRP Newco intends to originate debt investments and may acquire performing or
nonperforming debt investments. In general, debt instruments carry the risk
that borrowers may not be able to make debt service payments or to pay
principal when due, the risk that the value of any collateral may be less than
the amounts owed, the risk that interest rates payable on the debt instruments
may be lower than WRP Newco's cost of funds, and the risk that the collateral
may be mismanaged or otherwise decline in value during periods in which WRP
Newco is seeking to obtain control of the underlying real estate. WRP Newco is
also dependent on the ability of the borrowers to operate successfully their
properties. Such borrowers and their properties will be subject to the other
risks affecting the ownership and operation of real estate set forth in this
section entitled "WRP Newco Risk Factors". Some of the loans may be structured
so that all or a substantial portion of the principal will not be paid until
maturity, which increases the risk of default at that time.
It is anticipated that a substantial portion of the debt in which WRP Newco
invests will not be rated by any nationally-recognized rating agency.
Generally, the value of unrated classes is more subject to fluctuation due to
economic conditions than rated classes. WRP Newco's acquisition of credit
supported classes of securitizations (which generally are expected to be first
loss classes) which are unrated at the time of acquisition and which have lower
ratings may increase the risk of nonpayment or of a significant delay in
payments on these classes. Should rated assets be downgraded, it may adversely
affect their value and may adversely affect the financial condition and results
of operations of WRP Newco.
RISKS OF INVESTMENTS IN MORTGAGE LOANS
To the extent WRP Newco invests in mortgage loans, such mortgage loans may or
may not be recourse obligations of the borrower and generally will not be
insured or guaranteed by governmental agencies or otherwise. In the event of a
default under such obligations, WRP Newco may have to foreclose its mortgage or
protect its investment by acquiring title to a property and thereafter making
substantial improvements or repairs in order to maximize the property's
investment potential. Borrowers may contest enforcement of foreclosure or other
remedies, seek bankruptcy protection against such enforcement and/or bring
claims for lender liability in response to actions to enforce mortgage
obligations. Relatively high "loan-to-value" ratios and declines in the value
of the property may prevent WRP Newco from realizing an amount equal to its
mortgage loan upon foreclosure.
WRP Newco may participate in loans originated by other financing
institutions. As a participant, WRP Newco may not have the sole authority to
declare a default under the mortgage or to control the property or any
foreclosure.
Any investments in junior mortgage loans which are subordinate to liens of
senior mortgages would involve additional risks, including the lack of control
over the collateral and any related foreclosure proceeding. In the event of a
default on a senior mortgage, WRP Newco may make payments to prevent
foreclosure on the senior mortgage without necessarily improving WRP Newco's
position with respect to the subject real property. In such event, WRP Newco
would be entitled to share in the proceeds only after satisfaction of the
amounts due to the holder of the senior mortgage.
RISK OF LOSS ON INVESTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
As noted above, WRP Newco may seek to invest in real estate-related debt
instruments, which may include CMBS. Many of the risks of investing in CMBS
reflect the risks of investing directly in the real estate securing the
underlying mortgage loans. This may be especially true in the case of
commercial mortgage securities secured by, or evidencing an interest in, a
single commercial mortgage loan or a relatively small or less diverse pool of
commercial mortgage loans. See "--Risks of Investments in Mortgage Loans".
The risks of investing in commercial mortgage securities include risks that
the existing credit support will prove to be inadequate, either because of
unanticipated levels of losses or, if such credit support is provided by a
third party, because of difficulties experienced by such provider. Delays or
difficulties encountered in servicing commercial mortgage securities may cause
greater losses and, therefore, greater resort to credit support than was
originally anticipated, and may cause a rating agency to downgrade a security.
WRP Newco may acquire subordinated tranches of CMBS issuances. In general,
subordinated tranches of CMBS are entitled to receive repayment of principal
only after all principal payments have been made on more senior tranches and
also have subordinated rights as to receipt of interest distributions. In
addition, an active secondary market for such subordinated securities is not as
well developed as the market for certain other mortgage-backed securities.
Accordingly, such subordinated CMBS may have limited marketability and there
can be no assurance that a more efficient secondary market will develop.
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LIMITATIONS ON REMEDIES
Although WRP Newco will have certain contractual remedies upon the default by
borrowers under certain debt instruments, such as foreclosing on the underlying
real estate or collecting rents generated therefrom, certain legal requirements
(including the risks of lender liability) may limit the ability of WRP Newco to
effectively exercise such remedies.
The right of a mortgage lender to convert its loan position into an equity
interest may be limited or prevented by certain common law or statutory
prohibitions.
THIRD-PARTY BANKRUPTCY RISKS
Investments made in assets operating in workout modes or under Chapter 11 of
the Bankruptcy Code could be subordinated or disallowed, and WRP Newco could be
liable to third parties in such circumstances. Furthermore, distributions made
to WRP Newco in respect of such investments could be recovered if any such
distribution is found to be a fraudulent conveyance or preferential payment.
Bankruptcy laws, including the automatic stay imposed upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition, may delay the ability of WRP Newco to realize on
collateral for loan positions held by it or may adversely affect the priority
of such loans through doctrines such as equitable subordination or may result
in a restructure of the debt through principles such as the "cramdown"
provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
NO PRIOR OPERATING HISTORY
It should be noted that WRP Newco is a newly formed entity with no prior
operating history and that its properties and assets have only been recently
acquired.
RISKS OF UNINSURED LOSS
WRP Newco will carry comprehensive liability, fire, extended coverage and
rental loss insurance with respect to all of the properties that it owns, with
policy specifications, insured limits and deductibles customarily carried for
similar properties. There are, however, certain types of losses (such as losses
arising from acts of war or relating to pollution) that are not generally
insured because they are either uninsurable or not economically insurable.
Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, WRP Newco
could lose its capital invested in a property, as well as the anticipated
future revenue from such property and would continue to be obligated on any
mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the property. Any such
loss would adversely affect the financial condition and results of operations
of WRP Newco.
With respect to those properties in which WRP Newco holds an interest through
a mortgage, as well as those properties owned by entities to whom WRP Newco
makes unsecured loans, the borrowers will most likely be obligated to maintain
insurance on such properties and to arrange for WRP Newco to be covered as a
named insured on such policies. The face amount and scope of such insurance
coverage may be less comprehensive than WRP Newco would carry if it held the
fee interest in such property. Accordingly in such circumstances, or in the
event that the borrowers fail to maintain required coverage, uninsured or
underinsured losses may occur, which could have an adverse impact on WRP
Newco's cash flow or financial condition.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED TO THE PROPERTIES
Under various Federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an
owner or operator of real estate is liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on or in such property.
These laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or
operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or
toxic substances. The cost of any required remediation and the owners's
liability therefor as to any property is generally not limited under such
enactments and could exceed the value of the property and/or the aggregate
assets of the owner. The presence of such substances, or the failure to
properly remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to
sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral.
Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic
substances may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such
substances at a disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility is
owned or operated by such person. Certain environmental laws govern the
removal, encapsulation or disturbance of ACMs when such materials are in poor
condition, or in the event of renovation or demolition. Such laws impose
liability for release of asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs") into the air
and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real properties
for personal injury associated with ACMs. In this regard, it should be noted
that the main headquarters building at the Point View office complex contains
ACM's. Upon acquisition of the property, WRP Newco intends to proceed with the
removal of ACM's in such
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building. The operation and subsequent removal of certain underground storage
tanks are also regulated by federal and state laws. In connection with the
ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real
properties, WRP Newco may be considered an owner or operator of such properties
or as having arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic
substances, and, therefore, potentially liable for removal or remediation
costs, as well as certain other related costs, including governmental fines and
injuries to persons and property.
The properties described in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement that are owned or to be acquired by WRP Newco have had recent Phase I
or similar environmental audits (which involved general inspections without
soil sampling, ground water analysis or radon testing, and for the Properties
constructed in 1978 or earlier, survey inspections to ascertain the existence
of ACMs were conducted) completed by independent environmental consultant
companies. These environmental audits have not revealed any environmental
liability that would have a material adverse effect on WRP Newco's business.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
WRP Newco is dependent primarily on the efforts of Jeffrey H. Lynford,
Chairman of the Board, and Edward Lowenthal, President, and the loss of either
of their services could have an adverse effect on the operations of WRP Newco.
Mr. Lynford and Mr. Lowenthal will each enter into employment agreements with
WRP Newco having a term of approximately five years. WRP Newco intends to
retain the services of individuals with expertise and experience in certain
activities to be conducted by WRP Newco, and the loss of the services of any of
these individuals could also have an adverse effect on the operations of WRP
Newco.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION
To the extent the fair market value of the shares of WRP Newco Common
distributed in the Distribution to Wellsford Common Shareholders exceeds
Wellsford's tax basis in such shares, gain will be recognized by Wellsford.
Assuming Wellsford qualifies as a REIT and has a dividends paid deduction for
distributions to its shareholders at least equal to its REIT taxable income (as
computed before taking into account the dividends paid deduction), no REIT
level tax will be incurred on account of the Distribution.
The distribution of WRP Newco Common will, however, be taxable to Wellsford
Common Shareholders to the same extent as any other distribution made by
Wellsford to its shareholders. Management of Wellsford estimates that
approximately 50% of the value of the shares of WRP Newco Common received in
the Distribution will be taxable as ordinary income. Because this estimate is
based, in part, on future events, there can be no assurance as to the portion
of the value of the Distribution that will be taxable as ordinary income. The
remainder of the value of the shares of WRP Newco Common received in the
Distribution will either constitute a return of capital (reducing basis in the
shares of Wellsford Common that converted in the Merger into Survivor Common)
or capital gain. For a more detailed explanation, see "The Contribution and
Distribution--Tax Consequences of the Distribution."
CHANGES IN POLICIES WITHOUT STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL
The investment, financing, borrowing and distribution policies of WRP Newco
and its policies with respect to all other activities, growth, debt,
capitalization and operations, will be determined by the WRP Newco Board of
Directors. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Board of
Directors may amend or revise these policies at any time and from time to time
at its discretion without a vote of the stockholders of WRP Newco. A change in
these policies could adversely affect WRP Newco's financial condition, results
of operations and the market price of WRP Newco Common. See "Policies with
Respect to Certain Activities of WRP Newco."
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET; RISK OF CHANGES IN STOCK PRICE
Prior to the Distribution, there will be no public market for WRP Newco
Common, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for WRP
Newco Common will develop following the Distribution or, if developed, that any
such market will be sustained. In the absence of a public trading market, an
investor may be unable to liquidate his investment in WRP Newco. The initial
valuation of the WRP Newco Common may not be indicative of the market price of
the WRP Newco Common after the Distribution. The prices at which WRP Newco
Common trades will be determined by the marketplace and may be influenced by
many factors, including, among others, the depth and liquidity of the market
for WRP Newco Common, investor perception of WRP Newco and its businesses, WRP
Newco's dividend policy, interest rates and general economic and market
conditions. Prices at which WRP Newco Common may trade after the Distribution
cannot be predicted.
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COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND SIMILAR LAWS
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1980 (the "ADA"), places of
public accommodations and commercial facilities are required to meet certain
federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. Compliance
with ADA requirements could require both structural and non-structural changes
to the properties in which WRP Newco invests and noncompliance could result in
imposition of fines by the United States government or an award of damages to
private litigants. Although management of WRP Newco believes that its
properties are substantially in compliance with present requirements of the
ADA, WRP Newco may incur additional costs of compliance in the future. A number
of additional Federal, state and local laws exist which impose further burdens
or restrictions on owners with respect to access by disabled persons and may
require modifications to properties in which WRP Newco invests, or restrict
certain further renovations thereof, with respect to access by disabled
persons. Final regulations under the ADA have not yet been promulgated and the
ultimate amount of the cost of compliance with the ADA or other such laws is
not currently ascertainable. While such costs are not expected to have a
material effect on WRP Newco, they could be substantial. If required changes
involve greater expense than WRP Newco currently anticipates, WRP Newco's
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
NONCOMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS
Real estate properties are also subject to various Federal, state and local
regulatory requirements, such as state and local fire and life safety
requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the
imposition of fines by governmental authorities or awards of damages to private
litigants. WRP Newco believes that its properties are currently in material
compliance with all such regulatory requirements. However, there can be no
assurance that these requirements will not be changed or that new requirements
will not be imposed which would require significant unanticipated expenditures
by WRP Newco and could have an adverse effect on WRP Newco's results of
operations.
EFFECT ON COMMON STOCK PRICE OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Sales of a substantial number of shares of WRP Newco Common, or the
perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing
market prices of the WRP Newco Common. Up to 12,000,000 shares of WRP Newco
Common may be issued pursuant to the Additional Share Offering and purchasers
of the Additional Shares may be able to sell such shares in the public market
immediately after purchase. In addition, 1,750,000 shares of WRP Newco Common
have been reserved for issuance pursuant to WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan, and, when issued, these shares will be available for sale in
the public markets from time to time pursuant to exemptions from registration
requirements or upon registration. No prediction can be made about the effect
that future sales of WRP Newco Common will have on the market prices of WRP
Newco Common.
HEDGING POLICIES/RISKS
In connection with the financing of certain real estate investments, WRP
Newco may employ hedging techniques designed to protect WRP Newco against
adverse movements in currency and/or interest rates. While such transactions
may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves may entail certain other
risks. Thus, while WRP Newco may benefit from the use of these hedging
mechanisms, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices, or
currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for WRP
Newco than if it had not entered into such hedging transactions.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT RESULTING FROM A STAGGERED BOARD, ABILITY OF WRP NEWCO TO
ISSUE PREFERRED STOCK AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW
WRP Newco's Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The initial
terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 1998, 1999 and
2000, respectively. Beginning in 1998, directors for each class will be chosen
for a three-year term upon the expiration of their then current term, and each
year one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. The staggered
terms for directors may limit the stockholders' ability to change control of
WRP Newco even if a change of control were in the interests of stockholders.
The Newco Charter authorizes the Board of Directors to establish one or more
series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of
preferred shares, the preferences and other terms of such series. Although the
Board of Directors has no intention at the present time, it could issue a
series of preferred shares that could, depending on the terms of such series,
impede or prevent a merger, tender offer or other transaction that some, or a
majority, of WRP Newco's shareholders might believe to be in their best
interest or in which shareholders might receive a premium for their shares over
the then current market price of such shares.
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Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including certain issuances
of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an Interested
Stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which
the Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder. Thereafter,
unless exempted, any such business combination must be approved by two
supermajority stockholder votes. The directors of WRP Newco have exempted from
the Maryland statute any business combinations with Jeffrey H. Lynford or
Edward Lowenthal or any of their affiliates or any other person acting in
concert or as a group with any of such persons and, consequently, the five-year
prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business
combinations between such persons and WRP Newco. See "Certain Provisions of
Maryland Law and of WRP Newco's Charter and Bylaws".
The provisions of the MGCL described above and the exemptions granted may
discourage a third party from making an acquisition proposal for WRP Newco and
may inhibit a change in control under circumstances that could otherwise give
the holders of WRP Newco Common the opportunity to realize a premium over then-
prevailing market prices.
It should also be noted that for ten years after the Closing Date, WRP Newco
has the right to direct the voting of all shares of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred, WRP Newco Class A Common and WRP Newco Common owned by ERP Operating
Partnership or any of its affiliates, except as to the election of the director
to be designated by ERP Operating Partnership or any matter relating to the
rights, preferences and privileges of WRP Newco Series A Preferred or WRP Newco
Class A Common. Such voting right may hinder a change in control.
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THE MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
EQR
The EQR Special Meeting has been called by the EQR Board of Trustees for the
purpose of approving the Merger. The EQR Special Meeting will be held on May
28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at One North Franklin, Chicago, Illinois.
Only shareholders of record of EQR Common at the close of business on April 14,
1997 will be entitled to vote at the EQR Special Meeting. EQR had outstanding
53,713,158 shares of EQR Common as of the close of business on April 1, 1997,
of which 1,022,666 shares (or approximately 1.9% of the outstanding) shares of
EQR Common (excludes 681,534 shares where beneficial ownership is disclaimed)
were owned beneficially by the officers and trustees of EQR, and such persons
have indicated their intention to vote such shares in favor of the Merger. No
EQR Shares other than EQR Common are entitled to vote on the Merger. Each
holder of EQR Common is entitled to one vote per share on the Merger. If the
accompanying proxy form is signed and returned, the shares represented thereby
will be voted in accordance with any direction on the proxy form, or in the
absence of a direction, they will be voted FOR the Merger. The shareholder may
revoke the proxy at any time prior to the voting thereof by giving written
notice of such revocation to EQR, by executing and delivering a proxy bearing a
later date, or by attending the EQR Special Meeting and voting in person.
The expenses of the solicitation of EQR Common Shareholders will be paid by
EQR. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by trustees,
officers, or regular employees of EQR in person, by telecopy or by telephone.
Arrangements will also be made with brokerage firms and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the beneficial
owners of the shares of EQR Common held of record by such persons, and EQR will
reimburse such brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection therewith. EQR
has retained MacKenzie Partners to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The
fee of such firm is estimated to be $6000, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket
costs and expenses.
The presence at the EQR Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQR Common is necessary to
constitute a quorum under the Amended and Restated Bylaws of EQR (the "EQR
Bylaws"). Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be tabulated by
election inspectors appointed for the meeting and will determine whether or not
a quorum is present. The election inspectors will treat abstentions and "broker
non-votes" (i.e., proxies of brokers who have limited authority to vote on
specified proposals) as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting. Under Maryland
law and EQR's Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "EQR
Declaration"), the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of EQR Common is required to approve the Merger.
EQR Common Shareholders may mark the accompanying EQR proxy to vote their
shares FOR or AGAINST, or to ABSTAIN with respect to, the Merger. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against approval of the
Merger.
The EQR Trustees who voted on the Merger unanimously recommend that EQR
Common Shareholders vote FOR the Merger.
Pursuant to the EQR Bylaws, no business may be transacted at the EQR Special
Meeting except that referred to in the accompanying notice of the EQR Special
Meeting.
WELLSFORD
The Wellsford Special Meeting has been called by the Wellsford Board of
Trustees for the purpose of approving the Merger, including the adoption of an
amended and restated declaration of trust of the Surviving Trust, the
Additional Provisions, the Additional Share Offering by WRP Newco and the
adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. The Wellsford Special
Meeting will be held on May 28, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at The
Princeton Club, 15 West 43rd Street, New York, New York. Only shareholders of
record of Wellsford Common at the close of business on April 14, 1997 will be
entitled to vote at the Wellsford Special Meeting. Wellsford had outstanding
17,261,897 shares of Wellsford Common as of the close of business on April 18,
1997, of which 599,828 shares (or approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares
of Wellsford Common (excludes 29,727 shares where beneficial ownership is
disclaimed)) were owned beneficially by the officers and trustees of Wellsford,
and such persons have indicated their intention to vote such shares in favor of
the Merger, including the adoption of an amended and restated declaration of
trust of the Surviving Trust, the Additional Provisions, the Additional Share
Offering and the adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. No
Wellsford Shares other than Wellsford Common are entitled to vote on the
matters set forth in the notice of the Wellsford Special Meeting. Each holder
of Wellsford Common is entitled to one vote per share on the matters set forth
in the notice of the Wellsford Special Meeting. If the accompanying proxy form
is signed and returned, the shares represented thereby will
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be voted in accordance with any direction on the proxy form, or in the absence
of a direction, they will be voted FOR the Merger, including adoption of the
amended and restated declaration of trust of the Surviving Trust, the
Additional Provisions, the Additional Share Offering by WRP Newco and the
adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. The shareholder may
revoke the proxy at any time prior to the voting thereof by giving written
notice of such revocation to Wellsford, by executing and delivering a proxy
bearing a later date, or by attending the Wellsford Special Meeting and voting
in person.
The expenses of the solicitation of Wellsford Common Shareholders will be
paid by Wellsford. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited
by trustees, officers, or regular employees of Wellsford in person, by telecopy
or by telephone. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage firms and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the
beneficial owners of the shares of Wellsford Common held of record by such
persons, and Wellsford will reimburse such brokerage firms, custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them
in connection therewith. Wellsford has retained MacKenzie Partners to assist in
the solicitation of proxies. The fee of such firm is estimated to be $7,500,
plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs and expenses.
The presence at the Wellsford Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common is
necessary to constitute a quorum under Wellsford's Bylaws (the "Wellsford
Bylaws"). Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Wellsford Special Meeting
will be tabulated by election inspectors appointed for the meeting who will
determine whether or not a quorum is present. The election inspectors will
treat abstentions and "broker non-votes" (i.e., proxies of brokers who have
limited authority to vote on specified proposals) as shares that are present
and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at
the meeting. Under Maryland law and Wellsford's Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust (the "Wellsford Declaration"), the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common is required
to approve the Merger. The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Wellsford Common is required to approve the Additional
Provisions. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of
Wellsford Common voting thereon is required to approve the Additional Share
Offering and the adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan.
Wellsford Common Shareholders may mark the accompanying Wellsford proxy to
vote their shares FOR or AGAINST, or to ABSTAIN from voting with respect, to
the Merger, the Additional Provisions, the Additional Share Offering and WRP
Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
be counted in determining the presence of a quorum and will have the effect of
a vote against approval of the Merger and the Additional Provisions. An
abstention and a broker non-vote will have no effect on the proposal to approve
the Additional Share Offering and adoption of WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan.
The Wellsford Board of Trustees unanimously recommends that Wellsford Common
Shareholders vote FOR the Merger, the Additional Provisions, the Additional
Share Offering and WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan. The WRP Newco
Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Wellsford Common Shareholders
vote FOR the Additional Share Offering and WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan.
The Wellsford Bylaws provide that no business will be transacted at the
Wellsford Special Meeting except that referred to in the accompanying notice of
the Wellsford Special Meeting.
THE MERGER
The description of the Merger contained in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, the full text of which is attached as
Appendix A, and is incorporated herein by reference.
TERMS OF THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth therein, EQR will be merged into Wellsford. The name of
the Surviving Trust will be Equity Residential Properties Trust. At the
Effective Time, each outstanding share of Wellsford Common will be converted
into .625 of a share of Survivor Common. At the Effective Time, each
outstanding share of EQR Common will be converted into one share of Survivor
Common. At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Preferred and EQR
Preferred will be converted into one share of Survivor Preferred, having the
same preferences and other terms as the Wellsford Preferred or EQR Preferred
previously outstanding of the same series; provided, however, that the
conversion ratio for the Wellsford Series A will be adjusted in accordance with
its terms. No fractional shares of Survivor Common will be issued in connection
with the Merger. In lieu thereof, holders of Wellsford
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Common will receive a cash payment equal to the average closing price of EQR
Common on the NYSE for the five trading days immediately preceding the
Effective Time, multiplied by the fraction of the shares of Survivor Common to
which the holder would be entitled under the Merger Agreement.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
Since 1993, Douglas Crocker, the President and Chief Executive Officer of EQR
and Jeffrey H. Lynford, the Chairman of the Board of Wellsford and Edward
Lowenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wellsford, have had a
personal relationship arising out of their participation in the multifamily
property business. At various times during 1994 and 1995 Mr. Crocker, Mr.
Lynford and Mr. Lowenthal have discussed the general status of the multifamily
property industry. Messrs. Crocker, Lynford and Lowenthal presumed that the
multifamily property industry would be the subject of combinations of existing
companies in the future, and separately considered whether their respective
companies should explore a combination with other companies.
On September 16, 1996, a regular quarterly Wellsford board meeting was held
at which Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal reported on their discussions with
investment banking firms and other publicly traded REITs regarding possible
strategic combinations. They indicated that these discussions related primarily
to possible transactions in which Wellsford would acquire another entity or be
the survivor in a merger. The Board of Trustees of Wellsford authorized
management to engage in discussions regarding possible strategic business
combinations.
On September 24, 1996, Messrs. Crocker, Lynford and Lowenthal met to discuss
the multifamily property industry and real estate market in general and whether
combining the property portfolios of EQR and Wellsford made sense for both
companies and their shareholders. The parties expressed a general interest in
exploring the possibility of a combination of the companies.
On October 19, 1996, Messrs. Crocker and Lynford had a meeting at which they
specifically discussed each company's interest in pursuing merger discussions.
During such meeting, Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lynford considered whether a merger
would be in the best interests of both companies and their shareholders. Among
the issues considered were whether a merger would combine the talents of their
respective companies, reduce corporate overhead by eliminating redundancies and
create a larger company which might be attractive to institutional investors
and increase access to public equity and debt markets. Mr. Crocker and Mr.
Lynford discussed various exchange ratios for Wellsford Common as well as
possible funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations ratios.
Concluding that a merger might be in the best interests of both companies and
their shareholders, Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lynford decided to pursue merger
discussions.
On October 24, 1996, Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lowenthal met at the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") Convention in Dallas,
Texas. Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lowenthal discussed revised numbers with respect to
funds from operations and adjusted funds from operations in connection with
possible exchange ratios. Mr. Crocker discussed the fact that he would like to
reach agreement on these numbers in order to further pursue a merger
transaction. Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lowenthal agreed to have each company's
internal accountants discuss exchange ratios and evaluations.
On November 13, 1996, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Lowenthal, Gregory F. Hughes, Chief
Financial Officer of Wellsford, David H. Lee, Senior Vice President--Capital
Markets of EQR, Gerald A. Spector, Executive Vice President of EQR, and David
J. Neithercut, Chief Financial Officer of EQR, met. Mr. Lowenthal presented the
exchange ratio as a topic for discussion. The parties exchanged views on
relative assets and exchange values, but disagreements remained regarding the
method of valuation, the exchange ratio and other material issues.
On November 27, 1996, Mr. Crocker met with Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal and
Hughes at Wellsford's corporate offices. The parties again discussed valuation
and determined that EQR was not willing to value the development assets of
Wellsford on a going concern basis in the same manner as the other Wellsford
assets. The parties alternatively discussed the formation of a new Wellsford
subsidiary to be spun off to the common shareholders of Wellsford funded
primarily with the Wellsford development assets. The parties agreed that Mr.
Crocker would serve as a director on the proposed subsidiary's board of
directors and Messrs. Lowenthal and Lynford would serve as trustees on the EQR
Board of Trustees. The parties also discussed estimated financial results of
EQR for year-end 1997 and various employment issues, such as possible retention
of as many Wellsford employees as possible to meet EQR's staffing needs.
On December 9, 1996, a regular quarterly Wellsford board meeting was held at
which members of management of Wellsford and its legal counsel were present. At
such meeting, Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal reported on the discussions they
had with other publicly traded REITs regarding possible business combination
transactions. They indicated that the only ongoing discussions at such time
were with EQR, and they reported the status and substance of these discussions,
including
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those relating to a possible spin-off of certain of Wellsford's assets, and the
nature and results of management's initial due diligence review of the business
and financial condition of EQR.
On December 12, 1996, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Lynford, Mr. Hughes and
attorneys from EQR's legal staff, as well as representatives of Rudnick &
Wolfe, special counsel for EQR, and Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman
LLP, special counsel for Wellsford, met to discuss the structure of a possible
merger transaction, the formation of the proposed subsidiary and the specific
assets to be transferred to the proposed subsidiary, and the possible pricing
matrix for the Wellsford Common. General terms were discussed. The tentative
Exchange Ratio was determined by establishing relative values for the EQR
Common and Wellsford Common. The value for EQR Common was based on its then
market value of $42.875 per share. No one specific valuation method was
utilized in connection with the determination of the value of the Wellsford
Common. The value for Wellsford Common was negotiated based upon, among other
things, its then market price of $25.00 per share and each party's evaluation
of the value of Wellsford's assets to be acquired in the Merger, which were
estimated at approximately $1,032.2 million, the budgeted net operating income,
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and funds from
operations for 1997 estimated to be generated from the assets to be acquired by
EQR in the merger which were approximately $79.4 million, $76.7 million and
$37.4 million, respectively, the cost savings anticipated from the Merger,
which were estimated at $4.1 million per year and the costs associated with the
Merger, including employee severance and retention costs, which were estimated
at $23.6 million. With respect to the Wellsford Preferred, it was determined to
value such shares based upon their liquidation value because the distribution
rates on Wellsford Preferred were established as a percentage of their
respective liquidation values. It was tentatively agreed, subject to
satisfactory resolution of other material issues and completion of due
diligence, that the exchange ratio would be determined based upon a value of
$27.50 per share for the Wellsford Common and $40.00 per share for the EQR
Common, subject to adjustment in the event of a decline in the market price of
EQR Common. In addition, it was tentatively agreed, subject to the additional
study of the relevant assets and completion of due diligence, that the assets
to be contributed to the new subsidiary would have an initial book value of at
least $2.50 per share. Although discussions were still ongoing, EQR and
Wellsford requested their legal counsel to prepare a draft of a merger
agreement and other related documents so that management of the companies could
focus on the issues that required resolution.
On December 20, 1996, Mr. Crocker and Mr. Lowenthal had a telephone call to
discuss certain open issues regarding the possible merger transaction. The
costs in connection with the possible merger transaction were discussed in
detail.
On December 26, 1996, Messrs. Crocker, Lowenthal and Hughes discussed by
telephone concerns regarding the capitalization of the proposed subsidiary upon
consummation of the possible merger. Mr. Crocker suggested that EQR purchase
$3.5 million in shares of common stock of the proposed subsidiary plus an
additional 10% interest in Palomino Park.
From December 26, 1996 through January 9, 1997, the management of EQR and
Wellsford had a number of discussions regarding various business issues.
On January 9, 1997, a special EQR board meeting was held at which members of
management, representatives of EQR's financial and legal advisors were present
in person or by conference telephone call. At such meeting, the trustees were
informed of the status of discussions with Wellsford's management and the
reasons that a combination with Wellsford would be beneficial. In addition, the
trustees discussed with management and EQR's legal advisors, the current
operations of EQR and Wellsford, the form of consideration payable in the
proposed transaction, the valuation methodologies to be utilized by J.P. Morgan
for purposes of its opinion (see "The Merger--Opinion of EQR Financial
Advisor"), potential synergies expected by management to result from the
proposed transaction, certain governance, tax and due diligence matters and the
time table for completion of the transaction. The EQR Board of Trustees also
reviewed the tentative terms of the proposed merger between EQR and Wellsford.
Mr. Crocker provided the EQR Board of Trustees with a discussion of the
background and events leading up to the meeting with respect to the proposed
merger with Wellsford. Mr. Crocker then set forth the reasons he believed a
possible business combination with Wellsford would be appropriate for EQR. The
reasons discussed were (i) the combined entity would be the second largest
publicly-traded REIT in the United States and the largest REIT focusing
primarily on multifamily properties, with 317 properties, consisting of 90,873
apartment units; (ii) the combined market capitalization, would be
approximately $5 billion and would not significantly alter EQR's existing Debt
to Total Market Capitalization Ratio; and (iii) the merger would improve access
to the public debt and equity markets to support EQR's continued growth. Mr.
Crocker also noted that Mr. Lowenthal and Mr. Lynford would be added to the EQR
Board of Trustees, assuming approval of the Merger by the shareholders of each
company.
EQR's legal counsel presented and explained the terms of the Merger Agreement
to the EQR Board of Trustees including closing conditions, termination rights
and liquidated damages and expense reimbursement provisions, and advised the
EQR Board of Trustees of their fiduciary obligations. A discussion followed
concerning the proposed merger.
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The EQR Board of Trustees discussed the advantages and disadvantages to EQR
of the Merger, including the factors raised by Mr. Crocker. The principle
negative factor that the EQR Board of Trustees considered was the significant
costs involved in connection with consummating the Merger and the substantial
management time and effort required to effectuate the Merger and integrate the
businesses of EQR and Wellsford. The EQR Board of Trustees did not believe that
this factor was sufficient to outweigh the advantages of the Merger,
particularly in light of the lower payout ratio of the Surviving Trust based
upon funds from operations, and the similar Debt to Total Market Capitalization
Ratio of the Surviving Trust, as compared with the current ratio for EQR.
From January 12, 1997 through January 16, 1997, representatives of management
of EQR and Wellsford and their respective counsel met in Chicago to discuss and
resolve the remaining open business and legal issues.
On January 15, 1997, a special meeting of the EQR Board of Trustees was held.
Representatives of J.P. Morgan made a detailed presentation regarding the
proposed merger with Wellsford. J.P. Morgan's presentation included a
discussion of (i) the fairness from a financial point of view to EQR of the
consideration to be paid by EQR in the proposed merger; (ii) a summary of the
financial terms of the proposed merger; (iii) a valuation analysis; and (iv) a
discussion of the impact of the proposed merger on EQR. Also included in J.P.
Morgan's oral presentation of its fairness opinion were (i) an outline of J.P.
Morgan's fairness opinion process; (ii) a pro forma merger analysis; (iii) a
fully loaded share price analysis; (iv) a public trading multiples analysis;
(v) a selected transactions analysis; (vi) a share trading history analysis;
(vii) an historical exchange ratio analysis; (viii) a net asset value analysis;
and (ix) a WRP Newco analysis. See "--Opinion of Financial Advisor--EQR."
Following such presentations, and after extensive discussion, the Board of
Trustees of EQR concluded that the advantages of the Merger outweighed the
potential risks and the EQR Trustees who voted on the Merger unanimously
approved the Merger Agreement and the related agreements contemplated thereby,
and authorized EQR management to enter into such agreements. J.P. Morgan
rendered its oral opinion to the effect that, as of that date and subject to
the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limits of its
review, the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the Merger was
fair, from a financial point of view, to EQR. J.P. Morgan's written opinion
confirming its oral opinion was delivered on January 16, 1997.
On January 16, 1997, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford
was held at which members of management, representatives of Merrill Lynch and
legal counsel were present. At such meeting, the Wellsford Board of Trustees
was updated on the status of discussions with EQR regarding the potential
merger transaction between Wellsford and EQR. Mr. Lynford reviewed with the
Board of Trustees (i) the background of the proposed merger and spin-off
transaction, (ii) the current status of Wellsford's financial and business
plans without the proposed merger, including the feasibility of improving the
profitability of Wellsford's existing property portfolio and raising additional
capital and acquiring new properties, (iii) pertinent due diligence findings
with respect to EQR, with particular emphasis on the current operations and
properties of EQR and (iv) the potential benefits as well as the risks of the
proposed merger transaction as described below under "--Reasons for the Merger;
Recommendation of the Wellsford Board of Trustees."
Wellsford's legal counsel made a presentation to the Wellsford Board of
Trustees in which it explained the material terms of the proposed merger and
spin-off transaction and agreements related thereto, briefed the Board of
Trustees on certain legal issues raised by the proposed merger transaction and
advised the Board of Trustees of its fiduciary duties in connection with such
transaction.
Merrill Lynch presented its financial analysis of the merger transaction,
which included: (i) an overview of the proposed transaction setting forth,
among other things, a summary of the key transaction terms and a description of
the Distribution, (ii) an analysis of the stock trading history of each of
Wellsford Common and EQR Common, (iii) valuation analyses of Wellsford, EQR and
WRP Newco, (iv) a comparison of each of Wellsford and EQR with selected
publicly traded companies, (v) a comparison of the proposed financial terms of
the Merger with the financial terms of other relevant mergers and acquisitions
and (vi) a pro forma merger analysis. Merrill Lynch concluded its presentation
by orally advising the Wellsford Board of Trustees that as of that date, based
upon the facts and circumstances as they existed at that time, and subject to
certain assumptions, factors and limitations, the proposed consideration to be
received by the holders of Wellsford Common, pursuant to the Merger and
Distribution, was fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
Following such presentations, and after extensive discussion of the
advantages and disadvantages of the proposed merger transaction as described
under "--Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of the Wellsford Board of
Trustees," the Board of Trustees of Wellsford concluded that the advantages of
the Merger and Distribution outweighed the potential risks, and unanimously
approved the merger transaction, the spin-off, the Merger Agreement and all
transactions contemplated thereby.
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EQR and Wellsford did not believe that the Merger or the Contribution and
Distribution would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations,
liquidity or capital resources of the Surviving Trust and believed that the
advantages of such transactions outweighed the disadvantages.
The Merger Agreement was executed on January 16, 1997.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE EQR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Merger, including the
consideration, is fair and in the best interests of EQR and its shareholders.
Accordingly, the EQR Trustees who voted on the Merger unanimously approved the
Merger and unanimously recommend approval of the Merger by the shareholders of
EQR. In reaching this determination, the EQR Board of Trustees consulted with
EQR management, as well as its financial advisors, J.P. Morgan, legal counsel
and accountants, and considered a number of factors. The material factors that
the EQR Board of Trustees considered in approving the Merger and unanimously
recommending approval of the Merger are that:
(i) The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Merger would solidify
EQR's leadership position in the multifamily property industry. The EQR
Board of Trustees viewed this as favorable because the combined entity
would own and operate 317 multifamily properties consisting of 90,873
apartment units; would have funds from operations on a pro forma basis for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 of approximately $155.4 million
and would have a combined market capitalization, as of September 30, 1996,
of approximately $5.0 billion with an initial Debt to Total Market
Capitalization Ratio of approximately 31%.
(ii) The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Merger would increase
operating efficiency through economies of scales, which the EQR Board of
Trustees viewed as favorable as the combined entity would realize
significant savings in overhead and expenses (such savings are estimated to
be approximately $3.7 million per annum).
(iii) The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Merger would provide
greater access to the public equity and debt markets. The Debt to Total
Market Capitalization Ratio for EQR as of September 30, 1996 was
approximately 31.5%, while the ratio on a pro forma basis of the Surviving
Trust as of the same date would be approximately 31%. The EQR Board of
Trustees viewed this favorably because of management's belief, based in
part on discussions with advisors, investment banking firms and lenders,
that it would provide EQR Common Shareholders with enhanced liquidity and
make the Survivor Common a more attractive investment for institutional
investors.
(iv) The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the Surviving Trust would be
a larger and financially stronger company, which would make it easier to
combine with other public or private entities. The EQR Board of Trustees
viewed this as favorable because it would provide another efficient and
attractive means of growth.
(v) The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the combination of the
Wellsford properties (approximately 19,000 units) with those of EQR will
expand the geographic focus of EQR's ownership and operation of properties
and enhance EQR's operations in the Southwest, Western and Pacific
Northwest regions of the United States. The EQR Board of Trustees viewed
this as favorable because it would limit the impact that adverse economic
or real estate conditions in a particular region may have on EQR as a whole
and provide EQR the opportunity for additional expansion in these regions.
(vi) The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 on a pro forma basis illustrated the
effects of the Merger. On a pro forma basis funds from operations for the
Surviving Trust are $155.4 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 instead of $113.3 million for EQR on a historical basis. The EQR Board
of Trustees viewed this as favorable because it would most likely increase
the Surviving Trust's funds from operations available for distribution to
shareholders and holders of OP Units. Funds from operations available for
distribution is not the same as cash available for distribution as it does
not reflect cash required for capital expenditures and principal repayments
on debt.
(vii) The Merger could be effectuated through the issuance of new equity
valued at $464 million (based upon a market price of $43.375 per share of
EQR Common on January 16, 1997), rather than through the use of cash or a
public offering of equity or debt securities, which the EQR Board of
Trustees viewed as favorable.
(viii) J.P. Morgan delivered an oral opinion on January 15, 1997 to the
effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to certain matters
stated therein, the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the
Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to EQR. The EQR Board of
Trustees viewed such opinion as favorable not only because of the
conclusion reached by J.P. Morgan, but also because such conclusion was
consistent with the opinion of EQR's management.
(ix) The EQR Board of Trustees believes the terms of the Merger Agreement
to be fair to EQR.
(x) Under generally accepted accounting principles, the Merger will be
accounted for as a purchase, and for federal income tax purposes the Merger
will be a tax-free transaction, which the EQR Board of Trustees viewed as
favorable
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because, with certain possible exceptions, no gain or loss will be
recognized by EQR, Wellsford or a shareholder of Wellsford who receives
shares of Survivor Common for shares of Wellsford Common exchanged therefor
(except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional interest
in a share of EQR Common).
The EQR Board of Trustees also considered certain potentially negative
factors which could arise from the Merger. These included, among others, the
significant costs involved in connection with consummating the Merger and the
substantial management time and effort required to effectuate the Merger and
integrate the businesses of EQR and Wellsford. The EQR Board of Trustees
considered that the Merger would increase the debt of the Surviving Trust. The
Surviving Trust will assume all of Wellsford's outstanding debt of
approximately $330 million. The EQR Board of Trustees recognized this increase
could adversely affect the ability of the Surviving Trust to obtain debt
financing for additional growth and would subject EQR to the risks of higher
leverage. Overall, however, the EQR Board of Trustees concluded that the
increase in debt would be within EQR's policies with respect to the incurrence
of debt. In addition, the EQR Board of Trustees considered the possible adverse
effects upon the market for EQR Common Shares and upon EQR's ability to raise
capital and issue equity in both the public and private markets which might
result if the Merger were not consummated. Finally, the EQR Board of Trustees
considered the risk that the anticipated benefits of the Merger might not be
fully realized. The EQR Board of Trustees did not believe that the negative
factors were sufficient, either individually or collectively, to outweigh the
advantages of the Merger.
The EQR Board of Trustees viewed as adequate the conditions to the closing in
the Merger Agreement, including the condition that no change in the financial
condition, business or operations of Wellsford will have occurred that would
have a material adverse effect, other than a change which affects EQR and
Wellsford in a substantially similar manner.
In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its
evaluation of the Merger, the EQR Board of Trustees did not find it practicable
to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weight to the
specific factors considered in reaching its determination.
The EQR Board of Trustees view the indemnification provisions relating to
Wellsford trustees and officers as a continuing responsibility and approved of
the continuation of the indemnification of the Wellsford trustees and officers
as part of the negotiated transaction.
The EQR Board of Trustees believes that the proposed transaction is fair to
and in the best interests of EQR and its shareholders. The EQR Trustees who
voted on the Merger unanimously approved the Merger, and unanimously recommend
that the shareholders of EQR vote FOR the Merger.
In the event the Merger is not consummated for any reason, EQR will continue
to pursue its business objectives.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE WELLSFORD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
At a special meeting of the Wellsford Board of Trustees held on January 16,
1997, members of Wellsford management, representatives of Merrill Lynch and
legal counsel made presentations concerning the business and prospects of
Wellsford and EQR. As part of its deliberations, the Wellsford Board of
Trustees considered, among other factors, the age, condition and geographic
diversification of EQR's assets, the depth and experience of its management and
its credit rating and analyzed its capital structure, funds from operations and
Debt to Total Market Capitalization Ratio, as well as its future prospects and
opportunities for growth as a combined company with Wellsford. The Wellsford
Board of Trustees also reviewed the terms of the Merger Agreement and the
Contribution and Distribution Agreement with Wellsford's management and
Wellsford's financial and legal advisors. By unanimous vote, the Wellsford
Board of Trustees determined that the Merger and the Distribution were fair to,
and in the best interests of, Wellsford and its shareholders, approved and
adopted the Merger Agreement, the Contribution and Distribution Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, and resolved to recommend that
Wellsford's shareholders approve the Merger. Although Wellsford Common
Shareholders are not being asked to approve the Distribution, approval of the
Merger will, in effect, constitute approval of the Distribution.
The Wellsford Board of Trustees believes that the Merger offers Wellsford's
shareholders an opportunity to take advantage of the general trend in the real
estate industry towards consolidation, by affording shareholders a significant
participation in a much larger and more geographically diversified REIT with
greater potential for long-term appreciation and improved access to capital
markets.
In making its determination with respect to the Merger and the Distribution,
the Wellsford Board of Trustees also considered, among other things, that:
(i) the Merger represents the alternative which has the greatest
feasibility and offers the greatest potential to maximize shareholder
value. In this regard, the Board considered the discussions management
conducted with
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investment banking firms and other publicly traded REITs regarding possible
strategic combinations, as well as EQR's size, financial resources,
geographic diversification and credit rating and the expertise and
experience of EQR's management;
(ii) after management's discussions with other parties regarding possible
strategic business combinations, the Merger was the best alternative
reasonably available to Wellsford's shareholders. The Board believed that
after management's discussions with investment banking firms and other
publicly traded REITs, there were no other prospective purchasers that had
both the financial ability to complete the transaction and would be willing
to pay an aggregate consideration greater than that to be paid by EQR in
the Merger. Other possible strategic business combinations, including
potential acquisitions of other companies, were rejected for many reasons,
including the lack of management depth and experience, age and condition of
the applicable assets, lack of geographic diversification, insufficient
credit rating, insufficient cost savings and size of the other company;
(iii) the anticipated cost savings and operating efficiencies available
to the Surviving Trust from the Merger, particularly from a reduction of
general and administrative overhead expenses, the costs of capital, bulk
purchasing, advertising and property management;
(iv) the terms of the Merger Agreement, which the Wellsford Board of
Trustees viewed as favorable because it believed them to be fair to
Wellsford and its shareholders and because the terms were reached through
extensive arms-length negotiations. In this regard, the Wellsford Board of
Trustees noted that the Exchange Ratio fairly reflected the relative
contributions of both companies to the combined entity and represented an
attractive opportunity for shareholders to continue their investment and
maintain their receipt of quarterly dividends, but with significantly
expanded geographic diversification;
(v) the Surviving Trust will have significantly greater market
capitalization which could increase the liquidity of Survivor Common after
the Merger. In this regard, the Board noted that the market capitalization
of the Surviving Trust is expected to be approximately $4 billion greater
than the then current market capitalization of Wellsford and the Surviving
Trust would have approximately 60,000,000 shares of Survivor Common
outstanding after the Merger;
(vi) the Distribution will enable shareholders to participate in an
opportunity to maximize the value of the Contributed Assets (as defined
herein) because EQR did not wish to acquire the Contributed Assets for a
price that Wellsford considered to be adequate value for such assets;
(vii) the structure of the Merger, particularly the fact that the Merger,
as a "stock-for-stock" transaction, rather than a "cash-for-stock"
transaction, will provide an opportunity for Wellsford's shareholders to
participate in any future appreciation of the Surviving Trust;
(viii) the tax-free nature of the Merger; and
(ix) the opinion, analyses and presentations of Merrill Lynch, including
the opinion that the proposed consideration to be received by Wellsford
Common Shareholders pursuant to the Merger and the Distribution was fair to
such shareholders from a financial point of view, which supported the
conclusions reached by the Board after its own deliberations and analyses.
The Wellsford Board of Trustees also considered certain potentially negative
factors in its deliberations concerning the Merger, including, among others:
(i) the risk that the anticipated benefits of the Merger might not be
fully realized;
(ii) the significant costs involved in connection with consummating the
Merger;
(iii) the substantial management time and effort required to effectuate
the Merger;
(iv) the possibility that Wellsford may be required, if the Merger
Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, to pay EQR a Break-Up
Fee of $14.0 million and to reimburse EQR Break-Up Expenses of up to $2.5
million; and
(v) that the dividend rate payable with respect to the EQR Common is less
than the dividend rate payable with respect to the Wellsford Common.
In addition to the above factors, the Board of Trustees was mindful of and
evaluated the actual and potential conflicts of interest. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered by the Wellsford Board of Trustees, the Board of
Trustees did not quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weights to
the specific factors considered in making its determination. However, after due
consideration of their fiduciary obligations, in the unanimous view of the
Wellsford Board of Trustees, the potential conflicts of interest and
potentially negative factors considered by it were not sufficient, either
individually or collectively, to outweigh the positive factors considered by it
in its deliberations relating to the Merger.
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OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR--EQR
At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of EQR on January 15, 1997, J.P.
Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the Board of Trustees of EQR that, as of
such date, the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the proposed
Merger was fair from a financial point of view to EQR. J.P. Morgan has
confirmed its January 15, 1997 oral opinion by delivering its written opinion
to the Board of Trustees of EQR, dated January 16, 1997, that, as of such date,
the consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the proposed Merger was
fair from a financial point of view to EQR. J.P. Morgan has not been requested
to, and will not, update its opinion prior to the Closing. No limitations were
imposed by EQR's Board of Trustees upon J.P. Morgan with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinions.
The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan dated January 16, 1997,
which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the
review undertaken, is attached as Appendix C to this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement and is incorporated herein by
reference. EQR Common Shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its
entirety. J.P. Morgan's written opinion is addressed to the Board of Trustees
of EQR, is directed only to the consideration to be paid in connection with the
Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of EQR as to
how such shareholder should vote at the EQR Special Meeting. The summary of the
opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Information Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of such opinion. In the opinion of EQR, no events or significant changes
in information have occurred that would alter the opinion of J.P. Morgan.
However, if such an event or change does occur, including, without limitation,
an amendment to the Merger Agreement or Contribution and Distribution Agreement
which materially affects the financial terms of either of such agreements, a
revised fairness opinion will be requested.
In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan reviewed, among other things, the
Merger Agreement; the audited financial statements of EQR and Wellsford for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and the unaudited financial statements of
EQR and Wellsford for the nine months ended September 30, 1996; current and
historical market prices of the EQR Common and Wellsford Common; certain
publicly available information concerning the business of Wellsford and of
certain other companies engaged in businesses comparable to those of Wellsford,
and the reported market prices for certain other companies' securities deemed
comparable; publicly available terms of certain transactions involving
companies comparable to Wellsford and the consideration received for such
companies; the terms of other business combinations deemed relevant by J.P.
Morgan; certain internal financial analyses and estimates of budgeted 1997
funds from operations and net operating income prepared by EQR and Wellsford
and their respective managements; and certain agreements with respect to
outstanding indebtedness or obligations of EQR and Wellsford. J.P. Morgan also
held discussions with certain members of the management of EQR and Wellsford
with respect to certain aspects of the Merger, and the past and current
business operations of EQR and Wellsford, the financial condition and future
prospects and operations of EQR and Wellsford, and certain other matters
believed necessary or appropriate to J.P. Morgan's inquiry. In addition, J.P.
Morgan reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such
other information as it deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.
J.P. Morgan relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the
accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or
that was furnished to it by EQR and Wellsford or otherwise reviewed by J.P.
Morgan, and J.P. Morgan has not assumed any responsibility or liability
therefor. J.P. Morgan has not conducted any valuation or appraisal of any
assets or liabilities, nor have any valuations or appraisals been provided to
J.P. Morgan. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to J.P.
Morgan, J.P. Morgan has assumed that they have been reasonably prepared based
on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments
by management as to the expected future results of operations and financial
condition of EQR and Wellsford to which such analyses or forecasts relate. J.P.
Morgan has also assumed that the Merger will have the tax consequences
described in discussions with, and materials furnished to J.P. Morgan by,
representatives of EQR, and that the other transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement will be consummated as described in the Merger Agreement.
The projections utilized by J.P. Morgan in connection with its opinion were
derived by calculating the average of the 1997 projections for both EQR and
Wellsford, as projected by the REIT equity analyst community, of (i) total
rental revenues, (ii) net operating income, (iii) earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), (iv) FFO and (v) FFO per share
(as provided by First Call, an online data service available to subscribers
which compiles earnings estimates by research analysts). This resulted in
projected 1997 total rental revenues, net operating income, EBITDA, FFO and FFO
per share of approximately $554.1 million, $337.8 million, $340.4 million,
$202.5 million and $3.43 per share, respectively, for EQR, and approximately
$138.0 million, $78.8 million, $77.7 million, $38.5 million and $2.25 per
share, respectively, for Wellsford.
No representation or warranty was made by any party with respect to these
projections. Financial projections are subject to contingencies beyond
management's control and realization of the projections depends on numerous
factors, including
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among other things, the cost of integrating the companies, the completion of
pending developments, the actual cost in relation to such projects and
decisions by management to modify business plans to address changing needs and
a changing operating environment. All material events and circumstances cannot
be predicted and unanticipated events and circumstances are likely to occur.
Accordingly, there may be differences between the projected results of
operations and the actual results of operations of the respective companies,
and such differences could be material. In the event that the financial
projections prove to be materially different, the conclusions reached in the
opinion of J.P. Morgan could be materially affected.
J.P. Morgan's opinions are based on economic, market and other conditions as
in effect on, and the information made available to J.P. Morgan as of, the date
of such opinions. Subsequent developments may affect the written opinion dated
January 16, 1997, and J.P. Morgan does not have any obligation to update,
revise, or reaffirm such opinion. J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion as to the
price at which the EQR Common or Wellsford Common will trade at any future
time.
In accordance with customary investment banking practice, J.P. Morgan
employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The
following is a summary of the material financial analyses utilized by J.P.
Morgan in connection with providing its opinion.
Pro Forma Merger Analysis. J.P. Morgan analyzed the effect of the Merger on,
among other things, the estimated First Call funds from operations ("FFO") per
share of EQR Common for the year ended December 31, 1997. In doing so, J.P.
Morgan combined the average of various equity analyst estimated 1997 operating
results for Wellsford and EQR and assumed certain savings in accounting and
general and administrative expenses per estimates provided by the management of
EQR. J.P. Morgan observed a total projected post-Merger incremental accretion
of 4.4% to EQR's First Call 1997 FFO estimate of $3.43 per share. The analysis
assumed the January 8, 1997 closing price of $42.50 per share for EQR Common in
calculating the purchase price for Wellsford Common.
J.P. Morgan also analyzed the effect of the Merger on EQR's 1997 pro forma
equity market capitalization, total market capitalization, leverage ratios and
dividend payout ratio. In this regard, J.P. Morgan noted that the pro forma
equity market capitalization for EQR would be approximately $2.96 billion,
assuming a share price of $42.50 (EQR's closing share price on January 8, 1997)
and 69,702,788 shares of EQR Common outstanding after completion of the Merger,
and a total post-Merger pro forma market capitalization of approximately $5.27
billion. J.P. Morgan further noted that (i) EQR's Debt to Total Market
Capitalization Ratio would increase slightly, upon completion of the Merger,
from 32.2% prior to the Merger to 33.3% after the assumption of Wellsford's
outstanding debt plus the incremental debt incurred from the payment of certain
transaction costs, and (ii) the ratio of debt plus perpetual preferred stock to
total market capitalization also increases slightly from 41.3% to 41.9% after
accounting for the assumption and re-issuance of Wellsford Preferred by EQR.
J.P. Morgan also noted that EQR's management intends to retain its current
dividend of $2.50 per common share for the combined company.
Fully-Loaded Share Price. J.P. Morgan calculated the fully-loaded share price
being paid by EQR for Wellsford Common. The fully-loaded share price adjusts
the implied share price of $26.56 (calculated as the January 8, 1997 closing
price of $42.50 per share for EQR Common multiplied by the .625 exchange ratio)
for certain additional amounts being paid by EQR, including payments to key
executives of Wellsford in compensation, benefits, payments, accelerations,
share options and share appreciation rights. These additional payments are more
particularly described in the Merger Agreement. J.P. Morgan calculated that
these additional amounts create a fully-loaded price of up to $28.05 per share
of Wellsford Common. Based on the fully-loaded share price, J.P. Morgan
calculated a range of FFO multiples from a high of 13.0x (excluding synergies
and accounting) to a low of 9.6x (including synergies and accounting).
Public Trading Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P.
Morgan compared selected financial and stock market data of Wellsford with
similar data for selected publicly traded companies (each, a "Comparable
Company" and, collectively, the "Comparable Companies") engaged in businesses
which J.P. Morgan judged to be analogous to that of Wellsford's. The companies
selected by J.P. Morgan were Security Capital Pacific Trust, United Dominion
Realty Trust, Post Properties, Inc., Avalon Properties, Inc., Merry Land &
Investment Company, Inc., Security Capital Atlantic, Inc., Gables Residential
Trust, Camden Property Trust, Irvine Apartment Communities, Evans Withycombe
Residential, Inc., Oasis Residential, Inc. and Smith Residential Realty. These
companies were selected, among other reasons, because of their specialization
in the multifamily REIT sector.
For each Comparable Company, publicly available financial performance data
through the twelve months ended September 30, 1996 was measured. J.P. Morgan
calculated the multiples of current stock price, as of January 8, 1997, to
analysts estimates for 1997 First Call FFO for each of the Comparable Companies
to determine the 1997 FFO trading multiples. J.P. Morgan's calculations
resulted in a range of 1997 FFO multiples from 10.1x to 13.9x (excluding the
highest
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and lowest). These multiples were then applied to Wellsford's First Call 1997
FFO per share estimate (less $0.09 per share associated with the Sonterra Loan
contributed to WRP Newco), yielding a range of implied trading values for
Wellsford's common stock of approximately $21.88 to $29.98 per share. J.P.
Morgan also observed that the Comparable Companies had a range of debt to total
market capitalization of 27.7% to 44.5%.
Selected Transaction Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P.
Morgan examined selected transactions with respect to purchase price per share
to calculate FFO transaction multiples. Specifically, J.P. Morgan reviewed the
following six transactions (collectively, the "Transaction Comparables") that
it deemed relevant: Camden Property Trust/Paragon Group (pending): (J.P.
Morgan's estimate of the transaction multiple was based upon the announced
exchange ratio multiplied by the January 8, 1997 closing price for Camden's
common stock, divided by the 1997 First Call estimate of FFO for Paragon),
United Dominion Realty Trust/South West Property Trust, Inc., BRE
Properties/California REIT, Mid-America Apartment Communities/America First
REIT, Inc., and Wellsford Residential Property Trust/Holly Residential
Properties, Inc. J.P. Morgan observed a range of transaction multiples from
8.3x to 11.2x First Call FFO of the acquired companies. This range was then
applied to Wellsford's First Call 1997 FFO per share, as adjusted for the
Sonterra Loan, resulting in a range of equity values for Wellsford's common
stock of between $17.91 and $24.17 per share. J.P. Morgan noted that this range
was below both the implied and fully-loaded prices for Wellsford Common.
J.P. Morgan concluded that the multifamily REIT Transaction Comparables were
imperfect comparisons to the Merger and therefore did not provide a fully
meaningful test of the exchange ratio or the purchase price per share for
Wellsford Common. In arriving at this conclusion J.P. Morgan reviewed the FFO
multiples for the Transaction Comparables universe and compared them to both
the average First Call FFO trading multiple for the acquired multifamily REITs
and to the average trading FFO multiple for the Comparable Companies,
corresponding to the period from July 8, 1994 to January 8, 1997 during which
the transactions took place. J.P. Morgan observed that the average FFO trading
multiple for the acquired multifamily REITs was significantly below that of the
Comparable Companies and that the four most comparable of the acquired
multifamily REITs were purchased at a discount to the average FFO trading
multiple for the Comparable Companies for the corresponding time period. Based
on this analysis, J.P. Morgan discounted the relevance of the multifamily REIT
Transaction Comparables as a measure of the multiple for Wellsford's purchase
price.
J.P. Morgan also noted that when certain other transactions from other REIT
sectors were included in the transaction analysis, the range of FFO multiples
became 8.2x to 13.4x, resulting in a range of $17.80 to $28.88 per share for
Wellsford's common stock. These additional transactions were Highwoods
Properties Inc./Crocker Realty, Simon Property Group, Inc./DeBartolo Realty
Corporation, Horizon Outlet Centers, Inc./McArthur/Glen Realty Corporation, and
Omega Healthcare Investors/Health Equity Properties, Inc.
Share Trading History Analysis. Based on publicly available information, J.P.
Morgan reviewed the history of trading prices for Wellsford Common and EQR
Common for the 52-week period ending January 8, 1997 and compared the 52-week
high/low range of $25.00 to $20.75 per share for Wellsford Common to both the
implied purchase price per share of $26.56 (calculated as the product of the
January 8, 1997 closing price for EQR Common times the exchange ratio of .625)
and the fully-loaded price per share of $28.05. J.P. Morgan noted that the
implied price for Wellsford Common was at a premium to the 52-week high.
Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis. J.P. Morgan reviewed the historical
exchange ratio of the daily closing price per share of Wellsford Common to the
daily closing price per share of EQR Common for the period from January 9, 1996
to January 8, 1997. To compensate in the value of Wellsford's share price for
the loss of income resulting from the contribution of the Sonterra Loan to WRP
Newco, J.P. Morgan calculated the First Call 1996 FFO multiple for each of
Wellsford's daily closing prices beginning August 1, 1996 (the commencement
date of the mortgage loan). Adjusting Wellsford's First Call 1996 FFO downwards
by $0.09, J.P. Morgan multiplied the above FFO multiple times the adjusted
First Call 1996 FFO to arrive at an adjusted Wellsford share price for each
closing price from August 1, 1996 to January 8, 1997. This adjusted share price
was then used in the calculation of the historical exchange ratios. The
exchange ratios of the daily closing prices of one share of Wellsford Common,
as adjusted for the Sonterra Loan, to one share of EQR Common on January 9,
1996 and on January 8, 1997, were 0.777 and 0.575, respectively. J.P. Morgan
noted a one-year low to high range (adjusted for the Sonterra mortgage) of
between 0.569 and 0.780; an average one-year unadjusted exchange ratio of 0.662
versus an adjusted ratio of 0.658; an average six-month unadjusted exchange
ratio of 0.626 versus an adjusted ratio of 0.623; and an average one-month
unadjusted exchange ratio of 0.583 versus an adjusted ratio of 0.579. In
addition, such analysis implied a one-year historical share price range for
Wellsford of $24.18 to $33.15, as calculated by multiplying EQR Common's
January 8, 1997 closing price of $42.50 by the 52-week low and high values for
the exchange ratios, respectively.
Net Asset Value Analysis. Using the publicly available unaudited results for
each company for the period ending September 30, 1996, J.P. Morgan calculated
the Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share for both Wellsford Common and EQR
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Common. In so doing, J.P. Morgan applied a range of capitalization rates from
8.5% to 9.5% to projections by Wellsford and EQR for the stabilized 1997 net
operating income ("NOI") of the properties, calculated as the average of the
estimated 1997 NOI for each company as projected by the REIT analyst community,
including projected acquisitions related NOI, in order to calculate a gross
real estate value, to which was added the gross value of other assets,
excluding the Wellsford assets to be contributed to WRP Newco, less each
company's respective outstanding debt and liabilities, to arrive at an equity
NAV. The equity NAV per share was then calculated by dividing the equity NAV by
the number of common shares outstanding for each company. This analysis
indicated an NAV exchange ratio range for the two companies of between 0.470 to
0.742, and an implied range for the price of Wellsford Common of $19.96 to
$31.54 per share, assuming a January 8, 1997 closing price of $42.50 per share
for EQR Common.
WRP Newco Analysis. As a part of its opinion, J.P. Morgan reviewed the terms
of EQR's investments in and commitments to WRP Newco. These include the
following items: an agreement by EQR to invest $3.5 million in WRP Newco Common
at the time of the Merger in return for receiving an approximately 7.5%
interest in WRP Newco; a commitment to purchase up to $25 million of preferred
stock with an 8.0% dividend and 8.0% conversion premium; a 20.0% interest in
the Palomino Park development (10.0% received through the purchase of
Wellsford, and an additional 10.0% purchased for $1.5 million in cash); credit
enhancement for $14.8 million in bonds outstanding on Palomino Park; and a two-
part standby purchase obligation for Palomino Park Phases I and II. J.P. Morgan
noted that EQR is to be compensated at competitive market based rates for its
investments in WRP Newco.
The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses or data presented by J.P. Morgan. The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial
analysis or summary description. J.P. Morgan believes that the summary set
forth above and their analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting
portions thereof, without considering all of its analyses, could create an
incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and opinion. J.P.
Morgan based its analyses on assumptions that it deemed reasonable, including
assumptions concerning general business and economic conditions and industry-
specific factors. The other principal assumptions upon which J.P. Morgan based
its analyses are set forth above under the description of each such analysis.
J.P. Morgan's analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
actual future results that might be achieved, which values may be higher or
lower than those indicated. Moreover, J.P. Morgan's analyses are not and do not
purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which
businesses actually could be bought or sold.
As a part of its investment banking business, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates
are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with Mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control
purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements, and valuations for estate, corporate
and other purposes. J.P. Morgan was selected to deliver an opinion to EQR's
Board of Trustees with respect to the Merger on the basis of such experience
and its familiarity with EQR.
For the delivery of its opinion, J.P. Morgan received a fee of $600,000 from
EQR. In addition, EQR reimbursed J.P. Morgan for its reasonable expenses
incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements
of counsel, and agreed to indemnify J.P. Morgan against certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising under the Federal securities laws.
J.P. Morgan and its affiliates (including Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York) maintain banking and other business relationships with EQR and its
affiliates pursuant to which J.P. Morgan has received an aggregate of
approximately $490,000 in fees over the past two years, and with Wellsford and
its affiliates pursuant to which J.P. Morgan has received an aggregate of
approximately $638,000 in fees over the past two years. In the ordinary course
of their businesses, affiliates of J.P. Morgan may actively trade the debt and
equity securities of EQR or Wellsford for their own accounts or for the
accounts of customers and, accordingly, they may at any time hold long or short
positions in such securities.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR--WELLSFORD
Wellsford. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford on January
16, 1997, Merrill Lynch rendered its oral opinion to the Wellsford Board of
Trustees, and subsequently on such date Merrill Lynch delivered its written
opinion (the "Merrill Lynch Opinion"), to the effect that, as of such date and
based upon the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of review, the
proposed consideration to be received by Wellsford Common Shareholders pursuant
to the Merger and the Distribution was fair to such shareholders from a
financial point of view. Merrill Lynch has not been requested to, and will not,
update its opinion prior to Closing. No limitations were imposed by Wellsford's
Board of Trustees upon Merrill Lynch with respect to the investigations made or
procedures followed by it in rendering its opinion.
A copy of the Merrill Lynch Opinion which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and certain limitations on the scope of review undertaken by
Merrill Lynch, is attached hereto as Appendix D and is incorporated by
reference
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herein. The description of the written opinion set forth herein is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the full text of the written opinion. Shareholders
of Wellsford are urged to read such opinion in its entirety. In the opinion of
Wellsford, no events or significant changes in information have occurred that
would alter the opinion of Merrill Lynch. However, if such an event or change
does occur, including, without limitation, an amendment to the Merger Agreement
or Contribution and Distribution Agreement which materially affects the
financial terms of either of such agreements, a revised fairness opinion will
be requested.
THE MERRILL LYNCH OPINION IS ADDRESSED TO THE WELLSFORD BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND
ADDRESSES ONLY THE FAIRNESS FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE PROPOSED
CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY WELLSFORD COMMON SHAREHOLDERS PURSUANT TO THE
MERGER AND THE DISTRIBUTION AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED
AS, A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY WELLSFORD COMMON SHAREHOLDER AS TO HOW SUCH
SHAREHOLDER SHOULD VOTE AT THE WELLSFORD SPECIAL MEETING. THE PROPOSED
CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY WELLSFORD COMMON SHAREHOLDERS PURSUANT TO THE
MERGER AND THE DISTRIBUTION WAS DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN
WELLSFORD AND EQR AND WAS APPROVED BY THE WELLSFORD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
In connection with the preparation of the Merrill Lynch Opinion, Merrill
Lynch, among other things: (i) reviewed Wellsford's Annual Report on Form 10-K
and related financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995
and Wellsford's Reports on Form 10-Q and the related unaudited financial
information for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and
September 30, 1996; (ii) reviewed EQR's Annual Report on Form 10-K and related
financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and EQR's
Reports on Form 10-Q and the related unaudited financial information for the
quarterly periods ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996;
(iii) reviewed certain information, including certain financial forecasts and
assumptions, relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets and
prospects of (A) Wellsford and WRP Newco and (B) EQR, furnished to it by
Wellsford and EQR, respectively; (iv) reviewed estimates of prospective
synergies resulting from the Merger prepared by the managements of Wellsford
and EQR and discussed such estimates with the managements of both companies;
(v) conducted discussions with members of senior management of Wellsford and
EQR concerning the respective businesses and prospects of (A) Wellsford and WRP
Newco and (B) EQR; (vi) reviewed the historical market prices and trading
activity for Wellsford Common and EQR Common and compared them with that of
certain companies which Merrill Lynch deemed to be reasonably similar to
Wellsford and EQR, respectively; (vii) compared the results of operations of
Wellsford and EQR with that of certain companies which Merrill Lynch deemed to
be reasonably similar to Wellsford and EQR, respectively; (viii) compared the
proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial terms of certain
other mergers and acquisitions which Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; (ix)
considered the pro forma effect of the Merger on the combined entity's
capitalization ratios and earnings, cash flow and book value per share; (x)
reviewed the Merger Agreement; (xi) reviewed the financial terms of the
Contribution and Distribution as set forth in the Merger Agreement and the
forms of Contribution and Distribution Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement
attached as exhibits thereto; and (xii) reviewed such other financial studies
and analyses and performed such other investigations and took into account such
other matters as Merrill Lynch deemed necessary, including its assessment of
general economic, market and monetary conditions.
In preparing the Merrill Lynch Opinion, Merrill Lynch relied on the accuracy
and completeness of all information supplied or otherwise made available to it
by Wellsford and EQR, and did not independently verify such information or
undertake an independent appraisal or evaluation of the assets or liabilities
of Wellsford or EQR. With respect to the financial forecasts, assumptions and
estimates of prospective synergies resulting from the Merger furnished by
Wellsford and the financial forecasts, assumptions and estimates of prospective
synergies resulting from the Merger furnished by EQR, Merrill Lynch assumed
that they had been reasonably prepared and reflected the best currently
available estimates and judgment of Wellsford's or EQR's management as to the
expected future financial performance of Wellsford, WRP Newco or EQR, as the
case may be. Merrill Lynch further assumed that the Merger will qualify as a
tax-free reorganization to the holders of Wellsford Common (except to the
extent, if any, of cash received in lieu of fractional shares). In addition,
Merrill Lynch further assumed that the Distribution will be consummated without
any material modification to the terms set forth in the forms of Contribution
and Distribution Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement reviewed by it. As a
matter of policy, Wellsford does not publicly disclose internal management
forecasts, projections or estimates of the type furnished to Merrill Lynch in
connection with its analysis of the Merger, and such forecasts, projections and
estimates were not prepared with a view towards public disclosure. These
forecasts, projections and estimates were based on numerous variables and
assumptions which are inherently uncertain and which may not be within the
control of management of Wellsford, including, without limitation, general
economic, regulatory and competitive conditions. Accordingly, actual results
could vary materially from those set forth in such forecasts, projections and
estimates.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Merrill Lynch was not authorized
to, and did not, solicit indications of interest from third parties to purchase
the outstanding Wellsford Common or otherwise enter into a business combination
with
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Wellsford. Merrill Lynch's opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view of the proposed consideration to be received by holders of Wellsford
Common addresses the ownership position in the combined entity to be received
by the holders of Wellsford Common pursuant to the Merger on the terms set
forth in the Merger Agreement based upon the relative contributions of
Wellsford and EQR to the combined entity and after giving effect to the
Contribution and Distribution. Merrill Lynch expressed no opinion as to prices
at which the Survivor Common or the WRP Newco Common will trade following the
consummation of the Contribution and Distribution and the Merger or prices
which could be obtained for the Survivor Common in a sale of the combined
entity following the consummation of the Merger. Merrill Lynch did not
consider, and its opinion does not address, the tax consequences of the
Distribution to the holders of Wellsford Common. The Merrill Lynch Opinion does
not address the relative merits of the Merger as compared with any other
business plan or opportunity that might be presented to Wellsford, including
alternative business combinations with third parties, or the effect of any
other arrangement in which Wellsford might engage.
At the meeting of the Wellsford Board of Trustees held on January 16, 1997,
Merrill Lynch presented certain financial analyses accompanied by written
materials in connection with the delivery of its fairness opinion. The
following is a summary of the material financial and comparative analyses
performed by Merrill Lynch in arriving at its opinion.
Historical Trading Performance and Current Capitalization. Merrill Lynch
reviewed certain trading information for each of Wellsford and EQR and, on the
basis thereof, calculated their respective market values, market
capitalizations and trading multiples based on stock prices as of January 14,
1997 of $24.63 for Wellsford and $42.88 for EQR. For this purpose, Merrill
Lynch defined "total market capitalization" as market value of the relevant
company's common equity (including operating partnership units), plus preferred
stock at liquidation value plus total debt less cash. Merrill Lynch then
calculated the market value of each of Wellsford and EQR as a multiple of
projected FFO (based on mean First Call estimates) and Adjusted Funds From
Operations ("AFFO") (based on estimates from Merrill Lynch Research). For
Wellsford, the FFO multiples for 1996 and 1997 were 11.7x and 11.0x,
respectively, and the AFFO multiples for 1996 and 1997 were 12.6x and 11.8x,
respectively. For EQR, the FFO multiples for 1996 and 1997 were 13.8x and
12.5x, respectively, and the AFFO multiples for 1996 and 1997 were 16.0x and
14.4x, respectively.
Merrill Lynch also reviewed the share price history for Wellsford for the
period January 7, 1996 through January 10, 1997, and for EQR for the period
January 7, 1996 through January 9, 1997 and noted certain events and public
announcements made by the respective companies during such periods.
Analysis of Selected Comparable Publicly Traded Companies. Using publicly
available information and estimates of future financial results published by
First Call and taken from Merrill Lynch Research, Merrill Lynch compared
certain financial and operating information and ratios for both Wellsford and
EQR with the corresponding financial and operating information for a group of
publicly traded companies engaged primarily in the ownership, management,
operation and acquisition of multifamily properties which Merrill Lynch deemed
to be reasonably comparable to Wellsford and EQR. For the purpose of its
analyses, the following companies were used as comparable companies to
Wellsford: Evans Withycombe Residential, Inc., Amli Residential Properties
Trust, Camden Property Trust, Oasis Residential, Inc. and Apartment Investment
& Management Co. (collectively, the "Wellsford Comparable Companies"); and the
following companies were used as comparable companies to EQR: Security Capital
Pacific Trust, United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., Wellsford, Merry Land &
Investment Co., Inc., Security Capital Atlantic, Inc. and Apartment Investment
& Management Co. (collectively, the "EQR Comparable Companies").
Merrill Lynch's calculations resulted in the following relevant ranges for
the Wellsford Comparable Companies and for Wellsford as of January 14, 1997: a
range of debt to total market capitalization of 32.3% to 43.1%, with a mean of
40.8% (with Wellsford at 37.2%); a range of dividend yields of 6.4% to 7.5%,
with a mean of 7.1% (with Wellsford at 7.9%); a range of 1996 AFFO payout
ratios of 87.6% to 102.6%, with a mean of 95.4% calculated on the basis of
projected results for 1996 (with Wellsford at 99.0%); a range of market value
as a multiple of projected 1996 FFO of 11.1x to 11.9x, with a mean of 11.5x
(with Wellsford at 11.7x); a range of market value as a multiple of projected
1997 FFO of 10.1x to 11.3x, with a mean of 10.7x (with Wellsford at 11.0x); a
range of market value as a multiple of projected 1996 AFFO of 12.6x to 13.9x,
with a mean of 13.2x (with Wellsford at 12.6x); and a range of market value as
a multiple of projected 1997 AFFO of 11.5x to 13.1x, with a mean of 12.2x (with
Wellsford at 11.8x).
Merrill Lynch's calculations resulted in the following relevant ranges for
the EQR Comparable Companies and for EQR as of January 14, 1997: a range of
dividend yields of 5.8% to 7.9%, with a mean of 6.5% (with EQR at 5.8%); a
range of debt to total market capitalization of 11.5% to 42.9%, with a mean of
31.7% (with EQR at 27.9%); a range of 1996 AFFO payout ratios of 82.2% to
99.0%, with a mean of 90.2% calculated on the basis of projected results for
1996 (with EQR at 93.3%); a range of market value as a multiple of projected
1996 FFO of 10.9x to 15.5x, with a mean of 12.6x (with EQR at 13.8x); a range
of market value as a multiple of projected 1997 FFO of 10.1x to 14.6x, with a
mean of 11.8x (with EQR at
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12.5x); a range of market value as a multiple of projected 1996 AFFO of 12.2x
to 15.5x, with a mean of 13.7x (with EQR at 16.0x); and a range of market value
as a multiple of projected 1997 AFFO of 11.8x to 14.0x, with a mean of 13.0x
(with EQR at 14.4x).
None of the companies utilized in the above analysis for comparative purposes
is, of course, identical to Wellsford or EQR. Accordingly, a complete analysis
of the results of the foregoing calculations cannot be limited to a
quantitative review of such results and involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of
the Wellsford Comparable Companies and the EQR Comparable Companies, and other
factors that could affect the public trading value of the Wellsford Comparable
Companies and the EQR Comparable Companies, as well as that of Wellsford or
EQR. In addition, the multiples of market value to estimated 1996 and projected
1997 FFO and AFFO for the Wellsford Comparable Companies and the EQR Comparable
Companies are based on projections prepared by research analysts using only
publicly available information. Accordingly, such estimates may or may not
prove to be accurate.
Comparable Transactions Analysis. Merrill Lynch also compared certain
financial ratios of the Merger with those of selected other mergers and
strategic transactions involving REITs which Merrill Lynch deemed to be
reasonably comparable to the Merger. These transactions were Camden Property
Trust's proposed merger with Paragon Group, Inc., Chateau Properties, Inc.'s
merger with ROC Communities, Inc., United Dominion Realty, Inc.'s merger with
South West Property Trust Inc., Highwoods Properties Inc.'s acquisition of
Crocker Realty Trust, Inc., Simon Property Group, Inc.'s merger with DeBartolo
Realty Corporation, Bradley Real Estate Inc.'s merger with Tucker Properties
Corp., BRE Properties Inc.'s Merger with REIT of California, Horizon Outlet
Center Inc.'s merger with McArthur Glen Realty Corp., Mid America Apartment
Communities Inc.'s merger with America First REIT, Inc. and Wellsford's merger
with Holly Residential Properties, Inc.
Using publicly available information and estimates of financial results as
published by First Call, Merrill Lynch calculated the premium of the implied
offer value per share relative to the acquired company's stock price on the day
before announcement of the respective transaction and the implied offer value
per share for the acquired company, as of the day before the announcement of
the respective transaction, as a multiple of the projected FFO per share for
such company. This analysis yielded a range of premiums/(discounts) of (0.8%)
to 38.0% with a mean of 12.2% and a range of transaction FFO multiples of 6.6x
to 15.5x with a mean of 10.2x.
Merrill Lynch observed that, based on the closing price of EQR Common on the
NYSE of $42.88 per share as of January 14, 1997, the Exchange Ratio yielded an
implied offer value in the Merger of $26.80 per share of Wellsford Common.
Together with the per share valuation range for Newco Common of $2.43 to $2.82,
the implied premium range of the aggregate consideration to be received in the
Merger and the Distribution over the closing market price of Wellsford Common
on January 14, 1997 was 18.7% to 20.3% and represented a range of implied offer
values in the Merger and the Distribution for the Wellsford Common as a
multiple of Wellsford's projected 1997 FFO of 12.2x to 12.4x.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Merrill Lynch performed discounted cash flow
analyses (i.e., an analysis of the present value of the projected levered cash
flows for the periods and using the discount rates indicated) of Wellsford
based upon projections provided by Wellsford's management of Wellsford's
dividends, FFO and AFFO for the years 1997 through 2001, inclusive, using
discount rates reflecting an equity cost of capital ranging from 15.0% to 17.0%
and terminal value multiples of calendar year 2001 FFO ranging from 10.5x to
12.5x and terminal value multiples of calendar year 2001 AFFO ranging from
11.5x to 13.5x. Based upon Wellsford Management's projection of FFO per share
of $2.39 in 1997 increasing gradually to $3.27 in 2001 (assuming a compound
annual growth rate of 9.1%) and AFFO per share of $2.25 in 1997 increasing
gradually to $3.10 in 2001 (assuming a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%),
the range of present values per Wellsford share was $22.07 to $27.85 using the
FFO and AFFO discounted dividend methods and $24.50 to $29.47 based upon the
discounted AFFO method.
Merrill Lynch also performed discounted cash flow analyses of EQR based upon
projections and assumptions provided by EQR's management of EQR's dividends,
FFO and AFFO for the years 1997 through 2001, inclusive, using discount rates
reflecting an equity cost of capital ranging from 14.0% to 16.0% and terminal
value multiples of calendar year 2001 FFO ranging from 12.5x to 14.5x and
terminal value multiples of calendar year 2001 AFFO ranging from 14.0x to
16.0x. The range of present values per EQR share was $36.63 to $44.51 using the
FFO and AFFO discounted dividend methods and $39.89 to $47.41 based upon the
discounted AFFO method.
Net Asset Valuation Analysis. Merrill Lynch performed a net asset valuation
for Wellsford based on an asset-by-asset real estate valuation of Wellsford's
properties, an estimation of the current value for Wellsford's other assets and
liabilities, and an estimation of Wellsford's debt balances as of December 31,
1996. The real estate valuation utilized property specific
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projections prepared by Wellsford's management for the year 1997. For the
operating portfolio of Wellsford, the valuation utilized the direct
capitalization method on 1997 property net operating income after capital
reserves and a range of capitalization rates of 8.50% to 9.25%. These
calculations indicated a per share net asset valuation range for Wellsford of
$25.58 to $28.27.
Merrill Lynch also performed a net asset valuation for EQR based on an asset-
by-asset real estate valuation of EQR's properties, an estimation of the
current values for EQR's other assets and liabilities, and an estimation of
EQR's debt balances as of December 31, 1996. The real estate valuation utilized
property specific projections prepared by EQR's management for the year 1997.
For the operating portfolio of EQR, the valuation utilized the direct
capitalization method on 1997 property net operating income after capital
reserves and a range of capitalization rates of 8.25% to 9.25%. These
calculations indicated a per share net asset valuation range for EQR of $32.53
to $35.95.
Merrill Lynch also performed a net asset valuation for WRP Newco based on an
asset-by-asset valuation. Merrill Lynch arrived at a range of values by summing
the following: (i) the implied value range for WRP Newco's interest in the
Sonterra Assets, (ii) the implied value range for WRP Newco's interest in
Palomino Park, net of associated liabilities, and (iii) cash and cash
equivalents less total debt. These calculations indicated a net asset valuation
range for WRP Newco Common allocable to each share of Wellsford Common in the
Distribution of $2.43 to $2.82, of which amount $1.45 was attributable to cash
and cash equivalents.
Relative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Merrill Lynch utilized the results of
the discounted cash flow analyses of Wellsford and EQR described above after
adjusting the projections relating to Wellsford to give effect to the
Distribution (as so adjusted, the "Post-Distribution Wellsford") to calculate a
range of implied exchange ratios based on a comparison of the relative ranges
of value for EQR and Post-Distribution Wellsford. When the low Post-
Distribution Wellsford discounted cash flow value was compared to the high EQR
discounted cash flow value and the high Post-Distribution Wellsford discounted
cash flow value was compared to the low EQR discounted cash flow value, the
analysis yielded an implied exchange ratio range of 0.442 to 0.660. The
Exchange Ratio under the Merger Agreement is set at .625, subject to adjustment
as set forth in the Merger Agreement.
Contribution Analysis. Merrill Lynch observed that Wellsford Common
Shareholders would own 15.3% of the common shares of the combined entity
outstanding after the Merger and Distribution (assuming an Exchange Ratio of
.625), after giving effect to the issuance of the Merger consideration. Merrill
Lynch reviewed certain projected operating and financial information,
including, among other things, FFO and AFFO for Post-Distribution Wellsford,
EQR and the pro forma combined entity without giving effect to potential
transaction synergies. Merrill Lynch observed that in 1997, 1998 and 1999 Post-
Distribution Wellsford would contribute (without giving effect to potential
transaction synergies) 16.0%, 14.1% and 13.2% to the combined entity's FFO,
respectively, and 16.6%, 14.6% and 13.6% to the combined entity's AFFO,
respectively. Merrill Lynch also reviewed the relative contributions to the pro
forma combined net asset valuation. The analysis indicated that Post-
Distribution Wellsford would contribute 17.1% of the combined net asset value
based upon the midpoints of the net asset value ranges.
Pro Forma Combination Analysis. Merrill Lynch analyzed the pro forma effects
resulting from the Merger, including the potential impact on EQR's projected
stand alone FFO per share and the anticipated accretion (i.e., the incremental
increase) to EQR's FFO per share resulting from the Merger. Merrill Lynch
observed that, after giving effect to Wellsford management's estimates of
potential transaction synergies, the Merger would be accretive to EQR's
projected FFO per share in each of the years 1997 through 1999, inclusive.
Merrill Lynch also observed that the indicated annual dividend per Wellsford
share pro forma for the Merger would be $1.56 per Wellsford share, or a 19.5%
implied reduction in Wellsford's current indicated dividend rate.
Capitalization. In addition, Merrill Lynch compared EQR's book capitalization
as of December 31, 1996 to (i) its book capitalization as of December 31, 1996
pro forma for the Merger and (ii) based on projections of Wellsford and EQR
managements, EQR's book capitalization as of December 31, 1997 pro forma for
the Merger. The total debt to book equity ratio was 87.1%, 79.4% and 80.5% as
of December 31, 1996, pro forma December 31, 1996 and pro forma December 31,
1997, respectively. The total debt to capitalization ratio was 46.6%, 44.2% and
44.6% as of such respective dates. EBITDA as a multiple of interest expense was
3.2x, 3.3x and 3.5x as of such respective dates, EBITDA as a multiple of fixed
charges was 2.4x, 2.4x and 2.5x as of such respective dates, EBITDA less
capital expenditures as a multiple of interest expense was 3.0x, 3.1x and 3.2x
as of such respective dates and EBITDA less capital expenditures as a multiple
of fixed charges was 2.2x, 2.3x and 2.3x as of such respective dates.
Additionally, based on projections of Wellsford's management for WRP Newco,
Merrill Lynch observed that the total debt to capitalization ratio of WRP Newco
as of December 31, 1997 was 25.4%.
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The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Merrill Lynch in arriving at its opinion. The
preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and not necessarily
susceptible to partial or summary description. Merrill Lynch believes that its
analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its
analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all factors
and analyses, could create a misleading view of the processes underlying its
analyses set forth in its opinion. In its analyses, Merrill Lynch made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond EQR's, Wellsford's and
Merrill Lynch's control. Any estimates contained in Merrill Lynch's analyses
are not necessarily indicative of actual values, which may be significantly
more or less favorable than as set forth therein. Estimated values do not
purport to be appraisals and do not necessarily reflect the prices at which
businesses or companies may be sold in the future, and such estimates are
inherently subject to uncertainty.
The Wellsford Board of Trustees selected Merrill Lynch to render a fairness
opinion because Merrill Lynch is an internationally recognized investment
banking firm with substantial experience in transactions similar to the Merger
and because it is familiar with Wellsford and its business. Merrill Lynch has
from time to time rendered investment banking, financial advisory and other
services to Wellsford and EQR for which it has received aggregate compensation
in the amount of $6.7 million from EQR and $2.3 million from Wellsford, in each
case since January 1, 1995. Merrill Lynch is continually engaged in the
valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with Mergers and
acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities and private placements.
Pursuant to a letter agreement dated January 14, 1997, Wellsford has agreed
to pay Merrill Lynch fees as follows: (i) a cash fee of $500,000 payable upon
the delivery of the Merrill Lynch Opinion, and (ii) an additional cash fee of
$2 million (less the fees paid to Merrill Lynch pursuant to (i) above) to be
paid contingent upon the Closing of the Merger. WRP Newco has agreed with
Wellsford to be responsible for $250,000 of such fees. Wellsford also agreed to
reimburse Merrill Lynch for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with its advisory work, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of its legal counsel, subject to certain limitations, and to
indemnify Merrill Lynch and certain related persons against certain liabilities
arising out of or in conjunction with its rendering of services under its
engagement, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws.
In the ordinary course of its business, Merrill Lynch may actively trade in
the securities of Wellsford and EQR for its own account and the account of its
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote of shareholders of Wellsford
and shareholders of EQR, and the other conditions to the Merger are satisfied
or waived, the Merger will become effective at the time the Department accepts
the Articles for record or at a different time established in the Articles, not
to exceed 30 days after the Articles are accepted for record by the Department.
It is presently anticipated that such filing and acceptance will be made on or
about May 30, 1997, and that the Effective Time of the Merger will occur on
such date unless a different date is specified in the Articles, as discussed
above, although there can be no assurance as to whether or when the Merger will
occur. The Articles are attached hereto as Appendix B. See "--Representation
and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger."
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties by EQR and
Wellsford regarding, among other things, their organization and good standing,
capitalization, ownership and capitalization of their subsidiaries,
qualification to do business, authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and
related agreements, filings with the Commission, reliability of financial
statements, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, taxation and
qualification as a REIT, properties, development rights (with respect to
Wellsford only), environmental matters, contracts, debt instruments, employee
benefit plans, undisclosed liabilities and the absence of certain legal
proceedings and other events, including material adverse changes in the
parties' businesses, financial condition or results of operations. These
representations and warranties will not survive the Effective Time.
The respective obligations of EQR and Wellsford to effect the Merger are
subject to the following conditions: (i) approval of the Merger Agreement, and
the transactions contemplated therein, by the shareholders of Wellsford and
EQR, (ii) approval by the NYSE of the listing of the shares of Survivor Common
to be issued in the Merger, (iii) the Registration Statement shall not be the
subject of any stop order or proceeding by the Commission seeking a stop order,
(iv) no injunctions or restraints shall have been issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the Merger, (v) all state
securities laws shall have been complied with, (vi) execution of the
Contribution and Distribution
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Agreement, (vii) execution of the Common and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement
between ERP Operating Partnership and WRP Newco (the "Stock Purchase
Agreement"), (viii) execution of the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement
between ERP Operating Partnership and WRP Newco, (ix) execution of the Sonterra
Right of First Offer Agreement between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership,
(x) execution of the Palomino Agreement between WRP Newco and ERP Operating
Partnership, (xi) execution of the Transaction and Termination Costs Agreement
among EQR, Wellsford and WRP Newco, (xii) execution of the Consulting
Agreements of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal and (xiii) the receipt of
the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll to the effect that the Merger
Agreement and Articles are enforceable under Maryland law.
The obligations of Wellsford and EQR to effect the Merger are subject to the
following additional conditions: (i) all representations and warranties made by
the parties shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, which shall be
deemed the case unless the breach of such representations and warranties, in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
with respect to such parties, (ii) each party shall have performed its
obligations under the Merger Agreement, (iii) as of the Closing Date, neither
party, nor any of their subsidiaries, will have suffered a material adverse
change in its business, financial condition or results of operations taken as a
whole (a "Material Adverse Change"), (iv) each party shall have received an
opinion of counsel from counsel to the other party stating that commencing with
its taxable year ended December 31, 1993, its client was organized and has
operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under
the Code, (v) each party shall have received an opinion of counsel dated as of
the closing date, to the effect that the Merger will qualify as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code, (vi) each
party shall have received a "comfort letter" from the other party's
accountants, (vii) each party shall have received an opinion from counsel to
the other party addressing certain issues as set out in the Merger Agreement,
and (viii) the receipt of all consents and waivers from third parties necessary
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
The obligation of EQR to effect the Merger is further subject to the
following conditions: (i) unless Wellsford Holly Management, Inc. ("Wellsford
Management Inc.") is dissolved before the Closing Date, the voting shares of
Wellsford Management Inc. shall have been transferred to EQR's designees as
provided for in the Merger Agreement, (ii) certain executives of Wellsford who
have agreed to the conversion of their options to purchase Wellsford Common
into options to purchase WRP Newco Common will have executed agreements
releasing the Surviving Trust from any obligations of Wellsford to them under
options to purchase Wellsford Common which are exchanged for or converted into
options to purchase WRP Newco Common, (iii) the Articles of Incorporation of
WPHC shall have been amended to modify its equity structure as provided in the
Merger Agreement and (iv) Wellsford's ownership interest in WPHC immediately
prior to the Distribution by Wellsford of WRP Newco Common shall consist solely
of 80 voting shares of WPHC and 20 non-voting shares of WPHC.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Shareholders of Wellsford and shareholders of EQR are not entitled to
dissenting shareholders' appraisal rights under Maryland law. Maryland law does
not provide appraisal rights to shareholders of a real estate investment trust
in connection with a merger if their shares are listed on a national securities
exchange, such as the NYSE, on the record date for determining shareholders
entitled to vote on such merger. All of the shares of EQR and Wellsford
outstanding on the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to
vote on the Merger were listed on the NYSE.
REGULATORY MATTERS
EQR and Wellsford believe that the Merger may be consummated without
notification being given or certain information being furnished to the Federal
Trade Commission (the "FTC") or the Antitrust Division of the Department of
Justice (the "Antitrust Division") pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR Act"), and that no waiting period
requirements under the HSR Act are applicable to the Merger. However, at any
time before or after the Effective Time, either the Antitrust Division or the
FTC could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, or certain other persons could take action
under the antitrust laws, including seeking to enjoin the Merger. EQR and
Wellsford believe that consummation of the Merger would not violate any
antitrust laws. However, there can be no assurance that a challenge to the
Merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if a challenge is made, what
the result will be.
TERMINATION PROVISIONS
The Merger Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time prior to
the filing of the Articles with the Department, whether before or after
approval of the Merger by the shareholders of Wellsford and EQR, by mutual
written
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consent, duly authorized by the Boards of Trustees of EQR and Wellsford. In
addition, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by EQR or Wellsford (i) if the
Merger has not been consummated by August 1, 1997 (provided the terminating
party will not have breached in any material respect its obligations under the
Merger Agreement in any manner that will have proximately contributed to the
occurrence of such failure), (ii) upon a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement, on the part of the non-terminating
party set forth in the Merger Agreement, such that certain conditions set forth
in the Merger Agreement would be incapable of being satisfied by August 1,
1997, (iii) if the requisite vote of the shareholders of EQR or Wellsford will
not have been obtained at the meeting of such shareholders, or (iv) if an
order, decree, ruling or other action permanently restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
will have become final and non-appealable.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by Wellsford, if prior to the
Wellsford Special Meeting, the Wellsford Board of Trustees withdraws or
modifies its approval or recommendation of the Merger in connection with, or
approves or recommends, a Superior Acquisition Proposal (as defined
hereinafter). The Merger Agreement may be terminated by EQR if (i) prior to the
Wellsford Special Meeting, the Wellsford Board of Trustees withdraws or
modifies in any manner adverse to EQR its approval or recommendation of the
Merger or the Merger Agreement in connection with, or approves or recommends, a
Superior Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) Wellsford enters into a definitive
agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.
The Merger Agreement defines an "Acquisition Proposal" as a merger,
acquisition, tender offer, exchange offer, consolidation, sale of assets or
similar transaction involving all or any significant portion of the assets or
any equity securities of, Wellsford or any of its subsidiaries, other than the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement defines
a "Superior Acquisition Proposal" as a bona fide acquisition proposal by a
third party which a majority of the members of the Wellsford Board of Trustees
determines in good faith to be more favorable to Wellsford's shareholders from
a financial point of view than the Merger and which the Board of Trustees of
Wellsford determines is reasonably capable of being consummated.
TERMINATION FEE AND EXPENSES
The Merger Agreement provides for certain payments by Wellsford to EQR in
connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. These payments are (i)
a Break-Up Fee of $14 million, plus (ii) Break-Up Expenses equal to the out-of-
pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereunder, up to a maximum of $2.5 million. If the
Merger Agreement is terminated due to the Wellsford Board of Trustees having
withdrawn or modified its approval or recommendation of the Merger or the
Merger Agreement in connection with, or having approved or recommended a
Superior Acquisition Proposal, or if Wellsford will have entered into a
definitive agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, Wellsford is
obligated to pay EQR the Break-Up Fee. Additionally, if the Merger Agreement is
terminated due to a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant,
obligation or agreement by Wellsford or EQR, or failure by either Wellsford or
EQR to obtain the required shareholder approval, then the breaching party, or
the party which failed to obtain such shareholder approval, shall pay to the
other party an amount equal to the Break-Up Expenses. If the Merger is not
consummated, other than due to the termination of the Merger Agreement by (i)
the mutual written consent of the respective Boards of Trustees of EQR and
Wellsford, (ii) either party, upon the failure by EQR to obtain the required
shareholder approval, or (iii) Wellsford, upon a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement on the part of EQR resulting in a
"material adverse effect" to EQR, and either prior to the termination of the
Merger Agreement or within 12 months thereafter, Wellsford or any of its
subsidiaries enters into any written Acquisition Proposal which is subsequently
consummated, Wellsford is required to pay the Break-Up Fee to EQR, as
compensation and liquidated damages for the loss suffered by EQR as a result of
the failure of the Merger to be consummated and to avoid the difficulty of
determining damages under the circumstances. Neither party shall have any
liability to the other after payment of the Break-Up Fee.
Except as described above, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (the
"Transaction Costs") will be allocated between EQR and the Surviving Trust. If
the portion of the Transaction Costs allocated to the Surviving Trust exceeds
an amount specified in the Merger Agreement, WRP Newco will be obligated to
reimburse the Surviving Trust for such excess amount. If WRP Newco becomes
obligated to reimburse the Surviving Trust in the manner described above, the
funds contributed to WRP Newco by Wellsford under the Contribution and
Distribution Agreement will be decreased by an amount equal to the amount which
WRP Newco is obligated to reimburse the Surviving Trust.
NO SOLICITATION OF OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Wellsford has agreed that (i) it and its subsidiaries will not, and it will
use its best efforts not to permit its officers, trustees, employees, agents or
financial advisors to initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly,
any inquiries or the
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making or implementation of any proposal or offer (including, without
limitation, any proposal or offer to its shareholders) with respect to a
merger, acquisition, tender offer, exchange offer, consolidation, sale of
assets or similar transactions involving all or any significant portion of the
assets or any equity securities of, it or any of its subsidiaries, other than
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (ii) it will notify
EQR immediately if Wellsford receives any such inquiries or proposals, or any
requests for such information, or if any negotiations or discussions are sought
to be initiated or continued with it with respect to any of the foregoing. The
Merger Agreement does not, however, prohibit a party from entering into
discussion with respect to an unsolicited proposal if the Board of Trustees of
that party determines that such action is required by its duties to its
shareholders imposed by law.
EQR has agreed that if it enters into negotiations with another entity having
a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act regarding the
acquisition of such entity (whether effected through a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, tender offer or other form), then at least three business days
prior to executing any definitive agreement with such entity with respect to
such acquisition or making a tender offer for the shares or other ownership
interests of such entity, EQR shall notify Wellsford of such transaction and
consult with Wellsford with respect thereto, it being understood, however, that
Wellsford shall have no approval rights with respect thereto.
CONVERSION OF SHARES
Each share of Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time will be converted into .625 of a share of Survivor Common. All such shares
of Wellsford Common, when so converted, will cease to be outstanding and will
automatically be cancelled and retired and each holder of a certificate
representing any such shares will cease to have any rights with respect
thereto, except the right to receive the shares of Survivor Common and any
cash, without interest, in lieu of fractional shares to be issued or paid in
consideration therefor upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance
with the Merger Agreement, as well as dividends and distributions declared with
a record date after the Effective Time.
Each share of Wellsford Preferred, consisting of Wellsford Series A and
Wellsford's Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest ("Wellsford Series B"), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time will continue as a preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same
preferences and other terms except that each share of Wellsford Series A will
be redesignated as one share of Series D Convertible Preferred Share of
Beneficial Interest in the Surviving Trust ("Survivor Series D") and each share
of Wellsford Series B will be redesignated as one share of Series E Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Share of Beneficial Interest in the Surviving Trust
("Survivor Series E"); provided, however, that the conversion ratio for
Survivor Series D shall be adjusted in accordance with its terms. At the
Effective Time, each certificate representing outstanding shares of Wellsford
Series A and Wellsford Series B will cease to have any rights with respect to
such shares, except the right to receive a certificate of the Surviving Trust
representing an equal number of Survivor Series D or Survivor Series E, as the
case may be.
Each share of EQR Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
will be converted into and continue as one share of Survivor Common. At the
Effective Time, each certificate representing shares of EQR Common will
thereafter represent an equal number of shares of Survivor Common.
Each share of EQR Preferred, consisting of 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share
(the "Series A Preferred Shares"), 9 1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the "Series
B Preferred Shares"), and 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the "Series C
Preferred Shares"), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be
converted into and continue with its same preferences as one share of the
Surviving Trust's 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest ("Survivor Series A"), the Surviving Trust's 9 1/8% Series
B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest ("Survivor
Series B"), and the Surviving Trust's 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest ("Survivor Series C"), respectively. At
the Effective Time, each certificate evidencing outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares or Series C Preferred Shares will
thereafter evidence an equal number of shares of Survivor Series A, Survivor
Series B or Survivor Series C, respectively.
The issuance, terms and conditions of the Survivor Common and the Survivor
Preferred (collectively, the "Survivor Shares") will be governed by the
Surviving Trust's Declaration. For a detailed description of the provisions of
the Surviving Trust's Declaration, see "Proposal Regarding Additional
Declaration of Trust Provisions" and "Comparison of Rights of Shareholders."
APPOINTMENT OF EXCHANGE AGENT
In order to facilitate distribution of certificates representing shares of
the Surviving Trust to Wellsford shareholders, the Surviving Trust will appoint
Boston EquiServe LLP, an affiliate of First National Bank of Boston, to act as
Exchange Agent
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in connection with the Merger. The Exchange Agent will enter into an agreement
with EQR and Wellsford pursuant to which it will agree to act as agent for
purposes of distributing the certificates representing shares of the Surviving
Trust to Wellsford shareholders.
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Wellsford shareholders should not tender their certificates representing
Wellsford shares with their proxy. Promptly after the Effective Time, the
Exchange Agent will mail to all Wellsford shareholders transmittal materials,
including a letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") for use in
exchanging certificates evidencing Wellsford Shares for certificates evidencing
Survivor Shares. As soon as practicable after the Letter of Transmittal is
properly completed and returned, along with the certificates evidencing
Wellsford Shares, to the Exchange Agent, the person specified in the Letter of
Transmittal will receive certificates for the number of whole shares of
Survivor Shares and, to the extent applicable, any cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Survivor Common, to which such person is entitled as a result of the
Merger. The Letter of Transmittal is expected to provide instructions for
shareholders who have lost or misplaced their certificates and wish to tender
their shares.
Each Survivor Share for which Wellsford Shares are exchanged in the Merger
will be deemed to have been issued at the Effective Time. Accordingly,
Wellsford shareholders who receive Survivor Shares in the Merger will be
entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions which may be payable
to all holders of record of Survivor Shares with respect to any record date
after the Effective Time. No holder of Wellsford Shares will be entitled to
receive Survivor Shares or cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common, and no
dividends or other distributions will be paid with respect to any Survivor
Shares, until the certificate or certificates formerly representing such
holder's Wellsford Shares have been surrendered in accordance with the
procedures described above. At the time such surrender has been accomplished, a
certificate representing the appropriate number of Survivor Shares will be
issued and accrued dividends and other distributions on such Survivor Shares
will be paid without interest. Existing shareholders of EQR are not required to
tender their certificates representing EQR Shares. Certificates for EQR Shares
will represent the same number and type of Survivor Shares.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
Except as (i) contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) necessary to
accomplish the Distribution, (iii) as disclosed to EQR, or (iv) consented to in
writing by EQR, Wellsford will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to: (a)
conduct its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary course and in
substantially the same manner as before the date of the Merger Agreement, (b)
use reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organizations and
goodwill and keep available the services of its officers and employees, (c)
confer on a regular basis with one or more representatives of EQR to report
operational matters of materiality and, subject to certain qualifications, any
proposals to engage in material transactions, (d) promptly notify EQR of any
material emergency or other material change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), business, properties, assets, liabilities, prospects or the normal
course of its businesses or in the operation of its properties, or of any
material governmental complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications
indicating that the same may be contemplated), (e) promptly deliver to EQR true
and correct copies of any report, statement or schedule filed with the
Commission subsequent to the date of the Merger Agreement, (f) maintain its
books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP") consistently applied and not change in any material manner any of its
methods, principles or practices of accounting in effect at the "Financial
Statement Date" (as defined in the Merger Agreement), except as may be required
by the Commission, applicable law or GAAP, (g) duly and timely file all
reports, tax returns and other documents required to be filed with Federal,
state, local and other authorities, subject to extensions permitted by law,
provided Wellsford notifies EQR that it is availing itself of such extensions
and provided such extensions do not adversely affect Wellsford's status as a
qualified REIT under the Code, (h) not make or rescind any express or deemed
election relative to taxes (unless required by law or necessary to preserve
Wellsford's status as a REIT or the status of any Wellsford subsidiaries as a
partnership for Federal income tax purposes), (i) not acquire, enter into any
option to acquire, or exercise an option or contract to acquire, additional
real property, incur additional indebtedness except for working capital under
its revolving line(s) of credit, encumber assets or commence construction of,
or enter into any agreement or commitment to develop or construct, other real
estate projects, except in the ordinary course of business, which shall include
all activities necessary to proceed with the acquisition, ownership and
construction of Phases I, II and III of Palomino Park in accordance with the
agreements in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement and previously
furnished to EQR, (j) not amend its Declaration of Trust, Bylaws, or the
articles of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, joint venture
agreement or comparable charter or organization document of any subsidiary
without EQR's prior written consent; provided that EQR will not unreasonably
withhold or delay its consent to non-material amendments to organizational
documents of such subsidiaries, (k) make no change in the number of shares of
beneficial interest or capital stock, other than pursuant to (i) the exercise
of options, rights or similar securities outstanding as of the date hereof and
disclosed to EQR, (ii) the conversion
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ratio of Wellsford Series A pursuant to the terms of the Articles Supplementary
for the Wellsford Series A, (iii) options to purchase Wellsford Common which
are issued, and (iv) the Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan of
Wellsford, (l) grant no options or other right or commitment relating to its
shares of beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or units
of limited partnership interest or any security convertible into its shares of
beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or units of limited
partnership interest, or any security the value of which is measured by shares
of beneficial interest, or any security subordinated to the claim of its
general creditors, (m) not (i) authorize, declare, set aside or pay any
dividend or make any other distribution or payment with respect to any shares
of its beneficial interest or capital stock, except as provided in the Merger
Agreement and in connection with the use of shares of beneficial interest to
pay the exercise price or tax withholding in connection with equity-based
employee benefit plans, or (ii) directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of beneficial interest, membership interests or
units of limited partnership interest or any option, warrant or right to
acquire, or security convertible into, shares of beneficial interest,
membership interests, or units of limited partnership interest, (n) not sell,
lease, mortgage, subject to lien or otherwise dispose of any material part of
its assets, individually or in the aggregate, except in the ordinary course of
business or as disclosed to EQR, (o) not make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person or entity, other than (i)
loans, advances and capital contributions to Wellsford subsidiaries in
existence on the date of the Merger Agreement (other than WRP Newco) and (ii)
loans to WRP Newco and WRP Newco subsidiaries bearing interest at a rate per
annum equal to the rate of interest payable under the Second Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated June 30, 1995 between Wellsford and
First National Bank of Boston; (p) not pay, discharge or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in accordance
with their terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or
contemplated by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the
notes thereto) furnished to EQR or incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (q) not enter into any commitment, contractual
obligation, capital expenditure or transaction (each, a "Commitment") which may
result in total payments or liability by or to it in excess of $1 million or
aggregate Commitments in excess of $5 million, (r) not guarantee the
indebtedness of another person or entity, enter into any "keep well" or other
agreement to maintain any financial statement condition of another person or
entity or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the
foregoing, other than guarantees of indebtedness of WRP Newco and its
subsidiaries provided, that on the Closing Date, the Surviving Trust is
released from any obligations with respect to such guarantees, or the
indebtedness so guaranteed is paid in full without payment by the Surviving
Trust or its subsidiaries, (s) not enter into any Commitment with any officer,
trustee, consultant or affiliate of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford's
subsidiaries, except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (t) not increase
any compensation or enter into or amend any employment agreement with any of
its officers, directors or employees earning more than $50,000 per annum, other
than waivers by employees of benefits under such agreements, (u) not adopt any
new employee benefit plan or amend any existing plans or rights, except for
changes which are required by law and changes which are not more favorable to
participants than provisions presently in effect, and (v) not settle any
shareholder derivative or class action claims arising out of or in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (w) not
change the ownership of any of its subsidiaries except pursuant to the
Contribution Agreement and (x) not accept a promissory note in payment of the
exercise price payable under any option to purchase shares of Wellsford Common.
Wellsford has agreed to cause WRP Newco and its subsidiaries to repay, on the
Closing Date, all its loans made to any of them and to procure, on the Closing
Date, the release of Wellsford and its subsidiaries from any guarantees of the
obligations of WRP Newco and its subsidiaries other than the guarantees
contemplated under the Credit Enhancement Agreement and Palomino Agreement by
Wellsford. In the event WRP Newco is unable to repay such loans to Wellsford on
the Closing Date, EQR may, at its option, and in lieu of terminating the Merger
Agreement, require WRP Newco to execute and deliver to the Surviving Trust a
promissory note in the amount of such indebtedness, payable in 12 equal
consecutive monthly installments together with interest thereon.
For purposes of this section, the Merger Agreement provides that any
contract, transaction or other event will be deemed to be material if it would
result or is expected to result in a net impact on Wellsford's consolidated
income statement in excess of $1 million, or on Wellsford's consolidated
balance sheet in excess of $1 million.
Prior to the Effective Time, WRP Newco and its subsidiaries will not be bound
by the restrictions which would otherwise be applicable under (a), (b), (c),
(d), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m)(ii), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), or
(w) above; provided, however, that in no event may WRP Newco: (i) issue any of
its shares to any person or entity other than Wellsford prior to the
Distribution for less than fair value; (ii) take any action or fail to take any
action which would reasonably be expected to result in the termination of or a
challenge to Wellsford's status as a REIT within the meaning of Section 856 of
the Code, or result in a Material Adverse Effect to Wellsford; (iii) enter into
any contract which creates or imposes any obligation on, or otherwise purports
to bind, Wellsford or any of the other Wellsford subsidiaries; (iv) take any
action or omit to take any action which causes a default under any loan
agreement to which Wellsford is a party; (v) amend its Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws in any manner which is inconsistent with the
provisions of the WRP Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
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Prior to the Effective Time, except as (i) contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, or (ii) consented to in writing by Wellsford, EQR will, and will
cause each of its subsidiaries to: (a) use its reasonable efforts to preserve
intact its business organizations and goodwill and keep available the services
of its officers and employees, (b) confer on a regular basis with one or more
representatives of Wellsford to report operational matters of materiality which
could have a EQR Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement),
(c) promptly notify Wellsford of any material emergency or other material
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, assets,
liabilities, prospects or the normal course of its businesses or in the
operation of its properties, or of any material governmental complaints,
investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated), (d) promptly deliver to Wellsford true and correct copies of any
report, statement or schedule filed with the Commission subsequent to the date
of the Merger Agreement, (e) maintain its books and records in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied, and (f) duly and timely file all reports, tax
returns and other documents required to be filed with Federal, state, local and
other authorities.
In addition, during the period beginning the day after the fifth (5th)
trading day prior to the date of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Information Statement and ending on (but including) the Closing Date, EQR will
not (a) issue any EQR Common or other securities convertible into EQR Common in
any single transaction or series of transactions having an aggregate issuance
price in excess of $250 million, or (b) announce any merger with or acquisition
of all or substantially all the assets of another entity which has net assets
in excess of $250 million.
WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
The Merger Agreement provides that, at any time prior to the Effective Time,
either party may, to the extent legally allowed and set forth in a written
instrument signed on behalf of such party, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party, (ii)
waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in the
Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant thereto and (iii) waive
compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such
party contained in the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement provides that it may be amended by the parties by action
taken by the Boards of Trustees of EQR and Wellsford, at any time before or
after approval of the Merger Agreement by the shareholders of EQR or Wellsford
and prior to the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Department. After
any such approval by the shareholders of EQR or Wellsford, no amendment may be
made which by law requires the further approval of shareholders or partners
without obtaining such further approval.
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The Surviving Trust will apply to list the Survivor Shares issuable in
connection with the Merger on the NYSE. Approval of the listing of such shares
on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, is a condition to the
respective obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger.
ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger will be treated as a purchase in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16. Purchase accounting for a merger is the same
as the accounting treatment used for the acquisition of any group of assets.
The fair market value of the consideration given by the Surviving Trust in the
Merger will be used as the valuation basis of the combination. The assets
acquired and liabilities assumed of Wellsford will be recorded at their
relative fair market values as of the Effective Date. The financial statements
of the Surviving Trust will reflect the combined operations of EQR and
Wellsford from the date of the Merger.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR RESALE
The issuance of Survivor Common upon consummation of the Merger will be
registered under the Securities Act. Such shares may be traded freely and
without restriction by those shareholders not deemed to be "affiliates" of
Wellsford as that term is defined in the rules and regulations promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act. "Affiliates" are generally defined as persons
who control, are controlled by or are under common control with an issuer. This
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus /Information Statement does not cover any
resales of Survivor Common received by affiliates of Wellsford.
CONTRIBUTION OF ASSETS OF WELLSFORD TO ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Immediately after the Effective Time, the assets of Wellsford at the
Effective Time, subject to the liabilities of Wellsford, will be contributed by
the Surviving Trust to ERP Operating Partnership, in exchange for general
partner units of
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ERP Operating Partnership equal in number to the number of shares of Survivor
Common issued to the Wellsford Common Shareholders and preferred units of ERP
Operating Partnership equal in number to the number of outstanding shares of
Wellsford Preferred. In connection with the contribution of assets to ERP
Operating Partnership by the Surviving Trust, all of Wellsford's senior
unsecured indebtedness will become the obligation of ERP Operating Partnership.
ERP Operating Partnership will assume the Surviving Trust's full and complete
obligations with respect to Wellsford's senior unsecured debt which will become
an unconditional obligation of ERP Operating Partnership. ERP Operating
Partnership will execute and deliver a legally binding assumption agreement in
connection with the assumption of such Wellsford unsecured debt.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of the material United States Federal
income tax consequences of the Merger to EQR, Wellsford and their respective
shareholders. The following summary is based upon current provisions of the
Code, existing, temporary and final regulations thereunder and current
administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change
(possibly on a retroactive basis). No attempt has been made to comment on all
United States Federal income tax consequences of the Distribution and the
Merger that may be relevant to particular holders of Wellsford Shares and EQR
Shares, including holders that are subject to special tax rules such as dealers
in securities, mutual funds, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, holders
who do not hold their Wellsford Shares or EQR Shares as capital assets and
holders that, for United States Federal income tax purposes, are non-resident
alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or foreign
estates or trusts.
The tax discussion set forth below is included for general information only.
It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice
to any particular holder of Wellsford Shares or EQR Shares. Because of the
particular tax attributes of holders of Wellsford Shares or EQR Shares, the
Merger may have differing tax implications for such holders. Accordingly,
holders of Wellsford Shares or EQR Shares are urged to consult with their own
legal and tax advisers regarding the United States federal income tax
consequences of the Merger and any other consequences to them of the Merger
under state, local and foreign tax laws.
Tax Consequences of Merger. Rudnick & Wolfe, counsel to EQR in connection
with the Merger, has rendered an opinion to EQR that on the basis of the facts,
representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion:
(i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and EQR and Wellsford will each be a party to
such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the code;
(ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by EQR as a result of the Merger;
(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of EQR upon
the exchange of their EQR Common solely for Survivor Common pursuant to the
Merger;
(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of EQR upon
the exchange of their EQR Preferred solely for Survivor Preferred pursuant
to the Merger;
(v) the tax basis of the Survivor Common received or deemed to be
received by any holder of EQR Common in exchange for EQR Common pursuant to
the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of such EQR Common exchanged
therefor;
(vi) the tax basis of the Survivor Preferred received or deemed to be
received by any holder of EQR Preferred in exchange for EQR Preferred
pursuant to the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of such EQR
Preferred exchanged therefor;
(vii) the holding period for Survivor Common and Survivor Preferred
received in exchange for EQR Common and EQR Preferred, respectively,
pursuant to the Merger will include the period that such EQR Common and EQR
Preferred were held by the holder, provided that such EQR Common and EQR
Preferred were held as capital assets by such holder at the Effective Time;
(viii) subsequent to the Merger, the proposed method of operation
described in this Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus/Information Statement
and as represented by EQR should enable the Surviving Trust to satisfy the
requirements under the Code to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes; and
(ix) ERP Operating Partnership will be classified as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes.
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP, counsel to Wellsford in
connection with the Merger, has rendered an opinion to Wellsford that on the
basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion:
(i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and EQR and Wellsford will each be a party to
such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
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(ii) no gain or loss for federal income tax purposes will be recognized
by Wellsford as a result of the Merger;
(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of Wellsford
upon the exchange of their Wellsford Common solely for Survivor Common
pursuant to the Merger;
(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of Wellsford
upon the exchange of their Wellsford Preferred solely for Survivor
Preferred pursuant to the Merger;
(v) the tax basis of the Survivor Common received or deemed to be
received by any holder of Wellsford Common in exchange for Wellsford Common
pursuant to the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of such Wellsford
Common exchanged therefor;
(vi) the tax basis of the Survivor Preferred received or deemed to be
received by any holder of Wellsford Preferred in exchange for Wellsford
Preferred pursuant to the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of such
Wellsford Preferred exchanged therefor;
(vii) the holding period for Survivor Common and Survivor Preferred
received in exchange for Wellsford Common and Wellsford Preferred,
respectively, pursuant to the Merger will include the period that such
shares of Wellsford Common and Wellsford Preferred, respectively, were held
by the holder, provided that such Wellsford Common and Wellsford Preferred
were held as capital assets by such holder at the Effective Time; and
(viii) a shareholder of Wellsford Common who receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share of Wellsford Common pursuant to the Merger will recognize
gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between such shareholder's
basis in the fractional share and the amount of cash received.
Shareholders of EQR and Wellsford should be aware that such opinions of
counsel are not binding on the United States IRS, and no assurance is or will
be given that the IRS would not adopt a contrary position or that the IRS
position would not be sustained by a court.
QUALIFICATION OF SURVIVING TRUST AS A REIT.
General. Wellsford elected REIT status commencing with its taxable year
ending December 31, 1992. In the opinion of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
& Berman LLP, which has acted as counsel to Wellsford, Wellsford was organized
and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable years ended December 31, 1992
through December 31, 1996. Rudnick & Wolfe has opined that, (i) EQR was
organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable years ended
December 31, 1993 through December 31, 1996, and (ii) subsequent to the Merger,
the Surviving Trust's proposed method of operation described in this Joint
ProxyStatement/Prospectus/ Information Statement and as represented by EQR
should enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a
REIT. It must be emphasized that this opinion is based on various assumptions
relating to the organization and operation of the Surviving Trust, ERP
Operating Partnership, the Management Partnerships, Equity Residential
Properties Management Corp., Equity Residential Properties Management Corp. II,
Equity Residential Properties Management Corp. III and Wellsford Management
Corp. (collectively, the "Management Corps."), the limited partnerships and
limited liability companies (the "Financing Partnerships") that own the
beneficial interest of certain properties encumbered by mortgage financing, and
various qualified REIT subsidiaries wholly owned by the Surviving Trust (each a
"QRS Corporation") (collectively, the Management Partnerships, the Management
Corps., the Financing partnerships and the QRS Corporations may be referred to
as the "Subsidiary Entities"), and is conditioned upon certain representations
made by EQR and ERP Operating Partnership as to certain relevant factual
matters, including matters related to the organization, expected operation, and
assets of the Surviving Trust, ERP Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary
Entities. The Surviving Trust's qualification and taxation as a REIT depend
upon the Surviving Trust's ability to meet on a continuing basis, through
actual annual operating and other results, the various requirements under the
Code and described in the Prospectus with regard to, among other things, the
sources of its gross income, the composition of its assets, the level of its
dividends to shareholders, and the diversity of its share ownership. Neither
Rudnick & Wolfe nor Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP will review
the Surviving Trust's compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis.
No assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of the
Surviving Trust, ERP Operating Partnership, and the Subsidiary Entities, the
sources of their income, the nature of their assets, the level of the Surviving
Trust's dividends to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for
any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for
qualification and taxation as a REIT.
In any year in which the Surviving Trust qualifies as a REIT, generally it
will not be subject to Federal income tax on that portion of its REIT taxable
income or capital gain which is distributed to shareholders. This treatment
substantially eliminates the "double taxation" (at both the corporate and
shareholder levels) that generally results from the use of corporate investment
vehicles. The Surviving Trust may, however, be subject to tax at normal
corporate rates upon any taxable income or capital gain not distributed.
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If the Surviving Trust should fail to satisfy either the 75% or the 95% gross
income test (as discussed below), and nonetheless maintains its qualification
as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, it will be subject to a
100% tax on the greater of the amount by which it fails the 75% or the 95%
test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect its profitability. The
Surviving Trust will also be subject to a 100% tax on net income derived from
any "prohibited transaction," as described below. In addition, if the Surviving
Trust should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of
(i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital
gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from
prior years, the Surviving Trust would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the
excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. The
Surviving Trust may also be subject to the corporate "alternative minimum tax,"
as well as tax in certain situations and on certain transactions not presently
contemplated. The Surviving Trust will use the calendar year both for Federal
income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes.
In order to qualify as a REIT, the Surviving Trust must meet, among others,
the following requirements:
Share Ownership Test. Shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving
Trust must be held by a minimum of 100 persons for at least 335 days of a
taxable year that is 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable
year of less than 12 months. In addition, no more than 50% in value of the
shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust may be owned, directly
or indirectly and by applying certain constructive ownership rules, by five
or fewer individuals during the last half of each taxable year. EQR and
Wellsford believe that they have each satisfied both of these tests, and
EQR believes the Surviving Trust will continue to do so. In order to help
comply with the second of these tests, the Surviving Trust has placed
certain restrictions on the transfer of the Survivor Common and Survivor
Preferred that are intended to prevent further concentration of share
ownership.
Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of the Surviving Trust's
taxable year, the Surviving Trust must satisfy two tests relating to the
nature of its assets. First, at least 75% of the value of the Surviving
Trust's total assets must be represented by any combination of interests in
real property, interests in mortgages on real property, shares in other
REITs, cash, cash items and certain government securities. Second, although
the remaining 25% of the Surviving Trust's assets generally may be invested
without restriction, securities in this class may not exceed either (i) 5%
of the value of the Surviving Trust's total assets as to any one issuer, or
(ii) 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. Where the
Surviving Trust invests in a partnership, it will be deemed to own a
proportionate share of the partnership's assets. The Surviving Trust's
investment in the properties of Wellsford through its interest in ERP
Operating Partnership will constitute qualified assets for purposes of the
75% asset test.
ERP Operating Partnership will own none of the voting stock of the
Management Corps. except for Wellsford Management Inc., in which ERP
Operating Partnership will own 10% of the voting stock. ERP Operating
Partnership will own 100% of the non-voting stock of each of the Management
Corps. ERP Operating Partnership will also own 100% of the Class A Common
Stock of WRP Newco and 100% of the Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock of WRP Newco. By virtue of its partnership interest in ERP
Operating Partnership, the Surviving Trust will be deemed to own its pro
rata share of the assets of ERP Operating Partnership, including the stock
of the Management Corps. and WRP Newco as described above. ERP Operating
Partnership has not and does not intend to own more than 10% of the voting
securities of the Management Corps. or WRP Newco.
In addition, based upon its analysis of the estimated value of the stock
of the Management Corps. and WRP Newco owned by ERP Operating Partnership
relative to the estimated value of the other assets owned by ERP Operating
Partnership, EQR believes that its pro rata share of the stock of WRP Newco
and each Management Corp. held by ERP Operating Partnership will not exceed
5% of the total value of the Surviving Trust's assets. No independent
appraisals, however, have been obtained to support this conclusion. This 5%
limitation must be satisfied not only on the date that the Surviving Trust
first acquires stock of WRP Newco or a Management Corp., but also at the
end of each quarter in which the Surviving Trust increases its interest in
WRP Newco or any of the Management Corps. (including as a result of
increasing its interest in ERP Operating Partnership as the holders of OP
Units exercise their exchange rights). Although the Surviving Trust plans
to take steps to ensure that it satisfies the 5% value test for any quarter
with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance that
such steps will always be successful or will not require a reduction in ERP
Operating Partnership's overall interest in the Management Corps.
The Surviving Trust's indirect interests as a general partner in the
Financing Partnerships are held through the QRS Corporations, each of which
is organized and operated as a "qualified REIT subsidiary" within the
meaning of the Code. Qualified REIT subsidiaries are not treated as
separate entities from their parent REIT. Instead, all assets, liabilities
and items of income, deduction and credit of each QRS Corporation will be
treated as assets, liabilities and items of the Surviving Trust. Each QRS
Corporation therefore will not be subject to Federal corporate income
taxation, although it may be subject to state or local taxation. In
addition, the Surviving Trust's ownership of the voting stock of each QRS
Corporation will not violate the general restriction against ownership of
more than 10% of the voting securities of any issuer.
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Gross Income Tests. There are three separate percentage tests relating to
the sources of the Surviving Trust's gross income which must be satisfied
for each taxable year. For purposes of these tests, where the Surviving
Trust invests in a partnership, the Surviving Trust will be treated as
receiving its share of the income and loss of the partnership, and the
gross income of the partnership will retain the same character in the hands
of the Surviving Trust as it has in the hands of the partnership.
1. The 75% Test. At least 75% of the Surviving Trust's gross income for
each taxable year must be "qualifying income." Qualifying income generally
includes (i) rents from real property (except as modified below); (ii)
interest on obligations collateralized by mortgages on, or interests in,
real property; (iii) gains from the sale or other disposition of interests
in real property and real estate mortgages, other than gain from property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the
Surviving Trust's trade or business ("dealer property"); (iv) distributions
on shares in other REITs, as well as gain from the sale of such shares; (v)
abatements and refunds of real property taxes; (vi) income from the
operation, and gain from the sale, of property acquired at or in lieu of a
foreclosure of a mortgage collateralized by such property ("foreclosure
property"); (vii) commitment fees received for agreeing to make loans
collateralized by mortgages on real property or to purchase or lease real
property; and (viii) certain qualified temporary investment income
attributable to the investment of new capital received by the Surviving
Trust in exchange for its shares (including the Securities offered hereby)
during the one-year period following the receipt of such new capital.
Rents received from a tenant will not, however, qualify as rents from
real property in satisfying the 75% test (or the 95% gross income test
described below) if the Surviving Trust, or an owner of 10% or more of the
Surviving Trust, directly or constructively owns 10% or more of such
tenant. In addition, if rent attributable to personal property leased in
connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total
rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to
such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property.
Moreover, an amount received or accrued will not qualify as rents from real
property (or as interest income) for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross
income tests if it is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of
any person. Finally, for rents received to qualify as rents from real
property, the Surviving Trust generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render services to tenants, other than through an
"independent contractor" from whom the Surviving Trust derives no revenue.
The "independent contractor" requirement, however, does not apply to the
extent that the services provided by the Surviving Trust are "usually or
customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy
only, and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant."
The Surviving Trust, through the Management Partnerships, will provide
certain services with respect to the properties of Wellsford and any newly
acquired multifamily residential properties. The Surviving Trust believes
that the services provided by the Management Partnerships are usually or
customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy
only, and therefore that the provision of such services has not caused, and
will not in the future cause the rents received with respect to the
Properties to fail to qualify as rents from real property for purposes of
the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
2. The 95% Test. At least 95% of the Surviving Trust's gross income for
the taxable year must be derived from the above-described qualifying
income, or from dividends, interest or gains from the sale or disposition
of stock or other securities that are not dealer property. Dividends
(including the Surviving Trust's share of dividends paid by the Management
Corps.) and interest on any obligations not collateralized by an interest
in real property and any payments made on behalf of the Surviving Trust by
a financial institution pursuant to a rate protection agreement will be
included as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test,
but not for purposes of the 75% test. For purposes of determining whether
the Surviving Trust complies with the 75% and 95% income tests, qualifying
income does not include income from prohibited transactions. A "prohibited
transaction" is a sale of dealer property, excluding certain dealer
property held by the Surviving Trust for at least four years and excluding
foreclosure property.
The Surviving Trust's investment in the Properties, through ERP Operating
Partnership, in major part will give rise to rental income qualifying under
the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Gains on sales of the Properties or of
the Surviving Trust's interest in ERP Operating Partnership will generally
qualify under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. EQR believes that the
income on its other investments, including its indirect investment in WRP
Newco and the Management Corps., will not cause the Surviving Trust to fail
the 75% or 95% gross income test for any year, and the Surviving Trust
anticipates that this will continue to be the case.
Even if the Surviving Trust fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or
95% gross income tests for any taxable year, it may still qualify as a REIT
for such year if it is entitled to relief under certain provisions of the
Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if: (i) the
Surviving Trust's failure to comply was due to reasonable cause and not to
willful neglect; (ii) the Surviving Trust reports the nature and amount of
each item of its income included in the tests on a schedule attached to its
tax return; and (iii) any incorrect information on this schedule is not due
to fraud with intent to evade tax. If these relief provisions apply, the
Surviving Trust, however, will still be subject to a 100% tax
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based upon the greater of the amount by which it fails either the 75% or
95% gross income test for that year, less certain adjustments.
3. The 30% Test. The Surviving Trust must derive less than 30% of its
gross income for each taxable year from the sale or other disposition of
(i) real property held for less than four years (other than foreclosure
property and involuntary conversions), (ii) stock or securities held for
less than one year, and (iii) property in a prohibited transaction. EQR
does not anticipate that it will have any substantial difficulty in
complying with this test.
Annual Distribution Requirements. The Surviving Trust, in order to
qualify as a REIT, is required to make dividend distributions (other than
capital gain dividends) to its shareholders each year in an amount at least
equal to (A) the sum of (i) 95% of the Surviving Trust's REIT taxable
income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
Surviving Trust's net capital gain) and (ii) 95% of the net income (after
tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of certain items
of non-cash income. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable year to
which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before the
Surviving Trust timely files its tax return for such year and if paid on or
before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. To the
extent that the Surviving Trust does not distribute all of its net capital
gain or distributes at least 95%, but less than 100%, of its REIT taxable
income, as adjusted, it will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount
at regular capital gains or ordinary corporate tax rates, as the case may
be.
The Surviving Trust has made and intends to continue to make timely
distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.
In this regard, the partnership agreement of ERP Operating Partnership
authorizes the Surviving Trust, as general partner, to take such steps as
may be necessary to cause ERP Operating Partnership to distribute to its
partners an amount sufficient to permit the Surviving Trust to meet these
distribution requirements. It is possible that the Surviving Trust may not
have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the 95% dividend
requirement, due to the payment of principal on debt or to timing
differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of
expenses on the one hand, and the inclusion of such income and deduction of
such expenses in computing the Surviving Trust's REIT taxable income on the
other hand. To avoid any problem with the 95% distribution requirement, the
Surviving Trust will closely monitor the relationship between its REIT
taxable income and cash flow and, if necessary, will borrow funds (or cause
ERP Operating Partnership or other affiliates to borrow funds) in order to
satisfy the distribution requirement.
Failure to Qualify. If the Surviving Trust fails to qualify for taxation
as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, the
Surviving Trust will be subject to tax (including any applicable
alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate rates.
Distributions to shareholders in any year in which the Surviving Trust
fails to qualify will not be required and, if made, will not be deductible
by the Surviving Trust. In such event, to the extent of current and
accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be
taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the
Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received
deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions,
the Surviving Trust also will be ineligible for qualification as a REIT for
the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was
lost.
TAX ASPECTS OF THE SURVIVING TRUST'S INVESTMENTS IN PARTNERSHIPS.
General. The Surviving Trust will hold direct or indirect interests in ERP
Operating Partnership, WRP Newco, the Management Partnerships and certain
Financing Partnerships (each individually a "Partnership" and, collectively,
the "Partnerships"). The Surviving Trust believes that each of the Partnerships
qualifies as a partnership (as opposed to an association taxable as a
corporation) for Federal income tax purposes. If any of the Partnerships were
to be treated as an association, it would be taxable as a corporation and
therefore subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a situation,
the character of the Surviving Trust's assets and items of gross income would
change, which would preclude the Surviving Trust from satisfying the asset
tests and possibly the income tests (see "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Taxation of the Surviving Trust--Asset Tests" and "--Gross Income
Tests"), and in turn would prevent the Surviving Trust from qualifying as a
REIT.
Tax Termination of ERP Operating Partnership. Pursuant to Section
708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, if within a twelve-month period, there is a sale or
exchange of 50 percent or more of the total interest in a partnership's capital
and profits, the partnership terminates for federal income tax purposes.
Treasury Regulations under Code Section 708(b)(1)(B) (the "Section 708
Regulations") provide that if a partnership is deemed terminated by a sale or
exchange of an interest, the following is deemed to occur: (a) the partnership
distributes all of its assets subject to all of its liabilities to the
purchaser and the other remaining partners in proportion to their respective
interests in the partnership assets; and, (b) immediately thereafter, the
purchaser and the other remaining partners contribute the assets, subject to
the liabilities encumbering such assets, to a new partnership. Under the
Section 708 Regulations, the deemed termination of a partnership will result in
the closing of the
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partnership's taxable year and recognition of gain under Code Section 731 if
the amount of money deemed distributed to the partner (including any money
deemed distributed upon a shift in the liabilities of the partnership under
Code Section 752) exceeds such partner's adjusted basis in his partnership
interest. Any built-in gain or loss attributable to the assets re-contributed
to the partnership must be allocated among the partners of the new partnership
under Code Section 704(c). See "Tax Aspects of Surviving Trusts Investment in
Partnerships--Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties." In addition, the
deemed termination requires the partnership to depreciate its assets as if they
were newly acquired by the partnership at the time of termination. As a result,
such assets must be depreciated over each asset's depreciable life beginning as
of the date of the deemed termination.
In connection with the Merger, more than 50 percent of the total interest in
ERP Operating Partnership's capital and profits will be exchanged. Therefore,
the Merger will result in the termination of ERP Operating Partnership under
Code Section 708(b)(1)(B). Accordingly, under the Section 708 Regulations, all
of the assets of ERP Operating Partnership will be deemed to be distributed to
the partners of ERP Operating Partnership (including the Surviving Trust) and
re-contributed by such partners to a newly formed partnership. Such deemed
distribution and re-contribution is not expected to cause gain recognition to
the Surviving Trust under Code Section 731(a) because the amount of cash deemed
distributed to the Surviving Trust as a result of the deemed liquidation
(including any deemed distribution occurring under Code Section 752 as a result
of a shifting of liabilities among the partners of the ERP Operating
Partnership) is not expected to exceed the Surviving Trusts's adjusted basis in
the ERP Operating Partnership. Moreover, because the taxable years of both the
ERP Operating Partnership and the Surviving Trust end on the same date, the
closing of the ERP Operating Partnership's taxable year should have no adverse
tax consequences to the Surviving Trust. However, the termination of the ERP
Operating Partnership will cause the assets of the ERP Operating Partnership to
be depreciated as if they were newly acquired by the ERP Operating Partnership,
possibly resulting in lower annual depreciation deductions to the Surviving
Trust for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the deemed re-contribution
of the assets to the ERP Operating Partnership could result in a reallocation
of the built-in gain attributable to the properties owned by the ERP Operating
Partnership. See "Tax Aspects of Surviving Trusts Investment in Partnerships--
Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties."
Proposed Treasury Regulations recently promulgated by the Treasury Department
(the "Proposed 708 Regulations") would alter the tax consequences of a
termination under Code Section 708(b)(1)(B). Under the Proposed Section 708
Regulations, if a partnership is terminated by a sale or exchange of an
interest, the following would be deemed to occur: (a) the partnership transfers
all of its assets and liabilities to a new partnership in exchange for an
interest in the new partnership; and (b) immediately thereafter, the terminated
partnership distributes all of the interests in the new partnership to the
purchasing partner and the other remaining partners in liquidation of the
terminated partnership. The effect of the Proposed Regulations would be to (i)
eliminate any possibility of gain recognition to the partners of the ERP
Operating Partnership under Code Section 731, and (ii) eliminate any potential
reallocation of ERP Operating Partnership's basis and any Section 704(c) built-
in gain with respect to the properties currently held by the ERP Operating
Partnership. However, under the Proposed 708 Regulations, the ERP Operating
Partnership would still be required to depreciate its properties as newly
acquired assets, possibly resulting in lower depreciation deductions to the
Surviving Trust for federal income tax purposes. The Proposed Section 708
Regulation will apply to the deemed termination of ERP Operating Partnership if
the Proposed Section 708 Regulations shall have been published as final
regulations in the Federal Register as of the effective date of the Merger.
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties. Pursuant to Section 704(c) of
the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or
depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership (such as certain of the Properties contributed to
ERP Operating Partnership in connection with both the initial public offering
of EQR and the Merger) (the "Contributed Properties") must be allocated in a
manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from,
respectively, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the
property at the time of the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or
unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market
value and the adjusted tax basis of contributed property at the time of
contribution (a "Book-Tax Difference"). Such allocations are solely for Federal
income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other
economic or legal arrangements among the partners. ERP Operating Partnership
Agreement (as well as the Financing Partnerships agreements) require such
allocations to be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c). As a result,
certain limited partners of ERP Operating Partnership will be allocated lower
amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes and increased taxable
income and gain on sale by the Partnerships of the contributed assets
(including certain of the Contributed Properties). These allocations will tend
to eliminate the Book-Tax Difference over the lives of the Partnerships.
However, the special allocation rules of Section 704(c) as applied by the
Surviving Trust will not always entirely rectify the Book-Tax Difference on an
annual basis or with respect to a specific taxable transaction such as a sale.
Thus, the carryover basis of the contributed assets in the hands of the
Partnerships will cause the Surviving Trust to be allocated lower depreciation
and other deductions, and possibly greater amounts of taxable income in the
event of a sale of
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such contributed assets in excess of the economic or book income allocated to
it as a result of such sale. This may cause the Surviving Trust to recognize
taxable income in excess of cash proceeds, which might adversely affect the
Surviving Trust's ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements.
See "Qualification of the Surviving Trust as a REIT--Annual Distribution
Requirements."
Sale of the Properties. The Surviving Trust's share of any gain realized by
ERP Operating Partnership on the sale of any dealer property generally will be
treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100%
penalty tax. See "Qualification of the Surviving Trust as a REIT--Gross Income
Tests--The 95% Test." Under existing law, whether property is dealer property
is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances with
respect to the particular transaction. The Partnerships have held and intend to
continue to hold the Properties for investment with a view to long-term
appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing, owning and
operating the Properties and other multifamily residential properties and to
make such occasional sales of the Properties as are consistent with the
Surviving Trust's investment objectives. Based upon such investment objectives,
the Surviving Trust believes that in general the Properties should not be
considered dealer property and that the amount of income from prohibited
transactions, if any, will not be material.
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Shareholders.
General. As long as the Surviving Trust qualifies as a REIT, distributions
made to the Surviving Trust's taxable domestic shareholders, with respect to
their shares out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not
designated as capital gain dividends) will be taken into account by them as
ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction
for shareholders that are corporations. For purposes of determining whether
distributions on the Securities are out of current or accumulated earnings and
profits, the earnings and profits of the Surviving Trust will be allocated
first to the Survivor Preferred Shares and second to the Survivor Common
Shares. There can be no assurance, however, that the Surviving Trust will have
sufficient earnings and profits to cover distributions on the Survivor
Preferred Shares. Dividends that are designated as capital gain dividends will
be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent that they do not exceed the
Surviving Trust's actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard
to the period for which the shareholder has held its Securities. However,
corporate shareholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital
gain dividends as ordinary income. For a discussion on the manner in which that
portion of any dividends designated by the Surviving Trust as capital gains
dividends will be allocated among the holders of Survivor Preferred Shares and
Survivor Common Shares, see "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest--
Survivor Preferred Shares--Distributions." To the extent that the Surviving
Trust makes distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and
profits, these distributions are treated first as a tax-free return of capital
to the shareholder, reducing the tax basis of a shareholder's Securities by the
amount of such distribution (but not below zero), with distributions in excess
of the shareholder's tax basis taxable as capital gains (if the Securities are
held as a capital asset). In addition, any dividend declared by the Surviving
Trust in October, November or December of any year and payable to a shareholder
of record on a specific date in any such month will be treated as both paid by
the Surviving Trust and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such
year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by the Surviving Trust during
January of the following calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their
individual income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of the
Surviving Trust.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of securities by a shareholder
who has held such securities for six months or less (after applying certain
holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the
extent of distributions from the Surviving Trust received by such shareholder
are required to be treated by such shareholder as long-term capital gains.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders.
Most tax-exempt employees' pension trusts are not subject to Federal income
tax except to the extent of their receipt of "unrelated business taxable
income" as defined in Section 512(a) of the Code ("UBTI"). Distributions by the
Surviving Trust to a shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity should not
constitute UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the
acquisition of its securities with "acquisition indebtedness" within the
meaning of the Code and the securities are not otherwise used in an unrelated
trade or business of the tax-exempt entity. In addition, for taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 1994, certain pension trusts that own more
than 10% of a "pension-held REIT" must report a portion of the distribution
that they receive from such a REIT as UBTI. The Surviving Trust has not been
and does not expect to be treated as a pension-held REIT for purposes of this
rule.
Taxation of Foreign Shareholders.
The following is a discussion of certain anticipated U.S. Federal income tax
consequences of the ownership and disposition of securities applicable to Non-
U.S. Holders of such securities. A "Non-U.S. Holder" is any person other than
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(i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or
partnership created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the
United States or of any state thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust whose income
is includible in gross income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes regardless
of its source. The discussion is based on current law and is for general
information only.
Distributions From the Surviving Trust.
1. Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by Non-U.S. Holders
payable out of the Surviving Trust's earnings and profits which are not
attributable to capital gains of the Surviving Trust or of ERP Operating
Partnership and which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business of the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the
rate of 30% (unless reduced by an applicable treaty). In general, Non-U.S.
Holders will not be considered engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a
result of their ownership of securities. In cases where the dividend income
from a Non-U.S. Holder's investment in securities is (or is treated as)
effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or
business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. tax at
graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed with respect
to such dividends (and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the
case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation).
2. Non-Dividend Distributions. Distributions by the Surviving Trust which are
not dividends out of the earnings and profits of the Surviving Trust will not
be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax. If it cannot be determined at the
time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess
of the Surviving Trust's current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
entire distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to
dividends. However, the Non-U.S. Holder may seek a refund of such amounts from
the Service if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in
fact, in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits of the
Surviving Trust.
3. Capital Gain Dividends. Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax
Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"), a distribution made by the Surviving Trust to a Non-
U.S. Holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of United
States Real Property Interests ("USRPIs") such as the Properties beneficially
owned by the Surviving Trust will be considered effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder and subject to U.S. income tax at
the rate applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to
whether such distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In
addition, the Surviving Trust will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of
the amount of dividends to the extent such dividends constitute gains from any
USRPI. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch
profits tax in the hands of a foreign corporate shareholder that is not
entitled to treaty exemption.
Dispositions of Securities.
Unless securities constitute a USRPI, a sale of securities by a Non-U.S.
Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. The
securities will not constitute a USRPI if the Surviving Trust is a
"domestically controlled REIT." A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in
which, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value
of its securities is held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Holders. The
Surviving Trust believes that it has been and anticipates that it will continue
to be a domestically controlled REIT, and therefore that the sale of securities
will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Because the securities will be
publicly traded, however, no assurance can be given the Surviving Trust will
continue to be a domestically controlled REIT. If the Surviving Trust does not
constitute a domestically controlled REIT, a Non-U.S. Holder's sale of
securities generally will still not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of
a USRPI provided that (i) the securities are "regularly traded" (as defined by
applicable Treasury regulations) on an established securities market and (ii)
the selling Non-U.S. Holder held 5% or less of the Surviving Trust's
outstanding securities at all times during a specified testing period.
If gain on the sale of securities were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the
Non-U.S. Holder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder
with respect to such gain (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a
special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals)
and the purchaser of securities could be required to withhold 10% of the
purchase price and remit such amount to the Service. Capital gains not subject
to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a Non-U.S. Holder
in two cases: (i) if the Non-U.S. Holder's investment in securities is
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such Non-U.S.
Holder, the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S.
shareholder with respect to such gain, or (ii) if the Non-U.S. Holder is a
nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days
or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, the
nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's
capital gain.
Other Tax Considerations.
WRP Newco and the Management Corps. A portion of the cash to be used by ERP
Operating Partnership to fund distributions to its partners, including the
Surviving Trust, is expected to come from WRP Newco and the Management
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Corps. through payments of dividends on the stock of WRP Newco and the
Management Corps. held by ERP Operating Partnership. The Management Corps.
will pay Federal and state income tax at the full applicable corporate rates
on their taxable income. The Management Corps. will attempt to minimize the
amount of such taxes, but there can be no assurance whether or the extent to
which measures taken to minimize taxes will be successful. To the extent that
WRP Newco and/or the Management Corps. are required to pay Federal, state or
local taxes, the cash available to WRP Newco for distribution by the Surviving
Trust, among its shareholders will be reduced accordingly.
State and Local Taxes. The Surviving Trust and its shareholders may be
subject to state or local taxation in various jurisdictions, including those
in which it or they transact business or reside. The state and local tax
treatment of the Surviving Trust and its shareholders may not conform to the
Federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective
shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of
state and local tax laws on an investment in the shares of beneficial interest
of the Surviving Trust.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER AND DISTRIBUTION
In considering whether to approve the Merger, shareholders should be aware
that certain members of the management of Wellsford and the Wellsford Board of
Trustees have certain interests that arise in connection with the Merger and
the Distribution that are in addition to the interests of shareholders of
Wellsford generally. These interests arise under existing agreements with, and
previously approved annual compensation awards from, Wellsford and proposed
agreements with WRP Newco and the Surviving Trust.
BENEFITS OF KEY EXECUTIVES
Each key executive of Wellsford, consisting of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal,
Kelley, MacKenzie, Hughes and Strong, has an existing employment agreement
with Wellsford that entitles him to certain benefits as described below. In
addition, in prior years each of the executives has earned and received
additional compensation in the form of share loans, grants of restricted
shares and share options. Members of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford have
also been granted share options over the years. Set forth below is a
discussion of the treatment of the various benefits and other compensation to
be paid in connection with the Merger to the key executives and the Trustees
by reason of these pre-existing agreements.
A. Severance Payments. Certain executive officers (but not Messrs. Lynford
and Lowenthal) will be entitled to receive severance payments under their
employment agreements as follows: $1,149,000 for Mr. Kelley, $764,070 for
Mr. MacKenzie, $692,440 for Mr. Hughes, and $585,000 for Mr. Strong.
B. Share Loans. Under the existing agreements, Wellsford's key executives
previously purchased Wellsford Common over the years at their then fair market
value, the purchase price of which was borrowed from Wellsford and evidenced
by a ten-year promissory note. Under the agreements, 5% of the principal
balance of the promissory notes is forgiven each year provided the executive
remains in the employ of Wellsford and the remaining 50% is due at the end of
the ten year term of the promissory note. Upon a change of control, such as
the Merger, the then remaining principal balance of the loans will be forgiven
for Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley, MacKenzie, Hughes, and Strong in the
amounts of approximately $1.5 million, $1.5 million, $281,000, $1.1 million,
$1.1 million and $369,000, respectively.
C. Change in Control Share Grants. In accordance with the terms of the
existing agreements between Wellsford and Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal and
Kelley, immediately prior to the Merger and Distribution, Messrs. Lynford,
Lowenthal and Kelley will each be issued 22,346 shares of Wellsford Common,
which shares will participate in the Distribution and Merger on the same basis
as all other shares of Wellsford Common.
D. Restricted Share Grants. Restricted share grants have previously been
made to Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, MacKenzie and Hughes, portions of which
have vested and portions of which remain subject to forfeiture. All restricted
shares, whether vested or not, will participate in the Distribution and Merger
on the same basis as all other shares of Wellsford Common. Messrs. Lynford and
Lowenthal each hold restricted share grants for 11,375 shares of Wellsford
Common that will continue to remain subject to forfeiture restrictions. The
shares of Survivor Common and the shares of WRP Newco Common to be received by
Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal on account of the 11,375 restricted shares of
Wellsford Common held by each of them will be forfeited (as to 50% on January
1, 1998 and 50% on January 1, 1999) unless the Surviving Trust achieves on a
consolidated basis a minimum 5% increase in funds from operations per share
for the twelve-month period ending on the December 31 immediately preceding
the applicable vesting date over FFO per share for the preceding twelve-month
period. The portions of the restricted share grants issued to Messrs.
MacKenzie and Hughes that remain subject to forfeiture will become fully
vested at the Effective Time. Accordingly, 2,843 shares of Wellsford Common
will vest upon the Merger for each of Messrs. MacKenzie and Hughes, which
shares will participate in the Distribution and the Merger.
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E. Tax Payments. Pursuant to the existing employment agreements with the key
executives of Wellsford, in connection with the Merger the Surviving Trust
will pay on behalf of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley, MacKenzie, Hughes
and Strong approximately $2.6 million, $2.4 million, $420,000, $1.0 million,
$1.1 million and $500,000, respectively, on account of the Federal, state and
local income and excise tax liabilities to the Internal Revenue Service and
the various state and local tax authorities. These payments are based on an
estimated value of Wellsford Common at the Effective Time of $27.50 per share
and will be adjusted based upon the actual value of Wellsford Common at the
Effective Time.
F. Wellsford Options. Over the years, the key executives of Wellsford have
been granted share options in connection with services previously rendered by
them. The treatment of both the vested options and the nonvested options are
described below.
(a) Vested Options.
All vested options (both incentive share options and nonqualified options)
held by Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley, Hughes and Strong were exercised
prior to the Merger by tendering existing shares of Wellsford Common in
payment of the exercise price. The tendered shares of Wellsford Common were
valued at $27.50 per share for purposes of payment of the exercise price
regardless of their actual value on the date of exercise, and will be
accounted for as a cost of the Merger. Pursuant to existing agreements, each
executive officer that exercised a vested option was granted a new option to
purchase additional shares of Wellsford Common at $27.50 per share (a "Reload
Option"). These Reload Options issued to Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley,
Hughes and Strong will be assumed by WRP Newco and amended, thereby becoming
options to purchase WRP Newco Common, as more fully described in (c) below.
(b) Nonvested Options.
The nonvested portion of each Wellsford option held by Messrs. Lynford,
Lowenthal, Hughes and Strong will be assumed by WRP Newco and amended thereby
becoming an option to purchase WRP Newco Common, as more fully described in
(c) below.
(c) Assumed Options.
For each of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley, Hughes and Strong, WRP Newco
will assume and amend their Wellsford nonvested options (other than Mr.
Kelley) and Reload Options so that they become options to purchase WRP Newco
Common. With respect to Wellsford nonvested nonqualified options and Reload
Options, the number of WRP Newco nonqualified options will be calculated by
dividing the value of such Wellsford options by the value of the option to
purchase one share of WRP Newco Common. Reload Options will be valued using an
exercise price of $27.50 per share. The exercise price of each WRP Newco
nonqualified option will be the Issuance Price (as defined under "Certain
Agreements between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--Common Stock and
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement") and the term of each such WRP Newco
option will be for an initial term of six years with a four year extension if
the optionee is employed by WRP Newco at the end of four years. These options
will become exercisable as follows: 25% after two years, an additional 25%
after three years, an additional 25% after four years and the remaining 25%
after five years from the date of the Merger. All options will be valued using
a mathematical option pricing formula that incorporates certain assumptions,
including an estimated value of the underlying shares, share option exercise
prices, the duration of the share options and the volatility of the underlying
shares (the "Option Pricing Formula"). Based on the foregoing, the total
number of shares of WRP Newco Common subject to options with respect to
Wellsford nonvested options (other than Mr. Kelley) and Reload Options assumed
by WRP Newco will be approximately as follows: 427,534, 427,534, 162,049,
78,410 and 24,159, for Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Kelley, Hughes and Strong,
respectively. These amounts will be adjusted based upon the actual value of
Wellsford Common (and the actual value of the Wellsford options assumed by WRP
Newco) at the Effective Time.
The nonvested incentive share options held by Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal,
Hughes and Strong will also be assumed by WRP Newco and amended to become WRP
Newco incentive stock options. These amended options will continue to be
nonvested incentive stock options just as they were before the Merger and will
maintain the same vesting schedule as the Wellsford incentive share options
assumed. These WRP Newco nonvested incentive stock options will reflect the
inherent value of, and have a term equal to the remaining term of, the
Wellsford incentive share options assumed, as required by Treasury Regulation
Section 1.425-1(a). Based on the foregoing, the total number of shares of WRP
Newco Common subject to options with respect to Wellsford nonvested incentive
share options assumed by WRP Newco will be approximately as follows: 25,171,
25,171, 24,195, and 16,467 for Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Hughes and Strong,
respectively.
G. Options Held by Trustees. Outstanding options of Wellsford held by
persons whose benefits are not described above will vest at the Effective Time
and each such optionee will have the right to continue their option subject to
adjustment for
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the Exchange Rate or the right to relinquish all option rights in exchange for
a cash payment of $27.50 per share for each option relinquished less the
exercise price per share. All existing options to purchase Wellsford Common
granted to the non-employee Trustees of Wellsford (other than Mr. Du Bois) will
be assumed by WRP Newco and amended thereby becoming options to purchase WRP
Newco Common. The number of options to purchase WRP Newco Common will be
calculated by dividing the value of each Trustee's existing options to purchase
Wellsford Common by the value of the option to purchase one share of WRP Newco
Common. The options to purchase WRP Newco Common will be exercisable
immediately, and will have an initial term of six years (regardless of whether
or not the optionee remains a director of WRP Newco) with a four-year extension
if the optionee is a trustee or director of WRP Newco at the end of four years.
The exercise price of the options to purchase WRP Newco Common shall be the
Issuance Price. All options will be valued using the Option Pricing Formula.
Options to purchase 15,000 shares of Wellsford Common have been previously
granted to each of Messrs. Germain, Hoenemeyer and Sixt, respectively. These
options will be assumed by WRP Newco and amended to become options to purchase
approximately 38,515, 38,515 and 38,515 shares of WRP Newco Common,
respectively, at the Effective Time, assuming a fair market value of Wellsford
Common of $29.75 per share at the Effective Time. Options to purchase 15,000
shares of Wellsford Common previously held by Mr. Du Bois have been exercised
by paying the exercise price.
AGREEMENTS WITH THE SURVIVING TRUST AND ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Consulting Agreements. Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will each execute a
consulting agreement with ERP Operating Partnership. The consulting agreements
will each be for a term of five years from the Effective Time. Pursuant to the
consulting agreements each of Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will serve as a
senior management consultant to ERP Operating Partnership and, in all events,
will receive compensation at the rate of $200,000 per year plus reimbursement
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Appointment to Board of Trustees of Surviving Trust. At or shortly after the
Effective Time, each of Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will be appointed to the
Board of Trustees of the Surviving Trust for a term ending at the annual
meeting of the Surviving Trust in the year 1997. EQR has agreed to cause
Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal to be nominated for election as trustees at the
1997 annual meeting of the Surviving Trust for a term ending at the annual
meeting of the Surviving Trust in the year 2000.
Indemnification. The Surviving Trust will indemnify each trustee and officer
of Wellsford to the same extent after the Effective Time as such individuals
were indemnified by Wellsford prior to the Effective Time.
Severance and Retention Benefits. As of the Effective Time, the Surviving
Trust will adopt a severance and retention program (the "Retention Program")
for specified employees of Wellsford who are not officers. The aggregate
obligations of the Surviving Trust under the Retention Program will not exceed
$544,575. Pursuant to the Retention Program, any employee who stays for 6
months after the Effective Time or is terminated without cause by the Surviving
Trust will be entitled to a bonus in a specified amount. The Retention Program
will not require the Surviving Trust to continue the employment of any employee
of Wellsford after the Effective Time.
Senior Officer. Mr. MacKenzie will be a Senior Vice President of the
Surviving Trust at an initial salary of $175,000 per annum. Under his proposed
employment arrangement, on the Effective Date, Mr. MacKenzie intends to
exchange all rights under all of his existing Wellsford options for an option
to purchase 52,903 shares of Survivor Common . These options will be fully
vested on the date of issuance and will have an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of Survivor Common on the date of issuance. In addition, on
the Effective Date Mr. MacKenzie will receive an option to purchase 35,000
shares of Survivor Common. These options will vest over a period of three years
and will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Survivor
Common on the date of the grant. Mr. MacKenzie will also receive on the
Effective Date an option to purchase an additional number of shares of Survivor
Common which will be calculated by multiplying (i) the difference in value, if
any, between a share of EQR Common on the date of his initial agreement to work
for EQR (February 7, 1997) and a share of Survivor Common on the date of the
grant by (ii) 87,903, and then dividing the resulting number by eight. These
additional options will vest over three years and will have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of Survivor Common on the date of the grant.
AGREEMENTS WITH WRP NEWCO
Employment Agreements. WRP Newco will enter into employment agreements as of
the Effective Time with Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal, which will expire on
December 31, 2002 and will provide for cash compensation to be paid to each of
them of $275,000 per annum. WRP Newco will also enter into employment
agreements as of the Effective Time with Messrs. Hughes and Strong, which will
expire two years after the Effective Time, and will provide for annual cash
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compensation to be paid to each of them of $175,000 and $125,000, respectively.
Each of Messrs. Lynford, Lowenthal, Hughes and Strong are also entitled to
incentive compensation as determined by the Compensation Committee. In
addition, Mr. Hughes is entitled to incentive compensation equal to at least
50% of his annual base salary. See "Management of WRP Newco--Employment
Agreements."
Split Dollar Life Insurance. The existing split dollar life insurance
arrangements between Wellsford and Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will be
assumed by WRP Newco.
Consultant. Upon completion of the Merger, William Cockrum, a consultant to
Wellsford, will receive a consulting fee of $500,000, payable $250,000 in cash
and $250,000 by the issuance of shares of WRP Newco Common.
New Options. In addition to the stock options in WRP Newco Common referred to
in "--Benefits to Key Executives," immediately following the Distribution and
Merger, WRP Newco intends to grant new stock options to purchase shares of WRP
Newco Common to WRP Newco's non-employee directors and certain executive
officers. WRP Newco intends to grant options to purchase 42,750 shares of WRP
Newco Common to each of Messrs. Du Bois, Germain, Hoenemeyer and Sixt, options
to purchase 21,375 shares of WRP Newco Common to Mr. Crocker, and options to
purchase 85,500 shares of WRP Newco Common to each of Messrs. Lynford,
Lowenthal, Hughes and Strong.
SURVIVING TRUST
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth the selected unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for the Surviving Trust as a combined entity, giving effect to
the Merger as if it had occurred on the dates indicated herein, after giving
effect to the pro forma adjustments described in the notes to the unaudited pro
forma financial statements included elsewhere in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The selected unaudited pro forma combined operating data are presented as if
the Merger had been consummated at the beginning of the period presented.
The selected unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data is presented as
if the Merger had occurred on December 31, 1996. The Merger has been accounted
for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with the Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16. In the opinion of management, all significant
adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of the Merger have been made.
The selected pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction
with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the respective historical audited
financial statements and notes thereto of EQR and Wellsford incorporated by
reference into this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and
the unaudited pro forma financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
The selected unaudited pro forma operating and balance sheet data are
presented for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of
what the actual combined results of EQR and Wellsford would have been for the
period and dates presented. Nor does such data purport to represent the results
of future periods.
72
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
OPERATING DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
----------------------
(AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C>
REVENUES:
Rental income........................................... $578,820
Fee and asset management................................ 6,749
Interest income-investment in mortgage notes............ 12,819
Interest and other income............................... 11,061
--------
Total revenues...................................... 609,449
--------
EXPENSES:
Property and maintenance................................ 167,526
Real estate taxes and insurance......................... 54,010
Property management..................................... 21,506
Fee and asset management................................ 3,837
Depreciation............................................ 124,211
Interest:
Expense incurred...................................... 103,538
Amortization of deferred financing costs.............. 4,242
General and administrative............................ 10,353
--------
Total Expenses...................................... 489,223
--------
Income before gain on disposition of properties and
(loss) on joint venture communities.................... 120,226
Gain on disposition of properties....................... 22,336
(Loss) on joint venture communities..................... (58)
--------
Income before extraordinary item and allocation to
Minority Interests..................................... 142,504
Extraordinary Item:
Write-off of unamortized cost on refinanced debt........ (3,512)
--------
Income before allocation to Minority Interests.......... 138,992
Income allocated to Minority Interests.................. (15,706)
--------
Net income.............................................. 123,286
Preferred distributions................................. 41,563
--------
Net income available for Common Shares.................. $ 81,723
========
Net income per weighted average Common Share
outstanding............................................ $ 1.53
========
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding.............. 53,317
========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
DECEMBER 31, 1996
-----------------
<S> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
(at end of period)
Real estate, after accumulated depreciation................... $3,708,310
==========
Total assets.................................................. $3,968,482
==========
Total debt.................................................... $1,576,869
==========
Minority Interests............................................ $ 190,793
==========
Shareholders' Equity.......................................... $2,048,133
==========
</TABLE>
73
<PAGE>
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth selected historical and combined financial
data for EQR. The selected historical combined financial data for each of the
years ended December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the
audited financial statements of EQR as reported in its Annual Reports on Form
10-K. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction
with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the historical and combined
financial statements and notes thereto of EQR incorporated by reference into
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
74
<PAGE>
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING DATA:
REVENUES
Rental income......... $ 454,412 $ 373,919 $ 220,727 $104,388 $ 86,597
Fee and asset
management........... 6,749 7,030 4,739 4,651 4,215
Interest income-
investment in
mortgage notes....... 12,819 4,862 -- -- --
Interest and other
income............... 4,405 4,573 5,568 3,031 2,161
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Total revenues.... 478,385 390,384 231,034 112,070 92,973
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
EXPENSES
Property and
maintenance.......... 127,172 112,186 66,534 35,324 30,680
Real estate taxes and
insurance............ 44,128 37,002 23,028 11,403 10,274
Property management... 17,512 15,213 10,249 4,938 2,912
Property management--
non-recurring........ -- -- 879 -- --
Fee and asset
management........... 3,837 3,887 2,056 2,242 2,403
Depreciation.......... 93,253 72,410 37,273 15,384 13,442
Interest:
Expense incurred.... 81,351 78,375 37,044 26,042 31,926
Amortization of
deferred financing
costs.............. 4,242 3,444 1,930 3,322 2,702
Refinancing costs..... -- -- -- 3,284 --
General and
administrative....... 9,857 8,129 6,053 1,994 1,915
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Total expenses.... 381,352 330,646 185,046 103,933 96,254
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before
gain on disposition of
properties,
extraordinary items and
allocation to Minority
Interests.............. 97,033 59,738 45,988 8,137 (3,281)
Gain on disposition of
properties............. 22,402 21,617 -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items and
allocation to Minority
Interests.............. 119,435 81,355 45,988 8,137 (3,281)
Extraordinary Items:
Write-off of unamortized
costs on refinanced
debt................... (3,512) -- -- -- --
Gain on early
extinguishment of debt. -- 2,000 -- -- --
Gain on discharge of
indebtedness........... -- -- -- 1,792 18,203
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Income before allocation
to Minority Interests.. 115,923 83,355 45,988 9,929 14,922
Income allocated to
Minority Interests..... (14,299) (15,636) (11,570) (3,834) --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income.............. 101,624 67,719 34,418 6,095 14,922
Preferred distributions. (29,015) (10,109) -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income available for
Common Shares.......... $ 72,609 $ 57,610 $ 34,418 $ 6,095 $ 14,922
========== ========== ========== ======== =========
Net income per weighted
average Common Share
outstanding............ $ 1.70 $ 1.68 $ 1.34 $ .42 --
Weighted average Common
Shares outstanding..... 42,586 34,358 25,621 14,601 --
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
END OF PERIOD):
Real estate, after
accumulated
depreciation......... $2,983,510 $2,186,636 $1,963,476 $634,577 $ 358,212
Real estate, after
accumulated
depreciation......... $2,681,998 $1,969,453 $1,770,735 $478,210 $ 218,825
Total assets.......... $2,986,127 $2,141,260 $1,847,685 $535,914 $ 238,878
Total debt............ $1,254,274 $1,002,219 $ 994,746 $278,642 $ 343,282
Minority Interests.... $ 150,637 $ 168,963 $ 177,438 $ 83,159 $ --
Shareholders' Equity
(Net Deficit)........ $1,458,830 $ 884,517 $ 609,936 $146,485 $(122,094)
</TABLE>
75
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth selected historical financial data for
Wellsford. The selected historical financial data for each of the years ended
December 31, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the audited
financial statements of Wellsford as reported in its Annual Reports on Form 10-
K. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with,
and is qualified in its entirety by, the historical financial statements and
notes thereto of Wellsford incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement. Certain reclassifications have been
made to Wellsford's historical financial data to conform to EQR's presentation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
HISTORICAL (000S EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
--------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................... $ 131,821 $ 131,232 $ 82,794 $ 42,007 $ 26,229
Expenses................... (109,035) (113,712) (73,299) (34,816) (26,991)
Gain (loss) on sale of
investment communities.... (66) (819) -- 882 --
Loss on joint venture
communities............... (58) (279) -- -- --
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item........ $ 22,662 $ 16,422 $ 9,495 $ 8,073 $ (762)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss).......... $ 22,662 $ 10,869 $ 9,495 $ 8,073 $ (762)
Preferred dividends........ (12,548) (8,973) (7,000) (972) --
--------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) available
for common shareholders... $ 10,114 $ 1,896 $ 2,495 $ 7,101 $ (762)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss) per
common share.............. $ 0.59 $ 0.11 $ 0.25 $ 0.91 $ (0.34)
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. 17,057 16,938 10,070 7,813 2,273
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Real Estate assets before
accumulated depreciation.. $ 795,580 $ 736,399 $747,519 $301,389 $156,568
Real estate assets after
accumulated depreciation.. 711,614 677,908 712,742 282,224 143,787
Total Assets............... 756,289 729,638 745,754 322,400 165,963
Mortgages Payable.......... 82,731 77,137 208,858 24,203 17,155
Convertible note payable... -- -- -- 46,070 55,358
Unsecured credit facility.. 18,075 -- 140,000 -- --
Senior unsecured notes..... 248,496 223,307 -- -- --
Shareholders' equity....... 376,686 398,359 371,655 239,775 89,986
Cash dividends declared per
Series A preferred share.. $ 1.75 $ 1.75 $ 1.75 $ 0.24 $ --
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Cash dividends declared per
Series B preferred share.. $ 2.41 $ 0.86 $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Cash dividends declared per
common share.............. $ 1.94 $ 1.92 $ 1.80 $ 1.68 $ 0.16
========= ========= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
76
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
BASIS OF PRESENTATION TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet gives effect to the proposed
Merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust ("EQR") and Wellsford Residential
Property Trust ("Wellsford") as if the Merger had occurred on December 31,
1996. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet gives effect to the Merger
under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 16. In the opinion of management, all significant
adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of the Merger have been made.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet is presented for comparative
purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual combined
financial position of EQR and Wellsford would have been at December 31, 1996,
nor does it purport to represent the future combined financial position of EQR
and Wellsford. This Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet should be read
in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the respective
historical financial statements and notes thereto of EQR and Wellsford
incorporated by reference into the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement.
77
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA SURVIVING TRUST
EQR WRP MERGER PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL(A) ADJUSTMENTS(B) COMBINED
---------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Rental property, net.... $2,681,998 $689,403 $336,909 (C) $3,708,310
Construction in
progress............... -- 22,211 (21,306)(D) 905
Investment in mortgage
notes, net............. 86,596 17,800 (17,800)(E) 86,596
Cash and cash
equivalents............ 147,271 10,811 (67,112)(F) 90,970
Rents receivables....... 1,450 -- -- 1,450
Deposits-restricted..... 20,637 7,667 (5,520)(G) 22,784
Escrows deposits-
mortgage............... 15,434 -- -- 15,434
Deferred financing
costs, net............. 14,555 5,401 (5,401)(H) 14,555
Other assets............ 18,186 2,996 6,296 (I) 27,478
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total assets.......... $2,986,127 $756,289 $226,066 $3,968,482
========== ======== ======== ==========
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Mortgage notes payable.. $ 755,434 $ 82,731 $ (8,632)(J) $ 829,533
Line of credit.......... -- 18,075 (18,075)(K) --
Notes, net.............. 498,840 248,496 -- 747,336
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses....... 33,117 15,617 -- 48,734
Accrued interest
payable................ 12,737 -- -- 12,737
Due to affiliates....... 628 -- -- 628
Rents received in
advance and other
liabilities............ 15,838 -- -- 15,838
Security deposits....... 14,128 3,250 -- 17,378
Distributions payable... 45,938 11,434 -- 57,372
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total liabilities..... 1,376,660 379,603 (26,707) 1,729,556
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Commitments and
contingencies (L)
Minority Interests...... 150,637 -- 40,156 (M) 190,793 (M)
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares......... 512 171 (64)(N) 619
Preferred shares...... 393,000 63 (63)(O) 393,000
Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares..... -- -- 99,995 (O) 99,995
Series E Preferred
Shares............... -- -- 57,500 (O) 57,500
Employee notes........ (5,255) (6,553) 6,553 (P) (5,255)
Paid in capital....... 1,146,989 461,290 (29,589)(Q) 1,578,690
Distributions in
excess of accumulated
earnings............. (76,416) (78,285) 78,285 (R) (76,416)
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total Shareholders'
Equity............. 1,458,830 376,686 212,617 2,048,133
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total liabilities
and shareholders'
equity............. $2,986,127 $756,289 $226,066 $3,968,482
========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
78
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
BASIS OF PRESENTATION TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended
December 31, 1996 is presented as if the Merger had occurred on January 1,
1996. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations gives effect to
the Merger under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16, and the combined entity qualifying
as a REIT, distributing at least 95% of its taxable income, and therefore,
incurring no federal income tax liability for the year. In the opinion of
management, all significant adjustments necessary to reflect the effects of
these transactions have been made.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations is presented for
comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual
combined results of EQR and Wellsford would have been for the year ended
December 31, 1996, nor does it purport to be indicative of the results of
operations in future periods. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of
Operations should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their
entirety by, the respective historical financial statements and notes thereto
of EQR and Wellsford incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement.
