HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST
8-K, 1999-04-30
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 30, 1999

                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                             <C>       
    Maryland                     1-11527                       04-3262075
(State or other              (Commission file                 (IRS employer
jurisdiction of                 number)                      identification no.)
incorporation)
</TABLE>

          400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts        02458
          (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-964-8389




<PAGE>



                            CERTAIN IMPORTANT FACTORS

This Current Report contains statements which constitute forward looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Those statements appear in a number of places in this Current Report and
include statements regarding the intent, belief or expectations of Hospitality
Properties Trust (the "Company"), its Trustees or its officers with respect to
the declaration or payment of dividends, the consummation of additional
acquisitions, policies and plans of the Company regarding investments,
dispositions, financings, conflicts of interest or other matters, the Company's
qualification and continued qualification as a real estate investment trust or
trends affecting the Company's or any hotel's financial condition or results of
operations. Readers are cautioned that any such forward looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and
that actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward
looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, without
limitation, changes in financing terms, the Company's ability or inability to
complete acquisitions and financing transactions, results of operations of the
Company's hotels and general changes in economic conditions not presently
contemplated. The information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, including the information under the
heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations", identifies other important factors that could cause such
differences.

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF THE COMPANY, DATED AUGUST 21,
1995 A COPY OF WHICH, TOGETHER WITH ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO (THE "DECLARATION"),
IS DULY FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION OF THE
STATE OF MARYLAND, PROVIDES THAT THE NAME "HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST" REFERS
TO THE TRUSTEES UNDER THE DECLARATION COLLECTIVELY AS TRUSTEES, BUT NOT
INDIVIDUALLY OR PERSONALLY, AND THAT NO TRUSTEE, OFFICER, SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE
OR AGENT OF THE TRUST SHALL BE HELD TO ANY PERSONAL LIABILITY, JOINTLY OR
SEVERALLY, FOR ANY OBLIGATION OF, OR CLAIM AGAINST, THE TRUST. ALL PERSONS
DEALING WITH THE TRUST, IN ANY WAY, SHALL LOOK ONLY TO THE ASSETS OF THE TRUST
FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY SUM OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OBLIGATION.




                                       -1-

<PAGE>

Item 5.  Other Events

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the 
quarter ended March 31, 1999

                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     March 31,
                                                                       1999
                                                                    -----------
                                                                    (unaudited)
<S>                                                                 <C>        
ASSETS

Real estate properties ........................................      $2,113,258
Accumulated depreciation ......................................        (130,195)
                                                                    -----------
                                                                      1,983,063

Cash and cash equivalents .....................................           6,536
Restricted cash (FF&E Reserve) ................................          24,407
Other assets, net .............................................          14,668
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     $2,028,674
                                                                    -----------
                                                                    -----------


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Senior notes, net of discount .................................      $  414,759
Revolving debt ................................................         172,000
Security and other deposits ...................................         231,114
Other liabilities .............................................          13,209

Shareholders' equity:
    Common shares of beneficial interest,  $.01 par value,
      100,000,000 shares authorized, 45,628,443 
      issued and outstanding ..................................             456
    Additional paid-in capital ................................       1,231,688
    Cumulative net income .....................................         226,403
    Dividends .................................................        (260,955)
                                                                    -----------
      Total shareholders' equity ..............................       1,197,592
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     $2,028,674
                                                                    -----------
                                                                    -----------

</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       2
<PAGE>


                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   For the Three  For the Three
                                                                   Months Ended   Months Ended
                                                                     March 31,     March 31,
                                                                       1999           1998
                                                                   ------------   -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>
Revenues:
   Rental income ...............................................      $49,042       $32,474
   FF&E reserve income .........................................        4,114         3,818
   Interest income .............................................          117         1,078
                                                                      -------       -------
       Total revenues ..........................................       53,273        37,370
                                                                      -------       -------

Expenses:
   Interest (including amortization of deferred finance costs of
       $554 and $1,585, respectively) ..........................        9,935         4,239
   Depreciation and amortization ...............................       17,271        11,364
   General and administrative ..................................        3,171         2,213
                                                                      -------       -------
       Total expenses ..........................................       30,377        17,816
                                                                      -------       -------

Income before extraordinary item ...............................       22,896        19,554
Extraordinary loss from extinguishment of debt .................         --          (6,316)
                                                                      -------       -------
Net income .....................................................      $22,896       $13,238
                                                                      -------       -------
                                                                      -------       -------

Weighted average shares outstanding ............................       45,614        39,779
                                                                      -------       -------
                                                                      -------       -------

Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income before extraordinary item ...............................      $  0.50       $  0.49
Extraordinary item .............................................           --         (0.16)
                                                                      -------       -------
Net income .....................................................      $  0.50       $  0.33
                                                                      -------       -------
                                                                      -------       -------

</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>


                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      For the Three   For the Three
                                                                       Months Ended    Months Ended
                                                                         March 31,      March 31,
                                                                           1999           1998
                                                                      --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income .......................................................      $ 22,896       $ 13,238
 Extraordinary loss from extinguishment of debt ...................            --          6,316
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by 
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization ..................................        17,271         11,364
   Amortization of deferred finance costs as interest .............           554          1,585
   FF&E reserve income ............................................        (4,114)        (3,818)
   Net change in assets and liabilities ...........................         1,791          4,903
                                                                         ---------      --------
    Cash provided by operating activities .........................        38,398         33,588
                                                                         ---------      --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Real estate acquisitions .........................................      (223,019)      (312,519)
 Increase in security and other deposits ..........................        25,096         21,646
                                                                         ---------      --------
   Cash used in investing activities ..............................      (197,923)      (290,873)
                                                                         ---------      --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net ......................            --         70,958
Proceeds from issuance of term debt, net of discount ..............            --        149,730
Repayment of credit facility ......................................            --       (125,000)
Draws on revolving credit facility ................................       172,000        125,000
Deferred finance costs incurred ...................................            --         (4,723)
Dividends paid ....................................................       (30,549)       (24,493)
                                                                         ---------      --------
   Cash provided by financing activities ..........................       141,451        191,472
                                                                         ---------      --------
Decrease in cash and equivalents ..................................       (18,074)       (65,813)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ..................        24,610         81,728
                                                                         ---------      --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ........................     $   6,536      $  15,915
                                                                         ---------      --------
                                                                         ---------      --------

Supplemental cash flow information:
   Cash paid for interest .........................................     $  11,680      $   2,050
Non-cash investing activities:
   Property managers' deposits in owned FF&E reserves .............         3,845          2,939
   Purchases of fixed assets with FF&E reserves proceeds ..........        (2,504)          (774)

</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>


              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (in thousands, except share and per share data)

NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Hospitality
Properties Trust, or the Company, and its subsidiaries have been prepared
without audit. Certain information and footnote disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements have
been condensed or omitted. We believe the disclosures made are adequate to make
the information presented not misleading. However, the accompanying financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1998. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only
normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. All intercompany transactions and balances between Hospitality
Properties Trust and its subsidiaries have been eliminated. Operating results
for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the full year.

In 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Issue No. 98-9,
"Accounting for Contingent Rent in Interim Financial Periods" ("EITF 98-9"). We
had adopted the provisions of EITF 98-9 prospectively as of May 21, 1998 (the
date of the issuance of EITF 98-9) and continued to apply them until EITF 98-9
was rescinded during the fourth quarter 1998.

If EITF 98-9 was applicable for the three months ended March 31, 1999, net
income would have been $21,957 ($.48/share). For the three months ended March
31, 1998 net income before extraordinary items and net income would have been
$18,575 ($.47/share) and $12,259 ($0.31/share), respectively. The deferred
percentage rent balance as of March 31, 1999 and 1998 would have been $939 and
$979, respectively.

EITF 98-9 had no impact on our annual results of operations, rather the
accounting changes required by EITF 98-9 would have, in general, deferred
recognition of certain percentage rental income from the first, second and third
quarters to the fourth quarter within a fiscal year.

NOTE 2.  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

In January 1999, we paid a $0.67 per share dividend to shareholders for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998. On April 5, 1999, the Trustees declared a
dividend of $0.68 per share to be paid to shareholders of record as of April 20,
1999, which will be distributed on or about May 20, 1999.

On April 12, 1999, we issued 3 million shares of 9 1/2% Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares raising net proceeds of approximately $72,400. The
net proceeds were used to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit
facility.

We do not present diluted earnings per share because we have no dilutive
instruments.

NOTE 3.  INDEBTEDNESS

As of March 31, 1999 we had $172,000 outstanding on our revolving credit
facility all of which was drawn during the 1999 first quarter. Proceeds from the
draws were used to fund the acquisitions discussed in Note 4.

NOTE 4.  REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES

During the three months ended March 31, 1999, certain of our subsidiaries
purchased eighteen Homestead Village(R) hotels, three Candlewood Suites(R)
hotels, five TownePlace Suites by Marriott(R) hotels and one Residence Inn by
Marriott(R) hotel for approximately $221,300, paid for by draws under our
revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

                                       5
<PAGE>


Subsequent to March 31, 1999, one of our subsidiaries purchased one Courtyard
by Marriott(R) hotel for approximately $10,200, paid for by cash on hand.

Each of these hotels purchased in 1999 was leased to an unaffiliated party as
part of a pool of properties also leased to affiliates of the seller.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

Index to Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements and Other Data
(see index on page F-1).

(c) Exhibits.

      1.1   Underwriting Agreement, dated April 7, 1999, by and among 
            Hospitality Properties Trust and the several underwriters named
            therein relating to 3,450,000 9 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
            Preferred Shares.

      3.1   Articles Supplementary relating to Hospitality Properties Trust's 
            9 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.

     23.1   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.


                                       6

<PAGE>


                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

Index to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Data

1. Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements
   and Other Data.......................................................... F-2

2. Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet and Other Data as of
   March 31, 1999.......................................................... F-3

3. Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Data for
   the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and the three months ended 
   March 31, 1999.......................................................... F-4

4. Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and 
   Other Data.............................................................. F-6



                                       F-1

<PAGE>


                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

                  INTRODUCTION TO UNAUDITED ADJUSTED PRO FORMA

                      CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 
1999 is intended to present the consolidated financial position of HPT as if 
the transactions described in the notes hereto (the "Transactions") were 
consummated at March 31, 1999. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated 
statements of income for the year ended December 31, 1998 and three months 
ended March 31, 1999 are intended to present the consolidated results of 
operations of HPT as if the Transactions were consummated as of January 1, 
1998. These unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be 
read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference 
to, the separate consolidated financial statements of HPT, incorporated 
herein by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1998.

In addition to pro forma adjustments relating to operating hotel properties 
acquired during 1998 and 1999, these unaudited adjusted pro forma 
consolidated financial statements include adjustments for the results of 
certain hotel properties which were under development during 1998 and 1999. 
See Notes F and Q. HPT believes that presentation of combined pro forma 
and adjusted financial data is meaningful and relevant to an understanding of 
the effects of the Transactions on HPT. No assurance can be given that these 
adjusted pro forma consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated 
financial results which would have been realized if the acquisition and 
development of the relevant hotel properties was completed as of March 31, 
1999 or January 1, 1998.

These unaudited adjusted pro forma consolidated financial statements are not
necessarily indicative of what the actual consolidated financial position or
results of operations of HPT would have been as of the date or for the period
indicated, nor do they purport to represent the expected consolidated financial
position or results of operations of HPT for any future period. Differences may
result from, among other considerations, future changes in HPT's portfolio of
investments, changes in interest rates, changes in the capital structure of HPT,
delays in the acquisition of certain properties or any determination not to
complete the acquisition of any hotel properties and changes in operating
expenses.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and unaudited 
pro forma consolidated statements of income were prepared pursuant to the 
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules for the presentation of pro forma 
data. The pro forma and adjusted pro forma other data give effect to the 
consummation by the Company of the Transactions. Certain properties expected 
to be acquired by the Company are currently under construction or development 
by the sellers. Other properties were under construction during the period 
presented when they were owned or under development by the sellers. The 
accompanying pro forma information does not give further effect to the 
completion of construction or the related lease commencement for any period 
prior thereto. Construction projects not completed by March 31, 1999 are 
likewise not reflected in the pro forma balance sheet. Rather, the effect of 
completion of construction of these properties is presented separately from 
the pro forma information as described in the accompanying notes. The Company 
believes that a display of such adjusted pro forma data is meaningful and 
relevant to the understanding of the Transactions and, accordingly has 
presented such data in the final two columns, labeled "Other Data," on the 
accompanying pages.


                                       F-2


<PAGE>



                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

          Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet and Other Data

                             As of March 31, 1999

                             (amounts in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Pro Forma                       Other Data
                                                                                ---------                       ----------
                                                                        Pro Forma                          Other       Adjusted Pro
                                                      Historical (A)   Adjustments      Pro Forma       Adjustments       Forma
                                                      --------------   -----------      ---------       -----------       -----
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>       
              Assets

Real estate properties                                 $2,113,258       $     --        $2,113,258       $75,324(F)     $2,188,582
Accumulated depreciation                                 (130,195)            --          (130,195)           --          (130,195)
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
                                                        1,983,063             --         1,983,063        75,324         2,058,387
Cash and cash equivalents                                  6,536          93,939(B)        100,475       (67,477)(G)        32,998
Restricted cash (FF&E Reserve)                             24,407             --            24,407            --            24,407
Other assets, net                                          14,668             --            14,668            --            14,668
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
                                                       $2,028,674       $ 93,939        $2,122,613       $ 7,847        $2,130,460
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Senior notes, net of discount                            $414,759       $     --          $414,759       $    --        $  414,759
Revolving debt                                            172,000       (172,000)(C)            --            --                --
Security and other deposits                               231,114             --           231,114         7,847(H)        238,961
Other liabilities                                          13,209             --            13,209            --            13,209

Shareholders' equity:
   9-1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares      --         72,438(D)         72,438            --            72,438
   Common shares of beneficial interest                       456             70(E)            526            --               526
   Additional paid-in capital                           1,231,688        193,431(E)      1,425,119            --         1,425,119
   Cumulative net income                                  226,403             --           226,403            --           226,403
   Dividends                                             (260,955)            --          (260,955)           --          (260,955)
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
          Total shareholders' equity                    1,197,592        265,939         1,463,531            --         1,463,531
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
                                                       $2,028,674       $ 93,939        $2,122,613       $ 7,847        $2,130,460
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------
                                                       ----------       --------        ----------       -------        ----------

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements
and other data.


                                       F-3

<PAGE>



                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

       Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income and Other Data

                      For the Year Ended December 31, 1998

                (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Pro Forma                    Other Data
                                                                                   ---------                    ----------
                                                                            Pro Forma                       Other      Adjusted Pro
                                                          Historical (I)   Adjustments     Pro Forma      Adjustments      Forma
                                                          --------------   -----------     ---------      -----------      -----
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>     
Revenues:
       Rental income                                          $157,223       $32,603 (J)    $189,826       $26,718(Q)   $216,544
       FF&E reserve income                                      16,108         1,104 (K)      17,212            --        17,212
       Interest income                                           1,630            --           1,630            --         1,630
                                                              --------       -------        --------       -------      --------

              Total revenues                                   174,961        33,707         208,668        26,718       235,386
                                                              --------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Expenses:
       Depreciation and amortization                            54,757         9,965 (L)      64,722         8,614(R)     73,336
          
       Interest                                                 21,751        13,220 (M)      34,971            --        34,971
       General and administrative                               10,471         1,508 (N)      11,979         1,304(S)     13,283
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

              Total expenses                                    86,979        24,693         111,672         9,918       121,590
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Net income                                                      87,982         9,014          96,996        16,800       113,796
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

9-1/2% Series A preferred share dividends                           --         7,125 (O)       7,125            --         7,125
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Net income available
  for common shareholders                                      $87,982       $ 1,889        $ 89,871       $16,800      $106,671
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Weighted average common shares outstanding                      42,317        10,291 (P)      52,608            --        52,608
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Net Income available for common
  shareholders per share                                         $2.08                         $1.71                       $2.03
                                                               -------                      --------                    --------
                                                               -------                      --------                    --------

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements
and other data.


