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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 1997
Registration No. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Maryland 13-3675988
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
<S> <C>
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 474-1300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Principal Executive Offices)
Douglas Crocker II
President and Chief Executive Officer
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 474-1300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for Service)
Copies to:
Ruth Pinkham Haring, Esq.
Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1515
Chicago, Illinois 60606
</TABLE>
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
possible after the effective date of this Registration Statement and from time
to time as determined by market conditions.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to distribution or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum
Title of Each Amount to be Aggregate Price Per Aggregate Offering Amount of Registration
Class of Securities(1) Registered(2)(3) Security(4) Price(2)(4) Fee(5)
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest(6).....
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$.01 par value(7).............................. $750,000,000 (9) $750,000,000 $227,273
Depositary Shares, representing preferred
shares(8)......................................
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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(1) This Registration Statement also covers delayed delivery contracts which
may be issued by the Registrant under which the counterparty may be
required to purchase Preferred Shares, Common shares or Depositary Shares.
Such contracts may be issued together with the specific Securities to which
they relate. In addition, Securities registered hereunder may be sold
separately, together or as units with other Securities registered
hereunder.
(2) In U.S. Dollars or the equivalent thereof denominated in one or more
foreign currencies or units of two or more foreign currencies or composite
currencies (such as European Currency Units).
(3) Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement relates also to
$275,832,122 Preferred Shares, Common Shares and Depositary Shares
registered on Form S-3 Registration No. 333-27153.
(4) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. No
separate consideration will be received for Common Shares that are issued
upon conversion of Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares registered
hereunder. The aggregate maximum offering price of all Securities issued
pursuant to this Registration Statement will not exceed $750,000,000.
(5) The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(6) Such indeterminate number of Preferred Shares as may from time to time be
issued at indeterminate prices.
(7) Such indeterminate number of Common Shares as may from time to time be
issued at indeterminate prices or issuable upon conversion of Preferred
Shares or Depositary Shares registered hereunder.
(8) To be represented by Depositary Receipts representing an interest in all or
a specified portion of a Preferred Share.
(9) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A +
+ REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE +
+ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+ OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT +
+ BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR +
+ THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE +
+ SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE +
+ UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF +
+ ANY SUCH STATE. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Preliminary Prospectus dated July 28, 1997
Subject to Completion
PROSPECTUS
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
$1,025,832,122
Preferred Shares, Common Shares and Depositary Shares
Equity Residential Properties Trust (the "Company") may from time to time
offer (i) in one or more series its preferred shares of beneficial interest,
$0.01 par value per share ("Preferred Shares"); (ii) common shares of beneficial
interest, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Shares"); and (iii) in one or more
series its Preferred Shares represented by depositary shares (the "Depositary
Shares"), with an aggregate public offering price of up to $1,025,832,122 ( or
its equivalent based on the exchange rate at the time of sale) in amounts, at
prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The Preferred
Shares, Common Shares and Depositary Shares (collectively, the "Securities") may
be offered, separately or together, in separate series (with respect to
Preferred Shares and Depositary Shares) in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
described in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus
Supplement").
The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and
will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Preferred Shares, the
specific title and stated value, any distribution, liquidation, redemption,
conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering price; (ii)
in the case of Common Shares, any initial public offering price; and (iii) in
the case of Depositary Shares, the fractional Preferred Shares represented by
each Depositary Share. In addition, such specific terms may include limitations
on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of the
Securities, in each case as may be appropriate to assist in maintaining the
status of the Company as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax
purposes.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement also will contain information, where
applicable, about the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating
to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities covered by such
Prospectus Supplement, not contained in this Prospectus.
The Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time
to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents
or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Securities, their names,
and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with,
between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the
information set forth, in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of
Distribution." No Securities may be sold without delivery of a Prospectus
Supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such Securities.
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 for a discussion of certain factors
relating to an investment in the Securities.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is July , 1997.
<PAGE>
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference herein and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement, including those set
forth in "Risk Factors" and "Use of Proceeds" herein, constitute "forward-
looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). Such forwarding-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company 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 acquisition, governmental actions and initiatives, and
environmental/safety requirements. See "Risk Factors."
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration
Statement, the exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof and the reports,
proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission
in accordance with the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the
Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the following regional offices of the Commission: Seven World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. 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 at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company,
that file electronically with the Commission. In addition, the Common Shares
and certain of the Company's Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the Common Shares
are listed under the symbol "EQR") and similar information concerning the
Company can be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), of which this Prospectus is a part, under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which
have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of such contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information
regarding the Company and the Securities, reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and such exhibits and schedules which may be obtained
from the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of
the fees prescribed by the Commission.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The documents listed below have been filed by the Company under the
Exchange Act with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
a. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A
(filed on April 3, 1997), for the year ended December 31, 1996.
b. The Company's Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration of Trust") filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated May 30, 1997, filed on June 5, 1997.
c. The Company's Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, filed as Exhibit 3.2
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 30, 1997, filed
on June 5, 1997.
d. The Company's Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated April 25, 1997.
2
<PAGE>
e. The Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Company's
Annual Meeting of Shareholders dated June 17, 1997.
f. The description of the Company's Common Shares contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A dated August 10, 1993.
g. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period
ended March 31, 1997.
h. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated May 23, 1996, November
15, 1996, January 16, 1997, March 12, 1997, March 17, 1997, March 19,
1997, March 20, 1997, March 24, 1997, April 3, 1997, May 16, 1997, May
20, 1997, May 30, 1997 (2), June 5, 1997, June 9, 1997, June 10, 1997
and June 23, 1997 and the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K/A
dated May 23, 1996 and November 15, 1996.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of the offering of all Securities to which this
Prospectus relates shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in the
Prospectus (in the case of a statement in a previously filed document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein), in any
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of Securities,
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Subject to the foregoing, all information
appearing in this Prospectus and each accompanying Prospectus Supplement is
qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents
incorporated by reference.
Copies of all documents which are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such information) will be provided
without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
Prospectus is delivered upon written or oral request. Requests should be
directed to Equity Residential Properties Trust, Two North Riverside Plaza,
Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Cynthia McHugh (telephone
number: (312) 474-1300).
3
<PAGE>
As used herein, the term "Company" includes Equity Residential Properties
Trust and those entities owned or controlled by it (collectively, the
"Subsidiaries"), as the survivor of the merger between Wellsford Residential
Property Trust ("Wellsford") and Equity Residential Properties Trust ("EQR") and
both EQR and Wellsford as predecessors to the Company, unless the context
indicates otherwise.
THE COMPANY
General
Equity Residential Properties Trust, 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 completion of its initial public offering (the "EQR 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 the Company. These entities had been
engaged in the acquisition, ownership and operation of multifamily properties
since 1969. In May 1997, EQR completed the acquisition of the multifamily
property business of Wellsford through the tax free merger of EQR and Wellsford.
The Company's senior executives average over 23 years of experience in the
multifamily property business.
The Company is the largest publicly traded REIT owner of multifamily
properties (based on the number of apartment units owned and total revenues
earned). All of the Company's interests in its multifamily properties (the
"Properties") are held directly or indirectly by, and substantially all of its
operations relating to the Properties are conducted through, ERP Operating
Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership"). The Operating Partnership
currently has seven classes of limited partnership interests outstanding: (i)
partnership interests ("OP Units"), which may be exchanged by the holders
thereof for either common shares of beneficial interest of the Company, $0.01
par value per share ("Common Shares"), on a one-for-one basis or, at the
Company's option, cash; (ii) 9 3/8% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units
("9 3/8% Preference Units"); (iii) 9 1/8% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units
("9 1/8% Series B Preference Units"); (iv) 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable
Preference Units ("9 1/8% Series C Preference Units"); (v) 8.60% Cumulative
Redeemable Preference Units ("8.60% Series D Preference Units"); (vi) Series E
Cumulative Convertible Preference Units ("Series E Preference Units") and (vii)
9.65% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units ("9.65% Series F
Preference Units"). The 9 3/8% Preference Units, the 9 1/8% Series B Preference
Units, the 9 1/8% Series C Preference Units, the 8.60% Series D Preference
Units, the Series E Preference Units and the 9.65% Series F Preference Units are
owned by the Company and mirror the payments of distributions, including accrued
and unpaid distributions upon redemption, and of the liquidating preference
amount of the Company's 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the "Series A Preferred
Shares"), the Company's 9 1/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the "Series B Preferred
Shares"), the Company's 9 1/8% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
of Beneficial Interest, $.01 per value per share (the "Series C Preferred
Shares"), the Company's 8.60% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series D Preferred
Shares"), the Company's Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series E Preferred
Shares"), and the Company's 9.65% Series F Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series F Preferred Shares"),
respectively. The Company controls the Operating Partnership as the sole
general partner and, as of June 30, 1997, owned approximately 91% of all of the
Operating Partnership's outstanding partnership interests, excluding the 9 3/8%
Preference Units, the 9 1/8% Series B Preference Units, the 9 1/8% Series C
Preference Units, the 8.60% Series D Preference Units, the Series E Preference
Units and the 9.65% Series F Preference Units. It is the Company's policy that
Equity Residential Properties Trust 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 Operating Partnership to the
extent necessary to fund the business activities conducted by the Operating
Partnership and its subsidiaries.
The Company'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.
4
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RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should carefully consider, among other factors, the
matters described below prior to making an investment decision regarding the
Securities offered hereby.
Adverse Consequences of Debt Financing and Preferred Shares
General Risks. As of June 30, 1997, the Properties were subject to
approximately $961 million of mortgage indebtedness and the Company's total debt
equaled approximately $1.7 billion, $361.5 million of which was floating rate
debt. In addition, in June 1995, the Company issued 6,120,000 Series A
Preferred Shares pursuant to a preferred share offering; in November 1995, the
Company issued 5,000,000 depositary shares each representing a 1/10 fractional
interest in a Series B Preferred Share pursuant to a depositary share offering;
in September 1996, the Company issued 4,600,000 depositary shares each
representing a 1/10 fractional interest in a Series C Preferred Share pursuant
to a depositary share offering; in May 1997, the Company issued 7,000,000
depositary shares each representing a 1/10 fractional interest in a Series D
Preferred Share pursuant to a depositary share offering and also in May 1997,
subsequent to the merger of the Company with Wellsford Residential Property
Trust ("Wellsford"), Wellsford's 3,999,800 Series A Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest were redesignated as the Company's
3,999,800 Series E Preferred Shares and Wellsford's 2,300,000 Series B
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest were redesignated
as the Company's 2,300,000 Series F Preferred Shares (collectively, the
"Preferred Share Offerings"). The Company used the proceeds from the Preferred
Share Offerings to repay indebtedness and to acquire additional Properties. The
Company is subject to the risks normally associated with debt or preferred
equity financing, including the risk that the Company's cash flow will be
insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, 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
Company were unable to refinance its indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at
all, the Company might be forced to dispose of one or more of the Properties on
disadvantageous terms, which might result in losses to the Company 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 Company's interest expense would increase,
which would affect the Company's ability to make distributions to its
shareholders. Furthermore, if a Property is mortgaged to secure payment of
indebtedness and the Company is unable to meet mortgage payments, the mortgagee
could foreclose upon the Property, appoint a receiver and receive an assignment
of rents and leases or pursue other remedies, all with a consequent loss of
income and asset value to the Company. Foreclosures could also create taxable
income without accompanying cash proceeds, thereby hindering the Company's
ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
Restrictions on the Company's Activities. A substantial portion of the
Company's debt was issued pursuant to certain indentures (the "Indentures")
which restrict the amount of indebtedness (including acquisition financing) the
Company may incur. Accordingly, in the event that the Company is unable to
raise additional equity or borrow money because of the debt restrictions in the
indentures, the Company's ability to acquire additional properties may be
limited. If the Company is unable to acquire additional properties, its ability
to increase the distributions with respect to Common Shares, as it has done in
the past, will be limited to management's ability to increase funds from
operations, and thereby cash available for distributions, from the existing
Properties in the Company's portfolio at such time.
Bond Compliance Requirements. The Company owns several 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 several
additional Properties. The Company 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 Company's income from certain of these
Properties if the Company is required to lower its rental rates to attract low
or moderate income tenants, or eligible/qualified tenants.
Control and Influence by Significant Shareholders
As of June 30, 1997, Mr. Zell, certain of the current holders (the "Zell
Holders") of certain OP Units ("Original OP Units") issued at the time of the
initial public offering of common shares of EQR (the "EQR IPO") to certain
affiliates of Mr. Zell which contributed 33 of the Properties at the time of the
EQR IPO (the "Zell Original Owners"), Equity Properties Management Corp.
