ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement is made and entered into as of April 13, 1999, by
and among BRI OP Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the
"Partnership"), Berkshire Realty Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("BRI"),
Berkshire Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Parent"), and
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, a New York corporation, as escrow
agent (the "Escrow Agent"). BRI, the Partnership, Parent and the Escrow Agent
are referred to individually herein as a "Party" and are referred to together
herein as the "Parties."
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, BRI, BRI Acquisition, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company (the "Buyer") whose sole member is Parent, and Parent have entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated of even date herewith (the "Merger
Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Partnership, Parent and BRI Acquisition Sub, LP have
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger of even date herewith (the
"Partnership Merger Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Buyer will be merged with
BRI; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Partnership Merger Agreement, BRI Acquisition
Sub, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, will be merged with the Partnership;
and
WHEREAS, Section 4.7 of the Merger Agreement requires the Buyer to
provide cash in the amount of $29,500,000, which amount may be increased to
$54,500,000 as provided in said Section 4.7 (the "Cash Collateral") for the
benefit of the Escrow Agent on behalf of the Partnership, the holders of common
stock of BRI ("Common Stock") and the holders of units of limited partnership in
the Partnership other than BRI (the "Units") (the Partnership, the holders of
Common Stock and such holders of Units, collectively being sometimes referred to
as the "Beneficiaries"); and
WHEREAS, Section 4.7 of the Merger Agreement provides that the Buyer,
at its election, may provide a letter of credit substantially in the form of
Attachment A, which letter of credit may be amended as provided in said Section
4.7 to increase the amount available thereunder to $54,500,000 (the "Letter of
Credit"), with such changes
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as shall be reasonably satisfactory to Seller and from a bank satisfactory to
Seller, in substitution of the Cash Collateral; and
WHEREAS, BRI conducts substantially all of its operations through the
Partnership; and
WHEREAS, Section 7.2(b) of the Merger Agreement provides for the
payment of a Break-Up Fee and/or Break-Up Expenses as liquidated damages in
certain circumstances, which obligation is secured by the Cash Collateral or
Letter of Credit, as applicable; and
WHEREAS, Parent, BRI and the Partnership wish to appoint the Escrow
Agent as escrow agent for such escrow account and to hold and draw upon the
Letter of Credit, and the Escrow Agent wishes to accept such appointment, upon
the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Merger Agreement.
2. Cash Collateral. The Cash Collateral shall be held by the Escrow
Agent in a segregated trust account designated as the "BRI Cash Collateral
Account" or in an account having a similar designation. The Cash Collateral
shall be invested in accordance with Section 6 hereof pursuant to the written
instruction of BRI on behalf of the Beneficiaries. The Escrow Agent agrees to
accept delivery of the Cash Collateral and to hold such Cash Collateral subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3. Escrow Fund. Promptly upon receipt from BRI of a certificate (the
"Draw Certificate") certifying that a payment of the Break-Up Fee and/or the
Break-Up Expenses is owing pursuant to Section 7.2(b) of the Merger Agreement
and the amount thereof, the Escrow Agent shall (i) if the Letter of Credit has
been substituted for the Cash Collateral, draw the amount of the Letter of
Credit specified by BRI in the Draw Certificate, and at the direction and
expense of BRI, take all actions necessary to collect such amount, employing
such counsel in connection therewith as BRI may direct; or (ii) if the Letter of
Credit has not been substituted for the Cash Collateral, segregate a portion of
the Cash Collateral equal to the amount specified by BRI in the Draw Certificate
(with any balance of the Cash Collateral being subject to Section 5(a) hereof),
which segregation shall terminate any right of Parent to the return of such
portion of the Cash Collateral. The portion of the Cash Collateral so segregated
and/or any amounts drawn
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under the Letter of Credit, are referred to herein as the "Escrow Fund" and
shall be held by the Escrow Agent in a segregated trust account designated as
"BRI Escrow Account" or in an account having such other similar designation. The