                                       F-4

<PAGE>



                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

       Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income and Other Data

                     For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999

                 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Pro Forma                    Other Data
                                                                                   ---------                    ----------
                                                                            Pro Forma                       Other      Adjusted Pro
                                                          Historical (I)   Adjustments     Pro Forma      Adjustments      Forma
                                                          --------------   -----------     ---------      -----------      -----
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>     
Revenues:
       Rental income                                          $49,042       $ 2,748 (J)    $ 51,790        $2,417(Q)      $ 54,207
       FF&E reserve income                                      4,114           603 (K)       4,717            --            4,717
       Interest income                                            117            --             117            --              117
                                                              --------       -------        --------       -------        --------

              Total revenues                                   53,273         3,351          56,624         2,417           59,041
                                                              --------       -------        --------       -------         -------

Expenses:
       Depreciation and amortization                           17,271           830 (L)      18,101           763(R)        18,864
          
       Interest                                                 9,935        (1,192)(M)       8,743            --            8,743
       General and administrative                               3,171           126 (N)       3,297           115(S)         3,412
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------

              Total expenses                                   30,377          (236)         30,141           878           31,019
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------

Net income                                                     22,896         3,587          26,483         1,539           28,022
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------

9-1/2% Series A preferred share dividends                           --        1,781 (O)       1,781            --            1,781
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------

Net income available for common shareholders                   $22,896       $ 1,806        $ 24,702       $ 1,539         $26,241
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------         --------

Weighted average common shares outstanding                      45,614        7,000 (P)       52,614            --        52,614
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------
                                                               -------       -------        --------       -------      --------

Net income available for common
  shareholders per share                                         $0.50                         $0.47                       $0.50
                                                               -------                      --------                    --------
                                                               -------                      --------                    --------



</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements
and other data.


                                       F-5


<PAGE>


                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

  Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Data
                             (dollars in thousands)

                Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet Adjustments



A.  Represents the unaudited historical consolidated balance sheet of the
    Company at March 31, 1999.

B.  Represents pro forma impact on cash as follows:

<TABLE>

    <S>                                                                              <C>
    Cash transactions:
      Net proceeds from the Proposed Offering (defined in Note C)                    $193,501
      Net proceeds from issuance of the 9-1/2% Series A Note
        Cumulative Preferred Shares in April 1999                                      72,438
      Repayments of outstanding borrowings under HPT's
        credit facility                                                              (172,000)
                                                                                   ----------
      Net impact on cash                                                               93,939
                                                                                   ----------
                                                                                   ----------
</TABLE>

C.  Represents pro forma amounts repaid under the credit facility after 
    completion of the proposed issuance of 7 million common shares of
    beneficial interest (the "Proposed Offering") and the issuance of the
    9 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.

D.  Represents the proceeds from the issuance of the 9 1/2% Series A
    Cumulative Preferred Shares in April 1999 net of transaction
    costs of $2,562.

E.  Represents the following:

<TABLE>

    <S>                                                      <C>
    Gross proceeds from the Proposed Offering
      (7,000,000 shares at $29-1/4 per share)                $204,750
    Estimated expenses of the Proposed Offering               (11,249)
                                                            ----------
      Net proceeds of the Proposed Offering                   193,501
    Par value ($.01) of 7,000,000 shares                          (70)
                                                            ----------
      Additional paid-in capital                             $193,431
                                                            ----------
                                                            ----------
</TABLE>

                                   Other Data
                     Consolidated Balance Sheet Adjustments

F.  Represents the purchase of 7 hotels acquired or to be acquired, but not open
    as of March 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
        <S>                                                  <C>  
        Cash purchase prices:
        Three Courtyard by Marriott(R) hotels                 $29,716
        Two Residence Inn by Marriott(R) hotels                20,957
        Two TownePlace Suites by Marriott(R) hotels            16,429
        Purchase price withheld as security deposits            7,847
        Closing costs                                             375
                                                              -------
        Total                                                 $75,324
                                                              -------
                                                              -------
</TABLE>

G.  Represents the net cash required to buy the 7 hotels described in F.


                                       F-6

<PAGE>

H.  Represents security deposits held by the Company as a result of purchasing
    and leasing the following hotels which were not open as of March 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                  <C>  
         Three Courtyard by Marriott(R)hotels                 $ 3,475
         Two Residence Inn by Marriott(R)hotels                 2,451
         Two TownePlace Suites by Marriott(R)hotels             1,921
                                                              --------
         Total                                                $ 7,847
                                                              --------
                                                              --------
</TABLE>


                                       F-7

<PAGE>


                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

 Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Data -
                                    continued
                             (dollars in thousands)

Pro Forma Consolidated Income Statement Adjustments


I.   Represents the historical consolidated statement of income for the
     period presented excluding an extraordinary loss related to the early
     extinguishment of debt in 1998 of $6,641.

J.   Represents the pro forma effect of leases entered and to be entered for
     hotels open during the periods presented. This pro forma effect is derived
     as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended        Three Months
                                                              December 31,     Ended March 31,
                                                                 1998               1999
                                                              -----------      ---------------
         <S>                                                   <C>              <C>
        Pro forma Minimum Rent                                 $ 186,390         $ 50,851
        Pro forma Percentage Rent                                  3,436              939
        Amounts included in historical Minimum Rent             (153,787)         (48,103)
        Amounts included in historical Percentage Rent            (3,436)            (939)
                                                               ---------         ---------
                                                               $  32,603         $  2,748
                                                               ---------         ---------
                                                               ---------         ---------
</TABLE>

     Certain of the hotels owned by the Company as of March 31, 1999 were 
     under development and others are currently under development by the 
     sellers of these properties. The Company is not contractually obligated 
     to acquire these hotels until they are completed. The foregoing pro 
     forma income statements assume the hotels, which were completed prior to 
     December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999 were acquired as of their 
     completion date. Percentage rent, which is based upon a percentage of 
     gross revenue increases, cannot be calculated for unopened hotels under 
     development, and no such amounts are included.

K.   FF&E Reserve escrow accounts for all of HPT's Marriott(R) brand hotels are
     owned by HPT and periodic payments into these escrow accounts are recorded
     as additional rent under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
     A pro forma adjustment to record additional rent relating to FF&E escrow
     contributions of $1,104 has been made for four hotels acquired in December
     1998 which were open and operating throughout 1998. A pro forma adjustment
     to record additional rent relating to FF&E escrow contributions of $603 
     has been made for the three months ended March 31, 1999 for ten hotels
     owned or acquired and operating through March 31, 1999. No pro forma
     adjustment for the FF&E Reserve income related to newly constructed hotels
     purchased and to be purchased by HPT from Marriott has been made, as this
     amount cannot be calculated. The FF&E Reserves for HPT's Wyndham(R),
     Sumner Suites(R), Candlewood Suites(R), Summerfield Suites(R) and
     Homestead Village(R) hotels remain the property of the respective tenants
     during the lease term. HPT has a security interest in these escrow
     accounts and at the  end of the lease term, any remaining funds in these
     FF&E Reserves must be paid to HPT. Under GAAP, the FF&E Reserve for the
     leases relating to these hotels is not recorded as income by HPT.

L.   Represents the impact of the pro forma transactions on depreciation expense
     for the entire period presented.

M.   Represents the following adjustments to interest expense:

     -    Eliminate 1998 interest expense recognized on the $125 million of
          mortgage notes repaid in February 1998 including amortization of
          deferred financing costs.

     -    Eliminate interest on credit facility borrowings for the 
          period presented repaid with the proceeds from the Proposed 
          Offering, the senior notes, the 6.7 million common shares issued
          during 1998 and the preferred shares issued in April 1999.

     -    Add interest, including amortization of deferred financing costs,
          on the $415 million of senior notes issued during 1998 for the year
          ended December 31, 1998.

     -    Add amortization of deferred financing costs related to the
          Company's $300 million credit facility for the entire year ended
          December 31, 1998.

N.   Represents the estimated impact of the Transactions on general and
     administrative expenses of the Company for the periods presented.

O.   Represents preferred dividends on the 9 1/2% Series A Cumulative 
     Preferred Shares for the period presented.

P.   Represents the weighted average impact of the Proposed Offering and
     6.7 million common shares of beneficial interest issued by the Company
     during 1998.


                                      F-8

<PAGE>

                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

 Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Data -
                                    continued
                             (dollars in thousands)


                                   Other Data
                    Consolidated Income Statement Adjustments

Q.  Represents the effect of leases entered and to be entered for the
    transactions described in Note F above, since the beginning of the periods
    presented. The effect of these leases is derived as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended        Three Months 
                                                             December 31,      Ended March 31,
                                                                 1998               1999
                                                             ------------      ---------------
        <S>                                                    <C>              <C>

        Adjusted pro forma Minimum Rent                        $213,108           $ 53,268
        Adjusted pro forma Percentage Rent                        3,436                939
        Amounts included in pro forma Minimum Rent             (186,390)           (50,851)
        Amounts included in pro forma Percentage Rent            (3,436)              (939)
                                                               --------            --------
                                                               $ 26,718           $  2,417
                                                               --------            --------
                                                               --------            --------
</TABLE>


R.  Represents the impact of the transactions described in Note F above, on
    depreciation expense for the entire period presented.

S.  Represents the estimated impact of the transactions described in Note F
    above, on general and administrative expenses of the Company.


                                       F-9




<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

                          By:   /s/ Thomas M. O'Brien
                               -------------------------------
                               Thomas M. O'Brien, Treasurer




Date: April 30, 1999




<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 1.1

                                3,000,000 Shares
                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST
                    (a Maryland real estate investment trust)

                      9 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
                     Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                                                  April 7, 1999

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Prudential Securities Incorporated
   as Representatives of the several Underwriters
   named in Schedule A hereto
c/o  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                    Incorporated
     North Tower
     World Financial Center
     New York, New York  10281-1209

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Hospitality  Properties  Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust
(the "Company"), confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
("Salomon"),  A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. ("A.G.  Edwards"),  Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated ("Morgan") and Prudential Securities  Incorporated  ("Prudential"),
together  with  each of the  other  Underwriters  named  in  Schedule  A  hereto
(collectively,  the "Underwriters" which term shall also include any underwriter
substituted for an Underwriter),  for whom Merrill Lynch, Salomon, A.G. Edwards,
Morgan and Prudential are acting as representatives  (in such capacity,  Merrill
Lynch, Salomon, A.G. Edwards, Morgan and Prudential are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Representatives"), with respect to the issue and sale by the
Company and the purchase by each such Underwriter,  severally, of the respective
numbers of 9 1/2% Series A Cumulative  Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial
Interest,  without par value (the "Preferred Shares"),  of the Company set forth
in Exhibit A hereto at a purchase price of $24.2125 per Preferred Share and with
respect to the grant by the Company to the  Underwriters of the option described
in  Section  2  hereof  to  purchase  all or any part of an  additional  450,000
Preferred Shares to cover  over-allotments.  The aforesaid  3,000,000  Preferred
Shares  (the  "Initial  Shares"),  together  with all or any part of the 450,000
Preferred  Shares  subject to the  option  described  in  Section 2 hereof  (the
"Option Shares"), are collectively hereinafter called the "Shares."
<PAGE>


         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission")  a  registration  statement  on  Form S3  (No.  33343573)  for the
registration  of debt  securities,  preferred  shares  of  beneficial  interest,
depositary shares,  common shares of beneficial  interest and warrants under the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),  and the offering  thereof
from time to time in accordance  with Rule 415 of the rules and  regulations  of
the  Commission  under  the  1933  Act  (the  "1933  Act   Regulations").   Such
registration  statement has been declared effective by the Commission on January
15, 1998 and the Company has filed such post-effective amendments thereto as may
be required and each such  post-effective  amendment has been declared effective
by the Commission. Such registration statement (as so amended, if applicable) is
referred to herein as the "Registration Statement"; and the final prospectus and
the final prospectus  supplement  relating to the offering of the Shares, in the
form first  furnished to the  Underwriters  by the Company for use in connection
with the  offering of the  Shares,  are  collectively  referred to herein as the
"Prospectus";  provided,  however,  that  all  references  to the  "Registration
Statement"  and the  "Prospectus"  shall also be deemed to include all documents
incorporated  therein by reference  pursuant to the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), prior to the date hereof; provided,  further,
that if the Company files a registration  statement with the Commission pursuant
to Rule  462(b)  of the 1933 Act  Regulations  (the  "Rule  462(b)  Registration
Statement"), then, after such filing, all references to "Registration Statement"
shall also be deemed to include  the Rule  462(b)  Registration  Statement.  For
purposes of this  Underwriting  Agreement,  all  references to the  Registration
Statement  and  Prospectus,  or to any  amendment or supplement to either of the
foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission pursuant
to its Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").

         All references in this Underwriting  Agreement to financial  statements
and schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated"
(or other  references  of like  import)  in the  Registration  Statement  or the
Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and
schedules  and other  information  which is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus,  as the case  may be,  prior to the
execution  of  this   Underwriting   Agreement;   and  all  references  in  this
Underwriting   Agreement  to  amendments  or  supplements  to  the  Registration
Statement,  Prospectus  or  preliminary  prospectus  shall be deemed to mean and
include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act which is  incorporated  by
reference in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as the case may be, after
the execution of this Underwriting Agreement.

         The 197 hotels  described in the Prospectus as being currently owned by
the  Company as of the date  hereof are  collectively  referred to herein as the
"Current Hotels".  The 7 hotels described in the Prospectus as being proposed to
be acquired by the  Company as of the date hereof are  collectively  referred to
herein as the "Additional  Hotels". The Current Hotels and the Additional Hotels
are  collectively  referred to herein as the "Hotels".  It is understood that in
connection with the proposed  acquisition of the Additional  Hotels, the Company
has entered  into  purchase and sale  agreements  and  agreements  to lease (the
"Acquisition  Agreements")  contemplating  consummation  of a series of  related
transactions  (the  "Acquisition   Transactions")  generally  described  in  the
Prospectus  Supplement  referred to below under the captions  "Summary -- Recent
Investments,"  pursuant  to which the Company  shall (i) acquire the  Additional
Hotels,  and (ii)  lease the  Additional  Hotels  to a  subsidiary  of  Marriott
International, Inc. on a combined basis.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.

         (a)  Representations  and  Warranties  by  the  Company.   The  Company
represents and warrants to you, as of the date hereof, as follows:

                  (1) Compliance  with  Registration  Requirements.  The Company
         meets the  requirements  for use of Form S-3  under  the 1933 Act.  The
         Registration   Statement   (including  any  Rule  462(b)   Registration
         Statement)  has become  effective  under the 1933 Act and no stop order
         suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement (or such
         Rule 462(b) Registration  Statement) has been issued under the 1933 Act
         and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending
         or,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Company,   are  contemplated  by  the
         Commission,  and  any  request  on  the  part  of  the  Commission  for
         additional information has been complied with.

                  At the respective times the Registration  Statement (including
         any  Rule  462(b)   Registration   Statement)  and  any  post-effective
         amendments  thereto  (including the filing of the Company's most recent
         Annual Report on Form 10-K with the  Commission  (the "Annual Report on
         Form  10-K"))  became  effective  and  as  of  the  date  hereof,   the
         Registration   Statement   (including  any  Rule  462(b)   Registration
         Statement) and any amendments  thereto  complied and will comply in all
         material  respects with the  requirements  of the 1933 Act and the 1933
         Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of
         a material  fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  At
         the date of the  Prospectus  and at the Closing Time as defined  below,
         neither the  Prospectus  nor any  amendments  and  supplements  thereto
         included  or will  include an untrue  statement  of a material  fact or
         omitted or will omit to state a  material  fact  necessary  in order to
         make the statements  therein,  in the light of the circumstances  under
         which they were made, not  misleading.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,
         the  representations  and warranties in this subsection shall not apply
         to statements in or omissions  from the  Registration  Statement or the
         Prospectus  made in reliance  upon and in conformity  with  information
         furnished  to the  Company in writing by you  expressly  for use in the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

                  Each  preliminary  prospectus and prospectus  filed as part of
         the  Registration  Statement  as  originally  filed  or as  part of any
         amendment  thereto,  or filed  pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act,
         complied  when so  filed  in all  material  respects  with the 1933 Act
         Regulations  and the Prospectus  delivered to you for use in connection
         with the offering of the Shares will, at the time of such delivery,  be
         identical to any  electronically  transmitted copies thereof filed with
         the  Commission  pursuant to EDGAR,  except to the extent  permitted by
         Regulation S-T.

