CHATEAU COMMUNITIES INC
S-3, 1999-03-15
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 1999
                              Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                            CHATEAU COMMUNITIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                Maryland                               38-3132038
    (State or other jurisdiction of                 (IRS Employer
     incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)
                            6430 South Quebec Street
                            Englewood, Colorado 80111
                                 (303) 741-3707
       (Address,  including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of Registrant's principal executive offices)

                                GARY P. MCDANIEL
                            6430 South Quebec Street
                            Englewood, Colorado 80111
                                 (303) 741-3707
 
     (Name,  address,  including zip code, and telephone number,  including area
code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                             Jay L. Bernstein, Esq.
                               Rogers & Wells LLP
                                 200 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10166
                                 (212) 878-8000

         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public:  From time
to time after the effective date of the Registration  Statement as determined by
market conditions.

         If the only securities  being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. |_|

         If any of the  securities  being  registered  on  this  form  are to be
offered  on a  delayed  or  continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415  under  the
Securities Act of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|

         If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and
list the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of 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. |_|


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================= ----------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------
     Title of Class of             Amount to be           Proposed Maximum      Proposed Maximum Aggregate       Amount of
Securities Being Registered         Registered           Offering Price Per           Offering Price          Registration Fee
                                                               Share
============================= ======================= ========================= ============================ ===================
<S>                                  <C>                    <C>                        <C>                       <C>      
Common   Stock,   par  value         183,055                $28.3125(a)                $5,182,744.69             $1,440.80
$.01 per share
============================= ======================= ========================= ============================ ===================
</TABLE>

(a)  Estimated  solely for the purpose of calculating  the  registration  fee in
     accordance  with Rule 457(c) under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     and based on the  average  of the high and low sale  prices  of the  Common
     Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on March 11, 1999.

     The Registrant  hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further  amendment  which  specifically  states  that  this  Registration
Statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities  Act of 1933 or until this  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

<PAGE>


                   Subject to completion, dated March 15, 1999

PROSPECTUS

                                 183,055 Shares
                            CHATEAU COMMUNITIES, INC.
                                  Common Stock

This Prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 183,055
shares of our Common  Stock by the  stockholders  listed  below  under  "Selling
Stockholders."  We may issue the 183,055  shares of Common  Stock to the selling
stockholders in exchange for their 183,055 units of limited partner  interest in
CP Limited Partnership.

The selling  stockholders  received the shares to which this prospectus  relates
from us without  registration.  We are registering the shares in order to permit
secondary trading of such shares. However, the registration of their shares does
not necessarily mean that the selling stockholders will sell their shares.

The selling  stockholders  may offer their shares of Common Stock through public
or private transactions on the New York Stock Exchange where our Common Stock is
listed for trading  under the symbol  "CPJ," in other  markets  where our Common
Stock may be traded  or in  negotiated  transactions.  On March  11,  1999,  the
closing  price of our shares of Common Stock on the New York Stock  Exchange was
$28.3125.

We  will  not  receive  any  of the  proceeds  from  the  sale  by  the  selling
stockholders  and are paying the costs of preparing and filing the  Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.


NEITHER  THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  NOR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  OF THESE  SECURITIES,  AND THEY HAVE NOT
DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL AND COMPLETE.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


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


                     The date of this Prospectus is , 1999.

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We have filed a registration  statement  relating to these  securities  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  The selling stockholders may not sell those
securities prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective.  This
Prospectus is not an offer to sell these  securities and it is not soliciting an
offer to buy these  securities  in any  State  where  such  offer or sale is not
permitted.

<PAGE>

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         We are  subject to the  informational  requirements  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act"),  and, as a result,  file
reports,  proxy  statements,  and  other  information  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  You may read and copy these reports,
proxy  statements and other  information  which we file at the public  reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices
at Citicorp  Center,  500 West Madison  Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,  Illinois
60661,  and Seven World Trade Center,  13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. You
may also obtain copies of the materials from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission,  Washington,  D.C.  20549 upon payment of  prescribed  rates,  or in
certain   cases  by  accessing   the   Commission's   World  Wide  Web  site  at
http://www.sec.gov.  Our Common  Stock is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange
("NYSE")  and you may also inspect and copy our reports,  proxy  statements  and
other information which we file at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York, 10005.

