AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND AMONG GRAMERCY CAPITAL CORP., GKK CAPITAL LP, GKK STARS ACQUISITION LLC, GKK STARS ACQUISITION CORP., GKK STARS ACQUISITION LP, AMERICAN FINANCIAL REALTY TRUST AND FIRST STATES GROUP, L.P. Dated as of November 2, 2007
Exhibit 2.1
BY AND AMONG
GRAMERCY CAPITAL CORP.,
GKK CAPITAL LP,
GKK STARS ACQUISITION LLC,
GKK STARS ACQUISITION CORP.,
GKK STARS ACQUISITION LP,
AND
FIRST STATES GROUP, L.P.
Dated as of November 2, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE
I THE MERGERS |
2 | |||||||
Section 1.1. | The Mergers |
2 | ||||||
Section 1.2. | Effective Time |
2 | ||||||
Section 1.3. | Closing |
3 | ||||||
Section 1.4. | Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company and the
Surviving Partnership |
3 | ||||||
Section 1.5. | Trustees and Officers of the Surviving Company |
3 | ||||||
ARTICLE II EFFECT OF THE MERGERS ON THE EQUITY SECURITIES OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES |
3 | |||||||
Section 2.1. | Conversion of Securities |
3 | ||||||
Section 2.2. | Exchange of Certificates |
4 | ||||||
Section 2.3. | Withholding Rights |
9 | ||||||
Section 2.4. | Dissenters’ Rights |
9 | ||||||
Section 2.5. | Company Share Options; Restricted Company Common Shares |
9 | ||||||
Section 2.6. | Adjustments |
10 | ||||||
Section 2.7. | Tax Characterization |
11 | ||||||
Section 2.8. | Direct Purchase of Assets |
11 | ||||||
Section 2.9. | Transfer of Company Properties |
12 | ||||||
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP |
13 | |||||||
Section 3.1. | Existence; Good Standing; Authority |
14 | ||||||
Section 3.2. | Authorization, Takeover Laws, Validity and Effect of Agreements |
14 | ||||||
Section 3.3. | Capitalization |
15 | ||||||
Section 3.4. | Subsidiaries |
17 | ||||||
Section 3.5. | Other Interests |
17 | ||||||
Section 3.6. | Consents and Approvals; No Violations |
17 | ||||||
Section 3.7. | SEC Reports |
18 | ||||||
Section 3.8. | Litigation and Regulatory Matters; Compliance with Laws |
19 | ||||||
Section 3.9. | Absence of Certain Changes |
20 | ||||||
Section 3.10. | Taxes |
21 | ||||||
Section 3.11. | Properties |
22 | ||||||
Section 3.12. | Environmental Matters |
24 | ||||||
Section 3.13. | Employee Benefit Plans |
25 |
(i)
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Section 3.14. | Labor and Employment Matters |
26 | ||||||
Section 3.15. | No Brokers |
27 | ||||||
Section 3.16. | Opinion of Financial Advisor |
27 | ||||||
Section 3.17. | Required
Approvals |
27 | ||||||
Section 3.18. | Material Contracts |
27 | ||||||
Section 3.19. | Insurance |
28 | ||||||
Section 3.20. | Definition of the Company’s Knowledge |
28 | ||||||
Section 3.21. | Company Information |
28 | ||||||
Section 3.22. | Intellectual Property |
28 | ||||||
Section 3.23. | Investment Company Act of 1940 |
29 | ||||||
Section 3.24. | Transactions with Affiliates |
29 | ||||||
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER PARTIES |
29 | |||||||
Section 4.1. | Existence; Good Standing |
29 | ||||||
Section 4.2. | Authorization, Validity and Effect of Agreements |
30 | ||||||
Section 4.3. | Capitalization |
30 | ||||||
Section 4.4. | Subsidiaries |
31 | ||||||
Section 4.5. | Consents and Approvals; No Violations |
31 | ||||||
Section 4.6. | SEC Reports |
32 | ||||||
Section 4.7. | Litigation and Regulatory Matters; Compliance with Laws |
33 | ||||||
Section 4.8. | Absence of Certain Changes |
33 | ||||||
Section 4.9. | Taxes |
34 | ||||||
Section 4.10. | No Brokers |
34 | ||||||
Section 4.11. | Required Approval |
34 | ||||||
Section 4.12. | Information Supplied |
35 | ||||||
Section 4.13. | Transactions with Affiliates |
35 | ||||||
Section 4.14. | Available Funds |
35 | ||||||
Section 4.15. | Solvency |
35 | ||||||
Section 4.16. | Definition of Parent’s Knowledge |
36 | ||||||
ARTICLE V CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER |
36 | |||||||
Section 5.1. | Conduct of Business by the Company |
36 | ||||||
Section 5.2. | Conduct of Business by Parent |
40 |
(ii)
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ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS |
42 | |||||||
Section 6.1. | Preparation
of the Form S-4/Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholders Meetings |
42 | ||||||
Section 6.2. | Other Filings |
44 | ||||||
Section 6.3. | Additional Agreements |
44 | ||||||
Section 6.4. | Fees and Expenses |
45 | ||||||
Section 6.5. | No Solicitations |
45 | ||||||
Section 6.6. | Officers’ and Directors’ Indemnification |
48 | ||||||
Section 6.7. | Access to Information; Confidentiality |
49 | ||||||
Section 6.8. | Public Announcements |
50 | ||||||
Section 6.9. | Employee Benefit Arrangements |
50 | ||||||
Section 6.10. | Financing |
51 | ||||||
Section 6.11. | Stock Exchange De-listing |
52 | ||||||
Section 6.12. | Transfer and Gains Taxes |
52 | ||||||
Section 6.13. | Listing |
52 | ||||||
Section 6.14. | Marketing of Assets |
52 | ||||||
Section 6.15. | Consents and Modifications |
53 | ||||||
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER |
54 | |||||||
Section 7.1. | Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Mergers |
54 | ||||||
Section 7.2. | Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser Parties |
54 | ||||||
Section 7.3. | Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Operating Partnership |
55 | ||||||
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER |
56 | |||||||
Section 8.1. | Termination |
56 | ||||||
Section 8.2. | Effect of Termination; Termination Fees and Expenses |
58 | ||||||
Section 8.3. | Escrow of Break-Up Fee |
60 | ||||||
Section 8.4. | Amendment |
61 | ||||||
Section 8.5. | Extension; Waiver |
61 | ||||||
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS |
61 | |||||||
Section 9.1. | Notices |
61 | ||||||
Section 9.2. | Certain Definitions |
62 | ||||||
Section 9.3. | Terms Defined Elsewhere |
67 | ||||||
Section 9.4. | Interpretation |
72 |
(iii)
Page | ||||||||
Section 9.5. | Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements |
72 | ||||||
Section 9.6. | Remedies; Specific Performance |
72 | ||||||
Section 9.7. | Entire Agreement |
73 | ||||||
Section 9.8. | Assignment |
73 | ||||||
Section 9.9. | Third Party Beneficiaries |
73 | ||||||
Section 9.10. | Severability |
73 | ||||||
Section 9.11. | Choice of Law/Consent to Jurisdiction |
73 | ||||||
Section 9.12. | Waiver |
74 | ||||||
Section 9.13. | Waiver of Jury Trial |
74 | ||||||
Section 9.14. | Counterparts |
74 | ||||||
Exhibit A – Terms of Additional Value Payment |
(iv)
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 2, 2007, is
made by and among Gramercy Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (“Parent”), GKK Capital
LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Parent OP”), GKK Stars Acquisition LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent OP (“Acquisition Sub”), GKK
Stars Acquisition Corp., a Maryland corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquisition Sub
(“Merger Sub”), GKK Stars Acquisition LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Merger Sub
OP” and, together with Parent, Parent OP, Acquisition Sub and Merger Sub, the “Purchaser
Parties”), American Financial Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the
“Company”), and First States Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
“Operating Partnership”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a self-administered, self-managed Maryland real estate investment
trust that holds interests in properties through the Operating Partnership and, through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, First States Group, LLC (the “General Partner”), is the sole
general partner of the Operating Partnership;
WHEREAS, the parties wish to effect a business combination through a merger of (a) Merger Sub
with and into the Company (the “Merger”) and (b) Merger Sub OP with and into the Operating
Partnership (the “Partnership Merger” and, together with the Merger, the “Mergers”)
on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with
Section 8-501.1 of the Maryland REIT Law (the “MRL”), Section 3-114 of the Maryland General
Corporations Law (the “MGCL”), and Section 17-211 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited
Partnership Act, as amended (the “DRULPA”), as applicable;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Company (the “Company Board”) (a) has approved
this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and declared
that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein and (b) has recommended approval of the Merger by the Company’s stockholders;
WHEREAS, the General Partner, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, has
determined that this Agreement, the Partnership Merger, and the other transactions contemplated
hereby, taken together, are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Operating
Partnership and the holders of the OP Units;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) and Merger Sub, and
Acquisition Sub, in its capacity as the general partner of Merger Sub OP, each have approved this
Agreement, the Merger and the Partnership Merger, as applicable, and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and declared that the Merger or the Partnership Merger, as
applicable, and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in the best
interests of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Sub OP and its limited partners, respectively, on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and Acquisition Sub has recommended approval
of the Partnership Merger by the Merger Sub OP’s limited partners;
WHEREAS, as a condition to the willingness of the Company to enter into this Agreement, the
Company has required that certain stockholders of Parent enter into, and in order to induce the
Company to enter into this Agreement, such shareholders have agreed to enter into, voting
agreements providing, among other things, for the approval of the issuance of Parent Common Stock
in the Mergers; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in connection with the Mergers and also to prescribe various conditions to the Mergers.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGERS
Section 1.1. The Mergers.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with
Section 8-501.1 of the MRL and Section 3-114 of the MGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub
and the Company shall consummate the Merger, pursuant to which (i) Merger Sub shall be
merged with and into the Company and the separate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon
cease, and (ii) the Company shall be the surviving entity in the Merger (the “Surviving
Company”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquisition Sub. The Merger shall have the
effects specified in Section 8-501.1(o) of the MRL, Section 3-114 of the MGCL and this
Agreement. Accordingly, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Company shall have
all the properties, rights, privileges, purposes and powers and debts, duties and
liabilities of the Company and Merger Sub.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with
Section 17-211 of the DRULPA, at the Partnership Merger Effective Time, Merger Sub OP and
the Operating Partnership shall consummate the Partnership Merger, pursuant to which
(i) Merger Sub OP shall be merged with and into the Operating Partnership and the separate
existence of Merger Sub OP shall thereupon cease, and (ii) the Operating Partnership shall
be the surviving entity in the Partnership Merger (the “Surviving Partnership”) as
an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent OP. The Partnership Merger shall have the
effects specified Section 17-211 of the DRULPA and this Agreement. Accordingly, from and
after the Partnership Merger Effective Time, the Surviving Partnership shall have all the
properties, rights, privileges, purposes and powers and debts, duties and liabilities of the
Operating Partnership and Merger Sub OP.
Section 1.2. Effective Time.
(a) At the Closing, Merger Sub and the Company shall duly execute and file articles of
merger (the “Maryland Articles of Merger”) with the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “SDAT”) in accordance with the MRL and
the MGCL and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the MRL or the MGCL
to effect the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Maryland
Articles of Merger have been accepted for record by the SDAT or such later time which the
parties hereto shall have agreed upon and designated in the Maryland Articles of Merger in
accordance with the MRL and the MGCL as the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective
Time”).
(b) At the Closing, Merger Sub OP and the Operating Partnership shall duly execute and
file with the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “DSOS”) a certificate of merger
(the “Delaware Merger Certificate”) in accordance with the DRULPA and shall make all
other filings or recordings required under the DRULPA to effect the Partnership Merger. The
Partnership Merger shall become effective at such time as the Delaware Merger Certificate
has been accepted
2
for record by the DSOS or such later time which the parties hereto shall have agreed
upon and designated in the Delaware Merger Certificate in accordance with the DRULPA as the
effective time of the Partnership Merger (the “Partnership Merger Effective Time”),
it being understood that the parties shall cause the Partnership Merger Effective Time to
occur on the Closing Date prior to the Effective Time.
Section 1.3. Closing. The closing of the Mergers (the “Closing”) shall occur
as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than the fifth (5th) Business Day) after all of
the conditions set forth in Article VII (other than conditions which by their terms are to be
satisfied by action taken at the Closing) shall have been satisfied or waived by the party entitled
to the benefit of the same, and, subject to the foregoing, shall take place at 10:00 a.m., local
time at the offices of Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx, 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, xx
at such other time and place as agreed to by the parties hereto (the “Closing Date”).
Section 1.4. Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company and the Surviving
Partnership. At the effective Time, the declaration of trust of the Surviving Corporation
shall be amended and restated in the form agreed by the parties until thereafter amended as
provided therein or by Law (the “Surviving Company Declaration of Trust”). Such
declaration of trust shall not be inconsistent with Section 6.6. The bylaws of the Company, as
amended (the “Bylaws”), as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
bylaws of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended as provided therein or by Law (the
“Surviving Company Bylaws”). The Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
the Operating Partnership, as amended (the “OP Partnership Agreement”), as in effect
immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, shall be the limited partnership
agreement of the Surviving Partnership until thereafter amended as provided therein or by Law.
Following the Partnership Merger Effective Time, the certificate of limited partnership of the
Operating Partnership shall be the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Partnership
until further amended in accordance with the DRULPA.
Section 1.5. Trustees and Officers of the Surviving Company. The members of the board
of directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the
Effective Time, be the trustees of the Surviving Company until their successors have been duly
elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Surviving Company Declaration of Trust and the Surviving Company Bylaws. The
officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective
Time, be the officers of the Surviving Company until their successors have been duly elected or
appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the
Surviving Company Declaration of Trust and the Surviving Company Bylaws.
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGERS ON THE EQUITY SECURITIES
OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES
EFFECT OF THE MERGERS ON THE EQUITY SECURITIES
OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES
Section 2.1. Conversion of Securities.
(a) As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder of any shares of beneficial interests of the Company or any shares of
common stock of Merger Sub:
(i) Each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into
3
one common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving
Company.
(ii) Each common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, of
the Company (collectively, the “Company Common Shares”) that is owned by the
Company, by any wholly-owned Company Subsidiary or by Merger Sub shall, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease
to exist, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto.
(iii) Each Company Common Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than shares to be canceled in accordance with
Section 2.1(a(ii))) shall automatically be converted into, and shall be cancelled in
exchange for, the right to receive (A) a number of shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of Parent (the “Parent Common Stock”) equal to the
Exchange Ratio (together with any shares of Parent Common Stock required to be
delivered pursuant to Section 2.1(b), the “Stock Consideration”), and (B) an
amount in cash equal to $5.50, without interest plus an amount, if any, equal to the
Additional Value Payment (together, with any cash required to be delivered pursuant
to Section 2.1(b), the “Cash Consideration”). The Stock Consideration and
the Cash Consideration deliverable to each holder of Company Common Stock is
collectively referred to herein as the “Company Common Share Merger
Consideration.” For purposes of this Agreement, the Additional Value Payment
means the quotient of (a) the aggregate amount payable to the Company’s stockholders
in accordance with the terms of the attached Exhibit A and (b) the aggregate number
of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing, but in any event
shall not be less than zero or greater than $0.25 per share of Company Common Stock.
(b) As of the Partnership Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Partnership Merger
and without any action on the part of the holders of the units of limited partnership
interest in the Operating Partnership or Merger Sub OP:
(i) The general partnership interest of the Operating Partnership shall remain
outstanding and constitute the only outstanding general partnership interest in the
Surviving Partnership.
(ii) Each unit of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership
(collectively, the “OP Units”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Partnership Merger Effective Time (other than each OP Unit owned by the Company
or any Company Subsidiary, which shall remain outstanding and unchanged as units of
limited partnership interest in the Surviving Partnership) shall automatically be
converted into the right to receive the applicable amount and type of Company Common
Share Merger Consideration (the “Partnership Merger Consideration”) in
respect of the number of Company Common Shares issuable upon redemption of each such
OP Unit in accordance with the OP Agreement as if such OP Units were redeemed for an
equal number of Company Common Shares immediately prior to the Partnership Merger
Effective Time.
Section 2.2. Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate, or
cause to be designated, a bank or trust company that is reasonably acceptable to the Company
(the “Exchange Agent”) and enter into an Exchange Agent agreement, in form and
substance reasonably
4
acceptable to the Company, with such Exchange Agent to act as agent for
the payment or exchange in accordance with this Article II of the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, any Other Payments, any amounts
to be paid in cash pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof and any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares. On or before the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent
(i) certificates representing the number of shares of Parent Common Stock sufficient to
deliver, and Parent shall instruct the Exchange Agent to timely deliver, the aggregate Stock
Consideration, (ii) any amounts or securities payable in respect of the Other Payments and
(iii) immediately available funds equal to the aggregate Cash Consideration (together with,
to the extent then determinable, any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to
Section 2.2(j)) or cash or other consideration payable in respect of dividends or
distributions on shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.2(k) (clauses
(i) through (iii) collectively referred to as the “Exchange Fund”) and Parent shall
instruct the Exchange Agent to timely pay such amounts and such cash in lieu of fractional shares, in accordance with this Agreement. The Exchange Agent shall make payments of the
Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, the Other
Payments and any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares out of the Exchange Fund in
accordance with this Agreement, the Maryland Articles of Merger and the Delaware Merger
Certificate. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other purpose. Any and all
interest earned on cash deposited in the Exchange Fund shall be paid to Parent.
(b) Stock Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of
the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of
transfers of the Company Common Shares. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of
Certificates representing ownership of the Company Common Shares outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have rights with respect to such shares, except
as otherwise provided for herein. On or after the Effective Time, any Certificates
presented to the Exchange Agent, the Surviving Company or the transfer agent for any reason
shall be converted into the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, any Other Payments deliverable
hereunder and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock.
(c) Exchange Procedures. Promptly after the Effective Time and, in any event,
not later than the second Business Day following the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the
Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a Certificate or Certificates that
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Company Common Shares whose shares were converted into the right to receive the Company Common Share Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 2.1, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor, any Other Payments deliverable
hereunder and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock: (i) a
letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss
and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the
Exchange Agent, and which letter shall be in such form and have such other provisions as
Parent may reasonably specify); and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of
the Certificates in exchange for the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Other
Payments, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock
to be issued or paid in consideration therefor in accordance with Section 2.2(j) and
any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock in accordance with
Section 2.2(k) to which the holder thereof is entitled. Upon surrender of a Certificate for
cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents reasonably satisfactory
to the Company as may be appointed by Parent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents
as may reasonably be required
5
by the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Company, the holder of
such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (x) a certificate
representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder is entitled
to receive pursuant to this Agreement, (y) a check in the amount (after giving effect to any
required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 2.3) equal to the Cash Consideration that
such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to this Agreement plus any cash such holder is
entitled to receive in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and any cash
dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock, payable in respect of the
Company Common Shares previously represented by such Certificate pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2.2(c), Section 2.2(j) and Section 2.2(k) and (z) without duplication, any Other
Payments, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. In the event of
a transfer of ownership of Company Common Shares that is not registered in the transfer
records of the Company, payment may be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name
the Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed
and accompanied by appropriate stock powers or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and
accompanied by all documents reasonably required by the Exchange Agent to evidence and
effect such transfer and the Person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other
Taxes required by reason of the payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such
Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of Parent and the Exchange Agent that such Tax
has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2,
each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the
right to receive, upon such surrender, the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the
Other Payments, any cash in lieu of fractional shares and any dividends or distributions in
respect of Parent Common Stock, as contemplated by this Section 2.2. No interest shall be
paid or accrue on any cash payable upon surrender of any Certificate.
(d) Payment with respect to OP Units.
(i) Promptly after the Effective Time and, in any event, not later than the
second Business Day following the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the Exchange
Agent to mail to each holder of OP Units registered on the transfer books of the
Operating Partnership immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time
(A) a letter of transmittal (a “Unitholder Letter of Transmittal”) which
shall certify to Parent and to the Exchange Agent the number of OP Units held by
such holder and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as the
Surviving Company may reasonably specify and (B) instructions for use in effecting
the delivery of the Unitholder Letter of Transmittal in order to receive the
Partnership Merger Consideration together with any amounts payable in respect of
dividends or distributions on shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with
Section 2.1(k) and fractional shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to
Section 2.1(j).
(ii) Upon delivery of a Unitholder Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and
any other documents reasonably required by the Exchange Agent or the Surviving
Company, the holder of the OP Units identified in such Unitholder Letter of
Transmittal shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (x) a certificate
representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder is
entitled to receive pursuant
to this Agreement, (y) a check in the amount (after giving effect to any
required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 2.3) equal to the amount of the
Cash Consideration that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to this
Agreement plus any cash such holder is entitled to receive in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to
the provisions of Section 2.2(j) and Section 2.2(k) and (z) without duplication, any
Other Payments.
6
(iii) In the event of a transfer of ownership of OP Units which is not
registered in the transfer records of the Operating Partnership, the Partnership
Merger Consideration shall be paid to a transferee if (A) such transferee delivers a
Unitholder Letter of Transmittal in accordance with Section 2.2(d)(i) and (B) such
transferee shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the payment
to a Person (as defined herein) other than the registered holder of the OP Unit or
establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent and the Surviving Partnership
that such Tax has been paid or is not applicable.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights In Company Common Shares; Share Transfers.
(i) At the Effective Time, holders of Company Common Shares shall cease to be,
and shall have no rights as, shareholders of the Company other than the right to
receive the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Other Payments, cash in
lieu of fractional shares and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent
Common Stock provided under this Article II. The Company Common Share Merger
Consideration, the Other Payments, cash in lieu of fractional shares and any
dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock paid upon the surrender
for exchange of Certificates representing Company Common Shares in accordance with
the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction
of all rights and privileges pertaining to the Company Common Shares exchanged
theretofore represented by such Certificates.
(ii) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, holders of OP Units shall cease
to be, and shall have no rights as, holders of units of limited partnership interest
in the Operating Partnership other than the right to receive the Partnership Merger
Consideration, the Other Payments, cash in lieu of fractional shares and any
dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock provided under this
Article II. The Partnership Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares
and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock, as paid with
respect to the OP Units in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have
been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such OP Units and, after
the Partnership Merger Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of
transfers on the transfer books of the Surviving Partnership of the OP Units.
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which
remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates or the OP Units which were
converted into the right to receive the Company Common Share Merger Consideration or
Partnership Merger Consideration, as applicable, the Other Payments, any cash in lieu of any
fractional shares and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock for
six (6) months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent upon demand and any
holders of Company Common Shares or OP Units who have not theretofore complied with this
Article II shall thereafter look only to Parent for payment of the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration or Partnership
Merger Consideration, as applicable (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat
and other similar Law).