                  (2)  Incorporated  Documents.  The documents  incorporated  or
         deemed to be  incorporated by reference in the  Registration  Statement
         and the  Prospectus,  at the time they were or hereafter are filed with
         the Commission,  complied and will comply in all material respects with
         the  requirements  of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission  thereunder  (the  "1934 Act  Regulations")  and,  when read
         together with the other  information in the Prospectus,  at the date of
         the  Prospectus and at the Closing 

                                       3
<PAGE>

         Time did not and will not  include  an untrue  statement  of a material
         fact or omit to state a material  fact  necessary  in order to make the
         statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading.

                  (3) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified the
         financial  statements and any supporting  schedules thereto included in
         the  Registration  Statement and the Prospectus are independent  public
         accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (4)  Financial  Statements.  The  financial  statements of the
         Company  included in the  Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus,
         together  with  the  related  schedules  and  notes,  as well as  those
         financial statements,  schedules and notes of any other entity included
         therein,  present fairly the financial  position of the Company and its
         consolidated subsidiaries, or such other entity, as the case may be, at
         the dates  indicated  and the  statement of  operations,  shareholders'
         equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries,
         or such other  entity,  as the case may be, for the periods  specified.
         Such  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  conformity  with
         generally  accepted   accounting   principles  ("GAAP")  applied  on  a
         consistent  basis  throughout  the  periods  involved.  The  supporting
         schedules,  if any,  included  in the  Registration  Statement  and the
         Prospectus  present  fairly in  accordance  with  GAAP the  information
         required to be stated  therein.  The  selected  financial  data and the
         summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly
         the  information  shown  therein  and  have  been  compiled  on a basis
         consistent with that of the audited  financial  statements  included in
         the  Registration  Statement and the Prospectus.  In addition,  any pro
         forma financial  statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the
         related notes thereto  included in the  Registration  Statement and the
         Prospectus  present fairly the  information  shown  therein,  have been
         prepared in accordance with the Commission's  rules and guidelines with
         respect  to pro  forma  financial  statements  and have  been  properly
         compiled on the bases described  therein,  and the assumptions  used in
         the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein
         are appropriate to give effect to the  transactions  and  circumstances
         referred to therein.

                  (5)  No  Material  Adverse  Change  in  Business.   Since  the
         respective  dates as of which  information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus,  except as otherwise stated therein,  (A)
         there has been no material  adverse change in the condition,  financial
         or  otherwise,  or  in  the  earnings,  business  affairs  or  business
         prospects  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  considered  as one
         enterprise,  whether or not arising in the ordinary  course of business
         (a "Material Adverse Effect" or a "Material Adverse Change"), (B) there
         have been no  transactions  entered  into by the  Company or any of its
         subsidiaries,  other  than  those  arising  in the  ordinary  course of
         business,  which are  material  with  respect  to the  Company  and its
         subsidiaries  considered as one  enterprise  and (C) except for regular
         dividends  on the  Company's  common  shares or  preferred  shares,  in
         amounts  per  share  that are  consistent  with  past  practice  or the
         applicable charter document or supplement thereto, respectively,  there
         has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made
         by the Company on any class of its capital shares.

                                       4
<PAGE>


                  (6) Good  Standing of the  Company.  The Company has been duly
         organized and is validly existing as a real estate  investment trust in
         good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has power and
         authority to own,  lease and operate its  properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the  Prospectus  and to enter into and perform
         its  obligations  under, or as contemplated  under,  this  Underwriting
         Agreement. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in
         good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is
         required,  whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or
         the conduct of  business,  except where the failure to so qualify or be
         in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the
         Articles Supplementary relating to the Preferred Shares will be in full
         force and effect as of the Closing Time.

                  (7)  Good   Standing  of   Subsidiaries.   Each   "significant
         subsidiary"  of the  Company  (as such term is  defined in Rule 1-02 of
         Regulation  S-X  promulgated  under the 1933 Act) (each, a "Subsidiary"
         and, collectively, the "Subsidiaries"), if any, has been duly organized
         and is validly  existing as a corporation  or a real estate  investment
         trust,  as the  case may be,  in good  standing  under  the laws of the
         jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as the case may be, has
         corporate  power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
         and to conduct its business as described in the  Prospectus and is duly
         qualified as a foreign  corporation or a real estate  investment trust,
         as the case may be, to  transact  business  and is in good  standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such  qualification is required,  whether by
         reason of the  ownership  or  leasing  of  property  or the  conduct of
         business, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing
         would not  result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Except as  otherwise
         stated in the  Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus,  all of the
         issued and outstanding  capital shares of each Subsidiary has been duly
         authorized and is validly issued,  fully paid and non-assessable and is
         owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries,  free and clear
         of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
         equity.  None of the  outstanding  capital shares of any Subsidiary was
         issued  in  violation  of  preemptive  or other  similar  rights of any
         securityholder of such Subsidiary.

                  (8)  Capitalization.  The  authorized,  issued and outstanding
         capital  shares  of the  Company  (except  for  500  common  shares  of
         beneficial intrest, par value $0.1 per share (the "Common Shares"), 250
         of which are held by John A.  Mannix and 250 of which are held by David
         M. Lepore) have been duly  authorized and validly issued by the Company
         and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as otherwise described in
         the Registration Statement), and none of such capital shares was issued
         in   violation  of   preemptive   or  other   similar   rights  of  any
         securityholder of the Company.

                  (9)  Authorization  of  this  Underwriting   Agreement.   This
         Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
         by the Company.

                  (10)  Authorization of the Shares. The Shares to be issued and
         sold pursuant to this  Agreement  have been duly  authorized  and, when
         issued and  delivered  to you  against  payment  therefor  as  provided
         hereunder,  will  have  been  validly  issued  and will be fully  paid,
         non-assessable  (except  as  otherwise  described  in the  Registration
         Statement)  and free of  preemptive  or similar  rights;  the Preferred
         Shares conform to the provisions of the 

                                       5
<PAGE>


         Articles Supplementary; there are no outstanding subscriptions, rights,
         warrants,  options, calls, convertible securities,  commitments of sale
         or liens related to or entitling any person to purchase or otherwise to
         acquire  any Common  Shares  of, or other  ownership  interest  in, the
         Company, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or
         the  Prospectus  and except for awards  under the  Company's  Incentive
         Share  Award  Plan  made  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business;  all
         outstanding  Common  Shares,  except for shares issued  pursuant to the
         Company's  Incentive  Share Award Plan and shares issued to the Advisor
         (as defined below) and its affiliates, are listed on the New York Stock
         Exchange,  Inc.  (the "NYSE") and the company knows of no reason or set
         of facts  which is likely to result  in the  delisting  of such  Common
         Shares or the inability to list the Shares;  and there are no rights of
         holders of  securities  of the  Company to the  registration  of Common
         Shares or other securities that would require  inclusion of such Common
         Shares or other securities in the offering of the Shares.

                  (11)  Descriptions  of the Shares.  The Shares will conform in
         all material  respects to the statements  relating thereto contained in
         the Prospectus.

                  (12)  Absence of Defaults and  Conflicts.  Neither the Company
         nor any of its  subsidiaries  is in  violation  of its  declaration  of
         trust,  charter  or  by-laws  or  in  default  in  the  performance  or
         observance  of  any  obligation,   agreement,   covenant  or  condition
         contained in any contract, indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust, loan or
         credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which
         the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any
         of them may be bound,  or to which  any of the  assets,  properties  or
         operations  of  the  Company  or any of  its  subsidiaries  is  subject
         (collectively,  "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults
         that would not  result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The  execution,
         delivery and performance of this  Underwriting  Agreement and any other
         agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into or
         issued by the Company in connection with the transactions  contemplated
         hereby or thereby or in the  Registration  Statement and the Prospectus
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the
         Registration  Statement and the Prospectus  (including the issuance and
         sale of the  Shares  and the use of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
         Shares as described under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance
         by the Company with its obligations  hereunder and thereunder have been
         duly authorized by all necessary  corporate  action and do not and will
         not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or
         both,  conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment
         Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition
         of any lien,  charge or  encumbrance  upon any  assets,  properties  or
         operations of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  pursuant to, any
         Agreements  and  Instruments,  nor  will  such  action  result  in  any
         violation of the  provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company or
         any  of  its  subsidiaries  or  any  applicable  law,  statute,   rule,
         regulation,   judgment,  order,  writ  or  decree  of  any  government,
         government  instrumentality  or  court,  domestic  or  foreign,  having
         jurisdiction  over the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  or any of
         their assets,  properties or operations.  As used herein,  a "Repayment
         Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note,
         debenture or other  evidence of  indebtedness  (or any person acting on
         such holder's  behalf) the right to require the repurchase,  redemption
         or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  (13)  Absence  of  Labor  Dispute.  To  the  knowledge  of the
         Company,  no labor problem  exists or is imminent with employees of the
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries  that could have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                  (14)  Absence  of  Proceedings.  There  is  no  action,  suit,
         proceeding,  inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or
         governmental  agency or body,  domestic or foreign,  now pending, or to
         the  knowledge  of the Company  threatened,  against or  affecting  the
         Company or any of its subsidiaries which is required to be disclosed in
         the  Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus  (other than as stated
         therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and
         adversely  affect the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
         under the Prospectus,  this Underwriting  Agreement, or the performance
         by the  Company of its  obligations  hereunder.  The  aggregate  of all
         pending legal or  governmental  proceedings to which the Company or any
         of its  subsidiaries  is a party  or of which  any of their  respective
         assets, properties or operations is the subject which are not described
         in the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus,  including  ordinary
         routine litigation incidental to the business,  could not reasonably be
         expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (15) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or documents
         which are required to be described in the Registration  Statement,  the
         Prospectus or the documents  incorporated by reference therein or to be
         filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as
         required.

                  (16)  Absence  of Further  Requirements.  No filing  with,  or
         authorization,   approval,   consent,  license,  order,   registration,
         qualification  or decree of,  any court or  governmental  authority  or
         agency,  domestic  or foreign,  is  necessary  or required  for the due
         authorization,   execution   and   delivery  by  the  Company  of  this
         Underwriting  Agreement  or for the  performance  by the Company of the
         transactions  contemplated  under the  Prospectus or this  Underwriting
         Agreement,  except such as may be  required  and will be obtained at or
         prior to the Closing Time and such as may be required by the securities
         or Blue Sky laws or real estate  syndication laws of the various states
         in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares and, in the case of
         the  performance  thereof,  except as are  contemplated  by the express
         terms of such  documents to occur after the Closing Time and except (x)
         such as are otherwise described in the Prospectus and (y) such that the
         failure to obtain would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (17) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and each
         of its  subsidiaries  owns,  or possesses  adequate  rights to use, all
         patents, trademarks,  trade names, service marks, copyrights,  licenses
         and  other  rights  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  their  respective
         businesses  as  described  in  the  Registration  Statement  and in the
         Prospectus,  and neither the  Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  has
         received any notice of conflict with, or infringement  of, the asserted
         rights of others with respect to any such  patents,  trademarks,  trade
         names, service marks, copyrights, licenses and other such rights (other
         than  conflicts  or  infringements  that,  if proven,  would not have a
         Material  Adverse  Effect),  and  neither  the  Company  nor any of its
         subsidiaries knows of any basis therefor.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                  (18) Possession of Licenses and Permits. To the best knowledge
         of the  Company,  each lessee of the Current  Hotels has, and as of the
         Closing Time will have, all permits, licenses, approvals, certificates,
         franchises and authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities
         ("Approvals")  as may be  necessary  to lease,  operate  or manage  the
         Current  Hotels  in the  manner  described  in or  contemplated  by the
         Prospectus,  except for those  Approvals the absence of which would not
         have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (19) Title to Property.  The Company and its subsidiaries have
         good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and
         its  subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them,
         in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security
         interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind, except (A)
         as otherwise stated in the  Registration  Statement and the Prospectus,
         (B) in the case of personal property located at certain Hotels, such as
         are subject to equipment lease financing  arrangements  which have been
         entered into in the  ordinary  course of business and have an aggregate
         outstanding  balance  not in excess of $1 million or (C) those which do
         not,  singly or in the aggregate,  materially  affect the value of such
         property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
         of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  All of the
         leases and  subleases  material to the  business of the Company and its
         subsidiaries considered as one enterprise,  and under which the Company
         or  any  of  its  subsidiaries   holds  properties   described  in  the
         Prospectus,  are in full force and effect,  and neither the Company nor
         any of its  subsidiaries  has received any notice of any material claim
         of any sort that has been  asserted by anyone  adverse to the rights of
         the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  under  any of the  leases or
         subleases  mentioned  above,  or affecting or questioning the rights of
         the  Company or such  subsidiary  of the  continued  possession  of the
         leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

                  (20) Investment  Company Act. The Company is not, and upon the
         issuance  and  sale  of the  Shares  as  herein  contemplated  and  the
         application  of  the  net  proceeds   therefrom  as  described  in  the
         Prospectus  will not be, an "investment  company" within the meaning of
         the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

                  (21) Environmental Laws. The Company has received and reviewed
         certain environmental reports on (which included physical inspection of
         the surface of) each Current Hotel's  property and has obtained certain
         representations and warranties  relating to environmental  matters from
         the  sellers of the  Current  Hotels set forth in  purchase  agreements
         therefor. Except as described in the Prospectus,  (i) the Company, and,
         to its  knowledge,  each Current  Hotel's  property,  is, and as of the
         Closing Time will be, in compliance with all applicable federal,  state
         and local laws and  regulations  relating  to the  protection  of human
         health and safety,  the environment,  hazardous or toxic substances and
         wastes,  pollutants and contaminants  ("Environmental  Laws"), (ii) the
         Company, or, to its knowledge,  its lessees have received, or as of the
         Closing Time will  receive,  all permits,  licenses or other  approvals
         required under applicable  Environmental Laws to conduct the respective
         hotel businesses  presently  conducted at each Current Hotel's property
         and (iii) the Company or, to its  knowledge,  its lessees are, or as of
         the Closing Time will be, in compliance  with all terms and  conditions
         of any such permit, license or approval,  except, in respect of clauses
         (i),  (ii) and (iii),  as otherwise  disclosed in the  

                                       8
<PAGE>

         Prospectus or as would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material
         Adverse  Effect.  To the  best  knowledge  of the  Company,  except  as
         described  in  the  Prospectus,  there  are  no  costs  or  liabilities
         associated with Environmental Laws (including,  without limitation, any
         capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, remediation or
         closure of  properties or compliance  with  Environmental  Laws and any
         potential  liabilities  to third  parties) that, as of the date hereof,
         would, or as of the Closing Time will, singly or in the aggregate, have
         a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The Company  has  received  and  reviewed
         engineering  reports on each  Current  Hotel's  property,  has obtained
         certain  representations and warranties from the sellers of the Current
         Hotels set forth in  purchase  agreements  therefor  and has  conducted
         physical  inspections of each Current Hotel's  property.  In respect of
         each Current  Hotel,  (i) each Current Hotel is not in violation of any
         applicable  building code, zoning ordinance or other law or regulation,
         except where such  violation of any applicable  building  code,  zoning
         ordinance  or other  law or  regulation  would  not,  singly  or in the
         aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse  Effect;  (ii) the Company has not
         received  notice of any proposed  material  special  assessment  or any
         proposed  change  in any  property  tax,  zoning  or land  use  laws or
         availability  of water  affecting  any  Current  Hotel that would have,
         singly or in the aggregate,  a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) except as
         disclosed  in  the  Prospectus,  there  does  not  exist  any  material
         violation of any declaration of covenants,  conditions and restrictions
         with  respect to any Current  Hotel that would  have,  singly or in the
         aggregate,  a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  or any  state  of  facts  or
         circumstances  or condition  or event which  could,  with the giving of
         notice or passage of time, or both,  constitute  such a violation;  and
         (iv) the improvements comprising any portion of each Current Hotel (the
         "Improvements") are free of any and all material physical,  mechanical,
         structural,  design and construction defects that would have, singly or
         in the  aggregate,  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  and  the  mechanical,
         electrical and utility systems  servicing the Improvements  (including,
         without limitation,  all water,  electric,  sewer,  plumbing,  heating,
         ventilation, gas and air conditioning) are in good condition and proper
         working order and are free of defects that would have, singly or in the
         aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (22)  REIT   Qualification.   The  Company  is   organized  in
         conformity with the requirements for qualification, and, as of the date
         hereof the Company  operates,  and as of Closing  Time the Company will
         operate,  in a manner  that  qualifies  the  Company as a "real  estate
         investment  trust" under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
         (the "Code"),  and the rules and regulations  thereunder,  for 1999 and
         subsequent  years.  The Company  qualified as a real estate  investment
         trust under the Code for each of the taxable  years ended  December 31,
         1995 through December 31, 1998.