79
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SURVIVING
TRUST
EQR WELLSFORD MERGER PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL HISTORICAL(S) ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
---------- ------------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Rental Income................ $454,412 $124,408 $ (757)(T) $578,820
Fee and asset management..... 6,749 -- 6,749
Interest income-investment in
mortgage notes.............. 12,819 757 12,819
Interest and other income.... 4,405 6,656 11,061
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total revenues............. 478,385 131,821 (757) 609,449
-------- -------- ------- --------
EXPENSES
Property and maintenance..... 127,172 40,354 167,526
Real estate taxes and
insurance................... 44,128 9,882 54,010
Property management.......... 17,512 4,770 (776)(U) 21,506
Fee and asset management..... 3,837 -- 3,837
Depreciation................. 93,253 25,179 5,779 (V) 124,211
Interest:
Expense incurred........... 81,351 23,599 (1,412)(W) 103,538
Amortization of deferred
financing costs........... 4,242 1,386 (1,386)(X) 4,242
General and administrative... 9,857 3,865 (3,369)(Y) 10,353
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total expenses............. 381,352 109,035 (1,164) 489,223
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income before gain on
disposition of properties,
(loss) on joint venture
communities, extraordinary
items and allocation to
Minority Interests.......... 97,033 22,786 407 120,226
Gain (loss) on disposition
of properties............. 22,402 (66) -- 22,336
(Loss) on joint venture
communities............... -- (58) -- (58)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income before extraordinary
items....................... 119,435 22,662 407 142,504
Extraordinary item:
Write-off of unamortized
costs on refinanced debt.. (3,512) -- -- (3,512)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income before allocation to
Minority Interests.......... 115,923 22,662 407 138,992
(Income) allocated to
Minority Interests........ (14,299) -- (1,407)(Z) (15,706)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net income................... 101,624 22,662 (1,000) 123,286
Preferred distributions...... (29,015) (12,548) (41,563)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net income available to
common shares............... $ 72,609 $ 10,114 $(1,000) $ 81,723
======== ======== ======= ========
Net income per weighted
average Common Shares
outstanding................. $ 1.70 $ 0.59 $ 0.16 $ 1.53
======== ======== ======= ========
Weighted average Common
Shares Outstanding.......... 42,586 17,057 (6,326)(AA) 53,317
======== ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
80
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
(A) Certain reclassifications have been made to Wellsford's historical balance
sheet to conform to EQR's balance sheet presentation.
(B) Represents adjustments to record the Merger in accordance with the purchase
method of accounting, based upon the assumed purchase price of $1,032,226
assuming a market value of $44.00 per share of EQR's common shares, as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Issuance of 10,731 common shares of beneficial interest of
EQR, based on the .625 exchange rate, in exchange for 17,169
common shares of Wellsford, which includes 67 common shares
of Wellsford issued immediately prior to the merger.......... $ 472,164
Issuance of EQR Series D Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest..................................................... 99,995
Issuance of EQR Series E Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest..................................................... 57,500
Assumption of Wellsford's liabilities, net of spin-off to WRP
Newco of $6,786.............................................. 372,817
Adjustment to increase the assumed Wellsford debt to its fair
value (see Note J)........................................... 6,123
Merger costs (see calculation below).......................... 23,627
----------
$1,032,226
==========
</TABLE>
The value of the issuance of the EQR Series D Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest and the EQR Series E Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest is based
upon Wellsford's outstanding shares of 3,999.8 Series A Convertible Preferred
Shares with a liquidation preference at $25 per share and Wellsford's
outstanding shares of 2,300 Series B Preferred Shares with a liquidation
preference at $25 per share, respectively.
The following is a calculation of the estimated fees and other expenses
related to the Merger:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Employee termination costs......................................... $10,063
Buyout of stock options............................................ 4,227
Advisory fees...................................................... 2,350
Legal and accounting fees.......................................... 2,225
Consulting contracts............................................... 2,000
Other, including printing, filing, transfer and spin-off costs..... 2,762
-------
Total............................................................ $23,627
=======
</TABLE>
(C) Represents the estimated increase in Wellsford's rental property, net based
upon EQR's purchase price and the adjustment to eliminate the basis of
Wellsford's net assets acquired:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Purchase Price (see Note B).................................... $1,032,226
Less: Historical basis of Wellsford's net assets acquired
Rental property, net........................................... 689,403
Construction in progress, net of spin-off to WRP Newco of
$21,306....................................................... 905
Restricted deposits, net of spin-off to WRP Newco of $5,520.... 2,147
Other assets, net of spin-off to WRP Newco of $134............. 2,862
----------
Step-up to record fair value of Wellsford rental property...... $ 336,909
==========
</TABLE>
(D) Decrease reflects the spin-off of costs related to the Palomino Park
project to WRP Newco.
(E) Decrease results from the spin-off of the Sonterra mortgage notes
receivable to WRP Newco.
(F) Decrease to Cash and Cash Equivalents reflects the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Spin-off of WRP Newco, including an investment of $2,930 for EQR's
20% interest in the Palomino Park project (see Note I)........... $21,710
The expected payment for Merger (see Note B) and registration
costs (see Note Q)............................................... 23,827
Repayment of Wellsford's line of credit........................... 18,075
EQR's purchase of WRP Newco common stock.......................... 3,500
-------
$67,112
=======
</TABLE>
81
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
(G) Decrease results from the spin-off of restricted cash to WRP Newco for the
Palomino Park project.
(H) Decrease due to elimination of Wellsford deferred loan costs in connection
with the Merger.
(I) Increase to Other Assets reflects the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
EQR purchase of WRP Newco common stock............................ $3,500
EQR's 20% investment in the Palomino Park project................. 2,930
Spin-off to WRP Newco of interest receivable related to the
Sonterra mortgage notes receivable............................... (134)
------
$6,296
======
</TABLE>
(J) Decrease to Mortgage Notes Payable reflects the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Spin-off of bonds on the Palomino Park project to WRP Newco...... $14,755
Premium required to adjust Wellsford's debt to its estimated fair
value........................................................... (6,123)
-------
$ 8,632
=======
</TABLE>
(K) Reflects the repayment of Wellsford's line of credit from EQR's cash
balances. It is assumed that additional Wellsford borrowings of $7,969 that
would be incurred in connection with the spin-off of WRP Newco are repaid
from EQR's cash balances.
(L) ERP Operating Partnership has committed to acquire up to 1,000 shares of
WRP Newco Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock; has provided
stand-by obligations with respect to a $36,800 agreement with respect to
the construction financing of Phase I of Palomino Park and $30,000 pursuant
to an agreement expected to be entered into with respect to the
construction financing for Phase II of Palomino Park; and a $14,800 credit
enhancement with respect to bonds issued to finance certain public
improvements at Palomino Park.
(M) The pro forma allocation to the Minority Interests is based upon the
percentage owned by such Minority Interests as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Total Shareholders' Equity and Minority Interests............. $2,238,926
Less: Preferred Shares, Series D Convertible and Series E
Preferred shares............................................. (550,495)
----------
1,688,431
Minority Interests percentage ownership in ERP Operating
Partnership (see Note Q)..................................... 11.3%
----------
Pro Forma Combined Minority Interests ownership in ERP
Operating Partnerships....................................... 190,793
EQR historical Minority Interests ownership in ERP Operating
Partnership.................................................. 150,637
----------
Adjustment to Minority Interests ownership in ERP Operating
Partnership.................................................. $ 40,156
==========
</TABLE>
(N) Decrease results from elimination of Wellsford common shares at $.01 par
value ($171) net of the issuance of EQR common shares at $.01 par value
$107 (see Note C).
(O) Elimination of $63 of Wellsford Preferred Shares and the issuance of
$99,995 of EQR Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and of $57,500 of EQR
Series E Preferred Shares (see Note C).
(P) Reflects the elimination of restricted stock and the forgiveness of all of
Wellsford's employee notes as a result of the Merger.
82
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
(Q) Decrease to paid in capital to reflect the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Issuance of
10,731 EQR
common shares
at $44.00 per
share......... $ 472,164
Par value of
common shares
issued........ (107)
Registration
costs incurred
in connection
with the
Merger........ (200)
Wellsford's
historical
shareholders'
equity........ (461,290)
Adjustment to
Minority
Interests
ownership in
ERP Operating
Partnership
(see Note M).. (40,156)
---------
$ (29,589)
=========
</TABLE>
The 11.3% Minority Interests ownership in EQR, is calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES UNITS
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Wellsford's historical Shares outstanding.................. 17,169 --
====== ======
EQR's Shares/Units to be issued based on the .625 Merger
exchange ratio............................................ 10,731 10,731
EQR's historical Shares/Units outstanding.................. 51,155 59,013
------ ------
EQR's proforma Shares/Units outstanding.................... 61,886 69,744
====== ======
EQR ownership percentage of ERP Operating Partnership...... 88.7%
======
Minority Interests ownership percentage of ERP Operating
Partnership............................................... 11.3%
======
</TABLE>
(R) Reflects the elimination of Wellsford's distribution in excess of
accumulated earnings to paid in capital, as a result of the Merger.
83
<PAGE>
SURVIVING TRUST
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(S) Certain reclassifications have been made to Wellsford's Historical
Statement of Operations to conform to EQR's Statement of Operations
presentation.
(T) Decrease results from the loss of interest income related to the spin-off
of the $17,800 Sonterra mortgage notes receivable to WRP Newco.
(U) Decrease results from operating efficiencies expected to occur as a result
of the Merger.
(V) Represents the net increase in depreciation of real estate owned as a
result of recording the Wellsford real estate assets at fair value versus
historical cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over
the estimated useful lives of the related assets which have a useful life
of approximately 30 years.
The calculation of the fair value of depreciable real estate assets at December
31, 1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Historical basis of Wellsford's rental property.............. $ 689,403
Plus: Step up to Wellsford's rental property, net (see Note
C).......................................................... 336,909
----------
Pro forma basis of Wellsford's rental property at fair value. 1,026,312
Less: Fair value allocated to land........................... (102,631)
----------
Pro forma basis of Wellsford's depreciable rental property at
fair value.................................................. $ 923,681
==========
</TABLE>
Calculation of depreciation of rental property for the year ended December 31,
1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Depreciation expense based upon an estimated useful life of
approximately 30 years....................................... $ 30,789
Less: historic Wellsford depreciation of rental property...... (25,010)
--------
Pro forma adjustment.......................................... $ 5,779
========
</TABLE>
(W) Decrease results from the amortization of the premium required to record
Wellsford's debt at it's estimated fair value.
(X) Decrease results from the elimination of amortization of Wellsford's
deferred financing costs, which costs would be eliminated in connection
with the Merger.
(Y) Decrease results from identified historic costs of certain items which are
anticipated to be eliminated or reduced as a result of the Merger as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Duplication of public company expenses............................ $ 626
Net reduction in salary, benefits and occupancy................... 1,732
Other............................................................. 1,011
------
Total........................................................... $3,369
======
</TABLE>
(Z) A portion of income was allocated to Minority Interests representing
interests in ERP Operating Partnership not owned by EQR. The pro forma
allocation to Minority Interests (represented by OP Units) is based upon
the percentage estimated to be owned by such Minority Interests as a
result of the pro forma transactions.
(AA) Decrease of Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding based on the
conversion of Wellsford common shares to EQR common shares at a
conversion ratio of .625 Wellsford shares per EQR share and a par value
of $.01.
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<PAGE>
POLICIES OF THE SURVIVING TRUST WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
The following section sets forth the policies expected to be implemented by
the Surviving Trust upon the effectiveness of the Merger with respect to
certain matters. These policies may be amended or revised from time to time at
the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Surviving Trust without a vote
of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust.
BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND OPERATING STRATEGIES
The Surviving Trust will seek to maximize both current income and long-term
growth in income. The Surviving Trust will focus on acquiring multifamily
properties that have strong cash flow potential with the intent to hold such
properties for long-term investment and capital appreciation.
The Surviving Trust's primary business objectives are to increase
distributions on a per share of Survivor Common basis, to increase the value of
its properties and to increase shareholders' value.
The Surviving Trust's strategies for accomplishing these objectives will be:
.maintaining and increasing property occupancy while increasing rental
rates;
. controlling expenses, providing regular preventive maintenance, making
periodic renovations and enhancing amenities;
.maintaining a Debt to Total Market Capitalization Ratio of less than 50%;
and
. pursuing acquisitions that: (i) are available at prices below estimated
replacement costs; (ii) have potential for rental rate and/or occupancy
increases; (iii) have attractive locations in their respective markets;
and (iv) provide anticipated total returns that will increase the
Surviving Trust's distributions per share of Survivor Common and the
Surviving Trust's overall market value.
The Surviving Trust will be committed to tenant satisfaction by striving to
anticipate industry trends and implementing strategies and policies consistent
with providing quality tenant services. In addition, the Surviving Trust will
continuously survey rental rates of competing properties and conduct
satisfaction surveys of residents to determine the factors they consider most
important in choosing a particular apartment unit.
ACQUISITION STRATEGIES
The Surviving Trust anticipates that future property acquisitions will be
located in the continental United States. Management will use market
information to evaluate acquisition opportunities. The Surviving Trust's market
data base will allow it to review the primary economic indicators of the
markets where the Surviving Trust currently manages properties and where it
expects to expand its operations. Acquisitions may be financed from various
sources of capital, which may include undistributed funds from operations,
issuance of additional equity securities, sales of properties and
collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings. In addition, the Surviving
Trust may acquire additional multifamily properties in transactions that
include the issuance of OP Units as consideration for the acquired properties.
Such transactions may, in certain circumstances, partially defer the sellers'
tax consequences.
When evaluating potential acquisitions, the Surviving Trust will consider:
(i) the geographic area and type of community; (ii) the location, construction
quality, condition and design of the property; (iii) the current and projected
cash flow of the property and the ability to increase cash flow; (iv) the
potential for capital appreciation of the property, (v) the terms of resident
leases, including the potential for rent increases; (vi) the potential for
economic growth and the tax and regulatory environment of the community in
which the property is located; (vii) the occupancy and demand by residents for
properties of a similar type in the vicinity (the overall market and
submarket); (viii) the prospects for liquidity through sale, financing or
refinancing of the property; and (ix) competition from existing multifamily
properties and the potential for the construction of new multifamily properties
in the area. The Surviving Trust expects to purchase multifamily properties
with physical and market characteristics similar to the properties.
DISPOSITION STRATEGIES
Management will use market information to evaluate dispositions. The
Surviving Trust intends to dispose of its properties in cities or markets where
the level of new construction is increasing or the economy is expected to
decline substantially. The Surviving Trust will also dispose of properties in
markets where it does not intend to establish long-term concentrations. The
Surviving Trust will reinvest the proceeds received from property dispositions
to fund property acquisitions. In addition, when feasible the Surviving Trust
will structure these transactions as tax deferred exchanges.
85
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Investments in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate. The Surviving Trust's
investment objectives will be to increase cash flow and the value of the
properties, and to acquire established income-producing multifamily properties
with cash flow growth potential. Additionally, where prudent and possible, the
Surviving Trust will seek to upgrade its existing properties and any newly
acquired multifamily properties. The Surviving Trust's business is focused on
multifamily properties, although such properties may include retail and
recreational facilities. The Surviving Trust's policy will be to acquire assets
primarily for current income generation and long-term value appreciation;
however, where appropriate, the Surviving Trust will sell certain of its
properties.
The Surviving Trust expects to pursue its investment objectives through the
direct and indirect ownership of properties and the ownership of interests in
other entities. The Surviving Trust will focus on properties in those markets
where the Surviving Trust currently has operations and in new markets targeted
by management. Future investments, including the activities described below,
will not be limited to any geographic area or to a specified percentage of the
Surviving Trust's assets. The Surviving Trust also may participate with other
entities in property ownership through joint ventures or other types of co-
ownership. Equity investments may be subject to existing mortgage financing and
other indebtedness or such financing or indebtedness may be incurred in
connection with acquiring investments. Any such financing or indebtedness will
have priority over the Surviving Trust's equity interest in such property.
Investments in Real Estate Mortgages. While the Surviving Trust will
emphasize equity real estate investments in multifamily properties, it may, in
its discretion, invest in mortgages and other interests related to multifamily
properties. The Surviving Trust does not intend to invest to a significant
extent in mortgages or deeds of trust, but may acquire mortgages as a strategy
for acquiring a property, subject to the investment restrictions applicable to
REITs. The mortgages in which the Surviving Trust may invest may be either
first mortgages or junior mortgages, and may or may not be insured by a
governmental agency. The Surviving Trust may also invest in mortgage-related
securities. Furthermore, the Surviving Trust may seek to issue securities
representing interest in such mortgage-related securities as a method of
raising additional funds.
Securities of or Interests in Persons Primarily Engaged in Real Estate
Activities and Other Issuers. Subject to the gross income and asset tests for
REIT qualification, the Surviving Trust also may invest in securities of
entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers,
including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities. The
Surviving Trust may acquire all or substantially all of the securities or
assets of other REITs or similar entities where such investments would be
consistent with the Surviving Trust's investment policies. In any event, the
Surviving Trust does not intend that its investments in securities will require
it to register as an "investment company" under the Investment Surviving Trust
Act of 1940, and the Surviving Trust would intend to divest securities before
any such registration would be required.
FINANCING POLICIES
The Surviving Trust intends to maintain a Debt to Total Market Capitalization
Ratio of 50% or less. The Surviving Trust, however, may from time to time re-
evaluate this policy and decrease or increase such ratio in light of then
current economic conditions, relative costs to the Surviving Trust of debt and
equity capital, market values of the properties, growth and acquisition
opportunities and other factors. There will be no limit on the Surviving
Trust's Debt to Total Market Capitalization Ratio imposed by the Surviving
Trust's Declaration of Trust or Bylaws. To the extent that the Board of
Trustees of the Surviving Trust determines to obtain additional capital, the
Surviving Trust may issue debt or equity securities, or cause ERP Operating
Partnership to issue additional OP Units, or retain earnings (subject to
provisions in the Code requiring distributions of income to maintain REIT
status), or a combination of these methods. As long as ERP Operating
Partnership is in existence, the proceeds of all equity capital raised by the
Surviving Trust will be contributed to ERP Operating Partnership in exchange
for additional interests in ERP Operating Partnership, which will dilute the
ownership interest of holders of OP Units. It is the Surviving Trust's policy
that it shall not incur indebtedness other than short-term trade, employee
compensation, dividends payable or similar indebtedness that will be paid in
the ordinary course of business, and that indebtedness shall instead be
incurred by the ERP Operating Partnership to the extent necessary to fund the
business activities conducted by the ERP Operating Partnership.
The Surviving Trust owns several properties that are subject to restrictive
covenants or deed restrictions relating to current or previous tax-exempt bond
financings and owns the bonds collateralized by several additional properties.
The Surviving Trust has retained an independent outside consultant to monitor
compliance with the restrictive covenants and deed restrictions that affect
these properties. The bond compliance requirements may have the effect of
limiting the Surviving Trust's income from these properties if the Surviving
Trust is required to lower its rental rates to attract low or moderate income
tenants, or eligible/qualified tenants.
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<PAGE>
To the extent that the Board of Trustees determines to obtain debt financing
the Surviving Trust intends to do so generally through mortgages on its
properties and through lines of credit; however, the Surviving Trust may also
issue additional debt securities in the future. Such indebtedness may be
recourse, non-recourse or cross-collateralized and may contain cross-default
provisions. The Surviving Trust will not have a policy limiting the number or
amount of mortgages that may be placed on any particular property, but mortgage
financing instruments usually limit additional indebtedness on such properties.
In the future, the Surviving Trust may seek to extend, expand, reduce or renew
its lines of credit, or obtain new credit facilities or lines of credit,
subject to its general policy on debt capitalization, for the purpose of making
acquisitions or capital improvements or providing working capital to the
Surviving Trust or meeting the taxable income distribution requirements for
REITs under the Code if the Surviving Trust has taxable income without receipt
of cash sufficient to enable the Surviving Trust to meet such distribution
requirements.
LENDING POLICIES
Although it is not presently contemplated, the Surviving Trust may consider
offering purchase money financing in connection with the sale of multifamily
properties where the provision of such financing will increase the value
received by the Surviving Trust for the property sold.
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ACTIVITIES
Although it is not presently contemplated, the Surviving Trust may make
investments other than as previously described. All investments will be related
to the multifamily residential business. The Surviving Trust will have
authority to offer Survivor Common or other equity or debt securities in
exchange for property or other REITS and to repurchase or otherwise reacquire
Survivor Common or any other securities and may engage in such activities in
the future. Similarly, the Surviving Trust may offer additional OP Units or
other equity interests in ERP Operating Partnership that are exchangeable into
Survivor Common in exchange for property. The Surviving Trust may also make
loans to joint ventures in which it may participate in the future. The
Surviving Trust will not engage in trading, underwriting or the agency
distribution or sale of securities of other issuers. At all times, the
Surviving Trust intends to make investments in such a manner as to be
consistent with the requirements of the Code to qualify as a REIT unless,
because of circumstances or changes in the Code (or the regulations promulgated
thereunder), the Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best
interests of the Surviving Trust to continue to have the Surviving Trust
qualify as a REIT. The Surviving Trust's policies with respect to such
activities may be reviewed and modified from time to time by the Surviving
Trust's trustees without notice to or the vote of the shareholders.
87
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SURVIVING TRUST AFTER THE MERGER
TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth as of the consummation of the Merger the
names, positions and ages of the executive officers and trustees of the
Surviving Trust.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME POSITION AGE
---- -------- ---
<C> <S> <C>
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (term expires
Samuel Zell............. in 1999) 55
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee
Douglas Crocker II...... (term expires in 1998) 56
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
David J. Neithercut..... Officer 41
Gregory H. Smith........ Executive Vice President--Asset Management 46
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Gerald A. Spector....... Officer and Trustee (term expires in 1998) 50
Bruce C. Strohm......... Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary 42
Frederick C. Tuomi...... Executive Vice President--Property Management 42
Alan W. George.......... Executive Vice President--Acquisitions 39
Michael J. McHugh....... Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
and Treasurer 41
John W. Alexander....... Trustee (term expires in 1999) 50
Henry H. Goldberg....... Trustee (term expires in 1999) 58
Errol R. Halperin....... Trustee (term expires in 1999) 56
James D. Harper, Jr..... Trustee (term expires in 1998) 63
Sheli Z. Rosenberg...... Trustee (term expires in 1998) 55
Barry S. Sternlicht..... Trustee (term expires in 1997) 36
B. Joseph White......... Trustee (term expires in 1997) 49
Jeffrey H. Lynford...... Trustee (term expires in 1997)* 49
Edward Lowenthal........ Trustee (term expires in 1997)* 52
</TABLE>
- -------
* After the Effective Time, each of Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will be
appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Surviving Trust for a term ending
at the annual meeting of the Surviving Trust in the year 1997. EQR has
agreed to cause Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal to be nominated for election
as trustees at the Surviving Trust's 1997 annual meeting for a term ending
at the annual meeting of the Surviving Trust in the year 2000.
The following is a biographical summary as of March 1, 1997 of the experience
of the executive officers and trustees of the Surviving Trust.
Samuel Zell has been Chairman of the Board of EQR since March 1993. Mr. Zell
is chairman of the board of directors of Equity Group Investments, Inc., an
owner, manager and financier of real estate and corporations ("EGI"), American
Classic Voyages Co., an owner and operator of cruise lines ("American
Classic"), and Anixter International Inc., a provider of integrated network and
cabling systems ("Anixter"). Mr. Zell is chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of both Capsure Holdings Corp., a holding company whose
principal subsidiaries are specialty property and casualty insurers
("Capsure"), and Manufactured Home Communities, Inc., a REIT specializing in
the ownership and management of manufactured home communities ("MHC"). He is
co-chairman of the board of directors of Revco D.S., Inc., a drugstore chain
("Revco"), and is a director of Quality Food Centers, Inc., an owner and
operator of supermarkets, Sealy Corporation, a bedding manufacturer ("Sealy"),
Ramco Energy PLC, an independent oil company based in the United Kingdom, and
TeleTech Holdings, Inc., a provider of telephone and computer based customer
care solutions.
Douglas Crocker II has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee
of EQR since March 1993. Mr. Crocker is a director of Horizon Group, Inc., an
owner, developer and operator of outlet retail properties. Mr. Crocker has been
president and chief executive officer of First Capital Financial Corporation, a
sponsor of public limited real estate partnerships ("First Capital"), since
December 1992 and a director since January 1993. He has been an executive vice
president of Equity Financial and Management Company ("EF&M"), a subsidiary of
EGI, providing strategic direction and services for EGI's real estate and
corporate activities since November 1992. From September 1992 until November
1992, Mr. Crocker was a managing director of investment banking with Prudential
Securities, an investment banking firm. He was a director and president of
Republic Savings Bank, a national chartered savings and loan association
("Republic"), from December 1988 to June 1992, at which time the Resolution
Trust Corporation took control of Republic.
David J. Neithercut has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of EQR since February 1995. Mr. Neithercut had been Vice President--
Financing of EQR from September 1993 until February 1995. Mr. Neithercut was a
senior vice president--finance of EGI from January 1995 until February 1995. He
was a vice president--finance of Equity Assets Management, Inc., a subsidiary
of EGI providing real estate ownership services ("EAM"), from October 1990
until December 1994.
88
<PAGE>
Gregory H. Smith has been Executive Vice President--Asset Management of EQR
since December 1994. Mr. Smith was a senior vice president of Strategic Realty
Advisors, Inc., a real estate and advisory company, from January 1994 until
December 1994. Mr. Smith had been employed at VMS Realty Partners, a sponsor of
public and private real estate limited partnerships, from June 1989 until
December 1993, most recently serving as first vice president.
Gerald A. Spector has been a Trustee and Executive Vice President of EQR
since March 1993 and Chief Operating Officer of EQR since February 1995. Mr.
Spector was the Treasurer of EQR from March 1993 through February 1995.
Mr. Spector had been an officer of EF&M since January 1973, most recently
serving as vice president from November 1994 through January 1996. Mr. Spector
was executive vice president and chief operating officer of EF&M from September
1990 through November 1994. Mr. Spector had been an officer of EGI since
January 1998, most recently serving as vice president from November 1994
through January 1996. Mr. Spector was executive vice president and chief
operating officer of EGI from January 1991 through January 1994.
Bruce C. Strohm has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel of EQR
since March 1995 and Secretary since November 1995. Mr. Strohm was an Assistant
Secretary since March 1995 and Vice President of EQR since its formation. Mr.
Strohm was a vice president of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., a law firm
("R&L"), most recently serving as a member of the firm's management committee.
Frederick C. Tuomi has been Executive Vice President--Property Management of
EQR since January 1994. Mr. Tuomi had been president of RAM Partners, Inc., a
subsidiary of Post Properties, Inc., a REIT, from March 1991 to January 1994.
Mr. Tuomi was president of Pilot Property Company, a property management
company, from July 1988 until March 1991.
Alan W. George has been Executive Vice President--Acquisitions of EQR since
February 1997, Senior Vice President--Acquisitions of EQR from December 1995
until February 1997 and Vice President--Acquisitions and asset manager of EQR
from December 1993 to December 1995. Mr. George was vice president-asset
management of EAM from June 1992 until August 1993. He was vice president-asset
management for American Real Estate Group, a real estate investment company,
from 1990 to 1992.
Michael J. McHugh has been Senior Vice President of EQR since November 1994
and Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of EQR since February 1995. From May
1990 until January 1995, Mr. McHugh was senior vice president and chief
financial officer of First Capital.
John W. Alexander has been a Trustee of EQR since May 1993. Mr. Alexander has
been the president of Mallard Creek Capital Partners, Inc., primarily an
investment company with interests in real estate and development entities,
since February 1994. He is a partner of Meringoff Equities, a real estate
investment and development company, and is a director of Jacor Communications,
Inc., an owner and operator of radio stations ("Jacor").
Henry H. Goldberg has been a Trustee of EQR since January 1995. Mr. Goldberg
is chairman of the board, chief executive officer and founder of Artery
Properties, Inc. Founded in 1959, Artery Properties, Inc. is a diversified real
estate company. Mr. Goldberg was the direct or indirect general partner (or an
executive thereof) of seven partnerships owning residential apartment
communities and one commercial office building, each of which filed petitions
under the Federal bankruptcy laws during 1992 and 1993. Each of the
partnerships is now out of bankruptcy through a reorganization plan agreed to
by the project lender.
Errol R. Halperin became a Trustee of EQR in May 1993. Mr. Halperin has been
an attorney at Rudnick & Wolfe, a law firm, since 1979, serving as a senior
partner and a member of such firm's policy committee since 1981, specializing
in Federal income tax counseling and real estate and corporate transactions.
James D. Harper, Jr. became a Trustee of EQR in May 1993. Since 1982, Mr.
Harper has been president of JDH Realty Co., a real estate development and
investment company. Since 1988, he has been a co-managing partner in AH
Development, S.E. and AH HA Investments, S.E., special limited partnerships
formed to develop over 400 acres of land in Puerto Rico.
Sheli Z. Rosenberg has been a Trustee of EQR since March 1993. She is a
principal of the law firm of R&L. Ms. Rosenberg is chief executive officer,
president and a director of EGI. Ms. Rosenberg has been a director of Jacor
since 1994 and has been the chairman of its board of directors since February
1996. Ms. Rosenberg is a director of Capsure, Falcon Building Products, Inc., a
manufacturer and supplier of building products ("Falcon"), American Classic,
MHC, Anixter, Sealy, and Revco.
Barry S. Sternlicht became a Trustee of EQR in May 1993. Mr. Sternlicht has
been chief executive officer and president of Starwood Capital Group, L.P.
since 1993 and president of Starwood Capital Partners, L.P., a privately owned
real estate
89
<PAGE>
investment firm, since its formation in 1991. Mr. Sternlicht is chairman of the
board and chief executive officer of Starwood Lodging Trust, a REIT
specializing in the ownership of hotels, and co-chairman of the board of Westin
Hotels & Resorts Company, an owner and operator of hotels. Mr. Sternlicht is a
director of Angeles Participating Mortgage Trust, a mortgage REIT, U.S.
Franchise Systems, a hotel franchise company, and Starwood Lodging Corporation,
which manages hotels owned by Starwood Lodging Trust.
B. Joseph White became a Trustee of EQR since May 1993. Mr. White has been a
professor at the University of Michigan Business School since 1987 and has
served as Dean since 1991. Mr. White is a director of Falcon, Union Pump
Company, a manufacturer of pumps, and Kelly Services, Inc., an employment
agency.
For biographical descriptions of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal see
"Management of WRP Newco-- Directors and Executive Officers."
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
There will be three standing committees of the Board of Trustees of the
Surviving Trust: the Executive Committee, the Compensation Committee and the
Audit Committee, which are described further below.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be comprised of Messrs.
Alexander, Crocker and Zell. The Executive Committee will have the authority
within certain parameters to acquire, dispose of and finance investments for
the Surviving Trust and execute contracts and agreements, including those
related to the borrowing of money by the Surviving Trust, and generally
exercise all other powers of the Board, except as prohibited by law.
Compensation Committee: The Compensation Committee will be comprised of
Messrs. Halperin and Harper and Ms. Rosenberg. Mr. Harper will be the chairman.
The Compensation Committee will review and make recommendations concerning
proposals by management with respect to compensation, bonuses, employment
agreements and other benefits and policies respecting such matters for the
executive officers of the Surviving Trust.
Audit Committee: The Audit Committee will be comprised of Messrs. White,
Alexander, Halperin, Sternlicht and Goldberg. Mr. White will be the chairman.
The Audit Committee will make recommendations concerning the engagement of
independent public accountants, review the plans and results of the audit
engagement with the independent public accountants, approve professional
services provided by the independent public accountants, review the
independence of the independent public accountants, consider the range of audit
and non-audit fees and review the adequacy of the Surviving Trust's internal
accounting controls.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
Trustees who are not employees of the Surviving Trust receive an annual fee
of $20,000 for serving as trustees. In addition, trustees who serve on the
Audit Committee, the Executive Committee or the Compensation Committee will
receive an additional $1,000 per annum for each committee on which they serve.
Committee chairs receive an additional $500 per annum. The Surviving Trust will
also reimburse the trustees of each committee for travel expenses incurred in
connection with their activities on behalf of the Surviving Trust. Each trustee
will also be granted options to purchase 5,000 shares of Survivor Common at the
fair market value of such shares at the close of business on the date of the
first trustees' meeting following each annual meeting of shareholders.
CONSULTING AGREEMENTS
Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will each execute a consulting agreement with
ERP Operating Partnership. The consulting agreements will each be for a term of
five years from the Effective Time. Pursuant to the consulting agreements, each
of Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will serve as a senior management consultant
to ERP Operating Partnership and, in all events, will receive compensation at
the rate of $200,000 per year plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
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<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
At the Effective Time, the shareholders of Wellsford and EQR will become
shareholders of the Surviving Trust. The rights of Wellsford's shareholders are
presently governed by Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of
the Annotated Code of Maryland ("Title 8"), the Wellsford Declaration, and the
Wellsford Bylaws. The rights of EQR's shareholders are presently governed by
Title 8, the EQR Declaration and EQR Bylaws. The rights of the shareholders of
the Surviving Trust will be governed by Title 8, the Surviving Trust's
Declaration and the Surviving Trust's Bylaws. Upon approval of the Merger by
the Wellsford Common Shareholders and at the Effective Time, the Wellsford
Declaration will be amended and restated to substantially conform the Wellsford
Declaration to the terms of the EQR Declaration (except for the Additional
Provisions that require approval by a two-thirds vote of the Wellsford Common
Shareholders, which are being voted upon separately). The Wellsford
Declaration, as amended and restated (including, if so approved, the Additional
Provisions) will serve as the Surviving Trust's Declaration.
The following discussion summarizes certain significant differences between
the rights of shareholders of EQR, Wellsford and the Surviving Trust as a
result of certain of these amendments. This summary does not purport to be
complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
EQR Declaration and Bylaws, the Wellsford Declaration and Bylaws and the
Surviving Trust's Declaration and Bylaws. In addition, upon the separate
approval by an affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of
the outstanding shares of Wellsford Common, the Declaration of the Surviving
Trust will be modified to include the Additional Provisions. See "Proposal
Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions." This summary does not
take into account the modifications contemplated by the Additional Provisions,
which are discussed in "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust
Provisions." Rights of the shareholders of EQR and Wellsford which are and will
remain the same after the Merger are not discussed.
AUTHORIZED AND ISSUED SHARES
The Wellsford Declaration authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of
beneficial interest, which consists of shares of Wellsford Common and such
other types or classes as the Wellsford Board of Trustees may create and
authorize from time to time and designate as representing a beneficial interest
in Wellsford. The designation and number of outstanding shares of beneficial
interest of Wellsford as of April 21, 1997, was as follows: (i) 17,261,897 of
Wellsford Common; (ii) 3,999,800 shares of Wellsford Series A; and (iii)
2,300,000 shares of Wellsford Series B.
The EQR Declaration authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000 shares of
beneficial interest, of which 100,000,000 are EQR Common and 10,000,000 are
Preferred Shares which may be issued from time to time, in one or more series.
The designation and number of outstanding shares of beneficial interest in EQR
as of April 1, 1997, was as follows: (i) 53,713,158 of EQR Common; (ii)
6,120,000 shares of EQR Series A; (iii) 500,000 shares of EQR Series B
represented by 5,000,000 depository shares; (iv) 460,000 shares of EQR Series C
represented by 4,600,000 depository shares; and (v) no excess shares of
beneficial interest.
The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will authorize the issuance of
300,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, of which 200,000,000 will be shares
of Survivor Common and 100,000,000 will be preferred shares of beneficial
interest of the Surviving Trust, of which (a) 6,900,000 shares have been
designated as 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, (b) 575,000 shares have been designated as 9 1/8% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Shares of Beneficial Interest, (c) 460,000 shares have
been designated as 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, (d) 4,600,000 shares have been designated as Series D
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest and (e)
2,300,000 shares have been designated as Series E Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest. Shares of beneficial interest may be
issued from time to time, as authorized by the Board of Trustees of the
Surviving Trust. As of the Effective Date, the designation and number of the
outstanding shares of beneficial interest in the Surviving Trust, based upon
the shares outstanding as of April 1, 1997, will be as follows: (i) 64,483,878
of Survivor Common; (ii) 6,120,000 of Survivor Series A; (iii) 500,000 of
Survivor Series B represented by 5,000,000 depository shares; (iv) 460,000 of
Survivor Series C represented by 4,600,000 depository shares; (v) 3,999,800 of
Survivor Series D; and (vi) 2,300,000 of Survivor Series E.
AMENDMENT TO DECLARATION AND BYLAWS
As permitted by Title 8, the Wellsford Declaration provides that the
Wellsford Board of Trustees may, by a two-thirds vote, amend the Wellsford
Declaration from time to time in order to enable Wellsford to qualify and
remain qualified as a REIT under the Code and Title 8. Except as set forth in
the preceding sentence and in the Articles Supplementary that set forth the
rights and preferences of the holders of Wellsford Preferred, the Wellsford
Declaration may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not
less than a majority of the shares of beneficial interest then outstanding and
entitled
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to vote thereon, and in certain cases may be amended only by the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of such shares. Amendments to
the provisions of the Wellsford Declaration relating to the removal of
trustees, the restrictions on ownership of its shares of beneficial interest,
the reorganization of Wellsford and mergers, consolidations and sales of all or
substantially all of Wellsford's property must be approved by the affirmative
vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of beneficial
interest then outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter.
As permitted by Title 8, the EQR Declaration provides that the EQR Board of
Trustees may, by a two-thirds vote, amend the EQR Declaration from time to time
in order to enable EQR to qualify and remain qualified as REIT under the Code
and under Title 8. Except as set forth in the previous sentence and in the
terms of preferred shares of beneficial interest, the EQR Declaration may be
amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds
of the shares of beneficial interest then outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon.
The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will provide for its amendment in the
same manner as the Wellsford Declaration. The amendment provisions of the
Declaration of the Surviving Trust will also be affected by the Additional
Provisions, if approved. See "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of
Trust Provisions."
SPECIAL MEETINGS
The Wellsford Bylaws provide that the chairman, the president or one-third of
the trustees of Wellsford may call a special meeting of Wellsford's
shareholders. A special meeting shall also be called by the secretary of
Wellsford upon the written request of holders of shares entitled to cast not
less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
The EQR Bylaws provide that the chairman, the president or one-third of the
trustees of EQR may call a special meeting of EQR's shareholders. A special
meeting shall be called by the secretary of EQR upon the written request of EQR
Shareholders entitled to cast not less than 25% of all the votes entitled to be
cast at such meeting.
The Bylaws of the Surviving Trust will provide for special meetings in the
same manner as the EQR Bylaws.
BOARDS OF TRUSTEES
The Wellsford Declaration states that the trustees of Wellsford shall be
divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term
of each class of trustees expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in the
third year following the year of their election. This classified Board of
Trustees could have the effect of making the removal of incumbents more time
consuming and difficult, which could delay, defer or prevent a third party from
making a timely offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control, even though
such an attempt might be beneficial to the company and its shareholders. Thus,
the classified board could increase the likelihood that incumbents will retain
their positions.
The Wellsford Declaration provides that a trustee may be removed, with or
without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-
thirds of the shares of beneficial interest then outstanding and entitled to
vote in the election of trustees. Amendments to this section of the Wellsford
Declaration must be approved by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
shares of beneficial interest outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter.
The EQR Declaration contains substantially similar provisions regarding the
classification of trustees as the Wellsford Declaration; however, the EQR
Declaration provides that a trustee may be removed only with cause, by the vote
of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of beneficial interest
then outstanding and entitled to vote in the election of trustees. The EQR
Declaration defines cause as (i) material theft, fraud or embezzlement or
active and deliberate dishonesty by a trustee, (ii) habitual neglect of duty by
a trustee having a material and adverse significance to the trust, or (iii) the
conviction of a trustee for a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude.
The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will contain provisions paralleling
those of the Wellsford Declaration relating to the classification and removal
of trustees. The method of removing trustees under the Declaration of the
Surviving Trust will also be affected by the Additional Provisions, if
approved. See "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions."
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AND SALE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS
Declaration Provisions. Under the Wellsford Declaration, any merger or
consolidation involving Wellsford or any sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of Wellsford's property must be approved by its trustees and
submitted to its shareholders for approval, such approval to be obtained by the
affirmative vote of (i) holders of not less than two-thirds of all the shares
of beneficial interest then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, if
Wellsford is not the surviving entity in
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any merger or consolidation or in the event of a proposed sale or disposition
of all or substantially all of Wellsford's property, or (ii) holders of not
less than a majority of all the shares of beneficial interest then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon, in all other cases. Amending this section of the
Wellsford Declaration requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds of the shares of beneficial interest outstanding and entitled to vote on
the matter.
The EQR Declaration does not address the vote required for a merger or
consolidation involving EQR or EQR's property. Under Title 8, a merger must be
approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the shareholders entitled
to vote on the matter unless otherwise provided in the declaration of trust.
The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will contain provisions paralleling
those of the Wellsford Declaration relating to shareholder approval of mergers,
consolidations and sales of assets. The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will
provide that the Surviving Trust may sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its property only upon the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than two-thirds of all the shares then outstanding and entitled to
vote on the matter. These shareholder approval requirements for mergers,
consolidations and sales of assets under the Declaration of the Surviving Trust
will also be affected by the Additional Provisions, if approved. See "Proposal
Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions."
Statutory Restrictions. Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations"
(including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain
circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity
securities) between a Maryland REIT and (i) any person who beneficially owns
10% or more of the voting power of the REIT's shares or an affiliate of the
REIT who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question,
was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then
outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the REIT (an "Interested
Shareholder") or (ii) an affiliate of an Interested Shareholder are prohibited
for five years after the most recent date on which the Interested Shareholder
becomes an Interested Shareholder. Thereafter, any such business combination
must be recommended by the Board of Trustees of such REIT and approved by the
affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by
holders of outstanding shares of the REIT and (b) two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the REIT other than shares
held by the Interested Shareholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the
business combination is to be effected, unless, among other conditions, the
REIT's common shareholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for
their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form
previously paid by the Interested Shareholder for its shares. These provisions
of Maryland law do not apply, however, to business combinations that are
approved or exempted by the board of trustees of the REIT prior to the time
that the Interested Shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder. The
Surviving Trust will exempt any business combination involving Mr. Zell, the
Zell Holders, EPMC and their respective affiliates and associates, present or
future, or any other person acting in concert or as a group with any of the
foregoing persons and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the super-
majority vote requirements will not apply to a business combination between any
of them and the Surviving Trust.
In addition to the restrictions on certain business combinations, the MGCL
also provides that "control shares" of a Maryland REIT acquired in a "control
share acquisition" have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a
vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding
shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of
the REIT. "Control Shares" are voting shares which, if aggregated with all
other such shares previously acquired by the acquiror, or in respect of which
the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except
solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise
voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting
power: (i) one-fifth or more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more
but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. A
"control share acquisition" means the acquisition of control shares, subject to
certain exceptions. Despite these restrictions on Control Share acquisitions,
the MGCL provides that a REIT may effectively exempt itself from such
restrictions by a provision contained in its Declaration or Bylaws. The
Wellsford Bylaws and EQR Bylaws both contain provisions stating that the
restrictions regarding Control Shares will not apply to any acquisition of its
shares by any person, and the Bylaws of the Surviving Trust will contain a
similar provision.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE OWNERSHIP, TRANSFER OR ISSUANCE OF SHARES
The Wellsford Declaration, subject to certain exceptions, provides that no
holder (other than (i) Edward Lowenthal and Jeffrey H. Lynford, and (ii) any
other person approved by the trustees) may own more than 9.8% (the "WRP
Ownership Limit") of the lesser of the number or value (in either case as
determined in good faith by the trustees) of the total outstanding shares of
beneficial interest. The Wellsford Declaration provides that the trustees may
waive the WRP Ownership Limit if evidence satisfactory to the trustees and to
Wellsford's tax counsel is presented that such ownership will not then or in
the future jeopardize Wellsford's status as a REIT. As a condition of such
waiver, the intended transferee must give written notice to Wellsford of the
proposed transfer and must furnish such opinions of counsel, affidavits,
undertakings, agreements and information as may be required by the trustees no
later than the 15th day prior to any transfer which, if consummated, would
result in the intended transferee owning shares in excess of the WRP Ownership
Limit. The
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foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the
Wellsford Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best
interests of Wellsford to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a
REIT. Any transfer of shares of beneficial interest that would (i) create a
direct or indirect ownership of shares of beneficial interest in excess of the
WRP Ownership Limit, (ii) result in the shares of beneficial interest being
owned by fewer than 100 persons, or (iii) result in Wellsford being "closely
held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, will be null and void,
and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to such shares of beneficial
interest. The Wellsford Declaration provides that Wellsford, by notice to the
holder thereof, may purchase any or all shares of beneficial interest of
Wellsford (the "Excess Shares") that are proposed to be transferred pursuant to
a transfer which, if consummated, would result in the intended transferee
owning shares of beneficial ownership in excess of the WRP Ownership Limit or
would otherwise jeopardize Wellsford's REIT status. The purchase price of any
Excess Shares will be equal to the fair market value of such excess Shares as
reflected in the closing sales price for the shares of beneficial interest, if
then listed on a national securities exchange. From and after the date fixed
for purchase by the trustees, the holder of such shares of beneficial interest
to be purchased by Wellsford will cease to be entitled to dividends,
distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such shares
except the right to payment of the purchase price for the shares. Any dividend
or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on Excess Shares prior to the
discovery by Wellsford that such shares of beneficial interest have been
transferred in violation of the provisions of the Wellsford Declaration shall
be repaid to Wellsford upon demand. If the foregoing transfer restrictions are
determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule
or regulation, then the intended transferee of any Excess Shares may be deemed,
at Wellsford's option, to have acted as an agent on behalf of Wellsford in
acquiring such Excess Shares and to hold such Excess Shares on behalf of
Wellsford.
The Wellsford Declaration requires that all persons who own, directly or
indirectly, more than 5% in number or value of the total outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of Wellsford must give a written notice to Wellsford
containing the information specified in the Wellsford Declaration by January 31
of each year. In addition, each shareholder irrespective of such shareholder's
ownership shall upon demand be required to disclose to Wellsford in writing
such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive
ownership of beneficial interests as the trustees deem necessary to comply with
the provisions of the Code applicable to a REIT, to comply with the
requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency or to determine any
such compliance.
The EQR Declaration, subject to certain exceptions, provides that no holder
may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the
Code, more than 5% (the "EQR Ownership Limit") of the lesser of the number of
shares or value of the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of
EQR. The EQR Board of Trustees, upon receipt of a ruling from the Service, an
opinion of counsel or other evidence satisfactory to the EQR Board of Trustees
and upon such other conditions as the EQR Board of Trustees may direct, may
also exempt a proposed transferee from the EQR Ownership Limit. As a condition
of such exemption, the intended transferee must give written notice to EQR of
the proposed transfer no later than the fifteenth day prior to any transfer
which, if consummated, would result in the intended transferee owning shares in
excess of the EQR Ownership Limit. Any transfer of EQR Common or EQR Preferred
that would (i) create a direct or indirect ownership of shares of beneficial
interest in excess of the EQR Ownership Limit, (ii) result in the shares of
beneficial interest being owned by fewer than 100 persons, or (iii) result in
EQR being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, will
be void ab initio, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the
shares of beneficial interest. The foregoing restrictions on transferability
and ownership will not apply if the EQR Board of Trustees determines that it is
no longer in the best interests of EQR to attempt to qualify, or to continue to
qualify, as a REIT.
EQR's Declaration exempts from the Ownership Limit certain persons and
entities who would exceed the Ownership Limit as a result of the exchange of
the OP Units for EQR Common, which OP Units were received by them at the time
of the formation of EQR. These persons may also acquire additional EQR Shares
through EQR's Second Amended and Restated 1993 Share Option and Share Award
Plan (the "Option and Award Plan"), but in no event will such persons be
entitled to acquire additional shares of beneficial interest such that the five
largest beneficial owners of EQR's shares of beneficial interest hold more than
50% in number or value of the total outstanding EQR Shares.
Any EQR Shares the transfer of which would result in a person owning shares
of beneficial interest in excess of the Ownership Limit or cause EQR to become
"closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code that is not otherwise permitted
as provided above will constitute excess shares ("Excess Shares"), which will
be transferred by operation of law to EQR as trustee for the exclusive benefit
of the person or persons to whom the Excess Shares are ultimately transferred,
until such time as the intended transferee retransfers the Excess Shares. While
these Excess Shares are held in trust, they will not be entitled to vote or to
share in any distributions (except upon liquidation). Subject to the Ownership
Limit, the Excess Shares may be retransferred by the intended transferee to any
person (if the Excess Shares would not be Excess Shares in the hands of such
person) at a price not to exceed the price paid by the intended transferee or,
if the intended transferee did not give value for such Excess Shares (e.g., a
transfer by gift or devise), the fair market value (as described below) at the
time of the purported transfer that resulted in the Excess Shares, at which
point the Excess Shares will automatically be exchanged for
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the shares of beneficial interest to which the Excess Shares are attributable.
In addition, such Excess Shares held in trust are subject to purchase by EQR at
a purchase price equal to the lesser of the price paid for the Excess Shares in
the transaction that created such Excess Shares (or, in the case of a devise or
gift, the fair market value at the time of such devise or gift) and the fair
market value of the EQR Preferred or EQR Common to which such Excess Shares
relate on the date EQR exercises its right to purchase. Fair market value will
be the last sales price of such shares of beneficial interest reported on the
NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date, or if not then
traded on the NYSE, the last reported sales price of such shares of beneficial
interest on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date as reported
on any exchange or quotation system over which such shares of beneficial
interest may be traded, or if not then traded over any exchange or quotation
system, then the fair market value of such shares of beneficial interest on the
relevant date as determined in good faith by the EQR Board of Trustees. EQR's
right to purchase shall be for a period of 90 days after the later of the date
of the purported transfer which resulted in the Excess Shares and the date the
EQR Board of Trustees determines in good faith that such a transfer has
occurred. From and after the intended transfer to the intended transferee of
the Excess Shares, the intended transferee will cease to be entitled to
distributions (except upon liquidation), voting rights and other benefits with
respect to such shares except the right to payment of the purchase price for
the shares or the retransfer of shares as provided above. Any distribution paid
to a proposed transferee on Excess Shares prior to the discovery by EQR that
such shares of beneficial interest have been transferred in violation of the
provisions of EQR's Declaration will be repaid to EQR upon demand. If the
foregoing transfer restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue
of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended
transferee of any Excess Shares may be deemed, at the option of EQR, to have
acted as an agent on behalf of EQR in acquiring such Excess Shares and to hold
such Excess Shares on behalf of EQR.
All certificates representing shares of beneficial interest of EQR shall bear
a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of
the Code, more than 5% (or such other percentage between 1/2 of 1% and 5% as
provided in the rules and regulations promulgated under the Code) of the lesser
of the number or value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of EQR
must give a written notice to EQR by January 31 of each year. In addition, each
shareholder will upon demand be required to disclose to EQR in writing such
information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of
EQR Shares as the EQR Board of Trustees deems reasonably necessary to comply
with the provisions of the Code applicable to a REIT, to comply with the
requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency or to determine any
such compliance.
The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will contain restrictions on the
ownership, transfer and issuance of Survivor Shares generally similar to those
restrictions contained in the EQR Declaration. The provisions relating to
restrictions on the ownership, transfer or issuance of shares contained in the
Surviving Trust will also be affected by the Additional Provisions, if
approved. See "Proposal Regarding Additional Declaration of Trust Provisions."
PROPOSAL REGARDING ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF TRUST PROVISIONS
The Wellsford Common Shareholders are being asked to separately approve the
Additional Provisions to the Surviving Trust Declaration (defined herein) to
further conform the Surviving Trust Declaration to the terms of the EQR
Declaration and to update the Surviving Trust Declaration to reflect the
current approaches in the REIT industry regarding share ownership restrictions
necessary to maintain REIT status. The Wellsford Declaration, as amended and
restated to include or exclude the Additional Provisions depending on the
requisite approval of the Wellsford Common Shareholders ("Surviving Trust
Declaration"), will constitute the declaration of the Surviving Trust. As
described in the following summary of the Additional Provisions, the Board of
Trustees of each of Wellsford and EQR believe that the Additional Provisions
would be in the best interests of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust. The
Wellsford Common Shareholders are therefore being asked to separately approve
modifications to certain sections, including Sections 2.3, 6.6, 9.1, 9.2 and
9.3 of, and the addition of Article VII to, the Surviving Trust Declaration.
The following is a summary of the Additional Provisions as to which the
approval of the Wellsford Common Shareholders is being requested.
Removal of Trustees. Section 2.3 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides for the removal of trustees, with or without cause, by the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of Wellsford
Common then outstanding and entitled to vote on the election of trustees. Upon
approval of the Additional Provisions, the Surviving Trust Declaration will
provide for the removal of trustees only with cause by the same vote previously
required. "Cause" will be defined as (a) material theft, fraud or embezzlement
or active and deliberate dishonesty by a trustee; (b) habitual neglect of
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duty by a trustee having a material and adverse significance to the Surviving
Trust; or (c) the conviction of a trustee for a felony or for any crime
involving mortal turpitude. The Board of Trustees of each of Wellsford and EQR
believe that the increased stability of management that would result from this
amendment is in the best interest of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust.
Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares. In order to maintain its
status as a REIT under the Code and Title 8, Section 6.6 of the Wellsford
Declaration currently imposes a number of restrictions on the transfer and
ownership of Wellsford Shares. See "Comparison of Rights of Shareholders--
Restrictions on the Ownership, Transfer or Issuance of Shares." Since the
adoption of the Wellsford Declaration in 1992, the comparable section of the
declarations of other REITs has evolved into a more detailed provision relating
to the applicable ownership limits and compliance with the Code. Upon approval
of the Additional Provisions, these provisions will be modified to reflect the
effects of the Merger and the Surviving Trust's relationship with ERP Operating
Partnership. Among the specific amendments to be made will be the inclusion of
provisions exempting the exchange of OP Units into Survivor Shares from the
definition of "transfer." In addition, certain persons and entities who would
otherwise exceed the ownership limits placed on Survivor Shares will be
exempted from such ownership restrictions in order to avoid their forced
divestment of such shares or OP Units. Upon approval of the Additional
Provisions, any transfer of shares resulting in a person owning shares in
excess of the ownership limits placed on the Survivor Shares shall be
automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the benefit of a charitable
beneficiary. For the reasons stated above, the Board of Trustees of each of
Wellsford and EQR believe that the Additional Provisions affecting the
ownership and transfer of Survivor Shares are in the best interest of the
shareholders of the Surviving Trust.
Amendment to Declaration. Section 9.1 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides for its amendment by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than a majority of the Wellsford Shares outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon, except that amendments related to the removal of trustees, the
restrictions on the ownership of Wellsford Shares, the reorganization of
Wellsford and the merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially of
Wellsford's property must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the Wellsford's Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on
the matter. In addition, the Wellsford Board of Trustees may, by a two-thirds
vote, amend the Wellsford Declaration in order to enable Wellsford to qualify
and remain qualified as a REIT under the Code and Title 8.
Upon approval of the Additional Provisions, Section 9.2 of the Surviving
Trust Declaration will provide that it may be amended by the Board of Trustees
of the Surviving Trust, by a two-thirds vote, to enable the Surviving Trust to
qualify as a REIT. The Surviving Trust Declaration as modified will also
provide for amendment of all its provisions by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Survivor Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon. The Board of Trustees of each of Wellsford and EQR
believe that this consistent requirement of approval by not less than two-
thirds of the Survivor Shares to amend all provisions of the Surviving Trust
Declaration is in the best interest of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust.
Mergers, Consolidation, or Sale of Trust Property. Section 9.2 of the
Wellsford Declaration currently states that, upon the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Wellsford Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon, the trustees of Wellsford may reorganize
Wellsford by creating a separate entity into which Wellsford will merge or sell
its assets. In addition, Section 9.3 of the Wellsford Declaration currently
provides that if Wellsford is not the surviving entity in a merger or
consolidation, or in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of
Wellsford's property, that transaction must be approved by two-thirds of the
Wellsford Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. In all other
cases, such a merger or consolidation need only be approved by a majority of
the Wellsford Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Upon
approval of the Additional Provisions, any merger, consolidation, or sale of
all or substantially all of the Surviving Trust's property will be required to
be approved by the holders of a majority of the Survivor Shares then
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. The Board of Trustees of each of
Wellsford and EQR believe that this threshold of shareholder approval, which
would facilitate the merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all
of the Surviving Trust's property, would be in the best interest of the
shareholders of the Surviving Trust.
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THE CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The following describes certain aspects of the Contribution and the
Distribution. To the extent that they relate to the Contribution and
Distribution Agreement, the following descriptions do not purport to be
complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Contribution
and Distribution Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement
is a part.
BACKGROUND OF AND REASONS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION
EQR is in the business of acquiring, owning and operating multifamily
properties. It does not currently engage in any development activities and
generally does not hold debt instruments for investment. In the course of
discussions with respect to the Merger it became clear that EQR did not wish to
acquire all of Wellsford's interest in its development project near Denver,
Colorado, known as Palomino Park or its interests in the Sonterra Assets. If
EQR were to acquire such assets, Wellsford would not be able to receive what it
considered to be adequate value for such assets. Wellsford's management
believes that it can maximize the value of those assets for its shareholders by
not conveying them in the Merger or pursuant to an asset sale to a third party
and by retaining such assets and their long-term value for Wellsford Common
Shareholders by contributing them to WRP Newco and distributing all of the
shares of WRP Newco owned by Wellsford to the Wellsford Common Shareholders pro
rata. It has also been agreed that to provide initial working capital for WRP
Newco, Wellsford would contribute approximately $18 million in cash to WRP
Newco. Pursuant to the Merger, EQR will acquire the remaining assets of
Wellsford, subject to certain liabilities. See "--Contribution and Distribution
Agreement."
Although the Contribution and Distribution will not be effected unless the
Merger is approved and all conditions thereto have been satisfied or waived,
Wellsford Common Shareholders are not being asked to approve the Contribution
and Distribution, which are not subject to shareholder approval under Maryland
law because they do not constitute a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of Wellsford.
MANNER OF EFFECTING THE CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The Contribution was approved and the Distribution was declared by the Board
of Trustees of Wellsford on January 16, 1997, the date on which it also
approved the Merger. The Contribution will be made immediately prior to the
Distribution, and both the Contribution and the Distribution will occur on the
same date as the Effective Date (the "Distribution Date") and immediately prior
to the Merger. The Distribution will be made to Wellsford Common Shareholders
of record as of the close of business on the Distribution Date. On or prior to
the Distribution Date, a share certificate evidencing all the shares of WRP
Newco Common owned by Wellsford will be delivered to the United States Trust
Company of New York, as Distribution Agent. Commencing on the Distribution
Date, the Distribution Agent will begin mailing to Wellsford Common
Shareholders as of the close of business on the Distribution Date one share of
WRP Newco Common for every four shares of Wellsford Common held on the
Distribution Date. See "Description of Capital Stock of WRP Newco--Common
Stock." Wellsford Common Shareholders who would be entitled to receive
fractional shares of WRP Newco Common will receive cash in the Distribution in
lieu of such fractional shares. To accomplish this, the Distribution Agent will
determine the number of whole and fractional shares of WRP Newco Common to
which each Wellsford Common Shareholder as of the Distribution Date is
entitled. Next, the Distribution Agent will aggregate these fractional share
interests and sell them on the open market at then-prevailing prices. The
Distribution Agent will distribute to each Wellsford Common Shareholder its
ratable share of such proceeds after deducting appropriate amounts for federal
income tax withholding purposes and any applicable transfer taxes.
No holder of Wellsford Common Shareholder will be required to pay any cash or
other consideration for the shares of WRP Newco Common to be received in the
Distribution or to surrender or exchange shares of Wellsford Common or to take
any other action in order to receive WRP Newco Common.
LISTING AND TRADING OF WRP NEWCO COMMON
WRP Newco has applied for listing of the WRP Newco Common on the ASE.
Initially, WRP Newco will have approximately 629 stockholders of record and the
outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common will be held on behalf of approximately
13,500 beneficial owners, based on the number of record holders and beneficial
owners of Wellsford Common as of April 18, 1997.
There is currently no trading market for the WRP Newco Common. Prices at
which WRP Newco Common may trade after the Distribution cannot be predicted.
Until the WRP Newco Common is fully distributed and an orderly market develops,
the prices at which trading in such stock occurs may fluctuate significantly.
The prices at which WRP Newco Common trades will be determined by the
marketplace and may be influenced by many factors, including, among others, the
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depth and liquidity of the market for WRP Newco Common, investor perception of
WRP Newco and its businesses, WRP Newco's dividend policy, interest rates and
general economic and market conditions.
Shares of WRP Newco Common distributed to Wellsford Common Shareholders in
the Distribution will be freely transferable, except for shares received by
persons who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of WRP Newco under the Securities
Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of WRP Newco after the
Distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are
controlled by, or are under common control with, WRP Newco, and may include
certain officers and directors of WRP Newco as well as certain principal
stockholders of WRP Newco, if any. Persons who are affiliates of WRP Newco will
be permitted to sell their shares of WRP Newco Common only pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
CONDITIONS; TERMINATION
The Contribution and Distribution are subject to certain conditions as set
forth in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement including, but not limited
to, each condition to the closing of the Merger set forth in the Merger
Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived. The Contribution and
Distribution may be abandoned at any time prior to their occurrence by and in
the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford without the approval
of WRP Newco or the Wellsford Common Shareholders.
CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Wellsford and WRP Newco have entered into a Contribution and Distribution
Agreement providing for, among other things, the principal corporate
transactions required to effect the contribution by Wellsford of certain of its
assets to WRP Newco.
Wellsford will transfer, without representation or warranty, all of its
right, title and interest in and to the following assets, among others (the
"Contributed Assets"):
(a) the Sonterra Assets. See "WRP Newco's Business and Properties";
(b) 80% of the outstanding shares of Wellsford Park Highlands Corp. ("WPHC"),
which represents an approximate 80% interest in Palomino Park, together with
certain additional ownership and financing agreements relating to Palomino
Park. See "WRP Newco's Business and Properties";
(c) cash in the amount of approximately $18 million, subject to adjustment as
described in the Merger Agreement and the Transaction and Termination Costs
Agreement attached as an exhibit thereto;
(d) the lease of the premises currently occupied by Wellsford in New York
City, together with the furniture, fixtures, equipment and personalty located
at such premises; and
(e) the name "Wellsford."
Simultaneously with the Contribution, WRP Newco will assume, among others,
the following liabilities:
(i) All liabilities of Wellsford with respect to the Contributed Assets;
(ii) the obligations to executive officers and trustees of Wellsford
arising under certain Wellsford share option certificates, which will be
satisfied by (A) amending the option certificates, as described in
"Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger and Distribution--Benefits of
Key Executives--Wellsford Options" (as amended, the "Amended WRP Newco
Options") and (B) issuing shares of WRP Newco Common pursuant to the
Amended WRP Newco Options; and
(iii) any other obligation of Wellsford under any agreement relating to
the Sonterra Assets, the bonds relating to Palomino Park, or Palomino Park
except the obligations of ERP Operating Partnership under the Credit
Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino Agreement, each between ERP
Operating Partnership and WRP Newco.
Mutual Indemnities. Pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution Agreement,
Wellsford and WRP Newco will each be responsible for all claims and liabilities
relating to its own business (whether or not such claims and liabilities arise
from activities occurring prior to the Distribution) and will each indemnify
the other against such claims and liabilities, subject to certain limited
exceptions relating to the Credit Enhancement Agreement, Palomino Agreement and
Transaction and Termination Costs Agreement.
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TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION
The following discussion concerns the material United States Federal income
tax consequences of the receipt of shares of WRP Newco Common by Wellsford
Common Shareholders in the Distribution. The discussion is based on current
law, which is subject to change retroactively or prospectively, and is for
general information only. Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP has
reviewed the discussion set forth herein under the caption "Tax Consequences of
the Distribution" and believes that such discussion, as it pertains to matters
of law, is correct in all material respects. The discussion does not address
all aspects of Federal income taxation and does not address any aspects of
state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, except as set forth below. The discussion
does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a
particular Wellsford shareholder. Accordingly, Wellsford Common Shareholders
are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the United States Federal,
state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of the Distribution
and of holding and disposing of shares of WRP Newco Common.
General. To the extent the fair market value of the shares of WRP Newco
Common distributed in the Distribution to Wellsford Common Shareholders exceeds
Wellsford's tax basis in such shares, gain will be recognized by Wellsford.
Assuming Wellsford qualifies as a REIT and has a dividends paid deduction for
distributions to its shareholders at least equal to its REIT taxable income (as
computed before taking into account the dividends paid deduction), no REIT
level tax will be incurred on account of the Distribution.
The distribution of WRP Newco Common will, however, be taxable to Wellsford
Common Shareholders to the same extent as any other distribution made by
Wellsford to its shareholders. Thus, so long as Wellsford qualifies for
taxation as a REIT, distributions with respect to its shares, including the
Distribution, made out of current earnings and profits (computed as of the
close of its taxable year without taking into account any distributions made
during such year) or accumulated earnings and profits allocable thereto (and
not designated as capital gain dividends) will be includible by the
shareholders as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes. For this
purpose, the current and accumulated earnings and profits of Wellsford will be
allocated first to distributions with respect to shares of Wellsford Preferred
and then to distributions with respect to Common Shares. None of these
distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction for
corporate shareholders. Distributions that are designated as capital gain
dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not
exceed Wellsford's actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard
to the period for which the shareholder has held his share. Corporate
shareholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital
gain dividends as ordinary income.
Distributions in excess of current or accumulated earnings and profits will
not be taxable to a shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the
adjusted basis of the shareholder's shares. Shareholders will be required to
reduce the tax basis of their shares by the amount of such distributions until
such basis has been reduced to zero, after which such distributions will be
taxable as capital gain (ordinary income in the case of a shareholder who holds
his shares as a dealer). The tax basis as so reduced will be used in computing
the capital gain or loss, if any, realized upon sale of the shares of Wellsford
Common (or shares of Survivor Common received in exchange therefor in the
Merger). Any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of Wellsford Common (or
shares of Survivor Common received in exchange therefor in the Merger) by a
shareholder who held such shares of Wellsford Common (or shares of Survivor
Common received in exchange therefor in the Merger) for six months or less
(after applying certain holding period rules) will generally be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent such shareholder previously received
capital gain distributions with respect to such shares of Wellsford Common (or
shares of Survivor Common received in exchange therefor in the Merger).
The current earnings and profits of the Surviving Trust will include all pre-
Merger earnings and profits of Wellsford, all pre-Merger undistributed earnings
and profits of EQR and all post-Merger earnings and profits of the Surviving
Trust. The total earnings and profits at the close of the Surviving Trust's
taxable year will be allocated among pre-Merger Wellsford distributions,
including the Distribution, and all post-Merger distributions of the Surviving
Trust. Management estimates that approximately 50% of the value of the shares
of WRP Newco Common received in the Distribution will be taxable as ordinary
income. Because this estimate is based, in part, on future events, there can be
no assurance as to the portion of the value of the Distribution that will be
taxable as ordinary income. The remainder of the value of the shares of WRP
Newco Common received in the Distribution will either constitute a return of
capital (reducing basis in the shares of Wellsford Common that converted in the
Merger into Survivor Common) or capital gain. A Wellsford shareholder's tax
basis in the WRP Newco Common received in the Distribution will equal their
fair market value on the date of Distribution. The holding period of the WRP
Newco Common received in the Distribution will begin on the day following the
date of the Distribution.
Upon the sale or exchange of WRP Newco Common to or with a person other than
WRP Newco, a holder will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount realized on such sale or exchange and the holder's adjusted
tax basis in such shares. Any capital gain or loss recognized will generally be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the holder held such shares for
more than one year.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
A noncorporate holder of WRP Newco Common who is not otherwise exempt from
backup withholding may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with
respect to distributions paid on, or the proceeds of a sale, exchange or
redemption of, the WRP Newco Common. Generally, backup withholding applies only
when the taxpayer (i) fails to furnish or certify his correct taxpayer
identification number to the payor in the manner requested, (ii) is notified by
the United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that he has failed to report
payments of interest or dividends properly, or (iii) under certain
circumstances, fails to certify that he has not been notified by the IRS that
he is subject to backup withholding for failure to report interest or dividend
payments. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a
payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder's Federal
income tax liability or as a refund, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS. Holders of WRP Newco Common should consult their own tax
advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding
and the procedure for obtaining any applicable exemption.
State, Local and Foreign Taxation
WRP Newco and its shareholders may be subject to state, local or foreign
taxation in various state, local or foreign jurisdictions, including those in
which it or they transact business or reside. Such state, local or foreign
taxation may differ from the Federal income tax treatment described above.
Consequently, prospective holders of WRP Newco Common should consult their own
tax advisors regarding the effect of state, local and foreign tax laws on the
ownership of WRP Newco Common.
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WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
GENERAL
WRP Newco was organized to create and realize value by identifying and making
opportunistic real estate investments through the direct acquisition,
rehabilitation, development, financing and management of real properties and/or
participation in these activities through the purchase of debt or equity
securities of entities engaged in such real estate businesses. Management will
concentrate its efforts on defining and building focused operating businesses
with recurring sources of income. WRP Newco intends to maximize shareholder
value over time through growth in cash flow and net asset value per share.
WRP Newco believes that while liquidity has returned to many real estate
markets and that the supply and demand of many real estate asset classes are in
relative equilibrium, there are specific opportunities which are expected to
continue to exist because of market inefficiencies and impediments to
investment, such as transactional complexity, time-consuming regulatory
approvals, the prospect of no or limited immediate cash flow and a lack of
available property information and market information analysis. In this regard,
WRP Newco will initially focus its investments on three distinct aspects of the
real estate business which management believes currently offer such
opportunities. They are (i) acquiring underperforming office and other
commercial properties below replacement cost, renovating and/or repositioning
them, and owning, operating and/or reselling such properties, (ii) investing in
real estate-related debt instruments with the potential for high-yields or
returns more characteristic of equity ownership and (iii) engaging in selective
property development when justified by expected returns. As opportunities
emerge, WRP Newco may in the future expand its real estate-related businesses
and activities.
WRP Newco currently does not intend to qualify as a REIT under the Code.
Consequently, WRP Newco will have the flexibility to respond quickly to
opportunities without the structural limitations inherent in REITs and to
operate, when deemed advantageous by management, on a more highly leveraged
basis than most REITs. By not qualifying as a REIT under the Code (which would
require WRP Newco to distribute each year at least 95% of its net taxable
income, excluding capital gains), WRP Newco will have the ability and currently
intends to retain for reinvestment its cash flow generated from operations and
to sell properties without the substantial income tax penalties which may be
imposed on REITs in such transactions. In addition, WRP Newco will differ from
opportunity funds that are typically structured as private partnerships. In
that regard, the business of WRP Newco will be conducted without the payment of
acquisition, disposition or advisory fees to general partners which should
result in additional cash flow being available for reinvestment as well as
mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest. In addition, unlike investors
in opportunity funds, WRP Newco's shareholders are expected to have enhanced
liquidity through their ability to sell or margin their stock. WRP Newco also
hopes to attract a broader range of investors because there will be no
stipulated investment minimum. However, unlike REITs and opportunity funds, WRP
Newco will be subject to corporate level taxation.
WRP Newco's management will include Jeffrey H. Lynford, Chairman, and Edward
Lowenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, who were co-founders of, and
served in the same capacities at, Wellsford supported by a management team with
experience in real estate acquisitions, development, asset management and
financing. WRP Newco believes that the over 50 years of combined experience of
management in real estate, capital markets and public company operations, their
knowledge, credibility, and business relationships, and their demonstrated
track record of recognizing and profiting from emerging real estate trends
should help WRP Newco accomplish its business objectives. Since the Wellsford
IPO in November 1992, Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal, through Wellsford,
acquired 69 multifamily properties containing 16,332 units. From calendar year
1992 through calendar year 1996, Wellsford's revenues increased from $26
million to $131.8 million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of
approximately 49%, and Wellsford EBITDA increased from $13.8 million to $72.8
million, representing a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 52%. In
analyzing potential investments and market trends and inefficiencies,
management has reviewed, and will continue to review, current economic and
market information.
WRP Newco is a Maryland corporation which was incorporated in January 1997.
WRP Newco's executive offices are located at 610 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York 10020 and its telephone number is (212) 333-2300.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
In furtherance of its business strategy, WRP Newco will initially focus on
investments in three distinct aspects of the real estate business. As
opportunities emerge and in response to changes in market, real estate and
general economic conditions, WRP Newco may in the future expand, retract from
or discontinue its real estate related business and activities.
Commercial Properties. WRP Newco will seek to acquire office and other
commercial properties below replacement cost and operate and/or resell such
properties after renovation, redevelopment and/or repositioning. WRP Newco
believes
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that appropriate well-located commercial properties which are currently
underperforming can be acquired on advantageous terms and repositioned with the
expectation of achieving enhanced returns which are greater than returns which
could be achieved by acquiring a stabilized property. WRP Newco also believes
that there are opportunities available to acquire properties that are not
attractive to REITs and institutional investors because the properties have no
or limited cash flow as a result of required rehabilitation and their not being
substantially leased. WRP Newco's acquisitions to date demonstrate that WRP
Newco is able to take advantage of existing opportunities in this area. WRP
Newco has hired Richard R. Previdi, a former partner at Trammell Crow Co. with
significant leasing and redevelopment experience in major metropolitan areas
from Washington, D.C. to New York, to seek out such opportunities. Initially,
WRP Newco will seek to apply its business strategy to suburban office
properties. In this regard, WRP Newco has acquired five suburban office
properties, consisting of six buildings, all of which are located in Northern
New Jersey. As opportunities arise, WRP Newco may seek to acquire other types
of commercial properties, including industrial properties. See "Business and
Properties".
High Yield Debt Investments. WRP Newco will make loans that constitute, or
will invest in real estate-related senior, junior or otherwise subordinated
debt instruments, which may be unsecured or secured by liens on real estate or
the economic benefits thereof. WRP Newco will focus on investments of this type
which have the potential for high yields or returns more characteristic of
equity ownership. These investments may contain options to acquire, or be
convertible into the right to acquire, all or a portion of the underlying real
estate, or contain the right to participate in the cash flow and economic
return which may be derived from the real estate. These investments may include
debt that is acquired at a discount, mezzanine financing, commercial mortgage-
backed securities, secured and unsecured lines of credit, distressed loans, and
loans previously made by foreign and other financial institutions. In some
cases WRP Newco may only acquire a participating interest in the debt
instrument. WRP Newco believes that there are opportunities to acquire real
estate debt, especially in the low or below investment grade tranches, at
significant returns as a result of inefficiencies in pricing. WRP Newco will
initially focus on opportunities arising in the following areas, among others.
First, where traditional CMBS buyers cannot or will not invest, such as the
purchase of subordinated real estate debt secured not by a mortgage but by
other indicia of ownership of an asset. Second, where WRP Newco believes that
the market has mispriced an outstanding tranche of debt because of insufficient
asset specific information. WRP Newco's investment in the Sonterra Loan and its
expected investment in the 277 Park Loan in April 1997 demonstrate its ability
to take advantage of opportunities in this area. See "Business and Properties".
Property Development. WRP Newco will engage in selective development
activities as opportunities arise and when justified by expected returns. WRP
Newco believes that by pursuing selective development activities it can achieve
returns which are greater than returns which could be achieved by acquiring a
stabilized property. Initially, WRP Newco will continue the development of
Palomino Park, its five-phase residential community begun by Wellsford, taking
advantage of the fixed-price purchase options for the land underlying such
residential community obtained by Wellsford two years ago. This development may
be retained for investment and operated by WRP Newco, sold, or converted to
condominium ownership. WRP Newco may also acquire land for speculation, future
development or subdivision. Certain development activities may be conducted in
joint ventures with local developers who may bear the substantial portion of
the economic risks associated with the construction, development and initial
rent-up of properties. As part of its strategy, WRP Newco may seek to obtain
bond financing from local governmental authorities which generally bear
interest at rates substantially below rates with respect to conventional
financing. See "Business and Properties".
WRP Newco may in the future make equity investments in entities owned by
third parties and which engage in real estate-related businesses and activities
or businesses that service the real estate business. Some of the entities in
which WRP Newco may invest may be start-up companies or companies in need of
additional capital. WRP Newco may also in the future invest in retail,
residential, hotel and other types of properties and may also manage and lease
properties owned by it or in which it has an equity or debt investment.
In analyzing potential investments and market trends and inefficiencies,
management has reviewed, and will continue to review, current economic and
market information. Much of this information has been, and will continue to be,
provided by REIS Reports, Inc., a nationally recognized real estate market
database firm.
INITIAL CAPITAL AND FINANCING
Upon completion of the Distribution and consummation of the Merger and
certain of the other transactions described in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement, WRP Newco expects to have available
the following sources of capital, financing and credit support:
. $3.5 million of proceeds from the sale to ERP Operating Partnership of
shares of the WRP Newco Class A Common at a price equal to the Issuance
Price.
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. $25 million pursuant to the ERP Preferred Commitment to acquire up to
1,000,000 shares of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred at the request of
WRP Newco and subject to certain limited conditions. Each share of WRP
Newco Series A Preferred is convertible into shares of WRP Newco Common
Stock at a premium equal to 8% of the Issuance Price. The ERP Preferred
Commitment will be pledged as security for the WRP Newco Line of Credit.
. $50 million under a two-year WRP Newco Line of Credit as to which Bank
of Boston and Morgan Guaranty have issued a commitment. The WRP Newco
Line of Credit will bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus
175 basis points and will be extendible for an additional one-year
period.
. $36.8 million, pursuant to an agreement with respect to the construction
financing for Phase I of Palomino Park, and approximately $30 million,
pursuant to an agreement expected to be entered into with respect to the
construction financing for Phase II of Palomino Park, in each case
guaranteed by a third-party developer and supported by the credit of ERP
Operating Partnership pursuant to its stand-by obligations.
. Approximately $14.8 million of credit enhancement from ERP Operating
Partnership with respect to the bonds issued to finance certain public
facilities at Palomino Park.
See "Description of Capital Stock of WRP Newco" and "Certain Agreements
Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership".
In addition to the foregoing, WRP Newco will receive from Wellsford at the
time of the Contribution approximately $18 million of cash (subject to
adjustment as provided in the Merger Agreement), substantially all of which
will be applied to the repayment of loans made by Wellsford to WRP Newco to
acquire certain office properties and make its expected investment in the 277
Park Loan.
WRP Newco's other sources of capital to finance its acquisition, investment,
development and other activities, may include retained earnings, funds derived
from the issuance of debt and equity securities, sales of investments and bank
borrowings. See "Policies with Respect to Certain Activities of WRP Newco".
WRP NEWCO LINE OF CREDIT
WRP Newco has received a commitment for a revolving line of credit in the
amount of up to $50 million from Bank of Boston and Morgan Guaranty as to which
each has agreed to lend up to $25 million. The WRP Newco Line of Credit will be
secured inter alia by WRP Newco's interest in the Sonterra Loan, the 277 Park
Loan and the ERP Preferred Commitment. Under the WRP Newco Line of Credit, WRP
Newco will pay interest only, monthly, at an annual rate equal to, at WRP
Newco's option, either (i) LIBOR plus 175 basis points or (ii) the base rate of
Bank of Boston. The WRP Newco Line of Credit will be for a term of two years
and be extendible by WRP Newco with the consent of Bank of Boston and Morgan
Guaranty for one additional year. It will include customary covenants,
including, among others, (i) maintaining a ratio of liabilities to assets of
not in excess of .60 to 1.0, (ii) maintaining a debt service coverage ratio of
not less than 1.3 to 1.0, until the earlier to occur of (A) 12 months from
consummation of the line of credit, (B) WRP Newco raises at least $50 million
of equity, or (C) certain lease up tests are met with respect to certain of WRP
Newco's properties, at which time the required ratio will be not less that 1.5
to 1, (iii) a prohibition on the payment of dividends during the first year of
the WRP Newco Line of Credit and (iv) a prohibition of ground-up development
(other than Palomino Park).
MANAGEMENT
The management of WRP Newco will be led by substantially all of the current
senior management of Wellsford, including Jeffrey H. Lynford, Chairman, and
Edward Lowenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, of WRP Newco, who held
the same offices at Wellsford. Joining them are Gregory F. Hughes and David
Strong, who are Chief Financial Officer and Vice President-Development,
respectively, of Wellsford, and Richard R. Previdi, who was previously a
managing director of Emmes & Company, a real estate investment company and a
managing director of Trammell Crow N.E., Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of
that company's Northern Virginia Commercial Division.
At the time of the Wellsford IPO in November 1992, Wellsford was the only
REIT dedicated exclusively to the ownership of multifamily properties.
Wellsford has sought to maximize long term profitability for its shareholders
by acquiring, developing, and operating multifamily properties in target
markets, applying sophisticated management and operating techniques, and
maintaining a conservative capital structure.
Wellsford Acquisitions
Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal formed Wellsford Group, Inc. ("WGI") with an
initial capitalization of $1 million provided primarily by William E. Simon,
Raymond Chambers and Frank Walsh, former principals of Wesray, a private
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leveraged buy-out firm, and by principals of Eastdil Realty, Inc., a private
real estate investment banking firm. During the period from 1986 through
November 1992, WGI and its affiliates acquired 19 multifamily properties
consisting of 5,255 units. After WGI and its affiliates transferred their
properties to Wellsford in 1992, Wellsford commenced an aggressive acquisition
strategy by purchasing 69 properties containing 16,332 multifamily units which
increased the historical cost of its total assets from $147 million at the time
of the Wellsford IPO, to $756 million at December 31, 1996. These acquisitions
included 14 properties containing 5,100 units in Oklahoma purchased for $133
million in May 1994, and the $250 million acquisition by merger in December
1994 of Holly Residential Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust
publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange which developed, owned and
operated 34 properties containing over 5,000 multifamily units in the
Seattle/Tacoma area.
Wellsford Management and Development of Properties
During 1995 and 1996 Wellsford focused its efforts on its core portfolio and
the development of new properties. Property management, which had previously
been contracted to third parties, was substantially internalized. Wellsford
currently provides direct management for 84% of its properties. In addition,
Wellsford developed three new properties consisting of 548 multifamily units
during this period, helping to reduce the average age of its portfolio.
Wellsford also commenced development of Palomino Park, a 182-acre master
planned class A multifamily residential community in Highlands Ranch, a suburb
of Denver, Colorado. See "WRP Newco's Business and Properties--Palomino Park".
Wellsford Equity and Debt Financings
Wellsford funded its acquisition and development activities with various
sources of capital including public and private debt and equity. In November
1992, Wellsford raised $100 million in the Wellsford IPO. Wellsford was one of
the first REITs to obtain a corporate credit rating, when it received an
implied senior rating of BBB- from S&P and Duff & Phelps in September 1993.
This rating facilitated the issuance by Wellsford in November 1993 of $100
million of convertible preferred shares. In January 1995 Wellsford became one
of the first REITs to access the unsecured debt markets with a $100 million
issuance. In August 1995 Wellsford's senior credit rating was upgraded to BBB
by S&P and Duff & Phelps, which helped facilitate the issuance of $125 million
of unsecured notes and $57.5 million of perpetual preferred shares. Wellsford's
commitment to a conservative corporate capital structure, including a 35% debt
to total market capitalization ratio, resulted in the investment grade rating
and a gradual reduction of its costs of capital, as reflected by the borrowing
costs on its line of credit. At the time of the Wellsford IPO, Wellsford's line
of credit was secured and bore an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%.
Wellsford's line of credit in the amount of $150 million is now unsecured with
an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.50%. Most recently, Wellsford issued 3-
year medium term notes at an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus .32%.
Wellsford Return to Shareholders
As a result of the above accomplishments, Wellsford has raised its dividend
15% since the Wellsford IPO. Assuming the consummation of the Merger investors
who bought their shares of Wellsford Common in the Wellsford IPO would have
received an average annual return of approximately 22.8% on their initial
investment, based upon the April 1, 1997 closing market price of a common share
of beneficial interest of EQR on the New York Stock Exchange, and assuming (i)
all distributions received on such shares of Wellsford Common were immediately
reinvested in Wellsford Common and (ii) a value for each share of WRP Newco
Common Stock distributed in the Distribution equal to the book value (which is
currently estimated to be $10.43 per share).
There can be no assurance that WRP Newco's future performance or average rate
of return achieved by its investors will be similar to Wellsford's past
accomplishments or the average rate of return achieved by its shareholders. WRP
Newco's business strategy differs substantially from that of Wellsford's, which
operated as a REIT and invested only in multifamily properties.
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WRP NEWCO PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the pro forma capitalization of WRP Newco as
of December 31, 1996 on an historical basis and as adjusted to give effect to
the Merger and Distribution, the sale of shares of WRP Newco Class A Common to
ERP Partnership for an aggregate purchase price of $3.5 million and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, and the funding of a portion of WRP
Newco's $50 million credit facility with Bank of Boston and Morgan Guaranty for
the purchase of five commercial office properties and the origination of a
loan. The information set forth in the table should be read in conjunction with
the WRP Newco financial statements and notes thereto, the WRP Newco pro forma
financial information and notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources" of WRP Newco included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
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(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
DEBT:
Tax exempt mortgage note payable........................ $14,755 $ 14,755
Credit facility......................................... 45,000
------- --------
Total debt.......................................... $14,755 $ 59,755
======= ========
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share; 200,000,000
shares
authorized--4,899,965 shares issued and outstanding, as
adjusted............................................... $ -- $ 49
Capital in excess of par value.......................... 51,060
------- --------
Total stockholders' equity.......................... 30,005 51,109
------- --------
Total capitalization................................ $44,760 $110,864
======= ========
</TABLE>
WRP NEWCO DIVIDEND POLICY
WRP Newco does not currently contemplate paying dividends on WRP Newco
Common. Earnings from the investments of WRP Newco are currently expected to be
used by WRP Newco to finance future acquisitions and investments. The Board of
Directors of WRP Newco may determine in its discretion to pay dividends on WRP
Newco Common in the future, and any such determination will be dependent upon
WRP Newco's results of operations, financial condition, contractual
restrictions and other factors deemed relevant at that time by the WRP Newco
Board of Directors.
WRP NEWCO'S BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
WRP Newco's initial assets will consist primarily of five office properties
consisting of six buildings; the 277 Park Loan; the Sonterra Loan and the
Sonterra Option; and an approximately 80% interest in Phases I and II of, and
in options to acquire and develop Phases III, IV and V of, Palomino Park. Set
forth below is a brief description of these assets and WRP Newco's plans with
respect thereto.
In the opinion of WRP Newco's management, all of the properties described
below are adequately covered by insurance.
WELLSFORD COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
WRP Newco recently completed the acquisition of four commercial properties
and expects to acquire a fifth commercial property in April 1997 pursuant to an
existing contract. All the properties are located in suburban areas of Northern
New Jersey. These properties contain in the aggregate six office buildings with
approximately 940,400 gross square feet (or approximately 913,000 net rentable
square feet) located on approximately 260 acres. The aggregate purchase price
for these properties is approximately $47.6 million or approximately $50 per
gross square foot of building area. None of the properties is encumbered by
mortgage liens. It is currently anticipated that WRP Newco will invest
approximately $13.7 million (approximately $15 per gross square foot of
building) for renovation and repositioning of the properties, and will pay
approximately $18.5 million (approximately $20 per gross square foot of
building) for tenant improvements and leasing costs, for a total cost to WRP
Newco of approximately $80 million. These acquisitions represent opportunities
which WRP Newco believes are impractical for REITs because they provide little
or no immediate cash return.
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Point View Office Complex
WRP Newco acquired the Point View office complex ("Point View") located in
Wayne, N.J. in February 1997. Point View, formerly the international
headquarters for American Cyanamid Company, consists of (i) a main campus
consisting primarily of two office buildings (the "Main Campus"); and (ii) two
smaller office buildings, located at 1700 and 1800 Valley Road. All the
buildings are currently vacant. It is expected that renovations to each of
these buildings will be completed by the end of 1997.
The Main Campus
The Main Campus consists of two parcels: (i) one parcel of approximately 194
acres on which two buildings consisting of an aggregate of approximately
560,000 gross square feet (approximately 530,000 net rentable square feet) are
situated and (ii) an approximately 10 acre site directly across from the
entrance to the two buildings which is zoned for approximately 7-8 single
family houses and has no existing structures. The 194-acre parcel is zoned for
the development of an additional 1 million square feet of office or research
space. The larger of the two buildings on the Main Campus (the "Serpentine
Building") was constructed in 1962, is of class B+ quality, four stories high
and contains approximately 400,000 gross square feet. The Serpentine Building
contains a fully functional cafeteria area seating 800, separate executive
officer tower, separate executive dining area and overlooks a large reservoir
and the heliport for the complex. The smaller building (the "West Building")
was constructed in 1976, is of class A quality, six stories high and contains
approximately 160,000 gross square feet. The West Building is connected to the
Serpentine Building by an underground passageway and has a (primarily) moveable
wall interior partitioning system, a fitness center and an auditorium. There
are 1,720 parking spaces currently serving both buildings.
On a pro forma basis, the Main Campus had a federal tax basis equal to its
purchase price of $15.8 million at December 31, 1996, and will be depreciated
straight-line over a 40-year estimated life. The current annual real estate
taxes on the Main Campus are $1.2 million, subject to pending negotiations with
the municipality of Wayne to reduce such taxes.
WRP Newco currently contemplates a number of renovations to the Serpentine
Building and the West Building to, among other things, refurbish the exterior,
add new elevators, and renovate the lobby and other common areas. Other
renovations will (i) enable the buildings to comply with current life safety
and ADA requirements and become more energy efficient; and (ii) eliminate
potentially hazardous materials (such as spray-on asbestos fireproofing in the
Serpentine Building's structure). Removal of the spray-on asbestos fire
proofing will cost approximately $3.5 million, and the estimated total cost of
all planned renovations will be approximately $9.1 million. WRP Newco will
finance the renovations from its working capital and its WRP Newco Line of
Credit.
The purchase price for the Main Campus was $15.8 million, or $28.00 per gross
square foot of building area, and together with the cost of planned
renovations, is expected to be $44.00 per gross square foot.
1700 Valley Road
The 1700 Valley Road building consists of 70,600 gross square feet
(approximately 67,000 net rentable square feet), is of class B+ quality, is two
stories high and is situated on a wooded nine acre site. The building was
constructed in two stages, during 1972 and 1979, and the interior was
completely refurbished in 1993. The building contains a full service dining
area and 294 parking spaces. WRP Newco contemplates renovation of the
building's facade, upgrading of the HVAC system and various cosmetic
improvements. The estimated cost of planned renovations is $200,000, and WRP
Newco will finance such renovations from its working capital and its WRP Newco
Line of Credit. The property is zoned for the development of an additional
50,000 square feet of office space.
The purchase price for 1700 Valley Road was $1.0 million, or $14.00 per gross
square foot of building area, and together with the cost of planned
renovations, is expected to be $17.00 per gross square foot.
1800 Valley Road
The 1800 Valley Road building consists of 54,800 gross square feet
(approximately 53,000 net rentable square feet), is of class B+ quality, is two
stories high and is situated on a wooded 14 acre site. The building was
constructed in 1980, contains a full service dining area and has 260 parking
spaces. WRP Newco contemplates replacing the roof and upgrading the HVAC
system, and other renovations to comply with existing life safety and ADA
codes. The estimated cost of planned renovations is $800,000, and WRP Newco
will finance such renovations from its working capital and its WRP Newco Line
of Credit. WRP Newco currently contemplates marketing this building primarily
for sale.
The purchase price for 1800 Valley Road was $2.0 million, or $36.00 per gross
square foot of building area, and together with the cost of planned
renovations, is expected to be $51.00 per gross square foot.
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Greenbrook Corporate Center
WRP Newco acquired The Greenbrook Corporate Center ("Greenbrook") in
Fairfield, N.J. in April 1997. Greenbrook consists of (i) a class A suburban
three-story office building with approximately 190,000 gross square feet
situated on approximately 20 acres and (ii) a contiguous undeveloped
approximately seven acre parcel zoned for development of an additional 50,000
square feet of office and light industrial use. The entrance to the building is
a 35-foot atrium lobby and the second and third floors have terraces
overlooking a park and country club which border the rear of the site. WRP
Newco intends to spend approximately $500,000 to renovate the building, and WRP
Newco will finance such renovations from its working capital and its WRP Newco
Line of Credit. The renovations are expected to be completed by October 1997.
Greenbrook, as WRP Newco's only occupied commercial property, accounted for
50% of WRP Newco's pro forma revenues during the year ended December 31, 1996.
The occupancy rate for Greenbrook as of April 1, 1997 was approximately 85.7%,
and the average annual gross rent per square foot as of such date was
approximately $20. The current asking gross rental rate per square foot is
approximately $23. On a pro forma basis, Greenbrook had a federal tax basis
equal to its purchase price of $23.7 million at December 31, 1996, and will be
depreciated straight-line over a 40-year estimated life. The current annual
real estate taxes on Greenbrook are approximately $428,000.
Greenbrook's two largest tenants are Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI"), a
market research firm, and S.B. Thomas Division of CPC International, whose
principal business is producing baked foods. IRI occupies 64,676 rentable
square feet, with an annual rent of approximately $1.3 million (or
approximately $20 per rentable square foot), under a lease that expires
December 2003. The annual rent to be paid by IRI increases over the term of the
lease to approximately $1.5 million (or approximately $23.5 per rentable square
foot) by its expiration in December 2003. S.B. Thomas occupies 49,384 rentable
square feet with an annual rent of approximately $.9 million (or $19 per
rentable square foot), under a lease that expires in 2005. S.B. Thomas has the
right to renew for two successive periods of five years each, at 95% of the
fair market value rent as of October 1st of the last lease year prior to
commencement of each renewal term. Greenbrook has nine additional tenants, with
aggregate annual rents of approximately $1.2 million.
The purchase price for this property was $23.7 million payable in cash, or
$125.00 per gross square foot of building area, and together with the cost of
planned renovations, is expected to be $127.00 per gross square foot.
Chatham, New Jersey
In January 1997, WRP Newco acquired a class A three-story suburban office
building consisting of approximately 65,000 gross square feet (approximately
63,300 net rentable square feet) located on approximately five acres in
Chatham, New Jersey.
WRP Newco currently intends to spend approximately $3.1 million to make
various renovations to upgrade the building's status including, among other
things, to add a first class lobby and improve other common areas, renovate the
facade and replace the HVAC system and provide landscaping. WRP Newco will
finance such renovations from its working capital and the WRP Newco Line of
Credit, and the renovations are expected to be completed by the end of the
third quarter of 1997. WRP Newco is currently marketing the building for
rental.
WRP Newco has entered into a lease with Quadrant HealthCom Inc., a publisher
of medical specialty magazines, for approximately 22,000 gross square feet in
the building which is approximately 33% of the gross leasable area of the
building. The lease is for a term of ten years (terminable after seven years
upon payment of six months' rent) at $26.00 per gross square foot for years 1-5
and at approximately $28.00 per gross square foot for years 6-10.
The purchase price for the property was $5.1 million, or $78.00 per gross
square foot of building area, and together with the cost of planned
renovations, is expected to be $126.00 per gross square foot.
WELLSFORD HIGH YIELD INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
277 Park Loan
WRP Newco and Bank of Boston are expected to enter into an $80 million loan
transaction (the "277 Park Loan") in April 1997 with entities which own
substantially all of the equity interests (the "Equity Interests") in the
entity which owns a 52-story, approximately 1.75 million square foot gross
leasable area, class A office building located in New York City in mid-town
Manhattan at 277 Park Avenue (the "277 Park Property"). WRP Newco and Bank of
Boston will lend $20 million and $60 million, respectively, pursuant to the 277
Park Loan. The 277 Park Loan will be secured primarily by a pledge of the
Equity Interests owned by the borrowers. There will also be a limited guarantee
from the individual who indirectly owns all the Equity Interests. The 277 Park
Loan will be subordinated to a 10-year $345 million first mortgage loan (the
"REMIC
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Loan") on the 277 Park Property, the proceeds for which will be obtained by the
sale of investment grade rated commercial mortgage pass-through certificates in
a real estate mortgage investment conduit. The notes representing the REMIC
Loan will bear interest at different rates which are expected to equate to a
weighted average interest rate of approximately 7 3/4% per annum. The 277 Park
Loan will bear interest at the rate of approximately 12% per annum for the
first nine years of its term and at a floating annual rate during the tenth
year equal to LIBOR plus 5.15% or Bank of Boston base rate plus 5.15%, as
elected by the borrowers. Interest on the 277 Park Loan will be payable monthly
to the extent of available cash after payment of interest on the REMIC Loan and
the funding of various reserve accounts under the REMIC Loan and provided there
is no event of default under the REMIC Loan. To the extent funds are not
available to pay interest at a rate in excess of 10% per annum, such excess
interest will accrue and be added to the principal amount of the 277 Park Loan.
The principal amount of the 277 Park Loan and all accrued interest will be
payable on May 1, 2007 which is also the due date of the REMIC Loan. The 277
Park Loan will be prepayable only in full and then only after the fifth year of
the loan and must be repaid if the REMIC Loan is repaid or the 277 Park
Property is sold. Any prepayment during the sixth through ninth years of the
loan must be accompanied by a yield maintenance payment.
The 277 Park Property is currently 100% leased to 33 tenants, including
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. which has leased approximately 47% of the
gross leasable area pursuant to a lease expiring in 2016. The 277 Park Property
was appraised for $555 million as of July 1, 1996 by an independent nationally
recognized appraiser. The appraisal was not prepared on behalf of WRP Newco. An
appraisal is an opinion of value made by experts, subject to the assumptions
and limiting conditions contained therein (including assumptions relating to
the discounted cash flow analysis contained therein).
Sonterra Assets
Sonterra Loan
WRP Newco will hold a $17.8 million mortgage loan made to the owner of
Sonterra, a 344-unit class A multifamily apartment complex located in Tucson,
Arizona, construction of which was completed in June, 1996. The Sonterra Loan
was originated in July, 1996 and the principal amount thereof is due on July 1,
1999. Until the maturity date, the borrower is to pay interest only, monthly,
at the rate of 9% percent per annum. The loan is non-recourse and repayment of
the loan is secured by a first mortgage on Sonterra and by a personal guaranty
of an individual affiliated with the owner. Under certain circumstances,
prepayment of the loan is subject to a prepayment premium equal to 5% percent
of the principal amount of the loan.
Sonterra Option Agreement
WRP Newco will also own an option to acquire Sonterra free and clear of all
mortgages and other material liens for approximately $20.5 million through
December 31, 1997 and for approximately $21 million if the sale is consummated
during 1998. ERP Operating Partnership will have a right of first offer to
acquire the Sonterra Option and a right to acquire the option if WRP Newco does
not exercise it. If WRP Newco acquires Sonterra, then WRP Newco and ERP
Operating Partnership will enter into a "Right of First/Last Offer Agreement"
in substantially the same form as the Right of First/Last Offer Agreement
entered into pursuant to the Agreement Regarding Palomino Park. See "Certain
Agreements Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park".
WELLSFORD PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
Palomino Park
Palomino Park is a master planned five-phase multifamily development project
comprising approximately 182 acres, of which 65 acres have been developed, in
suburban South East Denver, Colorado, about 14 miles from Denver's central
business district. It is situated within Highlands Ranch, a 22,000 acre master
planned community. Palomino Park is intended to be developed as an integrated
project comprising an 1,880-unit, class A multifamily apartment community
constructed around a centrally located 24 acre park which will feature tennis
courts, athletic fields, a putting green and an amphitheater. There is also a
29,000 square foot recreation center which has been completed and which
includes a full-size gymnasium, fitness center, indoor golf range, racquet ball
courts, and a baby-sitting facility and has an adjacent swimming pool. Palomino
Park will also have a perimeter wall with a guard at the entry gate.
Wellsford Park Highlands Corp. ("WPHC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Wellsford, acquired fixed-price options in 1995 to purchase the land underlying
each of the phases (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Phases" or
individually as a "Phase" or specifically as "Phase I," "Phase II," "Phase
III," "Phase IV" or "Phase V") of Palomino Park. The land underlying Phases I
and II has been acquired, and WRP Newco intends to acquire the land underlying
Phase III, which is subject to an option which expires in May, 1997. The land
underlying Phases IV and V is subject to options which expire in May, 1998 and
May, 1999, respectively. There can be no assurance that Phase III, Phase IV or
Phase V will be commenced
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or if commenced, that it will be completed. See "WRP Newco Risk Factors--Risks
of Acquisition, Development, Construction and Renovation Activities". The
purchase price for land acquired with respect to any Phase is $73,500 per acre,
subject to an increase of the purchase price by 6% per annum from and after
November 30, 1994. The land options should reduce WRP Newco's exposure to
market cycles in Denver while enabling WRP Newco to develop a signature
residential community in one of the fastest growing counties in the country.
Upon completion of any or all of the Phases, WRP Newco will either operate
and rent apartment units or convert all or a portion of them to condominium
ownership which a REIT also could not do because of the adverse tax
consequences thereof.
The development of Palomino Park calls for construction of the 1,880 units
over a period of five years at a total estimated cost of $194 million. WRP
Newco currently has invested $21.3 million in the development of Palomino Park.
Phase I, referred to as Blue Ridge, will consist of 456 units of which 192
are constructed, 175 are leased and 143 are occupied. Rents range from $760 per
month for a one bedroom, one bathroom to $1,375 per month for a three bedroom,
two bathroom unit. Garages are available and washer and dryer hook-ups exist in
all the apartments. Completion of construction of this Phase is expected in
late 1997. The total estimated cost of Blue Ridge is approximately $42.5
million.
Phase II, referred to as Red Canyon, is expected to consist of 304 units. The
total estimated cost of Red Canyon is approximately $33.6 million. Site
preparation for construction of Phase II has recently begun and construction of
Phase II is expected to be completed in late 1998.
Blue Ridge is owned by Park at Highlands LLC ("Phase I LLC"), a limited
liability company, the members of which are WPHC (99%) and Al Feld ("Feld")
(1%). Red Canyon is owned by Red Canyon at Palomino Park LLC ("Phase II LLC"),
a limited liability company, the members of which are WPHC (99%) and Feld (1%).
Al Feld is a Denver-based developer specializing in the construction of luxury
residential properties. He has constructed over 3,000 units since 1984.
Various development, construction and property management and guarantee fees,
as well as certain other fees designed to provide cost savings incentives in
connection with property construction and stabilization, are paid to Feld and
his affiliates. These amounts are included in the cost estimates for Phase I
and Phase II described above. Feld has unconditionally guaranteed completion of
Phase I within 30 months and Phase II within 24 months, in each case after
closing of the construction loan, and has agreed to a one-year guarantee of
such Phases against construction defects. In addition, in the case of both Blue
Ridge and Red Canyon, Feld has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to fund
deficits in development and operating costs. To secure his obligations to make
deficit payments and perform all of his other obligations under the operating
agreements, Feld has pledged his interests in Phase I LLC and Phase II LLC to
WPHC.
The operating agreements provide that neither member may transfer, pledge or
assign its interest in the Phase I LLC or Phase II LLC without the consent of
the other member, except that (i) WPHC may transfer a portion of its interest
provided it retains at least a 21% interest in Phase I LLC or Phase II LLC, as
the case may be, and (ii) WPHC has an option to acquire Feld's 1% interest for
fair market value at any time after completion of the Phase, and Feld has an
option to compel WPHC to buy his 1% interest for fair market value upon
completion of the Phase.
The construction loan on Blue Ridge is for approximately $36.8 million,
matures on December 31, 1998, and bears interest at the prime rate, except that
the Phase I LLC may elect to cause a portion of the previously advanced
principal to bear interest at LIBOR plus 175 basis points. Feld has guaranteed
repayment of this loan. Phase II LLC expects to obtain a construction loan for
approximately $30 million to finance construction of Red Canyon.
Wellsford has agreed with the Phase I construction lender (the "Tri-Party
Agreement") to purchase the loan when due, assuming completion of construction,
if it is not paid off by the Phase I LLC or by Feld pursuant to his guaranty,
for the lesser of the loan balance or the final agreed upon budget.
Concurrently with the Merger, ERP Operating Partnership has agreed to
substitute itself for Wellsford under the Tri-Party Agreement, with the consent
of the Phase I construction lender. ERP Operating Partnership has agreed to
provide substantially similar credit support for the Phase II construction loan
as it has agreed to provide for the Phase I construction loan. See "Certain
Agreements Between WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership--Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park".
Palomino Park Public Improvements Corporation ("PPPIC"), a Colorado non-
profit corporation, has issued $14.8 million of tax exempt bonds due on
December 1, 2035 (the "Bonds") to finance the development of the park and
certain parts of the infrastructure within Palomino Park, which have a total
cost of approximately $18.3 million. The Bonds bear interest at a floating
rate, which is currently approximately 4% per annum, but may be converted to a
term rate or a fixed rate. Subject to certain restrictions, revenue assessment
liens are imposed against the Phases to secure the obligation of the Phase
owners to repay the portion of the Bonds' debt service attributed by PPPIC to
their respective Phases.
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If it is determined to proceed with Phases III, IV and/or V, the ownership
and transaction structure of each such Phase is expected to be similar to that
of Phases I and II, although neither Wellsford nor Feld has any obligation to
continue the relationship for future Phases.
CASH
Approximately $18 million of cash will be contributed by Wellsford to WRP
Newco, a substantial portion of which will be applied to repay indebtedness
incurred to acquire WRP Newco's commercial properties.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Neither WRP Newco nor the Properties are presently subject to any material
litigation nor, to WRP Newco's knowledge, is any material litigation threatened
against WRP Newco or the Properties, other than routine litigation arising in
the ordinary course of business and which is expected to be covered by
liability insurance.
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
WRP NEWCO AND ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
The following describes certain aspects of the agreements to be entered into
by WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership on the Effective Date. The following
descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the full text of the agreements, which are filed as exhibits to
the registration statement on Form 10 filed by WRP Newco.
COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Following the Distribution and upon consummation of the Merger, WRP Newco
will enter into the Stock Purchase Agreement with ERP Operating Partnership,
providing for the sale of WRP Newco Class A Common and WRP Newco Series A
Preferred to ERP Operating Partnership on the terms described below.
WRP Newco Class A Common Stock
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, ERP Operating
Partnership will purchase from WRP Newco upon the Closing Date shares of WRP
Newco Class A Common for an aggregate purchase price of $3.5 million at a price
per share equal to the Issuance Price. The "Issuance Price" is defined in the
Stock Purchase Agreement as (a) the average gross purchase price of WRP Newco
Common Stock sold to institutional purchasers on or prior to the Closing Date
or subject to written commitments to purchase WRP Newco Common Stock from
institutional purchasers received on or prior to the Closing Date (collectively
"Institutional Sales") or (b) if there are no Institutional Sales, the net book
value per share of WRP Newco Common Stock on the Closing Date.
For a description of the WRP Newco Class A Common, see "Description of
Capital Stock of WRP Newco--Class A Common Stock".
WRP Newco Series A Preferred Stock.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, ERP Operating
Partnership will agree to purchase from WRP Newco up to 1,000,000 shares of WRP
Newco Series A Preferred at $25.00 per share as requested by WRP Newco over the
three-year period (the "Commitment Period") commencing on the Closing Date.
Purchases of Class A Preferred are to be in minimum aggregate amounts of $1
million and in multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. The obligations of ERP
Operating Partnership to acquire WRP Newco Series A Preferred are subject to,
among other matters, certain representations and warranties being true and
correct in all material respects and there being no event of default existing
under the Stock Purchase Agreement.
For a description of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred, see "Description of
Capital Stock of WRP Newco--Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred
Stock".
WRP Newco Board Member Elected by ERP Operating Partnership.
On the Closing Date, ERP Operating Partnership, as the holder of WRP Newco
Class A Common, is entitled to elect Douglas Crocker II, President of EQR, to
the WRP Newco Board of Directors. In the event Mr. Crocker (or other person
subsequently elected by ERP Operating Partnership to the WRP Newco Board of
Directors) is unable or unwilling to serve
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as a director or is no longer employed by ERP Operating Partnership, ERP
Operating Partnership and WRP Newco will agree to the election of another
member of senior management of ERP Operating Partnership to the WRP Newco Board
of Directors (Crocker or such other individual elected by WRP Newco Class A
Common shareholders, called the "Purchaser Director").
Voting of WRP Newco Class A Common and WRP Newco Series A Preferred.
For ten years after the Closing Date, WRP Newco has the right to direct the
voting of all shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred, WRP Newco Class A Common
and WRP Newco Common owned by ERP Operating Partnership or any of its
affiliates, except as to the election of the Purchaser Director or any matter
relating to the rights, preferences and privileges of the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred or the WRP Newco Class A Common.
Sale of Stock.
For ten years after the Closing Date, ERP Operating Partnership shall first
offer, in writing (a "Notice of Proposed Sale"), to sell any shares of WRP
Newco Common, WRP Newco Class A Common, WRP Newco Series A Preferred or
warrants to purchase WRP Newco Common owned by it to WRP Newco prior to selling
such shares to any other entity. If WRP Newco has not agreed to purchase such
shares within 20 days of receipt of such notice, ERP Operating Partnership
shall have the right to sell such shares to any other entity for a period of 90
days provided any sale is made on terms and conditions no more favorable to
such entity than specified in the Notice of Proposed Sale.
Events of Default.
An event of default occurs under the Stock Purchase Agreement upon the
occurrence of any of the following events, among others: (i) a judgment for the
payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000 is rendered
against WRP Newco and such judgement remains undischarged for 30 days; (ii) a
change in control of WRP Newco (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement);
(iii) WRP Newco fails to pay the dividend on the WRP Newco Series A Preferred
on three separate instances; or (iv) a change resulting in or that could
reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on WRP Newco.
Remedies.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default, all obligations of ERP Operating
Partnership to purchase shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred automatically
terminate unless WRP Newco delivers a notice to ERP Operating Partnership
requesting the purchase by ERP Operating Partnership of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred, and the proceeds of such sale would cure such event of default. In
addition, in the event of the bankruptcy of WRP Newco or if WRP Newco fails to
pay the dividend on the WRP Newco Series A Preferred on three separate
instances, ERP Operating Partnership has the right to cause WRP Newco to
purchase the WRP Newco Series A Preferred then held by ERP Operating
Partnership.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Upon issuance of the WRP Newco Class A Common, WRP Newco and ERP Operating
Partnership will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement providing for
registration rights at WRP Newco's expense with respect to shares of WRP Newco
Class A Common, WRP Newco Series A Preferred and WRP Newco Common.
Demand Registration.
After the Effective Date, upon request (a "Demand Notice") of ERP Operating
Partnership, WRP Newco has agreed to file a registration statement providing
for the resale by ERP Operating Partnership of Registrable Securities and will
use its best efforts to cause any such registration statement to be declared
effective by the Commission. "Registrable Securities" means any of: (i) WRP
Newco Series A Preferred issuable or issued; (ii) WRP Newco Common issuable or
issued upon conversion of shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred or WRP Newco
Class A Common, or (iii) WRP Newco Common issuable or issued upon the exercise
of warrants issued pursuant to the Articles Supplementary. WRP Newco is
entitled to postpone for a reasonable period of time (but not in excess of 60
days) the filing of any registration statement, if the Board of Directors of
WRP Newco determines that such registration and offering would materially
interfere with any proposed material transaction involving WRP Newco.
ERP Operating Partnership has the right to deliver one Demand Notice during
any calendar year, but not more than four Demand Notices during the period
ending five years from the Effective Date.
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Incidental Registration.
If WRP Newco proposes to register any WRP Newco Common for public sale
pursuant to an underwritten offering it will give prompt written notice (a
"Registration Notice") to ERP Operating Partnership and upon request from ERP
Operating Partnership, WRP Newco will include Registrable Securities in the
registration statement. WRP Newco will not be required to effect any
registration if WRP Newco is advised by a nationally recognized independent
investment banking firm selected by WRP Newco to act as lead underwriter, that
a registration at that time of additional securities would materially and
adversely affect the offering.
ERP Operating Partnership has the right to deliver one Registration Notice
during any calendar year, but not more than four Registration Notices during
the period ending five years from the Effective Date.
Limit in Aggregate Amount.
WRP Newco need not register Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand
Notice or Registration Notice unless the Registrable Securities being
registered have an aggregate fair market value of (i) $5,000,000 during the
period ending three years from the Effective Date ("Initial Period"), or (ii)
$7,500,000 at any time after the Initial Period.
Lockup.
In the event WRP Newco proposes to effect the distribution of its securities
through an underwritten public offering, beginning seven days prior to the
pricing of such offering and ending thirty days after such pricing, ERP
Operating Partnership, in the event it beneficially owns in excess of 100,000
shares, will cease any sale or other disposition of any of the Registrable
Securities, if requested by WRP Newco; provided, however, that ERP Operating
Partnership will not be subject to more than one lockup period during any 12
month period.
AGREEMENT REGARDING PALOMINO PARK
General.
Upon consummation of the Merger, WRP Newco and ERP Operating Partnership will
become the shareholders in WPHC. Pursuant to the Contribution and Distribution
Agreement, Wellsford will contribute to WRP Newco 80% of its shares of WPHC,
consisting of voting Class A Shares (the "Class A Shares"). The remaining 20%
of Wellsford's shares in WPHC, consisting of non-voting Class B Shares (the
"Class B Shares"), will be retained by Wellsford and, following the Merger,
will be owned by ERP Operating Partnership. WPHC, together with Feld, are the
two members of the limited liability companies--Park at Highlands LLC and Red
Canyon at Palomino Park LLC--which own Phase I and Phase II, respectively. WRP
Newco and ERP Operating Partnership will enter into an agreement (the "Palomino
Agreement") regarding their rights and obligations as shareholders of WPHC and
certain aspects of the development of Palomino Park, including Phases I (Blue
Ridge) and II (Red Canyon). Certain of the terms are summarized below.
Capital Contributions.
WPHC is obligated to make capital contributions to the Phase I LLC and Phase
II LLC for certain acquisition costs, and to fund the deficit between
construction costs and construction loan proceeds, respectively. These
subsequent capital contribution obligations ("Phase Contributions") are limited
to the deficits as projected in the budgets originally adopted for each Phase.
Wellsford has guaranteed the Phase Contributions, which guarantees, following
the Merger and with the consent of Feld, will be assumed by WRP Newco.
ERP Operating Partnership has no obligation to contribute capital to WPHC.
Issuance of Additional WPHC Shares to WRP Newco; Anti-Dilution Provisions.
If additional shares of WPHC are issued to WRP Newco or to one of its
subsidiaries, ERP Operating Partnership will have the right to purchase a
sufficient number of such shares to retain a 20% interest in WPHC. Any Class A
Shares acquired by ERP Operating Partnership will be converted into Class B
Shares.
Offers to Purchase Class A Shares or Class B Shares; Rights of First Refusal;
WRP Newco's Drag Along Right.
ERP Operating Partnership may transfer all, but not part, of its Class B
Shares, except in a Tag Along transaction (described below).
WRP Newco may transfer all or part of its Class A Shares after the expiration
of the lock-up period (i.e., the period during which ERP Operating Partnership
is liable to the construction lender under a Tri-Party Agreement, as described
below).
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If WRP Newco receives an offer to purchase all of the Class A Shares, WRP
Newco has the right ("Drag Along Right") to compel ERP Operating Partnership to
sell all of its Class B Shares as part of that transaction to enable WRP Newco
to effectuate a total sale of WPHC to a third party.
If ERP Operating Partnership or WRP Newco shall receive an offer from a bona
fide third party to purchase all (or in the case of WRP Newco any part) of
their shares in WPHC, then the selling shareholder shall be obligated to offer
to sell its shares to the other shareholder (i.e. the non-selling shareholder)
who shall have a preemptive right ("Right of First Refusal") to purchase the
offered shares on the same terms.
ERP Operating Partnership may exercise its Right of First Refusal as to the
Class A Shares, notwithstanding that WRP Newco may have exercised its Drag
Along Right. In such event and for such purpose, WRP Newco's Class A Shares
shall be valued as if all of the shares of WPHC had been sold, and not only the
Class A Shares alone.
ERP Operating Partnership's Tag Along Right.
ERP Operating Partnership has a right ("Tag Along Right") to compel WRP Newco
to include ERP Operating Partnership's Class B Shares in a sale of the Class A
Shares, in such amount as will preserve the 80%-20% ratio between the Class A
Shares held by WRP Newco and Class B Shares held by ERP Operating Partnership.
The Put/Call Feature of One-Half of the Class B Shares.
One-half of ERP Operating Partnership's Class B Shares (the "Put/Call
Shares") are subject to a Put/Call agreement in favor of either ERP Operating
Partnership (the Put feature) or WRP Newco (the Call feature) at the Put/Call
Price.
Pursuant to its Put right, ERP Operating Partnership may compel WRP Newco to
purchase from ERP Operating Partnership the Put/Call Shares at any time after
the fifth year for the Put/Call Price.
Pursuant to its Call right, WRP Newco may compel ERP Operating Partnership to
sell to WRP Newco the Put/Call Shares at any time for the Put/Call Price.
The Put/Call Price equals $1.9 million (adjusted, in the case of the Call,
for inflation after the fifth year), less any amounts previously received by
ERP Operating Partnership from sale and refinancing proceeds.
Consistent with the foregoing, one-half of the Class B Shares in any sale
transaction effected by means of either the Drag Along Right or the Tag Along
Right is deemed Put/Call Stock and entitled to receive the greater of the
purchase price in such transaction or a pro-rated portion of the Put/Call
Price.
Future Acquisitions of the Remaining Overall Property.
Any future Phase acquired by WPHC will be acquired in a Colorado limited
liability company substantially similar to the Phase II LLC.
ERP Operating Partnership's Right of First Offer if WPHC Elects to Assign its
Interest in the Land Contract.
If WRP Newco, through WPHC, decides not to acquire a future Phase and instead
to assign the land contract to a third party for such future Phase, then ERP
Operating Partnership, subject to the similar interests of Feld, has a
preemptive right of first offer with respect to such proposed assignment.
ERP Operating Partnership's Right of First/Last Offer for Sale of Blue Ridge
and Red Canyon.
With the exception of sales pursuant to a condominium or townhome plan, ERP
Operating Partnership is accorded certain rights of first and last offer with
respect to a sale of either WPHC's interest in the Phase I LLC or the Phase II
LLC, or the sale of fee title to Phase I or Phase II by either of said
entities.
WRP Newco and WHPC Loss of Control.
WRP Newco has agreed not to lose its controlling interest in WPHC nor to
permit WPHC to lose its controlling interest in Phase I LLC, Phase II LLC or
any future entity formed with respect to another phase of Palomino Park without
first releasing ERP Operating Partnership from its obligations with respect to
the Credit Enhancement Agreement and ERP Guaranty (as defined below).
Tri-Party Agreements and Standby Agreements.
Phase I Tri-Party Agreement. With respect to the development of Phase I,
NationsBank, N.A. ("NationsBank") has provided a construction loan of
approximately $36.7 million. Wellsford, PPPIC and NationsBank have entered into
an
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agreement ("Phase I Tri-Party Agreement") under which Wellsford has agreed,
assuming completion of construction, if the loan is not paid when due, to pay
NationsBank the lesser of the loan balance or the final agreed upon budget.
Upon consummation of the Merger, ERP Operating Partnership will, with the
consent of NationsBank, assume Wellsford's obligations under the Phase I Tri-
Party Agreement.
Phase II Tri-Party Agreement. With respect to the development of Phase II, a
construction loan has not yet been obtained. ERP Operating Partnership has
agreed to provide substantially similar credit support for the Phase II
construction loan ("Phase II Tri-Party Agreement") as it has agreed to provide
pursuant to the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement. ERP Operating Partnership will
receive a fee of (i) 1% of the committed construction loan amount for each of
the first two years and (ii) 1 1/2% of such amount for the third year. The
parties anticipate a construction loan of approximately $30 million.
The Standby Agreements. If ERP Operating Partnership does, in fact, pay off
the construction loan pursuant to its obligations under the Phase I Tri-Party
Agreement or Phase II Tri-Party Agreement, ERP Operating Partnership shall be
entitled to acquire fee title to the corresponding Phase for $100.
Events of Default. Upon an event of default (as described below), ERP
Operating Partnership may exercise all remedies available to it and shall have
no obligation to enter into the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement; provided,
however, ERP Operating Partnership may not disaffirm its obligations under the
Phase I Tri-Party Agreement or, if entered into prior to the event of default,
the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement. An event of default includes, among other
things, a material misrepresentation by WRP Newco, failure to make payments
after a material default by WRP Newco under the Palomino Agreement or any
document entered into pursuant to the Palomino Agreement, an undischarged
judgment against WRP Newco in excess of $250,000 and a change in control of WRP
Newco.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT
At the time of the Contribution and Distribution, with the consent of
Dresdner Bank, AG, NY Branch ("Dresdner"), WRP Newco will assume Wellsford's
obligations under a certain agreement (the "Bank Reimbursement Agreement")
entered into between PPPIC, Wellsford and Dresdner pursuant to which (i)
Dresdner has issued its letter of credit ("Dresdner Letter of Credit") to
insure the repayment of the Bonds and (ii) Wellsford has undertaken to
reimburse Dresdner if the Dresdner Letter of Credit is drawn upon.
ERP Operating Partnership has agreed to enter into a Credit Enhancement
Agreement with WRP Newco (the "Credit Enhancement Agreement") under which,
assuming the satisfaction of certain conditions, ERP Operating Partnership will
make its own credit available to Dresdner in the form of a guaranty to Dresdner
of WRP Newco's obligations under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement for a period
of eight years from the consummation of the Merger (the "ERP Guaranty").
The ERP Guaranty will be revised and made available with respect to any
similar letter of credit or credit facility issued in lieu or replacement of
the Dresdner Letter of Credit.
WRP Newco has agreed to pay ERP Operating Partnership for the ERP Guaranty an
annual credit enhancement fee, payable quarterly, equal to .5% of the face
amount of the Dresdner Letter of Credit (or the face amount of any alternate
credit arrangement). Following an event of default by WRP Newco, ERP Operating
Partnership will have the right, among other remedies, to select an alternate
interest rate on the Bonds and to direct the actions of PPPIC under the Credit
Enhancement Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the Credit Enhancement
Agreement there are certain restrictions on the ability to convert the rate
mode of the Bonds. WRP Newco has agreed to reimburse ERP Operating Partnership
for any amounts it pays under the ERP Guaranty or any revision thereof,
together with interest on such amount.
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OF WRP NEWCO
The following is a discussion of WRP Newco's investment policies, financing
policies and policies with respect to certain other activities. WRP Newco's
policies with respect to these activities have been determined by the directors
of WRP Newco and may be amended or revised from time to time at the discretion
of the directors without a vote of the stockholders of WRP Newco.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
WRP Newco intends to invest in real estate directly or indirectly through
entities that engage in real estate-related activities. These investments may
be in the form of debt or equity.
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Debt investments may include the purchasing of mortgage loans, other
financial instruments collateralized by real estate or real estate interests,
or participations therein, real property tax liens or tax-exempt bonds
collateralized by real estate or tax-increment finance districts. These debt
instruments may be senior, junior or otherwise subordinated to the interests of
others. Further, WRP Newco may provide credit enhancement or guarantees of the
obligations of others involved in real estate-related activities. WRP Newco may
also invest in participating or convertible mortgages if WRP Newco concludes
that it may benefit from the cash flow and/or any appreciation in the value of
the property. Such mortgages may be similar to equity participations. WRP Newco
may also make mortgage loans or participate in such loans and contemporaneously
or otherwise obtain related property purchase options.
Equity investments may include development projects directly or through joint
ventures, as well as the purchase of general or limited partnership interests
in limited partnerships, shares in publicly-traded or privately-held
corporations or interests in other entities that own real estate, make real
estate-related loans or invest in real estate-related debt instruments or
provide services or products to the real estate industry. WRP Newco intends to
engage in active real estate businesses, which may include land subdivisions,
condominium conversions, property sales, and other businesses considered
ineligible or impractical investments for REITs. WRP Newco may also hold real
estate or interests therein for investment. WRP Newco may purchase
substantially leased, mostly unleased or vacant properties of any type or
geographic location. WRP Newco intends to renovate and re-lease the mostly
unleased or vacant properties.
The activities described above often do not generate immediate cash flow, and
cash flow generated may be non-recurring. These investments may be subject to
existing debt financing and any such financing will have a priority over the
equity interests of WRP Newco.
WRP Newco may offer to exchange its securities for properties and securities
of other entities. Further, it may, from time to time, repurchase its shares.
WRP Newco will seek investments generally with a duration of one to five years.
FINANCING POLICIES
WRP Newco will seek to finance its investments through both public and
private secured and unsecured debt financings, as well as public and private
placements of its equity securities. The equity securities will include both
common and preferred equity issuances. WRP Newco does not have a policy
limiting the number or amount of mortgages that may be placed on any particular
property, but mortgage financing instruments usually limit additional
indebtedness on such properties. There are currently no restrictions on the
amount of debt that WRP Newco may incur.
Also, WRP Newco does not plan to distribute dividends for the foreseeable
future, which will permit it to accumulate for reinvestment cash flow from
investments, disposition of investments and other business activities.
WRP Newco has obtained a written commitment from Bank of Boston and Morgan
Guaranty for a $50 million two-year line of credit. This facility is subject to
certain financial and other covenants. In the future, WRP Newco may seek to
extend, expand, reduce or renew such facility, or obtain an additional or a
replacement facility. See "Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.--Initial Capital and
Financing".
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ACTIVITIES
WRP Newco does not intend to qualify as a REIT, but it may, from time to
time, invest in REITs, sell properties or entities to REITs for cash and/or
securities. Further, it may spin-off to its common stockholders, shares of its
subsidiaries or shares of other entities it has acquired through the sale of
its properties, investments or otherwise. These spin-offs may be taxable or
non-taxable, depending upon the facts and circumstances. WRP Newco's policies
with respect to its activities may be reviewed and modified from time to time
by WRP Newco's directors without notice to or vote of its stockholders.
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MANAGEMENT OF WRP NEWCO
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers and directors of WRP Newco, their ages and their
positions are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION HELD
---- --- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jeffrey H. Lynford................ 49 Chairman of the Board, Secretary
and Director**
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Edward Lowenthal.................. 52 Director*
Gregory F. Hughes................. 33 Chief Financial Officer
David Strong...................... 38 Vice President for Development
Rodney F. Du Bois................. 60 Director*
Mark S. Germain................... 46 Director**
Frank J. Hoenemeyer............... 77 Director***
Frank J. Sixt..................... 45 Director***
Douglas J. Crocker II(1).......... 56 Proposed Director**
</TABLE>
- -------
*Term expires 1998
**Term expires 1999
***Term expires 2000
(1) Mr. Crocker will become a director upon consummation of the Distribution
and Merger and the purchase by ERP Operating Partnership of WRP Newco Class
A Common. Mr. Crocker will remain a director for a minimum of two years,
and thereafter so long as certain conditions are met. See "Description of
Capital Stock of WRP Newco--Class A Common Stock".
Jeffrey H. Lynford has been the Chairman of the Board, Secretary and Director
of WRP Newco since its formation in January 1997 and has been the Chairman of
the Board and Secretary of Wellsford since its formation in July 1992 and was
the Chief Financial Officer of Wellsford from July 1992 until December 1994.
Mr. Lynford was the Chairman of the Board of WGI since its formation in 1986.
Mr. Lynford currently serves as a trustee emeritus of the National Trust for
Historic Preservation and as a director of four mutual funds: Cohen & Steers
Total Return Realty Fund, Inc., Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc., Cohen &
Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc. and Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc. He
is also a member of the New York bar. Prior to founding WGI, Mr. Lynford gained
real estate and investment banking experience as a partner of Bear Stearns &
Co. and a managing director of A.G. Becker Paribas, Inc.
Edward Lowenthal has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
of WRP Newco since its formation in January 1997 and has been the President and
Chief Executive Officer and a trustee of Wellsford since its formation in July
1992 and was President of WGI since its formation in 1986. Mr. Lowenthal
currently serves as a director of United American Energy Corporation, a
developer, owner and operator of hydroelectric and other alternative energy
facilities, a director of Corporate Renaissance Group, Inc., a mutual fund, a
director of Omega Healthcare, Inc., a REIT, a director of Great Lakes REIT,
Inc., a REIT that owns and operates office buildings, and a trustee of
Corporate Realty Income Trust, a REIT. He is also a member of the executive
committee and The Board of Governors of the NAREIT. Prior to founding WGI,
Mr. Lowenthal gained real estate and investment banking experience as a partner
of Bear Stearns & Co., a managing director of A.G. Becker Paribas, Inc., and a
partner in the law firm of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman.
Gregory F. Hughes has been the Chief Financial Officer of WRP Newco since its
formation in January 1997 and has been a Vice President--Chief Financial
Officer of Wellsford since December 1994. From March 1993 until December 1994
he was a Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Wellsford. During 1992,
Mr. Hughes was a controller with Jones Lang Wootton Realty Advisors, a firm
that provides real estate asset management and investment consultation
services. From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Hughes was a manager with Kenneth Leventhal &
Company, a public accounting firm specializing in real estate and financial
services. Mr. Hughes is a certified public accountant.
David M. Strong has been a Vice President for Development of WRP Newco since
its formation in January 1997 and has been a Vice President of Wellsford since
July 1995. From July 1994 until July 1995 he was Acquisitions and Development
Associate of Wellsford. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Strong was President and owner
of LPI Management, Inc., a commercial real estate company providing management
and consulting services. From 1984 to 1991, he was a senior executive with the
London Pacific Investment Group, a real estate development, investment and
management firm active in Southern California and Western Canada. From 1979 to
1984, Mr. Strong was a manager with Arthur Young, a public accounting firm. Mr.
Strong is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
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Rodney F. Du Bois will become a director of WRP Newco upon consummation of
the Distribution and has been a trustee of Wellsford since November 1992. Mr.
Du Bois also has been President and co-owner of Goshawk Corporation, which
provides finance and general corporate services, since 1982. Mr. Du Bois was a
founder of Mountain Cable Company, a cable TV multiple system operator, and its
Chairman from 1985 until the company's sale in 1988. Previously Mr. Du Bois
served as Executive Vice President and a director of C. Brewer and Co.,
Chairman of Alexander and Baldwin Agribusiness, Inc., a managing director of
Warburg, Paribas, Becker, Inc. and a Professor of Real Estate at the Amos Tuck
School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.
Mark S. Germain will become a director of WRP Newco upon consummation of the
Distribution and has been a trustee of Wellsford since November 1992. Currently
he is employed by Olmstead Group L.L.C., which is a consultant to biotechnology
and other high technology companies. Mr. Germain also serves as a board member
of several privately held biotechnology companies. Previously, from 1990 to
1994, Mr. Germain was employed by D. Blech & Company, Incorporated, a merchant
bank. From 1986 to 1989, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of The
Vista Organization, Ltd., and from 1989 to 1990, its President and Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Germain was a partner in a New York law firm prior to
1986.
Frank J. Hoenemeyer will become a director of WRP Newco upon consummation of
the Distribution and has been a trustee of Wellsford since November 1992. Mr.
Hoenemeyer also currently serves as a director of American International Group,
Inc., Mitsui Trust Bank (U.S.A.), W.P. Carey Advisors, Inc. and Carey Fiduciary
Advisors, Inc. (subsidiaries of W.P. Carey & Co., Inc.) and ARIAD
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and as Vice Chairman of the Investment Committee of W.P.
Carey & Co., Inc. From 1947 to 1984, he was employed by The Prudential
Insurance Company of America where he served as Vice Chairman and Chief
Investment Officer prior to his retirement.
Frank J. Sixt will become a director of WRP Newco upon consummation of the
Distribution and has been a trustee of Wellsford since November 1992. Mr. Sixt
also currently serves as an executive director of Cheung Kong (Holdings)
Limited, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Hutchinson Whampoa
Limited Group of Companies. He also serves as a director of Husky Oil Limited,
Concord Property and Financial Company Limited and World Financial Properties
Limited. He is also a director of and Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the Board of Directors of Gordon Capital Corporation. Previously, from 1987 to
1990, Mr. Sixt was a partner in the law firm of Stikeman Elliot.
For a biographical description of Douglas J. Crocker II, see "Management and
Operation of the Surviving Trust After the Merger--Trustees and Executive
Officers."
KEY EMPLOYEE
Richard R. Previdi has been active in seeking to acquire commercial
properties on behalf of WRP Newco and its predecessor since September, 1996.
From May 1994 until June 1996, he was a managing director of Emmes & Company, a
real estate investment company. From April 1990 until May 1994, Mr. Previdi was
a managing director of Trammell Crow N.E., Inc., and Chief Executive Officer of
that company's Northern Virginia Commercial Division. Previously, from October
1985 until April 1990, he was first a marketing principal, and later a partner,
of Trammell Crow Company. From October 1982 until October 1985, Mr. Previdi was
a manager with Arthur Young and Company, a public accounting firm.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
WRP Newco will pay to each of its directors who are not employees of WRP
Newco (i) an annual fee of $16,000, payable quarterly in shares of WRP Newco
Common, and (ii) a fee of $2,250 payable in cash for each regular quarterly
Board of Directors meeting at which such director is present in person or by
telephone. Messrs. Du Bois, Germain, Hoenemeyer and Sixt will also each receive
options to purchase 42,750 shares of WRP Newco Common and Mr. Crocker will
receive options to purchase 21,375 shares of WRP Newco Common, all under WRP
Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan and each will be eligible along with
other present and future directors to receive additional share options.
Directors who are employees of WRP Newco will not be paid any directors' fees.
In addition, WRP Newco will reimburse the directors for travel expenses
incurred in connection with their activities on behalf of WRP Newco.
WRP Newco also intends to grant options to purchase 85,500 shares of WRP
Newco Common under the 1997 Management Investment Plan to each of Messrs.
Lynford, Lowenthal, Hughes and Strong.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of WRP Newco will establish, following consummation of
the Distribution, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Executive
Committee. The Board will not have a nominating committee or a committee
performing the functions of a nominating committee; the entire Board will
perform the usual functions of such committee.
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Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consist of Messrs. Lynford,
Lowenthal and Hoenemeyer. The Executive Committee has the authority to acquire,
dispose of and finance investments for WRP Newco and execute contracts and
agreements, including those related to the borrowing of money by WRP Newco, and
generally to exercise all other powers of the directors except for those which
require action by all directors or the independent directors under the Articles
of Incorporation or Bylaws of WRP Newco or under applicable law.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will consist of Messrs. Du
Bois, Germain, Hoenemeyer and Sixt, none of whom are employees of WRP Newco.
The Compensation Committee will review WRP Newco's compensation and employee
benefit plans, programs and policies, approve employment agreements and monitor
the performance and compensation of the Executive Officers and other employees.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will consist of Messrs. Du Bois,
Germain, Hoenemeyer and Sixt and will make recommendations concerning the
engagement of independent public accountants, review with the independent
public accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approve the
professional services provided by the independent public accountants, review
the independence of the independent public accountants, consider the range of
audit and non-audit fees, review the adequacy of WRP Newco's internal
accounting controls and review related party transactions.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
WRP Newco was organized as a Maryland corporation in January, 1997. Its
executive officers will not be entitled to receive any separate salary or other
cash compensation from WRP Newco for any period prior to the Distribution.
Prior to the Distribution, WRP Newco's executive officers will only receive
compensation from Wellsford for services rendered by them to Wellsford.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Chief
Executive Officer and each of the other executive officers of WRP Newco
(collectively, the "Executive Officers") whose cash compensation from WRP Newco
is expected to exceed $100,000 on an annualized basis during the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1997, and all executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CASH
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL OR NUMBER IN GROUP CAPACITIES IN WHICH SERVE COMPENSATION
------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jeffrey H. Lynford............................ Chairman of the Board and Secretary $275,000
Edward Lowenthal.............................. President and Chief Executive Officer $275,000
Gregory F. Hughes............................. Chief Financial Officer $175,000
David M. Strong............................... Vice President for Development $125,000
All executive officers as a group (consisting
of the four persons named above)............. $850,000
</TABLE>
For information regarding options to purchase shares of WRP Newco Common to
be granted to executive officers and directors, see "--Compensation of
Directors".
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
WRP Newco will enter into employment agreements with Messrs. Lynford and
Lowenthal (the "Senior Executives"), pursuant to which Mr. Lynford will serve
as the Chairman of the Board of WRP Newco and Mr. Lowenthal will serve as its
President and Chief Executive Officer. WRP Newco will also enter into
employment agreements with Messrs. Hughes and Strong. The employment agreements
with Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal will expire on December 31, 2002, and the
employment agreements with Messrs. Hughes and Strong will expire two years from
the Effective Time.
Each of the employment agreements is automatically extended for additional
one-year periods unless either the Executive Officer or WRP Newco gives prior
notice not to extend the employment agreement, as specified in the agreement.
Pursuant to the employment agreements, each of the Executive Officers is also
entitled to incentive compensation to be determined by the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Hughes is entitled to incentive compensation equal to at least
50% of his annual base salary.
In the event that either of the Senior Executives dies during the term of his
employment agreement, or if WRP Newco elects to terminate his employment
agreement as a result of the Senior Executive's total disability, WRP Newco is
required to pay additional compensation for the longer of 36 months after such
termination or for the remaining term of his agreement at the rate of his then
annual base salary.
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Following a "change in control of the Company" (as defined in the
agreements), if a Senior Executive's employment agreement is terminated (a) by
WRP Newco, other than for "proper cause" (as defined in the agreements) or
death or disability or (b) by the Senior Executive, then in either case the
Senior Executive shall be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment
generally equal to the sum of (i) the amount of compensation that he would
have been entitled to had the agreement not been so terminated and (ii) 299%
of his average annual compensation of every type and form includible in gross
income received during the three year period preceding the calendar year in
which employment is terminated. The Senior Executives are also entitled to
reimbursement of income taxes on certain non-cash taxable income resulting
from a change in control of WRP Newco, including taxable income resulting from
accelerated loan forgiveness or vesting of restricted shares or options. In
addition, each Senior Executive is entitled to receive an additional sum to
cover certain resulting income and excise tax liabilities that may be incurred
on all of the foregoing.
The employment agreements with the Senior Executives will indemnify and hold
harmless the Senior Executives for any income and excise tax liabilities that
arise from any benefits described in this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement and are not otherwise provided for
in the payments to be made to them by the Surviving Trust on the date of the
Merger.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee will consist of five independent directors of WRP
Newco: Rodney F. Du Bois, Mark S. Germain, Frank J. Hoenemeyer and Frank J.
Sixt, none of whom is, or has been, an officer or employee of WRP Newco.
119
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF WRP NEWCO
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of WRP Newco Common by each person anticipated by WRP Newco to be
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of WRP Newco Common, by each director or
proposed director of WRP Newco, by certain executive officers of WRP Newco and
by all directors, proposed directors and executive officers of WRP Newco as a
group after giving effect to the Distribution, the Merger and certain other
transactions described herein (excluding the Additional Share Offering). Each
person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to
all WRP Newco Common shown as beneficially owned by such person.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
OWNER(1) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS
------------------------------ -------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jeffrey H. Lynford(2)................. 622,529 11.50%
Edward Lowenthal(2)................... 626,605 11.58%
Gregory F. Hughes(3).................. 202,074 3.99%
David Strong(4)....................... 130,487 2.61%
Rodney F. Du Bois(5).................. 44,500 *
32 Rip Road
Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
Mark S. Germain(6).................... 110,858 2.24%
Olmsted Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
Frank J. Hoenemeyer(5)................ 43,683 *
7 Harwood Drive
Madison, New Jersey 07940
Frank J. Sixt(6)...................... 81,265 1.64%
c/o Cheung Kung (Holdings), Ltd.
Ching Building, 18-22 Floors
29 Queen's Road Central
Hong Kong
Douglas J. Crocker II(7).............. 21,375 *
c/o Equity Residential Properties
Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
ERP Operating Limited Partnership..... 334,062(8) 7.22%
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
All directors, proposed directors
and executive officers as a group (9
persons)............................. 1,883,376 28.82%
</TABLE>
- -------
* Less than 1.0%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person is c/o Wellsford
Real Properties, Inc., 610 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020.
(2) Includes 538,205 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon the exercise of
options, all of which will be either issued or amended as of the Effective
Time, and none of which will be exercisable as of the Effective Time.
Options to purchase 452,705 of these shares represent replacement options
for Wellsford share options having exercise prices ranging from $18.94 to
$26.375.
(3) Includes 188,105 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon the exercise of
options, all of which will either be issued or amended as of the Effective
Time, and none of which will be exercisable as of the Effective Time.
Options to purchase 102,605 of these shares represent replacement options
for Wellsford share options having exercise prices ranging from $18.94 to
$29.375.
(4) Includes 126,126 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon the exercise of
options, all of which will either be issued or amended as of the Effective
Time, and none of which will be exercisable as of the Effective Time.
Options to purchase 40,626 of these shares represent replacement options
for Wellsford share options having exercise prices ranging from $18.94 to
$22.50.
(5) Includes 42,750 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon the exercise of
options, all of which will either be issued or amended as of the Effective
Time and will then be immediately exercisable.
(6) Includes 81,265 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon the exercise of
options, all of which will either be issued or amended as of the Effective
Time and will then be immediately exercisable.
(7) Includes 21,375 shares of WRP Newco Common issuable upon exercise of
options, all of which will be issued as of the Effective Time and will
then be immediately exercisable. Excludes 334,062 shares of WRP Newco
Common (estimated) to be issued to ERP Operating Partnership pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement. Mr. Crocker is President and Chief Executive
Officer of EQR, the general partner of ERP Operating Partnership, and
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(8) Estimated number of shares of WRP Newco Common to be issued to ERP
Operating Partnership pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement.
120
<PAGE>
WRP NEWCO'S CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The contracts to purchase Chatham, the Point View office complex and
Greenbrook were transferred to WRP Newco by an entity ("Wellsford Commercial")
of which Messrs. Lynford and Lowenthal, the wife of Mark Germain who will be a
director of WRP Newco, and three unaffiliated parties are owners, for shares of
WRP Newco Common having an aggregate value of approximately $2.25 million and
WRP Newco's agreement to repay a $1.0 million advance used for the down payment
on the Point View office complex. The number of shares of WRP Newco Common
issued to Wellsford Commercial was approximately 225,000, subject to adjustment
based upon the Issuance Price. Upon liquidation of Wellsford Commercial, Mr.
Lynford, Mr. Lowenthal and the wife of Mark Germain will each receive
approximately 16.4%, 16.4% and 13.8%, respectively, of the shares of WRP Newco
Common to be issued to Wellsford Commercial, and the other three unaffiliated
owners will receive the remainder of the shares. The aggregate purchase price
for these commercial properties paid by WRP Newco is approximately $47.6
million, including the approximately $2.25 million referred to above. The above
transfers to WRP Newco, along with the Contribution and the purchase of stock
by ERP Operating Partnership under the Stock Purchase Agreement, are being made
as part of a single plan intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
OVERVIEW
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Wellsford
Real Properties Inc. (Predecessor) (the "Company") financial statements
contained herein.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company's operations during the year ended December 31, 1996 consisted of
owning a mortgage note receivable, upon which the Company earned $757,000 of
interest income, and developing two multifamily communities located in a suburb
of Denver, Colorado with a total of 760 units under development.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company expects to meet its short-term liquidity requirements generally
through its working capital and cash flow provided by operations. The Company
considers its ability to generate cash to be adequate and expects it to
continue to be adequate to meet operating requirements both in the short and
long terms.
The Company expects to meet its long-term liquidity requirements such as
refinancing mortgages, financing acquisitions and development, and financing
capital improvements and debt and equity investments in real estate companies
by long-term borrowings, through the issuance of debt and the offering of
additional debt and equity securities.
The Company has received a commitment from the Bank of Boston and Morgan
Guaranty that they will provide a $50 million credit facility, subject to
customary conditions, which would be available to fund acquisitions, debt and
equity investments, development, capital expenditures, repayment of
indebtedness and related expenditures. The Company expects to obtain this
credit facility concurrently with the closing of the Merger and Distribution.
The commitment received is subject to customary conditions and documentation.
In December 1995, the Company marketed and sold $14.8 million of tax-exempt
bonds to fund construction at Palomino Park. The bonds have a variable rate of
interest and a term of 40 years. At December 31, 1996, $5.5 million of the bond
proceeds were being held in escrow pending their use for the funding of
development.
In July 1996, the Company originated the Sonterra Loan. The Sonterra Loan
bears interest at 9% per annum and matures in July 1999. The Company also has
the exclusive option to purchase the community for $20.5 million through
December 1997 and for $21 million during 1998.
121
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the Predecessor
to Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 1996 and
1995, and the related combined statements of income and equity for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 1996
and for the period from March 22, 1995 (the date the assets were acquired and
liabilities incurred) to December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
As described in Note 1, no operating revenues or expenses were incurred in
the period from March 22, 1995 through December 31, 1995. Accordingly, the
statement of income for the period ended December 31, 1995 has been omitted.
In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of the
Company at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the combined results of its
operations for the year ended December 31, 1996 and its cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and for the period from March 22, 1995 to December 31,
1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
-----------------------------------------
Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 1997
122
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Construction in process............................... $21,306 $ 7,955
Restricted cash....................................... 5,520 10,414
Mortgage note and interest receivable................. 17,934 0
------- -------
Total Assets........................................ $44,760 $18,369
======= =======
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
<S> <C> <C>
Tax exempt mortgage note payable...................... $14,755 $14,755
------- -------
Total Liabilities................................... 14,755 14,755
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies......................... -- --
Equity................................................ 30,005 3,614
------- -------
Total Equity........................................ 30,005 3,614
------- -------
Total Liabilities and Equity........................ $44,760 $18,369
======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
123
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1996
------------
<S> <C>
Interest income.................................................... $ 757
-------
Net income......................................................... 757
-------
Equity, January 1, 1996............................................ 3,614
Contributions...................................................... 25,634
-------
Equity, December 31, 1996.......................................... $30,005
=======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
124
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED MARCH 22 TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income.......................................... $ 757 $ 0
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Debt service reserve............................ 4,894 4,341
Interest receivable............................. (134) 0
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 5,517 4,341
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investments in real estate assets................... (13,351) (7,955)
Investment in mortgage note receivable.............. (17,800) 0
-------- --------
Net cash (used) in investing activities........... (31,151) (7,955)
-------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from tax exempt mortgage note payable...... 0 14,755
Funding of restricted cash accounts................. 0 (14,755)
Equity contributions................................ 25,634 3,614
-------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities......... 25,634 3,614
-------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents........................................ 0 0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period...... 0 0
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period............ $ 0 $ 0
======== ========
Cash paid during the period for interest............ $ 663 $ 335
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
125
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. ("WRP Newco"), a C corporation formed on
January 8, 1997, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wellsford Residential Property
Trust ("Wellsford"). On January 16, 1997 Wellsford announced its intention to
merge with Equity Residential Properties Trust ("EQR"). Immediately prior to
the Merger, Wellsford intends to contribute certain of its assets to WRP Newco
and have WRP Newco assume certain liabilities of Wellsford. Immediately after
the contribution of assets to WRP Newco and immediately prior to the Merger,
Wellsford intends to distribute to its common shareholders all the outstanding
shares of WRP Newco owned by Wellsford. The common shareholders of Wellsford
will receive one common share of WRP Newco for each four common shares of
Wellsford owned.
The accompanying combined financial statements of the predecessor to WRP
Newco (the "Company") include the assets and liabilities to be contributed and
assumed by WRP Newco from the time the assets and liabilities were acquired or
incurred, respectively, by Wellsford or the majority owned or controlled
subsidiary of Wellsford. Such financial statements have been prepared using the
historical basis of the assets and liabilities and historical results of
operations related to the Company's assets.
For the purpose of the Company, the assets were acquired and liabilities
incurred beginning on March 22, 1995. During the period from March 22, 1995
through December 31, 1996 the Company was principally involved in the initial
phase of construction development activities with no operating revenues or
expenses incurred. Accordingly, the income statement for the period ended
December 31, 1995 has been omitted. The Company has earned interest income on
the Sonterra Mortgage (see Note 4) during the year ended December 31, 1996.
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Combination. All significant intercompany transactions between
Wellsford and the majority owned or controlled subsidiaries relating to the
assets and liabilities that are to be contributed or assumed by WRP Newco have
been eliminated in combination.
Income Recognition. Residential communities are leased under operating leases
with terms generally one year or less; rental revenue is recognized monthly as
it is earned.
Commercial properties are leased under operating leases; rental revenue is
recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all demand and money market
accounts and short term investments in government funds with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.
Real Estate and Depreciation. Costs directly related to the acquisition and
improvement of real estate are capitalized, including interest expense incurred
during and related to construction and including all improvements identified
during the underwriting of a property acquisition.
Depreciation is computed over the expected useful lives of depreciable
property on a straight line basis, principally 40 years for buildings and
improvements and 5 to 12 years for furnishings and equipment.
The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS")
121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed of" which requires that long-lived assets to be held and
used be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and that
long-lived assets to be disposed of be measured at the lower of carrying amount
or net realizable value. The adoption of SFAS 121 has not had an impact on the
Company's combined financial position or results of operations.
Mortgage Note Receivable Impairment. The Company considers a note impaired
if, based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts
due under the note agreement are not collectable. Impairment is measured based
upon the fair value of the underlying collateral. No impairment has been
recorded through December 31, 1996.
Financing Costs. Financing and refinancing costs are capitalized and
amortized over the term of the related loan under the interest method. Credit
facility fees are capitalized and amortized over the term of the commitment on
a straight-line basis.
126
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(3) RESTRICTED CASH
Restricted cash primarily consists of the remaining proceeds from the
Palomino Park tax-exempt mortgage note (Note 5) which are restricted in their
use to construction costs and capitalized interest related to the Palomino
Park development project (Note 4).
(4) MULTIFAMILY COMMUNITIES AND MORTGAGE NOTE RECEIVABLE
The Company holds a $17.8 million mortgage on a 344 unit, newly constructed
community in Tucson, Arizona known as Sonterra at Williams Centre (the
"Sonterra Mortgage"). The Sonterra Mortgage was originated in July 1996, bears
interest at 9% per annum and matures in July 1999. The Company also has the
exclusive option to purchase the community for $20.5 million through December
1997 and $21 million during 1998. Interest receivable of $0.1 million is
included in the December 31, 1996 balance. The fair market value of the
Company's mortgage note receivable, estimated by using a discounted cash flow
analysis, approximates the carrying amount. In connection with the Sonterra
Mortgage, a $0.2 million origination fee was paid to Wellsford by the
borrower.
The Company currently has two multifamily projects under development in a
suburb of Denver, Colorado, totaling 760 apartment units (collectively, the
"Development Communities"). The Development Communities are the first of five
communities at Palomino Park, a 1,880 unit master-planned, security controlled
apartment/townhome community. The Company has the option to develop phases
three through five, but is not obligated to do so. The 181.8 acre master site
surrounds an amenity-filled, 24 acre park and an approximately 29,000 square
foot recreational center to be shared by all phases. The Development
Communities are being constructed pursuant to fixed-price contracts, with a
local developer, and are estimated to cost approximately $76.1 million in
total, including certain development and incentive fees payable to the
developer. The Company is committed to purchase 100% of the Development
Communities upon completion and the achievement of certain occupancy levels.
At December 31, 1996 the Company had invested $21 million related to the land
for the Development Communities, the recreation center and general
infrastructure work. A portion of such infrastructure will become the property
of certain local governmental entities at the date of completion and
retirement of the tax-exempt mortgage note payable described in Note 5. In
addition, approximately $21.8 million was outstanding at December 31, 1996 on
a construction loan to the developer, which the Company would repay upon
purchase assuming completion and achievement of certain occupancy levels.
During the periods ended December 31, 1996, and December 31, 1995,
respectively, the Company capitalized $0.7 million and $0.3 million of
interest to the Development Communities. The Company expects to fund the
construction of its Development Communities from its working capital and with
proceeds from a credit facility and a $14.8 million tax-exempt mortgage note
(Note 5).
Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Company entered into contracts on five
commercial office properties for $47.6 million in aggregate, and has closed on
four of the properties. The purchase prices for these commercial properties
include approximately $2.25 million in value of shares of WRP Newco Common to
be issued to an entity in consideration for the assignment of the purchase
contracts entered into by such entity. Upon liquidation of such entity, each
of the Chairman of the Board and President of Wellsford, Messrs. Lynford and
Lowenthal, will receive approximately 16.4% of such shares, and the wife of
Mark Germain, a trustee of Wellsford, will receive approximately 13.8% of such
shares. Each are owners of such entity.
Greenbrook Corporate Center ($23.7 million) is a Class A, three-story office
building with a 35 foot atrium, located in Fairfield, NJ, and comprising
approximately 190,000 rentable square feet. It is situated on a 20 acre
developed site with 7 acres of additional, contiguous undeveloped land.
Point View ($15.8 million) consists of 194 acres containing two office
buildings, totaling approximately 560,000 square feet, an adjacent 10-acre
undeveloped site, and a central utility plant located in Wayne, NJ. The site
is currently undergoing a major renovation. The purchase of this building was
closed in February 1997.
1700 Valley Road ($1.0 million) is a Class B+, two-story vacant office
building located in Wayne, NJ and comprising approximately 70,600 square feet.
It is situated on a nine acre site. The purchase price of this building was
closed in February 1997.
127
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
1800 Valley Road ($2.0 million) is a Class B+, two-story vacant office
building located in Wayne, NJ and comprising approximately 54,800 square feet.
It is situated on a 14 acre site. The purchase of this building was closed in
February 1997.
The Chatham Building ($5.1 million) is a three-story office building located
in Chatham, NJ and comprising approximately 65,000 square feet. The site is
currently undergoing a major renovation. The purchase of this building was
closed in January 1997.
(5) TAX EXEMPT MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had $14.8 million of tax exempt
mortgage notes payable outstanding. The Company's tax exempt mortgage note
payable is secured by certain infrastructure at the Company's Palomino Park
development and bears interest-only payments at a variable rate (which
approximates the Standard & Poor's/J.J. Kenney index for short-term high grade
tax-exempt bonds, currently 3.65%) until it matures in December 2035.
The tax-exempt mortgage note payable is security for tax-exempt bonds which
are backed by a letter of credit from a AAA rated financial institution.
Wellsford has guaranteed the reimbursement of the financial institution in the
event that the letter of credit is drawn upon. It is anticipated that as a
result of the Merger, this guaranty will be replaced by the guarantees of WRP
Newco and EQR. These bonds require the Company to obtain the approval of both
the trustee, as defined in the bond documents, and the above mentioned
financial institution for transactions such as those anticipated in connection
with the Merger and Distribution. The Company expects to receive such
approvals.
The fair market value of the variable rate tax exempt mortgage note is
considered to be the carrying amount.
(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
WRP Newco will enter into employment agreements with certain of its officers.
Such agreements will be for terms which expire between 1999 and 2002, and will
provide for aggregate annual base salaries of $0.8 million, $0.8 million and
$0.6 million in 1997, 1998 and 1999 through 2002, respectively. The Company is
obligated under an operating lease covering its corporate headquarters for $0.2
million in 1997, $0.2 million in 1998, and $0.2 million in 1999, plus certain
operating expense escalations.
As a commercial real estate owner, the Company is subject to potential
environmental costs. The Company's Point View site contains asbestos containing
materials ("ACMs"); upon acquisition of the property, the Company intends to
proceed with the removal of all ACMs in such property which is anticipated to
cost $3.5 million. At this point in time, management of the Company is not
aware of any environmental concerns that would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial position or future results of operations except as
just described.
In 1997 WRP Newco will adopt a defined contribution savings plan pursuant to
Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under such a plan there are no prior
service costs. All employees will be eligible to participate in the plan after
one year of service. Employer contributions will be made based on a
discretionary amount determined by WRP Newco's management. Employer
contributions, if any, will be based upon the amount contributed by an
employee.
The Company will lend $20 million of an $80 million subordinated mezzanine
loan to entities which own the equity interests (the "Equity Interests") in the
owner of a 52-story approximately 1.74 million sq. ft. Class A office building
located at 277 Park Avenue, New York City (the "277 Park Loan"). The loan will
be secured primarily by the pledge of the Equity Interests. The 277 Park Loan
will be due in April 2007 and will bear interest at the rate of approximately
11.75% per annum.
128
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
During the period from January 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997, Wellsford Real
Properties, Inc. (Predecessor) (the "Company") acquired a mortgage note
receivable, committed to originate a mortgage receivable, purchased four
commercial office properties, and contracted to purchase one additional
commercial office property. One of the commercial office properties, the
Greenbrook Corporate Center, is currently occupied.
This unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statement is presented as if the
Company's transactions, each as referred to above, and the Merger and
Distribution had been consummated on January 1, 1996, as if the mortgage
receivable upon which the Company has committed to originate had been
originated on January 1, 1996, and as if the commercial office properties under
contract were actually purchased as of January 1, 1996. All of the pro forma
adjustments shown are solely attributed to the transactions described. In the
opinion of the Company's management, all adjustments necessary to reflect the
effects of these transactions have been made.
This unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statement is presented for
comparative purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual
results of operations of the Company would have been for the period presented;
nor does it purport to represent the results for future periods. This unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Income Statement should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified in its entirety by, the respective historical financial statements
and notes thereto of Wellsford and the Company, incorporated by reference into,
and included in, this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement,
respectively.
129
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUE
Rental income.............................. $3,632(A) $3,632
Other income............................... 250(A) 250
Interest income............................ $757 3,195(B) 3,952
---- ------ ------
Total Revenue............................ 757 7,077 7,834
---- ------ ------
EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance......... 852(A) 852
Real estate taxes.......................... 428(A) 428
Interest................................... 1,550(C) 1,550
General and administrative................. 1,750(D) 1,750
Depreciation............................... 510(E) 510
Property management........................ 181(A) 181
---- ------ ------
Total Expenses........................... 0 5,271 5,271
---- ------ ------
Income before income taxes................... $757 $1,806 2,563
==== ======
Provision for income taxes................... 1,047(F)
------
Net income................................... $1,516
======
Net income per common share.................. $ 0.31(G)
======
Weighted average common shares outstanding... 4,900(G)
======
</TABLE>
130
<PAGE>
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
DECEMBER 31, 1996
(A) Represents historical operating revenues and expenses of Greenbrook
Corporate Center, which was acquired in January 1997, for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The Company's other four commercial properties are
currently vacant.
(B) Represents interest income from the Sonterra Loan for the period from
January 1, 1996 to the date of origination (July 10, 1996), plus interest
on the 277 Park Loan for one year ($20 million at approximately 11.75%).
(C) Represents interest expense on the $20 million credit facility draw used to
fund the 277 Park Loan, at 7.75%.
(D) Represents the estimated general and administrative costs of WRP Newco for
one year.
(E) Represents depreciation on Greenbrook Corporate Center for the year ended
December 31, 1996 utilizing a 40 year estimated useful life.
(F) Represents provision for federal and state income taxes at rates of 35% and
9%, respectively.
(G) Represents the aggregate of the shares of WRP Newco Common issued in
connection with the Distribution (one share for every four shares of
Wellsford Common), the 225,000 shares to be issued in connection with the
acquisition of the commercial properties, and 350,000 shares (estimated) of
WRP Newco Class A Common to be purchased by ERP Operating Partnership for
$3.5 million.
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WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
This unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet is presented as if the
Merger, Contribution and Distribution and the proposed credit facility
agreement with Bank of Boston and Morgan Guaranty had been consummated on
December 31, 1996, the mortgage receivable to be originated had been originated
on December 31, 1996 and the commercial office properties purchased by, or
under contract with, Wellsford Real Properties, Inc. (Predecessor) (the
"Company") had been purchased on December 31, 1996, utilizing proceeds from the
Merger and Contribution and a draw from the credit facility. All of the assets
and liabilities of the Company which are being transferred to the Company in
connection with the Merger, Contribution and Distribution are recorded at their
respective historical costs.
This unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet is presented for comparative
purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual financial
position of the Company would have been at December 31, 1996; nor does it
purport to represent the future financial position of the Company. This
unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet should be read in conjunction with,
and is qualified in its entirety by, the respective historical financial
statements and notes thereto of Wellsford and the Company, incorporated by
reference into, and included in, this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/
Information Statement, respectively.
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WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Real estate assets, at cost:
Land....................................... $ 0 $ 6,720 $ 6,720
Buildings and improvements................. 38,080 38,080
------- -------- --------
0 44,800 44,800
Construction in process.................... 21,306 21,306
------- -------- --------
21,306 44,800 66,106
Property held for sale..................... 2,800 2,800
------- -------- --------
21,306 47,600(A) 68,906
Cash and cash equivalents.................... 832(B) 832
Restricted cash.............................. 5,520 5,520
Mortgage notes and interest receivable....... 17,934 20,000(C) 37,934
------- -------- --------
Total Assets............................... $44,760 $ 68,432 $113,192
======= ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities:
Tax exempt mortgage note payable........... $14,755 $ 14,755
Credit facility............................ $ 45,000(D) 45,000
------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities.......................... 14,755 45,000 59,755
------- -------- --------
Commitments and contingencies................ -- -- --
Minority Interest............................ 2,328(E) 2,328
Equity:
Equity..................................... 30,005 (30,005) 0
Common stock, $.01 par value per share,
4,899,965 shares issued and outstanding as
adjusted.................................. 49 49
Paid in capital in excess of par value..... 51,060 51,060
------- -------- --------
Total Equity............................... 30,005 21,104(F) 51,109
------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities and Equity............... $44,760 $ 68,432 $113,192
======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
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WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC. (PREDECESSOR)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1996
(A) Reflects the acquisition of five commercial office properties, previously
acquired or currently under contract for $47.6 million summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURCHASE
PURCHASE PRICE &
PRICE PLANNED
SQUARE PURCHASE PER PLANNED IMPR. ACTUAL/SCHEDULED
NAME LOCATION FOOTAGE PRICE SQ. FT. IMPROVEMENTS PER SQ. FT. CLOSING DATE
---- -------- ------- -------- -------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Point View.............. Wayne, NJ 560,000 $15.8 million $ 28 $ 9.1 million $ 44 February 1997
Chatham Building........ Chatham, NJ 65,000 5.1 million 78 3.1 million 126 January 1997
Greenbrook Corp. Ctr.... Fairfield, NJ 190,000 23.7 million 125 0.5 million 127 April 1997
1700 Valley Road........ Wayne, NJ 70,600 1.0 million 14 0.2 million 17 February 1997
1800 Valley Road........ Wayne, NJ 54,800 2.0 million 36 0.8 million 51 February 1997
------- ------------- -------------
940,400 47.6 million $13.7 million
</TABLE>
Greenbrook Corporate Center is currently in operation. The Company's other
four commercial properties are currently vacant. The purchase price of
$47.6 million is being funded with $20.4 million of cash-on-hand, $25.0
million of proceeds from the credit facility, and the balance from the
issuance of approximately 225,000 shares of WRP Newco Common, each of which
is described below.
(B) Reflects the net cash effect of the following transactions (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
.Cash contribution to WRP Newco at Contribution.................... $ 17,732
.ERP Operating Partnership's purchase of WRP Newco Common.......... 3,500
.Acquisition of properties......................................... (20,400)
--------
$ 832
========
</TABLE>
(C) Represents the 277 Park Loan, a $20 million portion of an $80 million
subordinated mezzanine loan bearing interest at approximately 11.75% per
annum.
(D) Represents draws on the credit facility to fund acquisitions and the 277
Park Loan.
(E) Represents ERP Operating Partnership's 20% minority interest in Palomino
Park, which has been combined in the Company's Pro Forma Combined Balance
Sheet.
(F) Represents the aggregate of the shares of WRP Newco Common issued in
connection with the Distribution (one share for every four shares of
Wellsford Common), the approximately 225,000 shares to be issued in
connection with the acquisition of the commercial properties, and the
350,000 shares (estimated) of WRP Newco Class A Common to be purchased by
ERP Operating Partnership for $3.5 million.
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF WRP NEWCO
The following summary of the terms of WRP Newco's stock does not purport to
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to
Maryland law, WRP Newco's Charter and Bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to
the registration statement on Form 10 filed by WRP Newco. See "Additional
Information."
GENERAL
The Charter of WRP Newco (the "Newco Charter") authorizes up to 200,000,000
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. The Board of Directors may
reclassify any unissued shares of stock in one or more classes or series of
stock. Upon completion of the Distribution and the other transactions to be
entered into upon consummation of the Merger, there will be 4,899,965 shares of
WRP Newco Common issued and outstanding (excluding the Additional Share
Offering) and 350,000 shares (estimated) of WRP Newco Class A Common issued and
outstanding. The Board of Directors has also authorized the issuance of up to
2,000,000 shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred of which 1,000,000 shares are
subject to issuance pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement and 1,000,000
shares are subject to issuance pursuant to WRP Newco's right to pay dividends
on the WRP Newco Series A Preferred by the issuance of additional shares of WRP
Newco Series A Preferred. In addition, up to 1,750,000 shares of WRP Newco
Common have been reserved for issuance under WRP Newco's 1997 Management
Incentive Plan, subject to approval of the Wellsford Common Shareholders. See
"Approval of WRP Newco's 1997 Management Incentive Plan."
WRP Newco also intends to issue up to approximately 10,000,000 shares of WRP
Newco Common, excluding any over-allotment option, if any, in connection with
WRP Newco's Additional Share Offering upon which the shareholders of Wellsford
are being asked to vote. See "Approval of WRP Newco Additional Share Offering."
At present, there is no established trading market for the WRP Newco Common.
WRP Newco has applied for listing of the WRP Newco Common on the ASE under the
symbol "WRP." The United States Trust Company of New York will act as transfer
agent and registrar of the WRP Newco Common.
Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for the
corporation's debts and obligations.
WRP Newco intends to furnish to its stockholders an annual report containing
audited consolidated financial statements and an opinion thereon expressed by
an independent public accounting firm.
COMMON STOCK
All shares of WRP Newco Common to be issued in connection with the
Distribution and the other transactions to be entered into upon consummation of
the Merger have been duly authorized, and will be fully paid, validly issued
and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or
series of stock, holders of shares of WRP Newco Common are entitled to receive
dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of
Directors of WRP Newco out of assets legally available therefor and to share
ratably in the assets of WRP Newco legally available for distribution to its
stockholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding up after
payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities of WRP
Newco and payment of liquidation preferences to holders of preferred stock.
Each outstanding share of WRP Newco Common entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of
directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of
stock, the holders of such shares will possess exclusive voting power. There is
no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that, except
with respect to the director elected by the holders of the WRP Newco Class A
Common, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common
can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of
the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. See "--Class A
Common Stock."
Holders of shares of WRP Newco Common have no preference, conversion,
exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive
rights to subscribe for any securities of WRP Newco. Except for the rights of
WRP Newco Class A Common described below, shares of WRP Newco Common will have
equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally may not dissolve, amend its
charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share
exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of
business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at
least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser
percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation's charter. The Newco
Charter provides for approval of consolidations, share exchanges, mergers in
which WRP
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<PAGE>
Newco is the successor, and amendments to the charter (except amendments to the
provisions relating to the classification and removal of directors or any
amendment reducing supermajority voting requirements) by the affirmative vote
of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Newco Charter authorizes the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock
in one or more series. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the
issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change
in control of WRP Newco that might involve a premium price for holders of WRP
Newco Common or otherwise be in their best interest.
CLASSIFICATION OR RECLASSIFICATION OF COMMON STOCK OR PREFERRED STOCK
The Newco Charter authorizes the Board of Directors to classify or reclassify
any unissued stock by setting or changing the numbers, designations,
preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of
redemption of any of such shares.
POWER TO ISSUE ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK
WRP Newco believes that the power of the Board of Directors to issue
additional authorized but unissued shares of WRP Newco Common and to reclassify
any unissued shares of WRP Newco Common and thereafter to cause WRP Newco to
issue such reclassified shares of stock will provide WRP Newco with increased
flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in
meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series, as
well as the WRP Newco Common, will be available for issuance without further
action by WRP Newco's stockholders, unless such action is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system
on which WRP Newco's securities may be listed or traded. Although the Board of
Directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could authorize
WRP Newco to issue a class or series that could, depending on the terms of such
class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control
of WRP Newco that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or
otherwise be in their best interest.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
Rights Generally.
Each share of WRP Newco Class A Common entitles its holder to all the rights
of a share of WRP Newco Common in addition to the rights described below.