("EPMC") and other affiliates of Mr. Zell owned in the aggregate approximately
5.8% of the Common Shares (assuming that all of the partnership interests in the
Operating Partnership are exchanged for Common Shares), and certain entities
controlled by Starwood Capital Partners L.P. ("Starwood") and its affiliates
which contributed 23 of the Properties at the time of the EQR IPO (the "Starwood
Original Owners") owned in the aggregate approximately 2.3% of the Common Shares
(assuming that all of the OP Units are exchanged for Common
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Shares). The Starwood Original Owners, together with the Zell Original Owners,
shall be referred to collectively as the "Original Owners." As of June 30, 1997,
the Company had options outstanding to purchase approximately 3.8 million Common
Shares which it has granted to certain officers, employees and trustees of the
Company and consultants to the Company, some of whom are affiliated with Mr.
Zell, representing in the aggregate approximately 4.5% of the Common Shares
(assuming that all such options are exercised for Common Shares and all of the
outstanding OP Units are exchanged for Common Shares). Further, the consent of
affiliates of Mr. Zell who are Zell Holders and of the Starwood Original Owners
is required for certain amendments to the Operating Partnership's Fourth Amended
and Restated ERP Operating Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership
(the "Partnership Agreement"). Accordingly, Mr. Zell and the Starwood Original
Owners may continue to have substantial influence over the Company, which
influence might not be consistent with the interests of other shareholders, and
on the outcome of any matters submitted to the Company'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 Company if they were to act together in the future.
Potential Environmental Liability Affecting the Company
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 Company or the Subsidiaries,
as the case may be, 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 the Properties have been the subject of a Phase I and, in certain
cases, a supplemental environmental assessment completed by qualified
independent environmental consultant companies. The most recent environmental
assessments for each of the Properties were conducted within the last five
years. Environmental assessments were obtained prior to the acquisition by the
Company of each of the Properties. These environmental assessments have not
revealed, nor is the Company aware of, any environmental liability that the
Company's management believes would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
No assurance can be given that existing environmental assessments with
respect to any of the Properties reveal all environmental liabilities, that any
prior owner of a Property did not create any material environmental condition
not known to the Company, or that a material environmental condition does not
otherwise exist as to any one or more Properties.
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
Company'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 to tenants, zoning or other
regulatory restrictions, the ability of the Company to provide adequate
maintenance and insurance, and increased operating costs (including insurance
premiums and real estate taxes). The Company's income would also be adversely
affected if tenants were unable to pay rent or the Company were unable to rent
apartment units on favorable terms. If the Company 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 Company'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
Company to vary its portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or
other conditions.
6
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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 Company'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
Company's funds from operations and its ability to make distributions to
shareholders.
Ownership Limit and Limits on Changes in Control
5% 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 Company may be
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the
Code to include certain entities). Certain beneficial owners of the Zell Holders
and 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 of
the Starwood Original Owners (through their potential ownership rights of Common
Shares) together constitute four individuals for purposes of this test and,
under the Internal Revenue Service's (the "Service") rules applicable to
determining percentages of ownership, will be deemed to own approximately 6.2%
of the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company.
Due to such concentration of ownership of the Company, ownership of more than 5%
of the lesser of the number or value of the outstanding shares of beneficial
interest of the Company by any single shareholder has been restricted, with
certain exceptions, for the purpose of maintaining the Company's qualification
as a REIT under the Code. Such restrictions in the Company's Declaration of
Trust do not apply to the ownership of the 5,549,575 Common Shares subject to
acquisition by the holders of Original OP Units and EPMC through the exchange of
Original OP Units. Additionally, the Company's Declaration of Trust allows
certain transfers of such Common Shares without the transferees being subject to
the 5% ownership limit, provided such transfers do not result in an increased
concentration in the ownership of the Company. The Company's Board of Trustees,
upon receipt of a ruling from 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 "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest--Common
Shares--Restrictions on Transfer."
The 5% ownership limit, as well as the ability of the Company to issue
additional Common Shares or other shares of beneficial interest (which may have
rights and preferences senior to the Common Shares), may discourage a change of
control of the Company and may also (i) deter tender offers for the Common
Shares, which offers may be advantageous to shareholders, and (ii) limit the
opportunity for shareholders to receive a premium for their Common Shares that
might otherwise exist if an investor were attempting to assemble a block of
Common Shares in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest
of the Company or otherwise effect a change of control of the Company.
Possible Adverse Consequences of Ownership Limit. To maintain its
qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, not more than 50% in
value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company may be
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the
Code, to include certain entities). See "Federal Income Tax Considerations--
Taxation of the Company--Share Ownership Test." Certain beneficial owners of the
Zell Holders (i.e., beneficiaries of trusts established for benefit of Mr. Zell
and his family and the family of Mr. Robert Lurie, a deceased partner of Mr.
Zell) and EPMC, together with the Starwood Original Owners (through their
potential ownership of shares of beneficial interest) together constitute four
individuals for purposes of this test and, under the Service's rules applicable
to determining percentages of ownership, are deemed to own approximately 6.2% of
the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company. To
facilitate maintenance of its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes, the Company generally will prohibit ownership, directly or by virtue
of the attribution provisions of the Code, by any single shareholder of more
than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and generally will prohibit
ownership, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, by
any single shareholder of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of
any class or series of the Company's Preferred Shares (collectively, the
"Ownership Limit"). The Board of Trustees may, in its reasonable discretion,
waive or modify the Ownership Limit with respect to one or more persons who
would not be treated as "individuals" for purposes of the Code if it is
satisfied, based upon information required to be provided by the party seeking
the waiver, that ownership in excess of this limit will not cause a person who
is an individual to be treated as owning Common Shares or Preferred Shares in
excess of the Ownership Limit, applying the applicable constructive ownership
rules, and will not otherwise jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT for
federal income tax purposes. The Company's Declaration of Trust also exempts
from the Ownership Limit certain of the beneficial owners of the Original Owners
and EPMC, who would exceed the Ownership Limit as a result of the exchange of
the OP Units for Common Shares, which OP Units were received by them at the time
of the formation of EQR. Absent any such exemption or waiver, Common Shares or
Preferred Shares acquired or held in violation of the Ownership Limit will be
transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary,
with the person who acquired such Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares in
violation of the
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Ownership Limit not entitled to receive any distributions thereon, to vote such
Common Shares or Preferred Shares, or to receive any proceeds from the
subsequent sale thereof in excess of the lesser of the price paid therefore or
the amount realized from such sale. A transfer of Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares to a person who, as a result of the transfer, violates the Ownership
Limit may be void under certain circumstances. See "Description of Shares of
Beneficial Interest--Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer." The Ownership
Limit may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control and, therefore, could adversely affect the shareholder's ability to
realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for the Common Shares in
connection with such transaction.
Staggered Board. The Board of Trustees of the Company has been divided into
three classes of trustees. 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 Company even if a change in
control were in the shareholders' interest.
Preferred Shares. The Company's Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board
of Trustees to issue up to 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest,
$.01 par value per share ("Preferred Shares"), and to establish the preferences
and rights (including the right to vote and the right to convert into Common
Shares) of any Preferred Shares issued. The power to issue Preferred Shares
could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the
Company even if a change in control were in the shareholders' interest. As of
June 30, 1997, 14,079,800 Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding.
Consequences of Failure to Qualify as a REIT
Taxation as a Corporation. The Company believes that it has qualified and
will continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, commencing with its taxable
year ended December 31, 1992. However, no assurance can be given that the
Company was organized and has been operated and will be able to operate in a
manner so as to qualify or remain so qualified. Qualification 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 Company's control.
If the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the
Company 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 Company 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 Company available for investment or distribution
to shareholders because of the additional tax liability to the Company 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 Company qualifies as a REIT, it will be
subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and property.
See "Federal Income Tax Considerations--Other Tax Considerations--State and
Local Taxes." In addition, the Company's management operations, which are
conducted through Equity Residential Properties Management Limited Partnership
and Equity Residential Properties Management Limited Partnership II
(collectively, the "Management Partnerships") generally will be subject to
federal income tax at regular corporate rates. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Other Tax Considerations."
Consequences of Failure to Qualify as Partnerships. The Company believes
that the Operating Partnership, the Management Partnerships and each of the
other partnership and limited liability company Subsidiaries have been 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
Company 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 "Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of the
Company--Failure to Qualify" and "--Tax Aspects of the Company's Investments in
Partnerships--General."
Dependence on Key Personnel
The Company is dependent on the efforts of its executive officers. While
the Company believes that it could find replacements for these key personnel,
the loss of their services could have a temporary adverse effect on the
operations of the Company. None of these officers has entered into employment
agreements with the Company.
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Distribution Requirements Potentially Increasing Indebtedness of the Company
The Company 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 Company or its
Subsidiaries of principal on debt, the Company could have taxable income without
sufficient cash to enable the Company to meet the distribution requirements of a
REIT. Accordingly, the Company could be required to borrow funds or liquidate
investments on adverse terms in order to meet such distribution requirements.
See "Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of the Company--Annual
Distribution Requirements."
Exemptions for Mr. Zell and Others from Maryland Business Combination Law which
Tend to Inhibit Takeovers
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 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. As permitted by the MGCL, the Company has exempted any business
combination involving Mr. Zell, the Zell Original Owners, 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 Company.
As a result, Mr. Zell, the Zell Original Owners, 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 Company, which may not be in the best interest of the
shareholders, without compliance by the Company with the super-majority vote
requirements and other provisions of the MGCL.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the
Company will contribute or otherwise transfer the net proceeds of any sale of
Securities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for additional partnership
interests in the Operating Partnership, the economic terms of which will be
substantially identical to the Securities sold. The Operating Partnership will
use such net proceeds for general business purposes including, without
limitation, the repayment of certain outstanding debt and the acquisition of
multifamily residential properties.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The summary of the terms of the shares of beneficial interest of the
Company set forth below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Second Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust, as amended and/or restated from time to time (the
"Declaration of Trust"), and the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended
and/or restated from time to time ("Bylaws"), of the Company, each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
The Declaration of Trust of the Company provides that the Company may issue
up to 300,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, consisting of 200,000,000
Common Shares and 100,000,000 Preferred Shares. As of June 30, 1997, 73,632,566
Common Shares and 14,079,800 Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding. In
addition, as of June 30, 1997, 7,320,258 Common Shares were issuable upon
exchange of OP Units currently held by the Zell Holders, the Starwood Original
Owners, EPMC and holders who were issued OP Units in exchange for the
contribution of certain of the Properties to the Operating Partnership
subsequent to the EQR IPO. The OP Units are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis
for Common Shares or, at the Company's option, cash.
Both the Maryland REIT law and the Company's Declaration of Trust provide
that no shareholder of the Company will be liable for any debt or obligation of
the Company solely as a result of his status as a shareholder of the Company.
The Company's Bylaws further
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provide that the Company shall indemnify each shareholder against any claim or
liability to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of his being or
having been a shareholder and that the Company shall reimburse each shareholder
for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with any such claim or
liability. However, with respect to tort claims, contractual claims where
shareholder liability is not so negated, claims for taxes and certain statutory
liability, the shareholders may, in some jurisdictions, be personally liable to
the extent that such claims are not satisfied by the Company. Inasmuch as the
Company carries public liability insurance which it considers adequate, any risk
of personal liability to shareholders is limited to situations in which the
Company's assets plus its insurance coverage would be insufficient to satisfy
the claims against the Company and its shareholders.
Preferred Shares
The following description of the Preferred Shares sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the Preferred Shares to which any Prospectus
Supplement may relate.
The Board of Trustees is empowered by the Company's Declaration of Trust to
designate and issue from time to time one or more series of Preferred Shares
without shareholder approval. The Board of Trustees may determine the relative
rights, preferences and privileges of each series of Preferred Shares so issued.
