GLENBOROUGH REALTY TRUST INC
S-3/A, 1997-12-16
REAL ESTATE
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<PAGE>   1
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 16, 1997
    
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-40959
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                Amendment No. 1
                                       to
    
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                     GLENBOROUGH REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
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                           MARYLAND                                                      94-3211970
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                      400 SOUTH EL CAMINO REAL, 11TH FLOOR
                          SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA 94402
                                 (650) 343-9300
 
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                    REGISTRAR'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                             FRANK E. AUSTIN, ESQ.
                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
                      400 SOUTH EL CAMINO REAL, 11TH FLOOR
                          SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA 94402
                                 (650) 343-9300
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                           STEPHEN J. SCHRADER, ESQ.
                            JUSTIN L. BASTIAN, ESQ.
                            MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
                               755 PAGE MILL ROAD
                          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
                                 (650) 813-5600
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
   From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
    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 (the "Securities Act"), 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, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
   

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        PROPOSED MAXIMUM  PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS                       AMOUNT TO BE   OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED           REGISTERED(1)      PER SHARE      OFFERING PRICE  REGISTRATION FEE
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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<S>                                     <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>
  Preferred Stock(3)....................
  Common Stock(4).......................
  Warrants(5)...........................$1,000,000,000        (2)        $1,000,000,000     $303,030(6)
</TABLE>
    
================================================================================
 
(1) In no event will the aggregate maximum offering price of all securities to
    this Registration Statement exceed $1,000,000,000. Any securities registered
    hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities
    registered hereunder. 

(2) The proposed maximum offering price per unit (a) has been omitted pursuant
    to instruction II.D. of Form S-3 and (b) will be determined, from time to
    time, by the Registrants in connection with the issuance by the Registrant
    of the securities registered hereunder. 

   
(3) Subject to footnote (1), there is being registered hereunder an
    indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be sold, from time
    to time, by Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated (the "Company"). There is
    also being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of
    Preferred Stock that may be issued upon exercise of Warrants registered
    hereunder, as the case may be. 

(4) Subject to footnote (1), there is being registered hereunder an
    indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be sold, from time to
    time, by Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated (the "Company"). There is
    also being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of Common
    Stock that may be issued upon exercise of Warrants registered hereunder, as
    the case may be. 

(5) Subject to footnote (1), there is being registered hereunder an
    indeterminate number of Warrants representing rights to purchase shares of
    Preferred Stock and Common Stock registered hereunder.
    

(6) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the rules and regulations under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and previously paid in connection with
    the initial filing of the Registration Statement. 

    
                            ------------------------
 
    PURSUANT TO RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE PROSPECTUS
INCLUDED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS A COMBINED PROSPECTUS AND RELATES TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-26815 PREVIOUSLY FILED BY THE COMPANY ON FORM S-3
AND DECLARED EFFECTIVE ON MAY 21, 1997, PURSUANT TO WHICH $88,702,500 OF
SECURITIES REMAIN TO BE ISSUED AND, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH $88,702,500 OF
SECURITIES, A FILING FEE OF $26,880 WAS PREVIOUSLY PAID. 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 AN AMENDMENT WHICH
SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME
EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. These
     securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy them be accepted prior to
     the time the registration statement becomes effective. A registration
     statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to
     sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of
     these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale
     would be unlawful prior to registration, or qualification under the
     securities laws of any such State.
 
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
   
                 PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 16, 1997
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                 $1,088,702,500
 
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LOGO                                     LOGO
</TABLE>
 
   
                   Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Warrants
    
                            ------------------------
 
   
     Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated (the "Company") may from time to time
offer in one or more series or classes (i) shares or fractional shares of its
preferred stock, par value $.001 (the "Preferred Stock"), (ii) shares of its
common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") and (iii) warrants
to purchase shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock (the "Warrants") in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering, with
an aggregate public offering price of up to $1,088,702,500. The Preferred Stock,
Common Stock and Warrants (collectively, the "Offered Securities") may be
offered, separately or together, in separate series in amounts, at prices and on
terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each a
"Prospectus Supplement").
    
 
   
     The specific terms of the Offered Securities in respect to which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and will include, where applicable (i) in the case of Preferred
Stock, the specific title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation,
redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering
price; (ii) in the case of Common Stock, the specific title and stated value and
any initial public offering price and (iii) in the case of Warrants, the
duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability. In addition, such
specific terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
restrictions on transfer of the Offered Securities, in each case as may be
appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a real estate investment
trust ("REIT") for federal income tax purposes.
    
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences relating
to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities covered
by such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated
from time to time by the Company or the Operating Partnership, or to or through
underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale
of any of the Offered Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase
price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be
set forth or will be calculable from the information set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." No Offered Securities may be
sold without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement describing the
method and terms of the offering of such Offered Securities.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
   
              The date of this Prospectus is              , 1997.
    
<PAGE>   3
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY
APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR
ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR
THEREOF.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith the Company files proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Registration
Statement, and exhibits and schedules forming a part thereof and the reports,
proxy statements and other information filed with the Commission in accordance
with the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the Commission's Public
Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
following regional offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The address of the Commission's Web Site is
(http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Common Stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and similar information concerning the Company can be inspected
and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission registration statements on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statements") (of which this Prospectus is a part) under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the Offered Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information
set forth in the Registration Statements, certain portions of which have been
omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made
to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statements, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information
regarding the Company and the Offered Securities, reference is hereby made to
the Registration Statements and such exhibits and schedules which may be
obtained from the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C., upon
payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The documents listed below have been filed by the Company under the
Exchange Act with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          a. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1996;
 
          b. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
     March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997;
 
          c. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the
     Commission on February 5, 1997, March 19, 1997, April 23, 1997, April 24,
     1997, April 25, 1997, May 2, 1997, July 15, 1997, July 28, 1997, September
     29, 1997, October 15, 1997, October 17, 1997, October 23, 1997, November 7,
     1997 and November 10, 1997, respectively;
 
          d. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K/A, filed with the
     Commission on February 24, 1997, May 14, 1997, August 8, 1997, and October
     17, 1997, respectively;
 
          e. The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-14162).
 
     All documents filed by the Company and the Operating Partnership pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the
Offered Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
(or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) or in any other subsequently filed
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus (or in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement).
 
     Copies of all documents which are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such information) will be provided
without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
Prospectus is delivered upon written or oral request. Requests should be
directed to the Vice President, Capital Markets, Glenborough Realty Trust
Incorporated, 400 South El Camino Real, Suite 1100, San Mateo, California
94402-1708, telephone number (650) 343-9300.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     As used herein, the term "Company" means Glenborough Realty Trust
Incorporated, a Maryland real estate investment trust, and its consolidated
subsidiaries for the periods from and after December 31, 1995 (the date of the
merger of eight public limited partnerships and Glenborough Corporation, a
California corporation, (the "Predecessors") with and into the Company (the
"Consolidation")). This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which statements involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Unless otherwise indicated, ownership percentages of the Company's Common Stock
have been computed on a fully converted basis, using an exchange of Operating
Partnership units for Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment
trust (a "REIT") for federal income tax purposes that owns a portfolio of 111
office, office/flex, industrial, retail, multifamily and hotel properties (the
"Properties") located in 22 states throughout the country, as of the date of
this Prospectus. The Company's principal growth strategy is to capitalize on the
opportunity to acquire diversified portfolios or individual properties on
attractive terms. This strategy has evolved from the Company's predecessors'
experience since 1978 in managing real estate partnerships and their assets and,
since 1989, in acquiring management interests from third parties. In addition,
two associated companies (the "Associated Companies") provide comprehensive
asset, partnership and property management services for 53 other properties that
are not owned by the Company.
 
     A portion of the Company's operations is conducted through a subsidiary
operating partnership (the "Operating Partnership"), in which the Company holds
a 1% interest as the sole general partner and in which the Company holds an
approximate 93% limited partner interest, as of the date of this Prospectus.
 
     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the Symbol
"GLB." The Company commenced operations on December 31, 1995, through the merger
of eight public limited partnerships and a management company with and into the
Company. The Company's executive offices are located at 400 South El Camino
Real, Suite 1100, San Mateo, California 94402-1708 and its telephone number is
(650) 343-9300.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should read this entire Prospectus and the applicable
Prospectus Supplement carefully, including all appendices and supplements hereto
and thereto, and should consider carefully the following factors before
purchasing the Offered Securities offered hereby.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS
 
  Risks Associated with the Addition of a Substantial Number of New Properties
 
     The Company is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth. Since the
Consolidation on December 31, 1995, the Company has invested approximately
$607.8 million in properties. The Company's ability to manage its growth
effectively will require it to apply successfully its experience managing its
existing portfolio to new markets and to an increased number of properties.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to manage these
operations effectively. The Company's inability to effectively manage its
expansion could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations
and financial condition.
 
  Acquisitions Could Adversely Affect Operations or Stock Value
 
     Consistent with its growth strategy, the Company is continually pursuing
and evaluating potential acquisition opportunities, and is from time to time
actively considering the possible acquisition of specific properties, which may
include properties managed or controlled by one of the Associated Companies or
owned by affiliated parties. It is possible that one or more of such possible
future acquisitions, if completed, could adversely affect the Company's funds
from operations or cash available for distribution, in the short term or the
long term or both, or increase the Company's debt, or be perceived negatively
among investors such that such an acquisition could be followed by a decline in
the market value of the Common Stock.
 
  Assumption of General Partner Liabilities
 
     The Company and its predecessors have acquired a number of their properties
by acquiring partnerships that own the properties or by first acquiring general
partnership interests and at a later date acquiring the properties, and the
Company may pursue acquisitions in this manner in the future. When the Company
uses this acquisition technique, a subsidiary of the Company becomes a general
partner. As a general partner the Company's subsidiary becomes generally liable
for the debts and obligations of the partnership, including debts and
obligations that may be contingent or unknown at the time of the acquisition. In
addition, the Company's subsidiary assumes obligations under the partnership
agreements, which may include obligations to make future contributions for the
benefit of other partners. The Company undertakes detailed due diligence reviews
to ascertain the nature and extent of obligations that its subsidiary will
assume when it becomes a general partner, but there can be no assurance that the
obligations assumed will not exceed the Company's estimates or that the assumed
liabilities will not have an adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition. In addition, an Associated Company may enter
into management agreements pursuant to which it assumes certain obligations as
manager of properties. There can be no assurance that these obligations will not
have an adverse effect on the Associated Companies' results of operations or
financial condition, which could adversely affect the value of the Company's
preferred stock interest in those companies.
 
  Risks Relating to Tender Offers
 
     The Company may, as part of its growth strategy, acquire properties and
portfolios of properties through tender offer acquisitions of interests in
public and private partnerships. Tender offers often result in competing tender
offers, as well as litigation initiated by limited partners in the subject
partnerships or by competing bidders. Due to the inherent uncertainty of
litigation, the Company could be subject to adverse judgments in substantial
amounts. As the Company has not yet attempted an acquisition through the tender
offer process, and because of competing offers and possible litigation, there
can be no assurance that, if undertaken, the Company would be successful in
acquiring properties through a tender offer or that the tender offer process
would not result in litigation and a significant judgment adverse to the
Company.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
  Conflict of Interest
 
     The Company has acquired, and from time to time may acquire, properties
from partnerships that Robert Batinovich, the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
and Andrew Batinovich, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer,
control, and in which they and members of their families have substantial
interests. It is also possible that the Company may enter into transactions to
acquire other properties controlled by these individuals or in which they or
members of their families have substantial interests in the future. These
transactions involve or will involve conflicts of interest. These transactions
may provide substantial economic benefits such as the payments or unit
issuances, relief or deferral of tax liabilities, relief of primary or secondary
liability for debt, and reduction in exposure to other property-related
liabilities. Despite the presence of appraisals or fairness opinions or review
by parties who have no interest in the transactions, the transactions will not
be the product of arm's-length negotiation and there can be no assurance that
these transactions will be as favorable to the Company as transactions that the
Company negotiates with unrelated parties or will not result in undue benefit to
Robert and Andrew Batinovich and members of their families. Neither Robert
Batinovich nor Andrew Batinovich has guaranteed that any properties acquired
from entities they control or in which they or their families have a significant
interest will be as profitable as other investments made by the Company or will
not result in losses.
 
DEPENDENCE ON EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The Company is dependent on the efforts of Robert and Andrew Batinovich,
its Chief Executive Officer and its President and Chief Operating Officer,
respectively, and of its other executive officers. The loss of the services of
any of them could have an adverse effect on the results of operations and
financial condition of the Company. Each of Robert and Andrew Batinovich have
entered into employment agreements with the Company.
 
