As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2015

Registration No. 333-_________

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



 

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ACADIA REALTY TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



 

 
Maryland
(State of Organization)
  23-2715194
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 260
White Plains, New York 10605
(914) 288-8100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)



 

Kenneth F. Bernstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Acadia Realty Trust
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 260
White Plains, New York 10605
(914) 288-8100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service):



 

Copies to:

Mark Schonberger, Esq.
Goodwin Procter LLP
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(212) 813-8800



 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

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

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

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

     
Large accelerated filer x   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
          (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

       
Title of each class of securities to be registered   Amount to be
registered(1)(2)
  Proposed maximum
offering price
per unit(3)
  Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(4)
  Amount of
registration fee(4)
Shares of beneficial interest classified as common shares,
par value $.001 per share
    3,078,217     $ 34.71     $ 54,734,581     $ 6,361  

(1) Represents the maximum number of common shares that may be issuable upon exchange of common units of limited partnership interest, or “Common OP Units,” in Acadia Realty Limited Partnership, by certain holders of such Common OP Units.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 416, the common shares offered hereby shall also be deemed to cover such additional shares as may hereafter be offered or issued with respect to the shares registered hereby resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar capital adjustments.
(3) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a), and, in accordance with Rule 457(c), is based upon the average of the high and low reported sale prices of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on April 1, 2015.
(4) As discussed below, pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), this prospectus includes 1,501,306 unsold common shares that have been previously registered. Accordingly, the registration fee due in connection with this prospectus relates to the additional 1,576,911 common shares registered hereby.

Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the common shares registered pursuant to this prospectus include 1,501,306 unsold common shares previously registered on our prospectus supplements dated April 15, 2013, March 27, 2014 and November 13, 2014 and an accompanying prospectus to our registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2012 under File No. 333-180607, which we collectively refer to as the “Prior Prospectuses.” The registration fee in connection with the registration of such unsold common shares on the Prior Prospectuses has previously been paid and will continue to be applied to such unsold securities. $6,361 is being paid herewith in connection with the additional 1,576,911 common shares registered hereby.



 

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

 


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

PRELIMINARY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED APRIL 3, 2015


3,078,217

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Acadia Realty Trust

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest


This prospectus relates to the offer and sale, from time to time, by the holders, or “OP unit holders,” of common units of limited partnership interest, or “Common OP Units,” in Acadia Realty Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership and our operating partnership, or the “Operating Partnership,” named herein, of up to 3,078,217 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of Acadia Realty Trust that may be issued to such OP unit holders in exchange for an equal number of Common OP Units, subject to certain adjustments. Up to 162,730 of such common shares relate to potential earn-out compensation that may be paid to the OP unit holders as described herein. The OP unit holders may only offer our common shares if they exercise their right to exchange any or all of their Common OP Units for common shares. The registration for resale of our common shares covered by this prospectus satisfies our contractual obligation to do so, but does not necessarily mean that any of the OP unit holders will exercise their rights to exchange some or all of the Common OP Units for common shares.

The OP unit holders will act independently in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale or non-sale related transfer. The OP unit holders may sell these shares in one or more transactions at the market price for our common shares prevailing at the time of sale, a price related to the prevailing market price, a negotiated price or such other price as the OP unit holders determine from time to time. See “Plan of Distribution.” Our common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AKR.” On April 2, 2015, the closing sale price of our common shares was $34.87 per share.

To assist us in preserving our status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for Federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our declaration of trust imposes certain restrictions on the ownership of our common shares. See “Restrictions on Ownership Transfers and Takeover Defense Provisions.”

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus as well as the risk factors contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, for a discussion of risk factors that you should consider before investing in our securities.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the OP unit holders of the common shares. We will pay all expenses of the registration of the common shares and certain other expenses.



 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



 

The date of this prospectus is            , 2015.


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY     1  
RISK FACTORS     2  
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION     2  
USE OF PROCEEDS     4  
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON SHARES     4  
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS AND TAKEOVER DEFENSE PROVISIONS     5  
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS     7  
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS     9  
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS     30  
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION     33  
LEGAL MATTERS     34  
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     34  
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION     34  


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

About This Prospectus

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process or continuous offering process. Under this shelf registration process, we are registering 3,078,217 common shares for sale, from time to time, by OP unit holders that may offer such common shares owned by them. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common shares that may be offered by OP unit holders. We may also file, from time to time, a prospectus supplement or an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part containing additional information about us and/or OP unit holders and the terms of the offering of the common shares. That prospectus supplement or amendment may include additional risk factors or other special considerations applicable to the common shares. Any prospectus supplement or amendment may also add, update or supersede information in this prospectus. If there is any supplement or amendment, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement or amendment.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and any amendments to such registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

You should read this prospectus together with additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 34 of this prospectus. Information incorporated by reference with the SEC after the date of this prospectus, or information included in any prospectus supplement or an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, may add, update or supersede information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

All references to the “Company,” “we” and “us” in this prospectus means Acadia Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), and all entities owned or controlled by us, except where it is clear that the term means only the Trust. The term “you” refers to a prospective purchaser.

Our Company

We are a fully integrated equity REIT focused on the ownership, acquisition, redevelopment and management of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, supply-constrained, densely-populated metropolitan areas in the United States. Our primary business objective is to acquire and manage commercial retail properties that will provide cash for distributions to shareholders while also creating the potential for capital appreciation to enhance investor returns.

All of our assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through, the Operating Partnership and entities in which the Operating Partnership owns an interest. As of December 31, 2014, the Trust controlled 95% of the Operating Partnership as the sole general partner. As the general partner, the Trust is entitled to share, in proportion to its percentage interest, in the cash distributions and profits and losses of the Operating Partnership. The limited partners primarily represent entities or individuals that contributed their interests in certain properties or entities to the Operating Partnership in exchange for common or preferred units of limited partnership interest (“Common OP Units” or “Series A Preferred OP Units”, respectively, and collectively, “OP Units”) and employees who have been awarded restricted Common OP Units as long-term incentive compensation (“LTIP Units”). Limited partners holding Common OP and LTIP Units are generally entitled to exchange their units on a one-for-one basis for our common shares, subject to certain adjustments. This structure is referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT, or “UPREIT”.

Our executive offices are located at 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 260, White Plains, New York 10605 and our telephone number is (914) 288-8100.

1


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks and uncertainties that could affect us and our business as well as the real estate industry generally. Before you invest in our securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as the same may be updated from time to time by our future filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, new risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. These risks could result in a decrease in the value of our securities and your purchase thereof.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” or the negative of these words or other similar words or terms. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:

general economic, business and political conditions, including the global financial crisis that began in 2007;
general market factors, including an increase in market interest rates;
our ability to maintain rental rates;
the financial health of our major tenants;
the availability and creditworthiness of prospective tenants;
demand for rental space;
consumer migration towards e-commerce sales;
the impact of tenant bankruptcies and any leases rejected during a tenant’s bankruptcy proceedings;
our access to capital markets and the cost of capital and the application of any proceeds from any such capital raising activities;
our access to financing;
our ability to meet our debt service requirements and the continuing viability of our counterparties in interest rate swap transactions;
adverse changes in our real estate markets;
competition with other companies;
risks of real estate development and acquisition, and the risks of holding interests in real property;
our ability to carry out our growth strategy without compromising our overall performance;
the performance of our opportunity funds and the ability of our fund partners to contribute capital as needed;
the performance of our joint venture investments and the financial health of our joint venture partners;
the loss of a key executive officer;
the risk that our partnership structure adversely affects our ability to manage assets;

2


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

our board of trustees deciding to change our investment policy without shareholder approval;
the concentration of ownership of our common shares by certain investors;
certain provisions of Maryland law that may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us;
environmental/safety requirements and possible liability;
changes in laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) and agency or court interpretations of such laws and regulations and the related costs of compliance;
the limited recourse shareholders have against our trustees and officers;
governmental actions and initiatives;
requirements that we distribute a certain percentage of our taxable income in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;
our ability to maintain our status as a REIT;
local or national political and economic impacts of terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, and civil unrest;
climate change and risk from natural perils, including severe storms, flooding, and other natural disasters;
uninsured losses or losses in excess of insured limits;
our structured financing and the terms of the instruments and other underlying collateral;
security breaches or cyber-attacks of our computer systems or those of our third-party representatives, vendors, and service providers;
disruptions to our information technology systems and services; and
the other risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We caution you that any forward-looking statement reflects only our belief at the time the statement is made. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee our future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or developments.

3


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares which may be sold pursuant to this prospectus for the account of the OP unit holders. All such proceeds, net of brokerage commissions, if any, will be received by the OP unit holders. See “Selling Shareholder,” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus, and “Plan of Distribution,” beginning on page 33 of this prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON SHARES

The following summary of the material terms and provisions of our common shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to the detailed provisions of our declaration of trust and our bylaws, each as supplemented, amended or restated, each of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should carefully read each of these documents in order to fully understand the terms and provisions of our common shares. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 34 of this prospectus.

General

Under our declaration of trust, we may issue 100,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, which may consist of common shares, par value $0.001 per share, or such other types or classes of securities of the Company as the trustees may create and authorize from time to time. All common shares offered hereby, when issued, will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. This means that once the full price for the shares has been paid at the time of issuance, any holder of such shares will not later be required to pay us any additional money for the same. As of December 31, 2014, 68,109,287 common shares were issued and outstanding, as were 3,663,644 Common OP Units, which are convertible into the same number of our common shares (subject to anti-dilution adjustments).

A total of 188 Series A Preferred OP Units were outstanding as of December 31, 2014, with a stated value of $1,000 per unit. These Series A Preferred OP Units are convertible into Common OP Units based on the stated value divided by $7.50, and are entitled to a preferred quarterly distribution of the greater of (a) $22.50 per Series A Preferred OP Unit (9% annually) or (b) the quarterly distribution attributable to a Series A Preferred OP Unit if such unit were converted into a Common OP Unit.

Other than the common shares, the Common OP Units, and the Series A Preferred OP Units, as of the date of this prospectus, we have no other securities outstanding.