         We have filed with the  Commission a  registration  statement (of which
this  Prospectus  is a part)  on Form S-3  (together  with  all  amendments  and
exhibits  thereto,  the  "Registration  Statement")  under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act"), with respect to the securities offered
hereby by certain holders (the "Selling  Stockholders")  of up to 183,055 shares
of our Common Stock (the "Secondary  Shares").  This Prospectus does not contain
all the information  set forth in the  Registration  Statement,  because we have
omitted  portions as permitted by the rules and  regulations of the  Commission.
Statements  contained  in this  Prospectus  as to the content of any contract or
other document are not necessarily  complete,  and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of such contract or other  document  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,
we refer you to the  Registration  Statement  and such  exhibits and  schedules,
which you may read and copy at, or obtain from,  the Commission and its regional
offices listed above in the manner described above.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         We  incorporate  by  reference  into  this   Prospectus  the  following
documents that we previously filed with the Commission  pursuant to the Exchange
Act:

          1.   Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
               31, 1997 (Commission File No. 1-12496).

          2.   Our Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
               March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998  (Commission
               File No. 1-12496).

          3.   Our Current  Report on Form 8-K, dated May 1, 1998 (and Amendment
               No. 1 thereto dated June 30, 1998) (Commission File No. 1-12496).

          4.   Our  Current   Report  on  Form  8-K,  dated  February  10,  1998
               (Commission File No. 1-12496).

          5.   Our  Current   Report  on  Form  8-K,   dated  January  21,  1998
               (Commission File No. 1-12496).

          6.   Our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 6, 1998 (Commission
               File No. 1-12496).

          7.   Our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 5, 1998 (Commission
               File No. 1-12496).

                                       2
<PAGE>


          8.   The description of our Common Stock contained in our registration
               statement  on Form  8-A,  filed  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Act,
               including  any  amendments  or reports  filed for the  purpose of
               updating such description.

         When we file documents  pursuant to Section 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 shares of Common  Stock being made by this
Prospectus,  the documents we file will be  incorporated  by reference into this
Prospectus and will be a part of it from the date we file the documents.  If the
document  we file  changes  anything  said in this  Prospectus  or in an earlier
document that is  incorporated  into this  Prospectus,  the later  document will
supersede what is said in this Prospectus or the earlier documents.

         We will provide,  without  charge,  upon the written or oral request of
anyone,  including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, a
copy of any and all of the  information  incorporated  by  reference  into  this
Prospectus (not including  exhibits to the  information  that is incorporated by
reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference to the
information  that this  Prospectus  incorporates).  Requests for the information
described in this paragraph  should be directed to: Chateau  Communities,  Inc.,
6430 South Quebec Street, Englewood, Colorado 80111 (Telephone: (303) 741-3707).

          CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

         Certain information both included and incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus may contain forward-looking  statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the  Securities  Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and as such may
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
the actual results,  performance or achievements of our company to be materially
different from future results,  performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements, which are based
on  certain   assumptions   and  describe  our  future  plans,   strategies  and
expectations  are  generally  identifiable  by use of the words  "may,"  "will,"
"should," "expect," "anticipate,"  "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project"
or the negative thereof or other variations  thereon or comparable  terminology.
Factors which could have a material  adverse effect on the operations and future
prospects of our company  include,  but are not limited to, changes in: economic
conditions    generally    and   the   real    estate    market    specifically,
legislative/regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation
of real estate  investment  trusts (each, a "REIT")),  availability  of capital,
interest rates, competition, supply and demand for properties in our current and
proposed market areas and general accounting principles, policies and guidelines
applicable  to REITs.  These risks and  uncertainties  should be  considered  in
evaluating any forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference
herein.