CERTAIN TAX RISKS
 
  General
 
     The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), commencing with its taxable year ended
December 31, 1996. No assurance can be given, however, that the Company will be
able to operate in a manner which will permit it to maintain its status as a
REIT. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements
(some on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and
complex Code provisions for which only limited judicial or administrative
interpretation exists, and involves the determination of various factual matters
and circumstances not entirely within the Company's control. The Company
receives nonqualifying management fee income and owns nonqualifying preferred
stock in the Associated Companies. As a result, the Company may approach the
income and asset test limits imposed by the Code and could be at risk of not
satisfying those tests. In order to avoid exceeding the asset test limit, for
example, the Company may have to reduce its interest in the Associated
Companies. The Company is relying on the opinion of its tax counsel regarding
its ability to qualify as a REIT. This legal opinion is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). See "Federal Income Tax
Consequences -- Taxation of the Company."
 
  Consequences of Failure to Qualify as a REIT
 
     If the Company were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the
Company would be subject to federal income tax (including any applicable
alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at corporate rates. Moreover,
unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the Company also
would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years
following the year during which qualification is lost. This treatment would
reduce the net earnings of the Company available for investment or distribution
to stockholders because of the additional tax liability to the Company for the
years involved. In addition, distributions to stockholders would no longer be
required to be made. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Failure to
Qualify."
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     Even if the Company continues to qualify as a REIT, it will be subject to
certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and property. See "Federal
Income Tax Consequences -- Taxation of the Company."
 
  Possible Changes in Tax Laws
 
     Income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, prospectively or
retroactively, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. No
assurance can be given that legislation, regulations, administrative
interpretations or court decisions will not significantly change the tax laws
with respect to the qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax
consequences of this qualification. In addition to any direct effects the
changes might have, the changes might also indirectly affect the market value of
all real estate investments, and consequently the ability of the Company to
realize its investment objectives.
 
RISKS RELATING TO REAL ESTATE
 
  Environmental Matters
 
     The Company's operating costs may be affected by the obligation to pay for
the cost of complying with existing environmental laws, ordinances and
regulations, as well as the cost of complying with future legislation. Under
various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations,
a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the
costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances on, under, or
in such property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or
operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or
toxic substances. In addition, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances, or
the failure to remediate such property properly, may adversely affect the
owner's ability to borrow by using such real property as collateral. Persons who
arrange for the transportation, disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic
substances may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such
substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility
is or ever was owned or operated by such person. Certain environmental laws and
common law principles could be used to impose liability for releases of
hazardous materials, including asbestos-containing materials ("ACMs"), into the
environment, and third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of
real properties for personal injury associated with exposure to released ACMs or
other hazardous materials. Environmental laws may also impose restrictions on
the manner in which a property may be used or transferred or in which businesses
may be operated, and these restrictions may require expenditures. In connection
with the ownership and operation of the Properties, the Company may be
potentially liable for any such costs. The cost of defending against claims of
liability or remediating contaminated property and the cost of complying with
such environmental laws could materially adversely affect the Operating
Partnership's results of operations and financial condition.
 
     All of the Properties presently owned by the Company have been subject to
Phase I environmental assessments by independent environmental consultants. Some
of the Phase I environmental assessments recommended further investigations in
the form of Phase II environmental assessments, including soil and groundwater
sampling, and all of these investigations have been completed by the Company or
are in the process of being completed. Certain of the Properties owned by the
Company have been found to contain ACMs. The Company believes that these
materials have been adequately contained and that an ACM operations and
maintenance program has been implemented or is in the process of being
implemented for the Properties found to contain ACMs.
 
     Some, but not all, of the properties owned by partnerships managed by the
Associated Companies have been subject to Phase I environmental assessments by
independent environmental consultants. The Associated Companies determine on a
case-by-case basis whether to obtain Phase I environmental assessments on these
properties and whether to undertake further investigation or remediation.
Certain of these properties contain ACMs. In each case the responsible
Associated Company believes that these materials have been adequately contained
and that an ACM operations and maintenance program has been implemented for the
properties found to contain ACMs.
 
     Some properties previously owned by the Company were leased in whole or in
part to an operator of auto care centers which include oil change and tune-up
facilities, or were operated as convenience stores which sell
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
petroleum-based fuels. These properties and some of the Properties contain,
and/or may have contained in the past, underground storage tanks for the storage
of petroleum products and/or other hazardous or toxic substances which create a
potential for release of petroleum products and/or other hazardous or toxic
substances. Some of the Properties owned by the Company are adjacent to or near
properties that have contained in the past or currently contain, underground
storage tanks used to store petroleum products or other hazardous or toxic
substances. Several of the Properties have been contaminated with petroleum
products or other hazardous or toxic substances from on-site operations or
operations on adjacent or nearby properties. In addition, certain of the
Properties are on, adjacent to or near properties upon which others have engaged
or may in the future engage in activities that may release petroleum products or
other hazardous or toxic substances.
 
     Although tenants of the Properties owned by the Company generally are
required by their leases to operate in compliance with all applicable federal,
state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations and to indemnify
the Company against any environmental liability arising from the tenants'
activities on the Properties, the Company could nevertheless be subject to
environmental liability relating to its management of the Properties or strict
liability by virtue of its ownership interest in the Properties and there can be
no assurance that the tenants would satisfy their indemnification obligations
under the leases. There can be no assurance that any environmental assessments
of the Properties owned by the Company, properties being considered for
acquisition by the Company, or the properties owned by the partnerships managed
by the Associated Companies have revealed all potential environmental
liabilities, that any prior owner or prior or current operator of such
properties did not create an environmental condition not known to the Company or
that an environmental condition does not otherwise exist as to any one or more
of such properties that could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations and financial condition, either directly (with respect to properties
owned by the Company), or indirectly (with respect to properties owned by
partnerships managed by an Associated Company) by adversely affecting the
financial condition of the Associated Company and thus the value of the
Company's preferred stock interest in the Associated Company. Moreover, there
can be no assurance that (i) future environmental laws, ordinances or
regulations will not have an adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations and financial condition or (ii) the current environmental condition
of such properties will not be affected by tenants and occupants of such
properties, by the condition of land or operations in the vicinity of the
properties (such as the presence of underground storage tanks), or by third
parties unrelated to the Company.
 
  Risks Related to Ownership and Financing of Real Estate
 
     The Company is subject to risks generally incidental to the ownership of
real estate, including changes in general economic or local conditions, changes
in supply of or demand for similar or competing properties in an area, the
impact of environmental protection laws, changes in interest rates and
availability of financing which may render the sale or financing of a property
difficult or unattractive, changes in tax, real estate and zoning laws, and the
creation of mechanics' liens or similar encumbrances placed on the property by a
lessee or other parties without the Company's knowledge and consent. Should any
of these events occur, there could be an adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations and financial condition.
 
  Availability of Real Estate for Acquisitions
 
     The Company's growth is dependent upon acquisitions. There can be no
assurance that properties will be available for acquisition or, if available,
that the Company will be able to purchase such properties on favorable terms. If
such acquisitions are not available it could have a negative impact on the
growth of the Company, which could have an adverse effect on the performance of
the Company's Common Stock.
 
  Competition for Acquisition of Real Estate
 
     The Company faces competition from other businesses, individuals, fiduciary
accounts and plans and other entities in the acquisition, operation and sale of
its properties. Some of the Company's competitors are larger and have greater
financial resources than the Company. This competition may result in a higher
cost for properties the Company wishes to purchase.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
  Competition for Tenants
 
     The Company is subject to the risk that when space becomes available at its
properties the leases may not be renewed, the space may not be let or relet, or
the terms of the renewal or reletting (including the cost of required
renovations or concessions to tenants) may be less favorable to the Company.
Although the Company has established annual property budgets that include
estimates of costs for renovation and reletting expenses that it believes are
reasonable in light of each property's situation, no assurance can be given that
these estimates will sufficiently cover these expenses. If the Company is unable
to promptly lease all or substantially all of the space at its properties, if
the rental rates are significantly lower than expected, or if the Company's
reserves for these purposes prove inadequate, then there could be an adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
  Tenants' Defaults
 
     The ability of the Company to manage its assets is subject to federal
bankruptcy laws and state laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies
available to real property owners. In the event of the financial failure or
bankruptcy of a tenant, there can be no assurance that the Company could
promptly recover the tenant's premises from the tenant or from a trustee or
debtor-in-possession in any bankruptcy proceeding filed by or against that
tenant, or that the Company would receive rent in the proceeding sufficient to
cover its expenses with respect to the premises. In the event of the bankruptcy
of a tenant, the Company will be subject to the provisions of the federal
bankruptcy code, which in some instances may restrict the amount and
recoverability of claims held by the Company against the tenant. If any tenant
defaults on its obligations to the Company, there could be an adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
  Management, Leasing and Brokerage Risks; Lack of Control of Associated
Companies
 
     The Company is subject to the risks associated with the property
management, leasing and brokerage businesses. These risks include the risk that
management contracts or service agreements may be terminated, that contracts
will not be renewed upon expiration or will not be renewed on terms consistent
with current terms, and that leasing and brokerage activity generally may
decline. Acquisition of properties by the Company from the Associated Companies
could result in a decrease in revenues to the Associated Companies and a
corresponding decrease in dividends received by the Company from the Associated
Companies. Each of these developments could have an adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
     To maintain the Company's status as a REIT while realizing income from the
Company's third-party management business, the capital stock of Glenborough
Hotel Group, a Nevada corporation ("GHG") and Glenborough Corporation, a
California corporation ("GC," and together with GHG, the "Associated Companies")
(which conduct the Company's third-party management, leasing and brokerage
businesses) is divided into two classes. All of the voting common stock of the
Associated Companies, representing 5% of the total equity of GC, and 25% of the
total equity of GHG, is held by individual stockholders. Nonvoting preferred
stock representing the remaining equity of each Associated Company is held
entirely by the Company. Although the Company holds a majority of the equity
interest in each Associated Company, the Company is not able to elect directors
of any Associated Company and, consequently, the Company has no ability to
influence the day-to-day decisions of each entity.
 
  Uninsured Loss
 
     The Company or in certain instances tenants of the properties carry
comprehensive liability, fire and extended coverage with respect to the
Company's properties, with policy specification and insured limits customarily
carried for similar properties. There are, however, certain types of losses
(such as from earthquakes and floods) that may be either uninsurable or not
economically insurable. Further, certain of the properties are located in areas
that are subject to earthquake activity and floods. Should a property sustain
damage as a result of an earthquake or flood, the Company may incur losses due
to insurance deductibles, co-payments on insured losses or uninsured losses.
Should an uninsured loss occur, the Company could lose some
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
or all of its capital investment, cash flow and anticipated profits related to
one or more properties, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations and financial condition.
 
  Illiquidity of Real Estate
 
     Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, will tend
to limit the ability of the Company to vary its portfolio promptly in response
to changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, the Code and individual
agreements with sellers of properties place limits on the Company's ability to
sell properties, which may adversely affect returns to holders of Common Stock.
Twenty-four of the properties owned by the Operating Partnership were acquired
on terms and conditions under which they can be disposed of only in a like-kind
exchange or other non-taxable transaction.
 
  Potential Liability Under the Americans With Disabilities Act
 
     As of January 26, 1992, all of the Company's properties were required to be
in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (the "ADA"). The ADA
generally requires that places of public accommodation be made accessible to
people with disabilities to the extent readily achievable. Compliance with the
ADA requirements could require removal of access barriers and non-compliance
could result in imposition of fines by the federal government, an award of
damages to private litigants and/or a court order to remove access barriers.
Because of the limited history of the ADA, the impact of its application to the
Company's properties, including the extent and timing of required renovations,
is uncertain. Pursuant to certain lease agreements with tenants in certain of
the "single-tenant" Properties, the tenants are obligated to comply with the ADA
provisions. If the Company's costs are greater than anticipated or tenants are
unable to meet their obligations, there could be an adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
ADDITIONAL CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
 
     The Company's future growth depends in large part upon its ability to raise
additional capital on satisfactory terms or at all. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to raise sufficient capital to achieve its
objectives. If the Company were to raise additional capital through the issuance
of additional equity securities, or securities convertible into or exercisable
for equity securities, the interests of holders of the Offered Securities could
be diluted. Likewise, the Company's Board of Directors is authorized to cause
the Company to issue Preferred Stock in one or more series and to determine the
distributions and voting and other rights of the Preferred Stock. Accordingly,
the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with
voting, distribution and other similar rights which could be dilutive to or
otherwise adversely affect the interests of holders of Offered Securities. If
the Company were to raise additional capital through debt financing, the Company
will be subject to the risks described below, among others.
 