Because the Board of Trustees has the power to establish the preferences and
rights of each series of Preferred Shares, it may afford the holders of any
series of Preferred Shares preferences, powers and rights, voting or otherwise,
senior to the rights of holders of Common Shares. The Preferred Shares will,
when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
The Company currently has outstanding 6,120,000 Series A Preferred Shares
(liquidation preference $25.00 per share), 5,000,000 depositary shares
representing a 1/10 fractional interest in 500,000 Series B Preferred Shares
(liquidation preference $250.00 per share, equivalent to $25.00 per depositary
share), 4,600,000 depositary shares representing a 1/10 fractional interest in
460,000 Series C Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $250.00 per share,
equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), 7,000,000 depositary shares
representing a 1/10 fractional interest in 700,000 Series D Preferred Shares
(liquidation preference $250.00 per share, equivalent to $25.00 per depositary
share), 3,999,800 Series E Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $25.00 per
share) and 2,300,000 Series F Preferred Shares (liquidation preference $25.00
per share) that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols
"EQR-PrA," "EQR-PrB," "EQR-PrC," "EQR-PrD," "EQR-PrE," and "EQR-PrF,"
respectively. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares, the Series B
Preferred Shares, the Series C Preferred Shares, the Series D Preferred Shares,
and the Series F Preferred Shares are cumulative from the date of original issue
and payable quarterly on or about the fifteenth day of January, April, July and
October of each year, at the rate of 9 3/8%, 9 1/8%, 9 1/8%, 8.60% and 9.65%,
respectively, of the liquidation preference per annum of such shares.
Distributions on the Series E Preferred Shares are cumulative from the date of
original issue and payable quarterly on the first day of January, April, July
and October of each year, at the rate of 7.0% of the liquidation preference per
annum of such shares.
The Series A Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to June 1, 2000. On
or after June 1, 2000, the Series A Preferred Shares may be redeemed for cash at
the option of the Company in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25.00
per share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, thereon. The Series B
Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to October 15, 2005. On or after
October 15, 2005, the Series B Preferred Shares may be redeemed for cash at the
option of the Company in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $250.00 per
share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus accrued and unpaid
distributions, if any, thereon. The Series C Preferred Shares are not redeemable
prior to September 9, 2006. On or after September 9, 2006, the Series C
Preferred Shares may be redeemed for a cash at the option of the Company in
whole or in part, at a redemption price of $250.00 per share (equivalent to
$25.00 per depositary share), plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any,
thereon. The Series D Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to July 15,
2007. On or after July 15, 2007, the Series D Preferred Shares may be redeemed
for cash at the option of the Company in whole or in part, at a redemption price
of $250.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus
accumulated unpaid distributions, if any, thereon. Each Series E Preferred Share
is convertible at the option of the holder thereof at any time into Common
Shares of the Company, at a conversion price of $44.93 per Common Share
(equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately .5564 Common Share for each
Series E Preferred Share), subject to adjustments under certain conditions. The
Series E Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to November 1, 1998. On or
after November 1, 1998, the Series E Preferred Shares may be redeemed for cash
at the option of the Company in whole or in part, initially at $25.875 per share
and thereafter at prices declining to $25.00 per share on and after November 1,
2003, plus in each case accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, to the
redemption date. The Series F Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to
August 24, 2000. On or after August 24, 2000, the Series F Preferred Shares may
be redeemed for cash at the option of the Company in whole or in part, at a
redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if
any, thereon. The redemption price of such Preferred Shares (other than the
portion thereof consisting of accrued and unpaid distributions) is payable
solely out of the sale proceeds of other shares of beneficial interest of the
Company which may include other series of Preferred Shares. The Series A
Preferred Shares, the Series B Preferred Shares, the Series C Preferred Shares,
the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series E Preferred Shares and the
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Series F Preferred Shares have no stated maturity and are not subject to any
sinking fund or mandatory redemption and, with the exception of the Series E
Preferred Shares, are not convertible into any other securities of the Company.
However, the Company may redeem Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred
Shares, Series C Preferred Shares, the Series D Preferred Shares, the Series E
Preferred Shares or the Series F Preferred Shares in certain circumstances
relating to maintenance of its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
See "Redemption" and "Restrictions on Transfer" below. The other terms of the
Preferred Shares are described generally below.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Preferred Shares offered thereby
will contain the specific terms thereof, including, without limitation:
(1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Shares;
(2) The number of such Preferred Shares offered, the liquidation preference
per share and the offering price of such Preferred Shares;
(3) The distribution rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s)
of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Shares;
(4) The date from which distributions on such Preferred Shares shall
accumulate, if applicable;
(5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
Preferred Shares;
(6) The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred Shares;
(7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred Shares;
(8) Any listing of such Preferred Shares on any securities exchange;
(9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred
Shares will be convertible into Common Shares of the Company, including
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
(10) Whether interests in such Preferred Shares will be represented by
Depositary Shares;
(11) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of such Preferred Shares;
(12) A discussion of all material federal income tax considerations, if any,
applicable to such Preferred Shares that are not discussed in this
Prospectus;
(13) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Shares as to
distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Company;
(14) Any limitations on issuance of any series of Preferred Shares ranking
senior to or on a parity with such series of Preferred Shares as to
distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Company; and
(15) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on
transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of
the Company as a REIT.
Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Shares will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank (i) senior to all classes or
series of Common Shares of the Company, and to all equity securities ranking
junior to such Preferred Shares; (ii) on a parity with all equity securities
issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide that such equity
securities rank on a parity with the Preferred Shares; and (iii) junior to all
equity securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide
that such equity securities rank senior to the Preferred Shares. The term
"equity securities" does not include convertible debt securities.
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Distributions. Holders of the Preferred Shares of each series will be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the
Company, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, cash
distributions (or distributions in kind or in other property if expressly
permitted and described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) at such rates
and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Each such distribution shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on
the share transfer books of the Company on such record dates as shall be fixed
by the Board of Trustees of the Company.
Distributions on any series of Preferred Shares may be cumulative or non-
cumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Distributions,
if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Trustees of the Company fails
to declare a distribution payable on a distribution payment date on any series
of the Preferred Shares for which distributions are non-cumulative, then the
holders of such series of the Preferred Shares will have no right to receive a
distribution in respect of the distribution period ending on such distribution
payment date, and the Company will have no obligation to pay the distribution
accrued for such period, whether or not distributions on such series are
declared payable on any future distribution payment date.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, if any Preferred
Shares of any series are outstanding, no full distributions shall be declared or
paid or set apart for payment on any shares of beneficial interest of the
Company of any other series ranking, as to distributions, on a parity with or
junior to the Preferred Shares of such series for any period unless (i) if such
series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative distribution, full cumulative
distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the
Preferred Shares of such series for all past distribution periods and the then
current distribution period or (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not
have a cumulative distribution, full distributions for the then current
distribution period have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment
on the Preferred Shares of such series. When distributions are not paid in full
(or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon Preferred
Shares of any series and the shares of any other series of Preferred Shares
ranking on a parity as to distributions with the Preferred Shares of such
series, all distributions declared upon Preferred Shares of such series and any
other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to distributions with
such Preferred Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of
distributions declared per share of Preferred Shares of such series and such
other series of Preferred Shares shall in all cases bear to each other the same
ratio that accrued distributions per share on the Preferred Shares of such
series (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid
distributions for prior distribution periods if such Preferred Shares do not
have a cumulative distribution) and such other series of Preferred 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 Preferred Shares
of such series which may be in arrears.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (i) if
such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative distribution, full cumulative
distributions on the Preferred Shares of such series 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, and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares
does not have a cumulative distribution, full distributions on the Preferred
Shares of such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment, for
the then current distribution period, no distributions (other than in Common
Shares or other shares of beneficial interest ranking junior to the Preferred
Shares of such series as to distributions and upon liquidation) shall be
declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution upon the Common
Shares, or any other shares of beneficial interest of the Company ranking junior
to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares of such series as to distributions
or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Shares, or any other shares of
beneficial interest of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the
Preferred Shares of such series as to distributions or upon liquidation 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 Company (except by conversion into or exchange for other shares
of beneficial interest of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Shares of
such series as to distributions and upon liquidation).
If, for any taxable year, the Company elects to designate as "capital gain
dividends" (as defined in Section 857 of the Code) any portion (the "Capital
Gains Amount") of the dividends (within the meaning of the Code) paid or made
available for the year to holders of all classes of shares of beneficial
interest (the "Total Dividends"), then the portion of the Capital Gains Amount
that will be allocable to the holders of Preferred Shares will be the Capital
Gains Amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the total
dividends (within the meaning of the Code) paid or made available to the holders
of the Preferred Shares for the year and the denominator of which shall be the
Total Dividends.
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Redemption. If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Preferred Shares will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at the
option of the Company, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the
times and at the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Shares that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of such Preferred Shares
that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing after a date to be
specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an
amount equal to all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (which shall not,
if such Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative distribution, include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods)
to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other
property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the
redemption price for Preferred Shares of any series is payable only from the net
proceeds of the issuance of shares of beneficial interest of the Company, the
terms of such Preferred Shares may provide that, if no such shares of beneficial
interest shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any
issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then
due, such Preferred Shares shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into
the applicable shares of beneficial interest of the Company pursuant to
conversion provisions specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) if such series of Preferred
Shares has a cumulative distribution, full cumulative distributions on all
Preferred Shares of any series 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 current distribution period
and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative
distribution, full distributions on the Preferred Shares of any series have been
or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current distribution
period, no Preferred Shares of any series shall be redeemed unless all
outstanding Preferred Shares of such series are simultaneously redeemed;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Preferred Shares of such series to preserve the REIT status of
the Company or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms
to holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series. In addition,
unless (i) if such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative distribution,
full cumulative distributions on all outstanding shares of any series of
Preferred Shares 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 distributions periods and the then current distribution period, and
(ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative distribution,
full distributions on the Preferred Shares of any series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current distribution period,
the Company shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any
Preferred Shares of such series (except by conversion into or exchange for
shares of beneficial interest of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred
Shares of such series as to distributions and upon liquidation); provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of
Preferred Shares of such series to assist in maintaining the REIT status of the
Company or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series.
If fewer than all of the outstanding Preferred Shares of any series are to
be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by the
Company and such shares may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of
such shares in proportion to the number of such shares held or for which
redemption is requested by such holder (with adjustments to avoid redemption of
fractional shares) or by lot in a manner determined by the Company.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of record of Preferred Shares of
any series to be redeemed at the address shown on the share transfer books of
the Company. Each notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number
and series of Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iii) the place or places where
certificates for such Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the
redemption price; (iv) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (v) the date upon which the
holder's conversion rights, if any, as to such shares shall terminate. If fewer
than all of the Preferred Shares of any series are to be redeemed, the notice
mailed to each such holder thereof shall also specify the number of Preferred
Shares to be redeemed from each such holder. If notice of redemption of any
Preferred Shares has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption
have been set aside by the Company in trust for the benefit of the holders of
any Preferred Shares so called for redemption, then from and after the
redemption date distributions will cease to accrue on such Preferred Shares, and
all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to
receive the redemption price.
Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, before any
distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Common Shares or any
other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Company ranking
junior to the Preferred Shares in the distribution of assets upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of each
series of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive out of assets of the
Company legally
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available for distribution to shareholders liquidating distributions in the
amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement), plus an amount equal to all distributions accrued and
unpaid thereon (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid
distributions for prior distribution periods if such Preferred Shares do not
have a cumulative distribution). After payment of the full amount of the
liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred
Shares will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the
Company. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Company are insufficient
to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding Preferred
Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or
series of shares beneficial interest of the Company ranking on a parity with the
Preferred Shares in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the
Preferred Shares and all other such classes or series of shares of beneficial
interest shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to
the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively
entitled.
If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
Preferred Shares, the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed among
the holders of any other classes or series of shares of beneficial interest
ranking junior to the Preferred Shares upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case
according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, the
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, trust
or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the
property or business of the Company, shall not be deemed to constitute a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
Voting Rights. Holders of Preferred Shares will not have any voting
rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by
law or as indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Whenever distributions on any Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six
or more quarterly periods, the holders of such 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 Company 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 (i) if such series of Preferred Shares has a
cumulative distribution, all distributions accumulated on such series of
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 or (ii) if such series of
Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative distribution, four consecutive
quarterly distributions 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 Company will be increased by two Trustees.
Unless provided otherwise for any series of Preferred Shares, so long as
any Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company will not, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of each series
of 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 such series of
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 Company 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 Company's Declaration of Trust or the Articles
Supplementary for such series of Preferred Shares, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely
affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such series of
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
Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged,
taking into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Company 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 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 of Preferred Shares, or (y) any increase in the amount of
authorized shares of such series or any other series of Preferred Shares, in
each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Shares of such
series 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 Preferred Shares of such series shall have been
redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited
in trust to effect such redemption.
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Conversion Rights. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series
of Preferred Shares is convertible into Common Shares will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the
number of Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares are convertible, the
conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
Preferred Shares or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such series of Preferred Shares.