                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   THE COMPANY

         We  are  a  self-administered   and  self-managed  equity  real  estate
investment  trust  ("REIT")  that was formed in 1993 to continue  and expand the
property operations and business objectives of ownership,  management,  leasing,
expansion,   development  and  acquisition  of  manufactured   home  communities
previously conducted by Chateau Estates, a Michigan co-partnership  ("Chateau").
On February 11, 1997, we completed a strategic  merger of equals (the  "Merger")
with  ROC  Communities,  Inc.  ("ROC"),  resulting  in the  contribution  of the
businesses of the two companies.  As of December 31, 1998, we owned and operated
165 manufactured home communities (the "Properties")  located in 28 states, with
an aggregate of 51,101 homesites and 1,359 parkmodel/RV  sites. Our portfolio is
geographically diversified,  with significant concentrations in the southeastern
and midwestern  United States,  as well as the Pacific Coast states,  permitting
economies  of scale in property  management  operations.  Our  portfolio is also
diversified by resident  orientation,  with approximately 27% of the residential
homesites  in  communities  which  are  adult-oriented  and  73% of  residential
homesites  in  communities  which are  family-oriented.  At December  31,  1998,
approximately 92.4% of our homesites were occupied.  In addition,  we fee manage
approximately  7,500 residential  homesites in 36 communities in 15 states. Also
at December 31, 1998, we owned undeveloped land adjacent to existing communities
containing  approximately 4,700 expansion sites which are zoned for manufactured
housing.

         We  conduct  substantially  all of our  activities  through  CP Limited
Partnership,  a Maryland limited partnership (the "Operating  Partnership").  At
December 31, 1998, we owned, directly and through ROC (the other general partner
of the Operating  Partnership),  an approximate 89% general partner  interest in
the Operating Partnership.  As general partners of the Operating Partnership, we
and ROC have unilateral  control and complete  responsibility for the management
of the Operating  Partnership and over each of the Properties.  Our Common Stock
is listed on the NYSE under the Symbol "CPJ."

         Our executive and principal property management office, and that of the
Operating Partnership,  are both located at 6430 South Quebec Street, Englewood,
Colorado 80111 and our telephone number is (303) 741-3707. We both have regional
property  management  offices  in  Clinton  Township,  Michigan;   Indianapolis,
Indiana; Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         We will not receive any of the proceeds of sales of Common Stock by the
Selling Stockholders.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Stock - General

         Our  Articles  of  Incorporation,  as  amended  and  supplemented  (the
"Charter"),  allow  us to  issue  up to  92,000,000  shares  of  capital  stock,
currently  consisting of  90,000,000  shares of common stock (par value $.01 per
share) ("Common Stock"), of which, at December 31, 1998,  27,936,016 shares were
issued and outstanding,  and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock (par value $.01
per share) ("Preferred Stock"), of which, at December 31, 1998, 1,500,000 shares
have been  designated as 8.125% Series A Cumulative  Redeemable  Preferred Stock
(the "Series A Preferred  Stock").  None of the shares of  Preferred  Stock have
been issued.  Under our stock  option and  incentive  plans,  as of December 31,
1998, we had reserved for issuance up to 1,600,568  shares of Common  Stock.  In
addition,  we have reserved for issuance  3,523,872  shares of Common Stock upon
the conversion of outstanding  units of limited partner interest ("OP Units") in
the Operating Partnership. The 1,500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock have
been  reserved for issuance  upon  exchange of 1,500,000  units of an equivalent
series of preferred partner interests issued by the Operating  Partnership.  Our
Board of Directors may classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued shares
of capital stock into one or more classes or series (including classes or series
of preferred  stock) and  establish  the terms of such classes or series.  Under


                                       4
<PAGE>

Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for a corporation's debts or
obligations.  The following  descriptions  do not purport to be complete and are
subject to, and  qualified in their  entirety by reference to, the more complete
descriptions thereof set forth in the following  documents:  (i) our Charter and
(ii) our By-Laws,  which documents are exhibits to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

         The  following  description  of our Common  Stock  sets  forth  certain
general  terms and  provisions  of the Common  Stock which may be offered by the
Selling Stockholders listed below from time to time hereunder.  This description
is in all respects  subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
applicable  provisions of our Charter and By-Laws. Our Common Stock is listed on
the NYSE under the symbol "CPJ." The transfer agent and registrar for our Common
Stock is The Huntington National Bank.

         All shares of Common Stock offered  hereby will,  when issued,  be duly
authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.  Subject to the preferential rights of
any  other  shares  or series  of stock  and to the  provisions  of our  Charter
regarding  "Excess Stock" (as defined below),  holders of shares of Common Stock
will be entitled to receive  dividends on such stock if, as and when  authorized
and declared by our Board of Directors out of assets legally available  therefor
and to share ratably in our assets  legally  available for  distribution  to our
stockholders in the event of our  liquidation,  dissolution or winding-up  after
payment of, or adequate  provision for, all our known debts and liabilities.  We
currently pay quarterly dividends to holders of Common Stock.