Holders of WRP Newco Class A Common will not have any preemptive rights to
acquire other securities of WRP Newco.
Voting Rights.
Holders of WRP Newco Class A Common, as a class, may elect one director to
the WRP Newco Board of Directors (the "Class A Director") until the longer of
two years from the Closing Date or so long as (i) ERP Operating Partnership is
obligated to purchase preferred stock in WRP Newco pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement; (ii) ERP Operating Partnership has obligations pursuant to
the Agreement Regarding Palomino Park or pursuant to the Credit Enhancement
Agreement; or (iii) the aggregate liquidation value of the shares of WRP Newco
Series A Preferred owned by ERP Operating Partnership is greater than $10
million. The WRP Newco Class A Director may be removed without cause, only by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the WRP Newco Class A Common electing
such director.
For ten years after the Effective Time, WRP Newco has the right to direct the
voting of all shares of WRP Newco Class A Common owned by ERP Operating
Partnership or any of its affiliates, except as to the election of the Class A
Director or any matter relating to the rights, preferences and privileges of
the WRP Newco Class A Common.
Optional and Automatic Conversion.
Holders of WRP Newco Class A Common have the right, exercisable at any time
and from time to time, to convert all or any of such WRP Newco Class A Common
into WRP Newco Common at a conversion rate of one share of WRP Newco Common for
each share of WRP Newco Class A Common so converted, subject to adjustment. Any
outstanding shares of WRP Newco Class A Common will automatically convert, at
the conversion rate, into shares of WRP Newco Common upon the sale, transfer,
pledge or other disposition ("Transfer") of such shares of WRP Newco Class A
Common to any entity other than an affiliate of EQR or ERP Operating
Partnership.
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Adjustment of Conversion Rate.
The conversion rate in effect at any time for the WRP Newco Class A Common is
subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:
In case WRP Newco (a) reclassifies the outstanding WRP Newco Common into
shares of some other class or series of shares, (b) subdivides the outstanding
WRP Newco Common into a greater number of shares of WRP Newco Common or (c)
combines the outstanding WRP Newco Common into a smaller number of shares of
WRP Newco Common, the conversion rate immediately prior to such action shall be
adjusted so that the holder of any shares of WRP Newco Class A Common
thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number
of shares of WRP Newco Common which he would have owned immediately following
such action had such WRP Newco Class A Common been converted immediately prior
thereto.
Purchase of Shares of Voting Stock in Excess of REIT Ownership Limit.
If, an event which is undertaken or caused by WRP Newco occurs resulting in
ERP Operating Partnership, EQR or any of their affiliates owning shares of WRP
Newco Class A Common in excess of the REIT ownership limits (initially 9.9% of
the value of the voting stock of WRP Newco), then WRP Newco will purchase such
shares of WRP Newco Class A Common in excess of the REIT ownership limit at the
market price thereof.
SERIES A 8% CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
General.
The Board of Directors of WRP Newco has established a series of preferred
stock designated Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value
$25.00 per share. The maximum number of authorized shares of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred is 2,000,000.
Seniority.
With respect to the right to receive dividends and to participate in
distributions or payments in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of WRP Newco, the WRP Newco Series A Preferred will rank on a parity
with any other preferred stock of WRP Newco, and will rank senior to the WRP
Newco Common and any other class or series of shares of stock of WRP Newco
ranking, as to dividends and upon liquidation, junior to the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred (collectively the "Junior Shares"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
WRP Newco may make distributions or pay dividends in WRP Newco Common or in any
other shares of WRP Newco ranking junior to the WRP Newco Series A Preferred as
to distribution rights and liquidation preference at any time.
Dividends.
The holders of WRP Newco Series A Preferred are entitled to receive, when and
as declared by the WRP Newco Board of Directors out of any funds legally
available therefor, dividends at the rate of $2.00 per share per year, payable
in cash, except as provided below, in equal amounts quarterly on the fifteenth
(or, if not a business day, the next succeeding business day) of January,
April, July and October each year (each such day being called a "Quarterly
Dividend Date" and each period ending on a Quarterly Dividend Date being called
a "Dividend Period"). The amount of any dividend payable for the initial
Dividend Period and for any Dividend Period, shorter than a full Dividend
Period shall be prorated.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any 12 Dividend Periods, WRP Newco has the
right to pay the dividend in additional shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred
determined by dividing the total amount of the dividend to be paid in shares by
$25.00.
In the event WRP Newco fails to pay any dividend on the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred on any Quarterly Dividend Date, WRP Newco shall not pay any dividends
on any other class of stock of WRP Newco other than (i) pro rata with other
securities of WRP Newco ranking pari passu with the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred or (ii) with Junior Shares, until such dividend on the WRP Newco
Series A Preferred has been paid.
Distributions Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
WRP Newco, the holders of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred will be entitled to
receive and to be paid out of the assets of WRP Newco available for
distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or distribution is made on
any Junior Shares, the amount of $25.00 per share of
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<PAGE>
WRP Newco Series A Preferred ("Liquidation Value"), plus any accrued and
unpaid dividends thereon. If, upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up
of WRP Newco, the amounts payable with respect to the preference value of the
WRP Newco Series A Preferred and any other shares of stock of WRP Newco
ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred are not paid in full, the holders of the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred and of such other shares will share ratably in such distribution of
assets of WRP Newco in proportion to the full respective preference amounts to
which they are entitled.
Redemption
Optional Redemption. On and after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date,
WRP Newco may, at its option, redeem at any time all or any part of the
outstanding WRP Newco Series A Preferred at a price per share (the "Redemption
Price") equal to $25.00 per share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred, together
with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the date fixed for
redemption (the "Redemption Date"); provided, however, that no partial
redemption of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred may be effected if after giving
effect thereto the aggregate Liquidation Value of the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred outstanding is less than $10,000,000. The Redemption Price and all
accrued and unpaid dividends will be paid in cash; provided, however, that if
(a) a holder of WRP Newco Series A Preferred desires to convert any of its WRP
Newco Series A Preferred called for redemption but such conversion would cause
any direct or indirect holder which is classified as a REIT under Section 856
of the Code, to own, directly or indirectly, more than 9.9% of the outstanding
voting stock of WRP Newco or would otherwise cause any direct or indirect
holder of such outstanding voting stock to lose its status as a REIT under the
Code, and (b) such holder has so notified WRP Newco in writing prior to the
Redemption Date, stating the number of shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred
which have been called for redemption which such holder is unable to convert
for such reason (such shares being referred to as the "Unconvertible Shares"),
then WRP Newco shall pay, in cash, the Redemption Price plus all accrued and
unpaid dividends for each Unconvertible Share and shall issue to such holder a
warrant to purchase the number of shares of WRP Newco Common equal to (i) the
fair market value of a share of WRP Newco Common on the Redemption Date
(calculated pursuant to the terms of the Articles Supplementary) over the
Redemption Price, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of WRP Newco Common
into which the Unconvertible Shares redeemed from such holder were convertible
immediately prior to such redemption, and divided by (iii) the fair market
value of a share of WRP Newco Common on the Redemption Date. Such warrant
shall be exercisable without cost to the holder thereof at any time and from
time to time for a period of 10 years from the date of issuance of such
warrant. The warrant shall be on such terms and conditions as are customarily
contained in like warrants, including provisions to protect the holder of the
warrant from dilution. WRP Newco shall have the right, at any time, to redeem
such warrant at a price equal to the fair market value of such warrant on the
date of any such redemption.
Required Redemption. Upon the (A) (i) non-payment by WRP Newco of any
dividend on the Quarterly Dividend Date applicable to such dividend for three
Dividend Periods which need not be consecutive or (ii) failure by WRP Newco to
comply with any term or obligations under the Articles Supplementary (the
occurrences in (i) and (ii) each called an "Event of Default") or (B) on and
after the fifteenth anniversary of the Closing Date, whichever comes first,
the holder of any shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred may, at its option,
cause WRP Newco to redeem at any time all of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred
held by such holder at $25.00 per share, payable in cash, together with all
accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the Redemption Date.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous sentence, provided an Event of
Default has not occurred, WRP Newco has the right to extend the date during
which a required redemption is not permitted for three separate additional
five year periods if the dividend rate on the WRP Newco Series A Preferred is
changed to the then market rate of comparable preferred stock (the "Market
Rate") on the first day of each such additional five year period; provided,
however, in no event shall the dividend be reduced to less than $2.00 per
share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred. The Market Rate shall be determined by
mutual agreement of the holders of WRP Newco Series A Preferred Stock and WRP
Newco or, if they cannot agree, by an investment banking firm under the
procedure set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
Voting Rights
The holders of WRP Newco Series A Preferred are not entitled to vote on any
matter except as provided below; provided, however, the holders of WRP Newco
Series A Preferred are not to have any voting rights to the extent such rights
will cause any holder of WRP Newco Series A Preferred to own more than 9.9% of
the outstanding voting stock of WRP Newco or otherwise cause any holder of WRP
Newco Series A Preferred that is classified as a REIT under Section 856 of the
Code to lose its status as a REIT under the Code.
So long as any shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred remain outstanding,
WRP Newco will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred outstanding at the
time, (i) authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or issued
amount of, any class or series of shares of capital stock
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ranking prior to the WRP Newco Series A Preferred with respect to the payment
of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up or reclassify any authorized shares of stock of WRP Newco into such
shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible
into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter
or repeal the provisions of the WRP Newco Charter or the Articles Supplementary
classifying the WRP Newco Series A Preferred, whether by merger, consolidation
or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely affect any right,
preference, privilege or voting power of the WRP Newco Series A Preferred or
the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any
of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the shares of WRP Newco
Series A Preferred remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially
unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, WRP Newco
may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event will not be
deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges
or voting power of holders of WRP Newco Series A Preferred and provided further
that (x) any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued shares of
preferred stock of WRP Newco or the creation or issuance of any other preferred
stock of WRP Newco, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized or issued
shares of WRP Newco Series A Preferred or any other preferred stock of WRP
Newco, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the WRP Newco Series
A Preferred with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially
and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
Rights of Conversion.
Holders of WRP Newco Series A Preferred shall have the right, exercisable at
any time and from time to time, except in the case of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred called for redemption, to convert all or any of such WRP Newco Series
A Preferred into WRP Newco Common at a conversion price per share of WRP Newco
Common equal to (a) (i) the net book value per share of WRP Newco Common on the
Closing Date or (ii) in the event any sales of WRP Newco Common to any
institutional purchasers have taken place on or prior to the Closing Date or
are subject to a commitment to purchase from an institutional purchaser made on
or prior to the Closing Date, the average per share sale price of WRP Newco
Common sold to institutional purchasers on or prior to the Closing Date and
subject to written commitments to purchase from institutional purchasers
received on or prior to the Closing Date, multiplied by (b) 1.08 (the
"Conversion Price"). In the case of WRP Newco Series A Preferred called for
redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business on the last
business day preceding the Redemption Date.
Adjustments of Conversion Rate.
The conversion rate in effect at any time for the WRP Newco Series A
Preferred is subject to adjustment from time to time to protect against certain
dilutive events.
In case WRP Newco (1) pays or makes a distribution in shares of WRP Newco
Common to holders of the WRP Newco Common, (2) reclassifies the outstanding WRP
Newco Common into shares of some other class or series of shares,
(3) subdivides the outstanding WRP Newco Common into a greater number of shares
of WRP Newco Common or (4) combines the outstanding WRP Newco Common into a
smaller number of shares of WRP Newco Common, the conversion rate immediately
prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the holder of any shares of WRP
Newco Series A Preferred thereafter surrendered for conversion will be entitled
to receive the number of shares of WRP Newco Common which he would have owned
immediately following such action had such WRP Newco Series A Preferred been
converted immediately prior to such event.
In case WRP Newco issues rights, options or warrants to all holders of the
WRP Newco Common entitling them to subscribe for or purchase WRP Newco Common
(or securities convertible into WRP Newco Common) at a price per share less
than the current market price (as determined pursuant to the Articles
Supplementary) of the WRP Newco Common on such record date, the number of
shares of WRP Newco Common into which each share of WRP Newco Series A
Preferred is convertible will be adjusted so that the same shall be equal to
the number determined by multiplying the number of shares of WRP Newco Common
into which such share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred was convertible
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the number of shares of WRP Newco Common outstanding on such record
date plus the number of additional shares of WRP Newco Common offered (or into
which the convertible securities so offered are convertible), and of which the
denominator shall be the number of shares of WRP Newco Common outstanding on
such record date, plus the number of shares of WRP Newco Common which the
aggregate offering price of the additional shares of WRP Newco Common offered
(or into which the convertible securities so offered are convertible) would
purchase at such current market price.
In case WRP Newco distributes to all holders of WRP Newco Common any class of
shares of capital stock other than WRP Newco Common, evidences of indebtedness
or assets of WRP Newco (other than cash distributions out of current or
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retained earnings), or distributes to all holders of WRP Newco Common rights or
warrants to subscribe for securities other than those referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph, then in each case the number of shares of WRP
Newco Common into which each share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred will be
convertible will be adjusted so that the same shall equal the number determined
by multiplying the number of shares of WRP Newco Common into which such share
of WRP Newco Series A Preferred was convertible immediately prior to the date
of such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current
market price of the WRP Newco Common on the record date mentioned below, and of
which the denominator shall be such current market price of the WRP Newco
Common, less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of
Directors) of the portion of the securities or assets so distributed or of such
subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of WRP Newco Common.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that WRP Newco distributes rights
or warrants (other than those referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph) ("Rights") pro rata to holders of the WRP Newco Common, WRP Newco
may, in lieu of making any adjustment pursuant to this paragraph make proper
provision so that each holder of a share of WRP Newco Series A Preferred who
converts such share after the record date for such distribution and prior to
the expiration or redemption of the Rights shall be entitled to receive upon
such conversion, in addition to the WRP Newco Common issuable upon such
conversion (the "Conversion Shares"), a number of Rights to be determined as
follows: (1) if such conversion occurs on or prior to the date for the
distribution to the holders of Rights of separate certificates evidencing such
Rights (the "Distribution Date"), the same number of Rights to which a holder
of a number of shares of WRP Newco Common equal to the number of Conversion
Shares is entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with the terms
and provisions of and applicable to the Rights; and (2) if such conversion
occurs after the Distribution Date, the same number of Rights to which a holder
of the number of shares of WRP Newco Common into which a share of WRP Newco
Series A Preferred so converted was convertible immediately prior to the
Distribution Date would have been entitled on the Distribution Date in
accordance with the terms and provisions of and applicable to the Rights.
Options.
So long as any WRP Newco Series A Preferred is outstanding, WRP Newco may not
issue any options to purchase shares of WRP Newco ("Employee Stock Options") to
officers, directors or employees of or consultants to, WRP Newco, whether
pursuant to employee stock option or purchase plans of WRP Newco or employment
or consulting agreements or otherwise for an exercise price which is less than
the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. In the event the
number of shares of WRP Newco Common subject to Employee Stock Options
(excluding any Employee Stock Options granted in exchange for Wellsford share
options existing at the Effective Time) at any time exceeds, in the aggregate,
10% of the WRP Newco Common outstanding at such time, all Employee Stock
Options outstanding at such time in excess of such 10%, shall be deemed for
certain anti-dilution purposes to have an exercise price per share equal to 20%
of the average fair market value of a share of WRP Newco Common on the date of
grant of those shares subject to Employee Stock Options most recently granted
in excess of such 10%.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF
WRP NEWCO'S CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following is a summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and WRP
Newco's Charter and Bylaws and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Newco Charter and Bylaws, copies of which are attached as exhibits to the
registration statement on Form 10 filed by WRP Newco. See "Additional
Information."
CLASSIFICATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Bylaws provide that the number of directors of WRP Newco may be
established by the Board of Directors but may not be fewer than the minimum
number required by Maryland law, which is three, nor more than 15. Any vacancy
will be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for
that purpose, by a majority of the remaining directors. A vacancy resulting
from an increase in the number of directors must be filled by a majority of the
entire Board of Directors.
Pursuant to the Newco Charter, the Board of Directors is divided into three
classes of directors. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes
will expire at the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 1998, 1999 and
2000, respectively. Beginning in 1998, directors of each class will be chosen
for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year
one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. The members of each
such class will hold office until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. WRP Newco believes that classification of the Board of Directors
will help to assure the continuity and stability of WRP Newco's business
strategies and policies as determined by the Board of Directors. Holders of
shares of WRP Newco Common have no right to cumulative voting in the election
of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders
of a majority of the shares of WRP Newco Common are able to elect all of the
successors of the class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting.
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Classification of the Board of Directors could have the effect of making the
removal of incumbent directors more time-consuming and difficult, which could
discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to
obtain control of WRP Newco, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to
WRP Newco and its stockholders. At least two annual meetings of stockholders,
instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of
the Board of Directors. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the
likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions.
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
The Newco Charter provides that, except as provided in the next sentence, a
director may be removed only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors
(i.e., the votes attributable to all outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common).
The Class A Director may be removed, without cause, only by the affirmative
vote of at least a majority of the WRP Newco Class A Common electing such Class
A Director.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer
or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland
corporation and (i) any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting
power of the corporation's shares or (ii) an Interested Stockholder or (iii) an
affiliate of an Interested Stockholder are prohibited for five years after the
most recent date on which the Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested
Stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by
the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote
of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
shares of voting stock of the corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than
shares held by the Interested Stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate)
the business combination is to be effected, unless, among other conditions, the
corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the
MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same
form previously paid by the Interested Stockholder for its shares. These
provisions of Maryland law do not apply, however, to business combinations that
are approved or exempted by the board of directors of the corporation prior to
the time that the Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder. The
directors of WRP Newco have exempted from the Maryland statute any business
combinations with Jeffrey H. Lynford or Edward Lowenthal or any of their
affiliates or any other person acting in concert or as a group with any of such
persons.
AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The Newco Charter may be amended only by the affirmative vote of a majority
of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except that any
amendment to the sections of the charter that address the number,
classification or removal of directors, or any amendment providing that the
stockholders may approve an action by a lesser percentage of votes than that
required by law will be valid only if approved by the affirmative vote of two-
thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Board of
Directors of WRP Newco has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any
provision of the Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE OF ASSETS
A sale of all or substantially all of the assets of WRP Newco or a merger in
which WRP Newco is not the successor must be approved by the affirmative vote
of two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A
consolidation or share exchange or a merger in which WRP Newco is the successor
need be approved only by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to
cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
DISSOLUTION OF WRP NEWCO
The dissolution of WRP Newco must be approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS AND NEW BUSINESS
The Bylaws of WRP Newco provide that (a) with respect to an annual meeting of
stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and
the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only
(i) pursuant to WRP Newco's notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction
of the Board of Directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at
the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in
the Bylaws and (b) with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the
business specified in WRP Newco's notice of
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meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of
persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made only (i) pursuant to
WRP Newco's notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, or (iii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that
directors shall be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to
vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set
forth in the Bylaws.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
WRP Newco's Bylaws provide that annual meetings of stockholders shall be held
on a date and at the time set by the Board of Directors during the month of May
each year (commencing in May 1998). Special meetings of the stockholders may be
called by (i) the Chairman of the Board of WRP Newco, (ii) the President of WRP
Newco, (iii) the Chief Executive Officer of WRP Newco or (iv) the Board of
Directors. As permitted by the MGCL, the Bylaws provide that special meetings
must be called by the Secretary of WRP Newco upon the written request of the
holders of shares entitled also to cast not less than a majority of all of the
votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.
WRP Newco's Bylaws provide that any stockholder of record wishing to nominate
a director or have a stockholder proposal considered at an annual meeting
(except for stockholder proposals included in WRP Newco proxy materials
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
must provide written notice and certain supporting documentation to WRP Newco
relating to the nomination or proposal not later than 60 days nor earlier than
90 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year's annual meeting or
special meeting in lieu thereof (the "Anniversary Date"). In the event that the
annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 calendar days before or delayed more
than 60 days from the Anniversary Date, stockholders generally must provide
written notice no earlier than 90 days prior to such annual meeting nor later
than the later of 60 days prior to such annual meeting or 10 days following the
date on which notice of the meeting is mailed to stockholders.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give WRP Newco advance notice of
nominations and other business is to afford the Board of Directors a meaningful
opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the
advisability of the other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary
or desirable by the Board of Directors, to inform stockholders and make
recommendations about the qualifications or business, as well as to provide a
more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although WRP
Newco's Bylaws do not give the Board of Directors any power to disapprove
stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action,
they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors
or the consideration of stockholder proposals if the proper procedures are not
followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a
solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its
own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of the nominees or
proposals might be harmful or beneficial to WRP Newco and its stockholders.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision
limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its
stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual
receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b)
active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being
material to the cause of action. The Newco Charter contains such a provision
which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland
law.
The Newco Charter authorizes WRP Newco, to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law, to obligate itself to indemnify and to pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any
present or former director or officer or (b) any individual who, while a
director of WRP Newco, and at the request of WRP Newco, serves or has served
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan,
limited liability company or any other enterprise as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, manager or member of such corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan, limited liability company or other
enterprise. The Bylaws of WRP Newco obligate it, to the maximum extent
permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable
expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any present or
former director or officer who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of
his service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director of WRP
Newco and at the request of WRP Newco, serves or has served another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, limited
liability company or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, manager or member of such corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan, limited liability company or other enterprise and
who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that
capacity. The Newco Charter and Bylaws also permit WRP Newco to indemnify and
advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of WRP Newco in any of
the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of WRP Newco or a
predecessor of WRP Newco.
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The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which
the Newco Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to
which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. The MGCL
permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and
officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding
to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other
capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the
director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding
and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an
improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of
any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation
may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the
corporation. In addition, the MGCL requires WRP Newco, as a condition to
advancing expenses, to obtain (a) a written affirmation by the director or
officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct
necessary for indemnification by WRP Newco as authorized by the Bylaws and (b)
a written statement by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed
by WRP Newco if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct
was not met.
PROPOSAL TO
APPROVE WRP NEWCO ADDITIONAL SHARE OFFERING
The Board of Trustees of Wellsford and the Board of Directors of WRP Newco
have approved the issuance by WRP Newco of up to 12,000,000 shares of WRP Newco
Common (the "Additional Shares"), subject to further approval by the Wellsford
Common Shareholders solely to satisfy the requirements of the ASE. Such
approval would not constitute approval of any other related transactions by
Wellsford, WRP Newco or any of their affiliates. The purchase price for the
Additional Shares will be determined by the Board of Directors of WRP Newco
based upon prevailing market conditions. WRP Newco anticipates that the
offering of the Additional Shares will be made to a limited number of investors
in a private placement or in a registered offering to be filed with the
Commission under the Securities Act.
The Board of Trustees of Wellsford and the Board of Directors of WRP Newco
believe that the WRP Newco Additional Share Offering will provide more capital
available for investment, enhance WRP Newco's capital structure and increase
the liquidity of WRP Newco Common. However, the equity of existing stockholders
would be diluted if the purchase price for the Additional Shares is less than
the book value of WRP Newco Common on the date of the Distribution.
In addition, if all of the Additional Shares are issued and no other shares
have been issued after the Distribution and prior to the WRP Newco Additional
Share Offering, the owners of the Additional Shares will own approximately 70%
of the then outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common. The nature and
concentration of ownership of such Additional Shares could result in a change
of control of the Company.
The proceeds of this offering, after payment of underwriters' commissions and
other offering expenses, will be used to repay loans of up to $50 million to be
made to WRP Newco, and interest thereon, and for investments, other business
activities and working capital. The loans are expected to be made under the WRP
Newco Line of Credit. As of the date hereof, WRP Newco does not have any
agreements, understandings or commitments to make any specific investments with
such proceeds. In the normal course of business, however, WRP Newco is
continually evaluating a number of potential investments and entering into non-
binding letters of intent. In accordance with the Newco Charter, WRP Newco may
make additional investments without the consent of its stockholders.
WRP Newco anticipates that purchasers of Additional Shares will be able to
sell such shares in the public market immediately or shortly after purchase.
The existence of the Additional Shares in the public market could adversely
affect the market price for shares of WRP Newco Common.
The Additional Shares will have the same terms as all other shares of WRP
Newco Common with respect to dividends, voting, ownership and any other
right(s) and limitation(s) pertaining to shares of WRP Newco Common generally.
However, as would be the case with respect to any issuance of equity voting
securities, the Additional Shares, if issued, will dilute the relative voting
power of the issued and outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WELLSFORD AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WRP NEWCO
RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE WRP NEWCO ADDITIONAL
SHARE OFFERING.
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PROPOSAL TO
APPROVE WRP NEWCO'S 1997 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
General. The Board of Directors of WRP Newco has approved, subject to the
approval of the shareholders, the 1997 Management Incentive Plan (the
"Management Incentive Plan"). The purpose of the Management Incentive Plan is
to align the interests of WRP Newco's directors, executive officers and
employees with those of the stockholders and to enable WRP Newco to attract,
compensate and retain directors, executive officers and employees and provide
them with appropriate incentives and rewards for their performance. The
existence of the Management Incentive Plan should enable the Company to compete
more effectively for the services of such individuals. The officers, directors
and employees of WRP Newco who receive awards under the Management Incentive
Plan may receive a greater economic benefit to the extent the fair market value
of WRP Newco Common increases. However, the equity of existing stockholders
would be diluted if shares of WRP Newco Common were issued pursuant to the
Management Incentive Plan at prices less than their then current fair market
value. In addition, the issuance of a substantial number of shares of WRP Newco
Common under the Management Incentive Plan or their sale in the public market
might adversely affect prevailing market prices for such shares.
Awards to directors, executive officers and other employees under the
Management Incentive Plan may take the form of share options ("Options"),
including corresponding share appreciation rights ("SARs") and reload options,
restricted share awards and share purchase awards. The maximum number of shares
of WRP Newco Common that may be the subject of awards under the Management
Incentive Plan is 1,750,000 shares.
Share Authorization. Shares of WRP Newco Common covered by any unexercised
portions of terminated Options, shares of WRP Newco Common forfeited by
participants and shares of WRP Newco Common subject to any awards that are
otherwise surrendered by a participant without receiving any payment or other
benefit with respect thereto may again be subject to new awards under the
Management Incentive Plan. In the event the purchase price of an Option is paid
in whole or in part through the delivery of shares of WRP Newco Common, the
number of shares of WRP Newco Common issuable in connection with the exercise
of the Option shall not again be available for the grant of awards under the
Management Incentive Plan. Shares of WRP Newco Common subject to Options, or
portions thereof, with respect to which SARs are exercised, are not again
available for the grant of awards under the Management Incentive Plan. The
shares of WRP Newco Common to be issued or delivered under the Management
Incentive Plan are authorized and unissued shares, or issued shares of WRP
Newco Common that have been reacquired by WRP Newco.
Management Incentive Plan Administration. The Management Incentive Plan will
be administered by a committee of two or more non-employee directors (the
"Committee"), which will initially consist of Messrs. Du Bois and Germain. The
Committee will determine the directors, executive officers and other employees
who will be eligible for and granted awards, determine the amount and type of
awards, establish rules and guidelines relating to the Management Incentive
Plan, establish, modify and terminate the terms and conditions of awards and
take such other action as may be necessary for the proper administration of the
Management Incentive Plan. All employees and non-employee directors are
currently eligible to participate in the Management Incentive Plan.
Options. "Incentive Options" meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the
Code, and "Nonqualified Options" that do not meet such requirements are both
available for grant under the Management Incentive Plan. The term of each
Option will be determined by the Committee, but no Incentive Option will be
exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant. Options may also be
subject to restrictions on exercise, such as exercise in periodic installments,
as determined by the Committee. The exercise price for Incentive Options must
be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the shares of WRP Newco
Common on the date of grant and the exercise price for Nonqualified Options
will be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The exercise price
can be paid in cash, or if approved by the Committee, by tendering shares
(actually or constructively) of WRP Newco Common owned by a participant.
Incentive Options are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent
and distribution and may be exercised only by the participant (or his guardian
or legal representative) during his or her lifetime, except as provided below.
Nonqualified Options may be transferable to family members and entities for the
benefit of the participant or his family members. If a participant's employment
with WRP Newco or service as a director terminates for any reason (other than
death or disability), any unexercised or unexpired Options held by the
participant (or its permitted transferee) will be deemed cancelled and
terminated on the date of such termination, unless the Committee decides to
extend the term of such Options for a period not exceeding three months. In the
case of a non-employee director, however, if such participant's service as a
director terminates by reason of death, disability, or under mutually
satisfactory conditions, any unexercised or unexpired Nonqualified Options held
by the participant (or its permitted transferee) will be exercisable for a
period of five years from the date of such termination or until the expiration
of the Option, whichever is shorter. If a participant dies while employed by
WRP Newco, including an employee who is also a director, any unexercised or
unexpired Options will, to the extent
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exercisable on the date of death, be exercisable by the holder or by the
participant's estate or by any person who acquired such Options by bequest or
inheritance, at any time generally within one year after such death. If a
participant becomes totally disabled and his employment terminates as a result
of such disability, including an employee who is also a director, the holder or
the participant (or his guardian or legal representative) will have the
unqualified right to exercise any unexercised and unexpired Options held by the
participant (or its permitted transferee) generally for one year after such
termination.
Share Appreciation Rights. The Management Incentive Plan provides that SARs
may be granted in connection with a grant of Options. Each SAR must be
associated with a specific Option and must be granted at the time of grant of
such Option. A SAR is exercisable only to the extent the related Option is
exercisable. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the recipient is entitled to receive
from WRP Newco, without the payment of any cash (except for any applicable
withholding taxes), up to, but no more than, an amount in cash or shares of WRP
Newco Common equal to the excess of (A) the fair market value of one Common
Share on the date of such exercise over (B) the exercise price of any related
Option, times the number of shares of WRP Newco Common in respect of which such
SAR shall have been exercised. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the related share
Option, or the portion thereof in respect of which such SAR is exercised, will
terminate. Upon the exercise of an Option granted in tandem with a SAR, such
tandem SAR will terminate.
Reload Options. The Committee may grant, concurrently with the award of any
Option (each an "Underlying Option") to such participants, one or more reload
options (each a "Reload Option") to purchase for cash or, if permissible under
the Underlying Option, shares of WRP Newco Common, a number of shares of WRP
Newco Common equal to the number of shares of WRP Newco Common delivered (or
deemed delivered) by the participant to WRP Newco to exercise the Underlying
Option. Although an Underlying Option may be an Incentive Option, a Reload
Option is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Option. A Reload Option may
be granted in connection with the exercise of an Option that is itself a Reload
Option. Each Reload Option will have the same expiration date as the Underlying
Option and an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares of
WRP Newco Common on the date of grant of the Reload Option. A Reload Option is
exercisable immediately.
Reload Options permit a participant to retain, through the term of the
original Option, his or her economic interest in the sum of the shares of WRP
Newco Common covered by such Options as well as the already-owned shares of WRP
Newco Common that could be used to exercise such Option, by granting options on
the number of shares of WRP Newco Common used to pay the exercise price of the
original Option and subsequent Reload Options. In this way, Reload Options
provide a participant with the opportunity to build up ownership of shares of
WRP Newco Common covered by an original Option earlier during the Option term
rather than through a single exercise at or near the end of the Option term.
Restricted Shares. WRP Newco may award restricted shares of WRP Newco Common
to a participant. Such a grant gives a participant the right to receive shares
of WRP Newco Common subject to a risk of forfeiture based upon certain
conditions. The forfeiture restrictions on the shares of WRP Newco Common may
be based upon performance standards, length of service or other criteria as the
Committee may determine. Until all restrictions are satisfied, lapsed or
waived, WRP Newco will maintain custody over the restricted shares of WRP Newco
Common but the participant will be able to vote the shares of WRP Newco Common
and will be entitled to an amount equal to all distributions, if any, paid with
respect to the shares of WRP Newco Common, as provided by the Committee. During
such restrictive period, the restricted shares of WRP Newco Common may not be
sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered. Upon termination
of employment, the participant generally forfeits the right to the shares of
WRP Newco Common to the extent the applicable performance standards, length of
service requirements, or other measurement criteria have not been met.
Share Purchase Awards. The Management Incentive Plan also permits the grant
of share purchase awards to participants. Participants who are granted a share
purchase award are provided with a share purchase loan to enable them to pay
the purchase price for the shares of WRP Newco Common acquired pursuant to the
award. The terms of each share purchase loan will be determined by the
Committee. The purchase price of shares of WRP Newco Common acquired with a
share purchase loan is the fair market value on the date of the award. The
Management Incentive Plan provides that some or all of a share purchase loan
can be forgiven under terms determined by the Committee. At the end of the loan
term, the remainder of the share purchase loan will be due and payable. The
interest rate, if any, on a share purchase loan will be determined by the
Committee. Share purchase loans may be recourse or nonrecourse under terms
determined by the Committee.
If a participant's employment with WRP Newco is terminated for any reason
other than death, disability or termination without "cause," the balance of the
share purchase loans to such participant will be immediately due and payable.
If a participant's employment terminates by reason of death, disability or
termination without "cause," the balance of such participant's share purchase
loans may be forgiven in full at the discretion of the Committee.
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Antidilution Provisions. The number of shares of WRP Newco Common authorized
to be issued under the Management Incentive Plan and subject to outstanding
awards (and the grant or exercise price thereof) may be adjusted to prevent
dilution or enlargement of rights in the event of any dividend or other
distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase or exchange of shares of WRP Newco Common or other securities, or
other similar capitalization change.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Management Incentive Plan. The
following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences
of awards under the Management Incentive Plan. The summary is based upon
current federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof, all of which are
subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. The summary is
not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state,
local or foreign tax consequences.
In general, a participant is not subject to federal income tax either at the
time of grant or at the time of exercise of an Incentive Option. However, upon
exercise, the difference between the fair market value of the shares of WRP
Newco Common and the exercise price is a tax preference item subject to the
possible application of the alternative minimum tax. If a participant does not
dispose of shares of WRP Newco Common acquired through the exercise of an
Incentive Option in a "disqualifying disposition" (i.e., no disposition occurs
within two years from the date of grant of the share option nor within one year
of the transfer of the shares of WRP Newco Common to the participant), then the
participant will be taxed only upon the gain, if any, from the sale of such
shares of WRP Newco Common, and such gain will be taxable as gain from the sale
of a capital asset.
WRP Newco will not receive any tax deduction on the exercise of an Incentive
Option or, if the above holding period requirements are met, on the sale of the
underlying shares of WRP Newco Common. If there is a disqualifying disposition
(i.e., one of the holding period requirements is not met), the participant will
be treated as receiving compensation subject to ordinary income tax in the year
of the disqualifying disposition and WRP Newco will be entitled to a deduction
for compensation expense in an amount equal to the amount included in income by
the participant. The participant generally will be required to include in
income an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the
shares of WRP Newco Common at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Any
appreciation in value after the time of exercise will be taxed as capital gain
and will not result in any deduction by WRP Newco.
If Nonqualified Options are granted to a participant, there are no federal
income tax consequences at the time of grant. Upon exercise of the Option, the
participant must report as ordinary income an amount equal to the difference
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares of WRP Newco
Common on the date of exercise. WRP Newco will receive a tax deduction in like
amount. Any appreciation in value after the time of exercise will be taxed as
capital gain and will not result in any deduction by WRP Newco.
No income will be realized by a participant in connection with the grant of
any SAR. The participant must include in ordinary income the amount of cash
received and the fair market value on the exercise date of any shares of WRP
Newco Common received upon the exercise of a SAR. WRP Newco will be entitled to
a deduction equal to the amount included in such participant's income by reason
of the exercise of any SAR.
The receipt of a Reload Option by a holder of an Incentive Option or a
Nonqualified Option (including a Reload Option) who pays the exercise price in
full or in part with previously acquired shares of WRP Newco Common should not
affect the tax treatment of the exercise of such Incentive or Nonqualified
Option (including the amount of ordinary income, if any, recognized upon
exercise). A participant will not be subject to tax at the time a Reload Option
is granted (except for any income recognized upon the exercise of a
Nonqualified Option at the time of grant of the Reload Option). A Reload Option
will constitute a Nonqualified Option for federal income tax purposes and will
be taxed as such in the manner set forth above.
A grant of restricted shares of WRP Newco Common does not constitute a
taxable event for either a participant or WRP Newco. However, the participant
will be subject to tax, at ordinary income rates, when the shares of WRP Newco
Common are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or they become
transferable. WRP Newco will be entitled to take a commensurate deduction at
that time.
A participant may elect to recognize taxable ordinary income at the time
restricted shares of WRP Newco Common are awarded in an amount equal to the
fair market value of the shares of WRP Newco Common at the time of grant,
determined without regard to any forfeiture restrictions. If such an election
is made, WRP Newco will be entitled to a deduction at that time in the same
amount. Future appreciation on the shares of WRP Newco Common will be taxed at
the capital gains rate when the shares of WRP Newco Common are sold. However,
if, after making such an election, the shares of WRP Newco Common are
forfeited, the participant will be unable to claim a deduction.
146
<PAGE>
In general, a participant who receives a share purchase award incurs no tax
liability and WRP Newco does not receive any deduction at the time shares of
WRP Newco Common are acquired through a share purchase award. However, as the
share purchase loan is forgiven, the participant will be required to recognize
income in an amount equal to the forgiven portion of the loan. WRP Newco will
be entitled to take a commensurate deduction at such time.
Applicable withholding taxes may be withheld in connection with any award
under the Management Incentive Plan. In that regard, the Committee has the
discretion to allow a participant to satisfy its withholding tax obligations
with shares of WRP Newco Common.
Change in Control. Depending on the terms of a particular award as determined
by the Committee, upon the occurrence of a change in control of WRP Newco, all
options and related SARs may become immediately exercisable, the restricted
shares of WRP Newco Common may fully vest and share purchase loans may be
forgiven in full.
Termination, Amendment and ERISA Status. The Management Incentive Plan will
terminate by its terms and without any action by the Board on the tenth
anniversary of the date of its effectiveness. No awards may be made after that
date. Awards outstanding on such date will remain valid in accordance with
their terms.
The Committee may amend or alter the terms of awards under the Management
Incentive Plan, including to provide for the forgiveness in whole or in part of
share purchase loans, the release of the shares of WRP Newco Common securing
such loans or the termination or modification of the vesting or performance
provisions of the grants of restricted shares of WRP Newco Common but no such
action shall in any way impair the rights of a participant under any award
without such participant's consent.
The Committee may amend or terminate the Management Incentive Plan. No such
amendments or termination of the Management Incentive Plan shall in any way
impair the rights of a participant under any award previously granted without
such participant's consent. In addition, any amendment or termination will be
subject to shareholder approval if approval is required by Federal or state law
or regulation or rule of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the
shares of WRP Newco Common are listed or quoted.
The Management Incentive Plan is not subject to the provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1976, as amended.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WELLSFORD AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WRP NEWCO
RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE WRP NEWCO'S 1997 MANAGEMENT
INCENTIVE PLAN.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Merger will be passed upon for
EQR by Rudnick & Wolfe, Chicago, Illinois and Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.,
Chicago, Illinois. Errol R. Halperin, a partner of Rudnick & Wolfe, is a
trustee of EQR. Attorneys of Rudnick & Wolfe beneficially own less than 1% of
the outstanding EQR Common, either directly or upon the exercise of options.
Sheli Z. Rosenberg, a principal of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., is a trustee
of EQR. Attorneys of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C. beneficially own less than
1% of the outstanding EQR Common, either directly or upon the exercise of
options. Certain legal matters in connection with the Merger will be passed
upon for Wellsford by Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP, New
York, New York. Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, Baltimore, Maryland, will
pass upon certain matters of Maryland law relating to the Merger Agreement and
Articles under Maryland law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of EQR and its subsidiaries for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 incorporated herein by reference have
been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated in this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The combined financial statements of WRP Newco (Predecessor), at December 31,
1996 and 1995 and for the year ended December 31, 1996, and for the period from
March 22 to December 31, 1995, appearing in this Joint Proxy Statement/
Prospectus/Information Statement; the consolidated financial statements of
Wellsford and its subsidiaries appearing in Wellsford's Annual Report (Form 10-
K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the consolidated financial
statements of
147
<PAGE>
EQR appearing in EQR's Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended December
31, 1996; the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses of the 1996
Acquired Properties and Probable Properties for the year ended December 31,
1995, appearing in the Current Report of EQR on Form 8-K, as amended by Form 8-
K/A, dated May 23, 1996; and the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain
Expenses of the 1996 Acquired Properties for the year ended December 31, 1995,
appearing in the Current Report of EQR on Form 8-K/A, dated November 15, 1996;
have all been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth
in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein or incorporated herein by
reference, and in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposal which a shareholder of EQR intends to present at the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of EQR, if the Merger has not been consummated prior to
the date such meeting is to be held, must have been received by the Secretary
of EQR no later than November 29, 1996 to have been eligible for inclusion in
EQR's proxy statement and proxy form relating to such meeting.
Any proposal which a shareholder of Wellsford intends to present at the 1997
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Wellsford, if the Merger has not been
consummated prior to the date such meeting is to be held, must have been
received by Wellsford at its principal executive offices on or before November
29, 1996 to have been eligible for inclusion in Wellsford's proxy statement and
proxy form relating to such meeting.
148
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
AND
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
DATED AS OF JANUARY 16, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE PAGE
------- ----
<C> <C> <S> <C>
1 The Merger........................................................... A-1
1.1 The Merger..................................................... A-1
1.2 Newco Transactions............................................. A-1
1.3 Closing........................................................ A-2
1.4 Effective Time................................................. A-2
1.5 Amendments and Restatements of Wellsford's Declaration of
Trust......................................................... A-2
1.6 Amendment and Restatement of Wellsford's Bylaws................ A-2
1.7 Trustees....................................................... A-2
1.8 Effect on Shares of Beneficial Interest and Options............ A-2
1.9 Exchange Ratio................................................. A-2
1.10 Completion of Contribution Agreement........................... A-2
1.11 Reversal of Direction of Merger................................ A-3
1.12 Change in Number of Spin-Off Shares............................ A-3
2 Representations and Warranties of Wellsford.......................... A-3
2.1 Organization, Standing and Power of Wellsford.................. A-3
2.2 Wellsford Subsidiaries......................................... A-4
2.3 Capital Structure.............................................. A-4
2.4 Authority; Noncontravention; Consents.......................... A-5
2.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities... A-6
2.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................... A-6
2.7 Litigation..................................................... A-7
2.8 Properties..................................................... A-7
2.9 Environmental Matters.......................................... A-8
2.10 Related Party Transactions..................................... A-8
2.11 Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans; ERISA Compliance.......... A-8
2.12 Employee Policies.............................................. A-9
2.13 Taxes.......................................................... A-9
2.14 No Payments to Employees, Officers, Trustees or Directors...... A-9
2.15 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses......................... A-9
2.16 Compliance with Laws........................................... A-10
2.17 Contracts; Debt Instruments.................................... A-10
2.18 Opinion of Financial Advisor................................... A-10
2.19 State Takeover Statutes........................................ A-10
2.20 Registration Statement......................................... A-10
2.21 Development Properties......................................... A-10
2.22 EQR Shares of Beneficial Interest.............................. A-10
2.23 Investment Company Act of 1940................................. A-11
2.24 Intentionally Omitted.......................................... A-11
2.25 Definition of Knowledge of Wellsford........................... A-11
3 Representations and Warranties of EQR................................ A-11
3.1 Organization, Standing and Power of EQR........................ A-11
3.2 Capital Structure.............................................. A-11
3.3 Organization, Standing and Power of ERP Operating Partnership.. A-12
3.4 Capital Structure of ERP Operating Partnership................. A-12
3.5 Authority; Noncontravention; Consents.......................... A-12
3.6 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities... A-13
3.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................... A-13
3.8 Litigation..................................................... A-13
3.9 Properties..................................................... A-14
3.10 Environmental Matters.......................................... A-14
3.11 Taxes.......................................................... A-14
3.12 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses......................... A-15
3.13 Compliance with Laws........................................... A-15
3.14 Contracts; Debt Instruments.................................... A-15
3.15 Opinion of Financial Advisor................................... A-15
3.16 State Takeover Statutes........................................ A-15
3.17 Registration Statement......................................... A-15
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE PAGE
------- ----
<C> <C> <S> <C>
3.18 Wellsford Shares of Beneficial Interest........................ A-15
3.19 Intentionally Omitted.......................................... A-15
3.20 Investment Company Act of 1940................................. A-15
3.21 Definition of Knowledge of EQR................................. A-15
4 Covenants............................................................ A-15
4.1 Acquisition Proposals.......................................... A-15
4.2 Conduct of Wellsford's Business Pending Merger................. A-16
4.3 Conduct of EQR's Business Pending Merger....................... A-18
4.4 Covenant of EQR................................................ A-19
4.5 Other Actions.................................................. A-19
4.6 Filing of Certain Reports...................................... A-19
5 Additional Covenants................................................. A-19
5.1 Preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement; Wellsford Shareholders Meeting and EQR Shareholders
Meeting....................................................... A-19
5.2 Access to Information: Confidentiality......................... A-20
5.3 Best Efforts; Notification..................................... A-20
5.4 Costs of Transaction........................................... A-21
5.5 Tax Treatment.................................................. A-21
5.6 Public Announcements........................................... A-21
5.7 Listing........................................................ A-21
5.8 Letters of Accountants......................................... A-21
5.9 Transfer and Gains Taxes....................................... A-21
5.10 Benefit Plans and Other Employee Arrangements.................. A-21
5.11 Indemnification................................................ A-22
5.12 Contribution Agreement......................................... A-23
5.13 Declaration of Dividends and Distributions..................... A-23
5.14 Consulting Agreements.......................................... A-23
5.15 Transfer of Management Company Shares.......................... A-23
5.16 Transfer of Wellsford Assets After Effective Time.............. A-23
5.17 Notices........................................................ A-24
5.18 Resignations................................................... A-24
5.19 Third Party Management Agreements.............................. A-24
5.20 Repayment of Certain Indebtedness.............................. A-24
5.21 10B-17 Notice.................................................. A-24
5.22 Denver Lease................................................... A-24
5.23 New York Lease................................................. A-24
5.24 Amendment to Articles of WPHC.................................. A-24
5.25 Completion of Articles of Merger............................... A-25
6 Conditions........................................................... A-25
6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger..... A-25
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of EQR............................... A-25
6.3 Conditions to Obligations of Wellsford......................... A-27
7 Termination, Amendment and Waiver.................................... A-28
7.1 Termination.................................................... A-28
7.2 Certain Fees and Expenses...................................... A-28
7.3 Effect of Termination.......................................... A-29
7.4 Amendment...................................................... A-29
7.5 Extension; Waiver.............................................. A-29
8 General Provisions................................................... A-30
8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.................. A-30
8.2 Notices........................................................ A-30
8.3 Interpretation................................................. A-30
8.4 Counterparts................................................... A-30
8.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries................. A-30
8.6 Governing Law.................................................. A-31
8.7 Assignment..................................................... A-31
8.8 Enforcement.................................................... A-31
8.9 Severability................................................... A-31
8.10 Non-Recourse................................................... A-31
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
Exhibit "A" --Articles of Merger
Exhibit "B" --Contribution Agreement
Exhibit "C" --Newco Stock Purchase Agreement
Exhibit "D" --Palomino Agreement
Exhibit "E" --Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement
Exhibit "F" --Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement
Exhibit "G" --Adjustment to Exchange Ratio
Exhibit "H" --Transaction Costs Agreement
Exhibit "I" --Retention Program Letter
Exhibit "J" --Key Executives
Exhibit "K" --Form of Consulting Agreement
Exhibit "L" --Form of Letter for EQR Tax Opinion
Exhibit "M" --Opinion of Counsel to Wellsford
Exhibit "N" --Form of Letter for Wellsford Tax Opinion
Exhibit "O" --Opinion of Counsel to EQR
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFINED TERM SECTION
- ------------ ---------
<S> <C>
Acquisition Proposal.................................................. 4.1(a)
Affiliate............................................................. 2.10
Agreement............................................................. Preamble
Articles of Merger.................................................... Recital C
Average Closing Price................................................. 1.9
Base Amount........................................................... 7.2
Break-Up Expenses..................................................... 7.2
Break-Up Fee.......................................................... 7.2
Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion.............................................. 7.2
Change in Control Share Grants........................................ 2.3(b)
Closing............................................................... 1.3
Closing Date.......................................................... 1.3
Code.................................................................. Recital E
Commitment............................................................ 4.2(q)
Confidentiality Agreement............................................. 5.2
Contribution Agreement................................................ Recital D
Denver Lease.......................................................... 5.22
Department............................................................ 1.4
Effective Time........................................................ 1.4
employee benefit plan................................................. 2.11(b)
Encumbrances.......................................................... 2.8(a)
EQR................................................................... Preamble
EQR Common Shares..................................................... 1.9
EQR Disclosure Letter................................................. Article 3
EQR Employee Share Plans.............................................. 3.2(a)
EQR Financial Statement Date.......................................... 3.7
EQR Material Adverse Change........................................... 3.7
EQR Material Adverse Effect........................................... 3.1
EQR Options........................................................... 3.2(a)
EQR Preferred Shares.................................................. 3.2(a)
EQR Properties........................................................ 3.9
EQR SEC Documents..................................................... 3.6
EQR Series A Preferred Shares......................................... 3.2(a)
EQR Series B Preferred Shares......................................... 3.2(a)
EQR Series C Preferred Shares......................................... 3.2(a)
EQR Shareholder Approvals............................................. 3.5(a)
EQR Shareholders Meeting.............................................. 5.1(b)
EQR Subsidiaries...................................................... 3.1
EQR Units............................................................. 3.2(c)
ERISA................................................................. 2.11(b)
ERP Operating Partnership............................................. 1.2
ERP Operating Partnership Agreement................................... 3.2(a)
Exchange Act.......................................................... 2.4(b)
Exchange Ratio........................................................ 1.9
GAAP.................................................................. 2.5
Governmental Entity................................................... 2.4(b)
Hazardous Materials................................................... 2.9
include, includes or including........................................ 8.3
Indebtedness.......................................................... 2.7(b)
Indemnified Parties................................................... 5.11(a)
IRS................................................................... 1.11
Laws.................................................................. 2.4(b)
Liens................................................................. 2.2(b)
Management Corp....................................................... 5.15
Merger................................................................ Recital B
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFINED TERM SECTION
- ------------ ---------
<S> <C>
New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions........................ 1.9
Newco................................................................. Recital D
Newco Stock Purchase Agreement........................................ 1.2(b)
NYSE.................................................................. 2.4(b)
1940 Act.............................................................. 2.23
Palomino Agreement.................................................... 1.2(c)
Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement................................. 1.2(d)
Palomino Development Agreements....................................... 4.2(i)
Payor................................................................. 7.2
Person................................................................ 2.2(a)
Property Restrictions................................................. 2.8(a)
Proxy Statement....................................................... 2.4(b)
Qualifying Income..................................................... 7.2
Recipient............................................................. 7.2
Registration Statement................................................ 5.1(a)
REIT.................................................................. 2.13(b)
REIT Requirements..................................................... 7.2
Restricted Share Grants............................................... 2.3(b)
Retention Program..................................................... 5.10(c)
Revolver Rate......................................................... 4.2
Retention Program Letter.............................................. 5.10(c)
Schedule 5.10 Employees............................................... 5.10(c)
SEC................................................................... 2.4(b)
Securities Act........................................................ 2.4(b)
Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements................................. 2.3(b)
Shareholder Approvals................................................. 3.5(a)
Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement............................... 1.2(e)
Spin-Off.............................................................. 1.2
Springing Shares...................................................... 2.3(b)
Subsidiary............................................................ 2.2(a)
Superior Acquisition Proposal......................................... 4.1
Surviving Trust....................................................... 1.1
Takeover Statute...................................................... 2.19
Taxes................................................................. 2.13(a)
Third Party Management Agreements..................................... 2.17(d)
Title 8............................................................... 1.1
to the Knowledge of EQR............................................... 3.21
to the Knowledge of Wellsford......................................... 2.25
Transaction Costs Agreement........................................... 5.4
Transfer and Gains Taxes.............................................. 5.9
Wellsford............................................................. Preamble
Wellsford Benefit Plans............................................... 2.11(a)
Wellsford Common Shares............................................... 1.2(f)
Wellsford Disclosure Letter........................................... Article 2
Wellsford Financial Statement Date.................................... 2.6
Wellsford Material Adverse Change..................................... 2.6
Wellsford Material Adverse Effect..................................... 2.1
Wellsford Options..................................................... 2.3(b)
Wellsford Properties.................................................. 2.8(a)
Wellsford SEC Documents............................................... 2.5
Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares................................... 2.3(a)
Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares................................... 2.3(a)
Wellsford Shareholder Approvals....................................... 2.4(a)
Wellsford Shareholder Meeting......................................... 5.1(c)
Wellsford Subsidiaries................................................ 2.2
WPHC.................................................................. 1.10
WPHC Non-Voting Shares................................................ 5.24
WPHC Voting Shares.................................................... 5.24
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") dated as of January 16,
1997 by and between EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("EQR"), and WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford").
RECITALS:
A. The Boards of Trustees of EQR and Wellsford deem it advisable and in the
best interests of their respective shareholders, subject to the conditions and
other provisions contained herein, that EQR acquire the assets and business of
Wellsford and operate the business under the name "Equity Residential
Properties Trust."
B. The acquisition of the assets and business of Wellsford shall be effected
by the merger of EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger").
C. Upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, EQR and Wellsford shall
execute Articles of Merger in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" (the "Articles of Merger") and shall file such articles in
accordance with Maryland law to effectuate the Merger.
D. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford shall
contribute certain of its assets to Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a
Maryland corporation ("Newco"), and that Newco shall assume certain
obligations of Wellsford, all as provided in the Contribution and Distribution
Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" (the
"Contribution Agreement").
E. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford shall
distribute to its common shareholders all the outstanding shares of Newco
owned by it in a distribution subject to income tax under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
F. For federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall
qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code.
G. EQR and Wellsford have each received a fairness opinion relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby as more fully described herein.
H. EQR and Wellsford desire to make certain representations, warranties and
agreements in connection with the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
The Merger
1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, and in accordance with Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended ("Title 8"), EQR shall
be merged with and into Wellsford, with Wellsford as the surviving real estate
investment trust (the "Surviving Trust").
1.2 NEWCO TRANSACTIONS. Wellsford, on January 8, 1997, formed Newco.
Immediately prior to the time of effectiveness of the Merger:
(a) Wellsford shall, and shall cause Newco to, execute and deliver the
Contribution Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby;
(b) EQR will cause ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited
partnership of which EQR is the sole general partner (the "ERP Operating
Partnership"), to execute and deliver, and Wellsford shall cause Newco to
execute and deliver, the Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase
Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit "C" (the
"Newco Stock Purchase Agreement");
(c) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver, and
Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit "D" (the
"Palomino Agreement");
A-1
<PAGE>
(d) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver, and
Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Credit Enhancement
Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit "E" (the
"Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement");
(e) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver, and
Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Sonterra Right of
First Offer Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
"F" (the "Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement"); and
(f) Wellsford will distribute to its common shareholders, as a
distribution taxable under Code Section 301, all the outstanding shares of
Newco owned by Wellsford as further described in the Contribution
Agreement, so that each holder of common shares of beneficial interest of
Wellsford, $0.01 par value per share ("Wellsford Common Shares"), receives
one common share of Newco for each Wellsford Common Share held by such
holder
(such transactions being referred to collectively as the "Spin-Off").
Immediately after the Effective Time (as defined below), the transactions
contemplated by the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement and
the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement which are to occur on the Closing
Date (as defined below) shall be consummated.
1.3 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger ("Closing") will take place at 10:00
a.m. on the date to be specified by the parties, which (subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6) shall be no
later than the third business day after satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth in Section 6.1(a) (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of
Rudnick & Wolfe, 203 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, unless
another date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties.
1.4 EFFECTIVE TIME. As soon as practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, the parties shall execute and
file the Articles of Merger, executed in accordance with Title 8, with the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "Department"),
and shall make all other filings and recordings required under Title 8. The
Merger shall become effective ("Effective Time") at such time as the
Department accepts the Articles of Merger for record, or at such time as EQR
and Wellsford shall agree should be specified in the Articles of Merger (not
to exceed thirty (30) days after the Articles of Merger are accepted for
record by the Department). Unless otherwise agreed, the parties shall cause
the Effective Time to occur on the Closing Date.
1.5 AMENDMENTS AND RESTATEMENTS OF WELLSFORD'S DECLARATION OF TRUST. The
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, of Wellsford shall be
amended and restated at the Effective Time as provided in the Articles of
Merger.
1.6 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF WELLSFORD'S BYLAWS. From and after the
Effective Time, the Bylaws of the Surviving Trust shall be the Bylaws of EQR
as in effect immediately prior to the Merger, until further amended or
restated in accordance therewith and Title 8.
1.7 TRUSTEES. The trustees of the Surviving Trust shall be the persons named
in the Articles of Merger, each of whom shall serve for the term specified in
the Articles of Merger.
1.8 EFFECT ON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST AND OPTIONS. The effect of the
Merger on the shares of beneficial interest, options to purchase shares of
beneficial interest and restricted share awards of each of EQR and Wellsford
shall be as provided in the Articles of Merger.
1.9 EXCHANGE RATIO. The exchange ratio to be set forth in the Articles of
Merger ("Exchange Ratio") shall be 0.625 of a common share of beneficial
interest of the Surviving Trust, $0.01 par value per share, for each Wellsford
Common Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. In the event
that the Average Closing Price (as defined below) is less than $40.00 per
share, the Exchange Ratio shall be the rate per share specified in Exhibit "G"
hereto. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Average Closing Price" shall mean
the average of the daily closing prices of a common share of beneficial
interest of EQR, $0.01 par value per share ("EQR Common Share"), reported as
"New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions" by The Wall Street Journal
(Midwest Edition) during the consecutive twenty (20) trading day period ending
at the end of the fifth (5th) trading day prior to the date which the proxy
statements required by Section 5.1 hereof are dated.
1.10 COMPLETION OF CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. At the time the Contribution
Agreement is executed, the parties shall complete the blank presently in the
Contribution Agreement for the amount of Contribution Funds (as defined in the
Contribution Agreement). The amount of the Contribution Funds shall be
$13,355,600, adjusted as follows:
(a) such amount shall be decreased by:
(i) 80% of any cash (excluding loans) invested by Wellsford or any of
its Subsidiaries in Wellsford Park Highlands Corp., a Colorado
corporation ("WPHC"), and its Subsidiaries after September 30, 1996 and
prior to the Spin-Off;
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(ii) 100% of any accrued interest on the Promissory Note dated June
28, 1996 made by Specified Properties VIII, L.P., a Texas limited
partnership, to Wellsford remaining unpaid as of the Closing Date; and
(iii) $2.50 for each share of Newco distributed to the shareholders of
Wellsford in the Spin-Off less than 17,104,359 shares; and
(b) such amount shall be increased by:
(i) 80% of the accrued interest on the Bonds (as defined in the Credit
Enhancement Agreement) which remains unpaid as of the Closing Date;
(ii) $2.50 for each share of Newco distributed to the shareholders of
Wellsford in the Spin-Off in excess of 17,104,359 shares; and
(iii) the amount, if any, provided for in Section 1(b) of the
Transaction Costs Agreement (as defined in Section 5.4).
1.11 REVERSAL OF DIRECTION OF MERGER. In order to allow counsel to opine
that the Merger, for federal income tax purposes, will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of the Code, the parties have agreed that
EQR shall be merged into Wellsford and that Wellsford shall be the Surviving
Trust. The parties will jointly file a request for a private letter ruling
with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), as soon as practicable after the
date hereof, to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that
a merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the Surviving Trust will not
adversely affect the tax-free nature of the reorganization. If such a private
letter ruling is received or in the event the IRS publishes a revenue ruling
or other published announcement (including the promulgation of a Treasury
regulation) to the effect that, and counsel for the parties are reasonably
willing to opine that, a merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the
Surviving Trust will not adversely affect the tax-free nature of the
reorganization, the parties will amend this Agreement, the Articles of Merger
and all other agreements as may be necessary or desirable solely for the
purposes of providing for the merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the
Surviving Trust; provided, however, that such amendments shall not modify the
substantive provisions or economic terms of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby; and further provided that both the Merger
and the merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the Surviving Trust are
submitted to and approved by the shareholders of EQR and Wellsford in the
manner required by applicable law. Any such amendment may be made before or
after the approval of the Merger by the respective shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford. The costs and expenses of seeking and obtaining any private letter
ruling as contemplated by this Section 1.11 shall be borne by EQR.
Any conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 6 that would be satisfied
but for the reversal of direction of the Merger shall be deemed satisfied.
1.12 CHANGE IN NUMBER OF SPIN-OFF SHARES. If for any reason Wellsford shall
determine to distribute in the Spin-Off less than one common share of Newco
for each outstanding Wellsford Common Share, the parties will amend this
Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby solely for the purpose
of appropriately adjusting all numbers and dollar amounts which were based on
one common share of Newco being distributed in the Spin-Off for each
outstanding Wellsford Common Share.
ARTICLE 2
Representations and Warranties of Wellsford
Except as set forth in the letter of even date herewith signed by the
Chairman of the Board or President of Wellsford in his capacity as such and
delivered to EQR prior to the execution hereof (the "Wellsford Disclosure
Letter"), Wellsford represents and warrants to EQR as follows:
2.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF WELLSFORD. Wellsford is a real
estate investment trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
Maryland and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as
now being conducted. Wellsford is duly qualified or licensed to do business as
a foreign trust and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the business,
properties, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Wellsford
and the Wellsford Subsidiaries (as defined below), taken as a whole (a
"Wellsford Material Adverse Effect"). Wellsford has delivered to EQR complete
and correct copies of its Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (including
all Articles Supplementary thereto) and Amended and Restated Bylaws, in each
case, as amended to the date of this Agreement.
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2.2 WELLSFORD SUBSIDIARIES.
(a) Schedule 2.2 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth (i) each
Subsidiary of Wellsford (the "Wellsford Subsidiaries"), (ii) the ownership
interest therein of Wellsford, (iii) if not wholly-owned by Wellsford, the
identity and ownership interest of other owners of such Wellsford Subsidiary,
and (iv) each apartment community owned by such Subsidiary. As used in this
Agreement, "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other legal entity of which such
Person (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of such
Person) owns any of the capital stock or other equity interests of such
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other
legal entity. As used herein, "Person" means an individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.2 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
(i) all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Wellsford Subsidiary
that is a corporation have been validly issued and are (A) fully paid and
nonassessable, (B) owned by Wellsford or by another Wellsford Subsidiary, and
(C) owned free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances
and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively,
"Liens"), and (ii) all equity interests in each Wellsford Subsidiary that is a
partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or trust which are owned
by Wellsford, by another Wellsford Subsidiary or by Wellsford and another
Wellsford Subsidiary are owned free and clear of all Liens. Each Wellsford
Subsidiary that is a corporation is duly incorporated and validly existing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has the requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted,
and each Wellsford Subsidiary that is a partnership, limited liability company
or trust is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite power and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted. Each Wellsford Subsidiary is
duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing
of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, other than
in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Wellsford Material Adverse
Effect. Copies of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, organization
documents and partnership, joint venture and operating agreements of each
Wellsford Subsidiary, as amended to the date of this Agreement, have been
previously delivered or made available to EQR.
2.3 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
(a) The authorized shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford consist of
100,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, of which 4,600,000 are Series A
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value
per share ("Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares"), and 2,300,000 are Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value
per share ("Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares"). On January 14, 1997, (i)
17,111,937 Wellsford Common Shares, 3,999,800 Wellsford Series A Preferred
Shares and 2,300,000 Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares were issued and
outstanding, (ii) 1,000,000 Wellsford Common Shares have been reserved for the
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan of Wellsford, (iii) 979,325
Wellsford Common Shares were issuable upon exercise of outstanding options to
purchase Wellsford Common Shares, (iv) 582,900 Wellsford Common Shares were
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options which may be granted under
the 1992 Share Option Plan, (v) 750,000 Wellsford Common Shares were reserved
for issuance under the Long-Term Management Incentive Plan of Wellsford, and
(vi) a sufficient number of Wellsford Common Shares were reserved for issuance
to permit the conversion of the then outstanding Wellsford Series A Preferred
Shares.
(b) Set forth in Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter is a true
and complete list of the following: (i) each qualified or nonqualified option
to purchase Wellsford Common Shares granted under the 1992 Share Option Plan,
Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, or any other formal or informal
arrangement ("Wellsford Options"); (ii) each grant of Wellsford Common Shares
to employees which are subject to any risk of forfeiture ("Restricted Share
Grants"); (iii) any obligation of Wellsford to issue Wellsford Common Shares
as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby ("Change in Control Share
Grants"); and (iv) each loan made by Wellsford with respect to the purchase of
Wellsford Common Shares which will be forgiven as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements").
The Restricted Share Grants are included in the number of outstanding
Wellsford Common Shares set forth in Section 2.3(a). For each Wellsford Option
held by the executive officers of Wellsford, Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date of the grant,
status of the option as qualified or nonqualified under Section 422 of the
Code, the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option, the number
of shares subject to options that are currently exercisable, the exercise
price per share, those options granting reload options, and the number of such
shares subject to share appreciation rights. For each option to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares held by employees of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries who are not executive officers of Wellsford, Schedule 2.3 to the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date of
the grant, the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option and
the exercise price per share. For each Restricted Share Grant, Schedule 2.3 of
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date
of the grant and the number of Wellsford Common Shares granted. For
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each Change in Control Share Grant, Schedule 2.3 to the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter sets forth the aggregate number of Wellsford Common Shares to be issued
immediately prior to the Spin-Off and the Merger. For each Share Loan and
Acquisition Agreement, Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets
forth the name of the borrower, the date of the loan, the aggregate principal
amount of the loan, the number of shares originally pledged as security for
each loan the number of shares that have been released from such pledge and
the outstanding loan balance as of the date of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter. On the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in this Section 2.3
or Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, no shares of beneficial
interest or other voting securities of Wellsford were issued, reserved for
issuance, or outstanding.
(c) All outstanding shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights, except that the shareholders may be subject to further
assessment with respect to certain claims for tort, contract, taxes, statutory
liability and otherwise in some jurisdictions to the extent such claims are
not satisfied by Wellsford. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness of Wellsford having the right to vote (or convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which
shareholders of Wellsford may vote.
(d) Except as set forth in this Section 2.3 or in Schedule 2.3 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this Agreement there are no
outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments,
agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary is a party or by which such entity is bound, obligating
Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of beneficial interest, voting
securities or other ownership interests of Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary or obligating Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary to issue,
grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right,
commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking (other than to Wellsford or
a Wellsford Subsidiary).
2.4 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS.
(a) Wellsford has the requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and, subject to the requisite shareholder approval of the Merger
(the "Wellsford Shareholder Approvals"), to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to which Wellsford is a party. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Wellsford and the consummation by Wellsford
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which Wellsford is a
party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
Wellsford, subject to the Wellsford Shareholder Approvals. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by Wellsford and constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of Wellsford, enforceable against Wellsford in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and general principles of
equity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.4 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Wellsford do not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which
Wellsford is a party and compliance by Wellsford with the provisions of this
Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default
(with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any material obligation
or to loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien
upon any of the properties or assets of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary
under, (i) the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust or the Amended and
Restated Bylaws of Wellsford or the comparable charter or organizational
documents or partnership or similar agreement (as the case may be) of any
Wellsford Subsidiary, each as amended or supplemented to the date of this
Agreement, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
reciprocal easement agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise or license applicable to Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the
governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,
any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
(collectively, "Laws") applicable to Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary, or
their respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clause (ii)
or (iii), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, loss or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have a Wellsford Material
Adverse Effect or (y) prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, order or authorization
of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local
government or any court, administrative or regulatory agency or commission or
other governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign (a "Governmental
Entity"), is required by or with respect to Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Wellsford or the consummation by Wellsford of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, except for (i) the filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") of (x) a joint proxy statement relating to the approval
by Wellsford's shareholders and EQR's shareholders of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (as amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Proxy Statement"), (y) registration statements on appropriate forms under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and (z) such
reports under Section 13(a) of the
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Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of listing
applications with the New York Stock Exchange Inc. ("NYSE") with respect to
the shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust to be issued in the
Merger, (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Department and
(iv) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
declarations and filings (A) as are set forth in Schedule 2.4 to the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, (B) as may be required under (y) federal, state or local
environmental laws, or (z) the "blue sky" laws of various states, to the
extent applicable, or (C) which, if not obtained or made, would not prevent or
delay in any material respect the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise prevent Wellsford from performing
its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, Wellsford confirms that the
conduct of its business consists solely of investing in, owning and operating
real estate for the benefit of its shareholders.
2.5 SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Wellsford
has filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents with the SEC since November 27, 1992 through the date hereof (the
"Wellsford SEC Documents"). Schedule 2.5 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter
contains a complete list of all Wellsford SEC Documents filed by Wellsford
with the SEC since January 1, 1996 and on or prior to the date of this
Agreement. All of the Wellsford SEC Documents (other than preliminary
material), as of their respective filing dates, complied in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and, in each case, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder applicable to such Wellsford SEC Documents. None of the Wellsford
SEC Documents at the time of filing contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent
such statements have been modified or superseded by later Wellsford SEC
Documents filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement.
The consolidated financial statements of Wellsford included in the Wellsford
SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC
with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") (except, in the case of unaudited statements,
as permitted by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a
consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly presented, in accordance with the applicable
requirements of GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the
consolidated financial position of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Wellsford has no
Subsidiaries which are not consolidated for accounting purposes. Except for
liabilities and obligations set forth in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in
Schedule 2.5 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, neither Wellsford nor any of
the Wellsford Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by GAAP to be
set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of Wellsford or in the notes thereto
and which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Wellsford Material
Adverse Effect. Management Corp. (as defined in Section 5.15) has assets of
less than $1,000. On the date of this Agreement, Newco has no material assets.
2.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the
Wellsford SEC Documents or the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, since the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in Wellsford SEC
Documents (the "Wellsford Financial Statement Date") Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries have conducted their business only in the ordinary
course (taking into account prior practices, including the acquisition of
properties and issuance of securities) and there has not been (a) any material
adverse change in the business, financial condition or results of operations
of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Wellsford
Material Adverse Change"), nor has there been any occurrence or circumstance
that with the passage of time would reasonably be expected to result in a
Wellsford Material Adverse Change, (b) except for regular quarterly
distributions (in the case of Wellsford) not in excess of $0.485 per Wellsford
Common Share, $0.4375 per Wellsford Series A Preferred Share, and $0.603125
per Wellsford Series B Preferred Share, in each case with customary record and
payment dates, any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of
Wellsford's shares of beneficial interest, (c) any split, combination or
reclassification of any of Wellsford's shares of beneficial interest or any
issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, or giving the right to acquire
by exchange or exercise, shares of its beneficial interest or any issuance of
an ownership interest in, any Wellsford Subsidiary except as contemplated by
this Agreement, (d) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, that has or would have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or (e)
any change in accounting methods, principles or practices by Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary materially affecting its assets, liabilities or business,
except insofar as may have been disclosed in Wellsford SEC Documents or
required by a change in GAAP or (f) any amendment of any
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employment, consulting, severance, retention or any other agreement between
Wellsford and any officer or trustee of Wellsford. There are no distributions
in arrears which have been scheduled for payment or unpaid distributions with
respect to the Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares and Wellsford Series B
Preferred Shares.
2.7 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in
Schedule 2.7 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, and other than personal
injury and other routine tort litigation arising from the ordinary course of
operations of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries (a) which are covered
by adequate insurance or (b) for which all material costs and liabilities
arising therefrom are reimbursable pursuant to common area maintenance or
similar agreements, there is no suit, action or proceeding pending or, to the
Knowledge of Wellsford, threatened in writing against or affecting Wellsford
or any Wellsford Subsidiary that, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to (i) have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or (ii)
prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary having, or which, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen,
in the future would have, any such effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Schedule 2.7 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth each and every
uninsured claim, equal employment opportunity claim and claim relating to
sexual harassment and/or discrimination pending or, to the Knowledge of
Wellsford, threatened as of the date hereof, in each case with a brief summary
of such claim or threatened claim.
2.8 PROPERTIES.
(a) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
Wellsford or the Wellsford Subsidiary set forth on Schedule 2.2 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter owns fee simple title to each of the real
properties identified in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the
"Wellsford Properties"), which are all of the real estate properties owned by
them, in each case (except as provided below) free and clear of liens,
mortgages or deeds of trust, claims against title, charges which are liens,
security interests or other encumbrances on title ("Encumbrances"). Except as
set forth in Schedule 2.2 or Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
no other Person has any ownership interest in any of the Wellsford Properties,
and any such ownership interest so scheduled does not materially detract from
the value of, or materially interfere with the present use of, any of the
Wellsford Properties subject thereto or affected thereby. The Wellsford
Properties are not subject to any rights of way, written agreements, laws,
ordinances and regulations affecting building use or occupancy, or
reservations of an interest in title (collectively, "Property Restrictions"),
except for (i) Encumbrances and Property Restrictions set forth in the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, (ii) Property Restrictions imposed or promulgated
by law or any governmental body or authority with respect to real property,
including zoning regulations, provided they does not materially adversely
affect the current use of any Wellsford Property, (iii) Encumbrances and
Property Restrictions disclosed on existing title reports or existing surveys
(in either case copies of which title reports and surveys have been delivered
or made available to EQR and listed in the Wellsford Disclosure Letter), which
Encumbrances and Property Restrictions, in any event, do not materially
detract from the value of, or materially interfere with the present use of,
any of the Wellsford Properties subject thereto or affected thereby, and (iv)
mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's liens and other Encumbrances,
Property Restrictions and other limitations of any kind, if any, which,
individually or in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of
or materially interfere with the present use of any of the Wellsford
Properties subject thereto or affected thereby, and do not otherwise
materially impair business operations conducted by Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries. Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, no portion of any of the Wellsford Properties is located in a flood
zone area "V".
(b) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
valid policies of title insurance have been issued insuring Wellsford's or the
applicable Wellsford Subsidiaries' fee simple title to the Wellsford
Properties in amounts at least equal to the purchase price thereof paid by
Wellsford therefor, subject only to the matters disclosed above and on the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, and such policies are, at the date hereof, in
full force and effect and no claim has been made against any such policy.
(c) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
Wellsford has no Knowledge (as defined in Section 2.25) (i) that, any
certificate, permit or license from any governmental authority having
jurisdiction over any of the Wellsford Properties or any agreement, easement
or other right which is necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of
the buildings and improvements on any of the Wellsford Properties or which is
necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of all driveways, roads and
other means of egress and ingress to and from any of the Wellsford Properties
has not been obtained and is not in full force and effect, or of any pending
threat of modification or cancellation of any of same; (ii) of any written
notice of any violation of any federal, state or municipal law, ordinance,
order, regulation or requirement materially and adversely affecting any of the
Wellsford Properties issued by any governmental authority; (iii) of any
material structural defects relating to any Wellsford Property which costs
more than $100,000 to repair; (iv) of any Wellsford Property whose building
systems are not in working order in any material respect and costs more than
$100,000 to repair; (v) of any
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physical damage to any Wellsford Property in excess of $100,000 for which
there is no insurance in effect covering the cost of the restoration; (vi) of
any current renovation or uninsured restoration to any Wellsford Property the
cost of which exceeds $100,000; or (vii) of items referred to in Section
2.8(c)(iii)-(vi) which aggregate for Wellsford and its Subsidiaries more than
$5,000,000.
(d) Neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries has received any
written notice to the effect that (i) any condemnation or rezoning proceedings
are pending or threatened with respect to any of the Wellsford Properties or
(ii) any zoning, building or similar law, code, ordinance, order or regulation
is or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any
buildings or other improvements on any of the Wellsford Properties or by the
continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas. All work to be
performed, payments to be made and actions to be taken by Wellsford or the
Wellsford Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof pursuant to any agreement
entered into with a governmental body or authority in connection with a site
approval, zoning reclassification or other similar action relating to any
Wellsford Properties (e.g., Local Improvement District, Road Improvement
District, Environmental Mitigation) has been performed, paid or taken, as the
case may be, and Wellsford has no Knowledge of any planned or proposed work,
payments or actions that may be required after the date hereof pursuant to
such agreements.
(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
all of the Wellsford Properties are managed by Wellsford or a wholly- owned
Wellsford Subsidiary.
2.9 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. None of Wellsford, any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries or, to Wellsford's Knowledge, any other Person has caused or
permitted (a) the unlawful presence of any hazardous substances, hazardous
materials, toxic substances or waste materials (collectively, "Hazardous
Materials") on any of the Wellsford Properties, or (b) any unlawful spills,
releases, discharges or disposal of Hazardous Materials to have occurred or be
presently occurring on or from the Wellsford Properties as a result of any
construction on or operation and use of such properties, which presence or
occurrence would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Wellsford Material
Adverse Effect; and in connection with the construction on or operation and
use of the Wellsford Properties, Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries have
not failed to comply in any material respect with all applicable local, state
and federal environmental laws, regulations, ordinances and administrative and
judicial orders relating to the generation, recycling, reuse, sale, storage,
handling, transport and disposal of any Hazardous Materials, except to the
extent such failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
2.10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. Set forth in Schedule 2.10 of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter is a list of all arrangements, agreements and contracts
entered into by Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries with (a) any
consultant, (b) any person who is an officer, trustee, director or Affiliate
(as defined below) of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries, any
relative of any of the foregoing or any entity of which any of the foregoing
is an Affiliate or (c) any person who acquired Wellsford Common Shares in a
private placement, except those of a type available to Wellsford employees
generally. Such documents, copies of all of which have previously been
delivered or made available to EQR, are listed in Schedule 2.10 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter. As used in this Agreement, the term "Affiliate"
shall have the same meaning as such term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated
under the Securities Act.
2.11 ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA COMPLIANCE.
(a) Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in Schedule 2.11
to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and except as contemplated by this
Agreement, since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
included in the Wellsford SEC Documents, there has not been any adoption or
amendment in any respect by Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary of any
bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation,
stock ownership, stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement,
vacation, severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical or
other employee benefit plan, arrangement or understanding (whether or not
legally binding) providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer
or director of Wellsford, any Wellsford Subsidiary, or any person Affiliated
with Wellsford under Section 414 (b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code
(collectively, "Wellsford Benefit Plans").
(b) Except as described in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in Schedule 2.11
to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, (i) all Wellsford Benefit Plans of
Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries, including any such plan that is an
"employee benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable requirements of law, including but not
limited to ERISA and the Code, and (ii) neither Wellsford nor any Wellsford
Subsidiary has any material liabilities or obligations with respect to any
such Wellsford Benefit Plan, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise. Except
as set forth in Schedule 2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the
execution of, and performance of the transactions contemplated in, this
Agreement will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or
subsequent events) constitute an event under any Wellsford Benefit Plan,
policy, arrangement or agreement or any trust or loan that will or may result
in any payment (whether of severance pay or
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otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting, distribution,
increase in benefits or obligation to fund benefits with respect to any
employee, trustee or director. The only severance agreements or severance
policies applicable to employees of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries are the agreements and policies specifically referred to in
Schedule 2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and the severance program
referred to in Section 5.10(c).
2.12 EMPLOYEE POLICIES. Schedule 2.12 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter
lists the employee handbooks of Wellsford and each of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries currently in effect. A copy of each such employee handbook has
previously been made available to EQR. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.12 of
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, such handbooks fairly and accurately
summarize all material employee policies, vacation policies and payroll
practices of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries.
2.13 TAXES.
(a) Each of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries has filed all tax
returns and reports required to be filed by it (after giving effect to any
filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Entity having authority to
do so) and has paid (or Wellsford has paid on its behalf) all Taxes (as
defined below) shown on such returns and reports as required to be paid by it
except (i) as set forth in Schedule 2.13 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter,
or (ii) real estate taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which Wellsford or the applicable Wellsford
Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves. The most
recent audited financial statements contained in the Wellsford SEC Documents
reflect an adequate reserve for all material Taxes payable by Wellsford and
the Wellsford Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof
through the date of such financial statements. Since the Wellsford Financial
Statement Date, Wellsford has incurred no liability for taxes under Sections
857(b), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, including without limitation any tax
arising from a prohibited transaction described in Section 857(b)(6) of the
Code, and neither Wellsford nor any Wellsford Subsidiary has incurred any
liability for taxes other than in the ordinary course of business. No event
has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, which presents a
material risk that any material Tax described in the preceding sentence will
be imposed upon Wellsford. To the Knowledge of Wellsford, no deficiencies for
any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against Wellsford or any of
the Wellsford Subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess
any such Taxes are pending. As used in this Agreement, "Taxes" shall include
all federal, state, local and foreign income, property, sales, franchise,
employment, excise and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any
nature whatsoever, together with penalties, interest or additions to Tax with
respect thereto.
(b) Wellsford (i) for all taxable years commencing with 1993 through the
most recent December 31, has been subject to taxation as a real estate
investment trust (a "REIT") within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code and
has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a REIT for such years, (ii) has
operated, and intends to continue to operate, in such a manner as to qualify
as a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 1997, and (iii) has not
taken or omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to (A)
result in any rents paid by the tenants of the Properties to be excluded from
the definition of "rents from real property" under Section 856(d)(2)(C) of the
Code, or (B) otherwise result in a challenge to its status as a REIT, and to
Wellsford's Knowledge, no such challenge is pending or threatened. Each
Wellsford Subsidiary which is a partnership, joint venture or limited
liability company (i) has been since its formation and continues to be treated
for federal income tax purposes as a partnership and not as a corporation or
an association taxable as a corporation, and (ii) has not since its formation
owned any assets (including, without limitation, securities) that would cause
Wellsford to violate Section 856(b)(5) of the Code. Each Wellsford Subsidiary
which is a corporation has been since its formation a qualified REIT
subsidiary under Section 856(i) of the Code.
2.14 NO PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, TRUSTEES OR DIRECTORS. Set forth in
Exhibit "J" to this Agreement (and the Exhibits referenced therein) and
Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter is a true and complete list of
all cash and non-cash payments which will become payable to each employee,
officer, trustee or director of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary as a
result of the Spin-Off and Merger. Except as described in Exhibit "J" to this
Agreement (and the Exhibits referenced therein) and in Schedule 2.3 to the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement,
there is no employment or severance contract, or other agreement requiring
payments, cancellation of indebtedness or other obligation to be made on a
change of control or otherwise as a result of the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, with respect to any employee,
officer, trustee or director of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary.
2.15 BROKERS; SCHEDULE OF FEES AND EXPENSES. No broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other person, other than Merrill Lynch & Co. and William
Cockrum, the fees and expenses of which have previously been disclosed to EQR,
is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar
fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary.
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2.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC
Documents, neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries has
violated or failed to comply with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation,
rule, judgment, decree or order of any Governmental Entity applicable to its
business, properties or operations, except to the extent that such violation
or failure would not have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
2.17 CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS.
(a) Neither Wellsford nor any Wellsford Subsidiary has received a written
notice that Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary is in violation of or in
default under (nor to the Knowledge of Wellsford does there exist any
condition which upon the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would
cause such a violation of or default under) any material loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, concession,
franchise, license or any other material contract, agreement, arrangement or
understanding, to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties
or assets is bound, except as set forth in Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, nor to the Knowledge of Wellsford does such a violation or
default exist, except to the extent that such violation or default,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Wellsford Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Except for any of the following expressly identified in Wellsford SEC
Documents, Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth a list
of each loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture and any
other agreement and instrument pursuant to which any indebtedness of Wellsford
or any of Wellsford Subsidiaries, other than indebtedness payable to Wellsford
or a Wellsford Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
$250,000 per item is outstanding or may be incurred. For purposes of this
Section 2.17, "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, without
duplication, (A) all indebtedness of such person for borrowed money, whether
secured or unsecured, (B) all obligations of such person under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by
such person, (C) all capitalized lease obligations of such person, (D) all
obligations of such person under interest rate cap, swap, collar or similar
transaction or currency hedging transactions (valued at the termination value
thereof) and (E) all guarantees of such person of any such indebtedness of any
other person.
(c) To the extent not set forth in response to the requirements of Paragraph
2.17(b), Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth each
interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap, currency hedging
transaction, and any other agreement relating to a similar transaction to
which Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary is a party or an obligor with
respect thereto.
(d) Neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries is a party to
any agreement relating to the management of any of the Wellsford Properties by
any Person other than a wholly-owned Wellsford Subsidiary, except the
agreements described in Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the
"Third Party Management Agreements"). True and complete copies of the Third
Party Management Agreements have previously been furnished to EQR.
2.18 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. Wellsford has received the opinion of
Merrill Lynch & Co., dated January 16, 1997, satisfactory to Wellsford, a
signed copy of which has been provided to EQR, to the effect that the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of common shares of beneficial
interest of Wellsford pursuant to the Merger and Spin-Off is fair to such
holders from a financial point of view.
2.19 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. Wellsford has taken all action necessary to
exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement between EQR and
Wellsford and its Affiliates from the operation of any "fair price,"
"moratorium," "control share acquisition" or any other anti-takeover statute
or similar statute enacted under the state or federal laws of the United
States or similar statute or regulation (a "Takeover Statute").
2.20 REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The information relating to Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement (as defined in
Section 5.1) will not, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement,
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, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
2.21 DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES. Schedule 2.21 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter lists all agreements entered into by Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries relating to the development or construction of, or additions or
expansions to, any real properties which are currently in effect and under
which Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries currently has, or expects
to incur, an obligation in excess of $250,000. True and correct copies of such
agreements have previously been delivered or made available to EQR.
2.22 EQR SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. Neither Wellsford nor any of
Wellsford Subsidiaries owns any shares of beneficial interest of EQR or other
securities convertible into shares of beneficial interest of EQR.
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2.23 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. Neither Wellsford nor any of Wellsford
Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, required to be registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
2.24 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
2.25 DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE OF WELLSFORD. As used in this Agreement, the
phrase "to the Knowledge of Wellsford" (or words of similar import) means the
knowledge of those individuals identified in Schedule 2.25 of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter.
ARTICLE 3
Representations and Warranties of EQR
Except as set forth in the letter of even date herewith signed by the
President of EQR and delivered to Wellsford prior to the execution hereof (the
"EQR Disclosure Letter"), EQR represents and warrants to Wellsford as follows:
3.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF EQR. EQR is a real estate investment
trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Maryland and has
the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted. EQR is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign trust
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where
the failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets,
financial condition or results of operations of EQR and the Subsidiaries of
EQR ("EQR Subsidiaries"), taken as a whole ("EQR Material Adverse Effect").
EQR has delivered to Wellsford complete and correct copies of its Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated Bylaws as amended or
supplemented to the date of this Agreement.
3.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
(a) The authorized shares of beneficial interest of EQR consist of
100,000,000 EQR Common Shares, and 10,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial
interest ("EQR Preferred Shares"), of which 6,120,000 EQR Preferred Shares
have been designated as 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "EQR Series A Preferred
Shares"), 500,000 EQR Preferred Shares have been designated as 9 1/8% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value
per share, that are represented by 5,000,000 depository shares (the "EQR
Series B Preferred Shares"), and 460,000 EQR Preferred Shares have been
designated as 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share, that are represented by
4,600,000 depository shares (the "EQR Series C Preferred Shares"). As of
January 14, 1997, (a) 51,155,813 EQR Common Shares, 6,120,000 EQR Series A
Preferred Shares, 500,000 EQR Series B Preferred Shares (represented by
5,000,000 depositary shares) and 460,000 EQR Series C Preferred Shares
(represented by 4,600,000 depositary shares) were outstanding, (b) 960,542 EQR
Common Shares were available for issuance under EQR's 1996 Non-Qualified
Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "EQR Employee Share Plans"), (c) 2,328,715
EQR Common Shares were issuable upon exercise of outstanding share options
(the "EQR Options") to purchase EQR Common Shares, and 975,353 EQR Common
Shares were available for grant, under EQR's Second Amended and Restated 1993
Share Option and Share Award Plan (the "Employee Share Award and Option
Plan"), (d) 21,541 EQR Common Shares are restricted and subject to forfeiture,
and (e) 7,857,933 EQR Common Shares were reserved for issuance upon exchange
of EQR Units (as defined below) for EQR Common Shares pursuant to the Fourth
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the "ERP Operating
Partnership Agreement") of the ERP Operating Partnership. On January 14, 1997,
except as set forth in this Section 3.2, no shares of beneficial interest or
other voting securities of EQR were issued, reserved for issuance or
outstanding.
(b) All outstanding shares of beneficial interest of EQR are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights, except that the shareholders may be subject to further
assessment with respect to certain claims for tort, contract, taxes, statutory
liability and otherwise in some jurisdictions to the extent such claims are
not satisfied by EQR. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness of EQR having the right to vote (or convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which
shareholders of EQR may vote.
(c) Except (i) for the EQR Options, (ii) for the units ("EQR Units") of
partnership interest held by partners in the ERP Operating Partnership (which,
subject to certain restrictions, may be exchanged by the holders thereof for
either EQR Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at EQR's option, cash), as
are disclosed in Schedule 3.2 to the EQR Disclosure Letter or (iii) as set
forth in Schedule 3.2 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this
Agreement there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls,
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to
which EQR or any EQR Subsidiary is a party or by which such entity is bound,
obligating EQR or any EQR Subsidiary
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to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold,
additional shares of beneficial interest, voting securities or other ownership
interests of EQR or of any EQR Subsidiary or obligating EQR or any EQR
Subsidiary to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking (other
than to EQR or an EQR Subsidiary). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2 to the
EQR Disclosure Letter or as required under the ERP Operating Partnership
Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of EQR or any EQR
Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of beneficial
interest of EQR or any capital stock, voting securities, or other ownership
interests in any EQR Subsidiary or make any material investment (in the form
of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any person (other than an EQR
Subsidiary).
(d) EQR owns all of its partnership interests in ERP Operating Partnership
free and clear of all Liens.
3.3 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP. ERP
Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of Illinois and has the requisite power and authority
to carry on its business as now being conducted. ERP Operating Partnership is
duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing
of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, other than
in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or licensed,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect. EQR has delivered to Wellsford complete and correct copies of its
Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership as amended or
supplemented to the date of this Agreement.
3.4 CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP. As of January 14, 1997,
the number of outstanding units of partnership interest in ERP Operating
Partnership consists of (a) 51,155,813 units of general partnership interest,
(b) 7,857,933 units of limited partnership interest, (c) 6,120,000 9 3/8%
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units, (d) 500,000 9 1/8% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units, and (e) 460,000 9 1/8% Series C
Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units. Except for the units of limited
partnership interest, all of the units of partnership interest in ERP
Operating Partnership are owned by EQR free and clear of all Liens.
3.5 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS.
(a) EQR has the requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
and subject to the requisite shareholder approval of the Merger (the "EQR
Shareholder Approvals" and, together with the Wellsford Shareholder Approvals,
the "Shareholder Approvals") to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement to which EQR is a party. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by EQR and the consummation by EQR of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement to which EQR is a party have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of EQR, subject to the EQR Shareholder Approvals.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by EQR and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of EQR, enforceable against EQR in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and general principles of
equity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by EQR do not, and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which EQR is a party and
compliance by EQR with the provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict
with, or result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or
lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any material obligation or to loss of a
material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or assets of EQR or any EQR Subsidiary under, (i) the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust or Amended and Restated Bylaws of EQR or the
comparable charter or organizational documents or partnership or similar
agreement (as the case may be) of any other EQR Subsidiary, each as amended or
supplemented to the date of this Agreement, (ii) any loan or credit agreement,
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, reciprocal easement agreement, lease or other
agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license applicable to
EQR or any EQR Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any Laws applicable to EQR or any EQR Subsidiary or their
respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clause (ii) or
(iii), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, loss or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect or (y) prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required
by or with respect to EQR or any EQR Subsidiary in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by EQR of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing
with the SEC of (x) the Proxy Statement and (y) such reports under Section 13
(a) of the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the
Articles of Merger with the Department, (iii) such filings as may be required
in connection with the payment of any transfer and gains taxes and (iv) such
other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations
and filings (A) as are set forth in Schedule 3.5 to the EQR Disclosure Letter
or (B) as may be required under (x) federal, state or local environmental laws
or (y) the securities laws of the State of
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Maryland or (C) which, if not obtained or made, would not prevent or delay in
any material respect the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or otherwise prevent EQR from performing its obligations
under this Agreement in any material respect or have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, EQR confirms that the conduct
of its business consists solely of investing in, owning and operating real
estate for the benefit of its shareholders.
3.6 SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. EQR and
ERP Operating Partnership have filed all required reports, schedules, forms,
statements and other documents with the SEC since August 18, 1993 through the
date hereof (the "EQR SEC Documents"). Schedule 3.6 of the EQR Disclosure
Letter contains a complete list of all EQR SEC Documents filed by EQR under
the Exchange Act since January 1, 1996 and on or prior to the date of this
Agreement. All of the EQR SEC Documents (other than preliminary material), as
of their respective filing dates, complied in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, in
each case, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to such
EQR SEC Documents. None of the EQR SEC Documents at the time of filing
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, except to the extent such statements have been modified or
superseded by later EQR SEC Documents filed and publicly available prior to
the date of this Agreement. The consolidated financial statements of EQR and
the EQR Subsidiaries included in the EQR SEC Documents complied as to form in
all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements,
as permitted by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a
consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly presented, in accordance with the applicable
requirements of GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the
consolidated financial position of EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations and
cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited
statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except for liabilities and
obligations set forth in the EQR SEC Documents or in Schedule 3.6 to the EQR
Disclosure Letter, neither EQR nor any EQR Subsidiary has any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)
required by GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of EQR or in
the notes thereto and which, individually or in the aggregate, would have an
EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.7 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the EQR SEC
Documents or in Section 3.7 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, since the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in the EQR SEC Documents
(the "EQR Financial Statement Date"), EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries have
conducted their business only in the ordinary course (taking into account
prior practices, including the acquisition of properties and issuance of
securities) and there has not been (a) any material adverse change in the
business, financial condition or results of operations of EQR and the EQR
Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "EQR Material Adverse Change"), nor has there
been any occurrence or circumstance that with the passage of time would
reasonably be expected to result in an EQR Material Adverse Change, (b) except
for regular quarterly distributions (in the case of EQR) not in excess of
$.625 per EQR Common Share, $.5859 per EQR Series A Preferred Share, $5.703
per EQR Series B Preferred Share and $5.703 per EQR Series C Preferred Share,
in each case subject to rounding adjustments as necessary and with customary
record and payment dates, any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with
respect to any of EQR's shares of beneficial interest, (c) any split,
combination or reclassification of any of EQR's shares of beneficial interest,
(d) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that
has or would have an EQR Material Adverse Effect, or (e) any change made prior
to the date of this Agreement in accounting methods, principles or practices
by EQR or any EQR Subsidiary materially affecting its assets, liabilities or
business, except insofar as may have been disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents
or required by a change in GAAP. EQR is not in default in the payment of
distributions on the EQR Series A Preferred Shares, EQR Series B Preferred
Shares or EQR Series C Preferred Shares.
3.8 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents or in Schedule
3.8 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, and other than personal injury and other
routine tort litigation arising from the ordinary course of operations of EQR
and the EQR Subsidiaries (a) which are covered by adequate insurance, or (b)
for which all material costs and liabilities arising therefrom are
reimbursable pursuant to common area maintenance or similar agreements, there
is no suit, action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of EQR,
threatened in writing against or affecting EQR or any EQR Subsidiary that,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) have an
EQR Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) prevent the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator
outstanding against EQR or any EQR Subsidiary having, or which, insofar as
reasonably can be foreseen, in the future would have, any such effect.
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3.9 PROPERTIES.
(a) EQR or one of the EQR Subsidiaries owns fee simple title to each of the
real properties listed in the EQR SEC Filings as owned by it (the "EQR
Properties"), except where the failure to own such title would not have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The EQR Properties are not subject to any Encumbrances or Property
Restrictions which could cause an EQR Material Adverse Affect.
(c) Valid policies of title insurance have been issued insuring EQR's or the
applicable EQR Subsidiaries' fee simple title to the EQR Properties in amounts
at least equal to the purchase price thereof paid by EQR or the applicable EQR
Subsidiaries therefor, except where the failure to obtain such title insurance
would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(d) EQR has no Knowledge (i) that it has failed to obtain a certificate,
permit or license from any governmental authority having jurisdiction over any
of the EQR Properties where such failure would have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect, or of any pending threat of modification or cancellation of any of the
same which would have an EQR Material Adverse Effect, (ii) of any written
notice of any violation of any federal, state or municipal law, ordinance,
order, rule, regulation or requirement affecting any of the EQR Properties
issued by any governmental authorities which would have an EQR Material
Adverse Effect, or (iii) of any structural defects relating to EQR Properties,
EQR Properties whose building systems are not in working order, physical
damage to any EQR Property for which there is no insurance in effect covering
the cost of restoration, any current renovation or uninsured restoration,
except such structural defects, building systems not in working order,
physical damage, renovation and restoration which, in the aggregate, would not
have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Neither EQR nor any of the EQR Subsidiaries has received any written
notice to the effect that (i) any condemnation or rezoning proceedings are
pending or threatened with respect to any of the EQR Properties, or (ii) any
zoning, building or similar law, code, ordinance, order or regulation is or
will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any
buildings or other improvements on any of the EQR Properties or by the
continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas, other than such
notices which, in the aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect.
(f) All work to be performed, payments to be made and actions to be taken by
EQR or the EQR Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof pursuant to any agreement
entered into with a governmental body or authority in connection with a site
approval, zoning reclassification or similar action relating to any EQR
Properties (e.g., Local Improvement District, Road Improvement District,
Environmental Mitigation), has been performed, paid or taken, as the case may
be, except where the failure to do so would, in the aggregate, not have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect, and EQR has no Knowledge of any planned or proposed
work, payments or actions that may be required after the date hereof pursuant
to such agreements which would have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.10 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. None of EQR, any of the EQR Subsidiaries or, to
EQR's Knowledge, any other Person has caused or permitted (a) the unlawful
presence of any hazardous substances, hazardous materials, toxic substances or
waste materials (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") on any of the EQR
Properties, or (b) any unlawful spills, releases, discharges or disposal of
Hazardous Materials to have occurred or be presently occurring on or from the
EQR Properties as a result of any construction on or operation and use of such
properties, which presence or occurrence would, individually or in the
aggregate, have an EQR Material Adverse Effect; and in connection with the
construction on or operation and use of the EQR Properties, EQR and the EQR
Subsidiaries have not failed to comply in any material respect with all
applicable local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations,
ordinances and administrative and judicial orders relating to the generation,
recycling, reuse, sale, storage, handling, transport and disposal of any
Hazardous Materials, except to the extent such failure to comply, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.11 TAXES.
(a) Each of EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries has filed all tax returns and
reports required to be filed by it (after giving effect to any filing
extension properly granted by a Governmental Entity having authority to do so)
and has paid (or EQR has paid on its behalf) all Taxes shown on such returns
and reports as required to be paid by it except where the failure to file such
tax returns or reports and failure to pay such Taxes would not have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect. The most recent audited financial statements
contained in the EQR SEC Documents reflect an adequate reserve for all
material Taxes payable by EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries for all taxable periods
and portions thereof through the date of such financial statements. Since the
EQR Financial Statement Date, EQR has incurred no liability for taxes under
Sections 857(b), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code, including without limitation any
tax arising from a prohibited transaction described in Section 857(b)(6) of
the Code, and neither EQR nor any EQR Subsidiary has incurred any liability
for taxes other than in the ordinary course of business. No event has
occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, which presents a material
risk that any material Tax described in the preceding sentence will be imposed
upon EQR. To the Knowledge of EQR, no deficiencies for any
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Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against EQR or any of the EQR
Subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes
are pending.
(b) EQR (i) for all taxable years commencing with 1993 through the most
recent December 31, has been subject to taxation as a REIT within the meaning
of Section 856 of the Code and has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a
REIT for such years, (ii) has operated, and intends to continue to operate, in
such a manner as to qualify as a REIT for the tax year ending December 31,
1997, and (iii) has not taken or omitted to take any action which would
reasonably be expected to (A) result in any rents paid by tenants to the EQR
Properties to be excluded from the definition of "rents from real property"
under Section 856(d)(2) of the Code, or (B) otherwise result in a challenge to
its status as a REIT, and to EQR's Knowledge, no such challenge is pending or
threatened. Each EQR Subsidiary which is a partnership, joint venture or
limited liability company has been treated since its formation and continues
to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a partnership and not as a
corporation or as an association taxable as a corporation.
3.12 BROKERS; SCHEDULE OF FEES AND EXPENSES. No broker, investment banker,
financial advisor or other person, other than J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.,
the fees and expenses of which have previously been disclosed to Wellsford and
will be paid by EQR, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial
advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf
of EQR or any EQR Subsidiary.
3.13 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents,
neither EQR nor any of the EQR Subsidiaries has violated or failed to comply
with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, judgment, decree or order
of any Governmental Entity applicable to its business, properties or
operations, except to the extent that such violation or failure would not have
an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.14 CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Neither EQR nor any EQR Subsidiary has
received a written notice that EQR or any EQR Subsidiary is in violation of or
in default under (nor to the Knowledge of EQR does there exist any condition
which upon the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would cause
such a violation of or default under) any material loan or credit agreement,
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, concession, franchise, license
or any other material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding, to
which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets is
bound, nor to the Knowledge of EQR does such a violation or default exist,
except to the extent such violation or default, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth
in Schedule 3.14 to the EQR Disclosure Letter.
3.15 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. EQR has received the opinion of J.P.
Morgan Securities, Inc., dated January 15, 1997, satisfactory to EQR, a signed
copy of which has been provided to Wellsford, to the effect that the
consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the Merger is fair, from a
financial point of view, to EQR.
3.16 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. EQR has taken all action necessary to exempt
transactions between EQR and Wellsford and its Affiliates from the operation
of Takeover Statutes.
3.17 REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The information with respect to EQR and the EQR
Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement will not, as of the
effective date of the Registration Statement, 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, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
3.18 WELLSFORD SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. Neither EQR nor any of the EQR
Subsidiaries owns any shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford or other
securities convertible into shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford.
3.19 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
3.20 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. Neither EQR nor any of the EQR
Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, required to be registered
under the 1940 Act.
3.21 DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE OF EQR. As used in this Agreement, the phrase
"to the Knowledge of EQR" (or words of similar import) means the knowledge of
those individuals identified in Schedule 3.21 of the EQR Disclosure Letter.
ARTICLE 4
Covenants
4.1 ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Except as set forth in the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, prior to the Effective Time, Wellsford agrees that:
(a) neither it nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries shall initiate, solicit
or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or
implementation of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any
proposal or offer
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to its shareholders) with respect to a merger, acquisition, tender offer,
exchange offer, consolidation, sale of assets or similar transaction
involving all or any significant portion of the assets or any equity
securities of, Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries, other than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (any such proposal or offer
being hereinafter referred to as an "Acquisition Proposal") or engage in
any negotiations concerning or provide any confidential information or data
to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an Acquisition
Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or
implement an Acquisition Proposal;
(b) it will use its best efforts not to permit any of its officers,
trustees, employees, agents or financial advisors to engage in any of the
activities described in Section 4.1(a);
(c) it will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing and will take the necessary
steps to inform the individuals or entities referred to in Section 4.1(b)
of the obligations undertaken in this Section 4.1; and
(d) it will notify EQR immediately if Wellsford receives any such
inquiries or proposals, or any requests for such information, or if any
such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued
with it;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4.1 shall prohibit
the Board of Trustees of Wellsford from (i) furnishing information to or
entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that
makes an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal, if, and only to the extent that (A)
the Board of Trustees of Wellsford determines in good faith that such action
is required for the Board of Trustees to comply with its duties to
shareholders imposed by law, (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or
entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity,
Wellsford provides written notice to EQR to the effect that it is furnishing
information to, or entering into discussions with, such person or entity, and
(C) subject to any confidentiality agreement with such person or entity (which
Wellsford determined in good faith was required to be executed in order for
the Board of Trustees to comply with its duties to shareholders imposed by
law), Wellsford keeps EQR informed of the status (not the terms) of any such
discussions or negotiations; and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying with
Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Acquisition
Proposal. Nothing in this Section 4.1 shall (x) permit Wellsford to terminate
this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article 7 hereof), (y)
permit Wellsford to enter into an agreement with respect to an Acquisition
Proposal during the term of this Agreement (it being agreed that during the
term of this Agreement, Wellsford shall not enter into an agreement with any
Person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Acquisition Proposal
(other than a confidentiality agreement in customary form executed as provided
above)) or (z) affect any other obligation of Wellsford under this Agreement;
provided, however, that the Board of Trustees of Wellsford may approve and
recommend a Superior Acquisition Proposal and, in connection therewith,
withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement and the
Merger. As used herein, "Superior Acquisition Proposal" means a bona fide
Acquisition Proposal made by a third party which a majority of the members of
the Board of Trustees of Wellsford determines in good faith to be more
favorable to Wellsford's shareholders from a financial point of view than the
Merger and which the Board of Trustees of Wellsford determines is reasonably
capable of being consummated.
4.2 CONDUCT OF WELLSFORD'S BUSINESS PENDING MERGER. Prior to the Effective
Time, except as (i) contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) necessary to
accomplish the Spin-Off, (iii) disclosed in the Wellsford Disclosure Letter or
Exhibit "J" or (iv) consented to in writing by EQR, Wellsford shall, and shall
cause each of the Wellsford Subsidiaries to:
(a) conduct its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary course
and in substantially the same manner as heretofore;
(b) use its reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business
organizations and goodwill and keep available the services of its officers
and employees;
(c) confer on a regular basis with one or more representatives of EQR to
report operational matters of materiality and, subject to Section 4.1, any
proposals to engage in material transactions;
(d) promptly notify EQR of any material emergency or other material
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties,
assets, liabilities, prospects or the normal course of its businesses or in
the operation of its properties, or of any material governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that
the same may be contemplated);
(e) promptly deliver to EQR true and correct copies of any report,
statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of this
Agreement;
(f) maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied and not change in any material manner any of its methods,
principles or practices of accounting in effect at the Financial Statement
Date, except as may be required by the SEC, applicable law or GAAP;
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(g) duly and timely file all reports, tax returns and other documents
required to be filed with federal, state, local and other authorities,
subject to extensions permitted by law, provided Wellsford notifies EQR
that it is availing itself of such extensions and provided such extensions
do not adversely affect Wellsford's status as a qualified REIT under the
Code;
(h) not make or rescind any express or deemed election relative to Taxes
(unless required by law or necessary to preserve Wellsford's status as a
REIT or the status of any Wellsford Subsidiary as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes or as a qualified REIT subsidiary under Section 856(i)
of the Code, as the case may be);
(i) not acquire, enter into any option to acquire, or exercise an option
or contract to acquire, additional real property, incur additional
indebtedness except for working capital under its revolving line(s) of
credit, encumber assets or commence construction of, or enter into any
agreement or commitment to develop or construct, other real estate
projects, except in the ordinary course of the multi-family apartment
business, which shall include all activities necessary to proceed with the
acquisition, ownership and construction of Phases I, II and III of the
multi-family residential project in Douglas County, Colorado referred to as
"Palomino Park" in accordance with the agreements in existence on the date
of this Agreement and previously furnished to EQR (the "Palomino
Development Agreements");
(j) not amend its Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Articles or
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, code of regulations or partnership
agreement or comparable charter or organizational document or the articles
of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement
or comparable charter or organization document of any Wellsford Subsidiary
without EQR's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed;
(k) make no change in the number of shares of beneficial interest or
capital stock, membership interests or units of limited partnership
interest issued and outstanding, other than pursuant to (i) the exercise of
options disclosed in Schedule 2.3 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and
the issuance of shares and options described in Exhibit "J" to this
Agreement, (ii) the conversion of Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares
pursuant to the terms of the Articles Supplementary for the Wellsford
Series A Preferred Shares, (iii) options to purchase Wellsford Common
Shares which are issued, and (iv) the Dividend Reinvestment and Share
Purchase Plan of Wellsford;
(l) grant no options or other right or commitment relating to its shares
of beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or units of
limited partnership interest or any security convertible into its shares of
beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or units of
limited partnership interest, or any security the value of which is
measured by shares of beneficial interest, or any security subordinated to
the claim of its general creditors;
(m) except as provided in Section 5.13 hereof and in connection with the
use of shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford to pay the exercise price
or tax withholding in connection with equity-based employee benefit plans
by the participants therein, not (i) authorize, declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or make any other distribution or payment with respect to any
shares of its beneficial interest or capital stock, or (ii) directly or
indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of beneficial
interest, shares of capital stock, membership interests or units of
partnership interest or any option, warrant or right to acquire, or
security convertible into, shares of beneficial interest, shares of capital
stock, membership interests, or units of partnership interest;
(n) not sell, lease, mortgage, subject to Lien or otherwise dispose of
any material part of its assets, individually or in the aggregate, except
in the ordinary course of business;
(o) not make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other Person, other than (i) loans, advances and
capital contributions to Wellsford Subsidiaries in existence on the date
hereof (other than Newco and Subsidiaries of Newco), and (ii) loans to
Newco and Subsidiaries of Newco bearing interest at a rate per annum equal
to the rate of interest payable under the Second Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement dated June 30, 1995 between Wellsford and First
National Bank of Boston, as agent for itself and other banks ("Revolver
Rate"), which loans to Newco and its Subsidiaries shall become due and
payable in full on the Closing Date; provided the proceeds of such loans
are not applied to activities which are not permitted under this Section
4.2;
(p) not pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms,
of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the
most recent consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto)
furnished to EQR or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(q) not enter into any commitment, contractual obligation, capital
expenditure or transaction (each, a "Commitment") which may result in total
payments or liability by or to it in excess of $1,000,000 or aggregate
Commitments in excess of $5,000,000;
(r) not guarantee the indebtedness of another Person, enter into any
"keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
condition of another Person or enter into any arrangement having the
economic effect of any of
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the foregoing, other than guarantees of indebtedness of Newco and
Subsidiaries of Newco; provided, that on the Closing Date, the Surviving
Trust is unconditionally and irrevocably released from any obligations with
respect to such guarantees or the indebtedness so guaranteed is paid in
full without the payment of any consideration by the Surviving Trust and
its Subsidiaries;
(s) not enter into any Commitment with any officer, trustee, consultant
or Affiliate of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries;
(t) not increase any compensation or enter into or amend any employment
agreement with any of its officers, directors or employees earning more
than $50,000 per annum, other than waivers by employees of benefits under
such agreements;
(u) not adopt any new employee benefit plan or amend any existing plans
or rights, except for changes which are required by law and changes which
are not more favorable to participants than provisions presently in effect;
(v) not settle any shareholder derivative or class action claims arising
out of or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;
(w) not change the ownership of any of its Subsidiaries except pursuant
to the Contribution Agreement on the Closing Date; and
(x) not accept a promissory note in payment of the exercise price payable
under any option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares.
For purposes of this Section 4.2 only, any contract, transaction or other
event shall be deemed to be material if it would result or is expected to
result in a net impact on Wellsford's consolidated income statement in excess
of $1,000,000, or on Wellsford's consolidated balance sheet in excess of
$1,000,000.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, prior to the
Effective Time, Newco and its Subsidiaries shall not be bound by the
restrictions which would otherwise be applicable under Sections 4.2(a), (b),
(c), (d), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m)(ii), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u),
or (w); provided, however, that in no event may Newco:
(i) issue any of its shares to any Person other than Wellsford prior to
the Spin-Off for less than fair value;
(ii) take any action or fail to take any action which would reasonably be
expected to result in the termination of or a challenge to Wellsford's
status as a REIT within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code, or result
in a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) enter into any contract which creates or imposes any obligation on,
or otherwise purports to bind, Wellsford or any of the other Wellsford
Subsidiaries;
(iv) take any action or omit to take any action which causes a default
under any loan agreement to which Wellsford is a party;
(v) amend its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws in any manner which is
inconsistent with the provisions of the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, prior to the
Effective Time, WPHC and its Subsidiaries may:
(A) amend the existing operating agreements of the Subsidiaries of WPHC
in a manner which is not adverse to the interests of WPHC in such
Subsidiaries;
(B) purchase the interest of Al Feld in the Subsidiaries of WPHC in
accordance with the agreements granting such right in effect on the date of
this Agreement and previously furnished to EQR; and
(C) fulfill their respective obligations under the Palomino Development
Agreements.
4.3 CONDUCT OF EQR'S BUSINESS PENDING MERGER. Prior to the Effective Time,
except as (i) contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) consented to in writing
by Wellsford, EQR shall, and shall cause each of the EQR Subsidiaries to:
(a) use its reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business
organizations and goodwill and keep available the services of its officers
and employees;
(b) confer on a regular basis with one or more representatives of
Wellsford to report operational matters of materiality which would have an
EQR Material Adverse Effect;
(c) promptly notify Wellsford of any material emergency or other material
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties,
assets, liabilities, prospects or the normal course of its businesses or in
the operation of its properties, or of any material governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that
the same may be contemplated);
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(d) promptly deliver to Wellsford true and correct copies of any report,
statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of this
Agreement;
(e) maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied; and
(f) duly and timely file all reports, tax returns and other documents
required to be filed with federal, state, local and other authorities.
For purposes of this Section 4.3 only, an emergency, change, complaint,
investigation or hearing shall be deemed material if it would reasonably be
expected to have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
In addition, during the period beginning the day after the fifth (5th)
trading day prior to the date which the proxy statements required by Section
5.1 hereof are dated and ending on (but including) the Closing Date, EQR will
not (a) issue any EQR Common Shares or other securities convertible into EQR
Common Shares in any single transaction or series of transactions having an
aggregate issuance price in excess of $250,000,000, or (b) announce any merger
with or acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of another entity
which has net assets in excess of $250,000,000.
4.4 COVENANT OF EQR. If EQR enters into negotiations with another Person who
has a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act regarding
the acquisition of such Person (whether effected through a merger,
consolidation, share exchange, tender offer or other form), then at least
three (3) business days prior to executing any definitive agreement with such
Person with respect to such acquisition or making a tender offer for the
shares or other ownership interests of such Person, EQR shall notify Wellsford
of such transaction and consult with Wellsford with respect thereto, it being
understood, however, that Wellsford shall have no approval rights with respect
thereto.
4.5 OTHER ACTIONS. Each of Wellsford on the one hand and EQR on the other
hand shall not, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause their
Subsidiaries not to take, any action that would result in (i) any of the
representations and warranties of such party (without giving effect to any
"knowledge" qualification) set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as
to materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and
warranties (without giving effect to any "knowledge" qualification) that are
not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or (iii) except as
contemplated by Section 4.1, any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article 6 not being satisfied.
4.6 FILING OF CERTAIN REPORTS. The Surviving Trust shall file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, and it will take such further
action as any Affiliate of Wellsford or EQR may reasonably request, all to the
extent required from time to time to enable such Affiliate to sell shares of
beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust received by such Affiliate in the
Merger without registration under the Securities Act pursuant to (i) Rule
145(d)(1) under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from to time,
or (ii) any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
ARTICLE 5
Additional Covenants
5.1 PREPARATION OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT;
WELLSFORD SHAREHOLDERS MEETING AND EQR SHAREHOLDERS MEETING.
(a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, Wellsford
and EQR shall prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary Proxy Statement in
form and substance satisfactory to each of EQR and Wellsford and such
registration statements under the Securities Act and Exchange Act as may be
required (collectively, the "Registration Statement"). To the extent
practicable, the parties shall utilize one document for transmittal to their
respective shareholders to meet applicable legal requirements. Each of
Wellsford and EQR shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) respond to any
comments of the SEC and (ii) have the Registration Statement declared
effective under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the
Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the
Merger. Each of Wellsford and EQR will use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Wellsford's shareholders and EQR's
shareholders, respectively, as promptly as practicable after the Registration
Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act. Each party agrees to
date its Proxy Statement as of the same date, which shall be the approximate
date of mailing to the shareholders of the respective parties. Each party will
notify the other promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC and of
any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement or for additional information and will supply
the other with copies of all correspondence between such party or any of its
representatives and the SEC, with respect to the Registration Statement or the
Proxy Statement. The Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement shall
comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of law. Prior
to mailing the Proxy Statement to their respective
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shareholders, EQR and Wellsford shall have received the letters from their
respective accountants provided for by Section 5.8. Whenever any event occurs
which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement, EQR or Wellsford, as the case
may be, shall promptly inform the other of such occurrences and cooperate in
filing with the SEC and/or mailing to the shareholders of EQR and the
shareholders of Wellsford such amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement.
Wellsford or EQR, whichever shall become the Surviving Trust, also shall take
any action required to be taken under any applicable state securities or "blue
sky" laws in connection with the issuance of shares of beneficial interest of
the Surviving Trust pursuant to the Merger, and the other party shall furnish
all information concerning such party and the holders of the shares of
beneficial interest of such party and rights to acquire shares of beneficial
interest as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.
(b) EQR will, as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement
(but in no event sooner than 20 business days following the date the Proxy
Statement is mailed to the shareholders of Wellsford), duly call, give notice
of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "EQR Shareholders
Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the EQR Shareholder Approvals. EQR
will, through its Board of Trustees, recommend to its shareholders approval of
this Agreement, the Merger, and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) Wellsford will, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement (but in no event sooner than 20 business days following the date the
Proxy Statement is mailed to the shareholders of Wellsford), duly call, give
notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining Wellsford Shareholder
Approvals. Wellsford will, through its Board of Trustees, recommend to its
shareholders approval of this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that prior to the Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting, such recommendation may be withdrawn, modified or
amended to the extent that, as a result of the commencement or receipt of a
proposal constituting a Superior Acquisition Proposal, the Board of Trustees
of Wellsford determines in good faith that such withdrawal, modification or
amendment is appropriate.
(d) EQR and Wellsford shall use their best efforts to hold their respective
shareholder meetings on the same day, which day, subject to the provisions of
Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(c), shall be a day not later than 45 days after the
date the Proxy Statement is mailed.
(e) If on the date for the EQR Shareholders Meeting and Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting established pursuant to Section 5.1(d) of this Agreement,
either EQR or Wellsford has not received a sufficient number of proxies to
approve the Merger (but less than 1/3rd of the outstanding common shares of
beneficial interest of such party have voted against the Merger), then both
parties shall adjourn their respective shareholders meetings until the first
to occur of (i) the date ten (10) days after the originally scheduled date of
the shareholders meetings or (ii) the date on which the requisite number of
proxies approving the Merger has been obtained or proxies have been received
representing more than one-third of its outstanding common shares of
beneficial interest which voted against the Merger.
5.2 ACCESS TO INFORMATION: CONFIDENTIALITY. Subject to the requirements of
confidentiality agreements with third parties, each of Wellsford and EQR
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to the other party
and to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and
other representatives of such other party, reasonable access during normal
business hours prior to the Effective Time to all their respective properties,
books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period,
each of Wellsford and EQR shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
furnish promptly to the other party (a) a copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and other document filed by it during such period
pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws and (b) all
other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as such
other party may reasonably request. Each of Wellsford and EQR, shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other
representatives and affiliates to, hold any nonpublic information in
confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, and will comply
with the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 9, 1996
between Wellsford and EQR (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
5.3 BEST EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, Wellsford and EQR
shall: (i) use all reasonable best efforts to cooperate with one another in
(A) determining which filings are required to be made prior to the Effective
Time with, and which consents, approvals, permits or authorizations are
required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time from, governmental or
regulatory authorities of the United States, the several states and foreign
jurisdictions and any third parties in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by such agreements and (B) timely making all such filings and
timely seeking all such consents, approvals, permits and authorizations; (ii)
use all reasonable best efforts to obtain in writing any consents required
from third parties to effectuate the Merger, such consents to be in form
reasonably satisfactory to Wellsford and EQR; and (iii) use all reasonable
best efforts
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to take, or cause to be taken, all other action and do, or cause to be done,
all other things necessary, proper or appropriate to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If, at any time
after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to
carry out the purpose of this Agreement, the proper officers and trustees of
Wellsford and EQR shall take all such necessary action.
(b) Wellsford shall give prompt notice to EQR, and EQR shall give prompt
notice to Wellsford, (i) if any representation or warranty made by it
contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becomes untrue
or inaccurate in any respect or any such representation or warranty that is
not so qualified becomes untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii)
of the failure by it to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under
this Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.
5.4 COSTS OF TRANSACTION. On the Closing Date, Wellsford and EQR shall
execute, and Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute, the Transaction and
Termination Costs Agreement in substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
"H" hereto (the "Transaction Costs Agreement").
5.5 TAX TREATMENT. Each of EQR and Wellsford shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under the
provisions of Sections 368(a) of the Code and to obtain the opinions of
counsel referred to in Sections 6.2(e) and 6.3(f).
5.6 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. EQR and Wellsford will consult with each other
before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment
upon, any press release or other written public statements with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger and the
Spin-Off, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such written
public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by
applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing
agreement with any national securities exchange. The parties agree that the
initial press release to be issued with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will be in the form agreed to by the parties
hereto prior to the execution of this Agreement.
5.7 LISTING. Prior to the Effective Time, EQR or Wellsford (whichever shall
be the Surviving Trust), shall use its best efforts to have the NYSE approve
for listing, upon official notice of issuance, the shares of beneficial
interest to be issued in the Merger.
5.8 LETTERS OF ACCOUNTANTS.
(a) Wellsford shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered
to EQR the "comfort" letter of Ernst & Young, Wellsford's independent public
accountants, dated and delivered the date on which the Registration Statement
shall become effective and as of the Effective Time, and addressed to EQR, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to EQR and reasonably customary in
scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in
connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) EQR shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to
Wellsford the "comfort" letter of Ernst & Young, EQR's independent public
accountants, dated the date on which the Registration Statement shall become
effective and as of the Effective Time, and addressed to Wellsford, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Wellsford and reasonably customary in
scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in
connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this Agreement.
5.9 TRANSFER AND GAINS TAXES. EQR and Wellsford shall cooperate in the
preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications
or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use,
transfer, value added stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording,
registration and other fees and any similar taxes which become payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with
any related interests, penalties or additions to tax, "Transfer and Gains
Taxes"). From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall, or
shall cause ERP Operating Partnership, as appropriate, to pay or cause to be
paid, without deduction or withholding from any amounts payable to the holders
of beneficial interests in the Surviving Trust, all Transfer and Gains Taxes.
5.10 BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE ARRANGEMENTS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. After the Effective Time, all employees of Wellsford who
are employed by the Surviving Trust shall, at the option of the Surviving
Trust, either continue to be eligible to participate in an "employee benefit
plan", as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, of Wellsford which is, at the
option of the Surviving Trust, continued by the Surviving Trust, or
alternatively shall be eligible to participate in the same manner as other
similarly situated employees of the
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Surviving Trust who were formerly employees of EQR in any "employee benefit
plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, sponsored or maintained by the
Surviving Trust after the Effective Time. With respect to each such employee
benefit plan, service with EQR or any EQR Subsidiary or with Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary (as applicable) shall be included for purposes of
determining eligibility to participate, vesting (if applicable) and
entitlement to benefits. With respect to medical benefits provided by the
Surviving Trust on and after the Closing Date, coverage that would otherwise
be denied due to a preexisting illness shall be provided to those employees
who were covered by a plan sponsored by EQR, Wellsford or any of their
Subsidiaries before the Closing Date, but only to the extent that such illness
was covered under such a plan before the Closing Date.
(b) SHARE INCENTIVE PLANS. The share incentive plans of Wellsford and EQR,
respectively, shall be terminated or continued, as specifically set forth in
the Articles of Merger.
(c) RETENTION PROGRAM. As of the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall
adopt a severance and retention program (the "Retention Program") with respect
to those employees of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries set forth in
Schedule 5.10 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the "Schedule 5.10
Employees") by issuing to such Schedule 5.10 Employees a letter substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "I" (the "Retention Program Letter");
provided, however, that in no event may the aggregate obligations of Wellsford
and the Surviving Trust under the Retention Program exceed $544,575. The
Surviving Trust shall maintain the Retention Program in accordance with the
terms thereof. In no event shall Wellsford adopt or agree to any other
severance or retention program in addition to the Retention Program, except as
otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement. Neither the Retention
Program nor any other term of this Agreement shall require the Surviving Trust
to continue the employment of any employee of Wellsford after the Effective
Time. The Surviving Trust shall pay the amount set forth in Schedule 5.10 to
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter to each Schedule 5.10 Employee whose
employment is involuntarily terminated by the Surviving Trust without cause
prior to such employee's receipt of the Retention Program Letter.
(d) AGREEMENT OF OPTIONEES. Prior to the Closing, Wellsford shall use its
best efforts to obtain the written agreement of each employee (other than the
Executives of Wellsford as set forth in Exhibit "J" to this Agreement) holding
an option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares described in Schedule 2.3 to the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter and of David Kelley to the cancellation of such
option at the Effective Time for cash in an amount equal to the difference
between $27.50 and the applicable exercise price set forth in such option,
multiplied by the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option.
(e) RELEASE OF SURVIVING TRUST. At the Closing, each of (i) Jeffrey H.
Lynford, (ii) Edward Lowenthal, and (iii) each of the other Key Executives set
forth in Exhibit "J" who have agreed to the conversion of their options to
purchase Wellsford Common Shares into options to purchase common shares of
Newco, shall release the Surviving Trust from any obligations of Wellsford to
him under options to purchase Wellsford Common Shares which are exchanged for
or converted into options to purchase common shares of Newco.
(f) WITHHOLDING. Wellsford shall require each employee who exercises an
option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares or who receives Wellsford Common
Shares pursuant to any existing commitment to pay to Wellsford in cash or
Wellsford Common Shares an amount sufficient to satisfy in full Wellsford's
obligation to withhold Taxes incurred by reason of such exercise or issuance.
(g) EXECUTIVES. The compensation, benefits, payments, accelerations, share
options and share appreciation rights of the "Executives" and the trustees of
Wellsford, as set forth in Exhibit "J" to this Agreement, shall be satisfied
at the Effective Time in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit "J"
and Schedule 5.10(g) to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter. For purposes of
valuing all existing options to be converted into options to purchase common
shares of Newco, Wellsford has utilized the Merrill Lynch trading desk formula
pricing model and take into account the number of options held, the exercise
price and duration thereof, the volatility of the market price of the shares
involved, and other required factors.
(h) COMMITTEE ACTION. Wellsford shall cause the appropriate committee to
take the appropriate action under Wellsford's 1992 Share Option Plan and under
its Long-Term Management Incentive Plan to cause each option to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares which remains unexercised as of the Effective Time to
be amended to adjust the number of shares for which such option is thereafter
exercisable and the exercise price by the Exchange Ratio, as provided for in
the Articles of Merger.
5.11 INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall provide
exculpation and indemnification for each person who is now or has been at any
time prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an
officer or
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trustee of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary (the "Indemnified Parties")
which is the same as the exculpation and indemnification provided to the
Indemnified Parties by Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries immediately
prior to the Effective Time in its Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
and Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, that such exculpation
and indemnification covers actions on or prior to the Effective Time,
including, without limitation, all transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In no event shall the Surviving Trust be obligated to provide
directors' and officers' liability insurance. If the Surviving Trust has
directors and officers' insurance, such insurance shall apply to all directors
and officers of the Surviving Trust serving as such during the period such
coverage is in effect.
(b) The Surviving Trust shall continue in force and effect after the
Effective Time each Indemnification Agreement between EQR and any Person which
was in force and effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5.11 are intended to be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his or her heirs and
his or her personal representatives and shall be binding on all successors and
assigns of EQR and Wellsford.
(d) In the event that the Surviving Trust or any of its respective
successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person
and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case the
successors and assigns of such entity shall assume the obligations set forth
in this Section 5.11, which obligations are expressly intended to be for the
irrevocable benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each trustee and officer
covered hereby.
5.12 CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute the
Contribution Agreement and any other agreement related to the transactions
contemplated hereby to which Newco is a party provided that Wellsford has
obtained all material consents required to be obtained by Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries from third parties in order to perform their respective
obligations under the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements
contemplated hereby to which Newco is a party. Wellsford shall diligently seek
and use its best efforts to obtain such consents prior to the Closing Date.
Wellsford shall keep EQR currently apprised of its progress in obtaining such
consents. Wellsford shall inform EQR promptly if it appears unlikely that any
given consent will be obtained. Wellsford shall cooperate with EQR in taking
any action to either obtain such consents or to put Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries in a position so that such consents are no longer
required; provided such action does not cost Wellsford a material amount or
materially adversely affect Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries.
5.13 DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. From and after the date of
this Agreement, Wellsford shall not make any dividend or distribution to its
shareholders without the prior written consent of EQR; provided, however, the
written consent of EQR shall not be required for the distribution of Newco
shares pursuant to the Spin-Off and for the authorization and payment of
quarterly distributions with respect to the Wellsford Common Shares of up to
$0.485 per share, the Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares of up to $0.4375 per
share and the Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares of up to $0.603125 per
share; provided, however, the record date for each distribution with respect
to the Wellsford Common Shares shall be the same date as the record date for
the quarterly distribution for the Common Shares of EQR as provided to
Wellsford by notice not less than twenty (20) business days prior to the
record date for any quarterly EQR distribution; provided, however, in the
event EQR has not notified Wellsford of the record date for a quarterly
distribution with respect to the EQR Common Shares for any quarter prior to
the last twenty (20) business days of such quarter, Wellsford may authorize a
distribution on the Wellsford Common Shares, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Section 5.13. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if EQR is to
be the Surviving Trust, Wellsford may make distributions to its shareholders
in excess of the foregoing amounts without the consent of EQR but only to the
extent such distributions are required to comply with the minimum distribution
requirements set forth in Section 857(b) of the Code.
5.14 CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. ERP Operating Partnership shall enter into a
consulting agreement with each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal
which shall become effective as of the Effective Time and shall be in
substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibit "K".
5.15 TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT COMPANY SHARES. At the Closing, Wellsford shall
cause the owners (other than Wellsford or a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Wellsford) to transfer to such person or persons as EQR shall designate by
written notice delivered to Wellsford prior to the Closing, all of the shares
of Wellsford Holly Management Inc. ("Management Corp.") owned by them,
constituting all the outstanding shares of the Management Corp. which are not
owned by Wellsford or a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellsford for an aggregate
consideration of $1.00, unless Management Corp. was dissolved prior to the
Closing Date.
5.16 TRANSFER OF WELLSFORD ASSETS AFTER EFFECTIVE TIME. Wellsford
acknowledges that immediately after the Effective Time, the real properties
owned by Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries and the equity interests in
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certain of the Wellsford Subsidiaries shall be transferred to ERP Operating
Partnership, subject to all liabilities of Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries, as a capital contribution in exchange for a number of units and
preferred units of ERP Operating Partnership equal to the number of common
shares of beneficial interest and preferred shares of beneficial interest of
the Surviving Trust issued in the Merger to the owners of the shares of
beneficial interest of Wellsford in the Merger; provided, however, that
Wellsford makes no representation or warranty regarding EQR's ability to
accomplish the foregoing, the costs that would be incurred in connection
therewith or any consents or approvals that may be required therefor.
5.17 NOTICES.
(a) Within the time period provided for in the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of the Surviving Trust, the Surviving Trust shall notify
the holders of Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares (which have been converted
into Series D Preferred Shares of the Surviving Trust) of the conversion rate
applicable to such shares after giving effect to the Merger.
(b) Each party shall provide such notice to its shareholders of the Merger
as is required under Maryland law.
5.18 RESIGNATIONS. On the Closing Date, Wellsford shall cause the trustees,
directors and officers of Wellsford and each of the Wellsford Subsidiaries
(excluding Newco and its Subsidiaries) to submit their resignations from such
positions, effective as of the Effective Time.
5.19 THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS. Wellsford shall not amend the
existing Third Party Management Agreement which provides that such agreement
may be cancelled by Wellsford on thirty days' notice or less without any
charge, penalty or other cost for such cancellation. Wellsford shall not renew
the other existing Third Party Management Agreement which expires in April,
1997 except on terms which permit its cancellation by Wellsford on thirty
days' notice or less without any charge, penalty or other cost for such
cancellation, and shall not thereafter amend such terms.
5.20 REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS. Wellsford covenants that on the
Closing Date it shall cause Newco and its Subsidiaries to repay all loans made
to any of them by Wellsford or the other Wellsford Subsidiaries and to procure
on the Closing Date the unconditional and irrevocable release of Wellsford and
such other Wellsford Subsidiaries from any guaranties of the obligations of
Newco and its Subsidiaries (whether effected directly or indirectly through
the repayment of the indebtedness so guaranteed), other than the guaranties
contemplated under the Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino
Agreement. Wellsford covenants that it shall cause Newco to apply the
Contribution Funds (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) and shall cause
Newco to request purchases of shares of Newco under the Newco Stock Purchase
Agreement to the extent that Newco does not repay such indebtedness from other
sources and obtain such releases by other means.
5.21 10B-17 NOTICE. Wellsford shall give any notice required under Rule 10b-
17 promulgated under the Exchange Act of the record date for determining the
holders of Wellsford Common Shares entitled to receive the distribution of the
shares of Newco owned by Wellsford. The parties shall co-operate in
establishing the date for the Closing Date in order to facilitate compliance
with said Rule.
5.22 DENVER LEASE. Prior to the Closing Date, Wellsford may sublease the
office space in Denver, Colorado currently leased by Wellsford (the "Denver
Space") to a subtenant with EQR's prior consent, which consent shall not be
withheld if such prospective tenant is financially capable of making the
rental payments under the sublease. If the Denver Space has not been subleased
by Wellsford by the Closing Date, the Surviving Trust shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to sublease the Denver Space; provided that the Surviving
Trust shall not be required to sublease such space to any Person which is not
financially capable of making the payments required under the sublease. Newco
may refer potential tenants to the Surviving Trust and may sublease the Denver
Space itself. If the Denver Space is not subleased by the Closing Date, but is
thereafter subleased by the Surviving Trust, the Surviving Trust shall pay to
Newco the present value (determined using an interest rate of 8%) of all base
rent payable under such sublease (net of third party brokers' commissions)
promptly after such sublease is executed by the parties.
5.23 NEW YORK LEASE. If prior to the Effective Time Wellsford is unable to
obtain the consent of the landlord under the lease of the office space in New
York, New York currently leased by Wellsford (the "New York Lease") to either
(a) the assignment of the New York Lease to Newco and the release of the
Surviving Trust from all liability under the New York Lease, or (ii) the
sublease to Newco of the space leased under the New York Lease, then the
Surviving Trust will reasonably co-operate with Newco to provide Newco with
the benefits of the New York Lease, including becoming a 50% joint venture
partner with Newco in an entity formed to sublease such space.
5.24 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF WPHC. Prior to the Closing Date, Wellsford
shall cause: (a) the Articles of Incorporation of WPHC to be amended so as to
provide (i) for two classes of common shares which shall be identical in all
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respects except that (A) one class shall be voting (the "WPHC Voting Shares")
and one class shall be non-voting (the "WPHC Non-Voting Shares"), and (B) each
WPHC Non-Voting Share shall be convertible at any time into one WPHC Voting
Share, and (ii) that no dividend may be declared or paid on the outstanding
shares of either class of common shares of WPHC unless the same dividend is
declared on both classes of common shares of WPHC, except that any stock
dividend payable solely in common shares of WPHC shall be paid in WPHC Voting
Shares, as to such dividends on WPHC Voting Shares, or WPHC Non-Voting Shares,
as to dividends on WPHC Non-Voting Shares, and (b) the shares of WPHC owned by
Wellsford to be converted or exchanged for 80 WPHC Voting Shares, which shall
be contributed to Newco pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, and 20 WPHC
Non-Voting Shares, which shall continue to be owned by the Surviving Trust
after the Effective Time.
5.25 COMPLETION OF ARTICLES OF MERGER. If the Closing Date occurs on or
after the annual meeting of the shareholders of EQR for 1997, Exhibit "B" to
the Articles of Merger shall be completed prior to the execution thereof by
the parties in such a manner so that each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward
Lowenthal shall be designated as trustees whose terms expire at the annual
meeting of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust held in 2000. If the
Closing Date occurs before the annual meeting of the shareholders of EQR for
1997, (a) Exhibit "B" to the Articles of Merger shall be completed prior to
the execution thereof by the parties in such a manner so that each of Jeffrey
H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal shall be designated as trustees whose terms
expire at the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust held
in 1998, and (b) Jerry H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal shall be designated as
management's designees in the Surviving Trust's proxy material for its annual
meeting of shareholders held in 1998 to serve as trustees of the Surviving
Trust with terms expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders of the
Surviving Trust held in 2000. The terms of the remaining trustees of the
Surviving Trust shall be completed in Exhibit "B" in the manner designated by
EQR.
ARTICLE 6
Conditions
6.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS. This Agreement, the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved and
adopted by the Shareholder Approvals.
(b) LISTING OF SHARES. The NYSE shall have approved for listing the
shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust to be issued in the
Merger, subject in each case to official notice of issuance.
(c) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The Registration Statement shall have become
effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop
order or proceedings by the SEC seeking a stop order.
(d) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing
the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall be in effect.
(e) BLUE SKY LAWS. The Surviving Trust shall have received all state
securities or "blue sky" permits and other authorizations necessary to
issue shares of beneficial interest to the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford.
(f) OPINION OF MARYLAND COUNSEL. EQR and Wellsford shall have received
the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll to the effect that this
Agreement and the Articles of Merger are enforceable under Maryland law,
that all requisite approval of the Merger by the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford has been obtained, and as to such other matters as are customary
in a transaction such as the Merger.
6.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EQR. The obligations of EQR to effect the
Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated to occur on the
Closing Date are further subject to the following conditions, any one or more
of which may be waived by EQR:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties of
Wellsford set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the
Closing Date (other than changes thereto which occurred solely by reason of
the Spin-Off), as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the
extent the representation or warranty is expressly limited by its terms to
another date, and EQR shall have received a certificate (which certificate
may be qualified by Knowledge to the same extent as the representations and
warranties of Wellsford contained herein are so qualified) signed on behalf
of Wellsford by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer
of Wellsford, in such capacity, to such effect; provided, however, that no
representation or warranty shall be deemed to have been breached as a
result of any act of Newco and its Subsidiaries taken or omitted to be
taken after the date of this Agreement, if such act or omission was taken
or omitted to be taken without causing Newco to breach Section 4.2 of
A-25
<PAGE>
this Agreement. For the purposes of Section 6.2(a), the representations and
warranties of Wellsford shall be deemed true and correct unless the breach
of such representations and warranties, in the aggregate, could reasonably
be expected to have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF WELLSFORD. Wellsford shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and EQR shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of Wellsford by the chief
executive officer or the chief financial officer of Wellsford, in such
capacity, to such effect. For purposes of this Agreement, the inability of
Newco to (i) repay all of the loans and advances made to it by Wellsford or
any of the other Wellsford Subsidiaries, after giving effect to all cash to
be received by Newco on the Closing Date (including any amounts to be
received under the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement), shall be deemed to be a
material default, and (ii) the inability of Newco to obtain the
unconditional and irrevocable release from any obligations of Newco and its
Subsidiaries issued after the date of this Agreement (whether directly
through a release or indirectly through the payment of the indebtedness so
guaranteed) shall be deemed to be a material default. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Newco is unable to repay such indebtedness to Wellsford on
the Closing Date, after giving effect to all cash to be received by Newco
on the Closing Date (including any amounts to be received under the Newco
Stock Purchase Agreement), EQR may, at its option, and in lieu of
terminating this Agreement, require Newco to execute and deliver to the
Surviving Trust a promissory note in the amount of such indebtedness which
Newco is unable to pay, payable in twelve (12) equal consecutive monthly
installments on the last day of each month, commencing with the month next
following the month in which the Merger occurs, together with interest
thereon at a rate equal to the Revolver Rate plus 2%, payable with each
installment of principal.
(c) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of this Agreement, there
shall have been no Wellsford Material Adverse Change and EQR shall have
received a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial
officer of Wellsford, in such capacity, certifying to such effect.
(d) OPINIONS RELATING TO REIT AND PARTNERSHIP STATUS. EQR shall have
received an opinion of counsel to Wellsford, reasonably satisfactory to
EQR, that, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1993,
Wellsford was organized and has operated in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code (with customary
exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based upon customary
representations).
(e) OTHER TAX OPINION. EQR shall have received an opinion dated the
Closing Date from counsel to EQR, based upon certificates and letters,
which letters and certificates are substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit "L" hereto and dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the
Merger will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section
368(a) of the Code.
(f) COMFORT LETTER. EQR shall have received the letter from the
accountants for Wellsford required by Section 5.8 hereof.
(g) OPINION OF COUNSEL. EQR shall have received an opinion from Robinson
Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP or other counsel to Wellsford
reasonably satisfactory to EQR dated the Closing Date in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to EQR addressing the matters set forth in Exhibit
"M" hereto.
(h) CONSENTS. All consents and waivers (including, without limitation,
waivers of rights of first refusal) from third parties necessary in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have been obtained, other than such consents and waivers
from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not result, individually
or in the aggregate, in an EQR Material Adverse Effect or a Wellsford
Material Adverse Effect.
(i) CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal shall
have executed and delivered their respective Consulting Agreements.
(j) SHARES OF MANAGEMENT CORP. Unless Management Corp. was dissolved
before the Closing Date, the voting shares of Management Corp. shall have
been transferred to EQR's designees in accordance with Section 5.15.
(k) RELEASES. The Key Executives shall have executed the releases
described in Section 5.10(e).
(l) WPHC ARTICLES. The Articles of Incorporation of WPHC shall have been
amended as provided in Section 5.24 and immediately prior to the Spin-off,
Wellsford's ownership interest in WPHC shall consist solely of 80 WPHC
Voting Shares and 20 WPHC Non-Voting Shares.
(m) CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Wellsford and Newco shall have entered into
the Contribution Agreement and each of the transactions contemplated
thereby shall have been completed to the extent required to be completed
thereunder as of such time.
(n) NEWCO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed and
delivered the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
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<PAGE>
(o) PALOMINO CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed and
delivered the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement.
(p) PALOMINO AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed and delivered the
Palomino Agreement.
(q) SONTERRA RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER. Newco shall have executed and
delivered the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement.
(r) TRANSACTION COSTS AGREEMENT. Each of Wellsford and Newco shall have
executed and delivered the Transaction Costs Agreement.
6.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF WELLSFORD. The obligation of Wellsford to
effect the Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated to
occur on the Closing Date is further subject to the following conditions, any
one or more of which may be waived by Wellsford:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties of
EQR set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the
Closing Date, except to the extent the representation or warranty is
expressly limited by its terms to another date, and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate (which certificate may be qualified by Knowledge to
the same extent as the representations and warranties of EQR contained
herein are so qualified) signed on behalf of EQR by the chief executive
officer and the chief financial officer of such party to such effect. For
the purposes of this Section 6.3(a), the representations and warranties of
EQR shall be deemed true and correct unless the breach of such
representations and warranties, in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF EQR. EQR shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate of EQR signed on behalf of EQR by the chief
executive officer or the chief financial officer of EQR, in such capacity,
to such effect.
(c) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of this Agreement, there
shall have been no EQR Material Adverse Change and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial
officer of EQR, in such capacity, certifying to such effect.
(d) COMFORT LETTER. Wellsford shall have received the letter from the
accountants for EQR required by Section 5.8 hereof.
(e) OPINION RELATING TO REIT STATUS AND PARTNERSHIP STATUS. Wellsford
shall have received an opinion of counsel to EQR, reasonably satisfactory
to Wellsford, that, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31,
1993, (A) EQR was organized and has operated in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and (B) ERP
Operating Partnership has been during and since 1993 and continues to be,
treated of federal income tax purposes as a partnership, and not as a
corporation or association taxable as a corporation (with customary
exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based upon customary
representations).
(f) OTHER TAX OPINION. Wellsford shall have received an opinion dated the
Closing Date from counsel to Wellsford, based upon certificates and
letters, which letters and certificates are substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit "N" hereto and dated the Closing Date, to the effect that
the Merger will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section
368(a) of the Code.
(g) OPINION OF COUNSEL. Wellsford shall have received an opinion from
Rudnick & Wolfe or other counsel to EQR reasonably satisfactory to
Wellsford dated the Closing Date in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Wellsford addressing the matters set forth in Exhibit "O"
hereto dated the Closing Date.
(h) CONSENTS. All consents and waivers (including, without limitation,
waivers or rights of first refusal) from third parties necessary in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall have been obtained, other than such consents and waivers from third
parties, which, if not obtained, would not result, individually or in the
aggregate, in an EQR Material Adverse Effect or a Wellsford Material
Adverse Effect.
(i) CONSULTING AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall have executed
the Consulting Agreements with each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward
Lowenthal.
(j) NEWCO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall have
executed and delivered the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
(k) PALOMINO CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership
shall have executed and delivered the Palomino Credit Enhancement
Agreement.
(l) PALOMINO AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall have executed and
delivered the Palomino Agreement.
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<PAGE>
(m) SONTERRA RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER. ERP Operating Partnership shall have
executed and delivered the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement.
(n) TRANSACTION COSTS AGREEMENT. EQR shall have executed and delivered
the Transaction Costs Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
Termination, Amendment and Waiver
7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
filing of the Articles of Merger with the Department, whether before or after
either of the Shareholder Approvals are obtained:
(a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the respective Boards of
Trustees of EQR and Wellsford;
(b) by EQR, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant,
obligation or agreement on the part of Wellsford set forth in this
Agreement, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section
6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being
satisfied by August 1, 1997 (or as otherwise extended);
(c) by Wellsford, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
obligation or agreement on the part of EQR set forth in this Agreement, in
either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section
6.3(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being satisfied by August
1, 1997 (or as otherwise extended);
(d) by either EQR or Wellsford, if any judgment, injunction, order,
decree or action by any Governmental Entity of competent authority
preventing the consummation of the Merger shall have become final and
nonappealable;
(e) by either EQR or Wellsford, if the Merger shall not have been
consummated before August 1, 1997; provided, in the case of termination
pursuant to this Section 7.1(e), the terminating party shall not have
breached in any material respect its obligations under this Agreement in
any manner that shall have proximately contributed to the occurrence of the
failure referred to in this Section;
(f) by either EQR or Wellsford if, upon a vote at a duly held Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting or any adjournment thereof, Wellsford Shareholder
Approvals shall not have been obtained as contemplated by Section 5.1;
(g) by either EQR or Wellsford if, upon a vote at a duly held EQR
Shareholders Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the EQR Shareholder
Approvals shall not have been obtained as contemplated by Section 5.1;
(h) by Wellsford, if prior to the Wellsford Shareholders Meeting, the
Board of Trustees of Wellsford shall have withdrawn or modified its
approval or recommendation of the Merger or this Agreement in connection
with, or approved or recommended, a Superior Acquisition Proposal;
(i) by EQR if (i) prior to the Wellsford Shareholders Meeting, the Board
of Trustees of Wellsford shall have withdrawn or modified in any manner
adverse to EQR its approval or recommendation of the Merger or this
Agreement in connection with, or approved or recommended, any Superior
Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) Wellsford shall have entered into a
definitive agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal; and
(j) by Wellsford or EQR if the Average Closing Price is less than $37.00
per share; provided, however, any notice of termination given pursuant to
this Section 7.1(j) shall be given within three (3) business days after the
date that such right of termination accrues.
7.2 CERTAIN FEES AND EXPENSES. If this Agreement shall be terminated (i)
pursuant to Section 7.1(h) or 7.1(i), then Wellsford will pay EQR (provided
Wellsford was not entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(c) at the time of such termination) a fee equal to the Break-Up Fee (as
defined below), (ii) pursuant to Section 7.1(b) or 7.1(f), then Wellsford will
pay EQR (provided Wellsford was not entitled to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(c) at the time of such termination) an amount equal to
the Break-Up Expenses (as defined below). If this Agreement shall be
terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(c) or 7.1(g), then EQR will pay Wellsford
(provided EQR was not entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(b) at the time of such termination), an amount equal to the Break-Up
Expenses. If the Merger is not consummated (other than due to the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(a), 7.1(g) or 7.1(j) or EQR's
failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement in such a manner so as
to entitle Wellsford to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c))
and at the time of the termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal
has been received by Wellsford, and either prior to the termination of this
Agreement or within twelve (12) months thereafter Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary enters into any written Acquisition Proposal which is subsequently
consummated (whether or not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition
Proposal which had been received at the time of the termination of this
Agreement), then Wellsford shall pay the Break-Up Fee to EQR. The payment of
the Break Up Fee shall be compensation and liquidated damages for the loss
suffered by EQR as a result of the failure of the Merger
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<PAGE>
to be consummated and to avoid the difficulty of determining damages under the
circumstances and neither party shall have any other liability to the other
after the payment of the Break-Up Fee. The Break- Up Fee shall be paid by
Wellsford to EQR, or the Break-Up Expenses shall be paid by Wellsford to EQR
or EQR to Wellsford (as applicable), in immediately available funds within
fifteen (15) days after the date the event giving rise to the obligation to
make such payment occurred. As used in this Agreement, "Break-Up Fee" shall be
an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $14,000,000 plus Break-Up Expenses (the
"Base Amount") and (ii) the sum of (A) the maximum amount that can be paid to
EQR without causing it to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2)
and (3) of the Code determined as if the payment of such amount did not
constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) and 856(c)(3)(A)-(I)
of the Code ("Qualifying Income"), as determined by independent accountants to
EQR, and (B) in the event EQR receives a letter from outside counsel (the
"Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion") indicating that EQR has received a ruling from the
IRS holding that EQR's receipt of the Base Amount would either constitute
Qualifying Income or would be excluded from gross income within the meaning of
Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code (the "REIT Requirements") or that the
receipt by EQR of the remaining balance of the Base Amount following the
receipt of and pursuant to such ruling would not be deemed constructively
received prior thereto, the Base Amount less the amount payable under clause
(A) above. Wellsford's obligation to pay any unpaid portion of the Break-Up
Fee shall terminate three years from the date of this Agreement. In the event
that EQR is not able to receive the full Base Amount, Wellsford shall place
the unpaid amount in escrow and shall not release any portion thereof to EQR
unless and until Wellsford receives any one or combination of the following:
(i) a letter from EQR's independent accountants indicating the maximum amount
that can be paid at that time to EQR without causing EQR to fail to meet the
REIT Requirements or (ii) a Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion, in which event Wellsford
shall pay to EQR the lesser of the unpaid Base Amount or the maximum amount
stated in the letter referred to in (i) above. The "Break-Up Expenses" payable
to EQR or Wellsford, as the case may be (the "Recipient"), shall be an amount
equal to the lesser of (i) $2,500,000, (ii) the Recipient's out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, all attorneys',
accountants' and investment bankers' fees and expenses) and (iii) the sum of
(A) the maximum amount that can be paid to the Recipient without causing it to
fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code
determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying
Income, as determined by independent accountants to the Recipient, and (B) in
the event the Recipient receives a Break Up Fee Tax Opinion indicating that
the Recipient has received a ruling from the IRS holding that the Recipient's
receipt of the Expense Fee would either constitute Qualifying Income or would
be excluded from gross income within the meaning of the REIT Requirements or
that receipt by the Recipient of the remaining balance of the Expense Fee
following the receipt of and pursuant to such ruling would not be deemed
constructively received prior thereto, the Expense Fee less the amount payable
under clause (A) above. The obligation of EQR or Wellsford, as applicable
("Payor"), to pay any unpaid portion of the Break Up Expenses shall terminate
three years from the date of this Agreement. In the event that the Recipient
is not able to receive the full Expense Fee, the Payor shall place the unpaid
amount in escrow and shall not release any portion thereof to the Recipient
unless and until the Payor receives any one or combination of the following:
(i) a letter from the Recipient's independent accountants indicating the
maximum amount that can be paid at that time to the Recipient without causing
the Recipient to fail to meet the REIT Requirements or (ii) a Break-Up Fee Tax
Opinion, in which event the Payor shall pay to the Recipient the lesser of the
unpaid Expense Fee or the maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in
(i) above.
7.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement by
either Wellsford or EQR as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall
forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation
on the part of EQR, or Wellsford, other than the last sentence of Section 5.2,
Section 7.2, this Section 7.3 and Article 8; provided that (a) if this
Agreement is terminated by EQR pursuant to Section 7.1(b), Wellsford shall not
be entitled to any of the benefits of Section 7.2, or (b) if this Agreement is
terminated by Wellsford pursuant to Section 7.1(c), EQR shall not be entitled
to any of the benefits of Section 7.2.
7.4 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties in writing by
action of their respective Boards of Trustees at any time before or after any
Shareholder Approvals are obtained and prior to the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Department; provided, however, that, after the Shareholder
Approvals are obtained, no such amendment, modification or supplement shall be
made which by law requires the further approval of shareholders without
obtaining such further approval.
7.5 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
acts of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties of the other party contained in this Agreement or in any document
delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section
7.4, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other
party contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of those rights.
A-29
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 8
General Provisions
8.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement confirming the representations and
warranties in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section
8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its
terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
8.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally,
sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties or sent
by telecopy (providing confirmation of transmission) at the following
addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such other address or telecopy number for
a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to EQR, to:
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: President
Fax No. (312) 207-5243
with a copy to:
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Bruce C. Strohm, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 454-0039
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Attention: Errol R. Halperin, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 236-7516
(b) if to Wellsford, to:
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Attention: President
Fax No. (212) 333-2323
with a copy to:
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104-0053
Attention: Alan S. Pearce, Esq.
Fax No. (212) 541-1411
All notices shall be deemed given only when actually received.
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section,
such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation."
8.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each
of the parties and delivered to the other party.
8.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement, the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the EQR Disclosure Letter, the Confidentiality
Agreement and the other agreements entered into in connection with the
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<PAGE>
Transactions (a) constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and (b) except as provided in
Section 5.10 (with respect to the Schedule 5.10 Employees who do not receive
Retention Program Letters) and Section 5.11 ("Third Party Provisions"), are
not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any
rights or remedies. The Third Party Provisions may be enforced by the
beneficiaries thereof or on behalf of the beneficiaries thereof by the
trustees of Wellsford who had been trustees of Wellsford prior to the
Effective Time.
8.6 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS
THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS
THEREOF.
8.7 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned or delegated, in whole or
in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the
prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence,
this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
8.8 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of Illinois or New York or in any Illinois or New York
State court located in Illinois or New York, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each
of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself (without making such
submission exclusive) to the personal jurisdiction of any federal court
located in the State of Illinois or New York or any Illinois or New York State
court in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (b) agrees that it will not
attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other
request for leave from any such court.
8.9 SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
8.10 NON-RECOURSE.
(a) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings and
arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or executed on behalf of
Wellsford by the undersigned in his capacity as a trustee or officer of
Wellsford, which has been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Wellsford dated as
of November 2, 1992, as amended and restated, and not individually, and
neither the trustees, officers nor shareholders of Wellsford shall be
personally bound or have any personal liability hereunder. EQR shall look
solely to the assets of Wellsford for satisfaction of any liability of
Wellsford with respect to this Agreement and any other agreements to which it
is a party. EQR will not seek recourse or commence any action against any of
the shareholders of Wellsford or any of their personal assets, and will not
commence any action for money judgments against any of the trustees or
officers of Wellsford or seek recourse against any of their personal assets,
for the performance or payment of any obligation of Wellsford hereunder or
thereunder.
(b) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings and
arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or executed on behalf of
EQR by the undersigned in his capacity as a trustee or officer of EQR, which
has been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust pursuant to an
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of EQR dated as of August 10, 1993,
as amended and restated, and not individually, and neither the trustees,
officers nor shareholders of EQR shall be personally bound or have any
personal liability hereunder. Wellsford shall look solely to the assets of EQR
for satisfaction of any liability of EQR with respect to this Agreement and
any other agreements to which it is a party. Wellsford will not seek recourse
or commence any action against any of the shareholders of EQR or any of their
personal assets, and will not commence any action for money judgments against
any of the trustees or officers of EQR or seek recourse against any of their
personal assets, for the performance or payment of any obligation of EQR
hereunder or thereunder.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EQR and Wellsford have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized all as of the
date first written above.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
/s/ Douglas J. Crocker II
By: _____________________________________
Name: Douglas J. Crocker II
Title: Chief Executive Officer &
President
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
/s/ Edward Lowenthal
By: _____________________________________
Name: Edward Lowenthal
Title: President
A-32
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT "G"
ADJUSTMENT TO EXCHANGE RATIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF AVERAGE PRICE IS: EXCHANGE RATIO IS:
-------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
$40.000 0.625
$39.875 0.627
$39.750 0.629
$39.625 0.631
$39.500 0.633
$39.375 0.635
$39.250 0.637
$39.125 0.639
$39.000 0.641
$38.875 0.643
$38.750 0.645
$38.625 0.647
$38.500 0.649
$38.375 0.651
$38.250 0.654
$38.125 0.656
$38.000 0.658
$37.875 0.659
$37.750 0.660
$37.625 0.661
$37.500 0.662
$37.375 0.663
$37.250 0.664
$37.125 0.665
$37.000 0.666
</TABLE>
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APPENDIX B
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
ARTICLES OF MERGER
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment
trust ("Wellsford"), and Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("Equity"), certify to the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland:
1. The Merger. Equity and Wellsford agree to merge in the manner hereinafter
set forth. Subject to the acceptance for record of these Articles by the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "Department"), Equity
shall be merged with and into Wellsford in accordance with Section 8.501.1 of
the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(the "Maryland Code"), and the separate existence of Equity shall thereupon
cease (the "Merger").
2. The Surviving Trust. Wellsford is the real estate investment trust to
survive the Merger and shall be known as Equity Residential Properties Trust.
When used in these Articles, the term "Surviving Trust" shall mean Wellsford,
thereinafter known as "Equity Residential Properties Trust", as the trust
surviving in the Merger as of the Effective Time (as defined below) and
thereafter.
3. Formation. Both Wellsford and Equity are formed under Title 8 of the
Maryland Code.
4. Principal Offices. The principal office of each of Wellsford and Equity
in the State of Maryland is located in Baltimore City.
5. Ownership of Land Interests. Equity owns interests in land in the
following counties located within the State of Maryland: Montgomery, Prince
George, Anne Arundel and Fredrick County.
6. Declaration of Trust. Effective as of the Effective Time, the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust of the Surviving Trust (the "Declaration") shall
be amended and restated in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit "A" to these
Articles, until duly amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law.
The name and address of the Surviving Trust's Resident Agent is as set forth
in Section 1.2 of Exhibit "A".
7. Effective Time. The Merger shall be effective at the time the Department
accepts these Articles for Record (the "Effective Time") (The date on which
the Effective Time occurs is herein referred to as the "Effective Date").
8. Effects. The Merger shall have the effects specified in Section
8.501.1(n) of the Maryland Code. If at any time the Surviving Trust shall
consider or be advised that any further assignments, conveyances or assurances
in law are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm in the Surviving
Trust the title to any property or rights of Equity or Wellsford or otherwise
to carry out the provisions hereof, the persons who are the proper officers
and trustees of Equity or Wellsford immediately prior to the Effective Time
(or their successors in office) shall execute and deliver any and all proper
deeds, assignments and assurances in law, and do all things necessary or
proper, to vest, perfect or confirm title to such property or rights in the
Surviving Trust and otherwise to carry out the provisions hereof. The
Surviving Trust shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
9. Approval of Merger. The terms and conditions of the Merger were duly
advised, authorized and approved by Equity in the manner and by the vote
required by the laws of the State of Maryland and the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of Equity as follows:
(a) The Board of Trustees of Equity, at a meeting duly called and held,
adopted a resolution declaring that the terms and conditions of the Merger
described herein were advisable and directing that the proposed transaction
be submitted for consideration by the shareholders of Equity.
(b) The shareholders of Equity entitled to vote on the proposed merger,
at a meeting duly called and held, adopted a resolution approving the
Merger.
The terms and conditions of the Merger were duly advised, authorized and
approved by the Wellsford in the manner and by the vote required by the laws
of the State of Maryland and the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
Wellsford as follows:
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(a) The Board of Trustees of Wellsford, at a meeting duly called and
held, adopted a resolution declaring that the terms and conditions of the
Merger described herein were advisable and directing that the proposed
transaction be submitted for consideration by the shareholders of
Wellsford.
(b) The shareholders of Wellsford entitled to vote on the proposed
merger, at a meeting duly called and held, adopted a resolution approving
the Merger.
10. Trustees. As of the Effective Time, the trustees of the Surviving Trust
and their terms of office shall be as set forth on Exhibit "B" attached
hereto. If any of the individuals named in Exhibit "B" are unable to serve as
a trustee of the Surviving Trust at the Effective Time, his successor will be
nominated and elected in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving Trust.
11. Capital.
(a) Wellsford's Declaration authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares
of beneficial interest, which consists of common shares, $.01 par value per
share ("Wellsford Common") and such other types or classes as the trustees
may create and authorize from time to time. Wellsford has established the
following classes of preferred shares: (i) 4,600,000 shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per
share ("Wellsford Series A") and (ii) 2,300,000 shares of Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share ("Wellsford Series B").
(b) Equity's Declaration authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000 shares,
of which 100,000,000 are common shares, $.01 par value per share ("Equity
Common"), and 10,000,000 are preferred shares. Equity has established the
following series of preferred shares: (i) 6,900,000 shares of 9 3/8% Series
A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share ("Equity Series A"); (ii) 575,000 shares of 9 1/8% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share ("Equity Series B"); and (iii) 460,000 shares of 9 1/8%
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share
("Equity Series C").
(c) Effective at the Effective Time, the Declaration of the Surviving
Trust will be amended and restated to, among other things, increase the
number of authorized shares of beneficial interest to 300,000,000, of which
200,000,000 shall be common shares ("Survivor Common") and 100,000,000
shall be preferred shares. Shares of Survivor Common will have a par value
of $.01 per share. The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will establish
the following classes of preferred shares: (i) 6,900,000 shares of 9 3/8%
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par
value $.01 per share ("Survivor Series A"); (ii) 575,000 shares of 9 1/8%
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par
value $.01 per share ("Survivor Series B"); (iii) 460,000 shares of 9 1/8%
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share
("Survivor Series C"); (iv) 4,600,000 shares of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share
("Survivor Series D"); and (v) 2,300,000 shares of Series E Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per
share ("Survivor Series E").
12. Conversion. The manner of converting the shares of Wellsford and Equity
shall be as follows:
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Common outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted in the Merger into, and continue
as, one legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable common
share of Survivor Common.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 12(j) hereof, at the Effective
Time, each share of Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
be converted into 0.625 of a share of Survivor Common.
(c) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series A shall, without
any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted in the Merger
into, and continue as, one share of Survivor Series A.
(d) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series B shall, without
any action on the part of the holder thereof, and be converted in the
Merger into, and continue as, one share of Survivor Series B.
(e) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series C shall, without
any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted in the Merger
into, and continue as, one share of Survivor Series C.
(f) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Series A shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same preferences, rights
and powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share of Survivor
Series D.
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(g) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Series B shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same preferences, rights
and powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share of Survivor
Series E.
(h) At the Effective Time, each certificate representing outstanding
shares of Equity Common, Equity Series A, Equity Series B and Equity Series
C will, without any action on the part of the holder thereof, thereafter
represent an equal number of shares of Survivor Common, Survivor Series A,
Survivor Series B or Survivor Series C, as the case may be.
(i) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Common shall cease to
be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired, and each holder of a
certificate representing such shares of Wellsford Common shall thereafter
cease to have any rights with respect to such shares, except the right to
receive, without interest, the Survivor Common as calculated pursuant to
Section 12(b) above and cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Survivor
Common in accordance with Section 12(j), upon the surrender of such
Wellsford certificate. At the Effective Time each certificate representing
outstanding shares of Wellsford Series A and Wellsford Series B will cease
to have any rights with respect to such shares, except the right to receive
a certificate of the Surviving Trust representing an equal number of
Survivor Series D or Survivor Series E, as the case may be.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no fractional shares of
Survivor Common shall be issued in connection with the Merger. Instead,
each holder of outstanding Wellsford Common having a fractional interest
arising upon the conversion or exchange of such shares in connection with
the Merger shall, at the time of surrender of its Wellsford certificate, be
paid an amount in cash equal to the Closing Price (as hereinafter defined)
multiplied by the fraction of a share of Survivor Common to which such
holder would otherwise be entitled. No such holder shall be entitled to
dividends or other distributions, voting rights or any other shareholder
rights in respect of any fractional share. For purposes of this Section
12(j), "Closing Price" shall mean the unweighted average closing price of a
share of Equity Common (as reported in the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Composite Tape) for the five (5) Trading Days immediately preceding the
Effective Date, and "Trading Day" shall mean any day on which Equity Common
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and reported on its Composite
Tape.
(k) At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to acquire shares of
Wellsford Common shall be converted and exchanged, without any action on
the part of the holder thereof, into (i) an option to acquire, upon payment
of the exercise price (which shall equal the exercise price per share for
the option immediately prior to the Merger, divided by the Exchange Ratio
(as defined in the Merger Agreement) multiplied by the number of shares to
which the option relates), the number of shares of Survivor Common the
option holder would have received pursuant to the Merger if the holder had
exercised his or her option immediately prior thereto, rounded to the next
lowest whole number and (ii) cash in lieu of the portion of any option that
would have related to any fractional shares of Survivor Common absent the
rounding required by the previous clause; provided, however, that in
respect of any stock option which is an "incentive stock option" within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
("Code"), the conversion hereinabove provided for shall comply with the
requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, including the requirement that
such converted options shall not give to the holder thereof any benefits
additional to those which such holder had prior to such conversion under
the option as originally granted. The amount payable in lieu of the portion
of any option that would have related to each fractional share pursuant to
this Section 12(m) shall be payable on the Effective Date, and shall be
calculated by applying the formula set forth in Section 12(j) hereof to
that fraction of Survivor Common which the holder would otherwise have been
entitled and reducing such calculated amount by an amount equal to the
exercise price per share for the options as adjusted in clause (i) above
times the fraction of unit of Survivor Common to which such holder would
otherwise have been entitled.
(l) As of the date hereof, Equity has in effect the Second Amended and
Restated 1993 Share Option and Share Award Plan (the "1993 Plan") and the
1996 Non-Qualified Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "1996 Plan", and,
collectively with the 1993 Plan, the "Equity Plans"). The Equity Plans
shall continue in existence in full force and effect in accordance with
their terms following the Effective Time as share option plans of the
Surviving Trust and all options issued under the Equity Plans outstanding
as of the Effective Time shall continue in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms as options to purchase shares of the Surviving
Trust.
13. Exchange of Certificates.
(a) As of the Effective Time, Equity shall deposit, or shall cause to be
deposited, with an exchange agent selected by Equity (the "Exchange
Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of certificates (the "Wellsford
Certificates") representing Wellsford Common, Wellsford Series A and
Wellsford Series B (collectively, the "Wellsford Shares") for exchange in
accordance with this Section 13, certificates (the "Survivor Certificates")
representing Survivor Common, Survivor Series D and Survivor Series E
(collectively, the "Survivor Shares") to be issued pursuant to this Section
13.
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(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall cause
the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of Wellsford Shares a
letter of transmittal which shall specify (i) that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to Wellsford Certificates shall pass,
only upon delivery of such Wellsford Certificates to the Exchange Agent,
and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the Surviving
Trust may reasonably specify, and (ii) instructions for use in effecting
the surrender of such Wellsford Certificates in exchange for Survivor
Certificates and cash in lieu of fractional shares. Upon surrender of a
Wellsford Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, duly executed
and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, together with
such letter of transmittal, the holder of such Wellsford Certificate shall
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (x) a Survivor Certificate
representing the number of whole shares of Survivor Shares and (y) a check
representing the amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Survivor
Common, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, which such
holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(c)
in respect of the Wellsford Certificate surrendered, after giving effect to
any required withholding tax, and the Wellsford Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on the
cash in lieu of fractional shares of Survivor Common and unpaid dividends
and distributions, if any, payable to holders of Wellsford Certificates. In
the event of a transfer of ownership of Wellsford Shares which is not
registered in the transfer records of Wellsford, a Survivor Certificate
representing the proper number of Survivor Shares, together with a check
for the cash to be paid in lieu of any fractional shares of Survivor
Common, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, which such
holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(c)
in respect of the Wellsford Certificate so surrendered, after giving effect
to any required withholding tax, may be issued to such a transferee if the
Wellsford Certificate is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by
all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence
that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. All Wellsford
Certificates so surrendered will be cancelled forthwith. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, neither the Exchange Agent nor any party hereto shall be
liable to a holder of Wellsford Shares for any Survivor Shares or dividends
or other distributions thereon, or cash in lieu of any fractional Survivor
Common, delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable escheat law.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Merger, no
dividends or other distributions on Survivor Shares shall be paid with
respect to any Wellsford Shares represented by a Wellsford Certificate
until such Wellsford Certificate is surrendered for exchange as provided
herein. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, following surrender of
any such Wellsford Certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of the
Survivor Certificate issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at
the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions
with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with
respect to such whole shares of Survivor Shares and not paid, less the
amount of any withholding taxes which may be required thereon, and (ii) at
the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with respect
to such whole shares of Survivor Shares, less the amount of any withholding
taxes which may be required thereon.