Our common shares have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, exchange or appraisal rights. Holders of our common shares have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

Distributions

Holders of our common shares are entitled to receive distributions out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, when and if they are authorized by our board of trustees and declared by us, and to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up.

Voting Rights

Holders of common shares have the power to vote on all matters presented to our shareholders, including the election of trustees, except as otherwise provided by Maryland law. Our declaration of trust prohibits us from merging with or consolidating into another entity where we are not the surviving entity, or selling all or substantially all of our assets, without the approval of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares that are entitled to vote on such matters. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters upon which shareholders are entitled to vote.

There is no cumulative voting in the election of our trustees, which means that holders of more than 50% of the common shares voting for the election of trustees can elect all of the trustees if they choose to do so and the holders of the remaining shares cannot elect any trustees. See “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.

4


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

To qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, we must satisfy certain ownership requirements that may limit the ownership and transferability of our common shares. Our declaration of trust contains provisions intended to assist us in satisfying these requirements. See “Restrictions on Ownership Transfers and Takeover Defense Provisions” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which has an address at 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005.

RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP TRANSFERS AND TAKEOVER DEFENSE PROVISIONS

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our declaration of trust and bylaws, each as supplemented, amended or restated, the Code, and Maryland law. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 34 of this prospectus.

Declaration of Trust

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Shares.  To qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must satisfy certain ownership requirements. Specifically, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding common shares may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year, and the common shares must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.

In order to ensure that we continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our declaration of trust contains provisions intended to assist us in satisfying the requirements described above. In regard to the ownership requirements, the declaration of trust prohibits any person from owning, directly or indirectly (by virtue of (i) the attribution rules of the Code or (ii) being a beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) more than 9.8% in value or number of the issued and outstanding shares of any class or series of our shares of beneficial interest, subject to certain exceptions. The trustees may waive this limitation if such ownership will not jeopardize our status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver, the trustees may require opinions of counsel satisfactory to them and/or an undertaking from the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status under the Code.

Our declaration of trust also provides that any purported transfer or issuance of any class or series of our shares of beneficial interest or our securities convertible into such shares that would (i) violate the 9.8% limitation described above, (ii) result in shares being owned by fewer than 100 persons for purposes of the REIT provisions of the Code, (iii) result in our being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or (iv) otherwise jeopardize our REIT status under the Code will be null and void and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares.

Moreover, shares of beneficial interest transferred, or proposed to be transferred, in contravention of the 9.8% limitation described above or in a manner that would otherwise jeopardize our status as a REIT will be subject to purchase by us at a price equal to the fair market value of such shares (determined in accordance with the rules set forth in our declaration of trust). From and after the date fixed for purchase, and so long as payment of the purchase price for the shares to be redeemed shall have been made or duly provided for, the holder of any shares in violation of the 9.8% limitation described above so called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to dividends, distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such shares, excepting only the right to payment of the purchase price. Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on such shares prior to the discovery by the Trust that such shares have been transferred in violation 9.8% limitation described above shall be repaid to us upon demand.

Any certificates evidencing the common shares bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

The ownership limitations described above could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover or other transaction in which holders of some, or a majority, of common shares might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing market price or which such holders might believe to be otherwise in their best interest.

5


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Maryland Law

Control Share Acquisitions.  The Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), as applicable to Maryland REITs, provides that a holder of “control shares” of a Maryland REIT acquired in a “control share acquisition” has no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of beneficial interest owned by the acquiror, by officers or by trustees who are employees of the REIT. “Control shares” are voting shares of beneficial interest which, if aggregated with all other such shares of beneficial interest previously acquired by the acquiror, or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the board of trustees of the REIT to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the REIT may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the REIT may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or, if a meeting of shareholders is held at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of the meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the REIT is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the declaration of trust or bylaws of the REIT.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our Company’s shares of beneficial interest. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future, and may be amended or eliminated with retroactive effect.

Business Combinations. Under the MGCL, as applicable to Maryland REITs, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland REIT and any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the REIT’s shares or an affiliate of the REIT who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the REIT (an “Interested Shareholder”) or an affiliate thereof are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the Interested Shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of trustees of such REIT and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the REIT and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the REIT other than shares held by the Interested Shareholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected, unless, among other conditions, the REIT’s common shareholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested Shareholder for its shares.

These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of trustees of the REIT prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder becomes an Interested Shareholder. A person is not an Interested Shareholder under the statute if the board of trustees

6


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an Interested Shareholder. The board of trustees may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

We have not elected to opt-out of the business combination statute. The business combination statute may have effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us under circumstances that otherwise could provide our shareholders with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price or that our shareholders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.

Subtitle 8.  Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland REIT with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent trustees to elect to be subject, by provision in its declaration of trust or bylaws or a resolution of its board of trustees and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the declaration of trust or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions of the MGCL, which provide for:

a classified board;
a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a trustee;
a requirement that the number of trustees be fixed only by vote of the trustees;
a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining trustees and for the remainder of the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred; and
a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of shareholders.

Through provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (a) require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of trustees to remove a trustee from our board of trustees, (b) vest in our board of trustees the exclusive power to fix the number of trustees, (c) vest in our board of trustees the exclusive power to fill vacancies and (d) require, unless called by our chairman of our board of trustees, our chief executive officer, our president or our board of trustees, the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than 40% of all the votes entitled to be cast at such a meeting to call a special meeting. We have not elected to create a classified board. In the future, our board of trustees may elect, without shareholder approval, to create a classified board or elect to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND
OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our declaration of trust and bylaws, each as supplemented, amended or restated. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 34 of this prospectus.

Number of Trustees; Election of Trustees, Removal of Trustees, the Filling of Vacancies.  Our declaration of trust provides that the board of trustees will consist of not less than two nor more than fifteen persons, and that the number of trustees will be set by the trustees then in office. Our board currently consists of six trustees, each of whom serves until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies. Each trustee shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast by the holders of common shares at a meeting duly called at which a quorum is present; provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of trustees to be elected, the trustees shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of common shares at a meeting duly called at which a quorum is present. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a nominee must exceed 50% of the sum of the votes cast “for” plus the votes cast “against” or “withheld” with respect to that nominee. If a nominee that is already serving as a trustee is not elected, such trustee shall offer to tender his or her resignation to the board of trustees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will make a recommendation to the board of trustees on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken.

Our declaration of trust provides that the shareholders may, at any time, remove any trustee, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of trustees. Any vacancy (including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of trustees) will be filled, at any regular

7


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by a majority of the trustees remaining in office. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Trustees and Officers.  Our declaration of trust authorizes and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law, to indemnify our trustees and officers in their capacity as such. Section 8-301(15) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland permits a Maryland REIT to indemnify or advance expenses to trustees and officers to the same extent as is permitted for directors and officers of a Maryland corporation under the MGCL. The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our declaration of trust does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and a written undertaking by such director or officer or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our declaration of trust authorizes us, and our bylaws require us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify (i) any present or former trustee or officer or (ii) any individual who, while serving as our trustee and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity or capacities, and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of such a proceeding.

Our bylaws also permit us, subject to the approval of our board of trustees, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our Company or a predecessor of our Company.

In addition to the above, we have purchased and maintain insurance on behalf of all of our trustees and executive officers against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities with us, whether or not we are required or have the power to indemnify them against the same liability.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to trustees, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Advance Notice of Trustee Nominations and New Business.  Our bylaws provide that (a) with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of trustees and the proposal of other business to be considered by shareholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our Company’s notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of trustees or (iii) by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder and at the time of the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in the bylaws and (b) with respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our Company’s notice of

8


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

meeting may be brought before the meeting of shareholders and nominations of individuals for election to the board of trustees may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the board of trustees or (ii) provided that the board of trustees has determined that trustees shall be elected at such meeting, by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder and at the time of the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in the bylaws.

Amendments to our Declaration of Trust.  In general, the declaration of trust may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the common shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. However, amendments with respect to certain provisions relating to the ownership requirements, reorganizations and certain mergers or consolidations or the sale of substantially all of our assets, require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the common shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Our trustees, by a two-thirds vote, may amend the provisions of the declaration of trust from time to time to effect any change deemed necessary by our trustees to allow us to qualify and continue to qualify as a REIT.

Termination of Operations or our REIT Status.  The declaration of trust permits the termination and the discontinuation of our operations by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose. In addition, the declaration of trust permits the trustees to terminate our REIT status at any time.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of the Declaration of Trust.  The limitation on ownership and transfer of shares of beneficial interest set forth in our declaration of trust could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us or of hampering the consummation of a contemplated acquisition. See “Restrictions on Ownership Transfers and Takeover Defense Provisions” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.

Forum Selection Clause.  Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by us or by any of our trustees or officers or other employees to us or to our shareholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our trustees or officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Maryland REIT Law, the MGCL or our declaration of trust or bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our trustees or officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be, in each case, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion describes certain of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our taxation as a REIT under the Code, and the ownership and disposition of our common shares.

Because this summary is only intended to address certain of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of our common shares, it may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you should keep in mind that:

the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax situation;
you may be a person that is subject to special tax treatment or special rules under the Code (e.g., regulated investment companies, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or broker-dealers, expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax and partnerships, trusts, estates or other pass through entities) that the discussion below does not address;
the discussion below does not address any state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations; and
the discussion below deals only with shareholders that hold our common shares as a “capital asset,” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

We urge you to consult with your own tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning and selling our common shares, including the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning and selling our common shares in your particular circumstances and potential changes in applicable laws.

9


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The information contained in this section is based on the Code, final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) (including in private letter rulings and other non-binding guidance issued by the IRS), as well as court decisions all as of the date hereof. No assurance can be given that future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions will not significantly change current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law, or that any such change would not apply retroactively to transactions or events preceding the date of the change. We have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, any rulings from the IRS concerning the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the matters discussed below. Furthermore, neither the IRS nor any court is bound by any of the statements set forth herein and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert any position contrary to statements set forth herein or that a court will not sustain such position.