         Subject to the provisions of our Charter  regarding  Excess Stock,  the
holders  of Common  Stock  are  entitled  to one vote per  share on all  matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, and, except as otherwise required by law or
except as  provided  with  respect  to any other  class or series of stock,  the
holders of such shares will possess the exclusive  voting power. In the election
of directors, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for
each director to be elected,  but there is no cumulative  voting in the election
of  directors,  which means that the  holders of a majority  of the  outstanding
shares of Common Stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election
and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

         The holders of shares of Common Stock have no conversion, sinking fund,
redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

         Subject to the provisions of our Charter regarding Excess Stock, shares
of Common Stock will have equal  dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and other
rights, and will have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights.

         Pursuant to Maryland  law, a  corporation  generally  cannot  dissolve,
amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in
a share exchange or engage in similar  transactions  outside the ordinary course
of business unless approved by the affirmative  vote of stockholders  holding at
least  two-thirds  of the shares  entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser
percentage  (but not less than a majority  of all of the votes to be cast on the
matter) is set forth in the corporation's  charter. Our Charter does not provide
for a lesser percentage in such situations.

                    RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF CAPITAL STOCK

         For us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"),  our shares of Common Stock must be beneficially  owned by
100 or more  persons  during at least 335 days of the taxable  year of 12 months
(other than the first year) or during a proportionate  part of a shorter taxable
year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding  shares of capital
stock may be owned,  directly or indirectly,  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) or during a  proportionate  part of a
shorter taxable year.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         Because  our Board of  Directors  believes  it is  essential  for us to
continue  to  qualify as a REIT,  the  Charter,  subject to certain  exceptions,
provides  that,  except as otherwise  provided  below,  no holder may own, or be
deemed to own by virtue of the attribution  provisions of the Code, more than 7%
(the  "Ownership  Limit") of the  number or value of our issued and  outstanding
stock (or such greater percentage up to 9.8% as shall be determined by the Board
of Directors). Our Board of Directors, upon receipt of a ruling from the IRS and
upon such other conditions as the Board of Directors may direct, may also exempt
a proposed transferee from the Ownership Limit. Any transfer of shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock that would (i) create a direct or indirect ownership of
shares of stock in excess of the Ownership  Limit,  (ii) result in the shares of
stock  being  owned  by fewer  than 100  persons,  or (iii)  result  in us being
"closely held" within the meaning of Section  856(h) of the Code,  shall be null
and void, and the intended  transferee will acquire no rights to the shares. The
foregoing  restrictions on  transferability  and ownership will not apply if our
Board of  Directors  determines  that it is no longer in our best  interests  to
attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

         Our Charter excludes each of John A. Boll and J. Peter Ministrelli (and
certain  persons  related  to each of  them)  from the  Ownership  Limit up to a
maximum level of 14.1% and 10.0%, respectively.

         Any  purported  transfer of shares that would result in a person owning
shares of capital stock in excess of the  Ownership  Limit or cause us to become
"closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code that is not otherwise  permitted
as provided above will constitute excess shares ("Excess  Stock"),  and shall be
deemed to have been  transferred to such person or persons (who are unaffiliated
with us and the purported  transferee),  as designated  from time to time by us,
who shall  serve as Trustee or  Co-Trustees,  as the case may be, of a Trust for
the  exclusive  benefit  of one or  more  organizations  described  in  Sections
170(b)(1)(A)  and 170(c) of the Code, as Beneficiary  of such Trust.  While this
Excess Stock is held in trust,  any  dividends or other  distributions  shall be
paid to the Trustee and the Trustee shall be deemed to hold an irrevocable proxy
to vote the shares.  Subject to the  Ownership  Limit,  the Excess  Stock may be
retransferred  by the  trustee to any person (if the Excess  Stock  would not be
Excess Stock in the hands of such person). The Purported  Beneficial  Transferee
shall  receive  the  lesser  of (i) the price per  share  which  such  Purported
Beneficial  Transferee paid for the Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case
may be, in the  purported  Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock or, if the
Purported  Beneficial  Transferee  did not  give  value  for such  Excess  Stock
(through a gift,  devise or other  transaction),  a price per share equal to the
Market  Price for the  shares of the Excess  Stock on the date of the  purported
Transfer  that  resulted  in the  Excess  Stock,  and (ii) the  price  per share
received  by the  Trustee  from the sale or other  disposition  of the shares of
Excess Stock held by the Trust.  Any proceeds in excess of the amount payable to
the Purported Beneficial Transferee shall be payable to the Beneficiary.

