Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
ý       QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
OR
 
o          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-9317
EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland
 
04-6558834
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL
 
60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(312) 646-2800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ý   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No  ý
Number of registrant’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding as of April 30, 2017 124,064,195 .
 


Table of Contents

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
FORM 10-Q
 
March 31, 2017
 
INDEX
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents


 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the Company, EQC, we, us or our, refer to Equity Commonwealth and its consolidated subsidiaries as of March 31, 2017 , unless the context indicates otherwise.


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PART I.       Financial Information

Item 1.          Financial Statements.

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
 
(audited)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Real estate properties:
 
 
 
Land
$
269,062

 
$
286,186

Buildings and improvements
2,395,748

 
2,570,704

 
2,664,810

 
2,856,890

Accumulated depreciation
(705,000
)
 
(755,255
)
 
1,959,810

 
2,101,635

Properties held for sale
64,396

 

Acquired real estate leases, net
45,482

 
48,281

Cash and cash equivalents
1,888,537

 
2,094,674

Marketable securities
275,597

 

Restricted cash
6,155

 
6,532

Rents receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,593 and $5,105, respectively
152,081

 
152,031

Other assets, net
126,698

 
122,922

Total assets
$
4,518,756

 
$
4,526,075

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Senior unsecured debt, net
$
1,064,450

 
$
1,063,950

Mortgage notes payable, net
77,178

 
77,717

Liabilities related to properties held for sale
1,013

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
62,518

 
95,395

Assumed real estate lease obligations, net
1,630

 
1,946

Rent collected in advance
18,485

 
18,460

Security deposits
6,957

 
8,160

Total liabilities
1,232,231

 
1,265,628

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized;
 
 
 
Series D preferred shares; 6 1/2% cumulative convertible; 4,915,196 shares issued and outstanding, aggregate liquidation preference of $122,880
119,263

 
119,263

Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value: 350,000,000 shares authorized; 124,064,195 and 123,994,465 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
1,240

 
1,240

Additional paid in capital
4,367,190

 
4,363,177

Cumulative net income
2,590,417

 
2,566,603

Cumulative other comprehensive loss
(1,002
)
 
(208
)
Cumulative common distributions
(3,111,868
)
 
(3,111,868
)
Cumulative preferred distributions
(679,757
)
 
(677,760
)
Total shareholders’ equity
3,285,483

 
3,260,447

Noncontrolling interest
1,042

 

Total equity
3,286,525

 
3,260,447

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,518,756

 
$
4,526,075

See accompanying notes.

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
Rental income
$
80,205

 
$
109,888

Tenant reimbursements and other income
19,346

 
27,247

Total revenues
99,551

 
137,135

Expenses:
 
 
 
Operating expenses
41,087

 
57,258

Depreciation and amortization
26,915

 
36,251

General and administrative
12,078

 
13,312

Loss on asset impairment
1,286

 

Total expenses
81,366

 
106,821

Operating income
18,185

 
30,314

Interest and other income
4,372

 
1,967

Interest expense (including net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees of $713 and $983, respectively)
(15,014
)
 
(22,347
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
(118
)
Foreign currency exchange loss

 
(5
)
Gain on sale of properties, net
16,454

 
36,666

Income before income taxes
23,997

 
46,477

Income tax expense
(175
)
 
(75
)
Net income
23,822

 
46,402

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(8
)
 

Net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth
$
23,814

 
$
46,402

Preferred distributions
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
Net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders
$
21,817

 
$
39,421

 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
124,047

 
125,840

Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted
125,150

 
127,522

Earnings per common share attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.18

 
$
0.31

Diluted
$
0.17

 
$
0.31


See accompanying notes.

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
(153
)
 
673

Unrealized loss on marketable securities
(641
)
 

Total comprehensive income
23,028

 
47,075

Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(8
)
 

Total comprehensive income attributable to Equity Commonwealth
$
23,020

 
$
47,075


See accompanying notes.


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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Equity Commonwealth Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Shares
 
Common Shares
 
 
 
 
 
Series D
 
Series E
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Shares
 
Preferred
Shares
 
Number
of
Shares
 
Preferred
Shares
 
Cumulative
Preferred
Distributions
 
Number
of
Shares
 
Common
Shares
 
Cumulative
Common
Distributions
 
Additional
Paid
in
Capital
 
Cumulative
Net
Income
 
Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015
4,915,196

 
$
119,263

 
11,000,000

 
$
265,391

 
$
(650,195
)
 
126,349,914

 
$
1,263

 
$
(3,111,868
)
 
$
4,414,611

 
$
2,333,709

 
$
(3,687
)
 
$

 
$
3,368,487

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
46,402

 

 

 
46,402

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
673

 

 
673

Purchase of shares

 

 

 

 

 
(983,789
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(25,553
)
 

 

 

 
(25,563
)
Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 
136,623

 
2

 

 
4,351

 

 

 

 
4,353

Distributions

 

 

 

 
(6,981
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(6,981
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
4,915,196

 
$
119,263

 
11,000,000

 
$
265,391

 
$
(657,176
)
 
125,502,748

 
$
1,255

 
$
(3,111,868
)
 
$
4,393,409

 
$
2,380,111

 
$
(3,014
)
 