Taxation of Acadia Realty Trust as a REIT

Seyfarth Shaw LLP, which has acted as our tax counsel, has reviewed the following discussion and is of the opinion that it fairly summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to our status as a REIT under the Code and to investors in our common shares. The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is based on current law, is for general information only, and is not intended to be (and is not) tax advice.

It is the opinion of Seyfarth Shaw LLP that we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2001, the Company qualified and will qualify to be taxed as a REIT pursuant to sections 856 through 860 of the Code, and that our current and proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. We must emphasize that this opinion of Seyfarth Shaw LLP is based on various assumptions, certain representations and statements made by us as to factual matters and is conditioned upon such assumptions, representations and statements being accurate and complete. Seyfarth Shaw LLP is not aware of any facts or circumstances that are not consistent with these representations, assumptions and statements. Potential purchasers of our common shares should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or any court. In general, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to satisfy, through actual operating results, distribution, diversity of share ownership, and other requirements imposed under the Code, none of which has been, or will be, reviewed by Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Accordingly, while we intend to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any particular taxable year has satisfied, or will satisfy, the requirements for REIT qualification.

Commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1993, we elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. We believe that commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1993, we have been organized and have operated in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. However, we cannot assure you that we will, in fact, continue to operate in such a manner or continue to so qualify as a REIT under the Code.

If we qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, we generally will not be subject to a corporate-level tax on our net income that we distribute currently to our shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (i.e., a corporate-level tax and shareholder-level tax) that generally results from investment in a regular subchapter C corporation. However, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as follows:

First, we would be taxed at regular corporate rates on any of our undistributed REIT taxable income, including our undistributed net capital gains (although, to the extent so designated by us, shareholders would receive an offsetting credit against their own U.S. federal income tax liability for U.S. federal income taxes paid by us with respect to any such gains).
Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the “corporate alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference.
Third, if we have (a) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property,” which is, in general, property acquired on foreclosure or otherwise on default on a loan secured by such real property or a lease of such property, which is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course

10


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

of business or (b) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such income.
Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions such income will be subject to a 100% tax. Prohibited transactions are, in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business other than foreclosure property.
Fifth, if we should fail to satisfy the annual 75% gross income test or 95% gross income test (as discussed below), but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code because certain other requirements have been met, we will have to pay a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of (i) 75% of our gross income over the amount of gross income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% test, and (ii) 95% of our gross income over the amount of gross income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
Sixth, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income required to be distributed from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amount actually distributed by us.
Seventh, if we were to acquire an asset from a corporation that is or has been a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset within the ten-year period beginning on the day that we acquired the asset, then we will have to pay tax on the built-in gain at the highest regular corporate rate. The results described in this paragraph assume that no election will be made under Treasury Regulations Section 1.337(d)-7 for the subchapter C corporation to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired.
Eighth, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, we could be subject to a 100% tax on certain payments that we receive from one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, (each, a “TRS”), or on certain expenses deducted by one of our TRSs, if the economic arrangement between us, the TRS and the tenants at our properties are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
Ninth, if we fail to satisfy a REIT asset test, as described below, during our 2005 and subsequent taxable years, due to reasonable cause and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification under the Code because of specified cure provisions, we will generally be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets that caused us to fail this test.
Tenth, if we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the REIT gross income tests or a violation of the asset tests described below) during our 2005 and subsequent taxable years and the violation is due to reasonable cause, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
Eleventh, we may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s shareholders.

Finally, the earnings of our lower-tier entities that are subchapter C corporations, including TRSs but excluding our QRSs (as defined below), are subject to federal corporate income tax.

In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

11


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Requirements for REIT Qualification—In General

To qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must elect to be treated as a REIT and must satisfy the annual gross income tests, the quarterly asset tests, distribution requirements, diversity of share ownership and other requirements imposed under the Code. In general, the Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(3) that would otherwise be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code;

(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company to which certain provisions of the Code apply;

(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

(6) during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities;

(7) that uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and complies with the recordkeeping requirements of the U.S. federal income tax laws; and

(8) that meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets.

The Code provides that the requirements (1)-(4), (7) and (8) above must be met during the entire taxable year and that requirements (5) and (6) above do not apply to the first taxable year for which a REIT election is made and, thereafter, requirement (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. For purposes of requirement (6) above, generally (although subject to certain exceptions that should not apply with respect to us), any stock held by a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code is treated as not held by the trust itself but directly by the trust beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust.

We believe that we have satisfied the requirements above for REIT qualification. In addition, our charter currently includes restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our common shares, which restrictions are intended to assist us in satisfying some of these requirements (and, in particular requirements (5) and (6) above). The ownership and transfer restrictions pertaining to our common shares are described in the prospectus under the heading “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfers and Takeover Defense Provisions.”

In applying the REIT gross income and asset tests, all of the assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a corporate subsidiary of a REIT that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (as defined in Section 856(i)(2) of the Code) (“QRS”) are treated as the assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself. Moreover, the separate existence of a QRS is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the QRS is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (although it may be subject to state and local tax in some states and localities). In general, a QRS is any corporation if all of its stock is held by the REIT, except that it does not include any corporation that is a TRS of the REIT. Thus, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our QRSs are disregarded, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of these QRSs are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit.

A TRS is any corporation in which a REIT directly or indirectly owns stock, provided that the REIT and that corporation make a joint election to treat that corporation as a TRS. The election can be revoked at any time as long as the REIT and the TRS revoke such election jointly. In addition, if a TRS holds, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of the securities of any other corporation other than a REIT (by vote or by value), then that other corporation is also treated as a TRS. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates (currently a maximum rate of 35%), and may also be subject to state and local tax. Any dividends paid or deemed paid to us by any one of our TRSs will also be taxable, either (1) to us to the extent the dividend is retained by us, or (2) to our shareholders to the extent the dividends received from the TRS are paid to our shareholders. We

12


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

may hold more than 10% of the stock of a TRS without jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT under the Code notwithstanding the rule described below under “REIT Asset Tests” that generally precludes ownership of more than 10% of any issuer’s securities. However, as noted below, in order to qualify as a REIT, the securities of all of our TRSs in which we have invested either directly or indirectly may not represent more than 25% of the total value of our assets. We expect that the aggregate value of all of our interests in TRSs will represent less than 25% of the total value of our assets; however, we cannot assure that this will always be true.

A TRS may generally engage in any business including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT, which, if performed by the REIT itself, could cause rents received by the REIT to be disqualified as “rents from real property.” However, a TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage any hotels or health care facilities or provide rights to any brand name under which any hotel or health care facility is operated, unless such rights are provided to an “eligible independent contractor” to operate or manage a hotel or health care facility if such rights are held by the TRS as a franchisee, licensee, or in a similar capacity and such hotel or health care facility is either owned by the TRS or leased to the TRS by its parent REIT. A TRS will not be considered to operate or manage a qualified health care property or a qualified lodging facility solely because the TRS (i) directly or indirectly possesses a license, permit, or similar instrument enabling it to do so, or (ii) employs individuals working at such facility or property located outside the U.S., but only if an “eligible independent contractor” is responsible for the daily supervision and direction of such individuals on behalf of the TRS pursuant to a management agreement or similar service contract. Additionally, the Code contains several provisions which address the arrangements between a REIT and its TRSs which are intended to ensure that a TRS recognizes an appropriate amount of taxable income and is subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income tax. For example, a TRS is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to the REIT. In addition, a REIT would be subject to a 100% penalty on some payments that it receives from a TRS, or on certain expenses deducted by the TRS if the economic arrangements between the REIT, the REIT’s tenants and the TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. We have several TRSs and will endeavor to structure any arrangement between ourselves, our TRSs and our tenants so as to minimize the risk of disallowance of interest expense deductions or of the 100% penalty being imposed. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS would not challenge any such arrangement.

Also, a REIT that is a partner in a partnership is deemed to own its proportionate share of each of the assets of the partnership and is deemed to be entitled to income of the partnership attributable to such proportionate share. For purposes of Section 856 of the Code, the interest of a REIT in the assets of a partnership of which it is a partner is determined in accordance with the REIT’s capital interest in the partnership and the character of the assets and items of gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. For example, if the partnership holds any property primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business, the REIT is treated as holding its proportionate share of such property primarily for such purpose. Thus, our proportionate share (based on our capital interest) of the assets, liabilities and items of income of any partnership in which we are a partner, including the Operating Partnership (and our indirect share of the assets, liabilities and items of income of each lower-tier partnership), will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this section. For purposes of the 10% Value Test (described under “REIT Asset Tests” below) our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity interests and certain debt securities issued by a partnership. Also, actions taken by the Operating Partnership or other lower-tier partnerships can affect our ability to satisfy the REIT gross income and asset tests and the determination of whether we have net income from a prohibited transaction. For purposes of this section any reference to “partnership” will refer to and include any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture and other entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any reference to “partner” will refer to and include a partner, member, joint venturer and other beneficial owner of any such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture and other entity or arrangement.

REIT Gross Income Tests:  In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, we must satisfy, on an annual basis, two gross income tests.

First, at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain “hedging transactions,” for each taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real

13


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

property,” gains on the disposition of real estate, dividends paid by another REIT and interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or from some types of temporary investments.
Second, at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain “hedging transactions,” for each taxable year must be derived from any combination of income qualifying under the 75% test and dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities.

For this purpose the term “rents from real property” includes: (a) rents from interests in real property; (b) charges for services customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of real property, whether or not such charges are separately stated; and (c) rent attributable to personal property which is leased under, or in connection with, a lease of real property, but only if the rent attributable to such personal property for the taxable year does not exceed 15% of the total rent for the taxable year attributable to both the real and personal property leased under, or in connection with, such lease. For purposes of (c), the rent attributable to personal property is equal to that amount which bears the same ratio to total rent for the taxable year as the average of the fair market values of the personal property at the beginning and at the end of the taxable year bears to the average of the aggregate fair market values of both the real property and the personal property at the beginning and at the end of such taxable year.