(d) At and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the
share transfer books of Wellsford of the Wellsford Shares which were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, Wellsford Certificates are presented to the Surviving
Trust, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for certificates representing
Survivor Shares and cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common, if any, and
unpaid dividends and distributions deliverable in respect thereof pursuant
to these Articles of Merger in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Section 13. Wellsford Certificates surrendered for exchange by any
person constituting an "affiliate" of Wellsford for purposes of Rule 145(c)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), shall
not be exchanged until the Surviving Trust has received a written agreement
from such person as provided in Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement.
(e) Any portion of the Survivor Certificates made available to the
Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 13(a) which remains unclaimed by the
holders of Wellsford Shares for one hundred twenty (120) days after the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Trust, upon demand of
the Surviving Trust, and any former shareholders of Wellsford who have not
theretofore complied with this Section 13 shall look only to the Surviving
Trust for payment of their shares of Survivor Shares, cash in lieu of
fractional shares and unpaid dividends and distributions on the Survivor
Shares deliverable in respect of each share of Wellsford Shares such
shareholder holds as determined pursuant to these Articles, in each case,
without any interest thereon.
(f) None of Wellsford, Equity, the Exchange Agent or any other person
shall be liable to any former holder of Wellsford Shares for any amount
properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws.
(g) In the event any Wellsford Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required
by the Surviving Trust, the posting by such person of a bond in such
reasonable amount as the Surviving Trust may direct as indemnity against
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<PAGE>
any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the
Exchange Agent or the Surviving Trust will issue in exchange for such lost,
stolen or destroyed Wellsford Certificate the Survivor Shares and cash in
lieu of fractional Survivor Common, and unpaid dividends and distributions
on Survivor Shares as provided in Section 13(c), deliverable in respect
thereof pursuant to these Articles.
14. Conditions. The obligations of the parties hereto to effect the Merger
as herein provided shall be subject to satisfaction, unless duly waived, of
the conditions set forth in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of January 16, 1997, by and between Equity and Wellsford.
15. Amendment. The parties hereto may amend, modify or supplement these
Articles in whole or in part and in such manner as may be agreed upon by them
in writing at any time before or after the adoption of these Articles by the
shareholders contemplated hereby; provided, however, that after any such
shareholder approval, any such amendment will be subject to further approval
of such shareholders if such further approval is required under the
Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of Equity, or the Declaration of Trust or
Bylaws of Wellsford, as the case may be, or under applicable law.
16. Waiver. Any term or provision of these Articles (other than any matter
which cannot under applicable law be waived) may be waived in writing at any
time by the party which is, or whose shareholders are, entitled to the
benefits thereof. The failure of any party at any time or times to require
performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect such party's
right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of a
condition or of the breach of these Articles, whether by conduct or otherwise,
in any one or more instances shall be deemed to be construed as a further or
continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other
condition or of the breach of any other term, covenant, representation or
warranty of these Articles.
17. Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under
these Articles shall be given, and shall be effective, in accordance with the
provisions of the Merger Agreement.
18. Governing Law. These Articles shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
19. Counterparts. These Articles may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall
constitute one agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Each of Equity and Wellsford have caused these Articles
of Merger to be signed in its name by the undersigned and attested to on this
day of , 1997, and each of the undersigned acknowledges these Articles
of Merger to be the trust act of the entity on whose behalf he has signed, and
as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, each of the
undersigned acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information, and
belief, the matters and facts relating to the real estate investment trust on
behalf of which he has signed are true in all material respects and this
statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
Equity Residential Properties Trust Wellsford Residential Property Trust
By: __________________________________ By: __________________________________
Title: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________
Attest: ______________________________ Attest: ______________________________
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APPENDIX C
[LETTERHEAD OF JP MORGAN]
January 16, 1997
The Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to Equity Residential Properties Trust (the "Company") of the
consideration proposed to be paid by the Company in connection with the
proposed merger (the "Merger") of the Company with Wellsford Residential
Property Trust (the "Seller"). Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Agreement"), between the Company and the
Seller, each share of common beneficial interest of the Seller, $0.01 par
value per share, will be converted into 0.625 shares of common beneficial
interest of the surviving trust, subject to adjustment as provided in the
Agreement, after distribution of Newco (as defined in the Agreement). In
addition, the Company will pay certain amounts to key executives of the Seller
in compensation, benefits, payments, accelerations, share options and share
appreciation rights, as more particularly described in the Agreement.
In arriving at our opinion set forth below, we have reviewed, among other
things: (i) the Agreement; (ii) certain publicly available information
concerning the business of the Seller and of certain other companies engaged
in businesses comparable to those of the Seller, and the reported market
prices for certain other companies' securities deemed comparable; (iii)
publicly available terms of certain transactions involving companies
comparable to the Seller and the consideration received for such companies;
(iv) current and historical market prices of the common stock of the Company
and the Seller; (v) audited financial statements of the Company and the Seller
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and unaudited financial
statements of the Company and the Seller for the nine months ended September
30, 1996; (vi) certain agreements with respect to outstanding indebtedness or
obligations of the Company and the Seller; (vii) certain internal financial
analyses and estimates of budgeted 1997 funds from operations and net
operating income prepared by the Company and the Seller and their respective
managements; and (viii) the terms of other business combinations that we
deemed relevant.
In addition, we have held discussions with certain members of the management
of the Company and the Seller with respect to certain aspects of the Merger,
and the past and current business operations of the Company and the Seller,
the financial condition and future prospects and operations of the Company and
the Seller, the effects of the Merger on the financial condition and future
prospects of the Company and the Seller, and certain other matters we believed
necessary or appropriate to our inquiry. We have reviewed such other financial
studies and analyses and considered such other information as we deemed
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
In giving our opinion, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that was
publicly available or was furnished to us by the Company and the Seller or
otherwise reviewed by us, and we have not assumed any responsibility or
liability therefor. We have not conducted any valuation or appraisal of any
assets or liabilities, nor have any such valuations or appraisals been
provided to us. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to us,
we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared based on assumptions
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by management
as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of the
Company and the Seller to which such analyses or forecasts relate. We have
also assumed that the Merger will have the tax consequences described in
discussions with, and materials furnished to us by, representatives of the
Company, and that the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement will be
consummated as described in the Agreement. We have relied as to all legal
matters relevant to rendering our opinion upon the advice of counsel.
Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as
in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof.
It should be understood that subsequent developments may affect this opinion
and that we do not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm this
opinion. We are expressing no opinion herein as to the price at which the
Company's or the Seller's stock will trade at any future time.
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In addition, we were not requested to and did not provide advice concerning
the structure, the specific amount of the consideration, or any other aspects
of the Merger, or to provide services other than the delivery of this opinion.
We did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the Merger
and related transactions. Consequently, we have assumed that such terms are
the most beneficial terms from the Company's perspective that could under the
circumstances be negotiated among the parties to such transactions.
We will receive a fee from the Company for the delivery of this opinion. Our
affiliate, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, is a co-agent on the
Company's revolving credit facility. We have also provided other financial
advisory services to the Company and its affiliates in the past and have
received fees for such services. In the ordinary course of their businesses,
our affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of the
Company or the Seller for their own account or for the accounts of customers
and, accordingly, they may at any time hold long or short positions in such
securities.
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion as of the
date hereof that the consideration to be paid by the Company in connection
with the proposed Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Company.
This letter is provided to the Board of Directors of the Company in
connection with and for the purposes of its evaluation of the Merger. This
opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company
as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger. This
opinion may not be disclosed, referred to, or communicated (in whole or in
part) to any third party for any purpose whatsoever except with our prior
written consent in each instance. This opinion may be reproduced in full in
any proxy or information statement mailed to stockholders of the Company but
may not otherwise be disclosed publicly in any manner without our prior
written approval and must otherwise be treated as confidential.
Very truly yours,
J.P. Morgan Securities INC.
/s/ Nicholas B. Paumgarten
By_______________________________________
Name: Nicholas B. Paumgarten
Title: Managing Director
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APPENDIX D
[LETTERHEAD OF MERRILL LYNCH]
January 16, 1997
Board of Trustees
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10020
Gentlemen:
Wellsford Residential Property Trust (the "Company") and Equity Residential
Properties Trust ("Equity Residential") have entered into an agreement dated
January 16, 1997 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Equity Residential will
be merged with and into the Company in a transaction (the "Merger") in which
each common share of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of Equity
Residential (the "Shares") will be converted into the right to receive 1
common share of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, of the Company
(the "Company Shares") and each Company Share outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time") will be converted into
the right to receive 0.625 (the "Exchange Ratio") Company Shares (the Company
Shares issued to the holders of Company Shares outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time are referred to herein as the "Surviving Company
Shares"). In the event that the average of the closing prices of the Shares
for the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day prior
to the date of the joint proxy statement/prospectus that will be used to
solicit the votes of the shareholders of the Company and Equity Residential to
approve the Merger is less than $40.00 per share but not less than $37.00 per
Share, the Exchange Ratio shall be incrementally adjusted as set forth in
Exhibit "G" to the Agreement. We understand that in the event Equity
Residential and the Company receive a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
and opinions of counsel to the effect that a merger of the Company into Equity
Residential will not adversely affect the tax-free nature of the Merger, the
Company and Equity Residential will amend the Agreement to provide that the
Merger will be restructured such that the Company will be merged with and into
Equity Residential, as a result of which each Company Share would be converted
into the right to receive 0.625 Shares, subject to adjustment to give effect
to the adjustment provision described above, and each Share outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time would remain outstanding and
unaffected by the Merger (the Shares issuable to the holders of Company Shares
in such event are referred to herein as the "Reverse Merger Shares").
We further understand that the Agreement provides, and for purposes of
arriving at the opinion expressed below we have assumed, that immediately
prior to the Merger the Company will contribute certain assets and assign
certain obligations to its wholly owned subsidiary Wellsford Real Properties,
Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco"), pursuant to a contribution,
distribution and assumption agreement to be entered into between the Company
and Newco immediately prior to the Effective Time (the "Contribution
Agreement"), and that the Company will declare a special dividend consisting
of all outstanding shares of Newco common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Newco Common Stock"), owned by it and that such dividend will be distributed
pro rata to the Company's existing shareholders immediately prior to the
Merger (the "Distribution"). You have advised us that the Distribution will
result in the imposition of federal income tax liability to the Company's
shareholders. In addition, pursuant to the Agreement, ERP Operating Limited
Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership of which Equity Residential is
the sole general partner ("Equity Residential OP"), and Newco will enter into
a preferred stock and common stock purchase agreement immediately prior to the
Effective Time (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which Equity
Residential OP has agreed to purchase (i) on the closing date under the Stock
Purchase Agreement a number of shares of Newco Class A common stock determined
in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Stock Purchase Agreement for an
aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 in cash and (ii) from time to time as
requested by Newco up to the third anniversary of the closing date under the
Stock Purchase Agreement, a maximum of $25,000,000 of Newco's Series A
Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock on the terms and conditions set forth
in the Stock Purchase Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Merger and
the Distribution are more fully set forth in the Agreement, the Contribution
Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement.
You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the proposed consideration
(defined as the Newco Common Stock received in the Distribution plus the
Surviving Company Shares or the Reverse Merger Shares, as applicable) to be
received by the holders of the Company Shares pursuant to the Merger and the
Distribution is fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
D-1
<PAGE>
In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other things:
1. Reviewed the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and related
financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and the
Company's Forms 10-Q and the related unaudited financial information for
the quarterly periods ending March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September
30, 1996;
2. Reviewed Equity Residential's Annual Report on Form 10-K and related
financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and
Equity Residential's Forms 10-Q and the related unaudited financial
information for the quarterly periods ending March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996
and September 30, 1996;
3. Reviewed certain information, including certain financial forecasts
and assumptions, relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets and
prospects of (i) the Company and Newco and (ii) Equity Residential,
furnished to us by the Company and Equity Residential, respectively;
4. Reviewed estimates of prospective synergies resulting from the Merger
prepared by the managements of the Company and Equity Residential and
discussed such estimates with the managements of both companies;
5. Conducted discussions with members of senior management of the Company
and Equity Residential concerning the respective businesses and prospects
of (i) the Company and Newco and (ii) Equity Residential;
6. Reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity for the
Shares and the Company Shares and compared them with that of certain
publicly traded companies which we deemed to be reasonably similar to
Equity Residential and the Company, respectively;
7. Compared the results of operations of Equity Residential and the
Company with that of certain companies which we deemed to be reasonably
similar to Equity Residential and the Company, respectively;
8. Compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger with the financial
terms of certain other mergers and acquisitions which we deemed to be
relevant;
9. Considered the pro forma effect of the Merger on the combined entity's
capitalization ratios and earnings, cash flow and book value per share;
10. Reviewed the Agreement;
11. Reviewed the financial terms of the Distribution as set forth in the
Agreement and the forms of Contribution Agreement and Stock Purchase
Agreement attached as exhibits thereto; and
12. Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and performed such
other investigations and took into account such other matters as we deemed
necessary, including our assessment of general economic, market and
monetary conditions.
In preparing our opinion, we have relied on the accuracy and completeness of
all information supplied or otherwise made available to us by the Company and
Equity Residential, and we have not independently verified such information or
undertaken an independent appraisal or evaluation of the assets or liabilities
of the Company or Equity Residential. With respect to the financial forecasts
and estimates of prospective synergies resulting from the Merger furnished by
the Company and the financial forecasts, assumptions and estimates of
prospective synergies resulting from the Merger furnished by Equity
Residential, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared and
reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment of the Company's
or Equity Residential's management as to the expected future financial
performance of the Company, Newco or Equity Residential, as the case may be.
We have further assumed that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization to the Company's shareholders (except to the extent, if any, of
cash received in lieu of fractional shares). In addition, we have further
assumed that the Distribution will be consummated without any material
modification to the terms set forth in the forms of Contribution Agreement and
Stock Purchase Agreement reviewed by us.
In connection with the preparation of this opinion, we have not been
authorized to, and did not, solicit indications of interest from third parties
to purchase the outstanding Company Shares or otherwise enter into a business
combination with the Company. Our opinion expressed herein as to the fairness
to the Company's shareholders from a financial point of view of the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of the Company Shares addresses
the ownership position in the combined entity to be received by the Company's
shareholders pursuant to the Merger on the terms set forth in the Agreement
based upon the relative contributions of the Company and Equity Residential to
the combined entity and after giving effect to the Distribution, and we
express no opinion as to prices at which the Company Shares (or, if
applicable, the Shares) and the Newco Common Stock will trade following the
consummation of the Distribution and the Merger or prices which could be
obtained for the Company Shares (or, if applicable, the Shares) in a sale of
the combined entity following the consummation of the Merger. In addition, our
opinion does not address the relative merits of the Merger and alternative
business combinations with third parties.
D-2
<PAGE>
This opinion is addressed to the Board of Trustees of the Company and does
not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder
should vote on the proposed Merger.
We have in the past provided financial advisory and financing services to
both the Company and Equity Residential and have received fees for the
rendering of such services. In the ordinary course of our business, we
actively trade in the securities of the Company and Equity Residential for our
own account and the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities.
On the basis of, and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that
the proposed consideration to be received by the holders of the Company Shares
pursuant to the Merger and the Distribution is fair to such shareholders from
a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
/s/ Michael F. Profenius
By: _____________________________________
Managing Director
Investment Banking Group
D-3
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Under Maryland law, a real estate investment trust formed in Maryland is
permitted to eliminate, by provision in its Declaration of Trust, the liability
of trustees and officers to the trust and its shareholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or
profit in money, property or services or (b) acts or omissions established by a
final judgment as involving active and deliberate dishonesty and being material
to the matter giving rise to the proceeding. The Company's Declaration of Trust
includes such a provision eliminating such liability to the maximum extent
permitted by Maryland law.
The Maryland REIT law, effective October 1, 1994, permits a Maryland real
estate investment trust to indemnify and advance expenses to its trustees,
officers, employees and agents to the same extent as permitted by the MGCL for
directors, officers, employees and agents of Maryland corporations. In
accordance with the MGCL, the Company's bylaws require it to indemnify (a) any
present or former trustee, officer or shareholder or any individual who, while a
trustee, officer of shareholder, served or is serving as a trustee, officer,
director, shareholder or partner of another entity at the Company's express
request who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a
proceeding to which he was made a party by reason of service in such capacity,
against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding,
(b) any present or former trustee or officer or any individual who, while a
trustee or officer served or is serving as a trustee, officer, director,
shareholder or partner of another entity at the Company's express request
against any claim or liability to which he may become subject by reason of
service in such capacity unless it is established that (i) his act or omission
was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in
bad faith or was the result of active and delivered dishonesty, (ii) he actually
received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in
the case of a criminal proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his
act or omission was unlawful and (c) any present or former shareholder against
any claim or liability to which he may become subject by reason of such status.
In addition, the Company's bylaws require it to pay or reimburse, in advance of
final disposition of a proceeding, reasonable expenses incurred by a present or
former trustee, officer or shareholder or any individual who, while a trustee,
officer or shareholder, served or is serving as a trustee, officer, director,
shareholder or partner of another entity at the Company's express request made a
party to a proceeding by reason of such status, provided that, in the case of a
trustee or officer, the Company shall have received (1) a written affirmation by
such person of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct
necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by the bylaws and (2)
a written undertaking by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed
by the Company if it shall ultimately be determined that the applicable standard
of conduct was not met. The Company's bylaws also (x) permit the Company to
provide indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses to a present or
former trustee, officer or shareholder who served a predecessor of the Company
or to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company, (y)
provide that any indemnification and payment or reimbursement of the expenses
permitted by the bylaws shall be furnished in accordance with the procedures
provided for indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses under
Section 2-418 of the MGCL for directors of Maryland corporations and (z) permit
the Company to provide to the trustees and officers such other and further
indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses to the fullest extent
permitted by Section 2-418 of the MGCL for directors of Maryland corporations.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to trustees and officers of the Company pursuant to the
foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Company has been advised that, although
the validity and scope of the governing statute have not been tested in court,
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In addition, indemnification may be limited by state securities
law.
<PAGE>
Item 21. Exhibits
Exhibit Index
2.1** Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Equity Residential Properties
Trust and Wellsford Residential Property Trust, and all exhibits thereto
2.2 Articles of Merger by and between Equity Residential Properties Trust and
Wellsford Residential Property Trust (included as Appendix B to the
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
5.1** Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll regarding legality of issued
shares
8.1** Opinion of Rudnick & Wolfe regarding certain tax aspects of the Merger
8.2** Opinion of Rudnick & Wolfe regarding REIT qualifications of the Surviving
Trust
8.3** Opinion of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP regarding
certain tax aspects of the Merger
8.4** Opinion of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP regarding REIT
qualifications of Wellsford
23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (Chicago)
23.2* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (New York)
23.3* Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.4 Consent of Rudnick & Wolfe (included in Exhibits 8.1 and 8.2 hereof)
23.5 Consent of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP (included in
Exhibits 8.3 and 8.4 hereof)
23.6 Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll (included in Exhibit 5.1
hereof)
23.7* Consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
23.8* Consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
99.1** Proposed Form of Declaration of Trust of the Surviving Trust and
additional provisions thereto
99.2* Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Surviving Trust
99.3* Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting of Shareholders of Equity
Residential Properties Trust
99.4* Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wellsford
Residential Property Trust
99.5 Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (Included as Appendix C to the
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
99.6 Opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Included
as Appendix D to the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
99.7* Consent of Persons named to become trustees
- --------
* Previously filed
** Filed herewith
II-2
<PAGE>
Item 22. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
II-3
<PAGE>
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.
(c) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (A) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (b) immediately preceding, or (B) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with
an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as part of an
amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporation documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
(f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on April
23, 1997.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
By:/s/ Douglas Crocker II
----------------------
Douglas Crocker II, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Trustee
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated:
Name Title Date
- ---- ----- ----
Samuel Zell* Chairman of the Board of Trustees April 23, 1997
Douglas Crocker II* President, Chief Executive Officer April 23, 1997
and Trustee
David J. Neithercut* Executive Vice President and Chief April 23, 1997
Financial Officer
Michael J. McHugh* Senior Vice President, Chief April 23, 1997
Accounting Officer and Treasurer
Gerald A. Spector* Trustee April 23, 1997
Sheli Z. Rosenberg* Trustee April 23, 1997
James D. Harper, Jr.* Trustee April 23, 1997
Errol R. Halperin* Trustee April 23, 1997
John Alexander* Trustee April 23, 1997
Barry S. Sternlicht* Trustee April 23, 1997
B. Joseph White* Trustee April 23, 1997
Henry H. Goldberg* Trustee April 23, 1997
*By: /s/ Douglas Crocker II Individually and April 23, 1997
---------------------- as attorney-in-fact
Douglas Crocker II
II-5
<PAGE>
Exhibit Index
2.1** Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Equity Residential Properties
Trust and Wellsford Residential Property Trust, and all exhibits thereto
2.2 Articles of Merger by and between Equity Residential Properties Trust and
Wellsford Residential Property Trust (included as Appendix B to the
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
5.1** Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll regarding legality of issued
shares
8.1** Opinion of Rudnick & Wolfe regarding certain tax aspects of the Merger
8.2** Opinion of Rudnick & Wolfe regarding REIT qualifications of the Surviving
Trust
8.3** Opinion of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP regarding
certain tax aspects of the Merger
8.4** Opinion of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP regarding REIT
qualifications of Wellsford
23.1* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (Chicago)
23.2* Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (New York)
23.3* Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.4 Consent of Rudnick & Wolfe (included in Exhibits 8.1 and 8.2 hereof)
23.5 Consent of Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP (included in
Exhibits 8.3 and 8.4 hereof)
23.6 Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll (included in Exhibit 5.1
hereof)
23.7* Consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
23.8* Consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
99.1** Proposed Form of Declaration of Trust of the Surviving Trust and
additional provisions thereto
99.2* Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Surviving Trust
99.3* Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting of Shareholders of Equity
Residential Properties Trust
99.4* Form of Proxy Card for Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wellsford
Residential Property Trust
99.5 Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (Included as Appendix C to the
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
99.6 Opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Included
as Appendix D to the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement)
99.7* Consent of Persons named to become trustees
- --------
* Previously filed
** Filed herewith
II-6
<PAGE>
Exhibit 2.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
AND
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
Dated as of January 16, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE PAGE
- ------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
1 THE MERGER............................................................. 2
1.1 The Merger....................................................... 2
1.2 Newco Transactions............................................... 2
1.3 Closing.......................................................... 3
1.4 Effective Time................................................... 3
1.5 Amendments and Restatements of Wellsford's Declaration of Trust.. 3
1.6 Amendment and Restatement of Wellsford's Bylaws.................. 3
1.7 Trustees......................................................... 3
1.8 Effect on Shares of Beneficial Interest and Options.............. 3
1.9 Exchange Ratio................................................... 4
1.10 Completion of Contribution Agreement............................. 4
1.11 Reversal of Direction of Merger.................................. 5
1.12 Change in Number of Spin-Off Shares.............................. 5
2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF Wellsford............................ 6
2.1 Organization, Standing and Power of Wellsford.................... 6
2.2 Wellsford Subsidiaries........................................... 6
2.3 Capital Structure................................................ 7
2.4 Authority; Noncontravention; Consents............................ 9
2.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities..... 10
2.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................. 11
2.7 Litigation....................................................... 11
2.8 Properties....................................................... 12
2.9 Environmental Matters............................................ 14
2.10 Related Party Transactions....................................... 14
2.11 Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans; ERISA Compliance............ 14
2.12 Employee Policies................................................ 15
2.13 Taxes............................................................ 15
2.14 No Payments to Employees, Officers, Trustees or Directors........ 16
2.15 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses........................... 16
2.16 Compliance with Laws............................................. 17
2.17 Contracts; Debt Instruments...................................... 17
2.18 Opinion of Financial Advisor..................................... 18
2.19 State Takeover Statutes.......................................... 18
2.20 Registration Statement........................................... 18
2.21 Development Properties........................................... 18
2.22 EQR Shares of Beneficial Interest................................ 18
2.23 Investment Company Act of 1940................................... 18
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE PAGE
- ------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
2.24 Intentionally Omitted............................................ 18
2.25 Definition of Knowledge of Wellsford............................. 18
3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EQR.................................. 19
3.1 Organization, Standing and Power of EQR.......................... 19
3.2 Capital Structure................................................ 19
3.3 Organization, Standing and Power of ERP
Operating Partnership............................................ 20
3.4 Capital Structure of ERP Operating Partnership................... 21
3.5 Authority; Noncontravention; Consents............................ 21
3.6 SEC Documents; Financial Statements; Undisclosed Liabilities..... 22
3.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................. 23
3.8 Litigation....................................................... 23
3.9 Properties....................................................... 24
3.10 Environmental Matters............................................ 25
3.11 Taxes............................................................ 25
3.12 Brokers; Schedule of Fees and Expenses........................... 26
3.13 Compliance with Laws............................................. 26
3.14 Contracts; Debt Instruments...................................... 26
3.15 Opinion of Financial Advisor..................................... 26
3.16 State Takeover Statutes.......................................... 26
3.17 Registration Statement........................................... 27
3.18 Wellsford Shares of Beneficial Interest.......................... 27
3.19 Intentionally Omitted............................................ 27
3.20 Investment Company Act of 1940................................... 27
3.21 Definition of Knowledge of EQR................................... 27
4 COVENANTS.............................................................. 27
4.1 Acquisition Proposals............................................ 27
4.2 Conduct of Wellsford's Business Pending Merger................... 28
4.3 Conduct of EQR's Business Pending Merger......................... 33
4.4 Covenant of EQR.................................................. 34
4.5 Other Actions.................................................... 34
4.6 Filing of Certain Reports........................................ 34
5 ADDITIONAL COVENANTS................................................... 34
5.1 Preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement;
Wellsford Shareholders Meeting and EQR Shareholders Meeting...... 34
5.2 Access to Information: Confidentiality........................... 36
5.3 Best Efforts; Notification....................................... 36
5.4 Costs of Transaction............................................. 37
5.5 Tax Treatment.................................................... 37
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ARTICLE PAGE
- ------- ----
<C> <S> <C>
5.6 Public Announcements............................................. 37
5.7 Listing.......................................................... 37
5.8 Letters of Accountants........................................... 38
5.9 Transfer and Gains Taxes......................................... 38
5.10 Benefit Plans and Other Employee Arrangements.................... 38
5.11 Indemnification.................................................. 40
5.12 Contribution Agreement........................................... 41
5.13 Declaration of Dividends and Distributions....................... 41
5.14 Consulting Agreements............................................ 41
5.15 Transfer of Management Company Shares............................ 42
5.16 Transfer of Wellsford Assets After Effective Time................ 42
5.17 Notices.......................................................... 42
5.18 Resignations..................................................... 42
5.19 Third Party Management Agreements................................ 42
5.20 Repayment of Certain Indebtedness................................ 43
5.21 10B-17 Notice..................................................... 43
5.22 Denver Lease...................................................... 43
5.23 New York Lease.................................................... 43
5.24 Amendment to Articles of WPHC..................................... 44
5.25 Completion of Articles of Merger.................................. 44
6 CONDITIONS............................................................. 44
6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger....... 44
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of EQR................................. 45
6.3 Conditions to Obligations of Wellsford........................... 48
7 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER...................................... 50
7.1 Termination...................................................... 50
7.2 Certain Fees and Expenses........................................ 51
7.3 Effect of Termination............................................ 52
7.4 Amendment........................................................ 53
7.5 Extension; Waiver................................................ 53
8 GENERAL PROVISIONS..................................................... 53
8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.................... 53
8.2 Notices.......................................................... 53
8.3 Interpretation................................................... 54
8.4 Counterparts..................................................... 54
8.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries................... 55
8.6 Governing Law.................................................... 55
8.7 Assignment....................................................... 55
8.8 Enforcement...................................................... 55
8.9 Severability..................................................... 55
8.10 Non-Recourse..................................................... 56
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
--------
Exhibit "A" - Articles of Merger
Exhibit "B" - Contribution Agreement
Exhibit "C" - Newco Stock Purchase Agreement
Exhibit "D" - Palomino Agreement
Exhibit "E" - Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement
Exhibit "F" - Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement
Exhibit "G" - Adjustment to Exchange Ratio
Exhibit "H" - Transaction Costs Agreement
Exhibit "I" - Retention Program Letter
Exhibit "J" - Key Executives
Exhibit "K" - Form of Consulting Agreement
Exhibit "L" - Form of Letter for EQR Tax Opinion
Exhibit "M" - Opinion of Counsel to Wellsford
Exhibit "N" - Form of Letter for Wellsford Tax Opinion
Exhibit "O" - Opinion of Counsel to EQR
iv
<PAGE>
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFINED TERM SECTION
- ------------ -------
<S> <C>
Acquisition Proposal 4.1(a)
Affiliate 2.10
Agreement Preamble
Articles of Merger Recital C
Average Closing Price 1.9
Base Amount 7.2
Break-Up Expenses 7.2
Break-Up Fee 7.2
Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion 7.2
Change in Control Share Grants 2.3(b)
Closing 1.3
Closing Date 1.3
Code Recital E
Commitment 4.2(q)
Confidentiality Agreement 5.2
Contribution Agreement Recital D
Denver Lease 5.22
Department 1.4
Effective Time 1.4
employee benefit plan 2.11(b)
Encumbrances 2.8(a)
EQR Preamble
EQR Common Shares 1.9
EQR Disclosure Letter Article 3
EQR Employee Share Plans 3.2(a)
EQR Financial Statement Date 3.7
EQR Material Adverse Change 3.7
EQR Material Adverse Effect 3.1
EQR Options 3.2(a)
EQR Preferred Shares 3.2(a)
EQR Properties 3.9
EQR SEC Documents 3.6
EQR Series A Preferred Shares 3.2(a)
EQR Series B Preferred Shares 3.2(a)
EQR Series C Preferred Shares 3.2(a)
EQR Shareholder Approvals 3.5(a)
EQR Shareholders Meeting 5.1(b)
EQR Subsidiaries 3.1
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFINED TERM SECTION
- ------------- -------
<S> <C>
EQR Units 3.2(c)
ERISA 2.11(b)
ERP Operating Partnership 1.2
ERP Operating Partnership Agreement 3.2(a)
Exchange Act 2.4(b)
Exchange Ratio 1.9
GAAP 2.5
Governmental Entity 2.4(b)
Hazardous Materials 2.9
include, includes or including 8.3
Indebtedness 2.7(b)
Indemnified Parties 5.11(a)
IRS 1.11
Laws 2.4(b)
Liens 2.2(b)
Management Corp. 5.15
Merger Recital B
New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions 1.9
Newco Recital D
Newco Stock Purchase Agreement 1.2(b)
NYSE 2.4(b)
1940 Act 2.23
Palomino Agreement 1.2(c)
Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement 1.2(d)
Palomino Development Agreements 4.2(i)
Payor 7.2
Person 2.2(a)
Property Restrictions 2.8(a)
Proxy Statement 2.4(b)
Qualifying Income 7.2
Recipient 7.2
Registration Statement 5.1(a)
REIT 2.13(b)
REIT Requirements 7.2
Restricted Share Grants 2.3(b)
Retention Program 5.10(c)
Revolver Rate 4.2
Retention Program Letter 5.10(c)
Schedule 5.10 Employees 5.10(c)
SEC 2.4(b)
Securities Act 2.4(b)
</TABLE>
vi
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFINED TERM SECTION
- ------------- -------
<S> <C>
Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements 2.3(b)
Shareholder Approvals 3.5(a)
Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement 1.2(e)
Spin-Off 1.2
Springing Shares 2.3(b)
Subsidiary 2.2(a)
Superior Acquisition Proposal 4.1
Surviving Trust 1.1
Takeover Statute 2.19
Taxes 2.13(a)
Third Party Management Agreements 2.17(d)
Title 8 1.1
to the Knowledge of EQR 3.21
to the Knowledge of Wellsford 2.25
Transaction Costs Agreement 5.4
Transfer and Gains Taxes 5.9
Wellsford Preamble
Wellsford Benefit Plans 2.11(a)
Wellsford Common Shares 1.2(f)
Wellsford Disclosure Letter Article 2
Wellsford Financial Statement Date 2.6
Wellsford Material Adverse Change 2.6
Wellsford Material Adverse Effect 2.1
Wellsford Options 2.3(b)
Wellsford Properties 2.8(a)
Wellsford SEC Documents 2.5
Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares 2.3(a)
Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares 2.3(a)
Wellsford Shareholder Approvals 2.4(a)
Wellsford Shareholder Meeting 5.1(c)
Wellsford Subsidiaries 2.2
WPHC 1.10
WPHC Non-Voting Shares 5.24
WPHC Voting Shares 5.24
</TABLE>
vii
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
----------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") dated as of January
16, 1997 by and between EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("EQR"), and WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford").
R E C I T A L S:
---------------
A. The Boards of Trustees of EQR and Wellsford deem it advisable and in
the best interests of their respective shareholders, subject to the conditions
and other provisions contained herein, that EQR acquire the assets and business
of Wellsford and operate the business under the name "Equity Residential
Properties Trust."
B. The acquisition of the assets and business of Wellsford shall be
effected by the merger of EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger").
C. Upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, EQR and Wellsford
shall execute Articles of Merger in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" (the "Articles of Merger") and shall file such articles in
accordance with Maryland law to effectuate the Merger.
D. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford
shall contribute certain of its assets to Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a
Maryland corporation ("Newco"), and that Newco shall assume certain obligations
of Wellsford, all as provided in the Contribution and Distribution Agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" (the "Contribution
Agreement").
E. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford
shall distribute to its common shareholders all the outstanding shares of Newco
owned by it in a distribution subject to income tax under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
F. For federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
shall qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Code.
G. EQR and Wellsford have each received a fairness opinion relating
to the transactions contemplated hereby as more fully described herein.
H. EQR and Wellsford desire to make certain representations,
warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger.
<PAGE>
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
---------
THE MERGER
----------
1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, and in accordance with Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended ("Title 8"), EQR shall be
merged with and into Wellsford, with Wellsford as the surviving real estate
investment trust (the "Surviving Trust").
1.2 NEWCO TRANSACTIONS. Wellsford, on January 8, 1997, formed Newco.
Immediately prior to the time of effectiveness of the Merger:
(a) Wellsford shall, and shall cause Newco to, execute and deliver the
Contribution Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby;
(b) EQR will cause ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois
limited partnership of which EQR is the sole general partner (the "ERP
Operating Partnership"), to execute and deliver, and Wellsford shall cause
Newco to execute and deliver, the Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase
Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit "C" (the
"Newco Stock Purchase Agreement");
(c) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver,
and Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Agreement
Regarding Palomino Park in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
"D" (the "Palomino Agreement");
(d) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver,
and Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Credit
Enhancement Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as Exhibit
"E" (the "Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement");
(e) EQR will cause ERP Operating Partnership to execute and deliver,
and Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute and deliver, the Sonterra Right
of First Offer Agreement in substantially the form annexed hereto as
Exhibit "F" (the "Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement"); and
(f) Wellsford will distribute to its common shareholders, as a
distribution taxable under Code Section 301, all the outstanding shares of
Newco owned by Wellsford
2
<PAGE>
as further described in the Contribution Agreement, so that each holder of
common shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford, $0.01 par value per
share ("Wellsford Common Shares"), receives one common share of Newco for
each Wellsford Common Share held by such holder
(such transactions being referred to collectively as the "Spin-Off").
Immediately after the Effective Time (as defined below), the transactions
contemplated by the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement and
the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement which are to occur on the Closing Date
(as defined below) shall be consummated.
1.3 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger ("Closing") will take place at
10:00 a.m. on the date to be specified by the parties, which (subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6) shall be no
later than the third business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
set forth in Section 6.1(a) (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Rudnick &
Wolfe, 203 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, unless another date or
place is agreed to in writing by the parties.
1.4 EFFECTIVE TIME. As soon as practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, the parties shall execute and
file the Articles of Merger, executed in accordance with Title 8, with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "Department"), and shall
make all other filings and recordings required under Title 8. The Merger shall
become effective ("Effective Time") at such time as the Department accepts the
Articles of Merger for record, or at such time as EQR and Wellsford shall agree
should be specified in the Articles of Merger (not to exceed thirty (30) days
after the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the Department). Unless
otherwise agreed, the parties shall cause the Effective Time to occur on the
Closing Date.
1.5 AMENDMENTS AND RESTATEMENTS OF WELLSFORD'S DECLARATION OF TRUST. The
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, of Wellsford shall be
amended and restated at the Effective Time as provided in the Articles of
Merger.
1.6 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF WELLSFORD'S BYLAWS. From and after the
Effective Time, the Bylaws of the Surviving Trust shall be the Bylaws of EQR as
in effect immediately prior to the Merger, until further amended or restated in
accordance therewith and Title 8.
1.7 TRUSTEES. The trustees of the Surviving Trust shall be the persons
named in the Articles of Merger, each of whom shall serve for the term specified
in the Articles of Merger.
1.8 EFFECT ON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST AND OPTIONS. The effect of
the Merger on the shares of beneficial interest, options to purchase shares of
beneficial interest and restricted share awards of each of EQR and Wellsford
shall be as provided in the Articles of Merger.
3
<PAGE>
1.9 EXCHANGE RATIO. The exchange ratio to be set forth in the Articles of
Merger ("Exchange Ratio") shall be 0.625 of a common share of beneficial
interest of the Surviving Trust, $0.01 par value per share, for each Wellsford
Common Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. In the event
that the Average Closing Price (as defined below) is less than $40.00 per share,
the Exchange Ratio shall be the rate per share specified in Exhibit "G" hereto.
For the purposes of this Agreement, "Average Closing Price" shall mean the
average of the daily closing prices of a common share of beneficial interest of
EQR, $0.01 par value per share ("EQR Common Share"), reported as "New York Stock
Exchange Composite Transactions" by The Wall Street Journal (Midwest Edition)
during the consecutive twenty (20) trading day period ending at the end of the
fifth (5th) trading day prior to the date which the proxy statements required by
Section 5.1 hereof are dated.
1.10 COMPLETION OF CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. At the time the Contribution
Agreement is executed, the parties shall complete the blank presently in the
Contribution Agreement for the amount of Contribution Funds (as defined in the
Contribution Agreement). The amount of the Contribution Funds shall be
$13,355,600, adjusted as follows:
(a) such amount shall be decreased by:
(i) 80% of any cash (excluding loans) invested by Wellsford or
any of its Subsidiaries in Wellsford Park Highlands Corp., a
Colorado corporation ("WPHC"), and its Subsidiaries after
September 30, 1996 and prior to the Spin-Off;
(ii) 100% of any accrued interest on the Promissory Note dated
June 28, 1996 made by Specified Properties VIII, L.P., a
Texas limited partnership, to Wellsford remaining unpaid as
of the Closing Date; and
(iii) $2.50 for each share of Newco distributed to the
shareholders of Wellsford in the Spin-Off less than
17,104,359 shares; and
(b) such amount shall be increased by:
(i) 80% of the accrued interest on the Bonds (as defined in the
Credit Enhancement Agreement) which remains unpaid as of the
Closing Date;
(ii) $2.50 for each share of Newco distributed to the
shareholders of Wellsford in the Spin-Off in excess of
17,104,359 shares; and
4
<PAGE>
(iii) the amount, if any, provided for in Section 1(b) of the
Transaction Costs Agreement (as defined in Section 5.4).
1.11 REVERSAL OF DIRECTION OF MERGER. In order to allow counsel
to opine that the Merger, for federal income tax purposes, will qualify as a
tax-free reorganization within the meaning of the Code, the parties have agreed
that EQR shall be merged into Wellsford and that Wellsford shall be the
Surviving Trust. The parties will jointly file a request for a private letter
ruling with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), as soon as practicable after
the date hereof, to obtain a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect
that a merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the Surviving Trust will not
adversely affect the tax-free nature of the reorganization. If such a private
letter ruling is received or in the event the IRS publishes a revenue ruling or
other published announcement (including the promulgation of a Treasury
regulation) to the effect that, and counsel for the parties are reasonably
willing to opine that, a merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the
Surviving Trust will not adversely affect the tax-free nature of the
reorganization, the parties will amend this Agreement, the Articles of Merger
and all other agreements as may be necessary or desirable solely for the
purposes of providing for the merger of Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the
Surviving Trust; provided, however, that such amendments shall not modify the
substantive provisions or economic terms of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby; and further provided that both the Merger and the merger of
Wellsford into EQR with EQR being the Surviving Trust are submitted to and
approved by the shareholders of EQR and Wellsford in the manner required by
applicable law. Any such amendment may be made before or after the approval of
the Merger by the respective shareholders of EQR and Wellsford. The costs and
expenses of seeking and obtaining any private letter ruling as contemplated by
this Section 1.11 shall be borne by EQR.
Any conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 6 that would be
satisfied but for the reversal of direction of the Merger shall be deemed
satisfied.
1.12 CHANGE IN NUMBER OF SPIN-OFF SHARES. If for any reason
Wellsford shall determine to distribute in the Spin-Off less than one common
share of Newco for each outstanding Wellsford Common Share, the parties will
amend this Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby solely for the
purpose of appropriately adjusting all numbers and dollar amounts which were
based on one common share of Newco being distributed in the Spin-Off for each
outstanding Wellsford Common Share.
5
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 2
---------
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WELLSFORD
-------------------------------------------
Except as set forth in the letter of even date herewith signed by the
Chairman of the Board or President of Wellsford in his capacity as such and
delivered to EQR prior to the execution hereof (the "Wellsford Disclosure
Letter"), Wellsford represents and warrants to EQR as follows:
2.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF WELLSFORD. Wellsford is a
real estate investment trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of Maryland and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as now being conducted. Wellsford is duly qualified or licensed to do business
as a foreign trust and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets,
financial condition or results of operations of Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries (as defined below), taken as a whole (a "Wellsford Material Adverse
Effect"). Wellsford has delivered to EQR complete and correct copies of its
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (including all Articles Supplementary
thereto) and Amended and Restated Bylaws, in each case, as amended to the date
of this Agreement.
2.2 WELLSFORD SUBSIDIARIES.
(a) Schedule 2.2 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth (i)
each Subsidiary of Wellsford (the "Wellsford Subsidiaries"), (ii) the ownership
interest therein of Wellsford, (iii) if not wholly-owned by Wellsford, the
identity and ownership interest of other owners of such Wellsford Subsidiary,
and (iv) each apartment community owned by such Subsidiary. As used in this
Agreement, "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other legal entity of which such
Person (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of such
Person) owns any of the capital stock or other equity interests of such
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other
legal entity. As used herein, "Person" means an individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.2 to the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, (i) all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Wellsford
Subsidiary that is a corporation have been validly issued and are (A) fully paid
and nonassessable, (B) owned by Wellsford or by another Wellsford Subsidiary,
and (C) owned free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges,
encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever
(collectively, "Liens"), and (ii) all equity interests in each Wellsford
Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint
6
<PAGE>
venture, limited liability company or trust which are owned by Wellsford, by
another Wellsford Subsidiary or by Wellsford and another Wellsford Subsidiary
are owned free and clear of all Liens. Each Wellsford Subsidiary that is a
corporation is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now being conducted, and each Wellsford
Subsidiary that is a partnership, limited liability company or trust is duly
organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as now being conducted. Each Wellsford Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed
to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect. Copies of the Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws, organization documents and partnership, joint venture and
operating agreements of each Wellsford Subsidiary, as amended to the date of
this Agreement, have been previously delivered or made available to EQR.
2.3 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
(a) The authorized shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford consist
of 100,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, of which 4,600,000 are Series A
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value
per share ("Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares"), and 2,300,000 are Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value
per share ("Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares"). On January 14, 1997, (i)
17,111,937 Wellsford Common Shares, 3,999,800 Wellsford Series A Preferred
Shares and 2,300,000 Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares were issued and
outstanding, (ii) 1,000,000 Wellsford Common Shares have been reserved for the
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan of Wellsford, (iii) 979,325
Wellsford Common Shares were issuable upon exercise of outstanding options to
purchase Wellsford Common Shares, (iv) 582,900 Wellsford Common Shares were
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options which may be granted under
the 1992 Share Option Plan, (v) 750,000 Wellsford Common Shares were reserved
for issuance under the Long-Term Management Incentive Plan of Wellsford, and
(vi) a sufficient number of Wellsford Common Shares were reserved for issuance
to permit the conversion of the then outstanding Wellsford Series A Preferred
Shares.
(b) Set forth in Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter is a
true and complete list of the following: (i) each qualified or nonqualified
option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares granted under the 1992 Share Option
Plan, Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, or any other formal or informal
arrangement ("Wellsford Options"); (ii) each grant of Wellsford Common Shares to
employees which are subject to any risk of forfeiture ("Restricted Share
Grants"); (iii) any obligation of Wellsford to issue Wellsford Common Shares as
a result of the transactions contemplated hereby ("Change in Control Share
Grants"); and (iv) each loan made by Wellsford with respect to the purchase of
Wellsford Common Shares which will be forgiven as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Share Loan and
7
<PAGE>
Acquisition Agreements"). The Restricted Share Grants are included in the
number of outstanding Wellsford Common Shares set forth in Section 2.3(a). For
each Wellsford Option held by the executive officers of Wellsford, Schedule 2.3
of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date
of the grant, status of the option as qualified or nonqualified under Section
422 of the Code, the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option,
the number of shares subject to options that are currently exercisable, the
exercise price per share, those options granting reload options, and the number
of such shares subject to share appreciation rights. For each option to
purchase Wellsford Common Shares held by employees of Wellsford or any of the
Wellsford Subsidiaries who are not executive officers of Wellsford, Schedule 2.3
to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date
of the grant, the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option and
the exercise price per share. For each Restricted Share Grant, Schedule 2.3 of
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the grantee, the date of
the grant and the number of Wellsford Common Shares granted. For each Change in
Control Share Grant, Schedule 2.3 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth
the aggregate number of Wellsford Common Shares to be issued immediately prior
to the Spin-Off and the Merger. For each Share Loan and Acquisition Agreement,
Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth the name of the
borrower, the date of the loan, the aggregate principal amount of the loan, the
number of shares originally pledged as security for each loan the number of
shares that have been released from such pledge and the outstanding loan balance
as of the date of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter. On the date of this
Agreement, except as set forth in this Section 2.3 or Schedule 2.3 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, no shares of beneficial interest or other voting
securities of Wellsford were issued, reserved for issuance, or outstanding.
(c) All outstanding shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights, except that the shareholders may be subject to further
assessment with respect to certain claims for tort, contract, taxes, statutory
liability and otherwise in some jurisdictions to the extent such claims are not
satisfied by Wellsford. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness of Wellsford having the right to vote (or convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which
shareholders of Wellsford may vote.
(d) Except as set forth in this Section 2.3 or in Schedule 2.3 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this Agreement there are no
outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments,
agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary is a party or by which such entity is bound, obligating
Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of beneficial interest, voting
securities or other ownership interests of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary
or obligating Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary to issue, grant, extend or
enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
agreement, arrangement or undertaking (other than to Wellsford or a Wellsford
Subsidiary).
8
<PAGE>
2.4 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS.
(a) Wellsford has the requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and, subject to the requisite shareholder approval of the Merger (the
"Wellsford Shareholder Approvals"), to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement to which Wellsford is a party. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Wellsford and the consummation by Wellsford of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which Wellsford is a party have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Wellsford, subject
to the Wellsford Shareholder Approvals. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by Wellsford and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Wellsford, enforceable against Wellsford in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating
to creditors' rights and general principles of equity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.4 to the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Wellsford do not, and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which
Wellsford is a party and compliance by Wellsford with the provisions of this
Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default
(with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a
right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any material obligation or
to loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon
any of the properties or assets of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary under,
(i) the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust or the Amended and Restated
Bylaws of Wellsford or the comparable charter or organizational documents or
partnership or similar agreement (as the case may be) of any Wellsford
Subsidiary, each as amended or supplemented to the date of this Agreement, (ii)
any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, reciprocal
easement agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession,
franchise or license applicable to Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary or
their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation (collectively,
"Laws") applicable to Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary, or their respective
properties or assets, other than, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii), any such
conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, loss or Liens that individually or in
the aggregate would not (x) have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or (y)
prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, any federal, state or local government or any court, administrative
or regulatory agency or commission or other governmental authority or agency,
domestic or foreign (a "Governmental Entity"), is required by or with respect to
Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Wellsford or the consummation by Wellsford of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of (x) a joint proxy statement
relating to the approval by Wellsford's shareholders and EQR's shareholders of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as amended or supplemented from
time to time, the "Proxy Statement"), (y) registration statements on appropriate
forms under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
9
<PAGE>
(the "Securities Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), and (z) such reports under Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act as
may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of listing applications with the
New York Stock Exchange Inc. ("NYSE") with respect to the shares of beneficial
interest of the Surviving Trust to be issued in the Merger, (iii) the filing of
the Articles of Merger with the Department and (iv) such other consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings (A)
as are set forth in Schedule 2.4 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, (B) as may
be required under (y) federal, state or local environmental laws, or (z) the
"blue sky" laws of various states, to the extent applicable, or (C) which, if
not obtained or made, would not prevent or delay in any material respect the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
otherwise prevent Wellsford from performing its obligations under this Agreement
in any material respect or have, individually or in the aggregate, a Wellsford
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, Wellsford confirms that the
conduct of its business consists solely of investing in, owning and operating
real estate for the benefit of its shareholders.
2.5 SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.
Wellsford has filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents with the SEC since November 27, 1992 through the date hereof (the
"Wellsford SEC Documents"). Schedule 2.5 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter
contains a complete list of all Wellsford SEC Documents filed by Wellsford with
the SEC since January 1, 1996 and on or prior to the date of this Agreement.
All of the Wellsford SEC Documents (other than preliminary material), as of
their respective filing dates, complied in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, in each
case, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to such
Wellsford SEC Documents. None of the Wellsford SEC Documents at the time of
filing contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, except to the extent such statements have been modified or
superseded by later Wellsford SEC Documents filed and publicly available prior
to the date of this Agreement. The consolidated financial statements of
Wellsford included in the Wellsford SEC Documents complied as to form in all
material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (except, in
the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented,
in accordance with the applicable requirements of GAAP and the applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC, the consolidated financial position of Wellsford and
the Wellsford Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments). Wellsford
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has no Subsidiaries which are not consolidated for accounting purposes. Except
for liabilities and obligations set forth in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in
Schedule 2.5 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, neither Wellsford nor any of
the Wellsford Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by GAAP to be set
forth on a consolidated balance sheet of Wellsford or in the notes thereto and
which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Wellsford Material Adverse
Effect. Management Corp. (as defined in Section 5.15) has assets of less than
$1,000. On the date of this Agreement, Newco has no material assets.
2.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the
Wellsford SEC Documents or the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, since the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in Wellsford SEC Documents
(the "Wellsford Financial Statement Date") Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries have conducted their business only in the ordinary course (taking
into account prior practices, including the acquisition of properties and
issuance of securities) and there has not been (a) any material adverse change
in the business, financial condition or results of operations of Wellsford and
the Wellsford Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Wellsford Material Adverse
Change"), nor has there been any occurrence or circumstance that with the
passage of time would reasonably be expected to result in a Wellsford Material
Adverse Change, (b) except for regular quarterly distributions (in the case of
Wellsford) not in excess of $0.485 per Wellsford Common Share, $0.4375 per
Wellsford Series A Preferred Share, and $0.603125 per Wellsford Series B
Preferred Share, in each case with customary record and payment dates, any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of Wellsford's shares
of beneficial interest, (c) any split, combination or reclassification of any of
Wellsford's shares of beneficial interest or any issuance or the authorization
of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for, or giving the right to acquire by exchange or exercise, shares
of its beneficial interest or any issuance of an ownership interest in, any
Wellsford Subsidiary except as contemplated by this Agreement, (d) any damage,
destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that has or would have
a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or (e) any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary materially
affecting its assets, liabilities or business, except insofar as may have been
disclosed in Wellsford SEC Documents or required by a change in GAAP or (f) any
amendment of any employment, consulting, severance, retention or any other
agreement between Wellsford and any officer or trustee of Wellsford. There are
no distributions in arrears which have been scheduled for payment or unpaid
distributions with respect to the Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares and
Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares.
2.7 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in
Schedule 2.7 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, and other than personal injury
and other routine tort litigation arising from the ordinary course of operations
of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries (a) which are covered by adequate
insurance or (b) for which all material costs and liabilities arising therefrom
are reimbursable pursuant to common area maintenance or similar agreements,
there is no suit, action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of
Wellsford,
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threatened in writing against or affecting Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) have
a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or (ii) prevent the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator
outstanding against Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary having, or which,
insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the future would have, any such
effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Schedule 2.7 to the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter sets forth each and every uninsured claim, equal employment opportunity
claim and claim relating to sexual harassment and/or discrimination pending or,
to the Knowledge of Wellsford, threatened as of the date hereof, in each case
with a brief summary of such claim or threatened claim.
2.8 PROPERTIES.
(a) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, Wellsford or the Wellsford Subsidiary set forth on Schedule 2.2 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter owns fee simple title to each of the real properties
identified in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the "Wellsford
Properties"), which are all of the real estate properties owned by them, in each
case (except as provided below) free and clear of liens, mortgages or deeds of
trust, claims against title, charges which are liens, security interests or
other encumbrances on title ("Encumbrances"). Except as set forth in Schedule
2.2 or Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, no other Person has any
ownership interest in any of the Wellsford Properties, and any such ownership
interest so scheduled does not materially detract from the value of, or
materially interfere with the present use of, any of the Wellsford Properties
subject thereto or affected thereby. The Wellsford Properties are not subject
to any rights of way, written agreements, laws, ordinances and regulations
affecting building use or occupancy, or reservations of an interest in title
(collectively, "Property Restrictions"), except for (i) Encumbrances and
Property Restrictions set forth in the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, (ii)
Property Restrictions imposed or promulgated by law or any governmental body or
authority with respect to real property, including zoning regulations, provided
they does not materially adversely affect the current use of any Wellsford
Property, (iii) Encumbrances and Property Restrictions disclosed on existing
title reports or existing surveys (in either case copies of which title reports
and surveys have been delivered or made available to EQR and listed in the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter), which Encumbrances and Property Restrictions, in
any event, do not materially detract from the value of, or materially interfere
with the present use of, any of the Wellsford Properties subject thereto or
affected thereby, and (iv) mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's liens
and other Encumbrances, Property Restrictions and other limitations of any kind,
if any, which, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially detract from
the value of or materially interfere with the present use of any of the
Wellsford Properties subject thereto or affected thereby, and do not otherwise
materially impair business operations conducted by Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries. Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, no portion of any of the Wellsford Properties is located in a flood zone
area "V".
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(b) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, valid policies of title insurance have been issued insuring Wellsford's
or the applicable Wellsford Subsidiaries' fee simple title to the Wellsford
Properties in amounts at least equal to the purchase price thereof paid by
Wellsford therefor, subject only to the matters disclosed above and on the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, and such policies are, at the date hereof, in full
force and effect and no claim has been made against any such policy.
(c) Except as provided in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, Wellsford has no Knowledge (as defined in Section 2.25) (i) that, any
certificate, permit or license from any governmental authority having
jurisdiction over any of the Wellsford Properties or any agreement, easement or
other right which is necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of the
buildings and improvements on any of the Wellsford Properties or which is
necessary to permit the lawful use and operation of all driveways, roads and
other means of egress and ingress to and from any of the Wellsford Properties
has not been obtained and is not in full force and effect, or of any pending
threat of modification or cancellation of any of same; (ii) of any written
notice of any violation of any federal, state or municipal law, ordinance,
order, regulation or requirement materially and adversely affecting any of the
Wellsford Properties issued by any governmental authority; (iii) of any material
structural defects relating to any Wellsford Property which costs more than
$100,000 to repair; (iv) of any Wellsford Property whose building systems are
not in working order in any material respect and costs more than $100,000 to
repair; (v) of any physical damage to any Wellsford Property in excess of
$100,000 for which there is no insurance in effect covering the cost of the
restoration; (vi) of any current renovation or uninsured restoration to any
Wellsford Property the cost of which exceeds $100,000; or (vii) of items
referred to in Section 2.8(c)(iii)-(vi) which aggregate for Wellsford and its
Subsidiaries more than $5,000,000.
(d) Neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries has
received any written notice to the effect that (i) any condemnation or rezoning
proceedings are pending or threatened with respect to any of the Wellsford
Properties or (ii) any zoning, building or similar law, code, ordinance, order
or regulation is or will be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or
use of any buildings or other improvements on any of the Wellsford Properties or
by the continued maintenance, operation or use of the parking areas. All work
to be performed, payments to be made and actions to be taken by Wellsford or the
Wellsford Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof pursuant to any agreement
entered into with a governmental body or authority in connection with a site
approval, zoning reclassification or other similar action relating to any
Wellsford Properties (e.g., Local Improvement District, Road Improvement
District, Environmental Mitigation) has been performed, paid or taken, as the
case may be, and Wellsford has no Knowledge of any planned or proposed work,
payments or actions that may be required after the date hereof pursuant to such
agreements.
(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 2.8 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter, all of the Wellsford Properties are managed by Wellsford or a wholly-
owned Wellsford Subsidiary.
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2.9 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. None of Wellsford, any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries or, to Wellsford's Knowledge, any other Person has caused or
permitted (a) the unlawful presence of any hazardous substances, hazardous
materials, toxic substances or waste materials (collectively, "Hazardous
Materials") on any of the Wellsford Properties, or (b) any unlawful spills,
releases, discharges or disposal of Hazardous Materials to have occurred or be
presently occurring on or from the Wellsford Properties as a result of any
construction on or operation and use of such properties, which presence or
occurrence would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Wellsford Material
Adverse Effect; and in connection with the construction on or operation and use
of the Wellsford Properties, Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries have not
failed to comply in any material respect with all applicable local, state and
federal environmental laws, regulations, ordinances and administrative and
judicial orders relating to the generation, recycling, reuse, sale, storage,
handling, transport and disposal of any Hazardous Materials, except to the
extent such failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not have
a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
2.10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. Set forth in Schedule 2.10 of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter is a list of all arrangements, agreements and
contracts entered into by Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries with
(a) any consultant, (b) any person who is an officer, trustee, director or
Affiliate (as defined below) of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries,
any relative of any of the foregoing or any entity of which any of the foregoing
is an Affiliate or (c) any person who acquired Wellsford Common Shares in a
private placement, except those of a type available to Wellsford employees
generally. Such documents, copies of all of which have previously been
delivered or made available to EQR, are listed in Schedule 2.10 of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter. As used in this Agreement, the term "Affiliate" shall have
the same meaning as such term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the
Securities Act.
2.11 ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS; ERISA COMPLIANCE.
(a) Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in Schedule
2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and except as contemplated by this
Agreement, since the date of the most recent audited financial statements
included in the Wellsford SEC Documents, there has not been any adoption or
amendment in any respect by Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary of any bonus,
pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock
ownership, stock purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation,
severance, disability, death benefit, hospitalization, medical or other employee
benefit plan, arrangement or understanding (whether or not legally binding)
providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director of
Wellsford, any Wellsford Subsidiary, or any person Affiliated with Wellsford
under Section 414 (b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (collectively, "Wellsford
Benefit Plans").
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(b) Except as described in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in Schedule
2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, (i) all Wellsford Benefit Plans of
Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries, including any such plan that is an
"employee benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable requirements of law, including but not
limited to ERISA and the Code, and (ii) neither Wellsford nor any Wellsford
Subsidiary has any material liabilities or obligations with respect to any such
Wellsford Benefit Plan, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise. Except as set
forth in Schedule 2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the execution of, and
performance of the transactions contemplated in, this Agreement will not (either
alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) constitute
an event under any Wellsford Benefit Plan, policy, arrangement or agreement or
any trust or loan that will or may result in any payment (whether of severance
pay or otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting,
distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to fund benefits with respect
to any employee, trustee or director. The only severance agreements or severance
policies applicable to employees of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries are the agreements and policies specifically referred to in
Schedule 2.11 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and the severance program
referred to in Section 5.10(c).
2.12 EMPLOYEE POLICIES. Schedule 2.12 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter lists the employee handbooks of Wellsford and each of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries currently in effect. A copy of each such employee handbook has
previously been made available to EQR. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.12 of
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, such handbooks fairly and accurately summarize
all material employee policies, vacation policies and payroll practices of
Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries.
2.13 TAXES.
(a) Each of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries has filed all tax
returns and reports required to be filed by it (after giving effect to any
filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Entity having authority to
do so) and has paid (or Wellsford has paid on its behalf) all Taxes (as defined
below) shown on such returns and reports as required to be paid by it except (i)
as set forth in Schedule 2.13 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, or (ii) real
estate taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and for which Wellsford or the applicable Wellsford Subsidiary shall have set
aside on its books adequate reserves. The most recent audited financial
statements contained in the Wellsford SEC Documents reflect an adequate reserve
for all material Taxes payable by Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries for
all taxable periods and portions thereof through the date of such financial
statements. Since the Wellsford Financial Statement Date, Wellsford has
incurred no liability for taxes under Sections 857(b), 860(c) or 4981 of the
Code, including without limitation any tax arising from a prohibited transaction
described in Section 857(b)(6) of the Code, and neither Wellsford nor any
Wellsford Subsidiary has incurred any liability for taxes other than in the
ordinary course of business. No event has occurred, and no condition or
circumstance exists, which presents a material risk that any material Tax
described in the preceding sentence will be imposed upon
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Wellsford. To the Knowledge of Wellsford, no deficiencies for any Taxes have
been proposed, asserted or assessed against Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes
are pending. As used in this Agreement, "Taxes" shall include all federal,
state, local and foreign income, property, sales, franchise, employment, excise
and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature whatsoever,
together with penalties, interest or additions to Tax with respect thereto.
(b) Wellsford (i) for all taxable years commencing with 1993 through
the most recent December 31, has been subject to taxation as a real estate
investment trust (a "REIT") within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code and
has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a REIT for such years, (ii) has
operated, and intends to continue to operate, in such a manner as to qualify as
a REIT for the taxable year ending December 31, 1997, and (iii) has not taken or
omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to (A) result in
any rents paid by the tenants of the Properties to be excluded from the
definition of "rents from real property" under Section 856(d)(2)(C) of the Code,
or (B) otherwise result in a challenge to its status as a REIT, and to
Wellsford's Knowledge, no such challenge is pending or threatened. Each
Wellsford Subsidiary which is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability
company (i) has been since its formation and continues to be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a partnership and not as a corporation or an association
taxable as a corporation, and (ii) has not since its formation owned any assets
(including, without limitation, securities) that would cause Wellsford to
violate Section 856(b)(5) of the Code. Each Wellsford Subsidiary which is a
corporation has been since its formation a qualified REIT subsidiary under
Section 856(i) of the Code.
2.14 NO PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, TRUSTEES OR DIRECTORS. Set
forth in Exhibit "J" to this Agreement (and the Exhibits referenced therein) and
Schedule 2.3 of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter is a true and complete list of
all cash and non-cash payments which will become payable to each employee,
officer, trustee or director of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary as a
result of the Spin-Off and Merger. Except as described in Exhibit "J" to this
Agreement (and the Exhibits referenced therein) and in Schedule 2.3 to the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement,
there is no employment or severance contract, or other agreement requiring
payments, cancellation of indebtedness or other obligation to be made on a
change of control or otherwise as a result of the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, with respect to any employee,
officer, trustee or director of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary.
2.15 BROKERS; SCHEDULE OF FEES AND EXPENSES. No broker, investment
banker, financial advisor or other person, other than Merrill Lynch & Co. and
William Cockrum, the fees and expenses of which have previously been disclosed
to EQR, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other
similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Wellsford or any
Wellsford Subsidiary.
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2.16 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as disclosed in the Wellsford SEC
Documents, neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries has violated
or failed to comply with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule,
judgment, decree or order of any Governmental Entity applicable to its business,
properties or operations, except to the extent that such violation or failure
would not have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
2.17 CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS.
(a) Neither Wellsford nor any Wellsford Subsidiary has received a
written notice that Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary is in violation of or
in default under (nor to the Knowledge of Wellsford does there exist any
condition which upon the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would
cause such a violation of or default under) any material loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, concession,
franchise, license or any other material contract, agreement, arrangement or
understanding, to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
assets is bound, except as set forth in Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, nor to the Knowledge of Wellsford does such a violation or
default exist, except to the extent that such violation or default, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except for any of the following expressly identified in Wellsford
SEC Documents, Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth a
list of each loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture and any
other agreement and instrument pursuant to which any indebtedness of Wellsford
or any of Wellsford Subsidiaries, other than indebtedness payable to Wellsford
or a Wellsford Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
$250,000 per item is outstanding or may be incurred. For purposes of this
Section 2.17, "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, without
duplication, (A) all indebtedness of such person for borrowed money, whether
secured or unsecured, (B) all obligations of such person under conditional sale
or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by such
person, (C) all capitalized lease obligations of such person, (D) all
obligations of such person under interest rate cap, swap, collar or similar
transaction or currency hedging transactions (valued at the termination value
thereof) and (E) all guarantees of such person of any such indebtedness of any
other person.
(c) To the extent not set forth in response to the requirements of
Paragraph 2.17(b), Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter sets forth
each interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap, currency
hedging transaction, and any other agreement relating to a similar transaction
to which Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary is a party or an obligor with
respect thereto.
(d) Neither Wellsford nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries is a party
to any agreement relating to the management of any of the Wellsford Properties
by any Person other than a wholly-owned Wellsford Subsidiary, except the
agreements described in Schedule 2.17 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the
"Third Party Management Agreements"). True and
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complete copies of the Third Party Management Agreements have previously been
furnished to EQR.
2.18 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. Wellsford has received the opinion of
Merrill Lynch & Co., dated January 16, 1997, satisfactory to Wellsford, a signed
copy of which has been provided to EQR, to the effect that the proposed
consideration to be received by the holders of common shares of beneficial
interest of Wellsford pursuant to the Merger and Spin-Off is fair to such
holders from a financial point of view.
2.19 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. Wellsford has taken all action necessary
to exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement between EQR and
Wellsford and its Affiliates from the operation of any "fair price,"
"moratorium," "control share acquisition" or any other anti-takeover statute or
similar statute enacted under the state or federal laws of the United States or
similar statute or regulation (a "Takeover Statute").
2.20 REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The information relating to Wellsford and
the Wellsford Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement (as defined in
Section 5.1) will not, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement,
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, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
2.21 DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES. Schedule 2.21 of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter lists all agreements entered into by Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries relating to the development or construction of, or additions or
expansions to, any real properties which are currently in effect and under which
Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries currently has, or expects to
incur, an obligation in excess of $250,000. True and correct copies of such
agreements have previously been delivered or made available to EQR.
2.22 EQR SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. Neither Wellsford nor any of
Wellsford Subsidiaries owns any shares of beneficial interest of EQR or other
securities convertible into shares of beneficial interest of EQR.
2.23 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. Neither Wellsford nor any of
Wellsford Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, required to be
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act").
2.24 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
2.25 DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE OF WELLSFORD. As used in this Agreement,
the phrase "to the Knowledge of Wellsford" (or words of similar import) means
the knowledge of those individuals identified in Schedule 2.25 of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter.
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ARTICLE 3
---------
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EQR
-------------------------------------
Except as set forth in the letter of even date herewith signed by the
President of EQR and delivered to Wellsford prior to the execution hereof (the
"EQR Disclosure Letter"), EQR represents and warrants to Wellsford as follows:
3.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF EQR. EQR is a real estate
investment trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Maryland
and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted. EQR is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign trust
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business
or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, financial condition
or results of operations of EQR and the Subsidiaries of EQR ("EQR
Subsidiaries"), taken as a whole ("EQR Material Adverse Effect"). EQR has
delivered to Wellsford complete and correct copies of its Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated Bylaws as amended or supplemented
to the date of this Agreement.
3.2 CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
(a) The authorized shares of beneficial interest of EQR consist of
100,000,000 EQR Common Shares, and 10,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial
interest ("EQR Preferred Shares"), of which 6,120,000 EQR Preferred Shares have
been designated as 9-3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "EQR Series A Preferred
Shares"), 500,000 EQR Preferred Shares have been designated as 9-1/8% Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value
per share, that are represented by 5,000,000 depository shares (the "EQR Series
B Preferred Shares"), and 460,000 EQR Preferred Shares have been designated as
9-1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$0.01 par value per share, that are represented by 4,600,000 depository shares
(the "EQR Series C Preferred Shares"). As of January 14, 1997, (a) 51,155,813
EQR Common Shares, 6,120,000 EQR Series A Preferred Shares, 500,000 EQR Series B
Preferred Shares (represented by 5,000,000 depositary shares) and 460,000 EQR
Series C Preferred Shares (represented by 4,600,000 depositary shares) were
outstanding, (b) 960,542 EQR Common Shares were available for issuance under
EQR's 1996 Non-Qualified Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "EQR Employee Share
Plans"), (c) 2,328,715 EQR Common Shares were issuable upon exercise of
outstanding share options (the "EQR Options") to purchase EQR Common Shares, and
975,353 EQR Common Shares were available for grant, under EQR's Second Amended
and Restated 1993 Share Option and Share Award Plan (the "Employee Share Award
and Option Plan"), (d) 21,541 EQR Common Shares are restricted
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and subject to forfeiture, and (e) 7,857,933 EQR Common Shares were reserved for
issuance upon exchange of EQR Units (as defined below) for EQR Common Shares
pursuant to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
(the "ERP Operating Partnership Agreement") of the ERP Operating Partnership.
On January 14, 1997, except as set forth in this Section 3.2, no shares of
beneficial interest or other voting securities of EQR were issued, reserved for
issuance or outstanding.
(b) All outstanding shares of beneficial interest of EQR are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights, except that the shareholders may be subject to further
assessment with respect to certain claims for tort, contract, taxes, statutory
liability and otherwise in some jurisdictions to the extent such claims are not
satisfied by EQR. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of EQR having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for,
securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders of EQR
may vote.
(c) Except (i) for the EQR Options, (ii) for the units ("EQR Units")
of partnership interest held by partners in the ERP Operating Partnership
(which, subject to certain restrictions, may be exchanged by the holders thereof
for either EQR Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at EQR's option, cash),
as are disclosed in Schedule 3.2 to the EQR Disclosure Letter or (iii) as set
forth in Schedule 3.2 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, as of the date of this
Agreement there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which EQR
or any EQR Subsidiary is a party or by which such entity is bound, obligating
EQR or any EQR Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of beneficial interest, voting securities
or other ownership interests of EQR or of any EQR Subsidiary or obligating EQR
or any EQR Subsidiary to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security,
option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking
(other than to EQR or an EQR Subsidiary). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2
to the EQR Disclosure Letter or as required under the ERP Operating Partnership
Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of EQR or any EQR
Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of beneficial
interest of EQR or any capital stock, voting securities, or other ownership
interests in any EQR Subsidiary or make any material investment (in the form of
a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any person (other than an EQR
Subsidiary).
(d) EQR owns all of its partnership interests in ERP Operating
Partnership free and clear of all Liens.
3.3 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP. ERP
Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of Illinois and has the requisite power and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted. ERP Operating Partnership is duly
qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of
its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in
such jurisdictions
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where the failure to be so qualified or licensed, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect. EQR has delivered to
Wellsford complete and correct copies of its Fourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership as amended or supplemented to the date of this
Agreement.
3.4 CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP. As of January 14,
1997, the number of outstanding units of partnership interest in ERP Operating
Partnership consists of (a) 51,155,813 units of general partnership interest,
(b) 7,857,933 units of limited partnership interest, (c) 6,120,000 9-3/8% Series
A Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units, (d) 500,000 9-1/8% Series B Cumulative
Redeemable Preference Units, and (e) 460,000 9-1/8% Series C Cumulative
Redeemable Preference Units. Except for the units of limited partnership
interest, all of the units of partnership interest in ERP Operating Partnership
are owned by EQR free and clear of all Liens.
3.5 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION; CONSENTS.
(a) EQR has the requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement, and subject to the requisite shareholder approval of the Merger (the
"EQR Shareholder Approvals" and, together with the Wellsford Shareholder
Approvals, the "Shareholder Approvals") to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to which EQR is a party. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by EQR and the consummation by EQR of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which EQR is a party have been
duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of EQR, subject to the EQR
Shareholder Approvals. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
EQR and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of EQR, enforceable against
EQR in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and general
principles of equity.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5 to the EQR Disclosure Letter,
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by EQR do not, and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to which EQR is a party and
compliance by EQR with the provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict with,
or result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of
time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of any material obligation or to loss of a material benefit under,
or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
EQR or any EQR Subsidiary under, (i) the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust or Amended and Restated Bylaws of EQR or the comparable charter or
organizational documents or partnership or similar agreement (as the case may
be) of any other EQR Subsidiary, each as amended or supplemented to the date of
this Agreement, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, reciprocal easement agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument,
permit, concession, franchise or license applicable to EQR or any EQR Subsidiary
or their respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any Laws
applicable to EQR or any EQR
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Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of
clause (ii) or (iii), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights, loss or
Liens that individually or in the aggregate would not (x) have an EQR Material
Adverse Effect or (y) prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by
or with respect to EQR or any EQR Subsidiary in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by EQR of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (i) the filing with the
SEC of (x) the Proxy Statement and (y) such reports under Section 13 (a) of the
Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Department, (iii) such filings as may be required in connection
with the payment of any transfer and gains taxes and (iv) such other consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings (A)
as are set forth in Schedule 3.5 to the EQR Disclosure Letter or (B) as may be
required under (x) federal, state or local environmental laws or (y) the
securities laws of the State of Maryland or (C) which, if not obtained or made,
would not prevent or delay in any material respect the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise prevent EQR from
performing its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or have,
individually or in the aggregate, an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, EQR confirms that the conduct of
its business consists solely of investing in, owning and operating real estate
for the benefit of its shareholders.
3.6 SEC DOCUMENTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. EQR
and ERP Operating Partnership have filed all required reports, schedules, forms,
statements and other documents with the SEC since August 18, 1993 through the
date hereof (the "EQR SEC Documents"). Schedule 3.6 of the EQR Disclosure
Letter contains a complete list of all EQR SEC Documents filed by EQR under the
Exchange Act since January 1, 1996 and on or prior to the date of this
Agreement. All of the EQR SEC Documents (other than preliminary material), as
of their respective filing dates, complied in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, in each
case, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to such EQR
SEC Documents. None of the EQR SEC Documents at the time of filing contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except to the extent such statements have been modified or
superseded by later EQR SEC Documents filed and publicly available prior to the
date of this Agreement. The consolidated financial statements of EQR and the
EQR Subsidiaries included in the EQR SEC Documents complied as to form in all
material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted
by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a consistent
basis during the periods
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involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented,
in accordance with the applicable requirements of GAAP and the applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC, the consolidated financial position of EQR and the
EQR Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except for
liabilities and obligations set forth in the EQR SEC Documents or in Schedule
3.6 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, neither EQR nor any EQR Subsidiary has any
liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent
or otherwise) required by GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet
of EQR or in the notes thereto and which, individually or in the aggregate,
would have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.7 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the EQR
SEC Documents or in Section 3.7 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, since the date of
the most recent audited financial statements included in the EQR SEC Documents
(the "EQR Financial Statement Date"), EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries have
conducted their business only in the ordinary course (taking into account prior
practices, including the acquisition of properties and issuance of securities)
and there has not been (a) any material adverse change in the business,
financial condition or results of operations of EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries
taken as a whole (a "EQR Material Adverse Change"), nor has there been any
occurrence or circumstance that with the passage of time would reasonably be
expected to result in an EQR Material Adverse Change, (b) except for regular
quarterly distributions (in the case of EQR) not in excess of $.625 per EQR
Common Share, $.5859 per EQR Series A Preferred Share, $5.703 per EQR Series B
Preferred Share and $5.703 per EQR Series C Preferred Share, in each case
subject to rounding adjustments as necessary and with customary record and
payment dates, any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to any of
EQR's shares of beneficial interest, (c) any split, combination or
reclassification of any of EQR's shares of beneficial interest, (d) any damage,
destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that has or would have
an EQR Material Adverse Effect, or (e) any change made prior to the date of this
Agreement in accounting methods, principles or practices by EQR or any EQR
Subsidiary materially affecting its assets, liabilities or business, except
insofar as may have been disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents or required by a
change in GAAP. EQR is not in default in the payment of distributions on the EQR
Series A Preferred Shares, EQR Series B Preferred Shares or EQR Series C
Preferred Shares.
3.8 LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents or in
Schedule 3.8 to the EQR Disclosure Letter, and other than personal injury and
other routine tort litigation arising from the ordinary course of operations of
EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries (a) which are covered by adequate insurance, or (b)
for which all material costs and liabilities arising therefrom are reimbursable
pursuant to common area maintenance or similar agreements, there is no suit,
action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of EQR, threatened in writing
against or affecting EQR or any EQR Subsidiary that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect, or (ii) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, nor is there any
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judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or
arbitrator outstanding against EQR or any EQR Subsidiary having, or which,
insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the future would have, any such
effect.
3.9 PROPERTIES.
(a) EQR or one of the EQR Subsidiaries owns fee simple title to each
of the real properties listed in the EQR SEC Filings as owned by it (the "EQR
Properties"), except where the failure to own such title would not have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The EQR Properties are not subject to any Encumbrances or Property
Restrictions which could cause an EQR Material Adverse Affect.
(c) Valid policies of title insurance have been issued insuring EQR's
or the applicable EQR Subsidiaries' fee simple title to the EQR Properties in
amounts at least equal to the purchase price thereof paid by EQR or the
applicable EQR Subsidiaries therefor, except where the failure to obtain such
title insurance would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(d) EQR has no Knowledge (i) that it has failed to obtain a
certificate, permit or license from any governmental authority having
jurisdiction over any of the EQR Properties where such failure would have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect, or of any pending threat of modification or
cancellation of any of the same which would have an EQR Material Adverse Effect,
(ii) of any written notice of any violation of any federal, state or municipal
law, ordinance, order, rule, regulation or requirement affecting any of the EQR
Properties issued by any governmental authorities which would have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) of any structural defects relating to EQR
Properties, EQR Properties whose building systems are not in working order,
physical damage to any EQR Property for which there is no insurance in effect
covering the cost of restoration, any current renovation or uninsured
restoration, except such structural defects, building systems not in working
order, physical damage, renovation and restoration which, in the aggregate,
would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Neither EQR nor any of the EQR Subsidiaries has received any
written notice to the effect that (i) any condemnation or rezoning proceedings
are pending or threatened with respect to any of the EQR Properties, or (ii) any
zoning, building or similar law, code, ordinance, order or regulation is or will
be violated by the continued maintenance, operation or use of any buildings or
other improvements on any of the EQR Properties or by the continued maintenance,
operation or use of the parking areas, other than such notices which, in the
aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(f) All work to be performed, payments to be made and actions to be
taken by EQR or the EQR Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof pursuant to any
agreement entered into with a governmental body or authority in connection with
a site approval, zoning reclassification or similar action relating to any EQR
Properties (e.g., Local Improvement District, Road
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Improvement District, Environmental Mitigation), has been performed, paid or
taken, as the case may be, except where the failure to do so would, in the
aggregate, not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect, and EQR has no Knowledge of
any planned or proposed work, payments or actions that may be required after the
date hereof pursuant to such agreements which would have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect.
3.10 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. None of EQR, any of the EQR Subsidiaries or,
to EQR's Knowledge, any other Person has caused or permitted (a) the unlawful
presence of any hazardous substances, hazardous materials, toxic substances or
waste materials (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") on any of the EQR
Properties, or (b) any unlawful spills, releases, discharges or disposal of
Hazardous Materials to have occurred or be presently occurring on or from the
EQR Properties as a result of any construction on or operation and use of such
properties, which presence or occurrence would, individually or in the
aggregate, have an EQR Material Adverse Effect; and in connection with the
construction on or operation and use of the EQR Properties, EQR and the EQR
Subsidiaries have not failed to comply in any material respect with all
applicable local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, ordinances
and administrative and judicial orders relating to the generation, recycling,
reuse, sale, storage, handling, transport and disposal of any Hazardous
Materials, except to the extent such failure to comply, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
3.11 TAXES.
(a) Each of EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries has filed all tax returns and
reports required to be filed by it (after giving effect to any filing extension
properly granted by a Governmental Entity having authority to do so) and has
paid (or EQR has paid on its behalf) all Taxes shown on such returns and reports
as required to be paid by it except where the failure to file such tax returns
or reports and failure to pay such Taxes would not have an EQR Material Adverse
Effect. The most recent audited financial statements contained in the EQR SEC
Documents reflect an adequate reserve for all material Taxes payable by EQR and
the EQR Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof through the
date of such financial statements. Since the EQR Financial Statement Date, EQR
has incurred no liability for taxes under Sections 857(b), 860(c) or 4981 of the
Code, including without limitation any tax arising from a prohibited transaction
described in Section 857(b)(6) of the Code, and neither EQR nor any EQR
Subsidiary has incurred any liability for taxes other than in the ordinary
course of business. No event has occurred, and no condition or circumstance
exists, which presents a material risk that any material Tax described in the
preceding sentence will be imposed upon EQR. To the Knowledge of EQR, no
deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against EQR
or any of the EQR Subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time to
assess any such Taxes are pending.
(b) EQR (i) for all taxable years commencing with 1993 through the
most recent December 31, has been subject to taxation as a REIT within the
meaning of Section 856 of the Code and has satisfied all requirements to qualify
as a REIT for such years, (ii) has
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operated, and intends to continue to operate, in such a manner as to qualify as
a REIT for the tax year ending December 31, 1997, and (iii) has not taken or
omitted to take any action which would reasonably be expected to (A) result in
any rents paid by tenants to the EQR Properties to be excluded from the
definition of "rents from real property" under Section 856(d)(2) of the Code, or
(B) otherwise result in a challenge to its status as a REIT, and to EQR's
Knowledge, no such challenge is pending or threatened. Each EQR Subsidiary
which is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company has been
treated since its formation and continues to be treated for federal income tax
purposes as a partnership and not as a corporation or as an association taxable
as a corporation.
3.12 BROKERS; SCHEDULE OF FEES AND EXPENSES. No broker, investment
banker, financial advisor or other person, other than J.P. Morgan Securities,
Inc., the fees and expenses of which have previously been disclosed to Wellsford
and will be paid by EQR, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial
advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of EQR or any
EQR Subsidiary.
3.13 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents,
neither EQR nor any of the EQR Subsidiaries has violated or failed to comply
with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, judgment, decree or order of
any Governmental Entity applicable to its business, properties or operations,
except to the extent that such violation or failure would not have an EQR
Material Adverse Effect.
3.14 CONTRACTS; DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Neither EQR nor any EQR Subsidiary has
received a written notice that EQR or any EQR Subsidiary is in violation of or
in default under (nor to the Knowledge of EQR does there exist any condition
which upon the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would cause such
a violation of or default under) any material loan or credit agreement, note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, concession, franchise, license or any
other material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding, to which it is
a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound, nor to the
Knowledge of EQR does such a violation or default exist, except to the extent
such violation or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not have an
EQR Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in Schedule 3.14 to the EQR
Disclosure Letter.
3.15 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. EQR has received the opinion of J. P.
Morgan Securities, Inc., dated January 15, 1997, satisfactory to EQR, a signed
copy of which has been provided to Wellsford, to the effect that the
consideration to be paid by EQR in connection with the Merger is fair, from a
financial point of view, to EQR.
3.16 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. EQR has taken all action necessary to
exempt transactions between EQR and Wellsford and its Affiliates from the
operation of Takeover Statutes.
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3.17 REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The information with respect to EQR and the
EQR Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement will not, as of the
effective date of the Registration Statement, 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, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
3.18 WELLSFORD SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. Neither EQR nor any of the
EQR Subsidiaries owns any shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford or other
securities convertible into shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford.
3.19 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
3.20 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. Neither EQR nor any of the EQR
Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, required to be registered
under the 1940 Act.
3.21 DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE OF EQR. As used in this Agreement, the
phrase "to the Knowledge of EQR" (or words of similar import) means the
knowledge of those individuals identified in Schedule 3.21 of the EQR Disclosure
Letter.
ARTICLE 4
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COVENANTS
---------
4.1 ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. Except as set forth in the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, prior to the Effective Time, Wellsford agrees that:
(a) neither it nor any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries shall initiate,
solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making
or implementation of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation,
any proposal or offer to its shareholders) with respect to a merger,
acquisition, tender offer, exchange offer, consolidation, sale of assets or
similar transaction involving all or any significant portion of the assets
or any equity securities of, Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(any such proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an
"Acquisition Proposal") or engage in any negotiations concerning or provide
any confidential information or data to, or have any discussions with, any
person relating to an Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any
effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal;
(b) it will use its best efforts not to permit any of its officers,
trustees, employees, agents or financial advisors to engage in any of the
activities described in Section 4.1(a);
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(c) it will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing and will take the necessary
steps to inform the individuals or entities referred to in Section 4.1(b)
of the obligations undertaken in this Section 4.1; and
(d) it will notify EQR immediately if Wellsford receives any such
inquiries or proposals, or any requests for such information, or if any
such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued
with it;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4.1 shall prohibit the
Board of Trustees of Wellsford from (i) furnishing information to or entering
into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that makes an
unsolicited Acquisition Proposal, if, and only to the extent that (A) the Board
of Trustees of Wellsford determines in good faith that such action is required
for the Board of Trustees to comply with its duties to shareholders imposed by
law, (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions
or negotiations with, such person or entity, Wellsford provides written notice
to EQR to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into
discussions with, such person or entity, and (C) subject to any confidentiality
agreement with such person or entity (which Wellsford determined in good faith
was required to be executed in order for the Board of Trustees to comply with
its duties to shareholders imposed by law), Wellsford keeps EQR informed of the
status (not the terms) of any such discussions or negotiations; and (ii) to the
extent applicable, complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act
with regard to an Acquisition Proposal. Nothing in this Section 4.1 shall (x)
permit Wellsford to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in
Article 7 hereof), (y) permit Wellsford to enter into an agreement with respect
to an Acquisition Proposal during the term of this Agreement (it being agreed
that during the term of this Agreement, Wellsford shall not enter into an
agreement with any Person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an
Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement in customary form
executed as provided above)) or (z) affect any other obligation of Wellsford
under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Board of Trustees of Wellsford
may approve and recommend a Superior Acquisition Proposal and, in connection
therewith, withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement
and the Merger. As used herein, "Superior Acquisition Proposal" means a bona
fide Acquisition Proposal made by a third party which a majority of the members
of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford determines in good faith to be more
favorable to Wellsford's shareholders from a financial point of view than the
Merger and which the Board of Trustees of Wellsford determines is reasonably
capable of being consummated.
4.2 CONDUCT OF WELLSFORD'S BUSINESS PENDING MERGER. Prior to the
Effective Time, except as (i) contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) necessary to
accomplish the Spin-Off, (iii) disclosed in the Wellsford Disclosure Letter or
Exhibit "J" or (iv) consented to in writing by EQR, Wellsford shall, and shall
cause each of the Wellsford Subsidiaries to:
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(a) conduct its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary
course and in substantially the same manner as heretofore;
(b) use its reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business
organizations and goodwill and keep available the services of its officers
and employees;
(c) confer on a regular basis with one or more representatives of EQR
to report operational matters of materiality and, subject to Section 4.1,
any proposals to engage in material transactions;
(d) promptly notify EQR of any material emergency or other material
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties,
assets, liabilities, prospects or the normal course of its businesses or in
the operation of its properties, or of any material governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that
the same may be contemplated);
(e) promptly deliver to EQR true and correct copies of any report,
statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of this
Agreement;
(f) maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied and not change in any material manner any of its
methods, principles or practices of accounting in effect at the Financial
Statement Date, except as may be required by the SEC, applicable law or
GAAP;
(g) duly and timely file all reports, tax returns and other documents
required to be filed with federal, state, local and other authorities,
subject to extensions permitted by law, provided Wellsford notifies EQR
that it is availing itself of such extensions and provided such extensions
do not adversely affect Wellsford's status as a qualified REIT under the
Code;
(h) not make or rescind any express or deemed election relative to
Taxes (unless required by law or necessary to preserve Wellsford's status
as a REIT or the status of any Wellsford Subsidiary as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes or as a qualified REIT subsidiary under Section
856(i) of the Code, as the case may be);
(i) not acquire, enter into any option to acquire, or exercise an
option or contract to acquire, additional real property, incur additional
indebtedness except for working capital under its revolving line(s) of
credit, encumber assets or commence construction of, or enter into any
agreement or commitment to develop or construct, other real estate
projects, except in the ordinary course of the multi-family apartment
business, which shall include all activities necessary to proceed with the
acquisition, ownership and construction of Phases I, II and III of the
multi-family residential project in Douglas County, Colorado referred to as
"Palomino Park" in accordance with the
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agreements in existence on the date of this Agreement and previously
furnished to EQR (the "Palomino Development Agreements");
(j) not amend its Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Articles
or Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, code of regulations or partnership
agreement or comparable charter or organizational document or the articles
of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement
or comparable charter or organization document of any Wellsford Subsidiary
without EQR's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed;
(k) make no change in the number of shares of beneficial interest or
capital stock, membership interests or units of limited partnership
interest issued and outstanding, other than pursuant to (i) the exercise of
options disclosed in Schedule 2.3 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and
the issuance of shares and options described in Exhibit "J" to this
Agreement, (ii) the conversion of Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares
pursuant to the terms of the Articles Supplementary for the Wellsford
Series A Preferred Shares, (iii) options to purchase Wellsford Common
Shares which are issued, and (iv) the Dividend Reinvestment and Share
Purchase Plan of Wellsford;
(l) grant no options or other right or commitment relating to its
shares of beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or
units of limited partnership interest or any security convertible into its
shares of beneficial interest or capital stock, membership interests or
units of limited partnership interest, or any security the value of which
is measured by shares of beneficial interest, or any security subordinated
to the claim of its general creditors;
(m) except as provided in Section 5.13 hereof and in connection with
the use of shares of beneficial interest of Wellsford to pay the exercise
price or tax withholding in connection with equity-based employee benefit
plans by the participants therein, not (i) authorize, declare, set aside or
pay any dividend or make any other distribution or payment with respect to
any shares of its beneficial interest or capital stock, or (ii) directly or
indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of beneficial
interest, shares of capital stock, membership interests or units of
partnership interest or any option, warrant or right to acquire, or
security convertible into, shares of beneficial interest, shares of capital
stock, membership interests, or units of partnership interest;
(n) not sell, lease, mortgage, subject to Lien or otherwise dispose of
any material part of its assets, individually or in the aggregate, except
in the ordinary course of business;
(o) not make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other Person, other than (i) loans, advances and
capital contributions to Wellsford Subsidiaries in existence on the date
hereof (other than Newco and Subsidiaries of
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Newco), and (ii) loans to Newco and Subsidiaries of Newco bearing interest
at a rate per annum equal to the rate of interest payable under the Second
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated June 30, 1995 between
Wellsford and First National Bank of Boston, as agent for itself and other
banks ("Revolver Rate"), which loans to Newco and its Subsidiaries shall
become due and payable in full on the Closing Date; provided the proceeds
of such loans are not applied to activities which are not permitted under
this Section 4.2;
(p) not pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or
otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in accordance
with their terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in, or
contemplated by, the most recent consolidated financial statements (or the
notes thereto) furnished to EQR or incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;
(q) not enter into any commitment, contractual obligation, capital
expenditure or transaction (each, a "Commitment") which may result in total
payments or liability by or to it in excess of $1,000,000 or aggregate
Commitments in excess of $5,000,000;
(r) not guarantee the indebtedness of another Person, enter into any
"keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
condition of another Person or enter into any arrangement having the
economic effect of any of the foregoing, other than guarantees of
indebtedness of Newco and Subsidiaries of Newco; provided, that on the
Closing Date, the Surviving Trust is unconditionally and irrevocably
released from any obligations with respect to such guarantees or the
indebtedness so guaranteed is paid in full without the payment of any
consideration by the Surviving Trust and its Subsidiaries;
(s) not enter into any Commitment with any officer, trustee,
consultant or Affiliate of Wellsford or any of the Wellsford Subsidiaries;
(t) not increase any compensation or enter into or amend any
employment agreement with any of its officers, directors or employees
earning more than $50,000 per annum, other than waivers by employees of
benefits under such agreements;
(u) not adopt any new employee benefit plan or amend any existing
plans or rights, except for changes which are required by law and changes
which are not more favorable to participants than provisions presently in
effect;
(v) not settle any shareholder derivative or class action claims
arising out of or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement;
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(w) not change the ownership of any of its Subsidiaries except
pursuant to the Contribution Agreement on the Closing Date; and
(x) not accept a promissory note in payment of the exercise price
payable under any option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares.
For purposes of this Section 4.2 only, any contract, transaction or other event
shall be deemed to be material if it would result or is expected to result in a
net impact on Wellsford's consolidated income statement in excess of $1,000,000,
or on Wellsford's consolidated balance sheet in excess of $1,000,000.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, prior to the
Effective Time, Newco and its Subsidiaries shall not be bound by the
restrictions which would otherwise be applicable under Sections 4.2(a), (b),
(c), (d), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m)(ii), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u),
or (w); provided, however, that in no event may Newco:
(i) issue any of its shares to any Person other than Wellsford
prior to the Spin-Off for less than fair value;
(ii) take any action or fail to take any action which would
reasonably be expected to result in the termination of or a
challenge to Wellsford's status as a REIT within the meaning
of Section 856 of the Code, or result in a Wellsford
Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) enter into any contract which creates or imposes any
obligation on, or otherwise purports to bind, Wellsford or
any of the other Wellsford Subsidiaries;
(iv) take any action or omit to take any action which causes a
default under any loan agreement to which Wellsford is a
party;
(v) amend its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws in any manner
which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Newco Stock
Purchase Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, prior to the
Effective Time, WPHC and its Subsidiaries may:
(A) amend the existing operating agreements of the Subsidiaries of WPHC in
a manner which is not adverse to the interests of WPHC in such
Subsidiaries;
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(B) purchase the interest of Al Feld in the Subsidiaries of WPHC in
accordance with the agreements granting such right in effect on the
date of this Agreement and previously furnished to EQR; and
(C) fulfill their respective obligations under the Palomino Development
Agreements.
4.3 CONDUCT OF EQR'S BUSINESS PENDING MERGER. Prior to the Effective
Time, except as (i) contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) consented to in
writing by Wellsford, EQR shall, and shall cause each of the EQR Subsidiaries
to:
(a) use its reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business
organizations and goodwill and keep available the services of its officers
and employees;
(b) confer on a regular basis with one or more representatives of
Wellsford to report operational matters of materiality which would have an
EQR Material Adverse Effect;
(c) promptly notify Wellsford of any material emergency or other
material change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
properties, assets, liabilities, prospects or the normal course of its
businesses or in the operation of its properties, or of any material
governmental complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications
indicating that the same may be contemplated);
(d) promptly deliver to Wellsford true and correct copies of any
report, statement or schedule filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of
this Agreement;
(e) maintain its books and records in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied; and
(f) duly and timely file all reports, tax returns and other documents
required to be filed with federal, state, local and other authorities.
For purposes of this Section 4.3 only, an emergency, change, complaint,
investigation or hearing shall be deemed material if it would reasonably be
expected to have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
In addition, during the period beginning the day after the fifth (5th)
trading day prior to the date which the proxy statements required by Section 5.1
hereof are dated and ending on (but including) the Closing Date, EQR will not
(a) issue any EQR Common Shares or other securities convertible into EQR Common
Shares in any single transaction or series of transactions having an aggregate
issuance price in excess of $250,000,000, or (b) announce any merger with or
acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of another entity which has
net assets in excess of $250,000,000.
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4.4 COVENANT OF EQR. If EQR enters into negotiations with another Person
who has a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act regarding
the acquisition of such Person (whether effected through a merger,
consolidation, share exchange, tender offer or other form), then at least three
(3) business days prior to executing any definitive agreement with such Person
with respect to such acquisition or making a tender offer for the shares or
other ownership interests of such Person, EQR shall notify Wellsford of such
transaction and consult with Wellsford with respect thereto, it being
understood, however, that Wellsford shall have no approval rights with respect
thereto.
4.5 OTHER ACTIONS. Each of Wellsford on the one hand and EQR on the other
hand shall not, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause their
Subsidiaries not to take, any action that would result in (i) any of the
representations and warranties of such party (without giving effect to any
"knowledge" qualification) set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to
materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and warranties
(without giving effect to any "knowledge" qualification) that are not so
qualified becoming untrue in any material respect or (iii) except as
contemplated by Section 4.1, any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article 6 not being satisfied.
4.6 FILING OF CERTAIN REPORTS. The Surviving Trust shall file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
adopted by the SEC thereunder, and it will take such further action as any
Affiliate of Wellsford or EQR may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable such Affiliate to sell shares of beneficial interest
of the Surviving Trust received by such Affiliate in the Merger without
registration under the Securities Act pursuant to (i) Rule 145(d)(1) under the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from to time, or (ii) any successor
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
ARTICLE 5
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ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
--------------------
5.1 PREPARATION OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT;
WELLSFORD SHAREHOLDERS MEETING AND EQR SHAREHOLDERS MEETING.
(a) As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement,
Wellsford and EQR shall prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary Proxy
Statement in form and substance satisfactory to each of EQR and Wellsford and
such registration statements under the Securities Act and Exchange Act as may be
required (collectively, the "Registration Statement"). To the extent
practicable, the parties shall utilize one document for transmittal to their
respective shareholders to meet applicable legal requirements. Each of
Wellsford and EQR shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) respond to any
comments of the SEC and (ii) have the Registration
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Statement declared effective under the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder as promptly as practicable after such filing
and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to
consummate the Merger. Each of Wellsford and EQR will use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Wellsford's shareholders
and EQR's shareholders, respectively, as promptly as practicable after the
Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act. Each
party agrees to date its Proxy Statement as of the same date, which shall be the
approximate date of mailing to the shareholders of the respective parties. Each
party will notify the other promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC
and of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement or for additional information and will supply
the other with copies of all correspondence between such party or any of its
representatives and the SEC, with respect to the Registration Statement or the
Proxy Statement. The Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement shall
comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of law. Prior
to mailing the Proxy Statement to their respective shareholders, EQR and
Wellsford shall have received the letters from their respective accountants
provided for by Section 5.8. Whenever any event occurs which is required to be
set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the
Proxy Statement, EQR or Wellsford, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the
other of such occurrences and cooperate in filing with the SEC and/or mailing to
the shareholders of EQR and the shareholders of Wellsford such amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement. Wellsford or EQR, whichever shall become the
Surviving Trust, also shall take any action required to be taken under any
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws in connection with the issuance
of shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust pursuant to the Merger,
and the other party shall furnish all information concerning such party and the
holders of the shares of beneficial interest of such party and rights to acquire
shares of beneficial interest as may be reasonably requested in connection with
any such action.
(b) EQR will, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement (but in no event sooner than 20 business days following the date the
Proxy Statement is mailed to the shareholders of Wellsford), duly call, give
notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "EQR Shareholders
Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the EQR Shareholder Approvals. EQR will,
through its Board of Trustees, recommend to its shareholders approval of this
Agreement, the Merger, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Wellsford will, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement (but in no event sooner than 20 business days following the date the
Proxy Statement is mailed to the shareholders of Wellsford), duly call, give
notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining Wellsford Shareholder
Approvals. Wellsford will, through its Board of Trustees, recommend to its
shareholders approval of this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that prior to the Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting, such recommendation may be withdrawn, modified or amended
to the extent that, as a result of the commencement or receipt of a proposal
constituting a Superior Acquisition Proposal, the Board of Trustees of
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Wellsford determines in good faith that such withdrawal, modification or
amendment is appropriate.
(d) EQR and Wellsford shall use their best efforts to hold their
respective shareholder meetings on the same day, which day, subject to the
provisions of Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(c), shall be a day not later than 45 days
after the date the Proxy Statement is mailed.
(e) If on the date for the EQR Shareholders Meeting and Wellsford
Shareholders Meeting established pursuant to Section 5.1(d) of this Agreement,
either EQR or Wellsford has not received a sufficient number of proxies to
approve the Merger (but less than 1/3rd of the outstanding common shares of
beneficial interest of such party have voted against the Merger), then both
parties shall adjourn their respective shareholders meetings until the first to
occur of (i) the date ten (10) days after the originally scheduled date of the
shareholders meetings or (ii) the date on which the requisite number of proxies
approving the Merger has been obtained or proxies have been received
representing more than one-third of its outstanding common shares of beneficial
interest which voted against the Merger.
5.2 ACCESS TO INFORMATION: CONFIDENTIALITY. Subject to the requirements
of confidentiality agreements with third parties, each of Wellsford and EQR
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to the other party
and to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and
other representatives of such other party, reasonable access during normal
business hours prior to the Effective Time to all their respective properties,
books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period,
each of Wellsford and EQR shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
furnish promptly to the other party (a) a copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and other document filed by it during such period
pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws and (b) all
other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as such
other party may reasonably request. Each of Wellsford and EQR, shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other
representatives and affiliates to, hold any nonpublic information in confidence
to the extent required by, and in accordance with, and will comply with the
provisions of the letter agreement dated as of October 9, 1996 between Wellsford
and EQR (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
5.3 BEST EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, Wellsford and
EQR shall: (i) use all reasonable best efforts to cooperate with one another in
(A) determining which filings are required to be made prior to the Effective
Time with, and which consents, approvals, permits or authorizations are required
to be obtained prior to the Effective Time from, governmental or regulatory
authorities of the United States, the several states and foreign jurisdictions
and any third parties in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such
agreements and (B)
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timely making all such filings and timely seeking all such consents, approvals,
permits and authorizations; (ii) use all reasonable best efforts to obtain in
writing any consents required from third parties to effectuate the Merger, such
consents to be in form reasonably satisfactory to Wellsford and EQR; and (iii)
use all reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other action
and do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or appropriate
to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is
necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose of this Agreement, the proper
officers and trustees of Wellsford and EQR shall take all such necessary action.
(b) Wellsford shall give prompt notice to EQR, and EQR shall give
prompt notice to Wellsford, (i) if any representation or warranty made by it
contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becomes untrue
or inaccurate in any respect or any such representation or warranty that is not
so qualified becomes untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) of the
failure by it to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.
5.4 COSTS OF TRANSACTION. On the Closing Date, Wellsford and EQR shall
execute, and Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute, the Transaction and
Termination Costs Agreement in substantially in the form attached as Exhibit "H"
hereto (the "Transaction Costs Agreement").
5.5 TAX TREATMENT. Each of EQR and Wellsford shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under the
provisions of Sections 368(a) of the Code and to obtain the opinions of counsel
referred to in Sections 6.2(e) and 6.3(f).
5.6 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. EQR and Wellsford will consult with each other
before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment
upon, any press release or other written public statements with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger and the Spin-
Off, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such written public
statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by applicable
law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any
national securities exchange. The parties agree that the initial press release
to be issued with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will be in the form agreed to by the parties hereto prior to the execution of
this Agreement.
5.7 LISTING. Prior to the Effective Time, EQR or Wellsford (whichever
shall be the Surviving Trust), shall use its best efforts to have the NYSE
approve for listing, upon official notice of issuance, the shares of beneficial
interest to be issued in the Merger.
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5.8 LETTERS OF ACCOUNTANTS.
(a) Wellsford shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be
delivered to EQR the "comfort" letter of Ernst & Young, Wellsford's independent
public accountants, dated and delivered the date on which the Registration
Statement shall become effective and as of the Effective Time, and addressed to
EQR, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to EQR and reasonably
customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public
accountants in connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) EQR shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered
to Wellsford the "comfort" letter of Ernst & Young, EQR's independent public
accountants, dated the date on which the Registration Statement shall become
effective and as of the Effective Time, and addressed to Wellsford, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Wellsford and reasonably customary in scope
and substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in
connection with transactions such as those contemplated by this Agreement.
5.9 TRANSFER AND GAINS TAXES. EQR and Wellsford shall cooperate in the
preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications
or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use,
transfer, value added stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording,
registration and other fees and any similar taxes which become payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with
any related interests, penalties or additions to tax, "Transfer and Gains
Taxes"). From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall, or shall
cause ERP Operating Partnership, as appropriate, to pay or cause to be paid,
without deduction or withholding from any amounts payable to the holders of
beneficial interests in the Surviving Trust, all Transfer and Gains Taxes.
5.10 BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE ARRANGEMENTS.
(a) BENEFIT PLANS. After the Effective Time, all employees of
Wellsford who are employed by the Surviving Trust shall, at the option of the
Surviving Trust, either continue to be eligible to participate in an "employee
benefit plan", as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, of Wellsford which is, at
the option of the Surviving Trust, continued by the Surviving Trust, or
alternatively shall be eligible to participate in the same manner as other
similarly situated employees of the Surviving Trust who were formerly employees
of EQR in any "employee benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,
sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Trust after the Effective Time. With
respect to each such employee benefit plan, service with EQR or any EQR
Subsidiary or with Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary (as applicable) shall
be included for purposes of determining eligibility to participate, vesting (if
applicable) and entitlement to benefits. With respect to medical benefits
provided by the Surviving Trust on and after the Closing Date, coverage that
would otherwise be denied due to a preexisting illness shall be provided to
those employees who were covered by a plan sponsored by EQR, Wellsford or
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any of their Subsidiaries before the Closing Date, but only to the extent that
such illness was covered under such a plan before the Closing Date.
(b) SHARE INCENTIVE PLANS. The share incentive plans of Wellsford and
EQR, respectively, shall be terminated or continued, as specifically set forth
in the Articles of Merger.
(c) RETENTION PROGRAM. As of the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust
shall adopt a severance and retention program (the "Retention Program") with
respect to those employees of Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries set forth
in Schedule 5.10 to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter (the "Schedule 5.10
Employees") by issuing to such Schedule 5.10 Employees a letter substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit "I" (the "Retention Program Letter");
provided, however, that in no event may the aggregate obligations of Wellsford
and the Surviving Trust under the Retention Program exceed $544,575. The
Surviving Trust shall maintain the Retention Program in accordance with the
terms thereof. In no event shall Wellsford adopt or agree to any other
severance or retention program in addition to the Retention Program, except as
otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement. Neither the Retention
Program nor any other term of this Agreement shall require the Surviving Trust
to continue the employment of any employee of Wellsford after the Effective
Time. The Surviving Trust shall pay the amount set forth in Schedule 5.10 to
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter to each Schedule 5.10 Employee whose employment
is involuntarily terminated by the Surviving Trust without cause prior to such
employee's receipt of the Retention Program Letter.
(d) AGREEMENT OF OPTIONEES. Prior to the Closing, Wellsford shall use
its best efforts to obtain the written agreement of each employee (other than
the Executives of Wellsford as set forth in Exhibit "J" to this Agreement)
holding an option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares described in Schedule 2.3
to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter and of David Kelley to the cancellation of
such option at the Effective Time for cash in an amount equal to the difference
between $27.50 and the applicable exercise price set forth in such option,
multiplied by the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject to such option.
(e) RELEASE OF SURVIVING TRUST. At the Closing, each of (i) Jeffrey
H. Lynford, (ii) Edward Lowenthal, and (iii) each of the other Key Executives
set forth in Exhibit "J" who have agreed to the conversion of their options to
purchase Wellsford Common Shares into options to purchase common shares of
Newco, shall release the Surviving Trust from any obligations of Wellsford to
him under options to purchase Wellsford Common Shares which are exchanged for or
converted into options to purchase common shares of Newco.
(f) WITHHOLDING. Wellsford shall require each employee who exercises
an option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares or who receives Wellsford Common
Shares pursuant to any existing commitment to pay to Wellsford in cash or
Wellsford Common Shares an amount sufficient to satisfy in full Wellsford's
obligation to withhold Taxes incurred by reason of such exercise or issuance.
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(g) EXECUTIVES. The compensation, benefits, payments, accelerations,
share options and share appreciation rights of the "Executives" and the trustees
of Wellsford, as set forth in Exhibit "J" to this Agreement, shall be satisfied
at the Effective Time in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit "J" and
Schedule 5.10(g) to the Wellsford Disclosure Letter. For purposes of valuing
all existing options to be converted into options to purchase common shares of
Newco, Wellsford has utilized the Merrill Lynch trading desk formula pricing
model and take into account the number of options held, the exercise price and
duration thereof, the volatility of the market price of the shares involved, and
other required factors.
(h) COMMITTEE ACTION. Wellsford shall cause the appropriate committee
to take the appropriate action under Wellsford's 1992 Share Option Plan and
under its Long-Term Management Incentive Plan to cause each option to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares which remains unexercised as of the Effective Time to be
amended to adjust the number of shares for which such option is thereafter
exercisable and the exercise price by the Exchange Ratio, as provided for in the
Articles of Merger.
5.11 INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall
provide exculpation and indemnification for each person who is now or has been
at any time prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time,
an officer or trustee of Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary (the "Indemnified
Parties") which is the same as the exculpation and indemnification provided to
the Indemnified Parties by Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries immediately
prior to the Effective Time in its Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and
Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, that such exculpation and
indemnification covers actions on or prior to the Effective Time, including,
without limitation, all transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In no
event shall the Surviving Trust be obligated to provide directors' and officers'
liability insurance. If the Surviving Trust has directors and officers'
insurance, such insurance shall apply to all directors and officers of the
Surviving Trust serving as such during the period such coverage is in effect.
(b) The Surviving Trust shall continue in force and effect after the
Effective Time each Indemnification Agreement between EQR and any Person which
was in force and effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5.11 are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party, his or her
heirs and his or her personal representatives and shall be binding on all
successors and assigns of EQR and Wellsford.
(d) In the event that the Surviving Trust or any of its respective
successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or
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substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each
such case the successors and assigns of such entity shall assume the obligations
set forth in this Section 5.11, which obligations are expressly intended to be
for the irrevocable benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each trustee and
officer covered hereby.
5.12 CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Wellsford shall cause Newco to execute the
Contribution Agreement and any other agreement related to the transactions
contemplated hereby to which Newco is a party provided that Wellsford has
obtained all material consents required to be obtained by Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries from third parties in order to perform their respective
obligations under the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements
contemplated hereby to which Newco is a party. Wellsford shall diligently seek
and use its best efforts to obtain such consents prior to the Closing Date.
Wellsford shall keep EQR currently apprised of its progress in obtaining such
consents. Wellsford shall inform EQR promptly if it appears unlikely that any
given consent will be obtained. Wellsford shall cooperate with EQR in taking
any action to either obtain such consents or to put Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries in a position so that such consents are no longer required;
provided such action does not cost Wellsford a material amount or materially
adversely affect Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries.
5.13 DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. From and after the date
of this Agreement, Wellsford shall not make any dividend or distribution to its
shareholders without the prior written consent of EQR; provided, however, the
written consent of EQR shall not be required for the distribution of Newco
shares pursuant to the Spin-Off and for the authorization and payment of
quarterly distributions with respect to the Wellsford Common Shares of up to
$0.485 per share, the Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares of up to $0.4375 per
share and the Wellsford Series B Preferred Shares of up to $0.603125 per share;
provided, however, the record date for each distribution with respect to the
Wellsford Common Shares shall be the same date as the record date for the
quarterly distribution for the Common Shares of EQR as provided to Wellsford by
notice not less than twenty (20) business days prior to the record date for any
quarterly EQR distribution; provided, however, in the event EQR has not notified
Wellsford of the record date for a quarterly distribution with respect to the
EQR Common Shares for any quarter prior to the last twenty (20) business days of
such quarter, Wellsford may authorize a distribution on the Wellsford Common
Shares, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.13.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if EQR is to be the Surviving Trust, Wellsford
may make distributions to its shareholders in excess of the foregoing amounts
without the consent of EQR but only to the extent such distributions are
required to comply with the minimum distribution requirements set forth in
Section 857(b) of the Code.
5.14 CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. ERP Operating Partnership shall enter into a
consulting agreement with each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal which
shall become effective as of the Effective Time and shall be in substantially
the forms attached hereto as Exhibit "K".
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5.15 TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT COMPANY SHARES. At the Closing, Wellsford
shall cause the owners (other than Wellsford or a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Wellsford) to transfer to such person or persons as EQR shall designate by
written notice delivered to Wellsford prior to the Closing, all of the shares of
Wellsford Holly Management Inc. ("Management Corp.") owned by them, constituting
all the outstanding shares of the Management Corp. which are not owned by
Wellsford or a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellsford for an aggregate
consideration of $1.00, unless Management Corp. was dissolved prior to the
Closing Date.
5.16 TRANSFER OF WELLSFORD ASSETS AFTER EFFECTIVE TIME. Wellsford
acknowledges that immediately after the Effective Time, the real properties
owned by Wellsford and the Wellsford Subsidiaries and the equity interests in
certain of the Wellsford Subsidiaries shall be transferred to ERP Operating
Partnership, subject to all liabilities of Wellsford and the Wellsford
Subsidiaries, as a capital contribution in exchange for a number of units and
preferred units of ERP Operating Partnership equal to the number of common
shares of beneficial interest and preferred shares of beneficial interest of the
Surviving Trust issued in the Merger to the owners of the shares of beneficial
interest of Wellsford in the Merger; provided, however, that Wellsford makes no
representation or warranty regarding EQR's ability to accomplish the foregoing,
the costs that would be incurred in connection therewith or any consents or
approvals that may be required therefor.
5.17 NOTICES.
(a) Within the time period provided for in the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of the Surviving Trust, the Surviving Trust shall notify
the holders of Wellsford Series A Preferred Shares (which have been converted
into Series D Preferred Shares of the Surviving Trust) of the conversion rate
applicable to such shares after giving effect to the Merger.
(b) Each party shall provide such notice to its shareholders of the
Merger as is required under Maryland law.
5.18 RESIGNATIONS. On the Closing Date, Wellsford shall cause the
trustees, directors and officers of Wellsford and each of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries (excluding Newco and its Subsidiaries) to submit their resignations
from such positions, effective as of the Effective Time.
5.19 THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS. Wellsford shall not amend the
existing Third Party Management Agreement which provides that such agreement may
be cancelled by Wellsford on thirty days' notice or less without any charge,
penalty or other cost for such cancellation. Wellsford shall not renew the
other existing Third Party Management Agreement which expires in April, 1997
except on terms which permit its cancellation by Wellsford on thirty days'
notice or less without any charge, penalty or other cost for such cancellation,
and shall not thereafter amend such terms.
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5.20 REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS. Wellsford covenants that on the
Closing Date it shall cause Newco and its Subsidiaries to repay all loans made
to any of them by Wellsford or the other Wellsford Subsidiaries and to procure
on the Closing Date the unconditional and irrevocable release of Wellsford and
such other Wellsford Subsidiaries from any guaranties of the obligations of
Newco and its Subsidiaries (whether effected directly or indirectly through the
repayment of the indebtedness so guaranteed), other than the guaranties
contemplated under the Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino Agreement.
Wellsford covenants that it shall cause Newco to apply the Contribution Funds
(as defined in the Contribution Agreement) and shall cause Newco to request
purchases of shares of Newco under the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement to the
extent that Newco does not repay such indebtedness from other sources and obtain
such releases by other means.
5.21 10B-17 NOTICE. Wellsford shall give any notice required under Rule
10b-17 promulgated under the Exchange Act of the record date for determining the
holders of Wellsford Common Shares entitled to receive the distribution of the
shares of Newco owned by Wellsford. The parties shall co-operate in
establishing the date for the Closing Date in order to facilitate compliance
with said Rule.
5.22 DENVER LEASE. Prior to the Closing Date, Wellsford may sublease the
office space in Denver, Colorado currently leased by Wellsford (the "Denver
Space") to a subtenant with EQR's prior consent, which consent shall not be
withheld if such prospective tenant is financially capable of making the rental
payments under the sublease. If the Denver Space has not been subleased by
Wellsford by the Closing Date, the Surviving Trust shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to sublease the Denver Space; provided that the Surviving
Trust shall not be required to sublease such space to any Person which is not
financially capable of making the payments required under the sublease. Newco
may refer potential tenants to the Surviving Trust and may sublease the Denver
Space itself. If the Denver Space is not subleased by the Closing Date, but is
thereafter subleased by the Surviving Trust, the Surviving Trust shall pay to
Newco the present value (determined using an interest rate of 8%) of all base
rent payable under such sublease (net of third party brokers' commissions)
promptly after such sublease is executed by the parties.
5.23 NEW YORK LEASE. If prior to the Effective Time Wellsford is unable
to obtain the consent of the landlord under the lease of the office space in New
York, New York currently leased by Wellsford (the "New York Lease") to either
(a) the assignment of the New York Lease to Newco and the release of the
Surviving Trust from all liability under the New York Lease, or (ii) the
sublease to Newco of the space leased under the New York Lease, then the
Surviving Trust will reasonably co-operate with Newco to provide Newco with the
benefits of the New York Lease, including becoming a 50% joint venture partner
with Newco in an entity formed to sublease such space.
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5.24 AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF WPHC. Prior to the Closing Date, Wellsford
shall cause: (a) the Articles of Incorporation of WPHC to be amended so as to
provide (i) for two classes of common shares which shall be identical in all
respects except that (A) one class shall be voting (the "WPHC Voting Shares")
and one class shall be non-voting (the "WPHC Non-Voting Shares"), and (B) each
WPHC Non-Voting Share shall be convertible at any time into one WPHC Voting
Share, and (ii) that no dividend may be declared or paid on the outstanding
shares of either class of common shares of WPHC unless the same dividend is
declared on both classes of common shares of WPHC, except that any stock
dividend payable solely in common shares of WPHC shall be paid in WPHC Voting
Shares, as to such dividends on WPHC Voting Shares, or WPHC Non-Voting Shares,
as to dividends on WPHC Non-Voting Shares, and (b) the shares of WPHC owned by
Wellsford to be converted or exchanged for 80 WPHC Voting Shares, which shall be
contributed to Newco pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, and 20 WPHC Non-
Voting Shares, which shall continue to be owned by the Surviving Trust after the
Effective Time.
5.25 COMPLETION OF ARTICLES OF MERGER. If the Closing Date occurs on or
after the annual meeting of the shareholders of EQR for 1997, Exhibit "B" to the
Articles of Merger shall be completed prior to the execution thereof by the
parties in such a manner so that each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal
shall be designated as trustees whose terms expire at the annual meeting of the
shareholders of the Surviving Trust held in 2000. If the Closing Date occurs
before the annual meeting of the shareholders of EQR for 1997, (a) Exhibit "B"
to the Articles of Merger shall be completed prior to the execution thereof by
the parties in such a manner so that each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward
Lowenthal shall be designated as trustees whose terms expire at the annual
meeting of the shareholders of the Surviving Trust held in 1998, and (b) Jerry
H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal shall be designated as management's designees in
the Surviving Trust's proxy material for its annual meeting of shareholders held
in 1998 to serve as trustees of the Surviving Trust with terms expiring at the
annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Trust held in 2000. The terms
of the remaining trustees of the Surviving Trust shall be completed in Exhibit
"B" in the manner designated by EQR.
ARTICLE 6
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CONDITIONS
----------
6.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS. This Agreement, the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved and
adopted by the Shareholder Approvals.
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(b) LISTING OF SHARES. The NYSE shall have approved for listing the
shares of beneficial interest of the Surviving Trust to be issued in the
Merger, subject in each case to official notice of issuance.
(c) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The Registration Statement shall have
become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of
any stop order or proceedings by the SEC seeking a stop order.
(d) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing
the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall be in effect.
(e) BLUE SKY LAWS. The Surviving Trust shall have received all state
securities or "blue sky" permits and other authorizations necessary to
issue shares of beneficial interest to the shareholders of EQR and
Wellsford.
(f) OPINION OF MARYLAND COUNSEL. EQR and Wellsford shall have
received the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll to the effect
that this Agreement and the Articles of Merger are enforceable under
Maryland law, that all requisite approval of the Merger by the shareholders
of EQR and Wellsford has been obtained, and as to such other matters as are
customary in a transaction such as the Merger.
6.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EQR. The obligations of EQR to effect the
Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated to occur on the
Closing Date are further subject to the following conditions, any one or more of
which may be waived by EQR:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties of Wellsford set forth in this Agreement shall be true and
correct as of the Closing Date (other than changes thereto which occurred
solely by reason of the Spin-Off), as though made on and as of the Closing
Date, except to the extent the representation or warranty is expressly
limited by its terms to another date, and EQR shall have received a
certificate (which certificate may be qualified by Knowledge to the same
extent as the representations and warranties of Wellsford contained herein
are so qualified) signed on behalf of Wellsford by the chief executive
officer or the chief financial officer of Wellsford, in such capacity, to
such effect; provided, however, that no representation or warranty shall be
deemed to have been breached as a result of any act of Newco and its
Subsidiaries taken or omitted to be taken after the date of this Agreement,
if such act or omission was taken or omitted to be taken without causing
Newco to breach Section 4.2 of this Agreement. For the purposes of Section
6.2(a), the representations and warranties of Wellsford shall be deemed
true and correct unless the breach of such representations
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and warranties, in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF WELLSFORD. Wellsford shall have
performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed
by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and EQR shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of Wellsford by the chief
executive officer or the chief financial officer of Wellsford, in such
capacity, to such effect. For purposes of this Agreement, the inability of
Newco to (i) repay all of the loans and advances made to it by Wellsford or
any of the other Wellsford Subsidiaries, after giving effect to all cash to
be received by Newco on the Closing Date (including any amounts to be
received under the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement), shall be deemed to be a
material default, and (ii) the inability of Newco to obtain the
unconditional and irrevocable release from any obligations of Newco and its
Subsidiaries issued after the date of this Agreement (whether directly
through a release or indirectly through the payment of the indebtedness so
guaranteed) shall be deemed to be a material default. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Newco is unable to repay such indebtedness to Wellsford on
the Closing Date, after giving effect to all cash to be received by Newco
on the Closing Date (including any amounts to be received under the Newco
Stock Purchase Agreement), EQR may, at its option, and in lieu of
terminating this Agreement, require Newco to execute and deliver to the
Surviving Trust a promissory note in the amount of such indebtedness which
Newco is unable to pay, payable in twelve (12) equal consecutive monthly
installments on the last day of each month, commencing with the month next
following the month in which the Merger occurs, together with interest
thereon at a rate equal to the Revolver Rate plus 2%, payable with each
installment of principal.
(c) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of this Agreement, there
shall have been no Wellsford Material Adverse Change and EQR shall have
received a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial
officer of Wellsford, in such capacity, certifying to such effect.
(d) OPINIONS RELATING TO REIT AND PARTNERSHIP STATUS. EQR shall have
received an opinion of counsel to Wellsford, reasonably satisfactory to
EQR, that, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1993,
Wellsford was organized and has operated in conformity with the
requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code (with customary
exceptions, assumptions and qualifications and based upon customary
representations).
(e) OTHER TAX OPINION. EQR shall have received an opinion dated the
Closing Date from counsel to EQR, based upon certificates and letters,
which letters and certificates are substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit "L" hereto and dated the
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Closing Date, to the effect that the Merger will qualify as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(f) COMFORT LETTER. EQR shall have received the letter from the
accountants for Wellsford required by Section 5.8 hereof.
(g) OPINION OF COUNSEL. EQR shall have received an opinion from
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP or other counsel to
Wellsford reasonably satisfactory to EQR dated the Closing Date in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to EQR addressing the matters set forth
in Exhibit "M" hereto.
(h) CONSENTS. All consents and waivers (including, without
limitation, waivers of rights of first refusal) from third parties
necessary in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained, other than such
consents and waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not
result, individually or in the aggregate, in an EQR Material Adverse Effect
or a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(i) CONSULTING AGREEMENTS. Jeffrey H. Lynford and Edward Lowenthal
shall have executed and delivered their respective Consulting Agreements.
(j) SHARES OF MANAGEMENT CORP. Unless Management Corp. was dissolved
before the Closing Date, the voting shares of Management Corp. shall have
been transferred to EQR's designees in accordance with Section 5.15.
(k) RELEASES. The Key Executives shall have executed the releases
described in Section 5.10(e).
(l) WPHC ARTICLES. The Articles of Incorporation of WPHC shall have
been amended as provided in Section 5.24 and immediately prior to the Spin-
off, Wellsford's ownership interest in WPHC shall consist solely of 80 WPHC
Voting Shares and 20 WPHC Non-Voting Shares.
(m) CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Wellsford and Newco shall have entered
into the Contribution Agreement and each of the transactions contemplated
thereby shall have been completed to the extent required to be completed
thereunder as of such time.
(n) NEWCO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed and
delivered the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
(o) PALOMINO CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed
and delivered the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement.
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(p) PALOMINO AGREEMENT. Newco shall have executed and delivered the
Palomino Agreement.
(q) SONTERRA RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER. Newco shall have executed and
delivered the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement.
(r) TRANSACTION COSTS AGREEMENT. Each of Wellsford and Newco shall
have executed and delivered the Transaction Costs Agreement.
6.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF WELLSFORD. The obligation of Wellsford
to effect the Merger and to consummate the other transactions contemplated to
occur on the Closing Date is further subject to the following conditions, any
one or more of which may be waived by Wellsford:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties
of EQR set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date
of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of
the Closing Date, except to the extent the representation or warranty is
expressly limited by its terms to another date, and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate (which certificate may be qualified by Knowledge to
the same extent as the representations and warranties of EQR contained
herein are so qualified) signed on behalf of EQR by the chief executive
officer and the chief financial officer of such party to such effect. For
the purposes of this Section 6.3(a), the representations and warranties of
EQR shall be deemed true and correct unless the breach of such
representations and warranties, in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have an EQR Material Adverse Effect.
(b) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF EQR. EQR shall have performed in
all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under
this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate of EQR signed on behalf of EQR by the chief
executive officer or the chief financial officer of EQR, in such capacity,
to such effect.
(c) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of this Agreement, there
shall have been no EQR Material Adverse Change and Wellsford shall have
received a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial
officer of EQR, in such capacity, certifying to such effect.
(d) COMFORT LETTER. Wellsford shall have received the letter from the
accountants for EQR required by Section 5.8 hereof.
(e) OPINION RELATING TO REIT STATUS AND PARTNERSHIP STATUS. Wellsford
shall have received an opinion of counsel to EQR, reasonably satisfactory
to Wellsford,
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that, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 1993, (A) EQR was
organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a REIT under the Code and (B) ERP Operating Partnership
has been during and since 1993 and continues to be, treated of federal
income tax purposes as a partnership, and not as a corporation or
association taxable as a corporation (with customary exceptions,
assumptions and qualifications and based upon customary representations).
(f) OTHER TAX OPINION. Wellsford shall have received an opinion dated
the Closing Date from counsel to Wellsford, based upon certificates and
letters, which letters and certificates are substantially in the form set
forth in Exhibit "N" hereto and dated the Closing Date, to the effect that
the Merger will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section
368(a) of the Code.
(g) OPINION OF COUNSEL. Wellsford shall have received an opinion from
Rudnick & Wolfe or other counsel to EQR reasonably satisfactory to
Wellsford dated the Closing Date in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Wellsford addressing the matters set forth in Exhibit "O"
hereto dated the Closing Date.
(h) CONSENTS. All consents and waivers (including, without
limitation, waivers or rights of first refusal) from third parties
necessary in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, other than such consents and
waivers from third parties, which, if not obtained, would not result,
individually or in the aggregate, in an EQR Material Adverse Effect or a
Wellsford Material Adverse Effect.
(i) CONSULTING AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall have
executed the Consulting Agreements with each of Jeffrey H. Lynford and
Edward Lowenthal.
(j) NEWCO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall
have executed and delivered the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement.
(k) PALOMINO CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership
shall have executed and delivered the Palomino Credit Enhancement
Agreement.
(l) PALOMINO AGREEMENT. ERP Operating Partnership shall have executed
and delivered the Palomino Agreement.
(m) SONTERRA RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER. ERP Operating Partnership shall
have executed and delivered the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement.
(n) TRANSACTION COSTS AGREEMENT. EQR shall have executed and
delivered the Transaction Costs Agreement.
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ARTICLE 7
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TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
---------------------------------
7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Department, whether before or
after either of the Shareholder Approvals are obtained:
(a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the respective Boards
of Trustees of EQR and Wellsford;
(b) by EQR, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant,
obligation or agreement on the part of Wellsford set forth in this
Agreement, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section
6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being
satisfied by August 1, 1997 (or as otherwise extended);
(c) by Wellsford, upon a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant obligation or agreement on the part of EQR set forth in this
Agreement, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section
6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being
satisfied by August 1, 1997 (or as otherwise extended);
(d) by either EQR or Wellsford, if any judgment, injunction, order,
decree or action by any Governmental Entity of competent authority
preventing the consummation of the Merger shall have become final and
nonappealable;
(e) by either EQR or Wellsford, if the Merger shall not have been
consummated before August 1, 1997; provided, in the case of termination
pursuant to this Section 7.1(e), the terminating party shall not have
breached in any material respect its obligations under this Agreement in
any manner that shall have proximately contributed to the occurrence of the
failure referred to in this Section;
(f) by either EQR or Wellsford if, upon a vote at a duly held
Wellsford Shareholders Meeting or any adjournment thereof, Wellsford
Shareholder Approvals shall not have been obtained as contemplated by
Section 5.1;
(g) by either EQR or Wellsford if, upon a vote at a duly held EQR
Shareholders Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the EQR Shareholder
Approvals shall not have been obtained as contemplated by Section 5.1;
(h) by Wellsford, if prior to the Wellsford Shareholders Meeting, the
Board of Trustees of Wellsford shall have withdrawn or modified its
approval or
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recommendation of the Merger or this Agreement in connection with, or
approved or recommended, a Superior Acquisition Proposal;
(i) by EQR if (i) prior to the Wellsford Shareholders Meeting, the
Board of Trustees of Wellsford shall have withdrawn or modified in any
manner adverse to EQR its approval or recommendation of the Merger or this
Agreement in connection with, or approved or recommended, any Superior
Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) Wellsford shall have entered into a
definitive agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal; and
(j) by Wellsford or EQR if the Average Closing Price is less than
$37.00 per share; provided, however, any notice of termination given
pursuant to this Section 7.1(j) shall be given within three (3) business
days after the date that such right of termination accrues.
7.2 CERTAIN FEES AND EXPENSES. If this Agreement shall be terminated (i)
pursuant to Section 7.1(h) or 7.1(i), then Wellsford will pay EQR (provided
Wellsford was not entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(c) at the time of such termination) a fee equal to the Break-Up Fee (as
defined below), (ii) pursuant to Section 7.1(b) or 7.1(f), then Wellsford will
pay EQR (provided Wellsford was not entitled to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(c) at the time of such termination) an amount equal to
the Break-Up Expenses (as defined below). If this Agreement shall be terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1(c) or 7.1(g), then EQR will pay Wellsford (provided EQR
was not entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(b) at the
time of such termination), an amount equal to the Break-Up Expenses. If the
Merger is not consummated (other than due to the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1(a), 7.1(g) or 7.1(j) or EQR's failure to perform its
obligations under this Agreement in such a manner so as to entitle Wellsford to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)) and at the time of the
termination of this Agreement an Acquisition Proposal has been received by
Wellsford, and either prior to the termination of this Agreement or within
twelve (12) months thereafter Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary enters into
any written Acquisition Proposal which is subsequently consummated (whether or
not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal which had been
received at the time of the termination of this Agreement), then Wellsford shall
pay the Break-Up Fee to EQR. The payment of the Break Up Fee shall be
compensation and liquidated damages for the loss suffered by EQR as a result of
the failure of the Merger to be consummated and to avoid the difficulty of
determining damages under the circumstances and neither party shall have any
other liability to the other after the payment of the Break-Up Fee. The Break-
Up Fee shall be paid by Wellsford to EQR, or the Break-Up Expenses shall be paid
by Wellsford to EQR or EQR to Wellsford (as applicable), in immediately
available funds within fifteen (15) days after the date the event giving rise to
the obligation to make such payment occurred. As used in this Agreement,
"Break-Up Fee" shall be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $14,000,000 plus
Break-Up Expenses (the "Base Amount") and (ii) the sum of (A) the maximum amount
that can be paid to EQR without causing it to fail to meet the requirements of
Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code determined as if the payment of such
amount did not constitute income described
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in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) and 856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the Code ("Qualifying
Income"), as determined by independent accountants to EQR, and (B) in the event
EQR receives a letter from outside counsel (the "Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion")
indicating that EQR has received a ruling from the IRS holding that EQR's
receipt of the Base Amount would either constitute Qualifying Income or would be
excluded from gross income within the meaning of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of
the Code (the "REIT Requirements") or that the receipt by EQR of the remaining
balance of the Base Amount following the receipt of and pursuant to such ruling
would not be deemed constructively received prior thereto, the Base Amount less
the amount payable under clause (A) above. Wellsford's obligation to pay any
unpaid portion of the Break-Up Fee shall terminate three years from the date of
this Agreement. In the event that EQR is not able to receive the full Base
Amount, Wellsford shall place the unpaid amount in escrow and shall not release
any portion thereof to EQR unless and until Wellsford receives any one or
combination of the following: (i) a letter from EQR's independent accountants
indicating the maximum amount that can be paid at that time to EQR without
causing EQR to fail to meet the REIT Requirements or (ii) a Break-Up Fee Tax
Opinion, in which event Wellsford shall pay to EQR the lesser of the unpaid Base
Amount or the maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in (i) above. The
"Break-Up Expenses" payable to EQR or Wellsford, as the case may be (the
"Recipient"), shall be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $2,500,000, (ii) the
Recipient's out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, all
attorneys', accountants' and investment bankers' fees and expenses) and (iii)
the sum of (A) the maximum amount that can be paid to the Recipient without
causing it to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the
Code determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying
Income, as determined by independent accountants to the Recipient, and (B) in
the event the Recipient receives a Break Up Fee Tax Opinion indicating that the
Recipient has received a ruling from the IRS holding that the Recipient's
receipt of the Expense Fee would either constitute Qualifying Income or would be
excluded from gross income within the meaning of the REIT Requirements or that
receipt by the Recipient of the remaining balance of the Expense Fee following
the receipt of and pursuant to such ruling would not be deemed constructively
received prior thereto, the Expense Fee less the amount payable under clause (A)
above. The obligation of EQR or Wellsford, as applicable ("Payor"), to pay any
unpaid portion of the Break Up Expenses shall terminate three years from the
date of this Agreement. In the event that the Recipient is not able to receive
the full Expense Fee, the Payor shall place the unpaid amount in escrow and
shall not release any portion thereof to the Recipient unless and until the
Payor receives any one or combination of the following: (i) a letter from the
Recipient's independent accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be
paid at that time to the Recipient without causing the Recipient to fail to meet
the REIT Requirements or (ii) a Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion, in which event the
Payor shall pay to the Recipient the lesser of the unpaid Expense Fee or the
maximum amount stated in the letter referred to in (i) above.
7.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement
by either Wellsford or EQR as provided in Section 7.1, this Agreement shall
forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on
the part of EQR, or Wellsford, other than
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the last sentence of Section 5.2, Section 7.2, this Section 7.3 and Article 8;
provided that (a) if this Agreement is terminated by EQR pursuant to Section
7.1(b), Wellsford shall not be entitled to any of the benefits of Section 7.2,
or (b) if this Agreement is terminated by Wellsford pursuant to Section 7.1(c),
EQR shall not be entitled to any of the benefits of Section 7.2.
7.4 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties in writing by
action of their respective Boards of Trustees at any time before or after any
Shareholder Approvals are obtained and prior to the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Department; provided, however, that, after the Shareholder
Approvals are obtained, no such amendment, modification or supplement shall be
made which by law requires the further approval of shareholders without
obtaining such further approval.
7.5 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the
parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other party contained in this Agreement or in any document
delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section
7.4, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other
party contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of those rights.
ARTICLE 8
---------
GENERAL PROVISIONS
------------------
8.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement confirming the representations and warranties in this
Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 8.1 shall not limit
any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates
performance after the Effective Time.
8.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered
personally, sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the
parties or sent by telecopy (providing confirmation of transmission) at the
following addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such other address or telecopy
number for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
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(a) if to EQR, to: Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: President
Fax No. (312) 207-5243
with a copy to: Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Bruce C. Strohm, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 454-0039
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Attention: Errol R. Halperin, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 236-7516
(b) if to Wellsford, to: Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Attention: President
Fax No. (212) 333-2323
with a copy to: Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn &
Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104-0053
Attention: Alan S. Pearce, Esq.
Fax No. (212) 541-1411
All notices shall be deemed given only when actually received.
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this -Agreement to a
Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words "without limitation."
8.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other party.
54
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8.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement, the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the EQR Disclosure Letter, the Confidentiality
Agreement and the other agreements entered into in connection with the
Transactions (a) constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and (b) except as provided in
Section 5.10 (with respect to the Schedule 5.10 Employees who do not receive
Retention Program Letters) and Section 5.11 ("Third Party Provisions"), are not
intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or
remedies. The Third Party Provisions may be enforced by the beneficiaries
thereof or on behalf of the beneficiaries thereof by the trustees of Wellsford
who had been trustees of Wellsford prior to the Effective Time.
8.6 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT
MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF.
8.7 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests
or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned or delegated, in whole or
in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the
prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence,
this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable
by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
8.8 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.
It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of Illinois or New York or in any Illinois or New York
State court located in Illinois or New York, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition, each of the
parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself (without making such submission
exclusive) to the personal jurisdiction of any federal court located in the
State of Illinois or New York or any Illinois or New York State court in the
event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny
or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from
any such court.
8.9 SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so
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broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so
broad as is enforceable.
8.10 NON-RECOURSE.
(a) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings and
arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or executed on behalf of
Wellsford by the undersigned in his capacity as a trustee or officer of
Wellsford, which has been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Wellsford dated as
of November 2, 1992, as amended and restated, and not individually, and neither
the trustees, officers nor shareholders of Wellsford shall be personally bound
or have any personal liability hereunder. EQR shall look solely to the assets
of Wellsford for satisfaction of any liability of Wellsford with respect to this
Agreement and any other agreements to which it is a party. EQR will not seek
recourse or commence any action against any of the shareholders of Wellsford or
any of their personal assets, and will not commence any action for money
judgments against any of the trustees or officers of Wellsford or seek recourse
against any of their personal assets, for the performance or payment of any
obligation of Wellsford hereunder or thereunder.
(b) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings and
arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or executed on behalf of EQR
by the undersigned in his capacity as a trustee or officer of EQR, which has
been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust pursuant to an Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust of EQR dated as of August 10, 1993, as amended
and restated, and not individually, and neither the trustees, officers nor
shareholders of EQR shall be personally bound or have any personal liability
hereunder. Wellsford shall look solely to the assets of EQR for satisfaction of
any liability of EQR with respect to this Agreement and any other agreements to
which it is a party. Wellsford will not seek recourse or commence any action
against any of the shareholders of EQR or any of their personal assets, and will
not commence any action for money judgments against any of the trustees or
officers of EQR or seek recourse against any of their personal assets, for the
performance or payment of any obligation of EQR hereunder or thereunder.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EQR and Wellsford have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized all as of the date
first written above.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
TRUST
By:/s/ Douglas J. Crocker II
------------------------------------------
Name: Douglas J. Crocker II
-------------------------------------
Title: Chief Executive Officer & President
------------------------------------
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
TRUST
By:/s/ Edward Lowenthal
------------------------------------------
Name: Edward Lowenthal
-------------------------------------
Title: President
------------------------------------
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EXHIBIT A
---------
ARTICLES OF MERGER
------------------
THESE ARTICLES OF MERGER dated as of __________________, 1997 by and
between Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland Real Estate Investment
Trust ("Wellsford"), and Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland Real
Estate Investment Trust ("Equity"), is as follows:
W I T N E S S E T H:
-------------------
WHEREAS, the trustees and shareholders of Wellsford and Equity have
approved these Articles of Merger (the "Articles") under which Equity shall be
merged with and into Wellsford (the "Merger"), and have authorized the execution
hereof; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have previously entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of January __, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), which
contemplates the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. The Merger. Subject to the acceptance for record of these Articles by
the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (the "Department"), Equity
shall be merged with and into Wellsford in accordance with Section 8.501.1 of
the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the
"Maryland Code"), and the separate corporate existence of Equity shall thereupon
cease. The Merger shall be effective at the time the Department accepts these
Articles for Record [or a different time established herein, not to exceed 30
days after the Articles are accepted for Record] (the "Effective Time") (The
date on which the Effective Time occurs is herein referred to as the "Effective
Date"). When used in these Articles, the term "Surviving Trust" shall mean
Wellsford as the trust surviving in the Merger as of the Effective Time and
thereafter. As of the Effective Time, the name of the Surviving Trust shall be
Equity. The Merger shall have the effects specified in Section 8.501.1(n) of the
Maryland Code. If at any time the Surviving Trust shall consider or be advised
that any further assignments, conveyances or assurances in law are necessary or
desirable to vest, perfect or confirm in the Surviving Trust the title to any
property or rights of Equity or Wellsford or otherwise to carry out the
provisions hereof, the persons who are the proper officers and trustees of
Equity or Wellsford immediately prior to the Effective Time (or their successors
in office) shall execute and deliver any and all proper deeds, assignments and
assurances in law, and do all things necessary or proper, to vest, perfect or
confirm title to such property or rights in the Surviving Trust and otherwise to
carry out the provisions hereof. The Surviving Trust shall be governed by the
laws
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of the State of Maryland. The parties hereto shall take all actions necessary in
accordance with applicable law and their respective Amended and Restated
Declarations of Trust ("Declarations") and Bylaws to cause the Merger to be
consummated at the earliest lawful and practicable date.
2. Approval of Merger. The terms and conditions of the Merger set forth
in these Articles were advised, authorized and approved by the trustees and
shareholders of both Wellsford and Equity in the manner and by the vote required
by their respective Declarations and Section 8-501.1 of the Maryland Code. Such
advisement, authorization, and approval consisted of the Boards of Trustees of
Wellsford and Equity both passing a resolution declaring the Merger advisable on
substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth herein. Thereafter,
these Articles were approved by the shareholders of Wellsford and Equity by the
affirmative vote of at least two thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on
the matter, pursuant to Section 8-501.1(f) of the Maryland Code.
3. Offices and Resident Agents. Neither Wellsford nor Equity presently
have offices located within the State of Maryland. The name and address of the
Resident Agent of Wellsford is James J. Hanks, Jr., c/o Ballard Spahr Andrews &
Ingersoll, 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202. The name and
address of the Resident Agent of Equity is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Maryland, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
4. Ownership of Land Interests. Equity owns interests in land in the
following counties located within the State of Maryland: [list counties]
5. Declaration of Trust. Effective as of the Effective Time, the
Declaration of the Surviving Trust shall be amended and restated as set forth in
Exhibit "A" to these Articles, until duly amended in accordance with its terms
and applicable law. The name and address of the Surviving Trust's Resident
Agent is as set forth in Section 1.2 of Exhibit "A".
6. Trustees. As of the Effective Time, the trustees of the Surviving
Trust and their terms of office shall be as set forth on Exhibit "B" attached
hereto. If any of the individuals named in Exhibit "B" are unable to serve as a
trustee of the Surviving Trust at the Effective Time, his successor will be
nominated and elected in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving Trust.
7. Capital.
(a) Wellsford's Declaration authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000
shares of beneficial interest, which consists of common shares and such
other types or classes as the trustees may create and authorize from time
to time. Common shares of beneficial interest in Wellsford ("Wellsford
Common") have a par value of $.01 per share. Wellsford has established the
following classes of preferred shares: (i) 4,600,000 shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per
share ("Wellsford
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Series A"); and (ii) 2,300,000 shares of Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share
("Wellsford Series B").
(b) Equity's Declaration authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000
shares, of which 100,000,000 are common shares ("Equity Common") and
10,000,000 are preferred shares which the trustees may issue from time to
time in one or more series. Shares of Equity Common have a par value of
$.01 per share. Equity has established the following series of preferred
shares: (i) 6,900,000 shares of 9-3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share ("Equity
Series A"); (ii) 575,000 shares of 9-1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share ("Equity
Series B"); and (iii) 460,000 shares of 9-1/8% Series C Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share ("Equity Series C").
(c) Effective at the Effective Time, the Declaration of the Surviving
Trust will be amended and restated to, among other things, increase the
number of authorized shares of beneficial interest to 200,000,000, of which
150,000,000 shall be common shares ("Survivor Common") and 50,000,000 shall
be preferred shares. Shares of Equity Common will have a par value of $.01
per share. The Declaration of the Surviving Trust will establish the
following classes of preferred shares: (i) 6,900,000 shares of Series A
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share ("Survivor Series A"); (ii) 575,000 shares of Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$.01 per share ("Survivor Series B"); (iii) 460,000 shares of Series C
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share ("Survivor
Series C"); (iv) 4,600,000 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share ("Survivor Series D"); and
(v) 2,300,000 shares of Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share ("Survivor Series E").
8. Conversion. The manner of converting the shares of Wellsford and
Equity shall be as follows:
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Common outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted in the Merger into one legally and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable common share of Survivor
Common.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8(j) hereof, at the Effective
Time, each share of Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
be converted into 0.625 of a share of Survivor Common.
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(c) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series A shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same rights, preferences,
privileges and voting powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share
of Survivor Series A.
(d) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series B shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same rights, preferences,
privileges and voting powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share
of Survivor Series B.
(e) At the Effective Time, each share of Equity Series C shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same rights, preferences,
privileges and voting powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share
of Survivor Series C.
(f) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Series A shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same preferences, rights
and powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share of Survivor
Series D.
(g) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Series B shall,
without any action on the part of the holder thereof, continue as a
preferred share of the Surviving Trust with its same preferences, rights
and powers, and be converted in the Merger into one share of Survivor
Series E.
(h) At the Effective Time, each certificate representing outstanding
shares of Equity Common, Equity Series A, Equity Series B and Equity Series
C will, without any action on the part of the holder thereof, thereafter
represent an equal number of shares of Survivor Common, Survivor Series A,
Survivor Series B or Survivor Series C, as the case may be.
(i) At the Effective Time, each share of Wellsford Common shall cease
to be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired, and each holder of a
certificate representing such shares of Wellsford Common shall thereafter
cease to have any rights with respect to such shares, except the right to
receive, without interest, the Survivor Common as calculated pursuant to
Section 8(b) above and cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Survivor
Common in accordance with Section 8(j), upon the surrender of such
Wellsford certificate. At the Effective Time each certificate representing
outstanding shares of Wellsford Series A and Wellsford Series B will cease
to have any rights with respect to such shares, except the right to receive
a certificate of the Surviving Trust representing an equal number of
Survivor Series D or Survivor Series E, as the case may be.
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(j) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no fractional shares
of Survivor Common shall be issued in connection with the Merger. Instead,
each holder of outstanding Wellsford Common having a fractional interest
arising upon the conversion or exchange of such shares in connection with
the Merger shall, at the time of surrender of its Wellsford certificate, be
paid an amount in cash equal to the Closing Price (as hereinafter defined)
times the fraction of Survivor Common to which such holder would otherwise
be entitled. No such holder shall be entitled to dividends, voting rights
or any other shareholder rights in respect of any fractional share. For
purposes of this Section 8(j), "Closing Price" shall mean the unweighted
average closing price of a share of Equity Common (as reported in the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. Composite Tape) for the five (5) Trading Days
immediately preceding the Effective Date, and "Trading Day" shall mean any
day on which Wellsford Common is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and
reported on its Composite Tape.
(k) Each share of Wellsford Common issued and held in Wellsford's
treasury at the Effective Time, if any, shall by virtue of the Merger cease
to be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to
exist without payment of any consideration therefor.
(l) Each share of Equity Common issued and held in Equity's treasury
at the Effective Time, if any, shall by virtue of the Merger cease to be
outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist
without payment of any consideration therefor.
(m) At the Effective Time, each outstanding stock option to acquire
shares of Wellsford Common shall be converted and exchanged, without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, into (i) an option to acquire,
upon payment of the exercise price (which shall equal the exercise price
per share for the option immediately prior to the Merger, divided by the
Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Merger Agreement) multiplied by the
number of shares to which the option relates), the number of shares of
Survivor Common the option holder would have received pursuant to the
Merger if the holder had exercised his or her option immediately prior
thereto, rounded to the next lowest whole number and (ii) cash in lieu of
the portion of any option that would have related to any fractional shares
of Survivor Common absent the rounding required by the previous clause;
provided, however, that in respect of any stock option which is an
"incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), the conversion hereinabove
provided for shall comply with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the
Code, including the requirement that such converted options shall not give
to the holder thereof any benefits additional to those which such holder
had prior to such conversion under the option as originally granted. The
amount payable in lieu of the portion of any option that would have related
to each fractional share pursuant to this
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Section 8(m) shall be payable on the Effective Date, and shall be
calculated by applying the formula set forth in Section 8(j) hereof to that
fraction of Survivor Common which the holder would otherwise have been
entitled and reducing such calculated amount by an amount equal to the
exercise price per share for the options as adjusted in clause (i) above
times the fraction of unit of Survivor Common to which such holder would
otherwise have been entitled.
(n) As of the date hereof, Equity has in effect the "1993 Stock Option
Plan" and the "1993 Director Stock Option Plan" (collectively, the "Equity
Plans"). Each of the Equity Plans shall continue in existence in full
force and effect in accordance with their terms following the Effective
Time as stock option plans of the Surviving Trust and all options issued
under the Equity plans outstanding as of the Effective Time shall continue
in full force and effect in accordance with their terms as options to
purchase shares of the Surviving Trust.
9. Exchange of Certificates.
------------------------
(a) As of the Effective Time, Equity shall deposit, or shall cause to
be deposited, with an exchange agent selected by Equity (the "Exchange
Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of certificates (the "Wellsford
Certificates") representing Wellsford Common, Wellsford Series A or
Wellsford Series B (collectively, the "Wellsford Shares") for exchange in
accordance with this Section 9, certificates (the "Survivor Certificates")
representing Survivor Common, Survivor Series D and Survivor Series E
(collectively, the "Survivor Shares") to be issued pursuant to this Section
9.
(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust shall cause
the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of Wellsford Shares a
letter of transmittal which shall specify (i) that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to Wellsford Certificates shall pass,
only upon delivery of such Wellsford Certificates to the Exchange Agent,
and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the Surviving
Trust may reasonably specify, and (ii) instructions for use in effecting
the surrender of such Wellsford Certificates in exchange for Survivor
Certificates and cash in lieu of fractional shares. Upon surrender of a
Wellsford Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent together with
such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with
the instructions thereto, the holder of such Wellsford Certificate shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor (x) a Survivor Certificate
representing the number of whole shares of Survivor Shares and (y) a check
representing the amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Survivor
Common, if any, and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, which such
holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of Section 9(c)
in respect of the Wellsford Certificate surrendered, after giving effect to
any required withholding tax, and the Wellsford Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will
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be paid or accrued on the cash in lieu of fractional shares of Survivor
Common and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, payable to holders
of Wellsford Certificates. In the event of a transfer of ownership of
Wellsford Shares which is not registered in the transfer records of
Wellsford, a Survivor Certificate representing the proper number of
Survivor Shares, together with a check for the cash to be paid in lieu of
any fractional shares of Survivor Common, if any, and unpaid dividends and
distributions, if any, which such holder has the right to receive pursuant
to the provisions of Section 9(c) in respect of the Wellsford Certificate
so surrendered, after giving effect to any required withholding tax, may be
issued to such a transferee if the Wellsford Certificate is presented to
the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and
effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer
taxes have been paid. All Wellsford Certificates so surrendered will be
cancelled forthwith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Exchange
Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to a holder of Wellsford Shares
for any Survivor Shares or dividends thereon, or cash in lieu of any
fractional Survivor Common, delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable escheat law.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Merger,
no dividends or other distributions on Survivor Shares shall be paid with
respect to any Wellsford Shares represented by a Wellsford Certificate
until such Wellsford Certificate is surrendered for exchange as provided
herein. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, following surrender of
any such Wellsford Certificate, there shall be paid to the holder of the
Survivor Certificate issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at
the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions
with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with
respect to such whole shares of Survivor Shares and not paid, less the
amount of any withholding taxes which may be required thereon, and (ii) at
the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with respect
to such whole shares of Survivor Shares, less the amount of any withholding
taxes which may be required thereon.
(d) At and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on
the stock transfer books of Wellsford of the Wellsford Shares which were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, Wellsford Certificates are presented to the Surviving
Trust, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for certificates for Survivor
Shares and cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common, if any, and unpaid
dividends and distributions deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to
these Articles of Merger in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Section 9. Wellsford Certificates surrendered for exchange by any
person constituting an "affiliate" of Wellsford for purposes of Rule 145(c)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), shall
not be exchanged until the Surviving Trust has received a written agreement
from such person as provided in Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement.
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(e) Any portion of the Survivor Certificates made available to the
Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 9(a) which remains unclaimed by the
holders of Wellsford Shares for one hundred twenty (120) days after the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Trust, upon demand of
the Surviving Trust, and any former shareholders of Wellsford who have not
theretofore complied with this Section 9 shall look only to the Surviving
Trust for payment of their shares of Survivor Shares, cash in lieu of
fractional shares and unpaid dividends and distributions on the Survivor
Shares deliverable in respect of each share of Wellsford Shares such
stockholder holds as determined pursuant to these Articles, in each case,
without any interest thereon.
(f) None of Wellsford, Equity, the Exchange Agent or any other person
shall be liable to any former holder of Wellsford Shares for any amount
properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws.
(g) In the event any Wellsford Certificate shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if
required by the Surviving Trust, the posting by such person of a bond in
such reasonable amount as the Surviving Trust may direct as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Certificate, the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Trust will issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Wellsford Certificate the
Survivor Shares and cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common, and unpaid
dividends and distributions on Survivor Shares as provided in Section 9(c),
deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to these Articles.
10. Conditions. The obligations of the parties hereto to effect the Merger
as herein provided shall be subject to satisfaction, unless duly waived, of the
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.
11. Amendment. The parties hereto may amend, modify or supplement these
Articles in whole or in part and in such manner as may be agreed upon by them in
writing at any time before or after the adoption of these Articles by the
shareholders contemplated hereby; provided, however, that after any such
shareholder approval, any such amendment will be subject to further approval of
such shareholders if such further approval is required under the Declaration of
Trust or Bylaws of Equity, or the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws of Wellsford,
as the case may be, or under applicable law.
12. Waiver. Any term or provision of these Articles (other than any matter
which cannot under applicable law be waived) may be waived in writing at any
time by the party which is, or whose shareholders are, entitled to the benefits
thereof. The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of
any provision hereof shall in no manner affect such party's right at a later
time to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of a condition or of the breach
8
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of these Articles, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances
shall be deemed to be construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such
condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of the breach of any
other term, covenant, representation or warranty of these Articles.
13. Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under
these Articles shall be given, and shall be effective, in accordance with the
provisions of the Merger Agreement.
14. Governing Law. These Articles shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
15. Counterparts. These Articles may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall
constitute one agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Articles of Merger have been signed on this
_________ day of __________________, 199__ by a majority of the entire Board of
Trustees of each of Wellsford and Equity, and each of the undersigned trustees
acknowledges these Articles of Merger to be the trust act of the entity on whose
behalf he has signed, and as to all matters or facts required to be verified
under oath, each of the undersigned trustees acknowledges that to the best of
his knowledge, information, and belief, the matters and facts are true in all
material respects and such statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
Equity Wellsford
- -------------------- --------------------
Samuel Zell Jeffery H. Lynford
- -------------------- --------------------
Douglas Crocker II Edward Lowenthal
- -------------------- --------------------
Sheli Z. Rosenberg Daniel M. Kelly
- -------------------- --------------------
Gerald A. Spector Rodney F. DuBois
- -------------------- --------------------
James D. Harper, Jr. Mark S. Germain
- -------------------- --------------------
Errol R. Halperin Frank J. Hoenemeyer
- -------------------- --------------------
Barry S. Sternlicht Frank J. Sixt
- -------------------- --------------------
John Alexander Larry W. Wells
- --------------------
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B. Joseph White
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Henry H. Goldberg
11
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EXHIBIT A
---------
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARATION OF TRUST
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12
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EXHIBIT A
---------
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
-----------------------------------
AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated ______ __, 1997
This AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST is made as of the date set
forth above by the undersigned Trustees.
ARTICLE I
THE TRUST; CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Name. The name of the trust (hereinafter called the "Trust")
is:
Equity Residential Properties Trust
SECTION 1.2 Resident Agent. The name and address of the resident agent of
the Trust in the State of Maryland are The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Maryland, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Trust may have
such offices or places of business within or without the State of Maryland as
the Trustees may from time to time determine.
SECTION 1.3 Nature of Trust. The Trust is a real estate investment trust
within the meaning of Title 8 (as hereinafter defined).
SECTION 1.4 Powers. The Trust shall have all of the powers granted to
real estate investment trusts generally by Title 8 and shall have any other and
further powers as are not inconsistent with Title 8 or any other applicable law.
SECTION 1.5 Definitions. As used in this Declaration of Trust, the
following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise
requires:
"Affiliate" or "Affiliated" means, as to any corporation, partnership,
trust or other association (other than the Trust), any Person (i) that holds
beneficially, directly or indirectly, 5%
<PAGE>
or more of the outstanding stock or equity interests thereof or (ii) who is an
officer, director, partner or trustee thereof or of any Person which controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with, such corporation,
partnership, trust or other association or (iii) which controls, is controlled
by, or is under common control with, such corporation, partnership, trust or
other association.
"Board of Trustees" means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Declaration" or "Declaration of Trust" means this Declaration of Trust,
including any amendments or supplements hereto.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust
(including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a
portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the
purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, or any government and agency or political subdivision thereof.
"REIT Provisions of the Code" means Section 856 through 860 of the Code and
any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment
trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial
interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Securities" means Shares (as hereinafter defined), any stock, shares or
other evidences of equity, beneficial or other interests, voting trust
certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness,
secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any
instruments commonly known as "securities" or any certificates of interest,
shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts
for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or
acquire, any of the foregoing.
"Securities of the Trust" means any Securities issued by the Trust.
"Shareholders" means holders of record of outstanding Shares.
"Shares" means transferable shares of beneficial interest of the Trust of
any class or series.
"Title 8" means Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, or any successor statute.
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"Trustee" means, individually, an individual, and "Trustees" means,
collectively, the individuals, in each case as named in Section 2.2 of this
Declaration so long as they continue in office and any and all other individuals
who have been duly elected and qualify as trustees of the Trust hereunder.
"Trust Property" means any and all property, real, personal or otherwise,
tangible or intangible, which is transferred or conveyed to the Trust or the
Trustees (including all rents, income, profits and gains therefrom), which is
owned or held by, or for the account of, the Trust or the Trustees.
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
SECTION 2.1 Number. The number of Trustees initially shall be two, which
number may thereafter be increased or decreased by the Trustees then in office
from time to time; however, the total number of Trustees shall be not less than
two and not more than 15. No reduction in the number of Trustees shall cause
the removal of any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term.
SECTION 2.2 Initial Board; Term. The names and addresses of the Trustees
who shall serve until the first annual meeting of Shareholders and until their
successors are duly elected and qualify are:
Name Address
---- -------
Samuel Zell c/o Equity Group Investments, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Douglas Crocker II c/o Equity Group Investments, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Sheli Z. Rosenberg c/o Equity Group Investments, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Gerald A. Spector c/o Equity Group Investments, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600
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Chicago, Illinois 60606
James D. Harper, Jr. c/o JDH Realty Co.
104 Crandon Boulevard, Suite 324
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
Errol R. Halperin c/o Rudnick & Wolfe
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Barry S. Sternlicht c/o Starwood Capital Group, L.P.
Three Pickwick Place, Suite 250
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
John W. Alexander c/o Mallard Creek Capital Partners
227 North Tryon Street, Suite 201
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
B. Joseph White Dean
School of Business Administration
University of Michigan
701 Tappen
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Henry H. Goldberg 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 400
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Jeffrey H. Lynford [address]
Edward Lowenthal [address]
At the first annual meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees shall be
classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into
three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class to hold office
initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders to be held
in 1994, another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of Shareholders to be held in 1995 and another class to hold
office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders to be
held in 1996, with the members of each class to hold office until their
successors are duly elected and qualify. At each annual meeting of the
Shareholders, the successors to the class of Trustees whose term expires at such
meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of Shareholders held in the third year following the year of their
election and the other Trustees shall continue in office.
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SECTION 2.3 Resignation, Removal or Death. Any Trustee may resign by
written notice to the remaining Trustees, effective upon execution and delivery
to the Trust of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the
notice. A Trustee may be removed, only with Cause (as hereinafter defined), at a
meeting of the Shareholders called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote in the election of Trustees. As used herein, "Cause" shall mean
(a) material theft, fraud or embezzlement or active and deliberate dishonesty by
a Trustee; (b) habitual neglect of duty by a Trustee having a material and
adverse significance to the Trust; or (c) the conviction of a Trustee of a
felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude. Upon the resignation or
removal of any Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall
automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in and to the Trust
Property and shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees
require for the conveyance of any Trust Property held in his name, and shall
account to the remaining Trustees as they require for all property which he
holds as Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, his legal
representative shall perform those acts.
SECTION 2.4 Legal Title. Legal title to all Trust Property shall be
vested in the Trust, but it may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be
held by or in the name of any or all of the Trustees or any other Person as
nominee. Any right, title or interest of the Trustees in and to the Trust
Property shall automatically vest in successor and additional Trustees upon
their qualification and acceptance of election or appointment as Trustees, and
they shall thereupon have all the rights and obligations of Trustees, whether or
not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to Section
2.3 or otherwise. Written evidence of the qualification and acceptance of
election or appointment of successor and additional Trustees may be filed with
the records of the Trust and in such other offices, agencies or places as the
Trust or Trustees may deem necessary or desirable.
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
Subject to the express limitations herein or in the Bylaws, (1) the
business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the
Board of Trustees and (2) the Trustees shall have full, exclusive and absolute
power, control and authority over the Trust Property and over the business of
the Trust as if they, in their own right, were the sole owners thereof. The
Trustees may take any actions as in their sole judgment and discretion are
necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Trust. This Declaration
of Trust shall be construed with a presumption in favor of the grant of power
and authority to the Trustees. Any construction of this Declaration or
determination made in good faith by the Trustees concerning their powers and
authority hereunder shall be conclusive. The powers of the Trustees shall in no
way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of this
or any other provision of this Declaration or
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construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit
the powers conferred upon the Trustees under the general laws of the State of
Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT POLICY
The fundamental investment policy of the Trust is to make investments
in such a manner as to comply with the REIT Provisions of the Code and with the
requirements of Title 8 with respect to the composition of the Trust's
investments and the derivation of its income. Subject to Section 6.7, the
Trustees shall use their best efforts to carry out this fundamental investment
policy and to conduct the affairs of the Trust in such a manner as to continue
to qualify the Trust for the tax treatment provided in the REIT Provisions of
the Code; provided, however, that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust shall be liable for any act or omission resulting in the loss of tax
benefits under the Code, except to the extent provided in Section 11.2. The
Trustees may change from time to time, by resolution or in the Bylaws of the
Trust, such investment policies as they determine to be in the best interest of
the Trust, including prohibitions or restrictions upon certain types of
investments.
ARTICLE V
SHARES
SECTION 5.1 Authorized Shares. The total number of Shares which the Trust
has authority to issue is 300,000,000 shares, of which 200,000,000 are common
shares, $0.01 par value per share (individually a "Common Share" or collectively
"Common Shares"), and 100,000,000 are preferred shares, $0.01 par value per
share ("Preferred Shares").
SECTION 5.2 Common Shares. Subject to the provisions of Article VII
regarding Excess Shares (as such term is defined therein), each Common Share
shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. Holders of Common Shares shall not
be entitled to cumulative voting.
SECTION 5.3 Preferred Shares. Five series of Preferred Shares have been
authorized pursuant to this Declaration, with their designations, numbers,
terms, preferences, conversion and other rights set out in Article XIII.
Additional Preferred Shares may be issued, from time to time, in one or more
additional series as authorized by the Board of Trustees. Prior to issuance of
any such additional series, the Board of Trustees by resolution shall designate
that series of Preferred Shares to distinguish it from all other series and
classes of Preferred Shares, shall specify the
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number of Preferred Shares to be included in the series and, subject to the
provisions of Article VII regarding Excess Shares, shall set the terms,
preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or
conditions of redemption.
SECTION 5.4 Classification or Reclassification of Unissued Shares. Subject
to the express terms of any series of Preferred Shares or any class of Common
Shares outstanding at the time and notwithstanding any other provision of the
Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees may increase or decrease the number
of, alter the designation of or classify or reclassify any unissued Shares by
setting or changing, in any one or more respects, from time to time before
issuing the Shares, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII regarding
Excess Shares, the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions,
qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any series or class of
Shares.
SECTION 5.5 Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. All persons who shall
acquire Shares shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust.
ARTICLE VI
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
TRUST AND OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
SECTION 6.1 Authorization by Board of Share Issuance. The Board of
Trustees may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class,
whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities convertible into Shares of
any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the
Board of Trustees may deem advisable, subject to such restrictions or
limitations, if any, as may be set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the
Bylaws of the Trust or in the general laws of the State of Maryland.
SECTION 6.2 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by
the Board of Trustees in authorizing the issuance of Preferred Shares pursuant
to Section 5.3, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, (a) have any
preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other
security of the Trust which the Trust may issue or sell or (b), except as
expressly required by Title 8, have any right to require the Trust to pay him
the fair value of his Shares in an appraisal or similar proceeding.
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SECTION 6.3 Advisor Agreements. Subject to such approval of the
Shareholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable
statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Trustees may authorize the execution
and performance by the Trust of one or more agreements with any person,
corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or
other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board
of Trustees, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust,
partnership (limited or general) or other organization (the "Advisor") shall
render or make available to the Trust managerial, investment, advisory and/or
related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if
deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees, the management or supervision of the
investments of the Trust) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in
such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the
Board of Trustees, the compensation payable thereunder by the Trust).
SECTION 6.4 Related Party Transactions.
---------------------------
(a) Without limiting any other procedures available by law or otherwise to
the Trust, the Board of Trustees may authorize any agreement of the character
described in Section 6.3 or other transaction with any person, corporation,
association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other
organization, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may
be a party to any such agreement or an officer, director, stockholder or member
of such other party, and no such agreement or transaction shall be invalidated
or rendered void or voidable solely by reason of the existence of any such
relationship if the existence is disclosed or known to the Board of Trustees,
and the contract or transaction is approved by the Board of Trustees (including
the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees even if they
constitute less than a quorum of the Board). Any Trustee who is also a director,
officer, stockholder or member of such other entity may be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Trustees
considering such matter.
(b) Subsequent to the Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering (as such
term is defined in Article VII), the affirmative vote of a majority of the
disinterested Trustees (even if they constitute less than a quorum of the Board)
shall be required to approve the purchase by the Company or its subsidiaries of
any properties under the direct or indirect control of Samuel Zell or Starwood
Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or in which he or it has
a direct or indirect substantial economic interest on the Closing Date of the
Initial Public Offering. Those properties being transferred to the Operating
Partnership (as such term is defined in Article VII) as of the Closing Date of
the Initial Public Offering shall not be subject to this subparagraph (b).
SECTION 6.5 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the
following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the
Board of Trustees consistent with this Declaration of Trust and in the absence
of actual receipt of an improper benefit in money,
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property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a court,
shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every
holder of Shares: (a) the amount of the net income of the Trust for any period
and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of
dividends, redemption of Shares or the payment of other distributions with
respect to Shares; (b) the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus,
annual or other net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits
or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; (c) the amount, purpose,
time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any
reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or
liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have
been paid or discharged); (d) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to
be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the
Trust; and (e) any matters relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition
of any assets by the Trust.
SECTION 6.6 Reserved Powers of Board. The enumeration and definition of
powers of the Board of Trustees included in this Article VI shall in no way be
limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other
clause of this or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust, or construed
or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers
conferred upon the Board of Trustees under the general laws of the State of
Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
SECTION 6.7 REIT Qualification. The Board of Trustees shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Trust and the Shareholders to qualify for
federal income tax treatment in accordance with the REIT Provisions of the Code.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board of Trustees shall use its reasonable
best efforts to take such actions as are necessary, and may take such actions as
in its sole judgment and discretion are desirable, to preserve the status of the
Trust as a REIT, including amending the provisions of this Declaration of Trust
as provided in Article IX; provided, however, that if the Board of Trustees
determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust for it to
continue to qualify as a REIT, the Board of Trustees may revoke or otherwise
terminate the Trust's REIT election.