Escrow Fund shall be invested in accordance with Section 6 hereof pursuant to
the written instructions of BRI on behalf of the Beneficiaries. The Escrow Agent
agrees to accept delivery of the Escrow Fund and to hold such Escrow Fund in
escrow subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
4. Release of Escrow Fund. With respect to each taxable year of BRI
(for federal income tax purposes) in which the undistributed Escrow Fund is a
positive number, all or a portion of the undistributed Escrow Fund shall be
distributable to the Beneficiaries in accordance with Sections 4(a) and (b),
below. The amounts to be distributed to each Beneficiary with respect to any
taxable year shall be calculated by BRI (after consultation with BRI's
independent accountants (the "Accountants")) as soon as practicable after the
end of BRI's taxable year (or such later time as BRI shall determine in its sole
discretion if litigation with regard to the Beneficiaries' right to liquidated
damages pursuant to the Merger Agreement has commenced or been threatened) based
upon the facts in existence as of the end of such taxable year. Following such
calculations, BRI shall promptly notify the Escrow Agent by delivery of a
certificate (the "Disbursement Certificate") of the amounts, if any, to be
distributed to each Beneficiary together with the full name and address of the
Beneficiary. Promptly after receipt of a Disbursement Certificate for a taxable
year of BRI, the Escrow Agent shall distribute all or a portion of the
undistributed Escrow Fund in the amounts and to the recipients specified in the
Disbursement Certificate. Any Disbursement Certificate shall direct the Escrow
Agent to disburse the undistributed Escrow Fund only as follows:
(a) First, to the Partnership in an amount equal to the sum of
(i) any portion of the undistributed Escrow Fund that is determined pursuant to
a BreakUp Fee Tax Opinion (as defined below) or a Ruling (as defined below)to be
either (A) income described in Section 856(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended ("Qualifying Income") or (B) income of a nature that it is not
includable in BRI's gross income for purposes of determining whether BRI meets
the requirement of Section 856(c)(2) (the "REIT Requirement") for such year and
(ii) the quotient of (A) the excess of (I) 4.95% of BRI's federal gross income
for such taxable year over (II) the amount of gross income of BRI for the
taxable year from all other sources to the extent such income is not Qualifying
Income and (B) BRI's percentage share of the capital of the Partnership
(determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.856-3(g) or any
applicable successor provision) for such year. As used herein, "Break-Up Fee Tax
Opinion" means an opinion letter from BRI's outside counsel, and "Ruling" means
a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service. In the event that the
foregoing
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does not permit the distribution to the Partnership of the entire undistributed
Escrow Fund for any taxable year of BRI, the Escrow Agent shall retain the
unpaid amount in escrow for distribution pursuant to (x) this Section 4(a) in
subsequent taxable years of BRI, (y) Section 4(b) or (z) Section 4(c), as
applicable.
(b) Second, if the amount of any undistributed Escrow Fund is
greater than zero and outside counsel to BRI informs BRI in writing that such
counsel believes that BRI is unlikely to receive a Break-Up Fee Tax Opinion or
Ruling with respect to the distribution to the Partnership of the undistributed
Escrow Fund, then the undistributed Escrow Fund shall be distributed to holders
of Common Stock and Units, in equal amounts per share of Common Stock and per
Unit; provided, however, that amounts shall only be so distributed to the
holders of Common Stock and Units if, and to the extent, BRI receives a Break-Up
Fee Tax Opinion or a Ruling with respect to such distributions.
(c) Third, any amounts remaining in escrow at the end of the
ten (10) year period commencing on the date the Draw Certificate is delivered
shall be paid to a charity chosen by Parent that qualifies as a charity under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
5. Substitution or Return of Collateral. (a) At the direction of BRI
and following the delivery to the Escrow Agent of the Letter of Credit, the
Escrow Agent shall disburse the Cash Collateral (other than any portion thereof
that has become part of the Escrow Fund) to Parent, together with all interest
thereon. BRI agrees that it shall provide the foregoing direction to the Escrow
Agent promptly upon notice from the Escrow Agent that it has received the Letter
of Credit.
(b) The Escrow Agent shall return the Letter of Credit to
Parent when and as BRI may direct. BRI shall so direct the Escrow Agent within
five business days of Parent's becoming entitled to such return in accordance
with Section 7.2(b) of the Merger Agreement.