(g) No Liability for Certain Funds. None of the Purchaser Parties, the
Surviving Company, the Surviving Partnership, the Company, the Operating Partnership or the
Exchange Agent, or any employee, officer, director, trustee, partner, agent or Affiliate
thereof, shall be liable to any Person in respect of the Company Common Share Merger
Consideration or Partnership Merger Consideration, as applicable, and the Other Payments
from the Exchange
7
Fund delivered to a public official or Governmental Entity pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Parent; provided, however,
that such investments shall be in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of
America or any agency or instrumentality thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States of America, in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by
Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, respectively, or in
certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or banker’s acceptances of commercial
banks with capital exceeding $1 billion (based on the most recent financial statements of
such bank which are then publicly available). Any net profit resulting from, or interest or
income produced by, such investments, shall be placed in the Exchange Fund and be payable to
Parent pursuant to Section 2.2(f) hereof. To the extent that there are losses with respect
to such investments, or the Exchange Fund diminishes for other reasons below the level
required to make prompt payments of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the
Partnership Merger Consideration, the Other Payments, any cash in lieu of fractional shares
and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock, as contemplated
hereby, Parent shall promptly replace or restore the portion of the Exchange Fund lost
through investments or other events so as to ensure that the Exchange Fund is, at all times,
maintained at a level sufficient to make such payments.
(i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the Surviving
Company or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such Person of a bond in such amount as
Parent, the Surviving Company or the Exchange Agent may reasonably direct, the Exchange
Agent shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Company
Common Share Merger Consideration, the Other Payments, any cash in lieu of fractional shares
and any dividends or distributions in respect of Parent Common Stock into which the Company
Common Shares theretofore represented by such Certificate shall have been converted pursuant
to this Agreement.
(j) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, no certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Parent Common
Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates or OP Units, no
dividend or distribution with respect to Parent Common Stock shall be payable on or with
respect to any fractional share, and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the
owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder of Parent. In lieu of the
issuance of any such fractional share, Parent shall pay to each former stockholder of the
Company and each former holder of OP Units who otherwise would be entitled to receive such
fractional share an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent), without interest,
determined by multiplying (i) the Parent Closing Price by (ii) the fraction of a share
(after taking into account all Company Common Shares held by such holder at the Effective
Time and rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of Parent Common
Stock which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 2.1.
“Parent Closing Price” shall mean the average, rounded to the nearest one ten
thousandth, of the closing sale prices of Parent Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Transaction Reporting System during the ten consecutive trading days ending two
days prior to the Effective Time.
(k) Dividends and Distributions on Parent Common Stock. No dividends or other
distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective
Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate or OP Unit until the
surrender of such
8
Certificate or OP Unit in accordance with this Article II. Following
surrender of any Certificate or OP Unit there shall be paid to the holder of such
Certificate or OP Unit in addition to the other amounts payable hereunder (i) promptly after
the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record
date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent
Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and with a payment date subsequent to
such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock.
(l) Uncertificated Shares or Interests. Appropriate adjustments shall be made
to the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2 to permit the payment of the Company Common
Share Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, the Other Payments and
other amounts payable under this Section 2.2 in the case of any uncertificated Company
Common Shares or OP Units as if such shares or units were represented by certificates.
Section 2.3. Withholding Rights. The Surviving Company, the Surviving Partnership,
Parent or the Exchange Agent, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration and other amounts
payable pursuant to this Agreement to any Person such amounts as it is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that
amounts are so deducted or withheld by the Surviving Company, the Surviving Partnership, Parent or
the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, and paid over to the applicable Governmental Entity, such
deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been
paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Any withholding
Tax deducted and withheld pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall first reduce the Cash Consideration
component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration or the Partnership Merger Consideration
otherwise payable to a holder of Company Common Shares or OP Units, as applicable (or any cash
otherwise payable to any Person, in the case of amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement), and, to the extent the withholding Tax exceeds the aggregate Cash Consideration
component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration or the Partnership Merger Consideration,
as applicable, otherwise payable to such holder (or cash otherwise payable to such Person), the
excess of the withholding Tax over the aggregate Cash Consideration payable to such holder (or cash
otherwise payable to such Person) shall be applied to reduce the Stock Consideration component of
the Company Common Share Merger Consideration or the Partnership Merger Consideration, as
applicable, otherwise payable to such holder based on the average, rounded to the nearest one ten
thousandth, of the closing sale prices of Parent Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Transaction Reporting System during the ten consecutive trading days ending two days
prior to the Effective Time.
Section 2.4. Dissenters’ Rights. No dissenters’ or appraisal rights shall be
available with respect to the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 2.5. Company Share Options; Restricted Company Common Shares.
(a) At least 30 days prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall permit the holders
of the outstanding options to purchase Company Common Stock (collectively, the “Company
Share Options”) granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans (collectively, the
“Company Share Plans”), whether or not such options are then vested or exercisable,
to exercise such options to the extent determined by the holders, subject to the occurrence
of the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, each Company Share Option, whether or not
then vested or exercisable, shall be
9
cancelled and of no further force and effect and
converted into the right to receive promptly following the Effective Time, an amount,
payable in the proportion of Parent Common Stock and cash contemplated by the Company Common
Share Merger Consideration, equal to the product of (i) the number of Company Common Shares
purchasable under such Company Share Option had such Company Share Option been fully vested
immediately prior to the Effective Time and such holder exercised such Company Share Option
in full immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Company
Common Share Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Company Share
Option, less any applicable withholding Tax (the “Option Consideration”).
(b) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding restricted Company Common
Share (“Restricted Share”) shall vest, the restrictions thereon shall lapse, and
each Restricted Share shall be converted into the right to receive the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration as provided in Section 2.1(c). All payments under this Section 2.5(b)
shall be subject to any applicable withholding Tax.
(c) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding and unsettled unit
representing a right to receive a Company Common Share or restricted Company Common Share
granted under the Company Share Plans (the “Units”) shall vest (in the case of any
such Units subject to performance goals, such Units shall vest at the level specified in the
Company Share Plans and the applicable award agreements for a Change of Control (as defined
therein)), the restrictions thereon shall lapse, and, each Unit shall cease to represent a
right or award with respect to a Company Common Share, shall be cancelled and of no further
force and effect and shall be converted into the right to receive the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration per Unit as provided in Section 2.1(a). All payments under this
Section 2.5(c) shall be subject to any applicable withholding Tax.
(d) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall take all
actions necessary to facilitate the implementation of the provisions contained in this
Section 2.5. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall cause the Company Share Plans
to terminate as of the Effective Time and (subject to compliance with Section 2.5) all
awards issued under such Company Share Plans to be terminated and the provisions of any
other plan, program, arrangement or agreement providing for the issuance or grant of any
other interest in respect of equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
be of no further force and effect and to be deemed to be terminated as of the Effective Time
and so that (subject to compliance with Section 2.5) no holder of Company Share Options,
Restricted Shares or any participation in any Company Share Plan shall have any right
thereunder to (i) acquire any securities of the Company,
the Surviving Company or any Subsidiary thereof or (ii) receive any payment or benefit
with respect to any award previously granted under the Company Share Plans except as
provided in this Section 2.5.
(e) On or before the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver to the Company or, if
directed by the Company, the Exchange Agent an amount in cash and other securities
sufficient to satisfy the obligations described in this Section 2.5.
Section 2.6. Adjustments. If at any time during the period between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company shall occur (other than as a result of a transaction permitted by Article V hereof) as a
result of any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse
stock split) or subdivision or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock
dividend or stock distribution, merger or other similar transaction, the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger
10
Consideration shall be equitably adjusted to
reflect such change; provided that nothing in this Section 2.6 shall be construed to permit
the Company to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited by the terms of
this Agreement. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of shares or securities or other consideration as a result of a
reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split)
or subdivision or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock
distribution, merger or other similar transaction, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment
shall be made to the Stock Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration
and the Partnership Merger Consideration; provided that nothing in this Section 2.6 shall
be construed to permit Parent to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited
by the terms of this Agreement. In the event that either the Company or Parent shall declare or
pay any dividend or distribution (other than the regular quarterly cash dividends otherwise
permitted hereunder and other than Other Payments) including for the purpose of maintaining its
status as a REIT or of eliminating any U.S. federal income or excise Taxes otherwise payable, the
Cash Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration and the Partnership
Merger Consideration shall be adjusted as described below. In the event of such a dividend or
distribution by the Company, the Cash Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger
Consideration per share and the Partnership Merger Consideration per OP Unit shall be reduced by
the per share amount of such dividend or distribution. In the event of such a dividend or
distribution by Parent, the Cash Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger
Consideration per share and the Partnership Merger Consideration per OP Unit shall be increased by
the product of the Exchange Ratio and the amount of such dividend or distribution. For purposes of
clarification, this adjustment shall apply to the special dividend referred to on Section 5.2 of
the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
Section 2.7. Tax Characterization. The parties intend that, for U.S. federal and
state income Tax purposes, the Merger shall be treated as a taxable purchase of the Company Common
Shares by Parent OP, and the Partnership Merger shall be treated as a taxable purchase of interests
in the Operating Partnership to the extent such interests are exchanged for the Partnership Merger
Consideration, and as a recapitalization of any remaining interests in the Operating Partnership.
Section 2.8. Direct Purchase of Assets. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, Parent may elect to purchase one or more of the Company Properties (the
“Designated Properties”), immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the Effective Time at
a purchase price to be determined by Parent either (A) for Parent Common Stock (a “Stock
Acquisition”) or (B) for cash pursuant to one or more separate agreements of
sale of such Designated Properties that provide that Parent has the right to execute and
assign to an exchange facilitator, qualified intermediary, exchange accommodation titleholder or
similar entity its interest therein to facilitate a like-kind exchange of the Designated Properties
in a transaction or transactions which are intended to qualify for treatment by Parent as a
tax-deferred like-kind exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 1031 of the Code (a “1031
Exchange”); provided, however, that (i) the aggregate of the cash purchase
price for the Designated Properties pursuant to this Section 2.8 and the cash proceeds from the
sale of the Deeded Properties (defined below) pursuant to Section 2.9 shall not exceed the
aggregate Cash Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration and the
Partnership Merger Consideration, and (ii) the aggregate of the purchase price for the Designated
Properties paid in Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall not exceed the aggregate
Stock Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration and the Partnership
Merger Consideration. If Parent elects to acquire one or more Designated Properties prior to the
Effective Time, the Company and the applicable Company Subsidiary shall reasonably cooperate in
effectuating the Stock Acquisition or 1031 Exchange of the Designated Properties and in
implementing any such assignment and/or execution of any documentation, and the Company or the
applicable Company Subsidiary shall sell the Designated
11
Properties directly to Parent (or its assignees) immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the Effective Time; provided,
however, that the Company’s and the applicable Company Subsidiary’s obligation to take any
actions required by this Section 2.8 shall be subject to the condition that all conditions to the
Closing have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions which may only be satisfied or
waived at the Effective Time, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions) and
Parent irrevocably commits in writing to consummate the Closing on the date such actions are
required; provided, further, that in no event shall the Company or any Company
Subsidiary be obligated to take any action pursuant to this Section 2.8 in violation of Law, that
would be reasonably expected to result in any entity failing to be Solvent or that would cause a
breach of any indenture, organizational document or other contract or agreement, or that could
reasonably be expected to cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; provided,
further, that Parent may not take or direct the Company to take any such action if such
purchase of any Company Property would reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax consequences
to the holders of Company Common Shares or OP Units. Parent shall notify the Company of any such
transfer and identify the related Designated Properties and transferee no later than five Business
Days prior to the Effective Time. Subject to the foregoing requirements, any cash or Parent Common
Stock received in connection with the sale of the Designated Properties shall be distributed by the
Operating Partnership to its partners and the Company to its stockholders immediately prior to, and
conditioned upon, the Effective Time. If any Designated Properties are acquired by Parent (or its
assignees) for cash, on the one hand, or for Parent Common Stock, on the other hand, then the Cash
Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger
Consideration or the Stock Consideration component of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration
and the Partnership Merger Consideration, as applicable, will be reduced ratably by the aggregate
amount distributed by the Operating Partnership to its partners and by the Company to its
stockholders in respect of such Designated Properties. Parent will prepare at its expense all
documents and other instruments referred to in this Section 2.8, and Parent will pay all transfer
Taxes, recording fees and other costs in connection with any transfer of Designated Properties.
Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their
respective directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents and representatives from and
against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards,
judgments, penalties and Taxes arising or resulting from, or suffered or incurred by any of them,
in connection with any actions taken in connection with this Section 2.8 (which indemnification
shall survive the Closing). The Company shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of the
foregoing sentence on behalf of each Person referred to therein that is not a party to this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall be no reduction in the
Company Common Share Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, or in the amounts
to be paid to holders of any Company Share Option, Restricted Share or Unit by virtue of this
Section 2.8, except to the extent such holder actually receives a distribution pursuant to this
Section 2.8. The right of Parent to utilize shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this
Section 2.8 shall be subject to the ability of Parent to register such shares on the Form S-4.
Section 2.9. Transfer of Company Properties. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall, or shall cause the applicable Company Subsidiary to,
transfer (each a “Transfer”), immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the
Effective Time, by deed or by transfer of ownership interests in an entity that directly or
indirectly owns one or more of the Company Properties (the “Deeded Properties”), one or
more of the Company Properties, as directed by Parent; provided, however, that the
Company’s and the applicable Company Subsidiary’s obligation to take any actions required by this
Section 2.9 shall be subject to the condition that all conditions to the Closing have been
satisfied or waived (other than those conditions which may only be satisfied or waived at the
Effective Time, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions) and Parent
irrevocably commits in writing to consummate the Closing on the date such actions are required;
provided, further, that in no event shall the Company or any Company Subsidiary be
obligated to take any action pursuant to this Section 2.9 in violation of Law, that would be
reasonably expected to result in any entity failing to
12
be Solvent, that would cause a breach of any indenture, other organizational document or other contract or agreement, or that could reasonably
be expected to cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT; provided, further,
that Parent may not take or direct the Company to take any such action if such Transfer of any
Deeded Property would reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax consequences to the holders
of Company Common Shares or OP Units. Parent shall notify the Company of any such transfer and
identify the related Deeded Property and transferee no later than five Business Days prior to the
Effective Time. Parent may direct the transferee of such Deeded Property to deliver a portion of
the Cash Consideration; provided, however, that Parent shall be liable for any
failure of the transferee to deliver such Cash Consideration. Subject to the foregoing,
requirements, any cash proceeds received in connection with the sale of the Deeded Properties shall
be distributed by the Operating Partnership to its partners and the Company to its stockholders
immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the Effective Time. If any Deeded Properties are
purchased for cash, the aggregate of the cash proceeds from the sale of the Deeded Properties
pursuant to this Section 2.9 and the cash purchase price for the Designated Properties pursuant to
Section 2.8 shall not exceed the aggregate Cash Consideration component of the Company Common Share
Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger Consideration, and the Cash Consideration component
of the Company Common Share Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger Consideration will be
reduced ratably by the aggregate amount distributed by the Operating Partnership to its partners
and by the Company to its stockholders in respect of such Designated Properties. Any transfer
Taxes, recording fees and other costs incurred by the Company or the relevant Company Subsidiary in
connection with such transfer of a Deeded Property shall be the responsibility of Parent. Parent
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective
directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents and representatives from and against any
and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards, judgments,
penalties and Taxes arising or resulting from, or suffered or incurred by any of them, in
connection with any actions taken in connection with this Section 2.9 (which indemnification shall
survive the Closing). The Company shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of the foregoing
sentence on behalf of each Person referred to therein that is not a party to this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, there shall be no reduction in the Company Common
Share Merger Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, or in the amounts to be paid to
holders of any Company Share Option, Restricted Share or Unit by virtue of this Section 2.9, except
to the extent such holder actually receives a distribution pursuant to this Section 2.9.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
COMPANY AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Except (i) as set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
(except for the forward looking statements contained in the Management Discussion and Analysis, the
forward-looking statements contained in the forward-looking statement disclaimer and the risk
factors thereof), (ii) as expressly and specifically disclosed in any Company SEC Reports filed or
furnished since the date of filing of such Form 10-K and prior to the date hereof (except, in each
case, for the forward-looking statements contained in the forward-looking statement disclaimer therein and the risk
factors thereof, as applicable) (items (i) and (ii) collectively being referred to herein as the
“Covered Company SEC Disclosure”) or (iii) as set forth in the disclosure schedules
delivered at or prior to the execution hereof to the Purchaser Parties (the “Company Disclosure
Schedule”), which schedule shall identify any exceptions to the representations, warranties and
covenants contained in this Agreement (with specific reference to the particular Section or
subsection to which such information relates; provided that an item disclosed in any
Section or subsection shall be deemed to have been disclosed for each other Section or
subsection of this Agreement to the extent the relevance is readily apparent on the face of such
disclosure), the Company and the Operating Partnership hereby represent and warrant to the
Purchaser Parties as follows:
13
Section 3.1. Existence; Good Standing; Authority.
(a) The Company is a REIT duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Maryland. The Company (i) is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and is in good standing under the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the
properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of its
business makes such qualification or licensing necessary (each such jurisdiction being
listed in Section 3.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule) except where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed, or to have such power and authority would not, individually or in
the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) has
all requisite power and authority to own, operate, lease and encumber its properties and
carry on its business in all material respects as it is now being conducted.
(b) Each of the Company Subsidiaries is listed in Section 3.1(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, and each such entity (including the Operating Partnership) is a
(i) corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly incorporated or organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization, (ii) has all the requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company
power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals or licenses to own, operate,
lease and encumber its properties and carry on its business as it is now being conducted,
and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign entity and is in good
standing under the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the transaction of its business
makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in the case of (i) (other than with
respect to the Operating Partnership), (ii) or (iii), where failure in such regard would
not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth for each
Company Subsidiary listed thereon the name of each Company Subsidiary and, with respect to
each Company Subsidiary, the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and the
Company’s ownership equity interest in each Company Subsidiary.
(c) The Company has previously provided or made available to the Purchaser Parties
true, correct and complete copies of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the
Company, as amended (the “Declaration of Trust”), the Bylaws, and the OP Partnership
Agreement, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(d) Except as set forth in Section 3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
minute books of the Company for the last three years and each of the Company Subsidiaries
for which minute books are maintained for the last three years have been made available to
the Purchaser Parties.
Section 3.2. Authorization, Takeover Laws, Validity and Effect of Agreements.
(a) The Company and the Operating Partnership have all requisite organizational power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and perform its obligations hereunder. Subject only to the Company
Shareholder Approval and the approval by the holders of no less than 66.67% of the OP Units,
other than the OP Units held by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (the “Required
Limited Partners Approval”), the execution and delivery by the Company and the Operating
Partnership of this Agreement, the performance of their respective obligations hereunder and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary organizational action on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership. The
Company Board at a duly held meeting has, by unanimous vote, duly and validly authorized the
execution and delivery of
14
this Agreement and approved and declared advisable the
consummation of the Merger, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby and has directed that the Merger be submitted for consideration at the Company
Shareholders’ Meeting and resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company vote in
favor of the approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the
“Company Recommendation”) and to include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement,
subject to Section 6.5. The Company Board has taken all action necessary to ensure that the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any violation of the Company
Common Shares ownership limitations set forth in the Company’s Declaration of Trust. No
other proceedings on the part of the Company or the Operating Partnership are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Mergers or any other transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by
each of the Purchaser Parties, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the
Company and the Operating Partnership, enforceable against the Company and the Operating
Partnership in accordance with its terms.
(b) In connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Operating Partnership have
taken such actions and votes as are necessary on its part to render the provisions of any
“fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or any other anti-takeover statute
or similar federal or state statute or any “rights plan” or “excess share” provisions
inapplicable to the Purchaser Parties, this Agreement, the Mergers and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.3. Capitalization.
(a) The authorized beneficial interests of the Company consist of 500,000,000 Company
Common Shares and 100,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per
share (“Company Preferred Shares”). As of November 1, 2007, (i) 128,514,040 shares
of Company Common Shares were issued and outstanding, including 1,437,586 unvested
restricted shares (“Company Restricted Shares”), (ii) no shares of Company Preferred
Shares were issued and outstanding, (iii) 11,375,000 Company Common Shares have been
authorized and reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company Share Plans, which are listed
in Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, subject to adjustment on the terms
set forth in the Company Share Plans, (iv) 1,651,999 Company Share Options were outstanding,
(v) 1,823,928 Company Common Shares were reserved for issuance in connection with the
exchange the OP Units pursuant to the OP Partnership Agreement, (vi) 25,224,215 Company
Common Shares were reserved for issuance in connection with the conversion of the Company’s
4.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 with an aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000
(the “Convertible Bonds”) and (vii) 500,000 Company Common Shares were reserved for
issuance pursuant to warrants (the “Warrants”) issued to Sandler O’Neil Mortgage
Finance L.P. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company had no shares of Company Common Shares reserved for issuance
other than as described above. Since November 1, 2007, except as permitted by Section 5.1,
(A) the Company has not issued any shares, except upon exercise of or lapse of restrictions
under awards granted under the Company Share Plans or upon the exchange of OP Units,
exercise of the Warrants or conversion of the Convertible Bonds and (B) the Company has not
granted any awards under the Company Share Plans. Except as set forth above and except as
permitted by Section 5.1, (A) no shares of stock or other voting securities of the Company
are outstanding and (B) no equity equivalents, interests in the ownership or earnings of the
Company or other similar rights are outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of the Company are, and all shares reserved for issuance will be, upon
issuance in accordance with the terms specified in the instruments or agreements pursuant to
which they are issuable, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and not
subject to, or issued in violation of, any
15
preemptive right, purchase option, call option,
right of first refusal, subscription or any other similar right.
(b) As of November 1, 2007, 130,337,968 OP Units were issued and outstanding. The
General Partner is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of November 1,
2007, the General Partner owned 642,570 OP Units. As of November 1, 2007, the limited
partners of the Operating Partnership (not including the OP Units held by the General
Partner or the Company) owned 1,823,928 OP Units in the Operating Partnership.
Section 3.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, as of the date of this
Agreement, of the holders of all OP Units and the exact number and type (e.g., general,
limited, etc.) of OP Units held. Except as set forth in Section 3.3(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and except as permitted by Section 5.1, there are no existing options,
warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, preemptive rights or other rights,
agreements or commitments which obligate the Operating Partnership to issue, transfer or
sell any partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. Except as set forth in
Section 3.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except as permitted by Section 5.1,
the Operating Partnership had no OP Units reserved for issuance. Except as set forth in
Section 3.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and other than in accordance with the
terms of the OP Partnership Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of
the Operating Partnership to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any OP Units. Since
November 1, 2007, except as permitted by Section 5.1, the Operating Partnership has not
issued any OP Units. All issued and outstanding OP Units are, and all OP Units reserved for
issuance will be, upon issuance in accordance with the terms specified in the instruments or
agreements pursuant to which they are issuable, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and are not subject to, or issued in violation of, any preemptive rights,
purchase options, call options, rights of first refusal, subscriptions or any other similar
rights and any capital contribution required to be made by the holders thereof have been
made.