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER,
ACQUISITION AND REDEMPTION OF EQUITY SHARES
SECTION 7.1 Definitions. For the purposes of this Article VII, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Beneficial Ownership" shall mean ownership of Equity Shares by a Person
who would be treated as an owner of such Equity Shares under Section 542(a)(2)
of the Code either directly
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or constructively through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as
modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms "Beneficial Owner,"
"Beneficially Owns," "Beneficially Own" and "Beneficially Owned" shall have the
correlative meanings.
"Beneficiary" shall mean the beneficiary (as determined pursuant to Section
7.19) of the Special Trust created pursuant to Section 7.15. The term
"Beneficiaries" shall have the correlative meaning.
"Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering" shall mean the time and date
of payment for and delivery of Common Shares issued pursuant to the Initial
Public Offering.
"Equity Shares" shall mean either Common Shares or Preferred Shares.
"Excess Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.3.
"Existing Holder" shall mean (a) any Person who is or would be, upon the
exchange of OP Units, the Beneficial Owner of Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit both upon and immediately after the
Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering, so long as, but only so long as,
such Person Beneficially Owns or would, upon the exchange of OP Units,
Beneficially Own Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the
Ownership Limit and (b) any Person to whom an Existing Holder Transfers, subject
to the limitations provided in this Article VII, Beneficial Ownership of Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares causing such transferee to Beneficially Own
Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit.
"Existing Holder Limit" (a) for any Existing Holder who is an Existing
Holder by virtue of clause (a) of the definition thereof, shall mean, initially,
the percentage of the outstanding Equity Shares Beneficially Owned, or which
would be Beneficially Owned upon the exchange of OP Units, by such Existing
Holder upon and immediately after the Closing Date of the Initial Public
Offering and, after any adjustment pursuant to Section 7.9, shall mean such
percentage of the outstanding Equity Shares as so adjusted; and (b) for any
Existing Holder who becomes an Existing Holder by virtue of clause (b) of the
definition thereof, shall mean, initially, the percentage of the outstanding
Equity Shares Beneficially Owned by such Existing Holder at the time that such
Existing Holder becomes an Existing Holder, but in no event shall such
percentage be greater than the Existing Holder Limit for the Existing Holder who
Transfers Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares to such
transferee Existing Holder or, in the case of more than one transferor, in no
event shall such percentage be greater than the smallest Existing Holder Limit
of any transferring Existing Holder, and, after any adjustment pursuant to
Section 7.9, shall mean such percentage of the outstanding Equity Shares as so
adjusted. From the Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering and prior to the
Restriction Termination Date, the
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Secretary of the Trust shall maintain and, upon request, make available to each
Existing Holder a schedule which sets forth the then current Existing Holder
Limit for each Existing Holder.
"Initial Public Offering" means the sale of Common Shares pursuant to the
Trust's first effective registration statement for such Common Shares filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Market Price" shall mean the last reported sales price reported on the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange") of Common Shares or Preferred Shares,
as the case may be, on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date,
or if not then traded on the Exchange, the last reported sales price of Common
Shares or Preferred Shares, as the case may be, on the trading day immediately
preceding the relevant date as reported on any exchange or quotation system over
which Common Shares or Preferred Shares, as the case may be, may be traded, or
if not then traded over any exchange or quotation system, then the market price
of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, as the case may be, on the relevant date
as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
"Operating Partnership" shall mean ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an
Illinois limited partnership.
"OP Units" shall mean units of limited partnership of the Operating
Partnership.
"Ownership Limit" shall initially mean that number of Shares which
equals the lesser of (a) 5.0% of the number of outstanding Equity Shares and (b)
5.0% of the value of outstanding Equity Shares, and after any adjustment as set
forth in Section 7.10, shall mean such greater percentage of the outstanding
Equity Shares as so adjusted. The number and value of outstanding Equity Shares
shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination
shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.
"Person" shall mean a Person as defined in Article I but solely for
purposes of this Article VII shall not include an underwriter that participated
in a public offering of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares for a period
of 25 days following the purchase by such underwriter of the Common Shares
and/or Preferred Shares.
"Purported Beneficial Transferee" shall mean, with respect to any purported
Transfer which results in Excess Shares, the purported beneficial transferee for
whom the Purported Record Transferee would have acquired Equity Shares, if such
Transfer had been valid under Section 7.2.
"Purported Record Transferee" shall mean, with respect to any purported
Transfer which results in Excess Shares, the record holder of the Equity Shares,
if such Transfer had been valid under Section 7.2.
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"Restriction Termination Date" shall mean the first day after the Closing
Date of the Initial Public Offering on which the Board of Trustees determines
that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt to, or to
continue to, qualify as a REIT.
"Special Trust" shall mean the special trust created pursuant to Section
7.15.
"Special Trustee" shall mean the Trust as trustee for the Special Trust,
and any successor trustee appointed by the Trust.
"Transfer" shall mean any sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other
disposition of Equity Shares (including (a) the granting of any option or
entering into any agreement for the sale, transfer or other disposition of
Equity Shares or (b) the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Shares but
excluding the exchange of OP Units for Equity Shares), whether voluntary or
involuntary, whether of record or beneficially and whether by operation of law
or otherwise. The terms "Transfers" and "Transferred" shall have the correlative
meanings.
SECTION 7.2 Ownership Limitation.
---------------------
(a) Except as provided in Section 7.12, from and after the Closing Date of
the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, no
Person (other than an Existing Holder) shall Beneficially Own Common Shares
and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit and no Existing Holder
shall Beneficially Own Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the
Existing Holder Limit for such Existing Holder.
(b) Except as provided in Section 7.12, from and after the Closing Date of
the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any
Transfer that, if effective, would result in any Person (other than an Existing
Holder) Beneficially Owning Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of
the Ownership Limit shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer of such Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares which would be otherwise Beneficially Owned by
such Person in excess of the Ownership Limit; and the intended transferee shall
acquire no rights in such Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares.
(c) Except as provided in Sections 7.9 and 7.12, from and after the
Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction
Termination Date, any Transfer that, if effective, would result in any Existing
Holder Beneficially Owning Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of
the applicable Existing Holder Limit shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer
of such Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares which would be otherwise
Beneficially Owned by such Existing Holder in excess of the applicable Existing
Holder Limit; and such Existing Holder shall acquire no rights in such Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares.
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(d) Except as provided in Section 7.12, from and after the Closing Date of
the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any
Transfer that, if effective, would result in Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares being owned by less than 100 Shareholders (determined without reference
to any rules of attribution) shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer of such
Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares which would be otherwise owned by the
transferee; and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares.
(e) From and after the Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering and
prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any Transfer that, if effective,
would result in the Trust being "closely held" within the meaning of Section
856(h) of the Code shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer of the Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares which would cause the Trust to be "closely held"
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code; and the intended transferee
shall acquire no rights in such Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares.
SECTION 7.3 Excess Shares.
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(a) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this Article VII
but subject to the provisions of Section 7.22, at any time from and after the
Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction
Termination Date, there is a purported Transfer or change in the capital
structure of the Trust (except for a change resulting from the exchange of OP
Units for Equity Shares) such that any Person would Beneficially Own Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the applicable Ownership Limit or
Existing Holder Limit, then, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7.9 and
7.12, such Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of such Ownership
Limit or Existing Holder Limit (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall
constitute "Excess Shares" and be treated as provided in this Article VII. Such
designation and treatment shall be effective as of the close of business on the
business day prior to the date of the purported Transfer or change in capital
structure (except for a change resulting from the exchange of OP Units for
Equity Shares).
(b) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this Article VII
but subject to the provisions of Section 7.22, at any time from and after the
Closing Date of the Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction
Termination Date, there is a purported Transfer or change in the capital
structure of the Trust (except for a change resulting from the exchange of OP
Units for Equity Shares) which, if effective, would cause the Trust to become
"closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, then the Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares being Transferred which would cause the Trust to
be "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (rounded up
to the nearest whole share) shall constitute Excess Shares and be treated as
provided in this Article VII. Such designation and treatment shall be effective
as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the
purported Transfer or change in capital structure (except for a change resulting
from the exchange of OP Units for Equity Shares).
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SECTION 7.4 Prevention of Transfer. If the Board of Trustees or its
designee shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer has taken
place in violation of Section 7.2 or that a Person intends to acquire or has
attempted to acquire beneficial ownership (determined without reference to any
rules of attribution) or Beneficial Ownership of any Shares in violation of
Section 7.2, the Board of Trustees or its designee shall take such action as it
deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer,
including, but not limited to, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the
books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer; provided,
however, that any Transfers or attempted Transfers in violation of subparagraphs
Section 7.2 (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall automatically result in the designation
and treatment described in Section 7.3, irrespective of any action (or non-
action) by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION 7.5 Notice to Trust. Any Person who acquires or attempts to
acquire Shares in violation of Section 7.2, or any Person who is a transferee
such that Excess Shares result under Section 7.3, shall immediately give written
notice or, in the event of a proposed or attempted Transfer, give at least 15
days prior written notice to the Trust of such event and shall provide to the
Trust such other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the
effect, if any, of such Transfer or attempted Transfer on the Trust's status as
a REIT.
SECTION 7.6 Information for Trust. From and after the Closing Date of the
Initial Public Offering and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) Every Beneficial Owner of more than 5.0% (or such other percentage,
between 1/2 of 1% and 5%, as provided in the income tax regulations promulgated
under the Code) of the number or value of outstanding Equity Shares shall,
within 30 days after January 1 of each year, give written notice to the Trust
stating the name and address of such Beneficial Owner, the number of Shares
Beneficially Owned, and a description of how such Shares are held. Each such
Beneficial Owner shall provide to the Trust such additional information as the
Trust may reasonably request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such
Beneficial Ownership on the Trust's status as a REIT.
(b) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner of Common Shares and/or
Preferred Shares and each Person (including the Shareholder of record) who is
holding Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares for a Beneficial Owner shall
provide to the Trust such information as the Trust may reasonably request in
order to determine the Trust's status as a REIT, to comply with the requirements
of any taxing authority or governmental agency or to determine any such
compliance.
SECTION 7.7 Other Action by Board. Nothing contained in this Article VII
shall limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as
it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of the
Shareholders by preservation of the Trust's status as a REIT.
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SECTION 7.8 Ambiguities. In the case of an ambiguity in the application
of any of the provisions of this Article VII, including any definition contained
in Section 7.1, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the
application of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to any situation
based on the facts known to it.
SECTION 7.9 Modification of Existing Holder Limits. The Existing Holder
Limits may be modified as follows:
(a) Subject to the limitations provided in Section 7.11, the Board of
Trustees may grant stock options which result in Beneficial Ownership of Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares by an Existing Holder pursuant to a stock option
plan approved by the Board of Trustees and/or the Shareholders. Any such grant
shall increase the Existing Holder Limit for the affected Existing Holder to the
maximum extent possible under Section 7.11 to permit the Beneficial Ownership of
the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such
stock option.
(b) Subject to the limitations provided in Section 7.11, an Existing
Holder may elect to participate in a dividend reinvestment plan approved by the
Board of Trustees which results in Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares and/or
Preferred Shares by such participating Existing Holder and any comparable
reinvestment plan of the Operating Partnership wherein those Existing Holders
holding OP Units are entitled to purchase additional OP Units. Any such
participation shall increase the Existing Holder Limit for the affected Existing
Holder to the maximum extent possible under Section 7.11 to permit Beneficial
Ownership of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares acquired or which can be
acquired as a result of such participation.
(c) The Board of Trustees will reduce the Existing Holder Limit for any
Existing Holder after any Transfer permitted in this Article VII by such
Existing Holder by the percentage of the total outstanding Equity Shares so
Transferred or after the lapse (without exercise) of a stock option described in
Section 7.9(a) by the percentage of the total outstanding Equity Shares that the
stock option, if exercised, would have represented, but in either case no
Existing Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage which is less than the
Ownership Limit.
SECTION 7.10 Increase in Ownership Limit. Subject to the limitations
provided in Section 7.11, the Board of Trustees may from time to time increase
the Ownership Limit.
SECTION 7.11 Limitations on Changes in Existing Holder and Ownership
Limits.
(a) Neither the Ownership Limit nor any Existing Holder Limit may be
increased (nor may any additional Existing Holder Limit be created) if, after
giving effect to such increase (or creation), five Beneficial Owners of Common
Shares (including all of the then Existing Holders)
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could Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, more than 50.0% in number or value
(determined as provided in the definition of "Ownership Limit" in Section 7.1)
of the outstanding Equity Shares.
(b) Prior to the modification of any Existing Holder Limit or Ownership
Limit pursuant to Sections 7.9 or 7.10, the Board of Trustees may require such
opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem
necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust's status as a
REIT.
(c) No Existing Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage which is
less than the Ownership Limit.
SECTION 7.12 Exemptions by Board. The Board of Trustees, upon receipt of
a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel or other
evidence satisfactory to the Board of Trustees and upon at least 15 days written
notice from a Transferee prior to the proposed Transfer which, if consummated,
would result in the intended Transferee owning Shares in excess of the Ownership
Limit or Existing Holder Limit, as the case may be, and upon such other
conditions as the Board of Trustees may direct, may exempt a Person from the
Ownership Limit or the Existing Holder Limit, as the case may be.
SECTION 7.13 Legend. Each certificate for Common Shares and for
Preferred Shares shall bear substantially the following legend:
The securities represented by this certificate are subject
to restrictions on transfer for the purpose of the Trust's
maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Except
as otherwise provided pursuant to the Declaration of Trust
of the Trust, no Person (unless such Person is an Existing
Holder) may Directly or Beneficially Own Common Shares
and/or Preferred Shares in excess of that number of Shares
which equals the lesser of 5.0% (or such greater percentage
as may be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Trust)
of (a) the number of outstanding Equity Shares of the Trust
and (b) the value of outstanding Equity Shares of the Trust.
Any Person who attempts or proposes to Beneficially Own
Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in excess of the above
limitations must notify the Trust in writing at least 15
days prior to such proposed or attempted Transfer. All
italicized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in
the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, a copy of which,
including the restrictions on transfer, will be sent without
charge to each Shareholder who so requests. If the
restrictions on transfer are violated, the securities
represented
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hereby will be designated and treated as Excess Shares which
will be held in a Special Trust by the Trust.
SECTION 7.14 Severability. If any provision of this Article VII or any
application of any such provision is determined to be void, invalid or
unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other
applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to
comply with the determination of such court.
SECTION 7.15 Special Trust for Excess Shares. Upon any purported Transfer
that results in Excess Shares pursuant to Section 7.3, such Excess Shares shall
be deemed to have been transferred to the Trust, as Special Trustee of a Special
Trust for the benefit of such Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to whom an interest
in such Excess Shares may later be transferred pursuant to Section 7.19. Excess
Shares so held in trust shall be issued and outstanding Shares. The Purported
Record Transferee shall have no rights in such Excess Shares except the right to
designate a transferee of such Excess Shares upon the terms specified in Section
7.19. The Purported Beneficial Transferee shall have no rights in such Excess
Shares except as provided in Section 7.19.
SECTION 7.16 No Dividends for Excess Shares. Excess Shares shall not be
entitled to any dividends or other distribution. Any dividend or other
distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Common Shares
and/or Preferred Shares have been Transferred so as to be deemed Excess Shares
shall be repaid to the Trust upon demand.
SECTION 7.17 Liquidation Distributions for Excess Shares. Subject to the
preferential rights of the Preferred Shares, if any, as may be determined by the
Board of Trustees, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of, or any other distribution of all or substantially
all of the assets of, the Trust, each holder of Excess Shares shall be entitled
to receive, in the case of Excess Shares constituting Preferred Shares, ratably
with each other holder of Preferred Shares and Excess Shares constituting
Preferred Shares and, in the case of Excess Shares constituting Common Shares,
ratably with each other holder of Common Shares and Excess Shares constituting
Common Shares, that portion of the assets of the Trust available for
distribution to the Shareholders as the number of Excess Shares held by such
holder bears to the total number of (a) Preferred Shares and Excess Shares then
outstanding in the case of Excess Shares constituting Preferred Shares and (b)
Common Shares and Excess Shares then outstanding in the case of Excess Shares
constituting Common Shares. The Trust, as holder of the Excess Shares in trust,
or if the Trust shall have been dissolved, any trustee appointed by the Trust
prior to its dissolution, shall distribute ratably to the Beneficiaries of the
Trust, when determined, any such assets received in respect of the Excess Shares
in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or any distribution of the
assets of the Trust.
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SECTION 7.18 No Voting Rights for Excess Shares. The holders of Excess
Shares shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.
SECTION 7.19 Non-Transferability of Excess Shares. Excess Shares shall
not be transferable. Subject to Section 7.20, the Purported Record Transferee
may freely designate a Beneficiary of an interest in the Special Trust
(representing the number of Excess Shares held in the Special Trust attributable
to a transaction that resulted in the Excess Shares) if (a) Excess Shares held
in the Special Trust would not be Excess Shares in the hands of such Beneficiary
and (b) the Purported Beneficial Transferee does not receive a price for
designating such Beneficiary that reflects a price per Excess Share that exceeds
(i) the price per Share such Purported Beneficial Transferee paid for the Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares, as the case may be, in the purported Transfer
that resulted in the Excess Shares, or (ii) if the Purported Beneficial
Transferee did not give value for such Excess Shares (through a gift, devise or
other transaction), a price per Share equal to the Market Price for the Excess
Shares on the date of the purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Shares.
Upon such transfer of an interest in the Special Trust, the corresponding Excess
Shares in the Special Trust shall be automatically exchanged for an equal number
of Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, as applicable, and such Common Shares
and/or Preferred Shares, as applicable, shall be transferred of record to the
transferee of the interest in the Trust if such Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares, as applicable, would not be Excess Shares in the hands of such
transferee. Prior to any transfer of any interest in the Special Trust, the
Purported Record Transferee must give advance notice to the Trust of the
intended transfer and the Trust must have waived in writing its purchase rights
under Section 7.20.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Purported Beneficial Transferee
receives a price for designating a Beneficiary of an interest in the Special
Trust that exceeds the amounts allowable under this Section 7.19, such Purported
Beneficial Transferee shall pay, or cause such Beneficiary to pay, such excess
to the Trust.
SECTION 7.20 Call by Trust on Excess Shares. Excess Shares shall be
deemed to have been offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, at a price
per Share equal to the lesser of (a) the price per Share in the transaction that
created such Excess Shares (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market
Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (b) the Market Price of Common
Shares or Preferred Shares to which such Excess Shares relate on the date the
Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall have the right to
accept such offer for a period of 90 days after the later of (a) the date of the
transaction that resulted in such Excess Shares and (b) the date the Board of
Trustees determines in good faith that a transaction resulting in Excess Shares
has occurred, if the Trust does not receive a notice of such Transfer pursuant
to Section 7.5, but in no event later than a permitted Transfer pursuant to and
in compliance with the terms of Section 7.19.
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SECTION 7.21 Trust as Agent. If any of the foregoing provisions of this
Article VII are determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction, then the Purported Record Transferee may be deemed, at
the option of the Trust, to have acted as an agent of the Trust in acquiring
such Excess Shares and to hold such Excess Shares on behalf of the Trust and
subject to its direction.
SECTION 7.22 New York Stock Exchange Transactions. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Article VII, nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall
impair the settlement of transactions entered into on the facilities of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc.
SECTION 7.23 Special Rules for Series A Preferred Shares.
A. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this section 7.23 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series A Preferred Shares Offering" shall mean
the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series A Preferred
Shares issued pursuant to the Trust's effective registration statement
for such Series A Preferred Shares filed under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption or
purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in the value of the
Series A Preferred Shares relative to any other class of beneficial
interest in the Trust.
B. Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on the
Closing Date of the Series A Preferred Shares Offering and prior to
the Restriction Termination Date, a Special Triggering Event (if
effective) or other event or occurrence (if effective) would result in
any violation of section 7.2(a) of the Trust's Declaration of Trust
(or would result in the Trust being "closely held" within the meaning
of Section 856(h) of the Code or would otherwise cause the Trust to
fail to qualify as a REIT), then (i) the number of Series A Preferred
Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would (but for
this section 7.23 cause any Person to Beneficially Own either Series A
Preferred Shares, or to Beneficially own Series A Preferred Shares and
any other shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, in violation of
section 7.2(a) (or would result in the Trust being "closely held" or
otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares"
and shall be treated as provided in Article VII. Such designation and
treatment shall be effective as of the close of business on the
Business Day prior to the date of the Special Triggering Event or
other event or occurrence.
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C. Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of
the provisions of this section 7.23, including any definition
contained in paragraph A, the Board of Trustees shall have the power
to determine the application of this section 7.23 with respect to any
situation based on the facts known to it (subject, however, to the
provisions of section 7.2(a)).
SECTION 7.24 Special Rules for Series B Preferred Shares.
A. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this section 7.24 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series B Preferred Shares Offering" shall mean
the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series B Preferred
Shares issued pursuant to the Trust's effective registration statement
for such Series B Preferred Shares filed under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption or
purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in the value of the
Series B Preferred Shares relative to any other class of beneficial
interest in the Trust.
B. Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on the
Closing Date of the Series B Preferred Shares Offering and prior to
the Restriction Termination Date, a Special Triggering Event (if
effective) or other event or occurrence (if effective) would result in
any violation of section 7.2(a) of the Trust's Declaration of Trust
(or would result in the Trust being "closely held" within the meaning
of Section 856(h) of the Code or would otherwise cause the Trust to
fail to qualify as a REIT), then (i) the number of Series B Preferred
Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would (but for
this section 7.24 cause any Person to Beneficially Own either Series B
Preferred Shares, or to Beneficially own Series B Preferred Shares and
any other shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, in violation of
section 7.2(a) (or would result in the Trust being "closely held" or
otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares"
and shall be treated as provided in Article VII. Such designation and
treatment shall be effective as of the close of business on the
Business Day prior to the date of the Special Triggering Event or
other event or occurrence.
C. Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of
the provisions of this section 7.24, including any definition
contained in paragraph A, the Board of Trustees shall have the power
to determine the application of this section 7.24
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with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it (subject,
however, to the provisions of section 7.2(a)).
SECTION 7.25 Special Rules for Series C Preferred Shares
A. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this section 7.25 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series C Preferred Shares Offering" shall mean
the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series C Preferred Shares
issued pursuant to the Trust's effective registration statement for such Series
C Preferred Shares filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption or
purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in the value of the Series C
Preferred Shares relative to any other class of beneficial interest in the
Trust.
B. Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on the
Closing Date of the Series C Preferred Shares Offering and prior to the
Restriction Termination Date, a Special Triggering Event (if effective) or other
event or occurrence (if effective) would result in any violation of section
7.2(a) of the Trust's Declaration of Trust (or would result in the Trust being
"closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or would
otherwise cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REIT), then (i) the number of
Series C Preferred Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would
(but for this section 7.25) cause any Person to Beneficially Own either Series C
Preferred Shares, or to Beneficially own Series C Preferred Shares and any other
shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, in violation of section 7.2(a) (or
would result in the Trust being "closely held" or otherwise fail to qualify as a
REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares" and shall be treated as provided in
Article VII. Such designation and treatment shall be effective as of the close
of business on the Business Day prior to the date of the Special Triggering
Event or other event or occurrence.
C. Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of
the provisions of this section 7.25, including any definition contained in
paragraph A, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the
application of this section 7.25 with respect to any situation based on the
facts known to it (subject, however, to the provisions of Section 7.2(a)).
ARTICLE VIII
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SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION 8.1. Meetings of Shareholders. There shall be an annual meeting
of the Shareholders, to be held at such time and place as shall be determined by
or in the manner prescribed in Article II of the Bylaws, at which Trustees shall
be elected and any other proper business may be conducted. Except as otherwise
provided in this Declaration of Trust, special meetings of Shareholders may be
called in the manner provided in Article II of the Bylaws. If there are no
Trustees, the President or any other officer of the Trust shall promptly call a
special meeting of the Shareholders entitled to vote for the election of
successor Trustees. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Trustees
determine or as provided in Article II of the Bylaws.
SECTION 8.2. Voting Rights of Shareholders. Subject to the provisions of
any class or series of Shares then outstanding, the Shareholders shall be
entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) the election or removal of
Trustees; (b) the amendment of this Declaration of Trust; (c) the voluntary
dissolution or termination of the Trust; and (d) the merger or consolidation of
the Trust or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
Trust Property. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken
by the Shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Trustees.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
SECTION 9.1 By Shareholders. Except as provided in Section 9.2 hereof,
this Declaration of Trust may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of all the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote on the matter.
SECTION 9.2 By Trustees. The Trustees, by a two-thirds vote, may amend
provisions of this Declaration of Trust from time to time to enable the Trust to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Code or under Title 8.
SECTION 9.3 No Other Amendment. This Declaration of Trust may not be
amended except as provided in this Article IX.
ARTICLE X
DURATION OF TRUST
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The Trust shall continue perpetually unless terminated pursuant to any
applicable provision of Title 8. The Trust may be voluntarily dissolved or its
existence terminated only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than two-thirds of all the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on the
matter. The Trust may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
the Trust Property only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of all the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on the
matter.
ARTICLE XI
LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
AND TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THEM AND THE TRUST
SECTION 11.1 Limitation of Shareholder Liability. No Shareholder shall be
liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of,
against or with respect to the Trust by reason of his being a Shareholder, nor
shall any Shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort,
contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Trust Property or
the affairs of the Trust.
SECTION 11.2 Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability. To the maximum
extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the
liability of trustees and officers of a real estate investment trust, no Trustee
or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for
money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section, nor the
adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust
inconsistent with this Section, shall apply to or affect in any respect the
applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to
act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. In the absence
of any Maryland statute limiting the liability of trustees and officers of a
Maryland real estate investment trust for money damages in a suit by or on
behalf of the Trust or by any Shareholder, no Trustee or officer of the Trust
shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for money damages except to
the extent that (a) the Trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit
or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or
profit in money, property or services actually received or (b) a judgment or
other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee or officer is entered in a
proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustee's or officer's
action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and
was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
SECTION 11.3 Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments. Neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust shall
be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Trust, and
all Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for the payment of any claim
under or for the performance of that instrument. The
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omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render
any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any
third party, nor shall the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the
Trust be liable to anyone for such omission.
SECTION 11.4 Indemnification and Advance for Expenses. The Trust shall
have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from
time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any
individual who is a present or former Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the
Trust or (b) any individual who, while a Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the
Trust and at the express request of the Trust, serves or has served another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any
other enterprise as a director, officer, Shareholder, partner or trustee of such
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, from and against all claims and liabilities to which such person may
become subject by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, Trustee or
officer. The Trust shall have the power, with the approval of its Board of
Trustees, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a
person who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described
in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor
of the Trust.
SECTION 11.5 Transactions Between the Trust and its Trustees, Officers,
Employees and Agents. Subject to any express restriction in this Declaration of
Trust, including (but not limited to) Section 6.4, or any restriction adopted by
the Trustees in the Bylaws or by resolution, the Trust may enter into any
contract or transaction of any kind (including, without limitation, for the
purchase or sale of property or for any type of services, including those in
connection with the underwriting or the offer or sale of Securities of the
Trust) with any Person, including any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust or any Person Affiliated with a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust, whether or not any of them has a financial interest in such transaction.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.1 Governing Law. This Declaration of Trust is executed by the
Trustees and delivered in the State of Maryland with reference to the laws
thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect
of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the
laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions
thereof.
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SECTION 12.2 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate shall be final
and conclusive as to any Person dealing with the Trust if executed by an
individual who, according to the records of the Trust or of any recording office
in which this Declaration of Trust may be recorded, appears to be the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust or a Trustee, and if certifying to: (a)
the number or identify of Trustees, officers of the Trust or Shareholders; (b)
the due authorization of the execution of any document; (c) any action or vote
taken, and the existence of a quorum at a meeting of Trustees or Shareholders;
(d) a copy of this Declaration or of the Bylaws as a true and complete copy as
then in force; (e) an amendment to this Declaration; (f) the termination of the
Trust; or (g) the existence of any fact or facts which relate to the affairs of
the Trust. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person shall be bound
to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be
made on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or by any officer, employee or agent
of the Trust.
SECTION 12.3 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations.
(a) The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the
Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of
such provisions (the "Conflicting Provisions") are in conflict with the REIT
Provisions of the Code, Title 8 or any other applicable federal or state law,
the Conflicting Provisions shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of
this Declaration of Trust, even without any amendment of this Declaration
pursuant to Article IX; provided, however, that such determination by the
Trustees shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this
Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted
prior to such determination. No Trustee shall be liable for making or failing
to make such a determination.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such holding shall not in any manner affect
or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction or
any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 12.4 Construction. In this Declaration of Trust, unless the
context otherwise requires, words used in the singular or in the plural include
both the plural and singular and words denoting any gender include all genders.
The title and headings of different parts of this Declaration are inserted for
convenience and shall not affect the meaning, construction or effect of this
Declaration. In defining or interpreting the powers and duties of the Trust and
its Trustees and officers, reference may be made, to the extent appropriate and
not inconsistent with the Code or Title 8, to Titles 1 through 3 of the
Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, in accordance with the
provisions of Title 3, Subtitles 6 and 7, of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Trust shall be included within
the definition of "corporation" for purposes of such provisions.
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SECTION 12.5 Recordation. This Declaration of Trust and any amendment or
supplement hereto shall be filed for record with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland and may also be filed or recorded in such
other places as the Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to file for record
this Declaration or any amendment or supplement hereto in any office other than
in the State of Maryland shall not affect or impair the validity or
effectiveness of this Declaration or any amendment hereto. A restated
Declaration shall, upon filing, be conclusive evidence of all amendments or
supplements contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the
original Declaration and the various amendments or supplements thereto.
ARTICLE XIII
DESIGNATION OF PREFERRED SHARES
SECTION 13.1 Series A Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.3 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated
9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest ($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share)
(the "Series A Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following terms:
(a) Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
Section 13.1(a) shall have, the meanings herein specified (with terms
defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in
New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive
order to close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
"Dividend Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(2).
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"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust
(including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a
portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the
purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of the Series
B Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series B Preferred Shares by
such underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or would otherwise result in the Trust
failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of beneficial interest that are either
Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares,
Series D Preferred Shares, Series E Preferred Shares or Excess Preferred Shares.
"Quarterly Dividend Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(3).
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(b)(3).
"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section 856 of
the Code.
"Series A Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(5).
"Series A Redemption Price" shall have the meaning st forth in Section
13.1(b)(5).
(b) Series A Preferred Shares
(1) Number. The number of shares of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be
6,900,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive dividends and to
participate in distributions or payments in the event of any Liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series A Preferred Shares shall rank
senior to the Common Shares and any other class or series of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to dividends and upon Liquidation,
junior to the Series A Preferred Shares (collectively, "Junior Shares").
(3) Dividends. The holders of the then outstanding Series A Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor, cumulative dividends at
the rate of $2.34375 per share per year,
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payable in equal amounts of $.5859375 per share quarterly in cash on the
fifteenth day, or the next succeeding Business Day, of January, April, July and
October in each year, beginning July 17, 1995 (each such day being hereinafter
called a "Quarterly Dividend Date" and each period ending on a Quarterly
Dividend Date being hereinafter called a "Dividend Period"), to shareholders of
record at the close of business on such date as shall be fixed by the Board of
Trustees at the time of declaration of the dividend (the "Record Date"), which
shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30 days preceding the Quarterly Dividend
Date. The amount of any dividend payable for the initial Dividend Period and for
any other Dividend Period shorter than a full Dividend Period shall be prorated
and computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Dividends
on each share of Series A Preferred Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from
and including the date of original issue thereof, whether or not (i) dividends
on such shares are earned or declared or (ii) on any Quarterly Dividend Date
there shall be funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends
paid on the Series A Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of
such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated
pro rata on a per share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.
The amount of any dividends accrued on any Series A Preferred Shares at any
Quarterly Dividend Date shall be the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated
thereon, to and including such Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not earned or
declared, and the amount of dividends accrued on any shares of Series A
Preferred Shares at any date other than a Quarterly Dividend Date shall be equal
to the sum of the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon, to and
including the last preceding Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not earned or
declared, plus an amount calculated on the basis of the annual dividend rate of
$2.34375 for the period after such last preceding Quarterly Dividend Date to and
including the date as of which the calculation is made based on a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months.
Except as provided in these Articles, the Series A Preferred Shares shall
not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets of the Trust .
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Trust, the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares then
outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets
of the Trust available for distribution to its shareholders, before any
payment or distribution shall be made on any Junior Shares, the amount of
$25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
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(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares of the full preferential amounts provided for in this paragraph
(b), the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares as such shall have
no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation, or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable with
respect to the preference value of the Series A Preferred Shares and
any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to any
such distribution on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares are
not paid in full, the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and of
such other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of
assets of the Trust in proportion to the full respective preference
amounts to which they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Trust, nor the merger or consolidation of the Trust
into or with any other entity or the merger or consolidation of any
other entity into or with the Trust, shall be deemed to be a
dissolution, Liquidation or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for
the purposes of this paragraph (b).
(5) Redemption.
(A) Optional Redemption. On and after June 1, 2000, the Trust
may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to time, part
of the Series A Preferred Shares at a price per share (the "Series A
Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $25.00, together with all
accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the date fixed for
redemption (the "Series A Redemption Date").
(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust, postage
prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Series A
Redemption Date, addressed to the holders of record of the Series A
Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their addresses as they appear on
the share transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such
notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect
the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A
Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom the Trust has failed
to give notice or except as to the holder to whom notice was
defective. In addition to any information required by law or by the
applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred Shares
may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a) the
Series A Redemption Date; (b) the Series A Redemption Price; (c) the
number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (d) the place or
places
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where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment
of the Series A Redemption Price; (e) that dividends on the shares to
be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the Series A Redemption Date;
and (f) the date on which conversion rights shall expire, the
conversion price and the place or places where certificates for such
shares are to be surrendered for conversion.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with subparagraph
(5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the Series A Redemption
Date specified in such notice all funds necessary for such redemption
shall have been irrevocably set aside by the Trust, separate and apart
from its other funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders
of the Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption, so as to
be, and to continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the
Series A Redemption Date, dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares
so called for redemption shall cease to accumulate, and said shares
shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and shall not have the
status of Series A Preferred Shares and all rights of the holders
thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the right to receive the
Series A Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon surrender, in accordance
with said notice, of the certificates for any Series A Preferred
Shares so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the
Trust shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series A
Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Series A
Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the Series A Preferred
Shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new
certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the
unredeemed Series A Preferred Shares without cost to the holder
thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the
purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Shares shall be irrevocable
except that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such bank or
trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on
any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any shares
redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings;
and
(b) any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust and
unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares
entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the
applicable Series A Redemption Date shall be repaid, together
with any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Trust,
and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled
to the funds so repaid to the Trust shall look only to the Trust
for payment without interest or other earnings.
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(iv) No Series A Preferred Shares may be redeemed except with
funds legally available for the payment of the Series A Redemption
Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated dividends on all Series A Preferred
Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for
payment for all past Dividend Periods and the then current Dividend
Period, no Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed (unless all
outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed) or
purchased or otherwise acquired directly or indirectly (except by
conversion into or exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking
junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividends and upon
liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent
the redemption of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to Article VII of
the Declaration of Trust or the purchase or acquisition of Series A
Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the
same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Shares.
(vi) If the Series A Redemption Date is after a Record Date and
before the related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend payable on
such Quarterly Dividend Date shall be paid to the holder in whose name
the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the
close of business on such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption
thereof between such Record Date and the related Quarterly Dividend
Date or the Trust's default in the payment of the dividend due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series A Preferred
Shares at the time outstanding, the Series A Preferred Shares to be
redeemed shall be selected pro rata from the holders of record of such
shares in proportion to the number of Series A Preferred Shares held
by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional
shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of
the shareholders for election of trustees or for any other purpose or
otherwise to participate in any action taken by the Trust or the
shareholders thereof, or to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders.
(A) Whenever dividends on any Series A Preferred Shares shall be
in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the holders of such
Series A Preferred Shares (voting separately as a class with all other
series of Preferred Shares upon which like voting rights have been
conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote for the
election of two additional Trustees of the Trust at a special meeting
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called by the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of any series
of Preferred Shares so in arrears (unless such request is received less
than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting
of the shareholders) or at the next annual meeting of shareholders, and at
each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on such
Series A Preferred Shares for the past dividend periods and the then
current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In such case, the
entire Board of Trustees of the Trust will be increased by two Trustees.
(B) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding,
the Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders
of at least two-thirds of the Series A Preferred Shares outstanding at the
time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such
series voting separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase
the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of
beneficial interest ranking prior to the Series A Preferred Shares with
respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any authorized shares
of beneficial interest of the Trust into such shares, or create, authorize
or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the
right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely
affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A
Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to
the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the
Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof
materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an
Event, the Trust may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any
such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such
rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Series A
Preferred Shares and provided further that (x) any increase in the amount
of the authorized Preferred Shares or the creation of issuance of any other
Series A Preferred Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized
Series A Preferred Shares or any other Preferred Shares, in each case
ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares with
respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially
and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to
the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be
required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall
have been redeemed or
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called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in
trust to effect such redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into or
exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust.
(8) Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series A Preferred Shares
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
this Declaration of Trust. The Series A Preferred Shares shall have no
preemptive or subscription rights.
(9) Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.2 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
(10) Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section 13.1 is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series A Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.1 which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of Series A Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other
such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special right of Series A Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions there of unless so expressed herein.
SECTION 13.2 Series B Preferred Shares. Pursuant 5.3 of this Declaration,
a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated 9 1/8%
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.01
Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $250.00 Per Share) (collectively,
the "Series B Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following terms:
(a) Certain Definitions.
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Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section
13.2(a) shall have the meanings herein specified (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is
neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial interest, $.01
par value per share, of the Trust.
"Dividend Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b)(2).
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust
(including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a
portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the
purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of the Series
A Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by
such underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or would otherwise result in the Trust
failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean preferred shares of beneficial interest, $.01
par value per share, including Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred
Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred Shares, and Series E
Preferred Shares.
"Quarterly Dividend Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13(b)(3) below.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b)(3) below.
"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section 856 of the
Code.
"Series B Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13(b)(5) below.
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"Series B Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13(b)(5) below.
(b) Series B Preferred Shares
(1) Number. The maximum number of shares of the Series B Preferred Shares
shall be 575,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive dividends and to
participate in distributions or payments in the event of any Liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series B Preferred Shares shall rank
pari passu with any other preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Trust,
including the Series A Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D
Preferred Shares, and Series E Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares
will rank senior to the Common Shares and any other class or series of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to dividends and upon Liquidation,
junior to the Preferred Shares (collectively, "Junior Shares").
(3) Dividends. The holders of the then outstanding Series B Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor, cumulative dividends at
the rate of $22.8125 per share per year, payable in equal amounts of $5.703125
per share quarterly in cash on the fifteenth day, or if not a Business Day, the
next succeeding Business Day, of January, April, July and October in each year,
beginning January 15, 1996 (each such day being hereinafter called a "Quarterly
Dividend Date" and each period ending on a Quarterly Dividend Date being
hereinafter called a "Dividend Period"), to shareholders of record at the close
of business on such date as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees at the time
of declaration of the dividend (the "Record Date"), which shall be not less than
10 nor more than 30 days preceding the Quarterly Dividend Date. The amount of
any dividend payable for the initial Dividend Period and for any other Dividend
Period shorter than a full Dividend Period shall be prorated and computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Dividends on each share of
Series B Preferred Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the
date of original issue thereof, whether or not (i) dividends on such shares are
earned or declared or (ii) on any Quarterly Dividend Date there shall be funds
legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends paid on the Series B
Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at
the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a per
share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.
The amount of any dividends accrued on any Series B Preferred Shares at any
Quarterly Dividend Date shall be the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated
thereon, to and including such Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not earned or
declared, and the
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amount of dividends accrued on any shares of Series B Preferred Shares at any
date other than a Quarterly Dividend Date shall be equal to the sum of the
amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon, to and including the last
preceding Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not earned or declared, plus an
amount calculated on the basis of the annual dividend rate of $22.8125 for the
period after such last preceding Quarterly Dividend Date to and including the
date as of which the calculation is made based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-
day months.
Except as provided in these Articles, the Series B Preferred Shares shall
not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets of the Trust.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Trust, the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares then
outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets
of the Trust available for distribution to its shareholders, before any
payment or distribution shall be made on any Junior Shares, the amount of
$250.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends
thereon.
(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares
of the full preferential amounts provided for in this paragraph (b), the
holders of the Series B Preferred Shares as such shall have no right or
claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation,
or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable with respect to the
preference value of the Series B Preferred Shares and any other shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to any such distribution on a
parity with the Series B Preferred Shares are not paid in full, the holders
of the Series B Preferred Shares and of such other shares will share
ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Trust in proportion to
the full respective preference amounts to which they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Trust, nor the merger or consolidation of the Trust into or
with any other entity or the merger or consolidation of any other entity
into or with the Trust, shall be deemed to be a dissolution, Liquidation or
winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this paragraph
(b).
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(5) Redemption.
(A) Optional Redemption. On and after October 15, 2005, the Trust
may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to time, part of
the Series B Preferred Shares at a price per share (the "Series B
Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $250.00 per Series B Preferred
Share, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the
date fixed for redemption (the "Series B Redemption Date").
(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust, postage
prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Series B
Redemption Date, addressed to the holders of record of the Series B
Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their addresses as they appear on the
share transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such notice or any
defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any Series B Preferred Shares except as
to the holder to whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except as to
the holder to whom notice was defective. In addition to any information
required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which
Series B Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice
shall state: (a) the Series B Redemption Date; (b) the Series B Redemption
Price; (c) the number of Series B Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (d) the
place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered
for payment of the Series B Redemption Price; (e) that dividends on the
shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the Series B Redemption
Date; and (f) the date on which conversion rights shall expire, the
conversion price and the place or places where certificates for such shares
are to be surrendered for conversion.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with Section
13.2(b)(5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the Series B
Redemption Date specified in such notice all funds necessary for such
redemption shall have been irrevocably set aside by the Trust, separate and
apart from its other funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders
of the Series B Preferred Shares so called for redemption, so as to be, and
to continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the Series B
Redemption Date, dividends on the Series B Preferred Shares so called for
redemption shall cease to accumulate, and said shares shall no longer be
deemed to be outstanding and shall not have the status of Series B
Preferred Shares and all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of
the Trust (except the right to receive the Series B Redemption Price) shall
cease. Upon surrender, in accordance with said notice, of the certificates
for any Series B Preferred Shares so redeemed
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(properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require
and the notice shall so state), such Series B Preferred Shares shall be
redeemed by the Trust at the Series B Redemption Price. In case fewer than
all the Series B Preferred Shares represented by any such certificate are
redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing
the unredeemed Series B Preferred Shares without cost to the holder
thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the
purpose of redeeming Series B Preferred Shares shall be irrevocable except
that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such bank or
trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any
money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed
shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings; and
(b) any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust and
unclaimed by the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares entitled
thereto at the expiration of two years from the applicable Series B
Redemption Date shall be repaid, together with any interest or other
earnings earned thereon, to the Trust, and after any such repayment,
the holders of the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the Trust
shall look only to the Trust for payment without interest or other
earnings.
(iv) No Series B Preferred Shares may be redeemed except with funds
legally available for the payment of the Series B Redemption Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated dividends on all Series B Preferred
Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment
for all past Dividend Periods and the then current Dividend Period, no
Series B Preferred Shares shall be redeemed (unless all outstanding Series
B Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed) or purchased or otherwise
acquired directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or exchange for
capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Shares
as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not prevent the redemption of Series B Preferred Shares
pursuant to Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or the purchase or
acquisition of Series B Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange
offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series
B Preferred Shares.
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(vi) If the Series B Redemption Date is after a Record Date and before
the related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend payable on such Quarterly
Dividend Date shall be paid to the holder in whose name the Series B
Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the close of business on
such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption thereof between such Record
Date and the related Quarterly Dividend Date or the Trust's default in the
payment of the dividend due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series B Preferred Shares
at the time outstanding, the Series B Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall
be selected pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in
proportion to the number of Series B Preferred Shares held by such holders
(with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares) or by any other
equitable method determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of the Series B
Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
shareholders for election of trustees or for any other purpose or otherwise to
participate in any action taken by the Trust or the shareholders thereof, or to
receive notice of any meeting of shareholders.
(A) In any matter in which the Series B Preferred Shares are entitled
to vote (as expressly provided herein or as may be required by law),
including any action by written consent, each Series B Preferred Share
shall be entitled to 10 votes, each of which 10 votes may be directed
separately by the holder thereof (or by any proxy or proxies of such
holder). With respect to each Series B Preferred Share, the holder thereof
may designate up to 10 proxies, with each such proxy having the right to
vote a whole number of votes (totaling 10 votes per Series B Preferred
Share).
(B) Whenever dividends on any Series B Preferred Shares shall be in
arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the holders of the Depositary
Shares representing such Series B Preferred Shares (voting separately as a
class with all other series of Preferred Shares upon which like voting
rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled to vote
for the election of two additional Trustees of the Trust at a special
meeting called by the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of
any series of Preferred Shares so in arrears (unless such request is
received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or
special meeting of the shareholders) or at the next annual meeting of
shareholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends
accumulated on such Series B Preferred Shares for the past dividend periods
and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the
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payment thereof set aside for payment. In such case, the entire Board of
Trustees of the Trust will be increased by two Trustees.
(C) So long as any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the
Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
at least two-thirds of the Series B Preferred Shares outstanding at the
time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such
series voting separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase
the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of
beneficial interest ranking prior to the Series B Preferred Shares with
respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any authorized shares
of beneficial interest of the Trust into such shares, or create, authorize
or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the
right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely
affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series B
Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to
the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the
Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof
materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an
Event, the Trust may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any
such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such
rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Series B
Preferred Shares and provided further that (x) any increase in the amount
of the authorized Preferred Shares or the creation of issuance of any other
Series B Preferred Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized
the Series B Preferred Shares or any other Preferred Shares, in each case
ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series B Preferred Shares with
respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially
and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the
time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be
required shall be effected, all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares shall
have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have
been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into or
exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except into
Excess Shares in connection with maintaining the ability of the Trust to qualify
as a REIT.
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8. Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series B Preferred Shares
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
this Section 13.2. The Series B Preferred Shares shall have no preemptive or
subscription rights.
9. Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.2 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
10. Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section 13.2 is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series B Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.2 which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other
such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special right of Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions there of unless so expressed herein.
SECTION 13.3 Series C Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.3 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated
9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest ($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $250.00 Per Share)
(the "Series C Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following terms:
(b) Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
Section 13.3 shall have the meanings herein specified (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural).
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"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New
York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
"Distribution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(2).
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate,
trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the
Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively
for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of the Series
C Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series C Preferred Shares by
such Underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or would otherwise result in the Trust
failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean preferred shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share, including Series A Preferred Shares, Series B
Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred Shares, and
Series E Preferred Shares.
"Quarterly Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.3(b)(3) below.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.3(b)(3)
below.
"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section 856 of
the Code.
"Series C Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(5) below.
"Series C Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.3(b)(5) below.
(c) Series C Preferred Shares
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(1) Number. The maximum number of shares of the Series C Preferred
Shares shall be 460,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive distributions
and to participate in distributions or payments in the event of any Liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series C Preferred Shares shall rank
pari passu with any other preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Trust,
including the Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series D
Preferred Shares, and Series E Preferred Shares. The Series C Preferred Shares
will rank senior to the Common Shares and any other class or series of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to distributions and upon
Liquidation, junior (collectively, the "Junior Shares") to the Preferred Shares.
(3) Distributions. The holders of the then outstanding Series C
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board
of Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor, cumulative
distributions at the rate of $22.8125 per share per year, payable in equal
amounts of $5.703125 per share quarterly in cash on the fifteenth day, or if not
a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, of January, April, July and
October in each year, beginning October 15, 1996 (each such day being
hereinafter called a "Quarterly Distribution Date" and each period ending on a
Quarterly Distribution Date being hereinafter called a "Distribution Period"),
to shareholders of record at the close of business on such date as shall be
fixed by the Board of Trustees at the time of declaration of the distribution
(the "Record Date"), which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 30 days
preceding the Quarterly Distribution Date. The amount of any distribution
payable for the initial Distribution Period and for any other Distribution
Period shorter than a full Distribution Period shall be prorated and computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Distributions on each share
of Series C Preferred Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from and including
the date of original issue thereof, whether or not (i) distributions on such
shares are earned or declared or (ii) on any Quarterly Distribution Date there
shall be funds legally available for the payment of distributions. Distributions
paid on the Series C Preferred Shares in an amount less than the total amount of
such distributions at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
allocated pro rata on a per share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding.
The amount of any distributions accrued on any Series C Preferred
Shares at any quarterly Distribution Date shall be the amount of any unpaid
distributions accumulated thereon, to and including such Quarterly Distribution
Date, whether or not earned or declared, and the amount of distributions accrued
on any shares of Series C Preferred Shares at any date other than a Quarterly
Distribution Date shall be equal to the sum of the amount of any unpaid
distributions accumulated thereon, to and including the last preceding Quarterly
Distribution Date, whether or not earned or declared, plus an amount calculated
on the basis of the annual distribution rate of $22.8125 for the period after
such last preceding Quarterly Distribution Date to and including the date as of
which the calculation is made based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
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Except as provided in these Articles, the Series C Preferred Shares
shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets of the Trust.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Trust, the holders of the Series C Preferred
Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be
paid out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
its shareholders, before any payment or distribution shall be
made on any Junior Shares, the amount of $250.00 per Series C
Preferred Share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon.
(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares
of the full preferential amounts provided for in this paragraph
(b), the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares as such shall
have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the
Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation,
or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable with respect to
the preference value of the Series C Preferred Shares and any
other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to
any such distribution on a parity with the Series C Preferred
Shares are not paid in full, the holders of the Series C
Preferred Shares and of such other shares will share ratably in
any such distribution of assets of the Trust in proportion to the
full respective preference amounts to which they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Trust, nor the merger or consolidation of the
Trust into or with any other entity or the merger or
consolidation of any other entity into or with the Trust, shall
be deemed to be a dissolution, Liquidation or winding up,
voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this paragraph (b).
(5) Redemption.
(A) Optional Redemption. On and after September 9, 2006, the Trust
may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to time,
part of the Series C Preferred Shares at a price per share (the
"Series C Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $250.00 per
Series C Preferred Share, together with all accrued and unpaid
distributions to and including the date fixed for redemption (the
"Series C Redemption Date").
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(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Series C Redemption Date, addressed to the
holders of record of the Series C Preferred Shares to be
redeemed at their addresses as they appear on the share
transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such
notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall
affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of
any Series C Preferred Shares except as to the holder to
whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except as to the
holder to whom notice was defective. In addition to any
information required by law or by the applicable rules of
any exchange upon which Series C Preferred Shares may be
listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a)
the Series C Redemption Date; (b) the Series C Redemption
Price; (c) the number of Series C Preferred Shares to be
redeemed; (d) the place or places where certificates for
such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the Series
C Redemption Price; and (e) that distributions on the shares
to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the Series C
Redemption Date.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with Section
13.3(b)(5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the
Series C Redemption Date specified in such notice all funds
necessary for such redemption shall have been irrevocably
set aside by the Trust, separate and apart from its other
funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of
the Series C Preferred Shares so called for redemption, so
as to be, and to continue to be available therefor, then,
from and after the Series C Redemption Date, distributions
on the Series C Preferred Shares so called for redemption
shall cease to accumulate, and said shares shall no longer
be deemed to be outstanding and shall not have the status of
Series C Preferred Shares and all rights of the holders
thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the right to
receive the Series C Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon
surrender, in accordance with said notice, of the
certificates for any Series C Preferred Shares so redeemed
(properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust
shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series
C Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Series C Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the
Series C Preferred Shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates
shall be
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issued representing the unredeemed Series C Preferred Shares
without cost to the holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for
the purpose of redeeming Series C Preferred Shares shall be
irrevocable except that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such
bank or trust company the interest or other
earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited
in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed
shall have no claim to such interest or other
earnings; and
(b) any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust
and unclaimed by the holders of the Series C
Preferred Shares entitled thereto at the
expiration of two years from the applicable Series
C Redemption Date shall be repaid, together with
any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to
the Trust, and after any such repayment, the
holders of the shares entitled to the funds so
repaid to the Trust shall look only to the Trust
for payment without interest or other earnings.
(iv) No Series C Preferred Shares may be redeemed except
with funds legally available for the payment of the Series C
Redemption Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated distributions on all Series C
Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution
Period, no Series C Preferred Shares shall be redeemed
(unless all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares are
simultaneously redeemed) or purchased or otherwise acquired
directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or
exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to
the Series C Preferred Shares as to distributions and upon
liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the redemption of Series C Preferred Shares
pursuant to Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or the
purchase or acquisition of Series C Preferred Shares
pursuant
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to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred
Shares.
(vi) If the Series C Redemption Date is after a Record Date
and before the related Quarterly Distribution Date, the
distribution payable on such Quarterly Distribution Date
shall be paid to the holder in whose name the Series C
Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the close
of business on such Record Date notwithstanding the
redemption thereof between such Record Date and the related
Quarterly Distribution Date or the Trust's default in the
payment of the distribution due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series C
Preferred Shares at the time outstanding, the Series C
Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata
from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to
the number of Series C Preferred Shares held by such holders
(with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares)
or by any other equitable method determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of the
Series C Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
shareholders for election of trustees or for any other purposes or otherwise to
participate in any action taken by the Trust or the shareholders thereof, or to
receive notice of any meeting of shareholders.
(A) In any matter in which the Series C Preferred Shares are
entitled to vote (as expressly provided herein or as may be
required by law), including any action by written consent,
each Series C Preferred Share shall be entitled to 10 votes,
each of which 10 votes may be directed separately by the
holder thereof (or by any proxy or proxies of such holder).
With respect to each Series C Preferred Share, the holder
thereof may designate up to 10 proxies, with each such proxy
having the right to vote a whole number of votes (totaling
10 votes per Series C Preferred Share).
(B) Whenever distributions on any Series C Preferred Shares
shall be in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the
holders of the Depositary Shares representing such Series C
Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class with all
other series of Preferred Shares upon which like voting
rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be
entitled to vote for the election of two additional
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Trustees of the Trust at a special meeting called by the
holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of any
series of Preferred Shares so in arrears (unless such
request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed
for the next annual or special meeting of the shareholders)
or at the next annual meeting of shareholders, and at each
subsequent annual meeting until all distributions
accumulated on such Series C Preferred Shares for the past
distribution periods and the then current distribution
period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In
such case, the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust will be
increased by two Trustees.
(C) So long as any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding,
the Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or consent
of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Series C
Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, given in person or
by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series
voting separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or
increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or
series of shares of beneficial interest ranking prior to the
Series C Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of
distributions or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any
authorized shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into
such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or
security convertible into or evidencing the right to
purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust whether by
merger, consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to
materially and adversely affect any right, preference,
privilege or voting power of the Series C Preferred Shares
or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to
the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above,
so long as the Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding
with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into
account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Trust may
not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such
Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect
such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of
holders of Series C Preferred Shares and provided further
that (x) any increase in the amount of the authorized
Preferred Shares or the creation or issuance of any other
Series C Preferred Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount
of authorized Series C Preferred Shares or any other
Preferred Shares, in each case ranking on a parity with or
junior to the Series C
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Preferred Shares with respect to payment of distributions or
the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely
affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting
powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall
be effected, all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed
or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust
to effect such redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series C Preferred Shares are not convertible
into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except
into Excess Shares in connection with maintaining the ability of the Trust to
qualify as a REIT.
(8) Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series C Preferred Shares
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
this Section 13.3. The Series C Preferred Shares shall have no preemptive or
subscription rights.
(9) Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.3 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
(10) Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section 13.3 is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series C Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.3 which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other
such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special right of Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof unless so expressed herein.
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SECTION 13.4. Series D Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.3 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated the
"Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest" (the
"Series D Convertible Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following
terms:
1. Designation and Amount. The shares of the series of preferred
shares established hereunder shall be designated as Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and the authorized number of shares constituting such series
shall be 4,600,000. The par value of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
shall be $.01 per share.
2. Distributions.
(a) The holders of shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees
out of assets of the Trust legally available therefor (and subject to the
limitation described in the last sentence of this paragraph), cumulative cash
distributions on the shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares at the
annual rate of $1.75 per share, payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1
and October 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 1994 (which initial partial
distribution shall be from the date of issuance of the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares). Such distributions shall be cumulative from the date of
original issue of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares. If permissible
under applicable law and provided the distributions will qualify for the
dividends paid deduction (within the meaning of Sections 561 and 562 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor provisions thereto), such
distributions shall be paid as follows: first, from income of the Trust other
than net capital gains, and the balance, if any, from net capital gains of the
Trust. If the Board of Trustees determines, in its sole discretion, that
distributions to be paid in accordance with the preceding sentence would not
qualify for such dividends paid deduction, then such distributions shall be paid
in a manner determined by the Board of Trustees. Each distribution shall be paid
to the holders of record of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as they
appear on the share register of the Trust on such record date, not more than 90
days preceding the distribution payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the
Board of Trustees or a duly authorized committee thereof. If a holder converts
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares after the close of business on the record
date for a distribution and before the opening of business on the payment date
for such distribution, then, pursuant to Section 13.4(7) hereof, the holder will
be required to pay to the Trust at the time of such conversion the amount of
such distribution (unless the shares were converted after the issuance of a
notice of redemption with respect to such shares, in which event the holder of
such shares shall be entitled to the distribution payable thereon on such
distribution payment date without making such payment).
(b) If any Convertible Preferred Shares are outstanding, no full
distributions shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any other
preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to distributions
on a parity with or junior to the Series D
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Convertible Preferred Shares for any period unless full cumulative distributions
have been declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment
thereof has been set apart for such payment on the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares for all past distribution periods and the then current
distribution period. If distributions are not paid in full, or not declared in
full and a sum sufficient for such full payment is not set apart for the payment
thereof, upon the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and any other preferred
shares ranking on a parity as to distributions with the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares, all distributions declared upon Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares and upon any other preferred shares ranking on a parity as to
distributions shall be paid or declared pro rata so that in all cases the amount
of distributions paid or declared per share on the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and such other preferred shares shall bear to each other the
same ratio that accumulated distributions per share, including distributions
accrued or in arrears, if any, on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and
such other preferred shares bear to each other. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, unless full cumulative distributions on the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
such full payment set apart for payment for all past distribution periods and
the then current distribution period, no distributions (other than distributions
in shares of Common Shares (as hereinafter defined) or in any other shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference) shall
be declared or paid or set apart for payment or other distribution upon the
Trust's common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Shares"), or, except as provided above, on any other shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution rights or the
liquidation preference, nor shall any Common Shares or any other shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution rights or the
liquidation preference be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any
consideration (or any payment made to or available for a sinking fund for the
redemption of any such shares) by the Trust or any subsidiary of the Trust
(except by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust ranking junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to
distribution rights and the liquidation preference). Holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any distributions, whether
payable in cash, property or shares of beneficial interest, in excess of full
accrued and cumulative distributions as herein provided. No interest or sum of
money in lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any distribution
payment or payments on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares that may be in
arrears.
The terms "accrued distributions," "distributions accrued" and
"distributions in arrears," whenever used herein with reference to shares of
preferred shares of beneficial interest, shall be deemed to mean an amount which
shall be equal to distributions thereon at the annual distribution rates per
share for the respective series thereof from the date or dates on which such
distributions commence to accrue to the end of the then current quarterly
distribution period for such preferred shares (or, in the case of redemption, to
the date of redemption), less the amount
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of all distributions paid, or declared in full and set aside for the payment
thereof, upon such shares of preferred shares.
(c) Distributions payable on the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares for any period less than a full quarterly distribution period shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Quarterly
distributions payable on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be
computed by dividing the annual distribution rate by four.
3. Trustees' Right to Refuse to Transfer Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares; Limitation on Holdings.
(a) The terms and provisions of this Section 13.4(3) shall apply
in addition to, and not in limitation of, the terms and provisions of Article 7
of the Declaration of Trust.
(b) Each Person (as defined in Section 1.5 of the Declaration of
Trust) who owns directly or indirectly more than five percent in number or value
of the total Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding shall, within 30
days after January 1 of each year, give written notice to the Trust stating the
Person's name and address, the number of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
directly or indirectly owned by such Person, and a description of the capacity
in which such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are held. For purposes of
this Section 13.4, the number and value of the total Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares outstanding shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in
good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder.
In addition, each direct or indirect holder of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, irrespective of such shareholder's percentage ownership of outstanding
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, shall upon demand disclose to the Trust
in writing such information with respect to the direct or indirect ownership of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as the Board of Trustees deems necessary
from time to time to enable the Board of Trustees to determine whether the Trust
complies with the REIT Provisions of the Code (as defined in Section 1.5 of the
Declaration of Trust), to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority
or governmental agency or to determine any such compliance.
(c) If, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be
binding upon any prospective acquiror of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares,
any proposed transfer or issuance would jeopardize the status of the Trust as a
real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code, the Board of
Trustees shall have the right, but not the duty, to refuse to permit such
transfer or issuance or refuse to give effect to such transfer or issuance and
to take any action to void any such issuance or cause any such transfer not to
occur.
(d) As a condition to any transfer and/or registration of
transfer on the books of the Trust of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
which could result in direct or
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indirect ownership (as hereinafter defined) of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares exceeding 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding (the "Excess Preferred
Shares") by a Person other than a Preferred Excepted Person (as defined in
Section 3(e) below), such prospective transferee shall give written notice to
the Trust of the proposed transfer and shall furnish such opinions of counsel,
affidavits, undertakings, agreements and information as may be required by the
Board of Trustees no later than the 15th day prior to any transfer which, if
consummated, would result in such ownership.
(e) Any transfer of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares that
would (i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess Preferred Shares other
than a Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being "closely
held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void ab initio
and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights afforded to
owners of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares hereunder and shall be deemed
never to have had an interest therein. Any issuance of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares that would (i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess
Preferred Shares other than a Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the
Trust being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code,
shall be void ab initio and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to
any rights afforded to owners of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares hereunder
and shall be deemed never to have had an interest therein.
"Preferred Excepted Person" shall mean any Person approved by the
Board of Trustees, at their option and in their sole discretion, provided,
however, that such approval shall not be granted to any Person whose ownership
of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series
D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding would result, directly, indirectly or
as a result of attribution of ownership, in termination of the status of the
Trust as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
(f) The Trust, by notice to the holder thereof, may purchase any
or all Series D Convertible Preferred Shares that are proposed to be transferred
pursuant to a transfer which, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which
shall be binding upon any proposed transferor or transferee of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares, would result in any Person acquiring Excess
Preferred Shares, or would otherwise jeopardize the status of the Trust as a
real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code. The Trust
shall have the power, by lot or other means deemed equitable by the Board of
Trustees in their sole discretion, to purchase such Excess Preferred Shares from
the prospective transferor. The purchase price for any Excess Preferred Shares
shall be equal to the fair market value of the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares on the last trading day immediately preceding the day on which notice of
such proposed transfer is sent, as reflected in the closing sale price for the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, if then listed on a national securities
exchange, or such price for the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares on the
principal exchange if then listed on more than one national securities exchange,
or if the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are not then listed on a
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national securities exchange, the latest bid quotation for the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares if then traded over-the-counter, or, if no such
closing sales prices or quotations are available, then the purchase price shall
be equal to the fair market value of such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
as determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith. Prompt payment of the
purchase price shall be made in cash by the Trust in such manner as may be
determined by the Board of Trustees. From and after the date fixed for purchase
by the Board of Trustees, and so long as payment of the purchase price for the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares to be so redeemed shall have been made or
duly provided for, the holder of any Excess Preferred Shares so called for
purchase shall cease to be entitled to dividends, distributions, voting rights
and other benefits with respect to such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares,
excepting only the right to payment of the purchase price fixed as aforesaid.
Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee of Excess Preferred
Shares prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares have been transferred in violation of this Section 3 shall be
repaid to the Trust upon demand.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of
Trust or the Trust's Bylaws, Sections 13.4(3)(e), (f), (g) and (h) may not be
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote. If Section 13.4(3)(e), (f), (g) or (h) is determined to be
void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation,
then the acquiror of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares in violation of such
Sections shall be deemed, at the option of the Trust, to have acted as agent on
behalf of the Trust in acquiring such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares on
behalf of the Trust.
(h) Subject to Section 13.4(3)(l), notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 13.4 to the contrary, any purported transfer, sale or
acquisition of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (whether such purported
transfer, sale or acquisition results from the direct or indirect acquisition of
ownership of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares) which would result in the
termination of the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under
the REIT Provisions of the Code shall be null and void ab initio. Any such
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares may be treated by the Board of Trustees in
the manner prescribed for Excess Preferred Shares in subsection (f) of this
Section 13.4(3).
(i) Subject to Section 13.4(3)(l), nothing contained in this
Section 13.4(3) or in any other provision of this Section 13.4 shall limit the
authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as they deem
necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of the
shareholders by preservation of the Trust's status as a real estate investment
trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
(j) If any provision of this Section 13.4(3) or any application
of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court
having jurisdiction over the
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issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other
applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to
comply with the determination of such court. To the extent this Section 13.4(3)
may be inconsistent with any other provision of this Section 13.4, this Section
13.4(3) shall be controlling.
(k) For purposes of this Section 13.4, Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares not owned directly shall be deemed to be owned indirectly by a
person if that person or a group of which he is a member would be the beneficial
owner of such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and/or would be considered to own
such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares by reason of the REIT Provisions of
the Code.
(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 13.4(3),
nothing in this Section 13.4 shall preclude the settlement of transactions
entered into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The
fact that the settlement of any transaction is permitted shall not negate the
effect of any other provision of this Section 13.4(3) and any transferee in such
a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set
forth in this Section 13.4(3).
4. Redemption at the Option of the Trust.
(a) The Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are not redeemable
prior to November 1, 1998. On and after November 1, 1998, the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares may be redeemed at the option of the Trust by
resolution of its Board of Trustees, in whole or from time to time in part,
subject to the limitations set forth below, at the following redemption prices
per share if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning November 1 of the
year
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indicated below (the "Call Price"), plus, in each case, all distributions
accrued and unpaid on the shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares up
to the date of such redemption, upon giving notice as provided below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If redeemed during
the twelve-month
period beginning Call
November 1, Price
------------------ -------
<S> <C>
1998 ............................................. $25.875
1999 ............................................. $25.700
2000 ............................................. $25.525
2001 ............................................. $25.350
2002 ............................................. $25.175
2003 and thereafter .............................. $25.000
</TABLE>
(b) If fewer than all of the outstanding Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed shall be
determined pro rata or by lot or in such other manner and subject to such
regulations as the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion shall prescribe. In
the event that such redemption is to be by lot, if as a result of such
redemption any holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares would become a
holder of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding because such holder's Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part,
then the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares of such shareholder such that he will not hold in excess of 20%
of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares outstanding subsequent to such redemption, unless the holder is
a Preferred Excepted Person (as defined in Section 3(e) hereof), in which event
the Trust shall have the option to redeem such requisite number of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board
of Trustees.
(c) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for the redemption of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the Trust
shall mail a written notice to each holder of record of the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares to be redeemed in a postage prepaid envelope addressed to such
holder at his address as shown on the records of the Trust, notifying such
holder of the election of the Trust to redeem such shares, stating the date
fixed for redemption thereof (the "Redemption Date"), the redemption price, the
number of shares to be redeemed (and, if fewer than all the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed from
such holder) and the place(s) where the certificate(s) representing such shares
are to be surrendered for payment. On or after the Redemption Date each holder
of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall present and
surrender
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his certificate or certificates for such shares to the Trust at the place
designated in such notice and thereupon the redemption price of such shares
shall be paid to or on the order of the person whose name appears on such
certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered
certificate shall be cancelled. In the event that fewer than all the shares
represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be
issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after the Redemption Date
(unless default shall be made by the Trust in payment of the redemption price),
all distributions on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares designated for
redemption in such notice shall cease to accrue, and all rights of the holders
thereof as shareholders of the Trust, except the right to receive the redemption
price of such shares (including all accrued and unpaid distributions up to the
Redemption Date) upon the surrender of certificates representing the same, shall
cease and terminate and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred (except
with the consent of the Trust) on the books of the Trust, and such shares shall
not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. At its election, the
Trust prior to the Redemption Date may irrevocably deposit the redemption price
(including all accrued and unpaid distributions up to the Redemption Date) of
the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares so called for redemption in trust for
the holders thereof with a bank or trust company (having a capital surplus and
undivided profits aggregating not less than $50,000,000) in the Borough of
Manhattan, City and State of New York, or in any other city in which the Trust
at the time shall maintain a transfer agency with respect to such shares, in
which case the aforesaid notice to holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares to be redeemed shall state the date of such deposit, shall specify the
office of such bank or trust company as the place of payment of the redemption
price, and shall call upon such holders to surrender the certificates
representing such shares at such place on or after the date fixed in such
redemption notice (which shall not be later than the Redemption Date) against
payment of the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid distributions
up to the Redemption Date). Any interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to
the Trust from time to time. Any moneys so deposited which shall remain
unclaimed by the holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares at the end
of two years after the Redemption Date shall be returned by such bank or trust
company to the Trust.
If a notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Section
13.4(4) and any holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall, prior to
the close of business on the last business day preceding the Redemption Date,
give written notice to the Trust pursuant to Section 13.4(7) below of the
conversion of any or all of the shares to be redeemed held by such holder
(accompanied by a certificate or certificates for such shares, duly endorsed or
assigned to the Trust, and any necessary transfer tax payment, as required by
Section 13.4(7) below, then such redemption shall not become effective as to
such shares to be converted, such conversion shall become effective as provided
in Section 13.4(7) below and any moneys set aside by the Trust for the
redemption of such shares of converted Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
shall revert to the general funds of the Trust (unless such shares were
converted after the close of business on the record date for a distribution and
before the opening of business on the payment date for such
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distribution, in which event the holders of such shares shall be entitled to the
distribution payable thereon on such distribution payment date).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless full cumulative distributions on
all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
distribution periods and the then current distribution period, no Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed; provided, however,
that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on
the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, and, unless full cumulative distributions on all outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past distribution periods and
the then current distribution period, the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise
acquire directly or indirectly any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (except
by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
ranking junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution
rights and the liquidation preference).
(d) The Series D Convertible Preferred Shares redeemed, repurchased
or retired pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.4(4) or surrendered to
the Trust upon conversion shall thereupon be retired and may not be reissued as
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares but shall thereafter have the status of
authorized but unissued shares of beneficial interest.
5. Voting Rights.
(a) The holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter except (i) as provided in Section 13.4(9), (ii)
as provided in Section 13.4(5)(b) and (iii) as required by law.
(b) In the event the Trust shall have failed to declare and pay or
set apart for payment in full the distributions accumulated on the outstanding
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares for any six consecutive quarterly
distribution payment periods (a "Preferential Distribution Non-Payment"), the
number of trustees of the Trust shall be increased by two and the holders of the
outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, voting together as a class
with all other classes or series of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a
parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to
distribution rights and then entitled to vote on the election of such additional
two trustees, shall be entitled to elect such two additional trustees until the
full distributions accumulated on all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. Upon the occurrence
of a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment or a vacancy in the office of a
Preferred Shares Trustee (as defined below), the Board of Trustees shall within
a reasonable period call a special meeting of the holders of the
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Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and all holders of other classes or series
of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights who are then
entitled to vote on the election of such additional trustee or trustees for the
purpose of electing the additional trustee or trustees. If and when all
accumulated distributions on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have been
declared and paid or set aside for payment in full, the holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be divested of the special voting rights
provided by this Section 13.4(5)(b), subject to revesting in the event of each
and every subsequent Preferential Distribution Non-Payment. Upon termination of
such special voting rights attributable to all holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and shares of any other class or series of
preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights, the term of office of each
trustee elected by the holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and
such parity preferred shares (a "Preferred Shares Trustee") pursuant to such
special voting rights shall forthwith terminate and the number of trustees
constituting the entire Board of Trustees shall be reduced by the number of
Preferred Shares Trustees. Any Preferred Shares Trustee may be removed by, and
shall not be removed otherwise than by, the vote of the holders of record of a
majority of the outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and all other
series of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights who were
entitled to vote in such Preferred Shares Trustee's election, voting as a
separate class, at a meeting called for such purpose.
(c) So long as any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are
outstanding, the number of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees of
the Trust shall at all times be such that the exercise, by the holders of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and the holders of preferred shares of the
Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with
respect to distribution rights, of the right to elect trustees under the
circumstances provided for in subclause (b) of this Section 13.4(5) will not
contravene any other provision of this Declaration restricting the number of
trustees which may constitute the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(d) Trustees elected pursuant to subclause (b) of this Section
13.4(5) shall serve until the earlier of (x) the next annual meeting of the
shareholders of the Trust and the election (by the holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust
ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights) and qualification of their respective successors or (y)
the termination of the term of office of each Preferred Shares Trustee upon the
termination of the special voting rights as provided for in Section 13.4(5)(b).
(e) So long as a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall
continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Shares Trustee may be filled
by vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and all other series of
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preferred shares ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares with respect to distribution rights who are then entitled to vote in the
election of such Preferred Shares Trustee as provided above. As long as the
Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall continue, holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall not, as such shareholders, be entitled to
vote on the election or removal of trustees other than Preferred Shares
Trustees, but shall not be divested of any other voting rights provided to such
shareholders by law, this Declaration with respect to any other matter to be
acted upon by the shareholders of the Trust.
6. Liquidation Preference.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Trust, whether voluntary or otherwise, after payment or provision
for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Trust, the holders of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in cash, out
of the remaining assets of the Trust legally available therefor, the amount of
Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each Series D Convertible Preferred Share, plus
an amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid on each such share up to
the date of such distribution of assets, before any distribution shall be made
to the holders of Common Shares or any other shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust ranking (as to any such distribution of assets) junior to the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Trust, the assets distributable among the holders of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and all other classes and series of preferred shares ranking
(as to any such distribution of assets) on a parity with the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares are insufficient to permit the payment in full to
the holders of all such shares of all preferential amounts payable to all such
holders, then the entire assets of the Trust thus distributable shall be
distributed ratably among the holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
and such other classes and series of preferred shares ranking (as to any such
distribution of assets) on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares in proportion to the respective amounts that would be payable per share
if such assets were sufficient to permit payment in full.
(b) For purposes of this Section 13.4(6), a distribution of assets in
any dissolution, winding up or liquidation shall not include (i) any
consolidation or merger of the Trust with or into any other corporation, (ii)
any dissolution, liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the Trust
immediately followed by incorporation of another corporation to which such
assets are distributed or (iii) a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Trust's assets to another corporation; provided,
however, that, in each case, effective provision is made in the charter of the
resulting and surviving corporation or otherwise for the recognition,
preservation and protection of the rights of the holders of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares.
(c) After the payment of the full preferential amounts provided for
herein to the holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares or funds
necessary for such payment have been
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set aside in trust for the holders thereof, such holders shall be entitled to no
other or further participation in the distribution of the assets of the Trust.
(d) In determining whether a distribution by dividend, redemption or
other acquisition of Shares or otherwise is permitted under Maryland law, no
effect shall be given to 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 shareholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are
superior to those receiving the distribution.
7. Conversion.
(a) Holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall have the
right, exercisable at any time and from time to time, except in the case of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares called for redemption as set forth below,
to convert all or any such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares into Common
Shares at [the conversion price and ratio determined by the provisions of the
Roger Articles Supplementary designating the Roger Series A Convertible
Preferred Shares], subject to adjustment as described below. In the case of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares called for redemption, conversion rights
will expire at the close of business on the last business day preceding the
Redemption Date. Notice of redemption at the option of the Trust must be mailed
not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date as
provided in Section 13.4(4)(c) hereof. Upon conversion, no adjustment or payment
will be made for distributions, but if any holder surrenders Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares for conversion after the close of business on the
record date for the payment of a distribution and prior to the opening of
business on the related distribution payment date, then, notwithstanding such
conversion, the distribution payable on such distribution payment date will be
paid to the registered holder of such shares on such distribution record date.
In such event, such shares, when surrendered for conversion during the period
between the close of business on any distribution record date and the opening of
business on the corresponding distribution payment date, must be accompanied by
payment of an amount equal to the distribution payable on such distribution
payment date on the shares so converted (unless such shares were converted after
the issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to such shares, in which
event such shares shall be entitled to the distribution payable thereon on such
distribution payment date without making such payment).
(b) Any holder of one or more Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
electing to convert such share or shares shall deliver the certificate or
certificates therefor to the principal office of any transfer agent for the
Common Shares, with the form of notice of election to convert as the Trust shall
prescribe fully completed and duly executed and (if so required by the Trust or
any conversion agent) accompanied by instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Trust and to any conversion agent, duly executed by the
registered holder or his duly authorized attorney, and transfer taxes, stamps or
funds therefor or evidence of payment thereof if required pursuant
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to Section 13.4(7)(a) or 13.4(7)(d) hereof. The conversion right with respect to
any such shares shall be deemed to have been exercised at the date upon which
the certificates therefor accompanied by such duly executed notice of election
and instruments of transfer and such taxes, stamps, funds or evidence of payment
shall have been so delivered, and the person or persons entitled to receive the
shares of the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for
all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of the Common Shares
upon said date.
(c) No fractional Common Share or scrip representing a fractional
share shall be issued upon conversion of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
If more than one Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be surrendered for
conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full Common Shares
which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis
of the aggregate number of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares so surrendered.
Instead of any fractional Common Share which would otherwise be issuable upon
conversion of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the Trust shall pay a
cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same
fraction of the closing price for the Common Shares on the last trading day
preceding the date of conversion. The closing price for such day shall be the
last reported sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes
place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices
regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or if the Common
Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted
to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, the closing sale price of the Common Shares or in case no reported
sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, on NASDAQ or
any comparable system. If the Common Shares are not quoted on NASDAQ or any
comparable system, the Board of Trustees shall in good faith determine the
current market price on the basis of such quotation as it considers appropriate.
(d) If a holder converts Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the
Trust shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on
the issuance of Common Shares upon the conversion. The holder, however, shall
pay to the Trust the amount of any tax which is due (or shall establish to the
satisfaction of the Trust payment thereof) if the shares are to be issued in a
name other than the name of such holder and shall pay to the Trust any amount
required by the last sentence of Section 13.4(7)(a) hereof.
(e) The Trust shall reserve and shall at all times have reserved out
of its authorized but unissued Common Shares a sufficient number of Common
Shares to permit the conversion of the then outstanding Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares. All Common Shares which may be issued upon conversion of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and not subject to preemptive or other similar rights. In order
that the Trust may issue Common Shares upon conversion of Series D Convertible
Preferred
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Shares, the Trust will endeavor to comply with all applicable Federal and State
securities laws and will endeavor to list such Common Shares to be issued upon
conversion on each securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed.
(f) The conversion rate in effect at any time shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as follows:
(i) In case the Trust shall (1) pay or make a distribution in
Common Shares to holders of the Common Shares, (2) reclassify the
outstanding Common Shares into shares of some other class or series of
shares, (3) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares into a greater
number of Common Shares or (4) combine the outstanding Common Shares
into a smaller number of Common Shares, the conversion rate
immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the holder
of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares thereafter surrendered
for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of Common
Shares which he would have owned immediately following such action had
such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares been converted immediately
prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section
13.4(7)(f)(i) shall become effective immediately after the record date
in the case of a distribution and shall become effective immediately
after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or
reclassification.
(ii) In case the Trust shall issue rights or warrants to all
holders of the Common Shares entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase Common Shares (or securities convertible into Common Shares)
at a price per share less than the current market price (as determined
pursuant to Section 13.4(7)(f)(iv)) of the Common Shares on such
record date, the number of Common Shares into which each Series D
Convertible Preferred Share shall be convertible shall be adjusted so
that the same shall be equal to the number determined by multiplying
the number of Common Shares into which such Series D Convertible
Preferred Share was convertible immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of Common
Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional
Common Shares offered (or into which the convertible securities so
offered are convertible), and of which the denominator shall be the
number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date, plus the
number of Common Shares which the aggregate offering price of the
additional Common Shares offered (or into which the convertible
securities so offered are convertible) would purchase at such current
market price. Such adjustments shall become effective immediately
after such record date for the determination of the holders of the
Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. For purposes of
this subsection (ii), the number of Common Shares at any time
outstanding shall not include Common Shares held in the treasury of
the Trust.
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(iii) In case the Trust shall distribute to all holders of the
Common Shares any class of shares of beneficial interest other than
the Common Shares, evidences of indebtedness or assets of the Trust
(other than cash distributions out of current or retained earnings),
or shall distribute to all holders of the Common Shares rights or
warrants to subscribe for securities (other than those referred to in
Section 13.4(7)(f)(ii)), then in each such case the number of Common
Shares into which each Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be
convertible shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the number
determined by multiplying the number of Common Shares into which such
Series D Convertible Preferred Share was convertible immediately prior
to the date of such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the current market price (determined as provided in Section
13.4(7)(f)(iv)) of the Common Shares on the record date mentioned
below, and of which the denominator shall be such current market price
of the Common Shares, less the then fair market value (as determined
by the Board of Trustees, whose determination shall be conclusive
evidence of such fair market value) of the portion of the securities
or assets so distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants
applicable to one Common Share. Such adjustment shall become effective
immediately after the record date for the determination of the holders
of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Trust shall
distribute rights or warrants (other than those referred to in Section
13.4(7)(f)(ii)) ("Rights") pro rata to holders of the Common Shares,
the Trust may, in lieu of making any adjustment pursuant to this
Section 13.4(7)(f)(iii), make proper provision so that each holder of
a Series D Convertible Preferred Share who converts such share after
the record date for such distribution and prior to the expiration or
redemption of the Rights shall be entitled to receive upon such
conversion, in addition to the Common Shares issuable upon such
conversion (the "Conversion Shares"), a number of Rights to be
determined as follows: (1) if such conversion occurs on or prior to
the date for the distribution to the holders of Rights of separate
certificates evidencing such Rights (the "Distribution Date"), the
same number of Rights to which a holder of a number of Common Shares
equal to the number of Conversion Shares is entitled at the time of
such conversion in accordance with the terms and provisions of and
applicable to the Rights; and (2) if such conversion occurs after the
Distribution Date, the same number of Rights to which a holder of the
number of Common Shares into which a Series D Convertible Preferred
Share so converted was convertible immediately prior to the
Distribution Date would have been entitled on the Distribution Date in
accordance with the terms and provisions of and applicable to the
Rights.
(iv) The current market price per share of the Common Shares on
any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices
for thirty consecutive
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trading days commencing forty-five trading days before the date in
question. The closing price for each day shall be the last reported
sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place
on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices
regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or if the
Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange,
on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted
to trading on any national securities exchange, the closing sale price
of the Common Shares or, in case no reported sale takes place, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, on NASDAQ or any
comparable system, or if the Common Shares are not quoted on NASDAQ or
any comparable system, the closing sale price or, in case no reported
sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, as
furnished by any two members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Trust for that
purpose.
(v) In any case in which this Section 13.4(7) shall require that
an adjustment be made immediately following a record date, the Trust
may elect to defer (but only until five business days following the
mailing of the notice described in Section 13.4(7)(j)) issuing to the
holder of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares converted after
such record date the Common Shares and other shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust issuable upon such conversion over and above the
Common Shares and other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
issuable upon such conversion only on the basis of the conversion rate
prior to adjustment; and, in lieu of the shares the issuance of which
is so deferred, the Trust shall issue or cause its transfer agents to
issue appropriate evidence of the right to receive such shares.
(g) No adjustment in the conversion rate shall be required until
cumulative adjustments result in a change of 1% or more of the conversion price
as in effect prior to the last adjustment of the conversion rate; provided,
however, that any adjustment which by reason of this Section 13.4(7)(g) is not
required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 13.4(7) shall be made
to the nearest cent ($.01) or to the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a share,
as the case may be. No adjustment to the conversion rate shall be made for cash
dividends.
(h) In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Section 13.4(7)(f), the holder of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any
shares of beneficial interest of the Trust other than Common Shares, thereafter
the number of such other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in
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a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Common Shares contained in this Section 13.4(7).
(i) The Trust may make such increases in the conversion rate, in
addition to those required by Sections 13.4(7)(f)(i), (ii) and (iii), as is
considered to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income
tax purposes as a distribution of shares or share rights shall not be taxable to
the recipients thereof.
(j) Whenever the conversion rate is adjusted, the Trust shall
promptly mail to all holders of record of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
a notice of the adjustment and shall cause to be prepared a certificate signed
by a principal financial officer of the Trust setting forth the adjusted
conversion rate and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment and
the computation thereof; such certificate shall forthwith be filed with each
transfer agent for the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
(k) In the event that:
(1) the Trust takes any action which would require an adjustment
in the conversion rate,
(2) the Trust consolidates or merges with, or transfers all or
substantially all of its assets to, another corporation and
shareholders of the Trust must approve the transaction, or
(3) there is a dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the
Trust,
a holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares may wish to convert some or
all of such shares into Common Shares prior to the record date for, or the
effective date of, the transaction so that he may receive the rights, warrants,
securities or assets which a holder of Common Shares on that date may receive.
Therefore, the Trust shall mail to holders of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares a notice stating the proposed record or effective date of the
transaction, as the case may be. The Trust shall mail the notice at least 10
days before such date; however, failure to mail such notice or any defect
therein shall not affect the validity of any transaction referred to in clauses
(1), (2) or (3) of this Section 13.4(7)(k).
(l) If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any
reclassification or change of outstanding Common Shares issuable upon conversion
of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (other than a change in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a
result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger to
which the Trust is a party other than a merger in which the Trust is the
surviving entity and which does not result in any reclassification of, or change
(other than a change in name, or par value, or from par value to no par value,
or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
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combination) in, outstanding Common Shares or (iii) any sale, transfer or lease
of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Trust as an
entirety, then the Trust, or such successor or purchasing entity, as the case
may be, shall, as a condition precedent to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, provide in its charter document
that each Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be convertible into the
kind and amount of shares of stock or beneficial interest and other securities
and property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of
Common Shares deliverable upon conversion of such Series D Convertible Preferred
Share immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer or lease. Such charter document shall provide for adjustments
which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments
provided for in this Section 13.4(7). The foregoing, however, shall not in any
way affect the right that a holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares may
otherwise have, pursuant to clause (2) of the last sentence of Section
13.4(7)(f)(iii), to receive Rights upon conversion of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares. If, in the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale,
transfer or lease, the shares of stock or beneficial interest or other
securities and property (including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of the
Common Shares includes shares of stock or beneficial interest or other
securities and property of a corporation other than the successor or purchasing
corporation, as the case may be, in such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer
or lease, then the charter document of such other corporation shall contain such
additional provisions to protect the interests of the holders of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares as the Board of Trustees shall reasonably consider
necessary by reason of the foregoing. The provisions of this Section 13.4(7)(l)
shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or
leases.
8. Ranking. With regard to rights to receive distributions and
amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall rank senior to the Common Shares and
on a parity with any other preferred shares issued by the Trust, unless the
terms of such other preferred shares provide otherwise and, if applicable, the
requirements of Section 9 hereof have been complied with. However, the Trust may
authorize or increase any class or series of shares of beneficial interest
ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference without the vote or
consent of the holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
9. Limitations. In addition to any other rights provided by
applicable law, so long as any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are
outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the affirmative vote, or the written
consent as provided by law, of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
total number of outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a
class,
(a) authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of, or rights to subscribe to or
acquire, any security
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convertible into, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest
ranking as to distribution rights or the liquidation preference,
senior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, or reclassify any
shares of beneficial interest into any such shares; or
(b) amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, any of the provisions of this Declaration that would change
the preferences, rights or powers with respect to the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares so as to affect the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares adversely;
but (except as otherwise required by applicable law) nothing herein contained
shall require such a vote or consent (i) in connection with any increase in the
total number of authorized Common Shares, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or increase of any class or series of shares of beneficial
interest ranking, as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference, on a
parity with or junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares; and provided
further that no such vote or written consent of the holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be required if, at or prior to the time when
the issuance of any such shares ranking senior to the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares is to be made or any such change is to take effect, as the case
may be, proper notice has been given and sufficient funds have been irrevocably
deposited in trust for the redemption of all the then outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares.
10. No Preemptive Rights. No holder of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares will possess any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire
any unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (whether now or
hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust convertible into or carrying a
right to subscribe to or acquire shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.
Section 13.5. Series E Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.3 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest consisting of
2,300,000 shares designated as the "Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest" (the "Series E Preferred Shares"), and having a
par value of $.01 per share, is hereby established on the following terms:
A. Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this paragraph
(A) shall have, for all purposes of the provisions of this Declaration in
respect of the Series E Preferred Shares, the meanings herein specified (with
terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural).
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Business Day. The term "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or
executive order to close.
Capital Stock. The term "Capital Stock" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests,
participants or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person
and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.
Code. The term "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
Common Equity. The term "Common Equity" shall mean all shares now or
hereafter authorized of any class of common shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust, including the Common Shares, and any other shares of beneficial interest
of the Trust, howsoever designated, which has the right (subject always to prior
rights of any class or series of preferred shares of beneficial interest) to
participate in the distribution of the assets and earnings of the Trust without
limit as to per share amount.
Common Shares. The term "Common Shares" shall mean the Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
Distribution Payment Date. The term "Distribution Payment Date" shall have
the meaning set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (B) below.
Distribution Period. The term "Distribution Period" shall mean the period
from, and including, the Initial Issue Date to, but not including, the first
Distribution Payment Date and thereafter, each quarterly period from, and
including, the Distribution Payment Date to, but not including, the next
Distribution Payment Date.
Initial Issue Date. The term "Initial Issue Date" shall mean the date that
Series E Preferred Shares are first issued by the Trust.
Junior Shares. The term "Junior Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) the Common Equity and any other class or series of shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust which is not entitled to receive any distributions in any
Distribution Period unless all distributions required to have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment on the Series E Preferred Shares shall have
been so paid or declared and set apart for payment and (ii) the Common Equity
and any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
which is not entitled to receive any assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust until the Series E Preferred
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Shares shall have received the entire amount to which such Class B Preferred
Shares is entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Liquidation Preference. The term "Liquidation Preference" shall mean
$25.00 per share.
Parity Shares. The term "Parity Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust which is
entitled to receive payment of distributions on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Shares or (ii) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust which is entitled to receive assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust on a parity with the Series E Preferred
Shares. The term "Parity Shares" shall include the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, and Series C Preferred Shares.
Person. The term "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation,
partnership, estate, trust (including a trust classified under Section 401(a) or
501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be
used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code,
association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the
Code, joint stock company or other entity, and also includes a group as that
term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, but does not include an underwriter which participates in a
public offering of the Series E Preferred Shares, provided that such ownership
by such underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held" within
the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or otherwise result in the Trust
failing to qualify as a REIT.
Record Date. The term "Record Date" shall mean the date designated by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust at the time a distribution is declared, provided,
however, that such Record Date shall be the first day of the calendar month in
which the applicable Distribution Payment Date falls or such other date
designated by the Board of Trustees for the payment of distributions that is not
more than ninety (90) days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Redemption Date. The term "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set
forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (D) below.
Redemption Price. The term "Redemption Price" shall mean a price per
Series E Preferred Share equal to $25.00 together with accrued and unpaid
distributions, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date, without interest.
REIT. The term "REIT" shall mean a real estate investment trust under
Section 856 of the Code.
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Senior Shares. The term "Senior Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking
senior to the Series E Preferred Shares in respect of the right to receive
distributions or (ii) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Shares in respect of the
right to participate in any distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust.
B. Distributions.
1. The record holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive distributions, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees, out
of assets legally available for payment of distributions. Such distributions
shall be payable by the Trust in cash at a rate of 9.65% of the Liquidation
Preference per annum (equivalent to $2.4125 per Series E Preferred Share per
annum).
2. Distributions on Series E Preferred Shares shall accrue and be
cumulative from the Initial Issue Date. Distributions shall be payable quarterly
in arrears when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on
January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, a "Distribution
Payment Date"), commencing on the business day succeeding October 15, 1995. If
any Distribution Payment Date occurs on a day that is not a Business Day, any
accrued distributions otherwise payable on such Distribution Payment Date shall
be paid on the next succeeding Business Day. The amount of distributions payable
on Series E Preferred Shares for each full Distribution Period shall be computed
by dividing by four (4) the annual distribution rate set forth in subparagraph
(1) of this paragraph (B) above. Distributions payable in respect of any
Distribution Period which is less than a full Distribution Period in length will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Distributions shall be paid to the holders of record of the Series E Preferred
Shares as their names shall appear on the share records of the Trust at the
close of business on the Record Date for such distribution. Distributions in
respect of any past Distribution Periods that are in arrears may be declared and
paid at any time to holders of record on the Record Date therefor. Any
distribution payment made on Series E Preferred Shares shall be first credited
against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due which remains payable.
Upon issuance, the Series E Preferred Shares will rank on a parity as to
distributions with the Convertible Preferred Shares, Series A Preferred Shares,
Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares.
3. If any Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, no full
distributions shall be authorized or paid or set apart for payment on any other
class or series of Shares ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Shares as to distributions for any period unless full cumulative
distributions have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or
authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such
payment on the Series E Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and
the then current Distribution Period. When
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distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is
not so set apart) upon the Series E Preferred Shares and any other class or
series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to distributions with the
Series E Preferred Shares, all distributions authorized upon the Series E
Preferred Shares and any other such class or series of Shares shall be
authorized pro rata so that the amount of distributions authorized per share on
the Series E Preferred Shares and such class or series of Shares shall in all
cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid distributions
per share on the Series E Preferred Shares and such class or series of Shares
bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be
payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series E
Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.
4. Except as provided in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph (B), unless
full cumulative distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares have been or
contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods and
the then current Distribution Period, no distributions (other than in common
shares or other shares ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Shares as to
distributions and upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the affairs of
the Trust) shall be authorized or paid or set apart for payment or other
distribution shall be authorized or made upon any Junior Shares or Parity Shares
nor shall any Junior Shares or Parity Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a
sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Trust (except by
conversion into or exchange for other shares of the Trust ranking junior to the
Series E Preferred Shares as to distributions and upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the affairs of the Trust).
5. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no
distributions on Series E Preferred Shares shall be authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or paid or set apart for payment by the Trust at such time
as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Trust, including any
agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or
setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, payment or
setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default
thereunder, or to the extent such authorization, payment or setting apart for
payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
6. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares, if not paid on the applicable
Distribution Payment Date, will accrue whether or not distributions are
authorized for such Distribution Payment Date, whether or not the Trust has
earnings and whether or not there are assets legally available for the payment
of such distributions.
7. If the Board of Trustees determines that it is permissible under
applicable law and that the distributions will qualify for the dividends paid
deduction (within the meaning of Sections 561 and 562 of the Code or any
successor provisions thereto), such distributions shall be paid as follows:
first, from income of the Trust other than net capital gains, and the balance,
if any, from
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net capital gains of the Trust. If the Board of Trustees determines, in its sole
discretion, that distributions to be paid in accordance with the preceding
sentence might not qualify for such dividends paid deduction, or might not be
permissible under applicable law, then such distributions shall be paid in a
manner determined by the Board of Trustees.
C. Distributions Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
1. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Trust, subject to the prior preferences and other
rights of any Senior Shares as to liquidation preferences, but before any
distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Shares as to
the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust, the holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust legally available for
distribution to its shareholders liquidating distributions in cash or property
at its fair market value as determined by the Board of Trustees in the amount of
the Liquidation Preference per share plus an amount equal to all distributions
accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to
which they are entitled, the holders of Series E Preferred Shares will have no
right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust and shall not be
entitled to any other distribution in the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust.
2. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the legally available assets of the Trust are
insufficient to pay the amount of the Liquidation Preference per share plus an
amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid on the Series E Preferred
Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of Parity Shares as
to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares and all such Parity Shares shall
share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full
liquidating distributions to which they otherwise would be respectively
entitled. Upon issuance, the Series E Preferred Shares will rank on parity with
the Series A Convertible Preferred Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, Series B
Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares as to the distribution of assets
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust.
Neither the consolidation or merger of the Trust into or with another entity nor
the dissolution, liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the Trust
immediately followed by incorporation of another corporation to which such
assets are distributed, nor the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Trust to another entity shall be deemed a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust within the
meaning of this paragraph (C); provided, however, that, in each case, effective
provision is made in the charter of the resulting or surviving corporation or
otherwise for the recognition, preservation and protection of the rights of the
holders of the Series E Preferred Shares.
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3. In determining whether a distribution by dividend, redemption or other
acquisition of Shares or otherwise is permitted under Maryland law, no effect
shall be given to 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 shareholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are
superior to those receiving the distribution.
D. Redemption by the Trust.
1. The Series E Preferred Shares may be redeemed for cash, in whole or
from time to time in part, on any date on or after August 24, 2000 at the option
of the Trust at the Redemption Price. The Redemption Price of the Series E
Preferred Shares (other than any portion thereof consisting of accrued and
unpaid distributions) may be paid solely from the sale of proceeds of Capital
Stock of the Trust.
2. Each date fixed for redemption pursuant to subparagraph (1) of this
paragraph (D) is called a "Redemption Date". If the Redemption Date is after a
Record Date and before the related Distribution Payment Date, the distribution
payable on such Distribution Payment Date shall be paid to the holder in whose
name the Series E Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the close of
business on such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption thereof between such
Record Date and the related Distribution Payment Date or the Trust's default in
the payment of the distribution.
3. In case of redemption of less than all of the Series E Preferred
Shares at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected by
the Trust pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to
the number of shares held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption
of fractional shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the Board
of Trustees.
4. Notice of any redemption will be given by publication in a newspaper
of general circulation in the City of New York, such publication to be made once
a week for two successive weeks commencing not less than 30 nor more than 60
days prior to the Redemption Date. A similar notice will be mailed by the Trust,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series E Preferred
Shares to be redeemed at their respective addressees as they appear on the share
transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such notice or any defect
therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings
for the redemption of any Series E Preferred Shares except as to any holder to
whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except as to any holder to whom
notice was defective. In addition to any information required by law or by the
applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series E Preferred Shares may be
listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price; (iii) the number of Series E Preferred Shares to be
redeemed and, if less than all shares held by the particular holder
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are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or
places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of
the Redemption Price; and (v) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed
will cease to accrue on the Redemption Date.
5. If notice has been mailed in accordance with subparagraph (4) of this
paragraph (D), and such notice provided that on or before the Redemption Date
specified therein all funds necessary for such redemption shall have been set
aside by the Trust, separate and apart from its other funds in trust for the pro
rata benefit of the holders of the shares so called for redemption, so as to be,
and to continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the Redemption
Date, distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares so called for redemption
shall cease to accrue, and said shares shall no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and shall not have the status of Series E Preferred Shares, and all
rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the right to
receive from the Trust the Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon surrender, in
accordance with said notice, of the certificates for any shares so redeemed
(properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and
the notice shall so state), such shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued
representing the unredeemed shares without cost to the holder thereof.
6. Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the purpose of
redeeming Series E Preferred Shares shall be irrevocable except that:
a. the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust
company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited
in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed shall have no claim to such
interest or other earnings; and
b. any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust and unclaimed by
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares entitled thereto at the expiration
of two (2) years from the applicable Redemption Date shall be repaid, together
with any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Trust, and after any
such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the
Trust shall look only to the Trust for payment without interest or other
earnings.
7. No Series E Preferred Shares may be redeemed except with assets
legally available for the payment of the Redemption Price.
8. Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series E Preferred Shares
shall have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period, no Series E
Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares are simultaneously redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series E Preferred Shares pursuant to
a purchase or exchange offer
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made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series E Preferred Shares,
provided further, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Series E Preferred Shares from persons owning in the aggregate
9.8% or more of the number or value of the total outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust or 20% or more of the number or value of the
total outstanding Series E Preferred Shares pursuant to provisions of the
Declaration of Trust. Unless full cumulative distributions on all outstanding
Series E Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid
or authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment
for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period, the
Trust shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any Series
E Preferred Shares (except by exchange for shares of the Trust ranking junior to
the Series E Preferred Shares as to distributions and upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust).
9. All Series E Preferred Shares redeemed pursuant to this paragraph (D)
shall be retired and shall be reclassified as authorized and unissued preferred
shares, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be
reissued as any class or series of preferred shares.
E. Voting Rights.
1. The holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote
on any matter except (i) as provided in paragraph (K), (ii) as provided in
subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E), or (iii) as specifically required by
law.
2. In the event the Trust shall have failed to authorize and pay or set
apart for payment in full the distributions accumulated on the outstanding
Series E Preferred Shares for any six or more quarterly Distribution Periods,
regardless of whether such quarterly periods are consecutive (a "Preferential
Distribution Non-Payment"), the number of trustees of the Trust shall be
increased by two and the holders of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares,
voting together as a class with all other classes or series of preferred shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights and then entitled to vote on the election of such
additional two trustees, shall be entitled to elect such two additional trustees
until the full distributions accumulated on all outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares have been authorized and paid or set apart for payment. Upon the
occurrence of a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment or a vacancy in the office
of a Preferred Shares Trustee (as defined below), the Board of Trustees shall
within a reasonable period call a special meeting of the holders of the Series E
Preferred Shares and all holders of other classes or series of preferred shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights who are then entitled to vote on the election of such
additional trustee or trustees for the purpose of electing the additional
trustee or trustees. If and when all accumulated distributions on the Series E
Preferred Shares have been authorized and paid or set aside for payment in full,
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares shall be divested of the special
voting rights provided by this
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subparagraph (2) of paragraph (E), subject to revesting in the event of each and
every subsequent Preferential Distribution Non-Payment. Upon termination of such
special voting rights attributable to all holders of the Series E Preferred
Shares and shares of any other class or series of preferred shares of the Trust
ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect to
distribution rights, the term of office of each trustee elected by the holders
of the Series E Preferred Shares and such parity preferred shares (a "Preferred
Shares Trustee") pursuant to such special voting rights shall forthwith
terminate and the number of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees
shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Shares Trustees. In the event the
holders of the outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Shares shall become
entitled to vote on the election of additional trustees because the Trust shall
have failed to declare and pay or set apart for payment in full the
distributions accumulated on the outstanding Convertible Preferred Shares for
any six consecutive quarterly distribution payment periods, the term of office
of each Preferred Shares Trustee previously elected by holders of Series E
Preferred Shares shall forthwith terminate and the holders of the Series E
Preferred Shares, voting together as a class with all other classes or series of
preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred
Shares with respect to distribution rights and then entitled to vote on the
election of two additional trustees, shall be entitled to elect such two
additional trustees pursuant to this paragraph (E). Any Preferred Shares Trustee
may be removed only by the vote of the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding Series E Preferred Shares and all other series of preferred shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights who would then be entitled to vote in such Preferred
Shares Trustee's election, voting together as a separate class, at a meeting
called for such purpose.
3. So long as any Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, the number
of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust shall at all
times be such that the exercise, by the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares
and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights, of the right to
elect trustees under the circumstances provided for in subparagraph (2) of this
paragraph (E) will not contravene any other provision of this Declaration
restricting the number of trustees which may constitute the entire Board of
Trustees.
4. Trustees elected pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E)
shall serve until the earlier of (x) the next annual meeting of the shareholders
of the Trust and the election (by the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares
and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights) and qualification
of their respective successors or (y) the termination of the term of office of
each Preferred Shares Trustee upon the termination of the special voting rights
as provided for in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E) or as otherwise
provided for in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E).
5. So long as a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall continue, any
vacancy in the office of a Preferred Shares Trustee may be filled by vote of the
holders of record of a majority
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of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares and all other series of preferred
shares ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect to
distribution rights who are then entitled to vote in the election of such
Preferred Shares Trustee as provided above. As long as the Preferential
Distribution Non-Payment shall continue, holders of the Series E Preferred
Shares shall not, as such shareholders, be entitled to vote on the election or
removal of trustees other than Preferred Shares Trustees, but shall not be
divested of any other voting rights provided to such shareholders by law or this
Declaration of Trust with respect to any other matter to be acted upon by the
shareholders of the Trust.
F. Trustees' Right to Refuse to Transfer Series E Preferred Shares;
Limitation on Holdings.
1. The terms and provisions of this paragraph (F) shall apply in addition
to, and not in limitation of, the terms and provisions of Article 7.
2. Each Person who owns directly or indirectly more than five percent in
number or value of the total Series E Preferred Shares outstanding shall, by
January 30 of each year, give written notice to the Trust stating the Person's
name and address, the number of Series E Preferred Shares directly or indirectly
owned by such Person, and a description of the capacity in which such Series E
Preferred Shares are held. For purposes of this Section 13.5, the number and
value of the total Series E Preferred Shares outstanding shall be determined by
the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for
all purposes hereunder. In addition, each direct or indirect holder of Series E
Preferred Shares, irrespective of such shareholder's percentage ownership of
outstanding Series E Preferred Shares, shall upon demand disclose to the Trust
in writing such information with respect to the direct or indirect ownership of
Series E Preferred Shares as the Board of Trustees deems necessary from time to
time to enable the Board of Trustees to determine whether the Trust complies
with the REIT Provisions of the Code (as defined in Section 1.5 of the
Declaration of Trust), to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority
or governmental agency or to determine any such compliance or to determine any
such compliance with this paragraph (F).
3. If, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be binding
upon any prospective acquiror of Series E Preferred Shares, any proposed
transfer or issuance would jeopardize the status of the Trust as a REIT under
the REIT Provisions of the Code, the Board of Trustees shall have the right, but
not the duty, to refuse to permit such transfer or issuance or refuse to give
effect to such transfer or issuance and to take any action to cause any such
transfer not to occur or to void any such issuance.
4. As a condition to any transfer and/or registration of transfer on the
books of the Trust of any Series E Preferred Shares which could result in direct
or indirect ownership (as hereinafter defined) of Series E Preferred Shares
exceeding 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series E
Preferred Shares outstanding (the "Series E Excess Preferred
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Shares") by a Person other than a Series E Preferred Excepted Person (as defined
in subparagraph (5) below), such prospective transferee shall give written
notice to the Trust of the proposed transfer and shall furnish such opinions of
counsel, affidavits, undertakings, agreements and information as may be required
by the Board of Trustees no later than the 15th day prior to any transfer which,
if consummated, would result in such ownership.
5. Any transfer or issuance of Series E Preferred Shares that would (i)
create a direct or indirect owner of Series E Excess Preferred Shares other than
a Series E Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being "closely
held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void ab initio
and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights afforded to
owners of Series E Preferred Shares hereunder and shall be deemed never to have
had an interest therein.
"Series E Preferred Excepted Person" shall mean any Person approved by the
Board of Trustees, at their option and in their sole discretion, provided,
however, that such approval shall not be granted to any Person whose ownership
of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series
E Preferred Shares outstanding would result, directly, indirectly or as a result
of attribution of ownership, in termination of the status of the Trust as a REIT
under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
6. The Trust, by notice to the holder thereof, may purchase any or all
Series E Preferred Shares that are proposed to be transferred pursuant to a
transfer which, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be binding
upon any proposed transferor or transferee of Series E Preferred Shares, would
result in any Person acquiring Series E Excess Preferred Shares, or would
otherwise jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust
under the REIT Provisions of the Code. The Trust shall have the power, by lot or
other means deemed equitable by the Board of Trustees in their sole discretion,
to purchase such Series E Excess Preferred Shares from the prospective
transferor. The purchase price for any Series E Excess Preferred Shares shall be
equal to the fair market value of the Series E Preferred Shares on the last
trading day immediately preceding the day on which notice of such proposed
transfer is sent, as reflected in the closing sale price for the Series E
Preferred Shares, if then listed on a national securities exchange, or such
price for the Series E Preferred Shares on the principal exchange if then listed
on more than one national securities exchange, or if the Series E Preferred
Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the latest bid
quotation for the Series E Preferred Shares if then traded over-the-counter, or,
if no such closing sales prices or quotations are available, then the purchase
price shall be equal to the fair market value of such Series E Preferred Shares
as determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith. Prompt payment of the
purchase price shall be made in cash by the Trust in such manner as may be
determined by the Board of Trustees. From and after the date fixed for purchase
by the Board of Trustees, and so long as payment of the purchase price for the
Series E Preferred Shares to be so redeemed shall have been made or duly
provided for, the holder of any Series E Excess Preferred Shares so called for
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purchase shall cease to be entitled to dividends, distributions, voting rights
and other benefits with respect to such Series E Preferred Shares, excepting
only the right to payment of the purchase price fixed as aforesaid. Any dividend
or distribution paid to a proposed transferee of Series E Excess Preferred
Shares prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series E Preferred Shares
have been transferred in violation of this paragraph (F) shall be repaid to the
Trust upon demand.
7. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration or the Trust's
Bylaws, subparagraphs (5), (6), (7) and (8) of this paragraph (F) may not be
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
a majority of the Series E Preferred Shares then outstanding and entitled to
vote. If subparagraph (5), (6), (7) or (8) of this paragraph (F) is determined
to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or
regulation, then the acquiror of Series E Preferred Shares in violation of such
sections shall be deemed, at the option of the Trust, to have acted as agent on
behalf of the Trust in acquiring such Series E Preferred Shares on behalf of the
Trust.
8. Subject to subparagraph (12), notwithstanding any other provision of
this Section 13.5 to the contrary, any purported transfer, sale or acquisition
of Series E Preferred Shares (whether such purported transfer, sale or
acquisition results from the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership of
Series E Preferred Shares) which would result in the termination of the status
of the Trust as a REIT under the REIT Provisions of the Code shall be null and
void ab initio. Any such Series E Preferred Shares may be treated by the Board
of Trustees in the manner prescribed for Series E Excess Preferred Shares in
subparagraph (6) of this paragraph (F).
9. Subject to subparagraph (12), nothing contained in this paragraph (F)
or in any other provision of this Section 13.5 shall limit the authority of the
Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable
to protect the Trust and the interests of the shareholders by preservation of
the Trust's status as a REIT under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
10. If any provision of this paragraph (F) or any application of any such
provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to
the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court. To the
extent this paragraph (F) may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Section 13.5, this paragraph (F) shall be controlling.
11. For purposes of this Section 13.5, Series E Preferred Shares not owned
directly shall be deemed to be owned indirectly by a person if that person or a
group of which he is a member would be the beneficial owner of such Series E
Preferred Shares, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and/or would be considered to own such Series E Preferred
Shares by reason of the REIT Provisions of the Code.
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12. Notwithstanding any other provision of paragraph (F), nothing in this
Section 13.5 shall preclude the settlement of transactions entered into through
the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The fact that the settlement
of any transaction is permitted shall not negate the effect of any other
provision of this paragraph (F) and any transferee in such a transaction shall
be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this paragraph
(F).
G. Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series E Preferred Shares
shall not have any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption other than specifically set forth in this Declaration.
H. Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions in this Section 13.5 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
I. Severability of Provisions.
If any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption of the Series E Preferred Shares set forth in this
Declaration is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any
rule of law or public policy, all other preferences or other rights, voting
powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms
or conditions of redemption of Series E Preferred Shares set forth in this
Declaration which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or
unenforceable provision thereof shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and
effect and no preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption of the Series E Preferred Shares herein set forth shall
be deemed dependent upon any other provision thereof unless so expressed
therein.
J. Ranking.
With regard to rights to receive distributions and amounts payable upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series E Preferred
Shares shall rank senior to the Common Shares and on a parity with any other
preferred shares issued by the Trust, unless the terms of such other preferred
shares provide otherwise and, if applicable, the requirements of Paragraph K
hereof have been complied with. However, the Trust may authorize or increase any
class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking on a parity with or
junior to the Series E
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Preferred Shares as to distribution rights or liquidation preference without the
vote or consent of the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares.
K. Limitations.
In addition to any other rights provided by applicable law, so long as any
Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the
affirmative vote, or the written consent as provided by law, of the holders of
at least two-thirds of the total number of outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares, voting as a class,
1. authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of, or rights to subscribe to or
acquire, any security convertible into, any class or series of shares
of beneficial interest ranking as to distribution rights or
liquidation preference, senior to the Series E Preferred Shares, or
reclassify any shares of beneficial interest into any such shares; or
2. amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, any of the provisions of this Declaration that would change
the preferences, rights or powers with respect to the Series E
Preferred Shares so as to affect the Series E Preferred Shares
materially and adversely;
but (except as otherwise required by applicable law) nothing herein contained
shall require such a vote or consent (i) in connection with any increase in the
total number of authorized Common Shares, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or increase of any class or series of shares of beneficial
interest ranking, as to distribution rights and liquidation preference, on a
parity with or junior to the Series E Preferred Shares; provided, however, that
no such vote or written consent of the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares
shall be required if, at or prior to the time when the issuance of any such
shares ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Shares is to be made or any such
change is to take effect, as the case may be, proper notice has been given and
sufficient funds have been irrevocably deposited in trust for the redemption of
all the then outstanding Series E Preferred Shares.
L. No Preemptive Rights.
No holder of Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to any preemptive
rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust
convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust.
-82-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust has been
signed on this _____ day of ________, 1997, by the undersigned Trustees, each of
whom acknowledge that this document is his free act and deed, that, to the best
of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth herein
are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the
penalties for perjury.
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Samuel Zell Douglas Crocker II
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Sheli Z. Rosenberg Gerald A. Spector
____________________________________ ____________________________________
James D. Harper, Jr. Errol R. Halperin
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Barry S. Sternlicht John Alexander
____________________________________ ____________________________________
B. Joseph White Henry H. Goldberg
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Jeffrey M. Lynford Edward Lowenthal
-83-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
---------
TRUSTEES OF SURVIVING TRUST
---------------------------
Trustee Term Expires
- ------- ------------
Samuel Zell
Douglas Crocker II
Sheli Z. Rosenberg
Gerald A. Spector
James D. Harper, Jr.
Errol R. Halperin
Barry S. Sternlicht
John W. Alexander
B. Joseph White
Henry H. Goldberg
Jeffrey H. Lynford
Edward Lowenthal
96
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 1997,
by and between WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a Maryland real estate
investment trust ("Wellsford Parent"), and WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a
Maryland corporation ("Newco").
RECITALS:
--------
WHEREAS, Wellsford Parent and Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"),
providing for the merger of EQR with Wellsford Parent (the "Merger"), with
Wellsford Parent continuing as the surviving entity of the Merger, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Wellsford Parent has determined that
Wellsford Parent can maximize the value of certain of its assets by not
conveying them in the Merger, and EQR has indicated that it has no interest in
acquiring such assets;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Wellsford Parent has deemed it
appropriate and advisable, in order to enhance value for the shareholders of
Wellsford Parent, prior to the Merger and as contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, to (i) contribute to Newco certain of the assets and liabilities of
Wellsford Parent and (ii) distribute, immediately prior to the Merger, as a
taxable distribution to the holders of Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$.01 par value of Wellsford Parent (the "Wellsford Parent Common Shares"), all
of the outstanding shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of Newco owned by
Wellsford Parent (the "Newco Common Stock");
WHEREAS, following such contribution and distribution, EQR shall acquire
the remaining businesses, operations, assets and liabilities of Wellsford Parent
and its remaining direct and indirect subsidiaries pursuant to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, Wellsford Parent and Newco have determined that it is necessary
and desirable to set forth the transactions required to effect such contribution
and distribution and to set forth other agreements that will govern certain
other matters following such distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 1
---------
DEFINITIONS
-----------
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined):
"Action" means any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any court, any governmental or other regulatory or
administrative agency or commission or any arbitration tribunal.
"Affiliate" means, when used with respect to a specified person,
another person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, the person specified.
"Agent" means the distribution agent to be appointed by Wellsford
Parent to distribute to the Holders the shares of Newco Common Stock pursuant to
the Distribution.
"Assumed Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including any successor
legislation.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Confidential Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
"Contributed Asset" and "Contributed Assets" have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1.
"Contribution" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
"Credit Enhancement Agreement" means the Credit Enhancement Agreement
of even date herewith between ERP Operating Partnership and Newco.
"Distribution" means the distribution prior to the effective time of
the Merger by Wellsford Parent to the Holders of all the outstanding shares of
Newco Common Stock owned by Wellsford Parent on the Distribution Date on the
basis of one share of Newco Common Stock for each outstanding Wellsford Parent
Common Share.
"Distribution Date" means the date determined pursuant to Section 3.1
on which the Distribution will be effected.
2
<PAGE>
"Distribution Record Date" means the close of business on the date to
be determined by the Board of Trustees of Wellsford Parent as the record date
for determining the shareholders of Wellsford Parent entitled to receive Newco
Common Stock in the Distribution, which will be the date on which the Merger is
effected.
"Effective Time" means the time on the Distribution Date when
Wellsford Parent delivers to the Agent instructions directing the Agent to
effect the Distribution.
"ERP Operating Partnership" means ERP Operating Limited Partnership,
an Illinois limited partnership, of which EQR is the general partner.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Governmental Authority" means any government or any agency, bureau,
board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal
or other instrumentality of any government, whether federal, state or local,
domestic or foreign.
"Headquarter Lease" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
"Holder" means a holder of record of Wellsford Parent Common Shares on
the Distribution Record Date.
"Indemnifying Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
"Indemnitee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
"Indemnitee Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.
"Intellectual Property Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.1.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
"Liabilities" means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, including, without
limitation, Taxes and those debts, liabilities and obligations arising under any
law, rule, regulation, Action, threatened Action, order or consent decree of any
court, any governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or
commission or any award of any arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any
contract, commitment or undertaking.
"Losses" and "Loss" mean any and all losses, charges, Liabilities,
claims, damages, penalties and costs or expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees and any
3
<PAGE>
and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or
defending against any Actions or threatened Actions).
"Merger" has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Newco Common Stock" has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Newco Indemnitees" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
"Newco Liabilities" means, collectively, (i) all the Liabilities of
Newco under this Agreement, (ii) all the Liabilities arising out of or in
connection with or otherwise relating to (A) the Assumed Liabilities, (B) the
Liabilities of Newco and the Newco Subsidiaries, whether incurred before or
after the Effective Time, and (C) the assets and conduct of the business of
Newco and the Newco Subsidiaries, whether incurred before or after the Effective
Time, but shall exclude the liabilities and benefits of Wellsford Parent under
the Tri-Party Agreement.
"Newco Subsidiaries" mean all Subsidiaries of Newco after giving
effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
"Note" means the Promissory Note dated June 28, 1996 by Specified
Properties VIII, L.P., a Texas limited partnership.
"Palomino Agreement" means the Agreement regarding Palomino Park of
even date herewith between Newco and ERP Operating Partnership.
"Palomino Bonds" mean the Assessment Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 1995,
issued by PPPIC in the original aggregate principal amount of $14,755,000,
pursuant to a Trust Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995.
"Palomino Park" means the Overall Property, as defined in the Palomino
Agreement.
"PPPIC" means Palomino Park Public Improvement Corporation, a Colorado
nonprofit corporation.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statement on Form 10
(or other applicable form) to be filed with the Commission by Newco pursuant to
the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, in order to register the Newco Common Stock under
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.
"Representatives" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
4
<PAGE>
"Retained Subsidiaries" means all Subsidiaries of Wellsford Parent
other than the Newco Subsidiaries.
"S-4" means the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with
the Commission relating to shares issued in connection with the Merger.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Sonterra Documents" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
"Subsidiary" means any entity at least 51% of the total outstanding
voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by another entity.
"Taxes" means all taxes, charges and fees imposed by the United States
or any state, county, local or foreign government or subdivision or agency
thereof.
"Third-Party Claim" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.
"Transaction Costs Agreement" means the Transaction and Termination
Costs Agreement of even date herewith among Wellsford Parent, EQR and Newco.
"Transition Period" means the period from the Effective Time until
three months following the Effective Time.
"Tri-Party Agreement" means the Tri-Party Agreement executed by
Wellsford Parent in favor of NationsBank, N.A., as lender under the construction
loan financing for Phase I of Palomino Park.
"Wellsford Parent Common Shares" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals.
"Wellsford Parent Indemnitees" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.2.
"Wellsford Parent Liabilities" means, collectively, (i) all the
Liabilities of Wellsford Parent under this Agreement, (ii) all the Liabilities
of Wellsford Parent and the Retained Subsidiaries (other than the Newco
Liabilities), whether arising before or after the Effective Time, and (iii) the
liabilities and benefits of Wellsford Parent under the Tri-Party Agreement.
"WPHC" means Wellsford Park Highlands Corp., a Colorado corporation.
5
<PAGE>
References to a "Schedule" are, unless otherwise specified, to one of
the Schedules attached to this Agreement, and references to a "Section" are,
unless otherwise specified, to one of the Sections of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
---------
CONTRIBUTION OF PROPERTIES
AND ASSETS TO NEWCO
-------------------------------
2.1 Contribution. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, immediately prior to the Distribution Date, Wellsford Parent shall,
without any representations or warranties, express or implied, assign, transfer,
convey and deliver to Newco all of Wellsford Parent's right, title and interest
in and to the following properties and assets (each a "Contributed Asset", and
collectively, the "Contributed Assets"):
(a) all agreements and other documents in connection with a 344-unit
apartment project located in Tucson, Arizona, and commonly known as Sonterra at
Williams Centre, including, without limitation, those agreements and documents
(the "Sonterra Documents") which are listed on Schedule 2.1(a) attached hereto;
(b) any and all funds (other than payments of principal and interest
under the Note received prior to the Distribution Date), held by Wellsford
Parent or its designees under the Sonterra Documents, including, without
limitation, any and all tax deposits held pursuant to the Deed of Trust;
(c) eighty (80) shares of Class A Common Stock of WPHC, constituting
80% of the outstanding shares of WPHC and 100% of the outstanding voting shares
of WPHC;
(d) cash in the amount (determined pursuant to Section 1.10 of the
Merger Agreement (the "Contribution Funds")) of $_______________;
(e) the split dollar life insurance agreements listed on Schedule
2.1(e) hereto;
(f) the Merrill Lynch Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Trust
Agreement, dated June 20, 1994, by and between Wellsford Parent and Merrill
Lynch Trust Company;
(g) the Merrill Lynch Special Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
adopted by Wellsford Parent;
6
<PAGE>
(h) any rights of Wellsford Parent under the Operating Agreement of
Park at Highlands LLC dated as of April 27, 1995, as amended, and the Operating
Agreement of Red Canyon at Palomino Park LLC, as amended;
(i) any rights of Wellsford Parent under the Reimbursement Agreement
dated December 1, 1995 between PPPIC and Wellsford Parent;
(j) the Palomino Park Promissory Note dated December 20, 1993 from
PPPIC to Roger, delivered pursuant to the Reimbursement Agreement described in
clause (i) of this definition;
(k) the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll dated December
20, 1995, addressed, inter alia, to Roger, with respect to the Bonds;
(l) any other agreements between PPPIC and Wellsford Parent, and any
other agreements of third parties which run to the benefit of Wellsford Parent
with respect to the Palomino Bonds;
(m) the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement dated December 1,
1995 among PPPIC, Wellsford Parent and Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch;
(n) any agreements executed by Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch in
favor of Wellsford Parent;
(o) any rights of Wellsford Parent under the Bond Pledge and Security
Agreement dated December 1, 1995 among PPPIC, Wellsford Parent and Dresdner Bank
AG, New York Branch;
(p) any other rights or interest of Wellsford Parent and any of the
Retained Subsidiaries in any of the documents and agreements regarding Palomino
Park (other than the rights of ERP Operating Partnership under the Credit
Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino Agreement);
(q) the lease described on Schedule 2.1(h) hereto (the "Headquarter
Lease") [sublease of the premises subject to the Headquarter Lease] [to be
revised pursuant to Section 5.23 of the Merger Agreement];
(r) furniture, fixtures, equipment and personalty located in the
office premises demised pursuant to the Headquarter Lease; and
(s) the name "Wellsford", the ticker symbol "WRP", and the plate used
in connection with the engraving and printing of the Wellsford Parent share
certificates (the "Intellectual Property Rights").
7
<PAGE>
Such contribution shall be effected in such a manner so that Wellsford
Parent and the Retained Subsidiaries have no continuing obligation with respect
to the Contributed Assets after the Effective Time, except as otherwise provided
in the Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino Agreement.
2.2 Assumption.
----------
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
simultaneously with the contribution contemplated by Section 2.1, Newco shall
assume and undertake to pay and discharge the following (the "Assumed
Liabilities"):
(i) All Liabilities of Wellsford Parent with respect to the
Contributed Assets, including, without limitation, all liabilities and
obligations of Wellsford Parent under each of the agreements giving
rise to any of the Contributed Assets;
(ii) the obligations arising under the option certificates listed
on Schedule 2.2(a) attached hereto (the "Option Agreements"), which
will be satisfied by (A) issuing Newco Common Stock pursuant to the
Amended Newco Options (defined below) and (B) amending the Option
Agreements, as described in Schedule 2.2(a) (as amended, the "Amended
Newco Options");
(iii) the obligation to pay William Cockrum a consulting fee of
$500,000, payable $250,000 in cash and $250,000 by the issuance of
Newco Common Stock; and
(iv) the Promissory Note dated December 20, 1995 issued by
Wellsford Parent in favor of Dresdner Bank AG;
(v) the Indemnification Agreement dated November 12, 1996 given
by Wellsford Parent and WPHC to Donald D. MacKenzie; and
(vi) any other obligation of Wellsford Parent and the Retained
Subsidiaries under any other agreement relating to the Sonterra
Documents, the Palomino Bonds, PPPIC or Palomino Park, except the
obligations of ERP Operating Partnership under the Credit Enhancement
Agreement and the Palomino Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 2.2(a), Wellsford
Parent hereby retains, and Newco does not assume and will have no liability with
respect to, Wellsford Parent Liabilities, except as otherwise provided in the
Transaction Costs Agreement.
2.3 Agreements and Documents to be Delivered in Connection with
Contribution. Wellsford Parent and Newco shall execute and deliver, or cause to
be executed and delivered, all
8
<PAGE>
agreements, documents and instruments necessary or appropriate to effect the
contribution contemplated by Section 2.1 and the assumption contemplated by
Section 2.2, including, without limitation, those agreements, documents and
instruments described in this Section 2.3:
(a) Wellsford Parent and Newco shall execute and deliver, or cause to
be executed and delivered, an Assignment and Assumption Agreement for the
Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities.
(b) Wellsford Parent shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed
and delivered the following documents:
(i) Assignment of the Note without recourse;
(ii) Assignment of Deed of Trust (as defined on Schedule 2.1(a)
hereto), in form suitable for recording;
(iii) Assignment of Loan Agreement (as defined on Schedule
2.1(a) hereto);
(iv) Assignment of Assignment of Leases and Rents (as defined
on Schedule 2.1(a) hereto), in form suitable for recording;
(v) Assignment of Security Agreement (as defined on Schedule
2.1(a) hereto), in form suitable for recording;
(vi) Memorandum of Assignment of Option Agreement (as defined
on Schedule 2.1(a) hereto), in form suitable for recording;
(vii) UCC-3 Assignments, in form suitable for filing or
recording, as the case may be;
(viii) Assignment of Lender's Title Policy;
(ix) Omnibus Assignment of Mortgage Documents relating to the
Sonterra Documents not otherwise covered by the documents listed in
this Section 2.3(b);
(x) Assignment of Seller's Waiver (as defined in Schedule
2.1(a) hereto);
(xi) Certificate(s) representing eighty (80) shares of Class A
Common Stock of WPHC, with valid stock powers attached; and
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<PAGE>
(xii) Bill of Sale granting to Newco all right, title and
interest of Wellsford Parent to the Intellectual Property Rights.
2.4 Contributions Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfer
Deemed Effective as of the Distribution Date. To the extent that any assignment,
transfer, conveyance or delivery (each, a "Contribution") of any Contributed
Asset contemplated by this Article II shall not have been consummated on or
prior to the Distribution Date, the parties shall cooperate to effect such
Contribution as promptly following the Distribution Date as shall be
practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Contribution of any
Contributed Assets which by their terms or operation of law cannot be assigned,
transferred, conveyed or delivered; provided, however, that Wellsford Parent and
Newco shall use their reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain any necessary
consents or approvals for the Contribution of all Contributed Asset contemplated
to be contributed pursuant to this Article II. In the event that any
Contribution of a Contributed Asset has not been consummated, from and after the
Distribution Date Wellsford Parent shall hold such Contributed Asset in trust
for the use and benefit of Newco, and shall take such other action as may be
reasonably requested by Newco in order to place Newco, insofar as is reasonably
possible, in the same position as would have existed had such Contributed Asset
been contributed as contemplated by this Article II. As and when any such
Contributed Asset is able to be assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered, as
the case may be, such Contribution shall be effected forthwith. The parties
agree that, as of the Distribution Date, Newco shall be deemed to have acquired
complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Contributed Assets,
together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto and all duties,
obligations and responsibilities incident thereto including, without limitation,
to the Assumed Liabilities.
ARTICLE 3
---------
DISTRIBUTION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
-------------------------------------
3.1 Actions Prior to Distribution.
-----------------------------
(a) The Board of Trustees of Wellsford Parent (or a duly authorized
committee thereof) shall, in its discretion, establish the Distribution Record
Date and the Distribution Date and any procedures necessary or appropriate in
connection with the Distribution, but in no event shall the Distribution occur
prior to such time as the conditions set forth in this Agreement have been
satisfied or waived. Such action shall not create any obligation on the part of
Wellsford Parent to effect the Distribution or in any way limit Wellsford
Parent's power of termination set forth in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.
(b) Wellsford Parent and Newco shall prepare and mail, prior to the
Distribution Date, to the holders of Wellsford Parent Common Shares, such
information concerning Newco, its
10
<PAGE>
business, operations and management, the Distribution and such other matters as
Wellsford Parent shall reasonably determine to be necessary and as may be
required by law. Wellsford Parent and Newco will prepare, and Newco will, to the
extent required under applicable law, file with the Commission any such
documentation which Wellsford Parent determines are necessary or desirable to
effectuate the Distribution, and Wellsford Parent and Newco shall each use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the Commission
with respect thereto as soon as practicable.
(c) Wellsford Parent and Newco shall take all such action as may be
necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United
States (and any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection
with the Distribution.
(d) Wellsford Parent and Newco shall take all reasonable steps
necessary and appropriate to cause the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 to be
satisfied and to effect the Distribution on the Distribution Date.
(e) Newco shall prepare and file, and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to have approved on or prior to the Distribution Date, an application
for the listing of the Newco Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution
on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or NASDAQ National
Market System, subject to official notice of issuance.
3.2 Distribution. On or prior to the Distribution Date, subject to
the conditions and rights of termination set forth in this Agreement, Wellsford
Parent shall (i) deliver to the Agent for the benefit of the Holders a single
stock certificate representing all the Newco Common Stock owned by Wellsford
Parent, endorsed by Wellsford Parent in blank, and (ii) deliver to the Agent
written instructions to distribute on the Distribution Date to each Holder or
designated transferee or transferees of such Holder one Newco Common Stock for
each Wellsford Parent Common Share held by such Holder.
3.3 Unclaimed Stock. Any Newco Common Stock that remain unclaimed by
any Holder 180 days after the Distribution Date shall be returned to Wellsford
Parent, and any such Holder shall look only to Wellsford Parent for the Newco
Common Stock, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned
property laws.
3.4 No Representations or Warranties. Each of the parties hereto
understands and agrees that no party hereto is, in this Agreement or in any
other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, making
any representation or warranty whatsoever, including, without limitation, as to
title, value or legal sufficiency.
11
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 4
---------
COVENANTS
---------
4.1 Undertaking by Wellsford Parent. Wellsford Parent hereby
undertakes to change its name from "Wellsford Residential Property Trust" to a
new name bearing no resemblance to its present name, immediately upon
consummation of the Merger. Promptly, and in any event prior to the completion
of the Transition Period, Wellsford Parent shall remove all references to the
name "Wellsford" from the names of the Retained Subsidiaries and all of its
stationery.
4.2 Corporate Records. Wellsford Parent shall use its best efforts to
arrange, as soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, for the
transportation and delivery to Newco of all original agreements, documents,
books, records and files relating to or affecting Newco, the Contributed Assets
or the Assumed Liabilities, to the extent such items are not already in the
possession of Newco, provided that Wellsford Parent may retain any tax returns,
reports, forms or work papers, and Newco will be provided with copies of such
returns, reports, forms or work papers.
4.3 Confidentiality. Each of Wellsford Parent and Newco shall hold,
and shall cause its respective trustees, directors, officers, Affiliates,
employees, agents, accountants, consultants and advisors (collectively,
"Representatives") to hold, in strict confidence all information concerning the
other relating to the Contributed Assets and the Assumed Liabilities in its
possession (except to the extent that such information has been (a) in the
public domain through no fault of such party or any of its Representatives,
including information contained in the Registration Statement and the S-4 and
other statements and reports filed with the Commission, or (b) later lawfully
acquired from other sources by such party) to the extent such information (i)
relates to the period up to the Effective Time, (ii) relates to this Agreement
or (iii) is obtained from the other party pursuant to this Agreement
("Confidential Information"). Each party shall not release or disclose, or
permit to be released or disclosed by any of its Representatives or otherwise,
any Confidential Information to any other person, except its auditors,
attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other consultants and advisors who
need to know such information, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or
administrative process or, as advised by its counsel, by other requirements of
law. In the event that either party or its Representatives (a "Disclosing
Party") is compelled to release or disclose, or permit to be released or
disclosed, any Confidential Information as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence, such Disclosing Party shall (i) immediately notify the other party
(the "Providing Party") of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding
such a requirement, (ii) consult with the Providing Party on the advisability of
taking legally available steps to resist or narrow such requirement and (iii) if
disclosure of such information is nevertheless required, furnish only that
portion of the Confidential Information which, in the opinion of such Disclosing
Party's counsel, such Disclosing Party is legally compelled to disclose and to
cooperate with any action by the Providing Party to
12
<PAGE>
obtain an appropriate protective order or other reliable assurance that
confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information (it being
agreed that the Providing Party shall reimburse the Disclosing Party for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Disclosing Party in connection
with such cooperation).
4.4 Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall use their
reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Distribution Date, to take
or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things,
necessary, proper or desirable under applicable laws and regulations to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest Newco with full title to all
Contributed Assets. Without limiting the foregoing, Wellsford Parent and Newco
shall use their best efforts to obtain all consents and approvals, to enter into
all amendatory agreements and to make all filings and applications and take all
other actions which may be required for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, all applicable
regulatory filings.
ARTICLE 5
---------
INDEMNIFICATION
---------------
5.1 Indemnification by Wellsford Parent. Except as otherwise set
forth herein, Wellsford Parent, for itself and its Affiliates, and their
respective successors and assigns, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
Newco, each of its directors, officers, employees and agents, and each Affiliate
of Newco, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the
foregoing (the "Newco Indemnitees") from and against any and all Losses of the
Newco Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with
the Wellsford Parent Liabilities, except as otherwise provided in the
Transaction Costs Agreement.
5.2 Indemnification by Newco. Except as otherwise set forth herein,
Newco, for itself and its Affiliates and their respective successors and
assigns, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Wellsford Parent, each of its
trustees, officers, employees and agents, and each Affiliate of Wellsford
Parent, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the
foregoing (the "Wellsford Parent Indemnitees") from and against any and all
Losses of the Wellsford Parent Indemnitees arising out of, by reason of or
otherwise in connection with the Newco Liabilities, except as otherwise provided
in the Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Palomino Agreement.
5.3 Limitations on Indemnification Obligations. The amount which any
party (an "Indemnifying Party") is or may be required to pay to any other party
(an "Indemnitee") pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 shall be reduced
(retroactively or prospectively) by any insurance proceeds or other amounts
actually recovered by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, in reduction of
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<PAGE>
the related Loss. If an Indemnitee shall have received the payment required by
this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of a Loss and shall
subsequently actually receive insurance proceeds or other amounts in respect of
such Loss, then such Indemnitee shall pay to such Indemnifying Party a sum equal
to the amount of such insurance proceeds or other amounts actually received, up
to the aggregate amount of any payments received from such Indemnifying Party
pursuant to this Agreement in respect of such Loss.
5.4 Procedure for Indemnification.
(a) If an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the
assertion by a person (including, without limitation, any Governmental
Authority) who is not a party to this Agreement or the Merger Agreement of any
claim or of the commencement by any such person of any Action (a "Third-Party
Claim") with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall give such
Indemnifying Party written notice (the "Indemnitee Notice") thereof promptly
after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim; provided, however, that the
failure of any Indemnitee to give notice as provided in this Section 5.4 shall
not relieve the applicable Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this
Article V, except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is prejudiced
by such failure to give notice. Such Indemnitee Notice shall describe the
Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail and shall indicate the amount (estimated
if necessary) of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by such Indemnitee.
(b) The Indemnitee shall provide to the Indemnifying Party on request
all information and documentation reasonably necessary to support and verify any
Losses which the Indemnitee believes give rise to a claim for indemnification
hereunder and shall give the Indemnifying Party reasonable access to all books,
records and personnel in the possession or under the control of the Indemnitee
which would have bearing on such claim.
(c) Upon receipt of the Indemnitee Notice required by Section 5.4(a),
the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, if it so elects, to take control of
the defense and investigation with respect to such claim and to employ and
engage attorneys of its own choice to handle and defend the same, at the
Indemnifying Party's cost, risk and expense, upon written notice to the
Indemnitee of such election within 30 days of receipt of Indemnitee's notice.
The Indemnifying Party shall not settle any third-party claim that is the
subject of indemnification without the written consent of the Indemnitee, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the
Indemnifying Party may settle a claim without the Indemnitee's consent if such
settlement (i) includes a complete release of the Indemnitee and (ii) does not
require the Indemnitee to make any payment or take any action or otherwise
materially adversely affect the Indemnitee. After notice from an Indemnifying
Party to an Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Third-Party
Claim, such Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnitee under this
Article V for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
Indemnitee in connection with the defense
14
<PAGE>
thereof; provided, that, if the defendants in any such claim include both the
Indemnifying Party and one or more Indemnitees and a conflict of interest
between such Indemnitees and such Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such
claim, such Indemnitees will have the right to employ separate counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party to represent such Indemnitees,
and in that event the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel (but
not more than one separate counsel) will be paid by such Indemnifying Party.
(d) If an Indemnifying Party elects to defend or to seek to compromise
any Third-Party Claim, the appropriate Indemnitee shall (x) cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the Indemnifying Party in connection with such defense
and (y) not admit any liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or
discharge, such Third-Party Claim without the Indemnifying Party's prior written
consent.
(e) If the Indemnifying Party shall decline to assume the defense of
any such Third-Party Claim, or shall fail to notify the Indemnitee that it will
defend such claim within 30 days after receipt of the Indemnitee Notice, the
Indemnitee shall defend against such claim (provided that the Indemnitee shall
not settle such claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party). The
expenses of all proceedings, contests or lawsuits in respect of such claims
shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party but only if the Indemnifying Party is
responsible pursuant to this Article V to indemnify the Indemnitee in respect of
the Third-Party Claim.
(f) In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee
in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be
subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events
or circumstances with respect to which such Indemnitee may have any right or
claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff
asserting such Third-Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such
Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such
Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
(g) With respect to any Third-Party Claim for which the Indemnifying
Party assumes responsibility for defense, the Indemnifying Party shall inform
the Indemnitee, upon the reasonable written request of the Indemnitee, of the
status of efforts to resolve such Third-Party Claim. With respect to any Third-
Party Claim for which the Indemnifying Party does not assume such
responsibility, the Indemnitee shall inform the Indemnifying Party, upon the
reasonable written request of the Indemnifying Party, of the status of efforts
to resolve such Third-Party Claim.
5.5 Survival of Indemnities. The obligations of Wellsford Parent and
Newco under this Article V shall survive the sale or other transfer by it of any
assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities, with respect to
any Loss of the other related to such assets, businesses or Liabilities.
15
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 6
---------
CONDITIONS TO THE CONTRIBUTION AND THE DISTRIBUTIONS
----------------------------------------------------
6.1 Conditions Precedent to the Distributions. The obligation of
Wellsford Parent to cause the Contribution of the Contributed Assets pursuant to
Article II and to cause the consummation of the Distributions pursuant to
Article III shall be subject, at the option of Wellsford Parent, to the
fulfillment or waiver, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Effective Date of Registration Statement. Each of the
Registration Statement and the S-4 shall have been declared effective by order
of the Commission and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceeding
by the Commission seeking a stop order.
(b) No Prohibitions. Consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall not be prohibited by applicable law and no Governmental Authority
of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or
entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or
other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and
which materially restricts, prevents or prohibits consummation of the
Distribution, the Merger or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or
the Merger Agreement, it being understood that the parties hereto hereby agree
to use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such decree, judgment,
injunction or other order to be vacated or lifted as promptly as possible.
(c) Conditions Precedent to Merger Satisfied. Each condition to the
closing of the Merger set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.3 of the Merger Agreement
shall have been satisfied or waived.
ARTICLE 7
---------
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Distribution abandoned for any or no reason at any time prior to the
Distribution by and in the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of Wellsford
Parent without the approval of Newco or the shareholders of Wellsford Parent.
In the event of such termination, no party will have any liability of any kind
to any other party.
7.2 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the
Schedules, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and
16
<PAGE>
supersedes all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to
such subject matter.
7.3 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this
Agreement will survive the Distribution Date.
7.4 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to the
principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
7.5 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder must be
in writing and must be delivered by hand, mailed by registered or certified mail
(return receipt requested) or sent by facsimile transmission to the parties at
the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as may be
specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such
notice is received:
To Wellsford Parent:
Before the Distribution Date, to:
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Attn: President
Fax: (212) 333-2323
After the Distribution Date, to:
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
ATTN: President
Fax: (312) 207-5243
17
<PAGE>
To Newco:
Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Attn: President
Fax: (212) 333-2323
7.6 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except
by an agreement in writing signed by the parties.
7.7 Successors and Assigns. Except in connection with the Merger,
this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the
other, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this
Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided, however, that the
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted
assigns; provided, further, that the rights and obligations of Wellsford Parent
under this Agreement may be assigned after the Merger to ERP Operating
Partnership.
7.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for the provisions of
Article V relating to Indemnitees and as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and should not be
deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement,
claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to
this Agreement.
7.9 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are
inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part
of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
7.10 Legal Enforceability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof. Any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without prejudice to
any rights or remedies otherwise available to any party hereto, each party
hereto acknowledges that damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach of
the provisions of this Agreement and agrees that the obligations of the parties
hereunder are specifically enforceable.
18
<PAGE>
7.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
7.12 Non-Recourse. This Agreement and all documents, agreements,
understandings and arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or
executed on behalf of Wellsford Parent by the undersigned in his capacity as a
trustee or officer of Wellsford Parent, which has been formed as a Maryland real
estate investment trust pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of Wellsford Parent dated as of November 2, 1992, as amended and restated, and
not individually, and neither the trustees, officers or shareholders of
Wellsford Parent shall be personally bound or have any personal liability
hereunder. Newco shall look solely to the assets of Wellsford Parent for
satisfaction of any liability of Wellsford Parent with respect of this Agreement
and all documents, agreements, understandings and arrangements relating to this
Agreement and will not seek recourse or commence any action against any of the
trustees or officers of Wellsford Parent or any of their personal assets for the
performance or payment of any obligation of Wellsford Parent hereunder or
thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
19
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 2.1(a)
SONTERRA AGREEMENTS
1. Loan Agreement ("Loan Agreement"), dated as of June 28, 1996, by and
between Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Specified Properties VIII,
L.P., a Texas Limited Partnership ("Specified").
2. Waiver of Borrower's Condition, dated as of July 11, 1996, by
Specified.
3. Promissory Note, dated June 28, 1996, by Specified in favor of
Wellsford Residential Property Trust in the amount of $17,800,000.00 (the
"Note").
4. Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, made as of June
28, 1996, by Specified, as Trustor, Chicago Title Insurance Company, as Trustee,
and Wellsford Residential Property Trust, as Beneficiary ("Deed of Trust").
5. Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996, by John R. Carmichael
in favor of Wellsford Residential Property Trust.
6. Assignment of Leases and Rents, dated as of June 28, 1996, by and from
Specified to and for the benefit of Wellsford Residential Property Trust
("Assignment of Leases and Rents").
7. Assignment of Agreements, made as of June 28, 1996, by Specified to
Wellsford Residential Property Trust.
8. Consent and Agreement of Manager, by Lexford Properties, Inc., dated
as of July 15, 1996.
9. Hazardous Substances Remediation and Indemnification Agreement, dated
as of June 28, 1996, by Specified, Westwood Residential No. 9 Limited
Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, and Westwood Residential General
Partner No. 9, Inc., a Texas corporation, in favor of Wellsford Residential
Property Trust.
10. Security Agreement, dated as of June 28, 1996, between Specified and
Wellsford Residential Property Trust ("Security Agreement").
11. Letter Agreement, dated July 9, 1996, between Specified, Wellsford
Residential Property Trust and Chicago Title Insurance Company.
<PAGE>
12. Lender's Title Policy No. 512169 issued by Chicago Title Insurance
Company, dated July 12, 1996 ("Lender's Title Policy").
13. Option Agreement, made as of June 28, 1996, by and between Specified
and Wellsford Residential Property Trust ("Option Agreement").
14. Memorandum of Option to Purchase, made as of June 28, 1996, by
Specified and Wellsford Residential Property Trust.
15. Waiver of Seller's Condition, dated as of July 11, 1996, by Specified
("Seller's Waiver").
16. Owner's Title Policy No. 512169 issued by Chicago Title Insurance
Company, dated September 20, 1996.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 2.1(e)
---------------
SPLIT DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE
---------------------------
1. Modification Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1995, by and between
Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Edward Lowenthal.
2. Modification Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1995, by and between
Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Jeffrey H. Lynford.
3. Modification Assignment, dated as of December 11, 1995, by and between
Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Edward Lowenthal.
4. Modification Assignment, dated as of December 11, 1995, by and between
Wellsford Residential Property Trust and Jeffrey H. Lynford.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 2.1(h)
---------------
HEADQUARTER LEASE
-----------------
Lease between Rockefeller Center Properties and Wellsford Residential Property
Trust, dated June 29, 1994.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 2.2(a)
OPTION AGREEMENTS
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
================================================================================
$28,500,000
COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of ________________, 1997
between
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
as Purchaser,
and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
as Company
================================================================================
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Article Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
1 DEFINITIONS.......................................................... 1
1.1 Defined Terms.................................................. 1
1.2 Terms Generally................................................ 7
2 THE AGGREGATE COMMITMENTS............................................ 7
2.1 The Closing Date Purchase Commitment........................... 7
2.2 Payment of the Closing Date Purchase Commitment................ 9
2.3 Term Purchase Commitment....................................... 9
2.4 Notice of Purchase............................................. 9
2.5 Certificates................................................... 9
3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................... 10
3.1 Organization; Powers........................................... 10
3.2 Authorization.................................................. 10
3.3 The Capital Stock.............................................. 10
3.4 Enforceability................................................. 11
3.5 Governmental Approvals......................................... 11
3.6 Financial Statements........................................... 11
3.7 Title to Properties; Default Under Agreements.................. 11
3.8 Subsidiaries................................................... 11
3.9 Litigation; Compliance with Laws............................... 12
3.10 Agreements..................................................... 12
3.11 Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act..... 12
3.12 Tax Returns.................................................... 12
3.13 No Material Misstatements...................................... 12
3.14 Employee Benefit Plans......................................... 12
3.15 Environmental and Safety Matters............................... 13
4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT................................................. 13
4.1 First Purchase................................................. 13
4.2 All Purchases.................................................. 14
5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................ 15
5.1 Existence: Businesses and Properties........................... 15
5.2 Insurance...................................................... 15
5.3 Obligations and Taxes.......................................... 15
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
5.4 Financial Statements, Reports, etc............................. 16
5.5 Litigation and Other Notices................................... 17
5.6 ERISA.......................................................... 17
5.7 Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections...... 17
5.8 Use of Proceeds................................................ 17
5.9 Issuance of Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock........... 17
5.10 Election as Director........................................... 17
5.11 Voting of Stock................................................ 18
5.12 Sale of Common Stock or Preferred Stock........................ 18
5.13 Confidentiality................................................ 19
6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.................................................... 19
7 MISCELLANEOUS........................................................ 21
7.1 Termination of the Agreement................................... 21
7.2 Securities Law Matters......................................... 21
7.3 Notices........................................................ 23
7.4 Survival of Agreement.......................................... 23
7.5 Binding Effect................................................. 23
7.6 Assignment..................................................... 24
7.7 Applicable Law................................................. 24
7.8 Waivers; Amendment............................................. 24
7.9 Entire Agreement............................................... 24
7.10 Waiver of Jury Trial........................................... 24
7.11 Severability................................................... 24
7.12 Headings....................................................... 25
7.13 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.................... 25
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
-------------------------------
EXHIBITS
--------
Exhibit A - Articles Supplementary Classifying Preferred Stock
Exhibit B - Purchase Notice
Exhibit C - Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company
Exhibit D - Opinion of Counsel
Exhibit E - Securities Information
Exhibit F - Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit G - Class A Common Stock Terms
SCHEDULES
---------
Schedule 3.3 - Options
Schedule 3.4 - Governmental Approvals
Schedule 3.8 - Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.9 - Litigation
Schedule 3.15 - Environmental and Safety Matters
iv
<PAGE>
COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------------------
This COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of
___________, 1997, (this "Agreement") is entered into between ERP OPERATING
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois limited partnership (the "Purchaser") and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Company").
In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to purchase from the Company (i) on the
Closing Date the number of shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Company (the "Class A Common Stock") equal to the Closing Date
Purchase Commitment divided by the Issuance Price, and (ii) at any time during
the Purchase Term, the aggregate number of shares of Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Preferred Stock") having the
terms set forth in Exhibit A hereto, not in excess of the Term Purchase
Commitment at the Purchase Price on the date of any such purchase.
Accordingly, the Company and the Purchaser agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
---------
DEFINITIONS
-----------
1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings specified below:
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control
with the Person specified.
"Aggregate Purchase Commitment" shall mean the Purchaser's Closing
Date Purchase Commitment and Term Purchase Commitment.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the
preamble hereto.
"Business Day" shall mean any day (other than a day which is a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of Illinois) on which banks
are open for business in Chicago.
<PAGE>
"Capital Lease" shall mean any lease of (or other arrangement
conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination
thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for
as capital leases on a balance sheet under GAAP and, for the purposes of
this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the
capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person shall mean the obligations
of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any Capital Lease.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to
the Company if (a) any Person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of
the Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the date hereof)
other than the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates shall own, directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record, shares representing more than 50% of
the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company; or (b) a change shall occur
during any period in the Board of Directors of the Company in which the
individuals who constituted the Board of Directors of the Company at the
beginning of such period (together with any other director whose election
by the Board of Directors of the Company or whose nomination for election
by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least two-
thirds of the directors then in office who either were directors at the
beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the directors of the Company then in office.
"Closing Date" shall mean ______________________________________.
"Closing Date Purchase Commitment" shall mean the commitment of
Purchaser to purchase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to
$3,500,000 divided by the Issuance Price on the Closing Date.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may
be amended from time to time.
"Class A Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.
"Common Stock" shall mean shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Company.
2
<PAGE>
"Control" including the terms "Controlling", "Controlled by" and
"under common Control with", shall mean the possession, direct or indirect,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise.
"ERISA" shall mean Employment Retirement Income Securities Act, 29 USC
1001, et. seq. (1974), as amended.
"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean an affiliate as defined in Section
407(d)(7) of ERISA.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning given such term in
Article 6.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Company as provided in
the Bylaws of the Company.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles, applied on
a consistent basis.
"Governmental Authority" shall mean any Federal, state, local or
foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or
regulatory body.
"Gross Sales Price Per Share of Common Stock" shall mean (a) the gross
proceeds from all sales of Common Stock to institutional purchasers taking
place on or prior to the Closing Date and subject to written commitments to
purchase from institutional purchasers received on or prior to the Closing
Date, divided by (b) the aggregate number of shares so sold and subject to
such commitments.
"Guarantee," when used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
incurrence of any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness
of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly
or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or
indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
purpose or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such
Indebtedness, (b) to purchase property, securities or services for the
purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such
Indebtedness or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however,
that the term "Guarantee"
3
<PAGE>
shall not include endorsements of items by any Person for collection or
deposit in the ordinary course of business.
"Indebtedness" as applied to any Person shall mean (without
duplication) (a) any indebtedness for borrowed money which such Person has
directly or indirectly created, incurred or assumed, including, without
limitation, Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (b) any indebtedness
incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, whether or not for
borrowed money, secured by any Lien in respect of property owned by such
Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the
payment of such indebtedness, (c) any indebtedness, whether or not for
borrowed money, with respect to which such Person has become directly or
indirectly liable and which represents or has been incurred to finance the
purchase price (or a portion thereof) of any property or services or
business acquired by such Person, whether by purchase, consolidation,
merger or otherwise, (d) any Indebtedness of the character referred to in
clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition deemed to be extinguished under
generally accepted accounting principles but for which such Person remains
legally liable and (e) any Indebtedness of any other Person of the
character referred to in subdivision (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this
definition with respect to which the Person whose Indebtedness is being
determined has become liable by way of a Guarantee, including, without
limitation, any such Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person
is a general partner.
"Issuance Price" shall mean the Gross Sales Price Per Share of Common
Stock determined as of the Closing Date or, in the event no sales of Common
Stock to any institutional purchaser take place on or prior to the Closing
Date or are subject to a written commitment to purchase from any
institutional purchaser received on or prior to the Closing Date, "Issuance
Price" shall mean the Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock determined
as of the Closing Date.
"Lien" shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed
of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on
such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional
sale agreement or title retention agreement relating to such asset and (c)
in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a
third party with respect to such securities.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a materially adverse effect on
the business, assets, prospects, operations or financial condition of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
4
<PAGE>
"Merger Agreement" shall mean that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and between Equity Residential Properties Trust and Wellsford
Residential Property Trust ("Wellsford"), dated as of January 16, 1997.
"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
(other than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection
(m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code) is making or accruing an obligation
to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years
made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.
"Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock" shall mean the
stockholders' equity of the Company determined in accordance with GAAP as
adjusted for all liabilities, including all costs related to the formation
of the Company as set forth in the financial statements of the Company,
less the liquidation value of all outstanding shares of preferred stock
including the Preferred Stock, divided by the number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company outstanding on such date, excluding the shares of
Class A Common Stock being purchased by the Purchaser on the Closing Date.
Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock shall be determined in accordance
with Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to
and defined in ERISA.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Potential Event of Default" shall mean any event or condition which
upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.
"Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.
"Purchase" shall have the meaning given such term in Article 4.
"Purchase Notice" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.4.
"Purchase Price" shall mean $25.00 per share of Preferred Stock.
5
<PAGE>
"Purchase Term" shall mean the period of time beginning on the Closing
Date and ending three years from the Closing Date.
"Purchaser" shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble
hereto.
"Purchaser Director" shall mean the director which the holders of the
Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect pursuant to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Company.
"Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean that certain Registration
Rights Agreement between the Purchaser and the Company dated as of the date
hereof.
"Responsible Officer" of any corporation shall mean any executive
officer of such corporation, and any other officer or similar official
thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such
corporation in respect of this Agreement.
"subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred
to as the "parent"), any corporation, partnership, association or other
business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests
representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary
voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at
the time any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held, or (b)
which is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by
the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and
one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
"Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary of the Company.
"Term Closing Date" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 2.4.
"Term Purchase Commitment" shall mean the commitment of Purchaser to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock at the Purchase Price per
share. The Term Purchase Commitment is in addition to the Closing Date
Purchase Commitment.
"Warrant" shall mean any warrant issued pursuant to the Articles
Supplementary classifying the Preferred Stock.
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1.2 Terms Generally. The definitions in Section 1.1 shall apply equally
to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and "including"
shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation". All
references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed
references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this
Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall
be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided,
however, that, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant set
forth in Article 5, such terms shall be construed in accordance with GAAP as in
effect on the date of this Agreement applied on a basis consistent with the
application used in preparing the Company's audited financial statements;
provided, further, that in making any calculation required by this Agreement,
for the purpose of determining the net income or deficit or item of expense of
or for any Subsidiary, notwithstanding any reference herein to any period, the
income, deficit or expense included in such calculation with respect to such
Subsidiary shall be included only from the date such Subsidiary became a
Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 2
---------
THE AGGREGATE COMMITMENTS
-------------------------
2.1 The Closing Date Purchase Commitment. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase
from the Company on the Closing Date, Class A Common Stock, having the terms set
forth on Exhibit G hereto, and having an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000
at a price per share equal to the Issuance Price. The number of shares of Class
A Common Stock to be issued on the Closing Date will be $3,500,000 divided by
the Issuance Price, unless the Issuance Price is the Net Book Value Per Share of
Common Stock. In such event, the number of shares issued on the Closing Date
will be 1,400,000, based upon an estimated Issuance Price of $2.50 per share and
such number of shares shall be subject to adjustment after the Closing Date in
accordance with the following procedures:
(a) Within 30 days after the Closing Date, the Company shall furnish
to Purchaser (a) the balance sheet of the Company as of the Closing Date
("Closing Balance Sheet"), showing in reasonable detail the assets and
liabilities of the Company, accompanied by the report thereon of Ernst &
Young LLP stating that the Closing Balance Sheet has been prepared in
conformity with GAAP applied consistently with the principles used in
preparing the pro forma financial statements of the Company included in the
information furnished to the shareholders of Wellsford in connection with
Roger's distribution of the capital stock of the Company to the
shareholders of Wellsford, and (b)
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the Company's determination of Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock in
accordance with this Agreement based upon the Closing Balance Sheet.
(b) Purchaser shall have the right to object to the Company's
determination of the Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock as not being
determined in accordance with this Agreement. If Purchaser does not object
to the Company's determination of the Net Book Value Per Share of Common
Stock within 15 days after delivery of the Closing Balance Sheet and such
determination to Purchaser (such period being referred to as the "Contest
Period"), then the Company's determination of the Net Book Value Per Share
of Common Stock shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties. If
Purchaser objects to the Company's determination of Net Book Value Per
Share of Common Stock, it shall do so by notifying the Company thereof
within the Contest Period, which notice shall specify the grounds for such
objection in reasonable detail. The parties shall endeavor in good faith to
resolve promptly the matters to which Purchaser has objected. If the
parties are unable to resolve Purchaser's objections within ten (10) days
after Purchaser notified the Company of its objections, the Company shall
engage the Chicago, Illinois offices of Ernst & Young LLP (the "Independent
Accountants") to examine the calculation of the Net Book Value Per Share of
Common Stock in accordance with this Agreement. The Independent
Accountants' determination of the Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock
shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties.
(c) The fees of the Independent Accountants for making such
determination shall be borne by the parties in the proportion that the
difference between the ultimate determination of the Issuance Price by the
Independent Accountants and each party's position as to the Issuance Price
bears to each other. For example, if one party's position was that the
Issuance Price was $2.50 and the other party's was $3.00 and the
Independent Accounts' determination was $2.75, each party would bear 50% of
the Independent Accountants' fees.
(d) The actual number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be
purchased by Purchaser shall be $3,500,000 divided by the Issuance Price as
finally determined pursuant to clause (b) of this Section (the "Final
Number"). If the Final Number is more than 1,400,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock, within 10 days after the Issuance Price has been so finally
determined, the Company shall issue to Purchaser a certificate dated the
Closing Date evidencing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal
to the difference. If the Final Number is less than 1,400,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock, within 10 days after the Issuance Price has been so
finally determined, Purchaser shall surrender to the Company the
certificate for 1,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the
Company on the Closing Date in exchange for a new certificate, dated the
Closing Date, evidencing the Final Number of shares of Class A Common
Stock.
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(e) The Purchaser and the Company hereby agree that the Net Book Value
Per Share of Common Stock determined in accordance with this Section 2.1
shall be the Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock for all purposes of
the Articles Supplementary Classifying the Preferred Stock attached hereto
as Exhibit A.
2.2 Payment of the Closing Date Purchase Commitment. Subject to
fulfillment of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.1, on the Closing
Date, Purchaser shall pay $3,500,000 to the Company on the Closing Date by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to such account as has been designated
to Purchaser by the Company prior to the Closing Date.
2.3 Term Purchase Commitment.
(a) Each Purchase of Preferred Stock pursuant to the Term Purchase
Commitment shall be in a minimum aggregate purchase price of $1,000,000 and
in multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof.
(b) Subject to the fulfillment of the conditions precedent set forth
in Section 4.2, on each Term Closing Date during the Purchase Term,
Purchaser shall purchase the number of shares of Preferred Stock equal to
the dollar amount of the Purchase requested divided by the Purchase Price.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the aggregate
dollar amount of Purchases pursuant to the Term Purchase Commitment shall
not exceed $25,000,000.
2.4 Notice of Purchase. The Company shall give the Purchaser written or
telecopy notice (each a "Purchase Notice") ten (10) days before a proposed
Purchase pursuant to the Term Purchase Commitment in the event of a Purchase in
the amount of $5,000,000 or less, and twenty (20) days before a proposed
Purchase pursuant to the Term Purchase Commitment in the event of a Purchase in
an amount greater than $5,000,000. Each such notice shall be in substantially
the form of Exhibit B. Such notice shall be irrevocable if not revoked within
five (5) days after delivery and shall in each case refer to this Agreement and
specify a date (the "Term Closing Date") on which the Purchase shall occur.
2.5 Certificates.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Purchaser on the Closing Date a
certificate or certificates representing 1,400,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock, representing the estimated number of shares of Class A Common Stock
purchased by the Purchaser on the Closing Date.
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(b) The Company shall deliver to the Purchaser on each Term Closing
Date a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate number of
shares of Preferred Stock purchased by the Purchaser on such Term Closing
Date.
ARTICLE 3
---------
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
The Company represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:
3.1 Organization; Powers. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries (a) is
a an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and
authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted by the Company and the Subsidiaries,
(c) is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where such qualification
is required, except where the failure so to qualify would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, and (d) in the case of the Company, has the corporate
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the offering, issuance, sale and
delivery to the Purchaser of the shares of Preferred Stock and the issuance of
Common Stock upon conversion of any of the shares of Preferred Stock). The
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company as amended to date, which
are attached as Exhibit C hereto, are complete and correct as of the date hereof
and contain the provisions attached hereto as Exhibit G.
3.2 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company
of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (including, without
limitation, the offering, issuance, sale and delivery to the Purchaser of the
shares of Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock and the issuance of Common Stock
upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock or Class A Common Stock), (a)
have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required,
stockholder action and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law,
statute, rule or regulation to which the Company or any of its Affiliates shall
be subject, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other
constitutive documents or bylaws of the Company or any Subsidiary, (B) any order
of any Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture or other
material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a
party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (ii)
be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice
or lapse of time or both) a default under any such indenture, agreement or other
instrument or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or
with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the
Company or any Subsidiary.
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3.3 The Capital Stock. Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the
Company, the Company is authorized to issue 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
_____ of which have been issued as of the date hereof, _____ shares of Class A
Common Stock, _____ of which have been issued as of the date hereof, and ___
shares of Common Stock, _____ of which have been issued as of the date hereof.
Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.3 hereto, there are no existing options,
warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other rights,
agreements or commitments which obligate the Company to issue, transfer or sell
any shares of stock or equity interest of the Company.
3.4 Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general equity
principles, including but not limited to principles governing the availability
of the remedies of specific performance and injunctive relief.
3.5 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5, the
Company and the Company's Affiliates are not required to obtain any consent or
approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental
Authority in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, except such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and
effect.
3.6 Financial Statements. Any financial statements delivered pursuant to
Section 5.4 hereof (collectively, the "Financial Statements") have been prepared
in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates shown and the results of their
operations for the periods indicated.
3.7 Title to Properties; Default Under Agreements.
(a) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good and valid title
to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its material properties and
assets, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its
ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such
properties and assets for their intended purposes.
(b) Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has complied with all
material obligations under all material agreements to which it is a party
and all such agreements are in full force and effect and the Company is not
in default under any of such agreements, except for defaults that would not
be likely, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
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3.8 Subsidiaries. All Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement are
listed on Schedule 3.8 hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 hereto, as of
the date of this Agreement, all the issued and outstanding capital stock of each
Subsidiary is owned by the Company or any other Subsidiary. There are no other
Persons in which the Company has an ownership interest or a right to acquire an
ownership interest as of the date of this Agreement.
3.9 Litigation; Compliance with Laws.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, there are not any actions,
suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental
Authority now pending or, to the actual knowledge of the Company,
threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any
business, property or rights of any such Person (i) which involve this
Agreement or (ii) as to which there is a likelihood of an adverse
determination and which, if adversely determined, would be likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of
any law, rule or regulation, or in default with respect to any judgment,
writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such
violation or default would be likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
3.10 Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in
default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or
instrument evidencing Indebtedness, or any other material agreement or
instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
assets are or may be bound, where such default would be likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
3.11 Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is (a) an "investment company" as defined in, or
subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a
"holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
3.12 Tax Returns. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries has filed or
caused to be filed all Federal, state and local tax returns required to have
been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes shown to be due and
payable on such returns or on any assessments received by it, except taxes that
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the
Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have set aside on its
books adequate reserves.
3.13 No Material Misstatements. No representation or warranty herein or in
any Exhibit or Schedule hereto contains any material misstatement of fact or
omits to state any material
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fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they are made not misleading.
3.14 Employee Benefit Plans. Each of the Company and each ERISA Affiliate
is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of
ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder.
3.15 Environmental and Safety Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule
3.15, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has complied with all Federal,
state, local and other statutes, ordinances, orders, judgments, rulings and
regulations relating to environmental pollution or to environmental regulation
or control or to employee health or safety, except for instances of non-
compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received written notices of any
material failure so to comply, which, if adversely determined, individually or
in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, the Company and the Subsidiaries
do not generate, treat, store, transport, dispose of or release at any facility
owned or operated by any of them any hazardous wastes, hazardous substances,
hazardous materials, toxic substances, toxic pollutants or substances similarly
denominated, as those terms or similar terms are used in the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the
Toxic Substance Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act or any other
applicable law relating to environmental pollution in violation of any law or
any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, except for violations that,
individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, the Company is
aware of no events, conditions or circumstances involving environmental
pollution or contamination or employee health or safety that could reasonably be
expected to result in liability on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary,
except for such events, conditions or circumstances that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
ARTICLE 4
---------
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
--------------------
The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase any shares of Preferred Stock
and Class A Common Stock (each of such events being called a "Purchase") on and
after the Closing Date, are subject to the condition precedent that the Spin-Off
and Merger (as defined in the Merger Agreement) shall have occurred and to the
satisfaction of all of the applicable conditions set forth below:
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4.1 First Purchase. On the Closing Date:
(a) The Purchaser shall have received from the Company the following
documents:
(i) a good standing certificate of the Company issued by the
Secretary of State of Maryland and the Secretary of State of each
state in which the Company owns any property, except for any state in
which the failure of the Company to be in good standing will not have
a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) Articles of Incorporation of the Company, and all amendments
and supplements thereto, certified by the Maryland Secretary of State;
(iii) Bylaws of the Company, as amended, certified as true and
correct by a Responsible Officer of the Company; and
(iv) the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Company authorizing its execution, delivery and performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, certified by the Secretary of the
Company.
(b) The Purchaser shall have received an opinion of Robinson Silverman
Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP or other counsel to the Company reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser dated the Closing Date in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser addressing the matters set forth in
Exhibit D hereto.
(c) The Purchaser and the Company shall have entered into the
Registration Rights Agreement.
4.2 All Purchases. On the date of each Purchase:
(a) Except in connection with the Purchase on the Closing Date, the
Purchaser shall have received a Purchase Notice with respect to each such
other Purchase as required by Section 2.4.
(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 hereof
shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of
each Purchase with the same effect as though made on and as of such date,
except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate
to an earlier date.
(c) The Company shall be in compliance with all the terms and
provisions set forth herein on its part to be observed or performed, and at
the time of and as a result of
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each Purchase no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, other than an event which can be completely
cured by applying the proceeds of such Purchase, in which case the Company
covenants and agrees to apply the proceeds of the requested Purchase to the
extent required to effect such cure.
(d) There shall not have occurred, since the date of this Agreement,
any change that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect other than an event which can be completely
cured by applying the proceeds of such Purchase, in which case the Company
covenants and agrees to apply the proceeds of the requested Purchase to the
extent required to effect such cure.
Each Purchase shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty
by the Company on the Closing Date or applicable Term Closing Date relating to
such Purchase as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this
Section 4.2.
ARTICLE 5
---------
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
---------------------
The Company covenants and agrees with the Purchaser that so long as this
Agreement shall remain in effect, the Company will, and will cause each of the
Subsidiaries to, and the Purchaser will, where applicable:
5.1 Existence: Businesses and Properties.
(a) Keep in full force and effect its legal existence.