                  (23)  Possession  of  Insurance.  The  Company and its Current
         Hotels are, and as of the Closing  Time will be,  insured in the manner
         described  in  the  Prospectus  by  insurers  of  recognized  financial
         responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are
         customary  in the  businesses  in which  the  Company  is  engaged  and
         proposes to engage and the Company has no reason to believe  that it or
         its tenants  will not be able to renew such  insurance  coverage as and
         when such  coverage  expires or to obtain  similar  coverage  as may be
         necessary to continue its business at  economically  viable rates.  The
         Company and/or its  subsidiaries,  as applicable,  has obtained an ALTA
         Extended  Coverage  Owner's  Policy  of Title  Insurance  or its  local
         equivalent (or an 

                                       9
<PAGE>

         irrevocable  commitment  to issue such a policy) on all of the  Current
         Hotels  owned  by  the  Company  or its  subsidiaries  and  such  title
         insurance is in full force and effect.

                  (24)  Acquisition   Agreements.   The  Acquisition  Agreements
         pursuant to which the Company expects to acquire the Additional  Hotels
         (including  any  Additional  Hotels which the Company may  determine to
         acquire  after the  Closing  Time) are in full  force and  effect.  The
         Company  intends and reasonably  expects to consummate the  acquisition
         and lease of all  Additional  Hotels not owned or  acquired by it as of
         the Closing Time as  expeditiously  as possible after the Closing Time,
         including as and when the construction of certain of such properties is
         completed.

                  (25) Absence of Indebtedness. At the Closing Time, the Company
         will  have no  indebtedness  for  money  borrowed  except  (i)  amounts
         outstanding under the Company's $300 million aggregate principal amount
         credit facility (the "Credit  Facility"),  (ii) the Company's 7% Senior
         Notes due 2008,  (iii) the Company's 8 1/4% Monthly Income Senior Notes
         due 2005,  (iv) the  Company's 8 1/2% Monthly  Income  Senior Notes due
         2009,  (v)  equipment  financing  arrangements  in respect of  personal
         property located at certain Current Hotels which have been entered into
         in the ordinary  course of business  and have an aggregate  outstanding
         balance not in excess of $1 million,  and (vi) any  indebtedness  as to
         which you shall have given your prior written consent.

                  (26)  Good  Standing  of  the  Advisor.  Except  as  otherwise
         disclosed in the  Prospectus,  since the  respective  dates as of which
         information  is given in the  Prospectus,  there  has been no  material
         adverse  change  in  the  business,  operations,  earnings,  prospects,
         properties or condition  (financial or otherwise) of REIT  Management &
         Research, Inc. (the "Advisor"),  whether or not arising in the ordinary
         course of  business,  that would have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The
         Advisor (A) is a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in
         good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,  and (B) has the
         requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to conduct its  business as
         described  in the  Prospectus  and  to own  and  operate  its  material
         properties.  The Advisory  Agreement,  dated as of January 1, 1998 (the
         "Advisory  Agreement"),  between the Company and the Advisor,  has been
         duly  authorized,  executed and  delivered  by the parties  thereto and
         constitutes the valid agreement of the parties thereto,  enforceable in
         accordance  with its  terms,  except as  limited  by (a) the  effect of
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer
         or other  similar laws  relating to or affecting the rights or remedies
         of  creditors  or (b)  the  effect  of  general  principles  of  equity
         (regardless of whether  enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity
         or at law).

         (b) Officers'  Certificates.  Any certificate  signed by any officer of
the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  and delivered to you or to your counsel
in connection  with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed a  representation
and warranty by the Company to you as to the matters covered thereby on the date
of such certificate.

                                       10
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

         (a) Shares.  Your  commitment  to purchase  the Shares  pursuant to the
terms   hereof  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  made  on  the  basis  of  the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained and shall be subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

         (b)   Over-allotment   Option.  In  addition,   on  the  basis  of  the
representations  and  warranties  herein  included  and subject to the terms and
conditions  herein  set forth,  the  Company  hereby  grants an option to you to
purchase up to an additional  450,000  Shares at the purchase price set forth on
the first page of this Agreement.  The option hereby granted will expire 30 days
after the date of this  Agreement  and may be exercised in whole or in part from
time to time only for the purpose of covering  over-allotments which may be made
in  connection  with the offering and  distribution  of the Initial  Shares upon
notice by you to the  Company  setting  forth the number of Option  Shares as to
which you are then exercising the option and the time, date and place of payment
and delivery for such Option Shares. Any such time and date of delivery (a "Date
of Delivery")  shall be determined by you but shall not be later than seven full
business days,  nor earlier than two full business  days,  after the exercise of
said option,  nor in any event prior to Closing Time,  unless  otherwise  agreed
upon by you and the Company.

         (c) Payment.  Payment of the  purchase  price for, and delivery of, the
Initial Shares shall be made at the offices of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, Boston,
Massachusetts,  or at such  other  place as shall be agreed  upon by you and the
Company, at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs
after 4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day following the date
of this  Agreement,  or such other time not later than ten  business  days after
such date as shall be agreed upon by you and the Company  (such time and date of
payment and delivery being herein called "Closing  Time").  In addition,  in the
event that the over-allotment option described in (b) above is exercised by you,
payment of the underwriting price for and delivery of the Option Shares shall be
made at the above-mentioned office of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, or at such other
place as shall be agreed upon by you and the Company on each Date of Delivery as
specified in the notice to the Company.  Payment shall be made to the Company by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the
Company,  against delivery to you of certificates for the Shares to be purchased
by you.

         (d)  Registration.  The Shares shall be issued and  registered  in such
names as you shall  request not later than one business day prior to the Closing
Time or the  Date of  Delivery,  as the case may be.  The  Shares  shall be made
available  for  inspection  not later  than  10:00  a.m.  (Eastern  Time) on the
business day prior to the Closing Time or the Date of Delivery,  as the case may
be, at the office of The Depository Trust Company or its designated custodian.

         SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company.  The Company covenants with you as
follows:

         (a) Immediately following the execution of this Agreement,  the Company
will prepare a Prospectus  Supplement setting forth the number of Shares covered
thereby and their terms not otherwise  specified in the Prospectus,  your names,
the price at which the Shares are to be purchased  by you from the Company,  and
such other  information  as you and the Company deem  appropriate  in connection
with the offering of the Shares;  and the Company will promptly  

                                       11
<PAGE>

transmit  copies of the  Prospectus  Supplement  to the  Commission  for  filing
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act  Regulations  and will furnish to you as
many copies of the  Prospectus  (including  such  Prospectus  Supplement) as you
shall reasonably request.

         (b) Until the  termination of the initial  offering of the Shares,  the
Company will notify you immediately,  and confirm the notice in writing,  (i) of
the  effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration  Statement,  (ii) of the
transmittal  to the  Commission for filing of any supplement or amendment to the
Prospectus  or any document to be filed  pursuant to the 1934 Act,  (iii) of the
receipt of any comments from the Commission with respect to the Shares,  (iv) of
any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus  with respect to the Shares or for
additional  information  relating  thereto,  and  (v)  of  the  issuance  by the
Commission of any stop order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the Registration
Statement or the  initiation of any  proceedings  for that purpose.  The Company
will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order
and, if any stop order is issued,  to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest
possible moment.

         (c) Until the  termination of the initial  offering of the Shares,  the
Company  will  give  you  notice  of  its  intention  to  file  or  prepare  any
posteffective  amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  or any  amendment  or
supplement to the Prospectus (including any revised prospectus which the Company
proposes  for use by you in  connection  with the  offering of the Shares  which
differs  from the  prospectus  on file at the  Commission  at the time  that the
Registration Statement becomes effective, whether or not such revised prospectus
is  required to be filed  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act  Regulations),
will furnish you with copies of any such  amendment  or  supplement a reasonable
amount of time  prior to such  proposed  filing or use,  as the case may be, and
will not file any such  amendment or  supplement  or use any such  prospectus to
which your counsel shall reasonably object.

         (d)  The  Company  will  deliver  to  you  a  conformed   copy  of  the
Registration  Statement as originally filed and of each amendment  thereto filed
prior to the  termination  of the  initial  offering  of the  Shares  (including
exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference  therein and the documents
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to Item 12 of Form S3).

         (e) The  Company  will  furnish  to you,  from time to time  during the
period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the
1934 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus  (as amended or  supplemented)
as you may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the 1933 Act, the
1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or 1934 Act Regulations.

         (f) Until the termination of the initial offering of the Shares, if any
event shall occur as a result of which it is  necessary,  in the opinion of your
counsel,  to amend or supplement  the Prospectus in order to make the Prospectus
not  misleading  in the light of the  circumstances  existing  at the time it is
delivered,  the Company will either (i) forthwith  prepare and furnish to you an
amendment of or supplement to the Prospectus or (ii) make an appropriate  filing
pursuant  to  Section  13,  14 or 15 of the  1934  Act,  in form  and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to your counsel,  which will amend or  supplement  the
Prospectus so that it will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in the light of the  circumstances  existing  at the time it is  delivered,  not
misleading.

                                       12
<PAGE>


         (g) The Company will endeavor in good faith,  in cooperation  with you,
to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws
and real estate  syndication laws of such states and other  jurisdictions of the
United States as you may designate;  provided that, in connection therewith, the
Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or trust or to
file any general  consent to service of process.  In each  jurisdiction in which
the Shares have been so  qualified  the Company  will file such  statements  and
reports as may be required  by the laws of such  jurisdiction  to continue  such
qualification  in effect for so long as  required  for the  distribution  of the
Shares.

         (h) The Company will make generally  available to its security  holders
as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than 90 days after the close of
the  period  covered  thereby,  an earning  statement  of the  Company  (in form
complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the 1933 Act Regulations)  covering
a period of at least twelve months beginning not later than the first day of the
Company's  fiscal quarter next following the effective date of the  Registration
Statement.  "Earning statement," "make generally available" and "effective date"
will have the meanings contained in Rule 158 of the 1933 Act Regulations.

         (i) The Company will use the net proceeds  received by it from the sale
of the Shares in the manner  specified in the Prospectus  under the caption "Use
of Proceeds" in all material respects.

         (j) The  Company  currently  intends to  continue to qualify as a "real
estate investment trust" under the Code, and use its best efforts to continue to
meet the requirements to qualify as a "real estate  investment  trust" under the
Code.

         (k) The Company will timely file any  document  which it is required to
file  pursuant to the 1934 Act prior to the  termination  of the offering of the
Shares.

         (l) The Company  will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the
Shares on the NYSE.

         (m) The Company  will not,  during a period of 30 days from the date of
this Agreement,  without Merrill Lynch's prior written consent, register, offer,
sell,  contract to sell,  grant any option to purchase or  otherwise  dispose of
Preferred   Shares  or  any  securities   convertible  into  or  exercisable  or
exchangeable for Preferred  Shares,  or warrants to purchase  Preferred  Shares,
other than the Shares which are to be sold pursuant to this Agreement.

         SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.

         (a)  Expenses.  The  Company  will  pay all  expenses  incident  to the
performance of its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement,  including (i)
the preparation,  printing and filing of the Registration  Statement  (including
financial  statements  and exhibits) as originally  filed and of each  amendment
thereto,  (ii) the  preparation,  issuance  and  delivery  of the Shares and any
certificates  for the Shares to you,  including any transfer taxes and any stamp
or other  duties  payable  upon the sale,  issuance or delivery of the Shares to
you, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel,  accountants and
other  advisors  or  agents,  as well as  their  respective  counsel,  (iv)  the
qualification  of the Shares under state  securities laws in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel in connection  therewith and in connection with the
preparation,  printing  and delivery 

                                       13
<PAGE>

of any Blue Sky Survey, and any amendment thereto, (v) the printing and delivery
to you of copies of the Prospectus  and any  amendments or supplements  thereto,
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Shares
on the NYSE,  (vii) the filing fees  incident  to, and the  reasonable  fees and
disbursements  of your counsel in connection  with,  the review,  if any, by the
National  Association of Securities  Dealers,  Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms of
the sale of the  Shares  and  (viii)  the cost of  providing  any CUSIP or other
identification numbers for the Shares.

         (b)  Termination  of  Agreement.  If  this  Underwriting  Agreement  is
terminated  by you in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 5 or Section
9(a)(i)  hereof,  the Company shall  reimburse  you for all of your  outofpocket
expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of your counsel.

         SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. Your obligations to
purchase and pay for the Shares  pursuant to the terms hereof are subject to the
accuracy of the  representations  and  warranties  of the Company  contained  in
Section 1 hereof or in  certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries  delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by
the  Company  of its  covenants  and  other  obligations  hereunder,  and to the
following further conditions:

         (a)   Effectiveness   of  Registration   Statement.   The  Registration
Statement,   including  any  Rule  462(b)  Registration  Statement,  has  become
effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order  suspending the  effectiveness of
the  Registration  Statement  shall have been  issued  under the 1933 Act and no
proceedings  for that  purpose  shall  have been  instituted  or be  pending  or
threatened by the Commission,  and any request on the part of the Commission for
additional   information  shall  have  been  complied  with  to  the  reasonable
satisfaction of your counsel. A prospectus  containing  information  relating to
the description of the Shares,  the specific method of distribution  and similar
matters  shall have been  filed  with the  Commission  in  accordance  with Rule
424(b)(1),  (2),  (3),  (4) or (5), as  applicable.  At Closing  Time the rating
assigned by any nationally  recognized  statistical  rating  organization to any
preferred  shares  of the  Company,  as of the date  hereof  shall not have been
lowered  since such date nor shall any such rating  organization  have  publicly
announced  that is has placed  any  preferred  shares of the  Company on what is
commonly termed a "watch list" for possible downgrading.

         (b) Opinion of Counsel for  Company.  At Closing  Time,  you shall have
received  the  favorable  opinion,  dated as of  Closing  Time,  of  Sullivan  &
Worcester,  LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance  satisfactory to
your counsel,  to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto.  In rendering  their
opinion,  such counsel may rely on an opinion  dated the Closing Time of Ballard
Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll,  LLP, as to matters governed by the laws of the State
of Maryland.  In addition,  in rendering  their opinion,  such counsel may state
that  their  opinion  as to laws of the  State of  Delaware  is  limited  to the
Delaware General  Corporation Law. Such counsel may also state that,  insofar as
such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
proper,  upon  certificates of officers of the Company and its  subsidiaries and
certificates of public officials.

         (c) Opinion of Special Maryland  Counsel for Company.  At Closing Time,
you shall have  received the  favorable  opinion,  dated as of Closing  Time, of
Ballard  Spahr  Andrews &  

                                       14
<PAGE>

Ingersoll,  LLP, special Maryland counsel for the Company, in form and substance
satisfactory  to your  counsel,  to the effect as your  counsel  may  reasonably
request.

