<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
File No. 333-32183
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 1997)
591,760 SHARES
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
---------
Equity Residential Properties Trust (the "Company") is a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("REIT") which, as of December 31, 1997, owned or had
interests in a portfolio of 489 multifamily properties (individually a
"Property" and collectively the "Properties") containing 140,467 apartment units
and managed 9,295 additional units owned by affiliated entities. The Company is
the largest publicly traded REIT owner of multifamily properties (based on the
number of apartment units owned and total revenues earned), with Properties
located in 35 states throughout the United States.
All of the common shares of beneficial interest of the Company, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Shares"), offered hereby are being offered by the
Company (the "Offering"). To ensure that the Company qualifies as a REIT,
transfer of the Common Shares is restricted and ownership by any person is
limited to 5% of the lesser of the number or value of the Company's outstanding
shares of beneficial interest, subject to certain exceptions. See "Description
of Shares of Beneficial Interest--Restrictions on Transfer" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
The Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under
the symbol "EQR." On February 12, 1998, the last reported sale price of the
Common Shares on the NYSE was $50 5/8 per share. See "Price Range of Common
Shares and Distributions."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON SHARES.
-------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT
RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO COM-
PRICE TO PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) PANY(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share $50.625 $2.53125 $48.09375
Total $29,957,850 $1,497,892.50 $28,459,957.50
</TABLE>
(1) For information regarding indemnification of the Underwriter, see
"Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company estimated
at $50,000.
--------------
The Common Shares are being offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior
sale, when, as and if accepted by the Underwriter and subject to certain
conditions. It is expected that delivery of the Common Shares will be made on or
about February 18, 1998 at the offices of Smith Barney Inc., 333 West 34th
Street, New York, New York 10001.
--------------
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
------
February 12, 1998
<PAGE>
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON SHARES,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, ENTERING STABILIZING BIDS, EFFECTING SYNDICATE
COVERING TRANSACTIONS, AND IMPOSING PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPITION OF THESE
ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED
THEREIN BY REFERENCE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERM "COMPANY" INCLUDES EQUITY
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST ("EQR") AND THOSE ENTITIES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY
IT (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SUBSIDIARIES"), AS THE SURVIVOR OF THE MERGERS BETWEEN
EQR AND EACH OF WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST ("WELLSFORD") AND EVANS
WITHYCOMBE RESIDENTIAL, INC. ("EWR") AND EACH OF EQR, WELLSFORD AND EWR 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.
In December 1997, EQR completed the acquisition of the multifamily property
business of EWR through the tax free merger of EQR and EWR. The Company's senior
executives average over 23 years of experience in the multifamily property
business.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 multifamily properties (individually a "Property" and collectively the
"Properties") containing 140,467 apartment units and managed 9,295 additional
units owned by affiliated entities. Since the EQR IPO, at which time EQR owned
69 Properties, and through December 31, 1997 the Company has acquired, directly
or indirectly, interests in an additional 438 Properties containing 123,777
units for a total purchase price of approximately $6.6 billion, including the
assumption of approximately $1.9 billion of mortgage indebtedness. Since the EQR
IPO and through December 31, 1997, the Company disposed of 18 of its properties
containing 5,035 units for a total sales price of approximately $128.9 million
and the release of mortgage indebtedness in the amount of approximately $20.5
million. The Company's interest in 11 of the Properties at the time of
acquisition thereof consisted solely of ownership of the debt collateralized by
such Properties and in 21 of the Properties consists solely of investments in
partnership interests and subordinated mortgages collateralized by such
Properties. At February 2, 1998, the Properties had an average occupancy rate of
approximately 94%. As of December 31, 1997, the Properties were located
throughout the United States in the following 35 states: Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North
Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
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 the Properties are held or
controlled 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 eight classes of limited partnership interests outstanding: (i)
partnership interests ("OP Units"), which may be exchanged by the holders
thereof for either Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at the Company's
option, cash; (ii) 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units ("9
3/8% Series A Preference Units"); (iii) 9 1/8% Series B 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% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units ("8.60% Series D
Preference Units"); (vi) Series E Cumulative Convertible Preference Units
("Series E Preference Units"); (vii) 9.65% Series F Cumulative Redeemable
Preference Units ("9.65% Series F Preference Units"), and (viii) 7 1/4%
Series G Convertible Cumulative Preference Units ("7 1/4% Series G Preference
Units"). The 9 3/8% Series A 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
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Series E Preference Units, the 9.65% Series F Preference Units and
the 7 1/4% Series G 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%
Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01
par value per share (the "Series D Preferred Shares"), the Company's Series E
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par
value per share (the "Series E Preferred Shares"), the Company's 9.65% Series
F Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the
"Series F Preferred Shares"), and the Company's 7 1/4% Series G Convertible
Cumulative Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share
(the "Series G Preferred Shares" and, collectively with 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
Series F Preferred Shares, the "Outstanding Preferred Shares"), respectively.
The Company controls the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner
and, as of February 6, 1998, owned approximately 91% of all of the Operating
Partnership's outstanding partnership interests, excluding the 9 3/8% Series
A 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, the 9.65% Series F Preference Units and the 7 1/4% Series G
Preference Units. It is the Company's policy that EQR 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. In addition, the Company has 24 management offices in
the following cities: Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington;
Bethesda, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona;
Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Irvine and Stockton,
California; Ypsilanti, Michigan; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa
and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Louisville, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Boston, Massachusetts; and Nashville,
Tennessee.
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<PAGE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
MERGER ACTIVITY
On May 30, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of the multifamily
property business of Wellsford, a Maryland real estate investment trust,
through the tax-free merger of the Company and Wellsford (the "Wellsford
Merger"). The transaction was valued at approximately $1 billion and included
72 multifamily properties of Wellsford containing 19,004 units. In the
Wellsford Merger, each outstanding common share of beneficial interest of
Wellsford was converted into .625 of a Common Share.