LIMITATION ON OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK MAY PRECLUDE ACQUISITION OF CONTROL
 
     Provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation are designed to
assist the Company in maintaining its qualification as a REIT under the Code by
preventing concentrated ownership of the Company which might jeopardize REIT
qualification. Among other things, these provisions provide that (a) any
transfer or acquisition of Common Stock that would result in the
disqualification of the Company as a REIT under the Code will be void, and (b)
if any person attempts to acquire shares of Common Stock that after the
acquisition would cause the person to own or to be deemed to own, by operation
of certain attribution rules set out in the Code, an amount of Common Stock in
excess of a predetermined limit, which, pursuant to Board action, currently is
9.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Ownership Limitation" and
as to the Common Stock, the transfer of which would cause any person to actually
own Common Stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation, the "Excess Shares"),
the transfer shall be void and the Common Stock subject to the transfer shall
automatically be transferred to an unaffiliated trustee for the benefit of a
charitable organization designated by the Board of Directors of the Company
until sold by the trustee to a third party or purchased by the Company. Robert
Batinovich, his spouse and children (including Andrew Batinovich) and
individuals or entities whose ownership of Common Stock is attributed to Robert
Batinovich in determining
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
the number of shares of Common Stock owned by him for purposes of compliance
with Section 856 of the Code (the "Attributed Owners"), are exempt from these
restrictions, but are prohibited from acquiring shares of Common Stock if, after
the acquisition, they would own in excess of 9.9% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. This limitation on the ownership of Common Stock may have the
effect of precluding the acquisition of control of the Company by a third party
without the consent of the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors waives
the Ownership Limitation for any person, the Ownership Limitation shall be
proportionally and automatically reduced with regard to all other persons such
that no five persons may own more than 50% of the Common Stock (the aggregate
Ownership Limitations as to all of these persons, as adjusted, the "Adjusted
Ownership Limitation"). See "Description of Common Stock -- Restrictions on
Ownership and Transfer of Common Stock" and "Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
LITIGATION RELATED TO CONSOLIDATION
 
     Recent business reorganizations sponsored by others involving the
conversion of partnerships into corporations have given rise to a number of
investor lawsuits. These lawsuits have included claims against the general
partners of the participating partnerships, the partnerships themselves and
related persons involved in the structuring of or benefiting from the conversion
or reorganization, as well as claims against the surviving entity and its
directors and officers. The lawsuits have included, among others, claims that
the structure of the reorganizations, as well as the manner in which they were
submitted for investor approval, involved violations of federal and state
securities laws, common law fraud and negligent misrepresentations, breaches of
fiduciary duty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, negligence and waste,
breaches of the partnership documents of the participating partnerships, failure
to comply with applicable reporting requirements, violations of the rules of the
NASD on suitability and fair practices, and violations of the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Two lawsuits have been filed
contesting the fairness of the Consolidation, one in California state court and
one in federal court. A settlement of the state court action has been approved
by the court, but objectors to the settlement have appealed that approval. The
Company and the other defendants in the state court action have filed a
responsive brief, the objectors subsequently filed a reply brief and requested a
hearing which has not yet been scheduled. Plaintiffs in the federal court action
have agreed voluntarily to take the action off calendar pending resolution of
the state court action.
 
     From time to time the Company is involved in other litigation arising out
of its business activities. It is possible that this litigation and the other
litigation previously described could result in significant losses in excess of
amounts reserved, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations and the financial condition of the Company.
 
CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION OF PARTNERSHIP CONSOLIDATION BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT
 
     Robert and Andrew Batinovich, two of the senior officers of the Company,
were also senior members of a management team that formed a publicly registered
limited partnership in 1986 to consolidate a number of predecessor partnerships.
That public partnership was involved in litigation with its primary creditor and
in order to prevent foreclosure filed a petition for reorganization under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in May of 1992. The public
partnership, the primary subsidiary of which is GPA, Ltd., which owns an
approximately 1.9% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership along
with other substantial real estate assets, settled the litigation and obtained
confirmation of a plan of reorganization in January 1994.
 
OTHER RISKS
 
  Debt Financing
 
     The Company intends to incur additional indebtedness in the future,
including through borrowings under a credit facility, if a credit facility is
available, to finance property acquisitions. As a result, the Company expects to
be subject to risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that
interest rates may increase, the risk that the Company's cash flow will be
insufficient to meet required payments on its debt and the risk that the Company
may be unable to refinance or repay the debt as it comes due. The Company's
current
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
$50 million secured revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
provides that distributions may not exceed 90% of funds from operations and
that, in the event of a failure to pay principal or interest on borrowings
thereunder when due (subject to any applicable grace period), the Company and
its subsidiaries may not pay any distributions on the Common Stock or the
Preferred Stock. If the Company is unable to obtain acceptable financing to
repay indebtedness at maturity, the Company may have to sell properties to repay
indebtedness or properties may be foreclosed upon, which could have an adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
  Board of Directors May Change Investment Policies
 
     The descriptions in this Prospectus of the major policies and the various
types of investments to be made by the Company reflect only the current plans of
the Company's Board of Directors. The Company's Board of Directors may change
the investment policies of the Company without a vote of the stockholders. If
the Company changes its investment policies, the risks and potential rewards of
an investment in the Company may also change. In addition, the methods of
implementing the Company's investment policies may vary as new investment
techniques are developed.
 
  Effect of Market Interest Rates on Price of Common Stock
 
     One of the factors that may influence the market price of the shares of
Common Stock in public markets will be the annual yield on the price paid for
shares of Common Stock from distributions by the Company. An increase in market
interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of the Common Stock to seek a
higher annual yield from their investments. Such circumstances may adversely
affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
   
  Year 2000 Compliance
    
 
   
     The Company utilizes a number of computer software programs and operating
systems across its entire organization, including applications used in financial
business systems and various administrative functions. To the extent that the
Company's software applications contain source code that is unable to
appropriately interpret the upcoming calendar year "2000" and beyond, some level
of modification, or replacement of such applications will be necessary. The
Company has completed its identification of applications that are not yet "Year
2000" compliant and has commenced modification or replacement of such
applications, as necessary. Given information known at this time about the
Company's systems that are non-compliant, coupled with the Company's ongoing,
normal course-of-business efforts to upgrade or replace critical systems, as
necessary, management does not expect Year 2000 compliance costs to have any
material adverse impact on the Company's liquidity or ongoing results of
operations. No assurance can be given, however, that all of the Company's
systems will be Year 2000 compliant or that compliance costs or the impact of
the Company's failure to achieve substantial Year 2000 compliance will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's future liquidity or results of
operations.
    
 
  Shares Available for Future Sale
 
     No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of
shares of Common Stock or future conversions or exercises of securities for
future sales, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exchange of
Operating Partnership units, will have on the market price of the Common Stock
prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock, or
the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect the prevailing
market price for the Common Stock.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to invest the net proceeds from any sale of the Offered
Securities for general corporate purposes including, without limitation, the
acquisition and development of properties and the repayment of debt. Net
proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities initially may be temporarily
invested in short-term securities.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
     The Company's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1997 was
2.56x and 2.90x, respectively. Prior to the Consolidation, the Company's
Predecessors' combined ratio of earnings to fixed charges for 1992, 1993, 1994
and 1995 was (0.37x), 2.67x, 2.58x and 1.41x, respectively. The ratio of
earnings to fixed charges is computed as income from operations, before minority
interest, income taxes and extraordinary items, plus fixed charges (primarily
interest expense) divided by fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to fixed
charges was less than 1.0 in 1992 due to a non-recurring loss provision that did
not affect cash flow. To date, the Company has not issued any shares of
preferred stock; therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred share dividends are unchanged from the ratios presented in this
section.
    
 
   
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
    
 
   
     Subject to limitations prescribed by Maryland law and the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and Articles Supplementary (collectively, the
"Charter"), the Board of Directors is authorized to issue, from the authorized
but unissued capital stock of the Company, Preferred Stock in such classes or
series as the Board of Directors may determine and to establish from time to
time the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be included in any such class or
series and to fix the designation and any preferences, conversion and other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications
and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of any such class or
series, and such other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.
    
 
   
     Preferred Stock, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price
therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable. The specific terms of a
particular class or series of Preferred Stock will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to that class or series, including a Prospectus
Supplement providing that Preferred Stock may be issuable upon the exercise of
Warrants issued by the Company. The description of Preferred Stock set forth
below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of
Preferred Stock set forth in a Prospectus Supplement do not purport to be
complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles
supplementary relating to that class or series.
    
 
   
     The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Preferred Stock
of each class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to
such class or series. A Prospectus Supplement, relating to each class or series,
will specify the terms of the Preferred Stock as follows:
    
 
   
          (1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Stock;
    
 
   
          (2) The number of shares of such Preferred Stock offered, the
     liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred
     Stock;
    
 
   
          (3) The dividend rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s) or
     method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Stock;
    
 
   
          (4) Whether such Preferred Stock is cumulative or not and, if
     cumulative, the date from which dividends on such Preferred Stock shall
     accumulate;
    
 
   
          (5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
     Preferred Stock;
    
 
   
          (6) The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred
     Stock;
    
 
   
          (7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred
     Stock;
    
 
   
          (8) Any listing of such Preferred Stock on any securities exchange;
    
 
   
          (9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred
     Stock will be converted into Common Stock of the Company, including the
     conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
   
          (10) A discussion of any material federal income tax consequences
     applicable to such Preferred Stock;
    
 
   
          (11) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
     restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve
     the status of the Company as a REIT;
    
 
   
          (12) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Stock as
     to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up
     of the affairs of the Company;
    
 
   
          (13) Any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred
     stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of
     Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company;
    
 
   
          (14) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
     restrictions of such Preferred Stock; and
    
 
   
          (15) Any voting rights of such Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank (i) senior to all classes or
series of Common Stock and Excess Stock of the Company, and to all equity
securities ranking junior to such Preferred Stock with respect to dividend
rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;
(ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by the Company the terms of
which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the
Preferred Stock with respect to dividends rights or rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company; and (iii) junior to all equity
securities issued by the Company the terms of which specifically provide that
such equity securities rank senior to the Preferred Stock with respect to
dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company.
    
 
   
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any class or series
of Preferred Stock are convertible into Common Stock will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the
number of shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock is convertible,
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
Preferred Stock or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     All certificates representing shares of Preferred Stock will bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.
    
 
   
     All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of
the Code, more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock (or
1% if there are fewer than 2,000 stockholders) must file an affidavit with the
Company containing the information specified in the Charter within 30 days after
December 31 of each year. In addition, each stockholder shall upon demand be
required to disclose to the Company in writing such information with respect to
the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as the Board of
Directors deems necessary to determine the Company's status as a real estate
investment trust and to insure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
    
 
   
     The articles supplementary, if applicable, for the Offered Securities may
also contain provisions that further restrict the ownership and transfer of the
Offered Securities. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any
additional ownership limitation relating to the Offered Securities.
    
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following description of the Common Stock sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Common Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may
relate, including a Prospectus Supplement providing that Common Stock will be
issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock or upon the exercise of Warrants
issued by the Company. This description is in all respects subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
the applicable provisions of the Company's Charter and its Bylaws. The Common
Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GLB." Registrar
and Transfer Company is the Company's transfer agent.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company's Charter authorizes the Company to issue up to 50,000,000
shares of Common Stock with a par value of $.001 per share. There were
31,474,692 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of
Excess Stock were issued and outstanding as of the date of this Prospectus.
Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for the Company's
debts or obligations.
 
     The holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on
all matters voted on by stockholders, including election of directors, and,
except as provided in the Charter in respect of any other class of or series of
stock, the holders of these shares exclusively possess all voting power. The
Charter does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding shares or series of stock,
holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive distributions, when
and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available
therefor. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the
holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata all assets of the
Company legally available for distribution to its stockholders after payment of,
or adequate provisions for, all known debts and liabilities of the Company. All
shares of Common Stock now outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable, as will
be the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus or any Prospectus
Supplement when issued. The holders of the Common Stock offered hereby will have
no preemptive rights to subscribe to additional stock or securities issued by
the Company at a subsequent date.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF COMMON STOCK
 
     For the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of
the value of its 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 (the
"closely-held test"). Shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100
or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other
than the first year) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year
(the "100 person test"). See "Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Taxation of the
Company -- Requirements for Qualification."
 