         (d) Opinion of Counsel for  Underwriters.  At Closing  Time,  you shall
have received the favorable  opinion,  dated as of Closing Time, of Brown & Wood
LLP,  counsel  for the  Underwriters,  with  respect to the matters set forth in
paragraphs  (7),  (8),  (9),  (17),  and (18) of Exhibit B and to the  following
effect: nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that
the Registration Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement) or
any  post-effective  amendment  thereto  (except for  financial  statements  and
supporting  schedules  and other  financial  data  included  therein  or omitted
therefrom,  as to which they make no  statement),  at the time the  Registration
Statement   (including   any  Rule  462(b)   Registration   Statement)   or  any
post-effective  amendment thereto  (including the filing of the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10K with the Commission)  became  effective,  contained an untrue
statement of a material  fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not  misleading or
that the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial
statements and supporting schedules and other financial data included therein or
omitted  therefrom,  as to  which  they  make no  statement),  at the  time  the
Prospectus was issued,  at the time any such amended or supplemented  prospectus
was issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.

         In giving  such  opinion,  such  counsel  may rely,  as to all  matters
governed  by the laws of  jurisdictions  other  than the law of the State of New
York,  the federal law of the United States and the General  Corporation  Law of
the State of Delaware,  upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to you and may
rely on an  opinion  dated  the  Closing  Time of  Ballard,  Spahr  Andrews  and
Ingersoll, LLP as to matters governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Such
counsel may also state that,  insofar as such opinion  involves factual matters,
they have relied, to the extent they deem proper,  upon certificates of officers
of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

         (e) Officers' Certificate.  At Closing Time, there shall not have been,
since the date hereof or since the respective  dates as of which  information is
given in the  Prospectus,  any  Material  Adverse  Change,  and you  shall  have
received a certificate  of the President or a Vice  President of the Company and
of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated
as of Closing  Time,  to the effect that (i) there has been no Material  Adverse
Change,  (ii) the  representations  and  warranties in Section 1(a) are true and
correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the
Closing Time,  (iii) the Company has complied with all  agreements and satisfied
all  conditions  on its part to be  performed  or  satisfied  at or prior to the
Closing  Time,  and  (iv) no stop  order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the
Registration  Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have
been instituted,  are pending or, to the best of such officers'  knowledge,  are
threatened by the Commission.

         (f) Advisor's Certificate.  At Closing Time, there shall not have been,
since the respective  dates as of which  information is given in the Prospectus,
any material adverse change in the business,  operations,  earnings,  prospects,
properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Advisor,  whether or not
arising in the ordinary  course of  business;  and you shall have  

                                       15
<PAGE>

received, at Closing Time, a certificate of the President or a Vice President of
the Advisor evidencing compliance with this subsection (f).

         (g) Accountants'  Comfort Letter.  At the time of the execution of this
Underwriting  Agreement,  you shall have  received  from Arthur  Andersen  LLP a
letter dated such date, in form and substance  satisfactory  to you,  containing
statements  and  information  of the type  ordinarily  included in  accountants'
"comfort letters" to underwriters  with respect to the financial  statements and
certain financial  information  contained in the Registration  Statement and the
Prospectus.

         (h) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, you shall have received
from Arthur Andersen LLP a letter,  dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that
they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection
(g) of this  Section 5, except that the  specified  date  referred to shall be a
date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

         (i) No Objection.  If the Registration Statement or the offering of the
Shares has been filed with the NASD for  review,  the NASD shall not have raised
any  objection  with  respect  to  the  fairness  and   reasonableness   of  the
underwriting terms and arrangements.

         (j) Additional Documents. At Closing Time, your counsel shall have been
furnished with such  documents and opinions as they may  reasonably  require for
the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as
herein  contemplated,  or in  order  to  evidence  the  accuracy  of  any of the
representations  or warranties,  or the  fulfillment  of any of the  conditions,
herein  contained;  and all proceedings  taken by the Company in connection with
the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein  contemplated  shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to you and your counsel.

         (k) Date of  Delivery  Documentation.  In the  event you  exercise  the
option  described  in  Section 2 hereof to  purchase  all or any  portion of the
Option Shares, the representations and warranties of the Company included herein
and the statements in any certificates  furnished by the Company hereunder shall
be true and correct as of the Date of Delivery (except those which speak as of a
certain date, in which case as of such date), and you shall have received:

                  (i) A certificate  of the President or a Vice President and of
         the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company,
         dated  such  Date  of  Delivery,   confirming  that  their  certificate
         delivered at Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof  remains true
         as of such Date of Delivery,  except with respect to transactions as to
         which you shall have given your prior written consent.

                  (ii)  Certificate  of the  President or Vice  President of the
         Advisor  confirming  that his  certificate  delivered  at Closing  Time
         pursuant  to  Section  5(f)  hereof  remains  true as of  such  Date of
         Delivery.

                  (iii) The  favorable  opinion  of  Sullivan &  Worcester  LLP,
         counsel for the Company,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to your
         counsel, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Shares and
         otherwise  to the same effect as the opinion  required by Section  5(b)
         hereof.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  (iv) The  favorable  opinion of Brown & Wood LLP,  counsel for
         the Underwriters,  dated such Date of Delivery,  relating to the Option
         Shares and  otherwise  to the same  effect as the  opinion  required by
         Section 5(d) hereof.

                  (v) A letter  from  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  dated such Date of
         Delivery,  substantially  the same in scope and substance as the letter
         furnished to you pursuant to Section 5(h) hereof.

         (l) Termination of this Agreement.  If any condition  specified in this
Section 5 shall not have been  fulfilled  when and as required to be  fulfilled,
this Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by you by notice to the Company at
any time at or prior to the Closing Time, and such termination  shall be without
liability  of any party to any other  party  except as provided in Section 4 and
except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain
in full force and effect.

         SECTION 6. Indemnification.

         (a)  Indemnification  of Underwriters.  The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each  Underwriter  and each person,  if any, who controls each
Underwriter  within  the  meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act as follows:

                  (i) against  any and all loss,  liability,  claim,  damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
         alleged   untrue   statement  of  a  material  fact  contained  in  the
         Registration  Statement (or any amendment thereto),  or the omission or
         alleged  omission  therefrom of a material  fact  required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not misleading or
         arising out of any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue  statement of a
         material fact included in any preliminary  prospectus or the Prospectus
         (or any  amendment or supplement  thereto),  or the omission or alleged
         omission  therefrom of a material  fact  necessary in order to make the
         statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading;

                  (ii) against any and all loss,  liability,  claim,  damage and
         expense whatsoever,  as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
         paid  in  settlement  of  any  litigation,   or  any  investigation  or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,
         or any  claim  whatsoever  based  upon any  such  untrue  statement  or
         omission,  or any such alleged untrue  statement or omission;  provided
         that  (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such  settlement  is effected
         with the written consent of the Company; and

                  (iii)  against  any and all  expense  whatsoever,  as incurred
         (including  the  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel  chosen  by  the
         Underwriters),  reasonably  incurred  in  investigating,  preparing  or
         defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
         any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,  or any claim
         whatsoever  based upon any such untrue  statement or  omission,  or any
         such alleged untrue statement or omission,  to the extent that any such
         expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided,  however,  that this indemnity  agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability,  claim,  damage or expense to the  extent  arising  out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged  untrue  

                                       17
<PAGE>

statement  or omission  made in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written
information  furnished to the Company by the  Underwriters  expressly for use in
the  Registration  Statement  (or any  amendment  thereto),  or any  preliminary
prospectus  or the  Prospectus  (or any amendment or  supplement  thereto);  and
provided,  further,  that the foregoing  indemnity agreement with respect to any
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter, or the
benefit of any person  controlling any Underwriter,  if a copy of the Prospectus
(as then  amended  or  supplemented  if the  Company  shall have  furnished  any
amendments or supplements thereto and excluding documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated  by reference  therein) was not sent or given by or on behalf
of such Underwriter to such person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities at or prior to the written  confirmation  of the sale of such Shares
to such  person,  if  required  by law so to  have  been  delivered,  and if the
Prospectus  (as so amended or  supplemented)  would have cured the defect giving
rise to such loss, claim, damage or expense.

         (b) Indemnification of Company, Trustees and Officers. Each Underwriter
agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless the Company,  its  trustees,  each of its
officers who signed the  Registration  Statement,  and each person,  if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section
20 of the 1934 Act  against  any and all  loss,  liability,  claim,  damage  and
expense described in the indemnity  contained in subsection (a) of this Section,
as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged
untrue  statements  or  omissions,  made in the  Registration  Statement (or any
amendment  thereto),  or any  preliminary  prospectus or the  Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information  furnished to the Company by the  Underwriters  expressly for use in
the  Registration  Statement  (or any  amendment  thereto)  or such  preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

         (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall
give notice as promptly as reasonably  practicable to each indemnifying party of
any action  commenced  against it in  respect of which  indemnity  may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying  party  from  any  liability  hereunder  to  the  extent  it is not
materially  prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity
agreement.  The indemnifying  party shall assume the defense thereof,  including
the employment of counsel  reasonably  satisfactory to such indemnified  parties
and payment of all fees and  expenses.  The  indemnified  parties shall have the
right to employ  separate  counsel  in any such  action and  participate  in the
defense  thereof,  but the fees and  expenses  of such  counsel  shall be at the
expense of the  indemnified  parties  unless (i) the  employment of such counsel
shall have been  specifically  authorized in writing by the indemnifying  party,
(ii) the  indemnifying  party shall have failed to assume the defense and employ
counsel or (iii) the named parties to any such action  (including  any impleaded
parties) include both the indemnified parties and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified  parties  shall have been  advised by such counsel that there may be
one or more  legal  defenses  available  to them  which  are  different  from or
additional  to those  available  to the  indemnifying  party (in which  case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified  parties,  it being understood,  however,  that the
indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate
but substantially  similar or related actions in the same  jurisdiction  arising
out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than 

                                       18
<PAGE>

one  separate  firm of  attorneys  (in  addition to any local  counsel)  for the
indemnified  parties,  which firm shall be  designed  in writing by  indemnified
parties  and that all such fees and  expenses  shall be  reimbursed  as they are
incurred). No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified  parties,  settle  or  compromise  or  consent  to the  entry of any
judgment with respect to any litigation,  or any  investigation or proceeding by
any  governmental  agency  or  body,  commenced  or  threatened,  or  any  claim
whatsoever in respect of which  indemnification  or contribution could be sought
under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties
are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement,  compromise or
consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or
a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.  If at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified  party for fees and  expenses of counsel,  such  indemnifying  party
agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature  contemplated by
Section 6(a)(ii)  effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such  indemnifying  party of the
aforesaid  request,  (ii) such indemnifying  party shall have received notice of
the terms of such  settlement  at least 30 days prior to such  settlement  being
entered into and (iii) such  indemnifying  party shall not have  reimbursed such
indemnified  party in  accordance  with such  request  prior to the date of such
settlement.

         SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section
6 hereof is for any reason  unavailable to or  insufficient  to hold harmless an
indemnified  party in respect of any  losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or
expenses referred to therein,  then each indemnifying  party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses,  liabilities,  claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such  indemnified  party, as incurred,  (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand, and the  Underwriters,  on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares
pursuant  hereto  or  (ii)  if the  allocation  provided  by  clause  (i) is not
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters,  on the other hand,
in connection  with the  statements or omissions  which resulted in such losses,
liabilities,  claims,  damages  or  expenses,  as  well  as any  other  relevant
equitable considerations.

         The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the
Underwriters,  on the other hand, in connection  with the offering of the Shares
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to be in the same respective  proportions as the
total net proceeds from the offering of such Shares (before deducting  expenses)
received  by the  Company and the total  underwriting  discount  received by the
Underwriters,  in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to
the aggregate  initial public offering price of such Shares as set forth on such
cover.

         The  relative  fault  of  the  Company,   on  the  one  hand,  and  the
Underwriters,  on the other hand,  shall be  determined  by reference  to, among
other things,  whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or  omission  or  alleged  omission  to state a  material  fact  relates to
information  supplied by the  Company or by the  Underwriters  and the  parties'
relative 

                                       19
<PAGE>

intent,  knowledge,  access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission.

         The  Company and the  Underwriters  agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of  allocation  which does not take account of
the equitable  considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate
amount of losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages  and  expenses  incurred by an
indemnified  party and  referred  to above in this  Section 7 shall be deemed to
include any legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by such  indemnified
party in investigating,  preparing or defending  against any litigation,  or any
investigation  or proceeding by any  governmental  agency or body,  commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

         Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this  Section 7, the  Underwriters
shall not be required to contribute  any amount in excess of the amount by which
the  total  price at which  the  Shares  underwritten  by the  Underwriters  and
distributed  to the public were offered to the public  exceeds the amount of any
damages which the Underwriters  have otherwise been required to pay by reason of
any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         For purposes of this Section 7, each person,  if any, who controls each
Underwriter  within  the  meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each  trustee  of the  Company,  each  officer  of the  Company  who  signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the  meaning  of  Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall
have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

         SECTION  8.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Agreements  to  Survive
Delivery.  All  representations,  warranties  and  agreements  contained in this
Underwriting  Agreement or in  certificates of officers of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto or thereto shall remain operative and
in full force and effect,  regardless of any investigation  made by or on behalf
of the Underwriters or controlling  persons,  or by or on behalf of the Company,
and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

         SECTION 9. Termination.

         (a) You may terminate this Agreement,  by notice to the Company, at any
time at or prior to  Closing  Time (i) if there has been,  since the  respective
dates  as of which  information  is given  in the  Registration  Statement,  any
material  adverse  change in the  condition,  financial or otherwise,  or in the
earnings,  business  affairs  or  business  prospects  of the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise or the Advisor, whether or not arising
in the  ordinary  course of  business,  which would make it, in your  reasonable
judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Shares or enforce contracts
for the sale of the Shares,  (ii) if there has  occurred  any  material  adverse
change  in the  financial  markets  in the  United  States  or any  

                                       20
<PAGE>

outbreak of hostilities or escalation of existing  hostilities or other calamity
or crisis the effect of which on the  financial  markets of the United States is
such  as  to  make  it,  in  the  your  reasonable  judgment,  impracticable  or
inadvisable  to market  the  Shares  or  enforce  contracts  for the sale of the
Shares,  (iii) if trading in the Company's  Common Shares has been  suspended by
the Commission, or if trading generally on either the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for
trading have been fixed,  or maximum ranges for prices for securities  have been
required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the Commission or any other
governmental  authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by Federal
or New York authorities,  or (iv) if the ratings assigned to preferred shares or
unsecured  debt  securities  of  the  Company  by  any  "nationally   recognized
statistical  rating  organization" as that term is defined by the Commission for
purposes of Rule 436(g)(2)  under the 1933 Act, as of the date hereof shall have
been  lowered  since  such date or if any such  rating  organization  shall have
publicly  announced  that it has placed any  preferred  shares of the Company on
what is commonly termed a "watch list" for possible downgrading.

         (b) If this  Agreement is  terminated  pursuant to this Section 9, such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as
provided in Section 4, and provided  further that  Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall
survive such termination.

         SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters.  If one or more
of the  Underwriters  shall fail at the  Closing  Time to  purchase  the Initial
Shares which it or they are  obligated  to purchase  hereunder  (the  "Defaulted
Securities"),  then  Merrill  Lynch  shall  have  the  right,  within  24  hours
thereafter,  to  make  arrangements  for  one  or  more  of  the  non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all,
of the  Defaulted  Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the
terms herein set forth; if, however, Merrill Lynch shall not have completed such
arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

                  (a) if the number of Defaulted  Securities does not exceed 10%
         of the Initial Shares to be purchased on such date pursuant hereto, the
         nondefaulting  Underwriters  shall  be  obligated,  severally  and  not
         jointly,  to purchase the full amount thereof in the  proportions  that
         their  respective  underwriting   obligations  hereunder  bear  to  the
         underwriting obligations of all nondefaulting Underwriters, or

                  (b) if the number of Defaulted  Securities  exceeds 10% of the
         Initial  Shares to be  purchased  on such date  pursuant  hereto,  this
         Underwriting Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of
         any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company.

         No  action  taken  pursuant  to  this  Section  10  shall  relieve  any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

         In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination
of this  Agreement,  either Merrill Lynch or the Company shall have the right to
postpone  the  Closing  Time for a period not  exceeding  seven days in order to
effect any required changes in the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus or
in any other documents or arrangements.