         If the foregoing  transfer  restrictions  are  determined to be void or
invalid by virtue of any legal decision,  statute, rule or regulation,  then the
intended  transferee of any Excess Stock may be deemed,  at our option,  to have
acted as our agent in acquiring  such Excess Stock and to hold such Excess Stock
on our behalf.

         In addition, Excess Stock shall be deemed to have been offered for sale
to us, or our  designee,  at a price per  share  equal to the  lesser of (i) the
price per share in the  transaction  that  created such Excess Stock (or, in the
case of a devise or gift,  the Market  Price at the time of such devise or gift)
and (ii) the Market Price of the Common  Stock or Preferred  Stock to which such
Excess  Stock  relates on the date we, or our  designee,  accept such offer.  We
shall  have the right to  accept  such  offer for a period of 90 days  after the
later of (i) the date of the  Transfer  which  resulted in such Excess Stock and
(ii) the date our Board of  Directors  determines  in good faith that a Transfer
resulting  in Excess Stock has  occurred,  if we do not receive a notice of such
Transfer.

         All  certificates  representing  shares  of  stock  will  bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.


                                       6
<PAGE>

         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 number
or value of the outstanding shares of our stock must give written notice of such
ownership to us by January 31 of each year. In addition,  each stockholder shall
upon  demand be required to  disclose  to us in writing  such  information  with
respect to the direct,  indirect and constructive  ownership of shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock as our Board of Directors 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  discouraging a
takeover or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of shares
of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (if issued and  outstanding)  might receive a
premium for their  shares over the then  prevailing  market  price or which such
holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interest.


                                       7
<PAGE>

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         The Secondary  Shares  offered by this  Prospectus  may be offered from
time to time by the Selling  Stockholders  named below. The following table sets
forth the name of each Selling Stockholder, the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by each Selling  Stockholder,  the number of Secondary Shares
offered by each Selling  Stockholder  and the number and percentage of shares of
Common Stock beneficially  owned by each Selling  Stockholder upon completion of
the offering of the Secondary Shares.  Because the Selling Stockholders may sell
all,  some or none of their  Secondary  Shares,  no estimate  can be made of the
actual aggregate number of Secondary Shares that will be sold hereby.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Common Stock Owned After Offering
                                                                             --------------------------------------
                                    Number of Shares of                                                                   
                                        Common Stock                                                                 
                                         Owned Prior          Registered         Number of          Percentage of  
             Name                      to Offering(1)           Shares            Shares(2)            Shares(3)
             ----                      --------------           ------       ------------------    ----------------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>               <C>                     <C>
The Hastings Companies                    16,480                 16,840                 0                  -
Gelderland Illinois                       23,494                 23,494                 0                  -
Gelderland Cresthill                      23,494                 23,494                 0                  -
Roger S. Harris-BADCO                      2,988                  2,988                 0                  -
  Investments                                        
Lawrence J. Wiegand                       14,964                 14,964                 0                  -
  Trust                                              
Eleanor & Edwin J.                            91                     91                 0                  -
  Busch Jr.                                          
William A. Marovitz                       18,663                 18,663                 0                  -
Alex Terick, Revocable                    15,860                 10,000             5,860                 (4)
  Trust                                              
Regina S. Terick,                         15,860                 10,000             5,860                 (4)
  Revocable Trust                                    
Robert Hoffman                           206,520                 56,520           150,000                 (4)
Homestead Partners-                        3,135                  3,135                 0                  -
  Gerald A. Miner                                    
Homestead Partners-                        3,135                  3,135                 0                  -
  Carol A. Dines                                     
Marshall P. Reich                             91                     91                 0                  -
                                         -------                -------           -------
    Total                                344,775                183,055           161,720
                                         =======                =======           =======
</TABLE>

          (1)  The  number  set forth in this  column is the number of shares of
               Common  Stock held by each such  Selling  Stockholder  and/or the
               number of shares of Common  Stock that would be  received  upon a
               conversion, on a one-for-one basis, of OP Units held by each such
               Selling  Stockholder.  

          (2)  Assumes that all Secondary Shares being registered  hereunder are
               sold,  although no Selling  Stockholders is obligated to sell any
               such Secondary Shares.