On December 23, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of the
multifamily property business of EWR, a Maryland corporation, through the
tax-free merger of the Company and EWR (the "EWR Merger"). The transaction was
valued at approximately $1 billion and included 51 multifamily properties
containing 14,995 units and four properties under expansion expected to contain
953 units. In the EWR Merger, each outstanding share of common stock of EWR was
converted into .50 of a Common Share.
ACQUISITIONS
In addition to the EWR Merger and the Wellsford Merger, from January 1, 1997
through December 31, 1997, the Company acquired 125 Properties containing an
aggregate of 33,878 units at a total purchase price of approximately $2 billion
(including the assumption of mortgage indebtedness of approximately $609.4
million). The Company purchased 12 of such Properties for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $162.2 million (including the assumption of mortgage
indebtedness of approximately $107.1 million) from affiliates of the Company,
Zell/Merrill Lynch Real Estate Opportunity Partners Limited Partnership
("Zell/Merrill I") and subsidiaries of Zell/Merrill Lynch Real Estate
Opportunity Partners Limited Partnership II ("Zell/Merrill II"). The Company
funded the cash portion of these acquisitions primarily from its working capital
and proceeds from previous securities issuances by the Company. See "Securities
Issuances" below.
In addition, in April 1997, the Company made an $88 million investment in
six mortgage loans collateralized by five Properties. This investment was funded
from the Company's $500 million unsecured line of credit (the "Line of Credit")
which it pays down from time to time with the net proceeds of equity or debt
offerings by the Company or the Operating Partnership, respectively. See
"Securities Issuances" below.
PROBABLE ACQUISITIONS
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had entered into contracts with
unaffiliated sellers to acquire 11 additional properties containing 2,288 units
which are located in six states (collectively, the "Properties Under Contract").
The total combined purchase price for the Properties Under Contract is
approximately $162.3 million, including the assumption of approximately $57.2
million of mortgage indebtedness. There can be no assurance that these 11
Properties Under Contract will be acquired or, if acquired, that the terms of
such acquisitions will not change from the terms presently contemplated. The
Company anticipates that the acquisition of the Properties Under Contract will
be funded with the net proceeds of the Offering, its working capital, its Line
of Credit and/or proceeds from previous securities issuances by the Company. The
Company believes that the Properties Under Contract can be integrated into its
system of Regional Operations Centers and area offices without any significant
corresponding increase in the costs of operations of such offices.
PENDING ACQUISITIONS
ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had entered into contracts with
various unaffiliated sellers to acquire five additional properties under
contract (the "Additional Properties Under Contract") for a total combined
purchase price of approximately $58.3 million, including the assumption of
approximately $13.3 million of mortgage indebtedness. These Additional
Properties Under Contract contain 1,584 units and are located in three
states. The contracts for the Additional Properties Under Contract contain
due diligence contingency provisions that allow the Company to conduct
extensive investigative procedures of such properties and give the Company
the option to terminate such contracts with a full refund of earnest money if
the Company becomes dissatisfied with the Additional Properties Under
Contract in any way, in its sole discretion, during such review period. The
purchase price for the Additional Properties Under Contract is expected to be
funded primarily with the net proceeds of the Offering and/or from the
Company's Line of Credit. There can be no
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assurance that the Additional Properties Under Contract will be acquired or,
if acquired, that the terms of such acquisitions will not change from the
terms presently contemplated.
PROPERTIES UNDER NEGOTIATION
As of December 31, 1997, the Company was also negotiating with various
sellers for the acquisition of ten additional properties (the "Properties Under
Negotiation") containing 2,445 units for a purchase price of approximately
$155.7 million, including the assumption of approximately $54 million of
mortgage indebtedness. With respect to the Properties Under Negotiation, the
Company was negotiating the significant terms of the purchase contracts for such
properties. The Company anticipates that, if and when entered into, the purchase
contracts for the Properties Under Negotiation will contain due diligence
contingency provisions that will allow the Company to conduct extensive
investigations of such properties and will give the Company flexibility to
terminate such contracts with a full refund of earnest money if the Company
becomes dissatisfied with the Properties Under Negotiation in any way, in its
sole discretion, during such review period. If the Company acquires the
Properties Under Negotiation, it is expected that the terms and conditions of
such acquisitions will be similar to other acquisitions of Properties made by
the Company. The purchase price for the Properties Under Negotiation is expected
to be funded primarily with the Company's Line of Credit. In addition, the
Company or the Operating Partnership may consider issuing additional equity or
debt securities to finance some or all of such potential acquisitions. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Properties Under Negotiation will be acquired
or, if acquired, that the terms of such acquisitions will not change from the
terms presently contemplated.
DISPOSITIONS
Since January 1, 1997, the Company disposed of its interests in seven
properties containing 1,248 units for an aggregate sales price of approximately
$33.2 million. The net proceeds of these dispositions were or will be used for
the acquisition of additional properties.
SECURITIES ISSUANCES
Since January 1, 1997, the Company has raised an aggregate of approximately
$915.5 million pursuant to 13 separate public offerings of its Common Shares and
an aggregate of approximately $473.1 million pursuant to the public offering of
depositary shares representing the Series D Preferred Shares and Series G
Preferred Shares. In addition, the Company has raised an aggregate of
approximately $14.4 million pursuant to its Distribution Reinvestment and Share
Purchase Plan through February 1, 1998 since its inception in December 1997.
Since January 1, 1997, the Operating Partnership has raised approximately $345.9
million pursuant to two separate public offerings of its notes.
FINANCINGS
On September 9, 1997, the Company entered into its Second Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York as Lead Agent, which increased available borrowings under the Line of
Credit to $500 million.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Shares
offered hereby are approximately $28,409,957 after the deduction of the
underwriting discount and the estimated expenses payable by the Company. The
Company will contribute or otherwise transfer the net proceeds of the sale of
the Common Shares to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units. The
Operating Partnership presently intends to use the net proceeds for the
acquisition of additional multifamily properties, including some or all of
the Properties Under Contract and the Additional Properties Under Contract,
and to reduce the outstanding balance of the Company's Line of Credit. Any
remaining net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes.