However, in order for rent received or accrued, directly or indirectly, with respect to any real or personal property, to qualify as “rents from real property,” the following conditions must be satisfied:

such rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits derived by any person from the property (although the rent may be based on a fixed percentage of receipts or sales);
such rent may not be received or accrued, directly or indirectly, from any person if the REIT owns, directly or indirectly (including by attribution, upon the application of certain attribution rules): (i) in the case of any person which is a corporation, at least 10% of such person’s voting stock or at least 10% of the value of such person’s stock; or (ii) in the case of any person which is not a corporation, an interest of at least 10% in the assets or net profits of such person, except that under certain circumstances, rents received from a TRS will not be disqualified as “rents from real property” even if we own more than 10% of the TRS; and
the portion of such rent that is attributable to personal property for a taxable year that is leased under, or in connection with, a lease of real property may not exceed 15% of the total rent received or accrued under the lease for the taxable year.

In addition, all amounts (including rents that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property”) received or accrued during a taxable year directly or indirectly by a REIT with respect to a property, will constitute “impermissible tenant services income” (and, thus, will not qualify as “rents from real property”) if the amount received or accrued directly or indirectly by the REIT for: (x) noncustomary services furnished or rendered by the REIT to tenants of the property; or (y) managing or operating the property ((x) and (y) collectively, “Impermissible Services”) exceeds 1% of all amounts received or accrued during such taxable year directly or indirectly by the REIT with respect to the property. For this purpose, however, the following services and activities are not treated as Impermissible Services: (i) services furnished or rendered, or management or operation provided, through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income or through a TRS; and (ii) services usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy (such as, for example, the furnishing of heat and light, the cleaning of public entrances, and the collection of trash), as opposed to services rendered primarily to a tenant for the tenant’s convenience. If the amount treated as being received or accrued for Impermissible Services does not exceed the 1% threshold, then only the amount attributable to the Impermissible Services (and not, for example, all tenant rents received or accrued that otherwise qualify as “rents from real property”) will fail to qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of the 1% threshold, the amount that we will be deemed to have received for performing Impermissible Services will be the greater of the actual amounts so received or 150% of the direct cost to us of providing those services.

14


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We (through the Operating Partnership and other affiliated entities) provide some services at our properties, which services we believe do not constitute Impermissible Services or, otherwise, do not cause any rents or other amounts received that otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” to fail to so qualify. If we or the Operating Partnership or other affiliated entities were to consider offering services in the future which could cause any such rents or other amounts to fail to qualify as “rents from real property” then we would endeavor to arrange for such services to be provided through one or more independent contractors and/or TRSs or, otherwise, in such a manner so as to minimize the risk of such services being treated as Impermissible Services.

In addition, we (through the Operating Partnership and other affiliated entities) receive or may receive fees for property management and administrative services provided with respect to certain properties not owned, either directly or indirectly, entirely by us and/or the Operating Partnership. These fees do not constitute qualifying income for purposes of either the 75% gross income test or 95% gross income test. We (through the Operating Partnership and other affiliated entities) also receive or may receive other types of income that do not constitute qualifying income for purposes of either of these two gross income tests. We believe that our share of the aggregate amount of these fees and other non-qualifying income so received or accrued has not caused us to fail to satisfy either of the gross income tests. We anticipate that we will continue to receive or accrue a certain amount of non-qualifying fees and other income. In the event that our share of the amount of such fees and other income could jeopardize our ability to satisfy these gross income tests, then we would endeavor to arrange for the services in respect of which such fees and other income are received to be provided by one or more independent contractors and/or TRSs or, otherwise, in such manner so as to minimize the risk of failing either of the gross income tests.

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we have a binding commitment to acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and its income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan (a “shared appreciation provision”), income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests provided that the property is not inventory or dealer property in the hands of the borrower or the REIT.

To the extent that a REIT derives interest income from a mortgage loan or income from the rental of real property where all or a portion of the amount of interest or rental income payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales, and not the net income or profits, of the borrower or lessee. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower or lessee leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower or lessee, as the case may be, would qualify as rents from real property had it been earned directly by a REIT.

We and our affiliates or subsidiaries have or may originate and acquire mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property, rather than by a direct mortgage of such real property. Revenue Procedure 2003-65 provides a safe harbor pursuant to which a mezzanine loan, if it meets each of the requirements contained in the Revenue Procedure, will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests described in the section entitled “REIT Asset Tests,” and interest derived from it will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Although the Revenue Procedure provides a safe harbor on which REITs may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. Moreover, not all of the mezzanine loans in which we invest meet or will meet each of the requirements for reliance on this safe harbor. To the extent that mezzanine loans do not qualify for the safe harbor described above, the interest income from such loans will be qualifying income for purposes

15


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

of the 95% gross income test, but there is a risk that such interest income will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test and that such loans will not constitute real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We have invested, and will continue to invest, in mezzanine loans in a manner that will enable us to continue to satisfy the REIT gross income and asset tests.

From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Income and gain from “hedging transactions” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. For this purpose, a “hedging transaction” means either (1) any transaction entered into in the normal course of our trade or business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate, price changes, or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets or (2) any transaction entered into primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which generates such income or gain). We will be required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into and to satisfy other identification requirements. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT under the Code.

A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We believe that none of our assets are held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of our assets will not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT holds an asset “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. A safe harbor to the characterization of the sale of property by a REIT as a prohibited transaction and the 100% prohibited transaction tax is available if the following requirements are met:

the REIT has held the property for not less than two years;
the aggregate capital expenditures made by the REIT, or any partner of the REIT, during the two-year period preceding the date of the sale that are includable in the basis of the property do not exceed 30% of the selling price of the property;
either (1) during the year in question, the REIT did not make more than seven sales of property other than foreclosure property or sales to which Section 1033 of the Code applies, (2) the aggregate adjusted bases of all such properties sold by the REIT during the year did not exceed 10% of the aggregate bases of all of the assets of the REIT at the beginning of the year or (3) the aggregate fair market value of all such properties sold by the REIT during the year did not exceed 10% of the aggregate fair market value of all of the assets of the REIT at the beginning of the year;
in the case of property not acquired through foreclosure or lease termination, the REIT has held the property for at least two years for the production of rental income; and
if the REIT has made more than seven sales of non-foreclosure property during the taxable year, substantially all of the marketing and development expenditures with respect to the property were made through an independent contractor from whom the REIT derives no income.

We will attempt to comply with the terms of safe-harbor provision in the U.S. federal income tax laws prescribing when an asset sale will not be characterized as a prohibited transaction. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with the safe-harbor provision or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.” The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be taxed to such corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.

We will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any income from foreclosure property, which includes certain foreign currency gains and related deductions, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with the production of that income. However, gross income from foreclosure property will qualify under the 75% and

16


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:

that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid on such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured;
for which the related loan was acquired by the REIT at a time when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and
for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.

Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. However, this grace period terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:

on which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test;
on which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion of a building or any other improvement, where more than 10% of the construction was completed before default became imminent; or
which is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property and the property is used in a trade or business which is conducted by the REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income.

To the extent that we or our subsidiaries hold or acquire investments in foreign countries, taxes that we pay in foreign jurisdictions may not be passed through to, or used by, our shareholders as a foreign tax credit or otherwise. Any foreign investments may also generate foreign currency gains and losses. Certain foreign currency gains will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. “Real estate foreign exchange gain” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and the 95% gross income tests. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property and certain foreign currency gains attributable to certain “qualified business units” of a REIT. “Passive foreign exchange gain” will be excluded from gross income only for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Passive foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange gain as described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations. Because passive foreign exchange gain includes real estate foreign exchange gain, real estate foreign exchange gain is excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. These exclusions for real estate foreign exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to any foreign currency gain derived from dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities. Such gain is treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary of the Treasury may determine that any item of income or gain not otherwise qualifying for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests may be considered as not constituting gross income for purposes of those tests, and that any item of income or gain that otherwise constitutes nonqualifying income may be considered as qualifying income for purposes of such tests.

17


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

If we fail to satisfy either or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year pursuant to a special relief provision of the Code which may be available to us if:

our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and
we attach a schedule of the nature and amount of each item of income to our U.S. federal income tax return.

We cannot state whether in all circumstances, if we were to fail to satisfy either of the gross income tests, we would still be entitled to the benefit of this relief provision. Even if this relief provision were to apply, we would nonetheless be subject to a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test and (2) the amount by which 95% of our income exceeds the amount of qualifying income under the 95% gross income test, in each case, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

REIT Asset Tests:  At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy the following tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets (collectively, the “Asset Tests”):

at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by “real estate assets” (which also includes any property attributable to the temporary investment of new capital, but only if such property is stock or a debt instrument and only for the 1-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such proceeds), cash and cash items (including receivables) and government securities (“75% Value Test”);
not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities other than securities that constitute qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% Value Test;
except with respect to securities of a TRS or QRS and securities that constitute qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% Value Test:
not more than 5% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of any one issuer (the “5% Value Test”);
we may not hold securities possessing more than 10% of the total voting power of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (the “10% Vote Test”);
we may not hold securities having a value of more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (“10% Value Test”); and
not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs.

After initially meeting the Asset Tests at the close of any quarter of our taxable year, we would not lose our status as a REIT under the Code for failure to satisfy these tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If the failure to satisfy the Asset Tests results from an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, we can cure the failure by disposing of a sufficient amount of non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to facilitate compliance with the Asset Tests and to take such other actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as necessary to cure any noncompliance.

In applying the Asset Tests, we are treated as owning all of the assets held by any of our QRSs and our proportionate share of the assets held by the Operating Partnership (including the Operating Partnership’s share of the assets held by any lower-tier partnership in which the Operating Partnership holds a direct or indirect interest).