          (3)  Based upon  27,936,016  shares of Common Stock  outstanding as of
               December 31, 1998.

          (4)  Less than one percent.


                                       8
<PAGE>

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         This  Prospectus  relates to the  possible  offer and sale from time to
time of any Secondary Shares by the Selling Stockholders. We have registered the
Secondary  Shares for resale to provide  the  Selling  Stockholders  with freely
tradeable  securities.  However,  registration of the Secondary  Shares does not
necessarily  mean that the  Selling  Stockholders  will offer or sell any of the
Secondary  Shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the offering or sale of
Secondary Shares by the Selling Stockholders.

         The  Selling  Stockholders  may from time to time  offer the  Secondary
Shares in one or more transactions (which may involve block transactions) on the
NYSE or otherwise,  in special  offerings,  exchange  distributions or secondary
distributions  pursuant to and in accordance  with the rules of the NYSE,  where
our Common  Stock is listed for  trading,  in the  over-the-counter  market,  in
negotiated transactions,  through the writing of options on the Secondary Shares
(whether  such  options are listed on an options  exchange or  otherwise),  or a
combination of such methods of sale, at market prices  prevailing at the time of
sale,  at prices  related  to such  prevailing  market  prices or at  negotiated
prices.

         To the extent  required  at the time a  particular  offer of  Secondary
Shares is made, a Prospectus  Supplement will be distributed that will set forth
the names of any  underwriters,  dealers or agents and any commissions and other
terms  constituting  compensation  from such Selling  Stockholder  and any other
required information.

         The  Selling  Stockholders  may  effect  such  transactions  by selling
Secondary Shares to or through  broker-dealers or through other agents, and such
broker-dealers  or agents may receive  compensation  in the form of  commissions
from the Selling  Stockholders,  which will not exceed  those  customary  in the
types of transactions  involved,  and/or the purchasers of Secondary  Shares for
whom they may act as agent.  The Selling  Stockholders and any dealers or agents
that  participate in the  distribution  of Secondary  Shares may be deemed to be
"underwriters"  within the meaning of the  Securities  Act and any profit on the
sale of  Secondary  Shares  by them  and any  commissions  received  by any such
dealers  or  agents  might be deemed to be  underwriting  commissions  under the
Securities Act.

         In  the  event  of  a  "distribution"   of  the  shares,   the  Selling
Stockholders, any selling broker-dealer or agent and any "affiliated purchasers"
may be subject to Rule 102 under the Exchange Act,  which would  prohibit,  with
certain exceptions,  any such person from bidding for or purchasing any security
which is the  subject  of such  distribution  until  his  participation  in that
distribution is completed.

         In order to comply  with the  securities  laws of  certain  states,  if
applicable, the issuance Secondary Shares may be sold only through registered or
licensed brokers or dealers.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         Rogers & Wells LLP,  New York,  New York will pass upon the legality of
the Secondary Shares.

                                     EXPERTS

         The  consolidated  balance sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the consolidated  statements of income,  shareholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,  incorporated  by
reference in this Prospectus,  have been incorporated  herein in reliance on the
report of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  independent  accountants,  given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                       9
<PAGE>

No dealer,  salesperson  or other  individual  has been  authorized  to give any
information or to make any  representations  other than those  contained in this
Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or  representations  must not
be  relied  upon as having  been  authorized  by us.  This  Prospectus  does not
constitute  an  offer  to  sell,  or a  solicitation  of an  offer  to buy,  the
securities  offered hereby in any jurisdiction  where, or to any person to whom,
it is unlawful to make an offer or  solicitation.  Neither the  delivery of this
Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create an
implication  that  there has not been any change in our  affairs  since the date
hereof or that the information contained herein is correct or complete as of any
time subsequent to the date hereof.

                       ---------------
                                                                                
                      TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                 Page

Available Information...............................2
Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference........................................2
Cautionary Statements Concerning
Forward-Looking Information.........................3
The Company.........................................4
Use of Proceeds.....................................4
Description of Capital Stock........................4
Restrictions on Transfer of Capital Stock...........5                           
Selling Stockholders................................8
Plan of Distribution................................9
Legal Matters.......................................9
Experts.............................................9


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

                                 183,055 Shares
                             
                             
                             
                            Chateau Communities, Inc.
                             