The Line of Credit matures on November 15, 1999, unless extended by the
parties, and outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit currently bear
interest at a weighted average rate equal to approximately 6.075% per annum. As
of February 12, 1998, the Company had an outstanding balance on the Line of
Credit of approximately $70 million.
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<PAGE>
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Common Shares have been traded on the NYSE under the symbol "EQR" since
the EQR IPO. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales
prices per share reported on the NYSE, as well as the quarterly distributions
declared per Common Share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DISTRIBUTIONS
----------- ----------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1996
First Quarter............................ $ 33 3/4 $ 28 1/4 $ .59
Second Quarter........................... 33 1/2 30 7/8 .59
Third Quarter............................ 36 1/8 32 7/8 .59
Fourth Quarter........................... 43 3/8 35 5/8 .625
1997
First Quarter............................ 48 7/8 39 3/4 .625
Second Quarter........................... 47 1/2 41 1/4 .625
Third Quarter............................ 54 9/16 47 1/8 .625
Fourth Quarter........................... 55 47 3/8 .67(1)
1998
First Quarter (through February 12, ..... 52 7/16 50 N/A
</TABLE>
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(1) The fourth quarter distribution was paid on December 30, 1997 to
shareholders of record as of December 15, 1997 and represented an annual
distribution rate of $2.68 per share.
On February 12, 1998 the last reported sale price of a Common Share on the
NYSE was $50 5/8 per share. As of February 3, 1998, the Company's transfer agent
reported 1,326 record holders of Common Shares and, as of November 1997, certain
depository entities held Common Shares on behalf of approximately 25,000
beneficial owners.
The Company intends to continue to pay regular quarterly distributions to
holders of Common Shares. The Company has increased its annual distribution each
year since the EQR IPO. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company
declared distributions of $2.545 per Common Share to holders of Common Shares.
This distribution rate represents an approximate 6% increase over the Company's
1996 distribution rate and an approximate 17% increase over the Company's 1995
distribution rate. Future distributions will be at the discretion of the board
of trustees and will depend on the actual cash available for distribution by the
Company, the Company's financial condition, capital requirements, credit
agreement restrictions, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and such other
factors as the board of trustees deems relevant. A portion of the Company's
distribution may represent a nontaxable return of capital and/or a capital gain
dividend. For the year ended December 31, 1997, this portion varied from
distribution to distribution. Of the Company's declared distributions in 1997 of
$2.545 per Common Share, the nontaxable return of capital ranged from 0% to
approximately 15% and the portion which represented long-term capital gain
ranged from 0% to approximately 3%.
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<PAGE>
BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
The Company is a self-administered and self-managed equity REIT. EQR was
established to continue the multifamily property business objectives and
acquisition strategies of certain affiliated entities controlled by Mr. Zell,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Company. These entities had been
engaged in the multifamily property business since 1969. The Company is a fully
integrated real estate concern that acquires, improves, operates and manages its
Properties. The Company has benefited, and expects to benefit, from the
following elements:
DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 Properties containing 140,467 apartment units located in 35 states. As of
such date, the Company's portfolio was the largest multifamily property
portfolio controlled by a publicly traded REIT (based on the number of apartment
units owned and total revenues earned). The Company's interest in 11 of the
Properties at the time of acquisition thereof consisted solely of ownership of
the debt collateralized by such Properties and in 21 Properties consists solely
of investments in partnership interests and subordinated mortgages
collateralized by such Properties. No single Property represents more than 1.01%
of the total apartment units. The distribution of the Properties throughout the
United States reflects the Company's belief that geographic diversification
helps insulate the portfolio from regional and local economic influences. At the
same time, the Company has sought to create clusters of Properties within each
of its primary markets to achieve economies of scale in management and
operation. The Company has established 24 management offices in the following
cities: Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Bethesda,
Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland,
Oregon; Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Irvine and Stockton, California;
Ypsilanti, Michigan; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa and Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Louisville,
Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Boston, Massachusetts; and Nashville, Tennessee.
EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT
The Company's senior executives average over 23 years of experience in the
multifamily property business. The Company has a fully integrated management
team: an Acquisitions Department that is dedicated exclusively to the property
acquisition function and is in constant contact with principals and brokers
nationwide; an Asset Management Department that establishes strategic plans with
respect to the portfolio including the development and implementation of
long-term business plans, asset financings, property repositionings, expansions,
and property disposition decisions; a Property Management Department that
aggressively manages the portfolio through significant interaction with on-site
property managers at each Property; an Accounting and Finance Department that
maintains the books and records of the Properties and generates timely financial
reports; a Capital Markets Department that manages investor relations and
capital raising; and a Legal Department that oversees all of the Company's legal
affairs.
SOPHISTICATED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company makes extensive use of management information systems. The
Company has installed on-site computers at every Property, except for the newly
acquired Properties at which such computers will be installed, that are capable
of compiling and forwarding to the Company's Regional Operations Centers on a
daily basis numerous standardized reports including daily occupancy, lease
expiration and renewals, prospective tenants and rental rate information.
Quality controls are assured with the Company's practice of (i) conducting
resident satisfaction surveys, (ii) surveying residents that move out of the
Properties, and (iii) surveying prospective tenants who select alternative
housing.
THE PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 Properties located in 35 states containing 140,467 apartment units with
the largest having 1,420 units and the smallest having 40 units. The average
number of units per Property was approximately 287. The units are typically
contained in a series of two-story buildings. As of February 2, 1998, the
Properties had an average occupancy rate of approximately 94%. Tenant leases are
generally year-to-year and require security deposits. The Properties typically
provide residents with attractive amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming
pool, laundry facilities and cable television access. Certain Properties offer
additional amenities such as saunas, whirlpools, spas, sports courts and
exercise rooms.
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<PAGE>
The following chart sets forth certain information regarding the Properties
on a state-by-state basis.