                                       21
<PAGE>


         SECTION 11.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in  writing  and shall be  deemed to have been duly  given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of  telecommunication.  Notices to you shall be
directed to Merrill Lynch,  World Financial  Center,  North Tower, New York, New
York 102811201,  attention of Tjarda van S. Clagett;  and notices to the Company
shall be directed to it at 400 Centre  Street,  Newton,  MA 02458,  attention of
John G. Murray.

         SECTION 12.  Parties.  This  Underwriting  Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding  upon the Company and you and its and your  respective
successors.  Nothing  expressed or mentioned in this  Underwriting  Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give any person,  firm or  corporation,  other
than you and the  Company  and its  respective  successors  and the  controlling
persons  and  officers  and  trustees  referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their
heirs and legal  representatives,  any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect  of this  Underwriting  Agreement  or any  provision  herein
contained.  This Underwriting Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof
are intended to be for the sole and exclusive  benefit of the parties hereto and
their  respective  successors,  and said  controlling  persons and  officers and
trustees  and their heirs and legal  representatives,  and for the benefit of no
other person, firm or corporation.  No purchaser of the Shares from you shall be
deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

         SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS  UNDERWRITING  AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY AND  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

         SECTION 14. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

                                       22
<PAGE>


         If the  foregoing  is in  accordance  with  your  understanding  of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon
this Underwriting Agreement, along with all counterparts,  will become a binding
agreement between you and the Company in accordance with its terms.


                                            Very truly yours,

                                            HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST


                                            By: /s/ John G. Murray
                                                Name:  John G. Murray
                                                Title: President

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, 
as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Prudential Securities Incorporated

By:    MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
       Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                   Incorporated




By:  /s/ Elizabeth Anne Casey
     Name:  Elizabeth Anne Casey
     Title: Vice-President

     For themselves and as Representatives of the several 
     Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.



<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit A



                                                               Number of
                  Name of Underwriter                      Initial Securities
                  -------------------                      ------------------

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
            Incorporated....................................     519,000
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. ..................................     519,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc....................................     519,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated...........................     519,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated..........................     519,000
ABN AMRO Incorporated.......................................      15,000
BT Alex. Brown Incorporated.................................      15,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated..........................      15,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.....................................      15,000
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.......................................      15,000
Credit Lyonnaise Securities (USA) Inc.......................      15,000
Dain Rauscher Incorporated..................................      15,000
D.A. Davidson & Co..........................................      15,000
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.........      15,000
Dresdner Kleinwort Benson North America LLC.................      15,000
EVEREN Securities, Inc......................................      15,000
Fahnestock & Co. Inc........................................      15,000
J.J.B Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.............................      15,000
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated........................      15,000
Lehman Brothers Inc.........................................      15,000
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC.......................      15,000
NatWest Securities Limited..................................      15,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.............................      15,000
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC..........................      15,000
Roney Capital Markets, A Division of
      First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc....................      15,000
SG Cowen Securities Corporation.............................      15,000
Schroder & Co. Inc..........................................      15,000
Sutro & Co. Incorporated....................................      15,000
Tucker Anthony Incorporated.................................      15,000
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc..............................      15,000
Warburg Dillon Read LLC.....................................      15,000
Wheat First Union, a Division of
      First Union Capital Markets Corp......................      15,000
                                                               ---------
Total.......................................................   3,000,000
                                                               =========


                                      A-1


<PAGE>                                                              
                                                                       Exhibit B


                      FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
                           TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
                                  SECTION 5(b)


         (1) The  Company is a real  estate  investment  trust  duly  formed and
validly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is
in good  standing  with the State  Department  of  Assessments  and  Taxation of
Maryland.

         (2) The Company has trust power to own and lease its  properties and to
conduct its business in all material respects as described in the Prospectus and
to enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.

         (3) The Company is duly  qualified to transact  business and is in good
standing  in each  jurisdiction  other than the State of  Maryland  in which the
ownership or leasing of its properties requires such qualification, except where
the failure to so qualify or be in good standing  would not result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

         (4) Each Subsidiary (a) is a real estate  investment  trust duly formed
and  validly  existing  under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland
and is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of
Maryland, (b) has the trust power to own and lease its properties and to conduct
its business,  in all material respects as described in the Prospectus,  and (c)
is  duly  qualified  to  transact  business  and is in  good  standing  in  each
jurisdiction  other than the State of Maryland in which the ownership or leasing
of its properties  requires such  qualification,  except where the failure to so
qualify or be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (5) Except as otherwise  stated in the  Registration  Statement and the
Prospectus,  all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of each Subsidiary
have  been  duly  and  validly   authorized  and  issued,  are  fully  paid  and
non-assessable,  and, to such  counsel's  knowledge,  are owned by the  Company,
directly or through  subsidiaries,  free and clear of any adverse claim. None of
such capital  shares of any Subsidiary was issued in violation of preemptive or,
to such counsel's knowledge,  other similar rights of any holder (other than the
Company) of capital shares of such Subsidiary.

         (6)  Except  as  otherwise  set  forth  in the  opinions  expressed  in
paragraph 4 of the opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll,  LLP, set forth
as  Exhibit  1 to  such  counsel's  opinion,  all  the  authorized,  issued  and
outstanding  capital shares of the Company have been duly authorized and validly
issued by the Company and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as otherwise
described in the  Registration  Statement),  and none of such capital shares was
issued in violation of preemptive or, to such counsel's knowledge, other similar
rights of any holder of capital shares of the Company.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>


         (7) The Underwriting  Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed and
delivered by the Company.

         (8) The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered
to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the
Underwriting  Agreement,  will be validly issued,  fully paid and non-assessable
(except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement),  and will be free
of any  preemptive or, to such  counsel's  knowledge,  other similar rights that
entitle  any  person  (other  than the  Underwriters  and their  successors  and
assigns) to acquire any Shares upon the issuance thereof by the Company.

         (9) The  Preferred  Shares  conform as to legal matters in all material
respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus.

         (10)  (a)  The  statements   under  the  captions  (i)  "The  Company,"
"Management"  and  "Description  of  the  Series  A  Preferred  Shares"  in  the
Prospectus Supplement and (ii) "Description of Preferred Shares," "Limitation of
Liability;   Shareholder   Liability"  and   "Redemption;   Trustees;   Business
Combinations and Control Share Acquisitions" in the Prospectus,  in each case as
of the date of the  Prospectus,  and (b) the  statements  under the captions (i)
"Items  1 and 2.  Business  and  Properties  -- The  Company  --Principal  Lease
Features," "Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties -- Investment Advisor," "Item
5. Market for Our Common Equity and Related  Stockholder  Matters," and "Item 7.
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations  --Overview"  and "Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations --Liquidity and Capital Resources"
in the  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  and (ii)  "Other  Information  -- Certain
Relationships  and  Related  Transactions"  in  the  Company's  Proxy  Statement
relating to the May 18, 1999 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  (incorporated  by
reference  in the Form  10-K),  in each  case as of the date of  filing  of such
Incorporated Document,  insofar as such statements constitute a summary of legal
matters,  documents or  proceedings  referred to therein,  fairly present in all
material respects the information called for with respect to such legal matters,
documents and proceedings.

         (11)  The   statements   under  the   captions   "Federal   Income  Tax
Considerations" in the Prospectus Supplement,  as of the date of the Prospectus,
and the statements under the captions  "Federal Income Tax  Considerations"  and
"ERISA Plans, Keogh Plans and Individual  Retirement Accounts" under the caption
"Items 1 and 2. Business and  Properties"  in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as
of the date of  filing  of the  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K,  insofar  as such
statements  constitute  a summary of legal  matters  or  documents  referred  to
therein, fairly present in all material respects the information called for with
respect to such legal matters and documents.

         (12) To such counsel's knowledge, except as disclosed in the Prospectus
neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  is in violation of its  declaration  of
trust or by-laws and no default by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries exists
in the due performance or observance of any obligation,  agreement,  covenant or
condition contained in any contract, indenture,  mortgage, loan agreement, note,
lease or other  agreement or instrument  that is described or referred to in the
Registration  Statement or the Prospectus or filed or  incorporated by reference
as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement and to which the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries  is a party  or by  

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the  assets,  properties
or  operations  of the Company or any  Subsidiary  is  subject,  except for such
violations or defaults which would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (13)  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of the  Underwriting
Agreement  and  the  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  in  the
Underwriting  Agreement and in the  Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus
(including  the issuance and sale of the Shares and the use of the proceeds from
the sale of the Shares as  described  under the caption "Use of Proceeds" in the
Prospectus  Supplement)  and  compliance  by the  Company  with its  obligations
thereunder do not and will not,  whether with or without the giving of notice or
passage of time or both,  conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or
Repayment  Event  under,  or result in the creation or  imposition  of any lien,
charge or encumbrance  upon any assets,  properties or operations of the Company
or of any Subsidiary  pursuant to, any material contract,  indenture,  mortgage,
deed of trust, loan or credit  agreement,  note, lease or any other agreement or
instrument that is described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus  or  filed  or  incorporated  by  reference  as  an  exhibit  to  the
Registration  Statement and to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the  assets,
properties or operations of the Company or any  Subsidiary is subject,  nor will
such action result in any  violation of the  provisions  of the  declaration  of
trust or by-laws of the Company or any Subsidiary or in any material respect any
applicable law,  statute,  rule,  regulation,  judgment,  order, writ or decree,
known to such counsel, of any government,  government  instrumentality or court,
domestic  or  foreign,  having  jurisdiction  over  the  Company  or  any of its
subsidiaries  or any of their  assets,  properties or  operations,  in each case
except as disclosed in the Prospectus.

         (14) To such counsel's knowledge, except as disclosed in the Prospectus
there is not pending or  threatened  any action,  suit,  proceeding,  inquiry or
investigation  to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or to which the
assets,  properties or  operations of the Company or any  Subsidiary is subject,
before or by any court or government  agency or body which would,  if determined
adversely to the Company or such Subsidiary, result in a Material Adverse Effect
or  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated  under the  Underwriting  Agreement  or the right or ability of the
Company to perform its obligations thereunder.

         (15) To  such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  is no  contract  or  other
document which is required to be described in the Registration  Statement or the
Prospectus  that is not  described  therein  or is  required  to be  filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not so filed.

         (16) To such counsel's knowledge,  there are no statutes or regulations
that are required to be described in the  Prospectus  that are not  described as
required.

         (17) The Registration  Statement has been declared  effective under the
1933 Act. Any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been
made in the manner and within the time period  required by Rule 424(b).  To such
counsel's  knowledge,   no  stop  order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of  the
Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for
that purpose have been initiated or are pending or threatened by the Commission.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>


         (18) The  Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus,  excluding  the
documents incorporated by reference therein, and each amendment or supplement to
the Registration Statement and Prospectus,  excluding the documents incorporated
by reference  therein,  as of their  respective  effective or issue dates (other
than  financial   statements  and  other  financial  and  statistical  data  and
schedules,  as to which such counsel need not express any opinion),  complied as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act.

         (19) Each  Incorporated  Document (other than financial  statements and
other  financial and  statistical  data and schedules,  as to which such counsel
need not express any opinion)  complied as to form in all material respects with
the 1934 Act when filed with the Commission.

         (20) The  relative  rights,  preferences,  interests  and powers of the
Preferred  Shares  are set  forth in the  Declaration  of Trust,  including  the
Articles Supplementary relating to the Preferred Shares, and all such provisions
relating to the Preferred Shares are valid under Title 8 of the Corporations and
Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

         (21) No authorization,  approval, consent, license, order or decree of,
or filing,  registration  or  qualification  with,  any federal,  Massachusetts,
Delaware or Maryland court or  governmental  authority or agency is necessary or
required for the due authorization,  execution or delivery by the Company of the
Underwriting Agreement or for the performance by the Company of the transactions
contemplated  under the  Prospectus or the  Underwriting  Agreement,  other than
those which have already been made, obtained or rendered as applicable.

         (22) The Company is not,  and upon the  issuance and sale of the Shares
as  contemplated  by the  Underwriting  Agreement and the application of the net
proceeds  therefrom as described in the  Prospectus  will not be, an "investment
company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         (23) The Company has qualified to be taxed as a real estate  investment
trust  pursuant  to Sections  856-860 of the Code for each of the taxable  years
ended  December 31, 1995 through  December 31, 1998,  and the Company's  current
anticipated  investments  and its current  plan of  operation  will enable it to
continue  to meet the  requirements  for  qualification  and  taxation as a real
estate investment trust under the Code; actual qualification of the Company as a
real estate investment trust,  however, will depend upon the Company's continued
ability to meet, and its meeting,  through actual annual  operating  results and
distributions, the various qualification tests imposed under the Code.

         (24) The Advisor is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,  and has the requisite
corporate  power and  authority  to conduct  its  business as  described  in the
Prospectus and to own and operate its material properties.

         (25) The  Advisory  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and
delivered  by the parties  thereto and  constitutes  the valid  agreement of the
parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         (26) No facts  have come to such  counsel's  attention  that would lead
them to believe that (x) the  Registration  Statement,  as of the time it became
effective under the 1933 Act,  

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

contained an untrue  statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading or (y) the Prospectus, as of the date of issuance thereof
or at the Closing Time,  included or includes an untrue  statement of a material
fact or  omitted  or  omits  to  state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the
statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were
made, not misleading,  except that such counsel need not express any views as to
the financial  statements and other financial and statistical data and schedules
included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

         Such counsel  need not express any opinion as to  compliance  with,  or
filings  with  or  authorizations,   approvals,   consents,   licenses,  orders,
registrations,  qualifications or decrees under,  state securities or "Blue Sky"
laws. Such counsel's  opinions with respect to the validity or enforceability of
agreements  may be  qualified  to the extent  that the  obligations,  rights and
remedies   of   parties   may  be  limited   by  (i)   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws affecting generally creditors'
rights and  remedies,  and (ii)  general  principles  of equity  (regardless  of
whether  considered  in a proceeding  at law or in equity),  and  otherwise in a
manner acceptable to the Underwriter.


                                      B-5

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST

                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

             9 1/2% SERIES A CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES
                                without par value

         HOSPITALITY  PROPERTIES TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust,
having its principal  office in Newton,  Massachusetts  (hereinafter  called the
"Trust"),  hereby  certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation
of Maryland that:

         FIRST:  Pursuant  to  authority  expressly  vested in the  Trustees  by
Section 5.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated
August  21,  1995,  as  amended  (the  "Declaration"),  the  Trustees  have duly
reclassified  and designated  3,450,000  Preferred Shares of the Trust as 9 1/2%
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, without par value, of the Trust
("Series A Preferred Shares").

         SECOND:   The  preferences,   rights,   voting  powers,   restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or
conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares are as follows,  which
upon any restatement of the  Declaration  shall be made part of Article V of the
Declaration,  with any necessary or  appropriate  changes to the  enumeration or
lettering  of sections or  subsections  hereof.  Capitalized  terms used in this
ARTICLE SECOND which are defined in the  Declaration  and not otherwise  defined
herein are used herein as so defined in the Declaration.

9 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, without par value

         1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Shares, designated the
9 1/2% Series A Cumulative  Redeemable Preferred Shares,  without par value (the
"Series A Preferred Shares"),  is hereby  established.  The number of authorized
Series A Preferred Shares is 3,450,000.

         2. Relative Seniority. In respect of rights to receive dividends and to
participate  in  distributions  or  payments  in the  event of any  liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the Series A Preferred Shares shall rank
(i) senior to the Common Shares, the Junior  Participating  Preferred Shares and
any  other  class  or  series  of  Shares  of the  Trust,  the  terms  of  which
specifically  provide that such class or series  ranks,  as to rights to receive
dividends and to  participate in  distributions  or payments in the event of any
liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up of the  Trust,  junior to the Series A
Preferred Shares (the Shares  described in this clause (i) being,  collectively,
"Junior  Shares"),  (ii) on a parity with any other class or series of Shares of
the Trust,  the terms of which  specifically  provide  that such class or series
ranks, as to rights to receive  dividends and to participate in distributions or
payments  in the event of any  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up of the
Trust, on a parity with the Series A Preferred  Shares,  and (iii) junior to any
class or series of Shares of the Trust, the terms of which specifically  provide
that such  class or series  ranks,  as to rights  to  receive  dividends  and to
participate in distributions or payments in the event of any

                                                        

<PAGE>



liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up of the  Trust,  senior to the Series A
Preferred Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, debt securities of the Trust which
are convertible  into or exchangeable  for Shares of the Trust or any other debt
securities  of the Trust do not  constitute  a class or  series  of  Shares  for
purposes of this Section 2.