(c) Other than the Convertible Bonds, the Company has no outstanding bonds, debentures,
notes or other obligations or securities the holders of which have the right to vote (or
which are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for securities having the right to
vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter (whether together with such
stockholders or as a separate class). Except for the Company Share Options (all of which
have been issued under the Company Share Plans), the Warrants and the OP Units, as of the
date hereof, there are no existing options, warrants, calls, subscription rights, preemptive
rights, convertible securities or other rights, agreements or commitments (contingent or
otherwise) which obligate the Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue, transfer or sell
any shares of beneficial interest (or similar ownership interest) of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or any investment which is convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for any such shares or similar ownership interest. Section 3.3(c) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and correct list as of the date hereof of the Company Share Options, including the name of the Person to
whom such Company Share Options have been granted, the number of shares subject to each
Company Share Option, the per share exercise price for each Company Share Option, whether
the Company Share Option is qualified and the vesting schedule for each Company Share
Option.
(d) Section 3.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, complete and
correct list as of the date hereof, of the unvested restricted share awards and performance
share awards granted under the Company Share Plans and performance share awards as of the
date of this Agreement, including the name of the Person to whom such Company Restricted
Shares and performance share awards have been granted for each such award. Except as set
forth in Section 3.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except as permitted by
Section 5.1, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has issued any share
appreciation rights,
16
dividend equivalent rights, performance awards, restricted stock unit
awards, “phantom” shares, or any other equity based award (other than Company Share Options,
the Warrants and restricted Company Common Shares).
(e) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all
dividends and distributions on securities of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
that have been declared or authorized prior to the date of this Agreement have been paid in
full.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are
no agreements or understandings to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party
with respect to the voting of any shares of beneficial interest, partnership interests or
any other securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or relating to the sale or
transfer of any such shares, partnership interests or other securities.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is under any obligation, contingent or otherwise, by
reason of any agreement to register the offer and sale or resale of any of their securities
under the Securities Act or to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in
respect of any securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
(h) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are
no Company Subsidiaries in which any officer or trustee of the Company or any officer or
director of any Company Subsidiary owns any capital stock or other securities.
Section 3.4. Subsidiaries. All issued and outstanding shares or other equity
interests of each Company Subsidiary (other than the Operating Partnership and any other Company
Subsidiary that is a partnership) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except
for the OP Units identified in Section 3.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule as being owned by
a holder other than the Company or the General Partner, all issued and outstanding shares or other
equity interests of each Company Subsidiary are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free
and clear of all Liens, pledges, security interests, claims, call rights, options, rights of first
refusal, rights of first offer, preemptive rights, purchase options, subscriptions, agreements,
limitations on the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s voting rights, charges or other
encumbrances, other than restrictions and encumbrances imposed under the Securities Act or other
applicable law.
Section 3.5. Other Interests. Except for the interests in those Company Subsidiaries
set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except as set forth in
Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary owns
directly or indirectly any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any Person (other than
investments in short-term investment securities or cash equivalents).
Section 3.6. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except as set forth in
Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, subject to receipt of the Company Shareholder
Approval, Parent Shareholder Approval and the Required Limited Partners Approval and except (a) for
filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other
applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or state securities laws, (b) the
filing with the SEC of a joint proxy statement in definitive form relating to the meeting of the
Company’s stockholders and the meeting of Parent’s stockholders, in each case, to be held in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Proxy
Statement”) and of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”) in which the
Proxy Statement will be included as a joint prospectus, and
17
declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-4, such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or
“Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of Parent Common
Stock pursuant to this Agreement and approval of listing of such Parent Common Stock on the NYSE,
(c) for (A) the acceptance for record by the SDAT of the Maryland Articles of Merger and (B) the
filing of the Delaware Merger Certificate with the DSOS, (d) compliance with the NYSE rules and
regulations and (e) such filings as may be required in connection with any transfer Taxes, none of
the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company and the Operating
Partnership, the consummation by the Company and the Operating Partnership of the Mergers or
compliance by the Company and the Operating Partnership with any of the provisions hereof will
(i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the organizational documents of the
Company or the comparable governing instruments of any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) require any filing
by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with, notice to, or permit, authorization, consent or
approval of, any municipal, local, state or federal government or governmental authority or by any
United States or state court of competent jurisdiction (each, a “Governmental Entity”),
(iii) require any consent or notice under, result in a violation or breach by the Company or any
Company Subsidiary of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
(or give rise to any right of notice, termination, amendment, cancellation, recapture or
acceleration) under, result in the triggering of any payment, or result in the creation of any Lien
or other encumbrance on any property or asset of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
pursuant to, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Material Contract to which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its respective properties or
assets may be bound or any change in the rights or obligations of any party under any Material
Contract or (iv) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, ordinance, requirement, rule
or regulation applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of its respective
properties or assets (collectively, “Laws”), excluding from the foregoing clauses
(i) (other than in the case of the Company), (ii), (iii) and (iv) any of the foregoing which, would
not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect and any of the foregoing arising in connection with the Financing or arising as a result of
any circumstances or requirements applicable to Parent or any of its Affiliates.
Section 3.7. SEC Reports.
(a) The Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents required to be filed with the SEC since January 1, 2004 (collectively, the
“Company SEC Reports”), all of which, at the time of filing thereof (except as and
to the extent such Company SEC Report has been modified or superseded in any subsequent
Company SEC Report filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement)
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the
Securities Act, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (“SOX”) and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Laws”) applicable to such Company SEC
Reports. As of their respective dates (except as and to the extent modified or superseded in any subsequent Company SEC Report filed and publicly
available prior to the date of this Agreement, in the case of Company SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof, or prior to the Effective Time, in the case of subsequently-filed
Company SEC Reports), none of the Company SEC Reports at the time of filing contained, nor
will any report, schedule, form, statement or other document filed by the Company after the
date hereof and prior to the Effective Time contain, any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted, or will omit, to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Each of the consolidated financial statements of the
Company included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Reports complied, or will
comply if filed after the date hereof, in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
been, or will be if filed after the date hereof, prepared in
18
accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC and subject to normal year end audit adjustments which would not be material in
amount or effect) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may
be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented, or will fairly present if filed
after the date hereof, in accordance with the applicable requirements of GAAP and the
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the assets, liabilities and the consolidated
financial position of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as of the
dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash
flows for the periods then ended (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted
by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, which are subject to normal, recurring adjustments,
none of which are material). As of the date hereof, no Company Subsidiary (including the
Operating Partnership) is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange
Act.
(b) There are no liabilities of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries of any
kind whatsoever, whether or not accrued and whether or not contingent or absolute or
determined other than (i) liabilities disclosed in or reserved against or provided for on
the face of the audited balance sheet (or disclosed in the notes thereto) in the most recent
consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Reports filed
prior to the date hereof (the “Balance Sheet”), (ii) liabilities incurred on behalf
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and (iii) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice since the date of the Balance Sheet and as would not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The management of the Company has (i) implemented and maintains disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material
information relating to the Company, including the consolidated Company Subsidiaries, is
made known to the management of the Company, and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most
recent evaluation, to the Company’s outside auditors and the audit committee of the Company
Board (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act)
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial data and (B) any fraud or allegation of fraud whether or not
material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Company’s or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries’ internal controls over financial reporting.
(d) The Company has not identified any material weaknesses in the design or operation
of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. To the knowledge of the
Company, there is no reason to believe that its auditors and its chief executive officer and
chief financial officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant
to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of SOX when next due.
Section 3.8. Litigation and Regulatory Matters; Compliance with Laws.
(a) There is no litigation, suit, arbitration, claim, investigation, action or
proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or
any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective property or assets that, individually or
in the aggregate, constitutes or would reasonably be expected to result in a Company
Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any such litigation, suit, arbitration, claim,
investigation, action or proceeding pending against the Company or any Company Subsidiary or
any of their respective properties or assets which in any manner challenges or seeks to
prevent or enjoin, alter or materially delay the
19
Mergers that, individually or in the
aggregate, constitutes or would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award that would, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company is
not subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority
that prohibits or would reasonably be expected to prohibit the consummation of the Mergers.
(c) Since January 1, 2004, each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has been
operated at all times in compliance with all Laws applicable to the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries or by which any property, business or asset of the Company or any of
the Company Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except for such failures as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received written notification of
violation of, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has knowledge of any claim
alleging the violation of, any applicable Law of any Governmental Entity, except for
violations and notices that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.9. Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date of the Balance Sheet, the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses only in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, except as permitted under Section 5.1, and during such
period there has not been:
(a) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to equity securities of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary (other than the declaration and payment of regular quarterly dividends on
the Company Common Shares and corresponding distributions to the limited partners of the
Operating Partnership);
(b) any amendment of any term of any outstanding equity security of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or any amendment of any organizational document of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary;
(c) any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary of any outstanding equity securities of, or other ownership interests in, the
Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(d) any change in the Company’s financial accounting practices or methods other than
changes after the date of this Agreement expressly permitted by Section 5.1;
(e) any split, combination or reclassification of any of the Company’s shares of
beneficial interest or any issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, or giving the right to acquire
by exchange or exercise, shares of its beneficial interests or any issuance of an ownership
interest in, any Company Subsidiary;
(f) any incurrence, assumption or guarantee by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of
any Indebtedness other than incurrences, assumptions or guarantees that would be permitted
if incurred subsequent to the date of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.1(e);
20
(g) any authorization of, or commitment or agreement to take any of, the foregoing
actions.
Since the date of the Balance Sheet, there has not been any event or occurrence of any
condition that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.10. Taxes. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Company Material Adverse Effect:
(a) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) has timely filed (or had filed
on their behalf) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them (after giving effect to
extensions) and all such Tax Returns were, at the time filed, true, correct and complete and
(ii) has paid (or had paid on their behalf) all Taxes that are required to be paid by it
(whether or not shown on a Tax Return) or that it is required to withhold from amounts owing
to any employee, creditor or third party, in each case, other than with respect to matters
contested in good faith or adequately reserved against or provided for (in accordance with
GAAP) in the Company’s financial statements.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has executed or filed with
the IRS or any other taxing authority any agreement, waiver or other document or arrangement
extending the period for assessment or collection of Taxes that remains in effect.
(c) The Company, (i) for all taxable years commencing with the Company’s taxable year
ending December 31, 2002 through December 31, 2006 has been subject to taxation as a real
estate investment trust (a “REIT”) within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code and
has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a REIT for such years, (ii) has operated since
January 1, 2007 to the date hereof in a manner consistent with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT, and (iii) intends to continue to operate in such a
manner as to permit it to continue to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year of the Company
that includes the Merger (and if the Merger is not consummated prior to January 1, 2008, for
the taxable year that will end on December 31, 2007). No claim has been asserted by a Tax
authority that the Company is not, or has not been, taxable as a REIT, which claim is
pending or has been threatened in writing.
(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has engaged at any time in any
“prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 857(b)(6) of the Code. Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to the
“built-in gains” rules similar to those set forth in Section 1374 of the Code. The Company
has incurred no liability for any Taxes under Sections 857(b), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code,
including Tax imposed with respect to redetermined rents, redetermined deductions and excess
interest under Section 857(b) of the Code.
(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested a private letter
ruling from the IRS.
(f) Each Company Subsidiary that is a partnership, joint venture or limited liability
company has since the date it became a Subsidiary been treated for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a partnership or disregarded entity, as the case may be, and not as a
corporation or an association taxable as a corporation. Each Company Subsidiary that is a
corporation qualifies as a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” within the meaning of
Section 856(i) of the Code, or as a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” within the meaning of
Section 856(l) of the Code.
21
(g) As of the date hereof, there are no audits, examination or other proceedings
relating to any Taxes of the Company or any Company Subsidiary pending, or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened in writing and all deficiencies asserted or assessments made with
respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary as a result of any examination by the IRS
or any taxing authority have been paid in full.
(h) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
received a written claim by any taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any
Company Subsidiary does not file income Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to income
taxation by that jurisdiction.
(i) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to (i) any Tax sharing or
allocation agreement other than any agreement solely between the Company and any Company
Subsidiary, or (ii) any Tax Protection Agreement.
(j) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any liability for the Taxes of
another Person other than the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), or
(ii) as a transferee or successor.
(k) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of
the assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
(l) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has participated in a “listed
transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).
(m) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has constituted either a
“distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of
Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock qualifying for the Tax
treatment set forth in Section 355 of the Code in the two years prior to the date of this
Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 3.10, “Tax Protection Agreement” shall mean any agreement
to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party and pursuant to which: (a) any liability
to holders of OP Units may arise relating to Taxes, whether or not as a result of the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (b) in connection with the deferral of income
Taxes of a holder of OP Units, the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries has agreed to
(i) maintain a minimum level of debt or continue a particular debt, or (ii) retain or not dispose
of assets for a period of time that has not since expired; or (c) limited partners of the Operating
Partnership have guaranteed or otherwise assumed debt of the Operating Partnership.
Section 3.11. Properties.
(a) The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries owns fee simple title to each of the
real properties identified in Section 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
(individually a “Company Property” and collectively the “Company
Properties”), which are all of the real estate properties owned by them or in which any
of them own a direct or indirect equity interest.
(b) Section 3.11(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list of all real property leased (including ground leased) or subleased by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary as tenant (collectively, the “Leased Properties”),
and the address of the premises leased thereunder. Complete and correct copies of all
leases and other agreements pursuant to which each Leased Property is demised to the Company
or any Company Subsidiary,
22
including all amendments or modifications thereof and all side
letters or other instruments materially affecting the obligations of any party thereunder
(collectively the “Leases”), have been made available to the Purchaser Parties to
the extent that such leases and other agreements are in the Company’s possession or control,
except for omissions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Agreement, the phrase “made
available to the Purchaser Parties” with respect to documents relating to the Company means
documents that are either (i) posted on the Company’s due diligence data site for this
transaction as of the date prior to the date hereof, or (ii) made available for review at
the Company’s offices as of the date prior to the date hereof. Each Lease is in full force
and effect and is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms against the
lessee thereunder, and, to the Company’s knowledge, against the lessor and/or the other
parties thereto, except as would not constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries, nor to
the Company’s knowledge, any lessor, is in monetary default or other material default under
any Lease (beyond any applicable notice and cure period), except for such defaults that
would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Company has made available to the Purchaser Parties (i) all policies of title
insurance obtained by the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary insuring title to any
of the Company Properties, to the extent that such title insurance policies are in the
possession or control of the Company or a Company Subsidiary, and (ii) all existing surveys
of the Company Properties in the Company’s or the applicable Company Subsidiaries’
possession or control. Except as listed in Schedule 3.11(c) to the Company Disclosure
Schedule, such title policies for the Company Properties do not contain exceptions or
encumbrances and such surveys do not reveal encroachments or other defects other than
(A) Permitted Liens, and (B) such other exceptions, encumbrances, title defects and other
title matters which would, individually or in the aggregate, not be reasonably likely to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no material claim
has been made against any of such title policies and each such title policy is in full force
and effect as of the date hereof and will be in effect as of the Closing Date. As used
herein, the term “Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens for Taxes not yet due or
delinquent, (ii) inchoate mechanics’ and materialmen’s Liens for construction in progress,
(iii) mechanics’, materialmen’s, workmen’s, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s and carriers’ Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries,
(iv) zoning restrictions, survey exceptions, utility easements, rights of way and similar
Liens that are imposed by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction or otherwise are
typical for the applicable property type and locality, (v) any title exception or other Lien
disclosed in any title insurance policy or legible survey for the Company Properties made
available to the Purchaser Parties, (vi) Liens and obligations arising under or in
connection with the Material Contracts, (vii) any Lien securing mortgage debt disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule,
(viii) rights of tenants in possession, or under any Company Leases, (ix) Liens being
contested in good faith in the ordinary course of business, and (x) any other Lien that does
not materially interfere with the current use of the applicable property or materially
adversely affect the value of such property.
(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice from
any Governmental Entity that any of the Company Properties are in violation of any existing
Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances or orders of applicable federal, state, city or other
governmental authorities in effect as of the date hereof, which would, individually or in
the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
23
(e) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice to
the effect that any condemnation or rezoning proceedings are pending or threatened in
writing with respect to any of the Company Properties which would, individually or in the
aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) To the Company’s knowledge, with respect to those Company Properties or Leased
Properties used and occupied by tenants for the purpose of conducting retail banking
operations, (i) such tenants are conducting normal retail banking operations at such Company
Properties, and (ii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received written
notice that any such tenant has notified any applicable Governmental Entity of such tenant’s
intention to cease retail banking operations at any Company Property or Leased Property
occupied by such tenant, except (in the case of each of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii))
as would not be reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Section 3.11(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists as of the date hereof each
“ground lease” under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is party, as lessor. Each
such ground lease is in full force and effect and is valid, binding and enforceable in
accordance with its terms against the lessor or lessee thereunder, as applicable, and, to
the Company’s knowledge, against the other parties thereto, except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary, on the
one hand, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party, on the other hand, is in
monetary default or material non-monetary default under any such ground lease or in default
which is reasonably likely to result in a termination of such ground lease (beyond any
applicable notice and cure period). No purchase option has been exercised under any of such
ground leases, except purchase options whose exercise has been evidenced by a written
document as described in Section 3.11(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company
has made available to the Purchaser Parties a true, correct and complete copy of each such
ground lease and all amendments thereto.
(h) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any agreement relating
to the management of any of the Company Properties by a party other than the Company or any
wholly-owned Company Subsidiaries, except as disclosed in Section 3.11(h) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, copies of which have been made available to the Purchaser Parties.
Section 3.12. Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and except for other facts or conditions that would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect:
(a) The Company and each Company Subsidiary (i) conducts its business and operations in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and (ii) has obtained and is in the
compliance with all consents, registrations, permits, licenses and governmental
authorizations (“Environmental Permits”), pursuant to Environmental Law necessary
for its operations as currently conducted, and have made all appropriate filings for
issuance or renewal of such Environmental Permits;
(b) To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any
Person for whose conduct the Company or any Company Subsidiary is legally responsible, has
transported or disposed of, or allowed or arranged for any third party to transport or
dispose of, any Hazardous Material to or at any location that is listed or proposed for
listing on the
24
National Priorities List (the “NPL”) promulgated pursuant to CERCLA,
CERCLIS, or any equivalent list of sites for cleanup under any analogous state program;
(c) No Environmental Claims are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened, against the Company or any Company Subsidiary, and the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries have not, and to the knowledge of the Company no other person has, caused any
Release, threatened Release, or disposal of any Hazardous Material at a Company Property,
including Releases resulting in exposure of any person to any Hazardous Material, that could
reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Claim against the Company or any
Company Subsidiary, and no Company Property is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL,
CERCLIS, or any equivalent list of sites for cleanup under any analogous state program; to
the knowledge of the Company, the Company Real Property is not adversely affected by any
Release, threatened Release, or disposal of a Hazardous Substance originating or emanating
from any other property.
(d) True and correct copies of all Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessment reports
performed in the past 5 years, in the possession or control of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, relating to environmental conditions in, on or about any current or former
Company Properties or to compliance with Environmental Laws by the Company, have been made
available to the Purchaser Parties.
Section 3.13. Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a correct and complete
list of each material Employee Program. For purposes of this Agreement, “Employee
Program” shall mean (i) each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3)
of ERISA, and (ii) each stock purchase, stock option, equity (or equity-based), severance,
employment, consulting, retention, change-of-control, bonus, incentive, deferred
compensation, fringe benefit and other compensation or benefit plan, agreement, program,
policy, practice, commitment or other arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, for the
benefit of current or former directors, officers or employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries and maintained or sponsored by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
beneficiary or dependent thereof or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
contributes or has the obligation to contribute, excluding multiemployer plans within the
meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(b) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, (A) each of the Employee Programs has been operated and administered in all
material respects with applicable law, including, but not limited to, ERISA, the Code and in
each case the regulations thereunder; (B) each Employee Program intended to be “qualified”
within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
letter from the IRS, or has pending an application for such determination from the IRS with respect to
those provisions for which the remedial amendment period under Section 401(b) of the Code
has not expired or is a prototype plan covered by the prototype plan sponsor’s favorable
determination letter, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is not any reason why any
such determination letter should be revoked; (C) no Employee Program is subject to Title IV
or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code; (D) no Employee Program provides
benefits, including death or medical benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to
current or former employees or beneficiary or covered dependent of an employee or former
employee or directors of the Company or any Company Subsidiary beyond their retirement or
other termination of service, other than (1) coverage mandated by applicable Law or
(2) death benefits or retirement benefits under any “employee pension plan” (as such term is
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA);
25
(E) no Controlled Group Liability has been incurred by
the Company, a Company Subsidiary or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates that has not
been satisfied in full, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that shall
result in the Company, a Company Subsidiary or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
incurring any such liability; (F) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary contributes
on behalf of employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to a “multiemployer pension
plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) or a plan that has two or more
contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, within the meaning
of Section 4063 of ERISA; (G) all contributions or other amounts payable by the Company or a
Company Subsidiary with respect to each Employee Program in respect of current or prior plan
years have been paid or accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(H) neither the Company nor a Company Subsidiary has engaged in a transaction in connection
with which the Company or a Company Subsidiary reasonably could be subject to either a civil
penalty assessed pursuant to Section 409 or 502(I) of ERISA or a material tax imposed
pursuant to Section 4975 or 4976 of the Code; (I) there are no pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened or anticipated claims (other than routine claims for benefits)
by, on behalf of or against any of the Employee Programs or any trusts related thereto which
would reasonably be expected to result in any liability of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary; (J) neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has agreed or otherwise committed
to, whether in writing or otherwise, increase or improve the compensation, benefits or terms
and conditions of employment or service of any director, officer, employee or consultant
other than as required under an applicable Employee Program or pursuant to the terms of a
Collective Bargaining Agreement; (K) no Employee Program exists which could result in the
payment of material amount of money or any other property or rights, or accelerate or
provide any other material rights or benefits, or require the payment of amounts or
benefits that would not be deductible under 280G of the Code, to any current or former
employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would not
have been required but for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (L) each
Employee Program may be amended and terminated in accordance with its terms.
(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) will
(i) result in any material payment (including, without limitation, severance), forgiveness
of Indebtedness or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any employee of the Company or
any Company Subsidiary, (ii) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any
Employee Program, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of
any such benefits.
Section 3.14. Labor and Employment Matters. Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary is a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other
agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor union organization (“Collective
Bargaining Agreements”), nor, as of the date hereof, are there any negotiations or discussions
currently pending or occurring between the Company, or any of the Company Subsidiaries, and any union or employee association regarding
any collective bargaining agreement or any other work rules or policies. With respect to employees
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries is
in compliance with the terms of any Collective Bargaining Agreements, except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, any
Company Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has at any time withdrawn in any complete or partial
withdrawal from any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA and, if the Company,
its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate were to, as of the date hereof, completely withdraw from
all multiemployer plans in which any of them participate, or to which any of them otherwise have
any obligation to contribute, none of the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate would
incur a withdrawal liability that would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material
Adverse Effect. There is no unfair labor practice
26
or labor arbitration proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
relating to their business that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no organizational
efforts with respect to the formation of a collective bargaining unit presently being made or
threatened involving employees of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.