PROPERTIES BY STATE
(AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF % OF UNITS IN
STATE PROPERTIES UNITS PORTFOLIO
- ----- ---------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Alabama 2 400 0.3%
Arizona 74 21,802 15.5%
Arkansas 4 1,039 0.8%
California 53 14,599 10.4%
Colorado 23 6,392 4.6%
Connecticut 1 144 0.1%
Florida 41 10,811 7.7%
Georgia 20 5,811 4.1%
Idaho 1 120 0.1%
Illinois 7 3,322 2.4%
Indiana 1 320 0.2%
Iowa 2 386 0.3%
Kansas 6 2,392 1.7%
Kentucky 7 1,977 1.4%
Maine 2 340 0.2%
Maryland 13 3,795 2.7%
Massachusetts 3 737 0.5%
Michigan 9 3,644 2.6%
Minnesota 12 2,987 2.1%
Missouri 7 1,576 1.1%
Nevada 11 3,279 2.3%
New Hampshire 1 390 0.3%
New Jersey 1 704 0.5%
New Mexico 4 1,073 0.8%
North Carolina 20 5,216 3.7%
Ohio 6 2,683 1.9%
Oklahoma 14 3,981 2.8%
Oregon 11 3,448 2.5%
South Carolina 6 1,045 0.7%
Tennessee 16 4,318 3.1%
Texas 51 16,969 12.1%
Utah 4 1,426 1.0%
Virginia 9 2,821 2.0%
Washington 44 9,834 7.0%
Wisconsin 3 686 0.5%
--- ------- ------
TOTAL 489(1) 140,467 100.0%
--- ------- ------
--- ------- ------
</TABLE>
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(1) The Company's interest in 11 of the Properties at the time of acquisition
thereof consisted solely of ownership of the debt collateralized by such
Properties and in 21 Properties consists solely of investments in
partnership interests and subordinated mortgages collateralized by such
Properties.
For additional information with respect to the Properties, see the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended September 30, 1997.
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ADDITIONAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATION
On February 2, 1998, the Clinton administration released its budget proposal
for fiscal year 1999. The proposal includes a number of provisions affecting
REITs. One proposed provision would amend the REIT asset tests with respect to
subsidiary corporations other than qualified REIT subsidiaries or corporations
that qualify as REITs (each, an "Affected Subsidiary"). Under current law, a
REIT is precluded from owning more than 10% of the voting securities of any
Affected Subsidiary. Pursuant to the Clinton administration proposal, a REIT
would remain subject to this restriction and would be precluded from owning more
than 10% of the value of all classes of stock of any Affected Subsidiary. If the
proposal were enacted as currently drafted, existing Affected Subsidiaries (such
as the Management Corps., as defined in the accompanying Prospectus), would be
"grandfathered," I.E., a REIT would be subject only to current law with respect
to such subsidiaries. The grandfathered status would terminate with respect to
an Affected Subsidiary if (i) the subsidiary engaged in a new trade or business,
(ii) the subsidiary acquired substantial new assets, or (iii) the REIT made a
substantial contribution to the capital of the subsidiary.
Because the Company owns more than 10% of the value of the securities of the
Management Corps., it could not currently satisfy the new 10% value limitation
with respect to such corporations. Accordingly, if the proposal were enacted as
currently drafted and the Management Corps. were to engage in a new trade or
business, acquire substantial new assets, or if the Company were to make capital
contributions to any of those corporations, the grandfathered status of the
Management Corps. would terminate and the Company would fail to qualify as a
REIT. Moreover, the Company would not be able to own more than 10% of the vote
or value of any Affected Subsidiary formed or acquired after the effective date
of the proposal. Thus, the proposal, if enacted as currently drafted, would
materially impede the ability of the Company to engage in new third-party
management or similar activities. The Company's management believes that any
such impact, however, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
S-9
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the terms agreement among
Smith Barney Inc. (the "Underwriter"), the Company and the Operating Partnership
and the related standard underwriting provisions incorporated by reference
therein (collectively, the "Underwriting Agreement"), the Underwriter has agreed
to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to the
Underwriter, 591,760 Common Shares. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the
Company will pay as compensation to the Underwriter approximately $2.53125 per
Common Share.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter
to pay for and accept delivery of the Common Shares is subject to approval of
certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The
Underwriter is obligated to take and pay for the Common Shares offered hereby if
any such shares are taken.
The Underwriter intends to deposit the Common Shares with the trustee of The
Equity Focus Trusts--REIT Portfolio Series, 1998-A (the "Trust"), a registered
unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to
which the Underwriter acts as sponsor and depositor, in exchange for units in
the Trust. The Underwriter is an affiliate of the Trust.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make in respect
thereof.
In connection with this Offering and in compliance with applicable law, the
Underwriter may effect transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the Common Shares at levels above those which might
otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions may include placing bids
for Common Shares or effecting purchases of Common Shares for the purpose of
pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the Common Shares or for the purpose
of reducing a syndicate short position created in connection with the Offering.
The Underwriter is not required to engage in any of these activities and any
such activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Concurrently with the Offering, the Company is offering 591,760 Common
Shares to Prudential Securities Incorporated for placement in the National
Equity Trust Equity Portfolio Series 2.
The Underwriter from time to time provides investment banking and financial
advisory services to the Company and the Operating Partnership and other
entities owned or controlled by Mr. Zell, and affiliates of the Underwriter from
time to time may provide financing to such entities.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriter by Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP will rely on Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., Washington, D.C., as to
certain matters of Maryland law. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has
from time to time provided services to the Company and other entities controlled
by Mr. Zell.