Registrar and Transfer Agent. The registrar and transfer agent for the
Preferred Shares will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Common Shares
All Common Shares offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other shares of
beneficial interest and to the provisions of the Company's Declaration of Trust
regarding Excess Shares (as defined herein), holders of Common Shares are
entitled to receive distributions if, as and when authorized and declared by the
Board of Trustees out of assets legally available therefor and to share ratably
in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to its
shareholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding-up after
payment of, or adequate provision for, all known debts and liabilities of the
Company. The Company currently pays regular quarterly distributions.
Subject to the provisions of the Company's Declaration of Trust regarding
Excess Shares, each outstanding Common Share entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of
Trustees, and, except as otherwise required by law or except as provided with
respect to any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, the
holders of such Common Shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is
no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees, which means that the holders
of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares can elect all of the Trustees
then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares of beneficial
interest, if any, will not be able to elect any Trustees.
Holders of Common Shares have no conversion, sinking fund, redemption or
preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of the Company. Subject to the
provisions of the Company's Declaration of Trust regarding Excess Shares, Common
Shares have equal distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no
preference, exchange or, except as expressly required by the Maryland REIT law,
appraisal rights.
Pursuant to the Maryland REIT law, a REIT generally cannot dissolve, amend
its declaration of trust or merge, unless approved by the affirmative vote or
written consent of shareholders 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 REIT's declaration of trust. The Company's Declaration of Trust provides
that a dissolution or merger, and amendments to the Declaration of Trust in
connection with such transactions, may be approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than a majority of the shares then outstanding and
entitled to vote thereon. A declaration of trust may permit the trustees by a
two-thirds vote to amend the declaration of trust from time to time to qualify
as a REIT under the Code or the Maryland REIT law without the affirmative vote
or written consent of the shareholders. The Company's Declaration of Trust
permits such action by the Board of Trustees.
The registrar and transfer agent for the Common Shares is Boston EquiServe
Limited Partnership, an affiliate of The First National Bank of Boston.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, no more than 50% in
value of its outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, actually or
constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include
certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first
year for which an election to be treated as a REIT has been made) or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. A REIT's shares also must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable
year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year
(other than the first year for which an election to be treated as a REIT has
been made).
Because the Board of Trustees believes it is desirable for the Company to
qualify as a REIT, the Declaration of Trust, 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 the Ownership Limit. The
Declaration of Trust prohibits ownership, directly or by virtue of the
attribution rules of the Code, by any
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single shareholder of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares
and generally will prohibit ownership, directly or by virtue of the attributions
provisions of the Code, by any single shareholder of more than 5% of the issued
and outstanding shares of any class or series of the Company's Preferred Shares
(collectively, the "Ownership Limit"). Certain beneficial owners of the Zell
Holders (i.e., beneficiaries of trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Zell
and his family and the family of Mr. Robert Lurie, a deceased partner of Mr.
Zell) and EPMC, together with the Starwood Original Owners (through their
potential ownership of shares of beneficial interest) together constitute four
individuals for purposes of this test and, under the Service's rules applicable
to determining percentages of ownership, are deemed to own approximately 6.2% of
the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Company. The
ownership attribution rules under the Code are complex and may cause Common
Shares owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or
entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result,
the acquisition of less than 5% of the Common Shares (or the acquisition of an
interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, Common Shares) by
an individual or entity, could, nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or
another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 5% of the
outstanding Common Shares and thus subject such Common Shares to the Ownership
Limit. The Board of Trustees may in its reasonable discretion grant an exemption
from the Ownership Limit with respect to one or more persons who would not be
treated as "individuals" for purposes of the Code if it is satisfied, based upon
the advice of counsel or a ruling from the Service, that such ownership will not
cause a person who is an individual to be treated as owning Common Shares in
excess of the Ownership Limited, applying the applicable constructive ownership
rules, and will not otherwise jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT. As a
condition of such waiver, the Board of Trustees may require undertakings or
representations from the applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of
the Company. Under certain circumstances, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole
and absolute discretion, grant an exemption for individuals to acquire Preferred
Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit, provided that certain conditions are
met and any representations and undertakings that may be required by the Board
of Trustees are made. The Company's Declaration of Trust also exempts from the
Ownership Limit certain of the beneficial owners of the Original Owners and
EPMC, who would exceed the Ownership Limit as a result of the exchange of the OP
Units for Common Shares, which OP Units were received by them at the time of the
formation of EQR. These persons may also acquire additional shares of beneficial
interest through the Company's Option and Award Plan, but in no event will such
persons be entitled to acquire additional shares such that the five largest
beneficial owners of the Company's shares of beneficial interest hold more than
50% in number or value of the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest.
The Board of Trustees of the Company will have the authority to increase
the Ownership Limit from time to time, but will not have the authority to do so
to the extent that after a giving effect to such increase, five beneficial
owners of Common Shares could beneficially own in the aggregate more than 49.5%
of the outstanding Common Shares.
The Declaration of Trust further prohibits (a) any person from actually or
constructively owning shares of beneficial interest of the Company that would
result in the Company being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or
otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT and (b) any person from
transferring shares of beneficial interest of the Company if such transfer would
result in shares of beneficial interest of the Company being owned by fewer than
100 persons.
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire actual or
constructive ownership of shares of beneficial interest of the Company that will
or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and
ownership is required to give notice immediately to the Company and provide the
Company with such other information as the Company may request in order to
determine the effect of such transfer on the Company's status as a REIT.
If any purported transfer of shares of beneficial interest of the Company
or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the Ownership
Limit or the other restrictions in the Declaration of Trust, then any such
purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect with respect to the
purported transferee (the "Prohibited Transferee") as to that number of shares
that exceeds the Ownership Limit (referred to as "excess shares") and the
Prohibited Transferee shall acquire no right or interest (or, in the case of any
event other than a purported transfer, the person or entity holding record title
to any such shares in excess of the Ownership Limit (the "Prohibited Owner")
shall cease to own any right or interest) in such excess shares. Any such excess
shares described above will be transferred automatically, by operation of law,
to a trust, the beneficiary of which will be a qualified charitable organization
selected by the Company (the "Beneficiary"). Such automatic transfer shall be
deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day (as
defined in the Declaration of Trust) prior to the date of such violating
transfer. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company of the transfer of
shares to the trust, the trustee of the trust (who shall be designated by the
Company and be unaffiliated with the Company and any Prohibited Transferee or
Prohibited Owner) will be required to sell such excess shares to a person or
entity who could own such shares without violating the Ownership Limit, and
distribute to the Prohibited Transferee an amount equal to the lesser of the
price paid by the Prohibited Transferee for such excess shares or the sales
proceeds received by the trust for such excess shares. In the case of any excess
shares resulting from any event other than a transfer, or from a transfer for no
consideration (such as a gift), the trustee
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will be required to sell such excess shares to a qualified person or entity and
distribute to the Prohibited Owner an amount equal to the lesser of the fair
market value of such excess shares as of the date of such event or the sales
proceeds received by the trust for such excess shares. In either case, any
proceeds in excess of the amount distributable to the Prohibited Transferee or
Prohibited Owner, as applicable, will be distributed to the Beneficiary. Prior
to a sale of any such excess shares by the trust, the trustee will be entitled
to receive, in trust for the Beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions
paid by the Company with respect to such excess shares, and also will be
entitled to exercise all voting rights with respect to such excess shares.
Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares have been
transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority (at the trustee's
sole discretion and subject to applicable law) (i) to rescind as void any vote
cast by a Prohibited Transferee prior to the discovery by the Company that such
shares have been transferred to the trust and (ii) to recast such vote in
accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the
Beneficiary. However, if the Company has already taken irreversible corporate
action, then the trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such
vote. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the Prohibited Transferee or
Prohibited Owner (prior to the discovery by the Company that such shares had
been automatically transferred to a trust as described above) will be required
to be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the Beneficiary. If
the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective (for
any reason) to prevent violation of the Ownership Limit, then the Declaration of
Trust provides that the transfer of the excess shares will be void.
In addition, shares of beneficial interest of the Company held in the trust
shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Company, 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 trust (or, in the case of a
devise or gift, the market value at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii)
the market value of such shares on the date the Company, or its designee,
accepts such offer. The Company shall have the right to accept such offer until
the trustee has sold the shares of beneficial interest held in the Trust. Upon
such a sale to the Company, the interest of the Beneficiary in the shares sold
shall terminate and the trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to
the Prohibited Owner.
The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply
if the Board of Trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests
of the Company to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
All certificates representing shares of beneficial interest 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 the
Company must give a written notice to the Company by January 31 of each year. In
addition, each shareholder will, upon demand, be required to disclose to the
Company in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and
constructive ownership of shares of beneficial interest as the 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.
These ownership limitations could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a takeover or other transaction in which holders of some, or a
majority, of Common Shares might receive a premium for their Common Shares over
the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be
otherwise in their best interest.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
The Company may issue receipts ("Depositary Receipts") for Depositary
Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a
particular series of Preferred Shares, as specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Preferred Shares of each series represented by Depositary Shares
will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement (each, a "Deposit
Agreement") among the Company, the depositary named therein (the "Preferred
Share Depositary") and the holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts.
Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary
Receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of
a particular series of Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Depositary Receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the
Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares (including distribution,
voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued
pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement. Immediately following the issuance
and delivery of the Preferred Shares by the Company to the Preferred Share
Depositary, the Company will cause
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the Preferred Share Depositary to issue, on behalf of the Company, the
Depositary Receipts. Copies of the applicable form of Deposit Agreement and
Depositary Receipt may be obtained from the Company upon request, and the
following summary of the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part is qualified in its entirety by
reference thereto.
Distributions
The Preferred Share Depositary will distribute all cash distributions
received in respect of the Preferred Shares to the record holders of Depositary
Receipts evidencing the related Depositary Shares in proportion to the number of
such Depositary Receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations
of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain
charges and expenses to the Preferred Share Depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Share
Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depositary Receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders
to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges
and expenses to the Preferred Share Depositary, unless the Preferred Share
Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in
which case the Preferred Share Depositary may, with the approval of the Company,
sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such
holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any Depositary Share to the
extent that it represents any Preferred Shares converted into Excess Shares.
Withdrawal of Shares
Upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Preferred Share Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have
previously been called for redemption or converted into Excess Shares), the
holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such
holder's order, of the number of whole or fractional Preferred Shares and any
money or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary Receipts will be entitled to receive
whole or fractional shares of the related Preferred Shares on the basis of the
proportion of the Preferred Shares represented by each Depositary Share as
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, but holders of such Preferred
Shares will not thereafter be entitled to receive Depositary Shares therefor. If
the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of Depositary
Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of
Preferred Shares to be withdrawn, the Preferred Share Depositary will deliver to
such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess
number of Depositary Shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever the Company redeems Preferred Shares held by the Preferred Share
Depositary, the Preferred Share Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption
date the number of Depositary Shares representing the Preferred Shares so
redeemed, provided the Company shall have paid in full to the Preferred Share
Depositary the redemption price of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed plus an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to the date fixed
for redemption. The redemption price per Depositary Share will be equal to the
redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the
Preferred Shares. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed,
the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may
be practicable without creating fractional Depositary Shares) or by any other
equitable method determined by the Company that will not result in the issuance
of any Excess Shares.
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all distributions in respect
of the Preferred Shares so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the
Depositary Shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be
outstanding and all rights of the holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing
the Depositary Shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to
receive any monies payable upon such redemption and any money or other property
to which the holders of such Depositary Receipts were entitled upon such
redemption upon surrender thereof to the Preferred Share Depositary.