(b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve,
renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses,
permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and
trade names material to the conduct of its business; comply in all material
respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted; and at
all times maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of
such business and keep such property in good repair, working order and
condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and from time to time make,
or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs thereto necessary in
order that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly
conducted at all times, except in each case described in this Section
5.1(b) where the failure to do so would not result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
5.2 Insurance. Keep its material insurable real properties adequately
insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such
other insurance, to such extent
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and against such risks, including fire and other risks insured against by
extended coverage and public liability insurance against claims for personal
injury or death or property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection
with the use of any properties owned, occupied or controlled by it as is
customary with companies in the same or similar businesses; and maintain such
other insurance as may be required by law.
5.3 Obligations and Taxes. Pay its material Indebtedness and other
obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge
promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property,
before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful
claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, might
give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however,
that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such
Indebtedness, tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or
amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have set aside on its
books adequate reserves with respect thereto.
5.4 Financial Statements, Reports, etc. Furnish to the Purchaser:
(a) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days (60 days for a
preliminary copy of such statements) after the end of each Fiscal Year, the
consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows, showing the financial condition of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the close of such Fiscal
Year and the results of its operations and the operations of such
subsidiaries during such year, all audited by independent public
accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion
of such accountants (which shall not be qualified in any material respect)
to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present
the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) as soon as available, but not later than 45 days (30 days for a
preliminary copy of such statements) after the end of each of the first
three fiscal quarters of each Fiscal Year, the consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets and statements of operations, stockholders'
equity and cash flows, showing the financial condition of the Company and
its consolidated subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and
the results of its operations and the operations of such subsidiaries
during such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year,
all certified by one of its Responsible Officers as fairly presenting the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments;
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(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a)
or (b) above, a certificate of the accounting firm (in the case of
paragraph (a) above) or Responsible Officer of the Company (in the case of
paragraph (b) above) certifying that no Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any
corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;
(d) within five (5) Business Days after the same become publicly
available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and
other materials filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any governmental authority succeeding to any of or all the
functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or
distributed to its shareholders, as the case may be; and
(e) promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the
operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Company or any
Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the
Purchaser may reasonably request.
5.5 Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Purchaser prompt written
notice of the following:
(a) any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, specifying the
nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be
taken with respect thereto;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority,
against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company which could reasonably
be anticipated to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
(c) any other development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be
anticipated to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 ERISA. Comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA.
5.7 Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections. Maintain
all financial records in accordance with GAAP and so long as Purchaser is
obligated to purchase any shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Agreement,
permit any representatives designated by any Purchaser to visit and inspect the
financial records and the properties of the Company or any Subsidiary at
reasonable times during business hours and as often as requested upon reasonable
written notice, and permit any representatives designated by the Purchaser to
discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Company or any Subsidiary
with the senior officers thereof and the
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independent accountants therefor with prior written notice to and, if requested
by Company, participation of a Responsible Officer of the Company.
5.8 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of any Purchase hereunder shall be used
by the Company for any proper corporate purpose.
5.9 Issuance of Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock. The Company
shall issue Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock solely to the Purchaser
pursuant to this Agreement and not to any other Person.
5.10 Election as Director. On the Closing Date, the Purchaser agrees to
elect Douglas Crocker II to the Board of Directors of the Company as the
Purchaser Director. In the event Mr. Crocker (or such other person subsequently
elected by the Purchaser to the Board of Directors of the Company), is unable or
unwilling to serve as a director or is no longer employed by Purchaser, the
Purchaser agrees to elect such member of senior management of the Purchaser
("Senior Officer") to the Board of Directors of the Company as Purchaser and the
Company shall mutually agree. If the Company and the Purchaser cannot agree on
such Senior Officer to be elected within five (5) days after the date on which
the office of the Purchaser Director becomes vacant, Purchaser shall provide
written notice (the "Designation Notice") to the Company of Purchaser's proposed
Senior Officer to be elected and three (3) alternative Senior Officers. Within
three (3) days after the Company's receipt of such notice from the Purchaser,
the Company shall give Purchaser written notice of which of such four Senior
Officers the Company designates from the Purchaser's written list of Senior
Officers to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Designated
Senior Officer") and the Purchaser shall elect such Designated Senior Officer as
the Purchaser Director. If the Company does not provide the Purchaser with
written notice of its Designated Senior Officer within three (3) days after the
Company's receipt of the Designation Notice, the Purchaser may elect its
proposed Senior Officer as the Purchaser Director. The Company agrees not to
hold any meeting of the Board of Directors or take any Board of Directors'
action if the Purchaser Director office is vacant; provided, however, this
sentence shall not be applicable if Purchaser has failed within five (5)
Business Days of written notice from the Company that it proposes to hold a
Board of Directors meeting or have the Board of Directors otherwise act to
provide the Company with the Designation Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if an Event of Default has occurred, Purchaser may elect any person it chooses
to serve as the Purchaser Director and shall not be required to comply with the
procedures set forth in this Section.
5.11 Voting of Stock. So long as any shares of Preferred Stock, Class A
Common Stock or Common Stock are owned by Purchaser and any of its Affiliates
during the period ten (10) years from the Closing Date, the Company shall have
the right to direct the voting of all of such shares held by Purchaser and any
of its Affiliates, except as to the election of the Purchaser Director or any
matter relating to rights, preferences and privileges of the Preferred Stock or
Class
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A Common Stock. During such ten (10) year period, Purchaser agrees to vote, and
to cause its Affiliates to vote, such shares as directed by the Company, except
as to the election of the Purchaser Director or any matter relating to rights,
preferences and privileges of the Preferred Stock or Class A Common Stock.
5.12 Sale of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. During the period beginning
on the Closing Date and ending ten (10) years from the Closing Date, Purchaser
shall first offer, in writing (a "Notice of Proposed Sale") to sell any shares
of Common Stock, Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock or warrants to purchase
Common Stock owned by it to the Company prior to selling such shares to any
Person. The Notice of Proposed Sale shall specify the terms and conditions of
any sale. If the Company has not agreed, within twenty (20) days of receipt of
the Notice of Proposed Sale to purchase the shares of Common Stock, Class A
Common Stock or Preferred Stock offered by Purchaser upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Notice of Proposed Sale, Purchaser shall have the
right to sell such shares offered to the Company to any other Person for a
period of ninety (90) days provided any sale is made on terms and conditions no
more favorable to such person than specified in the Notice of Proposed Sale. If
the Company agrees to purchase shares of Common Stock, Class A Common Stock or
Preferred Stock from the Purchaser, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and
the Purchaser, such purchase shall be consummated within twenty (20) days of
such agreement.
5.13 Confidentiality. The receipt of any information which is not
publicly available pursuant to Sections 5.4(e) and 5.7 shall be subject to such
reasonable confidentiality provisions (in writing signed by the Purchaser and/or
its representative effecting an inspection pursuant to Section 5.7 of this
Agreement, as the case may be) as the Company may reasonably require.
ARTICLE 6
---------
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
6.1 Events of Default. The happening of any of the following events shall
be an "Event of Default" hereunder:
(a) any representation or warranty made in this Agreement, shall prove
to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made,
deemed made or furnished;
(b) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the
Company or any Subsidiary of any material covenant, condition or agreement
contained in this Agreement, or under the terms of the Articles
Supplementary Classifying the Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A,
after written notice of such default is given to the Company and such
default is not cured within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such notice;
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<PAGE>
(c) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i)
relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of a substantial
part of the property or assets of the Company or a Subsidiary, under Title
11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or
any other Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar
law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,
conservator or similar official for the Company or any Subsidiary or for a
substantial part of the property or assets of the Company or a Subsidiary
or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary;
and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 90 days or
an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be
entered;
(d) the Company or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any
proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal
or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) apply
for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company or any
Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) file an answer admitting the material
allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (iv)
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (v) become unable,
admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they
become due or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
(e) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
amount in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against the Company, any
Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain
undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution
shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment creditor shall levy upon
assets or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce any such
judgment which shall not be effectively stayed within 30 days;
(f) any material breach of any obligation under ERISA or any plan
under ERISA or any liability under ERISA in an amount exceeding $250,000,
which is not discharged within 60 days after the Company becomes aware of
same;
(g) there shall have occurred a Change in Control with respect to the
Company;
(h) there shall have occurred an Event of Default as defined in clause
(i) of the definition of an "Event of Default" in the Articles
Supplementary Classifying the Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A;
or
20
<PAGE>
(i) There shall have occurred a change that has resulted or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
6.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
Article 6, all obligations of the Purchaser to purchase any shares of Preferred
Stock hereunder shall automatically terminate unless the Purchase by the
Purchaser of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to a Purchase Notice received by
Purchaser would cure such Event of Default (in which case the Company covenants
to apply the proceeds of the sale of such Preferred Stock to the extent required
to effect such cure), and (with respect to Events of Default described in
Section 6.1(c), (d), and (h)), the Purchaser shall have the right to have the
Company redeem the outstanding Preferred Stock upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the Articles Supplementary Classifying the Preferred Stock attached
hereto as Exhibit A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the occurrence of an Event
of Default shall not be considered an Event of Default for purposes of any
Section of this Agreement if the Company, within five (5) days of the occurrence
of such Event of Default, delivers to Purchaser a Purchase Notice and the
proceeds of such related Purchase will completely cure such Event of Default, in
which case Purchaser shall use such proceeds to the extent required to effect
such cure.
ARTICLE 7
---------
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
7.1 Termination of the Agreement. Unless otherwise agreed by each of the
parties to this Agreement, if the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated,
all obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement shall automatically
terminate at such time without notice to the Company. The Company shall have
the right at any time to terminate Purchaser's obligation to purchase any
additional Preferred Stock by giving notice thereof to Purchaser. Upon the
giving of such notice (which shall be irrevocable), Purchaser shall be relieved
of its commitment to purchase any Preferred Stock from the Company. The
termination of such commitment shall not relieve the parties of their respective
obligations under Sections 5.10, 5.11 and 5.12 of this Agreement.
7.2 Securities Law Matters. The Purchaser acknowledges and understands
that:
(a) The Purchaser has been furnished with and has carefully reviewed
the documents and information set forth on Exhibit E attached hereto (the
"Information").
(b) The Purchaser has been afforded full and complete access to all
information and other materials relating to the Company and its affiliates,
and the properties and financial condition of the foregoing, and any other
matters relating to the Preferred Stock,
21
<PAGE>
Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants of the Company which the
Purchaser has requested, or deems necessary in evaluating the merits and
risks of acquiring the Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock
and Warrants, and has been afforded the opportunity to obtain any
additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of any
representations or information set forth in the Information.
(c) The Purchaser has had the opportunity to have answered any
questions concerning the financial condition or business or other
information with respect to the Company and its affiliates and the
business, properties and financial condition of the foregoing or with
respect to the merits and risks of an acquisition of the Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants, and the undersigned has
received complete and satisfactory answers to all such questions.
(d) The Purchaser has not relied upon any information or
representation not contained in the Information. Neither the Company nor
any of its agents nor anyone purporting to act on their behalf have made
any representation to the undersigned with respect to any tax or economic
benefits to be derived from an investment in the Preferred Stock, Class A
Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants. The Purchaser is relying solely
upon its own knowledge and upon the advice of its advisors with respect to
the tax, economic and other aspects of an investment in the Preferred
Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants.
(e) The Purchaser has carefully reviewed and understands the risks of,
and other considerations relating to, the acquisition of the Preferred
Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants and an investment in
the Company.
(f) An owner of Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock
and Warrants must bear the economic risk of ownership thereof for an
indefinite period of time since purchase of Preferred Stock, Class A Common
Stock, Common Stock and Warrants involves the purchase of securities that
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
therefore cannot be Transferred (as defined below) except as provided
below.
(g) No federal or state agency has passed upon the Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or Warrants or made any finding or
determination as to the fairness of an investment in the Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or Warrants.
(h) Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees that the Preferred Stock,
Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants, including any Common Stock
issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock or Class A Common Stock, or
any portion thereof, or
22
<PAGE>
upon exercise of the Warrants, may not be pledged, encumbered, sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of (each a "Transfer") except (a)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1993, as amended (the "Act") or (b) pursuant to an exemption from such
registration pursuant to the Act and in compliance with state securities
and blue sky laws and an opinion of counsel provided to the Company to the
effect of this subparagraph (b), which opinion shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Purchaser agrees that
any Transfer of the Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or
Warrants in violation of this Agreement will be null and void and the
certificates representing the Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common
Stock and Warrants will bear an appropriate restrictive legend.
(i) The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company that:
(i) It is able to bear the economic risk of the acquisition of
the Preferred Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants.
(ii) It is an "accredited investor" as defined in Regulation D
promulgated under the Act.
(iii) The representatives of the Purchaser have been furnished
with and have carefully reviewed the Information. Such representatives
have such knowledge and experience in financial, business, securities
and real estate matters that they are capable of evaluating the merits
and risks of the acquisition of the Preferred Stock, Class A Common
Stock, Common Stock and Warrants and of making an informed investment
decision.
(iv) The Purchaser is acquiring and will acquire the Preferred
Stock, Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and Warrants, including any
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock or Class
A Common Stock or upon exercise of the Warrants for its own account,
as principal, for investment and not with a view to a Transfer
thereof.
7.3 Notices. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall
be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Company, to it at _________________________________,
Attention:________________________, Telecopy No. ______________; and
(b) if to the Purchaser, to it at
_____________________________________, Attention: _____________________,
Telecopy No. ______________.
23
<PAGE>
Such notice will be deemed given when received.
7.4 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by the Company herein and in the certificates or other
instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this
Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Purchaser and
shall survive the date of this Agreement, regardless of any investigation made
by the Purchaser or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect
so long as the Aggregate Purchase Commitment has not been fulfilled or
terminated.
7.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall
have been executed by the Company and the Purchaser.
7.6 Assignment. Neither the Company nor the Purchaser shall have the
right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein; provided, however,
the foregoing provision shall not limit the Purchaser's right to sell, transfer
or assign any shares of Common Stock, Class A Common Stock or Preferred Stock
owned by it subject to the provisions of Section 5.12 of this Agreement and
applicable securities laws.
7.7 Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
7.8 Waivers; Amendment.
(a) No failure or delay of the Purchaser in exercising any power or
right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or
power. The rights and remedies of the Purchaser hereunder are cumulative
and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise
have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any
departure by the Company therefrom shall in any event be effective unless
the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
purpose for which given. Unless otherwise specifically required, no notice
or demand on the Company in any case shall entitle the Company to any other
or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived,
amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by the Company and the Purchaser.
24
<PAGE>
7.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits and
schedules thereto, constitute the entire contract between the parties relative
to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party
other than the parties hereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities
under or by reason of this Agreement.
7.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in
respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement.
7.11 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to
replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions
the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions.
7.12 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used
herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and
are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in
interpreting, this Agreement.
7.13 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) EACH OF THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF ANY ILLINOIS OR NEW YORK STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO OR NEW YORK,
AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR
ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY
SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH ILLINOIS OR
NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION
OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER
JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY
LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY
OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR
25
<PAGE>
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(b) EACH OF THE PURCHASER AND THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND
EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY ILLINOIS OR NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL
COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
26
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Purchaser have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST,
its general partner
By:______________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:______________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
27
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
A-1
<PAGE>
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY CLASSIFYING
2,000,000 SHARES OF SERIES A
8% CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE
PREFERRED STOCK OF
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Pursuant to Section ___ of the Corporations and Associations Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland.
1. The name of the corporation (the "Corporation") is Wellsford Real
Properties, Inc..
2. Pursuant to authority granted under Section ___ of the Corporation's
Articles of Incorporation , the Board of Directors of the Corporation hereby
establishes a series of preferred stock designated Series A 8% Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock ($25.00 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Value
$25.00 Per Share) (the "Series A Preferred Stock") on the following terms:
A. Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
subparagraph A of paragraph 2 shall have, for all purpose of these Articles
Supplementary, the meanings herein specified (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in
New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive
order to close.
"Closing Date" shall mean ___________________.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value per share,
of the Corporation.
"Class A Common Stock" shall mean the Class A common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of the Corporation.
"Dividend Period" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph (3)
of paragraph B.
<PAGE>
"Event of Default" shall mean (i) the non-payment of any dividend on
the Quarterly Dividend Date applicable to such dividend for three (3)
Dividend Periods which need not be consecutive; or (ii) the failure to
comply with any term, condition or obligation or failure to provide any
right under these Articles Supplementary.
"Gross Sales Price of a Share of Common Stock" shall mean (a) the
gross proceeds from all sales of Common Stock to institutional purchasers
taking place on or prior to the Closing Date and subject to written
commitments to purchase from institutional purchasers received on or prior
to the Closing Date, divided by (b) the aggregate number of shares so sold
and subject to such commitments.
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph (2)
of paragraph B.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, or government, or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Liquidation Value" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph
(4) of paragraph B below.
"Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock" shall mean the
stockholders' equity of the Corporation determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles as adjusted for all liabilities,
including all costs related to the formation of the Corporation, as set
forth in the financial statements of the Corporation, less the Liquidation
Value of all outstanding Preferred Stock including Series A Preferred
Stock, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
outstanding on such date, excluding the shares of Class A Common Stock
being purchased by ERP Operating Limited Partnership on the Closing Date.
Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock shall be determined in accordance
with the provisions in Section 2.1 of that certain Common Stock and
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of ______________, 1997 between
ERP Operating Limited Partnership and the Corporation.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean all shares of capital stock having a
preference in any manner to the Common Stock or Class A Common Stock.
"Quarterly Dividend Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
subparagraph (3) of paragraph B below.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph (3) of
paragraph B below.
2
<PAGE>
"Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph (5)
of paragraph B below.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph
(5) of paragraph B below.
"Responsible Officer" of any corporation shall mean any executive
officer of such corporation, and any other officer or similar official
thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such
corporation in respect of these Articles Supplementary.
"Series A Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
B. Series A Preferred Stock
(1) Number. The maximum number of shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock shall be 2,000,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive dividends and
to participate in distributions or payments in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the Series A
Preferred Stock shall rank pari passu with any other Preferred Stock of the
Corporation, and will rank senior to the Common Stock and any other class
or series of shares of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to
dividends and upon liquidation, junior to the Series A Preferred Stock
(collectively, "Junior Shares"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Corporation may make distributions or pay dividends in shares of Common
Stock or in any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series A Preferred Stock as to distribution rights and liquidation
preference at any time; provided, however, the Corporation may make
distributions or pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock in shares of
the Corporation only as provided herein.
(3) Dividends. The holders of the then outstanding Series A Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation out of any funds legally available therefor,
dividends at the rate of $2.00 per share per year, payable in cash, except
as provided below, in equal amounts quarterly on the fifteenth day, or if
not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, of January, April,
July and October in each year, beginning ______________, 1997 (each such
day being hereinafter called a "Quarterly Dividend Date" and each period
ending on a Quarterly Dividend Date being hereinafter called a "Dividend
Period"), to shareholders of record at the close of business on such date
as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at the time
of declaration of the dividend (the "Record Date"), which
3
<PAGE>
shall be not fewer than 10 nor more than 30 days preceding the Quarterly
Dividend Date. The amount of any dividend payable for the initial Dividend
Period and for any other Dividend Period shorter than a full Dividend
Period shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. Dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Stock in an
amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and
payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a per share basis
among all such shares at the time outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any twelve (12) Dividend Periods
the Company shall have the right to pay the dividend in additional shares
of Series A Preferred Stock determined by dividing the total amount of the
dividend to be paid in shares of Series A Preferred Stock by the
Liquidation Value (as defined herein) per share of Series A Preferred
Stock. The issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock
pursuant to this subparagraph (3) shall be evidenced by a stock certificate
representing such shares issued on the related Quarterly Dividend Date and
delivered on or immediately thereafter. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, no fractional shares of the Corporation shall be issued in
connection with the payment of any dividend on Series A Preferred Stock in
additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Instead, any holder of
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock having a fractional interest arising
upon the payment of a dividend in additional shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall, on the related Quarterly Dividend Date, be paid an amount in
cash equal to the Liquidation Value times the fraction of a share of Series
A Preferred Stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.
In the event the Company fails to pay any dividend on the Series A
Preferred Stock on any Quarterly Dividend Date, the Company shall not pay
any dividends on any other class of stock of the Company (other than (i)
pro rata with other securities of the Company ranking pari passu with the
Series A Preferred Stock or (ii) with Junior Shares) until such dividend on
the Series A Preferred Stock has been paid.
Except as provided in these Articles Supplementary, the Series A
Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or
assets of the Corporation.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(a) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out
of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its
shareholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on any
Junior Shares, the amount of $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred
Stock ("Liquidation Value"), plus any accrued and unpaid dividends
thereon.
4
<PAGE>
(b) After the payment to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this paragraph
B(4), the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock as such shall have
no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.
(c) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation, or winding up the Corporation, the amounts payable with
respect to the preference value of the Series A Preferred Stock and
any other shares of capital stock of the Corporation ranking as to any
such distribution on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock are
not paid in full, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and of
such other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of
assets of the Corporation in proportion to the full respective
preference amounts to which they are entitled.
(d) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of the
Corporation into or with any other entity or the merger or
consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation, nor
any dissolution, liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the
Corporation immediately followed by the incorporation of another
corporation to which the Corporation's assets are distributed shall be
deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, voluntary or
involuntary, for the purposes of this paragraph B.
(e) In determining whether a distribution by dividend, redemption
or other acquisition of shares of the Corporation or otherwise is
permitted under Maryland law, no effect shall be given to amounts that
would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time
of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon
dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights on dissolution
are superior to those receiving the distribution.
(5) Redemption.
(a) Optional Redemption. On and after _____________, 2002, the
Corporation may, at its option, redeem at any time all of the
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock or a part of the outstanding
Series A Preferred Stock at a price per share (the "Redemption
Price"), equal to $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock,
together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including the
date fixed for redemption (the "Redemption Date"); provided, however,
that no partial redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock may be
effected if after giving effect thereto the aggregate Liquidation
Value of the Series A Preferred Stock outstanding is less than
$10,000,000. The Redemption Price and all accrued and unpaid
5
<PAGE>
dividends shall be paid in cash; provided, however, that if (a) a
holder of Series A Preferred Stock desires to convert any of its
Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption but such conversion
would cause any direct or indirect holder which is classified as a
real estate investment trust ("REIT") under Section 856 of the Code to
own , directly or indirectly, more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting
capital stock of the Corporation or would otherwise cause any direct
or indirect holder of such outstanding voting capital stock to lose
its status as a REIT under the Code, and (b) such holder has so
notified the Corporation in writing prior to the Redemption Date,
stating the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock which have
been called for redemption which such holder is unable to convert for
such reason (such shares being referred to as the "Unconvertible
Shares"), then the Corporation shall pay, in cash, the Redemption
Price plus all accrued and unpaid dividends for each Unconvertible
Share and shall issue to such holder a warrant to purchase the number
of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the fair market value of a
share of Common Stock on the Redemption Date over the Redemption
Price, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock into
which the Unconvertible Shares redeemed from such holder were
convertible immediately prior to such redemption, and divided by (iii)
the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the Redemption
Date. Such warrant shall be exercisable without cost to the holder
thereof at any time and from time to time for a period of ten (10)
years from the date of issuance of such warrant. The warrant shall be
on such terms and conditions as are customarily contained in like
warrants, including provisions to protect the holder of the warrant
from dilution. The Corporation shall have the right, at any time, to
redeem such warrant at a price equal to the fair market value of such
warrant on the date of any such redemption. The fair market value of a
share of Common Stock on the Redemption Date shall be deemed to be the
average of the daily closing prices of the Common Stock for thirty
(30) consecutive trading days commencing forty-five (45) trading days
before the Redemption Date. The closing price for each day shall be
the last reported sales price or, in case no such reported sale takes
place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked
prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or
if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such
Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the closing
sale price of the Common Stock or, in case no reported sale takes
place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, on Nasdaq or
any comparable system, or if the Common Stock is not quoted on Nasdaq
or any comparable system, the closing sale price or, in case no
reported sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, as furnished by any two members of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Corporation
for that purpose.
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(b) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Corporation,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 90 days prior to the
Redemption Date, addressed to the holders of record of the Series A
Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their addresses as they appear on
the share transfer records of the Corporation. No failure to give such
notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect
the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A
Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom the Corporation has
failed to give notice or except as to the holder to whom notice was
defective. In addition to any information required by law or by the
applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred Stock
may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a) the
Redemption Date; (b) the Redemption Price; (c) the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (d) the place or places where
certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the
Redemption Price; (e) the date on which conversion rights shall
expire, the conversion price and the place or places where
certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for conversion; and
(f) the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
outstanding on the date of such notice.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with subparagraph
(5)(b)(i) above and provided that on or before the Redemption Date
specified in such notice all funds necessary for such redemption shall
have been irrevocably set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart
from its other funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, so as to be,
and to continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the
Redemption Date, distributions shall no longer accrue on said shares
and said shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and shall
not have the status of Series A Preferred Stock and all rights of the
holders thereof as shareholders of the Corporation (except the right
to receive the Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon surrender, in
accordance with said notice, of the certificates for any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned
for transfer, if the Corporation shall so require and the notice shall
so state), such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed
by the Corporation at the Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the
Series A Preferred Stock represented by any such certificate are
redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued
representing the unredeemed Series A Preferred Stock without cost to
the holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the
purpose of redeeming shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
irrevocable except that:
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(A) the Corporation shall be entitled to receive from such
bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if any,
earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any
shares redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other
earnings;
(B) any balance of monies so deposited by the Corporation
and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
entitled thereto at the expiration of one year from the
applicable Redemption Date shall be repaid, together with any
interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Corporation,
and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled
to the funds so repaid to the Corporation shall look only to the
Corporation for payment without interest or other earnings; and
(C) any funds set aside to redeem Series A Preferred Stock
that is converted into Common Stock prior to the Redemption Date
shall be immediately delivered to the Corporation.
(iv) No Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed except with
funds legally available for the payment of the Redemption Price.
(v) Unless a sum sufficient for the payment of the then current
dividend due for the then current Dividend Period is set apart, no
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed (unless all
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are simultaneously
redeemed) or purchased or otherwise acquired directly or indirectly
(except by conversion into or exchange for capital shares of the
Corporation ranking junior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series A
Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the
same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Stock.
(vi) If the Redemption Date is after a Record Date and before the
related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend payable on such
Quarterly Dividend Date shall be paid to the holder in whose name the
Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed are registered at the close of
business on such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption thereof
between such Record Date and the related Quarterly Dividend Date or
the Corporation's default in the payment of the dividend due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all of the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares of Series
A Preferred Stock to
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<PAGE>
be redeemed shall be selected pro rata from the holders of record of
such shares in proportion to the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid
redemption of fractional shares) or by any other equitable method
determined by the Corporation.
(c) Required Redemption. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default or on and after _____________, 2012, whichever comes first,
the holder of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock may, at its
option, cause the Corporation to redeem at any time all of the Series
A Preferred Stock held by such holder at the Redemption Price, payable
in cash, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and
including the Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
subsection (c), provided an Event of Default has not occurred, the
Corporation shall have the right to extend the date during which a
required redemption is not permitted under this subsection (c) for
three separate additional five (5) year periods if the dividend rate
on the Series A Preferred Stock is changed to the then market rate of
comparable preferred stock (the "Market Rate") on the first day of
each such additional five year period; provided, however, in no event
shall the dividend be reduced to less than $2.00 per share of Series A
Preferred Stock. The Market Rate shall be determined ten (10) days
prior to the first Business Day of each such additional five (5) year
period by mutual agreement of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
and the Corporation. In the event the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock and the Corporation cannot agree on such determination prior to
the first Business Day of such additional five (5) year period, the
Market Rate shall be determined as of the first Business Day of each
such additional five (5) year period as follows: (i) a majority of the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall choose
an investment banking firm of nationally recognized status and the
Corporation shall choose an investment banking firm of nationally
recognized status; (ii) the investment banking firms chosen by a
majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock then
outstanding and the Corporation shall mutually choose a third
investment banking firm of nationally recognized status (the
"Independent Investment Banker"); (iii) the Independent Investment
Banker shall then determine, in its sole discretion, the Market Rate
and shall advise the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and the
Corporation of its determination; and (iv) the fees of the Independent
Investment Banker for making such determination shall be borne fifty
percent (50%) by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and fifty
percent (50%) by the Corporation.
(d) Procedures for Required Redemption.
(i) Notice of any required redemption shall be mailed by the
holder of the Series A Preferred Stock requesting redemption, postage
prepaid, not less than
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<PAGE>
30 nor more than 90 days prior to the Redemption Date, addressed to
the Corporation. In addition to any information required by law or by
the applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred
Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date; (b) the Redemption Price; and (c) the number
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with subparagraph
(5)(d)(i) above on or before the Redemption Date specified in such
notice all funds necessary for such redemption shall have been
irrevocably set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart from its
other funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock requesting redemption, so as to be, and to
continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the Redemption
Date, said shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and
shall not have the status of Series A Preferred Stock and all rights
of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Corporation (except the
right to receive the Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon surrender, in
accordance with said notice, of the certificates for any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock so redeemed, such shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be redeemed by the Corporation at the Redemption
Price. In case fewer than all the Series A Preferred Stock represented
by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or
certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series A
Preferred Stock without cost to the holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the
purpose of redeeming shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
irrevocable except that:
(A) the Corporation shall be entitled to receive from such
bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if any,
earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any
shares redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other
earnings; and
(B) any balance of monies so deposited by the Corporation
and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
entitled thereto at the expiration of one year from the
applicable Redemption Date shall be repaid, together with any
interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Corporation,
and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled
to the funds so repaid to the Corporation shall look only to the
Corporation for payment without interest or other earnings.
(iv) No Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed except with
funds legally available for the payment of the Redemption Price.
10
<PAGE>
(v) If the Redemption Date is after a Record Date and before the
related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend payable on such
Quarterly Dividend Date shall be paid to the holder in whose name the
Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed are registered at the close of
business on such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption thereof
between such Record Date and the related Quarterly Dividend Date or
the Corporation's default in the payment of the dividend due.
(e) The Series A Preferred Stock redeemed, repurchased or retired
pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph 5(b) or surrendered to
the Corporation upon conversion shall thereupon be retired and may not
be reissued as Series A Preferred Stock but shall thereafter have the
status of authorized but unissued shares of the Corporation.
(6) Voting Rights. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not
be entitled to vote on any matter except as provided below; provided,
however, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any voting
rights to the extent such rights will cause any holder of a Series A
Preferred Stock to own more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting capital
stock of the Corporation or otherwise cause any holder of Series A
Preferred Stock that is classified as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code
to lose its status as a REIT under the Code.
(a) So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain
outstanding, the Corporation will not, without the affirmative vote or
consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series
A Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by
proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting
separately as a class), (i) authorize, create or issue, or increase
the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of
capital stock ranking prior to the Series A Preferred Stock with
respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any authorized
shares of capital stock of the Corporation into such shares, or
create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into
or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend,
alter or repeal the provisions of the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation or the Articles Supplementary classifying the Series A
Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (an
"Event"), so as to materially and adversely affect any right,
preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock
or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to the
occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as
the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding with the
terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the
occurrence of an Event, the Corporation may not be the
11
<PAGE>
surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed
to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting power of holders of Series A Preferred Stock and
provided further that (x) any increase in the amount of the authorized
or issued shares of Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance of any
other Preferred Stock, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized
or issued Series A Preferred Stock or any other Preferred Stock, in
each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred
Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of
assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be
deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting powers.
Nothing herein contained shall require such a vote or consent (i)
in connection with any increase in the total number of authorized or
issued shares of Common Stock, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or issuance of any class or series of shares of stock
ranking, as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference, on
a parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to
the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise
be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption and
sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such
redemption.
(7) Conversion.
(a) Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right,
exercisable at any time and from time to time, except in the case of
Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption as set forth in
subparagraph (5) hereof, to convert all or any of such Series A
Preferred Stock into Common Stock at a conversion price per share of
Common Stock equal to (i) the Net Book Value Per Share of Common Stock
on the Closing Date or (ii) in the event any sales of Common Stock to
any institutional purchasers have taken place on or prior to the
Closing Date or are subject to a commitment to purchase from an
institutional purchaser made on or prior to the Closing Date, the
Gross Sales Price of a Share of Common Stock; multiplied by 1.08 (the
"Conversion Price"). In the case of Series A Preferred Stock called
for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business
on the last Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. Notice of
redemption at the option of the Corporation must be mailed not less
than 60 days and not more than 90 days prior to the Redemption Date as
provided in subparagraph (5)(b) hereof. Upon conversion, no adjustment
or payment will be made for distributions, but if any holder
surrenders Class A Preferred Stock for conversion after the close
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<PAGE>
of business on the Record Date for the payment of a distribution and
prior to the opening of business on the related Quarterly Dividend
Date, then, notwithstanding such conversion, the distribution payable
on such Quarterly Dividend Date will be paid to the registered holder
of such shares on such Record Date. In such event, such shares, when
surrendered for conversion during the period between the close of
business on any Record Date and the opening of business on the
corresponding Quarterly Dividend Date, must be accompanied by payment
of an amount equal to the distribution payable on such Quarterly
Dividend Date on the shares so converted (unless such shares were
converted after the issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to
such shares, in which event such shares shall be entitled to the
distribution payable thereon on such Quarterly Dividend Date without
making such payment).
(b) Any holder of one or more shares of Series A Preferred Stock
electing to convert such share or shares shall deliver the certificate
or certificates therefor to the principal office of any transfer agent
for the Common Stock, with the form of notice of election to convert
as the Corporation shall prescribe fully completed and duly executed
and (if so required by the Corporation or any conversion agent)
accompanied by instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Corporation and to any conversion agent, duly executed by the
registered holder or his duly authorized attorney, and transfer taxes,
stamps or funds therefor or evidence of payment thereof. The
conversion right with respect to any such shares shall be deemed to
have been exercised at the date upon which the certificates therefor
accompanied by such duly executed notice of election and instruments
of transfer and such taxes, stamps, funds or evidence of payment shall
have been so delivered, and the person or persons entitled to receive
the shares of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be
treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such
shares of the Common Stock upon said date.
(c) No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip representing a
fractional share shall be issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred
Stock. If more than one share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number
of full shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon conversion
thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock so surrendered. Instead of any
fractional shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable
upon conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the
Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in
an amount equal to the same fraction of the closing price for the
Common Stock on the last trading day preceding the date of conversion.
The closing price for such day shall be the last reported sales price
regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes
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<PAGE>
place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked
prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or
if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such
Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the closing
sale price of the Common Stock or in case no reported sale takes
place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, on Nasdaq or
any comparable system. If the Common Stock is not quoted on Nasdaq or
any comparable system, the Board of Directors shall in good faith
determine the current market price on the basis of such quotation as
it considers appropriate.
(d) If a holder converts shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the
Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or
transfer tax due on the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the
conversion. The holder, however, shall pay to the Corporation the
amount of any tax which is due (or shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Corporation payment thereof) if the shares are to be issued in
a name other than the name of such holder and shall pay to the
Corporation any amount required by the last sentence of subparagraph
(7)(a) hereof.
(e) The Corporation shall reserve and shall at all times have
reserved out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of the then
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock. All Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock shall be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and not subject to preemptive or
other similar rights. In order that the Corporation may issue Common
Stock upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation
will endeavor to comply with all applicable federal and state
securities laws and will endeavor to list such Common Stock to be
issued upon conversion on each securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed.
(f) The conversion rate in effect at any time shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as follows:
(i) In case the Corporation shall (1) pay or make a
distribution in shares of Common Stock to holders of the Common
Stock, (2) reclassify the outstanding Common Stock into shares of
some other class or series of shares, (3) subdivide the
outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares of
Common Stock or (4) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the conversion rate
immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the
holder of any
14
<PAGE>
shares of Series A Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for
conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of
Common Stock which he would have owned immediately following such
action had such Series A Preferred Stock been converted
immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this
subparagraph (7)(f)(i) shall become effective immediately after
the record date in the case of a distribution and shall become
effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a
subdivision, combination or reclassification.
(ii) In case the Corporation shall issue rights, options or
warrants to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase Common Stock (or securities convertible
into Common Stock) at a price per share less than the current
market price (as determined pursuant to subparagraph (7)(f)(iv))
of the Common Stock on such record date, the number of shares of
Common Stock into which each share of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be convertible shall be adjusted so that the same shall be
equal to the number determined by multiplying the number of
shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series A
Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to such record
date by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the
number of additional shares of Common Stock offered (or into
which the convertible securities so offered are convertible), and
of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of shares
of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of the
additional shares of Common Stock offered (or into which the
convertible securities so offered are convertible) would purchase
at such current market price. Such adjustments shall become
effective immediately after such record date for the
determination of the holders of the Common Stock entitled to
receive such distribution. For purposes of this subsection (ii),
the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding
shall not include shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of
the Corporation.
(iii) In case the Corporation shall distribute to all
holders of the Common Stock any class of shares of capital stock
other than Common Stock, evidences of indebtedness or assets of
the Corporation (other than cash distributions out of current or
retained earnings), or shall distribute to all holders of the
Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for securities
(other than those referred to in subparagraph (7)(f)(ii), then in
each such case the number of Common Stock into which each share
of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible shall be
adjusted so that the
15
<PAGE>
same shall equal the number determined by multiplying the number
of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series A
Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to the date of
such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall be
the current market price (determined as provided in subparagraph
(7)(f)(iv) of the Common Stock on the record date mentioned
below, and of which the denominator shall be such current market
price of the Common Stock, less the then fair market value (as
determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive evidence of such fair market value) of the portion
of the securities or assets so distributed or of such
subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Common
Stock. Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after
the record date for the determination of the holders of the
Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporation
shall distribute rights or warrants (other than those referred to
in subparagraph (7)(f)(ii)) ("Rights") pro rata to holders of the
Common Stock, the Corporation may, in lieu of making any
adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (7)(f)(iii), make proper
provision so that each holder of a share of Series A Preferred
Stock who converts such share after the record date for such
distribution and prior to the expiration or redemption of the
Rights shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, in
addition to the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion (the
"Conversion Shares"), a number of Rights to be determined as
follows: (1) if such conversion occurs on or prior to the date
for the distribution to the holders of Rights of separate
certificates evidencing such Rights (the "Distribution Date"),
the same number of Rights to which a holder of a number of shares
of Common Stock equal to the number of Conversion Shares is
entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with the
terms and provisions of and applicable to the Rights; and (2) if
such conversion occurs after the Distribution Date, the same
number of Rights to which a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which a share of Series A Preferred Stock so
converted was convertible immediately prior to the Distribution
Date would have been entitled on the Distribution Date in
accordance with the terms and provisions of and applicable to the
Rights.
(iv) The current market price per share of the Common Stock
on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily
closing prices for thirty consecutive trading days commencing
forty-five (45) trading days before the date in question. The
closing price for each day shall be the last reported sales price
or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such date, the
average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way,
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<PAGE>
in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or if the Common
Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
closing sale price of the Common Stock or, in case no reported
sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, on Nasdaq or any comparable system, or if the Common
Stock is not quoted on Nasdaq or any comparable system, the
closing sale price or, in case no reported sale takes place, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, as furnished by any
two members of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. selected from time to time by the Corporation for that
purpose.
(v) In any case in which this subparagraph (7) shall require
that an adjustment be made immediately following a record date,
the Corporation may elect to defer (but only until five Business
Days following the mailing of the notice described in
subparagraph (7)(j)) issuing to the holder of any Series A
Preferred Stock converted after such record date the Common Stock
and other shares of capital stock of the Corporation issuable
upon such conversion over and above the Common Stock and other
shares of capital stock of the Corporation issuable upon such
conversion only on the basis of the conversion rate prior to
adjustment; and, in lieu of the shares the issuance of which is
so deferred, the Corporation shall issue or cause its transfer
agents to issue appropriate evidence of the right to receive such
shares.
(g) No adjustment in the conversion rate shall be required until
cumulative adjustments result in a change of 1% or more of the
conversion price as in effect prior to the last adjustment of the
conversion rate; provided, however, that any adjustment which by
reason of this subparagraph (7)(g) is not required to be made shall be
carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
All calculations under this subparagraph (7) shall be made to the
nearest cent ($.01) or the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a share,
as the case may be. No adjustment to the conversion rate shall be made
for cash dividends.
(h) In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant
to subparagraph (7)(f), the holder of any Series A Preferred Stock
thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive
any shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than Common
Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon
conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly
17
<PAGE>
equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common
Stock contained in this subparagraph (7).
(i) The Corporation may make such increases in the conversion
rate, in addition to those required by subparagraphs (7)(f)(i), (ii)
and (iii), as is considered to be advisable in order that any event
treated for federal income tax purposes as a distribution of shares or
share rights shall not be taxable to the recipients thereof.
(j) Whenever the conversion rate is adjusted, the Corporation
shall promptly mail to all holders of record of Series A Preferred
Stock a notice of the adjustment and shall cause to be prepared a
certificate signed by a principal financial officer of the Corporation
setting forth the adjusted conversion rate and a brief statement of
the facts requiring such adjustment and the computation thereof; such
certificate shall forthwith be filed with each transfer agent for the
Series A Preferred Stock.
(k) In the event that:
(i) the Corporation takes any action which would require
an adjustment in the conversion rate,
(ii) the Corporation consolidates or merges with, or
transfers all or substantially all of its assets to,
another corporation and shareholders of the
Corporation must approve the transaction, or
(iii) there is a dissolution, winding up or liquidation of
the Corporation,
a holder of Series A Preferred Stock may wish to convert some or all
of such shares into Common Stock prior to the record date for, or the
effective date of, the transaction so that he may receive the rights,
warrants, securities or assets which a holder of Common Stock on that
date may receive. Therefore, the Corporation shall mail to holders of
Series A Preferred Stock a notice stating the proposed record or
effective date of the transaction, as the case may be. The Corporation
shall mail the notice at least 10 days before such date; however,
failure to mail such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the
validity of any transaction referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii)
of this subparagraph (7)(k).
18
<PAGE>
(l) If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any
reclassification or change of outstanding Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of Series A Preferred Stock (other than a change in par
value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par
value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any
consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party other than
a consolidation or merger in which the Corporation is the continuing
corporation and which does not result in any reclassification of, or
change (other than a change in name, or par value, or from par value
to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of
a subdivision or combination) in, outstanding Common Stock or (iii)
any sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the
property or business of the Corporation as an entirety, then the
Corporation, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case
may be, shall, as a condition precedent to such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, provide in its
charter document that each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
convertible into the kind and amount of shares of stock and other
securities and property (including cash) receivable upon such
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or
lease by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable
upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately
prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale,
transfer or lease. Such charter document shall provide for adjustments
which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the
adjustments provided for in this subparagraph (7). The foregoing,
however, shall not in any way affect the right that a holder of Series
A Preferred Stock may otherwise have, pursuant to clause (2) of the
last sentence of subparagraph (7)(f)(iii), to receive Rights upon
conversion of Series A Preferred Stock. If, in the case of any such
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or
lease, the shares of stock or other securities and property (including
cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of the Common Stock includes
shares of stock or beneficial interest or other securities and
property of a corporation or other entity other than the successor or
purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, then the
charter document of such other corporation shall contain such
additional provisions to protect the interests of the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock as the Board of Directors shall reasonably
consider necessary by reason of the foregoing. The provisions of this
subparagraph (7)(1) shall similarly apply to successive
consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or leases.
No holder of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will possess
any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares
of the Corporation (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities
of the Corporation
19
<PAGE>
convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares
of the Corporation.
(8) So long as any Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, the
Corporation shall not issue any options to purchase shares of the
Corporation ("Employee Stock Options") to officers, directors or employees
of, or consultants to, the Corporation, whether pursuant to employee stock
option or purchase plans of the Corporation or employment or consulting
agreements or otherwise for an exercise price which is less than the fair
market value of such shares on the date of grant. In the event the number
of shares of Common Stock subject to Employee Stock Options excluding, any
Employee Stock Options [reload/rollover], at any time exceeds, in the
aggregate, 10% of the Common Stock outstanding at such time, all Employee
Stock Options outstanding at such time in excess of such 10%, shall be
deemed for purposes of subparagraph (7) hereof to have an exercise price
per share equal to 20% of the average fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of grant of those shares subject to Employee Stock
Options most recently granted in excess of such 10%.
3. Exclusion of Other Rights.
-------------------------
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series A Preferred Stock
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
these Articles Supplementary (as such Articles Supplementary may be amended from
time to time) and in the Articles of Incorporation. The Series A Preferred Stock
shall have no preemptive or subscription rights.
4. Headings of Subdivisions.
------------------------
The headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions
hereof.
5. Severability of Provisions.
--------------------------
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in these Articles Supplementary
(as such Articles Supplementary may be amended from time to time) is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series A Preferred Stock and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in these Articles
Supplementary (as so amended) which can be given effect without the invalid,
unlawful or unenforceable voting powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of Series A Preferred Stock and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof
20
<PAGE>
herein set forth shall not be deemed dependent upon any other such voting
powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special right
of Series A Preferred Stock and qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof unless so expressed herein.
6. These Articles Supplementary were duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation on _________________. Stockholder action is not
required.
21
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
---------
FORM OF NOTICE OF DRAW
----------------------
TO: ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
_____________________________
_____________________________
Attention: _________________
Telephone: (___) ___________
Telecopy: (___) ___________
Pursuant to Section 4.2 of that certain Common Stock and Preferred Stock
Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of ___________, 1997 by and among
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Company") and ERP
OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois limited partnership ("Purchaser"),
this notice represents the Company's notice to Purchaser to cause Purchaser to
purchase _________ shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the Purchaser's Term
Purchase Commitment on ______________, 199__ (the "Term Closing Date"). The
aggregate purchase price of such Purchase shall be $______________.
The Company hereby certifies as follows:
(i) the representations and warranties as set forth in Article 3
(except to the extent that such statements expressly are made only as of an
earlier date) of the Agreement are and shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the date hereof and the Term Closing Date
specified herein; and
(ii) the Company has and shall have performed, or shall have caused
to be performed, in all material respects all agreements and satisfied all
conditions set forth in Section 4.2 of the Agreement.
B-1
<PAGE>
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used herein shall have the meanings
in the Agreement.
Dated: ______________, 199____
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:_____________________________
Name:_________________________
Title:________________________
B-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
---------
C-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
---------
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the corporate power to
own its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted by it.
2. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform the obligations set forth in the Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, each of which has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action, and the execution and performance of which will not
conflict with, or result in a breach of the Company's Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws or, to the best of our knowledge and belief without any duty of
inquiry, any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental
authority, or any of the material terms, conditions or provisions of any
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company
is bound.
3. The Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and
constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms. [BANKRUPTCY EXCEPTION]
4. The Class A Common Stock issued to Purchaser on the date of this
opinion pursuant to the terms of the Agreement shall be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
5. The Preferred Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Agreement
has been duly and validly reserved for issuance and, upon issuance in accordance
with the terms of the Agreement, shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
6. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class A Common
Stock and Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the Warrants has been duly and
validly reserved for issuance and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of
the Company's Articles of Incorporation and the Articles Supplementary, shall be
duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
D-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
---------
To be completed upon filing of the Company's Registration Statement
E-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
---------
F-1
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
-----------------------------
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made as of the ____ day of
____________, 1997, by and among WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland
corporation (the "Company"), and ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois
limited partnership, and its successors, assigns and transferees (herein
referred to collectively as the "Holders" and individually as a "Holder").
W I T N E S S E T H:
-------------------
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, Holder and the Company have entered into that
certain Common Stock and Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Stock Purchase
Agreement");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Holder is
obligated to purchase shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company ("Class A Common Stock") and Series A 8% Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Preferred Stock");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Articles Supplementary classifying the Preferred
Stock attached as Exhibit A to the Stock Purchase Agreement ("Articles
Supplementary"), the Holder shall have the right to convert all or any of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the
Holder shall have the right to convert all or any of the outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock into shares of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the Holders with certain
registration rights as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to and on the terms
and conditions herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
<PAGE>
1. Definitions.
-----------
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall
have the following meanings:
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also
include the Company's successors.
"Demand Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 hereof.
"Effective Date" shall mean the date of this Agreement.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.
"Holder" or "Holders" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and by all other
amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"Public Sale" shall mean a public sale or distribution of Registrable
Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then
in effect) under the Securities Act.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Shares, excluding (i) Shares for
which a Registration Statement relating to the sale thereof by the Holder shall
have become effective under the Securities Act and which have been disposed of
by the Holder under such Registration Statement, and (ii) Shares sold or
otherwise distributed pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation:
(i) all SEC or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection
with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualification of
any of the Registrable Securities and the preparation of a Blue Sky Memorandum)
and compliance with
2
<PAGE>
the rules of the NASD, (iii) all expenses of any Persons engaged by the Company
in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and
distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, certificates and other
documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement,
(iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of
any of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or exchanges
pursuant to Section 4(a)(viii) hereof, (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Company and of the independent public accountants of the Company,
including the expenses of any special audits or "cold comfort" letters, if any,
required by or incident to such performance and compliance, and (vi) the fees
and disbursements of counsel representing a selling Holder. Registration
Expenses shall specifically exclude underwriting discounts and commissions, and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a selling Holder, all of which shall be borne by such Holder in
all cases.
"Registration Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
"Registration Statement" shall mean a registration statement of the Company
and any other entity required to be a registrant with respect to such
registration statement pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act which
covers the Registrable Securities requested by Holders to be covered by such
registration statement, and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all materials
incorporated by reference therein.
"Requesting Holder" shall mean each Holder who requests to participate in
an underwritten public offering of Company Common Stock.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"Shares" shall mean Preferred Stock issuable or issued, Common Stock
issuable or issued upon conversion of all or any portion of the shares of
Preferred Stock or Class A Common Stock and Common Stock issuable or issued upon
the exercise of warrants issued pursuant to the Articles Supplementary.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
-------------------------------------
(a) Filing of Registration Statement. After one (1) year from the
Effective Date hereof, as promptly as practicable after written notice (a
"Demand Notice") from the Holder requesting that the Company effect the
registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities having an
aggregate fair market value of $5,000,000 during the period three (3) years from
the Effective Date hereof ("Initial Period") or $7,500,000 at any time after the
Initial Period,
3
<PAGE>
the Company shall cause to be filed promptly a Registration Statement or an
amendment to a Registration Statement as determined by the Company providing for
the resale by the Holder of Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms
hereof and will use its best efforts to cause any such Registration Statement to
be declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holder shall only have the right to deliver one
Demand Notice during any calendar year; provided, however, that during the
period five (5) years from the Effective Date hereof Holder shall not deliver
more than four (4) Demand Notices in the aggregate. Any such registration
request by Holder shall include all Shares which may be included in such
Registration Statement at such time. The Company agrees to use its best efforts
to keep any such Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act until such Shares covered thereby are no longer Registrable
Securities and further agrees to supplement or amend the Registration Statement,
if and as required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the
registration form used by the Company for such Registration Statement or by the
Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for such
Registration Statement. The Company may elect to register all Shares at any
time.
(b) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with any Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.
(c) Inclusion in Registration Statement. The Company may require each
Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company in writing such
information regarding the proposed offer or sale by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request
in writing. Any Holder who does not provide the information reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the Registration Statement as
promptly as practicable after receipt of such request, but in no event later
than ten (10) days thereafter, shall not be entitled to have its Registrable
Securities included in the Registration Statement.
3. Incidental Registration.
-----------------------
If the Company proposes to register any shares of Common Stock for Public
Sale pursuant to an underwritten offering under the Securities Act (whether
proposed to be offered for sale by the Company or by any other Person) it will
give prompt written notice (a "Registration Notice") to the Holders of its
intention to do so. Upon the written request of any Holder (a "Requesting
Holder") delivered to the Company within fifteen (15) Business Days after the
receipt of a Registration Notice, which request shall specify the number of
Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Requesting Holder, the
Company shall include the Shares specified in the request of such Requesting
Holder in the registration statement; provided, however, the Registrable
Securities requested by such Requesting Holder to be included in the
Registration Statement shall have an aggregate fair market value of $5,000,000
during the Initial Period or $7,500,000 thereafter. The Company will not be
required to effect any registration pursuant to this Section 3 if the Company
shall have been advised in writing (with a copy to each Requesting
4
<PAGE>
Holder) by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected
by the Company to act as lead underwriter in connection with the public offering
of securities that, in such firm's opinion, a registration at that time of
additional securities would materially and adversely affect the offering, in
which case in the discretion of the Company, either:
(i) the Registrable Securities of the Requesting Holders shall
nevertheless be included in such Registration Statement subject to the
condition that the Requesting Holders may not offer or sell their
Registrable Securities included therein for a period of at least 90 days
after the initial effective date of such Registration Statement, or
(ii) if the Company should reasonably determine that the inclusion of
such Registrable Securities, notwithstanding the provisions of the
preceding clause (i), would materially adversely affect the offering
contemplated in such Registration Statement, and based on such
determination recommends inclusion in such Registration Statement of fewer
or none of the Registrable Securities of the Requesting Holders, then (x)
the number of Registrable Securities of the Requesting Holders included in
such Registration Statement shall be reduced, if the Company recommends the
inclusion of fewer Registrable Securities, or (y) none of the Registrable
Securities of the Requesting Holders shall be included in such Registration
Statement, if the Company recommends the inclusion of none of such
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that if Registrable Securities
are being offered for the account of other persons or entities as well as
the Company, such reduction shall not represent a greater fraction of the
number of securities intended to be offered by the Requesting Holders than
the fraction of similar reductions imposed on such other persons or
entities (other than the Company).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holder shall only have the right to deliver one
Registration Notice during any calendar year; provided, however, that during the
period five (5) years from the Effective Date hereof Holder shall not deliver
more than four (4) Registration Notices in the aggregate.
With respect to any proposed sale by the Holder of Registrable Securities
pursuant to this Section 3 the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses.
No registration of Registrable Securities effected under this Section 3
shall relieve the Company of its obligation to effect registrations of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.
5
<PAGE>
The rights of the Holder under this Section 3 are solely incidental in
nature, and nothing in this Section 3 shall prevent the Company from reversing a
decision to file a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 3 or from
withdrawing any such Registration Statement before it has become effective.
The incidental registration rights granted pursuant to this Section 3 shall
not apply to (a) a registration relating to employee or director stock option,
purchase or other employee benefit plans, (b) a registration related to a
dividend reinvestment or share purchase plan or (c) a registration on Form S-4
or Form S-8.
4. Registration Procedures.
-----------------------
(a) Obligations of the Company. In connection with any Registration
Statement pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall:
(i) cause the Registration Statement to be available for the
sale of the Registrable Securities by Holders in one or
more transactions, in negotiated transactions, through the
writing of options on the Registrable Securities, or a
combination of such methods of sale, and to comply as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the
applicable form and include all financial statements
required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and in the
event the Company is listed on the Nasdaq National Market
System ("NMS"), in one or more transactions on NMS or
otherwise in special offerings, exchange distributions or
secondary distribution pursuant to and in accordance with
the rules of the NMS, in the over-the-counter market;
(ii) (A) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to any Registration Statement as
may be necessary to keep each such Registration Statement
effective for the applicable period; (B) cause the
Prospectus included in each such Registration Statement to
be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and
as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 or any
similar rule that may be adopted under the Securities Act;
(C) respond promptly to any comments received from the SEC
with respect to each Registration Statement, or any
amendment, post-effective amendment or supplement relating
thereto; and (D) comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act applicable to issuers registering
securities under the circumstances
6
<PAGE>
provided herein with respect to the disposition of
securities covered by each Registration Statement, except
as otherwise provided in Section 3 hereof;
(iii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without
charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, and any
amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents
as they may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the
public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
Securities; the Company consents to the use of the
Prospectus, by each such Holder of Registrable Securities,
in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus;
(iv) notify promptly each Holder of Registrable Securities and
confirm such advice in writing (A) of the issuance by the
SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (B)
if the Company receives any notification with respect to
the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation
of any proceeding for such purpose, and (C) of the
happening of any event during the period a Registration
Statement is effective as a result of which such
Registration Statement or the related Prospectus contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made (in the case of
the Prospectus), not misleading;
(v) use its best effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
at the earliest possible moment;
(vi) use its best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Securities by the time the applicable
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC
under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall
reasonably request in writing, keep each such registration
or qualification effective during the period such
Registration Statement is required to be kept effective
and do any and all other acts and things which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to
7
<PAGE>
consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of
such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required
to (A) qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction or to register as a broker or dealer in such
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 4(a)(vi), (B) subject itself
to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (C) submit to the
general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(vii) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section
4(a)(iv)(C) hereof, use its best efforts promptly to
prepare and file a supplement or prepare, file and obtain
effectiveness of a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered
to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such
Prospectus will not contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading;
(viii) use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities
to be listed on any securities exchange on which similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(ix) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not
later than the effective date of the Registration
Statement or amendment thereto relating to such
Registrable Securities;
(x) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make
available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably
practicable, an earning statement covering at least twelve
(12) months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and
(xi) use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business
and operations of the Company to enable Holders to
consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
8
<PAGE>
(b) Obligations of Holders. In connection with and as a condition to
the Company's obligations with respect to a Registration Statement pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3 hereof and this Section 4, each Holder agrees that (i) it will
not offer or sell its Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement
until it has received copies of the supplemental or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 4(a)(ii) hereof and receives notice that any post-
effective amendment has become effective; and (ii) upon receipt of any notice
from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section
4(a)(iv)(C) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder
receives copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 4(a)(vii) hereof and receives notice that any post-effective amendment
has become effective, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will
deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies in its
possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession,
of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of
receipt of such notice.
Each Holder will furnish to the Company all information relating to
the Holder required by the Securities Act to be included in the Registration
Statement.
The Company may require, as a condition to fulfilling its obligations
to register the Registrable Securities under Sections 2 or 3 hereof, that the
Holders execute reasonable and customary indemnification agreements for the
benefit of the underwriters of the registration; provided, however, that the
Holders may not be required to indemnify the Company's underwriters except with
respect to information relating to the Holders furnished by the Holders for use
in such Registration Statement.
(c) Lockup. In the event the Company proposes to effect the
distribution of its securities through an underwritten public offering, each
Holder who then beneficially owns in excess of 100,000 shares agrees for a
period of time, beginning seven (7) days prior to the pricing of such offering
and ending thirty (30) days after such pricing that such Holder will forthwith
cease any sale or other disposition of any of the Registrable Securities during
such period of time, if requested in writing by the Company or representatives
of the underwriters for any such underwritten public offering; provided,
however, that Holders shall not be subject to more than one Lockup Period during
any twelve (12) month period.
(d) Postponement. The Company shall be entitled to postpone for a
reasonable period of time (but not in excess of 60 days) the filing of any
Registration Statement otherwise required to be prepared and filed by it
pursuant to Section 2 hereof, if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines, in its reasonable judgment, that such registration and offering
would materially interfere with any proposed financing, acquisition, corporate
reorganization or other material transaction involving the Company, and the
Company gives the Holders written notice of such determination within fourteen
(14) days of its receipt of a Demand Notice.
9
<PAGE>
5. Indemnification; Contribution.
-----------------------------
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder, each officer and director of such Holder, and
each Person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) pursuant to which Registrable Securities were
registered under the Securities Act, including all
documents incorporated therein by reference, or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the
aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever
based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any
such alleged untrue statement or omission, if such
settlement is effected with the written consent of the
Company; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel),
reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or
defending against any litigation, or investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, in each case whether or not a party, or any
claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or
omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission,
to the extent that any such expense is not paid under
subparagraph (i) or (ii) above;
provided, however, that the indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 5(a)
does not apply to any Holder with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage
or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for
use in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto).
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(b) Indemnification by the Holders. Each Holder severally agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other selling Holders, and each
of their respective directors and officers (including each director and officer
of the Company who signed the Registration Statement), and each Person, if any,
who controls the Company or any other selling Holder within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act, to the same extent as the indemnity contained
in Section 5(a) hereof (except that any settlement described in Section 5(a)(ii)
shall be effected only with the written consent of such Holder), but only
insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense arises out of or is
based upon (i) any untrue statement or omission, or alleged untrue statements or
omissions, made in a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such selling
Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or such Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or (ii)
such Holder's failure to deliver a Prospectus to any purchaser of Registrable
Securities where such a delivery obligation was applicable to such Holder's sale
of Registrable Securities and such Holder had been provided with a reasonable
number of copies of such Prospectus for the relevant deliveries thereof. In no
event shall the liability of any Holder under this Section 5(b) be greater in
amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder upon the
sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification
obligation.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Each indemnified party
shall give reasonably prompt notice to each indemnifying party of any action or
proceeding commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party (i) shall not relieve
it from any liability which it may have under the indemnity agreement provided
in Section 5(a) or (b) above, unless and to the extent it did not otherwise
learn of such action and the lack of notice by the indemnified party results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and
(ii) shall not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any
obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation
provided under Section 5(a) or (b) above. If the indemnifying party so elects
within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice, the indemnifying party
may assume the defense of such action or proceeding at such indemnifying party's
own expense with counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and approved by the
indemnified parties defendant in such action or proceeding, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that, if such indemnified party
or parties reasonably determine that a conflict of interest exists where it is
advisable for such indemnified party or parties to be represented by separate
counsel or that, upon advice of counsel, there may be legal defenses available
to them which are different from or in addition to those available to the
indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume
such defense and the indemnified party or parties shall be entitled to one
separate counsel at the indemnifying party's expense. If an indemnifying party
is not entitled to assume the defense of such action or proceeding as a result
of the proviso to the preceding sentence, such indemnifying party's counsel
shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such
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<PAGE>
indemnified party or parties, it being understood that both such counsel will
cooperate with each other to conduct the defense of such action or proceeding as
efficiently as possible. If an indemnifying party is not so entitled to assume
the defense of such action or does not assume such defense, after having
received the notice referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph, the
indemnifying party or parties will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel for the indemnified party or parties. In such event, however, no
indemnifying party will be liable for any settlement effected without the
written consent of such indemnifying party. If an indemnifying party is entitled
to assume, and assumes, the defense of such action or proceeding in accordance
with this paragraph, such indemnifying party shall not be liable for any fees
and expenses of counsel for the indemnified parties incurred thereafter in
connection with such action or proceeding. The indemnification obligations
provided pursuant to Sections 5(a) and (b) hereof survive, with respect to a
Holder, the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder, and with respect
to a Holder or the Company, shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) Contribution.
(i) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for
in this Section 5 is for any reason held to be
unenforceable although applicable in accordance with its
terms, the Company and the selling Holders shall contribute
to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses of the nature contemplated by such indemnity
agreement incurred by the Company and the selling Holders,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of and benefits to the Company on the one
hand and the selling Holders on the other (in such
proportions that the selling Holders are severally, not
jointly, responsible for the balance), in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits to the indemnifying party and indemnified parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
the total proceeds received by the indemnified party and
indemnified parties in connection with the offering to
which such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
relate. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and
indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact, has been made by, or relates to information
supplied by, such indemnifying party or the indemnified
parties, and the
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<PAGE>
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such action.
(ii) The Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just
or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d)
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other
method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5(d), no selling Holder shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the Registrable Securities of such
selling Holder were offered to the public exceeds the
amount of any damages which such selling Holder would
otherwise have been required to pay by reason of such
untrue statement or omission.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section
5(d), each Person, if any, who controls a Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and directors
and officers of a Holder shall have the same rights to
contribution as such Holder, and each director of the
Company, each officer of the Company who signed the
Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Securities Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company.
(iv) The contribution provided for in this Section 5(d) shall
survive, with respect to a Holder, the transfer of
Registrable Securities by such Holder, and with respect to
a Holder or the Company, shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf
of any indemnified party.
6. Rule 144 Sales.
--------------
(a) Reports. The Company covenants that it will file the reports
required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will take such further action as any
Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably
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<PAGE>
request, all to the extent required to enable such Holder to sell Registrable
Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
(b) Certificates. In connection with any sale, transfer or other
disposition by any Holder of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act, the Company shall cooperate with such Holder to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any Securities Act legend, and
enable certificates for such Registrable Securities to be for such number of
shares and registered in such names as the selling Holders may reasonably
request at least two (2) business days prior to any sale of Registrable
Securities.
(c) Opinion That Shares Not Required to be Registered. The Company
shall not be required to fulfill any registration obligations under this
Agreement if the Company provides the Holder who desires to sell Registrable
Securities with an opinion, satisfactory to Holder in its reasonable discretion,
of counsel, satisfactory to Holder in its reasonable discretion, stating that
(i) the Holder is free to sell the Registrable Securities that they desired to
register in the manner proposed by such Holder (including but, not limited to,
an underwritten offering), without registering such Registrable Securities, or
(ii) such Registrable Securities can be sold under Rule 144 of the Securities
Act or otherwise without registration in the open market in compliance with the
Securities Act.
7. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of a
majority in amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however,
that no amendment, modification or supplement or waiver or consent to the
departure with respect to the provisions of Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 hereof
shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless
consented to in writing by such Holder of Registrable Securities, as the case
may be. Notice of any amendment, modification or supplement to this Agreement
adopted in accordance with this Section 7(a) shall be provided by the Company to
each Holder of Registrable Securities at least fifteen (15) days prior to the
effective date of such amendment, modification or supplement.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery,
(i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the
Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 7(b), which address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the
address set forth next to such Holder's name on the books and records of the
Company, or (ii) if to the Company, at:
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Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., 610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York
10020, Attention: President, Fax No. (212) 333-2323.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three (3)
business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed;
when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; or
at the time delivered if delivered by an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
(c) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the
Company and the Holder, including without limitation and without the need for an
express assignment, subsequent Holders. If any successor, assignee or
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities, as the
case may be, shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be entitled to
receive the benefits hereof and shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to
be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof.
(d) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for the convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(e) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.
(f) Specific Performance. The Company and the Holders hereto
acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if any party fails to
perform any of its obligations hereunder, and accordingly agree that each party,
in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity,
shall be entitled to compel specific performance of the obligations of any other
party under this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement in any court of the United States or any State thereof having
jurisdiction.
(g) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the Company and
the Holder as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a
complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the
Company and the Holder in respect of the subject matter contained herein. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the Company and
the Holder with respect to such subject matter.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:_____________________________
Name:___________________________
Title:__________________________
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By:_____________________________
Name:___________________________
Title:__________________________
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EXHIBIT G
A. Certain Definitions.
-------------------
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified.
"Beneficial Ownership" shall mean ownership of stock by a REIT who would be
treated as an owner of such shares of stock under Section 856(c)(5) of the Code.
The terms "Beneficial Owner," "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" shall
have correlative meanings.
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is
neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value per share,
of the Corporation.
"Class A Common Stock" shall mean the Class A common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of the Corporation.
"Closing Date" shall mean ____________.
"Control" including the terms "Controlling", "Controlled by" and "under
common Control with", shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
"Corporation" shall mean Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
"Liquidation Value," when used in connection with Series A 8% Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock, shall mean $25.00 per share.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership, or government, or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean all shares of capital stock having a
preference in any manner to the Common Stock or Class A Common Stock.
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"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section 856 of
the Code.
"REIT Ownership Limit" shall initially mean nine and nine-tenths percent
(9.9%) of the value of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Corporation.
"Responsible Officer" of any corporation shall mean any executive officer of
such corporation, and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible
for the administration of the obligations of such corporation in respect of
these Articles.
"Transfer" shall mean any sale, transfer, redemption, gift, hypothecation,
pledge, assignment, devise or other disposition of Voting Stock, whether
voluntary or involuntary, whether of record, constructively or beneficially and
whether by operation of law or otherwise.
"Triggering Event" shall mean any event undertaken or caused by the
Corporation, which would result in ERP Operating Limited Partnership ("ERP
Operating Partnership"), Equity Residential Properties Trust or any Affiliate of
either of them collectively to Beneficially Own shares of the outstanding Class
A Common Stock in excess of the REIT Ownership Limit.
"Voting Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock and any other
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors.
B. Terms.
-----
(1) Rights. The holders of Class A Common Stock shall have all rights,
including, but not limited to, voting, dividend, distribution, liquidation and
other rights of holders of shares of Common Stock; provided, however, holders of
Class A Common Stock shall have such additional rights as provided herein.
(2) Voting Rights. The holders of the Class A Common Stock, as a class,
shall be entitled to elect one (1) member (the "Class A Director") of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation so long as (i) ERP Operating Partnership is
obligated to purchase Preferred Stock pursuant to that certain Common Stock and
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of _____________, 1997 between ERP
Operating Partnership and the Corporation; (ii) ERP Operating Partnership has
obligations pursuant to that certain Agreement Regarding Palomino Park dated as
of __________, 1997 between ERP Operating Partnership and the Corporation; (iii)
ERP Operating Partnership has obligations pursuant to that certain Credit
Enhancement Agreement dated as of ____________, 1997 between ERP Operating
Partnership and
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the Corporation; or (iv) the aggregate Liquidation Value of the shares of Series
A 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Corporation owned by ERP
Operating Partnership is greater than $10,000,000; provided, however, in no
event shall the period during which the holders of the Class A Common Stock are
entitled to elect the Class A Director be less than two (2) years from the
Closing Date. The Class A Director may be removed without cause, only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Class A Common Stock electing such
director and with "cause" (as defined herein) only by the vote of 75% of the
Directors (including the Class A Director) then in office. For purposes of these
Articles, "cause" shall mean (i) the conviction of the Class A Director of any
felony involving moral turpitude, fraud or misrepresentation or (ii) a material
fraud by the Class A Director or a material breach of fiduciary duty by the
Class A Director in the performance of his duties as a director of the
Corporation.
(3) Optional Conversion.
-------------------
(a) Holders of Class A Common Stock shall have the right, exercisable
at any time and from time to time to convert all or any of such Class A
Common Stock into Common Stock at a conversion rate of one share of Common
Stock for each share of Class A Common Stock so converted, subject to
adjustment (the "Conversion Rate"). Upon conversion, no adjustment or
payment will be made for distributions, but if any holder surrenders Class
A Common Stock for conversion after the close of business on the record
date for the payment of a dividend or distribution and prior to the opening
of business on the related payment date of such dividend or distribution
then, notwithstanding such conversion, the dividend or distribution payable
on such payment date will be paid to the registered holder of such shares
on such record date.
(b) Any holder of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock electing
to convert such share or shares shall deliver the certificate or
certificates therefor to the principal office of any transfer agent for the
Common Stock, with the form of notice of election to convert as the
Corporation shall prescribe fully completed and duly executed and (if so
required by the Corporation or any conversion agent) accompanied by
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and to any
conversion agent, duly executed by the registered holder or his duly
authorized attorney, and transfer taxes, stamps or funds therefor or
evidence of payment thereof. The conversion right with respect to any such
shares shall be deemed to have been exercised at the date upon which the
certificates therefor accompanied by such duly executed notice of election
and instruments of transfer and such taxes, stamps, funds or evidence of
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payment shall have been so delivered, and the person or persons entitled to
receive the shares of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall
be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares
of the Common Stock upon said date.
(c) If a holder converts shares of Class A Common Stock, the
Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer
tax due on the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion. The
holder, however, shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax which
is due (or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation payment
thereof) if the shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of
such holder and shall pay to the Corporation any amount required by the
last sentence of subparagraph (3)(a) hereof.
(d) The Corporation shall reserve and shall at all times have
reserved out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of the then
outstanding Class A Common Stock. All Common Stock which may be issued upon
conversion of Class A Common Stock shall be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and not subject to preemptive or other similar rights. In
order that the Corporation may issue Common Stock upon conversion of Class
A Common Stock, the Corporation will endeavor to comply with all applicable
federal and state securities laws and will endeavor to list such Common
Stock to be issued upon conversion on each securities exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed.
(e) The Conversion Rate in effect at any time shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as follows:
(i) In case the Corporation shall (1) reclassify the outstanding
Common Stock into shares of some other class or series of shares, (2)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares
of Common Stock or (3) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the conversion rate
immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the holder
of any shares of Class A Common Stock thereafter surrendered for
conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common
Stock which he would have owned immediately following such action had
such Class A Common Stock been converted immediately prior thereto. An
adjustment made pursuant to this subparagraph (3)(e)(i) shall become
effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a
subdivision, combination or
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reclassification.
(ii) The Market Price per share of the Common Stock on any
date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices for
thirty consecutive trading days commencing forty-five (45) trading
days before the date in question. The closing price for each day shall
be the last reported sales price or, in case no such reported sale
takes place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and
asked prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock
Exchange, or if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading
on such Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on
which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
closing sale price of the Common Stock or, in case no reported sale
takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, on
Nasdaq or any comparable system, or if the Common Stock is not quoted
on Nasdaq or any comparable system, the closing sale price or, in case
no reported sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, as furnished by any two members of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Corporation
for that purpose.
(iii) In any case in which this subparagraph (3) shall
require that an adjustment be made immediately following a record
date, the Corporation may elect to defer (but only until five Business
Days following the mailing of the notice described in subparagraph
(3)(j)) issuing to the holder of any Class A Common Stock converted
after such record date the Common Stock and other shares of capital
stock of the Corporation issuable upon such conversion over and above
the Common Stock and other shares of capital stock of the Corporation
issuable upon such conversion only on the basis of the conversion rate
prior to adjustment; and, in lieu of the shares the issuance of which
is so deferred, the Corporation shall issue or cause its transfer
agents to issue appropriate evidence of the right to receive such
shares.
(f) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required until
cumulative adjustments result in a change of 1% or more of the conversion
price as in effect prior to the last adjustment of the Conversion Rate;
provided, however, that any adjustment which by reason of this subparagraph
(3)(f) is not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into
account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this
subparagraph (3) shall be made to the nearest cent ($.01) or the nearest
one-
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<PAGE>
hundredth (1/100) of a share, as the case may be.
(g) In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
subparagraph (3)(e), the holder of any Class A Common Stock thereafter
surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any shares of
capital stock of the Corporation other than Common Stock, thereafter the
number of such other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Class A
Common Stock shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner
and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Common Stock contained in this subparagraph (3).
(h) The Corporation may make such increases in the Conversion Rate,
in addition to those required by subparagraphs (3)(e), as is considered to
be advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax
purposes as a distribution of shares or share rights shall not be taxable
to the recipients thereof.
(i) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted, the Corporation shall
promptly mail to all holders of record of Class A Common Stock a notice of
the adjustment and shall cause to be prepared a certificate signed by a
principal financial officer of the Corporation setting forth the adjusted
Conversion Rate and a brief statement of the facts requiring such
adjustment and the computation thereof; such certificate shall forthwith be
filed with each transfer agent for the Class A Common Stock.
(j) In the event that:
(i) the Corporation takes any action which would require an
adjustment in the Conversion Rate, or
(ii) the Corporation consolidates or merges with, or
transfers all or substantially all of its assets to,
another corporation and shareholders of the Corporation
must approve the transaction,
a holder of Class A Common Stock may wish to convert some or all of such
shares into Common Stock prior to the record date for, or the effective
date of, the transaction so that he may receive the rights, warrants,
securities or assets which a holder of Common Stock on that date may
receive. Therefore, the Corporation shall mail to holders of Class A Common
Stock a notice stating the proposed record or effective date of the
transaction, as the case may be. The Corporation shall mail the notice at
least 10 days before such
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<PAGE>
date; however, failure to mail such notice or any defect therein shall not
affect the validity of any transaction referred to in clauses (i) or (ii)
of this subparagraph (3)(j).
(k) If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any
reclassification or change of outstanding Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of Class A Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a
result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger
to which the Corporation is a party other than a consolidation or merger in
which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and which does not
result in any reclassification of, or change (other than a change in name,
or par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to
par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination) in, outstanding
Common Stock or (iii) any sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially
all of the property or business of the Corporation as an entirety, then the
Corporation, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may
be, shall, as a condition precedent to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, provide in its charter
document that each share of Class A Common Stock shall be convertible into
the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property
(including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of such shares of Class
A Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease. Such charter document shall
provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in this subparagraph (3). If,
in the case of any such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer or lease, the shares of stock or other securities and
property (including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of the Common
Stock includes shares of stock or beneficial interest or other securities
and property of a corporation or other entity other than the successor or
purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, then the charter
document of such other corporation shall contain such additional provisions
to protect the interests of the holders of Class A Common Stock as the
Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the
foregoing. The provisions of this subparagraph (3)(k) shall similarly apply
to successive consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or leases.
No holder of Class A Common Stock will possess any preemptive rights
to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of the Corporation
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<PAGE>
(whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Corporation
convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of
the Corporation.
(4) Automatic Conversion. Any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
shall automatically convert, at the Conversion Rate, into shares of Common Stock
upon the Transfer of such shares of Class A Common Stock to any Person other
than an Affiliate of Equity Residential Properties Trust or ERP Operating
Partnership. Such automatic conversion shall be deemed to have occurred on the
date of such Transfer.
(5) Purchase of Shares of Voting Stock in Excess of REIT Ownership Limit.
If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in these Articles, a
Triggering Event shall occur, then the Corporation shall (i) immediately deliver
written notice of such Triggering Event to each of Equity Residential Properties
Trust and ERP Operating Partnership and (ii) purchase such shares of Class A
Common Stock in excess of the REIT Ownership Limit at a price per share equal to
the Market Price per share of the Common Stock no later than 25 days following
the date of the Triggering Event which resulted in the REIT Beneficially Owning
Class A Common Stock in excess of the REIT Ownership Limit.
G-8
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
================================================================================
Agreement Regarding Palomino Park
between
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Dated as of ___, 1997
================================================================================
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT REGARDING PALOMINO PARK
---------------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT REGARDING PALOMINO PARK (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of __________, 1997 by and between ERP OPERATING LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois limited partnership ("ERP Operating Partnership"), and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, a Maryland corporation ("Newco").
A. Newco has been formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford
Parent"), pursuant to the Contribution Agreement ("Contribution Agreement")
referred to in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of _________,
1997 (the "Merger Agreement") by and between Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust that is the general partner of
ERP Operating Partnership ("EQR") and Wellsford Parent. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, Wellsford Parent has contributed to Newco, among other things, one
hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock (the
"Class A Stock") of Wellsford Park Highlands Corp., a Colorado corporation
("WPHC"). Wellsford Parent retained one hundred percent (100%) of the issued
and outstanding Class B Common Stock of WPHC (the "Class B Stock"). Following
the merger of Wellsford Parent and EQR in accordance with the Merger Agreement,
the Class B Stock continued to be held by the Surviving Trust (as defined in the
Merger Agreement). Pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of
________________, 1997 by and between the Surviving Trust and ERP Operating
Partnership, the Surviving Trust has contributed the Class B Stock to ERP
Operating Partnership.
B. Reference is hereby made to a certain Second Amended and Restated
Vacant Land Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Original Land Contract"), made and
entered into as of March 23, 1995 by and between Mission Viejo Company, a
California corporation ("Mission"), and The Feld Company, a Colorado corporation
("Feld Company"), relative to the purchase and sale of certain property (the
"Overall Property") containing approximately 181.803 acres located in Douglas
County, Colorado and legally described as Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Highlands Ranch
Filing 126-A. Feld Company assigned its rights with respect to the Original
Land Contract to WPHC pursuant to a certain Assignment and Assumption-Purchase
Agreement dated as of May 2, 1995, by and between Feld Company and WPHC. The
Original Land Contract has been amended pursuant to a certain First Amendment to
Second Amended and Restated Vacant Land Purchase and Sale Agreement, made and
entered into as of May 1, 1996, by and between Mission and WPHC. The Original
Land Contract, as so amended, is referred to herein as the "Land Contract."
C. It is presently contemplated that the Overall Property will be
developed in five phases (each, a "Phase") together as an integrated project
(the "Project") consisting of a 1,880-unit gated apartment community constructed
around a centrally located 30-acre park (the "Park"),
<PAGE>
roads and a centrally located clubhouse, swimming pool and health club (the
"Recreation Center"). The anticipated number of apartment units in each Phase is
as follows: Phase I - 456 units; Phase II - 316 units; Phase III - 304 units;
Phase IV - 316 units; and Phase V - 452 units.
D. Park at Highlands LLC, a Colorado limited liability company ("Park at
Highlands"), has been formed and continued as a limited liability company under
the laws of the State of Colorado pursuant to a certain Operating Agreement of
Park at Highlands LLC dated as of April 27, 1995 by and between WPHC and Al
Feld, an individual ("Al Feld"), as amended by First Amendment to Operating
Agreement of Park at Highlands LLC dated as of December 29, 1995 by and between
WPHC and Al Feld (collectively, the "Park at Highlands Operating Agreement").
E. Pursuant to a certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement-Phase I dated
as of May 2, 1995, by and between WPHC and Park at Highlands, WPHC assigned to
Park at Highlands, and Park at Highlands assumed, all of WPHC's rights to
acquire certain land known as Lot 1 ("Lot 1"), Highlands Ranch Filing 126-A.
Park at Highlands subsequently acquired Lot 1 and Park at Highlands is
constructing on a portion of Lot 1, known as Lot 1A, Highlands Park Filing No.
126-A, First Amendment ("Lot 1A"), a certain multi-family rental apartment
complex, consisting of approximately 456 apartment units with related facilities
("Phase I") (also known as Blue Ridge).
F. After acquiring Lot 1 from Mission, Park at Highlands transferred
certain property known as Lot 1B, Highlands Ranch Filing No. 126-A, First
Amendment ("Lot 1B") to WPHC. WPHC has constructed the Recreation Center on Lot
1B. In addition, Park at Highlands transferred to Palomino Park Public
Improvements Corporation, a Colorado nonprofit corporation ("PPPIC"), legal
title to certain property known as Tracts A and B, Highlands Ranch Filing No.
126-A, First Amendment, on which land PPPIC has developed or is expected to
develop the Park, roads and certain infrastructure improvements.
G. Park at Highlands and WPHC have entered into a certain Rec Center Use
Agreement dated as of December 29, 1995, as amended, relating to the
development, operation and use of the Recreation Center constructed or to be
constructed by WPHC on Lot 1B.
H. Red Canyon at Palomino Park LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
("Red Canyon"), has been formed and continued as a limited liability company
under the laws of the State of Colorado pursuant to a certain Operating
Agreement of Red Canyon at Palomino Park LLC, dated as of ______, 1996 by and
between WPHC and Al Feld (the "Red Canyon Operating Agreement"). The Red Canyon
Operating Agreement and the Park at Highlands Operating Agreement are sometimes
referred to herein collectively as the "Operating Agreements."
2
<PAGE>
I. Pursuant to a certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement-Parcel 2,
made and entered into as of May 1, 1996, by and between WPHC and Red Canyon,
WPHC assigned to Red Canyon and Red Canyon assumed, all of WPHC's rights to
acquire certain land known as Lot 2A, Highlands Ranch Filing No. 126-A, Douglas
County, Colorado ("Lot 2A"). Red Canyon subsequently acquired Lot 2A and Red
Canyon anticipates constructing on Lot 2A a certain multi-family rental
apartment complex, consisting of approximately 304 apartment units with related
facilities ("Phase II").
J. Red Canyon and WPHC have entered into a certain Rec Center Use
Agreement dated as of May 2, 1996, relating to the development, operation and
use of the Recreation Center constructed or to be constructed by WPHC on Lot 1B.
K. The portions of the Overall Property other than Lots 1A, 1B, and 2A and
Tracts A and B are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the "Remaining
Overall Property".
L. Palomino Park Public Improvements Corporation, a Colorado nonprofit
corporation ("PPPIC"), has issued $14,750,000 in bonds to finance the
construction of the roads and the Park and, in connection therewith, has been
empowered to impose certain revenue assessment liens against the Phases owned by
WPHC or a permitted assignee of WPHC to finance the payments due under the
bonds.
M. ERP Operating Partnership and Newco are entering into this Agreement
pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
---------
COVENANTS RELATING TO WPHC
--------------------------
ERP Operating Partnership and Newco, as the legal and beneficial owners of
all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of WPHC, agree to, and Newco
agrees to cause WPHC to (i) enter into a Shareholders' Agreement, which shall be
prepared by counsel to ERP Operating Partnership and shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in the exercise of ERP
Operating Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment, which agreement shall
incorporate the following terms, and (ii) amend the Articles of Incorporation of
WPHC, to the extent permitted by Colorado law, which amendment shall be prepared
by counsel to ERP Operating Partnership and shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Newco and ERP
3
<PAGE>
Operating Partnership in the exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's
commercially reasonable judgment, which amendment shall incorporate the
following terms:
1.1 ERP Operating Partnership shall have no obligation to contribute funds
or capital to WPHC, Red Canyon, Park at Highlands or any future Palomino Park
LLC (as hereinafter defined in Section 1.13) by virtue of its ownership of the
Class B Stock. Nothing in the preceding sentence or elsewhere in this Agreement
shall vitiate the obligation of ERP Operating Partnership to make any payments
to third parties pursuant to agreements entered into by ERP Operating
Partnership with respect to Phase I, Phase II and any Future Palomino Park
Phases including, without limitation, the Tri-Party Agreement and the Credit
Enhancement Agreement.
1.2 With respect to each Phase, to the extent that said amount is required
to be contributed by WPHC to Park at Highlands or Red Canyon, Newco shall be
required to contribute to the capital of WPHC (each such contribution being
referred to herein as a "Phase Contribution") an amount not to exceed the amount
(the "Phase Contribution Limit") budgeted to be contributed by WPHC to the
Palomino Park LLC developing such Phase in accordance with the terms of the
Operating Agreement for such Palomino Park LLC, pursuant to the budget in effect
for such Phase as of (a) the date hereof (in the case of Park at Highlands), or
(b) the date of the Merger Agreement (in the case of Red Canyon); said budget of
Red Canyon shall be subject to ERP Operating Partnership's review and approval
prior to the applicable dates set forth in the preceding clause (b) of this
Section 1.2 Under no circumstances shall Newco be entitled to receive
additional shares of the capital stock of WPHC solely by virtue of its
contribution of the relevant Phase Contribution to the respective Phase of the
Project.
1.3 WPHC shall not issue any additional capital stock except pursuant to
the anti-dilution provisions of Section 1.4 hereof. WPHC shall not issue any
additional capital stock for the purpose of raising the funds for any Phase
Contribution required to be made by Newco pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof.
1.4 (a) Subject to subparagraph (b) following, in the event any
additional shares of stock of WPHC are to be issued by WPHC, ERP Operating
Partnership, if a shareholder at the time of such issuance, shall have the right
to purchase a sufficient number of newly issued shares of stock of WPHC at the
then-established purchase price and terms to enable it to retain its then-
current percentage of ownership interest in WPHC.
(b) Notwithstanding the preceding subparagraph (a), ERP Operating
Partnership shall not have the preemptive right described above in connection
with the issuance by WPHC of additional shares of WPHC stock to a party other
than Newco or an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of Newco. The right of WPHC
to raise capital through the sale of additional WPHC stock to non-Affiliates of
Newco shall in no way detract from or otherwise affect Newco's obligations under
Section 1.2 to contribute capital to WPHC up to the Phase Contribution Limit.
4
<PAGE>
1.5 If ERP Operating Partnership or Newco (the "Selling Shareholder")
shall receive an offer from a bona fide prospective purchaser (the "Offer") to
purchase all (but not less than all, with respect to ERP Operating Partnership)
or any part or all (with respect to Newco) of its shares of the capital stock of
WPHC and the Selling Shareholder desires to sell such shares in accordance with
such Offer, the Selling Shareholder shall first offer in writing (a "Notice of
Proposed Sale") to sell such shares owned by it to the other party (the "Non-
Selling Shareholder"). Any such sale to the Non-Selling Shareholder shall be on
the same terms and conditions as the Offer, which terms and conditions shall be
specified in the Notice of Proposed Sale; provided, however, that (i) if ERP
Operating Partnership exercises its right of first refusal to purchase all of
the capital stock of WPHC owned by Newco in connection with an Offer made to
Newco with respect to which Newco had exercised a Drag Along Right (as
hereinafter defined) (a "Drag Along Transaction"), then the per share price to
ERP Operating Partnership for each share of WPHC stock owned by Newco shall be
equal to the per share price which would have been paid in connection with the
Drag Along Transaction had all shares subject to sale in the Drag Along
Transaction been sold pursuant to the terms of the Drag Along Transaction offer,
and (ii) any Notice of Proposed Sale to ERP Operating Partnership relating to an
offer by Newco to sell its shares of Class A Stock shall include a provision
obligating Newco to first convert such Class A Stock to Class B Stock if deemed
necessary by ERP Operating Partnership. If the Non-Selling Shareholder has not
provided the Selling Shareholder with written notice of its intention to
purchase all of such shares in accordance with the terms of the Notice of
Proposed Sale within thirty (30) days of the Non-Selling Shareholder's receipt
of the Notice of Proposed Sale, then, subject to Sections 1.5 and 1.6 hereof,
the Selling Shareholder shall have the right to sell its shares to such bona
fide prospective purchaser in accordance with the terms of the Offer; provided,
however, that in connection with any such sale by ERP Operating Partnership of
its Class B Stock, WPHC shall agree to convert such Class B Stock into Class A
Stock if deemed necessary by ERP Operating Partnership. If the Selling
Shareholder fails to consummate such sale within one hundred fifty (150) days
following the Non-Selling Shareholder's rejection of the offer in the Notice of
Proposed Sale, then the Selling Shareholder's shares shall again be subject to
all the restrictions of this section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Newco shall
not have the right to sell or transfer all or any of its shares of capital stock
of WPHC during the period of time (the "Lock-Up Period") in which ERP Operating
Partnership shall retain any actual or contingent liability under any or all of
the Tri-Party Agreements described in Section 3.1 hereof. At no time shall ERP
Operating Partnership have the right to sell less than all of its shares of the
capital stock of WPHC, except with respect to a Tag Along Transaction under
Section 1.6.
1.6 If (after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period) Newco shall desire to
sell or transfer to a bona fide prospective purchaser any part or all of its
shares of the capital stock of WPHC and provides ERP Operating Partnership with
a right of first refusal in accordance with Section 1.5 hereof which ERP
Operating Partnership rejects in accordance therewith, then Newco shall provide
ERP Operating Partnership with written notice of the pending sale (a "Tag Along
Notice"). ERP Operating Partnership may elect to participate in such transaction
(a "Tag Along
5
<PAGE>
Transaction") as an additional selling or transferring party by delivering a
written notice thereof (a "Tag Along Election Notice") to Newco within thirty
(30) days after delivery of such Tag Along Notice. A Tag Along Election Notice
shall specify the number of shares which ERP Operating Partnership wishes to
sell or transfer in such transaction, which number shall be less than or equal
to (i) the aggregate number of shares of the capital stock of WPHC which Newco
proposed to sell or transfer in such transaction (i.e., all of Newco's shares of
the capital stock of WPHC), multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of shares of WPHC capital stock owned by ERP Operating
Partnership, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of
the capital stock of WPHC owned by ERP Operating Partnership and Newco. If ERP
Operating Partnership shall elect to sell or transfer shares in such
transaction, the aggregate number of shares of the capital stock of Newco to be
sold or transferred by Newco shall be reduced, so that the aggregate number of
shares of the capital stock of WPHC to be sold or transferred to such third
party by ERP Operating Partnership and Newco shall remain equal to the aggregate
number of shares of the capital stock of WPHC which Newco originally proposed to
sell or transfer in such transaction. Except as specifically provided below,
participation by ERP Operating Partnership in the offering of shares pursuant to
this Section 1.6 shall be at a price per share equal to the price being offered
to Newco and on terms identical to those terms being offered to Newco. In the
event that neither ERP Operating Partnership nor Newco has exercised its
put/call rights under Section 1.8 hereof on or before the closing of any Tag
Along Transaction, then fifty percent (50%) of the shares of WPHC stock to be
sold by ERP Operating Partnership in connection with the Tag Along Transaction
shall be deemed to be Put/Call Stock (the "P/C Tag Along Stock"). The per share
purchase price for such P/C Tag Along Stock shall be equal to the greater of (a)
the Put Price (as hereinafter defined) which would be applicable as of the date
of the closing of the Tag Along Transaction divided by the total number of
shares of Put/Call Stock as of such date, or (b) the per share purchase price
being offered to Newco for the sale of its WPHC shares in connection with the
Tag Along Transaction. The aggregate purchase price for all P/C Tag Along Stock
sold in connection with a Tag Along Transaction is hereinafter referred to as
the "P/C Tag Along Price." The per share purchase price for all shares sold by
ERP Operating Partnership pursuant to this Section 1.6 other than the P/C Tag
Along Stock shall be equal to the per share purchase price being offered to
Newco for its WPHC shares. Newco shall not sell or transfer all or any portion
of its shares of the capital stock of WPHC other than in accordance with
Sections 1.5 and 1.6 hereof.
1.7 If (after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and after affording ERP
Operating Partnership its right of first refusal in accordance with Section 1.5
above) Newco shall receive a written offer from a bona fide purchaser that is
not an Affiliate of Newco to purchase all of the shares of capital stock of WPHC
owned by Newco and all of the capital stock of WPHC owned by ERP Operating
Partnership, then Newco shall promptly give ERP Operating Partnership written
notice thereof. If Newco elects, ERP Operating Partnership agrees to sell or
transfer all of the shares of WPHC stock owned by ERP Operating Partnership in
accordance with the terms of such written offer, provided that, except as
specifically provided below, the sale of shares by
6
<PAGE>
ERP Operating Partnership pursuant to this Section 1.7 shall be on terms
identical to those being offered to Newco (a "Drag Along Right"). To the extent
that the shares of WPHC stock owned by ERP Operating Partnership and sold
pursuant to this Section 1.7 include the shares of Put/Call Stock, the aggregate
purchase price for the Put/Call Stock being sold pursuant to this Section 1.7
shall be the applicable Call Price (as hereinafter defined) which would be
applicable as of the date of the closing of such Drag Along Transaction. The per
share purchase price for all shares, other than Put/Call Shares, of WPHC stock
sold by ERP Operating Partnership as part of a Drag Along Transaction shall be
equal to the per share purchase price offered to Newco.
1.8 Subject to Section 1.8(iv) hereof, fifty percent (50%) of the
Class B Stock owned by ERP Operating Partnership as of the date hereof (the
"Put/Call Stock") shall be subject to the following:
(i) At any time from and after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date
hereof, ERP Operating Partnership shall have the right to "put" all (but
not less than all) of the Put/Call Stock to Newco for a sales price (the
"Put Price") equal to $1,900,000 less the amount of any "Sales or
Refinancing Proceeds" (as such term is defined in the applicable Operating
Agreements) received by ERP Operating Partnership (by reason of WPHC's
interests in the Palomino Park LLCs) to the extent allocable to the
Put/Call Stock. The Put Price shall not be subject to dilution based upon
any underlying dilution in the Put/Call Stock;
(ii) At any time from and after the date hereof, Newco shall have the
right to "call" all (but not less than all) of the Put/Call Stock. If
Newco calls the Put/Call Stock prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the
date hereof, then the purchase price (the "Call Price") shall be an amount
equal to $1,900,000 less the amount of any Sales or Refinancing Proceeds
received by ERP Operating Partnership to the extent allocable to the
Put/Call Stock. If Newco calls the Put/Call Stock on or after the fifth
(5th) anniversary of the date hereof, then the Call Price shall be an
amount equal to $1,900,000 (in 2002 Equivalent Dollars, as such term is
hereinafter defined) less the amount of any Sales or Refinancing Proceeds
received by ERP Operating Partnership with respect to ERP Operating
Partnership's interest in the Palomino Park LLCs which is allocable to the
Put/Call Stock. The Call Price shall not be subject to dilution based upon
any underlying dilution in the Put/Call Stock.
(iii) The mechanics of the exercise of the put/call shall be
substantially as follows:
(a) At any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date
hereof, provided that Newco shall not have previously furnished the
Call Notice (as hereinafter defined), ERP Operating Partnership shall
have the right to furnish a
7
<PAGE>
notice (a "Put Notice") to Newco informing Newco that ERP Operating
Partnership has elected to sell all (but not less than all) of the
Put/Call Stock to Newco for a price equal to the Put Price, plus or
minus the adjustments set forth below;
(b) At any time from and after the date hereof, provided that ERP
Operating Partnership shall not have previously furnished the Put
Notice, Newco shall have the right to furnish a notice (the "Call
Notice") to ERP Operating Partnership informing ERP Operating
Partnership that Newco has elected to purchase all (but not less than
all) of the Put/Call Stock for a price equal to the applicable Call
Price, plus or minus the adjustments set forth below;
(c) The closing of the transactions described in clause (a) or
clause (b) above, as the case may be, shall occur on a date (the
"Option Closing Date") and at a place and time mutually agreed to by
ERP Operating Partnership and Newco, which date shall be not more than
thirty (30) days after the furnishing of the Put Notice or the Call
Notice, as the case may be. The transaction shall be closed in the
following manner:
(1) ERP Operating Partnership shall deliver to Newco an
Assignment of Stock pursuant to which ERP Operating Partnership
shall assign the Put/Call Stock to Newco without recourse,
representation or warranty, other than representations relating
to authorization, execution and delivery of the instrument of
assignment and a representation that ERP Operating Partnership
has not created or suffered the creation of any liens, claims or
encumbrances on or prior assignments of the Put/Call Stock;
(2) The purchase price shall be increased by an amount equal
to the Put/Call Stock's ratable share of any undistributed cash
held by WPHC and/or the Palomino Park LLCs after the
establishment of a reasonable reserves for operating expenses and
reasonably projected capital replacements, subject to the
provisions of Section 10.1 of the Operating Agreements for the
Park at Highlands and Red Canyon and any comparable provision of
the Operating Agreement for future Palomino Park LLCs;
(3) Newco shall pay the applicable purchase price (i.e., the
Put Price or the Call Price, as the case may be) in cash in full
to ERP Operating Partnership at closing, subject to the
adjustments described in subsection (2) above.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
1.8, in the event that ERP Operating Partnership and Newco have entered
into a Tag Along
8
<PAGE>
Transaction prior to either party's election to exercise its put or call
rights under this Section 1.8, then (a) the number of shares of Put/Call
Stock thereafter subject to the put/call shall be reduced by the number of
shares of P/C Tag Along Stock sold in connection with such Tag Along
Transaction and (b) the applicable Put Price or Call Price thereafter
payable pursuant to this Section 1.8 shall be reduced by the amount of the
P/C Tag Along Price received by ERP Operating Partnership in connection
with such Tag Along Transaction.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
1.8, at such time, if any, as ERP Operating Partnership shall have received
an aggregate of $1,900,000 (if said threshold amount has not been received
by the fifth anniversary of the date hereof, then the balance remaining of
said threshold amount shall thereafter be expressed in terms of 2002
Equivalent Dollars) in Sales or Refinancing Proceeds to the extent
allocable to the Put/Call Stock, Newco shall have the right to acquire all
(but not less than all) of the Put/Call Stock for a purchase price equal to
One Dollar ($1.00).
(f) As employed herein, the term "2002 Equivalent Dollars" means the
equivalent purchasing power at any time of the value of One Dollar ($1.00)
as of the date hereof. The 2002 Equivalent Dollars of any amount shall be
determined by multiplying said amount by one (1) plus a fraction, the
numerator of which is the difference between (x) the Consumer Price Index
(as hereinafter defined) for the calendar month last published prior to the
date of such determination and (y) the Consumer Price Index for the
calendar month last published as of the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date
of this Agreement and the denominator of which is the Consumer Price Index
for the calendar month last published as of the fifth (5th) anniversary of
the date of this Agreement. As used herein, the term "Consumer Price
Index" shall mean the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers, US Cities Average, all Items (Base Year 1982-1984=100)
for the applicable month published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
United States Department of Labor or similar index agreed to by the parties
if such index is changed or is no longer available.
1.9 To the extent that WPHC receives any distributions of any nature from
any of the Palomino Park LLCs, WPHC shall promptly pass such distributions
through to the shareholders of WPHC in the form of dividends. WPHC shall cause
the Palomino Park LLCs to promptly distribute to WPHC all cash received by said
entity, after paying current expenses and establishing reasonable reserves for
operating expenses and reasonably projected capital replacements, subject to the
provisions of Section 10.1 of the Operating Agreements for the Park at Highlands
and Red Canyon and any comparable provision of the Operating Agreement for
future Palomino Park LLCs.
9
<PAGE>
1.10 WPHC shall not authorize or effect any stock split or reverse stock
split which would have the effect of diluting or otherwise eliminating ERP
Operating Partnership's then-current ownership interest in WPHC.
1.11 Neither WPHC nor any of the Palomino Park LLCs shall engage in any
business other than that associated with the real estate development,
management, operation, leasing, financing, refinancing and disposition of the
Overall Property and the Project.
1.12 Neither WPHC nor any Subsidiary of WPHC shall engage any Affiliate of
WPHC or any Subsidiary of WPHC to provide any goods or perform any services on
other than an arm's-length basis or otherwise reasonably competitive basis.
1.13 All portions of the Remaining Overall Property that are acquired or
owned by WPHC or by any Subsidiary, shall be acquired or owned by Colorado
limited liability companies formed and continued pursuant to Operating
Agreements in substantially the form of the Red Canyon Operating Agreement (Park
at Highlands, Red Canyon and any such entity that is so formed in the future
being referred to herein as a "Palomino Park LLC"). WPHC shall not assign
WPHC's rights to acquire all or any portion of the Remaining Overall Property to
any party that is not a Subsidiary of WPHC, without first (i) affording ERP
Operating Partnership a right of first offer with respect to the sale or
assignment of said rights, in accordance with procedures substantially similar
in nature to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(a) hereof and (ii) causing
the acquiring party to subject the property in question to all assessment liens
arising from or in connection with the Assessment Lien Revenue Bonds, Series
1995, issued by PPPIC in the aggregate principal amount of $14,755,000.
1.14 Newco and WPHC shall take all actions necessary to ensure that each of
the Palomino Park LLC's will be classified for federal tax purposes as a
partnership and not as an association taxable as corporation.
1.15 WPHC may transfer, convey or assign, directly or indirectly, any of
WPHC's legal or beneficial ownership interest in Red Canyon or Park at
Highlands, provided that (i) such transfer, conveyance, or assignment is not to
an Affiliate of WPHC or Newco and (ii) WPHC at all times retains at least a
twenty-one percent (21%) ownership interest in the entity in question. There
are no restrictions on the transfer, conveyance or assignment of any of WPHC's
legal or beneficial ownership interest in the Recreation Center or any future
Palomino Park Phases, provided that such transfer, conveyance or assignment is
not to an Affiliate of WPHC or Newco.
ARTICLE 2
---------
RIGHTS OF FIRST/LAST OFFER
--------------------------
10
<PAGE>
2.1 Concurrently herewith, WPHC shall enter into an agreement with ERP
Operating Partnership, in which Newco shall join for the purpose of guarantying
WPHC's obligations, pursuant to which WPHC shall agree that:
(i) with the exception of the possible conversion of one or more of
Phase I and Phase II for condominium purposes (the term "condominium" shall
include townhome conversion) and the retail sale of condominium units by
WPHC or the applicable Palomino Park LLC, (A) WPHC shall not transfer,
convey or assign, directly or indirectly, any legal or beneficial ownership
interest in Phase I or Phase II and (B) WPHC shall cause each of Park at
Highlands and Red Canyon not to transfer, convey or assign, directly or
indirectly, any legal or beneficial ownership interest in either of such
Phases, until after such time (as to each such Phase) as the documents
described in clause (ii) below shall have been entered into; and
(ii) within six (6) months following the substantial completion of
each of Phase I and Phase II, respectively, WPHC shall cause Park at
Highlands and Red Canyon, as the case may be, to enter into the following
documents with ERP Operating Partnership and to record memoranda thereof
against title to the applicable portion of the Overall Property owned by
said entity:
A. A Right of First/Last Offer Agreement, by and between ERP
Operating Partnership and Park at Highlands with respect to Phase I;
and
B. A Right of First/Last Offer Agreement, by and between ERP
Operating Partnership and Red Canyon with respect to Phase II.
2.2 Each of the documents described in Section 2.1 hereinabove shall be
prepared by counsel to ERP Operating Partnership and shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in ERP Operating
Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment, and shall incorporate
substantially the terms set forth in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this
Section 2.2. For the purposes of this Section 2.2, the owner of the subject
portion of the Overall Property (i.e., Park at Highlands with respect to Lot 1A
and Red Canyon with respect to Lot 2A are referred to herein as the "Owner," and
the property owned by said Owner is referred to hereinbelow as the "Subject
Property" it being understood and agreed that the Subject Property shall not
consist of any property not owned directly or indirectly by WPHC and shall not
include any property other than portions or all of the Overall Property and
shall not be part of a transaction or series of transactions involving any
property other than the foregoing:
(a) Owner shall have the right to sell (or enter into an option or other
agreement for sale of) the Subject Property solely in accordance with the terms
set forth below in this Section 2.3. If Owner desires to sell or grant an
option to sell the Subject Property or any portion thereof
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or to cause the Subject Property or any portion thereof to be marketed for sale,
or to enter into any contract, agreement or other arrangement for the future
sale thereof, Owner shall first furnish a written notice (a "Marketing Election
Notice") accompanied by a reasonably detailed term sheet (the "Term Sheet")
identifying all of the material economic terms of the proposed transaction.
Regardless of whether the transaction is structured as a purchase and sale
agreement or an option, the closing of the sale pursuant thereto shall be
scheduled to occur no later than nine (9) months after the date of the Marketing
Election Notice. ERP Operating Partnership shall have a period of thirty (30)
days from the date on which the Marketing Election Notice is furnished (the
"Marketing Election Response Period") in which to furnish a written notice (a
"Marketing Election Response Notice") to Owner, advising Owner of ERP Operating
Partnership's election to either:
(i) Consent to Owner's entering into the proposed transaction with a
third party upon economic terms not more favorable to the purchaser or
optionee than the terms set forth in the Term Sheet; or
(ii) Elect to enter into the proposed transaction as purchaser or
optionee, in accordance with the business and economic terms set forth in
the Term Sheet, subject to the negotiation of mutually agreeable
documentation (as provided in subsection (b) below) within a period of
thirty (30) days.
(b) If ERP Operating Partnership shall have made the election described in
clause (ii) of Section 2.3(a) above (an "Affirmative Election"), Owner shall
furnish ERP Operating Partnership with a draft of the proposed agreement
governing the proposed transaction (together with the principal ancillary
documents) within ten (10) days following the date on which the Affirmative
Election was furnished to Owner. If for any reason whatsoever Owner and ERP
Operating Partnership do not enter into a binding written contract governing the
transaction on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the furnishing of
the Affirmative Election, then subsection (e) hereof shall apply.
(c) Owner and ERP Operating Partnership agree that each shall act in good
faith and shall be reasonable and cooperate with the other including, without
limitation, executing any documents that may reasonably be required in order to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the provisions set forth in this
Section 2.3.
(d) If, within the Marketing Election Response Period, ERP Operating
Partnership shall not have made the Affirmative Election, Owner shall have the
right to effectuate a sale or option of the Subject Property to a third party
purchaser that is not an Affiliate of Owner if such sale is made within a period
(the "Marketing Period") of nine (9) months following the expiration of the
Marketing Election Response Period, pursuant to business and economic terms that
are not more favorable to the purchaser or optionee than as set forth in the
Term Sheet.
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(e) If ERP Operating Partnership made the Affirmative Election but a
binding written contract or option was not entered into during the period
contemplated in clause (ii) of subsection (a) above, then Owner shall have the
right to consummate the transaction in question during the Marketing Period,
provided that if during the Marketing Period, a bona fide offer is received from
a party that is not an Affiliate of Owner for the purchase of the Subject
Property upon economic terms that are more favorable to the purchaser or
optionee than as set forth on the Term Sheet, or if a bona fide offer is
received from a party that is not an Affiliate of Owner to purchase the Subject
Property pursuant to the terms of a proposed purchase and sale or option
documentation (the "Proposed Agreement") which imposes materially fewer non-
economic burdens or confers materially greater non-economic benefits upon the
purchaser or optionee than the final drafts (the "Final Drafts") of the
documentation submitted to ERP Operating Partnership by Owner pursuant to
subsection (b) above, then in either case, if Owner desires to accept such an
offer, Owner shall communicate said offer to ERP Operating Partnership and ERP
Operating Partnership shall have a period of ten (10) business days following
ERP Operating Partnership's receipt of such notice from the Owner to notify
Owner as to whether ERP Operating Partnership desires to purchase the Subject
Property on the same terms. If ERP Operating Partnership elects to purchase the
Subject Property on the same terms, the closing shall take place at a date
mutually agreed upon by ERP Operating Partnership and Owner, no later than the
later of (x) the scheduled closing date under the Proposed Agreement and (y)
sixty (60) days after ERP Operating Partnership's election to accept such offer,
the only variations in the Proposed Agreement being de minimis changes made to
reflect, for example, the date of said closing and the name of the purchaser or
optionee. The closing of said purchase will occur in accordance with the terms
of the offer and the modifications proposed by said non-Affiliated party with
respect to the Form Agreement.
(f) If Owner is authorized to proceed with the sale or option transaction
pursuant to this Section 2.3, then, at the closing of said transaction, ERP
Operating Partnership shall execute and deliver an instrument, in recordable
form, extinguishing all of ERP Operating Partnership's rights of first offer,
rights of first refusal and rights with respect to Subject Property, sufficient
to enable the purchaser's or optionee's title insurer to omit same as an
exception to this coverage.
(g) Owner shall deliver to ERP Operating Partnership a copy of all Proposed
Agreements prior to the execution and delivery thereof. Any such Proposed
Agreement shall be marked so as to identify all variations from the Final
Drafts. If required, the terms of such Proposed Agreements shall be held in
confidence by ERP Operating Partnership.
(h) Nothing herein shall prohibit Owner from mortgaging the Subject
Property as security for a loan made at arm's length to said Owner by a lender
that is not an Affiliate of Owner, even though said financing may confer upon
the lender a right to share in the cash flow or appreciation in the Subject
Property, provided however that said lender is not granted an option to purchase
the Subject Property, in connection with said loan.
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(i) The rights conferred upon ERP Operating Partnership under this Article
2 are subject and subordinate to any and all rights and interests which may now
or at any time hereafter be granted in the Subject Property including, without
limitation, the several assessment liens imposed in connection with the PPPIC
bonds, easements, rights of way, restrictions, encumbrances, and mortgages
(complying with subsection (h) above) and options and contracts (if Owner shall
have complied with the provisions of this Article). ERP Operating Partnership
shall execute any instrument reasonably required by Owner or the holder of such
interest or appropriate title insurer to evidence such subordination.
(j) Time shall be deemed of the essence with respect to all of the time
periods with which ERP Operating Partnership is obligated to comply under this
Article.
(k) Owner reserves the right to withdraw from the market an offer at any
time for any or no reason. Owner may restart ERP Operating Partnership's rights
under this Article at any time by submitting the terms of any revised offer to
ERP Operating Partnership, whereupon the process shall repeat itself ab initio.
ARTICLE 3
---------
TRI-PARTY AGREEMENTS AND STANDBY AGREEMENTS
-------------------------------------------
3.1 (a) Reference is hereby made to a certain Tri-Party Agreement dated
December 29, 1995 (the "Phase I Tri-Party Agreement"), by and among Nationsbank
of Texas, N.A. ("Nationsbank"), Park at Highlands, WPHC, Wellsford Parent, Al
Feld and Feld Company. Newco acknowledges that, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, the Surviving Trust has succeeded to Wellsford Parent's rights,
interests and obligations under the Tri-Party Agreement, and that the Surviving
Trust has caused said rights, interests and obligations to be assigned to (and
assumed by) ERP Operating Partnership. Newco, however, covenants and agrees as
follows with respect to the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement:
(i) Provided that ERP Operating Partnership makes the Loan Payoff
payment therein required, Newco shall cause WPHC to assign to ERP Operating
Partnership (or, if not assignable, to enforce for the benefit of ERP Operating
Partnership) all certifications that are required by the terms of the Phase I
Tri-Party Agreement, to be certified to WPHC;
(ii) Newco shall cause WPHC not to exercise, waive or modify any
rights, or grant any approvals, under the Tri-Party Agreement without ERP
Operating Partnership's prior written consent, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed;
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(iii) The "Final Project Budget" (as such term is referred to in the
Phase I Tri-Party Agreement) shall not be increased without ERP Operating
Partnership's prior written consent. The parties acknowledge that the
Final Project Budget under the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement constitutes a
limit on ERP Operating Partnership's financial obligations under the Tri-
Party Agreement and, in order to avoid any confusion with the development
budgets adopted by the Palomino Park LLC's, the term Final Project Budget
will not be employed hereinafter in this Agreement and the term "Tri-Party
Agreement Ceiling" will be employed in this Agreement in lieu thereof.
(b) With respect to Phase II, ERP Operating Partnership understands that
(i) Red Canyon and/or WPHC are currently negotiating the terms of the proposed
construction loan (the "Phase II Loan"), and the related loan documentation (the
"Phase II Loan Documentation"), with Nationsbank or other prospective lenders,
and (ii) the plans and specifications for Phase II (the "Phase II Plans") have
not yet been finalized, and (iii) the exhibits to the operating agreement for
Red Canyon have not yet been finalized. Newco acknowledges that ERP Operating
Partnership shall have only the following rights of review and approval in
connection therewith:
(i) ERP Operating Partnership acknowledges having reviewed and
approved certain non-dimension elevations and floor plans for Phase II
(collectively, the "Preliminary Plans"), copies of which are attached
hereto as Schedule I. Newco shall cause WPHC to furnish the final proposed
plans and specifications to ERP Operating Partnership for ERP Operating
Partnership's review and approval, which shall not be withheld or delayed
if said plans and specifications constitute a logical progression from, and
are not inconsistent with, the Preliminary Plans;
(ii) ERP Operating Partnership has reviewed and approved a preliminary
total budget of $30,000,000 for Phase II, with an anticipated construction
loan in the face principal amount of $29,300,000 (collectively, the
"Preliminary Budget"). Newco shall cause WPHC to furnish to ERP Operating
Partnership the final proposed budget (the loan budget and the total
budget) for Phase II for ERP Operating Partnership's review and approval,
which shall not be withheld or delayed if the total budget for Phase II
(including land, valued at cost, and all other items) (the "Total Phase II
Budget") is not greater than $33,000,000 and ERP Operating Partnership does
not have a commercially reasonable basis to doubt the accuracy of the
budget; and
(iii) The exhibits to the Operating Agreements shall be subject to
ERP Operating Partnership's review and approval not to be unreasonably
withheld.
ERP Operating Partnership further understands that Newco is attempting to
structure the Phase II Loan Documentation so that the forms of the documents
themselves will be essentially identical to the "Loan Documents" (as such term
is defined in the Tri-Party Agreement) for Phase I and
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such that the overall structure of the Phase II Loan shall be not less favorable
to Red Canyon and WPHC than were the Loan Documents for Phase I as they related
to Park at Highlands and WPHC. In particular, ERP Operating Partnership
understands that Newco will request that ERP Operating Partnership enter into a
Tri-Party Agreement for Phase II (the "Phase II Tri-Party Agreement") that is
structured in the same manner as the Tri-Party Agreement for Phase I. ERP
Operating Partnership hereby agrees to do so, provided that (i) the Tri-Party
Agreement Ceiling (determined at the time the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement is
entered into and not subject to subsequent increase without ERP Operating
Partnership's prior written consent) applicable to the Phase II Tri-Party
Agreement shall be less than or equal to $29,300,000, adjusted downward on a
dollar for dollar basis to the extent that the Total Phase II Budget is less
than $30,000,000, and adjusted upward on a dollar for dollar basis to the extent
that the Total Phase II Budget is greater than $30,000,000 but less than or
equal to $31,500,000; (ii) the maturity date under the Phase II Loan is no later
than the third anniversary of the date hereof; (iii) ERP Operating Partnership
shall have no obligations to the lender with respect to the Phase II Loan, other
than as set forth in the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement; and (iv) the form of the
Phase II Tri-Party Agreement shall have been modified from the form of the Phase
I Tri-Party Agreement so as to be consistent with clauses (i) through (iii) of
Section 3.1(a) hereof and provided further that ERP Operating Partnership shall
not be required to make any representations or warranties regarding Phase II. In
no event shall the Tri-Party Agreement Ceiling for the Phase II Tri-Party
Agreement be greater than $30,800,000.
3.2 (a) Concurrently herewith, WPHC shall enter into a Standby Purchase
and Sale Agreement with ERP Operating Partnership (the "Standby Agreement")
pursuant to which WPHC shall agree to cause the applicable Palomino Park LLC to
grant ERP Operating Partnership an option to purchase only Phase I or Phase II,
as the case may be, upon and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth herein.
(b) ERP Operating Partnership shall have the right to exercise its option
to purchase Phase I from and after the date, if any, on which ERP Operating
Partnership shall make the "Loan Payoff" (as such term is employed in Section 1
of the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement) pursuant to Section 1 of the Phase I Tri-
Party Agreement. Said option must be exercised, if at all, within thirty (30)
days following the making of said Loan Payoff and ERP Operating Partnership
shall not have the right to exercise said option unless ERP Operating
Partnership has made the Loan Payoff.
(c) ERP Operating Partnership shall have the right to exercise its option
to purchase Phase II from and after the date, if any, on which ERP Operating
Partnership shall make the "Loan Payoff" (as such term shall be employed in
Section 1 of the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement) pursuant to Section 1 of the
Phase II Tri-Party Agreement. Said option must be exercised, if at all, within
thirty (30) days following the making of said Loan Payoff and ERP Operating
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Partnership shall not have the right to exercise said option unless ERP
Operating Partnership has made the Loan Payoff.
(d) The Purchase Price for Phase I, pursuant to the Standby Agreement shall
be One Hundred Dollars ($100); the Purchase Price for Phase II, pursuant to the
Standby Agreement, shall be One Hundred Dollars ($100).
(e) No fee shall be payable to ERP Operating Partnership in connection with
the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement. In consideration of ERP Operating
Partnership's undertakings pursuant to the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement,
however, Newco shall pay to ERP Operating Partnership a fee (the "Tri-Party
Fee"), with respect to each of the first three (3) "Annual Periods" (as such
term is hereinafter defined) from and after the date hereof, in the respective
amount set forth below with respect to each such Annual Period;
(i) The fee for the first Annual Period shall be an amount equal to
one percent (1%) of the face principal amount of the construction loan for
Phase II;
(ii) The fee for the second Annual Period shall be an amount equal to
one percent (1%) of the face principal amount of the construction loan for
Phase II; and
(iii) The fee for the third Annual Period shall be one and one-half
percent (1 1/2%) of the face principal amount of the construction loan for
Phase II.
As employed herein, the term "Annual Period" shall mean a period commencing
on the date on which ERP Operating Partnership enters into the Phase II Tri-
Party Agreement or on any anniversary of said date and ending on the immediately
preceding day of the same month in the next calendar year. The Tri-Party Fee
for any given Annual Period shall be payable quarterly in advance (in equal
fourths of the Tri-Party Fee for the entire Annual Period in which said quarter
falls) on the first day of each quarter of said Annual Period, shall be earned
in full for said quarter as of the first day of said quarter and shall not be
refundable for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation the
termination of the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement prior to the expiration of the
quarter for which said Standby Fee has been paid. With respect to each Annual
Period, a "quarter" shall be any of the four periods commencing on the first day
of said Annual Period or on the dates that are three, six or nine months
thereafter, respectively, and ending on the day prior to the commencement of the
next quarter.
(f) ERP Operating Partnership shall not be responsible for the payment of
any transfer or transaction taxes, the purchase of documentary stamps or other
transaction costs of any kind whatsoever (other than the payment of ERP
Operating Partnership's own attorneys' fees) in connection with the closing.
All other costs and expenses (including title, escrow and survey costs
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and the fees and expenses of any professionals providing inspections or
certifications as provided hereinbelow) shall be borne solely by Park at
Highlands or Red Canyon, as the case may be.
(g) ERP Operating Partnership's obligations under the Phase I Tri-Party
Agreement and the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement shall be unsecured.
3.3 In connection with ERP Operating Partnership's purchase of Phase I or
the Phase II, as the case may be, pursuant to the Standby Agreement, WPHC shall
cause the following conditions to be satisfied at closing:
(a) A title insurance company satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in
the exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment
shall have issued to ERP Operating Partnership an Owner's policy of title
insurance, in the amount of the purchase price, in such form and with such
endorsements as shall be reasonably requested by ERP Operating Partnership,
showing ERP Operating Partnership in title to the subject property subject to no
title exceptions other than matters not materially interfering with the use,
operation and maintenance of the property in question for its intended purpose
as a multifamily development within Highlands Ranch.
The title policy shall contain full extended coverage over mechanic's lien
claims or rights to liens in connection with all work performed before the date
of closing. The title policy shall reflect that all financing and liens of a
definite or ascertainable amount have been released from the subject property,
other than liens for taxes and assessments not yet due and payable, and all
assessment liens including, without limitation, the Indemnification Assessment
Lien and all other liens arising from or in connection with the Assessment Lien
Revenue Bonds, Series 1995, issued by PPPIC in the aggregate principal amount of
$14,755,000. At a minimum, the endorsements to be contained in said title
policy shall include the following;
(i) 103.1 and 103.2 (encroachments);
(ii) 103.7 (property abuts or has insurable access to open and
dedicated street);
(iii) 110.1 (deleting standard exceptions);
(iv) 110.2 (special exceptions) if any new exceptions appear that
are not listed as permitted exceptions identified above;
(v) 115.2 (PUD);
(vi) 116.1 (survey); and
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(vii) 123.2 (zoning).
(b) ERP Operating Partnership shall have received reasonably satisfactory
evidence (which may be included in the title policy described in Subsection (a)
above) that all real property taxes and assessments for the Phase that are due
and payable through the date of closing have been timely and fully paid.
(c) If so requested by ERP Operating Partnership, Red Canyon or Park at
Highlands, as the case may be, shall have furnished ERP Operating Partnership
with evidence of the termination of all contracts and service agreements between
said Palomino Park LLC and any Affiliate controlled by WPHC thereof, and the
waiver of any and all claims against ERP Operating Partnership with respect to
said contracts or agreements.
(d) Red Canyon or Park at Highlands, as the case may be, shall represent
and warrant to ERP Operating Partnership that, to their best knowledge, no
hazardous substances or other materials regulated by environmental laws have
been introduced to the Subject Property from and after __ [the date of the most
recent environmental report with respect to each phase, as delivered to ERP
Operating Partnership prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement] in excess
of amounts permitted by applicable environmental laws, and that, to the best
knowledge of Red Canyon or Park at Highlands, as the case may be, the Phase has
been completed in accordance with all applicable laws, codes and ordinances.
3.4 WPHC's obligations under the Standby Agreement shall be guaranteed by
Newco. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other instrument, agreement or
document, however characterized, including without limitation the Operating
Agreements for Park at Highlands and Red Canyon (in particular, Section 4.1.2
thereof) shall obligate Newco to pay the construction loan for the Phase, and
ERP Operating Partnership shall have no recourse whatsoever to seek recourse to
any extent against Newco for the payment of any part of said loan, irrespective
of whether ERP Operating Partnership pays any sums under the Tri-Party Agreement
for the Phase. Consistent with the foregoing, ERP Operating Partnership shall
have no right of enforcement, whether by subrogation or direct action, or
otherwise, of the capital contribution requirements of Newco set forth in the
Operating Agreement.
3.5 The Standby Agreement (and the guaranty referred to in Section 3.4
hereof) shall be prepared by counsel to ERP Operating Partnership, shall
incorporate the terms set forth above in this Article 3 and shall otherwise be
in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in ERP Operating
Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment.
3.6 The rights of ERP Operating Partnership under the Standby Agreement
are and shall at all times be subject to any and all liens, restrictions,
covenants and encumbrances, now existing and hereafter arising, affecting the
Subject Property and ERP Operating Partnership shall furnish any instrument
reasonably required by Newco, Park at Highlands, Red Canyon or any title
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insurer sufficient to enable the title insurer to omit same as an exception to
title insurance coverage.
ARTICLE 4
---------
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
--------------------
4.1 The execution and delivery of all of the documents and instruments
described in Articles 1, 2 and 3 above shall be mutually necessary conditions
precedent. In addition, the satisfaction of the following shall constitute
additional conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated under this Agreement:
(i) the approval of all third parties whose consent or approvals may
be required for the consummation of said transactions;
(ii) an acknowledgment by Nationsbank, WPHC and Park at Highlands that
the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement is in full force and effect and has not
been modified, that no notice of default has been given thereunder by
Nationsbank with respect to Wellsford Parent that has not been cured, and
that the Tri-Party Agreement Ceiling as it relates to Phase I has not been
modified, and Wellsford Parent's obligations under the Phase I Tri-Party
Agreement have been assigned to ERP Operating Partnership by the Surviving
Trust and that said parties will look solely to ERP Operating Partnership
for the performance of said obligations; an acknowledgment by Nationsbank
that ERP Operating Partnership's obligations to Nationsbank with respect to
Phase I are as set forth in the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement;
(iii) a release executed by Al Feld, of any and all obligations of
Wellsford Parent in connection with the Palomino Park LLCs (other than the
Phase I Tri-Party Agreement), including, without limitation, the
obligations to make capital contributions to Park at Highlands and Red
Canyon;
(iv) evidence, reasonably satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership,
of the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery of the documents
and instruments contemplated to be entered into pursuant to this Agreement
by Newco, WPHC, Park at Highlands, Red Canyon, or any Affiliate of any of
the foregoing;
(v) the delivery to ERP Operating Partnership of copies of the
Operating Agreements, as amended pursuant hereto, certified as true,
correct and complete by WPHC;
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(vi) the delivery to ERP Operating Partnership of copies of the
corporate organizational documents for WPHC, certified as true, correct and
complete by an officer of WPHC;
(vii) certificates, in form and substance and executed by such
parties as ERP Operating Partnership may reasonably require, evidencing
that all documents and materials submitted to ERP Operating Partnership
prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and relating to
the Overall Property, the Project or any portion thereof, shall not have
been materially modified, supplemented or amended without ERP Operating
Partnership's prior written consent and, to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, are free from default;
(viii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the
Merger Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.
4.2 It shall be a condition precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's
obligations to enter into the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement that no Event of
Default beyond all applicable cure periods shall have occurred under this
Agreement.
4.3 Newco shall use its best efforts to ensure that all conditions
precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's obligations which are set forth in
clauses (i)-(viii) inclusive of Section 4.1 shall be satisfied as of the date of
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In
the event that Newco is unable to satisfy any condition precedent set forth in
clauses (i)-(viii) inclusive of Section 4.1 hereof by the date of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, after the
exercise of its best efforts to satisfy such condition, ERP Operating
Partnership shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) to
satisfy such condition precedent, at its cost and expense, or (ii) to waive
compliance with any such condition precedent.
ARTICLE 5
---------
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
5.1 Representations and Warranties of Newco. Newco hereby represents and
warrants to ERP Operating Partnership as follows:
(a) Newco (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii)
has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its property and
assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted by Newco, (iii) is qualified to do
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business in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except
where the failure so to qualify would not result in a "Material Adverse
Effect on Newco" (as such term is hereinafter defined), and (iv) has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement. As employed herein, the term "Material
Adverse Effect on Newco" shall mean (i) a materially adverse effect on the
financial condition of Newco, or (ii) material impairment of the ability of
Newco to pay any amount due, or to perform any other material obligation,
under any Letter of Credit Document or Alternate Reimbursement Document, as
those terms are defined in that certain Credit Enhancement Agreement dated
______________ by and between ERP Operating Partnership and Newco (the
"Credit Enhancement Agreement").
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by Newco of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby (i) have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action and (ii) will
not (A) violate (x) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to
which Newco or any of its "Affiliates" (as such term is defined in Section
6.2) shall be subject, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation
or other constitutive documents or by-laws of Newco, (y) any order of any
governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority, or (z) any
provision of any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to
which Newco is a party or by which it or any of its property is or may be
bound, (B) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone
or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such
indenture, agreement or other instrument, or (C) result in the creation or
imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now
owned or hereafter acquired by Newco, except for the lien, if any, created
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Newco and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Newco enforceable
against Newco in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general equity
principles, including but not limited to principles governing the
availability of the remedies of specific performance and injunctive relief.
(d) Each of the Palomino Park LLCs is classified for federal tax
purposes as a partnership and not as an association taxable as a
corporation.
(e) There have been no modifications to the Final Project Budget
attached to the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement, other than change orders
funded by WPHC. The total value of all negative change orders in
connection with Phase I is less than $500,000.
5.2 Representations and Warranties of ERP Operating Partnership. ERP
Operating Partnership hereby represents and warrants to Newco as follows:
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(a) ERP Operating Partnership (i) is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate power and authority to
own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be conducted by ERP Operating Partnership, (iii) is
qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required, except where the failure so to qualify would not result in a
"Material Adverse Effect on ERP Operating Partnership" (as such term is
hereinafter defined), and (iv) has the corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. As
employed herein, the term "Material Adverse Effect on ERP Operating
Partnership" shall mean a materially adverse effect on the financial
condition of ERP Operating Partnership.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by ERP Operating
Partnership of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (i)
have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required,
stockholder action, and (ii) will not (A) violate (x) any provision of law,
statute, rule or regulation to which ERP Operating Partnership or any of
its "Affiliates" (as such term is defined in Section 6.2) shall be subject,
or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive
documents or by-laws of ERP Operating Partnership, (y) any order of any
governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority, or (z) any
provision of any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to
which ERP Operating Partnership is a party or by which it or any of its
property is or may be bound, (B) be in conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument, or (C) result in
the creation or imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property
or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by ERP Operating Partnership.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by ERP
Operating Partnership and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of ERP Operating Partnership enforceable against ERP Operating Partnership
in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, or by general equity principles, including but
not limited to principles governing the availability of the remedies of
specific performance and injunctive relief.
ARTICLE 6
---------
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
6.1 Events of Default. The happening of any of the following events shall
be an "Event of Default" hereunder:
23
<PAGE>
(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in
connection with this Agreement by Newco shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;
(b) default shall be made in the payment of any amounts due under this
Agreement and such default is not cured within five (5) business days of
written notice from ERP Operating Partnership of such default;
(c) material default shall be made in the due observance or
performance by Newco of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in
(i) this Agreement and any documents or instruments entered into pursuant
to this Agreement, other than a default in the payment of any amount due
under this Agreement, and such material default shall not be cured within
fifteen (15) business days of written notice from ERP Operating Partnership
of such default;
(d) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i)
relief in respect of Newco or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined), or
of a substantial part of the property or assets of Newco or any Subsidiary,
under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter
amended, or any other Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership
or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Newco or any Subsidiary
or for a substantial part of the property or assets of Newco or any
Subsidiary or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of Newco or any
Subsidiary; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for
90 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing
shall be entered;
(e) Newco or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any
proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal
or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent
to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate
manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (h)
above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Newco
or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of
Newco or any Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material
allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make
a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable,
admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they
become due or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
(f) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
amount in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against Newco, and the same
shall remain
24
<PAGE>
undischarged or unbonded for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days
during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment
creditor shall levy upon assets or properties of Newco or any Subsidiary to
enforce any such judgment; or
(g) there shall have occurred a Change in Control with respect to
Newco.
6.2 Definitions. As employed herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control
with the Person specified.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to
Newco or PPPIC, as the case may be, if (a) any Person or group (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Securities and Exchange Commission as in
effect on the date hereof) shall own, directly or indirectly, beneficially
or of record, shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary
voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of
Newco; or (b) a change shall occur during any period in the Board of
Directors of Newco in which the individuals who constituted the Board of
Directors of Newco at the beginning of such period (together with any other
director whose election by the Board of Directors of Newco or whose
nomination for election by the stockholders of Newco was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who either were
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute
a majority of the directors of Newco then in office.
"Control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The term
"controlled" has a meaning correlative to the foregoing.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Subsidiary" of Newco shall mean WPHC, Park at Highlands or Red
Canyon.
6.3 Remedies.
25
<PAGE>
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section
6.1 hereof, ERP Operating Partnership shall have any and all remedies
available to it at law, in equity or pursuant to statute. Nothing in this
section shall entitle ERP Operating Partnership to disaffirm to any extent
and in any manner its obligations under the Phase I Tri-Party Agreement or
(if ERP Operating Partnership has previously executed and delivered the
Phase II Tri-Party Agreement) the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement; provided,
however, that ERP Operating Partnership shall have no obligation to enter
into the Phase II Tri-Party Agreement if an Event of Default shall have
occurred.
(b) Upon the failure of ERP Operating Partnership to perform any of
its obligations under this Agreement, Newco shall have any and all remedies
available to it at law, in equity or pursuant to statute.
ARTICLE 7
---------
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
---------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Newco
shall not cause or permit to occur any transactions or series of transactions as
a result of which Newco will cease to own a controlling interest in WPHC or WPHC
will cease to own a controlling interest in the Palomino Park LLCs without first
causing ERP Operating Partnership to be fully released from the Credit
Enhancement Agreement of even date herewith between ERP Operating Partnership
and Newco (the "Credit Enhancement Agreement"), the "Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty" (as such term is defined in the Credit Enhancement
Agreement) and any "Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranties" (as such
term is defined in the Credit Enhancement Agreement).
ARTICLE 8
---------
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
---------------------
Concurrently herewith, the parties hereto shall enter into a Tax Sharing
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
26
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 9
---------
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
9.1 Notices. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall
be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to Newco, to it at _________________________________,
Attention:________________________, Telecopy No. _____________, with a copy
concurrently sent to: Brownstein Hyatt, Attn: Wayne Hykan, Esq.; and
(b) if to ERP Operating Partnership, to it at
_____________________________________, Attention: _____________________,
Telecopy No. ______________.
9.2 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by Newco herein and in the certificates or other instruments
prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be
considered to have been relied upon by ERP Operating Partnership and shall
survive the date of this Agreement, regardless of any investigation made by ERP
Operating Partnership or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and
effect so long as ERP Operating Partnership retains any obligations or liability
under this Agreement, or any document or instrument entered into pursuant
hereto.
9.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall
have been executed by Newco and ERP Operating Partnership, and thereafter shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Newco, ERP Operating Partnership and
their respective successors and assigns, except that Newco shall not have the
right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior
consent of ERP Operating Partnership.
9.4 Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
9.5 Waivers; Amendment.
(a) No failure or delay of Newco or ERP Operating Partnership in
exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of each party hereunder are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to
any departure by either
27
<PAGE>
party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be
permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which
given. No notice or demand on the other party in any case shall entitle the
other party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived,
amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by Newco and ERP Operating Partnership.
9.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any exhibits and
schedules hereto, constitutes the entire contract between the parties relative
to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party
other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
9.7 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in
respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement.
9.8 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to
replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions
the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions.
9.9 Headings. Article and Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to
affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting,
this Agreement.
9.10 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF
AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY ILLINOIS STATE
COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN THE CITY
OF CHICAGO OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM, IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR
FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT,
28
<PAGE>
AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE
HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH ILLINOIS OR NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO
AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE
CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE
JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION.
(b) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY ILLINOIS OR
NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF
AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN
ANY SUCH COURT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ERP Operating Partnership and Newco have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized all
as of the date first written above.
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST,
its general partner
By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
29
<PAGE>
Title:______________________________
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:______________________________
30
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
FORM OF TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
-----------------------------
A-1
<PAGE>
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
---------------------
THIS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT is made as of the ____ day of ________, 1997, by
and between Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco"),
Wellsford Park Highlands Corp., a Colorado corporation ("Sub"), and ERP
Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership ("ERP").
W I T N E S S E T H:
-------------------
WHEREAS, Newco is the common parent corporation of an affiliated group of
corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended), including Sub (the "Affiliated Group");
WHEREAS, ERP owns 100% of the outstanding nonvoting stock of Sub, and Newco
owns 100% of the outstanding voting stock of Sub;
WHEREAS, Newco, ERP and Sub have agreed that the Affiliated Group will file
a consolidated federal income tax return for the taxable year ended December 31,
1997, and will continue filing such consolidated returns for all taxable periods
thereafter unless otherwise required by law; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that a method be
established for allocating the consolidated "federal income tax liability" (as
determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-2) of the Affiliated Group
and any similar consolidated or unitary state income tax among the members of
the Affiliated Group.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below
shall be defined as follows:
(a) "Affiliated Group" shall mean Newco, Sub and all corporations
(whether now existing or hereafter formed or acquired) that at the time
would be entitled to or required to join with Newco in filing a
consolidated federal income tax return.
(b) "Member" shall mean any corporation that is included in the
Affiliated Group, whether for all or only a part of the taxable year in
question.
<PAGE>
(c) "Group Tax Liability" means the consolidated federal income tax
liability reported on the consolidated federal income tax return filed for
the taxable year.
(d) "Separate Tax Amount" means the federal income tax liability or
refund, as the case may be, of each Member determined at the end of the
taxable year, computed as if the Member was filing separate federal and
state returns on an unconsolidated or nonunitary basis without regard to
the income or loss of any other Member.
2. Consolidated Federal Income Tax Return. Newco and Sub agree to join in
the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with respect to the
Affiliated Group for the taxable year ended December 31, 1997 and all subsequent
taxable periods. Newco and Sub shall file such consents, elections and other
documents as may be necessary or appropriate for the filing of such return.
3. Payment of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Liability. The Group Tax
Liability for the taxable year beginning December 31, 1997 and all periods
thereafter shall be paid, in full, by Newco.
4. Allocation of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Liability. In lieu of
making tax payments, the Members shall make payments to and receive payments
from Newco as follows:
(a) Each Member whose Separate Tax Amount would have resulted in a
Federal income tax liability shall pay to Newco its Separate Tax Amount no
later than five (5) days before the Affiliated Group's consolidated federal
income tax return is required to be filed (including any period for
extension).
(b) In the event that the Group Tax liability is reduced as a result
of the carryforward of a net operating loss or capital loss or a credit
attributable to a Member, Newco shall pay to such Member the amount, if
any, by which the Group Tax Liability is decreased by reason of the
inclusion of that Member in the Affiliated Group. Such payment shall be
made on the date the Affiliated Group's consolidated federal income tax
return is required to be filed (including any period for extension). Newco
shall also pay each Member whose Separate Tax Amount would have resulted in
a refund of federal income taxes previously paid the amount of such refund
no later than five (5) days after receipt of the refund.
5. Estimated Federal Income Tax Payments. If the Affiliated Group is
required to make estimated Federal income tax payments on a consolidated basis,
each Member shall pay to Newco, not later than five (5) days before the date
such estimated payment is required to be made by Newco, that percentage of the
payment that equals the percentage which its allocated share of the Group Tax
Liability for the preceding taxable year bears to the Group Tax Liability for
that
2
<PAGE>
year. Any estimated tax payments made by a Member to Newco under this Paragraph
5 for any taxable year shall be applied to reduce the amounts, if any, owing by
the member under Paragraph 4(a) above for such year. Any excess of such
estimated tax payments over the amounts determined under Paragraph 4(a) above
for such year shall be repaid to the Member by Newco not later than the date
that the Affiliated group's federal income tax return is filed.
6. Changes in Tax Liability. If (i) the Group Tax Liability is changed
and either of such changes is part of a settlement agreement with the Internal
Revenue Service or a final "determination" (as that term is defined in Section
1313(a) of the Code), or (ii) the Affiliated Group otherwise pays tax in excess
of the Group Tax Liability, then the amount of the payments that each Member
shall make to Newco under paragraph 4(a) or the amount of the payment required
from Newco to the Member under paragraph 4(b), as the case may be, shall be
recomputed by substituting in place of the Group Tax Liability and each Member's
Separate Tax Amount the amount of the Group's recomputed tax liability ("Group's
Recomputed Tax Liability") or the Member's recomputed tax liability ("Member's
Recomputed Tax Liability") after making the adjustments described above. Not
later than (i) five (5) days before the due date for any additional payment of
tax by the Affiliated Group, or (ii) five (5) days after the receipt of a refund
or (iii) five (5) days after the event giving rise to the recomputation if such
event will not result in the payment of additional tax or the receipt of a
refund, each Member shall pay to Newco, or Newco shall pay to the Member, as the
case may be, the difference between the Member's Recomputed Tax Liability and
the amount previously paid.
7. Termination of Affiliation.
(a) The parties recognize that at some future date a Member may cease
to be included in the Group, but continue to be a corporation subject to
federal income tax ("Former Member"). In such event, Newco and Former
Member shall consult and furnish each other with information required to
prepare accurately the consolidated federal income tax return of the Group
for the last taxable year in which the Former Member was included in the
Group, and the federal income tax returns for all taxable years thereafter
of the Former Member and the Newco, respectively, in which the tax
liability of either may be affected by their former affiliation (including,
for example, the apportionment of any consolidated net operating loss,
capital loss, or investment or foreign tax credit carryover to the Former
Member). In addition, the Former Member shall furnish Newco with
information and assistance required to apply for and obtain the benefit of
any carryback of a net operating loss, capital loss or any investment,
foreign tax or other credit of the Former Member to a taxable year in which
the Former Member was included in the Group and a consolidated federal
income tax return was filed.
(b) Newco and Former Member shall consult and furnish each other with
information concerning the status of any tax audit or tax refund claim
relating to a taxable
3
<PAGE>
year in which the Former Member was included in the Group and a
consolidated federal income tax return was filed.
(c) Any payments which would have been required under paragraph 3, 4,
5 or 6 to or by a Former Member, if the Former Member were still a Member,
and with respect to any taxable year in which the Former Member was a
Member, shall be so made in accordance with principles analogous to those
set forth in such paragraphs and at the times set forth therein.
8. State and Local Taxes. Newco and Sub agree that Newco shall cause the
Group to file combined or consolidated income or franchise tax returns or
reports in any state or local jurisdiction which permits such returns or
reports. The provisions of Section 1 through 7 shall apply, with respect to
income or franchise taxes imposed by any such jurisdiction.
9. Determinations. All determinations required hereunder for each taxable
year shall be made by the independent public accountants regularly employed by
the Affiliated Group at the time the return is filed for such year. If any
dispute, controversy or claim between the parties hereto arises, then the
dispute shall be settled by arbitration at a mutually acceptable location in
Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. The award of the arbitrator
shall be binding upon the parties and each party hereby consents to the entry of
judgment by any court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the decision
of the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall be a certified public accountant. Such
determination shall be binding and conclusive upon the parties for the purposes
hereof.
10. New Members. If sufficient stock of any corporation is acquired
hereafter by Newco or any Member so that the acquired corporation becomes a
Member of the Group ("New Member"), Newco shall cause the New Member to execute
and deliver Form 1122, Authorization and Consent of Subsidiary Corporation to be
Included in a Consolidated Income Tax Return, and to make any payments required
under paragraph 3, 4, 5 or 6.
11. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein. No alteration,
amendment or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be
valid unless made by an instrument signed in writing by an authorized
officer of each party hereto.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Illinois.
4
<PAGE>
(c) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
each party hereto and its respective successors and assigns.
(d) All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given if delivered in person or by United States mail, certified or
registered, with postage prepaid, to the party at the following addresses:
Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Wellsford Park Highland Corp.
c/o Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
ERP Operating Limited Partnership
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
or such other address as the parties may furnish to each other from time to
time in writing.
(e) Paragraphs, titles or captions contained in this Agreement have
been included only for reference and convenience and in no way define,
limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any
provision hereof. Whenever the context so requires, the singular tense
shall be deemed to include the plural, the masculine gender shall be deemed
to include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa.
(f) In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the
application of such provision in circumstances other than those as to which
it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
5
<PAGE>
12. Termination. This agreement shall apply to the taxable year ending
December 31, 1997, and all subsequent years unless the parties hereto agree, in
writing, to terminate this Agreement.
6
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement with
shareholder approval on the dates stated below their signatures.
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Its President
Attest:
By:
---------------------------------
Its Secretary
WELLSFORD PARK HIGHLAND CORP., a
Colorado corporation
By:
---------------------------------
Its President
Attest:
By:
---------------------------------
Its Secretary
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
an Illinois limited partnership
By: Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust
By:
---------------------------------
Its
---------------------------
Attest:
By:
---------------------------------
Its Secretary
7
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
----------
PRELIMINARY PLANS
-----------------
[ARCHITECTUAL FLOOR PLANS]
Schedule I-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
================================================================================
Credit Enhancement Agreement
between
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Dated as of ________________________, 1997
================================================================================
<PAGE>
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT
----------------------------
THIS CREDIT ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of _____________, 1997 by and between ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
an Illinois limited partnership ("ERP Operating Partnership"), and WELLSFORD
REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland corporation ("Newco").
A. Pursuant to a certain Trust Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995 (the
"Indenture"), between Palomino Park Public Improvements Corporation, a Colorado
nonprofit corporation ("PPPIC"), and United States Trust Company of New York, as
trustee (the "Trustee"), PPPIC has issued, sold and delivered its Assessment
Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 1995 (the "Bonds"), in the aggregate principal amount
of Fourteen Million Seven Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars
($14,755,000.00). The Bonds are payable as to principal and interest in the
manner provided in the Indenture. Proceeds of the Bonds are intended to be
applied for the purpose of financing certain public facilities located within
Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District No. 2, Douglas County, Colorado, a quasi-
municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Colorado. The
Indenture, and the other documents and instruments to which PPPIC is a party,
evidencing or securing PPPIC's obligations in connection with the Bonds (with
the exception of the "Letter of Credit Documents" described below) are referred
to herein collectively as the "Bond Documents." All capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.
B. Pursuant to the Indenture, PPPIC is required to furnish a Letter of
Credit or Alternate Credit Facility satisfying the conditions set forth in the
Indenture, to secure the payment of Bonds that are in the Weekly Mode or the
Term Mode, but not Bonds that are in the Fixed Mode. Pursuant to the terms of a
Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 (said
agreement, as the same may be modified pursuant to Section 3.1(h) hereof, the
"Bank Reimbursement Agreement") by and among PPPIC, Wellsford Residential
Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford Parent"),
and Dresdner Bank, AG, New York Branch (the "Bank"), the Bank has issued to the
Trustee, acting on behalf of the holders of the Bonds, a certain letter of
credit (the "Dresdner L.C.") in the face principal amount of $15,773,702, for
the purpose of securing the payment of the Bonds. All documents entered into by
PPPIC or Wellsford Parent pursuant to the Bank Reimbursement Agreement are
referred to herein collectively as the "Letter of Credit Documents."
C. PPPIC and Wellsford Parent have entered into a Reimbursement Agreement
dated as of December 1, 1995 (the "Wellsford Parent Reimbursement Agreement")
pursuant to which PPPIC has undertaken certain obligations and provided certain
security for the benefit of Wellsford Parent in consideration of Wellsford
Parent's obligations under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement. Among other
things, pursuant to the Wellsford Parent Reimbursement Agreement,
<PAGE>
PPPIC agreed that PPPIC would not convert the Rate Mode of the Bonds without the
express written consent of Wellsford Parent and would, at the request of
Wellsford Parent, convert the Rate Mode of the Bonds. PPPIC has executed and
delivered to Wellsford Parent a certain Palomino Park Promissory Note dated
December 20, 1995 (the "PPPIC Note to Wellsford Parent"), evidencing PPPIC's
payment obligations to Wellsford Parent pursuant to the Wellsford Parent
Reimbursement Agreement.
D. Newco has been formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellsford
Parent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement ("Contribution Agreement")
referred to in that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January __,
1997 (the "Merger Agreement") by and between Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust that is the general partner of
ERP Operating Partnership ("EQR"), and Wellsford Parent. Pursuant to the
Contribution Agreement, Wellsford Parent has assigned to Newco and Newco has
assumed, or is assuming concurrently herewith, Wellsford Parent's rights and
obligations under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement, the Letter of Credit
Documents, the Wellsford Parent Reimbursement Agreement and the PPPIC Note to
Wellsford Parent.
E. ERP Operating Partnership and Newco are entering into this Agreement
pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
---------
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
------------------
1.1 (a) Upon and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent
set forth in Article 3 hereof, ERP Operating Partnership shall execute and
deliver to the Bank a guaranty (the "Initial ERP Operating Partnership
Guaranty") pursuant to which ERP Operating Partnership shall guarantee to the
Bank the payment by Newco of any and all "Overdue Reimbursement Amounts" (as
such term is hereinafter defined). As employed herein, the term "Overdue
Reimbursement Amounts" shall mean any and all sums due and owing from time to
time by Newco to the Bank pursuant to the Bank Reimbursement Agreement that are
not paid to the Bank by Newco when due (after the expiration of any cure periods
under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement) pursuant to the Bank Reimbursement
Agreement. The Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty:
(i) shall not require security for ERP Operating Partnership's
obligations pursuant to the Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty;
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(ii) shall obligate ERP Operating Partnership to pay all Overdue
Reimbursement Amounts to the Bank upon demand or, if the
Bank shall agree, in its sole and absolute discretion, then
within a period of up to three (3) business days following
the making of a written demand upon ERP Operating
Partnership by the Bank and shall provide that the payment
by ERP Operating Partnership to the Bank within said period
of time shall, at ERP Operating Partnership's election,
constitute a cure with respect to Newco's obligations to
the Bank under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement;
(iii) shall not impose upon ERP Operating Partnership any
financial covenants (collectively, "financial covenants")
consisting of net worth requirements, financial tests,
financial reporting requirements (other than customary
quarterly and annual statements) or covenants generally
recognized as financial covenants with respect to ERP
Operating Partnership, or any other covenants regarding the
nature or manner of operation of ERP Operating
Partnership's businesses; provided, however, that the
Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty may be cross-
defaulted to such corporate-level financial covenants, if
any, as ERP Operating Partnership may be subject to from
time to time under any of ERP Operating Partnership's
corporate-level unsecured debt instruments, to the extent
that the enforcement of said covenants is not waived or
released by the financial institutions in whose favor said
covenants primarily run (upon request from the Bank, ERP
Operating Partnership shall furnish the Bank with evidence
satisfactory to the Bank of such financial covenants to
which ERP Operating Partnership may from time to time be
subject);
(iv) shall not contain a waiver of any rights of subrogation
that ERP Operating Partnership may otherwise have by reason
of making payment to the Bank under the Initial ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty, shall grant ERP Operating
Partnership full rights of subrogation with respect thereto
upon the payment in full to the Bank by ERP Operating
Partnership of Newco's obligations under the Letter of
Credit Documents, and shall contain the Bank's agreement to
assign to ERP Operating Partnership (without warranty,
representation or recourse, and without releasing Newco
from any obligations or defaults thereunder) the Bank's
rights and remedies under the Letter of Credit Documents
following the
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payment in full by ERP Operating Partnership of Newco's
obligations under the Letter of Credit Documents;
(v) shall provide for an absolute and unconditional guaranty of
payment by ERP Operating Partnership containing such terms
and conditions as are usual and customary for the Bank to
impose in transactions of the type herein contemplated with
third party guarantors of comparable net worth which are
unaffiliated with the party whose obligations they are
guaranteeing, which guaranty may include an express
statement to the effect of any one or more of the following:
ERP Operating Partnership shall not be released by any
bankruptcy (voluntary or involuntary) of any obligor with
respect to the Letter of Credit Documents, any fact, matter
or circumstance, whether or not denominated in the Letter of
Credit Documents; and that ERP Operating Partnership shall
expressly waive or be deemed to have waived any suretyship
defenses; and may permit the Bank to seek sole and immediate
enforcement of the Initial ERP Operating Partnership
Guaranty without first proceeding against Newco, PPPIC or
any obligor or collateral; provided, however, that the
Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty shall provide
that ERP Operating Partnership shall be released fully and
absolutely from liability under the Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty in the event that the Bank
Reimbursement Agreement or the other Letter of Credit
Documents or any of Newco's obligations in connection
therewith shall be modified without the prior written
consent of ERP Operating Partnership, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, provided that such modification shall
not increase the amount of the Letter of Credit or otherwise
increase ERP Operating Partnership's obligations under the
Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, increase the
likelihood that ERP Operating Partnership will be required
to make a payment pursuant to the Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty, or diminish the remedies or collateral
to which ERP Operating Partnership will become subrogated
upon payment as contemplated under Section 1.1(a)(iv)
hereinabove; and
(vi) shall provide that the term of the Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty or any Alternate Credit Facility shall
not extend beyond the eighth (8th) anniversary of the date
of this Agreement (the "Expiration Date") or, if the term of
the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or any
Alternate Credit Facility shall extend beyond the Expiration
Date, then such guaranty document shall
4
<PAGE>
make it clear that the guaranty afforded under this
Agreement shall expire on the Expiration Date.
(b) The form of the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty shall
be subject to ERP Operating Partnership's review and approval, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed if the terms and conditions thereof
conform to the parameters set forth in Section 1.1(a) hereof.
1.2 For so long as a Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility is
required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Indenture,
Newco shall cause PPPIC to do so and, in particular, shall cause PPPIC to
furnish to the Trustee a Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility in
accordance with Section 5.15(b) of the Indenture prior to the expiration of any
then-existing Letter of Credit so as to cause the Trustee to surrender for
cancellation the previously held Letter of Credit to the issuer thereof, not
less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiry of said existing Letter of
Credit.
1.3 In connection with any Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit
Facility that may be furnished to the Trustee from time to time pursuant to the
Indenture, ERP Operating Partnership acknowledges that PPPIC or Newco may desire
or be required to undertake certain obligations or provide certain financial
accommodations (collectively the "Alternate Reimbursement Obligations") to the
issuer of said Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility. The
documents evidencing or securing Newco's Alternate Reimbursement Obligations are
referred to herein collectively as the "Alternate Reimbursement Documents". The
parties acknowledge that the issuer of the Alternate Letter of Credit or the
Alternate Credit Facility may be one or more institutions, selected by Newco,
meeting the requirements of the Indenture. If Newco undertakes any Alternate
Reimbursement Obligations, then ERP Operating Partnership shall enter into a
guaranty of the payment of Newco's Alternate Reimbursement Obligations by
executing and delivering to the issuer of said Alternate Letter of Credit or
Alternate Credit Facility a guaranty in favor of said issuer (the "Alternate ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty"), upon and subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions precedent set forth in Sections 3.1(d), 3.1(f), 3.1(i), 3.1(k) and
3.2 hereof, and subject also to the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions precedent:
(a) The terms and conditions of said Alternate Letter of Credit or
Alternate Credit Facility shall be subject to ERP Operating Partnership's
review and approval in ERP Operating Partnership's sole and absolute
discretion; provided, however, that ERP Operating Partnership shall not
unreasonably withhold or delay its approval with respect thereto if the
terms and conditions thereof shall not be materially less favorable to
Newco than the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit Documents, as
the same have been modified pursuant to this Agreement, and are otherwise
commercially reasonable in the circumstances;
5
<PAGE>
(b) The terms and conditions of the Alternate ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty shall be subject to ERP Operating Partnership's review
and approval in ERP Operating Partnership's sole and absolute discretion;
provided, however, that ERP Operating Partnership shall not unreasonably
withhold or delay its approval with respect thereto if the scope and nature
thereof is limited in substantially the same manner as the Initial ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty and if the Alternate ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty is not otherwise on terms materially less favorable
than the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty;
(c) The Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty (or, as the case
may be, any pre-existing Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty)
shall be returned to ERP Operating Partnership, and ERP Operating
Partnership shall be released fully and absolutely from all liability
thereunder, prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery of the
Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty;
(d) The Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility shall
satisfy the requirements of the Indenture; and
(e) Newco and PPPIC shall have executed and delivered documents
relating to the Alternate Credit Facility or Alternate Letter of Credit, as
the case may be, which are in substantially the same form as the Wellsford
Parent Reimbursement Agreement and the PPPIC Note to Wellsford Parent,
respectively, and PPPIC and Newco shall have executed and delivered to ERP
Operating Partnership an instrument or agreement with respect thereto in
substantially the same form as the Collateral Assignment and Consent
described in Section 4.6 hereof.
1.4 Newco shall furnish drafts of all Alternate Reimbursement Documents to
ERP Operating Partnership not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date on
which any Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility is required or
proposed to be furnished to the Trustee. If ERP Operating Partnership is not
satisfied with the terms of the proposed Alternate Reimbursement Documents for
any reason whatsoever, or if ERP Operating Partnership, in its sole discretion,
shall otherwise prefer to do so, ERP Operating Partnership may itself arrange
for an Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility in lieu of the
one proposed by Newco or PPPIC; provided, however, that if the terms of the
proposed documents are such that ERP Operating Partnership would otherwise be
obligated to execute and deliver an Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty
pursuant to Section 1.3 of this Agreement in connection with an Alternate Letter
of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility proposed by Newco or PPPIC, and ERP
Operating Partnership nevertheless desires not to do so, then (i) ERP Operating
Partnership shall be obligated to arrange for an Alternate Letter of Credit or
Alternate Credit Facility in lieu of the one proposed by Newco or PPPIC, and
(ii) under such circumstances, ERP Operating Partnership shall bear all costs
and expenses arising in connection with such Alternate Letter of Credit or
6
<PAGE>
Alternate Credit Facility including, without limitation, any fees, costs,
attorneys' fees or charges imposed or incurred by the Bank, the Trustee, or the
Rating Service (as defined in _______________). If ERP Operating Partnership
arranges for such an Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility,
then Newco covenants and agrees that PPPIC and Newco shall be the parties
primarily liable on a joint and several basis with respect to the Alternate
Reimbursement Documents arranged by ERP Operating Partnership, and ERP
Operating Partnership agrees, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, to execute and deliver an Alternate ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty with respect to Newco's payment obligations under said
Alternate Reimbursement Documents. Any Alternate Reimbursement Documents
proposed by ERP Operating Partnership shall be on terms that are not materially
less favorable to Newco or PPPIC than the Alternate Reimbursement Documents
proposed by Newco or PPPIC.
1.5 ERP Operating Partnership shall have no liability to Newco or any
other party to maintain any given rating with respect to the Bonds, it being
acknowledged and agreed that (i) ERP Operating Partnership has no obligation
whatsoever to PPPIC, the Trustee, the holders of the Bonds or any party paying
assessments to PPPIC, and (ii) ERP Operating Partnership's sole obligation in
connection with the Bonds is to provide certain financial accommodations to the
issuer of a Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility, as the case may be,
solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
1.6 For informational purposes, from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice, ERP Operating Partnership shall cooperate reasonably in furnishing
information concerning itself to the Bank or the issuer of any Alternate Letter
of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility whether prior or subsequent to entering
into the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or any Alternate ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty, as the case may be.
1.7 Newco shall have the right at any time prior to the Expiration Date to
obtain a full release of the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or the
Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, as the case may be, and terminate
this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
---------
FEES AND EXPENSES
-----------------
2.1 With respect to each period (each, an "Annual Period") commencing on
the date hereof or on any anniversary of the date hereof and ending on the
immediately preceding day of the same month in the next calendar year, Newco
shall pay to ERP Operating Partnership a fee (the "Credit Enhancement Fee"), in
an amount equal to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the face amount of any
Letter of Credit (or the maximum principal amount of any Alternate Credit
Facility) in existence on the first day of said Annual Period. The Credit
Enhancement Fee for any given Annual Period shall be payable quarterly in
advance (in equal fourths of the Credit Enhancement
7
<PAGE>
Fee for the entire Annual Period in which said quarter falls) on the first day
of each quarter of said Annual Period, shall be earned in full for said quarter
as of the first day of said quarter and shall not be refundable for any reason
whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence of any of the
following prior to the end of the said quarter: (i) the repayment in full of the
Bonds; (ii) the termination or expiration of this Agreement; (iii) the release
of the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or any Alternate ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty; or (iv) the conversion of the Bonds to the Fixed Mode.
With respect to each Annual Period, a "quarter" shall be any of the four periods
commencing on the first day of said Annual Period or on the dates that are
three, six or nine months thereafter, respectively, and ending on the day prior
to the commencement of the next quarter.
2.2 Newco shall be solely responsible for paying (i) all costs, fees,
charges, penalties and other expenses charged by the Bank or the issuer of any
Alternate Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility, and (ii) to the extent
the same are reasonable in the circumstances, all costs, fees and expenses,
including without limitation attorneys' fees and expenses, incurred by ERP
Operating Partnership in connection with the Letter of Credit, any Alternate
Letter of Credit or Alternate Credit Facility, the Initial ERP Operating
Partnership Guaranty or any Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty.
ARTICLE 3
---------
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
--------------------
3.1 As conditions precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's obligations
pursuant to Article 1 of this Agreement, Newco shall furnish to ERP Operating
Partnership:
(a) evidence, satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in the
exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment,
of the consent of PPPIC, the Bank, the Trustee and all other parties having
a right of consent in connection with the Bonds or the Letter of Credit
with respect to the assumption by Newco of Wellsford Parent's obligations
pursuant to the Bank Reimbursement Agreement and the Letter of Credit
Documents, and the release of Wellsford Parent therefrom.
(b) an instrument in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating
Partnership in the exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially
reasonable judgment, executed by the Bank, releasing ERP Operating
Partnership and Wellsford Parent from any and all obligations in connection
with the Bank Reimbursement Agreement and the Letter of Credit Documents,
other than those obligations expressly undertaken by ERP Operating
Partnership pursuant to the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty.
8
<PAGE>
(c) an instrument, in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating
Partnership in the exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially
reasonable judgment, releasing ERP Operating Partnership and Wellsford
Parent from any and all obligations under (i) that certain Second Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement date as of June 30, 1995, as
amended, with the First National Bank of Boston and the other parties
listed therein, and (ii) that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of
June 30, 1995, as amended, by and among said parties (collectively, the
documents described in this Section 3.1(c) are referred to herein as the
"Bank of Boston Documents");
(d) a current certificate from the Trustee that, to the knowledge of
Trustee, there has not occurred and shall not be continuing any default or
event of default beyond any applicable grace period under the Indenture or
the Bond Documents;
(e) a current certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to ERP
Operating Partnership in the exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's
commercially reasonable judgment, executed by an officer of the Bank, to
the effect that, to the knowledge of the Bank, there is no continuing
default or event of default beyond any applicable grace period under the
Bank Reimbursement Agreement or the Letter of Credit Documents;
(f) a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating
Partnership, executed by an officer or director of PPPIC, to the effect
that the Bond Documents shall not have been modified in any respect, from
the forms submitted to ERP Operating Partnership prior to the execution of
the Merger Agreement, without ERP Operating Partnership's written consent,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(g) a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating
Partnership, executed by an officer or director of PPPIC, to the effect
that the Letter of Credit Documents have not been modified in any respect
from the forms submitted to ERP Operating Partnership prior to the
execution of the Merger Agreement, without ERP Operating Partnership's
written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as
provided in Section 3.1(h) hereinbelow;
(h) the Bank Reimbursement Agreement and the Letter of Credit
Documents shall have been amended so that (x) all covenants relating to the
financial status and operations and personnel of Wellsford Parent have
either been deleted or have been modified so as to reflect the status and
business operations of Newco, as Wellsford Parent's assignee thereunder,
(y) all references to the Bank of Boston Documents (including cross-
defaults thereto and all references to any line or lines of credit
available to Wellsford Parent pursuant thereto) shall have been deleted,
and (z) such other provisions as Newco and the Bank may agree upon shall
have been modified without the prior written consent of ERP Operating
Partnership, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided
9
<PAGE>
that no such modification shall alter the basic business terms and
procedures set forth in Articles 1, 2, 6.15, 6.19, 6.20, 6.21, 7.2, 8 and 9
of the Bank Reimbursement Agreement, relieve Newco and PPPIC of their
obligations as the sole "Account Parties" (as such term is defined in the
Bank Reimbursement Agreement) or increase the amount of the Letter of
Credit or otherwise increase ERP Operating Partnership's obligations under
the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, increase the likelihood
that ERP Operating Partnership will be required to make a payment pursuant
to the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, or diminish the remedies
or collateral to which ERP Operating Partnership will become subrogated
upon payment as contemplated under Section 1.1(a)(iv) hereinabove;
(i) a Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement, executed by Newco,
described in Section 4.3 hereof;
(j) the acknowledgement and agreement of PPPIC described in Section
5.1(b) hereof, the irrevocable power of attorney from PPPIC described in
Section 5.1(c) hereof, and the Trustee's consent and acknowledgement
described in Section 5.1(c) hereof;
(k) the covenant and agreement of PPPIC described in Section 4.5
hereof;
(l) evidence, satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in the
exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment,
of the consent of PPPIC with respect to the assumption by Newco of
Wellsford Parent's rights and obligations under the Wellsford Parent
Reimbursement Agreement and the release of Wellsford Parent therefrom and
the assignment to Newco of the PPPIC Note to Wellsford Parent;
(m) the Collateral Assignment and Consent described in Section 4.6
hereof; and
(n) evidence, satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in the
exercise of ERP Operating Partnership's commercially reasonable judgment,
that Newco was formed, established and capitalized in accordance with the
terms of the Contribution Agreement.
3.2 It shall be a condition precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's
obligations pursuant to Article 1 of this Agreement that no Event of Default
beyond all applicable cure periods shall have occurred under this Agreement.
3.3 The consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Merger
Agreement shall be a condition precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's
obligations pursuant to Article 1 of this Agreement.
3.4 Newco shall use its best efforts to ensure that all conditions
precedent to ERP Operating Partnership's obligations pursuant to Article 1 of
this Agreement shall be satisfied as
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<PAGE>
of the date of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. In the event that Newco is unable to satisfy any condition precedent
to ERP Operating Partnership's obligations pursuant to Article 1 of this
Agreement by the date of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, after the exercise of its best efforts to satisfy such
condition, ERP Operating Partnership shall have the right, in its sole and
absolute discretion, (i) to satisfy such condition precedent, at its cost and
expense, or (ii) to waive compliance with any such condition precedent.
ARTICLE 4
---------
OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF NEWCO
--------------------------
4.1 On the same day, if any, as ERP Operating Partnership is required to
make any payment from time to time under the Initial ERP Operating Partnership
Guaranty or any Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, Newco shall repay
said amounts to ERP Operating Partnership in full. All amounts required to be
reimbursed to ERP Operating Partnership pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall
be interest at the rate of the "Prime Rate" (as such term is hereinafter
defined) plus three percent (3%) per annum until paid in full, which interest
shall be due and payable to ERP Operating Partnership on demand. Said interest
shall be in the nature of default rate interest and the payment of said interest
shall not excuse Newco from the obligation of repaying the amounts due and
payable to ERP Operating Partnership pursuant to the first sentence of this
Section 4.1 when said amounts are due pursuant to said sentence. As employed
herein, the term "Prime Rate" shall mean, from time to time, the rate of
interest per annum then most recently announced by The First National Bank of
Chicago in Chicago, Illinois as its corporate base rate. If The First National
Bank of Chicago shall not announce such a rate, then the term "Prime Rate" shall
mean the prime rate or base rate from time to time announced by an American
money center bank designated by ERP Operating Partnership.
4.2 (a) Newco shall indemnify and hold harmless ERP Operating
Partnership, its general and limited partners, and the officers, directors,
trustees, agents and employees of any of the foregoing (each, a "ERP
Operating Partnership Indemnified Party") from and against any and all
claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, and costs or expenses
whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys' fees) which the ERP Operating
Partnership Indemnified Party may incur (or which may be claimed against
the ERP Operating Partnership Indemnified Party by any person or entity
whatsoever) by reason of or in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, the Initial ERP Operating Partnership
Guaranty or any Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, except to the
extent of claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities and costs and
expenses arising by reason of ERP Operating Partnership's breach of its
obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Indemnified Party.
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(b) ERP Operating Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless Newco
and its officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a "Newco
Indemnified Party") from and against any and all claims, demands, damages,
losses, liabilities, and costs or expenses whatsoever (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) to the extent they arise from ERP Operating Partnership's
breach of its obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of ERP Operating Partnership.
4.3 The rights and obligations of ERP Operating Partnership and Newco with
respect to the matters set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 shall be set forth in a
Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement to be prepared by ERP Operating
Partnership and to be entered into concurrently with the execution and delivery
of the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty and any Alternate ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty, which shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to ERP Operating Partnership in the exercise of its commercially
reasonable judgment.
4.4 Newco covenants and agrees to comply in all material respects, and to
cause PPPIC to comply in all material respects, with all terms and conditions of
(i) the Indenture and the other Bond Documents, (ii) the Bank Reimbursement
Agreement and the other Letter of Credit Documents, and (iii) any Alternate
Reimbursement Documents.
4.5 Newco shall cause PPPIC to covenant and agree (i) to furnish ERP
Operating Partnership concurrently with copies of all documentation furnished to
the Trustee or its agents by PPPIC in connection with the draw-down of any Bond
proceeds to fund the construction of the Public Improvements or other expenses
and (ii) except as may be required by or in order to comply with existing law,
that the Public Improvements that are constructed from time to time shall be
only those Public Improvements reasonably required from time to time to service
the improvements existing or under development on the Property.