Section 3.15. No Brokers. Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has
entered into any contract, arrangement or understanding with any Person or firm which may result in
the obligation of such entity or the Purchaser Parties to pay any finder’s fees, brokerage or
agent’s commissions or other like payments in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, except that the Company has retained Xxxxxxxxx & Co., LLC and Bank of America Securities
LLC (the “Company Financial Advisors”) as its financial advisors in connection with the
Mergers. Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company has delivered to the Purchaser Parties a
true, correct and complete copy of all agreements between the Company and the Company Financial
Advisors under which the Company Financial Advisors could be entitled to any payment relating to
the Mergers or such other transactions.
Section 3.16. Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Board has received an opinion
of Xxxxxxxxx & Co., LLC to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the consideration to
be received in the Merger by holders of the Company Common Shares is fair to such holders from a
financial point of view.
Section 3.17. Required Approvals.
(a) The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company Common Shares
entitled to be cast on the matter (the “Company Shareholder Approval”) is the only
vote of the holders of any class or series of beneficial interest of the Company necessary
or required to approve the Merger.
(b) The Required Limited Partners Approval is the only vote or consent required of the
holders of any class or series of the OP Units or other securities of or equity interests in
the Operating Partnership required to approve this Agreement and to approve and consummate
the Partnership Merger.
Section 3.18. Material Contracts.
(a) Except for agreements set forth in the exhibit index in a Covered Company SEC
Disclosure, Section 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all
Material Contracts in effect as of the date of this Agreement. The Company has made
available to the Purchaser Parties true and complete copies of all Material Contracts. The
Material Contracts are legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and in
full force and effect with respect to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, as
applicable, and, to the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, with respect to
each other party to any of such Material Contracts, except, in each case, where such failure
to be so legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect would not,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect, and except to the extent that enforcement of rights and remedies created by any
Material Contracts are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws of general application related to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. Except as set forth in Section 3.18(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in
violation of or in default under (nor does there exist any condition which upon
27
the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would cause such a violation of or default under)
any Material Contract to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
assets is bound and, (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, there are
no such violations or defaults (nor does there exist any condition which upon the passage of
time or the giving of notice or both would cause such a violation or default) with respect
to any third party to any Material Contract, except in either the case of clause (i) or (ii)
for those violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Section 3.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the respective
principal amounts outstanding under each item listed in clause (iii) of the definition of
Material Contracts as of September 30, 2007.
(c) To the Company’s knowledge, as of the date hereof, except as would not constitute a
Company Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (A) has
terminated or given a notice of termination of any Material Contract or any part thereof or
(B) has received any notice of termination of a Material Contract or any part thereof.
Section 3.19. Insurance. The Company or the Operating Partnership maintains insurance
coverage with reputable insurers, or maintains self-insurance practices, in such amounts and
covering such risks that in its good faith judgment are reasonable for the business of the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries (taking into account the cost and availability of such insurance).
There is no claim by the Company or any Company Subsidiary pending under any such policies that
(a) has been denied or disputed by the insurer and (b) would constitute, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.20. Definition of the Company’s Knowledge. As used in this Agreement, the
phrase “to the knowledge of the Company” or any similar phrase means the knowledge of those
individuals identified in Section 3.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule after due inquiry.
Section 3.21. Company Information. The information supplied by the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries to be contained in the Form S-4 and Proxy Statement and other documents to be
filed with the SEC in connection herewith will not, on the date the Proxy Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to holders of Company Common Shares or at the time
of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of any material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not false or misleading at the time and in light of the circumstances under which such
statement is made, except that no representation is made (or omitted to be made) by the Company or
any Company Subsidiary with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based
on information supplied by the Purchaser Parties, or any of their Affiliates in connection with the
preparation of the Form S-4 and Proxy Statement or the Other Filings for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein. All documents that the Company is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with
the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply as to form and
substance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 3.22. Intellectual Property.
(a) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company does not have knowledge
of any valid grounds for any bona fide claims: (i) to the effect that the manufacture, sale,
licensing
28
or use of any product as now used, sold or licensed or proposed for use, sale or
license by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, infringes on any copyright, patent,
trademark, trade name, service xxxx or trade secret of any third party; (ii) against the use
by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of any copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, trade secrets, technology, know-how or computer software programs and
applications used in the business of the Company or any Company Subsidiary as currently
conducted or as proposed to be conducted; (iii) challenging the ownership, validity or
effectiveness of any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries; or (iv) challenging the license or legally enforceable right to use of
the Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be likely
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each Company Subsidiary owns, or
is licensed to use (in each case free and clear of any encumbrances), all Intellectual
Property currently used in its business as currently conducted.
(b) As used in this Agreement, the term (i) “Intellectual Property” means all
patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights and any applications therefor,
technology, know-how, computer software programs or applications, and other proprietary
information or materials, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights,
(ii) “Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights” means any rights to Company
Intellectual Property owned by any third party, and (iii) “Company Intellectual Property
Rights” means the Intellectual Property owned or used by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary.
Section 3.23. Investment Company Act of 1940. None of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
Section 3.24. Transactions with Affiliates. Since the filing with the SEC of the
Company’s last annual meeting proxy statement, no event has occurred that would be required to be
reported by the Company pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER PARTIES
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER PARTIES
Except (i) as set forth in Parent’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
(except for the forward looking statements contained in the Management Discussion and Analysis, the
forward-looking statements therein contained in the forward-looking statement disclaimer and the
risk factors thereof), (ii) as expressly and specifically disclosed in any Parent SEC Reports filed
or furnished since the date of filing of such Form 10-K and prior to the date hereof (except, in
each case, for the forward-looking statements therein contained in the forward-looking statement
disclaimer and the risk factors thereof, as applicable) (items (i) and (ii) collectively being
referred to herein as the “Covered Parent SEC Disclosure”) or (iii) in the disclosure schedules delivered at or prior to the
execution hereof to the Company (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”), which schedule shall
identify any exceptions to the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this
Agreement (with specific reference to the particular Section or subsection to which such
information relates; provided that an item disclosed in any Section or subsection shall be deemed
to have been disclosed for each other Section or subsection of this Agreement to the extent the
relevance is readily apparent on the face of such disclosure), each of the Purchaser Parties,
jointly and severally, hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Operating Partnership
as follows:
Section 4.1. Existence; Good Standing. Each of the Purchaser Parties is an entity
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective
jurisdictions of
29
organization. Except as set forth in Section 4.1 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule, each of the Purchaser Parties is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign
entity and is in good standing under the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the character of
the properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of its business
makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or
licensed would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Parent
Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Purchaser Parties has all requisite power and authority to
own, operate, lease and encumber its properties and carry on its business in all material respects
as now conducted. True, complete and correct copies of the Articles of Incorporation of Parent
(the “Parent Articles”), the bylaws of Parent (the “Parent Bylaws”), and the
organizational documents of the other Purchaser Parties, as in effect as of the date of this
Agreement, have previously been made available to the Company.
Section 4.2. Authorization, Validity and Effect of Agreements. Each of the Purchaser
Parties has all requisite organizational power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and perform its obligations hereunder,
including the consummation of the Financing by Parent. The Parent Board at a duly held meeting
has, by unanimous vote, resolved to recommend that the stockholders of Parent vote in favor of
issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Mergers and to include such recommendation in the
Proxy Statement. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Purchaser Parties of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Financing,
have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on behalf of each of the Purchaser
Parties, subject only to approval of the issuance of Parent Common Stock by the holders of a
majority of votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of Parent’s stockholders duly called and held
for such purpose (the “Parent Shareholder Approval”). This Agreement, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and the Operating Partnership,
constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of each of the Purchaser Parties, enforceable
against each of the Purchaser Parties in accordance with its terms.
Section 4.3. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of an
aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the “Parent Preferred Stock”), 4,600,000 shares of which are
designated 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Parent Series A
Preferred”), and 75,000,000 shares of Excess Stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of
September 30, 2007, 30,902,304 shares of Parent Common Stock are issued and outstanding and
4,600,000 shares of Parent Series A Preferred are issued and outstanding and since that date and
prior to the date hereof no shares of Parent Common Stock have been issued other than in accordance
with the terms of the Parent Stock Plans or as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.2 or as
otherwise disclosed in Section 4.3 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule. As of the date hereof, no
shares of Parent Common Stock or Parent Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance, except for
shares of Parent Common Stock reserved for issuance (i) upon exercise of options issued pursuant to
employee and director stock plans of Parent in effect as of the date of this Agreement (the
“Parent Stock Plans”) or (ii) upon the exchange of units of limited partnership in the Parent OP (“Parent OP Units”), including Parent OP Units issuable upon exchange of
LTIP Units (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
Parent OP (the “Parent OP Partnership Agreement”)). All of the issued and outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock have been, and all shares of Parent Common Stock that may be issued
pursuant to the Parent Stock Plans or the Parent OP Partnership Agreement will be, when issued in
accordance with the terms thereof, duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in Section 4.3 of the Parent
Disclosure Schedule, Parent has no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations or
securities the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of
Parent on any matter (whether together with such stockholders or as a separate class). Except with
respect to the Parent Stock Plans and as set forth in Section 4.3 of the Parent Disclosure
30
Schedule, as of the date hereof, there are no existing options, warrants, calls, subscription
rights, preemptive rights, convertible securities or other rights, agreements or commitments
(contingent or otherwise) which obligate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or
sell any shares of common stock (or similar ownership interest) of Parent or any Parent Subsidiary
or any investment which is convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any such shares or
similar ownership interest. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Mergers
have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will have been validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights,
purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, subscription or any other similar right.
Section 4.4. Subsidiaries. All issued and outstanding shares or other equity
interests of each Subsidiary of Parent (other than any Subsidiary that is a partnership) are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All issued and outstanding shares or
other equity interests of each Subsidiary of Parent are owned directly or indirectly by Parent,
free and clear of all Liens, pledges, security interests, claims, call rights, options, rights of
first refusal, rights of first offer, preemptive rights, agreements, limitations on Parent’s or any
Subsidiary of Parent’s voting rights, charges or other encumbrances, other than restrictions and
encumbrances imposed under the Securities Act or other applicable law and except as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.5. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Subject to receipt of the Parent
Shareholder Approval, the Company Shareholder Approval and the Required Limited Partners Approval
and except (a) for filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required
under, and other applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, state securities
or state “blue sky” laws, (b) the filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement and the Form S-4 in
which the Proxy Statement will be included as a joint prospectus, and declaration of effectiveness
of the Form S-4, such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the
securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of
Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and compliance with the rules and regulations of the
NYSE, including approval of listing of such Parent Common Stock on the NYSE, (c) for (A) the
acceptance for record by the SDAT of the Maryland Articles of Merger and (B) the filing of the
Delaware Merger Certificate with the DSOS and (d) as otherwise set forth in Section 4.5 of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule, none of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by
each of the Purchaser Parties, the consummation by each of the Purchaser Parties of the
transactions contemplated hereby or compliance by each of the Purchaser Parties with any of the
provisions hereof will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the
organizational documents of each of the Purchaser Parties, (ii) require any filing with, notice by,
or permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity, (iii) require any
consent or notice under, result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation
or acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, lease, license, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which each of the Purchaser Parties is a party
or by which any of them or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, or
(iv) violate any Law applicable to each of the Purchaser Parties or any of their respective
properties or assets, excluding any of the foregoing which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, (A) reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay consummation of the Mergers,
(B) otherwise reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay performance by the Purchaser
Parties of any of its material obligations under this Agreement or (C) reasonably be expected to
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
31
Section 4.6. SEC Reports.
(a) Parent has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents required to be filed with the SEC since January 1, 2004 (collectively, the
“Parent SEC Reports”), all of which, at the time of filing thereof (except as and to
the extent such Parent SEC Report has been modified or superseded in any subsequent Parent
SEC Report filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement) complied in all
material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws applicable to such
Parent SEC Reports. As of their respective dates (except as and to the extent modified or
superseded in any subsequent Parent
SEC Report filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, in the
case of Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, or prior to the Effective Time,
in the case of subsequently-filed Parent SEC Reports), none of Parent SEC Reports at the
time of filing contained, nor will any report, schedule, form, statement or other document
filed by Parent after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time contain, any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted, or will omit, to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of the consolidated
financial statements of Parent included or incorporated by reference in Parent SEC Reports
complied, or will comply if filed after the date hereof, in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, have been, or will be if filed after the date hereof, prepared in
accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and subject to normal year end audit adjustments
which would not be material in amount or effect) applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly presented, or
will fairly present if filed after the date hereof, in accordance with the applicable
requirements of GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the assets,
liabilities and the consolidated financial position of Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent
taken as a whole, as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods then ended (except, in the case of
unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, which are subject to
normal, recurring adjustments, none of which are material).
(b) There are no liabilities of Parent or any Subsidiaries of Parent of any kind
whatsoever, whether or not accrued and whether or not contingent or absolute or determined,
other than (i) liabilities disclosed or reserved against or provided for on the face of the
audited balance sheet (or as disclosed in the notes thereto) in the most recent consolidated
financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date
hereof (the “Parent Balance Sheet”), (ii) liabilities incurred on behalf of Parent
or any Subsidiary of Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (iii) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet and as would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The management of Parent has (i) implemented and maintains disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material
information relating to Parent, including the consolidated Subsidiaries of Parent, is made
known to the management of Parent, and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent
evaluation, to Parent’s outside auditors and the audit committee of the Parent Board (A) all
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which
are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial data and (B) any fraud or allegation of fraud whether or not material, that
involves management or other employees who
32
have a significant role in Parent’s or any
Subsidiary of Parent’s internal controls over financial reporting.
(d) Parent has not identified any material weaknesses in the design or operation of
Parent’s internal control over financial reporting. To the knowledge of Parent, there is no
reason to believe that its auditors and its chief executive officer and chief financial
officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant to
the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of SOX when next due.
Section 4.7. Litigation and Regulatory Matters; Compliance with Laws.
(a) There is no litigation, suit, arbitration, claim, investigation, action or
proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or the
Subsidiaries of Parent or any of their respective property or assets that, individually or
in the aggregate, constitutes or would reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material
Adverse Effect, nor is there any such litigation, suit, arbitration, claim, investigation,
action or proceeding pending against Parent or the Subsidiaries of Parent or any of their
respective properties or assets which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent or
enjoin, alter or materially delay the Mergers that, individually or in the aggregate,
constitutes or would reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither Parent nor any Subsidiary of Parent is subject to any order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award that would, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent is not
subject to any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority
that prohibits or would reasonably be expected to prohibit the consummation of the Mergers.
(c) Since January 1, 2004, each of Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent has been
operated at all times in compliance with all Laws applicable to Parent or any of the
Subsidiaries of Parent or by which any property, business or asset of Parent or any of the
Subsidiaries of Parent is bound or affected, except for such failures as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect. Neither Parent nor any Subsidiary of Parent has received written notification of
violation of, and neither Parent nor any Subsidiary of Parent has knowledge of any claim
alleging the violation of, any applicable Law of any Governmental Entity, except for
violations and notices that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent
have obtained all certificates, permits, licenses, variances (including building permits and
certificates of occupancy), exemptions, orders, franchises and other authorizations
necessary to conduct their respective businesses as they are now being conducted, except
where the failure to obtain any such certificates, permits, licenses, variances, exemptions,
orders, franchises or authorizations, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
be likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.8. Absence of Certain Changes. Since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet,
Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent have conducted their businesses only in the ordinary course
of business, and during such period there has not been:
(a) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to equity securities of Parent or any
Parent Subsidiary (other than the declaration and payment of regular quarterly dividends on
Parent Common Shares and corresponding distributions to the limited partners of Parent OP;
33
(b) any amendment of any term of any outstanding equity security of Parent or Parent
OP;
(c) any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by Parent or any Subsidiary of
Parent of any outstanding equity securities of, or other ownership interests in, Parent or
Parent OP (except (i) as required by the terms of the Parent Stock Plans in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, or (ii) in connection with the use of Parent Common
Stock to pay the exercise price or Tax withholding obligation upon the exercise of an option
issued by Parent);
(d) any material change in Parent’s accounting practices or methods, other than any
change mandated by changes in GAAP or any change after the date of this Agreement permitted
by Section 5.2;
(e) any split, combination or reclassification of any of Parent’s shares of beneficial
interest or any issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, or giving the right to acquire by exchange or
exercise, shares of its beneficial interests or any issuance of an ownership interest in,
any Parent Subsidiary; or
(f) any authorization of, or commitment or agreement to take any of, the foregoing
actions.
Since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet, there has not been any event or occurrence of any
condition that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.9. Taxes. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect:
(a) Each of Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent (i) has timely filed (or had filed on
their behalf) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them (after giving effect to
extension) and all such Tax Returns were, at the time filed, true, correct and complete and
(ii) has paid (or had paid on their behalf) all Taxes that are required to be paid by it, in
each case, other than with respect to matters contested in good faith or adequately reserved
against or provided for (in accordance with GAAP) in Parent’s financial statements.
(b) Parent, (i) for all taxable years commencing with Parent’s taxable year ending
December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2006 has been subject to taxation as a REIT within
the meaning of Section 856 of the Code and has satisfied all requirements to qualify as a
REIT for such years, (ii) has operated since January 1, 2007 in a manner consistent with the
requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT, and (iii) intends to continue to
operate in such a manner as to permit it to continue to qualify as a REIT.
Section 4.10. No Brokers. No broker, investment banker or other Person is entitled to
any brokers’, finders’ or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Purchaser
Parties, for which fee or commission the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries may be liable.
Section 4.11. Required Approval. The Parent Shareholder Approval is the only vote
required by the holders of any class or series of the Parent Common Stock or other securities of or
equity interests in Parent required to authorize the issuance of the Parent Common Stock at the
Effective Time or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
34
Section 4.12. Information Supplied. The information supplied by each of the Purchaser
Parties to be contained in the Form S-4 and Proxy Statement, and all other documents to be filed
with the SEC in connection herewith will not, on the date the Form S-4 and Proxy Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed
to holders of Company Common Shares or to holders of Parent Common Stock or at the time of the
Company Shareholders’ Meeting or the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of
any material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein not false or misleading at the time and in light of the
circumstances under which such statement is made, except that no representation is made (or omitted
to be made) by each of the Purchaser Parties with respect to statements made or incorporated by
reference therein based on information supplied by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in
connection with the preparation of the Form S-4 and Proxy Statement or the Other Filings for
inclusion or incorporation by reference therein. All documents that each of the Purchaser Parties
is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will comply as to form and substance in all material respects with
the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, any information
supplied in writing by the Company or the Operating Partnership for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement or the Form S-4 shall not be considered to have been supplied by the Purchaser Parties
for purposes of this representation.
Section 4.13. Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in Parent’s last
annual meeting proxy statement filed with the SEC, no event has occurred that would be required to
be reported by Parent pursuant to Item 404 and 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
Section 4.14. Available Funds. Parent has provided to the Company a true, complete
and correct copy of each fully executed commitment letter, dated as of the date of this Agreement
(the “Debt Commitment Letters”), pursuant to which Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Mortgage Company,
Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., or its affiliates, and XX Xxxxx Realty Corp. (collectively,
the “Lenders”) have committed, subject to the terms thereof, to provide the Financing.
Parent has available to it all financing necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The Debt Commitment Letters are in full force and effect and is the valid, binding
and enforceable obligation of the parties thereto. There are no conditions precedent or other
contingencies related to the funding of the full amount of the Financing contemplated by the Debt
Commitment Letters other than as set forth therein. No event has occurred which, with or without
notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default on the part of the Purchaser Parties
under the Debt Commitment Letters, and none of the Purchaser Parties have any reason to believe
that any of the conditions to the Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters will not be
satisfied or that the Financing will not be made available to the Purchaser Parties at the Closing.
Section 4.15. Solvency. As of the Effective Time, assuming (a) satisfaction of the
conditions to Parent’s obligation to consummate the Mergers as set forth herein, or the waiver of
such conditions, and (b) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in Article III hereof (for such purposes, such representations and warranties shall be true
and correct in all material respects without giving effect to any knowledge, materiality or
“Company Material Adverse Effect” qualification or exception) and (c) any estimates, projections or
forecasts of the Company and its Subsidiaries provided by the Company to Parent have been prepared
in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions, immediately after giving effect to all of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Financing, any
alternative financing and the payment of the aggregate all amounts required to be paid in
connection with the Mergers, including in respect of Company Common Shares and the OP Units and the
consideration in respect of the Company Share Options and other equity-based awards hereunder and
any other repayment or refinancing of debt that may be contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letters
or otherwise required in connection with the
35
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby, and payment of all related fees and expenses, the Surviving Corporation will be
Solvent. For purposes of this Section 4.14,
the term “Solvent” with respect to a Person means that, as of any date of
determination, (a) the amount of the fair saleable value of the assets of such Person and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, exceeds, as of such date, the sum of (i) the value of all
liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, including contingent and other
liabilities, as of such date, as such quoted terms are generally determined in accordance with the
applicable federal Laws governing determinations of the solvency of debtors, and (ii) the amount
that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole on its existing debts (including contingent liabilities) as such debts become absolute and
matured; (b) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital
for the operation of the business in which it is engaged or proposed to be engaged by Parent
following such date; and (c) such Person will be able to pay its liabilities, including contingent
and other liabilities, as they mature.
Section 4.16. Definition of Parent’s Knowledge. As used in this Agreement, the phrase
“to the knowledge of Parent” or any similar phrase means the actual knowledge of those individuals
identified in Section 4.16 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule after due inquiry.