Voting of the Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Share Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares which represent such
Preferred Shares. Each record holder of Depositary Receipts evidencing
Depositary Shares on the record
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date (which will be the same date as the record date for the Preferred Shares)
will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Share Depositary as to the exercise
of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of Preferred Shares represented by
such holder's Depositary Shares. The Preferred Share Depositary will vote the
amount of Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares in accordance
with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all reasonable action
which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Share Depositary in order to
enable the Preferred Share Depositary to do so. The Preferred Share Depositary
will abstain from voting the amount of Preferred Shares represented by such
Depositary Shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from
the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares. The
Preferred Share Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out
any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as
long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from
negligence or willful misconduct of the Preferred Share Depositary.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each Depositary Receipt will be
entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each Preferred
Share represented by the Depositary Share evidenced by such Depositary Receipt,
as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Shares
The Depositary Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common Shares or
any other securities or property of the Company, except in connection with
certain conversions in connection with the preservation of the Company's status
as a REIT. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating to an offering of Depositary Shares, the Depositary Receipts may be
surrendered by holders thereof to the Preferred Share Depositary with written
instructions to the Preferred Share Depositary to instruct the Company to cause
conversion of the Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Depositary Receipts into whole Common Shares, other Preferred
Shares (including Excess Shares) of the Company or other shares of beneficial
interest, and the Company has agreed that upon receipt of such instructions and
any amounts payable in respect thereof, it will cause the conversion thereof
utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of Preferred Shares
to effect such conversion. If the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Depositary
Receipt are to be converted in part only, a new Depositary Receipt or Receipts
will be issued for any Depositary Shares not to be converted. No fractional
Common Shares will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion will result
in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by the
Company equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing
price of the Common Shares on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares which
represent the Preferred Shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at
any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Preferred Share
Depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the
rights of the holders of Depositary Receipts or that would be materially and
adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related
Preferred Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved
by the existing holders of at least a majority of the Depositary Shares
evidenced by the Depositary Receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair
the right, subject to certain exceptions in the Depositary Agreement, of any
holder of Depositary Receipts to surrender any Depositary Receipt with
instructions to deliver to the holder the related Preferred Shares and all money
and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with
law. Every holder of an outstanding Depositary Receipt at the time any such
amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such
Depositary Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by
the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby.
The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon not less than
30 days' prior written notice to the Preferred Share Depositary if (i) such
termination is necessary to assist in maintaining the Company's status as a REIT
or (ii) a majority of each series of Preferred Shares affected by such
termination consents to such termination, whereupon the Preferred Share
Depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of Depositary
Receipts, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts held by such holder, such
number of whole or fractional Preferred Shares as are represented by the
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts together with any other
property held by the Preferred Share Depositary with respect to such Depositary
Receipts. The Company has agreed that if the Deposit Agreement is terminated to
assist in maintaining the Company's status as a REIT, then, if the Depositary
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company will use its
best efforts to list the Preferred Shares issued upon surrender of the related
Depositary Shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the Deposit
Agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares
shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in
respect of the related Preferred Shares in
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connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and
such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of Depositary
Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Shares or
(iii) each share of the related Preferred Shares shall have been converted into
shares of beneficial interest of the Company not so represented by Depositary
Shares.
Charges of Preferred Share Depositary
The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the Deposit Agreement. In addition, the
Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Preferred Share Depositary in
connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement.
However, holders of Depositary Receipts will pay certain other transfer and
other taxes and governmental charges as well as the fees and expenses of the
Preferred Share Depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be
performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the Deposit
Agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The Preferred Share Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Share Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Share Depositary. A successor
Preferred Share Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having
its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The Preferred Share Depositary will forward to holders of Depositary
Receipts any reports and communications from the Company which are received by
the Preferred Share Depositary with respect to the related Preferred Shares.
Neither the Preferred Share Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it
is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control,
performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the
Company and the Preferred Share Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be
limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without
negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of Preferred
Shares represented by the Depositary Shares), gross negligence or willful
misconduct, and the Company and the Preferred Share Depositary will not be
obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any
Depositary Receipts, Depositary Shares or Preferred Shares represented thereby
unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The Company and the Preferred Share
Depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information
provided by persons presenting Preferred Shares represented thereby for deposit,
holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be
competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to
be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the Preferred Share Depositary shall receive conflicting
claims, requests or instructions from any holders of Depositary Receipts, on the
one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the Preferred Share Depositary
shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from
the Company.
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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DISTRIBUTIONS
The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of earnings to combined
fixed charges and preferred share distributions for the periods shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
For the Three For the Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- --------------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.72 1.53 1.59 1.54 2.18 1.25 .91
</TABLE>
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share
distributions represents the ratio of income before gain on disposition of
properties, extraordinary items and allocation to Minority Interests plus fixed
charges (principally interest expense incurred) to fixed charges and preferred
share distributions.
The reorganization and recapitalization of the Company effected in
connection with the EQR IPO in 1993 permitted the Company to significantly
deleverage the Properties resulting in an improved ratio of earnings to combined
fixed charges and preferred share distributions for periods subsequent to the
EQR IPO.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
General
The following discussion summarizes all material federal income tax
considerations to a holder of Common Shares. The applicable Prospectus
Supplement will contain information about additional federal income tax
considerations, if any, relating to Securities other than Common Shares. The
following discussion, which is not exhaustive of all possible tax
considerations, does not give a detailed discussion of any state, local or
foreign tax considerations. Nor does it discuss all of the aspects of federal
income taxation that may be relevant to a prospective shareholder in light of
his or her particular circumstances or to certain types of shareholders
(including insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or
broker-dealers, foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or
residents of the United States) who are subject to special treatment under the
federal income tax laws.
EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF SECURITIES IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR
HER OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER, IN
LIGHT OF HIS OR HER SPECIFIC OR UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES, OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP
AND SALE OF SECURITIES IN AN ENTITY ELECTING TO BE TAXED AS A REIT, INCLUDING
THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PURCHASE,
OWNERSHIP, SALE AND ELECTION AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
Taxation of the Company
General. The Company elected REIT status commencing with its taxable year
ending December 31, 1992. In the opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., special tax
counsel to the Company, the Company 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, December 31, 1993, December 31,
1994, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, and the Company's current
organization and method of operation should enable it to continue 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,
prior and expected operation of the Company, the Operating Partnership, the
Management Partnerships, Equity Residential Properties Management Corp., Equity
Residential Properties Management Corp. II and Equity Residential Properties
Management Corp. III (collectively, the three management corporations shall be
referred to as 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 Company (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
the Company and the Operating Partnership as to certain relevant factual
matters, including matters related to the organization, expected operation, and
assets of the Company (including its predecessors EQR and Wellsford), the
Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Entities. Moreover, the Company's
qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Company'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
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share ownership. Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. will not review the Company's compliance
with these requirements on a continuing basis. No assurance can be given that
the actual results of the operations of the Company, the Operating Partnership,
and the Subsidiary Entities, the sources of their income, the nature of their
assets, the level of the Company'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 Company 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
Company may, however, be subject to tax at normal corporate rates upon any
taxable income or capital gain not distributed.
If the Company 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 Company will
also be subject to a tax of 100% on net income from any "prohibited
transaction," as described below. In addition, if the Company should fail to
distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT
ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain net income for
such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, the
Company would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required
distribution over the amounts actually distributed. The Company 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 Company
will use the calendar year both for federal income tax purposes and for
financial reporting purposes.
In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet, among others, the
following requirements:
Share Ownership Tests. Shares of beneficial interest of the Company must be
held by a minimum of 100 persons for at least, approximately, 92% of the days in
each taxable year subsequent to 1992. In addition, at all times during the
second half of each taxable year subsequent to 1992, no more than 50% in value
of the shares of beneficial interest of the Company may be owned, directly or
indirectly and by applying certain constructive ownership rules, by five or
fewer individuals. The Company believes that it has satisfied both of these
tests, and it believes it will continue to do so. In order to help comply with
the second of these tests, the Company has placed certain restrictions on the
transfer of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares that are intended to prevent
further concentration of share ownership.
Asset Tests. At the close of each quarter of the Company's taxable year,
the Company must satisfy two tests relating to the nature of its assets. First,
at least 75% of the value of the Company's total assets must be represented by
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 Company's assets generally
may be invested without restriction, securities in this class may not exceed
either (i) 5% of the value of the Company's total assets as to any one issuer,
or (ii) 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. Where the
Company invests in a partnership, it will be deemed to own a proportionate share
of the partnership's assets. The Company's investment in the Properties through
its interest in the Operating Partnership will constitute qualified assets for
purposes of the 75% asset test.
The Operating Partnership owns none of the voting stock, but owns 100% of
the non-voting stock of each of the Management Corps. By virtue of its
partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, the Company is deemed to own
its pro rata share of the assets of the Operating Partnership, including the
stock of the Management Corps. as described above and Wellsford Real Properties,
Inc. ("WRP Newco"), a company in which the Operating Partnership owns non-voting
preferred stock and a minority of the common stock. The Operating Partnership
has not and will not own more than 10% of the voting securities of either WRP
Newco or the Management Corps. In addition, based upon its analysis of the
estimated value of the stock of the Management Corps. and WRP Newco owned by the
Operating Partnership relative to the estimated value of the other assets owned
by the Operating Partnership, the Company believes that its pro rata share of
the stock of each Management Corp. and WRP Newco held by the Operating
Partnership has not exceeded and does not exceed 5% of the total value of the
Company'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 Company first acquired stock of a Management Corp., and WRP Newco
but also at the end of each quarter in which the Company increases its interest
in WRP Newco or any of the Management Corps. (including as a result of
increasing its interest in the Operating Partnership as the holders of OP Units
exercise their exchange rights). Although the Company 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 the Operating Partnership's
overall interest in the Management Corps. or WRP Newco.
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The Company'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.
For federal income tax purposes, 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 Company. 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 Company'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.
Gross Income Tests. There are three separate percentage tests relating to
the sources of the Company's gross income which must be satisfied for each
taxable year. For purposes of these tests, where the Company invests in a
partnership, the Company 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 Company as it has in the hands of the
partnership.
1. The 75% Test. At least 75% of the Company'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 Company'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 the 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 Company 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 Company, or an owner of 10% or more of the Company, 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 Company generally must not operate or manage the property or
furnish or render services to tenants, other than through an "independent
contractor" from whom the Company derives no revenue. The "independent
contractor" requirement, however, does not apply to the extent that the services
provided by the Company 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 Company, through the Management Partnerships, provides certain services
with respect to the Properties and any newly acquired multifamily residential
properties. The Company 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 Company'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 Company's
share of dividends paid by the Management Corps. or WRP Newco) and interest on
any obligations not collateralized by an interest in real property and any
payments made on behalf of the Company 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 Company complies with the 75% and 95% income tests,
gross income does not include income from prohibited transactions. A "prohibited
transaction" is a sale of dealer property, excluding certain dealer property
held by the Company for at least four years and excluding foreclosure property.
The Company's investment in the Properties, through the Operating
Partnership, in major part gives rise to rental income qualifying under the 75%
and 95% gross income tests. Gains on sales of the Properties or of the Company's
interest in the Operating Partnership will generally qualify under the 75% and
95% gross income tests. The Company believes that the income on its other
investments, including dividend and interest income from its indirect
investments, has not resulted in the Company failing the 75% or 95% gross income
test for any year, and the Company anticipates that this will continue to be the
case.
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Even if the Company 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 Company's failure to comply
was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; (ii) the Company 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 Company, however, will still be subject to a 100% tax
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 Company 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. The Company has not had and does not
anticipate that it will have any substantial difficulty in complying with this
test.
Annual Distribution Requirements. The Company, 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 Company's REIT taxable income (computed without regard to
the dividends paid deduction and the Company'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 Company timely files its tax return for such year and if paid on or
before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. To the extent
that the Company does not distribute all of its net capital gain or distributes
at least 95%, but less than 100%, of its REIT taxable income, as adjusted, it
will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular capital gains or
ordinary corporate tax rates, as the case may be.
The Company has made and intends to continue to make timely distributions
sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In this regard, the
partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership authorizes the Company, as
general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause the Operating
Partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit the
Company to meet these distribution requirements. It is possible that the Company
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 Company's REIT taxable income on the other hand. To avoid any
problem with the 95% distribution requirement, the Company will closely monitor
the relationship between its REIT taxable income and cash flow and, if
necessary, will borrow funds (or cause the Operating Partnership or other
affiliates to borrow funds) in order to satisfy the distribution requirement.
Failure to Qualify. If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT
in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, the Company will be
subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable
income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to shareholders in any year in
which the Company fails to qualify will not be required and, if made, will not
be deductible by the Company. 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 Company 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 Company's Investments in Partnerships
General. The Company holds direct or indirect interests in the Operating
Partnership, the Management Partnerships and certain Financing Partnerships
(each individually a "Partnership" and, collectively, the "Partnerships"). The
Company 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 Company's assets and
items of gross income would change, which would preclude the Company from
satisfying the asset tests and possibly the income tests (see "Federal Income
Tax Considerations--Taxation of the Company--Asset Tests" and "--Gross Income
Tests"), and in turn would prevent the Company from qualifying as a REIT.