                             
                             
                                  Common Stock
                             
                             
                             
                             
                                 ---------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 ---------------
                             
                             
                             
                                ___________, 1999

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in
connection  with  the  issuance  and   distribution  of  the  securities   being
registered.

         Registration Fee...............................      $ 1,440.80
                                                        
         Printing or Copying Expenses...................           5,000
                                                        
         Legal Fees and Expenses........................          20,000
                                                        
         Accounting Fees and Expenses...................           5,000
                                                        
         Miscellaneous..................................          15,000
                                                              ----------
                                                        
Total...................................................      $46,440.80
                                                              ==========

Item 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Our Charter  limits the  liability of our  directors and officers to us
and our  stockholders  to the  fullest  extent  permitted  from  time to time by
Maryland  law.  Maryland law  presently  permits the  liability of directors and
officers to a corporation or its  stockholders  for money damages to be limited,
except to the extent that (i) it is proved that the director or officer actually
received an improper  benefit or profit in money,  property or services  for the
amount  of the  benefit  or  profit  in money,  property  or  services  actually
received,  or (ii) a  judgment  or other  final  adjudication  is  entered  in a
proceeding  based on a finding  that the  director's  or  officer's  action,  or
failure  to act,  was the  result of active and  deliberate  dishonesty  and was
material to the cause of action  adjudicated in the  proceeding.  This provision
does not limit our ability or the ability of our  stockholders  to obtain  other
relief, such as an injunction or rescission.

         Our Charter and By-Laws  require (or permit,  as the case may be) us to
indemnify  our  directors,  officers  and certain  other  parties to the fullest
extent  permitted  from  time to time by  Maryland  law.  The  Maryland  General
Corporation  Law ("MGCL")  permits a  corporation  to indemnify  its  directors,
officers  and  certain  other  parties  against  judgments,   penalties,  fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with
any  proceeding  to which they may be made a party by reason of their service to
or at the request of the corporation,  unless it is established that (i) the act
or omission of the  indemnified  party was material to the matter giving rise to
the  proceeding  and (x) was  committed  in bad  faith or (y) was the  result of
active and deliberate  dishonesty,  (ii) the indemnified party actually received
an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case
of any  criminal  proceeding,  the  indemnified  party had  reasonable  cause to
believe  that the act or  omission  was  unlawful.  Indemnification  may be made
against  judgments,   penalties,  fines,  settlements  and  reasonable  expenses
actually  incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceeding;
provided,  however,  that if the  proceeding  is one by or in the  right  of the
corporation,  indemnification  may not be made with respect to any proceeding in
which the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation.


                                      II-1
<PAGE>

In addition,  a director or officer may not be  indemnified  with respect to any
proceeding  charging  improper  personal  benefit to the  director or officer in
which the  director  or  officer  was  adjudged  to be liable on the basis  that
personal benefit was improperly  received.  The termination of any proceeding by
conviction,  or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of
any order of probation prior to judgment,  creates a rebuttable presumption that
the director or officer did not meet the requisite  standard of conduct required
for  indemnification  to be permitted.  It is the position of the Securities and
Exchange   Commission  that   indemnification  of  directors  and  officers  for
liabilities  arising under the  Securities  Act is against  public policy and is
unenforceable pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Act.

Item 16.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                Description

3.1  Our Articles of Amendment and Restatement (1993)*

3.2  Our Articles of Amendment (1995)**

3.3  Our Articles of Amendment (1997)***

3.4  Our Amended and Restated By-Laws****

3.5  Amended and Restated  Agreement  of Limited  Partnership  of the  Operating
     Partnership*****

4.1  Form of Common Stock Certificates******

5.1  Opinion of Rogers & Wells LLP*******

23.1 Consent of Rogers & Wells LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1) *******

23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*******

24   Power of Attorney (included on Page II-7)

*         Incorporated  by reference to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended  June 30,  1995,
          filed with the  Commission  on August 10,  1995  (Commission  File No.
          1-12496)

**        Incorporated  by reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our Form S-8,
          filed  with  the  Commission  on June 5,  1997  (Commission  File  No.
          333-28583)

***       Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Current
          Report  on Form  8-K,  filed  with  the  Commission  on May  30,  1997
          (Commission File No. 1-12496)

****      Incorporated  by reference to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended March 31,  1997,
          filed  with  the  Commission  on May 15,  1997  (Commission  File  No.
          1-12496)