ARTICLE V
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
Section 5.1. Conduct of Business by the Company. During the period from the date of
this Agreement to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in
accordance with Section 8.1 hereof and except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, or to
the extent that Parent shall otherwise consent in writing, the Company and the Operating
Partnership shall, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to, (i) carry on their
respective businesses in the usual, regular and ordinary course consistent with past practice, and
(ii) to the extent consistent with the foregoing clause (i) use their reasonable best efforts to
preserve intact their present business organizations, goodwill, keep available the services of
their present officers and employees, preserve their ongoing businesses and relationships with
third parties, including customers, suppliers, lenders and others having business dealings with
them, and to maintain the status of the Company and each applicable Company Subsidiary as a REIT
within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the Partnership Merger Effective Time and the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 hereof, except as disclosed in Section
5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company, the Operating Partnership or the
Company Subsidiaries will (except as contemplated by this Agreement, or to the extent that Parent
shall otherwise consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):
(a) (i) split, combine or reclassify any equity securities or other interests of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary or partnership interests of the Operating Partnership or
issue or authorize for issuance any securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution
for such securities, other interests or partnership interests, (ii) declare, set aside or
pay any dividend or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock, or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of any equity securities of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary or partnership interests of the Operating Partnership, except for (A) the
regular, cash dividend at a rate not in excess of $0.19 per Company Common Share,
provided, that the Company shall not declare, set aside or pay its regular, cash
dividend in respect of any fiscal quarter after the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, it being
agreed that the Company may pay in 2008 the cash dividend in respect of the fourth fiscal
quarter of 2007, (B) corresponding distributions payable to holders of the OP Units, (C)
dividends or distributions, declared, set aside or paid by any wholly-owned Company
Subsidiary to the
36
Company or any Company Subsidiary that is, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by the
Company, and (D) any dividends or distributions to the extent required to maintain the
Company’s status as a REIT or to eliminate any U.S. federal income Taxes or excise Taxes
otherwise payable;
(b) except to the extent permitted by clause (h) of this Section 5.1, (i) classify or
re-classify any unissued Company Common Shares, shares of stock, units, interests, any other
voting or redeemable securities (including OP Units or other partnership interests) or
stock-based performance units of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (ii) authorize for
issuance, issue, deliver, sell, grant or agree or commit to issue, deliver, sell or grant
(whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions,
rights to purchase or otherwise) any shares of, capital stock (or similar interest) of any
class or any other securities or units, interests, equity equivalents, any other voting or
redeemable securities (including, without limitation, share appreciation rights, “phantom”
stock plans, stock based performance units or stock equivalents) or any securities
convertible into any such shares, securities, units, interests, equity equivalents, voting
securities or convertible or redeemable securities, other than the (A) issuance of Company
Common Shares upon the exercise of Company Share Options or upon the vesting or settlement
of other stock-based awards outstanding on the date of this Agreement or issued after the
date hereof in accordance with this Agreement, (B) the issuance of Company Common Shares in
exchange for OP Units pursuant to the OP Partnership Agreement as in effect on the date
hereof and (C) the issuance of Warrants in accordance with their terms or Company Common
Shares upon exercise of the Warrants or conversion of the Convertible Bonds, (iii)
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire (including, without limitation, pursuant to the
Company’s share repurchase program previously authorized by the Company Board) any shares of
beneficial interest or capital stock, other securities, units, interests, equity equivalents
(including, without limitation, share appreciation rights, “phantom” stock plans or stock
equivalents) or partnership interests of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or
partnership interests, stock, other equity interests or securities of any Company Subsidiary
or any options, warrants or rights to acquire, or security convertible into, Company Common
Shares, except the acquisition of Company Common Shares in satisfaction of (A) the exercise
price of Company Share Options or (B) withholding obligations upon the exercise of a Company
Share Option, the vesting of Company Restricted Shares or the settlement and/or vesting of
Units, or (iv) amend or waive any option to acquire the Company Common Shares;
(c) except as necessary to run its business on a normal basis, purchase, acquire, sell,
mortgage, encumber, subject to Lien (in the case of an involuntary Lien, fail to take
commercially reasonable action within forty-five (45) days of the notice of creation thereof
to attempt to have such Lien removed), transfer or dispose of any assets of the Company or
any of the Company Subsidiaries (whether by asset acquisition, stock acquisition or
otherwise), or pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock or securities in the
Company or any Company Subsidiary, except pursuant to obligations under any formulated price
contracts in effect as of the date hereof, as set forth in Section 5.1(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule subject to any applicable procedures and limitations specified in that
Schedule, or in the case of Liens, as required to secure Indebtedness which is permitted by
Section 5.1(e) or (f); provided that, to the extent a formulated price contract
requires an appraisal in respect of any asset to be purchased, the Company shall consult
with Parent and keep Parent reasonably updated with respect to such appraisal process;
(d) (i) enter into any lease of real property that would qualify as a Major Lease, (ii)
enter into any lease of real property that would not qualify as a Major Lease without prior
consultation with Parent, (iii) amend, modify, terminate or renew any Major Lease or (iv)
amend, modify, terminate or renew any Company Lease (other than a Major Lease) without prior
consultation
37
with Parent, other than amendments, modifications, terminations, or renewals of
existing Company Leases (other than Major Leases) that are made in the ordinary course of
business on arms’ length, market terms and other than any amendments, modifications,
terminations or renewals of existing Company Leases (other than Major Leases) that are
required by the terms of such Company Leases;
(e) incur Indebtedness, except for draws under its existing line(s) of credit for
purposes of (i) funding expenditures pursuant to the Capital Budget and Permitted
Expenditures, (ii) funding other transactions permitted by this Section 5.1 and (iii)
working capital purposes in the ordinary course (including to the extent necessary to pay
dividends permitted pursuant to Section 5.1(a), for purposes of making payments to holders
of any Indebtedness and to pay any transaction expenses incurred in connection with the
Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);
(f) (i) assume or guarantee the Indebtedness of another Person other than wholly owned
Company Subsidiaries, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any
financial statement condition of another Person other than wholly owned Company Subsidiaries
or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, (ii)
prepay, refinance or amend any existing Indebtedness other than refinancings of existing
Indebtedness at maturity on customary commercial terms, other than repayments in the
ordinary course of business of the Company’s existing line of credit and prepayments and
defeasance of Indebtedness in connection with sales or other dispositions of assets (which
sales or other dispositions are otherwise permitted hereunder), (iii) make any loans,
advances, capital contributions or investments in any other Person (other than wholly-owned
Subsidiaries) or (iv) other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted
hereunder, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock or securities in the Company
or any Company Subsidiary;
(g) (i) fail to maintain its books and records in all material respects in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied, (ii) change any of its methods, principles or practices of
financial accounting in effect, other than as required by GAAP, (iii) settle or compromise
any material claim, action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit
or controversy relating to Taxes, other than settlements or compromises (A) relating to real
property Taxes or sales Taxes in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, individually or in the
aggregate, or (B) that do not result in a Tax liability of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary that materially exceeds the amount reserved, in accordance with GAAP, with
respect to such claim, action, or other proceeding, or (iv) revalue in any material respect
any of its assets, including writing-off accounts receivable, except, in each of the
foregoing cases, as may be required by the SEC, applicable Law or GAAP (in which case, the
Company shall promptly inform Parent of such changes);
(h) except as required by applicable Law or any Employee Program, (i) amend, modify,
alter or terminate any existing Employee Program or adopt any new employee benefit plan,
incentive plan, severance plan or agreement, bonus plan, compensation, special remuneration,
retirement, health, life, disability, stock option or other plan, program, agreement or
arrangement that would be an Employee Program if it had been in existence on the date hereof
(other than the renewal or continuation of any existing Employee Program that is expiring in
accordance with its terms on terms that are substantially similar to such existing Employee
Program), (ii) grant any new Common Share Options, Restricted Shares, Warrants or any other
equity-based awards (including any OP Units and other partnership units), (iii) materially
increase the compensation, bonus or fringe or other benefits of, or pay any discretionary
bonus of any kind or amount whatsoever to, any current or former director, officer, employee
or consultant, (iv) other than in connection with the severance policy described in Section
5.1(h) of the Company Disclosure
38
Schedule, grant or pay any severance, change of control or termination pay or
termination benefits to, or increase in any material manner the severance, change of control
or termination pay or termination benefits of, any current or former director, officer,
employee or consultant of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (v) grant any increase in,
or otherwise alter or amend, any right to receive any severance, change of control or
termination pay or termination benefits or enter into or otherwise amend or alter any
employment, loan, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, change of control,
severance, incentive plan, equity award or similar agreement or arrangement with any Covered
Employee, (vi) establish, pay, agree to grant or increase any stay bonus, retention bonus or
any similar benefit under any plan, agreement, award or arrangement or (vii) hire new
employees, except for replacement hires below the level of “senior vice president”, or enter
into any new employment agreement with any permitted new hire, or grant any severance,
change of control or termination pay or termination benefits to any permitted new hire other
than severance and retention arrangements in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000;
(i) except to the extent required to comply with its obligations hereunder or with
applicable Law, amend the Declaration of Trust, Bylaws, articles of incorporation or bylaws,
limited partnership or limited liability company agreements, or similar organizational or
governance documents of such entity;
(j) (i) merge, consolidate or enter into any other business combination with any other
Person, (ii) acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition) any corporation, partnership
or other entity or (iii) purchase any equity interest in or all or substantially all of the
assets of, any Person or any division or business thereof;
(k) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any pending or threatened litigation,
action or claim, including any stockholder derivative or class action claims other than
settlements or compromises for litigation providing solely for the payment of money damages
where the amount paid (after reduction by any insurance proceeds actually received or
appropriate credits are applied from self-insurance reserves), in settlement or compromise,
does not exceed the applicable amounts set forth in Section 5.1(k) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, which settlement or compromise provides for a complete release of the Company and
each applicable Company Subsidiary for all claims and which do not provide for any admission
of liability by the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(l) amend any term of any outstanding security of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary;
(m) except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement and other than in the
ordinary course of business, amend, terminate or waive compliance with the terms of or
breaches under, or assign any material rights or claims under, any material term of any
Material Contract described in clause (i), (v), (vii) or (viii) of the definition thereof or
enter into a new contract, agreement or arrangement that constitutes a service contract with
a term of over 12 months or that, if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, would
have been a Material Contract described in clause (i), (v), (vii) or (viii) of the
definition thereof, in each case if the effect thereof would have a Company Material Adverse
Effect;
(n) except as required by Law or in the ordinary course of business, make, rescind,
revoke or change any material Tax election, change any annual Tax accounting period, adopt
or change any method of Tax accounting, file any amended Tax Return (in each case, except to
the extent necessary or appropriate (i) to preserve the status of the Company as a REIT, or
(ii) to
39
qualify or preserve the status of any Company Subsidiary as a partnership, “qualified
REIT subsidiary” or “taxable REIT subsidiary” for U.S. federal income tax purposes) if such
action would have an adverse effect on any of the Purchaser Parties that is material;
(o) modify, amend or change any existing Tax Protection Agreement in a manner that
would adversely affect the Company, any Company Subsidiary, the Surviving Company, Parent or
any Subsidiary of Parent, or enter into any new Tax Protection Agreement;
(p) make, undertake or enter into any new commitments obligating the Company or any
Company Subsidiary to make, capital expenditures; provided, however, the
Company or any Company Subsidiary may make capital expenditures pursuant to the terms of
contracts which have been executed prior to the date hereof and in connection with amounts
payable in respect of existing or future (i) tenant improvements, (ii) lease commissions,
(iii) obligations under leases and (iv) maintenance, repairs and amounts required as a
result of extraordinary events or emergencies (collectively, the “Permitted
Expenditures”) and up to 110% of the total amounts set forth as capital expenditures or
development costs in the capital expenditure and development plan described in Section
5.1(p) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Capital Budget”);
(q) deliver a response to any buy/sell or other similar notices in respect of the joint
venture assets of the Company without first obtaining Parent’s input and consent in respect
of such response;
(r) except as provided in Section 6.5, authorize, recommend, propose, adopt or announce
an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger,
consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries (other than the Mergers);
(s) fail to pay all premiums due and payable for material insurance policies and/or
fail to keep material insurance policies in full force and effect;
(t) fail to perform its obligations under any agreement relating to any outstanding
Indebtedness of the Company or any Company Subsidiary such that any such failure would
result in an event of default under any such agreement (in each case after giving effect to
any applicable waivers); or
(u) enter into an agreement or otherwise make a commitment to take any of the foregoing
actions or take any action inconsistent with any of the foregoing.
Section 5.2. Conduct of Business by Parent. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance
with Section 8.1 hereof, except as disclosed in Section 5.2 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and
except as contemplated by this Agreement, or to the extent that the Company shall otherwise consent
in writing, Parent shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of Parent to carry on their respective
businesses in the usual, regular and ordinary course consistent with good business judgment, and
use their commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact their present business organizations,
goodwill, ongoing businesses and relationships with third parties, and to maintain the status of
Parent as a REIT within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the Partnership Merger Effective
Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 hereof, except as
disclosed in Section 5.2 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, as contemplated by any Parent employee
or executive benefit or compensation plan, however characterized, as required by existing
agreements, or as required by Parent’s or its Affiliates’ duties to
40
joint venture partners or
minority stockholders of any Parent Affiliate, neither Parent nor any of the Subsidiaries of Parent
will (except as contemplated by this Agreement, or to the extent that the Company shall otherwise
consent in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):
(a) (i) split, combine or reclassify any equity securities or other interests of Parent
or any Subsidiary of Parent or partnership interests of Parent OP or issue or authorize for
issuance any securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for such securities,
other interests or partnership interests, (ii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or
other distribution (whether in cash, stock, or property or any combination thereof) in
respect of any equity securities of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, except for (A) the
regular, cash dividend at a rate not in excess of $0.63 per share of Parent Common Stock,
(B) corresponding distributions payable to the holders of partnership units in Parent OP,
(C) dividends or distributions, declared, set aside or paid by any wholly-owned Subsidiary
of Parent to Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent that is, directly or indirectly,
wholly-owned by Parent, and (D) any dividends or distributions to the extent required to
maintain Parent’s status as a REIT or to eliminate any U.S. federal income Taxes or excise
Taxes otherwise payable, provided, that any such dividends or distributions can be
made by Parent at any time in its sole discretion in accordance with applicable Law;
provided further, that the record date for Parent’s first dividend in 2008 shall not be
prior to the Effective Time;
(b) (i) classify or re-classify any unissued Parent Common Stock, shares of stock,
units, interests, any other voting or redeemable securities (including partnership
interests) or stock-based performance units of the Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, (ii)
authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell, grant or agree or commit to issue, deliver,
sell or grant or sell (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants,
commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise) any shares of capital stock (or
similar interest) of any class or any other securities or units, interests, equity
equivalents, any other voting or redeemable securities (including, without limitation, share
appreciation rights, “phantom” stock plans, stock based performance units or stock
equivalents), or any securities convertible into any such shares, securities, units,
interests, equity equivalents, voting securities or convertible or redeemable securities,
other than the (A) issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock upon the exercise of stock
options of Parent (“Parent Stock Options”) or upon the vesting or settlement of
other stock-based awards outstanding on the date of this Agreement or issued in after the
date hereof in accordance with this Agreement, (B) issuances for cash in an underwritten
public offering that are permitted by Section 5.2(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, (C)
issuances of Parent OP Units to purchase assets or upon the exchange of LTIP Units (as
defined in the Parent OP Partnership Agreement), (D) issuances of awards under Parent’s
options plans in the ordinary course of business or (E) issuances of shares of Parent Common
Stock upon the exchange of Parent OP Units, including Parent OP Units issuable upon exchange
of LTIP Units (as defined in the Parent OP Partnership Agreement), or (iii) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any securities or equity equivalents (including, without
limitation, share appreciation rights, “phantom” stock plans or stock equivalents) of Parent
or any of the Subsidiaries of Parent except the acquisition of shares of Parent Common Stock
in satisfaction of (A) the exercise price of Parent Stock Options or (B) withholding
obligations upon the exercise of a Parent Stock Option;
(c) (i) merge, consolidate or enter into any other business combination transaction
with any Person, (ii) acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition) any corporation,
partnership or other entity or (iii) purchase any controlling equity interest in, or all or
substantially all of the assets of, any Person that has a class of securities subject to the
reporting obligations of the Exchange Act;
41
(d) except to the extent required or advisable to comply with its obligations hereunder
or with applicable law, amend in any material respect the Parent Articles or Parent Bylaws,
limited partnership or limited liability company agreements, or similar organizational or
governance documents of Parent, other than as required in connection with the issuances of
Parent capital stock (including preferred stock) in an underwritten cash offering;
(e) subject to Section 6.5, adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or
resolutions providing for or authorizing such a liquidation or a dissolution, merger,
consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization (other than the Mergers) of
Parent or any of the Parent Subsidiaries;
(f) amend in any respect any term of any Parent Common Stock;
(g) take any action or fail to take any action, which could reasonably be expected to
cause Parent to fail to qualify as a REIT; or
(h) enter into an agreement or otherwise make a commitment to take any of the foregoing
actions.
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
Section 6.1. Preparation of the Form S-4/Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholders Meetings.
(a) Parent and the Company will cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to the end
that all filings required under SEC Rules 165, 425 and 14a-12 are timely and properly made.
Parent also will prepare a registration statement on Form S-4 or other applicable form to be
filed by Parent with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the
Mergers, and the parties will jointly prepare the Proxy Statement and prospectus and other
proxy solicitation materials of the Company and Parent constituting a part thereof and all
related documents. Each party will cooperate, and will cause its Subsidiaries to cooperate,
with the other party, its counsel and its accountants, in the preparation of the Form S-4
and the Proxy Statement, and, provided that each party and its Subsidiaries has
cooperated as required above, Parent and the Company agree to use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the Form S-4, including the Proxy Statement in preliminary form, to be
filed with the SEC within 20 business days after the date hereof or earlier if practicable.
Each of Parent and the Company will use all reasonable best efforts to cause the Form S-4 to
be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after
filing thereof and to maintain the effectiveness of such Form S-4 until the Effective Time.
Each party shall cooperate and provide the other party with a reasonable opportunity to
review and comment on any amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement and the Form S-4
prior to filing such with the SEC, and each party will provide the other party with a copy
of all such filings with the SEC. Parent also agrees to use reasonable best efforts to
obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to
carry out the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party agrees to furnish for inclusion
in the Form S-4 and the Proxy Statement all information concerning it, its Subsidiaries,
officers, directors and stockholders as may be required by applicable law in connection with
the foregoing.
(b) Parent and the Company each agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that none of
the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation by reference
in (i) the
Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 and each amendment or supplement thereto, if
any,
42
becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Proxy Statement and any amendment or
supplement thereto will, at the date of mailing to stockholders and at the time of the
Company Shareholders’ Meeting or the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting, as applicable, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which such statement was made, not misleading. Parent and the Company
each further agrees that if it becomes aware that any information furnished by it would
cause any of the statements in the Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 to be false or misleading
with respect to any material fact, or to omit to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements therein not false or misleading, to promptly inform the other party thereof
and to take appropriate steps to correct the Proxy Statement or the Form S-4.
(c) Parent will advise the Company, promptly after Parent receives notice thereof, of
the time when each of the Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of
Parent Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threat of
any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or
supplement of the Form S-4 or for additional information.
(d) The Company shall, as soon as practicable following the date on which the Company
is notified that the SEC has cleared the Proxy Statement and declared the Form S-4
effective, duly call and give notice of a meeting of its holders of Company Common Shares
(the “Company Shareholders’ Meeting”) for the purpose of seeking the Company
Shareholder Approval. Parent shall, as soon as practicable following the date on which
Parent is notified that the SEC has cleared the Proxy Statement and declared the Form S-4
effective, duly call and give notice of a meeting of its holders of Parent Common Shares
(the “Parent Shareholders’ Meeting”) for the purpose of seeking the Parent
Shareholder Approval. The Company and Parent shall each use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the holders of Company Common Shares entitled to
vote at the Company Shareholders’ Meeting and to the holders of Parent Common Shares
entitled to vote at the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting at the earliest practicable date
following SEC clearance of the Proxy Statement. The Company shall include the Company
Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, except to the extent that the Company Board shall
have withdrawn, qualified or modified its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or
the Mergers in compliance with Section 6.5(d). Unless the Company shall have withdrawn,
qualified or modified the Company Recommendation in compliance with Section 6.5(d), the
Company shall use reasonable best efforts to take all such other actions necessary or
desirable to obtain the Company Shareholder Approval, including, without limitation,
soliciting proxies in favor thereof. Except to the extent required by Law or permitted by
this Agreement, the Company shall not (i) change the date specified in the Proxy Statement
for the Company Shareholders’ Meeting or (ii) postpone or delay the Company Shareholders’
Meeting, except to the extent necessary to ensure that any amendment or supplement to the
Proxy Statement required by applicable Law is provided to the stockholders of the Company
sufficiently in advance of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting. Parent shall use reasonable
best efforts to take all such other actions necessary or desirable to obtain the Parent
Shareholder Approval, including, without limitation, soliciting proxies in favor of the
Mergers.
(e) If, on the date of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, the Company has not received
proxies representing a sufficient number of Company Common Shares to approve the Merger, the
Company shall adjourn the Company Shareholders’ Meeting until such date as shall be mutually
agreed upon by the Company and Parent, which date shall not be less than 5 days nor
more than
43
10 days after the date of adjournment, and subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement shall continue to use its reasonable best efforts, together with its proxy
solicitor, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders relating to the
Company Shareholder Approval. In addition, in such event, the Company shall be entitled to
adjourn or postpone the Company Shareholder Meeting to the extent required by Law and in any
event up to 10 days from the date it would otherwise be convened.
(f) If, on the date of the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting, Parent has not received
proxies representing a sufficient number of Parent Common Shares to approve the Merger,
Parent shall adjourn the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting until such date as shall be mutually
agreed upon by the Company and Parent, which date shall not be less than 5 days nor more
than 10 days after the date of adjournment, and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement Parent shall continue to use its reasonable best efforts, together with its proxy
solicitor, to assist in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders relating to the Parent
Shareholder Approval. In addition, in such event, the Parent shall be entitled to adjourn
or postpone the Parent Shareholders’ Meeting to the extent required by Law and in any event
up to 10 days from the date it would otherwise be convened.
(g) Approval of this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated
hereby are the only matters that the Company will propose to be acted on by the holders of
Company Common Shares at the Company Shareholders’ Meeting.
(h) Approval of the issuance of Parent Common Stock in the Mergers is the only matter
that Parent will propose to be acted on by its stockholders at the Parent Shareholders’
Meeting.
Section 6.2. Other Filings. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of
this Agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement shall properly prepare and file any other
filings required under the Exchange Act or any other federal, state or foreign Laws relating to the
Mergers or as may be necessary to obtain the consent or approval of any Governmental Entity
requiring in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, the “Other
Filings”). The Company and Parent shall cooperate and consult with each other in connection
with the making of all such Other Filings, including by providing copies of all relevant documents
to the non-filing party and its advisors prior to the filing. Neither the Company nor Parent shall
consent to any voluntary extension of any statutory deadline or waiting period or to any voluntary
delay of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the behest of any
Governmental Entity without the consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. Each of the parties to this Agreement shall promptly notify the other parties
of the receipt of any comments on, or any request for amendments or supplements to, any of the
Other Filings by the SEC or any other Governmental Entity or official, and each of the parties to
this Agreement shall supply the other parties with copies of all correspondence between it and each
of its Subsidiaries and Representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or the members of its staff
or any other appropriate governmental official, on the other hand, with respect to any of the Other
Filings. Each of the parties hereto shall promptly obtain and furnish the other parties with (a)
the information which may be reasonably required in order to make such Other Filings and (b) any
additional information which may be requested by a Governmental Entity and which the parties
reasonably deem appropriate.
Section 6.3. Additional Agreements.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of
the parties to this Agreement agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the
other parties in doing,
44
all things necessary, proper or advisable to fulfill all conditions
applicable to such party pursuant to this Agreement and to consummate and make effective, as
promptly as reasonably practicable, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including (i) the obtaining of all necessary, proper or advisable actions or
nonactions, waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and other third
parties and the making of all necessary, proper or advisable registrations, notices and the
taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval, waiver, consent or
exemption from any Governmental Entity, (ii) the obtaining of all necessary, proper or
advisable consents, approvals, waivers or exemptions from non-governmental third parties,
(iii) the execution and delivery of any additional documents or instruments necessary,
proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out
the purposes of this Agreement and (iv) the obtaining of customary tenant estoppels with
respect to the Major Leases and the ground leases listed in Section 3.11(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or other reasonable requests for estoppels; provided,
however, that the Company will not be required to seek any estoppels in a form
different from the form attached to the applicable lease, if any; provided
further that the failure to obtain any such estoppels shall not be considered to be
a breach of this Agreement.