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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 69 Properties contributed at
the time of the EQR IPO (the "Initial 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. The Operating Partnership was
formed by way of contributions of appreciated property (including certain of the
Initial Properties). Consequently, the Operating Partnership partnership
agreement (as well as the Financing Partnerships agreements) requires such
allocations to be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c). As a result,
certain limited partners of the 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 Initial Properties). These allocations will tend to eliminate the
Book-Tax Difference over the life of the Partnerships. However, the special
allocation rules of Section 704(c) as applied by the Company do 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 Company to be
allocated lower depreciation and other deductions, and possibly greater amounts
of taxable income in the event of a sale of such contributed assets in excess of
the economic or book income allocated to it as a result of such sale. This may
cause the Company to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds, which
might adversely affect the Company's ability to comply with the REIT
distribution requirements. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of
the Company--Annual Distribution Requirements."
Sale of the Properties. The Company's share of any gain realized by the
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 "Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of the Company--
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
Company's investment objectives. Based upon such investment objectives, the
Company 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 Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to
the Company's taxable domestic shareholders, with respect to their Securities
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 Company will be allocated first to the Preferred Shares and
second to the Common Shares. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company will have sufficient earnings and profits to cover distributions on the
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
Company'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 Company as capital gains dividends
will be allocated among the holders of Preferred Shares and Common Shares, see
"Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest--Preferred Shares--Distributions."
To the extent that the Company 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 Company in October, November or December of any year
and payable to a shareholder of record on a specific date in any such month
shall be treated as both paid by the Company and received by the shareholder on
December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by the
Company 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 Company.
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 Company received by such shareholder are required to
be treated by such shareholder as long-term capital gains.
25
<PAGE>
Additional Tax Consequences for Holders of Preferred Shares and Depositary
Shares. If the Company offers one or more series of Preferred Shares or
Depositary Shares, then there may be additional tax consequences for the holders
of such Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares. For a discussion of any such
additional consequences, see the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
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 Company
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 Company 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 (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 includable 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 Company. 1. Ordinary Dividends. The portion of
dividends received by Non-U.S. Holders payable out of the Company's earnings and
profits which are not attributable to capital gains of the Company or of the
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 in excess of current or
accumulated earnings and profits of the Company will not be taxable to a
Non-U. S. Holder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the
shareholder's Common Shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such
Common Shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis
of a Non-U. S. Holder's Common Shares, they will give rise to gain from the sale
or exchange of its Common Shares, the tax treatment of which is described below.
As a result of a legislative change made by the Small Business Job Protection
Act of 1996, it appears that the Company will be required to withhold 10% of any
distribution in excess of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and
profits. Consequently, although the Company intends to withhold at a rate of 30%
on the entire amount of any distribution (or a lower applicable treaty rate), to
the extent that the Company does not do so, any portion of a distribution not
subject to withholding at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) will
be subject to withholding at a rate of 10%. However, the Non-U.S. Holder may
seek a refund of such amounts from the Service if it subsequently determined
that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of current or accumulated
earnings and profits of the Company, and the amount withheld exceeded the
Non-U.S. Holder's United States tax liability, if any, with respect to the
distribution.
3. Capital Gain Dividends. Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property
Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"), a distribution made by the Company 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 Company ("USRPI Capital Gains"), 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 Company will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the
amount of dividends to the extent such dividends constitute USRPI Capital Gains.
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.
26
<PAGE>
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 Company is a
"domestically controlled REIT." A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in
which, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of
its Securities is held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Holders. The Company
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 Company will continue to be a
domestically controlled REIT. If the Company 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 Company'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
The Management Corps. A portion of the cash to be used by the Operating
Partnership to fund distributions to its partners, including the Company, is
expected to come from the Management Corps. through payments of dividends on the
non-voting stock of the Management Corps. held by the Operating Partnership. The
Management Corps. pay federal and state income tax at the full applicable
corporate rates. 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 the
Management Corps. are required to pay federal, state or local taxes, the cash
available for distribution by the Company to shareholders will be reduced
accordingly.
State and Local Taxes. The Company 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
Company 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 Company.
27
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company may sell the Securities to one or more underwriters for public
offering and sale by them or may sell the Securities to investors directly or
through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of
the Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Company may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices,
which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices at the
time of sale or at negotiated prices for cash or assets in transactions that do
not constitute a business combination within the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell the Securities
upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters may be
deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of
underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from
purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may
sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation
in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters
and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of the Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to
be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the
Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Securities from the Company at the public offering
price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery
Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates
stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not
less than, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold pursuant to
Contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom Contracts, when
authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject to the
approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except
(i) the purchase by an institution of the Securities covered by its Contracts
shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject, and (ii)
if the Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company shall have sold to
such underwriters the total principal amount of the Securities less the
principal amount thereof covered by Contracts.
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may engage in transactions
with and perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business.
28
<PAGE>
EXPERTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of December 31,
1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the Company's 1996 Annual Report (Form 10-K, as amended by Form
10-K/A); the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses for the year
ended December 31, 1995 of the 1996 Acquired Properties and Probable Properties,
appearing in the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K, as amended by Form
8-K/A, dated May 23, 1996; the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain
Expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995 of the 1996 Acquired Properties,
appearing in the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K, as amended by Form
8-K/A, dated November 15, 1996; all of the individual and combined Statements of
Revenue and Certain Expenses of the properties acquired in 1997 for the year
ended December 31, 1996 or for the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996, as applicable, each of which appear in the Current Report of the Company
on Form 8-K, dated May 20, 1997; and the consolidated financial statements of
Wellsford and its subsidiaries appearing in Wellsford's 1996 Annual Report (Form
10-K) at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996 incorporated by reference in the Company's Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, dated April 25, 1997; have all been audited by Ernst
& Young LLP, independent auditors, and the consolidated financial statements of
the Company as of December 31, 1995 and for each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 1995, appearing in the Company's 1996 Annual Report (Form
10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A), have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their respective reports thereon included
therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the
authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., Chicago, Illinois. Rosenberg &
Liebentritt, P.C. will rely on Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., Washington, D.C., as to
certain matters of Maryland law. Certain federal income tax matters described
under "Federal Income Tax Considerations" will be passed on for the Company by
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. With respect to any underwritten offering of Securities,
certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Hogan &
Hartson L.L.P. Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. from time to time provides services to the
Company and other entities controlled by Mr. Zell.
Sheli Z. Rosenberg, a principal of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., is a
trustee of the Company. The Company incurred legal fees to Rosenberg &
Liebentritt, P.C. of approximately $725,000 in 1996 and, through March 31, 1997,
approximately $200,000 in 1997. Attorneys of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
beneficially own less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares, either directly
or upon the exercise of options.
29
<PAGE>
No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations not contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus in connection with the offering covered by this
Prospectus. If given or made, such information or representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Company. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the
Securities, in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful
to make any such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus
nor any offer or sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an
implication that there has not been any change in the facts set forth in this
Prospectus or in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
---------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
Page
----
Special Note Regarding Forward-
Looking Statements................................................. 2
Available Information................................................ 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference....................................................... 2
The Company.......................................................... 4
Risk Factors......................................................... 5
Use of Proceeds...................................................... 9
Description of Shares of Beneficial
Interest........................................................... 9
Description of Depositary Shares..................................... 17
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed
Charges and Preferred Share Distributions.......................... 21
Federal Income Tax Considerations.................................... 21
Plan of Distribution................................................. 28
Experts.............................................................. 29
Legal Matters........................................................ 29
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTIES TRUST
$1,025,832,122
Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Depositary Shares
PROSPECTUS
July , 1997
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth those expenses for distribution to be
incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities
being registered.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Registration Fee................... $227,273
Printing and Duplicating Expenses.. 50,000
Legal Fees and Expenses............ 150,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses....... 100,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses......... 17,500
Miscellaneous...................... 30,227
--------
Total.............................. $575,000
========
</TABLE>
Item 15. 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 and officers 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 or
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 deliberate 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.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its
trustees and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among
other things, that the Company indemnify its trustees and executive officers to
the fullest extent permitted by law and advance to the trustees and executive
officers all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently
determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under these agreements, the
Company must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by trustees and
executive officers seeking to enforce their rights under the indemnification
agreements and may cover trustees and executive officers under the Company's
trustees and officers' liability insurance. Although the form of
indemnification agreement offers substantially the same scope of coverage
afforded by law, as a traditional form of contract it may provide greater
assurance to trustees and executive officers that indemnification will be
available.
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
laws.
II-1
<PAGE>
The partnership agreements of the Operating Partnership and the Management
Partnerships also provide for indemnification of the Company and its officers
and trustees to the same extent that indemnification is provided to officers and
trustees of the Company in its Declaration of Trust, and limit the liability of
the Company and its officers and trustees to the Operating Partnership and the
Management Partnerships and their respective partners to the same extent that
the liability of the officers and trustees of the Company to the Company and its
shareholders is limited under the Company's Declaration of Trust.
ITEM 16. Exhibits
1 * Form of Standard Underwriting Provisions relating to
Underwritten Securities
4.1 ** - Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
4.2 *** - Second Amended and Restated Bylaws
4.3 **** - Form of Deposit Agreement
5 - Opinion of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
8 - Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. regarding certain tax matters.
23.1 - Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.2 - Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3 - Consent of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5)
23.4 - Consent of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 8)
24 - Power of Attorney (filed as part of the signature page to the
Registration Statement)
- --------------------
* Included as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
File No. 333-27153, and incorporated herein by reference.
** Included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
May 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.
*** Included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-4, File No. 333-24653, and incorporated herein by reference.
**** Included as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-3, File No. 33-96792, and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 17. 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 this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of Securities (if the total
dollar value of Securities would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
effective 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 this registration
statement;
provided, however, that subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in the periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration
statement.
II-2
<PAGE>
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the Securities offered herein, and the
offering of such Securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(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.
The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the Securities offered herein, and the offering of such Securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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 existing provisions or arrangements whereby the
registrant may indemnify a trustee, officer or controlling person of the
registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 trustee, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on July 28, 1997.
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
By: /s/ Douglas Crocker, II
---------------------------------
Douglas Crocker II, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Trustee
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below, hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas Crocker II and Sheli Z.
Rosenberg, or either of them, his attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign
any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Registration
Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the Securities
under the Exchange Act, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto each of such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection
with such matters as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of such attorneys-in-
fact and agents or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Title Date
- ---- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Samuel Zell Chairman of the Board of Trustees July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Samuel Zell
/s/ Douglas Crocker II President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Douglas Crocker II
/s/ David J. Neithercut Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
David J. Neithercut
/s/ Michael J. McHugh Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and July 28, 1997
- ----------------------------------------- Treasurer
Michael J. McHugh
/s/ Gerald A. Spector Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Gerald A. Spector
/s/ Sheli Z. Rosenberg Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Sheli Z. Rosenberg
/s/ James D. Harper, Jr. Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
James D. Harper, Jr.
/s/ Errol R. Halperin Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Errol R. Halperin
/s/ John Alexander Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
John Alexander
/s/ Barry S. Sternlicht Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Barry S. Sternlicht
Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
B. Joseph White
Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Henry H. Goldberg
/s/ Jeffrey H. Lynford Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Jeffrey H. Lynford
/s/ Edward Lowenthal Trustee July 28, 1997
- -----------------------------------------
Edward Lowenthal
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Exhibit
Number Description
- ------ -----------
<C> <S>
1 * Form of Standard Underwriting Provisions relating to
Underwritten Securities
4.1 ** Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
4.2 *** Second Amended and Restated Bylaws
4.3 **** Form of Deposit Agreement
5 Opinion of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
8 Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. regarding certain tax matters
23.1 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3 Consent of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5)
23.4 Consent of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 8)
24 Power of Attorney (filed as part of the signature page to the
Registration Statement)
____________________
* Included as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
File No. 333-27153, and incorporated herein by reference.
** Included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 30, 1997 and
incorporated herein by reference.
*** Included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24653, and
incorporated herein by reference.
**** Included as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-96792, and
incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5
[ROSENBERG & LIEBENTRITT, P.C. LETTERHEAD]
Direct Dial: 312/466-3612
July 25, 1997
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza
Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel to Equity Residential Properties Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust (the "Company"), in connection with its
registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of
up to $750,000,000 in aggregate amount of its common shares of beneficial
interest, $.01 par value per share ("Common Shares") and one or more series of
its (i) preferred shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share (the
"Preferred Shares") and (ii) depositary shares representing fractional interests
in Preferred Shares (the "Depositary Shares" and, together with the Preferred
Shares and Common Shares, the "Securities"), all of which Securities may be
offered and sold by the Company from time to time as set forth in the prospectus
which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the "Prospectus"), and as to
be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus
Supplement"). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable
you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R.