*****     Incorporated  by reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our Form S-4,
          filed with the  Commission on December 24, 1996  (Commission  File No.
          333-18807)


                                      II-2
<PAGE>


******    Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our  Registration
          Statement on Form S-11 filed with the  Commission on November 10, 1993
          (Commission File No. 333-69150)

******* To be filed by amendment.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>

Item 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

     (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

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

provided,  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) 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 periodic  reports filed with or furnished to the  Commission by the
Registrant  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

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

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

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

     (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of
the  registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,   or  otherwise,  the
registrant  has been advised that in the opinion of the  Securities and Exchange
Commission  such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the
Securities  Act of 1933 and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event that a
claim for  indemnification  against such liabilities  (other than the payment by
the  registrant  of  expenses  incurred  or  paid  by  a  director,  officer  or
controlling  person of the registrant in the  successful  defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,  officer or controlling person


                                      II-4
<PAGE>

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
Securities  Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final  adjudication  of such
issue.


                                      II-5
<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
of the  requirements  for a  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 Englewood,  State of Colorado,  on the 15th of
March, 1999.

                                               CHATEAU COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                               By:  /s/  Tamara D. Fischer
                                                    --------------------------
                                                    Tamara D. Fischer
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


                                      II-6
<PAGE>

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each person whose  signature  appears  below,  hereby  constitutes  and
appoints Gary P. McDaniel,  C.G. Kellogg and Tamara D. Fischer,  or any of them,
his  true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact   and  agents,  with  full  power  of
substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all  capacities,  to sign  this  Registration  Statement  and any or all
amendments,  including pre-effective and post-effective amendments, thereto, and
to file the same, with exhibits thereto and any and all other documents filed as
part of or in connection therewith, 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 to be
done 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 their  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 date indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                          Title                                               Date

<S>                                <C>                                                 <C> 
/s/  John A. Boll                  Chairman of the Board of Directors                  March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
John A. Boll

/s/  Gary P. McDaniel              Director and Chief Executive Officer                March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Gary P. McDaniel                   (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/  C.G. Kellogg                  Director and President                              March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
C.G. Kellogg

/s/  Tamara D. Fischer             Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and    March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Tamara D. Fischer                  Accounting Officer)

/s/  Edward R. Allen               Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Edward R. Allen

/s/  James L. Clayton              Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
James L. Clayton

/s/  Steven G. Davis               Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Steven G. Davis

/s/  James M. Hankins              Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
James M. Hankins

/s/  James M. Lane                 Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
James M. Lane

/s/  Donald E. Miller              Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Donald E. Miller

/s/  Gebran S. Anton, Jr.          Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Gebran S. Anton, Jr.

/s/  Rhonda Hogan                  Director                                            March 15, 1999
- ---------------------------
Rhonda Hogan
</TABLE>


                                      II-7
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

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

3.1    Our Articles of Amendment and Restatement (1993)*
      
3.2    Our Articles of Amendment (1995)**
      
3.3    Our Articles of Amendment (1997)***
      
3.4    Our Amended and Restated By-Laws****
      
3.5    Amended and Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of the Operating
       Partnership*****
      
4.1    Form of Common Stock Certificates******
      
5.1    Opinion of Rogers & Wells LLP*******
      
23.1   Consent of Rogers & Wells LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1)*******
      
23.2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*******
      
24     Power of Attorney (included on Page II-7)
     

*         Incorporated  by reference to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended  June 30,  1995,
          filed with the  Commission  on August 10,  1995  (Commission  File No.
          1-12496)

**        Incorporated  by reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our Form S-8,
          filed  with  the  Commission  on June 5,  1997  (Commission  File  No.
          333-28583)

***       Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Current
          Report  on Form  8-K,  filed  with  the  Commission  on May  30,  1997
          (Commission File No. 1-12496)

****      Incorporated  by reference to the  Exhibits  filed with our  Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended March 31,  1997,
          filed  with  the  Commission  on May 15,  1997  (Commission  File  No.
          1-12496)

*****     Incorporated  by reference  to the  Exhibits  filed with our Form S-4,
          filed with the  Commission on December 24, 1996  (Commission  File No.
          333-18807)

******    Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with our  Registration
          Statement on Form S-11 filed with the  Commission on November 10, 1993
          (Commission File No. 333-69150)

*******   To be filed by amendment.


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