For purposes of the 5% Value Test, the 10% Vote Test or 10% Value Test, the term “securities” does not include shares in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a QRS or TRS, mortgage loans that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests in a partnership. Securities, for purposes of the Asset Tests, may include debt that we hold in other issuers. However, the Code specifically provides that the following types of debt will not be taken into account as securities for purposes of the 10% Value Test: (1) securities that meet the “straight debt” safe harbor; (2) loans to individuals or estates; (3) obligations to pay rents from real property; (4) rental

18


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

agreements described in Section 467 of the Code (other than such agreements with related party tenants); (5) securities issued by other REITs; (6) debt issued by partnerships that derive at least 75% of their gross income from sources that constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test; (7) any debt not otherwise described in this paragraph that is issued by a partnership, but only to the extent of our interest as a partner in the partnership; (8) certain securities issued by a state, the District of Columbia, a foreign government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (9) any other arrangement described in future Treasury Regulations. For purposes of the 10% Value Test, our proportionate share of the assets of a partnership is our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, without regard to the securities described in (6) and (7) above.

For purposes of the 75% Value Test, cash includes any foreign currency used by the REIT or its qualified business unit as its “functional currency” (as defined in section 985(b) of the Code), provided that the foreign currency (a) is held by the REIT or its qualified business unit in the normal course of activities which give rise to qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests or which are related to acquiring or holding assets described in section 856(c)(4) of the Code and (b) is not held in connection with dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities

Based on our regular quarterly asset tests, we believe that we have not violated any of the Asset Tests. However, we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS would concur with our beliefs in this regard.

If we fail to satisfy the Asset Tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT qualification if:

we satisfied the Asset Tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter; and
the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the Asset Test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more non-qualifying assets.

If we did not satisfy the condition described in the second item above, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.

If at the end of any calendar quarter we violate the 5% Value Test or the 10% Vote or Value Tests described above, we will not lose our REIT qualification if (1) the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of our assets or $10 million) and (2) we dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the Asset Tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure. In the event of a failure of any of the Asset Tests (other than de minimis failures described in the preceding sentence), as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will not lose our REIT status if we (1) dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the Asset Tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify the failure, (2) we file a description of each asset causing the failure with the IRS and (3) pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the Asset Tests.

REIT Distribution Requirements:  To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we must, each year, make distributions (other than capital gain distributions) to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of: (A) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain, and (2) 90% of the net income, after tax, from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain specified items of noncash income.

We must pay dividend distributions in the taxable year to which they relate. Dividends paid in the subsequent year, however, will be treated as if paid in the prior year for purposes of the prior year’s distribution requirement if one of the following two sets of criteria are satisfied:

the dividends are declared in October, November or December and are made payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in any of these months, and such dividends are actually paid during January of the following year; or
the dividends are declared before we timely file our U.S. federal income tax return for such year, the dividends are paid in the 12-month period following the close of the year and not later than the first

19


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

regular dividend payment after the declaration, and we elect on our U.S. federal income tax return for such year to have a specified amount of the subsequent dividend treated as if paid in such year.

In certain circumstances, relevant Treasury Regulations provide that if we give an option to each of our stockholders to receive a distribution either in cash or shares of equivalent value, distributions of stock pursuant to an election by stockholders to receive stock may be taxable to such stockholders and such distribution of stock may be treated as distributions for purposes of our distribution requirements. Any such taxable stock distributions may be limited pursuant to applicable guidance by the IRS.

Even if we satisfy our distribution requirements for maintaining our REIT status, we will nonetheless be subject to a corporate-level tax on any of our net capital gain or REIT taxable income that we do not distribute to our shareholders. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent that we fail to distribute during any calendar year (or by the end of January of the following calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last 3 months of the calendar year) an amount at least equal to the sum of:

85% of our ordinary income for such year;
95% of our capital gain net income for such year; and
any undistributed taxable income required to be distributed from prior periods.

As discussed below, we may retain, rather than distribute, all or a portion of our net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains and may elect to have our shareholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed gains as long-term capital gain income on their own income tax returns and receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by us. For purposes of the 4% excise tax described above, any such retained gains would be treated as having been distributed by us.

We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy our annual distribution requirements for REIT qualification under the Code and which are eligible for the dividends-paid deduction. In this regard, the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership authorizes us, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, to cause the Operating Partnership to make distributions to us, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, necessary to satisfy the payment of distributions to our shareholders which will enable us to satisfy the annual REIT distribution requirements.

We expect that our cash flow will exceed our REIT taxable income due to the allowance of depreciation and other non-cash deductions allowed in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, in general, we anticipate that we should have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for REIT qualification under the Code. It is possible, however, that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet this requirement or to distribute an amount sufficient to enable us to avoid income and/or excise taxes. In such event, we may find it necessary to arrange for borrowings to raise cash or, if possible, make taxable share dividends in order to make such distributions.

In the event that we are subject to an adjustment to our REIT taxable income (as defined in Section 860(d)(2) of the Code) resulting from an adverse determination by either a final court decision, a closing agreement between us and the IRS under Section 7121 of the Code, or an agreement as to tax liability between us and an IRS district director, we may be able to rectify any resulting failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement by paying “deficiency dividends” to shareholders that relate to the adjusted year but that are paid in a subsequent year. To qualify as a deficiency dividend, we must make the distribution within ninety days of the adverse determination and we also must satisfy other procedural requirements. If we satisfy the statutory requirements of Section 860 of the Code, a deduction is allowed for any deficiency dividend subsequently paid by us to offset an increase in our REIT taxable income resulting from the adverse determination. We, however, must pay statutory interest on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends to compensate for the deferral of the tax liability.

Recordkeeping Requirements:  We must maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our shareholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares of beneficial interest. We have complied, and we intend to continue to comply, with these requirements.

20


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Failure to Qualify as a REIT:  f we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code because of a violation of one of the requirements described above, our qualification as a REIT under the Code will not be terminated if the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and we pay a penalty tax of $50,000 for the violation. The immediately preceding sentence does not apply to violations of the gross income tests described above or a violation of the asset tests described above each of which have specific relief provisions that are described above.

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will have to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We will not be able to deduct distributions to shareholders in any year in which we fail to qualify, nor will we be required to make distributions to shareholders. In this event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be taxable to the shareholders as dividend income (which may be subject to tax at preferential rates) and corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction if they satisfy the relevant provisions of the Code. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. We might not be entitled to the statutory relief described in the preceding paragraph in all circumstances.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

When we refer to the term “U.S. Shareholders,” we mean a holder of our common shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of its states or the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
a trust if a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust, and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

If a partnership, entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common shares, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common shares by the partnership.

Distributions Generally:  For any taxable year for which we qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, amounts distributed to taxable U.S. Shareholders will be taxed as discussed below.

As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. Shareholders as ordinary income. A U.S. Shareholder taxed at individual rates will generally not be entitled to the reduced tax rate applicable to certain types of dividends except with respect to the portion of any distribution (a) that represents income from dividends received from a non-REIT corporation in which we own shares (but only if such dividends would be eligible for the lower rate on dividends if paid by the corporation to its individual shareholders), or (b) that is equal to our REIT taxable income (taking into account the dividends paid deduction available to us) for our previous taxable year less any taxes paid by us during the previous taxable year, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied at both the REIT and individual shareholder level. U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates should consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of tax rates on dividends received from us. Distributions of this kind will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of U.S. Shareholders that are corporations.

Distributions made by us that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to U.S. Shareholders as gain from the sale of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which a U.S. Shareholder has held his common shares. The highest marginal individual income tax rate is currently 39.6%. However, the

21


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain applicable to U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates is 20%. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of “Section 1250 property,” or depreciable real property, is 25% computed on the lesser of the total amount of the gain or the accumulated Section 1250 depreciation. Thus, with certain limitations, capital gain dividends received by U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates may be eligible for preferential rates of taxation, and the tax rate differential between capital gain and ordinary income may be significant. In addition, as described below under “Medicare Tax,” Distributions may be subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax. We will generally designate our capital gain dividends as either 20% or 25% rate distributions. In addition, the characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may affect the deductibility of capital losses. U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates may generally deduct capital losses not offset by capital gains against their ordinary income only up to a maximum annual amount of $3,000. Such taxpayers may carry forward unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate U.S. Shareholder must generally pay tax on its net capital gain at ordinary corporate rates. A corporate U.S. Shareholder may generally deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being carried back three years and forward five years. Finally, U.S. Shareholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

To the extent that we make distributions, not designated as capital gain dividends, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Shareholder. Thus, these distributions will reduce the adjusted basis which the U.S. Shareholder has in its shares for tax purposes by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of a U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gains, provided that the shares have been held as a capital asset. For purposes of determining the portion of distributions on separate classes of shares that will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, current and accumulated earnings and profits will be allocated to distributions resulting from priority rights of preferred shares before being allocated to other distributions.

Dividends declared by us in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a shareholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on December 31 of that year, provided that we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

U.S. Shareholders holding shares at the close of our taxable year will be required to include, in computing their long-term capital gains for the taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, the amount that we designate in a written notice mailed to our shareholders. We may not designate amounts in excess of our undistributed net capital gain for the taxable year. Each U.S. Shareholder required to include the designated amount in determining the U.S. Shareholder’s long-term capital gains will be deemed to have paid, in the taxable year of the inclusion, the tax paid by us in respect of the undistributed net capital gains. U.S. Shareholders to whom these rules apply will be allowed a credit or a refund, as the case may be, for the tax they are deemed to have paid. U.S. Shareholders will increase their basis in their shares by the difference between the amount of the includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder in respect of these gains.

Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest Limitations:  Distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore, a U.S. Shareholder will not be able to offset any of this income with any passive losses of the shareholder from other activities. Dividends received by a U.S. Shareholder from us generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation. Net capital gain from the disposition of our shares or capital gain dividends generally will be excluded from investment income unless the shareholder elects to have the gain taxed at ordinary income rates.

Sale/Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares:  In general, a U.S. Shareholder who is not a dealer in securities will recognize gain or loss on its sale or other taxable disposition of our shares equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any other property received in such sale or other taxable disposition and the shareholder’s adjusted basis in said shares at such time. This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the shares have been held by the U.S. Shareholder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the shareholder’s holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held for more than one year it will

22


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

produce long-term capital gain) and the shareholder’s tax bracket. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the 20% long-term capital gain tax rates in effect for shareholders taxed at individual rates) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate shareholder on the sale of REIT stock that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.” In addition, as described below under “Medicare Tax,” capital gains may be subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax. U.S. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. A corporate U.S. Shareholder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 35% on capital gain from the sale of our common shares held for more than 12 months. In general, any loss recognized by a U.S. Shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares that have been held for six months or less, after applying the holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent of distributions received by the U.S. Shareholder from us that were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.

Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability in respect of distributions received from us and gains recognized upon the sale or other disposition of shares of our common shares.

Treatment of Tax-Exempt Shareholders:  Based upon published rulings by the IRS, distributions by us to a U.S. Shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity generally should not constitute “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”), provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares with “acquisition indebtedness,” within the meaning of the Code, and the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity. Similarly, income from the sale of our common shares will not constitute UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares with “acquisition indebtedness” and the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity.

Tax-exempt U.S. Shareholders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans, exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (9), (17) and (20), respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI. Such prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning these “set-aside” and reserve requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a “pension-held REIT” is treated as UBTI as to any trust which (i) is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (ii) is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (iii) holds more than 10% (by value) of the interests in the REIT. Tax-exempt pension funds that are described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code are referred to below as “qualified trusts.”

A REIT is a “pension-held REIT” if (i) it would not have qualified as a REIT under the Code but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that stock owned by qualified trusts will be treated, for purposes of the “not closely held” requirement, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust (rather than by the trust itself), (ii) the percentage of the REIT’s dividends that the tax-exempt trust must treat as UBTI is at least 5%, and (iii) either (a) at least one such qualified trust holds more than 25% (by value) of the interests in the REIT or (b) one or more such qualified trusts, each of whom owns more than 10% (by value) of the interests in the REIT, hold in the aggregate more than 50% (by value) of the interests in the REIT. The percentage of any REIT dividend treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of (i) the gross income of the REIT from unrelated trades or businesses, determined as though the REIT were a qualified trust, less direct expenses related to this gross income, to (ii) the total gross income of the REIT, less direct expenses related to the total gross income. The provisions requiring qualified trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the “not closely held” requirement without relying upon the “look-through” exception with respect to qualified trusts. We do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT.”

The rules described above under the heading “Taxation of U.S. Shareholders” concerning the inclusion of our designated undistributed net capital gains in the income of its shareholders will apply to tax-exempt entities. Thus, tax-exempt entities will be allowed a credit or refund of the tax deemed paid by these entities in respect of the includible gains.

Medicare Tax.  A U.S. Shareholder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. Shareholder’s

23


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. Shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Shareholder’s net investment income will generally include its dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of common shares, unless such dividend income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a U.S. Shareholder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the common shares.

Special Tax Considerations For Non-U.S. Shareholders

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders:  The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign shareholders (collectively, “Non-U.S. Shareholders”) are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a limited summary of such rules. Prospective Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in our common shares, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions by us to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests (“USPRIs”) nor designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions will ordinarily be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces that tax. Under certain treaties, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. However, if income from the investment in our common shares is treated as effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business or is attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Shareholder maintains in the United States (if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the Non-U.S. Shareholder to U.S. taxation on a net income basis) the Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will be subject to tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. Shareholders are taxed with respect to such income and is generally not subject to withholding. Any such effectively connected distributions received by a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, other than dividends treated as attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and capital gain dividends, paid to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, unless (a) a lower treaty rate applies and the required form evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate is submitted to us or the appropriate withholding agent or (b) the Non-U.S. Shareholder submits an IRS Form W-8 ECI (or a successor form) to us or the appropriate withholding agent claiming that the distributions are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business and, in either case, other applicable requirements were met.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) will require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and, effective after December 31, 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of, our common shares held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury (or unless alternative procedures apply pursuant to an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the relevant foreign government) to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain United States persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by United States persons. Accordingly, the entity through which our common shares are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common shares held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to us that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury (or unless alternative procedures apply pursuant to an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the relevant foreign government). Foreign investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these rules on their investment in our common shares.

24


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a Non-U.S. Shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. For FIRPTA (defined below) withholding purposes (discussed below) such distribution will be treated as consideration for the sale or exchange of shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s shares, these distributions will give rise to tax liability if the Non-U.S. Shareholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of its shares, as described below. If it cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the Non-U.S. Shareholder may seek a refund of such amounts from the IRS if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Distributions to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that are designated by us at the time of distribution as capital gain dividends (other than those arising from the disposition of a USRPI) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless (i) investment in the shares is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the Non-U.S. Shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Shareholder with respect to such gain (except that a corporate Non-U.S. Shareholder may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case such shareholder will be subject to a 30% tax on his or her capital gains.

For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPIs will be taxed to a Non-U.S. Shareholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). A USRPI includes certain interests in real property and stock in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in real property. Under FIRPTA, these distributions are taxed to a Non-U.S. Shareholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, Non-U.S. Shareholders would be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. Shareholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate Non-U.S. Shareholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption. We are required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% of any distribution to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that could be designated by us as a capital gain dividend. This amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. We or any nominee (e.g., a broker holding shares in street name) may rely on a certificate of Non-U.S. Shareholder status on IRS Form W-8 to determine whether withholding is required on gains realized from the disposition of U.S. real property interests. A U.S. Shareholder who holds shares on behalf of a Non-U.S. Shareholder will bear the burden of withholding, provided that we have properly designated the appropriate portion of a distribution as a capital gain dividend.

Capital gain distributions to Non-U.S. Shareholders that are attributable to our sale of real property will be treated as ordinary dividends rather than as gain from the sale of a USRPI, as long as (1) our common shares continue to be treated as being “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States and (2) the Non-U.S. shareholder did not own more than 5% of our common shares at any time during the one-year period preceding the distribution. As a result, Non-U.S. shareholders owning 5% or less of our common shares generally will be subject to withholding tax on such capital gain distributions in the same manner as they are subject to withholding tax on ordinary dividends. If our common shares cease to be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States or the Non-U.S. shareholder owned more than 5% of our common shares at any time during the one-year period preceding the distribution, capital gain distributions that are attributable to our sale of real property would be subject to tax under FIRPTA, as described in the preceding paragraph. If a Non-U.S. shareholder disposes of our common shares during the 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of any dividend payment, and such Non-U.S. shareholder (or a person related to such Non-U.S. shareholder) acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire our common shares within 61 days of the first day of such 30-day period described above, and any portion of such dividend payment would, but for the disposition, be treated as USRPI capital gain to such Non-U.S. shareholder under FIRPTA, then such Non-U.S. shareholder will be treated as having USRPI capital gain in an amount that, but for the disposition, would have been treated as USRPI capital gain.

25


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon a sale of stock of a REIT generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA if the REIT is a “domestically-controlled REIT” (generally, a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by foreign persons). Since it is currently anticipated that we will be a “domestically-controlled REIT,” a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s sale of our common shares should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our common shares are publicly-traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a “domestically-controlled REIT.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale of our common shares that is not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a Non-U.S. Shareholder if (i) the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s investment in the shares is “effectively connected” with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the Non-U.S. Shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Shareholder with respect to such gain (a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gains. If the gain on the sale of shares were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Shareholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Shareholder with respect to such gain (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax, possible withholding tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals).

If we are not, or cease to be, a “domestically-controlled REIT,” whether gain arising from the sale or exchange of shares by a Non-U.S. Shareholder would be subject to United States taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI will depend on whether any class of our shares is “regularly traded” (as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations) on an established securities market (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange), as is the case with our common shares, and on the size of the selling Non-U.S. Shareholder’s interest in us. In the case where we are not, or cease to be, a “domestically-controlled REIT” and any class of our shares is “regularly traded” on an established securities market at any time during the calendar year, a sale of shares of that class by a Non-U.S. Shareholder will only be treated as a sale of a USRPI (and thus subject to taxation under FIRPTA) if such selling shareholder beneficially owns (including by attribution) more than 5% of the total fair market value of all of the shares of such class at any time during the five-year period ending either on the date of such sale or other applicable determination date. To the extent we have one or more classes of shares outstanding that are “regularly traded,” but the Non-U.S. Shareholder sells shares of a class of our shares that is not “regularly traded,” the sale of shares of such class would be treated as a sale of a USRPI under the foregoing rule only if the shares of such latter class acquired by the Non-U.S. Shareholder have a total net market value on the date they are acquired that is greater than 5% of the total fair market value of the “regularly traded” class of our shares having the lowest fair market value (or with respect to a nontraded class of our shares convertible into a “regularly traded” market value on the date of acquisition of the total fair market value of the “regularly traded” class into which it is convertible). If gain on the sale or exchange of shares were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Shareholder would be subject to regular United States income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Shareholder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals); provided, however, that deductions otherwise allowable will be allowed as deductions only if the tax returns were filed within the time prescribed by law. In general, the purchaser of the shares would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the amount realized by the seller on the sale of such shares.

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax

U.S. Shareholders:  We will report to our U.S. Shareholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, backup withholding may apply to a U.S. Shareholder with respect to dividends paid unless the U.S. Shareholder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The IRS may also impose penalties on a U.S. Shareholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number. A U.S. Shareholder may credit any amount paid as backup withholding against the shareholder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. Shareholder who fails to certify to us its non-foreign status.

26


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Non-U.S. Shareholders:  If you are a Non-U.S. Shareholder, you are generally exempt from backup withholding and information reporting requirements with respect to:

dividend payments;
the payment of the proceeds from the sale of common shares effected at a United States office of a broker,

as long as the income associated with these payments is otherwise exempt from U.S. federal income tax, and:

the payor or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and you have furnished to the payor or broker:
a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are a non-United States person, or
other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payments as made to a non-United States person in accordance with Treasury Regulations, or
you otherwise establish your right to an exemption.

Payment of the proceeds from the sale of common shares effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale of common shares that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding if:

the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in the United States;
the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is mailed to you at a United States address; or
the sale has some other specified connection with the United States as provided in the Treasury Regulations,

unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.