(S) 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
We assume that the classification, terms and conditions, amount, issuance
and sale of the Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly
authorized and determined by proper action by the Board of Trustees of the
Company consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration
Statement (each, a "Board Action") and in accordance with the Company's Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended (the "Declaration of Trust"), and
applicable Maryland law. We further assume that prior to any issuance of
Preferred Shares or Depositary Shares, appropriate articles supplementary shall
be filed for recordation with the Maryland State Department of
<PAGE>
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 2
Assessments and Taxation (each, "Articles Supplementary"). We further assume
that any Depositary Shares will be issued by the Depositary (as defined below)
under one or more deposit agreements (each, a "Deposit Agreement"), each to be
between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as the
depositary (each, a "Depositary").
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the
following documents:
1. An executed copy of the Registration Statement.
2. The Declaration of Trust, as amended, as certified by the Secretary of
the Company on the date hereof as then being complete, accurate and in
effect.
3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as certified by the
Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as then being complete,
accurate and in effect.
4. The form of Deposit Agreement between the Company and the financial
institution to be named therein, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the
Registration Statement.
5. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Company adopted on June
26, 1997, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on the date
hereof as then being complete, accurate and in effect, relating to the
filing of the Registration Statement and related matters.
In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the
accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of
all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of
all documents submitted to us as certified, telecopied, photostatic, or
reproduced copies. We have also assumed the accuracy, completeness and
authenticity of the foregoing certifications of trust officers and statements
of fact, on which we are relying, and have made no independent investigations
thereof. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are
made, in the context of the foregoing.
<PAGE>
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 3
We call your attention to the fact that our firm only requires lawyers to
be qualified to practice law in the State of Illinois and, in rendering the
foregoing opinions, we express no opinion with respect to any laws relevant to
this opinion other than the laws and regulations identified herein. With respect
to the opinions below that relate to the laws of the State of Maryland, with
your consent, we rely solely on the opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., a copy of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof:
1. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and when a series of
the Preferred Shares has been classified by applicable Board Action, in
accordance with the terms of the Declaration of Trust and applicable
law, and appropriate Articles Supplementary have been filed, and, when
issuance of such Preferred Shares has been appropriately authorized by
applicable Board Action and following issuance of any such series of
Preferred Shares against payment of valid consideration therefor in
accordance with the terms of such Board Action and any applicable
underwriting or purchase agreement, as contemplated by the Registration
Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Preferred
Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable under
Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (the "Maryland REIT Statute").
2. A Deposit Agreement (when the final terms thereof have been duly
established) substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.3 to the
Registration Statement, when duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws effecting creditors' rights (including,
without limitation, the effect of statutory and other laws regarding
fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential
transfers) and as may be limited by the exercise of judicial discretion
and the application of principles of equity, including, without
limitation, requirements of good faith, fair dealing, conscionability
and
<PAGE>
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 4
materiality (regardless of whether the Deposit Agreement is considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law).
3. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and
when a series of Preferred Shares (underlying a series of Depositary
Shares) has been classified by applicable Board Action, in accordance
with the terms of the Declaration of Trust and applicable law, and
appropriate Articles Supplementary have been filed with respect to such
Preferred Shares, and when issuance of such Preferred Shares and the
execution and delivery of a Deposit Agreement have been appropriately
authorized by applicable Board Action, and when the depositary receipts
representing the Depositary Shares (the "Depositary Receipts") in the
form contemplated and authorized by a Deposit Agreement have been duly
executed and delivered by the Depositary against payment of valid
consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of the Deposit
Agreement and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement, as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, such Depositary Shares will be validly issued
and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the
Depositary Receipts and the Deposit Agreement for such Depositary
Receipts.
4. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act,
upon due authorization by Board Action of an issuance of Common Shares,
and following issuance of any such Common Shares against payment for
valid consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board
Action, and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable
Prospectus Supplement such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable under the Maryland REIT Statute.
To the extent that the obligations of the Company and the rights of any
holder of Depositary Shares under any Deposit Agreement may be dependent upon
such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the applicable
Depositary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Depositary is duly qualified
to engage in the activities contemplated by the Deposit Agreement; that the
Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Depositary and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
<PAGE>
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 5
Depositary enforceable against the Depositary in accordance with its terms; that
the Depositary is in compliance, with respect to acting as a Depositary under
the Deposit Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the
Depositary has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to
perform its obligations under the Deposit Agreement.
The opinion expressed in Paragraph (2) above shall be understood to mean
only that if there is a default in performance of an obligation, (i) if a
failure to pay or other damage can be shown and (ii) if the defaulting party can
be brought into a court which will hear the case and apply the governing law,
then, subject to the availability of defenses and to the exceptions set forth in
Paragraph (2), the court will provide a money damage (or perhaps injunctive or
specific performance) remedy.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing
subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter. This opinion letter has been
prepared solely for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration
Statement on the date of this opinion letter and should not be quoted in whole
or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor filed with or furnished to any
governmental agency or other person or entity, without the prior written consent
of this firm.
We hereby consent (i) to be named in the Registration Statement, and in the
Prospectus, as attorneys who will pass upon the legality of the Securities to be
sold thereunder and (ii) to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
ROSENBERG & LIEBENTRITT, P.C.
By: /s/ Ruth Pinkham Haring
-----------------------
Vice President
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
[Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. Letterhead]
July 25, 1997
Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Suite 1515
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as special Maryland counsel to Equity Residential
Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "Company"), in
connection with its registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the
proposed public offering of up to $750,000,000 in aggregate amount of its common
shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value (the "Common Shares"), one or more
series of its (i) preferred shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value (the
"Preferred Shares") and (ii) depositary shares representing fractional interests
in Preferred Shares (the "Depositary Shares," and, together with the Common
Shares and Preferred Shares, the "Securities"), all of which Securities may be
offered and sold by the Company from time to time as set forth in the prospectus
which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the "Prospectus"), and as to
be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus
Supplement"). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable
the Company to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17
C.F.R. (S) 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
We assume that the classification, terms and conditions, amount,
issuance and sale of the Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly
authorized and determined by proper action of the Board of Trustees of the
Company consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration
Statement (each, a "Board Action") and in accordance with the Company's Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust"), and applicable
Maryland law. We further assume that (i) prior to any issuance of Preferred
Shares or Depositary Shares, appropriate articles supplementary shall be filed
for
<PAGE>
Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
July 25, 1997
Page 2
recordation with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
(each, "Articles Supplementary") and (ii) any Depositary Shares will be issued
by the Depositary (as defined below) under one or more deposit agreements (each,
a "Deposit Agreement"), each to be between the Company and a financial
institution identified therein as the depositary (each, a "Depositary").
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the
following documents:
1. An executed copy of the Registration Statement.
2. The Declaration of Trust, as amended, as certified by the
Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as being complete,
accurate and in effect.
3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as certified by
the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as being
complete, accurate and in effect.
4. Resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Company adopted on
June 26, 1997, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on
the date hereof as being complete, accurate and in effect,
relating to the filing of the Registration Statement and related
matters.
In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the
accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of
all original documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies (including telecopies). We also have assumed
the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of the foregoing certifications of
trust officers and statements of fact, on which we are relying, and have made no
independent investigations thereof. This opinion letter is given, and all
statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on Title 8 of
the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the
"Maryland REIT Statute") and with respect to paragraph 2, Maryland contract law
(but not including any statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or
<PAGE>
Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
July 25, 1997
Page 3
regulations of any political subdivision of the State of Maryland). We express
no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, regulations, or ordinances.
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the
opinion that, as of the date hereof:
1. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and when a series of the
Preferred Shares has been classified by applicable Board Action, in
accordance with the terms of the Declaration of Trust and applicable law,
and appropriate Articles Supplementary have been filed, and when issuance
of such Preferred Shares has been appropriately authorized by applicable
Board Action and, following issuance of any such series of Preferred Shares
against payment of valid consideration therefor in accordance with the
terms of such Board Action and any applicable underwriting or purchase
agreement, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Preferred Shares will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
2. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act
and when a series of Preferred Shares underlying a series of Depositary
Shares has been classified by applicable Board Action, in accordance with
the terms of the Declaration of Trust and applicable law, and appropriate
Articles Supplementary have been filed with respect to such Preferred
Shares, and when issuance of such Preferred Shares and the execution and
delivery of a Deposit Agreement have been appropriately authorized by
applicable Board Action, and when the depositary receipts representing the
Depositary Shares (the "Depositary Receipts") in the form contemplated and
authorized by a Deposit Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by
the Depositary against payment of valid consideration therefor in
accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable
underwriting or purchase agreement, as contemplated by the Registration
Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such Depositary
Shares, to the extent governed by Maryland law, will be validly issued.
3. When the Registration Statement has become effective under the
Act, upon due authorization by Board Action of an issuance of Common
Shares, and following issuance of any such Common Shares against payment
<PAGE>
Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
July 25, 1997
Page 4
of valid consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board
Action and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement, as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, such Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.
To the extent that the obligations of the Company and the rights of
any holder of Depositary Shares under any Deposit Agreement may be dependent
upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the applicable
Depositary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Depositary is duly qualified
to engage in the activities contemplated by the Deposit Agreement; that the
Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Depositary and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Depositary
enforceable against the Depositary and the Company in accordance with its terms;
that the Depositary is in compliance, with respect to acting as a Depositary
under the Deposit Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that
the Depositary has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to
perform its obligations under the Deposit Agreement.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing
subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter. This opinion letter has been
prepared solely for your use in connection with the filing by the Company of the
Registration Statement on the date of this opinion letter and should not be
quoted in whole or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor filed with or
furnished to any governmental agency or other person or entity, without the
prior written consent of this firm.
We hereby consent to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an
"expert" within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.
<PAGE>
[Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. Letterhead] Exhibit 8
July 25, 1997
Board of Trustees
Equity Residential Properties Trust
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special tax counsel to Equity Residential Properties
Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the "Company"), in connection
with its registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 1997, relating to the
proposed public offering of up to $750,000,000 in aggregate amount of its (i)
common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value (the "Common Shares"), (ii)
one or more series of its preferred shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par
value (the "Preferred Shares"), (iii) depositary shares representing fractional
interests in Preferred Shares (the "Depositary Shares," and, together with the
Common Shares, and Preferred Shares, the "Securities"), all of which Securities
may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time as set forth in the
prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the "Prospectus"),
and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus. In
connection with the registration of the Preferred Shares, Common Shares and
Depositary Shares, we have been asked to provide an opinion regarding certain
federal income tax matters related to the Company. Capitalized terms used in
this letter and not otherwise defined herein have the meaning set forth in the
Registration Statement.
The opinion set forth in this letter is based on relevant provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury
Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Regulations), and
interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, the
legislative history, and existing administrative rulings and practices of the
Internal Revenue Service (including its practices and policies in issuing
private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service
except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling), all as of the
date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 2
change, which may or may not be retroactive in effect, that might result in
modifications of our opinion. Our opinion does not foreclose the possibility of
a contrary determination by the Internal Revenue Service or a court of competent
jurisdiction, or of a contrary position by the Internal Revenue Service or the
Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined such statutes, regulations,
records, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or
appropriate as a basis for such opinion, including the following: (1) the
Registration Statement; (2) the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of the Company (the "Declaration of Trust") as in effect on the date hereof; (3)
the Fourth Amended and Restated ERP Operating Limited Partnership Agreement of
Limited Partnership, dated September 30, 1995; (4) the Equity Residential
Properties Management Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership,
dated July 23, 1993 and the Equity Residential Properties Management Limited
Partnership II Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated November 3, 1994
(collectively, these two partnerships will be referred to as the "Management
Partnerships"); (5) the articles of incorporation, by-laws and stock ownership
information of the Management Corps. (which term, for purposes of this opinion
letter, includes Wellsford Holly Management, Inc.), and WRP Newco; (6) the
partnership agreements or limited liability company agreements of the Financing
Partnerships and all other partnerships or limited liability companies in which
the Operating Partnership has an interest (collectively, the "Subsidiary
Partnerships") other than Subsidiary Partnerships formed after January 1, 1997
(for a list of the Subsidiary Partnerships, see Exhibit A); and (7) the articles
of incorporation, by-laws and stock ownership information of the QRS
Corporations (for a list of the QRS Corporations, see Exhibit B). The opinion
set forth in this letter also is premised on certain written representations of
the Company and the Operating Partnership made to us, which relate, inter alia,
to the Company and to EQR and Wellsford as predecessors by merger to the
Company.