6. Investment of Escrow Fund. (a) Any monies held as Cash Collateral or
in the Escrow Fund shall be invested by the Escrow Agent, to the extent
permitted by law and as directed in writing by BRI on behalf of the
Beneficiaries, in (i) obligations having a maturity date of 30 days or less
issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, (ii) obligations having a maturity date of 30 days or
less (including certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances) of banks which
at the date of their last public reporting had total assets in excess of $500
million, (iii) commercial paper having a maturity date of 30 days or less
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rated at least A-1 or P-1 or, if not rated, issued by companies having
outstanding debt rated at least AA or Aa and (iv) money market mutual funds
invested primarily in the securities described in the foregoing clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii).
(b) Any interest earned on the Cash Collateral shall be for
the account of Parent. Any interest earned on the Escrow Fund shall be for the
account of the Beneficiaries and shall be included in the amounts distributed
pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
7. Fees and Expenses. BRI and the Partnership shall be jointly and
severally liable for the fees of the Escrow Agent, including, but not limited
to, reasonable legal fees and expenses for the services rendered by the Escrow
Agent hereunder and for its attorney's fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the preparation of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, BRI and
the Partnership agree to pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent for the Escrow
Agent's reasonable compensation for its normal services hereunder and the
preparation of this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule attached
hereto as Attachment B. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement on
demand for all expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the
escrow created hereby that are in excess of its compensation for normal services
hereunder, including, without limitation, payment of any legal fees and expenses
incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the resolution of any claim by
any Party hereunder.
8. Limitation of Escrow Agent's Liability.
(a) Neither the Escrow Agent nor any of its directors,
officers or employees shall incur liability with respect to any action taken or
suffered by it in reliance upon any notice, direction, instruction, consent,
statement or other documents believed by it to be genuine and duly authorized,
nor for other action or inaction except its own willful misconduct or gross
negligence; provided, that with respect to the custody of the Cash Collateral
and Escrow Fund, the Escrow Agent shall use the standard care of customarily
used by custodians of funds. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the
validity or sufficiency of this Agreement and shall not be responsible for any
of the agreements referred to herein, including the Merger Agreement and the
Partnership Merger Agreement, but shall be obligated only for the performance of
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Escrow Agent (i) shall not be obligated to inquire
as to the accuracy of any calculations used in preparing the Disbursement
Certificate and (ii) shall have no obligation to inquire whether the Partnership
has the right to liquidated damages pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In all
questions arising under this Agreement, the Escrow Agent may rely
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on the advice of counsel, including in-house counsel, and for anything done,
omitted or suffered in good faith by the Escrow Agent based on such advice the
Escrow Agent shall not be liable to anyone. The Escrow Agent shall not be
required to take any action hereunder involving any expense unless the payment
of such expense is made or provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to
it. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any losses resulting from the
investments made in accordance with this Agreement. In no event shall the Escrow
Agent be liable for indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages.
(b) BRI and the Partnership shall jointly and severally
indemnify the Escrow Agent for, and hold it harmless against, any loss,
liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Escrow Agent, arising out of or in connection with its carrying out of its
duties hereunder, including without limitation drawing on the Letter of Credit.
(c) BRI and the Partnership jointly and severally hereby agree
to assume any and all obligations imposed now or hereafter by any applicable tax
law with respect to the payment of Escrow Funds under this Agreement, and to
indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any taxes,
additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses, that may be
assessed against the Escrow Agent in any such payment or other activities under
this Agreement (other than taxes on the net income of the Escrow Agent
attributable to the payment of fees hereunder). BRI and the Partnership
undertake to instruct the Escrow Agent in writing with respect to the Escrow
Agent's responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting in connection
with its acting as Escrow Agent under this Agreement. BRI and the Partnership
jointly and severally hereby agree to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent
harmless from any liability on account of taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges, including without limitation the withholding or deduction
or the failure to withhold or deduct the same, and any liability for failure to
obtain proper certifications or to properly report to governmental authorities,
to which the Escrow Agent may be or become subject in connection with or which
arises out of this Agreement, including costs and expenses (including reasonable
legal fees and expenses), interest and penalties.
9. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (i)
notice from BRI to the Escrow Agent that the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement have been consummated, (ii) notice from BRI to the Escrow Agent
that the Merger Agreement has been terminated without giving rise to the right
to realize on the Cash Collateral or draw on the Letter of Credit, or (iii) the
disbursement by the Escrow
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Agent of all of the Escrow Funds (except in accordance with Section 5(a)) in
accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of
Sections 7 and 8 shall survive such termination.
10. Notices. All notices, instructions and other communications given
hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or (ii) via a reputable
nationwide overnight courier service, in each case to the address set forth
below. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have
been delivered four business days after it is sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or one business day after it is
sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service.
If to BRI or the Partnership: Berkshire Realty Company, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Copies to: Xxxx and Xxxx LLP
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
3200 National City Center
0000 Xxxx 0xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
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If to Parent: Berkshire Realty Holdings, L.P.
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
and
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
and
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to the Escrow Agent: American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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Any Party may give any notice, instruction or communication in connection with
this Agreement using any other means (including personal delivery, telecopy or
ordinary mail), but no such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed
to have been delivered unless and until it is actually received by the Party to
whom it was sent. Any Party may change the address to which notices,
instructions or communications are to be delivered by giving the other Parties
to this Agreement notice thereof in the manner set forth in this Section 10.
11. Successor Escrow Agent. In the event the Escrow Agent becomes
unavailable or unwilling to continue in its capacity hereunder, the Escrow Agent
may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by
delivering a resignation to the Parties to this Escrow Agreement, not less than
60 days' prior to the date when such resignation shall take effect. BRI may
appoint a successor Escrow Agent so long as such successor is a bank with assets
of at least $500 million. If, within such notice period, BRI provides to the
Escrow Agent written instructions with respect to the appointment of a successor
Escrow Agent and directions for the transfer of the Letter of Credit, the Cash
Collateral or any Escrow Fund then held by the Escrow Agent to such successor,
the Escrow Agent shall act in accordance with such instructions and promptly
transfer the Letter of Credit, the Cash Collateral and such Escrow Fund to such
designated successor. If no successor escrow agent is named by BRI within such
notice period, the Escrow Agent may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction
for appointment of a successor escrow agent.
12. General.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
enforced under and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts (which need not each be signed by all of the Parties hereto),
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
(c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding and agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral,
between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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(d) Waivers. No waiver by any Party hereto of any condition or
of any breach of any provision of this Escrow Agreement shall be effective
unless in writing. No waiver by any Party of any such condition or breach, in
any one instance, shall be deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of any
such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or breach of any
other provision contained herein.
(e) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written
instrument signed by the Parties hereto.
(f) Consent to Jurisdiction and Service. BRI and the
Partnership hereby absolutely and irrevocably consent and submit to the
jurisdiction of the courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of any
federal court located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with
any actions or proceedings brought against BRI and the Partnership by the Escrow
Agent arising out of or relating to this Escrow Agreement. In any such action or
proceeding, BRI and the Partnership hereby absolutely and irrevocably waive
personal service of any summons, complaint, declaration or other process and
hereby absolutely and irrevocably agree that the service thereof may be made in
accordance with the notice provisions of Section 10 hereof, directed to BRI and
the Partnership, as the case may be, at their respective addresses set forth in
Section 10 hereof.
(g) Force Majeure. Neither BRI, the Partnership nor the Escrow
Agent shall be responsible for delays or failures in performance resulting from
acts beyond its, his or her control. Such acts shall include but not be limited
to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of wars, epidemics, governmental
regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures,
computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters.
(h) Binding Effect, Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the respective Parties hereto and their heirs,
executors, successors and assigns.
(i) Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all
documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers
and modifications which may hereafter be executed, and (b) certificates and
other information previously or hereafter furnished, may be reproduced by any
photographic, photostatic, microfilm, optical disk, micro-card, miniature
photographic or other similar process. The Parties agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a Party in the
regular course
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of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such
reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
BERKSHIRE REALTY COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
---------------------
Name:________________
Title:_______________
BRI OP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: BERKSHIRE APARTMENTS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
---------------------
Name:________________
Title:_______________
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AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER AND
TRUST COMPANY, as Escrow Agent
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------
Name:________________
Title:_______________
Berkshire Realty Holdings, L.P. joins in
this Agreement solely with respect to
Section 4(c).
BERKSHIRE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Authorized Signatory