4.6 As security for Newco's obligations under this Agreement, Newco shall
collaterally assign to ERP Operating Partnership all of Newco's rights, title
and interest under the Wellsford Parent Reimbursement Agreement, and shall
pledge to ERP Operating Partnership the PPPIC Note to Wellsford Parent. Said
collateral assignment and pledge shall be evidenced by an instrument (the
"Collateral Assignment") in form and substance satisfactory to ERP Operating
Partnership in the exercise of its commercially reasonable judgment. The
Collateral Assignment shall include a provision pursuant to which Newco agrees:
(i) not to consent to any modification of the Bank Reimbursement Agreement, the
Indenture, or any documents executed by PPPIC in connection therewith which
would have the effect of increasing the amount of the Letter of Credit or
otherwise increasing ERP Operating Partnership's obligations under the Initial
ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, increasing the likelihood that ERP Operating
Partnership will be required to make a payment pursuant to the Initial ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty, or diminishing the remedies or collateral to
which ERP Operating Partnership will become subrogated upon payment as
contemplated under Section 1.1(a)(iv) hereinabove; (ii) not to consent to the
exercise by PPPIC
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<PAGE>
of any rights of optional redemption under the Indenture without the prior
written consent of ERP Operating Partnership, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld; (iii) not to direct or consent to any conversion of the
Rate Mode of the Bonds that is inconsistent with ERP Operating Partnership's
rights under Section 5.1 of this Agreement; and (iv) that all rights of consent,
and all rights to direct the actions of PPPIC which Newco has pursuant to the
Wellsford Parent Reimbursement Agreement, shall be exercisable solely by ERP
Operating Partnership solely upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
described in Sections __ and __. Newco shall cause PPPIC to execute a consent
and acknowledgment (the "Consent"), pursuant to which PPPIC consents to the
Collateral Assignment and agrees that all rights of consent, and all rights to
direct the actions of PPPIC, which Newco has pursuant to the Wellsford Parent
Reimbursement Agreement, shall be exercisable solely by ERP Operating
Partnership solely upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
Sections __ and __ unless and until written notice of the release of said right
is received from ERP Operating Partnership.
ARTICLE 5
---------
RATE MODE OF BONDS;
EXPIRATION OF ERP OPERATING PARTNERSHIP'S OBLIGATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------
5.1 Newco acknowledges that, pursuant to the Collateral Assignment and the
Consent, ERP Operating Partnership shall have the exclusive right, subject to
the rights of the Bank under the Bank Reimbursement Agreement, upon and
following the occurrence of an Event of Default beyond all applicable cure
periods or at any time after the Expiration Date (provided that ERP Operating
Partnership shall not have previously been released from all of its obligations
under the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty by the Alternate ERP
Operating Partnership Guaranty, as the case may be), to direct PPPIC with
respect to establishing the Rate Modes from time to time of the Bonds. ERP
Operating Partnership hereby agrees to permit the Bonds to remain in the Weekly
Mode; provided that, at any time on or after the Expiration Date (provided that
ERP Operating Partnership shall not have previously been released from all of
its obligations under the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or the
Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty, as the case may be) or at any time
after the occurrence of an Event of Default under this Agreement beyond all
applicable cure periods, ERP Operating Partnership shall have the right to
direct PPPIC to exercise its option (the "Rate Conversion Option"), at the
earliest possible time thereafter pursuant to the Indenture, to convert all the
Bonds to the Fixed Mode. ERP Operating Partnership shall not cause the Bonds to
be converted to the Term Mode without the approval of Newco and ERP Operating
Partnership shall have no obligation at any time to cause or permit a conversion
of the Bonds to a Term Mode with a duration of longer than two hundred and ten
(210) days or which ends after the Expiration Date or the expiration date or
maturity date of the Letter of Credit, any Alternate Letter of Credit or any
Alternate Credit Facility.
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5.2 On and as of the Expiration Date, Newco shall cause ERP Operating
Partnership to be released from the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty
and any Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty then in effect as of the
Expiration Date, and ERP Operating Partnership shall have no further obligations
pursuant to this Agreement from and after the Expiration Date.
ARTICLE 6
---------
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
6.1 Representations and Warranties of Newco. Newco hereby represents and
warrants to ERP Operating Partnership as follows:
(a) Newco (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii)
has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its property and
assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted by Newco, (iii) is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction
where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to
qualify would not result in a "Material Adverse Effect on Newco" (as such
term is hereinafter defined), and (iv) has the corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement. As employed herein, the term "Material Adverse Effect on Newco"
shall mean (i) a materially adverse effect on the financial condition of
Newco, or (ii) material impairment of the ability of Newco to pay any
amount due, or to perform any other material obligation, under any Letter
of Credit Document or Alternate Reimbursement Document.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by Newco of this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby (i) have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action and (ii) will
not (A) violate (x) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to
which Newco or any of its "Affiliates" (as such term is defined in Section
7.2) shall be subject, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation
or other constitutive documents or by-laws of Newco, (y) any order of any
governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority, or (z) any
provision of any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to
which Newco is a party or by which it or any of its property is or may be
bound, (B) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone
or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such
indenture, agreement or other instrument, or (C) result in the creation or
imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now
owned or hereafter acquired by Newco, except for the lien, if any, created
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Newco and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Newco enforceable
against Newco in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by general equity
principles, including but not limited to principles governing the
availability of the remedies of specific performance and injunctive relief.
(d) All of the Bonds are in the Weekly Mode.
6.2 Representations and Warranties of ERP Operating Partnership. ERP
Operating Partnership hereby represents and warrants to Newco as follows:
(a) ERP Operating Partnership (i) is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate power and authority to
own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be conducted by ERP Operating Partnership, (iii) is
qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required, except where the failure so to qualify would not result in a
"Material Adverse Effect on ERP Operating Partnership" (as such term is
hereinafter defined), and (iv) has the corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. As
employed herein, the term "Material Adverse Effect on ERP Operating
Partnership" shall mean a materially adverse effect on the financial
condition of ERP Operating Partnership.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by ERP Operating
Partnership of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (i)
have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required,
stockholder action, and (ii) will not (A) violate (x) any provision of law,
statute, rule or regulation to which ERP Operating Partnership or any of
its "Affiliates" (as such term is defined in Section 7.2) shall be subject,
or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive
documents or by-laws of ERP Operating Partnership, (y) any order of any
governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority, or (z) any
provision of any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to
which ERP Operating Partnership is a party or by which it or any of its
property is or may be bound, (B) be in conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument, or (C) result in
the creation or imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property
or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by ERP Operating Partnership.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by ERP
Operating Partnership and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of ERP Operating Partnership enforceable against ERP Operating Partnership
in accordance with its terms,
15
<PAGE>
except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or
other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, or by
general equity principles, including but not limited to principles
governing the availability of the remedies of specific performance and
injunctive relief.
ARTICLE 7
---------
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
7.1 Events of Default. The happening of any of the following events shall
be an "Event of Default" hereunder:
(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in this
Agreement by Newco shall prove to have been false or misleading in any
material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;
(b) default shall be made in the payment of any amounts due under
this Agreement and such default is not cured within five (5) business days
of written notice from ERP Operating Partnership of such default;
(c) material default shall be made in the due observance or
performance by Newco or PPPIC of any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in this Agreement, the Bond Documents, the Letter of Credit
Documents, any Alternate Reimbursement Documents and any Reimbursement and
Indemnification Agreement entered into pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof,
other than a default in the payment of any amount due under this Agreement,
and such material default shall not be cured within fifteen (15) business
days of written notice from ERP Operating Partnership of such default;
(d) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i)
relief in respect of Newco or PPPIC, or of a substantial part of the
property or assets of Newco or PPPIC under Title 11 of the United States
Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal or
state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or
similar official for Newco or PPPIC or for a substantial part of the
property or assets of Newco or PPPIC, or (iii) the winding-up or
liquidation of Newco or PPPIC; and such proceeding or petition shall
continue undismissed for 90 days or an order or decree approving or
ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(e) Newco or PPPIC shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or
file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code,
as now constituted or
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hereafter amended, or any other Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to
contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of
any petition described in (d) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or
similar official for Newco or PPPIC or for a substantial part of the
property or assets of Newco or PPPIC, (iv) file an answer admitting the
material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding,
(v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) become
unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts
as they become due;
(f) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
amount in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against Newco or PPPIC and
the same shall remain unbonded or undischarged for a period of 30
consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or
any judgment creditor shall levy upon assets or properties of Newco or
PPPIC to enforce any such judgment; or
(g) there shall have occurred a Change in Control with respect to
Newco or PPPIC.
7.2 Definitions. As employed herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control
with the Person specified.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to
Newco, as the case may be, if (a) any Person or group (within the meaning
of Rule 13d-5 of the Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the
date hereof other than ERP Operating Partnership or ERP Operating
Partnership's Affiliate) shall own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or
of record, shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary
voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of
Newco; or (b) a change shall occur during any period in the Board of
Directors of Newco in which the individuals who constituted the Board of
Directors of Newco at the beginning of such period (together with any other
director whose election by the Board of Directors of Newco or whose
nomination for election by the stockholders of Newco was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who either were
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute
a majority of the directors of Newco then in office. With respect to
PPPIC, a "Change in
17
<PAGE>
Control" shall mean that the members of the Board of Directors of PPPIC are
no longer the nominees of Newco.
"Control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the
power to direct the management and policies of such Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The term
"controlled" has a meaning correlative to the foregoing.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
7.3 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
Section 7.1 hereof, ERP Operating Partnership shall have any and all remedies
available to it at law, in equity or pursuant to statute. Without limitation of
the foregoing,the occurrence of an Event of Default shall have the consequences
set forth in Sections 3.2 and 5.1 of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
---------
AGREEMENT REGARDING PALOMINO PARK
---------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time
Newco shall breach the terms of Article 7 of that certain Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park of even date herewith by and between ERP Operating Partnership and
Newco, then ERP Operating Partnership shall have no further obligations under
this Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
---------
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
9.1 Notices. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall
be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to Newco, to it at _________________________________,
Attention:________________________, Telecopy No. ______________, with a
copy concurrently sent to: Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Strichland P.C., 410
Seventeenth St., Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202;
(b) if to ERP Operating Partnership, to it at
_____________________________________, Attention: _____________________,
Telecopy No. ______________.
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<PAGE>
Such notice will be deemed given when received.
9.2 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by Newco herein and in the certificates or other instruments
prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be
considered to have been relied upon by ERP Operating Partnership and shall
survive the date of this Agreement, regardless of any investigation made by ERP
Operating Partnership or on its behalf, and shall continue in full force and
effect so long as ERP Operating Partnership retains any obligations or liability
under this Agreement, the Initial ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty or any
Alternate ERP Operating Partnership Guaranty.
9.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall
have been executed by Newco and ERP Operating Partnership, and thereafter shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Newco, ERP Operating Partnership and
their respective successors and assigns, except that neither Newco nor ERP
Operating Partnership shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any
interest herein without the prior consent of the other.
9.4 Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
9.5 Waivers; Amendment.
(a) No failure or delay of ERP Operating Partnership or Newco in
exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of ERP Operating Partnership and
Newco hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies which they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or consent to any departure by either party therefrom shall
in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph
(b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand
on either party in any case shall entitle such party to any other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived,
amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by Newco and ERP Operating Partnership.
9.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any exhibits and
schedules hereto, constitutes the entire contract between the parties relative
to the subject matter hereof. Any
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<PAGE>
previous agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
is superseded by this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and
thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of
this Agreement.
9.7 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in
respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement.
9.8 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to
replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions
the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions.
9.9 Headings. Article and Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to
affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting,
this Agreement.
9.10 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF
AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY ILLINOIS OR NEW
YORK STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING
IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT
THEREFROM, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL
CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND
DETERMINED IN SUCH ILLINOIS OR NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES
THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE
AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT
ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
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<PAGE>
(b) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY ILLINOIS OR
NEW YORK STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. EACH
OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE
OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ERP Operating Partnership and Newco have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized all
as of the date first written above.
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BY: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST,
its general partner
By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_______________________________
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_______________________________
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
================================================================================
Sonterra Agreement
between
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Dated as of ___, 1997
================================================================================
<PAGE>
SONTERRA AGREEMENT
------------------
THIS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
__________, 1997 by and between ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois
limited partnership ("ERQ OP"), and WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland
corporation ("Newco").
A. Newco has been formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("WRPT"),
pursuant to the Contribution Agreement dated as of _____________________, 1997
(the "Contribution Agreement") referred to in that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of January __, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement") by and between
Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
that is the general partner of EQR OP ("EQR"), and WRPT.
B. Pursuant to that certain Option Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996
(the "Option Agreement") by and between Specified Properties VIII, L.P., a Texas
limited partnership ("Specified"), and WRPT, a copy of which Option Agreement is
attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof, Specified granted WRPT an
option to purchase the land (the "Land") which is more fully described on
Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof, together with the buildings
and improvements thereon erected, known as Sonterra at Williams Centre, an
apartment property located in the City of Tucson, County of Pima, State of
Arizona (the "Improvements") (the Land and the Improvements are collectively
referred to herein as the "Premises"), upon the terms and conditions described
in the Option Agreement.
C. Concurrently with the execution of the Option Agreement, WRPT and
Specified entered into that certain Loan Agreement dated as of June 28, 1996
(the "Loan Agreement") pursuant to which WRPT made a loan to Specified in the
original principal amount of $17,800,000.00, which loan is secured by the
Premises.
D. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, WRPT has assigned to Newco,
among other things, all of WRPT's rights and obligations under the Option
Agreement.
E. EQR OP and Newco are entering this Agreement pursuant to the Merger
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Assignment of Option. In the event that Newco has decided not to
exercise its option under the Option Agreement to purchase the Premises and
Newco has received an offer (an
<PAGE>
"Offer") from a prospective assignee, other than Newco or the Surviving Trust
(as defined in the Merger Agreement) or any affiliate of either of such parties
(each, an "Acceptable Assignee"), to purchase all of Newco's rights and
obligations under the Option Agreement, Newco shall first offer in writing (a
"Notice of Proposed Assignment") to assign the Option Agreement to EQR OP. Any
such assignment of the Option Agreement to EQR OP shall be on the same terms and
conditions as the Offer, which terms and conditions shall be set forth in the
Notice of Proposed Assignment. If EQR OP does not provide Newco with written
notice of its intention to purchase Newco's rights and obligations under the
Option Agreement on or before the earlier of the date when notice of exercise of
the option must be given within thirty (30) days after the Notice of Proposed
Assignment, then Newco shall have the right to assign all of its rights and
obligations under the Option Agreement to such prospective assignee in
accordance with the terms of the Offer. If Newco fails to consummate such
assignment within one hundred fifty (150) days following EQR OP's rejection of
the offer in the Notice of Proposed Assignment, then the Option Agreement shall
again be subject to the restrictions of this Paragraph 1.
2. Lapse of Option. In the event that Newco has decided not to exercise
its option to the purchase the Premises under the Option Agreement and Newco has
not received an offer to purchase all of Newco's rights and obligations under
the Option Agreement within thirty (30) days prior to the last day for giving
notice of exercise of the expiration of the option, then Newco shall give EQR OP
thirty (30) days written notice of such expiration of the option. Upon timely
giving such notice, EQR OP shall have the right to require Newco to immediately
assign all of its rights and obligations under the Option Agreement to ERQ OP
for One Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($100.00).
3. Exercise of Option. In the event that Newco, or the Acceptable
Assignee then holding the option under the Option Agreement, shall elect to
exercise its right under the Option Agreement to purchase the Premises, Newco
(i) as the exercising party, shall cause title to the Premises to be acquired by
Newco or a subsidiary or affiliate of Newco only or (ii) shall cause the
Acceptable Assignee exercising such option to cause the Premises to be so
titled. Newco shall give EQR OP written notice of the acquisition of the
Premises pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement within ten (10) days
after acquisition. For the purposes hereof, an "affiliate" of Newco shall be
any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with Newco.
4. Right of First Offer Agreement. Promptly following (a) the acquisition
of the Premises by Newco or a subsidiary of Newco in accordance with Paragraph 3
hereof or (b) the taking of title to the Premises by Newco or a subsidiary or
affiliate of Newco by virtue of a foreclosure on the Premises, or the taking of
a deed in lieu of foreclosure on the Premises, based upon a default under the
Loan Agreement, Newco shall enter, or shall cause such subsidiary, as
titleholder to the Premises, to enter into, without further consideration, a
Right of First/Last Offer Agreement (the "Right of First/Last Offer Agreement"),
which shall be prepared by counsel to EQR OP and shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to EQR OP in the exercise of EQR OP's
2
<PAGE>
commercially reasonable judgment, which agreement shall be in substantially the
same form as the Right of First/Last Offer Agreements entered into or required
to be entered into pursuant to Article 2 of that certain Agreement Regarding
Palomino Park of even date herewith.
5. Memorandum. Upon execution of the Right of First/Last Offer Agreement,
Newco shall record, or shall cause the subsidiary of Newco holding title to the
Premises to record, a memorandum thereof against title to the Premises.
6. Notices. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be
in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed
or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(1) if to Newco, to it at _________________________________,
Attention:________________________, Telecopy No. ______________; and
(2) if to EQR OP, to it at _____________________________________,
Attention: _____________________, Telecopy No. ______________.
7. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall
have been executed by Newco and EQR OP, and thereafter shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of Newco, EQR OP and their respective successors and
assigns, except that Newco shall not have the right to assign its rights
hereunder or any interest herein without the prior consent of EQR OP.
8. Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
9. Waivers; Amendment.
(1) No failure or delay of EQR OP in exercising any power or right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or
power. The rights and remedies of EQR OP for a breach hereof are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to
any departure by Newco therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the
same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
purpose for which given. No notice or demand on Newco in any case shall
entitle Newco to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.
3
<PAGE>
(2) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived,
amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by Newco and EQR OP.
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any exhibits and
schedules hereto, constitutes the entire contract between the parties relative
to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party
other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
11. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in
respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement.
12. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to
replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions
the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions.
13. Headings. Article and Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to
affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting,
this Agreement.
14. Time is of the essence of this Agreement.
15. Nothing in this Agreement shall require Newco to take any action that
would create any default under, or breach of any representations or covenants
under, the Option Agreement or the Loan Agreement or any documents relating to
either of the same.
16. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(1) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF
AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY ILLINOIS STATE
COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN THE CITY
OF CHICAGO OR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREFROM, IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR
FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT,
4
<PAGE>
AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE
HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH ILLINOIS OR NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO
AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE
CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE
JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION.
(2) NEWCO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY ILLINOIS OR
NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF
AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN
ANY SUCH COURT.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EQR OP and Newco have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized all as of the date
first written above.
ERQ OP:
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an
Illinois limited partnership
By: Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust
and its general partner
By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
5
<PAGE>
Title:_______________________________
NEWCO:
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland
corporation
By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_______________________________
6
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
OPTION AGREEMENT
This Option Agreement (this "Agreement") made as of the 28th day of June
1996, by and between SPECIFIED PROPERTIES VIII, L.P., a Texas limited
partnership, having an address at 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 500, Dallas,
Texas 75225, Attention: John R. Carmichael or Tom Teague (hereinafter called
"Seller"), and WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a Maryland real estate
investment trust, having an address at 370 17th Street, Suite 3100, Denver,
Colorado 80202, Attention: Donald D. MacKenzie (hereinafter called "Buyer").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Seller is the owner in fee simple of the land (the "Land")
which is more fully described on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof, together with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, known
as Sonterra at Williams Centre, an apartment property located in the City of
Tucson, County of Pima, State of Arizona (the "Improvements") (the Land and
the Improvements are collectively referred to herein as the "Premises"); and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to grant to Buyer and Buyer desires to obtain an
option to purchase the Premises, for the price and other considerations and
upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual
covenants herein contained and of the Option Payment provided for herein, and
respectively expressing the intention to be legally bound hereby, covenant
and agree as follows:
1. Option. In consideration of the payment to Seller of $178,000.00
(the "Option Payment"), the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, Seller hereby grants to Buyer the right and option (the
"Option") for a term ending December 31, 1998 (the "Term") to purchase all of
the following (collectively herein referred to as the "Property"), free and
clear of liens and encumbrances except Permitted Exceptions (as hereinafter
defined) and subject to additions and removals in accordance with Paragraph
9(e):
(a) The Land;
(b) The Improvements;
(c) Easements, rights of way, privileges, appurtenances and rights
belonging to and inuring to the benefit of the Premises;
(d) All of Seller's interests in any land lying in the bed of any
street, road or avenue, open or proposed, in front of or adjoining said
Premises to the center line thereof;
(e) All fixtures, machinery, computers, equipment, furnishings,
appliances, supplies, operational records and other tangible personal
property owned by Seller and now or hereafter located on the Premises,
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including without limitation, all fittings, heating, air cooling, air
conditioning, freezing, lighting, laundry, incinerating and power equipment
and apparatus; all engines, pipes, pumps, tanks, motors, conduits, switch
boards, plumbing, lifting, cleaning, fire prevention, fire extinguishing and
refrigerating equipment and apparatus; all furnaces, oil burners or units
thereof; all appliances, vacuum cleaning systems, awnings, signs, screens,
storm doors and windows, cabinets, partitions, ducts and compressors,
furniture and furnishings, hot water heaters, garbage receptacles and
containers above and below ground, janitorial supplies, landscaping
materials, lawn mowers, tools, and articles of a nature similar to the
foregoing; all snow removal equipment; and all future additions to or
substitutions for the foregoing, or any part thereof, between the date hereof
and the date of closing hereunder; and all warranties and guarantees to and
rights of action of Seller therefor, if any. (The property described in this
subparagraph 1(e), when referred to separately from the Premises, is
hereinafter sometimes called "Personalty");
(f) All strips, gores, riparian rights and littoral rights, if
any, belonging to or inuring to the benefit of the Land and/or the
Improvements; and
(g) All of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the
following (collectively, "Other Interests"):
i) Any and all catalogs, booklets, manuals, tenant files,
maintenance and operation logs, files and records, leasing records,
correspondence relating to maintenance, operations or leasing, purchaser
prospect list, tenant lists, tenant prospect lists and other mailing
lists, sales brochures and material, leasing brochures and materials,
advertising materials and, to the extent prepared for Seller by third
parties, title information, soil, engineering and environmental
inspections, studies and reports, market studies, and similar materials
with respect to the sale, management, leasing, promotion, ownership,
maintenance, use, occupancy and operation of the Premises;
ii) The name "Sonterra at Williams Centre" (the "Name");
iii) All tenant security deposits, together with any interest
thereon accrued or deemed accrued as of the Closing Date which the
landlord is required by law or by the Tenant Leases to refund to tenants
(collectively, the "Security Deposits");
iv) Any transferable bond, guaranty, warranty or repair
agreements (the "Warranties") concerning the Premises or any part
thereof, including without limitation, any bond, guaranty or warranty
(including any fidelity bonds) relating to construction, use,
maintenance, occupancy or operation of the Improvements and the
Personalty, but only to the extent such bond, guaranty, warranty or
agreement is an obligation of a person not affiliated with Seller or its
partners, and in all cases subject to any limitation contained in each
such bond, guaranty and warranty;
v) Any transferable licenses, permits, approvals and
certificates issued by any governmental authorities required or used in
or relating to the ownership, use, maintenance, occupancy or operation
of any part of the Premises;
vi) Any surveys of, and plans and specifications relating to,
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the Premises;
vii) Any unrecorded utility agreements including any deposits
made thereunder;
viii) The Service Agreements (as hereinafter defined);
ix) The Tenant Leases listed on the Rent Roll (as both terms
are hereinafter defined);
x) Any unpaid awards for any taking by condemnation or any
damage to the Premises by reason of a change of grade of any street or
highway, or any award paid to Seller and not used or applied by Seller
to the restoration of the Premises or applied to the Loan (as such term
is defined in Section 20);
xi) Any unpaid proceeds for any damage to the Premises by
reason of fire or other casualty, or any proceeds paid to Seller and not
used or applied by Seller to the restoration of the Premises or applied
to the Loan (as such term is defined in Section 20);
xii) Any transferable development rights with respect to the
Land, excluding any cash deposits or letters of credit delivered to any
governmental authority in connection with the past, present or future
development of the Land (it being acknowledged that Seller may withdraw
or cause to be withdrawn any such cash or letters of credit); and
xiii) Any water and water rights of any kind or description
appurtenant to or owned by Seller in connection with the Land or the
Improvements.
2. Option Payment; Exercise of Option; Purchase Price.
(a) The Option Payment is nonrefundable and shall be credited
against the amounts due from Buyer at the Closing.
(b) Buyer may exercise the Option at any time prior to the end of
the Term by written notice (the "Exercise Notice") given to Seller in
accordance with Paragraph 20 below. If Buyer gives the Exercise Notice, the
date of closing of the purchase and sale of the Property (the "Closing Date")
shall be on a date specified by Buyer which shall be not more than ninety
(90) nor less than twenty (20) days after the date of the Exercise Notice or
on such other date as Buyer and Seller may agree.
(c) The purchase price for the Property shall be $20,178,000.00 if
the Closing Date is on or before December 31, 1997, and $20,678,000.00 if the
the Closing Date is January 1, 1998 or later (in either case, the "Purchase
Price"), which Buyer shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available
funds through the Federal Reserve System to Chicago Title Insurance Company,
7616 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75230 (the "Title Company") for disbursement
to Seller.
3. Seller's Condition. Notwithstanding any representation, warranty
or covenant in this Agreement to the contrary, Seller's obligations and
exercise of the Option under this Agreement are conditioned on approval of
this Agreement by the limited partner of Seller.
4. Survey. Prior to the date of this Agreement, Seller has delivered
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to Buyer, at Seller's sole cost and expense, a current ALTA/ACSM Land Title
Survey of the Property prepared and certified (i) in accordance with the
"Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys"
jointly established and adopted ALTA and ACSM in 1992, and including Items 1
through 4, 6 through 11, and 13 of Table A thereof, and (ii) pursuant to the
Accuracy Standards (as adopted by the ALTA and ACSM and in effect on the date
of the certification of such survey) of an Urban Survey (the "Initial
Survey"). The Initial Survey contains a certificate from the surveyor to
Buyer and the Title Company in form acceptable to Buyer. Seller shall have
the survey updated and recertified prior to Closing to a date not more than
thirty (30) days before the Closing Date. The updated survey (the "Final
Survey") shall be in a form acceptable to the Title Company for the deletion
of the standard survey exceptions without the addition of further exceptions
to title and shall disclose no title defects, encroachments or other matters
not shown on the Initial Survey, unless the same are acceptable to Buyer in
its sole and absolute discretion. Any matters shown on the Final Survey that
are not on the Initial Survey and are objected to by Buyer shall be corrected
at Seller's sole cost prior to the Closing Date, except that Seller shall not
be obligated to correct survey matters arising solely from changes enacted by
governmental authorities after the date of the Initial Survey (e.g. changes
in setback requirements).
5. Title Insurance and Lien Search.
(a) Prior to the date hereof, a current title insurance commitment
covering the Property issued by the Title Company (the "Initial Title
Commitment"), together with complete and legible copies of all documents
referred to therein, has been delivered to Buyer at Seller's sole cost and
expense. The Initial Title Commitment commits to insure Buyer as owner of
the Property in the amount of $20,178,000.00, and commits the Title Company
to issue its standard ALTA Owner's Policy on the Closing Date, with standard
preprinted exceptions deleted, insuring good and marketable title in fee
simple to the Property in Buyer subject only to (i) current non-delinquent
general real property taxes, and (ii) title exceptions approved by Buyer
prior to the date hereof. If the Initial Title Commitment contains any
exception for mineral rights, Seller shall pay at Closing for an endorsement
to the title insurance coverage insuring against any loss to Improvements as
a result of such exception. Seller shall cause the Initial Title Commitment
to be updated prior to Closing to a date not more than thirty (30) days
before the Closing Date. If such updated title insurance commitment (the
"Closing Title Commitment") contains any exceptions from coverage which Buyer
deems to be unacceptable and which are not on the Initial Title Commitment,
and if Seller does not remove (or, in the case of mechanic's liens, bond
over) such exceptions by Closing, Buyer, at its option, may exercise its
remedies under Paragraph 16 of this Agreement. If Buyer does not deliver
written notice of objection to title to Seller before the end of ten (10)
business days after delivery of the Closing Title Commitment, Buyer shall be
deemed to have accepted the condition of title as shown therein. Any
exceptions on the Closing Title Commitment to which Buyer does not timely
object, or to which Buyer objects but later waives its objection in writing,
shall be deemed to be "Permitted Exceptions."
(b) Seller shall obtain and shall deliver to Buyer within ten (10)
days after the Closing Date, at its sole cost and expense, a standard ALTA
Owner's Policy, covering the Property in the amount of the applicable
Purchase Price, effective as of the date and time of the Closing, subject
only to the Permitted Exceptions, and including the endorsements required
pursuant to the preceding subparagraph (a). The standard preprinted
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exceptions regarding parties in possession, surveys, and mechanic's liens
shall be deleted, at Seller's sole cost and expense. Seller shall deliver to
the Title Company any instruments, documents, payments, indemnities, releases
and agreements as the Title Insurance Company shall require in order to
issue, the title insurance policy as herein provided. At Closing, Seller
shall cause the Title Company to deliver to Buyer such assurances as Buyer
may reasonably request that the Title Company is irrevocably committed and
prepared to issue its ALTA Owner's Policy to Buyer in accordance with the
foregoing requirements.
(c) If the Title Company uses the escrow and closing services of
an agent in connection with this transaction, Seller shall cause Title
Company to issue to Buyer an insured closing letter, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, which insured closing letter shall, subject
to applicable regulatory restrictions, protect Buyer from fraud or dishonesty
of the Title Company's agent in handling Buyer's funds or documents in
connection with the Closing and against the failure of the Title Company's
agent to comply with written closing instructions of Buyer or its counsel.
(d) Prior to the date of this Agreement, Seller, at its sole
expense, has delivered to Buyer a current certificate from the appropriate
governmental authorities or from a Uniform Commercial Code lien search
service acceptable to Buyer, reporting the results of a Uniform Commercial
Code lien search of all appropriate records for security interests and
financing statements against any personal property constituting a part of the
Property. Seller shall cause such report to be updated and recertified to
Buyer within ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date, and shall make
arrangements on or before the Closing Date to have all liens shown thereon
fully discharged or bonded.
6. Inspection by Buyer; Maintenance.
(a) Subject to the rights of the tenants under the Tenant Leases,
Buyer and Buyer's authorized agents and representatives may, from time to
time during the Term, during regular business hours and on reasonable prior
notice to Buyer and the managing agent of the Property, inspect all areas of
the Premises and conduct such tests and observations as Buyer may deem
appropriate. Any tests involving extraction of samples of materials, soil or
water other than for asbestos shall require prior approval of Seller. No
such inspection, however, shall constitute a waiver or relinquishment on the
part of Buyer of its right to rely upon the covenants, representations,
warranties or agreements made by Seller under this Agreement. Buyer shall
pay when due all fees and expenses incurred in the performance of any such
inspections, tests or observations and shall indemnify, defend, and save
Seller harmless from any loss from mechanic's liens, claims for nonpayment of
such charges or for damages (including damages associated with personal
injury or death or damage to property) arising out of the acts or omissions
of the parties performing such inspections, tests, or observations.
(b) Seller shall permit Buyer's accountants and authorized
representatives to examine Seller's books, financial records and tenant files
pertaining to the operation of the Property, from time to time during the
Term during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior notice. Seller
acknowledges that Buyer may include the Property as a part of a public
offering, and Seller consents to the disclosure of information regarding the
Property, including financial information, in any such public offering so
long as the offering material states that Seller is not a participant in the
offering or responsible for the offering materials. Upon request by Buyer,
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Seller shall provide Buyer with such information as Seller may have with
respect to actual expenditures made on all repairs, maintenance, operation
and upkeep of the Property, including, without limitation, all taxes and
utility payments, within three years prior to the Closing, and dates of
construction, installation and major repairs to the Property.
7. Closing. The closing of the transaction contemplated hereby (the
"Closing") shall take place at the offices of Chicago Title Insurance
Company, 7616 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75230, at 10:00 a.m. on the Closing
Date specified in Paragraph 2(b) above.
8. Representations of Seller.
(a) Seller, to induce Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to
purchase the Property, represents to Buyer that the following matters are
true as of the date hereof:
i) Exhibit B hereto (the "Rent Roll") is a true, complete
and correct listing of all existing leases (including all amendments or
side agreements) at the Property in effect as of the date hereof (the
"Tenant Leases") (the form of which leases is attached hereto as Exhibit
C), which Exhibit B correctly sets forth: (i) the total number of
apartments at the Property, (ii) the name of each existing tenant named
in the lease for each apartment, (iii) apartment number designation,
(iv) apartment type, (v) the expiration date or status of the term of
the lease (including all rights or options to renew), (vi) the current
rent (the "Standard Rental") and other payments which the tenant is
obligated to make under the lease, (vii) the current outstanding balance
of all security deposits held thereunder, and (viii) the information
required pursuant to Paragraphs 8(a)(ii) hereof.
ii) There are no leases, tenancies, licenses or other rights
of occupancy or use for any portion of the Property other than as set
forth in Exhibit B or Exhibit F. A true, correct and complete copy of
the form of Tenant Lease has been submitted by Seller to Buyer and is
attached hereto as Exhibit C. Seller represents to Buyer that such form
of Tenant Lease is being used by Seller in all material respects in
connection with Seller's leasing of the Property. Except as otherwise
noted on Exhibit B, (i) each of the Tenant Leases is, to Seller's
knowledge, valid and subsisting and in full force and effect and has not
been amended, modified or supplemented, and the tenant, licensee or
occupant thereunder is in actual possession, (ii) no tenant has asserted
any claim, offset or defense which would in any way affect the
collection of rent from such tenant, (iii) there are no pending summary
proceedings or other legal action for eviction of any tenant, and (iv)
no written notice of default or breach on the part of the landlord under
any of the Tenant Leases has been received by Seller or its agents from
the tenant, licensee or occupant thereunder. No tenant, licensee or
other occupant under any of the Tenant Leases has any right or option to
acquire the Property, or any part thereof or interest therein. The
copies of the Tenant Leases delivered to Buyer, if any, constitute the
sole agreements binding upon the owner of the Property and the
respective tenants of the Property with respect to the Property.
iii) No brokerage or leasing commission or other compensation
is or will be due or payable on or after the Closing to any person,
firm, corporation or other entity (including Seller or any affiliate of
Seller) with respect to or on account of any of the Tenant Leases or any
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extensions or renewals thereof.
iv) To the best knowledge of Seller and except as set forth
in any Exhibit hereto, Seller has performed all obligations (including
the payment of all sums due to third parties) which obligations have
accrued as of the date hereof under the Tenant Leases and under all
other agreements relating to the Property.
v) Within ten (10) business days after Buyer gives the
Exercise Notice, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a complete and correct
list of all existing management, service, equipment, supply,
maintenance, union or collective bargaining agreements with respect to
or affecting the Property to which Seller is a party or which will
affect the Property after Closing (the "Service Agreements"). Subject
to Section 8(c), effective as of the Closing Date, Seller will represent
and warrant to Buyer that no written notice of default or breach by
Seller or its agents in the terms of any such Service Agreements has
been received by Seller or its respective agentsand that Seller has
performed all payment obligations which it has under the Service
Agreements.
vi) Subject to Section 8(c), effective as of the Closing
Date, Seller will represent and warrant to Buyer that to the best
knowledge of Seller, all persons who are employed by Seller or its
agents in connection with the management, operation and maintenance of
the Property (A) are non-union employees and (B) have been paid with
respect to all benefits properly accrued and currently due.
vii) All charges for services or material related to operation
of the Property, including, without limitation, water, sewer, gas and
electric bills, have been paid or will be paid as of the Closing Date,
or appropriate adjustment made therefor in accordance with the terms
hereof.
viii) Seller has not received any notices from any
governmental authority requiring any public improvements or
installations on or in connection with the Property, or asserting any
violation of any applicable law, regulation or other governmental
requirement, and Seller is not otherwise aware of any such violations or
requirements of public improvements or installations. In the event any
such notices are served or received prior to the Closing. Seller shall
promptly forward copies of such notices to Buyer.
ix) With respect to environmental matters:
a) to the best knowledge of Seller: (i) no Hazardous
Substances are present in, on or under the Property, and (ii) there is
no present Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substances in
violation of Environmental Laws, from, in, on or under the Property;
b) to the best knowledge of Seller, no written notices,
written complaints or orders of violation or non-compliance with
Environmental Laws addressed to Seller or the owner of the Property have
been received by or are in the possession of Seller and no federal,
state or local environmental investigation is pending or has been
threatened against Seller with regard to (A) the Property or any use
thereof; (B) any alleged violation of Environmental Laws with regard to
the Property; (C) any failure by Seller to have any environmental
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permit, certificate, approval, registration or authorization required
for the conduct of its business; (D) the generation, treatment, storage,
recycling, transportation, disposal or Release (each a "Regulated
Activity") of any Hazardous Substances on, at or under the Property; or
(E) the existence on nearby real property of Hazardous Substances that
could migrate to the Property. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Release" shall have the meaning given to that term in 42 U.S.C. Section
9601(22);
c) the Property has not been used by Seller for the
conduct of any Regulated Activity other than in compliance in all
material respects with Environmental Laws;
d) to the best of Seller's knowledge, there exists no
petroleum contamination to the Property in violation of applicable
Environmental Laws, and to the best of Seller's knowledge, there exist
no underground storage tanks or surface impoundments, active or
abandoned, at, on or under the Property in violation of applicable
Environmental Laws; and
e) to the best of Seller's knowledge, it has not caused
a Release of any Hazardous Substances, nor is there any friable
asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, formaldehyde or lead at, on or
under the Property, the removal of which is currently required by any
Environmental Law or the continued existence of which constitutes a
violation of any Environmental Law.
As used in this Agreement, (a) "Environmental Laws" shall mean and include
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et
seq., as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as
amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42
U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of
1975,
49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C.
Section 2601 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., the
Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 136, et seq., the
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq., the National Environmental
Policy
Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4321 et seq., and the Occupational Safety and Health
Act,
29 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq., and all similar federal, state and local
environmental laws, ordinances, rules, codes and regulations, as any of the
foregoing may have been from time to time amended, supplemented or
supplanted, which relate to protection of the environment or the regulation
or control of or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning
Hazardous Substances (as hereinafter defined), and (b) "Hazardous Substances"
shall mean any substance which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable,
infectious, radioactive, carcinogenicor mutagenic or is designated as toxic
or hazardous under any applicable federal, state or local law, and petroleum,
its derivatives, by-products and other hydrocarbons; provided, however, that
Hazardous Substances shall not include material used or stored in reasonable
amounts in the ordinary course of business for the operation or maintenance
of the Property and in compliance in all material respects with all
Environmental Laws.
x) Seller presently causes to be maintained policies of
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insurance with respect to the Property as listed on Exhibit H.
xi) To the knowledge of Seller, there is no action, suit,
investigation or proceeding pending or threatened against or affecting
the Property or any portion thereof by any person or government agency,
board or bureau except as set forth on Exhibit E hereto.
xii) Seller has no knowledge of any pending or threatened
condemnation or eminent domain proceedings against the Property or which
would affect access to the Property, except as set forth on Exhibit E
hereto.
xiii) Seller has delivered to Buyer current tax
certificates with respect to the Property and shall promptly forward to
Buyer copies of all tax bills received during the Term. There are no
proceedings presently pending for the reduction of the assessed value of
the Property. All taxes becoming due during the Term shall be paid by
Seller prior to delinquency.
xiv) The persons signing this Agreement on behalf of Seller
have the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement in the name of Seller and to create thereby a binding
obligation of Seller, and the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement will not constitute a default under any material
agreement of Seller, require consent under any such agreement of any
person or give any person any right to terminate any Tenant Lease or
other material agreement relating to the Property.
xv) Except as noted on Exhibit F, Seller has not entered into
any contract for goods and/or services relating to operation of the
Property which may not be cancelled without charge to Buyer upon not
more than thirty (30) days without written notice. Seller has not
entered into any management agreement for the Property which will be in
effect on the Closing Date.
xvi) Utility services to the Property, including but not
limited to water, sewer, telephone, cable TV, electric and gas, are
being provided by the utility suppliers listed on Exhibit G hereto, in
sufficient quantities to permit the use and occupation of the Property
for the intended use.
xvii) To the best of Seller's knowledge the Property is
free from infestation by termites and any damage from previous termite
infestation.
xviii) Seller has delivered to Buyer true, correct and
complete financial statements for the Property for the calendar year
1996 through May 31, including notes, comments, schedules, and
supplemental data therein (collectively, "Financial Statements"), all of
which have been prepared from the books and records of Seller.
xix) Regardless of whether Seller would otherwise be obligated
under Arizona law, Seller has paid, has caused to be paid or will pay
any and all taxes incurred by it as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to transfer
taxes, gains taxes, sales and use taxes and bulk sales taxes.
xx) To the best of Seller's knowledge, the Property, the use
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of the Property and the transfer of the Property pursuant to this
Agreement does not and will not violate any applicable subdivision,
zoning, land-use or other similar law, code, ordinance or regulation
relating to the Property.
xxi) Seller has not received any written notice from the
insurance companies insuring the Property requiring Seller to perform
any work at the Property.
xxii) To Seller's knowledge, no person has objected to
Seller's use of the name "Sonterra at Williams Centre" or any logo or
mark used by Seller in connection with the Property.
(b) The representations contained in this Paragraph 8 shall
survive the Closing hereunder, subject to the provisions of Section 18.
(c) On the Closing Date, Seller shall execute and deliver to Buyer
a certificate stating (i) that to Seller's knowledge each of the warranties
and representations set forth in this Paragraph 8 are true and correct in all
material respects as of the Closing Date except for any specific facts set
forth with particularity in such certificate that constitute exceptions not
known to Seller on the date of this Agreement or required by changed
circumstances, and (ii) that there exists no material non-performance or
breach in respect of any of the agreements, covenants, representations or
warranties on the part of Seller contained in this Agreement.
(d) Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Buyer harmless
from and against any and all loss, cost, expense, damage or liability
suffered or incurred by Buyer as a result of any of the warranties and
representations set forth in this Paragraph 8 or in the certificate to be
delivered by Seller to Buyer pursuant to Paragraph 8(c) above, not being true
and correct in all material respects.
(e) As used in this Agreement, the phrases "to Seller's knowledge"
or "to the best knowledge of Seller" and similar phrases mean the actual
knowledge of John R. Carmichael and Tom Teague, without any investigation and
without any imputation of the knowledge of any other person, even if the
knowledge of such other person would otherwise be imputed to one or both of
them as a matter of law.
(f) BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF SELLER SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE PROPERTY IS
BEING PURCHASED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THAT NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES
HAVE BEEN MADE BY SELLER EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
9. Termination by Buyer. Buyer shall have no obligation to consummate
the transaction described herein and upon written notice to Seller stating
Buyer's intention not to proceed with the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate and the parties shall have no
further liability hereunder.
10. Operations Prior to Settlement. Between the date of the execution
of this Agreement and the Closing Date:
(a) Seller shall continue to maintain and to make all repairs and
replacements to the Property and the Personalty so as to keep the Property
and the Personalty in substantially its present condition, subject to
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ordinary wear and tear and to the provisions of Paragraphs 13 and 15 hereof,
and Seller shall operate and manage the Property and the Personalty in the
same manner as it has operated the Property prior to the date hereof. All
vacant apartment units shall be made ready for occupancy by Closing;
provided, however, that units becoming vacant fourteen (14) days or less
before Closing shall be made ready by Seller within fifteen (15) days after
Closing. Any carpet installed on or after the date of this Agreement shall
comply with the carpet specifications delivered to Seller by Buyer prior to
the date of this Agreement, and described on Exhibit D attached hereto.
(b) Seller shall use its best efforts from the date hereof to the
date of the Closing to (i) continue to rent the Property and to achieve and
maintain full occupancy thereof and (ii) modify, renew or extend any Tenant
Lease on an as-needed basis.
(c) Seller will not, without the prior written consent of Buyer,
enter into any Service Agreements or amend or extend any current Service
Agreements such that any Service Agreements that survive Closing are not
cancelable on 30 days' notice at no cost to the owner. Seller shall not
cause or permit any change in the property manager without prior written
consent of Buyer.
(d) Seller shall cause all certificates of occupancy to be
observed and to be kept in full force and effect. Seller shall cause all
material obligations of Seller under the Service Agreements to be timely
performed. Seller shall carry on and conduct the operation of the Property
in substantially the same manner as such business is now and has heretofore
been conducted, including (but not limited to) maintenance of and compliance
with the insurance policies. Seller shall operate the Property in accordance
with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, licenses and
permits.
(e) Seller shall not remove any Personalty, fixtures or equipment
located on the Property except as may be required for maintenance, repair
and/or replacement or where such removal is commercially reasonable. All
replacements shall be (i) completed free and clear of any liens and
encumbrances, (ii) of quality at least equal to the replaced items and (iii)
deemed included in the sale of the Property, without cost or expense to
Buyer. Items removed in accordance with this subparagraph (e) will cease to
be part of the Property.
(f) Seller will deliver to Buyer, as soon as available to Seller,
any new monthly operating statements and leasing reports with respect to the
Property for each calendar month which elapses between the date of execution
hereof and the Closing Date.
(g) Seller shall cause all debts and liabilities for labor,
material and equipment incurred by Seller prior to the Closing Date, which
could result in a lien against the Property, to be promptly paid in full or
bonded over.
(h) Seller shall cause to be paid before the same become due all
taxes and all installments of assessments levied or assessed against the
Property or any part thereof on or before the Closing Date. If Seller or any
entity affiliated with Seller or with any of Seller's partners shall
undertake any action, including, without limitation, any development on
property that is within the area subject to the instrument recorded in
Docket 7335 at Page 842, as the same may be amended or supplemented, (the
11
<PAGE>
"Declaration"), then Seller shall be solely liable for payment of any
increase in the assessments against the Property pursuant to the Declaration
resulting from such action and shall indemnify and defend Buyer against such
increase.
(i) Seller shall, immediately upon obtaining knowledge of (i) any
proposed new assessment against the Property by any governmental or quasi-
governmental authority; (ii) the institution of any proceedings for the
condemnation of the Property or any portion thereof; (iii) any material
injury or damage to or upon the Property or any portion thereof; (iv) any
violation of the applicable laws, ordinances, rules or regulations regarding
the Property or any portion thereof; or (v) any proceeding which could affect
or cloud title to or ownership of the Property, or any part thereof, notify
Buyer of the pendency of such proposal, proceeding or violation. Buyer shall
have the right, but no obligation, at Buyer's expense and at its sole
discretion, to join in or participate in any such proceedings or other
matters. No such participation by Buyer shall relieve Seller of any of its
obligations under this Agreement. In the event item (i) in this subparagraph
occurs, Seller shall oppose such assessment in a commercially reasonable
manner unless Buyer approves it in writing.
(j) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, Seller
shall not, in violation of any Environmental Laws, intentionally, knowingly
or willfully use, produce, process, manufacture, generate, treat, handle,
store or dispose of any Hazardous Substances in, on or under the Property, or
use the Property for any such purposes, or Release any Hazardous Substances
into any air, soil, surface water or groundwater comprising the Property.
Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, Seller shall use
reasonable efforts to comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to the
Property, or its use or occupancy thereof. Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing, Seller shall use reasonable efforts to obtain all
permits, licenses and approvals required by all applicable Environmental Laws
for the use and occupancy of, and all operations and activities in, the
Property, comply and use reasonable efforts to cause the tenants to comply
with all Environmental Laws applicable to the Property and with all such
permits, licenses and approvals, and use reasonable efforts to keep all such
permits, licenses and approvals in full force and effect. Immediately after
Seller obtains any information indicating that any Hazardous Substances may
be present at the Property in violation of any Environmental Law or that any
Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Substances may have occurred in
violation of any Environmental Law between the date of this Agreement and
Closing in, on or under the Property (or any nearby real property which could
migrate to the Property) or that any violation of any Environmental Laws may
have occurred between the date of this Agreement and Closing at the Property,
Seller shall give written notice thereof to Buyer with a reasonably detailed
description of the event, occurrence or condition in question. Seller shall
immediately furnish to Buyer copies of all written communications received
between the date of this Agreement and Closing by Seller from any person
(including notices, complaints, claims or citations that any Release or
threatened Release of any Hazardous Substances or any violation of any
Environmental Laws has actually or allegedly occurred) or given between the
date of this Agreement and Closing by Seller to any person concerning any
past or present Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substances in,
on or under the Property (or any nearby real property which could migrate to
the Property) or any past or present violation of any Environmental Laws at
or in connection with the Property.
(k) During the Term, Seller shall not, and shall cause any
12
<PAGE>
affiliates of Seller that are controlled directly or indirectly by any person
(except Seller's limited partner and its affiliate(s) that directly or
indirectly owns an interest in Seller (hereinafter called "Related Parties")
not to acquire any interest in or develop any multifamily residential
property within a three-mile radius of the Land without first giving written
notice to Buyer of its intent to do so and if Buyer indicates a desire to
participate in such acquisition or development, negotiating in good faith
with Buyer to allow such participation; provided that, if agreement with
Buyer is not reached within 45 days after such good faith negotiations are
commenced by Seller, Seller shall have no further obligation to Buyer under
this Paragraph 10(k).
11. Provisions with Respect to Closing. At the Closing, Seller shall
deliver to Buyer the following:
(a) Deed. Special warranty deed conveying the Land and the
Improvements, subject only to the Permitted Exceptions, duly executed and
acknowledged and in proper form for recording.
(b) Bill of Sale. A valid bill of sale for the Personalty (with
warranties of title against claims by, through or under Seller, but not
otherwise) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, duly
executed and acknowledged by Seller.
(c) Assignment of Leases. A valid assignment of the Tenant
Leases, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, duly executed
and acknowledged by Seller assigning to Buyer the interests of Seller in the
Tenant Leases; together with the original executed copy of each Tenant Lease,
and letters prepared by Buyer (and approved by Seller, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld) and addressed to each of the tenants informing
them of the sale and assignment and directing them to make future payments of
rents to Buyer or its nominee or assignee, as Buyer may elect; together with
lease files containing all lease guarantees, notices from tenants, general
correspondence and the like. Buyer shall assume, and indemnify Seller with
respect to, all of the obligations of Seller with respect to the proper
application of any tenant security deposit, and all interest thereon payable
to any tenant, for which Buyer received a credit (or which was transferred to
Buyer) at the Closing and shall assume, and indemnify Seller with respect to,
all of the obligations of the landlord under the Tenant Leases attributable
to the period from and after the Closing Date. Seller shall indemnify Buyer
with respect to all obligations of the landlord under the Tenant Leases
attributable to the period prior to the Closing and with respect to all
obligations of the landlord under any leases affecting the Property that were
terminated prior to the Closing. Seller shall also notify any bank in which
Seller maintains a lockbox account for the receipt of rents from the Property
that all amounts received by such bank after the Closing Date shall be
delivered to Buyer.
(d) Assignment of Name. A valid assignment in recordable form
(without warranty except as set forth in Paragraph 8(xxv) above), duly
executed and acknowledged by Seller, assigning to Buyer all of the right,
title and interest of Seller in and to the name Sonterra at Williams Centre
in connection with the Property, together with such documents as shall be
necessary for proper termination of the use of said name by Seller.
(e) Assignment of Service Agreements and Warranties. A valid
assignment duly executed and acknowledged by Seller, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, of the rights of Seller under (i) each of
13
<PAGE>
the Service Agreements, and (ii) each of the Warranties, together with
original copies or duly executed counterparts thereof; and if any such
agreement requires the approval of the other party thereto prior to
assignment thereof to a third party, then Seller shall use reasonable efforts
to obtain such written approval. If Seller is unable to obtain such approval
after reasonable efforts, Seller shall not be obligated to assign those
agreements for which approval is not obtained. Seller shall perform, and
shall indemnify Buyer with respect to, all of the obligations of Seller
attributable to the period prior to the Closing under the Service Agreements;
Buyer shall assume, and shall indemnify Seller with respect to, all of the
obligations of Seller attributable to the period from and after the Closing
under the Service Agreements.
(f) Assignment of Other Interests. An assignment duly executed
and acknowledged by Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Buyer, of the rights of Seller in and to the Other Interests not transferred
pursuant to subparagraphs (c), (d) or (e) above.
(g) Updated Rent Roll and Tenant Schedule. An updated Rent Roll
and schedule of Tenant Leases supplied by Seller which contains all
information required to be set forth in Exhibit B, which schedule is correct
and complete as of a date not more than five (5) days before the Closing Date.
(h) FIRPTA Affidavit. The affidavit referred to in Section 1445
of the Internal Revenue Code with all pertinent information confirming that
Seller is not a foreign person, trust, estate, corporation or partnership.
(i) Property Records. All records, documents, information and
data in the possession of Seller or its agents concerning operation, leasing
and maintenance of the Property. If the Buyer retains Seller's managing
agent, then delivery of documents herein prescribed need not occur with
respect to those documents already in the possession or control of such
managing agent.
(j) Transfer Tax Return. If required, all transfer and gains tax
returns fully executed and completed by Seller.
(k) Indemnification. An indemnification from Seller for any
brokerage commissions payable or which will become payable in connection with
any Tenant Lease.
(l) Evidence of Payment and Discharge of Liens and Encumbrances.
Evidence satisfactory to the Title Company and sufficient for deletion of any
exceptions that all liens, encumbrances and assessments against the Property,
except the lien of current taxes not yet due, have been paid and discharged
or that either such liens, encumbrances and assessments will be fully paid
and discharged by the Title Company on the Closing Date using Seller's
proceeds of sale or bonded by Buyer so that they do not constitute liens
against the Property.
(m) Possession. Possession of the Property shall be delivered by
Seller to Buyer on the Closing Date, subject to the Tenant Leases and Service
Contracts.
At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Seller (i) written indemnity
agreements as contemplated by Paragraphs 11(c) and 11(e), and (ii) if
required to comply with applicable statutes, execution of each letter to
tenants contemplated by Paragraph 11(c).
14
<PAGE>
12. Prorations and Credits.
(a) The following items shall be prorated as of 11:59 p.m. of the
day immediately preceding the Closing Date. To the extent that the amounts
of the items to be prorated are ascertainable as of the Closing Date, they
shall be prorated at the Closing. To the extent that the amounts of the
items to be prorated are not reasonably ascertainable as of the Closing Date,
they shall be adjusted as promptly after the Closing as the amounts thereof
are ascertained. Any errors or omissions in computing the prorations at the
Closing shall be promptly corrected and this obligation shall survive the
Closing hereunder for a period of twelve (12) months from the Closing Date.
i) Water, sewer, fire protection, inspection services,
electric, telephone and all other utility charges.
ii) Prepaid rents (including tax and similar participations),
utility deposits, and income from cable television and telephone
providers, vending machines and other sources.
iii) Prepaid service, maintenance and other similar items with
respect to the Service Contracts.
iv) Such other items of income and expenses as are
customarily prorated in real estate transactions.
v) Rents (including furniture, carport, garage and all other
rental amounts payable by tenants of the Property) for the month of
Closing shall be prorated. Unpaid rents from tenants shall not be
prorated at the Closing. In the event that on the Closing Date any
tenant is in arrears in the payment of rent for the month of the Closing
and/or any months prior thereto, Buyer shall hold any rents (net of the
reasonable costs of collection) collected after the Closing Date from
such tenant in trust for the benefit of Seller, and shall promptly remit
such rents (net of reasonable costs of collection) to Seller for
application in reduction of such arrearage; provided, however, that no
sums received by Buyer shall be so held or paid to Seller for
application to rents in arrears unless and until such rent and other
charges due for the periods subsequent to the Closing shall have been
received and retained by Buyer. Buyer agrees to use reasonable efforts
to collect rent arrearages due Seller from tenants, provided that Buyer
shall not be obligated to commence any litigation against such tenants,
incur any expense in collecting such arrearages (other than the expense
of routine billing) or terminate a Tenant Lease.
vi) Real estate taxes, special assessments and assessments
under the Declaration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, (i) real estate taxes shall be prorated on the basis
of the latest valuations and mill levies and shall be subject to
readjustment as soon as the actual valuation and mill levies for the
year during which Closing takes place are conclusively determined, and
(ii) Seller shall pay in full at or prior to Closing any installments of
special assessments which may be a lien on the Property and that are due
prior to Closing.
(b) Seller shall furnish readings of the water, gas and electric
meters at the Property to the Closing Date. Seller shall cooperate with
Buyer to provide, as of the Closing Date, for a cancellation of electricity
15
<PAGE>
and other utility services in Seller's name and a continuation thereof
without interruption in Buyer's name. To the extent such a timely
cancellation and continuation occurs, there shall be no proration of utility
charges as provided in Paragraph 12(a)i).
(c) All transfer taxes and all sales and use taxes imposed on or
in connection with this transaction shall be paid by Seller, regardless of
whether Seller would otherwise be obligated under Arizona law.
(d) The Security Deposits shall be transferred to Buyer or
credited against the Purchase Price.
(e) Buyer may elect to satisfy a portion of the Purchase Price by
taking title to the Property subject to the outstanding balance of any lien
or encumbrance against the Property, provided that (1) credit shall not be
allowed for any liens that are bonded over by Seller, and (2) if Buyer elects
to take title subject to the Loan, such election shall be conditioned on
Buyer releasing Seller and the Related Parties from all further liability
under the Loan, including all liability under any warranty, guaranty,
indemnity or other agreement given in connection with the Loan.
13. Casualty Loss. Seller shall cause the insurance policies now in
effect with respect to the Property to be maintained until the Closing. If
at any time prior to the Closing Date, any portion of the Property is
destroyed or damaged as a result of fire or any other casualty whatsoever,
Seller shall promptly give written notice thereof to Buyer and, subject to
the rights of the holder of any first priority mortgage on the Property,
Seller shall promptly restore and repair the Property to a condition at least
as good as that existing prior to the damage. If such restoration cannot
reasonably be completed prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall be entitled to
(i) terminate this Agreement, (ii) postpone the Closing until such
restoration is complete or (iii) close on the Closing Date and receive all
casualty insurance proceeds available to complete such restoration (less the
portion thereof claimed by any first priority mortgage lender or applied
toward restoration or repair of the Property) and, unless all deductible
amounts have been fully paid by Seller with respect to such insurance prior
to Closing, Buyer shall receive a credit for such amounts at Closing.
14. Brokerage. Seller shall pay at closing all amounts due to Steven
Karpf and to Karpf, Zarilli & Co., Inc. (collectively, "Broker") with respect
to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement. Seller and Buyer each
represent and warrant to the other that the party making such representation
has not dealt with any broker or other intermediary other than Broker in
connection with or relating to the transactions that are the subject of this
Agreement. Seller and Buyer shall defend, indemnify and hold the other
harmless from and against any and all liability, claim, charges or damages,
including without limitation, counsel fees and court costs, incurred by the
other as a result of any breach by the indemnitor of the foregoing
representation.
15. Eminent Domain.
(a) If at any time prior to the Closing Date, there shall be a
taking by eminent domain proceedings or the commencement of any such
proceedings, with respect to all or any part of the Property, Seller shall
give written notice thereof to Buyer promptly upon learning of the same, and,
if Buyer elects to close this transaction, the purchase price for the
Property shall be reduced by the total of any awards or other proceeds
16
<PAGE>
received by Seller (directly or indirectly) with respect to any such taking
at or prior to Closing, and at the Closing Seller shall assign to Buyer all
rights of Seller in and to any further awards or other proceeds payable by
reason of any taking.
(b) Until such time as the Closing has occurred, or this Agreement
terminates, any negotiation for or agreement to, and all contests of, any
offers and awards relating to eminent domain proceedings shall be conducted
only with the joint approval and consent of Seller and Buyer.
16. Remedies. If any obligation of Seller hereunder is not fully and
timely performed as herein provided, Buyer shall have the following remedies
(which shall be Buyer's sole and exclusive remedies except where otherwise
provided herein):
(a) Buyer may elect to treat this Agreement as terminated, in
which case all payments and things of value provided by Buyer hereunder shall
be returned to Buyer;
(b) Buyer may elect to treat this Agreement as being in full force
and effect, and Buyer shall have the right to an action for specific
performance, provided, however, that specific performance shall not be
available as to obligations (other than conveyance of title as provided for
in this Agreement) that are not within the reasonable control of Seller; and
(c) Buyer shall be entitled to payment of its reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs of enforcement of its remedies.
17. Entire Agreement. This is the entire agreement between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof and there are no other terms,
obligations, covenants, representations, statements or conditions, oral or
otherwise, of any kind whatsoever relating to the subject matter hereof. Any
agreement hereafter made shall be ineffective to change, modify, discharge or
effect an abandonment of this Agreement in whole or in part unless such
agreement is in writing and signed by.the party against whom enforcement of
the change, modification, discharge or abandonment is sought.
18. Survival. Except as otherwise provided herein, all agreements,
warranties and representations contained herein shall survive Closing, and
shall not be deemed to have merged into the deed, but such survival shall
extend for only twelve (12) months, after which no action, claim or other
proceeding may be brought upon or to enforce any such agreement, warranty or
representation.
19. Notices. All notices, demands and requests or other communication
to be sent by one party to the other hereunder or required by law shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been validly given or served by delivery
of same in person to the addressee or by depositing same with a carrier in
the business of making guaranteed overnight deliveries for next business day
delivery or by depositing same in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following
addresses:
If intended for Seller:
Specified Properties VIII, L.P.
5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75225
17
<PAGE>
Attn: John R. Carmichael or Tom Teague
Phone No.: (214)369-9433
Fax No.: (214)369-0908
with a copy to:
Michael K. Ording, Esq.
Jones Day Reavis & Pogue
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 2300
Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone No.: (214)220-3939
Fax No.: (214)969-5100
If intended for Buyer:
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Attn: Edward Lowenthal
Phone No.: (212)333-2300
Fax No.: (212)333-2323
With a copy to:
Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Strickland, P.C.
410 17th Street, 22nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202
Attn: Wayne H. Hykan, Esq.
Phone No.: (303)534-6335
Fax No.: (303)623-1956
All notices, demands and requests shall be effective upon such personal
delivery or upon being deposited with the above-referenced overnight carrier
or in the United States mail as required above. However, with respect to
notices, demands or requests so deposited with the above-referenced overnight
carrier or in the United States mail, the time period within which a response
to any such notice, demand or request must be given shall commence to run
from the next business day following any such deposit with the above-
referenced overnight carrier or, in the case of a deposit in the United
States mail as provided above, the date on the return receipt of the notice,
demand or request reflecting the date of delivery or rejection of the same by
the addressee thereof. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability
to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given as herein
required shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice, demand or request sent.
By giving to the other party hereto at least 15 days' written notice thereof
in accordance with the provisions hereof, the parties hereto shall have the
right from time to time to change their respective addresses and each shall
have the right to specify as its address any other or additional address
within the United States of America.
20. No Joint Venture; No Merger. Seller and Buyer acknowledge that
concurrently with execution of this Agreement Buyer or an affiliate of Buyer
has made a loan to Seller in the principal amount of $17,800,000.00, secured
by the Property (the "Loan"). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or
in the documents delivered in connection with the Loan, it is the express
intent of the parties that (i) nothing in the relationship between Seller and
Buyer is intended to or shall constitute Seller and Buyer as partners or
joint venturers with respect to the Property or to any other matter; (ii) the
18
<PAGE>
relationship of the parties hereunder shall be strictly that of optionor and
optionee under the Option granted herein; (iii) the rights of Buyer hereunder
shall survive any foreclosure or other exercise of remedies under the Loan
and shall not be merged therein, nor shall any rights of the holder of the
Loan be merged into any document delivered in connection with the Option.
21. Miscellaneous.
(a) The captions in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and in no way define, describe or limit the scope or intent of
this Agreement or any of the provisions hereof.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and shall be construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona.
(d) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings
and arrangements relating to this transaction have been executed by the
undersigned in his/her capacity as an officer or trustee of Buyer which has
been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust pursuant to a
Declaration of Trust of Buyer dated as of July 10, 1992, and not
individually, and neither the trustees, officers or shareholders of Buyer
shall be bound or have any personal liability hereunder or thereunder.
Seller shall look solely to the assets of Buyer for satisfaction of any
liability of the Buyer in respect of this Agreement and all documents,
agreements, understandings and arrangements relating to this transaction and
will not seek recourse or commence any action against any of the trustees,
officers or shareholders of Buyer or any of their personal assets for the
performance or payment of any obligation hereunder or thereunder. The
foregoing shall also apply to any future documents, agreements,
understandings, arrangements and transactions between the parties hereto.
(e) The parties hereto acknowledge that the transfer of the
Property must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service as required by
Section 6045(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), unless Section 6045(e) provides an exemption to such reporting
requirement. Accordingly, on or before the Closing Date, Seller, Buyer and
the Title Company shall enter into written "designation agreement" as defined
in and in accordance with Regulation Section 1.6045-4 of the Code, which
designation agreement shall designate the Title Company as the "real estate
reporting person" responsible for reporting the respective transfers to the
Internal Revenue Service.
(f) Subject to the last sentence of this Section, the parties
hereto agree that neither party shall make an announcement of the transaction
contemplated herein to third parties without the prior written consent of the
other party hereto. Buyer shall have the right to approve any public
announcement. Subject to the last sentence of this Section and except as
required by court order or by operation of law, the contents of this
Agreement shall remain confidential and shall only be disclosed to those
third parties necessary to facilitate the consummation of the transaction
contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer may disclose this
Agreement as it deems necessary or appropriate to comply with securities or
other laws or to fulfill its corporate or fiduciary obligations to its
investors.
19
<PAGE>
(g) The Exhibits attached hereto and made a part hereof are:
Exhibit A: Legal Description
Exhibit B: Rent Roll
Exhibit C: Form of Tenant Lease
Exhibit D: Description of Carpet Specifications
Exhibit E: Description of Pending Claims
Exhibit F: List of Nonterminable Contracts
Exhibit G: Utility Suppliers
Exhibit H: Insuranc
20
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
SELLER:
SPECIFIED PROPERTIES VIII, L.P., a Texas
limited partnership
By: Westwood Residential No. 9
Limited Partnership, its general
partner
By: Westwood Residential
General Partner No. 9,
Inc., its general partner
By:/s/ John R. Carmichael
_____________________________
Name: John R. Carmichael
Title: President
BUYER:
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a
Maryland real estate investment trust
By:/s/ Donald D. MacKenzie
______________________________________
Name: Donald D. MacKenzie
Title: Vice President
21
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
(Legal Description)
BLOCKS 19, 21, 22, 23 OF THE RESUBDIVISION OF WILLIAMS CENTRE, PIMA COUNTY,
ARIZONA ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE PIMA COUNTY
RECORDER IN BOOK 39 OF MAPS AT PAGE 28
22
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
(Rent Roll)
23
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
(Form of Tenant Lease)
24
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
(Description of Carpet Specifications)
25
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
(Description of Pending Claims)
NONE
26
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
(List of Nonterminable Contracts)
Vendor Type Cancellation
Haas Publishing Company Apt. Guide Between 4th &
5th Issue or
2/1/97
Web Service Co. Washers/Dryers 9/1/2005
Interactive Cable Systems, Inc. Cable Television Serv. April, 2010
Interactive Cable Systems, Inc. Telephone Service April, 2010
Interactive Cable Systems, Inc. Alarm Service
April, 2010
27
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT G
(Utility Suppliers)
_________________________________________________________________
| | |
| Telephone | Interactive Cable Systems, Inc. |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
| | |
| Cable Television | Interactive Cable Systems, Inc. |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
| | |
| Electric | Tucson Electric Power Company |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
| | |
| Water | City of Tucson |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
| | |
| Sewer | City of Tucson |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
| | |
| Gas | Southwest Gas Corporation |
|______________________|_______________________________________|
28
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT H
(Insurance)
(See attached two (2) Certificates of Insurance)
29
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
---------
DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND
-----------------------
BLOCKS 19, 21, 22, 23 OF THE RESUBDIVISION OF WILLIAMS CENTRE, PIMA COUNTY,
ARIZONA ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE PIMA COUNTY
RECORDER IN BOOK 39 OF MAPS AT PAGE 28.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT G
---------
ADJUSTMENT TO EXCHANGE RATIO
----------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If Average Price Is: Exchange Ratio Is:
---------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
$40.000 0.625
$39.875 0.627
$39.750 0.629
$39.625 0.631
$39.500 0.633
$39.375 0.635
$39.250 0.637
$39.125 0.639
$39.000 0.641
$38.875 0.643
$38.750 0.645
$38.625 0.647
$38.500 0.649
$38.375 0.651
$38.250 0.654
$38.125 0.656
$38.000 0.658
$37.875 0.659
$37.750 0.660
$37.625 0.661
$37.500 0.662
$37.375 0.663
$37.250 0.664
$37.125 0.665
$37.000 0.666
G-1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT H
TRANSACTION AND TERMINATION COSTS AGREEMENT
-------------------------------------------
THIS TRANSACTION AND TERMINATION COSTS AGREEMENT dated ____________, 1997
by and between EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a real estate investment
trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland ("EQR"),
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST, a real estate investment trust organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland ("Wellsford"), and
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland corporation ("Newco").
Recitals:
--------
A. EQR and Wellsford have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated January __, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which EQR shall
acquire the assets and business of Wellsford through the merger of EQR and
Wellsford (the "Merger") constituting a tax-free reorganization under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
B. It is currently contemplated that Wellsford will be the real estate
investment trust surviving the merger; however, EQR may be the surviving real
estate investment trust under certain circumstances described in the Merger
Agreement (the real estate investment trust which survives the Merger being
referred to as the "Surviving Trust").
C. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford
shall contribute certain of its assets to Newco, and that Newco shall assume
certain obligations of Wellsford, all as provided in the Contribution Agreement
(as defined in the Merger Agreement).
D. Immediately prior to the Merger, it is contemplated that Wellsford
shall distribute to its common shareholders all the outstanding shares of Newco
owned by it.
E. The parties desire to set forth their agreement as to the manner of
sharing the Transaction Costs (as hereinafter defined).
Agreements:
----------
In consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Closing Payments by Newco to Surviving Trust. (a) On the Closing
Date, the parties shall jointly determine the amount of the estimated Surviving
Trust Transaction Costs (the "Estimated Surviving Trust Transaction Costs"),
using good faith estimates where actual amounts are not known or provided for in
this Agreement. If the Estimated Surviving Trust Transaction
<PAGE>
Costs exceed the Gross Overall Cap, on the Closing Date Newco shall pay to the
Surviving Trust cash in an amount equal to such difference.
(b) The amount of the Contribution Funds payable to Newco at the Closing,
as determined pursuant to Section 1.10 of the Merger Agreement, shall be
increased by the amount of the excess, if any, of the Net Overall Cap over the
amount of the Estimated Surviving Trust Transaction Costs (the "Newco Payment").
2. Joint Expenses. For purposes of determining EQR Expenses and Surviving
Trust Transaction Expenses, all printing and mailing expenses which are incurred
jointly by Wellsford and EQR shall be allocated 50% as Surviving Trust
Transaction Costs and 50% as EQR Expenses. However, if a document is sent to
the holders of Wellsford Common Shares with respect to the distribution of the
shares of Newco to the holders of Wellsford Common Shares which is separate from
the proxy statement sent to such holders with respect to the Merger ("Newco
Information Statement"), the fees for printing any Proxy Statement and Newco
Information Statement sent to holders of Wellsford Common Shares and EQR Common
Shares will be allocated 60% as Surviving Trust Transaction Expense and 40% as
EQR Expenses, and 100% of the costs of mailing the Proxy Statement and
information statements or other documents with respect to the distribution of
the shares of common stock of Newco to the holders of Wellsford Common Shares
shall be a Surviving Trust Transaction Cost, and 100% of the costs of mailing
the Proxy Statement to the holders of EQR Common Shares shall be an EQR Expense.
3. Reimbursement Obligations. (a) From and after the Closing Date, Newco
shall have a continuing obligation to reimburse the Surviving Trust for (a) any
Surviving Trust Transaction Costs which exceed the Estimated Surviving Trust
Transaction Costs, but only to the extent the sum of the aggregate Surviving
Trust Transaction Costs paid or deemed to have been paid by EQR, Wellsford and
the Surviving Trust plus the Newco Payment, if any, exceeds the Gross Overall
Cap, and (b) any costs and expenses related to the Excluded Activities.
(b) If, after all the Surviving Trust Transaction Costs have been paid,
either (i) the actual Surviving Trust Transaction Costs plus the Newco Payment
are less than the Net Overall Cap, or (ii) the actual Surviving Trust
Transaction Costs, less the amount paid by Newco to the Surviving Trust on the
Closing Date pursuant to Section 1(a), are less than the Net Overall Cap, then
the Surviving Trust shall promptly pay such difference to Newco, together with
interest thereon at the Interest Rate from the Closing Date to the date of such
payment to Newco.
4. Procedure. If the Surviving Trust receives a bill or otherwise becomes
responsible for any Surviving Trust Transaction Costs in excess of the Gross
Overall Cap and for which Newco has not previously reimbursed the Surviving
Trust pursuant to this Agreement (the "Excess Costs"), the Surviving Trust shall
invoice Newco therefor. Such invoice shall be accompanied by a copy of the bill
giving rise to such Excess Costs. Newco shall pay the amount of such Excess
Costs to the Surviving Trust within ten (10) days after the date it receives
such invoice. If Newco
2
<PAGE>
fails to pay such Excess Costs when due, then such Excess Costs shall thereafter
bear interest at the Interest Rate until paid in full. Such interest shall be in
addition to all other rights and remedies to which the Surviving Trust may be
entitled at law or in equity.
5. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meaning (with terms defined in the singular having comparable
meanings when used in the plural):
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
"Contribution Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Merger Agreement.
"Dividend Spread Accrual" shall mean an amount equal to Dividend
Spread multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in the calendar quarter in which the Merger occurs prior to the
Closing Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in
such calendar quarter; provided, however, that the amount of the Dividend
Spread Accrual shall be zero (0) if Wellsford has declared a dividend in
the quarter in which the Closing Date occurs.
"Dividend Spread" shall mean an amount equal to (a) the excess, if
any, of $0.485 over the product of the Exchange Ratio multiplied by EQR's
existing dividend of $0.625, (b) multiplied by the number of Wellsford
Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
"Effective Time" shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
"EQR Expenses" shall mean:
(a) any filing fees paid to the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to the shares of beneficial interest of the
Surviving Trust to be issued in the Merger;
(b) 50% of the legal fees and expenses of Ballard Spahr Andrew &
Ingersoll with respect to the Merger and the Spin-Off (but not the
Excluded Activities) (whether incurred on behalf of EQR or Wellsford);
(c) all legal and accounting fees and costs incurred by EQR,
other than the fees of Ballard Spahr Andrew & Ingersoll described in
clause (b) of this definition;
3
<PAGE>
(d) costs in excess of $100,000 for environmental reports and
title insurance requested by EQR on the properties of Wellsford and
the Wellsford Subsidiaries;
(e) the charges of J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc. for rendering
its fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of EQR;
(f) EQR's share of the joint expenses provided for in Section 2;
(g) the cost of applying for the private letter ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service to change the Merger so that EQR will be the
survivor of the Merger;
(h) any transfer taxes payable as a result of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger; and
(i) any other costs and expenses incurred by EQR before the
Effective Time which are not specifically enumerated as Surviving
Trust Transaction Costs.
"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
"Excluded Activities" shall mean (i) all activities, operations,
acquisitions, dispositions and business of Newco and the Newco
Subsidiaries, including, without limitation those assets acquired and
liabilities assumed pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, (ii) all
indebtedness and other obligations incurred by Newco and the Newco
Subsidiaries, (iii) all sales of equity interests in and indebtedness of
Newco and the Newco Subsidiaries, other than the distribution by Wellsford
of the common shares of Newco owned by Wellsford to the common shareholders
of Wellsford in the Spin-Off, and (iv) any amount payable to William
Cockrum, whether payable in cash or shares of Newco capital stock, or both.
"Gross Overall Cap" shall mean $27,110,636, plus the Dividend Spread
Accrual.
"Interest Rate" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the prime rate of
interest charged from time to time under EQR's principal bank unsecured
line of credit.
"Net Overall Cap" shall mean the Gross Overall Cap less the Dividend
Accrual.
"Newco Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of Newco.
"Retention Program" shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
4
<PAGE>
"Wellsford Common Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Merger Agreement.
"Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
"Surviving Trust Transaction Costs" shall mean the following
Transaction Costs:
(a) $5,781,443, constituting the amount equal to the difference
between $27.50 and the exercise price of each option to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares outstanding on the date of the Merger
Agreement multiplied by the number of Wellsford Common Shares subject
to such option;
(b) the obligation of Wellsford to issue any options to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares as a result of the use by an optionee of
Wellsford Common Shares to pay the exercise price under any option
exercised by such optionee prior to the Effective Time, which
obligation is satisfied through the issuance of options to purchase
Wellsford Common Shares ("Reload Options"), which Reload Options shall
be deemed to have a cost equal to the value of such options determined
pursuant to the Merrill Lynch trading desk formula;
(c) the cost to Wellsford of the use by optionees of Wellsford
Common Shares to pay the exercise price under options exercised by
them after the date of the Merger Agreement, such cost to be deemed to
be the excess, if any, of the value of each Wellsford Common Share
credited to the payment of such exercise price over $27.50;
(d) the Retention Program (which shall be deemed to have a cost
of $544,575 as of the Effective Time);
(e) all severance payments payable under any employment
agreements between Wellsford and its employees;
(f) all income tax payments and excise tax payments, as grossed
up, payable to Key Executives (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
pursuant to the existing agreements with employees of Wellsford;
(g) the issuance of 67,308 "Springing Shares" to executives of
Wellsford prior to the Spin-Off, which shall be deemed to have a cost
of $1,850,970 determined by multiplying $27.50 times 67,308;
5
<PAGE>
(h) the forgiveness of loans made to employees of Wellsford to
finance the purchase of Wellsford Common shares, which for purposes of
this Agreement shall be deemed to have a cost of zero (0);
(i) the rental payments remaining unpaid under the lease of
office spaces in New York, New York and Denver, Colorado, which for
this purpose shall be deemed to have a cost of $1,665,184 as of the
Closing Date, reduced by the net present value of base rental payments
payable after the Closing Date under any sublease of the Denver,
Colorado office space entered into by Wellsford prior to the Closing,
determined using a rate of 8% per annum;
(j) all fees and penalties payable as a result of any of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the
transfers to ERP Operating Limited Partnership) under any loan
agreement or mortgage to which Wellsford or any of the Wellsford
Subsidiaries (other than Newco) is a party;
(k) the investment banking fees and expenses payable to Merrill
Lynch & Co. in connection with its fairness opinions regarding the
Merger and its services as investment bankers with respect to the
Merger, estimated to be $1,750,000 as of the date of the Merger
Agreement plus expenses;
(l) the cost of the premium for extending the existing directors'
and officers' liability insurance policy of Wellsford after the
Effective Time;
(m) up to $100,000 of costs with respect to title insurance and
environmental reports requested by EQR on the properties of Wellsford
and the Wellsford Subsidiaries;
(n) 50% of the legal fees and expenses of Ballard Spahr Andrew &
Ingersoll with respect to the Merger and the Spin-Off (but not the
Excluded Activities), whether incurred on behalf of Wellsford or EQR);
(o) all legal and accounting fees and expenses incurred by
Wellsford with respect to the Merger and the Spin-Off (and not with
respect to any of the Excluded Activities), other than the fees of
Ballard Spahr Andrew & Ingersoll described in clause (n) of this
definition;
(p) Wellsford's and Newco's portion of the joint expenses
provided for in Section 2;
6
<PAGE>
(q) the assignment of the split dollar life insurance policies
assigned to Newco pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, which shall
be deemed to have a cost to the Surviving Trust of $200,000 as of the
Closing Date; and
(r) any other transaction costs incurred by Wellsford with
respect to the Merger and the Spin-Off;
provided, however, that Surviving Trust Transaction Costs shall
exclude (i) any EQR Expenses, (ii) any liabilities and expenses
related to the Excluded Activities and (iii) any payments under the
Consulting Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
6. General.
(a) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
delivered personally, sent by overnight courier (providing proof of
delivery) to the parties or sent by telecopy (providing confirmation of
transmission) at the following addresses or telecopy numbers (or at such
other address or telecopy number for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):
if to EQR, Wellsford or
the Surviving Trust, to: Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: President
Fax No. (312) 207-5243
with a copy to: Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Bruce C. Strohm, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 454-0039
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Attention: Errol R. Halperin, Esq.
Fax No. (312) 236-7516
7
<PAGE>
if to Newco, to: Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Attention: President
Fax No. (212) 333-2323
with a copy to: Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn &
Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104-0053
Attention: Alan S. Pearce, Esq.
Fax No. (212) 541-1411
All notices shall be deemed given only when actually received.
(b) Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a
Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words
"include", "includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall
be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation."
(c) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed
by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.
(d) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
(i) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements
and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect
to the subject matter of this Agreement and (ii) is not intended to confer
upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies.
(e) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, REGARDLESS OF THE
LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF
LAWS THEREOF.
(f) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned or
delegated, in whole or in part, by
8
<PAGE>
operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties. Subject to the
preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the
benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
(g) Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise
breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any
court of the United States located in the State of Illinois or New York or
in any Illinois or New York State court located in Illinois or New York,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at
law or in equity. In addition, each of the parties hereto (i) consents to
submit itself (without making such submission exclusive) to the personal
jurisdiction of any federal court located in the State of Illinois or New
York or any Illinois or New York State court in the event any dispute
arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat
such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any
such court.
(h) Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining
terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any
other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be
unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is
enforceable.
(i) Non-Recourse.
(1) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings
and arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or
executed on behalf of Wellsford by the undersigned in his
capacity as a trustee or officer of Wellsford, which has
been formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
Wellsford dated as of November 2, 1992, as amended and
restated, and not individually, and neither the trustees,
officers nor shareholders of Wellsford shall be personally
bound or have any personal liability hereunder. EQR and
Newco shall look solely to the assets of Wellsford for
satisfaction of any liability of Wellsford with respect to
this Agreement and any other agreements to which it is a
party. EQR and Newco will not seek recourse or commence any
action against any of the shareholders of Wellsford
9
<PAGE>
or any of their personal assets, and will not commence any
action for money judgments against any of the trustees or
officers of Wellsford or seek recourse against any of their
personal assets, for the performance or payment of any
obligation of Wellsford hereunder or thereunder.
(2) This Agreement and all documents, agreements, understandings
and arrangements relating hereto have been entered into or
executed on behalf of EQR by the undersigned in his capacity
as a trustee or officer of EQR, which has been formed as a
Maryland real estate investment trust pursuant to an Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust of EQR dated as of August
10, 1993, as amended and restated, and not individually, and
neither the trustees, officers nor shareholders of EQR shall
be personally bound or have any personal liability
hereunder. Wellsford and Newco shall look solely to the
assets of EQR for satisfaction of any liability of EQR with
respect to this Agreement and any other agreements to which
it is a party. Wellsford and Newco will not seek recourse
or commence any action against any of the shareholders of
EQR or any of their personal assets, and will not commence
any action for money judgments against any of the trustees
or officers of EQR or seek recourse against any of their
personal assets, for the performance or payment of any
obligation of EQR hereunder or thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
this _____ day of ________. 1997.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
By:_________________________________
Its:________________________________
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
10
<PAGE>
By:_________________________________
Its:________________________________
WELLSFORD REAL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:_________________________________
Its:________________________________
11
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT I
RETENTION PROGRAM
-----------------
________________________
________________________
________________________
Dear ________________:
As you know, Equity Residential Properties Trust ("Equity") has acquired
the assets and business of Wellsford Residential Properties Trust ("Wellsford").
The acquisition of the assets and business of Wellsford has been effected by the
merger (the "Merger") of Equity and Wellsford with Wellsford as the surviving
real estate investment trust (the "Surviving Trust"). You have previously been
employed as the _______________________ of Wellsford. The purpose of this
letter is to confirm our agreement that if you continue to be employed by the
Surviving Trust on an at-will basis, upon the involuntary termination of your
employment by the Surviving Trust for any reason (other than the involuntary
termination for cause), or upon the date six months from the effective date of
the Merger, which ever shall occur first, the Surviving Trust shall pay to you
$___________, payable in a lump sum within five (5) business days after such
termination or such date. Such payment shall not be paid if you voluntarily
terminate your employment with the Surviving Trust. Such payment will also not
be made to you if the Surviving Trust terminates your employment because you
engaged in any act of dishonesty, including, but not limited to, an act which
directly or indirectly results in your gain or personal enrichment at the
expense of the Surviving Trust, or because you willfully substantially failed to
perform the services requested of you by the Surviving Trust despite at least
two notices of such failure or because you willfully substantially violated the
Surviving Trust's company policies (referred to in this letter as "cause").
This letter supersedes all previous communications with respect to your
employment by the Surviving Trust. This letter does not constitute a contract
for employment. If this letter is accepted by you, it shall constitute the
entire understanding between us with respect to your employment by the Surviving
Trust.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please so indicate by signing
the copy of this letter in the space provided below and returning it to the
undersigned.
Very truly yours,
[The Surviving Trust]
By:_____________________________
Its:____________________________
Accepted and agreement to as of
this ___ day of ___________, 1997
____________________________________
I-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT J
PAYMENTS TO KEY EXECUTIVES/1/
This Exhibit J, together with the Exhibits A(1)-A(5) of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter (the "Exhibits"), describe all payments to be made in
connection with the Spin-off and the Merger to the individuals named in this
Exhibit J (the "Executives"), and the trustees of Wellsford. The information
provided in the Exhibits sets forth: (1) the amount of each severance payment
payable to certain of the Executives, as described in Exhibit A(1); (2) all
information concerning existing share loans and the amount of loan forgiveness
upon a change in control, as described in Exhibit A(2); (3) all information with
respect to the number of restricted Wellsford Common Shares, both vested and
nonvested, which Executives will receive upon a change in control, as described
in Exhibit A(3); (4) all information describing Wellsford Common Shares to be
issued immediately prior to the Spin-off and the Merger, as described in Exhibit
A(4); (5) information concerning existing options to purchase Wellsford Common
Shares, as described in Exhibit A(5); and (6) information concerning the form
of each option to purchase Newco common shares, as described in Exhibit A(5).
In the event of a discrepancy between the information in Exhibit J and the
Exhibits, with respect to the information listed in clauses (1) through (6) of
this paragraph, the Exhibits shall control. With respect to all other matters,
the language of Exhibit J shall control.
1. Payments To J. Lynford, E. Lowenthal and Daniel Kelley ("Key Executives").
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Payments Under Employment Agreements.
(1) Income Tax Payment. J. Lynford and E. Lowenthal will be entitled
to an income tax payment equal to all federal, local, and state income taxes
payable with respect to all noncash compensation, including without limitation
shares described in paragraph 1.E. below and loan forgiveness described in
paragraph 1.C below, received in connection with a "change in control" in
accordance with the provisions of their respective employment agreements in
effect as of the date of this Agreement. The estimated amount of the income tax
payment for each executive, and the underlying payments upon which such payment
is based, are set forth in Exhibit A(1) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter.
(2) Excise Tax Payment. Pursuant to Section 10 of their respective
employment agreements, each of J. Lynford and E. Lowenthal will be entitled to
receive an "Additional Amount" equal to: (a) all taxes payable by the executive
under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code")
with respect to any "excess parachute payment" as defined in section 280G (b)(1)
of the Code (or otherwise) and the Additional Amount, plus (b) all federal,
state, and local income taxes payable with respect to the Additional Amount. The
estimated amount of such payment, and the underlying payments upon which such
payment is based, are set forth in Exhibit A(1) of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter.
- ---------------------
/1/ Except as specifically set forth in Exhibit J, all capitalized terms shall
have the meaning provided in the Merger Agreement.
<PAGE>
(3) Time of Payment. The cash payments described in paragraphs 1.A.(1)
and (2) above shall be paid to the Executives by the Surviving Trust on the date
of the Merger.
B. Split Dollar Life Insurance. The split dollar life insurance
arrangements between Wellsford and J. Lynford and E. Lowenthal respectively
shall be assumed by Newco pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement,
and Newco shall be responsible for any and all obligations arising pursuant to
both arrangements.
C. Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements. As set forth in Exhibit A(2) of
the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the entire outstanding loan balance of all
notes relating to the Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements for each Key
Executive shall be forgiven as a result of the change in control effectuated by
the Merger.
D. Restricted Share Grants. As set forth in Exhibit A(3) of the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, the Restricted Share Grants issued to J. Lynford and E.
Lowenthal shall continue in effect and the nonvested portion of such grants
shall remain subject to a risk of forfeiture in accordance with the terms of
Exhibit A(3). All shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Share Grant, whether or
not subject to a risk of forfeiture, shall participate pro rata in the Spin-off
and the Merger.
E. Change In Control Share Grants. In accordance with the terms of the
Amendment To Change In Control Share Grant Letter Agreements in effect as of the
date of this Agreement executed by each Key Executive, each Change In Control
Share Grant shall be effective immediately prior to the occurrence of a change
in control of Wellsford (and immediately prior to the occurrence of a spin-off
that is effected in connection with a change in control of Wellsford) and will
be made pursuant to Wellsford's Long-Term Management Incentive Plan.
Accordingly, all such shares shall participate in both the Spin-off and the
Merger as set forth in Exhibit A(4) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter.
F. Wellsford Options. Wellsford and the Key Executives shall enter into
such exchange agreements and amendments to options as is necessary to obtain
each Key Executive's agreement to the provisions of this paragraph 1.F. to the
extent the provisions of this paragraph are inconsistent with the existing
arrangements between Wellsford and each Key Executive.
(1) Nonqualified Options.
--------------------
(a) Conversion of Nonvested Options. For each Key Executive, the
nonvested portion of each option identified as a non-qualified Share Option
Grant in Exhibit A(5) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter shall be converted into
an option to purchase Newco common shares upon a change in control effected by
the Merger. The number of options to purchase Newco common shares issued in the
conversion will be calculated by dividing the value of the nonvested options
being converted by the value of an option to purchase one Newco common share.
The method used to calculate the number of options to be received by each Key
Executive upon conversion, together with the number of options to be received
and the terms thereof, are
2
<PAGE>
set forth in Exhibit A(5). The exercise price specified in each such option
shall be the Issuance Price (as defined in the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement).
(b) Exercise of Vested Options. For each Key Executive, all
vested options shall be exercised prior to the Merger by tendering existing
Wellsford Common Shares in payment of the exercise price. The tendered shares
shall be valued at $27.50 per share for purposes of payment of the exercise
price, regardless of their actual value.
(c) Reload Options. For each Key Executive, all vested options
exercised by tendering shares as described in paragraph 1.F(1)(b) above shall be
granted Reload Options which shall be converted into options to purchase Newco
common shares by valuing the Reload Options and then dividing such value by the
value of an option to purchase one Newco common share. The exercise price of
each Reload Option shall be $27.50 per share for each option, and the term of
each Reload Option shall equal the remaining term of the underlying option being
exercised. The number and terms of each Newco option shall be in accordance with
Exhibit A(5).
(2) Incentive Share Options.
(a) Conversion of Nonvested Options. For each Key Executive, the
value of the nonvested portion of each option listed in Exhibit A(5) of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter as an incentive share option shall be converted into
an incentive share option to purchase Newco common shares. As set forth in
Exhibit A(5), the exercise price of the options to purchase Newco common shares
received in the conversion shall reflect the inherent value of these options
prior to conversion, and shall have a term equal to the remaining term of the
incentive share option to be converted, as required by Treasury Regulation
Section 1.425-1(a).
(b) Exercise of Vested Options. For each Key Executive, all
vested options shall be exercised prior to the Merger by tendering existing
Wellsford Common Shares in payment of the exercise price. The value of the
tendered shares shall be $27.50 per share for purposes of the payment of the
exercise price, regardless of their actual value.
(c) Reload Options. For each Key Executive, all vested options
exercised by tendering shares as described in paragraph 1.F(2)(b) above shall be
granted Reload Options which shall be converted into options to purchase Newco
common shares by valuing the Reload Options and then dividing such value by the
value of an option to purchase one Newco common share. The exercise price of
each Reload Option shall be $27.50 per share for each option, and the term of
each Reload Option shall equal the remaining term of the underlying option being
exercised. The number and terms of each Newco option shall be in accordance with
Exhibit A(5).
3
<PAGE>
2. Payments to D. MacKenzie, G. Hughes, and D. Strong ("Other Executives").
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Except to the extent one or more of the Other Executives agree to convert
Wellsford options into Newco options, or to defer or waive other payments or
benefits arising under existing agreements between Wellsford and the Other
Executive, in which event such Other Executives shall be eligible to convert the
nonvested portion of existing options to purchase Wellsford Common Shares into
options to purchase Newco common shares, convert Reload Options into options to
purchase Newco common shares, and continue their Restricted Share Grants set
forth on Exhibit A(3) in the same manner as the Key Executives, the following
describes all payments to be made to the Other Executives.
A. Payments Under Employment Agreements.
(1) Cash Severance Payment. Each Other Executive shall be entitled to
a cash severance payment in the amount required under each Other Executive's
respective employment agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The
amount of the payment to be made to each Other Executive is set forth in Exhibit
A(1) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter.
(2) Excise Tax Payment. Pursuant to Section 10 of their respective
employment agreements, each Other Executive will be entitled to receive an
"Additional Amount" equal to: (a) all taxes payable by the executive under
section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") (or
otherwise) with respect to any "excess parachute payment" as defined in section
280G (b)(1) of the Code and the Additional Amount, plus (b) all federal, state,
and local income taxes payable with respect to the Additional Amount. The
estimated amount of such payments, and the underlying payments upon which each
such payment is based, are set forth in Exhibit A(1) of the Wellsford Disclosure
Letter.
(3) Time of Payment. The cash payments described in paragraphs
2.A.(1) and (2) above shall be paid to the Other Executives by the Surviving
Trust on the date of the Merger.
B. Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements. As set forth in Exhibit A(2)
of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the entire outstanding loan balance of all
notes relating to the Share Loan and Acquisition Agreements for each Other
Executive shall be forgiven as a result of the change in control effectuated by
the Merger.
C. Restricted Share Grants. As set forth in Exhibit A(3) of the
Wellsford Disclosure Letter, the Restricted Share Grants issued to D. MacKenzie
and G. Hughes shall be fully vested upon the change in control effected by the
Merger. D. MacKenzie and G. Hughes shall receive EQR Common Shares in the
Merger and Newco common shares in the Spin-off for the restricted Wellsford
Common Shares as set forth in Exhibit A(3).
4
<PAGE>
D. Wellsford Options.
(1) Nonvested Options. For each Other Executive, the nonvested
portion of every outstanding option to purchase Wellsford Common Shares set
forth in Exhibit A(5) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter shall become vested
upon a change in control effected by the Merger pursuant to the terms of the
underlying agreement under which the option was granted.
(2) Wellsford To Use Best Efforts in seeking Exercise of Appreciation
Rights. Prior to the Merger, Wellsford shall use its best efforts to obtain the
consent of each Other Executive to relinquish all option rights in exchange for
the cash payment of $27.50 per share for each option relinquished less the
exercise price per share.
(3) Vested Options. For each Other Executive who does not consent to
the payment described in subsection (2) above, all existing options shall either
be exercised prior to the Merger in accordance with the terms of the Plans, as
applicable, or, if not exercised prior to the Merger, shall be converted in the
Merger into options to purchase common shares in the Surviving Trust as adjusted
pursuant to the dilution and adjustment provisions of the Plans for the Exchange
Ratio. Wellsford shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Committee will
make such adjustments in accordance with the provisions of the Plans. All
adjustments shall be made subject to the commercially reasonable approval of the
Surviving Trust.
(4) Reload Options. For each existing share tendered in exercise of
an existing option, the right to the issuance, exercise price, and term of any
Reload Option shall be governed by the terms of the existing Plans, as
applicable, including the adjustment for the Exchange Ratio.
3. Options of Trustees. All existing options to purchase Wellsford Common
Shares granted to the trustees of Wellsford shall be converted into options to
purchase Newco common shares. The number of options to purchase Newco common
shares granted upon conversion shall be calculated by dividing the value of each
trustee's existing options to purchase Wellsford Common Shares by the value of
an option to purchase one Newco common share to be received in the exchange. The
option to purchase Newco common shares shall be exercisable immediately, and
shall have an initial term of six years, (regardless of whether or not the
optionee remains a trustee or director of Newco) with a four-year extension if
the optionee is a trustee or director of Newco at the end of four years. The
exercise price of the option to purchase Newco common shares shall be the
Issuance Price. The method used to calculate the number of options to be
received by each trustee of Wellsford, together with the number of options to be
received, are set forth in Exhibit A(5) of the Wellsford Disclosure Letter.
4. Option Grant To David Kelley. Prior to the Merger, Wellsford shall use its
best efforts to enter into an agreement with David Kelley pursuant to which
David Kelley's existing options to purchase Wellsford Common Shares will be
relinquished in exchange for a cash payment of $27.50 per share for each option
less the exercise price per share. If Wellsford does not obtain David Kelley's
consent to such an exchange, David Kelley's options shall either be exercised
prior
5
<PAGE>
to the Merger in accordance with the terms of the share option agreement
between Wellsford and David Kelley dated December 13, 1994, pursuant to which
the options were issued, or, if not exercised prior to the Merger, shall be
converted into options to purchase common shares in the Surviving Trust as
adjusted by Wellsford for the Exchange Ratio under the dilution and adjustment
provisions of such share option agreement. All adjustments shall be made subject
to the commercially reasonable approval of the Surviving Trust.
6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT K
FORM OF CONSULTING AGREEMENT
----------------------------
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the ____ day of _____________, 1997, by and between ERP OPERATING LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois limited partnership ("ERP"), and __________________
("Consultant").
Recitals
--------
A. ERP's general partner intends to merge (the "Merger") with Roger, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("Roger"), pursuant to that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January __, 1997 between ERP's general
partner and Roger ("Merger Agreement").
B. Immediately following the Merger, the assets of Roger will be
transferred to ERP.
C. Prior to the Merger, Consultant was employed by Roger.
D. ERP recognizes that the knowledge of Consultant will be beneficial in
maintaining and improving the profitability of the assets of Roger transferred
to ERP and that Consultant has significant real estate and business expertise
that will be beneficial to ERP. Accordingly, ERP desires to retain Consultant
to provide consulting services to ERP as provided herein, and Consultant desires
to be so retained.
E. Consultant may, as a consultant to ERP, have access to confidential
information with respect to ERP and its affiliates, and has, as an employee of
Roger, had access to confidential information of Roger and its subsidiaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties. Consultant is hereby retained to serve as a senior management
consultant to ERP, to answer questions and address issues concerning the
operations, business strategies and marketing plans of ERP as may from time to
time during the Term (as hereinafter defined) be reasonably requested by ERP.
Such services shall be provided by Consultant solely to the senior executive
officers of ERP at such times as shall be mutually convenient to Consultant and
ERP; it being the parties' intention that Consultant be available to provide
services regarding policies
K-1
<PAGE>
and strategy without becoming involved in the day-to-day operations of ERP. In
no event will Consultant be required to perform services hereunder during any
period while he is on vacation or is ill, or at times which conflict with other
business commitments of Consultant.
2. Term. The term for providing consulting services hereunder shall
commence on the date the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
occurs and shall continue, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 6
below, for five (5) years thereafter (the "Term").
3. Compensation. As compensation for Consultant's services rendered under
this Agreement, ERP shall pay Consultant at the rate of $200,000 per annum,
payable monthly in arrears. The compensation set forth in Section 3 will be the
sole compensation payable to Consultant for consulting services and no
additional compensation or fee will be payable by ERP to Consultant by reason of
any benefit gained by ERP directly or indirectly through Consultant's consulting
efforts hereunder, nor shall ERP be liable in any way for any additional
compensation or fee for consulting services unless ERP shall have expressly
agreed thereto in writing. The foregoing shall not prohibit Consultant from
receiving a director's fee for acting as a director of ERP if such fee would
otherwise be payable to him.
4. Reimbursement of Expenses. ERP shall reimburse Consultant for all
reasonable out-of-pocket travel and other expenses incurred by Consultant at the
request of ERP in rendering services required under the terms of this Agreement,
such reimbursement to be on a monthly basis upon submission of a detailed
monthly statement and reasonable documentation.
5. Independent Contractor Status. Consultant is an independent contractor
under this Agreement and shall in no way be considered to be an agent or
employee of ERP and, accordingly, Consultant shall not be entitled to any
benefits, coverages or privileges made available to employees of ERP, including
without limitation, social security, unemployment or pension payments or
contributions. Consultant shall only consult and render advice, and shall not
undertake to commit ERP to any course of action in relation to third persons,
except as requested by ERP. ERP shall not deduct any social security or income
taxes from Consultant's payments set forth in Section 3.
6. Confidentiality.
(a) Acknowledgement of Proprietary Interest. Consultant recognizes
the proprietary interest of ERP in Confidential and Proprietary Information (as
hereinafter defined) of ERP and its affiliates. Consultant acknowledges and
agrees that any and all Confidential and Proprietary Information communicated
to, learned of, developed or otherwise acquired by Consultant in performing his
duties hereunder and during the time he was an employee of Roger shall be and is
the property of ERP and its affiliates. Consultant further acknowledges and
understands that his disclosure of any Confidential and Proprietary Information
could result in
K-2
<PAGE>
irreparable injury and damage to ERP. As used herein, "Confidential and
Proprietary Information" means, but is not limited to, research, marketing and
sales programs, pricing formula, contracts analyses, and all other concepts,
ideas, materials or information prepared or performed for, by or on behalf of
Roger, ERP or any of its affiliates by the employees, officers, directors,
agents, representatives or consultants of Roger, ERP or any affiliate thereof.
"Confidential and Proprietary Information" shall exclude information that is
available generally to the public or which is disclosed to Consultant by any
person who is not an employee of ERP or any of its affiliates and who did not
breach any obligations of confidentiality by disclosing such information to
Consultant.
(b) Covenant Not-To-Divulge Confidential and Proprietary Information.
Consultant acknowledges and agrees that ERP is entitled to prevent the
disclosure of Confidential and Proprietary Information. As a portion of the
consideration for the retention of Consultant and for the compensation being
paid to Consultant by ERP, Consultant agrees at all times to hold in strictest
confidence and not to disclose to any person, firm or corporation, other than to
persons engaged by ERP to further the business of ERP, and not to use except in
the pursuit of the business of ERP, Confidential and Proprietary Information,
without the prior written consent of ERP; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall not be obligated to keep secret
and not to disclose Confidential and Proprietary Information generally known to
the public through no wrongful act of Consultant. The foregoing shall not be
deemed to include general know-how and business experience of the Consultant
which apply to businesses generally. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
disclosure of Confidential and Proprietary Information may be made to the extent
required by applicable law or regulation or judicial or regulatory process
provided the Consultant gives ERP notice thereof and an opportunity to seek a
protective order with respect to the information so required to be disclosed.
(c) Return of Materials. In the event of any termination of this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever, or at any time upon the request of ERP,
Consultant will promptly deliver to ERP all documents, data and other
information pertaining to Confidential and Proprietary Information.
7. Termination. This Agreement and the consulting relationship created
hereby shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of any of the following events:
(a) the expiration of the Term;
(b) the death of Consultant;
(c) the disability of Consultant ("disability"), meaning Consultant's
inability, because of mental or physical illness or incapacity,
to perform his duties
K-3
<PAGE>
under this Agreement for a continuous period of 120 days, or for
120 days out of any 150-day period; or
(d) the written agreement of Consultant and ERP.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions
of Sections 3 and 6 shall survive any termination, for whatever reason, of
Consultant's engagement under this Agreement. In addition, in the event of the
termination of Consultant's engagement for any reason, Consultant shall be
entitled to any unpaid expenses payable as provided in Section 4 above.
8. Remedies. Consultant and ERP recognize and acknowledge that in the
event of any default in, or breach of any of, the terms, conditions or
provisions of this Agreement (either actual or threatened) by Consultant, ERP's
remedies at law shall be inadequate. Accordingly, Consultant agrees that in
such event, ERP shall have the right of specific performance and/or injunctive
relief, without bond but upon due notice, in addition to all other remedies
available to ERP at law or in equity.
9. Notices. Any notices, consents, demands, requests, approvals and
other communications to be given under this Agreement by either party to the
other shall be deemed to have been duly given in writing and personally
delivered or sent by facsimile, overnight air courier, mail, registered or
certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested, as follows:
If to ERP: ___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Fax No.: __________________
If to Consultant: ___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Fax No.: __________________
or to such other or additional address as either party may designate by giving
written notice to the other party in accordance with this Agreement.
Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of actual
receipt; air couriered notices shall be deemed communicated on the next business
day after delivery to such courier; faxed notices shall be deemed communicated
when sent by facsimile with confirmed receipt (provided that a copy thereof is
sent by mail or overnight air courier); and mailed notices shall be deemed
communicated as of three days after mailing.
K-4
<PAGE>
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. No modification or
amendment of any of the terms, conditions or provisions herein may be made
otherwise than by written agreement signed by the parties hereto.
11. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with
the laws of the State of Illinois (except the choice of law rules).
12. Dispute Resolution. Any issue relating to the rights, duties,
obligations and interpretations of this Agreement shall be resolved in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect
by a panel consisting of three individual members experienced in these matters,
one member of which shall be selected by ERP and the remaining two members of
which shall be selected by Consultant.
13. Parties Bound. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereto hereunder shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of ERP
and Consultant and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns. ERP shall have the right to assign this Agreement to any of its
affiliates or to its successor, except in no event shall such assignment
terminate the obligations of ERP to pay to Consultant the compensation set forth
in Section 3 above. The duties of Consultant hereunder are personal to him, and
no such duties may be assigned by him. Consultant may not assign any of his
rights and benefits hereunder, except the right to receive payment pursuant to
Section 3 may be assigned in whole (but not in part), to any entity owned solely
by, or solely for the benefit of one or more of Consultant, the members of his
immediate family, and [for Jeffrey Lynford's Agreement, insert Edward Lowenthal]
[for Edward Lowenthal's Agreement, insert Jeffrey Lynford]; provided that no
such assignment shall be effective until ten (10) days after written notice of
such assignment has been delivered to ERP. In the event of an assignment
pursuant to the preceding sentence, amounts otherwise payable to Consultant
pursuant to Section 3 hereunder shall instead be payable to the permitted
assignee.
14. Estate. If Consultant dies prior to the payment of all sums owed, or
to be owed, to Consultant pursuant to Section 3, then such sums, as they become
due, shall be paid to Consultant's estate.
15. Enforceability. If, for any reason, any provision in this Agreement
should be held invalid in part by a court of competent jurisdiction, then it is
the intent of each of the parties hereto that the balance of this Agreement be
enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
K-5
<PAGE>
16. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party hereto of a breach of
any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by any party.
17. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms or
provisions hereof.
18. Costs. If it is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of
this Agreement by action at law or in equity, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary disbursements in
addition to any other relief to which he or it may be entitled.
19. Affiliate. As used herein, an "affiliate" of either party means
any person, corporation, partnership or other entity controlling, controlled by
or under common control with such party; provided, however, that for purposes of
this Agreement, Newco and its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be affiliates
of ERP.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall
constitute one and the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
21. Attorneys' Fees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth in Section 18 hereof, if ERP fails to make the payments required pursuant
to Section 3 and such failure continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after
written notice of such failure was delivered to ERP, then ERP shall reimburse
Consultant for reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Consultant in connection
with an arbitration proceeding commenced by Consultant to collect such amount,
such reimbursement to be made on a monthly basis within 15 days after receipt of
a copy of a detailed bill for such legal services for such month.
K-6
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois
limited partnership
By: EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a
Maryland real estate investment trust, its
general partner
By:______________________________________
Its:____________________________________
______________________________________________
K-7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT L
---------
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Rudnick & Wolfe Robinson, Silverman, Pearce,
203 North LaSalle Street Aronsohn & Berman, LLP
Suite 1800 1290 Avenue of the Americas
Chicago, Illinois 60601 New York, N.Y. 10104
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer Certificate
--------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford"), which shall thereafter be named Equity Residential Properties
Trust, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. ________),
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration
Statement"), and certain related transactions, Rudnick & Wolfe, as counsel for
EQR, and Robinson, Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP, as counsel for
Wellsford, have each been requested to render an opinion concerning certain
federal income tax consequences of the proposed merger (the "Merger") of EQR
with and into Wellsford. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the Registration
Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Realty Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation which is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Wellsford ("Newco") (the "Contribution Agreement"),
Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to Newco in exchange for common
stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock"). Immediately prior to the consummation
of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute such Newco Common Stock to the holders
of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata, as a distribution taxable under
Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the "Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR (the "Plan of Merger"),
dated as of __________, 1997.
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
EQR hereby makes the following representations (intending that Rudnick & Wolfe
and Robinson, Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP will rely on such
representations in rendering its opinion):
<PAGE>
1. The Merger and Spin-Off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
2. The fair market value of the Surviving Trust Common Shares and other
consideration received by each holder of EQR Common Shares will be approximately
equal to the fair market value of the EQR Common Shares surrendered in the
exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Surviving Trust Preferred Shares and
other consideration received by each holder of EQR Preferred Shares will be
approximately equal to the fair market value of the EQR Preferred Shares
surrendered in the exchange.
4. There is no plan or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one
percent or more of the EQR Common Shares, and to the best of the knowledge of
the management of EQR, there is no plan or intention on the part of the
remaining shareholders to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a number of
Surviving Trust Common Shares received in the Merger that would reduce the EQR
shareholders' ownership of Surviving Trust Common Shares to a number of shares
having an aggregate value, as of the Effective Date, of less than 50 percent of
the value of all of the formerly outstanding EQR Common Shares as of the same
date. For purposes of this paragraph, Surviving Trust Common Shares exchanged
for cash in lieu of fractional Surviving Trust Common Shares will be treated as
outstanding EQR Common Shares at the Effective Time. Moreover, EQR Common Shares
and Surviving Trust Common Shares held by their respective shareholders and
otherwise sold, redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the Merger are
taken into account for purposes of the calculations described in this paragraph.
5. There is no plan or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one
percent or more of any class of EQR Preferred Shares and to the best of the
knowledge of the management of EQR, there is no plan or intention on the part of
the remaining holders of any class of EQR Preferred Shares to sell, exchange or
otherwise dispose of a number of Surviving Trust Preferred Shares received in
the Merger that would reduce the EQR shareholders' ownership of any class of
Surviving Trust Preferred Shares to a number of shares having an aggregate
value, as of the Effective Date, of less than 50 percent of the value of all of
the outstanding EQR Preferred Shares of such class as of the same date. For
purposes of this paragraph, Surviving Trust Preferred Shares exchanged for cash
in lieu of fractional Surviving Trust Preferred Shares will be treated as
outstanding EQR Preferred Shares at the Effective Time. Moreover, EQR Preferred
Shares and Surviving Trust Preferred Shares held by their respective
shareholders and otherwise sold, redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to
the Merger are taken into account for purposes of the calculations described in
this paragraph.
6. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the
Surviving Trust Common Shares or Surviving Trust Preferred Shares to be issued
in the Merger.
<PAGE>
7. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose
of any of the assets of EQR acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made
in the ordinary course of business or transfers described in Section
368(a)(2)(C)./1/
8. The liabilities of EQR assumed by Surviving Trust and the liabilities
to which the transferred assets of EQR are subject were incurred by EQR in the
ordinary course of its business.
9. Following the Merger, Surviving Trust will continue the historic
business of EQR and will use a significant portion of EQR's historic business
assets in a business.
10. Surviving Trust, EQR, and the shareholders of EQR will pay their
respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.
11. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
12. Although EQR is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), EQR is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
13. EQR is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar
case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
14. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
15. None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employee of EQR
will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of his or her EQR
Common Shares or EQR Preferred Shares. The compensation paid to any shareholder-
employee of EQR will be for services actually rendered and will be commensurate
with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for similar
services. None of the Surviving Trust Common Shares or Surviving Trust Preferred
Shares received by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be in exchange for, or
in consideration of, services rendered to Surviving Trust, EQR or any other
entity by such shareholder-employee.
16. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Surviving Trust Common
Shares is solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to
Surviving Trust of issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately
bargained-for consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in
the Merger to EQR shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Surviving Trust
Common Shares will not exceed one percent of the total consideration that will
be issued in the Merger to the EQR shareholders in exchange for their EQR Common
Shares. The fractional share
- ----------------
/1/ Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all Section references are to the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
<PAGE>
interests of each EQR shareholder will be aggregated, and no EQR shareholder
will receive cash in an amount equal to or greater than the value of one full
Surviving Trust Common Share.
17. EQR has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST,
a Maryland real estate investment
trust
By:
---------------------------------
Its:
--------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT M
---------
MATTERS TO BE ADDRESSED IN WELLSFORD
AND NEWCO OPINION OF COUNSEL
1. Wellsford is a real estate investment trust duly organized, validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with
the State Department of Assessment and Taxation in Maryland.
2. Newco is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing under the
laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the State Department
of Assessment and Taxation in Maryland.
3. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement and the
Contribution Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
trust action on the part of Wellsford.
4. The execution, delivery and performance of the Contribution Agreement,
the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement, the Palomino Credit
Enhancement Agreement and the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Newco.
5. The Agreement and the Contribution Agreement have been duly executed
and delivered and constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of
Wellsford enforceable against Wellsford in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to
creditors' rights and general principles of equity and commercial
reasonableness.
6. The Contribution Agreement, the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the
Palomino Agreement, the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Sonterra
Right of First Offer Agreement have been duly executed and delivered and
constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of Newco enforceable
against Newco in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and
general principles of equity and commercial reasonableness.
7. To our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, there are no existing
options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other
rights, agreements or commitments which obligate Wellsford to issue, transfer or
sell any shares of stock or equity interest of Wellsford except as disclosed in
the Agreement, the Wellsford Disclosure Letter or which are immaterial in
amount.
<PAGE>
8. To our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, there are no existing
options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other
rights, agreements or commitments which obligate Wellsford to issue, transfer or
sell any shares of stock or equity interest of Newco except as disclosed in
Schedule 3.3 of the Newco Stock Purchase Agreement or which are immaterial in
amount.
9. Neither the execution and delivery by Wellsford of the Agreement or
the Contribution Agreement nor the consummation by Wellsford of the transactions
contemplated thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, will conflict with or
result in a breach of any provision of the Declaration of Trust or By-laws of
Wellsford and to our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, will not violate,
result in a breach of, or constitute a default under any contract, agreement or
instrument to which Wellsford is a party or by which Wellsford or its properties
is bound, which violation, breach or default individually or in the aggregate,
should reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
10. Neither the execution and delivery by Newco of the Newco Stock
Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement, the Palomino Credit Enhancement
Agreement or the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement nor the consummation by
Newco of the transactions contemplated thereby in accordance with the terms
thereof, will conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the
Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of Newco and to our knowledge and belief
without due inquiry, will not violate, result in a breach of, or constitute a
default under any contract, agreement or instrument to which Newco is a party or
by which Newco or its properties is bound, which violation, breach or default
individually or in the aggregate, should reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
11. To our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, and except as
disclosed in the Wellsford SEC Documents or in Schedule 2.7 to the Wellsford
Disclosure Letter, and other than personal injury and other routine tort
litigation arising from the ordinary course of operations of Wellsford and the
Wellsford Subsidiaries which are covered by adequate insurance, there is no
suit, action or proceeding pending or threatened in writing against or affecting
Wellsford or any Wellsford Subsidiary that, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to (i) have a Wellsford Material Adverse Effect or
(ii) prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against Wellsford or any Wellsford
Subsidiary having, or which, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the
future would have, any such effect.
Such counsel shall also state the following: In the course of serving as
special counsel to Wellsford, we have participated in discussions with
representatives of Wellsford during which the contents of drafts of the Form S-4
and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus were discussed and revised. Although we have
made no independent investigation or verification of the correctness and
<PAGE>
completeness of the information included in the Form S-4 or the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, in the course of our participation in the preparation of
the Form S-4, nothing has come to our attention that has caused us to believe
that the Form S-4 and the prospectus included therein (except for the financial
statements, supporting schedules and other financial, statistical and market
data included therein, the section captioned "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" relating to Wellsford
and the information relating to and supplied by EQR, as to which we do not
express any belief), at the time the Form S-4 became effective, 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,
or that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (except for the financial statements,
supporting schedules and other financial, statistical and market data included
therein, and the information relating to and supplied by EQR, as to which we do
not express any belief), in each case at the time it was mailed to the
respective shareholders of EQR and Wellsford, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT N
---------
Wellsford Residential Properties Trust
610 Fifth Avenue Seventh Floor
New York, N.Y. 10020
Robinson, Silverman, Pearce, Rudnick & Wolfe
Aronsohn & Berman, LLP 203 North LaSalle Street
1290 Avenue of the Americas Suite 1800
New York, N.Y. 10104 Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer Certificate
--------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford" or the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named Equity
Residential Properties Trust, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(File No. ________), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Registration Statement"), and certain related transactions, Robinson,
Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP, as counsel to Wellsford, and Rudnick
& Wolfe, as counsel to EQR, have each been requested to render an opinion
concerning certain federal income tax consequences of the proposed merger (the
"Merger") of EQR with and into Wellsford. Unless otherwise specifically defined
herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the
Registration Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Realty Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation which is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Wellsford ("Newco"), (the "Contribution Agreement"),
Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to Newco in exchange for common
stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock"). Immediately prior to the consummation
of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute such Newco Common Stock to the holders
of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata, as a distribution taxable under
Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the "Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR (the "Plan of Merger"),
dated as of __________, 1997.
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
Wellsford hereby makes the following representations (intending that Robinson,
Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP and Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on such
representations in rendering its opinion):
<PAGE>
1. The Merger and Spin-Off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
2. The fair market value of the Surviving Trust Common Shares and other
consideration received by each holder of EQR Common Shares will be approximately
equal to the fair market value of the EQR Common Shares surrendered in the
exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Surviving Trust Preferred Shares and
other consideration received by each holder of EQR Preferred Shares will be
approximately equal to the fair market value of the EQR Preferred Shares
surrendered in the exchange.
4. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to reacquire any of the Surviving Trust Common Shares or Surviving
Trust Preferred Shares to be issued in the Merger.
5. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of EQR acquired in
the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or
transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C)./1/
6. To the knowledge of Wellsford, following the Merger, Surviving Trust
will continue the historic business of EQR and will use a significant portion of
EQR's historic business assets in a business.
7. Wellsford will pay separately its own expenses, if any, incurred in
connection with the Merger.
8. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
9. Although Wellsford is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), Wellsford is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
10. Wellsford is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or
similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
11. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
- -------------------
/1/ Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all Section references are to the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
<PAGE>
12. To the knowledge of Wellsford: (1) None of the compensation received
by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be separate consideration for, or
allocable to, any of his or her EQR Common Shares or EQR Preferred Shares, (2)
the compensation paid to any shareholder-employee of EQR will be for services
actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties
bargaining at arm's length for similar services, and (3) none of the Surviving
Trust Common Shares or Surviving Trust Preferred Shares received by any
shareholder-employee of EQR will be in exchange for, or in consideration of,
services rendered to Surviving Trust, EQR or any other entity by such
shareholder-employee.
13. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Surviving Trust Common
Shares is solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to
Surviving Trust of issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately
bargained-for consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in
the Merger to Wellsford shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Surviving
Trust Common Shares will not exceed one percent of the total consideration that
will be issued in the Merger to the Wellsford shareholders in exchange for their
Wellsford Common Shares. The fractional share interests of each Wellsford
shareholder will be aggregated, and no Wellsford shareholder will receive cash
in an amount equal to or greater than the value of one full Surviving Trust
Common Share.
14. Wellsford has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
TRUST, a Maryland real estate
investment trust
By:
-----------------------------
Its:
----------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT O
MATTERS TO BE ADDRESSED IN EQR OPINION OF COUNSEL
1. EQR is a real estate investment trust duly organized, validly existing
under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation in Maryland.
2. ERP Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois.
3. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement has been duly
and validly authorized by all necessary trust action on the part of EQR.
4. The execution, delivery and performance of the Newco Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Palomino Agreement, the Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement and
the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary partnership action on the part of ERP Operating
Partnership.
5. The Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes the
valid and legally binding obligations of EQR enforceable against EQR in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and general
principles of equity and commercial reasonableness.
6. The Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement, the
Palomino Credit Enhancement Agreement and the Sonterra Right of First Offer
Agreement have been duly executed and delivered and constitute the valid and
legally binding obligations of ERP Operating Partnership enforceable against ERP
Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors'
rights and general principles of equity and commercial reasonableness.
7. To our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, there are no existing
options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other
rights, agreements or commitments which obligate EQR to issue, transfer or sell
any shares of stock or equity interest of EQR except as disclosed in the
Agreement, the EQR Disclosure Letter or which are immaterial in amount.
8. Neither the execution and delivery by EQR of the Agreement nor the
consummation by EQR of the transactions contemplated thereby in accordance with
the terms thereof, will conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of
the Declaration of Trust or By-laws of EQR or the Partnership Agreement of ERP
Operating Partnership and to our knowledge and belief without any duty of
inquiry, will not violate, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under
<PAGE>
any contract, agreement or instrument to which EQR is a party or by which ERP or
its properties is bound, which violation, breach or default individually or in
the aggregate, should reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9. Neither the execution and delivery by ERP Operating Partnership of the
Newco Stock Purchase Agreement, the Palomino Agreement, the Palomino Credit
Enhancement Agreement or the Sonterra Right of First Offer Agreement nor the
consummation by ERP Operating Partnership of the transactions contemplated
thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, will conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of the Declaration of Trust or By-laws of ERP or the
Partnership Agreement of ERP Operating Partnership and to our knowledge and
belief without due inquiry, will not violate, result in a breach of, or
constitute a default under any contract, agreement or instrument ERP Operating
Partnership is a party or by which ERP Operating Partnership or its properties
is bound, which violation, breach or default individually or in the aggregate,
should reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
10. To our knowledge and belief without due inquiry, and except as
disclosed in the EQR SEC Documents or in Schedule 3.8 to the EQR Disclosure
Letter and, other than personal injury and other routine tort litigation arising
from the ordinary course of operations of EQR and the EQR Subsidiaries which are
covered by adequate insurance, there is no suit, action or proceeding pending or
threatened in writing against or affecting EQR or any EQR Subsidiary that,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to (i) have a EQR
Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) prevent the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding
against EQR or any EQR Subsidiary having, or which, insofar as reasonably can be
foreseen, in the future would have, any such effect.
Such counsel shall also state the following: In the course of serving as
special counsel to EQR we have participated in discussions with representatives
of EQR during which the contents of drafts of the Form S-4 and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus were discussed and revised. Although we have made no
independent investigation or verification of the correctness and completeness of
the information included in the Form S-4 or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, in
the course of our participation in the preparation of the Form S-4, nothing has
come to our attention that has caused us to believe that the Form S-4 and the
prospectus included therein (except for the financial statements, supporting
schedules and other financial, statistical and market data included therein, the
section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
and Financial Condition" relating to EQR and the information relating to and
supplied by Wellsford, as to which we do not express any belief), at the time
the Form S-4 became effective, 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, or that the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (except for the financial statements, supporting schedules
and other financial, statistical and market data included therein, and the
information relating to and
<PAGE>
supplied by Wellsford, as to which we do not express any belief), in each case
at the time it was mailed to the respective shareholders of EQR and Wellsford,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
FILE NUMBER
833605
April 21, 1997
The Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
The Board of Trustees
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
Re: Equity Residential Properties Trust
Registration Statement on Form S-4
Registration No. 333-24653
-----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel to Wellsford Residential Property
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "Company"), and Equity
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"),
in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the issuance
by the Company of 13,095,727 common shares of beneficial interest, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Shares"), to its current common
shareholders, in connection with the merger (the "Merger") of EQR with and into
the Company, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 16,
1997, by and between the Company and EQR (the "Merger Agreement"), as described
in the above-referenced Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement"),
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Amended
Registration Statement.
In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis
for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
April 21, 1997
Page 2
to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Documents"):
1. The Registration Statement in the form in which it was
transmitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
April 4, 1997, including the related form of Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus")
included therein;
2. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Company,
certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland (the "SDAT");
3. The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of a recent date by its
Secretary;
4. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees, or a duly
authorized committee thereof, relating to (i) the sale and issuance of the
Shares and (ii) the approval of the Merger Agreement, certified as of a recent
date by the Secretary of the Company;
5. The Merger Agreement;
6. A certificate of the SDAT, as of a recent date, as to the good
standing of the Company;
7. A certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, dated the
date hereof;
8. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate to express the opinion set forth in this letter, subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed, and so far
as is known to us there are no facts inconsistent with, the following:
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
April 21, 1997
Page 3
1. Each of the parties (other than the Company and EQR) executing
any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the
Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party's obligations set
forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance
with all stated terms except as limited (a) by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws relating to or
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and (b) by general equitable
principles.
2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a
party (other than the Company and EQR) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf
of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. All
Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the
original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public
records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete.
All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete,
however, we have not relied upon such statements and information to the extent
that they constitute matters of Maryland law as to which we express an opinion
herein. There are no oral or written modifications or amendments to the
Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.
5. The Shares will be evidenced by certificates substantially in the
form of the certificates which currently evidence EQR's common shares of
beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share.
The phrase "known to us" is limited to the actual knowledge, without
independent inquiry, of the lawyers at our
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
April 21, 1997
Page 4
firm who have performed legal services in connection with the issuance of this
opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations
and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company is a real estate investment trust duly formed and
validly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is
in good standing with the SDAT.
2. The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when and if
issued in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the
Company authorizing their issuance and the Merger Agreement, will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State
of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.
We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws
(including the securities laws of the State of Maryland).
We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable
law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might
change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
This opinion is being furnished to you solely for your submission to
the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm in the section
entitled "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent,
we do not admit
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
April 21, 1997
Page 5
that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section
7 of the 1933 Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
C:\WPF\368903.001
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.1
April 21, 1997
Page 1
(312) 368-4000
April 21, 1997
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger with Wellsford Residential Property Trust
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to the federal income tax consequences of
the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford").
As provided and/or described in that certain Contribution, Distribution and
Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford and Wellsford Real Properties,
Inc. ("WRP Newco"), dated January 16, 1997 (the "Contribution Agreement"), and
the Registration Statement (defined below), immediately prior to the Merger (i)
Wellsford will contribute certain of its assets to WRP Newco, (ii) WRP Newco
will assume certain liabilities of Wellsford, and (iii) Wellsford will
distribute to the Wellsford Common Shareholders, pro rata, all of the
outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common owned by Wellsford (the "Distribution").
Immediately after the consummation of the Distribution, EQR will be merged, in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation
Law ("MGCL"), with and into Wellsford, with Wellsford as the surviving trust
(the "Surviving Trust"). As part of the Merger, Wellsford's
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
name will change to "Equity Residential Properties Trust." The Merger will be
voted upon, as required by law, by EQR shareholders and Wellsford shareholders
at special meetings.
The Merger will be consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of January 16, 1997, between EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger
Agreement"), and (ii) the Articles of Merger, by and between EQR and Wellsford,
entered into in connection therewith (the "Articles"). The Merger Agreement,
the Articles and the Contribution Agreement are collectively referred to herein
as the "Agreements."
The Merger, Distribution and the Agreements are more fully described in the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement (the "Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-24653), filed by EQR and Wellsford with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"). Terms not otherwise
defined in this letter shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Agreements and/or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
As of the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger: (i) each share of
Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into .625 shares of Survivor Common; (ii) each share of EQR Common
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into one
share of Survivor Common; (iii) each share of Wellsford Preferred will be
converted into one share of Survivor Preferred, having the same preferences and
other terms as the Wellsford Preferred previously outstanding of the same
series; and (iv) each share of EQR Preferred will be converted into one share of
Survivor Preferred, having the same preferences and other terms as the EQR
Preferred previously outstanding of the same series. No fractional shares of
Survivor Common will be issued in connection with the Merger. In lieu thereof,
holders of Wellsford Common will receive cash.
You have directed us to assume in preparing this opinion, and our opinion
is based on the understanding, that (i) the Merger and related
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
transactions will be consummated in accordance with the terms, conditions and
other provisions of the Agreements, and (ii) all of the factual information,
descriptions, representations and assumptions set forth in this letter, in the
Agreements, in the letter to us from EQR, dated April 21, 1997, in the form
attached as Exhibit A hereto, the letter to us from Wellsford, dated April 21,
1997, in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, and in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus are accurate and complete and will be accurate and complete
at the time of the Merger (the "Effective Date"). We have not independently
verified any factual matters relating to the Merger or the Distribution in
connection with or apart from our preparation of this opinion, and accordingly,
our opinion does not take into account any matters not set forth herein which
might have been disclosed by independent verification.
In connection with the rendering of this opinion, we have assumed or
obtained representation and are relying thereon (without any independent
investigation thereof) that:
1. Original documents (including signatures) are authentic, documents
submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents (which are
authentic), and there has been (or will be as of the Effective Time of the
Merger) due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and
delivery are prerequisites to effectiveness thereof;
2. Any representation or statement referred to above made "to the best of
knowledge" or otherwise similarly qualified is correct without such
verification; and
3. The Merger will be effective under applicable State law.
Based upon our review of the Agreements, the Joint Proxy Statement/
Prospectus and such other documents as we have deemed necessary and upon
representations made to us by EQR and certain beneficial owners of shares of EQR
Common, we are of the opinion that,
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
assuming the Merger and all other events occur as contemplated in the Agreements
and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, under the United States federal income
tax laws in effect on the date hereof:
(i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and EQR and Wellsford will each be a party to
such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
(ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by EQR as a result of the
Merger;
(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of EQR
upon the exchange of their EQR Common solely for Survivor Common pursuant
to the Merger;
(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of EQR
upon the exchange of their EQR Preferred solely for Survivor Preferred
pursuant to the Merger;
(v) the tax basis of the shares of Survivor Common received or deemed
to be received in exchange for shares of EQR Common pursuant to the Merger
will be the same as the tax basis of EQR Common exchanged therefore;
(vi) the tax basis of the shares of Survivor Preferred received or
deemed to be received in exchange for shares of EQR Preferred pursuant to
the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of EQR Preferred exchanged
therefore;
(vii) the holding period for shares of Survivor Common received in
exchange for shares of EQR Common pursuant to the Merger will include the
period that such shares of EQR Common were held by the holder, provided
such shares of EQR Common were held as capital assets by the holder at the
Effective Time;
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 5
(viii) the holding period for shares of Survivor Preferred received
in exchange for shares of EQR Preferred pursuant to the Merger will include
the period that such shares of EQR Preferred were held by the holder,
provided such shares of EQR Preferred were held as capital assets by the
holder at the Effective Time; and
(ix) the statement of federal income tax matters and consequences
described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the heading "The
Merger - Federal Income Tax Consequences," to the extent that it
constitutes matters of law or legal conclusions, is accurate in all
material respects.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the matters specifically discussed
herein, which are the only matters to which you have requested our opinion. We
do not address any other federal income tax consequences of the Merger or any
other matters of federal law and have not considered matters (including state or
local tax consequences) arising under the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the laws of the United States.
This opinion letter is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion
is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. This
opinion letter shall not be construed as or deemed to be a guaranty or insuring
agreement. You should be aware that an opinion of counsel represents only
counsel's best legal judgment, and has no binding effect or official status of
any kind, and that no assurance can be given that contrary positions ma not be
taken by the Internal Revenue Service or that a court considering the issues
would not hold otherwise.
This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof based on the law and facts
in existence on the date hereof, and we do not undertake, and hereby disclaim,
any obligation to advise you of any changes in law or fact, whether or not
material, which may be brought to our attention at a later date. In rendering
this opinion, we have assumed that there will be no change in the applicable
laws of the State of Maryland, or in the Code, the
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 6
regulations promulgated thereunder by the Treasury Department, and the
interpretations of the Code and such regulations by the courts and the Internal
Revenue Service, all as they are in effect and exist at the date of this letter.
With respect to the last assumption, it should be noted that statutes,
regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject
to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A
material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases
for our opinions could affect our conclusions. Moreover, if the facts vary from
those relied upon (including if any representations, warranties, covenants or
assumptions upon which we have relied are inaccurate, incomplete, breached or
ineffective), our opinion contained herein could be inapplicable.
We hereby consent to the references to our firm appearing in the
Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
This opinion is being delivered solely for the purpose of satisfying the
condition set forth in Section 6.2(e) of the Merger Agreement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Rudnick & Wolfe
RUDNICK & WOLFE
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
April 21, 1997
Rudnick & Wolfe Robinson, Silverman, Pearce,
203 North LaSalle Street Aronsohn & Berman, LLP
Suite 1800 1290 Avenue of the Americas
Chicago, Illinois 60601 New York, N.Y. 10104
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer's Certificate
----------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential Properties
Trust", pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement
(the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), and certain related
transactions, Rudnick & Wolfe, as counsel for EQR, and Robinson, Silverman,
Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP, as counsel for Wellsford, have each been
requested to render an opinion concerning certain federal income tax
consequences of the proposed merger (the "Merger") of EQR with and into
Wellsford. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms
have the meaning assigned to them in the Registration Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco") (the
"Contribution Agreement"), Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to
Newco in exchange for common stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock").
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute
such Newco Common Stock to the holders of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata,
as a distribution taxable under Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the
"Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR in connection therewith
(the "Plan of Merger").
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
EQR, on behalf of itself and ERP Operating Partnership, hereby makes the
following representations (intending that Rudnick & Wolfe and Robinson,
Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP will rely on such
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
representations in rendering their opinions), each of which will be true
as of the Effective Time of the Merger and thereafter, where relevant:
1. The Merger and Spin-off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
2. The fair market value of the Survivor Common received by each holder
of EQR Common will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the EQR
Common surrendered in the exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Survivor Preferred received by each
holder of EQR Preferred will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the EQR Preferred surrendered in the exchange.
4. To the best of the knowledge of the management of EQR, there is no plan
or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one percent or more of the EQR
Common, and there is no plan or intention on the part of the remaining
shareholders of EQR to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a number of
Survivor Common received in the Merger that would reduce the EQR shareholders'
ownership of Survivor Common to a number of shares having an aggregate value, as
of the Effective Date, of less than 50 percent of the value of all of the
formerly outstanding EQR Common as of the same date. For purposes of this
paragraph, EQR Common and Survivor Common held by their respective shareholders
and otherwise sold, redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the Merger
are taken into account for purposes of the calculations described in this
paragraph.
5. To the best of the knowledge of the management of EQR, there is no
plan or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one percent or more of any
class of EQR Preferred and there is no plan or intention on the part of the
remaining holders of any class of EQR Preferred to sell, exchange or otherwise
dispose of a number of Survivor Preferred received in the Merger that would
reduce the EQR shareholders' ownership of any class of Survivor Preferred to a
number of shares having an aggregate value, as of the Effective Date, of less
than 50 percent of the value of all of the outstanding EQR Preferred of such
class as of the same date. For purposes of this paragraph, EQR Preferred and
Survivor Preferred held by their respective shareholders and otherwise sold,
redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the Merger are taken into
account for purposes of the calculations described in this paragraph.
6. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the
Survivor Common or Survivor Preferred to be issued in the Merger.
7. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose
of any of the
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
assets of EQR acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the
ordinary course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C).
8. The liabilities of EQR assumed by Surviving Trust and the liabilities
to which the transferred assets of EQR are subject were incurred by EQR in the
ordinary course of its business.
9. Following the Merger, Surviving Trust will continue the historic
business of EQR and will use a significant portion of EQR's historic business
assets in a business.
10. Surviving Trust, EQR, and the shareholders of EQR will pay their
respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.
11. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
12. Although EQR is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), EQR is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
13. EQR is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar
case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
14. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
15. None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employee of EQR
will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of his or her EQR
Common or EQR Preferred. The compensation paid to any shareholder-employee of
EQR will be for services actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts
paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for similar services. None of
the Survivor Common or Survivor Preferred received by any shareholder-employee
of EQR will be in exchange for, or in consideration of, services rendered to
Surviving Trust, EQR or any other entity by such shareholder-employee.
16. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common is solely
for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to Surviving Trust of
issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in the Merger to
Wellsford shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Survivor Common will not
exceed one percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the Merger
to the Wellsford shareholders in exchange for their Wellsford Common. The
fractional share interests of each Wellsford shareholder will be aggregated, and
no Wellsford shareholder will receive cash in an
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
amount equal to or greater than the value of one full share of Survivor Common.
17. EQR has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland
real estate investment trust
By: /s/ Bruce C. Strohm
---------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce C. Strohm
--------------------------------------------
Its: Executive Vice President and General Counsel
--------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
Wellsford Residential Properties Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, Seventh Floor
New York, New York 10020
April 21, 1997
Robinson Silverman Pearce Rudnick & Wolfe
Aronsohn & Berman LLP 203 North LaSalle Street
1290 Avenue of the Americas Suite 1800
New York, New York 10104 Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer Certificate
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford" or the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named Equity
Residential Properties Trust, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
amended (the "Registration Statement"), and certain related transactions,
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP, as counsel to Wellsford, and
Rudnick & Wolfe, as counsel to EQR, have each been requested to render an
opinion concerning certain federal income tax consequences of the proposed
merger (the "Merger") of EQR with and into Wellsford. Unless otherwise
specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to
them in the Registration Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco"), (the
"Contribution Agreement"), Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to
Newco in exchange for common stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock").
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute
such Newco Common Stock to the holders of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata,
as a distribution taxable under Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the
"Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR in connection therewith
(the "Plan of Merger").
<PAGE>
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
Wellsford hereby makes the following representations (intending that Robinson
Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP and Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on such
representations in rendering their opinions), each of which will be true at the
Effective Time of the Merger and thereafter where relevant:
1. The Merger and Spin-Off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Registration Statement.
2. The fair market value of the Survivor Common received by each holder
of EQR Common Shares will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the
EQR Common surrendered in the exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Survivor Preferred received by each
holder of EQR Preferred will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the EQR Preferred surrendered in the exchange.
4. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to reacquire any of the Survivor Common or Survivor Trust Preferred to
be issued in the Merger.
5. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of EQR acquired in
the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or
transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C)./1/
6. To the knowledge of Wellsford, following the Merger, Surviving Trust
will continue the historic business of EQR and will use a significant portion of
EQR's historic business assets in a business.
7. Wellsford will pay separately its own expenses, if any, incurred in
connection with the Merger.
8. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
9. Although Wellsford is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), Wellsford is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
10. Wellsford is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or
similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
- --------------------
/1/ Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all Section references are to the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
-2-
<PAGE>
11. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
12. To the knowledge of Wellsford: (1) None of the compensation received
by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be separate consideration for, or
allocable to, any of his or her EQR Common or EQR Preferred, (2) the
compensation paid to any shareholder-employee of EQR will be for services
actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties
bargaining at arm's length for similar services, and (3) none of the Survivor
Common or Survivor Preferred received by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be
in exchange for, or in consideration of, services rendered to Surviving Trust,
EQR or any other entity by such shareholder-employee.
13. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common is solely
for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to Surviving Trust of
issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in the Merger to
Wellsford shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Survivor Common will not
exceed one percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the Merger
to the Wellsford shareholders in exchange for their Wellsford Common. The
fractional share interests of each Wellsford shareholder will be aggregated, and
no Wellsford shareholder will receive cash in an amount equal to or greater than
the value of one full share of Survivor Common.
14. Wellsford has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust
By: /s/ Gregory F. Hughes
Its: Chief Financial Officer
-3-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.2
April 21, 1997
Page 1
(312) 368-4000
April 21, 1997
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10020
Re: Tax Opinion for S-4 Registration Statement - REIT Status/Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
- --------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed merger of Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the
"Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential
Properties Trust", pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement (the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), you have
requested our opinion, as counsel to EQR, concerning: (i) the qualification and
taxation of EQR as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT") under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for the taxable years ending
December 31, 1993 through December 31, 1996; (ii) the qualification and taxation
of the Surviving Trust as a REIT under the Code subsequent to the Merger; and
(iii) the classification of the ERP Operating Partnership as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as contained in the Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
In connection with rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
originals (or copies identified to our satisfaction as true copies of the
originals) of the following documents (collectively, the "Reviewed Documents"):
(a) Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of ERP Operating
Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership, dated as of
September 30, 1995, as amended (the "Partnership Agreement");
(b) The Registration Statement; and
(c) Such other documents as may have been presented to us by EQR from time
to time.
In addition, we have relied upon (i) EQR's certificate, dated April 21,
1997 (the "EQR Officer's Certificate"), executed by a duly appointed officer of
EQR, in the form which is attched hereto as Exhibit A, setting forth certain
representations relating to the organization and operation of EQR and ERP
Operating Partnership before the Merger and the Surviving Trust and ERP
Operating Partnership subsequent to the Merger, and (ii) Wellsford's
certificate, dated April 21, 1997 (the "Wellsford Officer's Certificate"),
executed by a duly appointed officer of Wellsford, in the form which is attached
hereto as Exhibit B, setting forth certain representations relating to the
organization and operation of Wellsford before the Merger (collectively, the EQR
Officer's Certificate and Wellsford Officer's Certificate are referred to herein
as the "Officer Certificates"). For the purposes of our opinion, we have not
made an independent investigation of the facts set forth in the documents we
reviewed. We consequently have assumed that the information presented in such
documents or otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely describes all
material facts relevant to our opinion. In the course of our representation of
EQR, no information has come to our attention that would cause us to question
the accuracy or completeness of the
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
representations contained in the Officer Certificates or of the Reviewed
Documents in a material way.
In our review, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the
representations and statements set forth in the documents we reviewed are true
and correct, and all of the obligations imposed by any such documents on the
parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with
their terms. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the proper
execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies,
and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made.
In rendering these opinions, we have assumed that the transactions
contemplated by the Reviewed Documents will be consummated in accordance with
the terms and provisions of such documents, and that such documents accurately
reflect the material facts of such transactions. In addition, the opinions are
based on the correctness of the following specific assumptions: (i) prior to
the Merger, EQR, ERP Operating Partnership and Wellsford each have been operated
in the manner described in the Partnership Agreement or other organizational
documents of each such entity and in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and
all terms and provisions of such agreements and documents have been complied
with by all parties thereto; (ii) following the merger, the Surviving Trust and
the ERP Operating Partnership will each be operated in the manner described in
the Partnership Agreement or other organizational documents of each such entity
and in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and all terms and provisions of
such agreements and documents will be complied with by all parties thereto;
(iii) EQR and the Surviving Trust are each validly organized and duly formed
real estate investment trusts under the laws of the State of Maryland; and (iv)
there has been no change in the applicable laws of the State of Maryland, or in
the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Treasury Department, and
the interpretations of the Code and such regulations by the courts and the
Internal Revenue Service,
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
all as they are in effect and exist at the date of this letter. With respect to
the last assumption, it should be noted that statutes, regulations, judicial
decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time
and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is
made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinions could
affect our conclusions. Moreover, the qualification and taxation of each of EQR
and the Surviving Trust as a REIT depends upon its ability to meet, through
actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of share
ownership and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the
results of which will not be reviewed by the undersigned. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of EQR or the
Surviving Trust for any one taxable year will satisfy such requirements.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that:
(i) EQR was organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements
for qualification as a REIT under the Code for the taxable years ended
December 31, 1993 through December 31, 1996; and
(ii) assuming the Merger and all other events occur as contemplated in the
Agreements and the Registration Statement: (a) the Surviving Trust's
proposed method of operation, as described in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and as represented in the Officer Certificates,
will enable it to satisfy the requirements for qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code; and (b) the ERP Operating
Partnership will be classified as a partnership, and not as an
association taxable as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes
under Code Section 7701 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder.
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 5
Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue
relating to EQR, the Surviving Trust and ERP Operating Partnership, or to any
investment therein.
For a discussion relating the law to the facts and the legal analysis
underlying the opinion set forth in this letter, we incorporate by reference the
discussion of federal income tax issues, which we assisted in preparing, in the
section of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the heading "The Merger -
Federal Income Tax Consequences." We assume no obligation to advise you of any
changes in the foregoing subsequent to the date of this opinion letter, and we
are not undertaking to update the opinion letter from time to time.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. This opinion may be incorporated by reference in any
subsequent abbreviated registration statement of EQR or the Surviving Trust to
the extent such incorporation is permitted under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. This opinion letter has been prepared solely for your use in
connection with the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Rudnick & Wolfe
RUDNICK & WOLFE
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
April 21, 1997
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 North LaSalle Street
Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Status as a Real Estate Investment Trust/Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification - Officer Certificate
------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed merger of Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the
"Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential
Properties Trust", pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement (the "Joint Proxy Statement"), included in the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), we have requested your
opinion concerning (i) the qualification and taxation of EQR as a real estate
investment trust (a "REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), for the taxable years ending December 31, 1993 through December
31, 1996; (ii) the qualification and taxation of the Surviving Trust as a REIT
under the Code following the Merger; and (iii) the classification of ERP
Operating Partnership as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Unless
otherwise specifically defined
<PAGE>
herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the
Registration Statement.
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
EQR, the Surviving Trust and/or ERP Operating Partnership hereby make the
following representations (intending that Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on such
representations in rendering its opinion); all representations made by EQR and
ERP Operating Partnership are made for all periods of their
existence (or such other periods of time as may be specifically set forth
below), and all representations made by the Surviving Trust are made for all
periods after the Effective Time:
(1) EQR has operated in accordance with Title 8 of the Corporations and
Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland ("Title 8"),
and its declaration of trust and its bylaws, as amended, and from and
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Trust will take all measures
within its control to ensure that will operate in accordance with
Title 8, its declaration or Trust and its bylaws, as amended from time
to time.
(2) ERP Operating Partnership has operated in accordance with the Illinois
Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Act") and the Amended
and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of ERP Operating
Partnership, dated as of September 30, 1995, as amended (the
"Partnership Agreement"), and from and after the Effective Time, will
take all measures within its control to ensure that it continues to
operate in accordance with the Act and the Partnership Agreement.
(3) No interests in ERP Operating Partnership held by a general partner or
limited partner have ever been or will be traded on an established
securities market or "readily tradable on a secondary market (or the
substantial equivalent thereof" under Regulation Section 1.7704-1(c).
<PAGE>
(4) EQR made the election specified in Section 856(c) of the Code to be
classified as a REIT under the Code with respect to its taxable year
ending December 31, 1993, and has not taken any action to terminate or
revoke such election.
(5) EQR has and the Surviving Trust will be managed by one or more of its
trustees.
(6) Beneficial ownership in EQR has been, and beneficial ownership in the
Surviving Trust will be, evidenced by transferable shares.
(7) At no time during the last half of any taxable year of EQR have more
than 50% in value of EQR's outstanding beneficial interests been
owned, directly or indirectly, by or for five or fewer individuals as
determined by applying the attribution rules of Section 856(h) of the
Code.
(8) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that at no time during the last half of any taxable year ending
after the Effective Time, are more than 50% in value of EQR's
outstanding beneficial interests owned, directly or indirectly, by or
for five or fewer individuals as determined by applying the
attribution rules of Section 856(h) of the Code.
(9) Beneficial ownership in EQR was held by 100 or more persons during at
least 355 days for the taxable year ending December 31, 1993 (or
during a proportionate part of such taxable year if such taxable year
was less than twelve months) and for all periods thereafter. The
Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to ensure
that beneficial ownership in the Surviving Trust is held by 100 or
more persons at all times from and after the Effective Time.
<PAGE>
(10) At least 95% of the gross income derived by EQR in its taxable years
ending December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, consisted of (i)
amounts derived from rents of real property, including rents
attributable to personal property as described in representation (20)
below and including charges for services customarily furnished or
rendered in connection with the rental of real property, whether or
not such charges are separately stated, but excluding for such
purposes rents received from related parties as defined in Section
856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; (ii) interest; (iii) any gain realized upon
sale of all or a portion of real property; (iv) dividends; and (v)
amounts described in Section 856(c)(2)(D) through (H) of the Code.
(11) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that at least 95% of its gross income in any taxable year
ending after the Effective Time will consist of (i) amounts derived
from rental of the real property, including rents attributable to
personal property as described in representation (21) below and
including charges for services customarily furnished or rendered in
connection with the rental of real property, whether or not such
charges are separately stated, but excluding for such purposes rents
received from related parties as defined in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of
the Code; (ii) interest; (iii) any gain realized upon sale of all or a
portion of real property; (iv) dividends; and (v) amounts described in
Section 856(c)(2)(D) through (H) of the Code.
(12) At least 75% of the gross income derived by EQR in its taxable years
ending December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, consisted of (i)
amounts derived from rental of the real property, including rents
attributable to personal property as described in representation (20)
below and including charges for services customarily furnished or
rendered in connection
<PAGE>
with the rental of real property, whether or not such charges are
separately stated, but excluding for such purposes rents received from
related parties as defined in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; (ii)
interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on
interests in real property; (iii) any gain realized upon sale of all
or a portion of the real property; and (iv) amounts described in
Section 856(c)(3)(D) through (I) of the Code.
(13) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that at least 75% of its gross income derived in any taxable
year ending after the Effective Time will consist of (i) amounts
derived from rental of real property or properties acquired in the
future, including rents attributable to personal property as described
in representation (21) below and including charges for services
customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of
real property, whether or not such charges are separately stated, but
excluding for such purposes rents received from related parties as
defined in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; (ii) interest on
obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in
real property; (iii) any gain realized upon sale of all or a portion
of real property or properties acquired in the future; and (iv)
amounts described in Section 856(c)(3)(D) through (I) of the Code.
(14) Less than 30% of the gross income of EQR in its taxable years ending
December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was derived from (i) the sale
or other disposition of stock or securities held for less than one
year (including interest rate agreements described in Section
856(c)(6)(G) of the Code); (ii) the sale of property in a transaction
which is a prohibited transaction, as defined in Section
857(b)(6)(B)(iii) of the Code; and (iii) the sale of real property
(including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on
real property) held for less than four
<PAGE>
years other than property compulsorily or involuntarily converted
within the meaning of Section 1033 of the Code and property which is
foreclosure property within the definition of Section 856(e)(1) of the
Code.
(15) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that, in any taxable year ending after the Effective Time, less
than 30% of its gross income will be derived from (i) the sale or
other disposition of stock or securities held for less than one year
(including interest rate agreements described in Section 856(c)(6)(G)
of the Code); (ii) the sale of property in a transaction which is a
prohibited transaction, as defined in Section 857(b)(6)(B)(iii) of the
Code; and (iii) the sale of real property (including interests in real
property and interests in mortgages on real property) held for less
than four years other than property compulsorily or involuntarily
converted within the meaning of Section 1033 of the Code and property
which is foreclosure property within the definition of Section
856(e)(1) of the Code.
(16) Neither EQR nor the ERP Operating Partnership has entered into any
agreement or arrangement (and each has taken all measures within its
control to ensure that no entity classified as a partnership for
federal tax purposes in which either holds a direct or indirect
interest (a "Related Partnership"), has entered into any agreement or
arrangement in connection with the rental of real property under
which amounts payable to EQR, the ERP Operating Partnership or any
Related Partnership are dependent in whole or in part on the income or
profits derived from any tenant (or subtenant) of such properties
(except that such amounts may be based on a fixed percentage or
percentages of gross receipts or sales).
(17) From and after the Effective Time, neither the Surviving Trust nor the
ERP Operating Partnership will enter into any
<PAGE>
agreement or arrangement (and each will take all measures within its
control to ensure that no Related Partnership will enter into any
agreement or arrangement) in connection with the rental of real
property under which amounts payable to the Surviving Trust, the ERP
Operating Partnership or any Related Partnership will depend in whole
or in part on the income or profits derived from any tenant (or
subtenant) of such properties (except that such amounts may be based
on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales).
(18) Neither EQR nor the ERP Operating Partnership has rendered services
themselves or through the ERP Operating Partnership, a Related
Partnership, or any other affiliate in regard to a real property in
which EQR, directly or through the ERP Operating Partnership or a
Related Partnership, had an interest that is less than or equal to 50%
unless EQR (i) obtained either a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service or an opinion of counsel that the provision of such services
would not disqualify the income from such real property as rents from
real property or (ii) determined that, if the income from such real
property did not qualify as rents from real property, such income
(along with other nonqualifying income) would not cause EQR to fail to
meet the tests described in representations (10) and (12) above.
(19) Neither the Surviving Trust nor the ERP Operating Partnership will
render services themselves or through the ERP Operating Partnership, a
Related Partnership, or any other affiliate, in regard to a real
property or any real property acquired in the future in which the
Surviving Trust, directly or through the ERP Operating Partnership or
a Related Partnership, has an interest that is less than or equal to
50% unless the Surviving Trust (i) obtains either a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel that the provision
of such services will not disqualify the income from such real
<PAGE>
property as rents from real property or (ii) determines that, if the
income from such real property did not qualify as rents from real
property, such income (along with other nonqualifying income) would
not cause EQR to fail to meet the tests described in representations
(11) and (13) above.
(20) For the taxable years ending December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
(i) less than 15% of the rent received by EQR, the ERP Operating
Partnership or any Related Partnership in regard to each of the real
properties owned and/or leased by the ERP Operating Partnership or any
Related Partnership (the "Properties") was attributable to personal
property; and (ii) all personal property contained in the Properties
was leased under or in connection with a lease of the real property
contained in the Properties.
(21) The Surviving Trust and the ERP Operating Partnership expect that, and
each will take all measures within its control to ensure that, for any
taxable year ending after the Effective Time, (i) less than 15% of the
rent received by EQR, the ERP Operating Partnership or any Related
Partnership in regard to each of the Properties will be attributable
to personal property; and (ii) all personal property contained in the
Properties will be leased under or in connection with a lease of real
property contained in the Properties.
(22) For its taxable years ending December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
no more than a de minimis amount of rent received by EQR, the ERP
Operating Partnership or any Related Partnership for the Properties
was received or accrued directly or indirectly from any person in
which EQR owns (i) in the case of a corporation, 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote,
or 10% or more of the total number shares of all classes of stock; or
(ii) in the case of an entity other than a corporation, an interest of
<PAGE>
10% or more in the assets or net profits of such entity. For purposes
of this representation, ownership will be determined by taking into
account the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Code (as modified
by Section 856(d)(5)) of the Code).
(23) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that, for any of its taxable years ending after the effective
Time, no more than a de minimis amount of rent received by the
Surviving Trust, the ERP Operating Partnership or any Related
Partnership for the Properties will be received or accrued directly or
indirectly from any person in which the Surviving Trust owns (i) in
the case of a corporation, 10% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the
total number of shares of all classes of stock; or (ii) in the case of
an entity other than a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the
assets or net profits of such entity. For purposes of this
representation, ownership will be determined by taking into account
the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Code (as modified by
Section 856(d)(5) of the Code).
(24) Neither EQR, the Surviving Trust, the ERP Operating Partnership, nor
any Related Partnership has entered into or will enter into any
agreement or arrangement, other than an agreement or arrangement for
services customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the
rental of real property within the meaning of Treasury Regulation
(S)1.856-4(b)(1), pursuant to which (i) an entity that fails to
qualify as an "independent contractor" within the meaning of Section
856(d)(3) of the Code will furnish any services to tenants of the
Properties or (ii) EQR, the ERP Operating Partnership or a Related
Partnership derives any income from an entity providing services to
Property tenants that is required to qualify as an "independent
contractor."
<PAGE>
(25) At the close of each quarter during its existence, at least 75% of the
total value of EQR's assets consisted of real estate assets within the
meaning of Section 856(c)(6)(B) and (E) of the Code, cash and cash
items (including receivables described in Treasury Regulation
(S)1.856-2(d)(1)) and government securities, and not more than 25% of
the value of its assets was represented by securities (other than
government securities).
(26) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that, at the close of each quarter during each taxable year
ending after the Effective Time, at least 75% of the total value of
its assets will consist of real estate assets within the meaning of
Section 856(c)(6)(B) and (E) of the Code, cash and cash items
(including receivables described in Treasury Regulation (S)1.856-
2(d)(1)) and government securities, and not more than 25% of the value
of its assets was represented by securities (other than government
securities).
(27) At the close of each quarter during its existence, EQR has not owned
(either directly or indirectly through ERP Operating Partnership or
any Related Partnership or other affiliate) securities in any one
issuer having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the
total assets of EQR as determined in accordance with Section 1.856-
2(d)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
(28) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that, at the close of each quarter ending after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Trust does not own (either directly or indirectly
through ERP Operating Partnership or any Related Partnership or other
affiliate) securities in any one issuer having an aggregate value in
excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of EQR, as determined in
accordance with Section 1.856-2(d)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.
<PAGE>
(29) EQR has not owned (either directly or indirectly through the ERP
Operating Partnership or any Related Partnership or other affiliate)
any securities in any issuer representing in excess of 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, unless such issuer is a
qualified REIT subsidiary under Code Section 856(i).
(30) The Surviving Trust will take all measures within its control to
ensure that, at the close of each quarter ending after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Trust will not own (either directly, or
indirectly, through ERP Operating Partnership or any Related
Partnership or other affiliate) any securities in any issuer
representing in excess of 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, unless such issuer is a qualified REIT subsidiary under
Code Section 856(i).
(31) EQR, the ERP Operating Partnership and any Related Partnerships have
at all times during their existence held the Properties (and all other
assets) for investment purposes and not as (i) stock in trade or other
property of a kind which would properly be included in inventory if on
hand at the close of the taxable year, or (ii) property held primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business.
(32) The Surviving Trust, the ERP Operating Partnership and any Related
Partnerships will at all times after the Effective Time hold the
Properties (and all other assets) for investment purposes and not as
(i) stock in trade or other property of a kind which would properly be
included in inventory if on hand at the close of the taxable year, or
(ii) property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of its trade or business.
(33) In each taxable year since EQR's formation, the deduction for
dividends paid by EQR (as defined in Code Section 561, but without
regard to capital gain dividends, as defined in Code Section
857(b)(3)(C)) equalled or exceeded (i) the sum of (A)
<PAGE>
95% of EQR's real estate investment trust taxable income (as defined
in Code Section 857(b)(2), but without regard to the deduction for
dividends paid and excluding any net capital gain) and (B) 95% of the
excess of its net income from foreclosure property over the tax
imposed on such income by Code Section 857(b)(4)(A), minus (ii) any
excess noncash income (as defined in Code Section 857(e));
(34) EQR has and the Surviving Trust will continue to comply with the
record-keeping requirements described in Regulation Section 1.857,
including, but not limited to the requirement of mailing letters to
shareholders and requesting information on share ownership, as
required under Regulation Section 1.857-8.
(35) EQR has adopted a calendar year accounting period and has complied
with all requirements of Code Section 859, and from and after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Trust will adopt a calendar year
accounting period and will take all measures within its control to
comply with all requirements imposed by Code Section 859.
(36) Any representations herein as to the Properties will also be true with
respect to properties acquired by the EQR, ERP Operating Partnership
or any Related Partnership or other affiliate after the date hereof.
(37) None of the liabilities incurred by EQR, ERP Operating Partnership or
any Related Partnership during the two-year period immediately
preceding the date hereof were incurred in anticipation of any of the
transactions described in the Registration Statement.
(38) The undersigned is familiar with the requirements for qualification as
a REIT under the Code and believes that (i) EQR has satisfied such
requirements for all periods of its existence and (ii) the Surviving
Trust will satisfy such requirements for all periods after the
Effective Time.
<PAGE>
(39) The undersigned is a duly elected officer of EQR, and will be a duly
elected officer of the Surviving Trust as of the Effective Time. In
such capacity, the undersigned has access to relevant information
regarding each of the factual matters set forth above and has
consulted with other employees and officers of EQR and the ERP
Operating Partnership regarding such factual matters, none of whom
have disagreed in any respect with any of the representations set
forth above.
(40) EQR has advised you of any matter it has been advised by independent
legal counsel or accounting advisors or of which EQR or its employees
is aware that could, if adversely decided, adversely affect EQR's
ability to satisfy the requirement for continued taxation as a REIT
under the Code.
The foregoing is provided in connection with the preparation of your
opinion. We understand that your opinion will be premised on the basis that all
of the facts, representations and assumptions on which you are relying, whether
contained herein or elsewhere, are accurate and complete and will be accurate
and complete on the date the Registration Statement is filed.
Very truly yours,
Equity Residential Properties Trust
By: /s/ Bruce C. Strohm
-----------------------------
Name: Bruce C. Strohm
--------------------------
Its: Executive Vice President
and General Counsel
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
610 Fifth Avenue - 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
April 21, 1997
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
& Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
and
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 North LaSalle Street - Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Status as a Real Estate
Investment Trust
---------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed merger of Equity Residential
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential
Properties Trust", pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"), we have requested (i) an opinion from Robinson
Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP concerning the qualification and taxation
of Wellsford Residential Property Trust (the "Company") as a real estate
investment trust (a "REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), for the taxable years ending December 31, 1992 through December
31, 1996; and (ii) an opinion from Rudnick & Wolfe concerning the
<PAGE>
qualification and taxation of the Surviving Trust as a REIT under the Code
following the Merger. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the Registration
Statement.
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinions as described
above, the following representations are being made and it is intended that
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP and Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on
such representations in rendering their respective opinions.
In my capacity as the Vice President -- Chief Financial Officer of
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, I make the following representations:
1. That in such capacity, I have access to relevant information
regarding each of the factual matters set forth below;
2. That in such capacity, I have responsibility over appropriate
internal accounting procedures to assure satisfaction of the applicable tests
for qualification as a real estate investment trust;
3. That I have consulted with other employees and officers of the
Company regarding the factual matters set forth below and such persons have
agreed in all respects with the representations made below;
4. That the Company has filed an election to be taxed as a real
estate investment trust commencing with its tax return for the period ended
December 31, 1992; that the Company has not taken, and will not take, any action
to terminate or revoke such election; and that the Company has received no
notification formally or informally from the Internal Revenue Service or any
other person that such election may not be valid or has been revoked or
withdrawn in any respect;
5. That I am familiar with the requirements for qualification as a
real estate investment trust under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and that all such requirements have been
satisfied for all periods of the Company's existence; I believe that such
requirements will continue to be satisfied
<PAGE>
in the period ending December 31, 1997 or such earlier date that the Company
merges with Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust (such period hereafter "the remainder of the taxable year
1997,"); I have exercised ordinary business care and prudence to attempt to
satisfy such requirements; and I have advised Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
& Berman LLP of any matter of which I am aware that could cause concern as to
whether those qualifications have been satisfied;
6. That the Company has qualified under the 95%, 75%, and 30% income
tests (within the meaning of Code Sections 856(c)(2), (3) and (4)) for all
periods of the Company's existence; that the 75%, 25%, 10% and 5% asset tests
(within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(5)) have been met at the close of
each quarter of the Company's existence; and I have no reason to believe that
such tests will not continue to be met for the remainder of the taxable year
1997;
7. That the Company's interest income was of a nature that did not
cause the Company to fail the 75% or the 95% income tests;
8. That with respect to properties the Company owns directly and
leases:
a. In no event is more than 15% of the total rent received or
accrued under any individual lease attributable to personal property;
b. The Company is not required under any of its leases to
provide services to any tenant other than services that would be considered
customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of real
property, such as the furnishing of water, heat, lights, trash collection and
maintenance of common areas;
c. No amount of rent received under any lease is based on the
income or profits of the tenant or any subtenant;
d. No amount of rental is received from any person in which the
Company owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power
<PAGE>
of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total number of
shares of all classes of stock of the tenant;
9. That the Company has not recognized income with respect to the
sale or disposition of property during its taxable years ended December 31, 1992
through 1996, or at any time through the date hereof, that would be considered
gain related to property that would be considered stock in trade or inventory of
the Company or property held primarily for sale to customers;
10. That during the taxable years ended December 31, 1992 through
December 31, 1996, and through the date hereof, the Company did not provide any
managerial or operational functions with respect to its properties other than
those services that a REIT may provide without using an independent contractor;
11. That the Company has complied with the requirements of Code
Section 857(a)(2) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.857-8 and the Company
intends to continue to comply with such requirements;
12. That at all times since the Company's existence through the date
hereof (and specifically on each record date for the payment of dividends during
such period): (a) the Company has had more than 100 shareholders of record; and
(b) at all times during the last half of each taxable year during the Company's
existence more than 50% in value of the Company's outstanding shares were not
owned, directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Code Section 544, as
modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)), by or for five or fewer individuals. For
that purpose, a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan (as
described in Code Section 501(c)(17), a private foundation (as described in Code
Section 509(a)), or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or to be used
exclusively for charitable purposes (as described in Code Section 642(c)) is
considered an individual. However, for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1993, stock held by a trust described in Code Section 401(a) and exempt from
tax under Code Section 501(a) (a "Qualified Trust") generally is treated as held
directly by the Qualified Trust's beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial
interests in the Qualified Trust;
<PAGE>
13. That for the period ended December 31, 1992 through the date
hereof, the Company has complied with the requirements of Code Section 859 and
has adopted a calendar year accounting period;
14. The Company and the plan administrator under the Company's
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (the "Plan") have administered the
Plan in accordance with the terms of the prospectus for the Plan dated April 13,
1995 throughout the period during which the Plan has been in existence;
15. In each taxable year since the Company's formation, the deduction
for dividends paid by the Company (as defined in Code Section 561, but without
regard to capital gain dividends, as defined in Code Section 857(b)(3)(C))
equalled or exceeded (i) the sum of (A) 95% of the Company's real estate
investment trust taxable income (as defined in Code Section 857(b)(2), but
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital
gain) and (B) 95% of the excess of its net income from foreclosure property over
the tax imposed on such income by Code Section 857(b)(4)(A), minus (ii) any
excess noncash income (as defined in Code Section 857(e));
16. That the Company has filed timely tax returns in each year of its
existence and has not included any information in such returns due to fraud with
an intent to evade taxes;
17. That the description of the Company, its properties and its
method of operation contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 is accurate and complete in all material
respects;
18. I have advised you of any matter the Company has been advised by
independent legal or accounting advisors or of which the Company or its
employees is aware that could, if adversely decided, adversely affect the
Company's ability to satisfy the requirement for continued taxation as a real
estate investment trust; and
19. Through the remainder of the taxable year 1997, the Company has
operated and will continue to operate in such a manner to continue to satisfy
the representations described above as though the
<PAGE>
relevant time periods to which those representations pertain included the
remainder of the taxable year 1997.
* * *
The foregoing representations are provided (i) to Robinson Silverman Pearce
Aronsohn & Berman LLP in connection with rendering an opinion regarding the
qualification of the Company as a real estate investment trust under the Code
for the taxable years ending December 31, 1992 through December 31, 1996, and
(ii) Rudnick & Wolfe in connection with rendering an opinion regarding the
qualification of the Surviving Trust as a real estate investment trust under the
Code, and may not be relied upon for any other purpose or by any other party. I
understand that such opinions are limited to the factual matters revealed
pursuant hereto and on schedules and other materials provided to them and that
to the extent required, I have asked questions of the appropriate individuals to
confirm the foregoing answers, and to the best of my knowledge and belief such
answers are true, correct and complete and in no way are misleading.
Very truly yours,
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
By: /s/ Gregory F. Hughes
-------------------------------
Gregory F. Hughes,
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.3
April 21, 1997
Wellsford Residential Property Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger
----------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to certain federal income tax
consequences of the proposed merger (the "Merger") of Equity Residential
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford").
As provided and/or described in that certain Contribution,
Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford and Wellsford
Real Properties, Inc. ("WRP Newco"), dated January 16, 1997 (the "Contribution
Agreement"), and the Registration Statement (defined below), immediately prior
to the Merger (i) Wellsford will contribute certain of its assets to WRP Newco,
(ii) WRP Newco will assume certain liabilities of Wellsford, and (iii) Wellsford
will distribute to the Wellsford Common Shareholders, pro rata, all of the
outstanding shares of WRP Newco Common owned by Wellsford (the "Distribution").
Immediately after the consummation of the Distribution, EQR will be merged, in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation
Law ("MGCL"), with and into Wellsford, with Wellsford as the surviving trust
(the "Surviving Trust"). As part of the Merger, Wellsford's name will change to
"Equity Residential Properties Trust." The Merger
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
will be voted upon, as required by law, by EQR shareholders and Wellsford
shareholders at special meetings.
The Merger will be consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of January 16, 1997, between EQR and Wellsford (the "Merger
Agreement"), and (ii) the Articles of Merger in connection therewith, by and
between EQR and Wellsford (the "Articles"). The Merger Agreement, the Articles
and the Contribution Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the
"Agreements."
The Merger, Distribution and the Agreements are more fully described
in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/ Information Statement (the "Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-24653), filed by EQR and Wellsford with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"). Terms not otherwise
defined in this letter shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Agreements and/or the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
As of the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger: (i) each share
of Wellsford Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into .625 shares of Survivor Common; (ii) each share of EQR Common
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into one
share of Survivor Common; and (iii) each share of Wellsford Preferred will be
converted into one share of Survivor Preferred, having the same preferences and
other terms as the Wellsford Preferred previously outstanding of the same
series; and (iv) each share of EQR Preferred will be converted into one share of
Survivor Preferred, having the same preferences and other terms as the EQR
Preferred previously outstanding of the same series. No fractional shares of
Survivor Common will be issued in connection with the Merger. In lieu thereof,
holders of Wellsford Common will receive cash.