S-10
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY, THE SHARES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OF SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN
ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN THE
PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
The Company.................................... S-2
Recent Developments............................ S-4
Use of Proceeds................................ S-5
Price Range of Common Shares and
Distributions................................ S-6
Business and Properties........................ S-7
Additional Federal Income Tax Consideration.... S-9
Underwriting................................... S-10
Legal Matters.................................. S-10
PROSPECTUS
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........................... 29
Experts........................................ 30
Legal Matters.................................. 30
</TABLE>
591,760 SHARES
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
COMMON SHARES
OF
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
---------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
FEBRUARY 12, 1998
(INCLUDING PROSPECTUS
DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 1997)
---------
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
File No. 333-32183
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 1997)
396,580 SHARES
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST
COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
---------------------
Equity Residential Properties Trust (the "Company") is a Maryland real
estate investment trust ("REIT") which, as of December 31, 1997, owned or had
interests in a portfolio of 489 multifamily properties (individually a
"Property" and collectively the "Properties") containing 140,467 apartment units
and managed 9,295 additional units owned by affiliated entities. The Company is
the largest publicly traded REIT owner of multifamily properties (based on the
number of apartment units owned and total revenues earned), with Properties
located in 35 states throughout the United States.
All of the common shares of beneficial interest of the Company, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Shares"), offered hereby are being offered by the
Company (the "Offering"). The Underwriter intends to deposit the Common Shares
with the trustee of the National Equity Trust Equity Portfolio Series 2 (the
"Trust"), a registered unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, to which the Underwriter acts as sponsor and depositor, in
exchange for units in the Trust at the last reported sale price of the Common
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the date hereof. To ensure
that the Company qualifies as a REIT, transfer of the Common Shares is
restricted and ownership by any person is limited to 5% of the lesser of the
number or value of the Company's outstanding shares of beneficial interest,
subject to certain exceptions. See "Description of Shares of Beneficial
Interest--Restrictions on Transfer" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "EQR." On February
12, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on the NYSE was
$50.625 per share. See "Price Range of Common Shares and Distributions."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON SHARES.
---------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT
RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
PRICE TO DISCOUNT PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC (1) COMPANY(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share....... $50.625 $2.535 $48.09
Total........... $20,076,862 $1,005,330 $19,071,532
</TABLE>
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company estimated
at $50,000.
------------------------
The Common Shares are offered by the Underwriter subject to prior sale, to
withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the offer without notice, to
delivery and acceptance by the Underwriter and to certain further conditions. It
is expected that delivery of the Common Shares will be made to the Underwriter
through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, on
or about February 18, 1998.
------------------------
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
---------------
February 12, 1998
<PAGE>
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED
THEREIN BY REFERENCE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERM "COMPANY" INCLUDES EQUITY
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRUST ("EQR") AND THOSE ENTITIES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY
IT (COLLECTIVELY, THE "SUBSIDIARIES"), AS THE SURVIVOR OF THE MERGERS BETWEEN
EQR AND EACH OF WELLSFORD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TRUST ("WELLSFORD") AND EVANS
WITHYCOMBE RESIDENTIAL, INC. ("EWR") AND EACH OF EQR, WELLSFORD AND EWR 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.
In December 1997, EQR completed the acquisition of the multifamily property
business of EWR through the tax free merger of EQR and EWR. The Company's senior
executives average over 23 years of experience in the multifamily property
business.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 multifamily properties (individually a "Property" and collectively the
"Properties") containing 140,467 apartment units and managed 9,295 additional
units owned by affiliated entities. Since the EQR IPO, at which time EQR owned
69 Properties, and through December 31, 1997 the Company has acquired, directly
or indirectly, interests in an additional 438 Properties containing 123,777
units for a total purchase price of approximately $6.6 billion, including the
assumption of approximately $1.9 billion of mortgage indebtedness. Since the EQR
IPO and through December 31, 1997, the Company disposed of 18 of its properties
containing 5,035 units for a total sales price of approximately $128.9 million
and the release of mortgage indebtedness in the amount of approximately $20.5
million. The Company's interest in 11 of the Properties at the time of
acquisition thereof consisted solely of ownership of the debt collateralized by
such Properties and in 21 of the Properties consists solely of investments in
partnership interests and subordinated mortgages collateralized by such
Properties. At February 2, 1998, the Properties had an average occupancy rate of
approximately 94%. As of December 31, 1997, the Properties were located
throughout the United States in the following 35 states: Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North
Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
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 the Properties are held or
controlled 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 eight classes of limited partnership interests outstanding: (i)
partnership interests ("OP Units"), which may be exchanged by the holders
thereof for either Common Shares on a one-for-one basis or, at the Company's
option, cash; (ii) 9 3/8% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units ("9
3/8% Series A Preference Units"); (iii) 9 1/8% Series B 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% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preference Units ("8.60% Series D
Preference Units"); (vi) Series E Cumulative Convertible Preference Units
("Series E Preference Units"); (vii) 9.65% Series F Cumulative Redeemable
Preference Units ("9.65% Series F Preference Units"), and (viii) 7 1/4%
Series G Convertible Cumulative Preference Units ("7 1/4% Series G Preference
Units"). The 9 3/8% Series A 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, the 9.65% Series F Preference Units and
the 7 1/4% Series G 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
S-2
<PAGE>
"Series C Preferred Shares"), the Company's 8.60% Series D Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share
(the "Series D Preferred Shares"), the Company's Series E Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share
(the "Series E Preferred Shares"), the Company's 9.65% Series F Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the "Series F
Preferred Shares"), and the Company's 7 1/4% Series G Convertible Cumulative
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share (the
"Series G Preferred Shares" and, collectively with 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 Series F
Preferred Shares, the "Outstanding Preferred Shares"), respectively. The
Company controls the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner and,
as of February 6, 1998, owned approximately 91% of all of the Operating
Partnership's outstanding partnership interests, excluding the 9 3/8% Series
A 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, the 9.65% Series F Preference Units and the 7 1/4% Series G
Preference Units. It is the Company's policy that EQR 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. In addition, the Company has 24 management offices in
the following cities: Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington;
Bethesda, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona;
Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Irvine and Stockton,
California; Ypsilanti, Michigan; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa
and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Louisville, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Boston, Massachusetts; and Nashville,
Tennessee.
S-3
<PAGE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
MERGER ACTIVITY
On May 30, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of the multifamily
property business of Wellsford, a Maryland real estate investment trust, through
the tax-free merger of the Company and Wellsford (the "Wellsford Merger"). The
transaction was valued at approximately $1 billion and included 72 multifamily
properties of Wellsford containing 19,004 units. In the Wellsford Merger, each
outstanding common share of beneficial interest of Wellsford was converted into
.625 of a Common Share.