In addition, a sale of common shares will be subject to information reporting if it is effected at a foreign office of a broker that is:

a United States person;
a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes;
a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business for a specified three-year period; or
a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year:
one or more of its partners are “U.S. persons,” as defined in Treasury Regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership; or
such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a United States trade or business,

unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish your right to an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that you are a United States person.

You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.

Tax Aspects of the Operating Partnership

General:  The Operating Partnership holds substantially all of our investments. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of their partnership, and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether distributions are made to them by the partnership.

27


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We include in our income our proportionate share of these Operating Partnership items (including our proportionate share of such items attributable to partnerships in which the Operating Partnership owns a direct or indirect interest) for purposes of the various REIT gross income tests and in the computation of its REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT Asset Tests, we include our proportionate share of assets held by the Operating Partnership and by partnerships in which the Operating Partnership owns a direct or indirect interest.

We believe that each partnership in which we hold an interest (either directly or indirectly) is properly treated as a partnership for tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. If for any reason the Operating Partnership were taxable as a corporation, rather than as a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we likely would not be able to qualify as a REIT unless we qualified for certain relief provisions. In addition, any change in the Operating Partnership’s status for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we might incur tax liability without any related cash distribution. Further, items of income and deduction of the Operating Partnership would not pass through to its partners, and its partners would be treated as shareholders for tax purposes. Consequently, the Operating Partnership would be required to pay income tax at corporate rates on its net income, and distributions to its partners would constitute dividends that would not be deductible in computing the Operating Partnership’s taxable income.

Tax Allocations with respect to Contributed Properties (Effects of Section 704(c) of the Code):  Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, must be allocated in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain, or benefits from the unrealized loss, associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of contribution and the adjusted tax basis of the property at such time (said difference, the “Book-Tax Difference”). Additionally, upon the occurrence of certain events (including but not limited to the issuance of additional interests in the partnership), a partnership may adjust the Section 704(b) book basis of its assets to reflect their then-current fair market values, thereby creating additional Book-Tax Differences under Section 704(c). These allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the economic or legal arrangements among the partners. The Operating Partnership was formed by way of, and has since formation received, contributions of appreciated property (including interests in partnerships that have appreciated property) and has adjusted the Section 704(b) book basis of its assets. Consequently, in accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement, the Operating Partnership makes allocations to its partners in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

In general, those partners who have contributed to the Operating Partnership property (including interests in partnerships that own property) that has a fair market value in excess of basis at the time of such contribution have been allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would have been the case if such allocations were made pro rata. In addition, in the event of the disposition of any such property, all taxable income and gain attributable to such property’s Book-Tax Difference generally will be allocated to the contributing partners, and we generally will be allocated only our share (and on a pro rata basis) of any capital gain attributable to post-contribution appreciation, if any. The foregoing allocations would tend to eliminate a property’s Book-Tax Difference over the Operating Partnership’s life. However, the special allocation rules of Section 704(c) of the Code do not always entirely eliminate a property’s Book-Tax Difference and could prolong a noncontributing partner’s Book-Tax Difference with respect to such property. Thus, the carryover basis of a contributed property in the hands of the Operating Partnership may cause us to be allocated: (a) lower tax depreciation and other deductions than our economic or book depreciation and other deductions allocable to us; and/or (b) more taxable income or gain upon a sale of the property than the economic or book income or gain allocable to us as a result of the sale. Such differing tax allocations may cause us to recognize taxable income or gain in excess of cash proceeds, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements.

Treasury Regulations under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of accounting for Book-Tax Differences (e.g., the “traditional method,” the “traditional method with curative allocations,” and the “remedial method”). Some of these methods could prolong the period required to eliminate the Book-Tax Difference as compared to other permissible methods (or could, in fact, result in a portion of the Book-Tax Difference to remain unaccounted for). The Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement

28


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

provides for the use of the “traditional method” for accounting for Book-Tax Differences, unless otherwise determined by us, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, and the contributing partner. As a result of this determination, distributions to our shareholders could be comprised of more taxable income than would otherwise be the case. With respect to any purchased property that is not “replacement property” in a tax-free like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Code, such property initially would have a tax basis equal to its fair market value and Section 704(c) of the Code would not apply.

Basis in Partnership Interests in the Operating Partnership:  Our adjusted tax basis in our interest in the Operating Partnership generally equals the amount of cash and the basis of any other property contributed by us to the Operating Partnership (1) increased by our allocable share of the income and indebtedness of the Operating Partnership, and (2) decreased (but not below zero) by: (a) our allocable share of losses of the Operating Partnership; (b) the amount of cash and adjusted basis of property distributed by the Operating Partnership to us; and (c) the reduction in our allocable share of the Operating Partnership’s indebtedness.

If the allocation of our distributive share of the Operating Partnership’s losses exceeds the adjusted tax basis of our partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, the recognition of such excess losses would be deferred to the extent that we have adjusted tax basis in our interest in the Operating Partnership. To the extent that the Operating Partnership’s distributions, or any decrease in our allocable share of indebtedness (such decreases being considered a constructive cash distribution to the partners), exceeds our adjusted tax basis in our interest in the Operating Partnership, such excess distributions (including such constructive distributions) will constitute taxable income to us. Such taxable income would normally be characterized as capital gain, and if our interest in the Operating Partnership has been held for longer than the long-term capital gain holding period (currently more than one year), such distributions and constructive distributions would constitute long-term capital gain income.

Sale of the Properties:  Our distributive share of any gain realized by the Operating Partnership on its sale of any property held by it as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business would be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Prohibited transaction income may also have an adverse effect on our ability to satisfy the REIT gross income tests. Under existing law, whether the Operating Partnership holds its property as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. The Operating Partnership intends to hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing, owning, renting and otherwise operating the properties, and to make such occasional sales of the properties, including peripheral land, as are consistent with the Operating Partnership’s investment objectives.

State and Local Tax

We and our shareholders may be subject to state and local tax in various states and localities, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our tax treatment and that of our shareholders in such jurisdictions may differ from the U.S. federal income tax treatment described above. Consequently, prospective shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our common shares.

29


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

Information about any additional selling shareholders or additional common shares sold by such additional or existing selling shareholders may be added to this prospectus pursuant to a prospectus supplement, subject to the Securities Act.

On February 28, 2012, the Operating Partnership issued 105,243 Common OP Units to some of the OP unit holders listed below pursuant to a contribution agreement that had been entered into on January 12, 2012 in connection with the Operating Partnership’s acquisition from I.S. Country Club Estates Limited Partnership (an entity owned by some of the OP unit holders) of certain real estate property.

On December 27, 2013, the Operating Partnership issued 1,233,333 Common OP Units to some of the OP unit holders listed below pursuant to a contribution agreement that had been entered into on December 5, 2013 in connection with the Operating Partnership’s acquisition from One Hudson Park Associates Limited Liability Company (an entity owned by some of the OP unit holders) of certain real estate property. In addition, pursuant to the contribution agreement, we may also issue up to a maximum of 162,730 additional common shares related to potential Common OP Units (the “Earn-Out Units”) the Operating Partnership may be required to issue if certain conditions are met. None of the Earn-Out Units have been issued as of the date of this prospectus, and some or all of the Earn-Out Units may never be issued.

On August 21, 2014, the Operating Partnership issued 1,415,336 Common OP Units to some of the OP unit holders listed below pursuant to a contribution agreement that had been entered into on June 26, 2014 in connection with the Operating Partnership’s acquisition from Slam It, LLC (an OP unit holder and an affiliate of an OP unit holder) of certain real estate property.

On December 4, 2014, the Operating Partnership issued 161,575 Common OP Units to one of the OP unit holders listed below pursuant to a contribution agreement that had been entered into on October 27, 2014 in connection with the Operating Partnership’s acquisition from Gelman 840 LLC (an OP unit holder) of an interest as a tenant in common of certain real estate property.

Concurrently with the closing of each of the four transactions described above and the issuances of the initial 2,915,487 Common OP Units, we entered into a registration rights agreement with each of I.S. Country Club Estates Limited Partnership, One Hudson Park Associates Limited Liability Company, Slam It, LLC, Elliot Meisel and Gelman 840 LLC pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement registering the resale of the common shares that may be issuable upon exchange of the Common OP Units (including the Earn-Out Units, if any, in the case of the transaction with One Hudson Park Associates Limited Liability Company). Pursuant to the limited partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership, holders of Common OP Units may exchange their Common OP Units for our common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as set forth in such limited partnership agreement.

The following table presents information about the beneficial ownership of our common shares by the OP unit holders based on 68,640,881 common shares outstanding and 3,912,928 Common OP Units outstanding as of March 23, 2015. The information presented regarding the OP unit holders is based upon representations made by the OP unit holders to us. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and, in general, shareholders having voting or investment power with respect to a security are beneficial owners of that security. Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, the OP unit holders listed in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to their Common OP Units (and any common shares received in exchange for such Common OP Units).

The following table was prepared assuming that the OP unit holders (i) elect to cause us to exchange their Common OP Units and we issue common shares in satisfaction of such exchange request, (ii) sell or otherwise distribute all of the common shares beneficially owned by such OP unit holders that are registered for resale by us, and (iii) do not own and will not acquire any common shares. Additionally, the following table was prepared assuming that the OP unit holders that have been issued their Common OP Units in connection with the Operating Partnership’s transaction with One Hudson Park Associates Limited Liability Company will be issued the Earn-Out Units on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of Common OP Units such OP unit holders held before any assignments to other persons, although none of those additional 162,730 Earn-Out Units have yet been issued and some of them may never be issued. Further, because the OP unit holders may from time to time

30


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

sell or otherwise distribute all, some or none of the shares covered by this prospectus and beneficially owned by them, no estimate can be made of the aggregate number of such shares that are to be offered hereby or that will be owned by the OP unit holders upon completion of any sale to which this prospectus relates. None of the OP unit holders is an affiliate of the Company or the Operating Partnership.

As described in note (1) below, the percentage ownership reflected for each selling OP unit holder in the below table is equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the Common OP Units owned by the OP unit holder (including any Earn-Out Units) and the denominator of which is equal to the sum of (i) the number of common shares outstanding as of March 23, 2015, (ii) the number of Common OP Units as of March 23, 2015 but not covered under this prospectus and (iii) the Common OP Units owned by the OP unit holder (including any Earn-Out Units).