(b) The Company and the Operating Partnership shall give prompt notice to the Purchaser
Parties and the Purchaser Parties shall give prompt notice to the Company and the Operating
Partnership, if (i) any representation or warranty made by it contained in this Agreement
that is qualified as to materiality becomes untrue or inaccurate in any respect or any such
representation or warranty that is not so qualified becomes untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect or (ii) it fails to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties or the conditions to the obligations of
the parties under this Agreement.
(c) If, from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Parent undertakes an
underwritten public offering of Parent Common Stock that requires the inclusion of the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in the related
registration statement and prospectus, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause its independent auditor to provide to Parent the consents necessary to include such
financial statements in such registration statement and prospectus. In addition, the
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause, and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause its independent auditor to, cooperate with Parent as Parent may reasonably
request in connection with such offering.
Section 6.4. Fees and Expenses. Except as set forth in Section 8.2, whether or not
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all fees, costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, all fees, costs and
expenses of agents, Representatives, counsel and accountants shall be paid by the party incurring
such fees, costs or expenses.
Section 6.5. No Solicitations.
(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, the Company and the
Operating Partnership shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of the Company
Subsidiaries, or any of its or their officers, trustees, directors, partners, Affiliates or
employees or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, agent or other
representative retained by it or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company
Representatives”), directly or indirectly, to (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly
encourage or knowingly facilitate (including by way
45
of furnishing information) any
inquiries, proposals or offers or any other efforts or attempts that constitute or that
reasonably may be expected to lead to, a Competing Proposal or (ii) initiate or participate
in any discussions or negotiations (other than to seek clarifications with respect to the
Competing Proposal) regarding, or that reasonably may be expected to lead to, a Competing
Proposal or approve or recommend, or publicly propose to approve or recommend, a Competing
Proposal or enter into any merger agreement, letter of intent, agreement in principle, share
purchase agreement, asset purchase agreement or share exchange agreement, option agreement
or other similar agreement relating to a Competing Proposal, or enter into any agreement or
agreement in principle requiring the Company or the Operating Partnership to abandon,
terminate or fail to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or breach its
obligations hereunder or resolve, propose or agree to do any of the foregoing, except as
contemplated in Section 6.5(d). Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall be
responsible for any failure on the part of its Company Representatives to comply with this
Section 6.5.
(b) Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, at any time prior to the
receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, if the Company receives a bona fide written
Competing Proposal from a third party (which was not solicited, initiated, encouraged or
facilitated in violation of Section 6.5(a)) after the date hereof, the Company (x) may
furnish, or cause to be furnished, non-public information with respect to the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries to the Person who made such Competing Proposal and to its financing
sources and Persons or entities working in concert with it (collectively, a “Third
Party”), and (y) may participate in discussions and negotiations regarding such
Competing Proposal, if, in the case of either clause (x) or (y): (A) prior to taking such
action, the Company enters into a confidentiality agreement with the Person who made such
Competing Proposal with respect to such Competing Proposal that is substantially similar
(except for the absence of standstill provisions) to the Confidentiality Agreement dated as
of July 5, 2007 between the Company and Parent (the “Confidentiality Agreement”),
and (B) the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside
legal counsel and independent financial advisors, that such Competing Proposal is, or is
reasonably likely to lead to, a Superior Proposal.
(c) The Company and the Operating Partnership shall provide prompt (within twenty-four
(24) hours following receipt thereof) oral and written notice to Parent of (i) the receipt
of any Competing Proposal, or any material modification or amendment to any Competing
Proposal, by the Company, the Operating Partnership, any Company Subsidiary or any Company
Representative, (ii) a copy of any documents or agreements provided in contemplation of such
Competing Proposal (including any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto but
excluding any financing documents or agreements it is not permitted to deliver as a result
of confidentiality restrictions), and (iii) the identity of such Person or entity making any
such Competing Proposal. The Company and the Operating Partnership shall keep Parent
reasonably informed on a current basis, to the extent reasonably practicable, but in any
event as promptly as practicable, of the status and material details (including any change
to the material terms and conditions) of any such Competing Proposal. The Company and the
Operating Partnership shall not, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries not to,
enter into any confidentiality
agreement with any Person subsequent to the date hereof which prohibits the Company or
the Operating Partnership from providing such information to Parent.
(d) Subject to this paragraph (d) and to Section 8.1(e), neither the Company Board nor
any committee of the Company Board may (i) withdraw, qualify or modify or propose publicly
to withdraw, qualify or modify, in each case, in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company
Recommendation, or the approval or recommendation of any committee of the Company Board of
the Merger or of any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) approve, recommend or
46
endorse, or propose publicly to approve, recommend or endorse, a Competing Proposal (any
action described in clauses (i) or (ii) being referred to as an “Adverse Recommendation
Change”, it being agreed that the taking of any of the actions contemplated by Section
6.5(b), (c) or (f) shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, an Adverse
Recommendation Change) or (iii) authorize or permit the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries to enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding (each, an
“Acquisition Agreement”) contemplating, or that could reasonably be expected to lead
to, a Competing Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement in compliance with Section
6.5(b)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to receipt of the Company
Shareholder Approval, the Company Board or a committee of the Company Board may (1) make an
Adverse Recommendation Change for reasons not related to the receipt of a Competing Proposal
if the Company Board determines in good faith after consultation with its independent
financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be
inconsistent with the directors’ duties to the Company or its stockholders under applicable
Law or (2) in response to a bona fide written Competing Proposal (which was not solicited,
initiated, encouraged or facilitated in violation of Section 6.5(a)) made after the date
hereof take an action referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above and, in the case of
clause (iii), terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(e) if, after
consultation with its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the Company
Board determines in good faith that such Competing Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal
(a “Subsequent Determination”); provided, however, that such actions
may only be taken at a time that is after (I) the third (3rd) Business Day following
Parent’s receipt of written notice from the Company that the Company Board is prepared to
take such action, and (II) at the end of such period, the Company Board determines in good
faith, after taking into account all amendments or revisions committed to by Parent and
after consultation with its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that
such Competing Proposal remains a Superior Proposal relative to the Merger, as supplemented
by any Counterproposal. Any such written notice shall specify the material terms and
conditions of such applicable Competing Proposal, include the most current version of any
Acquisition Agreement (including any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto),
identify the person making such Competing Proposal and state that the Company Board
otherwise intends to make a Subsequent Determination (subject to compliance with this
subsection (d)). During any such three Business Day period, Parent shall be entitled to
deliver to the Company a counterproposal to such Competing Proposal (a
“Counterproposal”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto acknowledge and
agree that any amendment to the financial terms or any other material amendment to any
material term of a Competing Proposal which amendment affects the determination of whether
the Competing Proposal is a Superior Proposal to any Counterproposal shall be treated as a
new Competing Proposal for the purposes of this Section 6.5(d) (requiring a new written
notice by the Company and a new three Business Day period). For purposes of clarification,
the statement by the Company that it has received a Competing Proposal, that its Board will
consider such Competing Proposal and that its Board continues to recommend this Agreement
pending such consideration shall not be deemed an Adverse Recommendation Change.
(e) Upon execution of this Agreement, the Company, the Operating Partnership and the
Company Subsidiaries shall cease immediately and cause to be terminated any and all existing
activities, discussions, solicitations or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore
with respect to a Competing Proposal by or on behalf of the Company, the Operating
Partnership or any of the Company Representatives. The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause (including by written request) each Person with whom it has executed a
confidentiality agreement within the twelve months prior to the date hereof in connection
with its consideration of any Competing Proposal to return or destroy all confidential or
other non-public information
47
heretofore furnished to such Person by or on behalf of the
Company, the Operating Partnership or any of the Company Representatives.
(f) Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, the Company Board may at any
time take and disclose to its holders of Company Common Shares a position contemplated by
Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, may issue a stop, look and
listen announcement and may make any disclosure required by Rule 14a-9 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A; provided, however, that
neither the Company nor the Company Board shall be permitted to recommend a Competing
Proposal which is not a Superior Proposal; provided, further, that, for the
avoidance of doubt, any public statements by the Company commenting on the merits of a
Competing Proposal shall be an Adverse Recommendation Change other than (A) a “stop, look
and listen” or similar communication of the type contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) of the
Exchange Act, (B) an express rejection of a Competing Proposal or (C) an express
reaffirmation of the Company Recommendation to its stockholders in favor of the Mergers.
(g) The Company shall not take any action to exempt any Person (other than Parent or
any of its Affiliates and other than in connection with an Acquisition Agreement following a
Subsequent Determination) from the restrictions on “control share acquisitions” contained in
the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, as amended (or any similar provisions of the
MRL) or otherwise cause such restrictions not to apply.
Section 6.6. Officers’ and Directors’ Indemnification.
(a) Parent agrees that all rights to indemnification or exculpation existing in favor
of, and all limitations on the personal liability of, each present and former director,
partner, trustee and officer of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries provided for in the
respective declarations of trust, charters or bylaws (or other applicable organizational
documents) shall survive the Mergers (and, with respect to the Company or any Company
Subsidiary that is not the surviving entity of the Mergers, shall be reflected in the
applicable organizational documents of each such entity) and continue in full force and
effect for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time and all other indemnification
agreements and arrangements in effect as of the date hereof shall remain in effect in
accordance with their terms; provided, however, that all rights to
indemnification in respect of any claims (each a “Claim”) asserted or made within
such period shall continue until the final disposition of such Claim.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall,
jointly and severally, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, indemnify and
hold harmless (and advance funds in respect of each of the foregoing) each current and
former trustee, partner, director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(each, together with such person’s heirs, executors or administrators, an “Indemnified
Party”) against any costs or expenses (including advancing reasonable attorneys’ fees
and expenses in advance of the final disposition
of any claim, suit, proceeding or investigation to each Indemnified Party to the
fullest extent permitted by Law), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
amounts paid in settlement in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
arising out of, relating to or in connection with any action or omission occurring or
alleged to have occurred whether before or at the Effective Time (including without
limitation the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in connection with such persons
serving as an officer, trustee, partner, director or other fiduciary of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or of any entity if such service was at the request or for the benefit
of the Company.
48
(c) Subject to Section 6.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, prior to the Effective
Time, the Company shall be entitled to, and shall, purchase a “tail” insurance policy (which
policy by its express terms shall survive the Mergers), of at least the same coverage and
amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the directors and
officers of the Company as the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ existing policy or
policies, and from insurance carriers with comparable credit ratings, for the benefit of the
current and former officers and directors of the Company and each Company Subsidiary with a
claims period of six years from the Effective Time with respect to directors’ and officers’
liability insurance for claims arising from facts or events that occurred at or prior to the
Effective Time. If the Company is unable to obtain the “tail” insurance described in the
first sentence of this Section 6.6(c) for an amount equal to or less than the maximum
premium set forth in Section 6.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall be
entitled to obtain as much comparable “tail” insurance as possible for an amount equal to
such maximum premium.
(d) The obligations under this Section 6.6 shall survive the Mergers and shall not be
terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any indemnitee to whom this
Section 6.6 applies without the consent of such affected indemnitee (it being expressly
agreed that the indemnitees to whom this Section 6.6 applies shall be third party
beneficiaries of this Section 6.6 and shall be entitled to enforce the covenants contained
herein).
(e) In the event Parent, the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii)
transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets, then, and in
each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent
or the Surviving Company or such transferees, as the case may be, assume the obligations set
forth in this Section 6.6.
(f) The rights of each Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in
limitation of, any other rights such Indemnified Party may have under any organizational
documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Corporation, any other
indemnification agreement or arrangement, applicable Law or otherwise. The agreements and
covenants contained herein shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which
any Indemnified Party is entitled, whether pursuant to Law, contract or otherwise. Nothing
in this Agreement is intended to, shall be construed to or shall release, waive or impair
any rights to directors’ and officers’ insurance claims under any policy that is or has been
in existence with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
officers, directors and employees, it being understood and agreed that the indemnification
provided for in this Section 6.6 is not prior to, or in substitution for, any such claims
under any such policies.
Section 6.7. Access to Information; Confidentiality. From the date hereof until the
Effective Time, each party
hereto and its respective Subsidiaries shall afford to the other and such other party’s
directors, trustees, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors, lenders, agents and other
representatives of the other party (collectively, the “Representatives”) reasonable access
upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours without undue interruption (and
will request the same from the other party’s auditors, attorneys, financial advisors and lenders)
to (a) the properties, offices, books, records and contracts of the other party and the other
party’s Subsidiaries and (b) the officers and employees of the other party and the other party’s
Subsidiaries. Each party shall furnish reasonably promptly to the other party (i) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant
to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws and (ii) all other information (financial
or otherwise) concerning its business as the other party may reasonably request. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no party shall be required by this Section 6.7 to provide any of
49
the Company, Parent
or their respective Representatives, as the case may be, with (x) access to physical properties for
the purpose of invasive physical testing or (y) any information such party reasonably believes it
may not provide to any other party by reason of applicable law, rules or regulations, which
constitutes information protected by attorney/client privilege, or which such party is required to
keep confidential by reason of contract or agreement with third parties. Such other party shall,
in the exercise of the rights described in this Section 6.7, not unduly interfere with the
operation of the businesses of the party providing the access and information. No investigation
conducted under this Section 6.7 will affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty
made in this Agreement. Prior to the Effective Time, each party shall cause each of its
Representatives to hold in confidence all such information on the terms and subject to the
conditions contained in the Confidentiality Agreement.
Section 6.8. Public Announcements. The Company and Parent shall consult with each
other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statements with respect to
this Agreement or the Mergers and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement without the prior consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that a party may, without the prior consent of
the other party, issue such press release or make such public statement as may be required by Law
or the applicable rules of any national securities exchange on which the Company Common Shares are
listed if the party issuing such press release or making such public statement has used its
commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the other party and to obtain such party’s consent
but has been unable to do so prior to the time such press release or public statement or filing is
required to be released or furnished pursuant to such Law or rules. In this regard, the parties
shall make a joint public announcement of the Mergers contemplated hereby no later than the opening
of trading on the NYSE on the Business Day immediately following the time at which this Agreement
is signed and such joint public announcement shall be in form and substance mutually satisfactory
to the parties hereto.
Section 6.9. Employee Benefit Arrangements.
(a) For the one-year period immediately following the Effective Time, Parent and the
Surviving Company shall provide each employee of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
who remain employed by Parent, the Surviving Company or the Subsidiaries of Parent after the
Effective Time (each, a “Covered Employee”) compensation and employee benefits in
the aggregate that are substantially similar to the compensation and employee benefits
provided to such Covered Employee immediately before the Effective Time, excluding equity
and equity based plans and awards of interests in the Operating Partnership provided by the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries, as the case may be, to each such Covered Employee
immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this Section 6.9 (subject to Section 6.9(c)) or elsewhere in the Agreement
(including Section 9.9 hereof) shall be construed to
prevent, from and after the Effective Time, the termination of employment of any
Covered Employee or the amendment or termination of any particular Employee Program in
accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
following the Effective Time, the employment of the Covered Employees who are covered by a
collective bargaining agreement shall in all events be in accordance with the terms and
conditions of such agreements.
(b) All service credited to each Covered Employee under the Employee Programs by the
Company through the Effective Time shall be recognized by Parent and the Surviving Company
for all purposes, including for purposes of eligibility, vesting, benefit accruals (but
excluding benefit accrual under any defined benefit pension plan) and level of benefits
under any employee benefit plan provided by Parent and the Surviving Company. With respect
to any welfare benefit plan established or maintained by Parent or the Surviving Company for
the benefit of Covered
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Employees and their eligible dependants, Parent and the Surviving
Company shall waive any pre-existing condition exclusions, eligibility waiting periods, and
evidence of insurability requirements (to the same extent such limitations, waiting periods,
or evidence of insurability requirements would not have applied under the relevant Employee
Program) and provide that any covered expenses incurred on or before the Effective Time in
respect of the current plan year by Covered Employees (or any covered dependent of such an
employee) shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying applicable deductible,
offset, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket provisions (or similar payment or limitations)
after the Effective Time in respect of such current plan year.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 6.9 to the contrary, for the one year
period following the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and each
Company Subsidiary to maintain in effect the severance plans applicable to Company Employees
as set forth in Section 5.1(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule without any amendment
thereto that would be adverse to participants.
(d) No provision of this Section 6.9 shall create any third-party beneficiary rights in
any employee or former employee (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof) of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary in respect of continued employment (or resumed employment)
with Parent, the Surviving Company or the Subsidiaries of Parent and no provision of this
Section 6.9 shall create such rights in any such persons in respect of any benefits that may
be provided, directly or indirectly, under any Employee Program or any plan or arrangement
which may be established by Parent, the Surviving Company or any of the Subsidiaries of
Parent.
Section 6.10. Financing.
(a) The Company agrees to provide, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries and its and
their Representatives to provide, all reasonable cooperation in connection with the
arrangement of the Financing as may be reasonably requested by Parent (provided that
such requested co-operation does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of
the Company and its Subsidiaries), including (i) participation in meetings, drafting
sessions and due diligence sessions, (ii) furnishing Parent and its financing sources with
financial and other pertinent information regarding the Company as may be reasonably
requested by Parent of a type and form customarily included in private placements pursuant
to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (iii) assisting Parent and its financing sources in
the preparation of (A) an offering document for any debt raised to complete the Mergers and
(B) materials for rating agency presentations, (iv) reasonably cooperating with the
marketing efforts of Parent and its financing sources for any debt raised by Parent to
complete the Mergers, (v) forming new direct or indirect Subsidiaries, and (vi)
providing and executing documents as may be reasonably requested by Parent;
provided that without the Company’s consent, in no event, whether in connection with
the financings contemplated by the Financing Agreements or otherwise, shall any
property-level due diligence involve environmental tests or assessments; provided,
further that the foregoing shall not be deemed to require the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, prior to the Effective Time, to consummate any tender offer or
consent solicitation with respect to, or enter into any supplemental indenture with respect
to or otherwise amend the terms of any instruments governing, any existing outstanding
Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Parent shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, the Company Subsidiaries
and their respective Representatives for and against
any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards,
judgments and penalties suffered or incurred by them prior to the Effective Time in
connection with the arrangement of the Financing and any information utilized in connection
therewith (other than historical information relating to the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries
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and information provided by the Company, the Company Subsidiaries
or the
Company Representatives) (it being agreed that this sentence shall survive termination of
this Agreement).
(b) Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to (i)
maintain in effect the Debt Commitment Letters, and to satisfy the conditions to obtaining
the Financing set forth therein, (ii) enter into definitive financing agreements with
respect to the Financing as contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters (collectively, the
“Financing Agreements”), so that the Financing Agreements are in effect as promptly
as practicable, and (iii) consummate the financings contemplated by the Financing Agreements
at or prior to the Closing. Parent shall keep the Company informed of the status of the
financing process relating thereto. If, notwithstanding the use of commercially reasonable
efforts by Parent to satisfy its obligations under this Section 6.10, any of the Debt
Commitment Letters or Financing Agreements expire, are terminated or otherwise become
unavailable prior to the Closing, in whole or in part, for any reason, Parent shall (i)
immediately notify the Company of such expiration, termination or other unavailability and
the reasons therefor and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to arrange
for alternative financing to replace the financing contemplated by such expired, terminated
or otherwise unavailable commitments or agreements in an amount sufficient to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In such event, the term “Debt Commitment
Letters” and similar terms shall refer to such replacement financing. Parent agrees that
the matters set forth on Section 6.10 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall not constitute
conditions to Parent’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) All non-public or otherwise confidential information regarding the Company obtained
by Parent or its Representatives pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be kept confidential
in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
Section 6.11. Stock Exchange De-listing. Parent and the Company shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause the Company Common Shares to be de-listed from the NYSE and
de-registered under the Exchange Act promptly following the Effective Time.
Section 6.12. Transfer and Gains Taxes. Parent and the Company will cooperate in the
preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents
regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer
and stamp Taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees and any similar Taxes which
become payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together with
any related interests, penalties or additions to Tax, “Transfer and Gains
Taxes”), and shall cooperate in attempting to minimize the amount of Transfer and
Gains Taxes. Parent shall pay or cause to be paid all Transfer and Gains Taxes (other than such
Transfer and Gains Taxes that are solely the responsibility of the holders of Company Common Shares
or OP Units under applicable Law), without any deduction or withholding from any consideration or
amounts payable to holders of Company Common Shares.
Section 6.13. Listing. Parent shall cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be
issued in the Mergers to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance, prior to the Effective Time.
Section 6.14. Marketing of Assets. The parties hereto hereby agree and acknowledge
that Parent and its Affiliates shall be permitted to market, solicit and cause the sale of one (1)
or more of the Company Properties or other assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
between the date hereof and the Closing Date (the “Asset Sales”), with such Asset Sales to
be consummated, at the election of Parent, immediately prior to (and conditioned upon the Mergers)
or simultaneously with the
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Mergers; provided, that Parent shall cause any potential buyers
in connection with such Asset Sales to enter into a confidentiality agreement reasonably acceptable
to the Company and that in no event shall the Company or any Company Subsidiary be obligated to
take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the Company to fail to qualify as a
REIT; provided, further, that any such marketing or solicitation shall be (i)
reasonably acceptable to the Company, (ii) implemented in a manner that does not disrupt the
operations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary and (iii) paid for at Parent’s sole cost and
expense and that the sales price of any such Company Property being sold in an Asset Sale shall be
at or above the then fair market value for such Company Property. The Company agrees that subject
to the foregoing, in the case of any Company Properties referenced as “Special Sales Properties” in
Section 5.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, an Asset Sale so arranged by Parent may be
consummated at the election of Parent prior to the Mergers if such Asset Sale would be for cash
consideration at or above the applicable amount set forth on such Schedule and if such Asset Sale
is otherwise on customary commercial terms. Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep
the Company informed on a current basis as to Parent’s efforts to market one or more Company
Properties and arrange for Asset Sales, including furnishing copies of any written inquiries,
correspondence and draft documentation with respect thereto. Parent shall provide the Company with
at least twenty-four (24) hours’ prior written notice before any of Parent’s Representatives
conducts marketing or solicitation activities at any of the Company Properties and, if the Company
requests, Parent’s Representative(s) shall be accompanied by one or more Representatives of the
Company while conducting marketing or solicitation activities at such Company Property. The
Company shall, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable
efforts to cooperate with Parent to effect such Asset Sales; provided, that the Company
shall not have any obligation to incur any expense in so doing, unless Parent undertakes in writing
to promptly reimburse all such expenses and provides reasonable assurance of performance.