On December 23, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of the
multifamily property business of EWR, a Maryland corporation, through the
tax-free merger of the Company and EWR (the "EWR Merger"). The transaction
was valued at approximately $1 billion and included 51 multifamily properties
containing 14,995 units and four properties under expansion expected to
contain 953 units. In the EWR Merger, each outstanding share of common stock
of EWR was converted into .50 of a Common Share.
ACQUISITIONS
In addition to the EWR Merger and the Wellsford Merger, from January 1, 1997
through December 31, 1997, the Company acquired 125 Properties containing an
aggregate of 33,878 units at a total purchase price of approximately $2 billion
(including the assumption of mortgage indebtedness of approximately $609.4
million). The Company purchased 12 of such Properties for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $162.2 million (including the assumption of mortgage
indebtedness of approximately $107.1 million) from affiliates of the Company,
Zell/Merrill Lynch Real Estate Opportunity Partners Limited Partnership
("Zell/Merrill I") and subsidiaries of Zell/Merrill Lynch Real Estate
Opportunity Partners Limited Partnership II ("Zell/Merrill II"). The Company
funded the cash portion of these acquisitions primarily from its working capital
and proceeds from previous securities issuances by the Company. See "Securities
Issuances" below.
In addition, in April 1997, the Company made an $88 million investment in
six mortgage loans collateralized by five Properties. This investment was funded
from the Company's $500 million unsecured line of credit (the "Line of Credit")
which it pays down from time to time with the net proceeds of equity or debt
offerings by the Company or the Operating Partnership, respectively. See
"Securities Issuances" below.
PROBABLE ACQUISITIONS
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had entered into contracts with
unaffiliated sellers to acquire 11 additional properties containing 2,288 units
which are located in six states (collectively, the "Properties Under Contract").
The total combined purchase price for the Properties Under Contract is
approximately $162.3 million, including the assumption of approximately $57.2
million of mortgage indebtedness. There can be no assurance that these 11
Properties Under Contract will be acquired or, if acquired, that the terms of
such acquisitions will not change from the terms presently contemplated. The
Company anticipates that the acquisition of the Properties Under Contract will
be funded with the net proceeds of the Offering, its working capital, its Line
of Credit and/or proceeds from previous securities issuances by the Company. The
Company believes that the Properties Under Contract can be integrated into its
system of Regional Operations Centers and area offices without any significant
corresponding increase in the costs of operations of such offices.
PENDING ACQUISITIONS
ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had entered into contracts with various
unaffiliated sellers to acquire five additional properties under contract (the
"Additional Properties Under Contract") for a total combined purchase price of
approximately $58.3 million, including the assumption of approximately $13.3
million of mortgage indebtedness. These Additional Properties Under Contract
contain 1,584 units and are located in three states. The contracts for the
Additional Properties Under Contract contain due diligence contingency
provisions that allow the Company to conduct extensive investigative procedures
of such properties and give the Company the option to terminate such contracts
with a full refund of earnest money if the Company becomes dissatisfied with the
Additional Properties Under Contract in any way, in its sole discretion, during
such review period. The purchase price for the Additional Properties Under
Contract is expected to be funded primarily with the net proceeds of the
Offering and/or from the Company's Line of Credit. There can be no
S-4
<PAGE>
assurance that the Additional Properties Under Contract will be acquired or,
if acquired, that the terms of such acquisitions will not change from the
terms presently contemplated.
PROPERTIES UNDER NEGOTIATION
As of December 31, 1997, the Company was also negotiating with various
sellers for the acquisition of ten additional properties (the "Properties Under
Negotiation") containing 2,445 units for a purchase price of approximately
$155.7 million, including the assumption of approximately $54 million of
mortgage indebtedness. With respect to the Properties Under Negotiation, the
Company was negotiating the significant terms of the purchase contracts for such
properties. The Company anticipates that, if and when entered into, the purchase
contracts for the Properties Under Negotiation will contain due diligence
contingency provisions that will allow the Company to conduct extensive
investigations of such properties and will give the Company flexibility to
terminate such contracts with a full refund of earnest money if the Company
becomes dissatisfied with the Properties Under Negotiation in any way, in its
sole discretion, during such review period. If the Company acquires the
Properties Under Negotiation, it is expected that the terms and conditions of
such acquisitions will be similar to other acquisitions of Properties made by
the Company. The purchase price for the Properties Under Negotiation is expected
to be funded primarily with the Company's Line of Credit. In addition, the
Company or the Operating Partnership may consider issuing additional equity or
debt securities to finance some or all of such potential acquisitions. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Properties Under Negotiation will be acquired
or, if acquired, that the terms of such acquisitions will not change from the
terms presently contemplated.
DISPOSITIONS
Since January 1, 1997, the Company disposed of its interests in seven
properties containing 1,248 units for an aggregate sales price of approximately
$33.2 million. The net proceeds of these dispositions were or will be used for
the acquisition of additional properties.
SECURITIES ISSUANCES
Since January 1, 1997, the Company has raised an aggregate of approximately
$915.5 million pursuant to 13 separate public offerings of its Common Shares and
an aggregate of approximately $473.1 million pursuant to the public offering of
depositary shares representing the Series D Preferred Shares and Series G
Preferred Shares. In addition, the Company has raised an aggregate of
approximately $14.4 million pursuant to its Distribution Reinvestment and Share
Purchase Plan through February 1, 1998 since its inception in December 1997.
Since January 1, 1997, the Operating Partnership has raised approximately $345.9
million pursuant to two separate public offerings of its notes.