         
         
OP Unit Holder Name   Number of
Shares and
Common OP
Units Beneficially
Owned Prior to
the Offering
  Percentage of
Shares and
Common OP
Units Beneficially
Owned Prior to
the Offering(1)
  Number of
Shares Offered
Hereby(2)
  Number of
Shares and
Common OP
Units Beneficially
Owned Following
the Offering(3)
  Percentage of
Shares and
Common OP
Units Beneficially
Owned Following the Offering(1)(3)
I.S. Corporation(4)     1,052           1,052              
Maple Leaf Properties LLLP(4)     25,311           25,311              
Daniel Smokler(4)     3,273           3,273              
Kevin Smokler(4)     3,273           3,273              
Smokler Family Limited Partnership I(4)     1,270           1,270              
Smokler Family Limited Partnership II(4)     4,543           4,543              
Smokler Family Limited Partnership III(4)     1,270           1,270              
Carol S. Smokler Family Trust u/a/d 08/23/07(4)     46,307           46,307              
Lenstrohm Family Trust u/a/d 01/21/05(4)     18,944           18,944              
Robert Abrams(5)     698,032           698,032              
Richard Hertz(5)     213,678           213,678              
LMSD Associates, LP(5)     232,678           232,678              
The 1999 Daniel A. Abramson Family Trust(5)     20,116           20,116              
Deborah Kirby(5)     20,116           20,116              
Harvey S. Feuerstein(5)     40,230           40,230              
Mendelson Family Trust(5)     40,230           40,230              
Paul R. Herman(5)     32,969           32,969              
Arnold Spellun(5)     38,786           38,786              
Lifetime Trust F/B/O Jessica Diamond(5)     10,057           10,057              
Lifetime Trust F/B/O Nancy Diamond(5)     10,057           10,057              
Lifetime Trust F/B/O Lloyd Sherman(5)     10,057           10,057              
Lifetime Trust F/B/O Louis Sherman(5)     10,057           10,057              
Santa Fe Community Foundation(6)     2,000           2,000              
Mayo Clinic(6)     17,000           17,000              
Slam It, LLC(7)     1,380,000       1.9 %      1,380,000              
Elliot Meisel(7)     35,336           35,336              
Gelman 840 LLC(8)     161,575           161,575              
TOTAL:     3,078,217       4.2 %      3,078,217          —          —  

* Represents less than 1% of our outstanding common shares.
(1) For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding common shares and Common OP Units held by each beneficial owner named above, the common shares and Common OP Units (including, any Earn-Out Units) owned by such person is included in the total number of outstanding common shares but is not included in the total number of outstanding common shares for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other beneficial owner (with the exception of determining the total percentage owned by all of the OP unit holders named above).
(2) These common shares represent the common shares that the OP unit holders may acquire upon presentation of Common OP Units for exchange. Such exchange may occur at any time.

31


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(3) Assumes that all common shares offered by this prospectus will be sold by the OP unit holders.
(4) The OP unit holder received the Common OP Units noted above in connection with the Operating Partnership’s transaction with I.S. Country Club Estates Limited Partnership.
(5) The OP unit holder received the Common OP Units noted above in connection with the Operating Partnership’s transaction with One Hudson Park Associates Limited Liability Company.
(6) The OP unit holder received the Common OP Units noted above by an assignment from Richard Hertz, whose total Common OP Units have been reduced accordingly.
(7) The OP unit holder received the Common OP Units noted above in connection with the Operating Partnership’s transaction with Slam It, LLC.
(8) The OP unit holder received the Common OP Units noted above in connection with the Operating Partnership’s transaction with Gelman 840 LLC.

32


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The common shares covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time in one or more transactions by the OP unit holders. The term “OP unit holder” as it is used in this prospectus includes pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling common shares received from the OP unit holders as pledgor, donor, borrower or in connection with other non-sale-related transfers after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus may also be used by transferees of such persons, including broker-dealers or other transferees who borrow or purchase the shares to settle or close out short sales of common shares. To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended and supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.

The OP unit holders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale or non-sale related transfer. The common shares may be sold by one or more of the following methods of sale, at the market price for our common shares prevailing at the time of sale, a price related to the prevailing market price, a negotiated price or such other price as the OP unit holders determine from time to time:

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account;
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any exchange that quotes our common shares;
in privately negotiated transactions;
in the over-the-counter market;
through the writing of options;
in a combination of any of the above transactions; and
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The OP unit holders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers in connection with distributions of the common shares or otherwise. In such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the OP unit holders. The OP unit holders may also sell shares short and redeliver the shares to close out such short positions. The OP unit holders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to the broker-dealer of the shares. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise transfer such shares pursuant to this prospectus. The OP unit holders may also pledge or loan the shares to a broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may sell the shares so loaned, or upon a default the broker-dealer may sell the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, any shares that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

Expenses and Indemnification

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares by the OP unit holders, but we have agreed to pay all registration expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the shares, including all registration and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing expenses, fees and expenses of our legal counsel and the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel selected by the selling shareholders (up to a maximum of $25,000), fees and expenses of our accountants, state Blue Sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration. We have also agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders, each of its directors and officers and each other person, if any, who controls such selling shareholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising under the securities laws. The selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify us, our officers, directors and each other person who controls us, against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising from information provided by the selling shareholders for use in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, including liabilities under the securities laws.

We have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable to the sale by the OP unit holders of our common shares.

33


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEGAL MATTERS

Legal matters, excluding tax matters, relating to this prospectus, will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter llp, New York, New York. The legal matters described under “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, New York, New York. Certain matters of Maryland law, including the legality of the securities covered by this prospectus, will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The consolidated financial statements and schedules as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document that we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room and its copy charges.

The information incorporated by reference herein is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in a subsequent filing or in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC prior to the termination of this offering, modifies or replaces this information. The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except for any document or portion thereof “furnished” to the SEC:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014;
our Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 3, 2014;
the description of our shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated May 21, 1993, (File No. 33-6008) filed on May 26, 1993 pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering.

To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents), write us at the following address or call us at the telephone number listed below:

ACADIA REALTY TRUST
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 260
White Plains, New York 10605
Attention: Robert Masters
(914) 288-8100

We maintain an Internet website at http://www.acadiarealty.com. We are not incorporating by reference in this prospectus any material from our website. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference to the uniform resource locator (URL) and is for your reference only. Information on our website is not and will not be deemed to be a part of this prospectus.

34


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    
    

    

 

    
    
    
    

3,078,217

  

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

  

Common Shares

  


PROSPECTUS

 

    

    

    

    

  

    

    

 

 


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

Set forth below are the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts set forth below are estimated.

 
SEC Registration Fee   $ 6,361  
New York Stock Exchange Fees     0  
Transfer Agent Fees     0  
Legal Fees and Expenses     30,000  
Printing Expenses     5,000  
Accounting Fees and Expenses     3,000  
Miscellaneous     2,000  
Total   $ 46,361  

Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our declaration of trust authorizes and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law, to indemnify our trustees and officers in their capacity as such. Section 8-301(15) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland permits a Maryland REIT to indemnify or advance expenses to trustees and officers to the same extent as is permitted for directors and officers of a Maryland corporation under the MGCL. The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our declaration of trust does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and a written undertaking by such director or officer or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our declaration of trust authorizes us, and our bylaws require us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify (i) any present or former trustee or officer or (ii) any individual who, while serving as our trustee and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity or capacities, and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of such a proceeding.

Our bylaws also permit us, subject to the approval of our board of trustees, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our Company or a predecessor of our Company.

II-1


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

In addition to the above, we have purchased and maintain insurance on behalf of all of our trustees and executive officers against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities with us, whether or not we are required or have the power to indemnify them against the same liability.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to trustees, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 16.  Exhibits.

 
Exhibit No.   Exhibit
 4.1   Form of Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated May 21, 1993, (File No. 33-6008) filed on May 26, 1993)*
 5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP †
 8.1   Opinion of Seyfarth Shaw LLP †
23.1   Consent of Venable LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1) †
23.2   Consent of Seyfarth Shaw LLP (included as part of Exhibit 8.1) †
23.3   Consent of BDO USA, LLP †
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page) †

Filed herewith
* Incorporated by reference

Item 17.  Undertakings.

A. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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

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

II-2


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) will be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 will be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date will be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

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

(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question

II-3


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(8) That:

(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act will be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-4


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of White Plains, State of New York, on April 3, 2015.

ACADIA REALTY TRUST

By:  /s/ Kenneth F. Bernstein

Kenneth F. Bernstein
President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Kenneth F. Bernstein and Jon Grisham their true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

   
Signature   Title   Date
/s/ Kenneth F. Bernstein

Kenneth F. Bernstein
  Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
(Principal Executive Officer)
  April 3, 2015
/s/ Jonathan W. Grisham

Jonathan W. Grisham
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
  April 3, 2015
/s/ Richard Hartmann

Richard Hartmann
  Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   April 3, 2015
/s/ Douglas Crocker II

Douglas Crocker II
  Trustee   April 3, 2015
/s/ Lorrence T. Kellar

Lorrence T. Kellar
  Trustee   April 3, 2015
/s/ Wendy Luscombe

Wendy Luscombe
  Trustee   April 3, 2015
/s/ William T. Spitz

William T. Spitz
  Trustee   April 3, 2015
/s/ Lee S. Wielansky

Lee S. Wielansky
  Trustee   April 3, 2015

II-5


 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXHIBIT INDEX

 
Exhibit No.   Exhibit
 4.1   Form of Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated May 21, 1993, (File No. 33-6008) filed on May 26, 1993)*
 5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP †
 8.1   Opinion of Seyfarth Shaw LLP †
23.1   Consent of Venable LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1) †
23.2   Consent of Seyfarth Shaw LLP (included as part of Exhibit 8.1) †
23.3   Consent of BDO USA, LLP †
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page) †

Filed herewith
* Incorporated by reference

II-6