     Because the Board of Directors believes it is essential for the Company to
qualify as a REIT, the Charter, subject to certain exceptions, provides that no
holder, other than Robert Batinovich and the individuals or entities whose
ownership of shares of Common Stock is attributed to Mr. Batinovich under the
Code (the "Attributed Owners"), may own an amount of Common Stock in excess of
the Ownership Limitation, which, pursuant to Board action, currently is 9.9% of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock. A qualified trust (as defined in the
Charter) generally may own up to 9.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The Ownership Limitation provides that Robert Batinovich and the Attributed
Owners may hold up to 9.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, including
shares which Robert Batinovich and the Attributed Owners may acquire pursuant to
an option held by GPA, Ltd. or Mr. Batinovich to cause the Company to redeem
their respective partnership interests in the Operating Partnership, assuming
GPA, Ltd. then dissolves and distributes these shares to the partners of GPA,
Ltd.
 
     The Board of Directors may waive the Ownership Limitation if evidence
satisfactory to the Board of Directors and the Company's tax counsel is
presented that such ownership will not jeopardize the Company's status as a
REIT. As a condition to such waiver, the Board of Directors may require opinions
of counsel satisfactory to it and/or an undertaking from the applicant with
respect to preserving the REIT status of the Company. The Ownership Limitation
will not apply if the Board of Directors and the stockholders determine that it
is no longer in the best interests of the Company to attempt to qualify, or to
continue to qualify, as a REIT. Any transfer of Common Stock that would (a)
create actual or constructive ownership of Common Stock in excess of the
Ownership Limitation, (b) result in the Company failing the 100 person test, or
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
(c) result in the Company failing the closely-held test, shall be null and void,
and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the Common Stock.
 
     The Charter also provides that Common Stock involved in a transfer or
change in capital structure that results in a person (other than Robert
Batinovich and the Attributed Owners) owning in excess of the Ownership
Limitation or would cause the Company to fail either the closely-held test or
the 100 person test will automatically be transferred to a trustee for the
benefit of a charitable organization until purchased by the Company or sold to a
third party without violation of the Ownership Limitation. While held in trust,
the Excess Shares will remain outstanding for purposes of any stockholder vote
or the determination of a quorum for such vote and the trustee will be empowered
to vote the Excess Shares. Excess Shares shall be entitled to distributions,
provided that such distributions shall be paid to a charitable organization
selected by the Board of Directors as beneficiary of the trust. The trustee may
transfer the Excess Shares to any individual (a "Permitted Transferee") whose
ownership of Common Stock would be permitted under the Ownership Limitation and
would not cause the Company to fail the closely-held test. In addition, the
Company would have the right, for a period of 90 days, to purchase all or any
portion of the Excess Shares from the trustee at the lesser of (i) where (a) the
intended transferee gave value for the Excess Shares, the price paid for the
Excess Shares by the intended transferee or (b) average of the intended
transferee did not give value for the Excess Shares, the price per share equal
to the average of the market price for the Common Stock for the five consecutive
trading days ending on the date of the purported transfer to the intended
transferee and (ii) the closing market price for the Common Stock for the five
consecutive trading days ending the date the Company exercises its option to
purchase. The intended transferee would be entitled to receive from the trustee
the lesser of (i) where (a) the intended transferee gave value for the Excess
Shares, the price paid for the Excess Shares by the intended transferee or (b)
the intended transferee did not give value for the Excess Shares, the price per
share equal to the average of the closing market price for the Common Stock for
the five consecutive trading days ending on the date of the purported transfer
to the intended transferee and (ii) the price per share received by the trustee
from the transfer of the Excess Shares to a Permitted Transferee.
 
     The Ownership Limitation will not be automatically removed even if the REIT
provisions of the Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership
concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is
increased. Except as otherwise described above, any change in the Ownership
Limitation would require an amendment to the Charter. Such amendments require
the affirmative vote of stockholders owning a majority of the outstanding Common
Stock. In addition to preserving the Company's status as a REIT, the Ownership
Limitation may have the effect of precluding an acquisition of control of the
Company by a third party without the approval of the Board of Directors.
 
     All certificates representing shares of Common Stock will bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.
 
     All stockholders of record who own 5% or more of the value of the
outstanding Common Stock (or 1% if there are fewer than 2,000 stockholders of
record but more than 200, or  1/2% if there are 200 or fewer stockholders of
record) must file written notice with the Company containing the information
specified in the Charter by January 30 of each year. In addition, each
stockholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to the Company in writing
such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership
of Common Stock as the Board of Directors deems necessary to determine the
effect, if any, of such ownership on the Company's status as a REIT and to
ensure compliance with the Ownership Limitation. The Company intends to use its
best efforts to enforce the Ownership Limitation and will make prohibited
transferees aware of their obligation to pay over any distributions received,
will not give effect on its books to prohibited transfers, will institute
proceedings to enjoin any transfer violating the Ownership Limitation, and will
declare all votes of prohibited transferees invalid.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
     The Company has no Warrants outstanding (other than options issued under
the Company's employee stock option plan). The Company may issue Warrants for
the purchase of Preferred Stock or Common Stock. Warrants may be issued
independently or together with any other Offered Securities offered by any
Prospectus
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. Each
series of Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each, a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Warrant Agent"). The
Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the
Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of
agency or trust for or with any provisions of the Warrants offered hereby.
Further terms of the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreements will be set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the
Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, including,
where applicable, the following:
 
          (1) The title of such Warrants;
 
          (2) The aggregate number of such Warrants;
 
          (3) The price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued;
 
          (4) The designation, number of terms of the shares of Preferred Stock
     or Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants;
 
          (5) The designation and terms of the Offered Securities, if any, with
     which such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with
     each such Offered Security;
 
          (6) The date, if any, on and after which such Warrants and the related
     Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be separately transferable;
 
          (7) The price at which each share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock
     purchasable upon exercise of such Warrants may be purchased;
 
          (8) The date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall
     commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
 
          (9) The minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants which may be
     exercised at any one time;
 
          (10) Information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
          (11) A discussion of certain federal income tax consequences; and
 
          (12) Any other terms of such Warrants, including terms, procedures and
     limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such Warrants.
 
             CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANY'S CHARTER AND BYLAWS
 
     Certain provisions of the Company's Charter and Bylaws might discourage
certain types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change in
control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company's
capital stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the stockholders. See
"Description of Common Stock -- Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Common
Stock." The issuance of shares of preferred stock or other capital stock by the
Board of Directors may also have the effect of delaying, depriving or preventing
a change in control of the Company. The Bylaws of the Company contain certain
advance notice requirements in the nomination of persons for election to the
Board of Directors which could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or
other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of the Common Stock
might receive a premium for their Common Stock over the prevailing market price,
or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interests.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The following summary of material federal income tax consequences is based
on current law and does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that
may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their personal investment
or tax circumstances, or to certain types of stockholders (including insurance
companies, financial institutions and broker-dealers) subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws.
 
     EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR
REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND
SALE OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES.
 
     The Company believes that since January 1, 1996, it has operated in a
manner that permits it to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under
the applicable provisions of the Code. The Company intends to continue to
operate to satisfy such requirements. No assurance can be given, however, that
such requirements will be met.
 
     The provisions of the Code and regulations thereunder relating to
qualification and operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The
following sets forth the material aspects of the laws that govern the federal
income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified
in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and regulations
thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. Morrison &
Foerster LLP has acted as tax counsel to the Company in connection with the
Company's election to be taxed as a REIT.
 
     In the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, commencing with the Company's
taxable year that ended on December 31, 1996, the Company has been organized in
conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, and its method of
operation has and will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that
this opinion is based on various assumptions and is conditioned upon certain
representations made by the Company as to factual matters. Moreover, such
qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon the Company's ability to meet,
through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of
stock ownership, and various qualification tests imposed under the Code
discussed below, the results of which will not be reviewed by Morrison &
Foerster LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of
the Company's operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such
requirements. See "-- Failure to Qualify."
 
     In brief, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the REIT provisions of
the Code are satisfied, entities, such as the Company, that invest primarily in
real estate and that otherwise would be treated for federal income tax purposes
as corporations, are generally not taxed at the corporate level on their "REIT
Taxable Income" (generally the REIT's taxable income adjusted for, among other
things, the disallowance of the dividends-received deduction generally available
to corporations) that is currently distributed to stockholders. This treatment
substantially eliminates the "double taxation" (i.e., taxation at both the
corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from investing in
corporations.
 
     If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any year, however, it will be
subject to federal income tax as if it were a domestic corporation, and its
stockholders will be taxed in the same manner as stockholders of ordinary
corporations. In this event, the Company could be subject to potentially
significant tax liabilities and the amount of cash available for distribution to
its stockholders could be reduced.
 
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY
 
  General
 
     In any year in which the Company qualifies as a REIT, in general, it will
not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of its net income that it
distributes to stockholders. However, the Company will be subject to federal
income tax as follows: First, the Company will be taxed at regular corporate
rates on any undistributed REIT Taxable Income, including undistributed net
capital gains. (However, beginning in 1998, a REIT can elect to "pass through"
any of its taxes paid on its undistributed net capital gain to its stockholders
on a pro rata basis). Second, under certain circumstances, the Company may be
subject to the "alternative
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
minimum tax" on its items of tax preference. Third, if the Company has (i) net
income from the sale or other disposition of "foreclosure property" which is
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii)
other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to tax
at the highest corporate rate on such income. Fourth, if the Company has net
income from "prohibited transactions" (which are, in general, certain sales or
other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business other than property held for at least four years,
foreclosure property, and, beginning in 1998, property involuntarily converted),
such income will be subject to a 100% tax. Fifth, if the Company should fail to
satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test (as discussed
below), and has nonetheless maintained its qualification as a REIT because
certain other requirements have been met, it will be subject to a 100% tax on an
amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount
by which the Company fails the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income
test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect the Company's
profitability. Sixth, if the Company should fail to distribute during each
calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year,
(ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any
undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to
a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts
actually distributed. Seventh, if the Company acquires any asset from a C
corporation (i.e., generally a corporation subject to full corporate-level tax)
in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in the Company's hands is
determined by reference to the basis of the asset (or any other property) in the
hands of the C corporation, and the Company recognizes gain on the disposition
of such asset during the 10 year period beginning on the date on which such
asset was acquired by the Company, then, to the extent of any built-in gain at
the time of acquisition, such gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular
corporate rate.
 
  Requirements for Qualification
 
     The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association (1) which is
managed by one or more trustees or directors; (2) the beneficial ownership of
which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest; (3) which would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but
for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; (4) which is neither a financial
institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons (the "100
person test"); (6) not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which
is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in
the Code) at any time during the last half of each taxable year (the
"closely-held test"); and (7) which meets certain other tests, described below,
regarding the nature of income and assets. The Code provides that conditions (1)
to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition
(5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or
during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions
(5) and (6) will not apply until after the first taxable year for which an
election is made by the Company to be taxed as a REIT. In addition, beginning in
1998, a REIT's failure to satisfy condition (6) during a taxable year will not
result in its disqualification as a REIT under the Code for such taxable year as
long as (i) the REIT satisfies the stockholder demand statement requirements
described in the succeeding paragraph and (ii) the REIT did not know, and
exercising due diligence, would not have known, whether it had failed condition
(6). Furthermore, a REIT must also report its income, for federal income tax
purposes, based on the calendar year.
 
     In order to assist the Company in complying with the 100 person test and
the closely-held test, the Company has placed certain restrictions on the
transfer of the Common Stock and the Company's preferred stock to prevent
further concentration of stock ownership. See "Description of Common Stock --
Restrictions on Transfer." Moreover, to evidence compliance with these
requirements, the Company must maintain records which disclose the actual
ownership of its outstanding Common Stock and preferred stock. In fulfilling its
obligations to maintain records, the Company must and will demand written
statements each year from the record holders of designated percentages of its
Common Stock and preferred stock disclosing the actual owners of such Common
Stock and preferred stock. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply
with such demand must be maintained as part of the Company's records. A
stockholder failing or refusing to comply with the Company's written demand must
submit with his or her tax returns a similar statement disclosing the actual
ownership of Common Stock and preferred stock and certain other information. In
addition, the Company's Charter provides restrictions regarding the transfer of
its shares that are intended to
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
assist the Company in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements.
See "Description of Common Stock -- Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of
Common Stock." Furthermore, the Company reports its income, for federal income
tax purposes, based on the calendar year.
 
     Although the Company intends to satisfy the stockholder demand letter rules
described in the preceding paragraph, beginning in 1998, its failure to satisfy
these requirements will not result in its disqualification as a REIT but may
result in the imposition of IRS penalties against the Company.
 
     In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, Treasury
Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share
of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be entitled to the income
of the partnership attributable to such share. In addition, the character of the
assets and gross income of a partnership shall retain the same character in the
hands of a partner qualifying as a REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code,
including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests, described
below. Thus, the Company's proportionate share of the assets, liabilities and
items of income of the Operating Partnership will be treated as assets,
liabilities and items of income of the Company for purposes of applying the
requirements described below.
 