FINANCINGS
On September 9, 1997, the Company entered into its Second Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York as Lead Agent, which increased available borrowings under the Line of
Credit to $500 million.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Shares
offered hereby are approximately $19,021,532 after the deduction of the
underwriting discount and the estimated expenses payable by the Company. The
Company will contribute or otherwise transfer the net proceeds of the sale of
the Common Shares to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units. The
Operating Partnership presently intends to use the net proceeds for the
acquisition of additional multifamily properties, including some or all of
the Properties Under Contract and the Additional Properties Under Contract,
and to reduce the outstanding balance of the Company's Line of Credit. Any
remaining net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes.
The Line of Credit matures on November 15, 1999, unless extended by the
parties, and outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit currently bear
interest at a weighted average rate equal to approximately 6.075% per annum. As
of February 12, 1998, the Company had an outstanding balance on the Line of
Credit of approximately $70 million.
S-5
<PAGE>
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Common Shares have been traded on the NYSE under the symbol "EQR" since
the EQR IPO. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales
prices per share reported on the NYSE, as well as the quarterly distributions
declared per Common Share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW DISTRIBUTIONS
--------- --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1996
First Quarter............................... $33 3/4 $28 1/4 $ .59
Second Quarter.............................. 33 1/2 30 7/8 .59
Third Quarter............................... 36 1/8 32 7/8 .59
Fourth Quarter.............................. 43 3/8 35 5/8 .625
1997
First Quarter............................... 48 7/8 39 3/4 .625
Second Quarter.............................. 47 1/2 41 1/4 .625
Third Quarter............................... 54 9/16 47 1/8 .625
Fourth Quarter.............................. 55 47 3/8 .67(1)
1998
First Quarter (through February 12, 1998)... 52 7/16 50 N/A
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The fourth quarter distribution was paid on December 30, 1997 to
shareholders of record as of December 15, 1997 and represented an annual
distribution rate of $2.68 per share.
On February 12, 1998 the last reported sale price of a Common Share on the
NYSE was $50.625 per share. As of February 3, 1998, the Company's transfer agent
reported 1,326 record holders of Common Shares and, as of November 1997, certain
depository entities held Common Shares on behalf of approximately 25,000
beneficial owners.
The Company intends to continue to pay regular quarterly distributions to
holders of Common Shares. The Company has increased its annual distribution each
year since the EQR IPO. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company
declared distributions of $2.545 per Common Share to holders of Common Shares.
This distribution rate represents an approximate 6% increase over the Company's
1996 distribution rate and an approximate 17% increase over the Company's 1995
distribution rate. Future distributions will be at the discretion of the board
of trustees and will depend on the actual cash available for distribution by the
Company, the Company's financial condition, capital requirements, credit
agreement restrictions, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and such other
factors as the board of trustees deems relevant. A portion of the Company's
distribution may represent a nontaxable return of capital and/or a capital gain
dividend. For the year ended December 31, 1997, this portion varied from
distribution to distribution. Of the Company's declared distributions in 1997 of
$2.545 per Common Share, the nontaxable return of capital ranged from 0% to
approximately 15% and the portion which represented long-term capital gain
ranged from 0% to approximately 3%.
S-6
<PAGE>
BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
The Company is a self-administered and self-managed equity REIT. EQR was
established to continue the multifamily property business objectives and
acquisition strategies of certain affiliated entities controlled by Mr. Zell,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Company. These entities had been
engaged in the multifamily property business since 1969. The Company is a fully
integrated real estate concern that acquires, improves, operates and manages its
Properties. The Company has benefited, and expects to benefit, from the
following elements:
DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 Properties containing 140,467 apartment units located in 35 states. As of
such date, the Company's portfolio was the largest multifamily property
portfolio controlled by a publicly traded REIT (based on the number of apartment
units owned and total revenues earned). The Company's interest in 11 of the
Properties at the time of acquisition thereof consisted solely of ownership of
the debt collateralized by such Properties and in 21 Properties consists solely
of investments in partnership interests and subordinated mortgages
collateralized by such Properties. No single Property represents more than 1.01%
of the total apartment units. The distribution of the Properties throughout the
United States reflects the Company's belief that geographic diversification
helps insulate the portfolio from regional and local economic influences. At the
same time, the Company has sought to create clusters of Properties within each
of its primary markets to achieve economies of scale in management and
operation. The Company has established 24 management offices in the following
cities: Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Bethesda,
Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland,
Oregon; Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Irvine and Stockton, California;
Ypsilanti, Michigan; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa and Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Louisville,
Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Boston, Massachusetts; and Nashville, Tennessee.
EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT
The Company's senior executives average over 23 years of experience in the
multifamily property business. The Company has a fully integrated management
team: an Acquisitions Department that is dedicated exclusively to the property
acquisition function and is in constant contact with principals and brokers
nationwide; an Asset Management Department that establishes strategic plans with
respect to the portfolio including the development and implementation of
long-term business plans, asset financings, property repositionings, expansions,
and property disposition decisions; a Property Management Department that
aggressively manages the portfolio through significant interaction with on-site
property managers at each Property; an Accounting and Finance Department that
maintains the books and records of the Properties and generates timely financial
reports; a Capital Markets Department that manages investor relations and
capital raising; and a Legal Department that oversees all of the Company's legal
affairs.
SOPHISTICATED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company makes extensive use of management information systems. The
Company has installed on-site computers at every Property, except for the newly
acquired Properties at which such computers will be installed, that are capable
of compiling and forwarding to the Company's Regional Operations Centers on a
daily basis numerous standardized reports including daily occupancy, lease
expiration and renewals, prospective tenants and rental rate information.
Quality controls are assured with the Company's practice of (i) conducting
resident satisfaction surveys, (ii) surveying residents that move out of the
Properties, and (iii) surveying prospective tenants who select alternative
housing.
THE PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned or had interests in a portfolio
of 489 Properties located in 35 states containing 140,467 apartment units with
the largest having 1,420 units and the smallest having 40 units. The average
number of units per Property was approximately 287. The units are typically
contained in a series of two-story buildings. As of February 2, 1998, the
Properties had an average occupancy rate of approximately 94%. Tenant leases are
generally year-to-year and require security deposits. The Properties typically
provide residents with attractive amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming
pool, laundry facilities and cable television access. Certain Properties offer
additional amenities such as saunas, whirlpools, spas, sports courts and
exercise rooms.