Section 6.15. Consents and Modifications. The Company shall, and shall cause each
Company Subsidiary to, fully cooperate with all reasonable requests by the Purchaser Parties in
connection with obtaining all consents, approvals or amendments to, or other modifications of, any
or all Indebtedness and Major Leases of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that the Purchaser
Parties may deem (and the terms of which the Purchaser Parties may deem), in their sole discretion,
advisable to obtain (the “Consents or Modifications”), including, but not limited to,
providing access to tenants, sub-tenants, lenders, servicers, special servicers, rating agencies
and their respective counsel and other advisers and other relevant parties (collectively, the
“Company Major Agreement Parties”) with respect to any Indebtedness and Major Leases and
executing all documents or agreements in connection with obtaining the Consents and Modifications
(the “Modification Documents). In addition to, and without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Company (a) hereby grants consent, and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to
grant consent, concurrently herewith, to the Purchaser Parties (and their respective agents and
counsel) to, in coordination and consultation with the Company, to enter into discussions with the
Company Major Agreements Parties for the purpose of obtaining the Consents or Modifications and the
Modification Documents. The Purchaser Parties agree that (i) except with the consent of the
Company, no Consent or Modification or Modification Document will be effective prior to the
Effective Time, (ii) the Purchaser Parties will pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in connection with obtaining the Consents or
Modifications (provided, however, with respect to Major Leases, the Purchaser Parties will only be
required to pay the Company’s out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid to counterparties), and (iii)
the Purchaser Parties shall keep the Company informed on a current basis to the extent reasonably
practicable of all material contacts with the Company Major Agreements Parties and material
developments with respect thereto.
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Section 7.1. Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Mergers. The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Mergers are subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by consent of the other party, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Approvals. The Company Shareholder Approval, the Parent Shareholder
Approval and the Required Limited Partners Approval shall have been obtained.
(b) Regulatory Approvals. All material approvals, authorizations and consents
of any Governmental Entity required to consummate the Mergers shall have been obtained and
remain in full force and effect, and all waiting periods relating to such approvals,
authorizations and consents shall have expired or been terminated, except for any of the
foregoing that individually or in the aggregate would not have or be reasonably expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) No Injunctions, Orders or Restraints; Illegality. No preliminary or
permanent injunction, statute, rule, regulation, decree, ruling, temporary restraining order
or other order issued by a court or other Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction
shall be in effect which would have the effect of making the consummation of the Mergers
illegal; provided, however, that prior to a party asserting the failure of
this condition, such party shall have used its reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry
of any such injunction or other order and to appeal as promptly as possible any such
injunction or other order that may be entered.
(d) Listing of Parent Common Stock. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be
issued to the holders of Company Common Stock and the holders of OP Units upon consummation
of the Mergers shall have been authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance.
(e) Effectiveness of Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under
the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by
the SEC.
Section 7.2. Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser Parties. The
obligations of the Purchaser Parties to effect the Mergers are further subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by any of the Purchaser Parties
on or prior to the Closing Date:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in (i) Section 3.3(a) shall be true and correct in all but de minimis
respects (which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean an untruth, breach or violation of
such representation with respect to the fully diluted share capital of the Company which
would result in an increase of $3 million or less in the amount of additional Company Common
Share Merger Consideration payable as a result of such untruth, breach or violation; (ii)
Sections 3.2 (authorization, takeover law and effect of agreements), 3.3(b) — (h)
(capitalization) (with respect to the Company and the Operating Partnership only), 3.16
(opinion of Financial Advisor), 3.17 (required approval) and 3.23 (Investment Company Act of
1940) shall be true and correct in all material respects; (iii) the last sentence of Section
3.9 (Absence of Certain Changes) shall be true and correct in all respects; and (iv) all
other sections of this Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any
limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” set forth therein),
except
54
where the failure of any such representation and warranty to be so true and correct
would not have, and would not reasonably be likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, in each case as of the date of this Agreement
and as of Closing as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such
representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct only on and as of such earlier
date).
(b) Performance and Obligations of the Company and the Operating Partnership.
The Company and the Operating Partnership shall have performed or complied in all material
respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by them on or prior to the Effective Time.
(c) Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the Company Balance Sheet,
except as set forth in (i) any Covered Company SEC Disclosure or (ii) in any Section of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, there has not been a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Certificate. Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
the Company by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to the effect specified in
Sections 7.2(a), 7.2(b) and 7.2(c).
(e) Tax Opinion. The Company shall have received a Tax opinion from Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP (or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to Parent), dated as of the
Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, opining that, (i) the
Company has qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with the Company’s
taxable year ended December 31, 2002, through its taxable year ending December 31, 2007, and
(ii) the ownership and current and proposed method of operations of the Company as
represented by the Company will enable the Company to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under
the Code during its taxable year beginning January 1, 2008 through the Closing (determined
without taking into account, or giving effect to, any transactions undertaken pursuant to
Sections 2.8, 2.9 or 6.14 of this Agreement, and assuming that, until the later of the
Closing and the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the Closing occurs, the Company’s
ownership and current and proposed method of operations as represented by the Company will
enable the Company to continue to satisfy the requirements for such qualification and
taxation as a REIT under the Code). In rendering the opinion, such counsel shall be
entitled to make assumptions and receive and rely on customary representations from the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries. Such opinion shall contain a Circular 230 legend.
Section 7.3. Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Operating
Partnership. The obligation of the Company to effect the Mergers is further subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by the Company on
or prior to the Closing Date:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the
Purchaser Parties set forth in (i) Sections 4.2 (authorization, validity and effect of
agreements), and 4.3 (capitalization) (with respect to the Purchaser Parties only) shall be
true and correct in all material respects; (ii) the last sentence of Section 4.8 (Absence of
Certain Changes) shall be true and correct in all respects; and (iii) all other sections of
this Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to
“materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” set forth therein), except where the
failure of any such representation or warranty to be so true and correct would not have, and
would not reasonably be likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material
Adverse Effect, in each case, as of the date of this Agreement and as
55
of Closing as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such
representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct only on and as of such earlier
date).
(b) Performance of Obligations of the Purchaser Parties. The Purchaser Parties
shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants
required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the
Effective Time.
(c) Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the Parent Balance Sheet,
except as set forth in (i) any Covered Parent SEC Disclosure or (ii) in any Section of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule, there has not been a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Certificate. The Company shall have received a certificate signed on
behalf of Parent by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent to the effect specified in
Sections 7.3(a), 7.3(b) and 7.3(c).
(e) Tax Opinion. Parent shall have received a Tax opinion from Xxxxxxxx Chance
US LLP (or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company), dated as of the Closing
Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, opining that, commencing
with Parent’s taxable year ended December 31, 2004, Parent has been organized and operated
in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code.
In rendering the opinion, such counsel shall be entitled to receive and rely on customary
representations from the Parent and its Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 8.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time, whether before or after the receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval:
(a) by the mutual written consent of Parent and the Company duly authorized by their
board of directors or board of trustees, respectively;
(b) by either of the Company, on the one hand, or Parent, on the other hand, by written
notice to the other:
(i) if, upon a vote at a duly held meeting (after giving effect to any
adjournment or postponement thereof permitted hereby) to obtain the Company
Shareholder Approval, the Company Shareholder Approval is not obtained;
(ii) if, upon a vote at a duly held meeting (after giving effect to any
adjournment or postponement thereof permitted hereby) to obtain the Parent
Shareholder Approval, the Parent Shareholder Approval is not obtained;
(iii) if any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an
injunction, order, decree, ruling or taken any other action, which permanently
restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the Mergers, and such
injunction shall have become final and non-appealable; provided
however, that the party terminating this Agreement pursuant to this Section
8.1(b)(iii) shall have used its reasonable best efforts to have such injunction,
order, decree, ruling or action vacated; or
56
(iv) if the consummation of the Mergers shall not have occurred on or before
11:59 pm, Eastern Time, on the later to occur of March 31, 2008 and if the Company
Shareholder Approval has been obtained as of March 31, 2008, the tenth day after the
date of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting (the “End Date”);
provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
this Section 8.1(b)(iv) shall not be available to any party whose material failure
to comply with any provision of this Agreement has been the principal cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Mergers to occur on or before the End Date.
(c) by Parent, upon written notice from Parent to the Company, if the Company or
Operating Partnership breaches or fails to perform any of its representations, warranties or
covenants contained in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Company
and the Operating Partnership shall have become untrue, in either case such that any
condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or 7.2(b) is not capable of being satisfied by the End
Date;
(d) by the Company, upon written notice from the Company to Parent, if (i) any of the
Purchaser Parties breaches or fails to perform any of its representations, warranties or
covenants contained in this Agreement, or (ii) if any representation or warranty of the
Purchaser Parties shall have become untrue, in either case such that any condition set forth
in Section 7.3(a) or 7.3(b) is not capable of being satisfied by the End Date;
(e) by the Company, upon written notice from the Company to Parent, at any time prior
to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval in accordance with, and subject to the terms
and conditions of, Section 6.5(d)(iii); provided that for the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) to be effective, the Company shall have complied
with its obligations under Section 6.5(d), the Company shall simultaneously pay the Break-Up
Fee plus the Parent Expense Amount, required by Section 8.2(b) and enter into an Acquisition
Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal;
(f) by Parent, prior to receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, upon written
notice from Parent to the Company, if (i) an Adverse Recommendation Change shall have
occurred, (ii) the Company or the Company Board (or any committee thereof) shall (A)
approve, adopt or recommend any Competing Proposal or (B) approve or recommend, or enter
into, or allow the Company or any Company Subsidiary to enter into, a letter of intent,
agreement in principle or definitive agreement (including any Acquisition Agreement) for a
Competing Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in compliance with
Section 6.5(b)), (iii) a tender offer or exchange offer relating to the Company Common
Shares shall have been commenced by a Third Party and the Company Board shall not have
recommended that the Company’s stockholders reject such tender or exchange offer within ten
(10) Business Days following commencement thereof (including, for these purposes, by taking
no position with respect to the acceptance of such tender or exchange offer by the Company’s
stockholders, which shall constitute a failure to recommend acceptance of such tender or
exchange offer), (iv) the Company shall have intentionally, willfully and materially
breached its obligation under Section 6.1(d) to call or hold the Company Shareholders’
Meeting, (v) the Company shall have intentionally, willfully and materially breached any of
its obligations under any provision of Section 6.5(a), (vi) the Company shall have failed to
include in the Proxy Statement distributed to stockholders the Company Recommendation or
(vii) the Company or the Company Board (or any committee thereof) shall authorize or
publicly propose any of the foregoing; or
57
(g) by the Company, prior to receipt of the Parent Shareholder Approval, upon written
notice from the Company to Parent, if Parent shall have intentionally, willfully and
materially breached its obligation under Section 6.1(d) to call or hold the Parent
Shareholders’ Meeting.
A terminating party shall provide written notice of termination to the other parties specifying
with particularity the basis for such termination. If more than one provision in this Section 8.1
is available to a terminating party in connection with a termination, a terminating party may rely
on any or all available provisions in this Section 8.1 for any such termination. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (i) Parent shall not be entitled to receive more than one Break-Up Fee (as defined
below) or more than one payment in respect of the Parent Expense Amount (as defined below) and
shall not be entitled to claim this Agreement was terminated pursuant to more than one provision of
this Section 8.1 in determining the amount of payments it is entitled to under Section 8.2 and (ii)
the Company shall not be entitled to receive more than one payment in respect of the Company
Expense Amount and shall not be entitled to claim this Agreement was terminated pursuant to more
than one provision of this Section 8.1 in determining the amount of payments it is entitled to
under Section 8.2.
Section 8.2. Effect of Termination; Termination Fees and Expenses.
(a) Subject to Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.2(c), in the event of the termination of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 and subject to the payment of any amounts required by
Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.2(c), this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and
have no effect, without any liability on the part of Parent or the Company and their
respective directors, trustees, managers, officers, employees, partners or stockholders and
all rights and obligations of any party hereto shall cease, except that the Confidentiality
Agreement shall survive termination hereof and except for the agreements contained in
Sections 2.8, 2,9 and 6.4, the last sentence of Section 6.7, Sections 6.10(a) and (c),
Section 6.14, Section 6.15, this Section 8.2 and Article IX; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this Section 8.2(a) shall relieve any party from
liabilities or damages arising out of any fraud or willful or intentional breach by such
party of any of its covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement (except that
the payment of the Parent Expense Amount and the Break-Up Fee shall relieve the Company and
the Operating Partnership of all liability for a breach of Section 6.1 and Section 6.5).
(b) The Company and the Operating Partnership agree that if
(i) this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(e) or 8.1(f),
then the Company will pay (to the extent not previously paid by or at the direction
of the Company) to Parent, or as directed by Parent, an amount equal to the Break-Up
Fee plus the Parent Expense Amount unless previously paid; provided that, in
either case, the applicable amount shall be paid promptly, but in no event later
than two (2) Business Days after such termination in the case of termination
pursuant to Section 8.1(f), or, in the case of termination pursuant to Section
8.1(e), simultaneously with such termination;
(ii) (A) prior to the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, any Qualifying Competing
Proposal or the bona fide intention of any Person to make a Qualifying Competing
Proposal is publicly proposed or publicly disclosed and not withdrawn at or prior to
the time of, the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, (B) this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i) or Section 8.1(b)(iv) (and if in the case of a
termination pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(iv) the Company Shareholder Approval had not
been obtained at the time of termination of this Agreement and Parent did not breach
its obligations under Section 6.1(a) in any material respect) and (C) concurrently
with or
58
within twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, the Company
enters into a definitive agreement with respect to or consummates any Qualifying Competing
Proposal, then the Company shall, promptly after consummating any such Qualifying
Competing Proposal (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such
consummation), pay to Parent the Break-Up Fee plus the Parent Expense Amount unless
previously paid;
(iii) this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i) or
Section 8.1(c), and in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 8.1(c), such
termination was a result of a failure of a representation and warranty to be true
and correct when made as of the date hereof or as a result of a breach of a covenant
contained in this Agreement (in each case subject to applicable materiality or
Company Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth in Section
7.2(a) or (b)) then the Company shall pay to Parent, or as directed by Parent,
promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after such termination,
an amount equal to the Parent Expense Amount; or
(iv) (A) prior to the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, any Qualifying Competing
Proposal or the bona fide intention of any Person to make a Qualifying Competing
Proposal is publicly proposed or publicly disclosed, and not withdrawn at or prior
to the time of the Company Shareholders’ Meeting, and (B) following the occurrence
of an event described in the preceding clause (A), this Agreement is terminated by
the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(iv) (and the Company Shareholder
Approval had not been obtained at the time of termination of this Agreement and
Parent did not breach its obligations under Section 6.1(a) in any material respect),
then the Company shall pay to Parent, or as directed by Parent, promptly, but in no
event later than two (2) Business Days after such termination, an amount equal to
the Parent Expense Amount.
For purposes of this Agreement, (I) the “Break-Up Fee” shall be an amount equal to
$32.0 million in cash, (II) the “Parent Expense Amount” shall be $18.0 million and
(III) the “Company Expense Amount” shall be $14.0 million.
(c) Parent agrees (i) if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 8.1(b)(ii)
or 8.1(g), then Parent shall, promptly after such termination (but in no event later than
two (2) Business Days following such termination), pay to the Company the Company Expense
Amount and (ii) if this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(d), and in the
case of a termination pursuant to Section 8.1(d), such termination was a result of a failure
of a representation and warranty to be true and correct when made as of the date hereof or
as a result of a breach of a covenant contained in this Agreement (in each case subject to
applicable materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth
in Section 7.3(a) or (b)) then Parent shall pay to the Company, or as directed by the
Company, promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after such termination,
an amount equal to the Company Expense Amount.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if the
Company and the Operating Partnership (if applicable) fail to pay to Parent any amounts due
under this Section 8.2, the Company shall reimburse the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) in connection with any successful action, including the
filing of any lawsuit or other legal action taken to collect payment and shall pay interest
thereon at the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum accruing from the date such amount should have
been paid until payment thereof.
59
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if Parent
fails to pay to the Company any amounts due under this Section 8.2, Parent shall reimburse
the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) in connection with any
successful action, including the filing of any lawsuit or other legal action taken to
collect payment and shall pay interest thereon at the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum accruing
from the date such amount should have been paid until payment thereof.
(f) The Company and the Operating Partnership acknowledge that the agreements contained
in Section 8.2(b) are an integral part of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement,
and that, without these agreements, Parent would not enter into this Agreement. Parent
acknowledges that the agreements contained in Section 8.2(c) are an integral part of this
transaction contemplated by the Agreement, and that, without these agreements, the Company
and the Operating Partnership would not enter into this Agreement. Each of the parties
hereto acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 8.2 are an integral part
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that the Break-Up Fee is not a
penalty, but rather liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent in
the circumstances in which such amount is payable for the efforts and resources expended and
opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement
and on the expectation of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which
amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.
Section 8.3. Escrow of Break-Up Fee.
(a) In the event that the Company and the Operating Partnership (if applicable) are
obligated to pay the Break-Up Fee set forth in Section 8.2(b), the Company and the Operating
Partnership (if applicable) shall pay to Parent from the amounts deposited into escrow in
accordance with the next sentence, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Break-Up Fee and
(ii) the sum of (1) the maximum amount that can be paid to Parent without causing Parent to
fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code determined as if the
payment of such amount did not constitute income described in Sections 856(c)(2)(A)-(H) or
856(c)(3)(A)-(I) of the Code (“Qualifying Income”), as determined by Parent’s
independent certified public accountants, plus (2) in the event Parent receives a letter
from Parent’s counsel indicating that Parent has received either a ruling from the IRS or an
opinion of outside counsel, in each case, described in Section 8.3(b), an amount equal to
the Break-Up Fee less the amount payable under clause (1) above. To secure the Company’s
and the Operating Partnership’s (if applicable) obligation to pay these amounts, the Company
shall deposit into escrow an amount in cash equal to the Break-Up Fee with an escrow agent
selected by the Company and on such terms (subject to Section 8.3(b)) as shall be mutually
agreed upon by the Company, Parent and the escrow agent. The payment or deposit into escrow
of the Break-Up Fee pursuant to this Section 8.3(a) shall be made at the time the Company is
obligated to pay Parent such amount pursuant to Section 8.2(b) of this Agreement by wire
transfer of immediately available funds.
(b) The escrow agreement shall provide that the Break-Up Fee in escrow or any portion
thereof shall not be released to Parent unless the escrow agent receives any one or
combination of the following: (i) a letter from Parent’s independent certified public
accountants indicating the maximum amount that can be paid by the escrow agent to Parent
without causing Parent to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the
Code determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income or a
subsequent letter from Parent’s accountants revising that amount, in which case the escrow
agent shall release such amount to Parent, or (ii) a letter from Parent’s general counsel
indicating that Parent received a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of outside counsel, in
either case, to the effect that the receipt by Parent of
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the Break-Up Fee (x) would constitute Qualifying Income, (y) would be excluded from
gross income within the meaning of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, or (z) would not
otherwise cause Parent to fail to qualify as a REIT, in which case the escrow agent shall
release the remainder of the Break-Up Fee to Parent. The escrow agreement shall provide
that (i) any portion of the Break-Up Fee held in escrow for five years shall be released by
the escrow agent to the Company and (ii) for federal income tax purposes, the Company shall
be treated as the beneficial owner of all amounts held in escrow pursuant to the escrow
agreement.
(c) In the event that Parent is obligated to pay the Company Expense Amount set forth in
Section 8.2, the provisions contained in Sections 8.3(a) and (b) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, by
treating all references to “Parent” as references to “the Company,” treating all references to “the
Company” as reference to “Parent” and treating all references to “Break-Up Fee” as references to
“Company Expense Amount.”
Section 8.4. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto at any time before or after
the Company Shareholder Approval, Parent Shareholder Approval and the Required Limited Partners
Approval have been obtained and prior to the filing of the Maryland Articles of Merger with the
SDAT and the Delaware Merger Certificate has been filed with the DSOS; provided,
however, that after any such Company Shareholder Approval, Parent Shareholder Approval or
Required Limited Partners Approval has been obtained, no amendment shall be made which by Law
requires further approval by the Company Common Shareholders, the holders of the OP Units or
Parent’s stockholders without obtaining such approval.
Section 8.5. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of the other parties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto and (c) subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, waive compliance by the other
parties with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a
party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written
instrument signed on behalf of the party against which such waiver or extension is to be enforced.
The failure of a party to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not
constitute a waiver of those rights.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.1. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant
hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date
delivered or sent if delivered personally or sent by facsimile (providing confirmation of
transmission) or sent by prepaid overnight carrier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at
the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or at such other addresses or facsimile numbers as
shall be specified by the parties by like notice):
(a) if to the Purchaser Parties:
Gramercy Capital Corp.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
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with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx Chance US LLP
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxxxx Chance US LLP
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
(b) if to the Company and the Operating Partnership:
American Financial Realty Trust
000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xx.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Xx.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Xxxx
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
and
Xxxxxx Xxxxx & Bockius LLP
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Section 9.2. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the term:
“Affiliate” of any person means a person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the first-mentioned
person.
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday or (b) a day on which
banking and savings and loan institutions are authorized or required by law to be closed in New
York, New York.
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Information System.
“Certificate” shall mean any certificate evidencing common shares of beneficial interest
issued by the Company.
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“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company Leases” means those leases that the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
are party to as a landlord or lessor with respect to each of the Company Properties.
“Company Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Company, any development,
occurrence, effect, event or change that (i) has a material adverse effect on the business,
operations, properties, financial condition or assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole (provided, however, that Company Material Adverse Effect shall not
be deemed to include any developments, occurrences, effects, events or changes to the extent
resulting from (A) changes in general political, economic or business conditions (including the
commencement, continuation or escalation of a war, material armed hostilities or other material
international or national calamity or acts of terrorism or earthquakes, hurricanes, other natural
disasters or acts of God) affecting the business or industry in which the Company operates, except
to the extent that such changes in general political, economic or business conditions have a
materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other similarly situated
participants, (B) changes in general financial and capital market conditions, (C) changes, after
the date hereof, in Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
Governmental Entities, (D) changes, after the date hereof, in GAAP applicable to the business or
industry in which the Company operates generally, (E) the announcement or performance of the
transactions contemplated hereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or
(F) matters expressly requested by Parent or consented to by Parent) or (ii) has a material adverse
effect on the Company’s ability to timely consummate the Mergers or perform its obligations under
this Agreement.
“Company Subsidiary” means the Subsidiaries of the Company listed on Section 3.1(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule.
“Competing Proposal” shall mean any proposal or offer for, whether in one transaction or a
series of related transactions, any (a) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination
or similar transaction involving the Company or the Operating Partnership, (b) sale, lease,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by merger,
consolidation, share exchange or otherwise, of any assets of the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, (c) issue, sale or other disposition of (including by way of merger, consolidation,
share exchange or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase,
or securities convertible into, such securities) representing 20% or more of the votes associated
with the outstanding securities of the Company, (d) tender offer or exchange offer in which any
Person or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall acquire beneficial
ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire
beneficial ownership, of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of
the Company, (e) recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar type of
transaction with respect to the Company in which a Third Party shall acquire beneficial ownership
of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of the Company or (f)
transaction which is similar in form, substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions;
provided, however, that the term “Competing Proposal” shall not include the Mergers
or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Controlled Group Liability” means any and all liabilities (i) under Title IV of ERISA, (ii)
under section 302 of ERISA, (iii) under sections 412 and 4971 of the Code, and (iv) as a result of
a failure to comply with the continuation coverage requirements of section 601 et seq. of ERISA and
section 4980B of the Code.
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“Environment” means soil, sediment, surface waters, wetlands, groundwater, drinking water
supplies, land, surface or subsurface strata, ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal
life (including fish and all other aquatic life), and any other environmental medium or natural
resource.