  Asset Tests
 
     At the close of each quarter of the Company's taxable year, the Company
must satisfy two tests relating to the nature of its assets. First, at least 75%
of the value of the Company's total assets must be represented by interests in
real property, interests in mortgages on real property, shares in other REITs,
cash, cash items and government securities (as well as certain temporary
investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with the proceeds of new
capital raised by the Company). Second, although the remaining 25% of the
Company's assets generally may be invested without restriction, securities in
this class may not exceed either (i) 5% of the value of the Company's total
assets as to any one non-government issuer or (ii) 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of any one issuer. The Company's investment in real property through
its interest in the Operating Partnership constitutes qualified assets for
purposes of the 75% asset test. In addition, the Company may own 100% of
"qualified REIT subsidiaries," which are, in general, corporate subsidiaries
100% owned by a REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction
and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as owned and realized
directly by the Company.
 
     The Company has analyzed the impact of its ownership interests in the
Associated Companies on its ability to satisfy the asset tests. Based upon its
analysis of the estimated value of the Company's total assets as well as its
estimate of the value of the respective nonvoting preferred stock interests in
the Associated Companies, the Company believes that none of such preferred stock
interests will exceed 5% of the value of the Company's total assets on the last
day of any calendar quarter in 1996. The Company intends to monitor compliance
with the 5% test on a quarterly basis and believes that it will be able to
manage its operations in a manner to comply with the tests, either by managing
the amount of its qualifying assets or reducing its interests in the Associated
Companies, although there can be no assurance that such steps will be
successful. In rendering its opinion as to the qualification of the Company as a
REIT, counsel has relied upon the Company's representation as to the value of
its assets and the value of its interests in the Associated Companies. Counsel
has discussed with the Company its valuation analysis and the future actions
available to it to comply with the 5% tests but it has not independently
verified the valuations.
 
  Gross Income Tests
 
     There are three separate percentage tests (two beginning in 1998) relating
to the sources of the Company's gross income which must be satisfied for each
taxable year. For purposes of these tests, where the Company invests in a
partnership, the Company will be treated as receiving its share of the income
and loss of the partnership, and the gross income of the partnership will retain
the same character in the hands of the Company as it has in the hands of the
partnership. See "-- Tax Aspects of the Company's Investment in the Operating
Partnerships -- General."
 
     The 75% Test. At least 75% of the Company's gross income for the taxable
year must be "qualifying income." Qualifying income generally includes (i)
"rents from real property" (except as modified below);
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
(ii) interest on obligations collateralized by mortgages on, or interests in,
real property; (iii) gains from the sale or other disposition of interests in
real property and real estate mortgages, other than gain from property held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the Company's trade or
business ("dealer property"); (iv) dividends or other distributions on shares in
other REITs, as well as gain from the sale of such shares; (v) abatements and
refunds of real property taxes; (vi) income from the operation, and gain from
the sale, of property acquired at or in lieu of a foreclosure of the mortgage
collateralized by such property ("foreclosure property"); and (vii) commitment
fees received for agreeing to make loans collateralized by mortgages on real
property or to purchase or lease real property.
 
     For purposes of determining whether the Company complies with the 75% test
and 95% test (described below), gross income does not include income from
prohibited transactions. See "-- Tax Aspects of the Company's Investment in the
Operating Partnership -- Sale of Properties."
 
     In addition, rents received from a tenant will not qualify as rents from
real property in satisfying the 75% test (or the 95% test described below) if
the Company, or an owner of 10% or more of the Company, directly or
constructively owns 10% or more of such tenant (a "related party tenant"). In
addition, if rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a
lease of real property, is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the
lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not
qualify as rents from real property. Moreover, an amount received or accrued
generally will not qualify as rents from real property (or as interest income)
for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests if it is based in whole or in
part on the income or profits of any person. Rent or interest will not be
disqualified, however, solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or
percentages of receipts or sales. Finally, for rents received to qualify as
rents from real property, the Company generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render services to tenants, other than through an
"independent contractor" from whom the Company derives no revenue. The
"independent contractor" requirement, however, does not apply to the extent that
the services provided by the Company are "usually or customarily rendered" in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only, and are not otherwise
considered "rendered to the occupant." For both the related party tenant rules
and determining whether an entity qualifies as an independent contractor,
certain attribution rules of the Code apply, pursuant to which shares of a REIT
held by one entity are deemed held by another.
 
     Under current law, if a REIT provides impermissible services to its
tenants, all of the rent from those tenants can be disqualified from satisfying
the 75% test and 95% test (described below). Beginning in 1998, rents will not
be disqualified if a REIT provides de minimis, impermissible services. For this
purpose, services provided to tenants of a property are considered de minimis
where income derived from the services rendered equals 1% or less of all income
derived from the property (threshold determined on a property-by-property
basis).
 
     The Company will be deemed to provide certain services which are actually
provided by the Operating Partnership (which is not an independent contractor of
the Company) with respect to properties owned by the Operating Partnership. The
Company believes that the services provided by the Operating Partnership are
usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space of
occupancy only, and therefore that the provision of such services will not cause
the rents received with respect to its properties to fail to qualify as rents
from real property for purposes of the 75% test and 95% test (described below).
The Company does not intend to rent to related party tenants or to charge rents
that would not qualify as rents from real property because the rents are based
on the income or profits of any person (other than rents that are based on a
fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales).
 
     Pursuant to the percentage leases ("Percentage Leases"), GHG leases from
the Operating Partnership the land, buildings, improvements, furnishings, and
equipment comprising the Hotels for a five-year period with a five-year renewal
option. The Percentage Leases provide that the lessee will be obligated to pay
to the Operating Partnership (a) the greater of a fixed rent (the "Base Rent")
or a percentage rent (the "Percentage Rent") (collectively, the "Rents") and (b)
certain other amounts, including interest accrued on any late payments or
charges (the "Additional Charges"). The Percentage Rent is calculated by
multiplying fixed percentages by the gross revenues from the operations of the
Hotels in excess of certain levels. The Base Rent accrues and is required to be
paid monthly. Percentage Rent is due quarterly; however, the lessee will not be
in
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
default for non-payment of Percentage Rent due in any calendar year if the
lessee pays, within 90 days of the end of the calendar year, the excess of
Percentage Rent due and unpaid over the Base Rent with respect to such year.
 
     In order for the Base Rent, the Percentage Rent, and the Additional Charges
to constitute rents from real property, the Percentage Leases must be respected
as true leases for federal income tax purposes and not treated as service
contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. The determination
of whether the Percentage Leases are true leases depends on an analysis of all
the surrounding facts and circumstances. In making such a determination, courts
have considered a variety of factors, including the following: (a) the intent of
the parties, (b) the form of the agreement, (c) the degree of control over the
property that is retained by the property owner (e.g., whether the lessee has
substantial control over the operation of the property or whether the lessee was
required simply to use its best efforts to perform its obligations under the
agreement), and (d) the extent to which the property owner retains the risk of
loss of the property (e.g., whether the lessee bears the risk of increases in
operating expenses or the risk of damage to the property).
 
     In addition, Section 7701(e) of the Code provides that a contract that
purports to be a service contract (or a partnership agreement) is treated
instead as a lease of property if the contract is properly treated as such,
taking into account all relevant factors, including whether or not: (a) the
service recipient is in physical possession of the property, (b) the service
recipient controls the property, (c) the service recipient has a significant
economic or possessory interest in the property (e.g., the property's use is
likely to be dedicated to the service recipient for a substantial portion of the
useful life of the property, the recipient shares the risk that the property
will decline in value, the recipient shares in any appreciation in the value of
the property, the recipient shares in savings in the property's operating costs,
or the recipient bears the risk of damage to or loss of the property), (d) the
service provider does not bear any risk of substantially diminished receipts or
substantially increased expenditures if there is nonperformance under the
contract, (e) the service provider does not use the property concurrently to
provide significant services to entities unrelated to the service recipient, and
(f) the total contract price does not substantially exceed the rental value of
the property for the contract period. Since the determination of whether a
service contract should be treated as a lease is inherently factual, the
presence or absence of any single factor may not be dispositive in every case.
 
     Counsel is of the opinion that the Percentage Leases will be treated as
true leases for federal income tax purposes. Such opinion is based, in part, on
the following facts: (a) the Operating Partnership and the lessee intend for
their relationship to be that of a lessor and lessee and such relationship will
be documented by lease agreements, (b) the lessee has the right to exclusive
possession and use and quiet enjoyment of the Hotels during the term of the
Percentage Leases, (c) the lessee bears the cost of, and will be responsible
for, day-to-day maintenance and repair of the Hotels, other than the cost of
maintaining underground utilities, structural elements and exterior painting,
and will dictate how the Hotels are operated, maintained, and improved, (d) the
lessee bears all of the costs and expenses of operating the Hotels (including
inventory costs) during the term of the Percentage Leases (other than real
property taxes, personal property taxes on property owned by the Operating
Partnership, casualty insurance and the cost of replacement or refurbishment of
furniture, fixtures and equipment, to the extent such costs do not exceed the
allowance for such costs provided by the Operating Partnership under the
Percentage Leases), (e) the lessee will benefit from any savings in the costs of
operating the Hotels during the term of the Percentage Leases, (f) in the event
of damage or destruction to a Hotel which renders the Hotel unsuitable for
continued use, the lessee will be at economic risk because the Operating
Partnership can elect to terminate the Percentage Lease as to such Hotel, in
which event the lessee can elect to rebuild at its cost less any insurance
proceeds, or accept such termination, (g) the lessee will indemnify the
Partnership against all liabilities imposed on the Partnership during the term
of the Percentage Leases by reason of (i) injury to persons or damage to
property occurring at the Hotels or (ii) the lessee's use, management,
maintenance or repair of the Hotels, (h) the lessee is obligated to pay
substantial fixed rent for the period of use of the Hotels, and (i) the lessee
stands to incur substantial losses (or reap substantial gains) depending on how
successfully it operates the Hotels. The Company has represented that the lessee
has and will have its own employees, physically distinct and separate office
space, furniture and equipment, and directors. Further, the Company has
represented that neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership will furnish
or render services to either the lessee or its customers.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     Investors should be aware that there are no controlling Treasury
Regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions involving leases with
terms substantially the same as the Percentage Leases that discuss whether such
leases constitute true leases for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the
opinion of counsel with respect to the relationship between the Operating
Partnership and the lessee is based upon all of the facts and circumstances, and
rulings and judicial decisions involving situations that are considered to be
analogous. Opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or any court, and
there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert successfully a contrary
position. If the Percentage Leases are recharacterized as service contracts or
partnership agreements, rather than true leases, part or all of the payments
that the Partnership receives from the lessee may not be considered rent or may
not otherwise satisfy the various requirements for qualification as rents from
real property. In that case, the Company likely would not be able to satisfy
either the 75% test or 95% test (described below) and, as a result, could lose
its REIT status.
 
     In order for the Rents to constitute rents from real property, several
other requirements also must be satisfied. One requirement is that the Rents
attributable to personal property leased in connection with the lease of the
real property comprising a Hotel must not be greater than 15% of the Rents
received under the Percentage Lease. The Rents attributable to the personal
property in a Hotel is the amount that bears the same ratio to total rent for
the taxable year as the average of the adjusted bases of the personal property
in the Hotel at the beginning and at the end of the taxable year bears to the
average of the aggregate adjusted bases of both the real and personal property
comprising the Hotel at the beginning and at the end of such taxable year (the
"Adjusted Basis Ratio"). Management has obtained an appraisal of the personal
property at each Hotel indicating that the appraised value of the personal
property at each Hotel is less than 15% of the value at which such Hotel is
acquired. However, the Company has represented that the Operating Partnership
will in no event acquire additional personal property for a Hotel to the extent
that such acquisition would cause the Adjusted Basis Ratio for that Hotel to
exceed 15%. There can be no assurance, however, that the Service would not
assert that the personal property acquired from a particular partnership had a
value in excess of the appraised value, or that a court would not uphold such
assertion. If such a challenge were successfully asserted, the Company could
fail the 15% Adjusted Basis Ratio as to one or more of the Percentage Leases,
which in turn potentially could cause it to fail to satisfy the 75% test or the
95% (described below) and thus could lose its REIT status.
 