         3.       Dividends and Distributions.

                  (a) Subject to the  preferential  rights of the holders of any
class or series of Shares of the Trust ranking  senior to the Series A Preferred
Shares as to dividends,  the holders of the then outstanding  Series A Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Trustees, out
of any funds legally available therefor,  cumulative dividends at a rate of nine
and one-half percent (9 1/2%) per annum of the Twenty-Five  Dollars ($25.00) per
share liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Shares (equivalent to the
annual rate of $2.375 per share).  Such dividends shall accrue and be cumulative
from (but  excluding)  April 12, 1999 (the "Original Issue Date") in the case of
Series A Preferred Shares issued on or prior to May 12, 1999, and otherwise from
(but excluding) the date of the original issuance  thereof,  and will be payable
quarterly in arrears in cash on the last day of each March, June,  September and
December  beginning on June 30, 1999 (each such day being  hereinafter  called a
"Quarterly Dividend Date");  provided that if any Quarterly Dividend Date is not
a Business Day (as hereinafter defined), then the dividend which would otherwise
have  been  payable  on such  Quarterly  Dividend  Date  may be paid on the next
succeeding  Business  Day with  the same  force  and  effect  as if paid on such
Quarterly  Dividend Date, and no interest or additional  dividends or other sums
shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Quarterly  Dividend Date to such
next  succeeding  Business  Day. As used herein the term  "Dividend  Period" for
Series A Preferred Shares means the period from but excluding the Original Issue
Date or other date of the original issuance thereof,  as applicable,  and ending
on and including the next following Quarterly Dividend Date, and each subsequent
period from but excluding a Quarterly  Dividend Date and ending on and including
the next following  Quarterly  Dividend Date. The amount of any dividend payable
for any full Dividend  Period or portion  thereof shall be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year of twelve  30-day months (it being  understood  that the first
Dividend  Period is shorter than a full  Dividend  Period).  Dividends  shall be
payable to holders of record as they appear in the share records of the Trust at
the close of business on the applicable  record date (the "Record Date"),  which
shall be a date  designated by the Trustees for the payment of dividends that is
not  more  than 60 nor  less  than 10 days  prior  to the  applicable  Quarterly
Dividend Date.

                  (b)  Dividends  on the Series A Preferred  Shares shall accrue
and be  cumulative,  whether  or not the  Trust  has  earnings,  there are funds
legally  available for the payment of such dividends or such dividends have been
declared.

                  (c) If Series A  Preferred  Shares  are  outstanding,  no full
dividends  shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any other class
or series of Shares of the Trust ranking,  as to dividends,  on a parity with or
junior to Series A Preferred  Shares for any period,  unless the full cumulative
dividends on the Series A Preferred  Shares have been or  contemporaneously  are
declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient  for the payment  thereof set
apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods.  When dividends are not paid in
full (or a sum  sufficient  for such full  payment is not so set apart) upon the
Series A Preferred Shares and the Shares of any other class or series

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



ranking on a parity as to  dividends  with the Series A  Preferred  Shares,  all
dividends  declared  upon Series A Preferred  Shares and any such other class or
series  of Shares  shall in all cases  bear to each  other the same  ratio  that
accrued  dividends  per share on the  Series A  Preferred  Shares and such other
class or series of Shares (which shall not include any  accumulation  in respect
of unpaid  dividends  for prior  dividend  periods if such other class or series
does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other.

                  (d) Except as  provided  in Section  3(c)  above,  unless full
cumulative   dividends   on  the  Series  A   Preferred   Shares  have  been  or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the
repayment  thereof set apart for payment for all past  Dividend  Periods and the
then current Dividend Period, no dividends (other than in Common Shares or other
Junior Shares or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase Common
Shares  or other  Junior  Shares)  shall be  declared  or paid or set  apart for
payment  and no other  distribution  shall be  declared  or made upon the Common
Shares or any other Shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to
rights to receive  dividends or to participate in  distributions  or payments in
the event of any liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Trust, nor shall
any Common  Shares or any other such Shares be redeemed,  purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a
sinking fund for the  redemption  of any such Shares) by the Trust except (i) by
conversion  into or exchange  for Common  Shares or other  Junior  Shares,  (ii)
pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or a concurrent  redemption of all, or a
pro rata  portion of, the  outstanding  Series A Preferred  Shares and any other
class or series of Shares ranking on a parity with Series A Preferred  Shares as
to rights to receive  dividends and to participate in  distributions or payments
in the event of any liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Trust,  (iii)
by redemption,  purchase or other acquisition of Common Shares made for purposes
of an  incentive,  benefit  or share  purchase  plan of the  Trust or any of its
subsidiaries  for  officers,  Trustees  or  employees  or others  performing  or
providing similar services, (iv) by redemption, purchase or other acquisition of
rights to purchase Junior Participating  Preferred Shares pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1997, between the Trust and State Street Bank and
Trust  Company,  as rights  agent,  or  pursuant  to any  replacement  agreement
therefor relating to such rights, each as in effect from time to time, or of any
similar  rights  from  time to time  issued by the  Trust in  connection  with a
successor or  supplemental  shareholder  rights  protection  plan adopted by the
Trustees, and (v) for redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions by the Trust,
whether  pursuant to any  provision of the  Declaration  or  otherwise,  for the
purpose of preserving  the Trust's status as a real estate  investment  trust (a
"REIT") for Federal income tax purposes.

                  (e) No  interest,  or sum of money in lieu  thereof,  shall be
payable in respect of any  dividend  payment or  payments  on Series A Preferred
Shares which may be in arrears, and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares are
not be entitled to any dividends,  whether payable in cash,  securities or other
property,  in excess of the full cumulative  dividends described in this Section
3. Except as otherwise  expressly provided herein, the Series A Preferred Shares
shall not be entitled to participate in the earnings or assets of the Trust.

                  (f) Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Shares
shall be first  credited  against the earliest  accrued but unpaid  dividend due
with respect to such Shares which remains  payable.  Any cash  dividends paid in
respect of Series A Preferred Shares, including any

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



portion  thereof which the Trust elects to designate as "capital gain dividends"
(as defined in Section 857 (or any successor  provision) of the Internal Revenue
Code) or as a return of capital,  shall be credited to the cumulative  dividends
on the Series A Preferred Shares.

                  (g) No  dividends  on the Series A Preferred  Shares  shall be
authorized  by the  Trustees or be paid or set apart for payment by the Trust at
such time as the terms and  provisions of any agreement of the Trust,  including
any agreement  relating to its  indebtedness,  directly or  indirectly  prohibit
authorization,  payment  or  setting  apart for  payment  or  provide  that such
authorization,  payment or setting apart for payment  would  constitute a breach
thereof  or a default  thereunder,  or if such  declaration,  payment or setting
apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

                  (h) The Trust shall remain  entitled to receive and retain any
interest or other  earnings on any money set aside for the payment of  dividends
on Series A  Preferred  Shares and holders  thereof  shall have no claim to such
interest or other  earnings.  Any funds for the payment of dividends on Series A
Preferred  Shares  which  have been set  apart by the  Trust  and  which  remain
unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred  Shares  entitled  thereto on
the first  anniversary  of the  applicable  Quarterly  Dividend  Date,  or other
dividend  payment  date shall  revert and be repaid to the general  funds of the
Trust,  and thereafter the holders of the Series A Preferred  Shares entitled to
the funds which have reverted or been repaid to the Trust shall look only to the
general  funds of the Trust for  payment,  without  interest  or other  earnings
thereon.

                  (i) "Business  Day" shall mean any day,  other than a Saturday
or  Sunday,  that  is  neither  a  legal  holiday  nor a day  on  which  banking
institutions  in New York, New York or Boston,  Massachusetts  are authorized or
required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

         4.       Liquidation Rights.

                  (a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Trust,  then,  before any  distribution or payment shall be
made to the holders of any Common Shares or any other Shares  ranking  junior to
the Series A Preferred  Shares as to rights to participate in  distributions  or
payments  in the event of any  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up of the
Trust, but subject to the preferential  rights of holders of any class or series
of  Shares  ranking  senior  to the  Series A  Preferred  Shares as to rights to
participate  in  distributions  or  payments  in the  event of any  liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares
shall be entitled to receive,  out of assets of the Trust legally  available for
distribution to shareholders,  liquidating  distributions in cash or property at
its fair market value as determined by the Trustees in the amount of Twenty-Five
Dollars  ($25.00)  per Series A  Preferred  Share,  plus an amount  equal to all
dividends accrued and unpaid thereon.

                  (b)  After  payment  of the  full  amount  of the  liquidating
distributions  to which they are  entitled,  the  holders of Series A  Preferred
Shares will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                  (c) In the  event  that  upon  any  voluntary  or  involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the available assets of the
Trust are  insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating  distributions
on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the full amount amounts payable
as liquidating  distributions on all Shares of other classes or series of Shares
of the Trust ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to rights
to participate  in  distributions  or payments in the event of any  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding  up of the  Trust,  then the  holders  of the  Series A
Preferred  Shares and all other such  classes  or series of Shares  shall  share
ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating
distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

                  (d) For purposes of this  Section 4, neither the sale,  lease,
transfer or conveyance of all or  substantially  all of the property or business
of the  Trust,  nor the  merger or  consolidation  of the Trust into or with any
other entity or the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the
Trust or a  statutory  share  exchange  by the  Trust,  shall be  deemed to be a
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Trust.

                  (e) In  determining  whether a  distribution  (other than upon
voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation),   by  dividend,  redemption  or  other
acquisition of Shares or otherwise,  is permitted  under  Maryland law,  amounts
that  would be  needed,  if the Trust  were to be  dissolved  at the time of the
distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders
of Series A Preferred Shares will not be added to the Trust's total liabilities.

         5.       Redemption by the Trust.

                  (a) Optional Redemption. The Series A Preferred Shares are not
redeemable prior to April 12, 2004, except as otherwise provided in Section 5(b)
below. On and after April 12, 2004, the Trust may, at its option,  redeem Series
A  Preferred  Shares  in  whole  or from  time to time in  part,  for  cash at a
redemption price per share of Twenty-Five  Dollars  ($25.00),  together with all
accrued  and  unpaid  dividends  to the date  fixed  for  redemption,  except as
otherwise provided in Section 5(c)(vi) below (the "Series A Redemption  Price"),
and  without  interest.  Each date fixed for  redemption  of Series A  Preferred
Shares  pursuant to this Section 5(a) or to Section 5(b) below is referred to in
these  provisions  of the Series A  Preferred  Shares as a "Series A  Redemption
Date." The Series A Preferred Shares have no stated maturity and are not subject
to any  sinking  fund or  mandatory  redemption.  Any  redemption  of  Series  A
Preferred  Shares pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be made in accordance with
the applicable provisions of Section 5(c) below.

                  (b) Special Optional Redemption. The Trust may, at its option,
redeem at any time all or from time to time any Series A Preferred  Shares which
constitute  Excess Series A Preferred Shares (as defined in Section 9 below) for
cash at a  redemption  price per share equal to the Series A  Redemption  Price,
subject,  with  respect  to  the  portion  of  the  Series  A  Redemption  Price
constituting  accrued and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption,  to
the provisions of the second  paragraph of subsection (c) of Section 5.14 of the
Declaration and to Section  5(c)(vi) below,  and without  interest.  The Trust's
right to redeem  Excess  Series A Preferred  Shares shall be in addition to, and
shall not limit,  its rights with respect to such Series A Preferred  Shares set
forth in Section 9 below or in Section 5.14 of the  Declaration.  Any redemption
of Series A Preferred Shares

                                       -5-

<PAGE>



pursuant to this Section 5(b) shall be made in  accordance  with the  applicable
provisions of Section 5(c) below.

                  (c)      Procedures and Terms for Redemption.

                           (i) Notice of  redemption  will be mailed at least 30
         days but not more than 60 days before the Series A  Redemption  Date to
         each  holder of record of Series A  Preferred  Shares to be redeemed at
         the address shown on the share  transfer  books of the Trust;  provided
         that if the Trust shall have reasonably  concluded,  based on advice of
         independent tax counsel experienced in such matters,  that a redemption
         pursuant  to  Section  5(b)  must  be  made  on a  date  (the  "Special
         Redemption  Date") which is earlier than 30 days after the date of such
         mailing  in order to  preserve  the  status  of the Trust as a REIT for
         Federal income tax purposes or to comply with Federal tax laws relating
         to the Trust's  qualification  as a REIT,  then the Trust may give such
         shorter notice as is necessary to effect such redemption on the Special
         Redemption  Date.  Each  notice  of  redemption  shall  state:  (A) the
         applicable  Series  A  Redemption  Date;  (B) the  number  of  Series A
         Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (C) the applicable Series A Redemption
         Price;  (D) the place or places  where  certificates  for such Series A
         Preferred  Shares  are to be  surrendered  for  payment of the Series A
         Redemption  Price;  and (E) that  dividends  on the Series A  Preferred
         Shares to be redeemed  will cease to accrue on such Series A Redemption
         Date.  If  fewer  than  all the  Series A  Preferred  Shares  are to be
         redeemed,  the notice  mailed to each such  holder  thereof  shall also
         specify  the number of Series A Preferred  Shares to be  redeemed  from
         each such holder or the method for calculating that number.  No failure
         to give such  notice or any defect  therein or in the  mailing  thereof
         shall affect the validity of the  proceedings for the redemption of any
         Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom the Trust has
         failed to give notice or to whom notice was defective.

                           (ii) If notice of  redemption  of Series A  Preferred
         Shares has been mailed in accordance  with Section 5(c)(i) above and if
         the  funds  necessary  for such  redemption  have been set aside by the
         Trust in trust for the  benefit of the  holders  the Series A Preferred
         Shares so called for  redemption,  subject to the provisions of Section
         5(c)(v)  below,  then  from and  after  the  Series A  Redemption  Date
         specified in the notice  dividends will cease to  accumulate,  and such
         Shares shall no longer be deemed to be  outstanding  and shall not have
         the status of Series A  Preferred  Shares and all rights of the holders
         thereof as  Shareholders  of the Trust (except the right to receive the
         Series A Redemption Price) shall terminate.

                           (iii) Upon surrender,  in accordance with the Trust's
         notice of redemption,  of the  certificates  for any Series A Preferred
         Shares  redeemed  (properly  endorsed or assigned for transfer and with
         applicable signature guarantees,  if the Trust shall so require and the
         notice shall so state), the Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed
         by the Trust at the Series A Redemption  Price.  In case fewer than all
         the Series A Preferred  Shares  evidenced by any such  certificate  are
         redeemed,  a new certificate or certificates shall be issued evidencing
         the  unredeemed  Series A Preferred  Shares  without cost to the holder
         thereof.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                           (iv) If fewer  than all of the  outstanding  Series A
         Preferred  Shares are to be redeemed,  the number of Series A Preferred
         Shares to be redeemed  will be  determined by the Trust and such Shares
         may be  redeemed  pro rata from the holders of record of such Shares in
         proportion  to the number of such  Shares  held by such  holders  (with
         adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional Shares), by lot or by any
         other equitable method determined by the Trust.

                           (v)  Any  funds  for  the   redemption  of  Series  A
         Preferred  Shares  which have been set aside by the Trust  pursuant  to
         Section  5(c)(ii)  above,  shall be irrevocably  set aside separate and
         apart from the Trust's other funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of
         the holders of the Series A  Preferred  Shares  called for  redemption,
         except that:

                  (A)      the Trust shall be  entitled to receive any  interest
                           or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so set
                           aside  in  trust,  and  the  holders  of  any  Shares
                           redeemed  shall  have no  claim to such  interest  or
                           other earnings; and

                  (B)      any  balance  of  monies  deposited  by the Trust and
                           unclaimed  by the  holders of the Series A  Preferred
                           Shares entitled thereto at the expiration of one year
                           from the applicable Series A Redemption Date shall be
                           repaid,  together with any interest or other earnings
                           earned  thereon,  to the general  funds of the Trust,
                           and  after any such  repayment,  the  holders  of the
                           Shares  entitled  to the funds which have been repaid
                           to the Trust shall look only to the general  funds of
                           the  Trust  for  payment  without  interest  or other
                           earnings thereon.