You have directed us to assume in preparing this opinion, and our
opinion is based on the understanding, that (i) the Merger and related
transactions will be consummated in accordance with the terms,
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
conditions and other provisions of the Agreements, and (ii) all of the factual
information, descriptions, representations and assumptions set forth in this
letter, in the Agreements, in the letter to us from EQR, dated April 21, 1997,
in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, in the letter to us from Wellsford,
dated April 21, 1997, in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, and in the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus are accurate and complete and will be accurate and
complete at the time of the Merger (the "Effective Date"). We have not
independently verified any factual matters relating to the Merger or the
Distribution in connection with or apart from our preparation of this opinion,
and accordingly, our opinion does not take into account any matters not set
forth herein which might have been disclosed by independent verification.
In connection with rendering this opinion, we have assumed or obtained
representations and are relying thereon (without any independent investigation
or review thereof) that:
1. Original documents (including signatures) are authentic,
documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents (which are
authentic), and there has been (or will be by the Effective Time of the Merger)
due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are
prerequisites to effectiveness thereof;
2. Any representation or statement referred to above made "to the
best of knowledge" or otherwise similarly qualified is correct without such
qualification; and
3. The Merger will be effective under State law.
Based upon our review of the Agreements, the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and such other documents as we have deemed necessary and
upon representations made to us by EQR and Wellsford, we are of the opinion
that, assuming the Merger and all other events occur as contemplated in the
Agreements and the Joint Proxy
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
Statement/Prospectus, under the United States federal income tax laws in
effect on the date hereof:
(i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and EQR and Wellsford will each be a
party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the
Code;
(ii) no gain or less will be recognized by Wellsford as a result
of the Merger;
(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of
Wellsford upon the exchange of their Wellsford Common solely for Survivor
Common pursuant to the Merger;
(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of
Wellsford upon the exchange of their Wellsford Preferred solely for
Survivor Preferred pursuant to the Merger;
(v) the tax basis of the shares of Survivor Common received or
deemed to be received in exchange for shares of Wellsford Common pursuant
to the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of Wellsford Common
exchanged therefor;
(vi) the tax basis of the shares of Survivor Preferred received or
deemed to be received in exchange for shares of Wellsford Preferred
pursuant to the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of Wellsford
Preferred exchanged therefor;
(vii) the holding period for shares of Survivor Common and
Survivor Preferred received in exchange for shares of Wellsford Common and
Wellsford Preferred, respectively, pursuant to the Merger will include the
period that such shares of Wellsford Common and Wellsford Preferred,
respectively, were held by the holder, provided such shares of Wellsford
Common and Wellsford Preferred were held as capital assets by the holder at
the Effective Time;
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 5
(viii) a shareholder of Wellsford Common who receives cash in lieu
of a fractional share of Wellsford Common pursuant to the Merger will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between such
shareholder's basis in the fractional share and the amount of cash
received; and
(ix) the statement of federal income tax matters and consequences
described in the Joint Proxy Statement/ Prospectus under the heading "The
Merger-Federal Income Tax Consequences," to the extent that it constitutes
matters of law or legal conclusions, is accurate in all material respects.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the matters specifically discussed
herein, which are the only matters to which you have requested our opinion. We
do not address any other federal income tax consequences of the Merger or any
other matters of federal law and have not considered matters (including state or
local tax consequences) arising under the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the laws of the United States.
This opinion letter is limited to the matters stated herein and no
opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated
herein. This opinion letter shall not be construed as or deemed to be a guaranty
or insuring agreement. You should be aware that an opinion of counsel represents
only counsel's best legal judgment, and has no binding effect or official status
of any kind, and that no assurance can be given that contrary positions may not
be taken by the Internal Revenue Service or that a court considering the issues
would not hold otherwise.
This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof based on the law and
facts in existence on the date hereof, and we do not undertake, and hereby
disclaim, any obligations to advise you of any changes in law or fact, whether
or not material, which may be brought to our attention at a later date. In
rendering this opinion, we have assumed that there will be no change in the
applicable laws of the State of Maryland, or in the Code, the regulations
promulgated thereunder by the Treasury Department, and
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 6
the interpretations of the Code and such regulations by the courts and the
Internal Revenue Service, all as they are in effect and exist at the date of
this letter. With respect to the last assumption, it should be noted that
statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations
are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive
effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the
foregoing bases for our opinions could affect our conclusions. Moreover, if the
facts vary from those relied upon (including if any representations, covenants,
warranty or assumption upon which we have relied is inaccurate, incomplete,
breached or ineffective), our opinion contained herein could be inapplicable.
We hereby consent to the references to our firm appearing in the
Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
This opinion is being delivered solely for the purpose of satisfying
the condition set forth in Section 6.3(f) of the Merger Agreement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
April 21, 1997
Rudnick & Wolfe Robinson, Silverman, Pearce,
203 North LaSalle Street Aronsohn & Berman, LLP
Suite 1800 1290 Avenue of the Americas
Chicago, Illinois 60601 New York, N.Y. 10104
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer's Certificate
----------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential Properties
Trust", pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information Statement
(the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), and certain related
transactions, Rudnick & Wolfe, as counsel for EQR, and Robinson, Silverman,
Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP, as counsel for Wellsford, have each been
requested to render an opinion concerning certain federal income tax
consequences of the proposed merger (the "Merger") of EQR with and into
Wellsford. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms
have the meaning assigned to them in the Registration Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco") (the
"Contribution Agreement"), Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to
Newco in exchange for common stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock").
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute
such Newco Common Stock to the holders of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata,
as a distribution taxable under Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the
"Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR in connection therewith
(the "Plan of Merger").
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
EQR, on behalf of itself and ERP Operating Partnership, hereby makes the
following representations (intending that Rudnick & Wolfe and Robinson,
Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn & Berman, LLP will rely on such
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
representations in rendering their opinions), each of which will be true
as of the Effective Time of the Merger and thereafter, where relevant:
1. The Merger and Spin-off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
2. The fair market value of the Survivor Common received by each holder
of EQR Common will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the EQR
Common surrendered in the exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Survivor Preferred received by each
holder of EQR Preferred will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the EQR Preferred surrendered in the exchange.
4. To the best of the knowledge of the management of EQR, there is no plan
or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one percent or more of the EQR
Common, and there is no plan or intention on the part of the remaining
shareholders of EQR to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a number of
Survivor Common received in the Merger that would reduce the EQR shareholders'
ownership of Survivor Common to a number of shares having an aggregate value, as
of the Effective Date, of less than 50 percent of the value of all of the
formerly outstanding EQR Common as of the same date. For purposes of this
paragraph, EQR Common and Survivor Common held by their respective shareholders
and otherwise sold, redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the Merger
are taken into account for purposes of the calculations described in this
paragraph.
5. To the best of the knowledge of the management of EQR, there is no
plan or intention by the shareholders of EQR who own one percent or more of any
class of EQR Preferred and there is no plan or intention on the part of the
remaining holders of any class of EQR Preferred to sell, exchange or otherwise
dispose of a number of Survivor Preferred received in the Merger that would
reduce the EQR shareholders' ownership of any class of Survivor Preferred to a
number of shares having an aggregate value, as of the Effective Date, of less
than 50 percent of the value of all of the outstanding EQR Preferred of such
class as of the same date. For purposes of this paragraph, EQR Preferred and
Survivor Preferred held by their respective shareholders and otherwise sold,
redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the Merger are taken into
account for purposes of the calculations described in this paragraph.
6. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the
Survivor Common or Survivor Preferred to be issued in the Merger.
7. Surviving Trust has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose
of any of the
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
assets of EQR acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the
ordinary course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C).
8. The liabilities of EQR assumed by Surviving Trust and the liabilities
to which the transferred assets of EQR are subject were incurred by EQR in the
ordinary course of its business.
9. Following the Merger, Surviving Trust will continue the historic
business of EQR and will use a significant portion of EQR's historic business
assets in a business.
10. Surviving Trust, EQR, and the shareholders of EQR will pay their
respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.
11. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
12. Although EQR is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), EQR is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
13. EQR is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar
case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
14. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
15. None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employee of EQR
will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of his or her EQR
Common or EQR Preferred. The compensation paid to any shareholder-employee of
EQR will be for services actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts
paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for similar services. None of
the Survivor Common or Survivor Preferred received by any shareholder-employee
of EQR will be in exchange for, or in consideration of, services rendered to
Surviving Trust, EQR or any other entity by such shareholder-employee.
16. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common is solely
for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to Surviving Trust of
issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in the Merger to
Wellsford shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Survivor Common will not
exceed one percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the Merger
to the Wellsford shareholders in exchange for their Wellsford Common. The
fractional share interests of each Wellsford shareholder will be aggregated, and
no Wellsford shareholder will receive cash in an
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
amount equal to or greater than the value of one full share of Survivor Common.
17. EQR has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland
real estate investment trust
By: /s/ Bruce C. Strohm
---------------------------------------------
Name: Bruce C. Strohm
--------------------------------------------
Its: Executive Vice President and General Counsel
--------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
Wellsford Residential Properties Trust
610 Fifth Avenue, Seventh Floor
New York, New York 10020
April 21, 1997
Robinson Silverman Pearce Rudnick & Wolfe
Aronsohn & Berman LLP 203 North LaSalle Street
1290 Avenue of the Americas Suite 1800
New York, New York 10104 Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Merger - Officer Certificate
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the merger of Equity Residential Properties Trust, a
Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
("Wellsford" or the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named Equity
Residential Properties Trust, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
amended (the "Registration Statement"), and certain related transactions,
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP, as counsel to Wellsford, and
Rudnick & Wolfe, as counsel to EQR, have each been requested to render an
opinion concerning certain federal income tax consequences of the proposed
merger (the "Merger") of EQR with and into Wellsford. Unless otherwise
specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to
them in the Registration Statement.
Prior to the consummation of the Merger, and pursuant to that certain
Contribution, Distribution and Assumption Agreement, by and between Wellsford
and Wellsford Real Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Newco"), (the
"Contribution Agreement"), Wellsford shall contribute certain of its assets to
Newco in exchange for common stock of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock").
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, Wellsford shall distribute
such Newco Common Stock to the holders of the Wellsford Common Shares, pro-rata,
as a distribution taxable under Section 301 of the Code (collectively, the
"Spin-Off").
Immediately after the consummation of the Spin-Off, the Merger will be
consummated pursuant to (i) an Agreement of Merger, by and between Wellsford and
EQR, dated as of January 16, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), and (ii) the
Articles of Merger, by and between Wellsford and EQR in connection therewith
(the "Plan of Merger").
<PAGE>
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinion as described above,
Wellsford hereby makes the following representations (intending that Robinson
Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP and Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on such
representations in rendering their opinions), each of which will be true at the
Effective Time of the Merger and thereafter where relevant:
1. The Merger and Spin-Off are being effected for bona fide business
reasons as described in the Registration Statement.
2. The fair market value of the Survivor Common received by each holder
of EQR Common Shares will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the
EQR Common surrendered in the exchange.
3. The fair market value of the Survivor Preferred received by each
holder of EQR Preferred will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the EQR Preferred surrendered in the exchange.
4. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to reacquire any of the Survivor Common or Survivor Trust Preferred to
be issued in the Merger.
5. To the knowledge of Wellsford, Surviving Trust has no plan or
intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of EQR acquired in
the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or
transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C)./1/
6. To the knowledge of Wellsford, following the Merger, Surviving Trust
will continue the historic business of EQR and will use a significant portion of
EQR's historic business assets in a business.
7. Wellsford will pay separately its own expenses, if any, incurred in
connection with the Merger.
8. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between EQR and
Wellsford that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
9. Although Wellsford is an "investment company," as defined in Sections
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv), Wellsford is also a real estate investment trust, as
defined in Section 856(a).
10. Wellsford is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or
similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A).
- --------------------
/1/ Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all Section references are to the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
-2-
<PAGE>
11. The fair market value of the assets of EQR transferred to Surviving
Trust will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities of EQR assumed by
Surviving Trust plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
assets are subject.
12. To the knowledge of Wellsford: (1) None of the compensation received
by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be separate consideration for, or
allocable to, any of his or her EQR Common or EQR Preferred, (2) the
compensation paid to any shareholder-employee of EQR will be for services
actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties
bargaining at arm's length for similar services, and (3) none of the Survivor
Common or Survivor Preferred received by any shareholder-employee of EQR will be
in exchange for, or in consideration of, services rendered to Surviving Trust,
EQR or any other entity by such shareholder-employee.
13. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional Survivor Common is solely
for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to Surviving Trust of
issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained-for
consideration. The total cash consideration that will be paid in the Merger to
Wellsford shareholders in lieu of issuing fractional Survivor Common will not
exceed one percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the Merger
to the Wellsford shareholders in exchange for their Wellsford Common. The
fractional share interests of each Wellsford shareholder will be aggregated, and
no Wellsford shareholder will receive cash in an amount equal to or greater than
the value of one full share of Survivor Common.
14. Wellsford has the corporate power and authority to make all of the
representations contained herein.
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust
By: /s/ Gregory F. Hughes
Its: Chief Financial Officer
-3-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8.4
April 21, 1997
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Re: Tax Opinion for S-4 Registration Statement - REIT Status
--------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed merger of Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into Wellsford
Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("Wellsford"
or the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential
Properties Trust", pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus/Information
Statement (the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), included in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-24653), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), you have
requested our opinion, as counsel to Wellsford, concerning the qualification and
taxation of Wellsford as a real estate investment trust (a "REIT") under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for the taxable years
ending December 31, 1992 through December 31, 1996. Unless otherwise
specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to
them in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
In connection with rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
originals (or copies identified to our satisfaction as true copies of the
originals) of the following documents (collectively, the "Reviewed Documents");
(a) The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus; and
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 2
(b) Such other documents as may have been presented to us by Wellsford
from time to time.
In addition, we have relied upon Wellsford's certificate, dated April 21,
1997 (the "Officer's Certificate"), executed by a duly appointed officer of
Wellsford, in the form which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, setting forth
certain representations relating to the organization and operation of Wellsford
before the Merger. For the purposes of our opinion, we have not made an
independent investigation of the facts set forth in the documents we reviewed.
We consequently have assumed that the information presented in such documents or
otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely describes all material facts
relevant to our opinion. In the course of our representation of Wellsford, no
information has come to our attention that would cause us to question the
accuracy or completeness of the representations contained in the Officer's
Certificate or of the Reviewed Documents in a material way.
In our review, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the
representations and statements set forth in the documents we reviewed are true
and correct, and all of the obligations imposed by any such documents on the
parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with
their terms. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the proper
execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies,
and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the transactions
contemplated by the Reviewed Documents will be consummated in accordance with
the terms and provisions of such documents, and that such documents accurately
reflect the material facts of such transactions. In addition, the opinions are
based on the correctness of the following specific assumptions: (i) prior to
the Merger, Wellsford has been operated in the manner described in the
organizational documents and in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and all
terms and provisions of
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 3
such agreements and documents have been complied with by all parties thereto;
(ii) Wellsford and the Surviving Trust are validly organized and duly formed
real estate investment trusts under the laws of the State of Maryland; and (iii)
there will be no change in the applicable laws of the State of Maryland, or in
the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Treasury Department, and
the interpretations of the Code and such regulations by the courts and the
Internal Revenue Service, all as they are in effect and exist at the date of
this letter. With respect to the last assumption, it should be noted that
statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations
are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive
effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the
foregoing bases for our opinions could affect our conclusions. Moreover, the
qualification and taxation of Wellsford as a REIT depends upon its ability to
meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity
of share ownership and the various disqualification tests imposed under the
Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by the undersigned. Accordingly,
no assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of Wellsford
for any one taxable year will satisfy such requirements.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that Wellsford
was organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification as a REIT under the Code for the taxable years ended December 31,
1992 through December 31, 1996.
Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue
relating to Wellsford and the Surviving Trust or to any investment therein.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing
subsequent to the date of this opinion letter, and we are not undertaking to
update the opinion letter from time to time.
<PAGE>
April 21, 1997
Page 4
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. This opinion letter is being delivered solely for the
purposes of satisfying the condition set forth in Section 6.2(d) of the Merger
Agreement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
610 Fifth Avenue - 7th Floor
New York, New York 10020
April 21, 1997
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
& Berman LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
and
Rudnick & Wolfe
203 North LaSalle Street - Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Tax Opinion for Status as a Real Estate
Investment Trust
---------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed merger of Equity Residential
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("EQR"), with and into
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Surviving Trust"), which shall thereafter be named "Equity Residential
Properties Trust", pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.
333-24653), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"), we have requested (i) an opinion from Robinson
Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP concerning the qualification and taxation
of Wellsford Residential Property Trust (the "Company") as a real estate
investment trust (a "REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), for the taxable years ending December 31, 1992 through December
31, 1996; and (ii) an opinion from Rudnick & Wolfe concerning the
<PAGE>
qualification and taxation of the Surviving Trust as a REIT under the Code
following the Merger. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them in the Registration
Statement.
In connection with the issuance of your legal opinions as described
above, the following representations are being made and it is intended that
Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman LLP and Rudnick & Wolfe will rely on
such representations in rendering their respective opinions.
In my capacity as the Vice President -- Chief Financial Officer of
Wellsford Residential Property Trust, I make the following representations:
1. That in such capacity, I have access to relevant information
regarding each of the factual matters set forth below;
2. That in such capacity, I have responsibility over appropriate
internal accounting procedures to assure satisfaction of the applicable tests
for qualification as a real estate investment trust;
3. That I have consulted with other employees and officers of the
Company regarding the factual matters set forth below and such persons have
agreed in all respects with the representations made below;
4. That the Company has filed an election to be taxed as a real
estate investment trust commencing with its tax return for the period ended
December 31, 1992; that the Company has not taken, and will not take, any action
to terminate or revoke such election; and that the Company has received no
notification formally or informally from the Internal Revenue Service or any
other person that such election may not be valid or has been revoked or
withdrawn in any respect;
5. That I am familiar with the requirements for qualification as a
real estate investment trust under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and that all such requirements have been
satisfied for all periods of the Company's existence; I believe that such
requirements will continue to be satisfied
<PAGE>
in the period ending December 31, 1997 or such earlier date that the Company
merges with Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate
investment trust (such period hereafter "the remainder of the taxable year
1997,"); I have exercised ordinary business care and prudence to attempt to
satisfy such requirements; and I have advised Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn
& Berman LLP of any matter of which I am aware that could cause concern as to
whether those qualifications have been satisfied;
6. That the Company has qualified under the 95%, 75%, and 30% income
tests (within the meaning of Code Sections 856(c)(2), (3) and (4)) for all
periods of the Company's existence; that the 75%, 25%, 10% and 5% asset tests
(within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(5)) have been met at the close of
each quarter of the Company's existence; and I have no reason to believe that
such tests will not continue to be met for the remainder of the taxable year
1997;
7. That the Company's interest income was of a nature that did not
cause the Company to fail the 75% or the 95% income tests;
8. That with respect to properties the Company owns directly and
leases:
a. In no event is more than 15% of the total rent received or
accrued under any individual lease attributable to personal property;
b. The Company is not required under any of its leases to
provide services to any tenant other than services that would be considered
customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of real
property, such as the furnishing of water, heat, lights, trash collection and
maintenance of common areas;
c. No amount of rent received under any lease is based on the
income or profits of the tenant or any subtenant;
d. No amount of rental is received from any person in which the
Company owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power
<PAGE>
of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total number of
shares of all classes of stock of the tenant;
9. That the Company has not recognized income with respect to the
sale or disposition of property during its taxable years ended December 31, 1992
through 1996, or at any time through the date hereof, that would be considered
gain related to property that would be considered stock in trade or inventory of
the Company or property held primarily for sale to customers;
10. That during the taxable years ended December 31, 1992 through
December 31, 1996, and through the date hereof, the Company did not provide any
managerial or operational functions with respect to its properties other than
those services that a REIT may provide without using an independent contractor;
11. That the Company has complied with the requirements of Code
Section 857(a)(2) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.857-8 and the Company
intends to continue to comply with such requirements;
12. That at all times since the Company's existence through the date
hereof (and specifically on each record date for the payment of dividends during
such period): (a) the Company has had more than 100 shareholders of record; and
(b) at all times during the last half of each taxable year during the Company's
existence more than 50% in value of the Company's outstanding shares were not
owned, directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Code Section 544, as
modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)), by or for five or fewer individuals. For
that purpose, a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan (as
described in Code Section 501(c)(17), a private foundation (as described in Code
Section 509(a)), or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or to be used
exclusively for charitable purposes (as described in Code Section 642(c)) is
considered an individual. However, for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1993, stock held by a trust described in Code Section 401(a) and exempt from
tax under Code Section 501(a) (a "Qualified Trust") generally is treated as held
directly by the Qualified Trust's beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial
interests in the Qualified Trust;
<PAGE>
13. That for the period ended December 31, 1992 through the date
hereof, the Company has complied with the requirements of Code Section 859 and
has adopted a calendar year accounting period;
14. The Company and the plan administrator under the Company's
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (the "Plan") have administered the
Plan in accordance with the terms of the prospectus for the Plan dated April 13,
1995 throughout the period during which the Plan has been in existence;
15. In each taxable year since the Company's formation, the deduction
for dividends paid by the Company (as defined in Code Section 561, but without
regard to capital gain dividends, as defined in Code Section 857(b)(3)(C))
equalled or exceeded (i) the sum of (A) 95% of the Company's real estate
investment trust taxable income (as defined in Code Section 857(b)(2), but
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital
gain) and (B) 95% of the excess of its net income from foreclosure property over
the tax imposed on such income by Code Section 857(b)(4)(A), minus (ii) any
excess noncash income (as defined in Code Section 857(e));
16. That the Company has filed timely tax returns in each year of its
existence and has not included any information in such returns due to fraud with
an intent to evade taxes;
17. That the description of the Company, its properties and its
method of operation contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 is accurate and complete in all material
respects;
18. I have advised you of any matter the Company has been advised by
independent legal or accounting advisors or of which the Company or its
employees is aware that could, if adversely decided, adversely affect the
Company's ability to satisfy the requirement for continued taxation as a real
estate investment trust; and
19. Through the remainder of the taxable year 1997, the Company has
operated and will continue to operate in such a manner to continue to satisfy
the representations described above as though the
<PAGE>
relevant time periods to which those representations pertain included the
remainder of the taxable year 1997.
* * *
The foregoing representations are provided (i) to Robinson Silverman Pearce
Aronsohn & Berman LLP in connection with rendering an opinion regarding the
qualification of the Company as a real estate investment trust under the Code
for the taxable years ending December 31, 1992 through December 31, 1996, and
(ii) Rudnick & Wolfe in connection with rendering an opinion regarding the
qualification of the Surviving Trust as a real estate investment trust under the
Code, and may not be relied upon for any other purpose or by any other party. I
understand that such opinions are limited to the factual matters revealed
pursuant hereto and on schedules and other materials provided to them and that
to the extent required, I have asked questions of the appropriate individuals to
confirm the foregoing answers, and to the best of my knowledge and belief such
answers are true, correct and complete and in no way are misleading.
Very truly yours,
WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST
By: /s/ Gregory F. Hughes
_______________________________
Gregory F. Hughes,
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.1
Effective at the effective time of the merger (the "Merger") of Equity
Residential Properties Trust with Wellsford Residential Property Trust
("Wellsford"), the Declaration of the Surviving Trust will be amended and
restated in the following form. If the Additional Provisions attached hereto are
not approved by two-thirds of Wellsford's common shares, the underlined cross
references will be incorporated into the amendment and restatement; if the
Additional Provisions are approved by two-thirds or more of Wellsford's common
shares, the bracketed cross references will be incorporated in the Amendment and
Restatement in lieu of the underlined cross references.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
-----------------------------------
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated ______ __, 1997
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST is made as of
the date set forth above by the undersigned Trustees.
ARTICLE I
THE TRUST; CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Name. The name of the trust (hereinafter called the
"Trust") is:
Equity Residential Properties Trust
SECTION 1.2 Resident Agent. The name and address of the resident
agent of the Trust in the State of Maryland are The Prentice-Hall Corporation
System, Maryland, 11 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Trust may
have such offices or places of business within or without the State of Maryland
as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
SECTION 1.3 Nature of Trust. The Trust is a real estate investment
trust within the meaning of Title 8 (as hereinafter defined).
<PAGE>
SECTION 1.4 Powers. The Trust shall have all of the powers granted
to real estate investment trusts generally by Title 8 and shall have any other
and further powers as are not inconsistent with Title 8 or any other applicable
law.
SECTION 1.5 Definitions. As used in this Declaration of Trust, the
following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise
requires:
"Affiliate" or "Affiliated" means, as to any corporation, partnership,
trust or other association (other than the Trust), any Person (i) that holds
beneficially, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the outstanding stock or
equity interests thereof or (ii) who is an officer, director, partner or trustee
thereof or of any Person which controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such corporation, partnership, trust or other association or (iii)
which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such
corporation, partnership, trust or other association.
"Board of Trustees" means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Declaration" or "Declaration of Trust" means this Second Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust, including any amendments or supplements hereto.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust
(including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a
portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the
purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, or any government and agency or political subdivision thereof.
"REIT Provisions of the Code" means Section 856 through 860 of the
Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate
investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of
beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Securities" means Shares (as hereinafter defined), any stock, shares
or other evidences of equity, beneficial or other interests, voting trust
certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness,
secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any
instruments commonly known as "securities" or any certificates of interest,
shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts
for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or
acquire, any of the foregoing.
"Securities of the Trust" means any Securities issued by the Trust.
"Shareholders" means holders of record of outstanding Shares.
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"Shares" means transferable shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
of any class or series.
"Title 8" means Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article
of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, or any successor statute.
"Trustee" means, individually, an individual, and "Trustees" means,
collectively, the individuals, in each case as named in Section 2.2 of this
Declaration so long as they continue in office and any and all other individuals
who have been duly elected and qualify as trustees of the Trust hereunder.
"Trust Property" means any and all property, real, personal or
otherwise, tangible or intangible, which is transferred or conveyed to the Trust
or the Trustees (including all rents, income, profits and gains therefrom),
which is owned or held by, or for the account of, the Trust or the Trustees.
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
SECTION 2.1 Number. The number of Trustees initially shall be two,
which number may thereafter be increased or decreased by the Trustees then in
office from time to time; however, the total number of Trustees shall be not
less than two and not more than 15. No reduction in the number of Trustees shall
cause the removal of any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his
term.
SECTION 2.2 Initial Board; Term. The names and addresses of the
Trustees who shall serve until the first annual meeting of Shareholders or such
time as specified below are:
Name
----
Samuel Zell
Douglas Crocker II
Sheli Z. Rosenberg
Gerald A. Spector
James D. Harper, Jr.
Errol R. Halperin
Barry S. Sternlicht
John W. Alexander
B. Joseph White
Henry H. Goldberg
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<PAGE>
The Trustees shall be classified, with respect to the time for which
they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as
possible, one class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of Shareholders to be held in 1997, another class to hold office
initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders to be held
in 1998 and another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of Shareholders to be held in 1999, with the members of each
class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At
each annual meeting of the Shareholders, the successors to the class of Trustees
whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the annual meeting of Shareholders held in the third year following
the year of their election and the other Trustees shall continue in office.
SECTION 2.3 Resignation, Removal or Death. Any Trustee may resign by
written notice to the remaining Trustees, effective upon execution and delivery
to the Trust of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the
notice. A Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of the
Shareholders called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of
not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote in
the election of Trustees. Upon the resignation or removal of any Trustee, or his
otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall automatically cease to have any
right, title or interest in and to the Trust Property and shall execute and
deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees require for the conveyance of
any Trust Property held in his name, and shall account to the remaining Trustees
as they require for all property which he holds as Trustee. Upon the incapacity
or death of any Trustee, his legal representative shall perform those acts.
SECTION 2.4 Legal Title. Legal title to all Trust Property shall be
vested in the Trust, but it may cause legal title to any Trust Property to be
held by or in the name of any or all of the Trustees or any other Person as
nominee, in which case any right, title or interest of the Trustees in and to
the Trust Property shall automatically vest in successor and additional Trustees
upon their qualification and acceptance of election or appointment as Trustees,
and they shall thereupon have all the rights and obligations of Trustees,
whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant
to Section 2.3 or otherwise. Written evidence of the qualification and
acceptance of election or appointment of successor and additional Trustees may
be filed with the records of the Trust and in such other offices, agencies or
places as the Trust or Trustees may deem necessary or desirable.
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
Subject to the express limitations herein or in the Bylaws, (1) the
business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the
Board of Trustees and (2) the Board of
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<PAGE>
Trustees shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority
over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust. The Board of
Trustees may take any actions as in its sole judgment and discretion are
necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Trust. This Declaration of
Trust shall be construed with a presumption in favor of the grant of power and
authority to the Board of Trustees. Any construction of this Declaration or
determination made in good faith by the Board of Trustees concerning the powers
and authority of the Trust, the Shareholders, the Board of Trustees or the
offices of the Trust hereunder shall be conclusive. The powers of the Board of
Trustees shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference
from the terms of this or any other provision of this Declaration or construed
or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers
conferred upon the Board of Trustees under the general laws of the State of
Maryland as now or hereafter in force. In the case of an ambiguity in the
application of any provision of this Declaration of Trust, including any
provision relating to share ownership and transfers, the Board of Trustees shall
have the power to determine the application of that provision (subject, however,
to the provisions of Section 6.6(d)(i)), and such determination shall be final
and conclusive for all purposes.
The Board of Trustees, without any action by the Shareholders, shall
have and may exercise, on behalf of the Trust, without limitation, the power to
terminate the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the
Code; to determine that compliance with any restriction or limitations on
ownership and transfers of shares of the Trust's beneficial interest set forth
in Sections 6.6 and 6.8 of this Declaration of Trust is no longer required in
order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT; to adopt, amend and repeal Bylaws; to
elect officers in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws; to solicit proxies from
holders of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust; and to do any other acts
and deliver any other documents necessary or appropriate to the foregoing
powers.
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT POLICY
The fundamental investment policy of the Trust is to make investments
in such a manner as to comply with the REIT Provisions of the Code and with the
requirements of Title 8 with respect to the composition of the Trust's
investments and the derivation of its income. Subject to Section 6.10, the
Trustees shall use their best efforts to carry out this fundamental investment
policy and to conduct the affairs of the Trust in such a manner as to continue
to qualify the Trust for the tax treatment provided in the REIT Provisions of
the Code; provided, however, that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust shall be liable for any act or omission resulting in the loss of tax
benefits under the Code, except to the extent permitted in Section 11.2. The
Board of Trustees may change from time to time, by resolution or in the Bylaws
of the Trust, such investment policies as it determines to be in the best
interest of the Trust, including prohibitions or restrictions upon certain types
of investments.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
SHARES
SECTION 5.1 Authorized Shares. The total number of Shares which the
Trust has authority to issue is 300,000,000 shares, of which 200,000,000 are
common shares, $0.01 par value per share (individually a "Common Share" or
collectively "Common Shares"), and 100,000,000 are preferred shares, $0.01 par
value per share ("Preferred Shares"), of which (a) 6,900,000 shares have been
designated as 9-3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest ($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $25.00
Per Share) with the terms set forth in Section 13.1 of this Declaration, (b)
575,000 shares have been designated as 9-1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation
Preference $250.00 Per Share) with the terms set forth in Section 13.2 of this
Declaration, (c) 460,000 shares have been designated as 9-1/8% Series C
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.01 Par Value
Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $250.00 Per Share) with the terms set forth
in Section 13.3 of this Declaration, (d) 4,600,000 shares have been designated
as Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest with
the terms set forth in Section 13.4 of this Declaration and (e) 2,300,000 shares
have been designated as Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest with the terms set forth in Section 13.5 of this
Declaration.
SECTION 5.2 Common Shares. Subject to the provisions of [Article
VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8 regarding Excess Shares (as such term is defined
therein), each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote.
Holders of Common Shares shall not be entitled to cumulative voting.
SECTION 5.3 Preferred Shares. The Board of Trustees may classify any
unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued
Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more series of
Shares.
SECTION 5.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of
classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board of Trustees
by resolution shall (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from
all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be
included in the class or series; (c) set, subject to the provisions of [Article
VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8 and subject to the express terms of any class or
series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each
class or series; and (d) cause the Trust to file articles supplementary with the
State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the "SDAT"). Any of
the terms of any class or series of Shares set pursuant to clause (c) of this
Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside the
Declaration of Trust (including the occurrence of any event, determination or
action by the Trust, or any other person or body) and may vary among holders
thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts or variations shall
operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and
expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.
SECTION 5.5 Authorization by Board of Share Issuance. The Board of
Trustees may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or
series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible
into Shares of any class or series, whether now or thereafter authorized, for
such consideration (whether in cash, property, past or future services,
obligation for future payment or otherwise) as the Board of Trustees may deem
advisable (or without consideration in the case of a Share split or Share
dividend), subject
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<PAGE>
to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in this
Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws of the Trust.
SECTION 5.6 Dividends and Distributions. The Board of Trustees may
from time to time authorize and declare such dividends or distributions, in cash
or other assets of the Trust or in securities of the Trust or from any other
source as the Board of Trustees in its discretion shall determine. The Board of
Trustees shall endeavor to authorize, declare and pay such dividends and
distributions as shall be necessary for the Trust to qualify as a real estate
investment trust under the Code; however, Shareholders shall have no right to
any dividend or distribution unless and until authorized and declared by the
Board. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Trustees pursuant
to this Section 5.6 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of
Shares at the time outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Declaration of Trust, no determination shall be made by the Board of Trustees
nor shall any transaction be entered into by the Trust which would cause any
Shares or other beneficial interest in the Trust not to constitute "transferable
shares" or "transferable certificates of beneficial interest" under Section
856(a)(2) of the Code or which would cause any distribution to constitute a
preferential dividend as described in Section 562(c) of the Code.
SECTION 5.7 General Nature of Shares. All Shares shall be personal
property entitling the Shareholders only to those rights provided in this
Declaration of Trust. The Shareholders shall have no interest in the property of
the Trust and shall have no right to compel any partition, division, dividend or
distribution of the Trust or of the property of the Trust. The death of a
Shareholder shall not terminate the Trust. The Trust is entitled to treat as
Shareholders only those persons in whose names Shares are registered as holders
of Shares on the beneficial interest ledger of the Trust.
SECTION 5.8 Fractional Shares. The Trust may, without the consent or
approval of any Shareholder, issue fractional Shares, eliminate a fraction of a
Share by rounding up or down to a full Share, arrange for the disposition of a
fraction of a Share by the person entitled to it, or pay cash for the fair value
of a fraction of a Share.
SECTION 5.9 Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. All persons who shall
acquire Shares shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust.
ARTICLE VI
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
TRUST AND OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
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<PAGE>
SECTION 6.1 Authorization by Board of Share Issuance. The Board of
Trustees may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class,
whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities convertible into Shares of
any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the
Board of Trustees may deem advisable, subject to such restrictions or
limitations, if any, as may be set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the
Bylaws of the Trust or in the general laws of the State of Maryland.
SECTION 6.2 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be
provided by the Board of Trustees in authorizing the issuance of Shares pursuant
to Sections 5.4 and 5.5, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, (a) have any
preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other
security of the Trust which the Trust may issue or sell or (b), except as
expressly required by Title 8, have any right to require the Trust to pay him
the fair value of his Shares in an appraisal or similar proceeding.
SECTION 6.3 Advisor Agreements. Subject to such approval of the
Shareholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable
statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Trustees may authorize the execution
and performance by the Trust of one or more agreements with any person,
corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or
other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board
of Trustees, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust,
partnership (limited or general) or other organization (the "Advisor") shall
render or make available to the Trust managerial, investment, advisory and/or
related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if
deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees, the management or supervision of the
investments of the Trust) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in
such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the
Board of Trustees, the compensation payable thereunder by the Trust).
SECTION 6.4 Related Party Transactions.
(a) Without limiting any other procedures available by law or
otherwise to the Trust, the Board of Trustees may authorize any agreement of the
character described in Section 6.3 or other transaction with any person,
corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or
other organization, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the
Trust may be a party to any such agreement or an officer, director, stockholder
or member of such other party, and no such agreement or transaction shall be
invalidated or rendered void or voidable solely by reason of the existence of
any such relationship if the existence is disclosed or known to the Board of
Trustees, and the contract or transaction is approved by the Board of Trustees
(including the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees even
if they constitute less than a quorum of the Board). Any Trustee who is also a
director, officer, stockholder or member of such other entity may be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Trustees
considering such matter.
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(b) Subsequent to the date hereof (the "Restriction Date") the
affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees (even if they
constitute less than a quorum of the Board) shall be required to approve the
purchase by the Trust or its subsidiaries of any properties under the direct or
indirect control of Samuel Zell or Starwood Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership, or in which he or it has a direct or indirect substantial
economic interest on the Restriction Date.
SECTION 6.5 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of
the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the
Board of Trustees consistent with this Declaration of Trust and in the absence
of actual receipt of an improper benefit in money, property or services or
active and deliberate dishonesty established by a court, shall be final and
conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder of Shares: (a)
the amount of the net income of the Trust for any period and the amount of
assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of
Shares or the payment of other distributions with respect to Shares; (b) the
amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net
profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits
over losses on sales of assets; (c) the amount, purpose, time of creation,
increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and
the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such
reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged);
(d) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining
the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Trust; and (e) any matters
relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Trust.
SECTION 6.6 Trustees' Right to Refuse to Transfer Shares;
Limitation on Holdings; Redemption of Shares.
(a) Each person who owns directly or indirectly more than five percent
in number or value of the total Shares outstanding shall, within 30 days after
January 1 of each year, give written notice to the Trust stating the Person's
name and address, the number of Shares directly or indirectly owned by such
Person, and a description of the capacity in which such Shares are held. For
purposes of this Declaration of Trust, the number and value of the total Shares
outstanding shall be determined by the Trustees in good faith, which
determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder. In addition, each
direct or indirect Shareholder, irrespective of such Shareholder's percentage
ownership of outstanding Shares, shall upon demand be required to disclose to
the Trust in writing such information with respect to the direct or indirect
ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary from time to time to enable
the Trustees to determine whether the Trust complies with the REIT Provisions of
the Code, to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental agency or to determine any such compliance.
(b) If, in the opinion of the Trustees, which shall be binding upon
any prospective acquiror of Shares, any proposed transfer or issuance would
jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the
REIT Provisions of the Code, the Trustees shall have
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<PAGE>
the right, but not the duty, to refuse to permit such transfer or issuance or
refuse to give effect to such transfer or issuance and to take any action to
void any such issuance or cause any such transfer not to occur.
(c) As a condition to any transfer and/or registration of transfer on
the books of the Trust of any Shares or Securities convertible into Shares which
could result in direct or indirect ownership (as hereafter defined) of Shares
exceeding 9.8% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Shares
outstanding (the "Excess Shares") by a Person other than an Excepted Person,
such prospective transferee shall give written notice to the Trust of the
proposed transfer and shall furnish such opinions of counsel, affidavits,
undertakings, agreements and information as may be required by the Trustees no
later than the 15th day prior to any transfer which, if consummated, would
result in such ownership.
(d) Any transfer of Shares or Securities convertible into Shares that
would (i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess Shares other than an
Excepted Person; (ii) result in the Shares being owned by fewer than 100 Persons
for purposes of the REIT Provisions of the Code; or (iii) result in the Trust
being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be
void ab initio and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights
afforded to owners of Shares hereunder and shall be deemed never to have had an
interest therein. Any issuance of Shares or Securities convertible into Shares
that would (i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess Shares other than an
Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void ab initio and the
prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights afforded to owners of
Shares hereunder and shall be deemed never to have had an interest therein.
"Excepted Person" shall mean (i) Edward Lowenthal and Jeffrey H.
Lynford; and (ii) any other Person approved by the Trustees, at their option and
in their sole discretion, provided, however, that such approval shall not be
granted to any Person whose ownership of in excess of 9.8% of the lesser of the
number or the value of the total Shares outstanding would result, directly,
indirectly or as a result of attribution of ownership, in termination of the
status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions
of the Code.
(e) The Trust, by notice to the holder thereof, may purchase any or
all Shares that are proposed to be transferred pursuant to a transfer which, in
the opinion of the Trustees, which shall be binding upon any proposed transferor
or transferee of Shares, would result in any Person acquiring Excess Shares, or
would otherwise jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real estate investment
trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code. The Trust shall have the power, by
lot or other means deemed equitable by them in their sole discretion, to
purchase such Excess Shares from the prospective transferor. The purchase price
for any Excess Shares shall be equal to the fair market value of the Shares on
the last trading day immediately preceding the day on which notice of such
proposed transfer is sent, as reflected in the closing sale price for the
Shares, if then listed on a national securities exchange, or such price for the
Shares on the principal exchange if then listed on more than one national
securities exchange, or if the Shares
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are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the latest bid quotation
for the Shares if then traded over-the-counter, or, if no such closing sales
prices or quotations are available, then the purchase price shall be equal to
the fair market value of such Shares as determined by the Trustees in good
faith. Prompt payment of the purchase price shall be made in cash by the Trust
in such manner as may be determined by the Trustees. From and after the date
fixed for purchase by the Trustees, and so long as payment of the purchase price
for the Shares to be so redeemed shall have been made or duly provided for, the
holder of any Excess Shares so called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to
dividends, distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such
Shares, excepting only the right to payment of the purchase price fixed as
aforesaid. Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on Excess
Shares prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Shares have been transferred
in violation of this Section 6.6 shall be repaid to the Trust upon demand.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust
or the Bylaws, Sections 6.6(d), (e), (f) and (g) may not be amended or repealed
without the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote. If Section 6.6(d), (e), (f) or (g)
is determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute,
rule or regulation, then the acquiror of Shares or Securities convertible into
Shares in violation of such Sections shall be deemed, at the option of the
Trust, to have acted as agent on behalf of the Trust in acquiring such Shares
and to hold such Shares on behalf of the Trust.
(g) Subject to Section 6.6(k), notwithstanding any other provision of
this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any purported transfer, sale or
acquisition of Shares (whether such purported transfer, sale or acquisition
results from the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership (as hereafter
defined) of Shares) which would result in the termination of the status of the
Trust as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code
shall be null and void ab initio. Any such Shares may be treated by the Trustees
in the manner prescribed for Excess Shares in subsection (e) of this Section
6.6.
(h) Subject to Section 6.6(k), nothing contained in this Section 6.6
or in any other provision of this Declaration of Trust shall limit the authority
of the Trustees to take such other action as they deem necessary or advisable to
protect the Trust and the interests of the Shareholders by preservation of the
Trust's status as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of
the Code.
(i) If any provision of this Section 6.6 or any application of any
such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to
the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court. To the
extent this Section 6.6 may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Declaration of Trust, this Section 6.6 shall be controlling.
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(j) For purposes of this Declaration of Trust, Shares not owned
directly shall be deemed to be owned indirectly by a person if that person or a
group of which he is a member would be the beneficial owner of such Shares, as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and/or would be
considered to own such Shares by reason of the REIT Provisions of the Code.
(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 6.6, nothing in
this Declaration of Trust shall preclude the settlement of transactions entered
into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The fact that
the settlement of any transaction is permitted shall not negate the effect of
any other provision of this Section 6.6 and any transferee in such a transaction
shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this
Section 6.6.
SECTION 6.7 Additional Definitions. The following terms shall have
the following definitions in this Section 6.7 and Section 6.8 only:
"Charitable Beneficiary" shall mean one or more beneficiaries of
the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 6.8(g),
provided that each such organization must be described in Section
501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must
be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055
and 2522 of the Code.
"Charitable Trust" shall mean any trust provided for in
Section 6.8(b).
"Equity Shares" shall mean all classes or series of Shares,
including, without limitation, Common Shares and Preferred Shares.
"Market Price" on any date shall mean, with respect to any class
or series of outstanding Equity Shares, the Closing Price for such
Equity Shares on such date. The "Closing Price" on any date shall mean
the last sale price for such Equity Shares, regular way, or, in case
no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices, regular way, for such Equity Shares, in either case
as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE
or, if such Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the
NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed on the principal national
securities exchange on which such Equity Shares are listed or admitted
to trading or, if such Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price,
or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices
in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or,
if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated
quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Equity Shares are
not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a
market in such Equity Shares selected
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by the Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is
available for such Equity Shares, the fair market value of Equity
Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
"Person" shall mean a Person as defined in Article I, but solely
for purposes of this Article VI shall not include an underwriter that
participated in a public offering of the Common Shares and/or
Preferred Shares for a period of 25 days following the purchase by
such underwriter of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares.
"Prohibited Owner" shall mean, with respect to any purported
transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 6.6, would
directly or indirectly own Equity Shares, and if appropriate in the
context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record
owner of Equity Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
"Trustee" shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Trust and a
Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Trust to serve as Trustee
of the Charitable Trust.
SECTION 6.8 Additional Effects. If any Shares which are proposed to
be transferred pursuant to a transfer which would result in any Person acquiring
Excess Shares, or would otherwise jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real
estate investment trust under the Code, and such Excess Shares are not purchased
by the Trust pursuant to Section 6.6(d), then:
(a) Charitable Trust for Excess Shares. Such Excess Shares shall be
deemed to have been transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a
Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 6.8(b), and such Person shall
acquire no rights in such Equity Shares.
(b) Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported transfer described in
this Section 6.8 that would result in a transfer of Equity Shares to a
Charitable Trust, such Equity Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to
the Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or
more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to
be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the
purported transfer. The Trustee shall be appointed by the Trust and shall be a
Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable
Beneficiary shall be designated by the Trust as provided in Section 6.8(g).
(c) Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Equity Shares held by the
Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Equity Shares of the Trust. The
Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The
Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares
held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends and shall not
possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in
the Charitable Trust.
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(d) Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting
rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Equity
Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the
exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other
distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that Equity Shares have
been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid with respect to such Equity Shares
to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but
unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividends or distributions so
paid over to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary.
The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in
the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that
Equity Shares have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the
authority (at the Trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote
cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Trust that Equity
Shares have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in
accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the
Charitable Beneficiary. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, until
the Trust has received notification that Equity Shares have been transferred
into a Charitable Trust, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on its share
transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of
shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and
authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.
(e) Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving notice
from the Trust that Equity Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust,
the Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable
Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will
not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 6.6. Upon such sale,
the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate
and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited
Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 6.8(d). The
Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the
Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value
for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the
Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such
transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the
shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received
by the Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the
Charitable Trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the
Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If,
prior to the discovery by the Trust that Equity Shares have been transferred to
the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares
shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to
the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that
exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant
to this Section 6.8(d), such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.
(f) Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Trustee. Equity
Shares transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale
to the Trust, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i)
the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the
Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the
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time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Trust, or
its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall have the right to accept such
offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust
pursuant to Section 6.8(e). Upon such a sale to the Trust, the interest of the
Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall
distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.
(g) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the
Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the
Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i)
Equity Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions
set forth in Section 6.6 in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii)
each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and
contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under
each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
(h) Legend. Each certificate for Common Shares and for Preferred
Shares shall bear substantially the following legend:
The securities represented by this certificate are subject to
restrictions on transfer for the purpose of the Trust's
maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Except as
otherwise provided pursuant to the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, no Person (unless such Person is an Excepted Person) may
directly or indirectly own Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares
in excess of that number of Shares which equals the lesser of
5.0% (or such greater percentage as may be determined by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust) of (a) the number of outstanding
Equity Shares of the Trust and (b) the value of outstanding
Equity Shares of the Trust. Any Person who attempts or proposes
to directly or indirectly own Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares in excess of the above limitations must notify the Trust
in writing at least 15 days prior to such proposed or attempted
transfer. All italicized terms in this legend have the meanings
defined in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, a copy of
which, including the restrictions on transfer, will be sent
without charge to each Shareholder who so requests. If the
restrictions on transfer are violated, the securities represented
hereby will be designated and treated as Excess Shares pursuant
to the Declaration of Trust of the Trust.
Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the
Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on
transferability to a shareholder on request and without charge.
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SECTION 6.9 Reserved Powers of Board. The enumeration and definition
of powers of the Board of Trustees included in this Article VI shall in no way
be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any
other clause of this or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust, or
construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit
the powers conferred upon the Board of Trustees under the general laws of the
State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
SECTION 6.10 REIT Qualification. The Board of Trustees shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Trust and the Shareholders to qualify for
federal income tax treatment in accordance with the REIT Provisions of the Code.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board of Trustees shall use its reasonable
best efforts to take such actions as are necessary, and may take such actions as
in its sole judgment and discretion are desirable, to preserve the status of the
Trust as a REIT, including amending the provisions of this Declaration of Trust
as provided in Article IX; provided, however, that if the Board of Trustees
determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust for it to
continue to qualify as a REIT, the Board of Trustees may revoke or otherwise
terminate the Trust's REIT election.
ARTICLE VII
SECTIONS 7.1 - 7.22 [RESERVED]
ARTICLE VIII
SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION 8.1. Meetings of Shareholders. There shall be an annual
meeting of the Shareholders, to be held on proper notice, at such time (after
delivery of the annual report) and convenient location as shall be determined by
or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, at which Trustees shall be elected
and any other proper business may be conducted. Except as otherwise provided in
this Declaration of Trust, special meetings of Shareholders may be called in the
manner provided in the Bylaws. If there are no Trustees, the President or any
other officer of the Trust shall promptly call a special meeting of the
Shareholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Trustees. Any
meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Trustees determine or as provided
in the Bylaws.
SECTION 8.2. Voting Rights of Shareholders. Subject to the
provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding, the Shareholders
shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) the election or
removal of Trustees; (b) the amendment of this Declaration of Trust; (c) the
voluntary dissolution or termination of the Trust; (d) the merger
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or consolidation of the Trust or the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Trust Property; and (e) such other matters with respect
to which the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution declaring advisable or
recommending a proposal and directing that the matter be submitted to the
Shareholders for consideration. Except with respect to the foregoing matters,
no action taken by the Shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the
Trustees.
SECTION 8.3 Board Approval. The submission of any action to the
Shareholders for their consideration shall first be approved by the Board of
Trustees.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
SECTION 9.1 Amendment.
(a) This Declaration of Trust may be amended by the affirmative vote
of the holders of not less than a majority of the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon, except that Sections 2.3, 6.6, 9.2 and 9.3 hereof, and
this subsection or subsection (b) of this Section 9.1, may be amended only by
the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote.
(b) The Trustees, by a two-thirds vote, may amend provisions of this
Declaration of Trust from time to time to enable the Trust to qualify as a real
estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code or under Title 8.
(c) This Declaration of Trust may not be amended except as provided
in this Article IX.
SECTION 9.2 Reorganization. Subject to the provisions of any class
or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the Trustees shall have the power
to (a) cause the organization of a corporation, association, trust or other
organization to take over the Trust Property and carry on the affairs of the
Trust; (b) merge the Trust into, or sell, convey and transfer the Trust Property
to, any such corporation, association, trust or organization in exchange for
Securities thereof or beneficial interests therein, and the assumption by the
transferee of the liabilities of the Trust; and (c) thereupon terminate the
Trust and deliver such Securities or beneficial interests ratably among the
Shareholders according to the respective rights of the class or series of Shares
held by them; provided that any such action shall have been approved, at a
meeting of the Shareholders called for the purpose, by the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon.
SECTION 9.3 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Trust Property. Subject
to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the
Trustees shall have the power to (a) merge the Trust into another entity, (b)
consolidate the Trust with one or more
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other entities into a new entity or (c) sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of the Trust Property; provided, that such action shall have
been approved, at a meeting of the Shareholders called for the purpose, by the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than (i) two-thirds, if the Trust is
not the surviving entity in any such merger or consolidation or in the event of
a proposed sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Trust
Property, or (ii) a majority, in all other cases, of the Shares then outstanding
and entitled to vote thereon.
ARTICLE X
DURATION OF TRUST
The Trust shall continue perpetually unless terminated pursuant to any
applicable provision of Title 8. The Trust may be voluntarily dissolved or its
existence terminated only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than two-thirds of all the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on the
matter. The Trust may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
the Trust Property only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
a majority of all the Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on the
matter. Upon the termination of the Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose
of winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the
Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration of
Trust shall continue, including the powers to fulfill or discharge the
Trust's contracts, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining
property of the Trust to one or more persons at public or private sale
for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of cash,
securities or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its
liabilities and do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its
business.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of
all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and
agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trust may
distribute the remaining property of the Trust among the Shareholders
so that after payment in full or the setting apart for payment of such
preferential amounts, if any, to which the holders of any Shares at
the time outstanding shall be entitled, the remaining property of the
Trust shall, subject to any participating or similar rights of Shares
at the time outstanding, be distributed ratably among the holders of
Common Shares at the time outstanding.
(b) After termination of the Trust, the liquidation of its business
and the distribution to the Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the
Trustees shall execute and file with the Trust's records a document certifying
that the Trust has been duly terminated, and the Trustees
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shall be discharged from all liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights
and interests of all Shareholders shall cease.
ARTICLE XI
LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
AND TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THEM AND THE TRUST
SECTION 11.1 Limitation of Shareholder Liability. No Shareholder
shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind
of, against or with respect to the Trust by reason of his being a Shareholder,
nor shall any Shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in
tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Trust Property
or the affairs of the Trust.
SECTION 11.2 Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability. To the
maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation
of the liability of trustees and officers of a real estate investment trust, no
Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any
Shareholder for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section,
nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of
Trust inconsistent with this Section, shall apply to or affect in any respect
the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure
to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. In the
absence of any Maryland statute limiting the liability of trustees and officers
of a Maryland real estate investment trust for money damages in a suit by or on
behalf of the Trust or by any Shareholder, no Trustee or officer of the Trust
shall be liable to the Trust or to any Shareholder for money damages except to
the extent that (a) the Trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit
or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or
profit in money, property or services actually received or (b) a judgment or
other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee or officer is entered in a
proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustee's or officer's
action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and
was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
SECTION 11.3 Indemnification and Advance for Expenses. The Trust
shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect
from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any
individual who is a present or former Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the
Trust or (b) any individual who, while a Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the
Trust and at the express request of the Trust, serves or has served another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any
other enterprise as a director, officer, Shareholder, partner or trustee of such
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, from and against all claims and liabilities to which
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such person may become subject by reason of his being or having been a
Shareholder, Trustee or officer. The Trust shall have the power, with the
approval of its Board of Trustees, to provide such indemnification and
advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Trust in any
of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of
the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust.
SECTION 11.4 Transactions Between the Trust and its Trustees,
Officers, Employees and Agents. Subject to any express restriction in this
Declaration of Trust, including (but not limited to) Section 6.4, or any
restriction adopted by the Trustees in the Bylaws or by resolution, the Trust
may enter into any contract or transaction of any kind (including, without
limitation, for the purchase or sale of property or for any type of services,
including those in connection with the underwriting or the offer or sale of
Securities of the Trust) with any Person, including any Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust or any Person Affiliated with a Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust, whether or not any of them has a financial
interest in such transaction.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.1 Governing Law. This Declaration of Trust is executed by
the Trustees and delivered in the State of Maryland with reference to the laws
thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect
of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the
laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions
thereof.
SECTION 12.2 Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate shall be
final and conclusive as to any Person dealing with the Trust if executed by an
individual who, according to the records of the Trust or of any recording office
in which this Declaration of Trust may be recorded, appears to be the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust or a Trustee, and if certifying to: (a)
the number or identify of Trustees, officers of the Trust or Shareholders; (b)
the due authorization of the execution of any document; (c) any action or vote
taken, and the existence of a quorum at a meeting of Trustees or Shareholders;
(d) a copy of this Declaration or of the Bylaws as a true and complete copy as
then in force; (e) an amendment to this Declaration; (f) the termination of the
Trust; or (g) the existence of any fact or facts which relate to the affairs of
the Trust. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person shall be bound
to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be
made on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or by any officer, employee or agent
of the Trust.
SECTION 12.3 Severability.
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(a) The provisions of this Declaration of Trust are severable, and if
the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more
of such provisions (the "Conflicting Provisions") are in conflict with the REIT
Provisions of the Code, Title 8 or any other applicable federal or state law,
the Conflicting Provisions shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of
this Declaration of Trust, even without any amendment of this Declaration
pursuant to Article IX; provided, however, that such determination by the
Trustees shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this
Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted
prior to such determination. No Trustee shall be liable for making or failing to
make such a determination.
(b) If any provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such holding shall not in any
manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other
jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any
jurisdiction.
SECTION 12.4 Construction. In this Declaration of Trust, unless the
context otherwise requires, words used in the singular or in the plural include
both the plural and singular and words denoting any gender include all genders.
The title and headings of different parts of this Declaration are inserted for
convenience and shall not affect the meaning, construction or effect of this
Declaration. In defining or interpreting the powers and duties of the Trust and
its Trustees and officers, reference may be made by the Board of Trustees and
the officers of the Trust, to the extent appropriate and not inconsistent with
the Code or Title 8, to Titles 1 through 3 of the Corporations and Associations
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. In furtherance and not in limitation
of the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of Title 3, Subtitles 6 and
7, of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland, the Trust shall be included within the definition of "corporation" for
purposes of such provisions.
SECTION 12.5 Recordation. This Declaration of Trust and any
amendment or supplement hereto shall be filed for record with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland and may also be filed or
recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to
file for record this Declaration or any amendment or supplement hereto in any
office other than in the State of Maryland shall not affect or impair the
validity or effectiveness of this Declaration or any amendment hereto. A
restated Declaration shall, upon filing, be conclusive evidence of all
amendments or supplements contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in
lieu of the original Declaration and the various amendments or supplements
thereto.
ARTICLE XIII
DESIGNATION OF PREFERRED SHARES
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SECTION 13.1 Series A Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of
this Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated
9-3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $25.00 Per Share) (the
"Series A Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following terms:
(a) Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
Section 13.1(a) shall have the meanings herein specified (with terms
defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law,
regulation or executive order to close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial
interest, $.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
"Dividend Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(2).
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership,
estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or
501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside
for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section
642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning
of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity,
and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of
the Series A Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series A
Preferred Shares by such underwriter would not result in the Trust
being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code,
or would otherwise result in the Trust failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of beneficial interest that
are either Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares,
Series C Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred Shares, Series E
Preferred Shares or Excess Preferred Shares.
"Quarterly Dividend Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.1(b)(3).
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.1(b)(3).
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"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section
856 of the Code.
"Series A Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.1(b)(5).
"Series A Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.1(b)(5).
(b) Series A Preferred Shares
(1) Number. The number of shares of the Series A Preferred
Shares shall be 6,900,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive
dividends and to participate in distributions or payments in the event
of any Liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series
A Preferred Shares shall rank senior to the Common Shares and any
other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
ranking, as to dividends and upon Liquidation, junior to the Series A
Preferred Shares (collectively, "Junior Shares").
(3) Dividends. The holders of the then outstanding Series A
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by
the Board of Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor,
cumulative dividends at the rate of $2.34375 per share per year,
payable in equal amounts of $.5859375 per share quarterly in cash on
the fifteenth day, or the next succeeding Business Day, of January,
April, July and October in each year, beginning July 17, 1995 (each
such day being hereinafter called a "Quarterly Dividend Date" and each
period ending on a Quarterly Dividend Date being hereinafter called a
"Dividend Period"), to shareholders of record at the close of business
on such date as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees at the time of
declaration of the dividend (the "Record Date"), which shall be not
less than 10 nor more than 30 days preceding the Quarterly Dividend
Date. The amount of any dividend payable for the initial Dividend
Period and for any other Dividend Period shorter than a full Dividend
Period shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months. Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred
Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the date of
original issue thereof, whether or not (i) dividends on such shares
are earned or declared or (ii) on any Quarterly Dividend Date there
shall be funds legally available for the payment of dividends.
Dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Shares in an amount less than
the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on
such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a per share basis among all
such shares at the time outstanding.
The amount of any dividends accrued on any Series A Preferred
Shares at any Quarterly Dividend Date shall be the amount of any
unpaid dividends accumulated
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thereon, to and including such Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not
earned or declared, and the amount of dividends accrued on any shares
of Series A Preferred Shares at any date other than a Quarterly
Dividend Date shall be equal to the sum of the amount of any unpaid
dividends accumulated thereon, to and including the last preceding
Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not earned or declared, plus an
amount calculated on the basis of the annual dividend rate of $2.34375
for the period after such last preceding Quarterly Dividend Date to
and including the date as of which the calculation is made based on a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Except as provided in this Section 13.1, the Series A Preferred
Shares shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets
of the Trust.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Trust, the holders of the Series
A Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to receive
and to be paid out of the assets of the Trust available for
distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or
distribution shall be made on any Junior Shares, the amount of
$25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares of the full preferential amounts provided for in
this paragraph (b), the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares
as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining
assets of the Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation, or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable with
respect to the preference value of the Series A Preferred Shares
and any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking
as to any such distribution on a parity with the Series A
Preferred Shares are not paid in full, the holders of the Series
A Preferred Shares and of such other shares will share ratably in
any such distribution of assets of the Trust in proportion to the
full respective preference amounts to which they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the
property or business of the Trust, nor the merger or
consolidation of the Trust into or with any other entity or the
merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the
Trust, shall be deemed to be a dissolution, Liquidation or
winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this
paragraph (b).
(5) Redemption.
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(A) Optional Redemption. On and after June 1, 2000, the
Trust may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to
time, part of the Series A Preferred Shares at a price per share
(the "Series A Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $25.00,
together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and including
the date fixed for redemption (the "Series A Redemption Date").
(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to
the Series A Redemption Date, addressed to the holders of record
of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their
addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the
Trust. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in
the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings
for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to
the holder to whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except
as to the holder to whom notice was defective. In addition to any
information required by law or by the applicable rules of any
exchange upon which Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or
admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a) the Series A
Redemption Date; (b) the Series A Redemption Price; (c) the
number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (d) the place
or places where certificates for such shares are to be
surrendered for payment of the Series A Redemption Price; (e)
that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to
accumulate on the Series A Redemption Date; and (f) the date on
which conversion rights shall expire, the conversion price and
the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be
surrendered for conversion.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with
subparagraph (5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the
Series A Redemption Date specified in such notice all funds
necessary for such redemption shall have been irrevocably set
aside by the Trust, separate and apart from its other funds in
trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the Series A
Preferred Shares so called for redemption, so as to be, and to
continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the
Series A Redemption Date, dividends on the Series A Preferred
Shares so called for redemption shall cease to accumulate, and
said shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and shall
not have the status of Series A Preferred Shares and all rights
of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the
right to receive the Series A Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon
surrender, in accordance with said notice, of the certificates
for any Series A Preferred Shares so redeemed (properly endorsed
or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and the
notice shall so state), such Series A Preferred Shares shall be
redeemed by the Trust at the Series A Redemption Price. In case
fewer than all the Series A Preferred Shares represented by any
such certificate are redeemed,
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a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing
the unredeemed Series A Preferred Shares without cost to the
holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for
the purpose of redeeming Series A Preferred Shares shall be
irrevocable except that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such
bank or trust company the interest or other earnings, if
any, earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the
holders of any shares redeemed shall have no claim to such
interest or other earnings; and
(b) any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust
and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from
the applicable Series A Redemption Date shall be repaid,
together with any interest or other earnings earned thereon,
to the Trust, and after any such repayment, the holders of
the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the Trust
shall look only to the Trust for payment without interest or
other earnings.
(iv) No Series A Preferred Shares may be redeemed except
with funds legally available for the payment of the Series A
Redemption Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated dividends on all Series A
Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for payment for all past Dividend
Periods and the then current Dividend Period, no Series A
Preferred Shares shall be redeemed (unless all outstanding Series
A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed) or purchased or
otherwise acquired directly or indirectly (except by conversion
into or exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking junior
to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividends and upon
liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prevent the redemption of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to
[Article VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8 of the Declaration of Trust or
the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant
to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders
of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Shares.
(vi) If the Series A Redemption Date is after a Record Date
and before the related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend
payable on such Quarterly Dividend Date shall be paid to the
holder in whose name the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed
are registered at the close of business on such Record Date
notwithstanding the redemption thereof between such Record Date
and the related Quarterly Dividend Date or the Trust's default in
the payment of the dividend due.
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(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series A
Preferred Shares at the time outstanding, the Series A Preferred
Shares to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata from the holders
of record of such shares in proportion to the number of Series A
Preferred Shares held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid
redemption of fractional shares) or by any other equitable method
determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of
the Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any
meeting of the shareholders for election of trustees or for any other
purpose or otherwise to participate in any action taken by the Trust
or the shareholders thereof, or to receive notice of any meeting of
shareholders.
(A) Whenever dividends on any Series A Preferred Shares
shall be in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the
holders of such Series A Preferred Shares (voting separately as a
class with all other series of Preferred Shares upon which like
voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be
entitled to vote for the election of two additional Trustees of
the Trust at a special meeting called by the holders of record of
at least ten percent (10%) of any series of Preferred Shares so
in arrears (unless such request is received less than 90 days
before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of
the shareholders) or at the next annual meeting of shareholders,
and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends
accumulated on such Series A Preferred Shares for the past
dividend periods and the then current dividend period shall have
been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment
thereof set aside for payment. In such case, the entire Board of
Trustees of the Trust will be increased by two Trustees.
(B) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares remain
outstanding, the Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or
consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Series A
Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, given in person or by
proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting
separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the
authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares of
beneficial interest ranking prior to the Series A Preferred
Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up or reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any
obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right
to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, whether by
merger, consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to
materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege
or voting power of the Series A Preferred Shares or the holders
thereof; provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any
of the Events set forth
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in (ii) above, so long as the Series A Preferred Shares remain
outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking
into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Trust may
not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event
shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such
rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of
Series A Preferred Shares and provided further that (x) any
increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Shares or the
creation of issuance of any other Series A Preferred Shares, or
(y) any increase in the amount of authorized Series A Preferred
Shares or any other Preferred Shares, in each case ranking on a
parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares with
respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed
to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or
prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote
would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding
Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for
redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in
trust to effect such redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible
into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust.
(8) Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series A Preferred
Shares shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, other than those specifically
set forth in this Declaration of Trust. The Series A Preferred Shares shall have
no preemptive or subscription rights.
(9) Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.1 are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any
of the provisions hereof.
(10) Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.1 is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule
of law or public policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights of Series A Preferred Shares
and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this
Section 13.1 which can be given effect without the invalid,
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unlawful or unenforceable voting powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of Series A Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be
deemed dependent upon any other such voting powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special right of Series A Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions there of unless so expressed
herein.
(c) Article VII of the Trusts's Declaration of Trust shall be
supplemented by adding the following Section 7.23.
7.23 Special Rules for Series A Preferred Shares.
(1) Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Section 7.23 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series A Preferred Shares Offering" shall
mean the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series A
Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the effective registration
statement for such Series A Preferred Shares filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption
or purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding
shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in
the value of the Series A Preferred Shares relative to any other
class of beneficial interest in the Trust.
(2) Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on the
Closing Date of the Series A Preferred Shares Offering and prior
to the date on which the Board of Trustees determines that it is
no longer in the best interest of the Trust to attempt to, or
continue to, qualify as a REIT, a Special Triggering Event (if
effective) or other event or occurrence (if effective) would
result in any violation of Section [7.21(a)] 6.6(d)(i) of the
Trust's Declaration of Trust (or would result in the Trust being
"closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code
or would otherwise cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REIT),
then (i) the number of Series A Preferred Shares (rounded up to
the nearest whole share) that would (but for this Section 7.23)
cause any Person to directly or indirectly own either Series A
Preferred Shares, or to directly or indirectly own Series A
Preferred Shares and any other shares of beneficial interest in
the Trust, in violation of Section [7.21(a)] 6.6(d)(i) (or would
result in the Trust being "closely held" or otherwise fail to
qualify as a REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares" and shall be
treated as provided in [Article VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8. Such
designation and treatment shall be effective as of the close of
business on the
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business day prior to the date of the Special Triggering Event or
other event or occurrence.
SECTION 13.2 Series B Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of
this Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated
9-1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $250.00 Per Share)
(collectively, the "Series B Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the
following terms:
(a) Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
Section 13.2(a) shall have the meanings herein specified (with terms
defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law,
regulation or executive order to close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial
interest, $.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
"Dividend Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.2(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.2(b)(2).
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership,
estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or
501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside
for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section
642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning
of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity,
and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of
the Series B Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series B
Preferred Shares by such underwriter would not result in the Trust
being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code,
or would otherwise result in the Trust failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean preferred shares of beneficial
interest, $.01 par value per share, including Series A Preferred
Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D
Preferred Shares, and Series E Preferred Shares.
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"Quarterly Dividend Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.2(b)(3) below.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.2(b)(3) below.
"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section
856 of the Code.
"Series B Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.2(b)(5) below.
"Series B Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.2(b)(5) below.
(b) Series B Preferred Shares
(1) Number. The maximum number of shares of the Series B
Preferred Shares shall be 575,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive
dividends and to participate in distributions or payments in the event
of any Liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series
B Preferred Shares shall rank pari passu with any other preferred
shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, including the Series A
Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred
Shares, and Series E Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares
will rank senior to the Common Shares and any other class or series of
shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to dividends
and upon Liquidation, junior to the Preferred Shares (collectively,
"Junior Shares").
(3) Dividends. The holders of the then outstanding Series B
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by
the Board of Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor,
cumulative dividends at the rate of $22.8125 per share per year,
payable in equal amounts of $5.703125 per share quarterly in cash on
the fifteenth day, or if not a Business Day, the next succeeding
Business Day, of January, April, July and October in each year,
beginning January 15, 1996 (each such day being hereinafter called a
"Quarterly Dividend Date" and each period ending on a Quarterly
Dividend Date being hereinafter called a "Dividend Period"), to
shareholders of record at the close of business on such date as shall
be fixed by the Board of Trustees at the time of declaration of the
dividend (the "Record Date"), which shall be not less than 10 nor more
than 30 days preceding the Quarterly Dividend Date. The amount of any
dividend payable for the initial Dividend Period and for any other
Dividend Period shorter than a full Dividend Period shall be prorated
and computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Dividends on each share of Series B Preferred Shares shall accrue and
be cumulative from and including the date of original issue thereof,
whether or not (i) dividends on such shares are earned or declared or
(ii) on any
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Quarterly Dividend Date there shall be funds legally available for the
payment of dividends. Dividends paid on the Series B Preferred Shares
in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time
accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
per share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.
The amount of any dividends accrued on any Series B Preferred
Shares at any Quarterly Dividend Date shall be the amount of any
unpaid dividends accumulated thereon, to and including such Quarterly
Dividend Date, whether or not earned or declared, and the amount of
dividends accrued on any shares of Series B Preferred Shares at any
date other than a Quarterly Dividend Date shall be equal to the sum of
the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon, to and
including the last preceding Quarterly Dividend Date, whether or not
earned or declared, plus an amount calculated on the basis of the
annual dividend rate of $22.8125 for the period after such last
preceding Quarterly Dividend Date to and including the date as of
which the calculation is made based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.
Except as provided in this Section 13.2, the Series B Preferred
Shares shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets
of the Trust.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Trust, the holders of the
Series B Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to
receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Trust available
for distribution to its shareholders, before any payment or
distribution shall be made on any Junior Shares, the amount of
$250.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon.
(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series B
Preferred Shares of the full preferential amounts provided for
in this paragraph (b), the holders of the Series B Preferred
Shares as such shall have no right or claim to any of the
remaining assets of the Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation, or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable
with respect to the preference value of the Series B Preferred
Shares and any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with the Series
B Preferred Shares are not paid in full, the holders of the
Series B Preferred Shares and of such other shares will share
ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Trust in
proportion to the full respective preference amounts to which
they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the
property or business of the Trust, nor the merger or
consolidation of the Trust into or with any other
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entity or the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with
the Trust, shall be deemed to be a dissolution, Liquidation or winding
up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this paragraph (b).
(5) Redemption.
(A) Optional Redemption. On and after October 15, 2005, the
Trust may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to
time, part of the Series B Preferred Shares at a price per share (the
"Series B Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $250.00 per Series B
Preferred Share, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to and
including the date fixed for redemption (the "Series B Redemption
Date").
(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust, postage
prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Series B
Redemption Date, addressed to the holders of record of the Series B
Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their addresses as they appear on
the share transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such
notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect
the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series B
Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom the Trust has failed
to give notice or except as to the holder to whom notice was
defective. In addition to any information required by law or by the
applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series B Preferred Shares
may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a)
the Series B Redemption Date; (b) the Series B Redemption Price; (c)
the number of Series B Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (d) the place
or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for
payment of the Series B Redemption Price; (e) that dividends on the
shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the Series B
Redemption Date; and (f) the date on which conversion rights shall
expire, the conversion price and the place or places where
certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for conversion.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with Section
13.2(b)(5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the Series B
Redemption Date specified in such notice all funds necessary for such
redemption shall have been irrevocably set aside by the Trust,
separate and apart from its other funds in trust for the pro rata
benefit of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares so called for
redemption, so as to be, and to continue to be available therefor,
then, from and after the Series B Redemption Date, dividends on the
Series B Preferred Shares so called for redemption shall cease to
accumulate, and said shares shall no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and shall not have the status of Series B Preferred Shares
and all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Trust
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(except the right to receive the Series B Redemption Price) shall
cease. Upon surrender, in accordance with said notice, of the
certificates for any Series B Preferred Shares so redeemed (properly
endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and
the notice shall so state), such Series B Preferred Shares shall be
redeemed by the Trust at the Series B Redemption Price. In case fewer
than all the Series B Preferred Shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be
issued representing the unredeemed Series B Preferred Shares without
cost to the holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the
purpose of redeeming Series B Preferred Shares shall be irrevocable
except that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such bank or
trust company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on
any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any shares
redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings;
and
(b) any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust and
unclaimed by the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares
entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the
applicable Series B Redemption Date shall be repaid, together
with any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Trust,
and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled
to the funds so repaid to the Trust shall look only to the Trust
for payment without interest or other earnings.
(iv) No Series B Preferred Shares may be redeemed except with
funds legally available for the payment of the Series B Redemption
Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated dividends on all Series B Preferred
Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for
payment for all past Dividend Periods and the then current Dividend
Period, no Series B Preferred Shares shall be redeemed (unless all
outstanding Series B Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed) or
purchased or otherwise acquired directly or indirectly (except by
conversion into or exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking
junior to the Series B Preferred Shares as to dividends and upon
liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent
the redemption of Series B Preferred Shares pursuant to [Article VII]
Sections 6.6 and 6.8 of this Declaration of Trust or the purchase or
acquisition of Series B Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or
exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Shares.
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(vi) If the Series B Redemption Date is after a Record Date
and before the related Quarterly Dividend Date, the dividend payable
on such Quarterly Dividend Date shall be paid to the holder in whose
name the Series B Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at
the close of business on such Record Date notwithstanding the
redemption thereof between such Record Date and the related Quarterly
Dividend Date or the Trust's default in the payment of the dividend
due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series B Preferred
Shares at the time outstanding, the Series B Preferred Shares to be
redeemed shall be selected pro rata from the holders of record of such
shares in proportion to the number of Series B Preferred Shares held
by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional
shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of the
Series B Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of
the shareholders for election of trustees or for any other purpose or
otherwise to participate in any action taken by the Trust or the
shareholders thereof, or to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders.
(A) In any matter in which the Series B Preferred Shares are
entitled to vote (as expressly provided herein or as may be required
by law), including any action by written consent, each Series B
Preferred Share shall be entitled to 10 votes, each of which 10 votes
may be directed separately by the holder thereof (or by any proxy or
proxies of such holder). With respect to each Series B Preferred
Share, the holder thereof may designate up to 10 proxies, with each
such proxy having the right to vote a whole number of votes (totaling
10 votes per Series B Preferred Share).
(B) Whenever dividends on any Series B Preferred Shares shall be
in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the holders of the
Depositary Shares representing such Series B Preferred Shares (voting
separately as a class with all other series of Preferred Shares upon
which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will
be entitled to vote for the election of two additional Trustees of the
Trust at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least
ten percent (10%) of any series of Preferred Shares so in arrears
(unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date
fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the shareholders) or
at the next annual meeting of shareholders, and at each subsequent
annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on such Series B
Preferred Shares for the past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In
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such case, the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust will be increased
by two Trustees.
(C) So long as any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding,
the Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the Series B Preferred Shares
outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in
writing or at a meeting (such series voting separately as a class),
(i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount
of, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking prior
to the Series B Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of
dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up or reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust into such shares, or create, authorize or issue
any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to
purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of this Declaration of Trust, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and
adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of
the Series B Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; provided,
however, with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth
in (ii) above, so long as the Series B Preferred Shares remain
outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into
account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Trust may not be the
surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed
to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting power of holders of Series B Preferred Shares and
provided further that (x) any increase in the amount of the authorized
Preferred Shares or the creation of issuance of any other Series B
Preferred Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized the
Series B Preferred Shares or any other Preferred Shares, in each case
ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series B Preferred Shares
with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to
materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges
or voting powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to
the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise
be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series B Preferred
Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption and
sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such
redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into or
exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except into
Excess Shares in connection with maintaining the ability of the Trust to
qualify as a REIT.
(8) Exclusion of Other Rights.
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Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series B Preferred Shares
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
this Section 13.2. The Series B Preferred Shares shall have no preemptive or
subscription rights.
(9) Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.2 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
(10) Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section 13.2 is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series B Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.2 which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other
such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special right of Series B Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions there of unless so expressed herein.
(c) Article VII of the Trust's Declaration of Trust shall be supplemented by
adding the following new section 7.24.
7.24 Special Rules for Series B Preferred Shares.
(1) Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Section 7.24 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series B Preferred Shares Offering" shall mean
the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series B Preferred
Shares issued pursuant to the effective registration statement for
such Series B Preferred Shares filed under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption or
purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in the value of the
Series B Preferred Shares relative to any other class of beneficial
interest in the Trust.
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(2) Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on
the Closing Date of the Series B Preferred Shares Offering and prior
to the date on which the Board of Trustees determines that it is no
longer in the best interest of the Trust to attempt to, or continue
to, qualify as a REIT, a Special Triggering Event (if effective) or
other event or occurrence (if effective) would result in any violation
of Section [7.2(a)] 6.6(d)(i) of the Trust's Declaration of Trust (or
would result in the Trust being "closely held" within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Code or would otherwise cause the Trust to fail
to qualify as a REIT), then (i) the number of Series B Preferred
Shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would (but for
this Section 7.24) cause any Person to directly or indirectly own
either Series B Preferred Shares, or to directly or indirectly own
Series B Preferred Shares and any other shares of beneficial interest
in the Trust, in violation of Section [7.2(a)] 6.6(d)(i) (or would
result in the Trust being "closely held" or otherwise fail to qualify
as a REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares" and shall be treated as
provided in [Article VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8. Such designation and
treatment shall be effective as of the close of business on the
business day prior to the date of the Special Triggering Event or
other event or occurrence.
SECTION 13.3 Series C Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated
9-1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest ($0.01 Par Value Per Share) (Liquidation Preference $250.00 Per Share)
(the "Series C Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following terms:
(a) Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this
Section 13.3 shall have the meanings herein specified (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural).
"Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New
York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close.
"Common Shares" shall mean the common shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
"Distribution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(3).
"Junior Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(2).
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"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate,
trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the
Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively
for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private
foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company
or other entity, and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does
not include an underwriter which participates in a public offering of the Series
C Preferred Shares provided that the ownership of Series C Preferred Shares by
such Underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held" within the
meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or would otherwise result in the Trust
failing to qualify as a REIT.
"Preferred Shares" shall mean preferred shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share, including Series A Preferred Shares, Series B
Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, Series D Preferred Shares, and
Series E Preferred Shares.
"Quarterly Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.3(b)(3) below.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.3(b)(3)
below.
"REIT" shall mean a Real Estate Investment Trust under Section 856 of
the Code.
"Series C Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.3(b)(5) below.
"Series C Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.3(b)(5) below.
(b) Series C Preferred Shares.
(1) Number. The maximum number of shares of the Series C Preferred
Shares shall be 460,000.
(2) Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive distributions
and to participate in distributions or payments in the event of any Liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series C Preferred Shares shall rank
pari passu with any other preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Trust,
including the Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series D
Preferred Shares, and Series E Preferred Shares. The Series C Preferred Shares
will rank senior to the Common Shares and any other class or series of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to distributions and upon
Liquidation, junior (collectively, the "Junior Shares") to the Preferred Shares.
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(3) Distributions. The holders of the then outstanding Series C
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board
of Trustees out of any funds legally available therefor, cumulative
distributions at the rate of $22.8125 per share per year, payable in equal
amounts of $5.703125 per share quarterly in cash on the fifteenth day, or if not
a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, of January, April, July and
October in each year, beginning October 15, 1996 (each such day being
hereinafter called a "Quarterly Distribution Date" and each period ending on a
Quarterly Distribution Date being hereinafter called a "Distribution Period"),
to shareholders of record at the close of business on such date as shall be
fixed by the Board of Trustees at the time of declaration of the distribution
(the "Record Date"), which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 30 days
preceding the Quarterly Distribution Date. The amount of any distribution
payable for the initial Distribution Period and for any other Distribution
Period shorter than a full Distribution Period shall be prorated and computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Distributions on each
share of Series C Preferred Shares shall accrue and be cumulative from and
including the date of original issue thereof, whether or not (i) distributions
on such shares are earned or declared or (ii) on any Quarterly Distribution Date
there shall be funds legally available for the payment of distributions.
Distributions paid on the Series C Preferred Shares in an amount less than the
total amount of such distributions at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a per share basis among all such shares at
the time outstanding.
The amount of any distributions accrued on any Series C Preferred
Shares at any quarterly Distribution Date shall be the amount of any unpaid
distributions accumulated thereon, to and including such Quarterly Distribution
Date, whether or not earned or declared, and the amount of distributions accrued
on any shares of Series C Preferred Shares at any date other than a Quarterly
Distribution Date shall be equal to the sum of the amount of any unpaid
distributions accumulated thereon, to and including the last preceding Quarterly
Distribution Date, whether or not earned or declared, plus an amount calculated
on the basis of the annual distribution rate of $22.8125 for the period after
such last preceding Quarterly Distribution Date to and including the date as of
which the calculation is made based on a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Except as provided in this Section 13.3, the Series C Preferred Shares
shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets of the Trust.
(4) Liquidation Rights.
(A) Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Trust, the holders of the Series C Preferred
Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be
paid out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
its shareholders, before any payment or distribution shall be
made on any Junior Shares, the amount of $250.00 per Series C
Preferred Share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions thereon.
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(B) After the payment to the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares
of the full preferential amounts provided for in this paragraph
(b), the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares as such shall
have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the
Trust.
(C) If, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation,
or winding up of the Trust, the amounts payable with respect to
the preference value of the Series C Preferred Shares and any
other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to
any such distribution on a parity with the Series C Preferred
Shares are not paid in full, the holders of the Series C
Preferred Shares and of such other shares will share ratably in
any such distribution of assets of the Trust in proportion to the
full respective preference amounts to which they are entitled.
(D) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Trust, nor the merger or consolidation of the
Trust into or with any other entity or the merger or
consolidation of any other entity into or with the Trust, shall
be deemed to be a dissolution, Liquidation or winding up,
voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this paragraph (b).
(5) Redemption.
(A) Optional Redemption. On and after September 9, 2006, the Trust
may, at its option, redeem at any time all or, from time to time,
part of the Series C Preferred Shares at a price per share (the
"Series C Redemption Price"), payable in cash, of $250.00 per
Series C Preferred Share, together with all accrued and unpaid
distributions to and including the date fixed for redemption (the
"Series C Redemption Date").
(B) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) Notice of any redemption will be mailed by the Trust,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Series C Redemption Date, addressed to the
holders of record of the Series C Preferred Shares to be
redeemed at their addresses as they appear on the share
transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such
notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall
affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of
any Series C Preferred Shares except as to the holder to
whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except as to the
holder to whom notice was defective. In addition to any
information required by law or by the applicable rules of
any
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exchange upon which Series C Preferred Shares may be listed
or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (a) the
Series C Redemption Date; (b) the Series C Redemption Price;
(c) the number of Series C Preferred Shares to be redeemed;
(d) the place or places where certificates for such shares
are to be surrendered for payment of the Series C Redemption
Price; and (e) that distributions on the shares to be
redeemed will cease to accumulate on the Series C Redemption
Date.
(ii) If notice has been mailed in accordance with Section
13.3(b)(5)(B)(i) above and provided that on or before the
Series C Redemption Date specified in such notice all funds
necessary for such redemption shall have been irrevocably
set aside by the Trust, separate and apart from its other
funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of
the Series C Preferred Shares so called for redemption, so
as to be, and to continue to be available therefor, then,
from and after the Series C Redemption Date, distributions
on the Series C Preferred Shares so called for redemption
shall cease to accumulate, and said shares shall no longer
be deemed to be outstanding and shall not have the status of
Series C Preferred Shares and all rights of the holders
thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the right to
receive the Series C Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon
surrender, in accordance with said notice, of the
certificates for any Series C Preferred Shares so redeemed
(properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust
shall so require and the notice shall so state), such Series
C Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Series C Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the
Series C Preferred Shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates
shall be issued representing the unredeemed Series C
Preferred Shares without cost to the holder thereof.
(iii) Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for
the purpose of redeeming Series C Preferred Shares shall be
irrevocable except that:
(a) the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such
bank or trust company the interest or other
earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited
in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed
shall have no claim to such interest or other
earnings; and
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(b) any balance of monies so deposited
by the Trust and unclaimed by the holders of the
Series C Preferred Shares entitled thereto at the
expiration of two years from the applicable Series
C Redemption Date shall be repaid, together with
any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to
the Trust, and after any such repayment, the
holders of the shares entitled to the funds so
repaid to the Trust shall look only to the Trust
for payment without interest or other earnings.
(iv) No Series C Preferred Shares may be redeemed except
with funds legally available for the payment of the Series C
Redemption Price.
(v) Unless full accumulated distributions on all Series C
Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution
Period, no Series C Preferred Shares shall be redeemed
(unless all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares are
simultaneously redeemed) or purchased or otherwise acquired
directly or indirectly (except by conversion into or
exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to
the Series C Preferred Shares as to distributions and upon
liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the redemption of Series C Preferred Shares
pursuant to [Article VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8 of this
Declaration of Trust or the purchase or acquisition of
Series C Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange
offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Shares.
(vi) If the Series C Redemption Date is after a Record Date
and before the related Quarterly Distribution Date, the
distribution payable on such Quarterly Distribution Date
shall be paid to the holder in whose name the Series C
Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the close
of business on such Record Date notwithstanding the
redemption thereof between such Record Date and the related
Quarterly Distribution Date or the Trust's default in the
payment of the distribution due.
(vii) In case of redemption of less than all Series C
Preferred Shares at the time outstanding, the Series C
Preferred Shares to be
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redeemed shall be selected pro rata from the holders of
record of such shares in proportion to the number of Series
C Preferred Shares held by such holders (with adjustments to
avoid redemption of fractional shares) or by any other
equitable method determined by the Trust.
(6) Voting Rights. Except as required by law, the holders of the
Series C Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
shareholders for election of trustees or for any other purposes or otherwise to
participate in any action taken by the Trust or the shareholders thereof, or to
receive notice of any meeting of shareholders.
(A) In any matter in which the Series C Preferred Shares are
entitled to vote (as expressly provided herein or as may be
required by law), including any action by written consent,
each Series C Preferred Share shall be entitled to 10 votes,
each of which 10 votes may be directed separately by the
holder thereof (or by any proxy or proxies of such holder).
With respect to each Series C Preferred Share, the holder
thereof may designate up to 10 proxies, with each such proxy
having the right to vote a whole number of votes (totaling
10 votes per Series C Preferred Share).
(B) Whenever distributions on any Series C Preferred Shares
shall be in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the
holders of the Depositary Shares representing such Series C
Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class with all
other series of Preferred Shares upon which like voting
rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be
entitled to vote for the election of two additional Trustees
of the Trust at a special meeting called by the holders of
record of at least ten percent (10%) of any series of
Preferred Shares so in arrears (unless such request is
received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the
next annual or special meeting of the shareholders) or at
the next annual meeting of shareholders, and at each
subsequent annual meeting until all distributions
accumulated on such Series C Preferred Shares for the past
distribution periods and the then current distribution
period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment.
In such case, the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust will
be increased by two Trustees.
(C) So long as any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding,
the Trust will not, without the affirmative vote or consent
of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Series C
Preferred Shares
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outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either
in writing or at a meeting (such series voting separately as
a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the
authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of
shares of beneficial interest ranking prior to the Series C
Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of
distributions or the distribution of assets upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any
authorized shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into
such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or
security convertible into or evidencing the right to
purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of this Declaration of Trust whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially
and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or
voting power of the Series C Preferred Shares or the holders
thereof; provided, however, with respect to the occurrence
of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the
Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms
thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon
the occurrence of an Event, the Trust may not be the
surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not
be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights,
preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Series
C Preferred Shares and provided further that (x) any
increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Shares or
the creation or issuance of any other Series C Preferred
Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount of authorized
Series C Preferred Shares or any other Preferred Shares, in
each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series C
Preferred Shares with respect to payment of distributions or
the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely
affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting
powers.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall
be effected, all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed
or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust
to effect such redemption.
(7) Conversion. The Series C Preferred Shares are not convertible
into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except
into Excess Shares in connection with maintaining the ability of the Trust to
qualify as a REIT.
(8) Exclusion of Other Rights.
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Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series C Preferred Shares
shall not have any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, other than those specifically set forth in
this Section 13.3. The Series C Preferred Shares shall have no preemptive or
subscription rights.
(9) Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions within this Section 13.3 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
(10) Severability of Provisions.
If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
other special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section 13.3 is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Series C Preferred Shares and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this Section
13.3 which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other
such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special right of Series C Preferred Shares and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof unless so expressed herein.
(c) Article VII of the Trust's Declaration of Trust shall be supplemented
by adding the following new Section 7.25.
7.25 Special Rules for Series C Preferred Shares.
(1) Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Section 7.25 the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"Closing Date of the Series C Preferred Shares Offering" shall mean
the time and date of payment for and delivery of Series C Preferred Shares
issued pursuant to the effective registration statement for such Series C
Preferred Shares filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Special Triggering Event" shall mean either (i) the redemption or
purchase by the Trust of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest in the Trust, or (ii) a change in the value of the Series C
Preferred Shares relative to any other class of beneficial interest in the
Trust.
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(2) Special Triggering Event. If during the period commencing on the
Closing Date of the Series C Preferred Shares Offering and prior to the date on
which the Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interest
of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT, a Special
Triggering Event (if effective) or other event or occurrence (if effective)
would result in any violation of Section [7.2(a)] 6.6(d)(i) of the Trust's
Declaration of Trust (or would result in the Trust being "closely held" within
the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or would otherwise cause the Trust to
fail to qualify as a REIT), then (i) the number of Series C Preferred Shares
(rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would (but for this Section 7.25)
cause any Person to directly or indirectly own either Series C Preferred Shares,
or to directly or indirectly own Series C Preferred Shares and any other shares
of beneficial interest in the Trust, in violation of Section [7.2(a)] 6.6(d)(i)
(or would result in the Trust being "closely held" or otherwise fail to qualify
as a REIT) shall constitute "Excess Shares" and shall be treated as provided in
[Article VII] Sections 6.6 and 6.8. Such designation and treatment shall be
effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of
the Special Triggering Event or other event or occurrence.
SECTION 13.4. Series D Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest designated the
"Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest" (the
"Series D Convertible Preferred Shares") is hereby established on the following
terms:
1. Designation and Amount. The shares of the series of preferred
shares established hereunder shall be designated as Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and the authorized number of shares constituting such series
shall be 4,600,000. The par value of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
shall be $.01 per share.
2. Distributions.
(a) The holders of shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees
out of assets of the Trust legally available therefor (and subject to the
limitation described in the last sentence of this paragraph), cumulative cash
distributions on the shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares at the
annual rate of $1.75 per share, payable quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1
and October 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 1994 (which initial partial
distribution shall be from the date of issuance of the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares). Such distributions shall be cumulative from the date of
original issue of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares. If permissible
under applicable law and provided the distributions will qualify for the
dividends paid deduction (within the meaning of Sections 561 and 562 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor provisions thereto), such
distributions shall be paid as follows: first, from income of the Trust other
than net capital gains, and the balance, if any, from net capital gains of the
Trust. If the Board of Trustees determines, in its sole discretion, that
distributions to be paid in accordance with the preceding sentence would not
qualify for such dividends paid
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deduction, then such distributions shall be paid in a manner determined by the
Board of Trustees. Each distribution shall be paid to the holders of record of
the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as they appear on the share register
of the Trust on such record date, not more than 90 days preceding the
distribution payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees or
a duly authorized committee thereof. If a holder converts Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares after the close of business on the record date for a
distribution and before the opening of business on the payment date for such
distribution, then, pursuant to Section 13.4(7) hereof, the holder will be
required to pay to the Trust at the time of such conversion the amount of such
distribution (unless the shares were converted after the issuance of a notice of
redemption with respect to such shares, in which event the holder of such shares
shall be entitled to the distribution payable thereon on such distribution
payment date without making such payment).
(b) If any Convertible Preferred Shares are outstanding, no full
distributions shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any other
preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking as to distributions
on a parity with or junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares for any
period unless full cumulative distributions have been declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for
such payment on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares for all past
distribution periods and the then current distribution period. If distributions
are not paid in full, or not declared in full and a sum sufficient for such full
payment is not set apart for the payment thereof, upon the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and any other preferred shares ranking on a parity as to
distributions with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, all distributions
declared upon Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and upon any other preferred
shares ranking on a parity as to distributions shall be paid or declared pro
rata so that in all cases the amount of distributions paid or declared per share
on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and such other preferred shares
shall bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per
share, including distributions accrued or in arrears, if any, on the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and such other preferred shares bear to each other.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, unless full cumulative
distributions on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for such full payment set apart for payment for
all past distribution periods and the then current distribution period, no
distributions (other than distributions in shares of Common Shares (as
hereinafter defined) or in any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
ranking junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution
rights and the liquidation preference) shall be declared or paid or set apart
for payment or other distribution upon the Trust's common shares of beneficial
interest, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), or, except as provided
above, on any other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to
or on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution
rights or the liquidation preference, nor shall any Common Shares or any other
shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with
the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution rights or the
liquidation preference be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any
consideration (or any payment made to or available for a sinking fund for the
redemption of any such shares) by the Trust or any
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subsidiary of the Trust (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference).
Holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to
any distributions, whether payable in cash, property or shares of beneficial
interest, in excess of full accrued and cumulative distributions as herein
provided. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be payable in
respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares that may be in arrears.
The terms "accrued distributions," "distributions accrued" and
"distributions in arrears," whenever used herein with reference to shares of
preferred shares of beneficial interest, shall be deemed to mean an amount which
shall be equal to distributions thereon at the annual distribution rates per
share for the respective series thereof from the date or dates on which such
distributions commence to accrue to the end of the then current quarterly
distribution period for such preferred shares (or, in the case of redemption, to
the date of redemption), less the amount of all distributions paid, or declared
in full and set aside for the payment thereof, upon such shares of preferred
shares.
(c) Distributions payable on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
for any period less than a full quarterly distribution period shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Quarterly distributions
payable on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be computed by
dividing the annual distribution rate by four.
3. Trustees' Right to Refuse to Transfer Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares; Limitation on Holdings.
(a) The terms and provisions of this Section 13.4(3) shall apply in
addition to, and not in limitation of, the terms and provisions of [Article VII]
Sections 6.6 and 6.8 of this Declaration of Trust.
(b) Each Person (as defined in Section 1.5 of the Declaration of
Trust) who owns directly or indirectly more than five percent in number or value
of the total Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding shall, within 30
days after January 1 of each year, give written notice to the Trust stating the
Person's name and address, the number of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
directly or indirectly owned by such Person, and a description of the capacity
in which such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are held. For purposes of
this Section 13.4, the number and value of the total Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares outstanding shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in
good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder.
In addition, each direct or indirect holder of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, irrespective of such shareholder's percentage ownership of outstanding
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, shall upon demand disclose to the Trust
in writing such information with respect to the direct or indirect ownership of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as the Board of Trustees deems necessary
from time to time to
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enable the Board of Trustees to determine whether the Trust complies with the
REIT Provisions of the Code (as defined in Section 1.5 of the Declaration of
Trust), to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental
agency or to determine any such compliance.
(c) If, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be
binding upon any prospective acquiror of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares,
any proposed transfer or issuance would jeopardize the status of the Trust as a
real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code, the Board of
Trustees shall have the right, but not the duty, to refuse to permit such
transfer or issuance or refuse to give effect to such transfer or issuance and
to take any action to void any such issuance or cause any such transfer not to
occur.
(d) As a condition to any transfer and/or registration of transfer on
the books of the Trust of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares which could
result in direct or indirect ownership (as hereinafter defined) of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares exceeding 20% of the lesser of the number or the
value of the total Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding (the
"Excess Preferred Shares") by a Person other than a Preferred Excepted Person
(as defined in Section 3(e) below), such prospective transferee shall give
written notice to the Trust of the proposed transfer and shall furnish such
opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings, agreements and information as may
be required by the Board of Trustees no later than the 15th day prior to any
transfer which, if consummated, would result in such ownership.
(e) Any transfer of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares that would
(i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess Preferred Shares other than a
Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being "closely held"
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void ab initio and
the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights afforded to owners
of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares hereunder and shall be deemed never to
have had an interest therein. Any issuance of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares that would (i) create a direct or indirect owner of Excess Preferred
Shares other than a Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being
"closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void
ab initio and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights
afforded to owners of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares hereunder and shall
be deemed never to have had an interest therein.
"Preferred Excepted Person" shall mean any Person approved by the
Board of Trustees, at their option and in their sole discretion, provided,
however, that such approval shall not be granted to any Person whose ownership
of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series
D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding would result, directly, indirectly or
as a result of attribution of ownership, in termination of the status of the
Trust as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
(f) The Trust, by notice to the holder thereof, may purchase any
or all Series D Convertible Preferred Shares that are proposed to be transferred
pursuant to a transfer
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which, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be binding upon any
proposed transferor or transferee of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares,
would result in any Person acquiring Excess Preferred Shares, or would otherwise
jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the
REIT Provisions of the Code. The Trust shall have the power, by lot or other
means deemed equitable by the Board of Trustees in their sole discretion, to
purchase such Excess Preferred Shares from the prospective transferor. The
purchase price for any Excess Preferred Shares shall be equal to the fair market
value of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares on the last trading day
immediately preceding the day on which notice of such proposed transfer is sent,
as reflected in the closing sale price for the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, if then listed on a national securities exchange, or such price for the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares on the principal exchange if then listed
on more than one national securities exchange, or if the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the
latest bid quotation for the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares if then
traded over-the-counter, or, if no such closing sales prices or quotations are
available, then the purchase price shall be equal to the fair market value of
such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as determined by the Board of
Trustees in good faith. Prompt payment of the purchase price shall be made in
cash by the Trust in such manner as may be determined by the Board of Trustees.
From and after the date fixed for purchase by the Board of Trustees, and so long
as payment of the purchase price for the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
to be so redeemed shall have been made or duly provided for, the holder of any
Excess Preferred Shares so called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to
dividends, distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, excepting only the right to payment of
the purchase price fixed as aforesaid. Any dividend or distribution paid to a
proposed transferee of Excess Preferred Shares prior to the discovery by the
Trust that the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have been transferred in
violation of this Section 3 shall be repaid to the Trust upon demand.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration
of Trust or the Trust's Bylaws, Sections 13.4(3)(e), (f), (g) and (h) may not be
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote. If Section 13.4(3)(e), (f), (g) or (h) is determined to be
void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation,
then the acquiror of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares in violation of such
Sections shall be deemed, at the option of the Trust, to have acted as agent on
behalf of the Trust in acquiring such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares on
behalf of the Trust.
(h) Subject to Section 13.4(3)(l), notwithstanding any other provision
of this Section 13.4 to the contrary, any purported transfer, sale or
acquisition of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (whether such purported
transfer, sale or acquisition results from the direct or indirect acquisition of
ownership of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares) which would result in the
termination of the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under
the REIT Provisions of the Code shall be null and void ab initio. Any such
Series D
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Convertible Preferred Shares may be treated by the Board of Trustees in the
manner prescribed for Excess Preferred Shares in subsection (f) of this Section
13.4(3).
(i) Subject to Section 13.4(3)(l), nothing contained in this Section
13.4(3) or in any other provision of this Section 13.4 shall limit the authority
of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as they deem necessary or
advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of the shareholders by
preservation of the Trust's status as a real estate investment trust under the
REIT Provisions of the Code.
(j) If any provision of this Section 13.4(3) or any application of any
such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to
the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court. To the
extent this Section 13.4(3) may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Section 13.4, this Section 13.4(3) shall be controlling.
(k) For purposes of this Section 13.4, Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares not owned directly shall be deemed to be owned indirectly by a person if
that person or a group of which he is a member would be the beneficial owner of
such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and/or would be considered to own such Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares by reason of the REIT Provisions of the Code.
(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 13.4(3), nothing in
this Section 13.4 shall preclude the settlement of transactions entered into
through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The fact that the
settlement of any transaction is permitted shall not negate the effect of any
other provision of this Section 13.4(3) and any transferee in such a transaction
shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this
Section 13.4(3).
4. Redemption at the Option of the Trust.
(a) The Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior
to November 1, 1998. On and after November 1, 1998, the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares may be redeemed at the option of the Trust by resolution of its
Board of Trustees, in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the
limitations set forth below, at the following redemption prices per share if
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning November 1 of the year
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indicated below (the "Call Price"), plus, in each case, all distributions
accrued and unpaid on the shares of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares up
to the date of such redemption, upon giving notice as provided below:
If redeemed during
the twelve-month
period beginning Call
November 1, Price
------------------ -----
1998.......................................... $25.875
1999.......................................... $25.700
2000.......................................... $25.525
2001.......................................... $25.350
2002.......................................... $25.175
2003 and thereafter........................... $25.000
(b) If fewer than all of the outstanding Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed shall be
determined pro rata or by lot or in such other manner and subject to such
regulations as the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion shall prescribe. In
the event that such redemption is to be by lot, if as a result of such
redemption any holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares would become a
holder of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding because such holder's Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part,
then the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares of such shareholder such that he will not hold in excess of 20%
of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares outstanding subsequent to such redemption, unless the holder is
a Preferred Excepted Person (as defined in Section 3(e) hereof), in which event
the Trust shall have the option to redeem such requisite number of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board
of Trustees.
(c) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed
for the redemption of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the Trust shall
mail a written notice to each holder of record of the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares to be redeemed in a postage prepaid envelope addressed to such
holder at his address as shown on the records of the Trust, notifying such
holder of the election of the Trust to redeem such shares, stating the date
fixed for redemption thereof (the "Redemption Date"), the redemption price, the
number of shares to be redeemed (and, if fewer than all the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed from
such holder) and the place(s) where the certificate(s) representing such shares
are to be surrendered for payment. On or after the Redemption Date each holder
of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall present and
surrender his certificate or certificates for such shares to the Trust at the
place designated in such notice and thereupon the redemption price of such
shares shall be paid to or
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on the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or
certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be
cancelled. In the event that fewer than all the shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the
unredeemed shares. From and after the Redemption Date (unless default shall be
made by the Trust in payment of the redemption price), all distributions on the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares designated for redemption in such notice
shall cease to accrue, and all rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of
the Trust, except the right to receive the redemption price of such shares
(including all accrued and unpaid distributions up to the Redemption Date) upon
the surrender of certificates representing the same, shall cease and terminate
and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred (except with the consent of
the Trust) on the books of the Trust, and such shares shall not be deemed to be
outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. At its election, the Trust prior to the
Redemption Date may irrevocably deposit the redemption price (including all
accrued and unpaid distributions up to the Redemption Date) of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares so called for redemption in trust for the holders
thereof with a bank or trust company (having a capital surplus and undivided
profits aggregating not less than $50,000,000) in the Borough of Manhattan, City
and State of New York, or in any other city in which the Trust at the time shall
maintain a transfer agency with respect to such shares, in which case the
aforesaid notice to holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares to be
redeemed shall state the date of such deposit, shall specify the office of such
bank or trust company as the place of payment of the redemption price, and shall
call upon such holders to surrender the certificates representing such shares at
such place on or after the date fixed in such redemption notice (which shall not
be later than the Redemption Date) against payment of the redemption price
(including all accrued and unpaid distributions up to the Redemption Date). Any
interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to the Trust from time to time.
Any moneys so deposited which shall remain unclaimed by the holders of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares at the end of two years after the
Redemption Date shall be returned by such bank or trust company to the Trust.
If a notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Section
13.4(4) and any holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall, prior to
the close of business on the last business day preceding the Redemption Date,
give written notice to the Trust pursuant to Section 13.4(7) below of the
conversion of any or all of the shares to be redeemed held by such holder
(accompanied by a certificate or certificates for such shares, duly endorsed or
assigned to the Trust, and any necessary transfer tax payment, as required by
Section 13.4(7) below, then such redemption shall not become effective as to
such shares to be converted, such conversion shall become effective as provided
in Section 13.4(7) below and any moneys set aside by the Trust for the
redemption of such shares of converted Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
shall revert to the general funds of the Trust (unless such shares were
converted after the close of business on the record date for a distribution and
before the opening of business on the payment date for such distribution, in
which event the holders of such shares shall be entitled to the distribution
payable thereon on such distribution payment date).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless full cumulative distributions on
all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
distribution periods and the then current distribution period, no Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed; provided, however,
that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on
the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, and, unless full cumulative distributions on all outstanding Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past distribution periods and
the then current distribution period, the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise
acquire directly or indirectly any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (except
by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
ranking junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as to distribution
rights and the liquidation preference).
(d) The Series D Convertible Preferred Shares redeemed, repurchased or
retired pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.4(4) or surrendered to the
Trust upon conversion shall thereupon be retired and may not be reissued as
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares but shall thereafter have the status of
authorized but unissued shares of beneficial interest.
5. Voting Rights.
(a) The holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter except (i) as provided in Section 13.4(9), (ii)
as provided in Section 13.4(5)(b) and (iii) as required by law.
(b) In the event the Trust shall have failed to declare and pay or set
apart for payment in full the distributions accumulated on the outstanding
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares for any six consecutive quarterly
distribution payment periods (a "Preferential Distribution Non-Payment"), the
number of trustees of the Trust shall be increased by two and the holders of the
outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, voting together as a class
with all other classes or series of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a
parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to
distribution rights and then entitled to vote on the election of such additional
two trustees, shall be entitled to elect such two additional trustees until the
full distributions accumulated on all outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. Upon the
occurrence of a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment or a vacancy in the office
of a Preferred Shares Trustee (as defined below), the Board of Trustees shall
within a reasonable period call a special meeting of the holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and all holders of other classes or series of
preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights who are then entitled to
vote on the election of such additional trustee or trustees for the purpose of
electing the additional trustee or trustees. If and when all accumulated
distributions on the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares have
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been declared and paid or set aside for payment in full, the holders of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be divested of the special voting
rights provided by this Section 13.4(5)(b), subject to revesting in the event of
each and every subsequent Preferential Distribution Non-Payment. Upon
termination of such special voting rights attributable to all holders of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and shares of any other class or series of
preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights, the term of office of each
trustee elected by the holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and
such parity preferred shares (a "Preferred Shares Trustee") pursuant to such
special voting rights shall forthwith terminate and the number of trustees
constituting the entire Board of Trustees shall be reduced by the number of
Preferred Shares Trustees. Any Preferred Shares Trustee may be removed by, and
shall not be removed otherwise than by, the vote of the holders of record of a
majority of the outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and all other
series of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights who were
entitled to vote in such Preferred Shares Trustee's election, voting as a
separate class, at a meeting called for such purpose.
(c) So long as any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are
outstanding, the number of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees of
the Trust shall at all times be such that the exercise, by the holders of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares and the holders of preferred shares of the
Trust ranking on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with
respect to distribution rights, of the right to elect trustees under the
circumstances provided for in subclause (b) of this Section 13.4(5) will not
contravene any other provision of this Declaration restricting the number of
trustees which may constitute the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(d) Trustees elected pursuant to subclause (b) of this Section 13.4(5)
shall serve until the earlier of (x) the next annual meeting of the shareholders
of the Trust and the election (by the holders of the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a
parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to
distribution rights) and qualification of their respective successors or (y) the
termination of the term of office of each Preferred Shares Trustee upon the
termination of the special voting rights as provided for in Section 13.4(5)(b).
(e) So long as a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall continue,
any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Shares Trustee may be filled by vote of
the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares and all other series of preferred shares ranking on a parity
with the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares with respect to distribution
rights who are then entitled to vote in the election of such Preferred Shares
Trustee as provided above. As long as the Preferential Distribution Non-Payment
shall continue, holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall not,
as such shareholders, be entitled to vote on the election or removal of trustees
other than Preferred Shares Trustees,
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but shall not be divested of any other voting rights provided to such
shareholders by law, this Declaration with respect to any other matter to be
acted upon by the shareholders of the Trust.
6. Liquidation Preference.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Trust, whether voluntary or otherwise, after payment or provision
for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Trust, the holders of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, in cash, out
of the remaining assets of the Trust legally available therefor, the amount of
Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each Series D Convertible Preferred Share, plus
an amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid on each such share up to
the date of such distribution of assets, before any distribution shall be made
to the holders of Common Shares or any other shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust ranking (as to any such distribution of assets) junior to the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Trust, the assets distributable among the holders of Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares and all other classes and series of preferred
shares ranking (as to any such distribution of assets) on a parity with the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are insufficient to permit the payment in
full to the holders of all such shares of all preferential amounts payable to
all such holders, then the entire assets of the Trust thus distributable shall
be distributed ratably among the holders of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares and such other classes and series of preferred shares ranking (as to any
such distribution of assets) on a parity with the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares in proportion to the respective amounts that would be payable per share
if such assets were sufficient to permit payment in full.
(b) For purposes of this Section 13.4(6), a distribution of assets in
any dissolution, winding up or liquidation shall not include (i) any
consolidation or merger of the Trust with or into any other corporation, (ii)
any dissolution, liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the Trust
immediately followed by incorporation of another corporation to which such
assets are distributed or (iii) a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Trust's assets to another corporation; provided,
however, that, in each case, effective provision is made in the charter of the
resulting and surviving corporation or otherwise for the recognition,
preservation and protection of the rights of the holders of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares.
(c) After the payment of the full preferential amounts provided for
herein to the holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares or funds
necessary for such payment have been set aside in trust for the holders thereof,
such holders shall be entitled to no other or further participation in the
distribution of the assets of the Trust.
(d) In determining whether a distribution by dividend, redemption or
other acquisition of Shares or otherwise is permitted under Maryland law, no
effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Trust were to be
dissolved at the time of the distribution,
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to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose
preferential rights on dissolution are superior to those receiving the
distribution.
7. Conversion.
(a) Holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall have the
right, exercisable at any time and from time to time, except in the case of the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares called for redemption as set forth below,
to convert all or any such Series D Convertible Preferred Shares into Common
Shares at [the conversion price and ratio determined by the provisions of the
Wellsford Articles Supplementary designating the Wellsford Series A Convertible
Preferred Shares], subject to adjustment as described below. In the case of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares called for redemption, conversion rights
will expire at the close of business on the last business day preceding the
Redemption Date. Notice of redemption at the option of the Trust must be mailed
not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date as
provided in Section 13.4(4)(c) hereof. Upon conversion, no adjustment or payment
will be made for distributions, but if any holder surrenders Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares for conversion after the close of business on the
record date for the payment of a distribution and prior to the opening of
business on the related distribution payment date, then, notwithstanding such
conversion, the distribution payable on such distribution payment date will be
paid to the registered holder of such shares on such distribution record date.
In such event, such shares, when surrendered for conversion during the period
between the close of business on any distribution record date and the opening of
business on the corresponding distribution payment date, must be accompanied by
payment of an amount equal to the distribution payable on such distribution
payment date on the shares so converted (unless such shares were converted after
the issuance of a notice of redemption with respect to such shares, in which
event such shares shall be entitled to the distribution payable thereon on such
distribution payment date without making such payment).
(b) Any holder of one or more Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
electing to convert such share or shares shall deliver the certificate or
certificates therefor to the principal office of any transfer agent for the
Common Shares, with the form of notice of election to convert as the Trust shall
prescribe fully completed and duly executed and (if so required by the Trust or
any conversion agent) accompanied by instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Trust and to any conversion agent, duly executed by the
registered holder or his duly authorized attorney, and transfer taxes, stamps or
funds therefor or evidence of payment thereof if required pursuant to Section
13.4(7)(a) or 13.4(7)(d) hereof. The conversion right with respect to any such
shares shall be deemed to have been exercised at the date upon which the
certificates therefor accompanied by such duly executed notice of election and
instruments of transfer and such taxes, stamps, funds or evidence of payment
shall have been so delivered, and the person or persons entitled to receive the
shares of the Common Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for
all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of the Common Shares
upon said date.
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(c) No fractional Common Share or scrip representing a fractional
share shall be issued upon conversion of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
If more than one Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be surrendered for
conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full Common Shares
which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis
of the aggregate number of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares so surrendered.
Instead of any fractional Common Share which would otherwise be issuable upon
conversion of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the Trust shall pay a
cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same
fraction of the closing price for the Common Shares on the last trading day
preceding the date of conversion. The closing price for such day shall be the
last reported sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes
place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices
regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or if the Common
Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted
to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, the closing sale price of the Common Shares or in case no reported
sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, on NASDAQ or
any comparable system. If the Common Shares are not quoted on NASDAQ or any
comparable system, the Board of Trustees shall in good faith determine the
current market price on the basis of such quotation as it considers appropriate.
(d) If a holder converts Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, the
Trust shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on
the issuance of Common Shares upon the conversion. The holder, however, shall
pay to the Trust the amount of any tax which is due (or shall establish to the
satisfaction of the Trust payment thereof) if the shares are to be issued in a
name other than the name of such holder and shall pay to the Trust any amount
required by the last sentence of Section 13.4(7)(a) hereof.
(e) The Trust shall reserve and shall at all times have reserved out
of its authorized but unissued Common Shares a sufficient number of Common
Shares to permit the conversion of the then outstanding Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares. All Common Shares which may be issued upon conversion of
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and not subject to preemptive or other similar rights. In order
that the Trust may issue Common Shares upon conversion of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares, the Trust will endeavor to comply with all applicable Federal
and State securities laws and will endeavor to list such Common Shares to be
issued upon conversion on each securities exchange on which the Common Shares
are listed.
(f) The conversion rate in effect at any time shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as follows:
(i) In case the Trust shall (1) pay or make a distribution in
Common Shares to holders of the Common Shares, (2) reclassify the
outstanding Common Shares into shares of some other class or series of
shares, (3) subdivide the
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outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of Common Shares or
(4) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of
Common Shares, the conversion rate immediately prior to such action
shall be adjusted so that the holder of any Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be
entitled to receive the number of Common Shares which he would have
owned immediately following such action had such Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares been converted immediately prior thereto. An
adjustment made pursuant to this Section 13.4(7)(f)(i) shall become
effective immediately after the record date in the case of a
distribution and shall become effective immediately after the
effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or
reclassification.
(ii) In case the Trust shall issue rights or warrants to all
holders of the Common Shares entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase Common Shares (or securities convertible into Common Shares)
at a price per share less than the current market price (as determined
pursuant to Section 13.4(7)(f)(iv)) of the Common Shares on such
record date, the number of Common Shares into which each Series D
Convertible Preferred Share shall be convertible shall be adjusted so
that the same shall be equal to the number determined by multiplying
the number of Common Shares into which such Series D Convertible
Preferred Share was convertible immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of Common
Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional
Common Shares offered (or into which the convertible securities so
offered are convertible), and of which the denominator shall be the
number of Common Shares outstanding on such record date, plus the
number of Common Shares which the aggregate offering price of the
additional Common Shares offered (or into which the convertible
securities so offered are convertible) would purchase at such current
market price. Such adjustments shall become effective immediately
after such record date for the determination of the holders of the
Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. For purposes of
this subsection (ii), the number of Common Shares at any time
outstanding shall not include Common Shares held in the treasury of
the Trust.
(iii) In case the Trust shall distribute to all holders of the
Common Shares any class of shares of beneficial interest other than
the Common Shares, evidences of indebtedness or assets of the Trust
(other than cash distributions out of current or retained earnings),
or shall distribute to all holders of the Common Shares rights or
warrants to subscribe for securities (other than those referred to in
Section 13.4(7)(f)(ii)), then in each such case the number of Common
Shares into which each Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be
convertible shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the number
determined by multiplying the number of Common Shares into which such
Series D Convertible Preferred Share was convertible immediately prior
to the date of such distribution by a fraction
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of which the numerator shall be the current market price (determined
as provided in Section 13.4(7)(f)(iv)) of the Common Shares on the
record date mentioned below, and of which the denominator shall be
such current market price of the Common Shares, less the then fair
market value (as determined by the Board of Trustees, whose
determination shall be conclusive evidence of such fair market value)
of the portion of the securities or assets so distributed or of such
subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Common Share. Such
adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date
for the determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to
receive such distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that the Trust shall distribute rights or warrants (other than
those referred to in Section 13.4(7)(f)(ii)) ("Rights") pro rata to
holders of the Common Shares, the Trust may, in lieu of making any
adjustment pursuant to this Section 13.4(7)(f)(iii), make proper
provision so that each holder of a Series D Convertible Preferred
Share who converts such share after the record date for such
distribution and prior to the expiration or redemption of the Rights
shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, in addition to the
Common Shares issuable upon such conversion (the "Conversion Shares"),
a number of Rights to be determined as follows: (1) if such
conversion occurs on or prior to the date for the distribution to the
holders of Rights of separate certificates evidencing such Rights (the
"Distribution Date"), the same number of Rights to which a holder of a
number of Common Shares equal to the number of Conversion Shares is
entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with the terms
and provisions of and applicable to the Rights; and (2) if such
conversion occurs after the Distribution Date, the same number of
Rights to which a holder of the number of Common Shares into which a
Series D Convertible Preferred Share so converted was convertible
immediately prior to the Distribution Date would have been entitled on
the Distribution Date in accordance with the terms and provisions of
and applicable to the Rights.
(iv) The current market price per share of the Common Shares on
any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices
for thirty consecutive trading days commencing forty-five trading days
before the date in question. The closing price for each day shall be
the last reported sales price regular way or, in case no such reported
sale takes place on such date, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock
Exchange, or if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to
trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities
exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading
or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, the closing sale price of the Common Shares or, in case no
reported sale takes place, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, on NASDAQ or any comparable system, or if the Common Shares
are not quoted on NASDAQ or any comparable system, the closing sale
price or, in case no reported sale takes place, the average of the
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closing bid and asked prices, as furnished by any two members of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to
time by the Trust for that purpose.
(v) In any case in which this Section 13.4(7) shall require that
an adjustment be made immediately following a record date, the Trust
may elect to defer (but only until five business days following the
mailing of the notice described in Section 13.4(7)(j)) issuing to the
holder of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares converted after
such record date the Common Shares and other shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust issuable upon such conversion over and above the
Common Shares and other shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
issuable upon such conversion only on the basis of the conversion rate
prior to adjustment; and, in lieu of the shares the issuance of which
is so deferred, the Trust shall issue or cause its transfer agents to
issue appropriate evidence of the right to receive such shares.
(g) No adjustment in the conversion rate shall be required until
cumulative adjustments result in a change of 1% or more of the conversion price
as in effect prior to the last adjustment of the conversion rate; provided,
however, that any adjustment which by reason of this Section 13.4(7)(g) is not
required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 13.4(7) shall be
made to the nearest cent ($.01) or to the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a
share, as the case may be. No adjustment to the conversion rate shall be made
for cash dividends.
(h) In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Section 13.4(7)(f), the holder of any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to receive any
shares of beneficial interest of the Trust other than Common Shares, thereafter
the number of such other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in
a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Common Shares contained in this Section 13.4(7).
(i) The Trust may make such increases in the conversion rate, in
addition to those required by Sections 13.4(7)(f)(i), (ii) and (iii), as is
considered to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income
tax purposes as a distribution of shares or share rights shall not be taxable to
the recipients thereof.
(j) Whenever the conversion rate is adjusted, the Trust shall
promptly mail to all holders of record of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
a notice of the adjustment and shall cause to be prepared a certificate signed
by a principal financial officer of the Trust setting forth the adjusted
conversion rate and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment and
the computation thereof; such certificate shall forthwith be filed with each
transfer agent for the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
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(k) In the event that:
(1) the Trust takes any action which would require an adjustment
in the conversion rate,
(2) the Trust consolidates or merges with, or transfers all or
substantially all of its assets to, another corporation and
shareholders of the Trust must approve the transaction, or
(3) there is a dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the
Trust,
a holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares may wish to convert some or
all of such shares into Common Shares prior to the record date for, or the
effective date of, the transaction so that he may receive the rights, warrants,
securities or assets which a holder of Common Shares on that date may receive.
Therefore, the Trust shall mail to holders of Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares a notice stating the proposed record or effective date of the
transaction, as the case may be. The Trust shall mail the notice at least 10
days before such date; however, failure to mail such notice or any defect
therein shall not affect the validity of any transaction referred to in clauses
(1), (2) or (3) of this Section 13.4(7)(k).
(l) If any of the following shall occur, namely: (i) any
reclassification or change of outstanding Common Shares issuable upon conversion
of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares (other than a change in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a
result of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger to
which the Trust is a party other than a merger in which the Trust is the
surviving entity and which does not result in any reclassification of, or change
(other than a change in name, or par value, or from par value to no par value,
or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
combination) in, outstanding Common Shares or (iii) any sale, transfer or lease
of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Trust as an
entirety, then the Trust, or such successor or purchasing entity, as the case
may be, shall, as a condition precedent to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, provide in its charter document
that each Series D Convertible Preferred Share shall be convertible into the
kind and amount of shares of stock or beneficial interest and other securities
and property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the number of
Common Shares deliverable upon conversion of such Series D Convertible Preferred
Share immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer or lease. Such charter document shall provide for adjustments
which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments
provided for in this Section 13.4(7). The foregoing, however, shall not in any
way affect the right that a holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares may
otherwise have, pursuant to clause (2) of the last sentence of Section
13.4(7)(f)(iii), to receive Rights upon conversion of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares. If, in the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale,
transfer or lease, the shares of stock or beneficial interest or other
securities and property
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(including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of the Common Shares includes
shares of stock or beneficial interest or other securities and property of a
corporation other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may
be, in such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease, then the charter
document of such other corporation shall contain such additional provisions to
protect the interests of the holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Shares as
the Board of Trustees shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the
foregoing. The provisions of this Section 13.4(7)(l) shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or leases.
8. Ranking. With regard to rights to receive distributions and
amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the
Series D Convertible Preferred Shares shall rank senior to the Common Shares and
on a parity with any other preferred shares issued by the Trust, unless the
terms of such other preferred shares provide otherwise and, if applicable, the
requirements of Section 9 hereof have been complied with. However, the Trust
may authorize or increase any class or series of shares of beneficial interest
ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares
as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference without the vote or
consent of the holders of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
9. Limitations. In addition to any other rights provided by
applicable law, so long as any Series D Convertible Preferred Shares are
outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the affirmative vote, or the written
consent as provided by law, of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
total number of outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a
class,
(a) authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of, or rights to subscribe to or
acquire, any security convertible into, any class or series of shares
of beneficial interest ranking as to distribution rights or the
liquidation preference, senior to the Series D Convertible Preferred
Shares, or reclassify any shares of beneficial interest into any such
shares; or
(b) amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, any of the provisions of this Declaration that would change
the preferences, rights or powers with respect to the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares so as to affect the Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares adversely;
but (except as otherwise required by applicable law) nothing herein contained
shall require such a vote or consent (i) in connection with any increase in the
total number of authorized Common Shares, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or increase of any class or series of shares of beneficial
interest ranking, as to distribution rights and the liquidation preference, on a
parity with or junior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares; and provided
further that no such vote or written consent of the holders of the Series D
Convertible Preferred Shares shall be
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required if, at or prior to the time when the issuance of any such shares
ranking senior to the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares is to be made or any
such change is to take effect, as the case may be, proper notice has been given
and sufficient funds have been irrevocably deposited in trust for the redemption
of all the then outstanding Series D Convertible Preferred Shares.
10. No Preemptive Rights. No holder of Series D Convertible
Preferred Shares will possess any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire
any unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (whether now or
hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust convertible into or carrying a
right to subscribe to or acquire shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.
SECTION 13.5. Series E Preferred Shares. Pursuant to Section 5.4 of this
Declaration, a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest consisting of
2,300,000 shares designated as the "Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest" (the "Series E Preferred Shares"), and having a
par value of $.01 per share, is hereby established on the following terms:
A. Certain Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this paragraph
(A) shall have, for all purposes of the provisions of this Declaration in
respect of the Series E Preferred Shares, the meanings herein specified (with
terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural).
Business Day. The term "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or
executive order to close.
Capital Stock. The term "Capital Stock" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests,
participants or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person
and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.
Code. The term "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
Common Equity. The term "Common Equity" shall mean all shares now or
hereafter authorized of any class of common shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust, including the Common Shares, and any other shares of beneficial interest
of the Trust, howsoever designated, which has the right (subject always to prior
rights of any class or series of preferred shares of
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beneficial interest) to participate in the distribution of the assets and
earnings of the Trust without limit as to per share amount.
Common Shares. The term "Common Shares" shall mean the Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share, of the Trust.
Distribution Payment Date. The term "Distribution Payment Date" shall have
the meaning set forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (B) below.
Distribution Period. The term "Distribution Period" shall mean the period
from, and including, the Initial Issue Date to, but not including, the first
Distribution Payment Date and thereafter, each quarterly period from, and
including, the Distribution Payment Date to, but not including, the next
Distribution Payment Date.
Initial Issue Date. The term "Initial Issue Date" shall mean the date that
Series E Preferred Shares are first issued by the Trust.
Junior Shares. The term "Junior Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) the Common Equity and any other class or series of shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust which is not entitled to receive any distributions in any
Distribution Period unless all distributions required to have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment on the Series E Preferred Shares shall have
been so paid or declared and set apart for payment and (ii) the Common Equity
and any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust
which is not entitled to receive any assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust until the Series E Preferred Shares shall
have received the entire amount to which such Class E Preferred Shares is
entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Liquidation Preference. The term "Liquidation Preference" shall mean
$25.00 per share.
Parity Shares. The term "Parity Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust which is
entitled to receive payment of distributions on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Shares or (ii) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust which is entitled to receive assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust on a parity with the Series E Preferred
Shares. The term "Parity Shares" shall include the Series A Preferred Shares,
Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, and Series D Preferred
Shares.
Person. The term "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation,
partnership, estate, trust (including a trust classified under Section 401(a) or
501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be
used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code,
association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a)
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of the Code, joint stock company or other entity, and also includes a group as
that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, but does not include an underwriter which participates
in a public offering of the Series E Preferred Shares, provided that such
ownership by such underwriter would not result in the Trust being "closely held"
within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or otherwise result in the
Trust failing to qualify as a REIT.
Record Date. The term "Record Date" shall mean the date designated by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust at the time a distribution is declared, provided,
however, that such Record Date shall be the first day of the calendar month in
which the applicable Distribution Payment Date falls or such other date
designated by the Board of Trustees for the payment of distributions that is not
more than ninety (90) days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Redemption Date. The term "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set
forth in subparagraph (2) of paragraph (D) below.
Redemption Price. The term "Redemption Price" shall mean a price per
Series E Preferred Share equal to $25.00 together with accrued and unpaid
distributions, if any, thereon to the Redemption Date, without interest.
REIT. The term "REIT" shall mean a real estate investment trust under
Section 856 of the Code.
Senior Shares. The term "Senior Shares" shall mean, as the case may be,
(i) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking
senior to the Series E Preferred Shares in respect of the right to receive
distributions or (ii) any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Shares in respect of the
right to participate in any distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust.
B. Distributions.
1. The record holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive distributions, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees, out
of assets legally available for payment of distributions. Such distributions
shall be payable by the Trust in cash at a rate of 9.65% of the Liquidation
Preference per annum (equivalent to $2.4125 per Series E Preferred Share per
annum).
2. Distributions on Series E Preferred Shares shall accrue and be
cumulative from the Initial Issue Date. Distributions shall be payable
quarterly in arrears when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, a
"Distribution Payment Date"), commencing on the business day
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succeeding October 15, 1995. If any Distribution Payment Date occurs on a day
that is not a Business Day, any accrued distributions otherwise payable on such
Distribution Payment Date shall be paid on the next succeeding Business Day.
The amount of distributions payable on Series E Preferred Shares for each full
Distribution Period shall be computed by dividing by four (4) the annual
distribution rate set forth in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph (B) above.
Distributions payable in respect of any Distribution Period which is less than a
full Distribution Period in length will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Distributions shall be paid to the
holders of record of the Series E Preferred Shares as their names shall appear
on the share records of the Trust at the close of business on the Record Date
for such distribution. Distributions in respect of any past Distribution
Periods that are in arrears may be declared and paid at any time to holders of
record on the Record Date therefor. Any distribution payment made on Series E
Preferred Shares shall be first credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid
distribution due which remains payable. Upon issuance, the Series E Preferred
Shares will rank on a parity as to distributions with the Series A Preferred
Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, and Series D
Preferred Shares.
3. If any Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, no full
distributions shall be authorized or paid or set apart for payment on any other
class or series of Shares ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Shares as to distributions for any period unless full cumulative
distributions have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or
authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such
payment on the Series E Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and
the then current Distribution Period. When distributions are not paid in full
(or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series
E Preferred Shares and any other class or series of Preferred Shares ranking on
a parity as to distributions with the Series E Preferred Shares, all
distributions authorized upon the Series E Preferred Shares and any other such
class or series of Shares shall be authorized pro rata so that the amount of
distributions authorized per share on the Series E Preferred Shares and such
class or series of Shares shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio
that accrued and unpaid distributions per share on the Series E Preferred Shares
and such class or series of Shares bear to each other. No interest, or sum of
money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any distribution
payment or payments on the Series E Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.
4. Except as provided in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph (B), unless
full cumulative distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares have been or
contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods and
the then current Distribution Period, no distributions (other than in common
shares or other shares ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Shares as to
distributions and upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the affairs of
the Trust) shall be authorized or paid or set apart for payment or other
distribution shall be authorized or made upon any Junior Shares or Parity Shares
nor shall any Junior Shares or Parity Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a
sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares)
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by the Trust (except by conversion into or exchange for other shares of the
Trust ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Shares as to distributions and
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust).
5. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no
distributions on Series E Preferred Shares shall be authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or paid or set apart for payment by the Trust at such time
as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Trust, including any
agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or
setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, payment or
setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default
thereunder, or to the extent such authorization, payment or setting apart for
payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.
6. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares, if not paid on the applicable
Distribution Payment Date, will accrue whether or not distributions are
authorized for such Distribution Payment Date, whether or not the Trust has
earnings and whether or not there are assets legally available for the payment
of such distributions.
7. If the Board of Trustees determines that it is permissible under
applicable law and that the distributions will qualify for the dividends paid
deduction (within the meaning of Sections 561 and 562 of the Code or any
successor provisions thereto), such distributions shall be paid as follows:
first, from income of the Trust other than net capital gains, and the balance,
if any, from net capital gains of the Trust. If the Board of Trustees
determines, in its sole discretion, that distributions to be paid in accordance
with the preceding sentence might not qualify for such dividends paid deduction,
or might not be permissible under applicable law, then such distributions shall
be paid in a manner determined by the Board of Trustees.
C. Distributions Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
1. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Trust, subject to the prior preferences and other
rights of any Senior Shares as to liquidation preferences, but before any
distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Shares as to
the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust, the holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust legally available for
distribution to its shareholders liquidating distributions in cash or property
at its fair market value as determined by the Board of Trustees in the amount of
the Liquidation Preference per share plus an amount equal to all distributions
accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions
to which they are entitled, the holders of Series E Preferred Shares will have
no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust and shall not be
entitled to any other distribution in the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Trust.
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2. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the legally available assets of the Trust are
insufficient to pay the amount of the Liquidation Preference per share plus an
amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid on the Series E Preferred
Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of Parity Shares as
to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares and all such Parity Shares shall
share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full
liquidating distributions to which they otherwise would be respectively
entitled. Upon issuance, the Series E Preferred Shares will rank on parity with
the Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred
Shares, and Series D Preferred Shares as to the distribution of assets upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust. Neither the
consolidation or merger of the Trust into or with another entity nor the
dissolution, liquidation, winding up or reorganization of the Trust immediately
followed by incorporation of another corporation to which such assets are
distributed, nor the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Trust to another entity shall be deemed a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust within the meaning of this
paragraph (C); provided, however, that, in each case, effective provision is
made in the charter of the resulting or surviving corporation or otherwise for
the recognition, preservation and protection of the rights of the holders of the
Series E Preferred Shares.
3. In determining whether a distribution by dividend, redemption or other
acquisition of Shares or otherwise is permitted under Maryland law, no effect
shall be given to 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 shareholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are
superior to those receiving the distribution.
D. Redemption by the Trust.
1. The Series E Preferred Shares may be redeemed for cash, in whole or
from time to time in part, on any date on or after August 24, 2000 at the option
of the Trust at the Redemption Price. The Redemption Price of the Series E
Preferred Shares (other than any portion thereof consisting of accrued and
unpaid distributions) may be paid solely from the sale of proceeds of Capital
Stock of the Trust.
2. Each date fixed for redemption pursuant to subparagraph (1) of this
paragraph (D) is called a "Redemption Date". If the Redemption Date is after a
Record Date and before the related Distribution Payment Date, the distribution
payable on such Distribution Payment Date shall be paid to the holder in whose
name the Series E Preferred Shares to be redeemed are registered at the close of
business on such Record Date notwithstanding the redemption thereof between such
Record Date and the related Distribution Payment Date or the Trust's default in
the payment of the distribution.
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3. In case of redemption of less than all of the Series E Preferred
Shares at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected by
the Trust pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to
the number of shares held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption
of fractional shares) or by any other equitable method determined by the Board
of Trustees.
4. Notice of any redemption will be given by publication in a newspaper
of general circulation in the City of New York, such publication to be made once
a week for two successive weeks commencing not less than 30 nor more than 60
days prior to the Redemption Date. A similar notice will be mailed by the
Trust, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series E
Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addressees as they appear on
the share transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give such notice or any
defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any Series E Preferred Shares except as to any
holder to whom the Trust has failed to give notice or except as to any holder to
whom notice was defective. In addition to any information required by law or by
the applicable rules of any exchange upon which Series E Preferred Shares may be
listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (i) the Redemption
Date; (ii) the Redemption Price; (iii) the number of Series E Preferred Shares
to be redeemed and, if less than all shares held by the particular holder are to
be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places
where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the
Redemption Price; and (v) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to accrue on the Redemption Date.
5. If notice has been mailed in accordance with subparagraph (4) of this
paragraph (D), and such notice provided that on or before the Redemption Date
specified therein all funds necessary for such redemption shall have been set
aside by the Trust, separate and apart from its other funds in trust for the pro
rata benefit of the holders of the shares so called for redemption, so as to be,
and to continue to be available therefor, then, from and after the Redemption
Date, distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares so called for redemption
shall cease to accrue, and said shares shall no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and shall not have the status of Series E Preferred Shares, and all
rights of the holders thereof as shareholders of the Trust (except the right to
receive from the Trust the Redemption Price) shall cease. Upon surrender, in
accordance with said notice, of the certificates for any shares so redeemed
(properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Trust shall so require and
the notice shall so state), such shares shall be redeemed by the Trust at the
Redemption Price. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate or certificates shall be issued
representing the unredeemed shares without cost to the holder thereof.
6. Any funds deposited with a bank or trust company for the purpose of
redeeming Series E Preferred Shares shall be irrevocable except that:
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a. the Trust shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust
company the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited
in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed shall have no claim to such
interest or other earnings; and
b. any balance of monies so deposited by the Trust and unclaimed by
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares entitled thereto at the expiration
of two (2) years from the applicable Redemption Date shall be repaid, together
with any interest or other earnings earned thereon, to the Trust, and after any
such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the
Trust shall look only to the Trust for payment without interest or other
earnings.
7. No Series E Preferred Shares may be redeemed except with assets
legally available for the payment of the Redemption Price.
8. Unless full cumulative distributions on all Series E Preferred Shares
shall have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past
Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period, no Series E
Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless all outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares are simultaneously redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series E Preferred Shares pursuant to
a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all
outstanding Series E Preferred Shares, provided further, however, that the
foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of Series E Preferred
Shares from persons owning in the aggregate 9.8% or more of the number or value
of the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Trust or 20% or
more of the number or value of the total outstanding Series E Preferred Shares
pursuant to provisions of the Declaration of Trust. Unless full cumulative
distributions on all outstanding Series E Preferred Shares have been or
contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past Distribution Periods and
the then current Distribution Period, the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise
acquire directly or indirectly any Series E Preferred Shares (except by exchange
for shares of the Trust ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Shares as to
distributions and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
the Trust).
9. All Series E Preferred Shares redeemed pursuant to this paragraph (D)
shall be retired and shall be reclassified as authorized and unissued preferred
shares, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be
reissued as any class or series of preferred shares.
E. Voting Rights.
1. The holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote
on any matter except (i) as provided in paragraph (K), (ii) as provided in
subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E), or (iii) as specifically required by
law.
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2. In the event the Trust shall have failed to authorize and pay or set
apart for payment in full the distributions accumulated on the outstanding
Series E Preferred Shares for any six or more quarterly Distribution Periods,
regardless of whether such quarterly periods are consecutive (a "Preferential
Distribution Non-Payment"), the number of trustees of the Trust shall be
increased by two and the holders of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares,
voting together as a class with all other classes or series of preferred shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights and then entitled to vote on the election of such
additional two trustees, shall be entitled to elect such two additional trustees
until the full distributions accumulated on all outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares have been authorized and paid or set apart for payment. Upon the
occurrence of a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment or a vacancy in the office
of a Preferred Shares Trustee (as defined below), the Board of Trustees shall
within a reasonable period call a special meeting of the holders of the Series E
Preferred Shares and all holders of other classes or series of preferred shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Shares with respect
to distribution rights who are then entitled to vote on the election of such
additional trustee or trustees for the purpose of electing the additional
trustee or trustees. If and when all accumulated distributions on the Series E
Preferred Shares have been authorized and paid or set aside for payment in full,
the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares shall be divested of the special
voting rights provided by this subparagraph (2) of paragraph (E), subject to
revesting in the event of each and every subsequent Preferential Distribution
Non-Payment. Upon termination of such special voting rights attributable to all
holders of the Series E Preferred Shares and shares of any other class or series
of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred
Shares with respect to distribution rights, the term of office of each trustee
elected by the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares and such parity
preferred shares (a "Preferred Shares Trustee") pursuant to such special voting
rights shall forthwith terminate and the number of trustees constituting the
entire Board of Trustees shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Shares
Trustees. In the event the holders of the outstanding Series A Convertible
Preferred Shares shall become entitled to vote on the election of additional
trustees because the Trust shall have failed to declare and pay or set apart for
payment in full the distributions accumulated on the outstanding Convertible
Preferred Shares for any six consecutive quarterly distribution payment periods,
the term of office of each Preferred Shares Trustee previously elected by
holders of Series E Preferred Shares shall forthwith terminate and the holders
of the Series E Preferred Shares, voting together as a class with all other
classes or series of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights and then entitled
to vote on the election of two additional trustees, shall be entitled to elect
such two additional trustees pursuant to this paragraph (E). Any Preferred
Shares Trustee may be removed only by the vote of the holders of record of a
majority of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares and all other series of
preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred
Shares with respect to distribution rights who would then be entitled to vote in
such Preferred Shares Trustee's election, voting together as a separate class,
at a meeting called for such purpose.
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3. So long as any Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, the number
of trustees constituting the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust shall at all
times be such that the exercise, by the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares
and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights, of the right to
elect trustees under the circumstances provided for in subparagraph (2) of this
paragraph (E) will not contravene any other provision of this Declaration
restricting the number of trustees which may constitute the entire Board of
Trustees.
4. Trustees elected pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E)
shall serve until the earlier of (x) the next annual meeting of the shareholders
of the Trust and the election (by the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares
and the holders of preferred shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights) and qualification
of their respective successors or (y) the termination of the term of office of
each Preferred Shares Trustee upon the termination of the special voting rights
as provided for in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E) or as otherwise
provided for in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph (E).
5. So long as a Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall continue, any
vacancy in the office of a Preferred Shares Trustee may be filled by vote of the
holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series E Preferred Shares and
all other series of preferred shares ranking on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Shares with respect to distribution rights who are then entitled to
vote in the election of such Preferred Shares Trustee as provided above. As
long as the Preferential Distribution Non-Payment shall continue, holders of the
Series E Preferred Shares shall not, as such shareholders, be entitled to vote
on the election or removal of trustees other than Preferred Shares Trustees, but
shall not be divested of any other voting rights provided to such shareholders
by law or this Declaration of Trust with respect to any other matter to be acted
upon by the shareholders of the Trust.
F. Trustees' Right to Refuse to Transfer Series E Preferred
Shares; Limitation on Holdings.
1. The terms and provisions of this paragraph (F) shall apply in addition
to, and not in limitation of, the terms and provisions of [Article VII] Sections
6.6 and 6.8.
2. Each Person who owns directly or indirectly more than five percent in
number or value of the total Series E Preferred Shares outstanding shall, by
January 30 of each year, give written notice to the Trust stating the Person's
name and address, the number of Series E Preferred Shares directly or indirectly
owned by such Person, and a description of the capacity in which such Series E
Preferred Shares are held. For purposes of this Section 13.5, the number and
value of the total Series E Preferred Shares outstanding shall be determined by
the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for
all purposes hereunder. In addition, each direct or indirect holder of Series E
Preferred Shares, irrespective
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of such shareholder's percentage ownership of outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares, shall upon demand disclose to the Trust in writing such information with
respect to the direct or indirect ownership of Series E Preferred Shares as the
Board of Trustees deems necessary from time to time to enable the Board of
Trustees to determine whether the Trust complies with the REIT Provisions of the
Code (as defined in Section 1.5 of the Declaration of Trust), to comply with the
requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency or to determine any
such compliance or to determine any such compliance with this paragraph (F).
3. If, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be binding
upon any prospective acquiror of Series E Preferred Shares, any proposed
transfer or issuance would jeopardize the status of the Trust as a REIT under
the REIT Provisions of the Code, the Board of Trustees shall have the right, but
not the duty, to refuse to permit such transfer or issuance or refuse to give
effect to such transfer or issuance and to take any action to cause any such
transfer not to occur or to void any such issuance.
4. As a condition to any transfer and/or registration of transfer on the
books of the Trust of any Series E Preferred Shares which could result in direct
or indirect ownership (as hereinafter defined) of Series E Preferred Shares
exceeding 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series E
Preferred Shares outstanding (the "Series E Excess Preferred Shares") by a
Person other than a Series E Preferred Excepted Person (as defined in
subparagraph (5) below), such prospective transferee shall give written notice
to the Trust of the proposed transfer and shall furnish such opinions of
counsel, affidavits, undertakings, agreements and information as may be required
by the Board of Trustees no later than the 15th day prior to any transfer which,
if consummated, would result in such ownership.
5. Any transfer or issuance of Series E Preferred Shares that would (i)
create a direct or indirect owner of Series E Excess Preferred Shares other than
a Series E Preferred Excepted Person; or (ii) result in the Trust being "closely
held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, shall be void ab initio
and the prospective acquiror shall not be entitled to any rights afforded to
owners of Series E Preferred Shares hereunder and shall be deemed never to have
had an interest therein.
"Series E Preferred Excepted Person" shall mean any Person approved by the
Board of Trustees, at their option and in their sole discretion, provided,
however, that such approval shall not be granted to any Person whose ownership
of in excess of 20% of the lesser of the number or the value of the total Series
E Preferred Shares outstanding would result, directly, indirectly or as a result
of attribution of ownership, in termination of the status of the Trust as a REIT
under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
6. The Trust, by notice to the holder thereof, may purchase any or all
Series E Preferred Shares that are proposed to be transferred pursuant to a
transfer which, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, which shall be binding
upon any proposed transferor or transferee of Series E Preferred Shares, would
result in any Person acquiring Series E Excess Preferred
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Shares, or would otherwise jeopardize the status of the Trust as a real estate
investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code. The Trust shall have
the power, by lot or other means deemed equitable by the Board of Trustees in
their sole discretion, to purchase such Series E Excess Preferred Shares from
the prospective transferor. The purchase price for any Series E Excess
Preferred Shares shall be equal to the fair market value of the Series E
Preferred Shares on the last trading day immediately preceding the day on which
notice of such proposed transfer is sent, as reflected in the closing sale price
for the Series E Preferred Shares, if then listed on a national securities
exchange, or such price for the Series E Preferred Shares on the principal
exchange if then listed on more than one national securities exchange, or if the
Series E Preferred Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange,
the latest bid quotation for the Series E Preferred Shares if then traded over-
the-counter, or, if no such closing sales prices or quotations are available,
then the purchase price shall be equal to the fair market value of such Series E
Preferred Shares as determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith. Prompt
payment of the purchase price shall be made in cash by the Trust in such manner
as may be determined by the Board of Trustees. From and after the date fixed
for purchase by the Board of Trustees, and so long as payment of the purchase
price for the Series E Preferred Shares to be so redeemed shall have been made
or duly provided for, the holder of any Series E Excess Preferred Shares so
called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to dividends, distributions,
voting rights and other benefits with respect to such Series E Preferred Shares,
excepting only the right to payment of the purchase price fixed as aforesaid.
Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee of Series E Excess
Preferred Shares prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series E Preferred
Shares have been transferred in violation of this paragraph (F) shall be repaid
to the Trust upon demand.
7. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration or the Trust's
Bylaws, subparagraphs (5), (6), (7) and (8) of this paragraph (F) may not be
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
a majority of the Series E Preferred Shares then outstanding and entitled to
vote. If subparagraph (5), (6), (7) or (8) of this paragraph (F) is determined
to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or
regulation, then the acquiror of Series E Preferred Shares in violation of such
Sections shall be deemed, at the option of the Trust, to have acted as agent on
behalf of the Trust in acquiring such Series E Preferred Shares on behalf of the
Trust.
8. Subject to subparagraph (12), notwithstanding any other provision of
this Section 13.5 to the contrary, any purported transfer, sale or acquisition
of Series E Preferred Shares (whether such purported transfer, sale or
acquisition results from the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership of
Series E Preferred Shares) which would result in the termination of the status
of the Trust as a REIT under the REIT Provisions of the Code shall be null and
void ab initio. Any such Series E Preferred Shares may be treated by the Board
of Trustees in the manner prescribed for Series E Excess Preferred Shares in
subparagraph (6) of this paragraph (F).
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9. Subject to subparagraph (12), nothing contained in this paragraph (F)
or in any other provision of this Section 13.5 shall limit the authority of the
Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable
to protect the Trust and the interests of the shareholders by preservation of
the Trust's status as a REIT under the REIT Provisions of the Code.
10. If any provision of this paragraph (F) or any application of any such
provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having
jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to
the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court. To the
extent this paragraph (F) may be inconsistent with any other provision of this
Section 13.5, this paragraph (F) shall be controlling.
11. For purposes of this Section 13.5, Series E Preferred Shares not owned
directly shall be deemed to be owned indirectly by a person if that person or a
group of which he is a member would be the beneficial owner of such Series E
Preferred Shares, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and/or would be considered to own such Series E Preferred
Shares by reason of the REIT Provisions of the Code.
12. Notwithstanding any other provision of paragraph (F), nothing in this
Section 13.5 shall preclude the settlement of transactions entered into through
the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The fact that the
settlement of any transaction is permitted shall not negate the effect of any
other provision of this paragraph (F) and any transferee in such a transaction
shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this
paragraph (F).
G. Exclusion of Other Rights.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the Series E Preferred Shares
shall not have any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption other than specifically set forth in this Declaration.
H. Headings of Subdivisions.
The headings of the various subdivisions in this Section 13.5 are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
I. Severability of Provisions.
If any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or
conditions of redemption of the Series E Preferred Shares set forth in this
Declaration is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced
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by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other preferences or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions,
qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of Series E Preferred Shares
set forth in this Declaration which can be given effect without the invalid,
unlawful or unenforceable provision thereof shall, nevertheless, remain in full
force and effect and no preferences or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications
or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series E Preferred Shares herein set
forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other provision thereof unless so
expressed therein.
J. Ranking.
With regard to rights to receive distributions and amounts payable upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series E Preferred
Shares shall rank senior to the Common Shares and on a parity with any other
preferred shares issued by the Trust, unless the terms of such other preferred
shares provide otherwise and, if applicable, the requirements of Paragraph K
hereof have been complied with. However, the Trust may authorize or increase
any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking on a parity with or
junior to the Series E Preferred Shares as to distribution rights or liquidation
preference without the vote or consent of the holders of the Series E Preferred
Shares.
K. Limitations.
In addition to any other rights provided by applicable law, so long as any
Series E Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the
affirmative vote, or the written consent as provided by law, of the holders of
at least two-thirds of the total number of outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares, voting as a class,
1. authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of, or rights to subscribe to or
acquire, any security convertible into, any class or series of shares
of beneficial interest ranking as to distribution rights or
liquidation preference, senior to the Series E Preferred Shares, or
reclassify any shares of beneficial interest into any such shares; or
2. amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise, any of the provisions of this Declaration that would change
the preferences, rights or powers with respect to the Series E
Preferred Shares so as to affect the Series E Preferred Shares
materially and adversely;
but (except as otherwise required by applicable law) nothing herein contained
shall require such a vote or consent (i) in connection with any increase in the
total number of authorized Common Shares, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or increase of any class or series of shares of beneficial
interest ranking, as to distribution rights and liquidation preference, on a
parity with or junior to the Series E Preferred Shares; provided, however, that
no such vote or written
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consent of the holders of the Series E Preferred Shares shall be required if, at
or prior to the time when the issuance of any such shares ranking senior to the
Series E Preferred Shares is to be made or any such change is to take effect, as
the case may be, proper notice has been given and sufficient funds have been
irrevocably deposited in trust for the redemption of all the then outstanding
Series E Preferred Shares.
L. No Preemptive Rights.
No holder of Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to any preemptive
rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust
convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust has been
signed on this _____ day of ________, 1997, by the undersigned Trustees, each of
whom acknowledge that this document is his free act and deed, that, to the best
of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth herein
are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the
penalties for perjury.
- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Samuel Zell Douglas Crocker II
- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Sheli Z. Rosenberg Gerald A. Spector
- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
James D. Harper, Jr. Errol R. Halperin
- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Barry S. Sternlicht John Alexander
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B. Joseph White Henry H. Goldberg
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Jeffrey M. Lynford Edward Lowenthal
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ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
The following changes shall be included in the Second Amended and Restated
Declarartion of Trust upon approval by the affirmative vote of not less than
two-thirds of the Wellsford Common:
1. Section 2.3 shall be deleted in its entirety, and the following shall
be inserted in place thereof:
SECTION 2.3 Resignation, Removal or Death. Any Trustee may resign by
written notice to the remaining Trustees, effective upon execution and delivery
to the Trust of such written notice or upon any future date specified in the
notice. A Trustee may be removed, only with Cause (as hereinafter defined), at a
meeting of the Shareholders called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote in the election of Trustees. As used herein, "Cause" shall mean
(a) material theft, fraud or embezzlement or active and deliberate dishonesty by
a Trustee; (b) habitual neglect of duty by a Trustee having a material and
adverse significance to the Trust; or (c) the conviction of a Trustee of a
felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude. Upon the resignation or
removal of any Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall
automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in and to the Trust
Property and shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees
require for the conveyance of any Trust Property held in his name, and shall
account to the remaining Trustees as they require for all property which he
holds as Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, his legal
representative shall perform those acts.
2. Sections 6.6, 6.7 and 6.8 shall be deleted in their entirety, and
Sections 6.9 and 6.10 shall be redesignated as Sections 6.6 and 6.7,
respectively.
3. New Sections 7.1-7.22 shall be added to Article VII, which shall read
as follows:
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
SECTION 7.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article VII, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
Beneficial Ownership. The term "Beneficial Ownership" shall mean
ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly
or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would
be treated as owned through the application of
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Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The
terms "Beneficial Owner," "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" shall
have the correlative meanings.
Business Day. The term "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking
institutions in Chicago, Illinois are authorized or required by law, regulation
or executive order to close.
Charitable Beneficiary. The term "Charitable Beneficiary" shall mean one
or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section
7.3(g), provided that each such organization must be described in Sections
501(c)(3), 170(b)(1)(A) and 170(c)(2) of the Code.
Charitable Trust. The term "Charitable Trust" shall mean any trust
provided for in Section 7.2(a)(2)(A) and Section 7.3(a).
Charitable Trustee. The term "Charitable Trustee" shall mean the Person
unaffiliated with the Trust and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the
Trust to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Code. The term "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
Constructive Ownership. The term "Constructive Ownership" shall mean
ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly
or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would
be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as
modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms "Constructive Owner,"
"Constructively Owns" and "Constructively Owned" shall have the correlative
meanings.
Declaration of Trust. The term "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust as filed for record with the SDAT, and
any amendments thereto.
Excepted Holder. The term "Excepted Holder" shall mean (i) a shareholder
of the Trust for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of
Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2(g) or (ii) a shareholder of the Trust who was
an "Existing Holder" under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
Equity Residential Properties Trust prior to the date hereof.
Excepted Holder Limit. The term "Excepted Holder Limit" shall mean (i)
provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the
requirements established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2(g),
and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2(h), the percentage limit
established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2(g) or (ii) if the
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Excepted Holder is an Excepted Holder due to its prior status as an "Existing
Holder" under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Equity
Residential Properties Trust, the "Existing Holder Limit" as defined under such
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust.
Initial Date. The term "Initial Date" shall mean the date upon which this
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust containing this Article VII is filed
for record with the SDAT.
Market Price. The term "Market Price" on any date shall mean, with respect
to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares
on such date. The "Closing Price" on any date shall mean the last sale price for
such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in
either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or,
if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on
the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to
securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such
Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price,
or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the
over-the-counter market, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market or, if such
system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that
may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such organization,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board of Trustees
or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair
market value of Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
NYSE. The term "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Ownership Limit. The term "Ownership Limit" shall mean (i) with respect to
the Common Shares, 5.0% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more
restrictive) of the outstanding Common Shares of the Trust; and (ii) with
respect to any class or series of Preferred Shares, 5.0% (in value or number of
Shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of such class
or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust.
Person. The term "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation,
partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or
501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be
used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code,
association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the
Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term
is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
Prohibited Owner. The term "Prohibited Owner" shall mean, with respect to
any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section
7.2(a), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares, and if appropriate
in the context, shall also mean any
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Person who would have been the record owner of Shares that the Prohibited Owner
would have so owned.
REIT. The term "REIT" shall mean a real estate investment trust within the
meaning of Section 856 of the Code.
Restriction Termination Date. The term "Restriction Termination Date"
shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Trustees
determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt
to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions
and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of
Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify
as a REIT.
SDAT. The term "SDAT" shall mean the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland.
Transfer. The term "Transfer" shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer,
gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that
causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or
any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Shares or
the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, including (a) a change in the
capital structure of the Trust, (b) a change in the relationship between two or
more Persons which causes a change in ownership of Shares by application of
Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h), (c) the granting or
exercise of any option or warrant (or any disposition of any option or warrant),
pledge, security interest, or similar right to acquire Shares, (d) any
disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for
Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or
exchange right and (e) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in
changes in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether
voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or
Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. (For purposes
of this Article VII, the right of a limited partner in ERP Operating Limited
Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership, to require the partnership to
redeem such limited partner's units of partnership interest pursuant to Section
3.2 of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of EOP Operating Limited Partnership
shall not be considered to be an option or similar right to acquire Shares of
the Trust.) The terms "Transferring" and "Transferred" shall have the
correlative meanings.
SECTION 7.2 Shares.
(a) Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the
Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(1) Basic Restrictions.
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(A) (i) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall
Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit
and (ii) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares
in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(B) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares to
the extent that (i) such Beneficial Ownership of Shares would result in the
Trust being "closely held" within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code
(without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half
of a taxable year), or (ii) such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Shares
would result in the Trust otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but
not limited to, Constructive Ownership that would result in the Trust owning
(actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in
Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust from such
tenant would cause the Trust to fail to satisfy any of the gross income
requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).
(C) No Person shall Transfer any Shares if, as a result of the
Transfer, the Shares would be beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons
(determined without reference to the rules of attribution under Section 544 of
the Code). Notwithstanding any other provisions contained herein, any Transfer
of Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered
into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities
exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) that, if effective, would
result in Shares being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined
under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio,
and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.
(2) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of Shares (whether or not such
Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of
the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer
quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person
Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section
7.2(a)(1)(A) or (B),
(i) then that number of Shares the Beneficial or Constructive
Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section
7.2(a)(1)(A) or (B) (rounded to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically
transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary,
as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the
Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire
no rights in such Shares; or
(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause
(i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the
violation of Section 7.2(a)(1)(A) or (B), then the Transfer of that number of
Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2(a)(1)(A) or
(B) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights
in such Shares.
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(b) Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Trustees or any duly
authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a
Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section
7.2(a) or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire
Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section
7.2(a) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Trustees or a
committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give
effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without
limitation, causing the Trust to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such
Transfer on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such
Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted
Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2(a) shall automatically
result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where
applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided
above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Trustees or a
committee thereof.
(c) Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or
attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of
Shares that will or may violate Section 7.2(a)(1), or any Person who would have
owned Shares that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7.2(a)(2), shall immediately give written notice to the
Trust of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction,
give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Trust such
other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if
any, of such acquisition or ownership on the Trust's status as a REIT.
(d) Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and
prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(2) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower
percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each
taxable year, shall give written notice to the Trust stating the name and
address of such owner, the number of Shares Beneficially Owned and a description
of the manner in which such Shares are held; provided that a shareholder of
record who holds outstanding Shares as nominee for another Person, which other
Person is required to include in gross income the dividends received on such
Shares (an "Actual Owner"), shall give written notice to the Trust stating the
name and address of such Actual Owner and the number of Shares of such Actual
Owner with respect to which the shareholder of record is nominee. Each owner
shall provide to the Trust such additional information as the Trust may request
in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the
Trust's status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
(2) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of
Shares and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is holding
Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Trust such
information as the Trust may request, in
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good faith, in order to determine the Trust's status as a REIT and to comply
with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to
determine such compliance.
(e) Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Article III of the Declaration
of Trust, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the
Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable
to protect the Trust and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the
Trust's status as a REIT.
(f) Ambiguity. If Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board
of Trustees and the Declaration of Trust fails to provide specific guidance with
respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine
the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions
of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3.
(g) Exceptions.
(1) The Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may grant to
any Person who makes a request therefor an exception to the Ownership Limit with
respect to the ownership of any series or class of Preferred Shares, subject to
the following conditions and limitations: (A) the Board shall have determined
that (x) assuming such Person would Beneficially or Constructively Own the
maximum amount of Common Shares and Preferred Shares permitted as a result of
the exception to be granted and (y) assuming that all other Persons who would be
treated as "individuals" for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) (determined taking
into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would Beneficially or
Constructively Own the maximum amount of Common Shares and Preferred Shares
permitted under this Article VII (taking into account any exception, waiver, or
exemption granted under this Section 7.2(g) to (or with respect to) such
Persons), the Trust would not be "closely held" within the meaning of Section
856(h) of the Code (assuming that the ownership of Shares is determined during
the second half of a taxable year) and would not otherwise fail to qualify as a
REIT; and (B) such Person provides to the Board such representations and
undertakings, if any, as the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
require (including, without limitation, an agreement as to a reduced Ownership
Limit or Excepted Holder Limit for such Person with respect to the Beneficial or
Constructive Ownership of one or more other classes of Shares not subject to the
exception), and such Person agrees that any violation of such representations
and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the
application of the remedies set forth in Section 7.2 with respect to Shares held
in excess of the Ownership Limit or the Excepted Holder Limit (as may be
applicable) with respect to such Person (determined without regard to the
exception granted such Person under this subparagraph (1)). If a member of the
Board requests that the Board grant an exception pursuant to this subparagraph
(1) with respect to such member or with respect to any other Person if such
Board member would be considered to be the Beneficial or Constructive Owner of
Shares owned by such Person, such member of the Board shall not participate in
the decision of the Board as to whether to grant any such exception.
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(2) In addition to exceptions permitted under subparagraph (1) above,
the Board, in its reasonable discretion, may except a Person from the Ownership
Limit if: (i) such Person submits to the Board information satisfactory to the
Board, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that such Person is not an
individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into
account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code); (ii) such Person submits to the Board
information satisfactory to the Board, in its reasonable discretion,
demonstrating that no Person who is an individual for purposes of Section
542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of
the Code) would be considered to Beneficially Own Shares in excess of the
Ownership Limit by reason of the Excepted Holder's ownership of Shares in excess
of the Ownership Limit pursuant to the exception granted under this subparagraph
(2); (iii) such Person submits to the Board information satisfactory to the
Board, in its reasonable discretion, demonstrating that clause (2) of
subparagraph (1)(B) of Section 7.2(a) will not be violated by reason of the
Excepted Holder's ownership of Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit pursuant
to the exception granted under this subparagraph (2); and (iv) such Person
provides to the Board such representations and undertakings, if any, as the
Board may, in its reasonable discretion, require to ensure that the conditions
in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof are satisfied and will continue to be
satisfied throughout the period during which such Person owns Shares in excess
of the Ownership Limit pursuant to any exception thereto granted under this
subparagraph (2), and such Person agrees that any violation of such
representations and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result
in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 7.2 with respect to
Shares held in excess of the Ownership Limit with respect to such Person
(determined without regard to the exception granted such Person under this
subparagraph (2)).
(3) Prior to granting any exception or exemption pursuant to
subparagraph (1) or (2), the Board may require a ruling from the IRS or an
opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the
Board, in its sole and absolute discretion as it may deem necessary or advisable
in order to determine or ensure the Trust's status as a REIT; provided, however,
that the Board shall not be obligated to require obtaining a favorable ruling or
opinion in order to grant an exception hereunder.
(4) Subject to Section 7.2(a)(1)(B), an underwriter that participates
in a public offering or a private placement of Shares (or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially or Constructively Own Shares
(or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the
Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public
offering or private placement.
(5) The Board of Trustees may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit
for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at
any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and
undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the
establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted
Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Ownership
Limit.
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(h) Increase in Ownership Limit. The Board of Trustees may from time
to time increase the Ownership Limit, subject to the limitations provided in
this Section 7.2(h).
(1) The Ownership Limit may not be increased if, after giving
effect to such increase, five Persons who are considered individuals pursuant to
Section 542 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(3) of the Code (taking
into account all of the Excepted Holders), could Beneficially Own, in the
aggregate, more than 49.5% of the value of the outstanding Shares.
(2) Prior to the modification of the Ownership Limit pursuant to
this Section 7.2(h), the Board may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits,
undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to
determine or ensure the Trust's status as a REIT if the modification in the
Ownership Limit were to be made.
(i) Legend. Each certificate for Shares shall bear substantially the
following legend:
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions
on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose
of the Trust's maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment
Trust (a "REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as
expressly provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust, (i) no Person
may Beneficially or Constructively Own Common Shares of the Trust in
excess of 5.0 percent (in value or number of shares) of the
outstanding Comm on Shares of the Trust unless such Person is an
Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be
applicable); (ii) with respect to any class or series of Preferred
Shares, no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own more than 5.0
percent (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of
such class or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, unless such
Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit
shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially or
Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Trust being
"closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the
Trust to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) no Person may Transfer
Shares if such Transfer would result in Shares of the Trust being
owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or
Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own
Shares which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially or
Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above
limitations must immediately notify the Trust. If any of the
restrictions on transfer or ownership are violated, the Shares
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represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Charitable
Trustee of a Charitable Trust for the benefit of one or more
Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain
events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described
above may be void ab initio. A Person who attempts to Beneficially or
Constructively Own Shares in violation of the ownership limitations
described above shall have no claim, cause of action, or any recourse
whatsoever against a transferor of such Shares. All capitalized terms
in this legend have the meanings defined in the Trust's Declaration of
Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which,
including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be
furnished to each holder of Shares of the Trust on request and without
charge.
Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the
Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on
transferability to a shareholder on request and without charge.
SECTION 7.3 Transfer of Shares in Trust.
(a) Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event
described in Section 7.2(a)(2) that would result in a transfer of Shares to a
Charitable Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the
Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of
one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee
shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day
prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to
the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(2). The Charitable Trustee
shall be appointed by the Trust and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the
Trust and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated
by the Trust as provided in Section 7.3(g).
(b) Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee. Shares held by
the Charitable Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Shares of the Company.
The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Charitable
Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of
any Shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall have no rights to
dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or
other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Charitable Trust. The
Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse
whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Shares.
(c) Dividend and Voting Rights. The Charitable Trustee shall have
all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to
Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the
exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other
distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that Shares have been
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transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid with respect to such Shares
to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution
authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any
dividends or distributions so paid over to the Charitable Trustee shall be held
in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no
voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject
to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been transferred to
the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the
Charitable Trustee's sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a
Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Trust that Shares have been
transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance
with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the
Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Trust has already taken
irreversible action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the power to
rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article
VII, until the Trust has received notification that Shares have been transferred
into a Charitable Trust, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on its share
transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of
shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and
authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.
(d) Rights Upon Liquidation. Upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of or any distribution of the assets of
the Trust, the Charitable Trustee shall be entitled to receive, ratably with
each other holder of Shares of the class or series of Shares that is held in the
Charitable Trust, that portion of the assets of the Trust available for
distribution to the holders of such class or series (determined based upon the
ratio that the number of Shares or such class or series of Shares held by the
Charitable Trustee bears to the total number of Shares of such class or series
of Shares then outstanding). The Charitable Trustee shall distribute any such
assets received in respect of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust in any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or distribution of the assets of the
Trust, in accordance with Section 7.3(e).
(e) Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee. Within 20 days of
receiving notice from the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the
Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the
Shares held in the Charitable Trust to a person, designated by the Charitable
Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership
limitations set forth in Section 7.2(a)(1). Upon such sale, the interest of the
Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable
Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner
and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3(e). The
Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the
Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value
for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the
Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such
transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the
Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received
by the Charitable Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held
in the Charitable Trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable
to the Prohibited
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Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the
discovery by the Trust that Shares have been transferred to the Charitable
Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall
be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the
extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds
the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this
Section 7.3(e), such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.
The Charitable Trustee shall have the right and power (but not the obligation)
to offer any Equity Share held in trust for sale to the Trust on such terms and
conditions as the Charitable Trustee shall deem appropriate.
(f) Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee.
Shares transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been
offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, at a price per share equal to
the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such
transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the
Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on
the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall have
the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the Shares
held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.3(e). Upon such a sale to
the Trust, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall
terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the
sale to the Prohibited Owner.
(g) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the
Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit
organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable
Trust such that (i) Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the
restrictions set forth in Section 7.2(a)(1) in the hands of such Charitable
Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Sections
501(c)(3), 170(b)(1)(A) or 170(c)(2) of the Code.
SECTION 7.4 NYSE Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude
the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the
NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer
quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction is so
permitted shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII
and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the
provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.
SECTION 7.5 Enforcement. The Trust is authorized specifically to seek
equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this
Article VII.
SECTION 7.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Trust or
the Board of Trustees in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a
waiver of any right of the Trust or the Board of Trustees, as the case may be,
except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
SECTION 7.7 - 7.22 [RESERVED]
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4. Sections 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 shall be deleted in their entirety, and the
following shall be inserted in place thereof:
SECTION 9.1 By Shareholders.
(a) Except as provided in Section 9.2 and subsection (b) hereof, this
Declaration of Trust may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of all the Shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote on the matter.
(b) Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the
time outstanding, the Trustees shall have the power to (i) merge the Trust
into another entity or merge another entity into the Trust, (ii)
consolidate the Trust with one or more other entities into a new entity or
(iii) sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Trust
Property; provided, however, that such action shall have been approved, at
a meeting of the Shareholders called for the purpose, by the affirmative
vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the Shares then
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.
SECTION 9.2 By Trustees. The Trustees, by a two-thirds vote, may amend
provisions of this Declaration of Trust from time to time to enable the Trust to
qualify as a real estate investment trust under the Code or Under Title 8.
5. The words "shall constitute 'Excess Shares' and" shall be deleted from
Sections 13.1(c)(2), 13.2(c)(2) and 13.3(c)(2).
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