     Another requirement for qualification of the Rents as rents from real
property is that the Percentage Rent must not be based in whole or in part on
the income or profits of any person. The Percentage Rent, however, will qualify
as rents from real property if it is based on percentages of receipts or sales
and the percentages (a) is fixed at the time the Percentage Leases are entered
into, (b) is not renegotiated during the term of the Percentage Leases in a
manner that has the effect of basing Percentage Rent on income or profits, and
(c) conforms with normal business practice. More generally, the Percentage Rent
will not qualify as rents from real property if, considering the Percentage
Leases and all the surrounding circumstances, the arrangement does not conform
with normal business practice, but is in reality used as a means of basing the
Percentage Rent on income or profits. Since the Percentage Rent is based on
fixed percentages of the gross revenues from the Hotels that are established in
the Percentage Leases, and the Company has represented that the percentages (i)
will not be renegotiated during the terms of the Percentage Leases in a manner
that has the effect of basing the Percentage Rent on income or profit and (ii)
conform with normal business practice, the Percentage Rent should not be
considered based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person.
Furthermore, the Company has represented that, with respect to other hotel
properties that it acquires in the future, it will not charge rent for any
property that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any
person (except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage of gross revenue,
as described above).
 
     As described above, a further requirement, under the related party tenant
rules, for qualification of Rents as rents from real property limits the
relationship between the Company and its tenants. In the case of a corporate
tenant, the Company must not own 10% or more of the total combined voting power
of the tenant's stock and must not own 10% or more of the total number of shares
of all classes of the tenant's stock outstanding. In the case of a tenant that
is not a corporation, the Company must not own 10% or more in interest of the
tenant's assets or net profits. The Company intends to limit its ownership
interest in GHG to
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
nonvoting preferred stock which will constitute less than 10% of the total
number of outstanding shares of GHG stock. The common stock of GHG, which is the
only voting stock of GHG, will be owned by persons who are not related to the
Company within the definition in the applicable statute. The common stockholders
will have a significant economic interest in GHG and will elect the board of
directors of GHG. Based upon the foregoing, counsel is of the opinion that
rental payments from GHG will not constitute rentals from a party related to the
Company.
 
     The Company will receive nonqualifying management fee income. As a result,
the Company may approach the income test limits and could be at risk of not
satisfying such tests and thus not qualifying as a REIT. Counsel's opinion is
based on the Company's representation that the actual amount of nonqualifying
income will not exceed such limits.
 
     The 95% Test. In addition to deriving 75% of its gross income from the
sources listed above, at least 95% of the Company's gross income for the taxable
year must be derived from the above-described qualifying income, or from
dividends, interest or gains from the sale or disposition of stock or other
securities that are not dealer property. Dividends and interest on any
obligation not collateralized by an interest on real property are included for
purposes of the 95% test, but not for purposes of the 75% test. Furthermore,
income earned on interest rate swaps and caps entered into as liability hedges
against variable rate indebtedness qualify for the 95% test (but not the 75%
test). Beginning in 1998, income earned on liability hedges against all of a
REIT's indebtedness, such as options, futures, and forward contracts, will
qualify for the 95% test (but not the 75% test). In certain cases, Treasury
Regulations treat a debt instrument and a liability hedge as a synthetic debt
instrument for all purposes of the Code. If a liability hedge entered into by a
REIT is subject to these rules, income earned thereon will operate to reduce its
interest expense, and, therefore such income will not affect the REIT's
compliance with either the 75% or 95% tests.
 
     Even if the Company fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% tests
for any taxable year, it may still qualify as a REIT for such year if it is
entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions
will generally be available if: (i) the Company's failure to comply was due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; (ii) the Company reports the nature
and amount of each item of its income included in the 75% and 95% tests on a
schedule attached to its tax return; and (iii) any incorrect information on this
schedule is not due to fraud with intent to evade tax. It is not possible,
however, to state whether in all circumstances the Company would be entitled to
the benefit of these relief provisions. If these relief provisions apply, the
Company will, however, still be subject to a special tax upon the greater of the
amount by which it fails either the 75% or 95% test for that year.
 
     The 30% Test. The Company must derive less than 30% of its gross income for
each taxable year from the sale or other disposition of (i) real property held
for less than four years (other than foreclosure property and involuntary
conversions), (ii) stock or securities held for less than one year, and (iii)
property in a "prohibited transaction." In this regard, certain of the Company's
assets are subject to existing purchase options. Although the Company believes,
based on the historical experience of certain predecessor partnerships, that it
will satisfy this 30% test, if, contrary to expectations, large numbers of such
options are exercised, more than 30% of the Company's gross income in a taxable
year could be derived from a proscribed source. The Company will, however, use
its best efforts to ensure that it will continue to satisfy each of the
foregoing income requirements. Furthermore, the 30% test has been repealed
effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 1997.
 
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
 
     The Company, in order to qualify as a REIT, is required to make
distributions (other than capital gain distributions) to its stockholders each
year in an amount at least equal to (A) the sum of (i) 95% of the Company's REIT
Taxable Income (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
REIT's net capital gain) and (ii) 95% of the net income (after tax), if any,
from foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of certain items of non-cash
income. Such distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they
relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before the Company timely
files its tax return for such year and if paid on or before the first regular
distribution payment after such declaration. To the extent that the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
Company does not distribute all of its net capital gain or distributes at least
95%, but less than 100%, of its REIT Taxable Income, as adjusted, it will be
subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular capital gains or ordinary
corporate tax rates, as the case may be. (However, beginning in 1998, a REIT can
elect to "pass through" any of its taxes paid on its undistributed net capital
gain to its shareholders on a pro rata basis.) Furthermore, if the REIT should
fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its
ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its net capital gain for such year,
and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the REIT would be
subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the
amounts actually distributed. For such purposes, dividends declared to
shareholders of record in October, November, or December of one calendar year
and paid by January 31 of the following calendar year are deemed paid as of
December 31 of the initial calendar year.
 
     The Company believes that it has made and will make timely distributions
sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In this regard, the
partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership authorizes the Company, as
general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause the Operating
Partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit the
Company to meet these distribution requirements. It is possible that in the
future the Company may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet
the 95% distribution requirement, due to timing differences between the actual
receipt of income and actual payment of expenses on the one hand, and the
inclusion of such income and deduction of such expenses in computing the
Company's REIT taxable income on the other hand. Further, as described below, it
is possible that, from time to time, the Company may be allocated a share of net
capital gain attributable to the sale of depreciated property that exceeds its
allocable share of cash attributable to that sale. To avoid any problem with the
95% distribution requirement, the Company will closely monitor the relationship
between its REIT Taxable Income and cash flow and, if necessary, will borrow
funds (or cause the Operating Partnership or other affiliates to borrow funds)
in order to satisfy the distribution requirement. The Company (through the
Operating Partnership) may be required to borrow funds at times when market
conditions are not favorable.
 
     If the Company fails to meet the 95% distribution requirement as a result
of an adjustment to the Company's tax return by the IRS, the Company may
retroactively cure the failure by paying a "deficiency dividend" (plus
applicable penalties and interest) within a specified period.
 
FAILURE TO QUALIFY
 
     If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year
and the relief provisions do not apply, the Company will be subject to tax
(including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at
regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which the
Company fails to qualify will not be deductible by the Company, nor will they be
required to be made. In such event, to the extent of the Company's current and
accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders will be
taxable as ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the Code,
corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company will
also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years
following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to
state whether the Company would be entitled to such statutory relief.
 
TAX ASPECTS OF THE COMPANY'S INVESTMENT IN THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
 
     The following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax
considerations applicable solely to the Company's investment in the Operating
Partnership.
 
  General
 
     The Company holds a direct ownership interest in the Operating Partnership.
In general, partnerships are "pass-through" entities which are not subject to
federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of
the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are
potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners
receive a distribution from the partnership. The Company includes its
proportionate share of the foregoing Operating Partnership items for
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
purposes of the various REIT income tests and in the computation of its REIT
Taxable Income. See "-- Requirements for Qualification" and "-- Gross Income
Tests." Any resultant increase in the Company's REIT Taxable Income increases
its distribution requirements (see "-- Requirements for Qualification" and
"-- Annual Distribution Requirements"), but is not subject to federal income tax
in the hands of the Company provided that such income is distributed by the
Company to its stockholders. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests (see
"-- Requirements for Qualification" and "-- Asset Tests"), the Company includes
its proportionate share of assets held by the Operating Partnership.
 
  Tax Allocations with Respect to Certain Properties
 
     Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction
attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a
partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, must be allocated in
a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from,
respectively, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the
property at the time of the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or
unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market
value of contributed property at the time of contribution and the adjusted tax
basis of such property at the time of contribution (a "Book-Tax Difference").
Such allocations are solely for federal income tax purposes and do not affect
the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the
partners. The Operating Partnership was formed by way of contributions of
appreciated property. Consequently, the partnership agreement of the Operating
Partnership requires such allocations to be made in a manner consistent with
Section 704(c) of the Code.
 
     In general, the limited partners of the Operating Partnership will be
allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes and
increased taxable income and gain on sale by the Operating Partnership of the
contributed assets. This will tend to eliminate the Book-Tax Difference over the
life of the Operating Partnership. However, the special allocation rules under
Section 704(c) of the Code do not always entirely rectify the Book-Tax
Difference on an annual basis or with respect to a specific taxable transaction
such as a sale. Thus, the carryover basis of the contributed assets in the hands
of the Operating Partnership may cause the company to be allocated lower
depreciation and other deductions, and possibly greater amounts of taxable
income in the event of a sale of such contributed assets in excess of the
economic or book income allocated to it as a result of such sale. This may cause
the Company to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds, which might
adversely affect the Company's ability to comply with the REIT distribution
requirements. See "-- Requirements for Qualification" and "-- Annual Distributon
Requirements." In addition, the application of Section 704(c) of the Code to the
Operating Partnership is not entirely clear and may be affected by authority
that may be promulgated in the future.
 
  Basis in Operating Partnership Interest
 
     The Company's adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest in the
Operating Partnership generally (i) is equal to the amount of cash and the basis
of any other property contributed to the Operating Partnership by the Company,
(ii) is increased by (a) its allocable share of the Operating Partnership's
income and (b) increases in its allocable share of indebtedness of the Operating
Partnership and (iii) is reduced, but not below zero, by the Company's allocable
share of (a) the Operating Partnership's losses and (b) the amount of cash
distributed to the Company, and by constructive distributions resulting from a
reduction in the Company's share of indebtedness of the Operating Partnership.
 
     If the allocation of the Company's distributive share of the Operating
Partnership's losses would reduce the adjusted tax basis of the Company's
partnership interest in the Operating Partnership below zero, the recognition of
such losses will be deferred until such time as the recognition of such loss
would not reduce the Company's adjusted tax basis below zero. To the extent that
the Operating Partnership's distributions, or any decrease in the Company's
share of the indebtedness of the Operating Partnership (each such decrease being
considered a constructive cash distribution to the partners), would reduce the
Company's adjusted tax basis below zero, such distributions (including such
constructive distributions) constitute taxable income to the Company. Such
distributions and constructive distributions will normally be characterized as a
capital gain, and if the Company's partnership interest in the Operating
Partnership has been held for longer than the long-
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
term capital gain holding period (currently one year), the distributions and
constructive distributions will constitute long-term capital gains.
 
  Sale of Properties
 
     Generally, any gain realized by the Operating Partnership on the sale of
property held by the Operating Partnership will be capital gain, except for any
portion of such gain that is treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture.
The Company's share of any gain realized by the Operating Partnership on the
sale of any dealer property generally will be treated as income from a
prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. See "Taxation of
the Company" and "-- Requirements for Qualification" and "-- Gross Income
Tests -- The 95% Test." Under existing law, whether property is dealer property
is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances with
respect to the particular transaction. The Operating Partnership intends to hold
its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage
in the business of acquiring, developing, owning and operating its properties,
and to make such occasional sales of properties as are consistent with the
Company's investment objectives. Based upon such investment objectives, the
Company believes that in general the Operating Partnership's properties should
not be considered dealer property and that the amount of income from prohibited
transactions, if any, will not be material.
 
TAXATION OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
  Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders
 
   
     As used herein, the term "U.S. Stockholder" means a holder of shares of
Company stock who (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) (i) is a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) is a corporation, partnership, or other
entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) is an estate the income of which is subject
to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) is a
trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United
States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, to the extent provided in regulations, certain trusts in
existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such
date that elect to continue to be treated as United States persons, shall also
be considered U.S. Stockholders.
    