                           (vi)  Anything  in these  provisions  of the Series A
         Preferred Shares to the contrary notwithstanding, the holders of record
         of Series A Preferred  Shares at the close of business on a Record Date
         will be entitled to receive the  dividend  payable with respect to such
         Shares on the corresponding Quarterly Dividend Date notwithstanding the
         redemption  of such  Shares  after such  Record Date and on or prior to
         such Quarterly  Dividend Date or the Trust's  default in the payment of
         the dividend due on such  Quarterly  Dividend  Date,  in which case the
         amount payable upon  redemption of such Series A Preferred  Shares will
         not include such dividend (and the full amount of the dividend  payable
         for  the  applicable  Dividend  Period  shall  instead  be paid on such
         Quarterly Dividend Date to the holders of record on such Record Date as
         aforesaid).  Except as  provided  in this clause (vi) and except to the
         extent that accrued and unpaid  dividends  are payable as a part of the
         Series A Redemption  Price  pursuant to Section 5(a) or 5(b), the Trust
         will make no payment or allowance for unpaid  dividends,  regardless of
         whether or not in  arrears,  on Series A  Preferred  Shares  called for
         redemption.

                           (vii) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  unless the full
         cumulative  dividends on all Series A Preferred  Shares shall have been
         or  contemporaneously  are  declared  and  paid or  declared  and a sum
         sufficient  for the payment  thereof set apart for payment for all past
         Dividend  Periods and the then  current  Dividend  Period,  no Series A
         Preferred  Shares  shall be redeemed  unless all  outstanding  Series A
         Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed;  provided,  however, that
         (i) the foregoing shall not prevent the redemption of Series A

                                       -7-

<PAGE>



         Preferred  Shares  pursuant  to Section  5(b) above or the  purchase or
         acquisition  of Series A  Preferred  Shares  pursuant  to a purchase or
         exchange  offer made on the same  terms to  holders of all  outstanding
         Series A  Preferred  Shares,  and (ii) the  foregoing  shall not in any
         respect  limit  the  terms  and  provisions  of  Section  5.14  of  the
         Declaration  or  Section  9  hereof.  In  addition,   unless  the  full
         cumulative  dividends on all  outstanding  Shares of Series A Preferred
         Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
         and a sum sufficient for the payment  thereof set apart for payment for
         all past Dividend  Periods and the then current  Dividend  Period,  the
         Trust shall not purchase or otherwise  acquire  directly or  indirectly
         any Series A Preferred  Shares  (except by conversion  into or exchange
         for Common Shares or other Junior Shares); provided,  however, that (i)
         the  foregoing  shall not prevent the  redemption of Series A Preferred
         Shares pursuant to Section 5(b) above or the purchase or acquisition of
         Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made
         on the same  terms to  holders of all  outstanding  Series A  Preferred
         Shares, and (ii) the foregoing shall not in any respect limit the terms
         and provisions of Section 5.14 of the Declaration or Section 9 hereof.

                           (viii) For the avoidance of doubt,  the provisions of
         this  Section  5 shall not limit any  direct or  indirect  purchase  or
         acquisition by the Trust of all or any Series A Preferred Shares on the
         open market (including in privately negotiated transactions), except as
         otherwise expressly provided in Section 5(c)(vii) above.

         6. Voting Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
the Declaration, except as set forth below in this Section 6, the holders of the
Series A  Preferred  Shares  shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
shareholders  for election of Trustees or for any other  purpose or otherwise to
participate in any action taken by the Trust or the shareholders  thereof, or to
receive notice of any meeting of shareholders (except for such notices as may be
expressly required by law).

                  (a) At any time  dividends  on the Series A  Preferred  Shares
shall  be in  arrears  for six or more  quarterly  periods,  whether  or not the
quarterly  periods are  consecutive,  the  holders of Series A Preferred  Shares
(voting  separately as a class with all other series of Preferred  Shares of the
Trust upon which like voting  rights have been  conferred  and are  exercisable)
will be entitled  to vote for the  election  of two  additional  Trustees of the
Trust at the next annual meeting of shareholders and at each subsequent  meeting
(and the  number  of  Trustees  then  constituting  the Board of  Trustees  will
automatically  increase by two, if not already increased by two by reason of the
election  of  Trustees  by the  holders  of such  Preferred  Shares),  until all
dividends accumulated on Series A Preferred Shares for the past Dividend Periods
and the then current  Dividend Period shall have been fully paid or declared and
a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment.

                           (i)  Upon  the full  payment  of all  such  dividends
         accumulated on Series A Preferred  Shares for the past Dividend Periods
         and the then current Dividend Period or the declaration in full thereof
         and the Trust's setting aside a sum sufficient for the payment thereof,
         the right of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares to elect such two
         Trustees shall cease, and (unless there are one or more other series of
         Preferred  Shares of the Trust upon which like voting  rights have been
         conferred and are exercisable) the term of office of such

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



         Trustees  previously so elected shall  automatically  terminate and the
         authorized number of Trustees of the Trust will thereupon automatically
         return to the number of authorized  Trustees  otherwise in effect,  but
         subject  always  to the  same  provisions  for  the  reinstatement  and
         divestment of the right to elect two additional Trustees in the case of
         any such future dividend arrearage.

                           (ii) If at any time when the voting rights  conferred
         upon the Series A Preferred  Shares  pursuant to this  Section 6(a) are
         exercisable any vacancy in the office of a Trustee elected  pursuant to
         this Section 6(a) shall occur,  then such vacancy may be filled only by
         the written  consent of the  remaining  such  Trustee or by vote of the
         holders of record of the outstanding  Series A Preferred Shares and any
         other  series of  Preferred  Shares of the Trust upon which like voting
         rights have been conferred and are  exercisable  and which are entitled
         to vote as a class with the Series A Preferred  Shares in the  election
         of Trustees pursuant to this Section 6(a).

                           (iii) Any Trustee  elected or  appointed  pursuant to
         this Section 6(a) may be removed only by the holders of the outstanding
         Series A Preferred  Shares and any other series of Preferred  Shares of
         the Trust upon which like  voting  rights have been  conferred  and are
         exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series A
         Preferred  Shares in the election of Trustees  pursuant to this Section
         6(a), and may not be removed by the holders of the Common Shares.

                           (iv) The term of any  Trustees  elected or  appointed
         pursuant to this Section  6(a) shall be from the date of such  election
         or appointment and their qualification until the next annual meeting of
         the  Shareholders  and until  their  successors  are duly  elected  and
         qualify, except as otherwise provided above in this Section 6(a).

                  (b)  So  long  as  any  Series  A  Preferred   Shares   remain
outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the Series A Preferred  Shares  outstanding at
the time,  given in person or by proxy,  either in writing or at a meeting  (the
holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Shares  voting  separately  as a  class),  (i)
authorize or create,  or increase the  authorized or issued amount of, any class
or series of Shares ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect
to  payment  of  dividends  or the  distribution  of  assets  upon  liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust,  or reclassify any authorized  Shares of
the Trust into any such Shares, or create,  authorize or issue any obligation or
security  convertible  into or evidencing the right to purchase any such Shares;
or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration or the terms of
the Series A Preferred Shares, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so
as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting
power of the Series A Preferred Shares; provided,  however, that any increase in
the amount of authorized  Preferred  Shares,  any issuance of or increase in the
amount of Series A Preferred  Shares or any  creation or issuance of or increase
in the amount of  authorized  shares of any class or series of Preferred  Shares
which  rank on a parity  with the  Series A  Preferred  Shares  with  respect to
payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution
or  winding up of the Trust or which are  Junior  Shares  shall not be deemed to
materially and adversely  affect the rights,  preferences,  privileges or voting
powers of the Series A Preferred Shares.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>




                  (c) The voting  provisions  set forth in  clauses  (a) and (b)
above  will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with  respect  to
which a vote would  otherwise  be required  shall be effected,  all  outstanding
Series A Preferred  Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption and
sufficient  funds shall have been  deposited in trust pursuant to the provisions
of Sections 5(c)(ii) and 5(c)(v) hereof to effect the redemption.

                  (d) On  each  matter  submitted  to a vote of the  holders  of
Series A Preferred  Shares or on which the holders of Series A Preferred  Shares
are otherwise entitled to vote as provided herein, each Series A Preferred Share
shall be  entitled  to one vote,  except  that when Shares of any other class or
series of Preferred Shares of the Trust have the right to vote with the Series A
Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter,  the Series A Preferred Shares
and the  Shares of each such other  class or series  will have one vote for each
Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) of liquidation preference.

         7.  Conversion.  The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into
or  exchangeable  for any  other  property  or  securities  of the  Trust.  This
provision  will not prevent the Trust from  offering to convert or exchange  the
Series A Preferred Shares.

         8. Status of Redeemed and Reacquired  Series A Preferred Shares. In the
event any Series A  Preferred  Shares  shall be  redeemed  pursuant to Section 5
hereof  or  otherwise  reacquired  by the  Trust,  the  Shares  so  redeemed  or
reacquired  shall become  authorized  but unissued  Shares of Series A Preferred
Shares,  available for future issuance and  reclassification by the Trust or, if
so determined by the Trustees, may be retired and canceled by the Trust.

         9.       Restrictions on Transfer.

                  (a)  As  a  condition  to  the  transfer  (including,  without
limitation, any sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition of
Series  A  Preferred   Shares,   whether   voluntary  or  involuntary,   whether
beneficially or of record, and whether effected constructively,  by operation of
law or  otherwise)  and/or  registration  of  transfer of any Series A Preferred
Shares  ("Excess  Series A Preferred  Shares") which could in the opinion of the
Trustees result in

                           (i)  direct or  indirect  ownership  (as  defined  in
         Section  5.14  of  the   Declaration)  of  Series  A  Preferred  Shares
         representing  more than 9.8% in  number,  value or voting  power of the
         total Series A Preferred Shares  outstanding  becoming  concentrated in
         the hands of one owner other than an  Excepted  Person (as such term is
         defined in the Declaration),

                           (ii) the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares of the
         Trust being owned by fewer than one hundred (100) persons, or

                           (iii) the  Trust  being  "closely  held"  within  the
         meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code,


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



such  potential  owner (a "Proposed  Transferee")  shall file with the Trust the
statement or affidavit  described in Section 5.14(b) of the Declaration no later
than the fifteenth  (15th) day prior to any proposed  transfer,  registration of
transfer or transaction which, if consummated, would have any of the results set
forth above; provided,  however, that the Trustees may waive such requirement of
prior notice upon determination that such waiver is in the best interests of the
Trust.  Subject to Section 5.14(i) of the  Declaration,  the Trustees shall have
the power and right (i) to refuse to transfer or issue Excess Series A Preferred
Shares or share  certificates to any Proposed  Transferee  whose  acquisition of
such Excess  Series A Preferred  Shares  would,  in the opinion of the Trustees,
result in the direct or indirect  beneficial  ownership  of any Excess  Series A
Preferred  Shares by a Person  other than an  Excepted  Person and (ii) to treat
such Excess  Series A Preferred  Shares as having  been  transferred  not to the
Proposed  Transferee  but  rather to a trustee  for the  benefit  of one or more
Charitable  Beneficiaries (as defined in the Declaration) selected and otherwise
as  described  in Section  5.14(c) of the  Declaration.  Any such trust shall be
deemed to have been  established by the holder of such Excess Series A Preferred
Shares for the benefit of the  applicable  Charitable  Beneficiary or Charitable
Beneficiaries  on the day  prior to the date of the  purported  transfer  to the
Proposed  Transferee,  which purported  transfer shall be void ab initio and the
Proposed  Transferee  shall be deemed never to have  acquired any interest in or
with respect to the Excess Series A Preferred Shares purportedly transferred.

                  (b) Any Excess Series A Preferred  Shares shall  automatically
be deemed to constitute  Excess Shares  (within the meaning of the  Declaration)
and shall be treated in the manner prescribed for Excess Shares, including those
set forth in Section 5.14(c) thereof.

                  (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration or
hereof to the contrary,  but subject to Section 5.14(i) of the Declaration,  any
purported  acquisition  of Series A Preferred  Shares  (whether  such  purported
acquisition  results from the direct or indirect  acquisition  or ownership  (as
defined for purposes of the  Declaration)  of Series A Preferred  Shares)  which
would  result in the  disqualification  of the Trust as a REIT shall be null and
void.  Any such Shares may be treated by the  Trustees in the manner  prescribed
for  Excess  Series A  Preferred  Shares  in these  provisions  of the  Series A
Preferred Shares and for Excess Shares in Section 5.14(c) of the Declaration.

                  (d) The  provisions  of this  Section  9 shall  not  limit the
applicability of Section 5.14 of the Declaration to Series A Preferred Shares in
accordance  with the terms thereof,  and the provisions of this Section 9 and of
Section 5.14 of the Declaration  shall not limit the right of the Trust to elect
to redeem  Excess  Series A Preferred  Shares  pursuant to Section  5(b) hereof.
Subject only to Section 5.14(i) of the  Declaration,  nothing  contained in this
Section 9 or in any other  provision  of the Series A Preferred  Shares in these
provisions  of the Series A Preferred  Shares  shall limit the  authority of the
Trustees  to take such  other  action as they deem  necessary  or  advisable  to
protect  the Trust and the  interests  of the  Shareholders  by  preserving  the
Trust's  status as a REIT.  The  provisions  of  subsections  (f) through (i) of
Section 5.14 of the Declaration  shall be applicable to this Section 9 as though
(i) the references  therein to Section 5.14 of the Declaration  referred instead
to this Section 9 and (ii) the references therein to subsections of Section 5.14
of the Declaration referred to the comparable provisions of this Section 9.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>


         10. Severability.  If any preference, right, voting power, restriction,
limitation  as to dividends,  qualification,  term or condition of redemption or
other term of the Series A Preferred Shares is invalid, unlawful or incapable or
being  enforced  by  reason of any rule of law or public  policy,  then,  to the
extent  permitted  by  law,  all  other  preferences,   rights,  voting  powers,
restrictions,  limitations as to dividends, qualifications, terms and conditions
of  redemption  and other  terms of the Series A Preferred  Shares  which can be
given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable  preference,  right,
voting power, restriction,  limitation as to dividends,  qualification,  term or
condition  of  redemption  or other term of the Series A Preferred  Shares shall
remain in full  force and  effect  and  shall not be deemed  dependent  upon any
invalid, unlawful or unenforceable preference, right, voting power, restriction,
limitation  as to dividends,  qualification,  term or condition of redemption or
other term of the Series A Preferred Shares.

         THIRD:   The  Series  A  Preferred  Shares  have  been  classified  and
designated  by the  Board of  Trustees  under  the  authority  contained  in the
Declaration.

         FOURTH: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of
Trustees in the manner and by the vote required by law.

         FIFTH:  The  undersigned  President  of the  Trust  acknowledges  these
Articles  Supplementary  to be the trust act of the Trust and, as to all matters
or  facts  required  to  be  verified  under  oath,  the  undersigned  President
acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge,  information and belief,  these
matters and facts are true in all material  respects and this  statement is made
under the penalties for perjury.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  HOSPITALITY  PROPERTIES  TRUST has  caused  these
Articles  Supplementary  to be  signed  in its  name  and on its  behalf  by its
President and witnessed by its Assistant Secretary on April 7, 1999.


WITNESS:                                      HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



/s/ Alexander A. Notopoulos, Jr.              By:   /s/ John G. Murray      
Alexander A. Notopoulos, Jr.,                       John G. Murray, President
  Assistant Secretary



                                      -12-



<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement (File No. 333-43573)
and prospectus supplement of our reports included in Hospitality Properties
Trust's Form 10-K and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.

                                      /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Washington, D.C.
April 29, 1999


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