S-7
<PAGE>
The following chart sets forth certain information regarding the Properties
on a state-by-state basis.
PROPERTIES BY STATE
(AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF UNITS IN
STATE NUMBER OF PROPERTIES NUMBER OF UNITS PORTFOLIO
- ----- -------------------- ---------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Alabama 2 400 0.3%
Arizona 74 21,802 15.5%
Arkansas 4 1,039 0.8%
California 53 14,599 10.4%
Colorado 23 6,392 4.6%
Connecticut 1 144 0.1%
Florida 41 10,811 7.7%
Georgia 20 5,811 4.1%
Idaho 1 120 0.1%
Illinois 7 3,322 2.4%
Indiana 1 320 0.2%
Iowa 2 386 0.3%
Kansas 6 2,392 1.7%
Kentucky 7 1,977 1.4%
Maine 2 340 0.2%
Maryland 13 3,795 2.7%
Massachusetts 3 737 0.5%
Michigan 9 3,644 2.6%
Minnesota 12 2,987 2.1%
Missouri 7 1,576 1.1%
Nevada 11 3,279 2.3%
New Hampshire 1 390 0.3%
New Jersey 1 704 0.5%
New Mexico 4 1,073 0.8%
North Carolina 20 5,216 3.7%
Ohio 6 2,683 1.9%
Oklahoma 14 3,981 2.8%
Oregon 11 3,448 2.5%
South Carolina 6 1,045 0.7%
Tennessee 16 4,318 3.1%
Texas 51 16,969 12.1%
Utah 4 1,426 1.0%
Virginia 9 2,821 2.0%
Washington 44 9,834 7.0%
Wisconsin 3 686 0.5%
--- -------- -------
TOTAL 489(1) 140,467 100.0%
--- -------- -------
--- -------- -------
</TABLE>
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(1) The Company's interest in 11 of the Properties at the time of acquisition
thereof consisted solely of ownership of the debt collateralized by such
Properties and in 21 Properties consists solely of investments in
partnership interests and subordinated mortgages collateralized by such
Properties.
For additional information with respect to the Properties, see the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended September 30, 1997.
S-8
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATION
On February 2, 1998, the Clinton administration released its budget proposal
for fiscal year 1999. The proposal includes a number of provisions affecting
REITs. One proposed provision would amend the REIT asset tests with respect to
subsidiary corporations other than qualified REIT subsidiaries or corporations
that qualify as REITs (each, an "Affected Subsidiary"). Under current law, a
REIT is precluded from owning more than 10% of the voting securities of any
Affected Subsidiary. Pursuant to the Clinton administration proposal, a REIT
would remain subject to this restriction and would be precluded from owning more
than 10% of the VALUE of all classes of stock of any Affected Subsidiary. If the
proposal were enacted as currently drafted, existing Affected Subsidiaries (such
as the Management Corps., as defined in the accompanying Prospectus), would be
"grandfathered," I.E., a REIT would be subject only to current law with respect
to such subsidiaries. The grandfathered status would terminate with respect to
an Affected Subsidiary if (i) the subsidiary engaged in a new trade or business,
(ii) the subsidiary acquired substantial new assets, or (iii) the REIT made a
substantial contribution to the capital of the subsidiary.
Because the Company owns more than 10% of the value of the securities of the
Management Corps., it could not currently satisfy the new 10% value limitation
with respect to such corporations. Accordingly, if the proposal were enacted as
currently drafted and the Management Corps. were to engage in a new trade or
business, acquire substantial new assets, or if the Company were to make capital
contributions to any of those corporations, the grandfathered status of the
Management Corps. would terminate and the Company would fail to qualify as a
REIT. Moreover, the Company would not be able to own more than 10% of the vote
or value of any Affected Subsidiary formed or acquired after the effective date
of the proposal. Thus, the proposal, if enacted as currently drafted, would
materially impede the ability of the Company to engage in new third-party
management or similar activities. The Company's management believes that any
such impact, however, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
S-9
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the terms agreement among
Prudential Securities Incorporated (the "Underwriter"), the Company and the
Operating Partnership and the related standard underwriting provisions
incorporated by reference therein (collectively, the "Underwriting Agreement"),
the Underwriter has agreed to purchase from the Company, and the Company has
agreed to sell to the Underwriter, 396,580 Common Shares at the offering price
less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter
to pay for and accept delivery of the Common Shares is subject to approval of
certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The
Underwriter is obligated to take and pay for the Common Shares offered hereby if
any such shares are taken.
The Underwriter intends to deposit the Common Shares with the trustee of the
National Equity Trust Equity Portfolio Series 2 (the "Trust"), a registered unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to which
the Underwriter acts as sponsor and depositor, in exchange for units in the
Trust at the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on NYSE on the date
hereof. The Underwriter is an affiliate of the Trust.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make in respect
thereof.
Concurrently with the Offering, the Company is offering 586,560 Common
Shares to Smith Barney Inc. for placement in the Equity Focus Trust--REIT
Portfolio Series, 1998-A.
The Underwriter from time to time provides investment banking and financial
advisory services to the Company and the Operating Partnership and other
entities owned or controlled by Mr. Zell, and affiliates of the Underwriter from
time to time may provide financing to such entities.
S-10
<PAGE>
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITER. THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR
A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE SHARES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OF SOLICITATION.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
OFFER OR SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN THE PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
The Company.................................... S-2
Recent Developments............................ S-4
Use of Proceeds................................ S-5
Price Range of Common Shares and
Distributions................................ S-6
Business and Properties........................ S-7
Additional Federal Income Tax
Considerations............................... S-9
Underwriting................................. S-10
PROSPECTUS
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........................... 29
Experts........................................ 30
Legal Matters.................................. 30
</TABLE>
396,580 SHARES
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTIES TRUST
COMMON SHARES
OF
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
FEBRUARY 12, 1998
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