 
   
     As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions made by the
Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not
designated as capital gain dividends) will constitute dividends taxable to its
taxable U.S. Stockholders as ordinary income. Such distributions will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction otherwise available with respect
to dividends received by U.S. Stockholders that are corporations. Distributions
made by the Company that are properly designated by the Company as capital gain
dividends will be taxable to taxable U.S. Stockholders as gains (to the extent
that they do not exceed the Company's actual net capital gain for the taxable
year) from the sale or disposition of a capital asset. Depending on the period
of time the Company held the assets which produced such gains, and on certain
designations, if any, which may be made by the Company, such gains may be
taxable to noncorporate U.S. stockholders at a 20%, 25% or 28% rate. U.S.
Stockholders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20%
of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. To the extent that the
Company makes distributions (not designated as capital gain dividends) in excess
of its current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions will be
treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Stockholder, reducing
the adjusted basis which such U.S. Stockholder has in his shares of Company
Stock for tax purposes by the amount of such distribution (but not below zero),
with distributions in excess of a U.S. Stockholder's adjusted basis in his
shares taxable as capital gain, provided that the shares have been held as a
capital asset (which, with respect to a non-corporate U.S. Stockholder, will be
taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than
eighteen months, mid-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more
than one year but not more than eighteen months, or short-term capital gain if
the shares have been held for one year or less). Dividends declared by the
Company in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a
stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month shall be treated as
both paid by the Company and received by the stockholder on December 31st of
such year; provided that the dividend is
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
   
actually paid by the Company on or before January 31st of the following calendar
year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any net
operating losses or capital losses of the Company.
    
 
   
     Distributions made by the Company and gain arising from the sale of
exchange by a U.S. Stockholder of shares of Company stock will not be treated as
passive activity income, and, as a result, U.S. Stockholders generally will not
be able to apply any "passive losses" against such income or gain. Distributions
made by the Company (to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital)
generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the
investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition
of Company stock (or distributions treated as such), will not be treated as
investment income under certain circumstances.
    
 
   
     Beginning in 1998, the Company may elect to retain, rather than distribute
as a capital gain dividend, its net long-term capital gains. In such event, the
Company would pay tax on such retained net long-term capital gains. In addition
to the extent designated by the Company, a U.S. Stockholder generally would (i)
include its proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in
computing its long-term capital gains in its return for its taxable year in
which the last day of the Company's taxable year falls (subject to certain
limitations as to the amount so includable), (ii) be deemed to have paid the
capital gains tax imposed on the Company on the designated amounts included in
such U.S. Stockholder's long-term capital gains, (iii) receive a credit or
refund for such amount of tax deemed paid by it, (iv) increase the adjusted
basis of its Shares by the difference between the amount of such includable
gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it, and (v), in the case of a U.S.
Stockholder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits
for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be
prescribed by the IRS.
    
 
   
     Upon any sale or other disposition of Common Stock, a U.S. Stockholder will
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the
difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any
property received on such sale or other disposition and (ii) the holder's
adjusted basis in such shares of Common Stock for tax purposes. Such gain or
loss will be capital gain or loss if the shares have been held by the U.S.
Stockholder as a capital asset and, with respect to a non-corporate U.S.
Stockholder, will be mid-term or long-term gain or loss if such shares have been
held for more than one year or more than eighteen months, respectively. In
general, any loss recognized by a U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or other
disposition of shares of Common Stock that have been held for six months or less
(after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term
capital loss, to the extent of capital gain dividends received by such U.S.
Stockholder from the Company which were required to be treated as long-term
capital gains.
    
 
   
  Backup Withholding
    
 
     The Company will report to its domestic stockholders and to the IRS the
amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax
withheld, if any, with respect thereto. Under the backup withholding rules, a
stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect
to dividends paid and redemption proceeds unless such stockholder (a) is a
corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required,
demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number,
certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise
complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will institute backup withholding
with respect to a stockholder when instructed to do so by the IRS. A stockholder
that does not provide the Company with his correct taxpayer identification
number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as
backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder's federal income
tax liability.
 
  Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
 
     The IRS has issued a revenue ruling in which it held that amounts
distributed by a REIT to a tax-exempt employees' pension trust do not constitute
unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). Revenue rulings, however, are
interpretive in nature and are subject to revocation or modification by the IRS.
Based upon the ruling and the analysis therein, distributions by the Company to
a stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity should not constitute UBTI, provided
that the tax exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
of Common Stock with "acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of the Code,
and that the shares of the Company's stock are not otherwise used in an
unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity. In addition, REITs
generally treat the beneficiaries of qualified pension trusts as the beneficial
owners of REIT shares owned by such pension trusts for purposes of determining
if more than 50% of the REIT's shares are owned by five or fewer individuals.
However, if a pension trust owns more than 10% of the REIT's shares, it can be
subject to UBTI on all or a portion of REIT dividends made to it, if the Company
is treated as a "pension-held REIT." In view of the Ownership Limitation, the
Company does not expect to be treated as a "pension-held REIT." See "Description
of Common Stock -- Restrictions on Transfer." Consequently, a pension trust
stockholder should not be subject to UBTI on dividends that it receives from the
Company. However, because the Common Stock is publicly traded, no assurance can
be given to this effect.
 
  Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
 
   
     The rules governing United States federal income taxation of the ownership
and disposition of Company stock by persons that are nonresident alien
individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign
stockholders (collectively, "Non-U.S. Stockholders") are complex and no attempt
is made herein to provide more than a summary of such rules. Prospective
Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine
the impact of federal, state, local and any foreign income tax laws with regard
to an investment in the Company, including any reporting requirements.
    
 
     Distributions that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by
the Company or the Operating Partnership of "United States real property
interests" ("USRPIs"), as defined in the Code, and not designated by the Company
as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the
extent they are made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the
Company. Unless such distributions are effectively connected with the Non-U.S.
Stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty
applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S.
Stockholder), the gross amount of the distributions will ordinarily be subject
to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% or lower treaty rate, if applicable. In
general, Non-U.S. Stockholders will not be considered engaged in a U.S. trade or
business (or, in the case of an income tax treaty, as having a U.S. permanent
establishment) solely by reason of their ownership of the Company's stock. If
income on the Company's stock is treated as effectively connected with the
Non-U.S. Stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the
Non-U.S. Stockholder), the Non-U.S. Stockholder generally will be subject to a
tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with
respect to such distributions (and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits
tax in the case of a stockholder that is a foreign corporation). The Company
expects to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of
any distributions of ordinary income made to a Non-U.S. Stockholder unless (i) a
lower treaty rate applies and proper certification is provided or (ii) the
Non-U.S. Stockholder files an IRS Form 4224 with the Company claiming that the
distribution is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's conduct of
a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable
to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Stockholder).
 
   
     Pursuant to Treasury Regulations, dividends paid to an address in a country
outside the United States are generally presumed to be paid to a resident of
such country for purposes of ascertaining the requirement of withholding
discussed above and the applicability of a tax treaty rate. Under certain income
tax treaties, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not
apply to dividends from a REIT, such as the Company. Under recently promulgated
Temporary Treasury Regulations, effective January 1, 1998, certain Non-U.S.
Stockholders who seek to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate will be
required to satisfy certain residency requirements. In addition, certain
certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied under the
effectively connected income and permanent establishment exemptions discussed in
the preceding paragraph.
    
 
     Unless the Company's stock constitutes a USRPI, distributions in excess of
current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company will not be taxable
to a stockholder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the
adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares but rather will reduce the adjusted
basis of such shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted
basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholder's shares of
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
the Company's capital stock, such distributions will give rise to tax liability
if the Non-U.S. Stockholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from
the sale or disposition of his shares, as described below. If it cannot be
determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution
will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
distributions will be subject to withholding at the same rate as dividends. If,
however, the Company's stock is treated as a USRPI, then unless otherwise
treated as a dividend for withholding tax purposes as described below, any
distributions in excess of current or accumulated earnings and profits will
generally be subject to 10% withholding and, to the extent such distributions
also exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholder's stock, they will also
give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of the stock, the tax treatment of
which is described below.
 
     Distributions that are designated by the Company at the time of
distribution as capital gain dividends (other than those arising from the
disposition of a USRPI) generally will not be subject to taxation, unless (i)
investment in the shares is effectively connected with the Non-U.S.
Stockholder's United States trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty
applies, it is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the
Non-U.S. Stockholder), in which case the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to
the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain (except that a
stockholder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch
profits tax), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a non-resident alien
individual whose is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the
taxable year and either has a "tax home" in the United States or sold his or her
shares under circumstances in which the sale was attributable to a U.S. office,
in which case the non-resident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on
the individual's capital gains.
 
     For any year in which the Company qualifies as a REIT, distributions that
are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by the Company of USRPIs
("USRPI Capital Gains"), such a properties beneficially owned by the Company
(including property held by the Operating Partnership), will be taxed to a
Non-U.S. Stockholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"). Under FIRPTA, such distributions are taxed
to a Non-U.S. Stockholder as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business regardless or whether such dividends are designated as capital gain
dividends. Non-U.S. Stockholders would thus be taxed at the normal capital gain
rates applicable to U.S. stockholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum
tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien
individuals) on such distributions. Also, distributions of USRPI Capital Gains
may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a foreign corporate
stockholder not entitled to treaty exemption or rate reduction. The Company is
required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of any distribution
consisting of USRPI Capital Gains. This amount may be creditable against the
Non-U.S. Stockholder's FIRPTA tax liability.
 
     Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon a sale of shares of Company
stock will generally not be taxed under FIRPTA if the shares do not constitute a
USRPI. Shares of the Company will not be considered a USRPI if the Company is a
"domestically controlled REIT," or if the shares are part of a class of stock
that is regularly traded on an established securities market and the holder
owned less 5% of the class of stock sold during a specified testing period. A
"domestically controlled REIT" is defined generally as a real estate investment
trust in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in
value of the stock was held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. The
Company believes that it is a "domestically controlled REIT," and therefore the
sale of shares will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. If the gain on the
sale of shares were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S.
Stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with
respect to such gain (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a
special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals),
and the purchaser of the stock may be required to withhold 10% of the purchase
price and remit such amount to the IRS. However, since the Company's Common
Stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given to this effect.
 
     Gain not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a Non-U.S. Stockholder if (i)
investment in the shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business
of the Non-U.S. Stockholder (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Stockholder), in
which case the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as
U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is
a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the U.S., in which case the
nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's
capital gains. If the gain on the sale of shares were to be subject to taxation
under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as
U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain (subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident
alien individuals).
 
     If the proceeds of a disposition of shares of Company stock are paid by or
through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment is subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the disposing Non-U.S. Stockholder
certifies as to his name, address and non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes
an exemption. Generally, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding will
not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the payment is made outside
the U.S. through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker. U.S. information
reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) will apply, however, to a
payment of disposition proceeds outside the U.S. if (i) the payment is made
through an office outside the U.S. of a broker that is either (a) a U.S. person,
(b) a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain
periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. or (c) a "controlled
foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and (ii) the broker
fails to obtain documentary evidence that the stockholder is a Non-U.S.
Stockholder and that certain conditions are met or that the Non-U.S. Stockholder
otherwise is entitled to an exemption.
 
   
     Final regulations dealing with withholding tax on income paid to foreign
persons and related matters (the "New Withholding Regulations") were recently
promulgated. In general, the New Withholding Regulations do not significantly
alter the substantive withholding and information reporting requirements
described above, but unify current certification procedures and forms and
clarify reliance standards. For example, the New Withholding Regulations adopt a
certification rule under which a Non-U.S. stockholder who wishes to claim the
benefit of an applicable treaty rate with respect to dividends received from a
U.S. corporation will be required to satisfy certain certification and other
requirements. In addition, the New Withholding Regulations require a corporation
that is a REIT to treat as a dividend the portion of a distribution that is not
designated as a capital gain dividend or return of basis and apply the 30%
withholding tax (subject to any applicable deduction or exemption) to such
portion, and to apply the FIRPTA withholding rules (discussed above) with
respect to the portion of the distribution designed by the REIT as capital gain
dividend. The New Withholding Regulations will generally be effective for
payments made after December 31, 1998, subject to certain transition rules.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS PARAGRAPH, THE DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IN
"TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS" DOES NOT TAKE THE NEW WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS
INTO ACCOUNT. PROSPECTIVE NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS.
    
 
  Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Consequences
 
     Prospective investors should recognize that the present federal income tax
treatment of an investment in the Company may be modified by legislative,
judicial or administrative action at any time, and that any such action may
affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with
federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the
legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting
in revisions or regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts
as well as statutory changes. Revisions in federal tax laws and interpretations
thereof could adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the
Company.
 
  State Tax Consequences and Withholding
 
     The Company and its stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation
in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they
transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of the Company
and its stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences
discussed above. Several states in which the Company may conduct business treat
REITs as ordinary corporations. The Company does not believe, however, that
stockholders will be required to file state tax returns, other than in their
respective states of residence, as a result of the ownership of shares of the
Company's capital stock.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
However, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in the
Company.
 
     EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR REGARDING
THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF COMMON
STOCK IN AN ENTITY ELECTING TO BE TAXED AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST,
INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, SALE, AND ELECTION AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE
TAX LAWS.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Offered Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell the Offered Securities to investors
directly or through agents, which agents may be affiliated with the Company. Any
such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Offered
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Direct sales
to investors may be accomplished through subscription offerings or concurrent
rights offerings to the Company's stockholders and direct placements to third
parties.
 