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. Moreover, we have assumed that the Company, the Operating
Partnership, and the Subsidiary Entities (as defined in the Prospectus) each
have been and will continue
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 3
to be operated in the manner described in the relevant partnership agreement,
limited liability company agreement, articles of incorporation or other
organizational documents and in the Prospectus. We also have 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.
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. No facts have come to our attention, however, that
would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such facts or
documents in a material way.
We assume for the purposes of this opinion that the Company is a
validly organized and duly incorporated real estate investment trust under the
laws of the State of Maryland, that the Management Corps., WRP Newco and the QRS
Corporations are validly organized and duly incorporated corporations under the
laws of the states in which they are incorporated, and that the Operating
Partnership, the Management Partnerships, and the Financing Partnerships are
duly organized and validly existing partnerships or limited liability companies
under the laws of the states in which they are organized.
Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing and the next paragraph
below, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company 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, December 31,
1993, December 31, 1994, December 31, 1995, and December 31,
1996, and the Company's current organization and method of
operation should enable it to continue to meet the requirements
for qualification and taxation as a REIT; and
2. The discussion in the Prospectus under the heading "Federal
Income Tax Considerations," to the extent that it constitutes
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 4
matters of law or legal conclusions, is correct in all material
respects.
The Company's qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the
Company'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 distributions to stockholders,
and the diversity of its share ownership. Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. will not review
the Company's compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. No
assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of the Company,
the Operating Partnership, and the Subsidiary Entities, the sources of their
income, the nature of their assets, the level of the Company's distributions 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.
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 Prospectus under the heading "Federal Income Tax Considerations."
We note that the Prospectus does not necessarily address all of the federal
income tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of Securities,
depending upon the particular form and economic terms of the Securities when
issued. It is our understanding that in the event the Company issues Securities,
the Company will prepare an additional supplement to the Prospectus, which
supplement, together with the Prospectus, will address the federal income tax
considerations that are likely to be material to a holder of such Securities.
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. This opinion letter has been
prepared solely for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration
Statement on the date of this opinion letter and should not be quoted in whole
or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor filed with or furnished to any
governmental agency or other person or entity, without the prior written consent
of this firm.
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 therein.
<PAGE>
Equity Residential Properties Trust
July 25, 1997
Page 5
Very truly yours,
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
SUBSIDIARY PARTNERSHIPS
1. EQR-Emerald Place Financing Limited Partnership;
2. EQR-Essex Place Financing Limited Partnership;
3. EQR-Tanasbourne Terrace Financing Limited Partnership;
4. EQR-Reserve Square Limited Partnership;
5. Country Club Associates Limited Partnership;
6. Second Country Club Associates Limited Partnership;
7. Second Georgian Woods Limited Partnership;
8. Greenwich Woods Associates Limited Partnership;
9. Artery Northampton Limited Partnership;
10. Third Towne Centre Limited Partnership;
11. Fourth Towne Centre Limited Partnership;
12. EQR-BS Financing Limited Partnership;
13. E-Chaparral Associates Limited Partnership;
14. EQR-Lincoln Green I and II GP Limited Partnership;
15. E-G One Associates;
16. E-G Two Associates;
17. EQR-Lodge (OK) GP Limited Partnership;
18. E-Lodge Associates;
19. EQR-Stonebrook GP Limited Partnership;
20. E-Stonebrook Associates;
21. EQR-EOI Financing Limited Partnership;
22. EQR-Continental Villas Financing Limited Partnership;
23. EQR-Doral Financing Limited Partnership;
24. EQR-Governor's Place Financing Limited Partnership;
25. EQR-Plantation Financing Limited Partnership;
26. EQR-Valley Park South Financing Limited Partnership;
27. EQR-Yorktowne Financing Limited Partnership;
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
28. EQR-SWN Line Financing Limited Partnership;
29. EQR-Arbors Financing Limited Partnership;
30. EQR-Breton Hammocks Financing Limited Partnership;
31. EQR-Met Financing Limited Partnership;
32. EQR-Met CA Financing Limited Partnership;
33. EQR-Wellington Hill Financing Limited Partnership;
34. Equity-Chaparral Venture Limited Partnership;
35. Equity-Green I Venture;
36. Equity-Green II Venture;
37. Equity-Lodge Venture Limited Partnership;
38. Equity-Stonebrook Venture Limited Partnership;
39. Georgian Woods Annex Associates;
40. EQR-Camellero Financing Limited Partnership;
41. EQR-Arizona, L.L.C.;
42. EQR-Washington, L.L.C.;
43. EQR-Wellington, L.L.C.;
44. EQR-Oregon, L.L.C.;
45. EQR-Waterfall, L.L.C.;
46. Multifamily Portfolio LP Limited Partnership;
47. EQR-California, L.C.C.;
48. EQR-Plantation, L.L.C.;
49. EQR-ArtBHolder, L.L.C.;
50. EQR-ArtCapLoan, L.L.C.;
51. EQR-Keystone Financing G.P.;
52. Country Ridge General Partnership;
53. Rosehill Pointe General Partnership;
54. EQR-Canter Chase General Partnership;
55. Hunter's Glen General Partnership;
56. Sunny Oak Village General Partnership;
-2-
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
57. EQR-Pine Meadows Garden General Partnership;
58. EQR-Bond Partnership;
59. EQR-Park Place I General Partnership;
60. EQR-Park Place II General Partnership;
61. Songbird General Partnership;
62. Cedar Crest General Partnership;
63. EQR-Creekside Oaks General Partnership;
64. EQR-Village Oaks General Partnership;
65. EQR-Lakeville Resort General Partnership;
66. EQR-Trails at Dominion General Partnership;
67. EQR-Virginia, L.L.C.;
68. EQR-Dartmouth Woods General Partnership; and
69. Wadlington Investments General Partnership.
70. EQR Warwick, L.L.C.
71. EQR Ironwood, L.L.C.
72. EQR-Spinnaker Cove, L.L.C.
73. EQR-Wyndridge II, L.L.C.
74. EQR-Wyndridge III, L.L.C.
75. EQR-Highline Oaks, L.L.C.
76. EQR Marks A, L.L.C.
77. EQR-Missouri, L.L.C.
78. EQR-Ridgemont/Mountain Brook, L.L.C.
79. EQR Marks B, L.L.C.
80. EQR-Coach Lantern, L.L.C.
81. EQR-Foxcroft, L.L.C.
82. EQR-Yarmouth Woods, L.L.C.
83. EQR-Chardonnay Park, L.L.C.
84. EQR-Preston Bend General Partnership
85. EQR-Villa Serenas General Partnership
-3-
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
QRS CORPORATIONS
1. ERP-QRS BS, Inc.;
2. ERP-QRS Lincoln Green, Inc.;
3. ERP-QRS Lodge (OK), Inc.;
4. ERP-QRS Stonebrook, Inc.;
5. ERP-QRS EOI, Inc.;
6. ERP-QRS Continental Villas, Inc.;
7. ERP-QRS Doral, Inc.;
8. ERP-QRS Governor's Place, Inc.;
9. ERP-QRS Plantation, Inc.;
10. ERP-QRS Valley Park South, Inc.;
11. ERP-QRS Yorktowne, Inc.;
12. ERP-QRS SWN Line, Inc.;
13. ERP-QRS Arbors, Inc.;
14. ERP-QRS Breton Hammocks, Inc.;
15. ERP-QRS Emerald Place, Inc.;
16. ERP-QRS Essex Place, Inc.;
17. ERP-QRS Met, Inc.;
18. ERP-QRS Met CA, Inc.;
19. ERP-QRS Wellington Hill, Inc.;
20. ERP-QRS Tanasbourne Terrace, Inc.;
21. ERP-QRS Reserve Square, Inc.;
22. ERP-QRS Camellero, Inc.;
23. QRS-LLC, Inc.;
24. QRS-Waterfall, Inc.;
25. QRS-ArtBHolder, Inc.;
26. QRS-ArtCapLoan, Inc.
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
27. ERP-QRS Rosehill Pointe, Inc.;
28. ERP-QRS Country Ridge, Inc.;
29. ERP-QRS Lakeville Resort, Inc.;
30. ERP-QRS Park Place I, Inc.;
31. ERP-QRS Park Place II, Inc.;
32. ERP-QRS Sunny Oak Village, Inc.;
33. ERP-QRS Pine Meadows Garden, Inc.;
34. ERP-QRS Hunter's Glen, Inc.;
35. ERP-QRS Canter Chase, Inc.;
36. QRS-Bond, Inc.;
37. ERP-QRS Songbird, Inc.;
38. ERP-QRS Cedar Crest, Inc.;
39. ERP-QRS Creekside Oaks, Inc.;
40. ERP-QRS Village Oaks, Inc.;
41. ERP-QRS Lakeville Resort, Inc.;
42. ERP-QRS Trails at Dominion, Inc.;
43. ERP-QRS Dartmouth Woods, Inc.; and
44. Wadlington, Inc.
45. QRS-Marks A, Inc.
46. QRS-Marks B, Inc.
47. QRS-Warwick, Inc.
48. QRS-Ironwood, Inc.
49. EQR-QRS Ridgemont/Mountain Brook, Inc.
50. EQR-QRS Spinnaker Cove, Inc.
51. EQR-QRS Wyndridge II, Inc.
52. ERP-QRS Villa Serenas, Inc.
53. EQR-QRS Wyndridge III, Inc.
54. EQR-QRS Highline Oaks, Inc.
-2-
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
55. QRS-Coach Lantern, Inc.
56. QRS-Foxcroft, Inc.
57. QRS-Yarmouth Woods, Inc.
58. QRS-Chardonnay Park, Inc.
59. ERP-QRS Preston Bend, Inc.
60. QRS-Missouri, Inc.
-3-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We have issued our report dated February 14, 1996 accompanying the consolidated
financial statements of Equity Residential Properties Trust as of December 31,
1995 and for each of the two years in the period then ended. We consent to the
incorporation by reference of the above report in the Registration Statement of
Equity Residential Properties Trust on Form S-3, and to the use of our name as
it appears under the caption "Experts."
GRANT THORNTON LLP
Chicago, Illinois
July 25, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Equity Residential
Properties Trust for the registration of $750,000,000 of its preferred shares,
common shares and depository shares and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our reports indicated below with respect to the financial statements
indicated below included or incorporated by reference in Equity Residential
Properties Trust's filings as indicated below, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date of
-------
Financial Statements Auditor's Report Filing
-------------------- ---------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
Consolidated financial statements February 12, 1997 Annual Report on
and schedule of Equity Residential except for Note 19, as Form 10-K
Properties Trust at December 31, to which the date is
1996 and for the year then ended March 20, 1997
Statement of Revenue and Certain May 16, 1997 Current Report on
Expenses of Harborview for the Form 8-K dated
year ended December 31, 1996 May 20, 1997
Statement of Revenue and Certain May 6, 1997 Current Report on
Expenses of Trails at Dominion for Form 8-K dated
the year ended December 31, 1996 May 20, 1997
Statement of Revenue and Certain May 7, 1997 Current Report on
Expenses of Rincon for the year Form 8-K dated
ended December 31, 1996 May 20, 1997
Statement of Revenue and Certain May 12, 1997 Current Report on
Expenses of Waterford at the Lakes Form 8-K dated
for the year ended December 31, May 20, 1997
1996
Statement of Revenue and Certain May 16, 1997 Current Report on
Expenses of Lincoln Harbour for Form 8-K dated
the year ended December 31, 1996 May 20, 1997
Combined Statement of Revenue and May 9, 1997 Current Report on
Certain Expenses of Knights Castle Form 8-K dated
and Club at the Green for the year May 20, 1997
ended December 31, 1996
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> Date of
-------
Financial Statements Auditor's Report Filing
-------------------- ---------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
Combined Statement of Revenue and March 25, 1997 Current Report on
Certain Expenses of the Form 8-K dated
Zell/Merrill Properties for the May 20, 1997
three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996
Combined Statement of Revenue and May 17, 1996 Current Report on
Certain Expenses of the 1996 Form 8-K, as
Acquired Properties and Probable amended by Form
Properties for the year ended 8-K/A, dated May
December 31, 1995 23, 1996
Combined Statement of Revenue and November 7, 1996 Current Report on
Certain Expenses for the 1996 Form 8-K dated
Acquired Properties for the year November 15,
ended December 31, 1995 1996
Consolidated financial statements February 10, 1997 Joint Proxy
and schedule of Wellsford except for Note 13, as Statement/
Residential Property Trust at to which the date is Prospectus dated
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for February 28, 1997 April 25, 1997
each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996
</TABLE>
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
July 28, 1997