“Environmental Claim” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits,
orders, demands, directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of noncompliance
or violation by or from any Person alleging liability of whatever kind of nature (including
liability or responsibility for the costs of enforcement proceedings, investigations, cleanup,
governmental response, removal or remediation, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries, medical monitoring, penalties, contribution, indemnification and injunctive
relief) arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence or Release of, or exposure to,
any Hazardous Materials at any location; or (ii) the failure to comply with any Environmental Law.
“Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal, state, and local civil and criminal laws,
principles of common law, statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, orders,
judgments, and rulings concerning pollution or the protection of the Environment, including all
those relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment,
storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, Release, threatened
Release, control, or cleanup of any contamination or remediation involving Hazardous Materials, or
relating to drinking water supplies, sewer systems, hazardous building materials or conditions, or
public or worker health and safety, existing as of the date hereof.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any entity if it would have ever been considered a single employer
with the Company under ERISA Section 4001(b) or part of the same “controlled group” as the Company
for purposes of ERISA Section 302(d)(8)(C) or Code Sections 414(b) or (c) or a Member of an
affiliated service group for purposes of Code Section 414(m).
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Ratio” means 0.12096.
“Financing” means the financing that is required to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including the Merger and the refinancing of any Indebtedness.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States.
“Hazardous Materials” means any compound, chemical, contaminant, pollutant, toxic substance,
hazardous waste, hazardous material, or hazardous substance, as any of the foregoing may be
defined, identified, or regulated under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, and any other
material or substance which may pose a threat to the Environment or to human health and safety
including, without limitation, asbestos, asbestos-containing materials, lead or lead-based paint,
urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon or other sources of
radioactivity, mold, mildew or fungi, oil, waste oil, petroleum, and petroleum products.
“Indebtedness” shall mean, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all
indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether secured or unsecured, (b) all obligations
of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of
such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts
payable and accrued commercial or trade liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (d)
all interest rate and currency swaps, caps,
64
collars and similar agreements or hedging devices under which payments are obligated to be
made by such Person, whether periodically or upon the happening of a contingency, (e) all
obligations of such Person under leases which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP,
recorded as capital leases, (f) all indebtedness created or arising under any under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased or acquired by such Person,
(g) all indebtedness secured by any lien on any property or asset owned or held by such Person
regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by such Person or is
non-recourse to the credit of such Person, and (h) all guarantees of such Person of any such
Indebtedness of any other Person.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Liens” means, with respect to any properties or assets, any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to
secure debt, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, Tax lien, assessment,
adverse claim, levy, charge, liability or encumbrance in respect of such properties or assets.
“Material Contracts” shall mean the following written contracts or agreements (and all
amendments, modifications and supplements thereto and all side letters to which the Company or any
Company Subsidiary is a party affecting the obligations of any party thereunder) to which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their respective properties or
assets are bound: (i) any partnership, limited liability company or joint venture agreements with
any third parties; (ii) other than with respect to Company Leases, those agreements for the pending
sale, option to sell, right of first refusal, right of first offer or any other contractual right
to sell, dispose of, by merger, purchase or sale of assets or stock, in each case relating to any
Company Property (or material interest therein or portion thereof) or any other real property;
(iii) loan or credit agreements, letters of credit, notes, bonds, debentures, mortgages,
indentures, guarantees, or other agreements or instruments evidencing Indebtedness for borrowed
money by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any such agreement pursuant to which Indebtedness
for borrowed money may be incurred, or evidencing security for any of the foregoing, in each case
relating to Indebtedness in excess of $10,000,000 (excluding letters of credit, performance bonds
or guaranties entered into in the ordinary course of business); (iv) agreements that purport to
limit, curtail or restrict the ability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to (A) engage in
any line of business, (B) compete with any specifically identified Person, or (C) compete in any
geographic area; (v) any other contracts or agreements filed or required to be filed as exhibits to
the Company SEC Reports pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of Title 17, Part 229 of the
Code of Federal Regulations; (vi) (A) the top 50 Company Leases (measured by leasing revenue), (B)
each Company Lease that accounts for 50% or more of the rentable square footage of any Company
Property containing more than 40,000 square feet, (C) each Company Lease that is a “Master Lease”
and each Company Lease or sub-lease related to such “Master Lease” in respect of the portfolios of
Company Properties known as “BBD1”, “BBD2” and “WBBD” and (D) the Company Leases with Bank of
America, N.A., in respect of the Company Properties that comprise the portfolio of Company
Properties known as “XXXX” (the Company Leases described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) are
referred to herein collectively as the “Major Leases”) (for the avoidance of doubt, the
only Company Leases that are Material Contracts are the Major Leases); (vii) other than contracts
for ordinary repair and maintenance, all agreements for the provision of services for, or the
management, maintenance, replacement or repair of, all or portion of any Company Properties, which
agreements (A) have a remaining term in excess of ninety (90) days or are not cancelable (without
material penalty, cost or other liability) within ninety (90) days and (B) are reasonably likely to
result in expenses to the Company in excess of $1,000,000 in any fiscal year, (viii) any interest
rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap, currency hedging transaction and any other
agreement relating to a similar transaction to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a
party or an obligor with respect thereto; and (ix) each other contract (including, without
limitation, any brokerage agreements) entered into by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, which
65
may result in total payments by or liability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary in
excess of $10,000,000.
“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
“Other Payments” means, cash and other consideration, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2.8
and Section 2.9 hereof.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to Parent, any development, occurrence,
effect, event or change that (i) has a material adverse effect on the business, operations,
properties, financial condition or assets of Parent and the Subsidiaries of Parent, taken as a
whole (provided, however, that Parent Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed
to include any developments, occurrences, effects, events or changes to the extent resulting from
(A) changes in general political, economic or business conditions (including the commencement,
continuation or escalation of a war, material armed hostilities or other material international or
national calamity or acts of terrorism or earthquakes, hurricanes, other natural disasters or acts
of God) affecting the business or industry in which Parent operates, except to the extent that such
changes in general political, economic or business conditions have a materially disproportionate
adverse effect on Parent relative to other similarly situated participants, (B) changes in general
financial and capital market conditions, (C) changes, after the date hereof, in Laws of general
applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or Governmental Entities, (D) changes, after the
date hereof, in GAAP applicable to the business or industry in which Parent operates generally, (E)
the announcement or performance of the transactions contemplated hereby or (F) matters expressly
requested by the Company or consented to by the Company) or (ii) has a material adverse effect on
the Purchaser Parties’ ability to timely consummate the Mergers, obtain the Financing or perform
their respective obligations under this Agreement.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint
venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, other entity or group (as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act).
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest announced as its prime lending rate by Bank of
America, N.A., as in effect from time to time.
"Qualifying Competing Proposal” means a Competing Proposal, substituting for purposes of this
definition 50% for the 20% threshold set forth in the definition of Competing Proposal.
“Release” means any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit,
disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the Environment or into or
out of any property, including the movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the air, soil,
surface water, groundwater or property.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiary” means, when used with reference to any party, any corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, trust, joint venture or other legal entity, whether incorporated or
unincorporated, of which: (a) such party or any other subsidiary of such party is a general
partner, manager or similar controlling Person; (b) voting power to elect a majority of the Board
of Directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, trust, joint venture or other organization is held by such party or
by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such
66
party and any one or more of its subsidiaries;
or (c) at least 50% of the equity securities therein is, directly or indirectly, owned or
controlled by such party or by one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such party and any one or
more of its subsidiaries.
“Superior Proposal” means a bona fide written Competing Proposal (on its most recently amended
and modified terms, if amended and modified, and except that, for purposes of this definition, the
references in the definition of “Competing Proposal” to “20%” shall be replaced by “50%”) made by a
Third Party (which Competing Proposal was not solicited, initiated, encouraged or facilitated in
violation of Section 6.5(a) of this Agreement) that the Company Board determines (after taking into
account any amendments to this Agreement entered into or which Parent irrevocably covenants to
enter into) in its good faith judgment (after receiving the advice of its independent financial
advisors and outside legal counsel and after taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory
and other aspects of the proposal, including the financing terms thereof) is superior from a
financial point of view to this Agreement and which the Company Board has determined in good faith
(after receiving the advice of its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel and
after taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the proposal) is
reasonably capable of being consummated without undue delay (taking into account the financability
of such proposal).
“Tax Returns” means all reports, returns, declarations, statements or other information
required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes, including any amendments
thereto.
“Taxes” shall mean any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license,
withholding, property, recording stamp, sales, use, franchise, employment, payroll, excise,
environmental or other taxes, tariffs or similar governmental charges, together with penalties,
interest or additions to tax.
Section 9.3. Terms Defined Elsewhere. The following terms are defined elsewhere in
this Agreement, as indicated below:
“1031 Exchange”
|
Section 2.8 | |
“Acquisition Agreement”
|
Section 6.5(d) | |
“Acquisition Sub”
|
Preamble | |
“Adverse Recommendation Change”
|
Section 6.5(d) | |
“Agreement”
|
Preamble | |
“Asset Sales”
|
Section 6.14 | |
“Balance Sheet”
|
Section 3.7(b) | |
“Break-Up Fee”
|
Section 8.2(b) | |
“Bylaws”
|
Section 1.4 | |
“Capital Budget”
|
Section 5.1(p) | |
“Cash Consideration”
|
Section 2.1(a)(iii) | |
“Claim”
|
Section 6.6(a) |
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“Closing”
|
Section 1.3 | |
“Closing Date”
|
Section 1.3 | |
“Collective Bargaining Agreements
|
Section 3.14 | |
“Company”
|
Preamble | |
“Company Board”
|
Recitals | |
“Company Common Share Merger Consideration”
|
Section 2.1(a)(iii) | |
“Company Common Shares”
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii) | |
“Company Major Agreements Parties”
|
Section 6.15 | |
“Company Disclosure Schedule”
|
Preamble to Article III | |
“Company Expense Amount”
|
Section 8.2(b) | |
“Company Financial Advisors”
|
Section 3.15 | |
“Company Intellectual Property Rights”
|
Section 3.22(b) | |
“Company Preferred Shares”
|
Section 3.3(a) | |
“Company Property”
|
Section 3.11(a) | |
“Company Properties”
|
Section 3.11(a) | |
“Company Recommendation”
|
Section 3.2(a) | |
“Company Representatives”
|
Section 6.5(a) | |
“Company Restricted Shares”
|
Section 3.3(a) | |
“Company SEC Reports”
|
Section 3.7(a) | |
“Company Share Options”
|
Section 2.5(a) | |
“Company Share Plans”
|
Section 2.5(a) | |
“Company Shareholder Approval”
|
Section 3.17(a) | |
“Company Shareholders’ Meeting”
|
Section 6.1(d) | |
“Confidentiality Agreement”
|
Section 6.5(b) | |
“Convertible Bonds”
|
Section 3.3(a) |
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“Counterproposal”
|
Section 6.5(d) | |
“Covered Company SEC Disclosure”
|
Preamble to Article III | |
“Covered Employee”
|
Section 6.9(a) | |
“Covered Parent SEC Disclosure”
|
Preamble to Article IV | |
“Debt Commitment Letters”
|
Section 4.14 | |
“Consents or Modifications”
|
Section 6.15 | |
“Declaration of Trust”
|
Section 3.1(c) | |
“Deeded Properties”
|
Section 2.9 | |
“Delaware Merger Certificate”
|
Section 1.2(b) | |
“Designated Properties”
|
Section 2.8 | |
“DRULPA”
|
Recitals | |
“DSOS”
|
Section 1.2(b) | |
“Effective Time”
|
Section 1.2(a) | |
“Employee Program”
|
Section 3.13(a) | |
“End Date”
|
Section 8.1(b)(iv) | |
“Environmental Permits”
|
Section 3.12(a) | |
“Exchange Agent”
|
Section 2.2(a) | |
“Exchange Fund”
|
Section 2.2(a) | |
“Financing Agreements”
|
Section 6.10(b)(ii) | |
“Form S-4”
|
Section 3.6 | |
“General Partner”
|
Recitals | |
“Governmental Entity”
|
Section 3.6 | |
“Indemnified Party”
|
Section 6.6(b) | |
“Intellectual Property”
|
Section 3.22(b) | |
“Laws”
|
Section 3.6 | |
“Leased Properties”
|
Section 3.11(b) |
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“Leases”
|
Section 3.11(b) | |
“Lenders”
|
Section 4.14 | |
“Major Leases”
|
Definition of “Material Contracts” | |
“Maryland Articles of Merger”
|
Section 1.2(a) | |
“Maryland Courts”
|
Section 9.11(b) | |
“Merger”
|
Recitals | |
“Merger Sub”
|
Preamble | |
“Mergers”
|
Recitals | |
“MGCL”
|
Recitals | |
“Modification Documents”
|
Section 6.15 | |
“MRL”
|
Recitals | |
“NPL”
|
Section 3.12(b) | |
“OP Partnership Agreement”
|
Section 1.4 | |
“OP Units”
|
Section 2.1(b)(ii) | |
“Operating Partnership”
|
Preamble | |
“Option Consideration”
|
Section 2.5(a) | |
“Other Filings”
|
Section 6.2 | |
“Parent”
|
Preamble | |
“Parent Articles”
|
Section 4.1 | |
“Parent Balance Sheet”
|
Section 4.6(b) | |
“Parent Board”
|
Recitals | |
“Parent Bylaws”
|
Section 4.1 | |
“Parent Closing Price”
|
Section 2.2(j) | |
“Parent Common Stock”
|
Section 2.1(a)(iii) | |
“Parent Disclosure Schedule”
|
Preamble to Article IV |
70
“Parent Expense Amount”
|
Section 8.2(b) | |
“Parent OP”
|
Preamble | |
“Parent OP Partnership Agreement”
|
Section 4.3 | |
“Parent OP Units”
|
Section 4.3 | |
“Parent Preferred Stock”
|
Section 4.3 | |
“Parent SEC Reports”
|
Section 4.6(a) | |
“Parent Series A Preferred”
|
Section 4.3 | |
“Parent Shareholder Approval”
|
Section 4.2 | |
“Parent Shareholders’ Meeting
|
Section 6.1(d) | |
“Parent Stock Options”
|
Section 5.2(b)(ii) | |
“Parent Stock Plans”
|
Section 4.3 | |
“Partnership Merger”
|
Recitals | |
“Partnership Merger Consideration”
|
Section 2.1(b)(ii) | |
“Partnership Merger Effective Time”
|
Section 1.2(b) | |
“Permitted Expenditures”
|
Section 5.1(p) | |
“Permitted Liens”
|
Section 3.11(c) | |
“Proxy Statement”
|
Section 3.6 | |
“Purchaser Parties”
|
Preamble | |
“Qualifying Income”
|
Section 8.3(a)(ii) | |
“REIT”
|
Section 3.10(c) | |
“Representatives”
|
Section 6.7 | |
“Required Limited Partners Approval”
|
Section 3.2(a) | |
“Restricted Share”
|
Section 2.5(b) | |
“SDAT”
|
Section 1.2(a) | |
“Securities Laws”
|
Section 3.7(a) | |
“Solvent”
|
Section 4.15 |
71
“SOX”
|
Section 3.7(a) | |
“Stock Acquisition”
|
Section 2.8 | |
“Stock Consideration”
|
Section 2.1(a)(iii) | |
“Subsequent Determination”
|
Section 6.5(d) | |
“Surviving Company”
|
Section 1.1(a) | |
“Surviving Company Bylaws”
|
Section 1.4 | |
“Surviving Company Declaration of Trust”
|
Section 1.4 | |
“Surviving Partnership”
|
Section 1.1(b) | |
“Tax Protection Agreement”
|
Section 3.10 | |
“Third Party”
|
Section 6.5(b) | |
“Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights”
|
Section 3.22(b) | |
“Transfer”
|
Section 2.9 | |
“Transfer and Gains Taxes”
|
Section 6.12 | |
“Unitholder Letter of Transmittal”
|
Section 2.2(d)(i) | |
“Units”
|
Section 2.5(c) | |
“Warrants”
|
Section 3.3(a) |
Section 9.4. Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Wherever used herein, a pronoun in the masculine gender shall be considered as
including the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When a reference is
made in this Agreement to Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of
or Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or
“including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation” regardless whether such words are included.
Section 9.5. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements.
None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 9.5 shall not limit any
covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the
Effective Time or relates to the delivery of the Exchange Fund in full, each of which shall survive
the Effective Time.
Section 9.6. Remedies; Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
72
Section 6.1(d)) were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall
be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce
specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court
located in the State of Maryland, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law
or in equity. For the avoidance of doubt, the Purchaser Parties agree that the Company shall have
the right to cause the Purchaser Parties to enforce their rights under the Debt Commitment Letters
and to require the Lenders to honor the terms of the Debt Commitment Letters.
Section 9.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality
Agreement, the Company Disclosure Schedule and Parent Disclosure Schedule, constitutes the
entire agreement among the parties and supersedes all of the prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
Section 9.8. Assignment. Except as expressly permitted by the terms hereof, neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or
delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties hereto
without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that each of the Purchaser Parties
may delegate or assign (without any further consent of any parties) all or any of its rights and
obligations hereunder to any of its Affiliates, provided, however, that no such assignment shall
relieve the assigning party of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their
respective successors and assigns.
Section 9.9. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except for (i) the provisions of Sections
2.8, 2.9, 6.6 and 6.10(a) hereof which shall inure to the benefit of the Persons benefiting
therefrom, (ii) the provisions of Article II concerning payment of Company Common Share Merger
Consideration, the Partnership Merger Consideration, the Other Payments and Option Consideration
which shall inure to the benefit of the holders of Company Common Shares, OP Units and Company
Share Options who are in each case expressly intended to be third-party beneficiaries thereof, and
(iii) the right of the Company, on behalf of the holders of equity interests in the Company to
pursue damages in the event of any of the Purchaser Parties’ breach of this Agreement, which right
is hereby acknowledged and agreed by the Purchaser Parties, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to or shall confer on any Person other than the parties hereto or their
respective heirs, successors, executors, administrators and assigns any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 9.10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this
Agreement, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be
affected thereby, and to such end, the provisions of this Agreement are agreed to be severable.
Section 9.11. Choice of Law/Consent to Jurisdiction.
(a) The Mergers shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Maryland without regard to its rules of conflict of laws (except to the extent the
laws of the State of Delaware are applicable to the Partnership Merger). Except as provided
in the immediately preceding sentence, all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, or the negotiation, validity or performance of this
Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to its rules of conflict of
laws.
(b) Each of the Company and Parent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to
submit to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Maryland or any
court of
73
the United States located in the State of Maryland (the “Maryland Courts”)
for any litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the negotiation,
validity or performance of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby (and
agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such courts), waives any
objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Maryland Courts and agrees
not to plead or claim in any Maryland Court that such litigation brought therein has been
brought in any inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees, (a) to the extent
such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Maryland, to
appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Maryland as such party’s agent for acceptance
of legal process, and (b) that service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid
certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service
constituting evidence of valid service. Service made pursuant to (a) or (b) above shall
have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the
State of Maryland.
Section 9.12. Waiver. Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant
to this Agreement, including, without limitation,
any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the
party taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision hereunder shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach
of the same or any other provision hereunder.
Section 9.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any
suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby. Each party hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney or any other has
represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit or
proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other parties
hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement, by, among other things, the mutual waiver
and certifications in this Section 9.13.
Section 9.14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party. Facsimile
or other electronic transmission of any signed original document shall be deemed the same as
delivery of an original.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
74
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the
date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
GRAMERCY CAPITAL CORP. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
GKK CAPITAL LP | ||||||
By: Gramercy Capital Corp., its general partner |
||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
GKK STARS ACQUISITION LLC | ||||||
By: | GKK Capital LP, its sole member | |||||
By: | Gramercy Capital Corp., its general partner |
|||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
GKK STARS ACQUISITION CORP. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: President |
[AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER SIGNATURE PAGE]
GKK STARS ACQUISITION LP | ||||||
By: GKK Stars Acquisition LLC, its general partner |
||||||
By: GKK Capital LP, its sole member | ||||||
By: Gramercy Capital Corp., its general partner |
||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
[AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER SIGNATURE PAGE]
AMERICAN FINANCIAL REALTY TRUST | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: Co-President
and Chief Operating Officer |
||||||
FIRST STATES GROUP, L.P. | ||||||
By: | First States Group, LLC, its general partner |
|||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | ||||||
Title: Co-President
and Chief Operating Officer |
[AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER SIGNATURE PAGE]
EXHIBIT A — TERMS OF ADDITIONAL VALUE PAYMENT
UPSIDE PARTICIPATION
IN
THE HELD FOR SALE ASSETS
IN
THE HELD FOR SALE ASSETS
Additional Consideration
|
As additional cash merger consideration, the Company’s shareholders will be entitled to receive 50% of the Incremental Sales Proceeds from the sale of any asset that is part of the Modified Held for Sale Portfolio which is identified on Exhibit A, provided the consummation of any such sales occur prior to or substantially simultaneously with the effective time of the merger. The Additional Consideration will be payable to the Company’s shareholders as additional cash merger consideration at the time of the closing of the Merger. In no event will the transactions contemplated by this Exhibit result in a reduction of the merger consideration. The Company will market for sale the Modified Held for Sale Portfolio as provided for in the Merger Agreement. The Additional Consideration shall be subject to a maximum amount of $0.25 per Company Common Share. | |
Incremental Sales Proceeds
|
Incremental Sales Proceeds shall be equal to the positive difference, if any, between Net Sales Proceeds and the Agreed Upon Floor calculated on an aggregate basis for each sale of a property within the Modified Held for Sale Portfolio consummated prior to or substantially simultaneously with the effective time of the merger. For purposes of clarification, if one or more a properties are sold for an amount below the Agreed Upon Floor (as defined below) for such properties, unless Purchaser has approved the lower sales price for purposes of this Upside Participation in connection with such sale, the difference between the actual Net Sales Proceeds of such properties and the Agreed Upon Floor for such properties will be subtracted from the total Net Sales Proceeds from all properties sold for an amount above their respective Agreed Upon Floor in determining the Incremental Sales Proceeds. | |
Net Sales Proceeds
|
Net Sales Proceeds shall be defined as the gross cash proceeds from any sale of a property within the Modified Held for Sale Portfolio (plus any liabilities assumed by the purchaser or to which the property is subject) less all applicable transaction costs, including, but not limited to, legal fees, title costs, brokerage fees, transfer taxes, seller retained liabilities, cash or other concessions given at closing, debt assumption fees, debt prepayment penalties or defeasance penalties, release premiums on indebtedness, excise tax, and any income tax obligations resulting from the sale of any property within the Modified Held for Sale Portfolio. |
Agreed Upon Floor
|
The Agreed Upon Floor, which is provided on Exhibit A, shall be subject to increase, on a dollar for dollar basis, for expenditures and other amounts incurred or paid with respect to the relevant property occurring between October 1, 2007 and the effective time of the merger, including, but not limited to, real estate taxes, net operating costs, debt service (if the sold property is encumbered by portfolio-wide debt, then for purposes of determining debt service, the property shall be deemed encumbered by debt equal to the release amount), tenant improvements, leasing commissions, base building capital, legal fees, and other tenant concessions or inducements. |
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