     Sales of Offered Securities offered pursuant to any applicable Prospectus
Supplement may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions on the
New York Stock Exchange or in negotiated transactions or any 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 other negotiated prices.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices
at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. The Company also may offer and
sell the Offered Securities in exchange for one or more of its then outstanding
issues of debt or convertible debt securities. The Company also may, from time
to time, authorize underwriters acting as the Company's agents to offer and sell
the Offered Securities upon the terms and conditions as set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Offered
Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the
Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of Offered Securities for whom they may act
as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered Securities to or through dealers, and
such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents.
 
     Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Offered Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them
and any profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into
with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Any such
indemnification agreements will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
series of Offered Securities will be a new issue with no established trading
market, other than the Common Stock which is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Any shares of Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement
will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. The
Company may elect to list any series of Preferred Stock or Warrants on any
exchange, but is not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more
underwriters may make a market in a series of Offered Securities, but will not
be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading
market for the Offered Securities.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date
or dates stated in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an
amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities
sold pursuant to Contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective
amounts stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom
Contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject
to the approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions
except (i) the purchase by an institution of the Offered Securities covered by
its Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of
any jurisdiction in the U.S. to which such institution is subject, and (ii) if
the Offered Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company shall have
sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered Securities
less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts.
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with and perform services for, the Company and its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
 
     In order to facilitate an offering of Offered Securities, certain persons
participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize,
maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the Offered Securities during and
after the offering. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise
create a short position in the Offered Securities for their own account by
selling more Offered Securities than have been sold to them by the Company. The
underwriters may elect to cover any such short position by purchasing Offered
Securities in the open market or by exercising any over-allotment option granted
to the underwriters. In addition, such persons may stabilize or maintain the
price of the Offered Securities by bidding for or purchasing Offered Securities
in the open market and may impose penalty bids, under which selling concessions
allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the
offering are reclaimed if Offered Securities previously distributed in the
offering are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions or
otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the
market price of the Offered Securities at a level above that which might
otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also
affect the price of the Offered Securities to the extent that it discourages
resales thereof. No representation is made as to the magnitude or effect of any
such stabilization or other transactions. Such transactions may be effected on
the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued
at any time.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of the Company, the GRT Predecessor Entities,
Glenborough Hotel Group, Atlantic Pacific Assurance Company Limited and
Glenborough Inland Realty Corporation and related financial statement schedules
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996, incorporated by reference herein, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, to the extent and for the periods indicated
in their reports, and have been incorporated herein in reliance on such reports
given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     In addition, the respective statements of revenues and certain expenses of
the UCT Property, the TRP Properties, the Carlsberg Properties, the CIGNA
Properties, the E&L Properties, the Lennar Properties, the Riverview Property,
the T. Rowe Price Properties, the Centerstone Property, the Advance Properties
and Citibank Park, included in various Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form
8-K/A, incorporated by reference herein, have also been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, to the extent and for the periods
indicated in their reports, and have been incorporated herein, in reliance on
such reports given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Offered Securities will be passed upon for the Company
by Morrison & Foerster LLP, Palo Alto, California. In addition, the description
of the Company's qualifications and taxation as a REIT under the Code contained
in the Prospectus under the caption "Federal Income Tax Consequences" is based
upon the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Certain matters will be passed upon
for any underwriters, agents or dealers by Latham & Watkins, San Francisco,
California.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, in
connection with the offering of the securities being registered are set forth
below. All of such expenses are estimates, except the Securities Act
Registration fee.
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        Securities Act Registration fee...................................  $303,031
        Printing fees.....................................................    50,000
        Legal fees and expenses...........................................    75,000
        Accounting fees and expenses......................................     5,000
        Blue sky fees and expenses........................................    15,000
        NASD filing fee...................................................    30,500
        Miscellaneous expenses............................................    21,469
                                                                            --------
                  Total...................................................  $500,000
                                                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     The Maryland GCL permits a Maryland Corporation to include in its charter a
provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the
corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for (i) actual receipt
of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active
and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to
the cause of action. The Charter contains such a provision which limits such
liability to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland GCL.
 
     The Charter authorizes the Company to obligate itself to indemnify its
present and former officers and directors and to pay or reimburse reasonable
expenses for those individuals in advance of the final disposition of a
proceeding to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by the laws of
Maryland. The Bylaws of the Company obligate it to indemnify, and advance
expenses to present, former and proposed directors and officers to the maximum
extent permitted by Maryland law. The Maryland GCL permits a corporation to
indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually
incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a
party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is
established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material
to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith
or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or
officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or
services, or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer
had a reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, a corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or
in the right of the corporation. In addition, the Maryland GCL requires the
Company, as conditions to advancing expenses, to obtain (i) a written
affirmation by the director or officer of his good-faith belief that he has met
the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as
authorized by the applicable Bylaws and (ii) a written statement by him or on
his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company if it shall
ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. The Bylaws of
the Company also permit the Company to provide indemnification and to advance
expenses to a present or former director or officer who served a predecessor of
the Company in that capacity, and to any employee or agent of the Company, or a
predecessor of the Company. Finally, the Maryland GCL requires a corporation
(unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Company's Charter does not) to
indemnify a director or officer who has been successful on the merits, or
otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by
reason of service in that capacity.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   38
 
     The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its
directors and executive officers to provide them with indemnification to the
full extent permitted by the Charter and Bylaws of Company.
 
     The Company has obtained an insurance policy to provide liability coverage
for directors and officers of Company.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
   
<TABLE>
<C>    <C>     <S>
 1.1*    --    Form of Underwriting Agreement
 3.1     --    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of the
               Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-09411))
 3.2     --    Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
               Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-09411))
 4.1*    --    Form of Warrant Agreement
 5.1     --    Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP
 8.1**   --    Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP relating to certain tax matters
12.1     --    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1**   --    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2**   --    Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
24.1**   --    Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
    
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the
  applicable offering of the Offered Securities.
   
** Previously filed.
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
         (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
             Securities Act of 1933;
 
         (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
              effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
              post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
              aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
              forth in this registration statement; and
 
        (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
              distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
              statement or any material change to such information in this
              registration statement; provided, however, that subparagraphs (i)
              and (ii) do not apply if the information required to be included
              in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
              the periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section
              13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
              are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
     be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   39
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     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 such Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the Securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   40
 
                                   SIGNATURES
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Mateo, State of California on
December 15, 1997.
 
                                          GLENBOROUGH REALTY TRUST
                                          INCORPORATED
 
                                          By:      /s/ FRANK E. AUSTIN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    Frank E. Austin
                                            Senior Vice President and Secretary 
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                SIGNATURE                              TITLE                       DATE
- ------------------------------------------  ----------------------------    ------------------
<C>                                         <S>                             <C>
 
            ROBERT BATINOVICH*             Chairman and Chief                December 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------------    Executive Officer
            Robert Batinovich
 
            ANDREW BATINOVICH*             Director, President and           December 15, 1997 
- ------------------------------------------    Chief Operating Officer
            Andrew Batinovich                                    
 
             STEPHEN SAUL*                 Chief Financial                   December 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------------    Officer
             Stephen Saul                      

            TERRI GARNICK*                 Senior Vice President and         December 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------------    Chief Accounting Officer
            Terri Garnick
 
            PATRICK FOLEY*                 Director                          December 15, 1997  
- ------------------------------------------
            Patrick Foley
 
           RICHARD A. MAGNUSON*            Director                          December 15, 1997 
- ------------------------------------------
           Richard A. Magnuson
 
            LAURA WALLACE*                 Director                          December 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------------
            Laura Wallace


*      /s/ FRANK E. AUSTIN                                                   December 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------------
           Frank E. Austin
           Attorney-in-Fact 
</TABLE>
    

 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   41
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                       DESCRIPTION
- ------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>      <S>
  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock
  3.1    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
         Form S-11 (File No. 333-09411))
  3.2    Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-09411))
  4.1*   Form of Warrant Agreement
  5.1    Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP
  8.1**  Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP relating to certain tax matters
 12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 23.1**  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 23.2**  Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
 24.1**  Power of Attorney
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the
  applicable offering of the Offered Securities.

** Previously filed
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


December 15, 1997




Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated
400 South El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA  94402-1708

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We are acting as counsel to Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated, a
Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the shelf registration
by the Company of $1,000,000,000 in maximum aggregate offering price of (i)
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common
Stock"), (ii) shares or fractional shares of the Company's preferred stock
("Preferred Stock") and (iii) warrants to purchase shares of the Company's
Common Stock and Preferred Stock (the "Warrants"). The Common Stock, Preferred
Stock and Warrants are the subject of a Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company on Form S-3 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").

        In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration, we
are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company
in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Common Stock, Preferred
Stock and Warrants, and for the purposes of this opinion, have assumed such
proceedings will be timely completed in the manner presently proposed. In
addition, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries,
including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and
instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this
opinion.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

        (1) The Company has authority pursuant to its Articles of Incorporation
to issue the shares of Common Stock to be registered under the Registration
Statement and (a) 

<PAGE>   2
Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated
December 15, 1997
Page 2

upon the adoption by the Board of Directors of a resolution in form and content
required by applicable law, (b) upon compliance with the applicable provisions
of the Act and such state "blue sky" or securities laws as may be applicable and
(c) upon issuance and delivery of and payment for such shares in the manner
contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, such shares of Common Stock will be legally issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.

        (2) The Company has authority pursuant to its Articles of Incorporation
to issue the shares of Preferred Stock to be registered under the Registration
Statement and (a) upon the adoption by the Board of Directors of a resolution in
form and content required by applicable law, (b) upon compliance with the
applicable provisions of the Act and such state "blue sky" or securities laws as
may be applicable, (c) upon the adoption by the Company's Board of Directors and
the due execution and filing by the Company with the Maryland State Department
of Assessments and Taxation (the "SDAT") of Articles Supplementary establishing
the preferences, limitations and relative voting and other rights of each series
of Preferred Stock prior to issuance thereof and (d) upon issuance and delivery
of and payment for such shares in the manner contemplated by the Registration
Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, such shares of Preferred
Stock will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

        (3) The Company has authority pursuant to its Articles of Incorporation
to issue the Warrants to be registered under the Registration Statement. The
shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants will have been duly and validly authorized (a) upon the adoption by
the Board of Directors of a resolution in form and content as required by
applicable law, (b) upon compliance with the applicable provisions of the Act
and such state "blue sky" or securities laws as may be applicable and (c) with
respect to such shares of Preferred Stock, upon the adoption by the Company's
Board of Directors and the due execution and filing by the Company with the
Maryland SDAT of Articles Supplementary establishing the preferences,
limitations and relative voting and other rights of each series of Preferred
Stock prior to issuance thereof. The shares of Common Stock and shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, when duly and validly
authorized and when issued in the manner contemplated by the Registration
Statement and/or applicable Prospectus Supplement and in accordance with the
terms of the warrant agreement relating to such Warrants and at a price therein
provided for, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

<PAGE>   3
Glenborough Realty Trust Incorporated
December 15, 1997
Page 3

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the reference to us under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus constituting a part
thereof and any amendments thereto.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            Morrison & Foerster LLP
 


<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1


GLENBOROUGH REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
for the five years ended December 31, 1996
and the nine month period ended September 30, 1997


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               GRT Predecessor Entities, Combined
                                                                                                 The Company
                                                Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                                                                              Twelve       Nine
                                                                                              Months       Months
                                                                                              Ended        Ended
                                            1992         1993         1994        1995       12/31/96     9/30/97
                                          --------      -------      ------      ------      --------------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
EARNINGS, AS DEFINED
   Net Income (loss)...................   $(2,681)      $ 4,418      $1,580      $  524      $(1,609)     $11,502
   Extraordinary items.................      (556)       (2,274)         --          --        7,423           --
   Federal & State income taxes........       700            24         176         357           --           --
   Minority Interest...................        (8)            5          43          --          292          689
   Fixed Charges.......................     1,860         1,301       1,140       2,129        3,913        6,416
                                          --------      -------      ------      ------      -------      -------
                                             (685)      $ 3,474      $2,939      $3,010      $10,019      $18,607
                                          --------      -------      ------      ------      -------      -------

FIXED CHARGES, AS DEFINED..............   $ 1,860       $ 1,301      $1,140      $2,129      $ 3,913      $ 6,416
                                          --------      -------      ------      ------      -------      -------

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES.....     (0.37)         2.67        2.58        1.41         2.56         2.90
                                          --------      -------      ------      ------      -------      -------
</TABLE>


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