$

 
$
3,387,371

Balance at December 31, 2016
4,915,196

 
$
119,263

 

 
$

 
$
(677,760
)
 
123,994,465

 
$
1,240

 
$
(3,111,868
)
 
$
4,363,177

 
$
2,566,603

 
$
(208
)
 
$

 
$
3,260,447

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
23,814

 

 
8

 
23,822

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(153
)
 

 
(153
)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(641
)
 

 
(641
)
Purchase of shares

 

 

 

 

 
(6,694
)
 

 

 
(209
)
 

 

 

 
(209
)
Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 
76,424

 

 

 
4,999

 

 

 
227

 
5,226

Contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
30

 
30

Distributions

 

 

 

 
(1,997
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,997
)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(777
)
 

 

 
777

 

Balance at March 31, 2017
4,915,196

 
$
119,263

 

 
$

 
$
(679,757
)
 
124,064,195

 
$
1,240

 
$
(3,111,868
)
 
$
4,367,190

 
$
2,590,417

 
$
(1,002
)
 
$
1,042

 
$
3,286,525


See accompanying notes.

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
21,893

 
28,582

Net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees
713

 
983

Straight line rental income
(4,387
)
 
(3,831
)
Amortization of acquired real estate leases
2,540

 
4,629

Other amortization
3,055

 
4,161

Share-based compensation
5,226

 
4,353

Loss on asset impairment
1,286

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
118

Foreign currency exchange loss

 
5

Net gain on sale of properties
(16,454
)
 
(36,666
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
1,311

 
(458
)
Rents receivable and other assets
(18,239
)
 
(15,486
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(24,053
)
 
(6,361
)
Rent collected in advance
416

 
(3,255
)
Security deposits
181

 
(192
)
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(2,690
)
 
22,984

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Real estate improvements
(19,889
)
 
(25,963
)
Insurance proceeds received
2,000

 

Proceeds from sale of properties, net
94,138

 
118,391

Purchase of marketable securities
(276,238
)
 

Increase in restricted cash
(934
)
 
(3,487
)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(200,923
)
 
88,941

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchase and retirement of common shares
(209
)
 
(25,563
)
Payments on borrowings
(348
)
 
(139,922
)
Deferred financing fees

 
(52
)
Contributions from holders of noncontrolling interest
30

 

Distributions to preferred shareholders
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
Cash used in financing activities
(2,524
)
 
(172,518
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 
(8
)
 
 
 
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(206,137
)
 
(60,601
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,094,674

 
1,802,729

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,888,537

 
$
1,742,128

See accompanying notes.



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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
22,285

 
$
28,542

Taxes paid (refunded)
335

 
(72
)
 
 
 
 
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures recorded as liabilities
$
4,266

 
$
(6,312
)

See accompanying notes.


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Table of Contents

EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1.  Business

Equity Commonwealth (the Company) is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, formed in 1986 under the laws of the State of Maryland. Our primary business is the ownership and operation of real estate, primarily office buildings, throughout the United States.

On November 10, 2016, the Company converted to what is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT, structure. In connection with this conversion, the Company contributed substantially all of its assets to EQC Operating Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the Operating Trust), and the Operating Trust assumed substantially all of the Company’s liabilities pursuant to a contribution and assignment agreement between the Company and the Operating Trust.
 
The Company now conducts and intends to continue to conduct substantially all of its activities through the Operating Trust. The Company beneficially owned 99.97% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest, designated as units, in the Operating Trust (OP Units) as of March 31, 2017 , and the Company is the sole trustee of the Operating Trust.  As the sole trustee, the Company generally has the exclusive power under the declaration of trust of the Operating Trust to manage and conduct the business of the Operating Trust, subject to certain limited approval and voting rights of other holders of OP Units that may be admitted in the future.

At March 31, 2017 , our portfolio, excluding properties held for sale, included 28 properties ( 56 buildings), and one land parcel, with a combined 14.6 million square feet. As of March 31, 2017 , we had $2.2 billion of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Note 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EQC have been prepared without audit.  Certain information and footnote disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted.  We believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  However, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual Report) for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Capitalized terms used, but not defined in this Quarterly Report, have the same meanings as in our Annual Report.

In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included.  All intercompany transactions and balances with or among our subsidiaries have been eliminated.  Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  Reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Significant estimates in the condensed consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, purchase price allocations, useful lives of fixed assets and impairment of real estate and intangible assets.

Share amounts are presented in whole numbers, except where noted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, that changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We early adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2017, and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which amends FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 230, Statements of Cash Flows, to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires more timely recognition of credit losses associated with financial assets. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASU 2016-02 supersedes previous leasing standards. ASU 2016-02 is effective for us for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are still assessing the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02. For leases where we are the lessor, we expect to account for these leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to current guidance. However, we expect that certain executory and non-lease components (such as common area maintenance), will need to be accounted for separately from the lease component of the lease with the lease component continuing to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We intend to account for the executory and non-lease components under the new revenue recognition guidance in ASU 2014-09, upon our adoption of ASU 2016-02. When the revenue for such activities is not separately stipulated in the lease, we will need to separate the lease components of revenue due under leases from the non-lease components. For leases in which we are the lessee, we expect to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments with rent expense being recognized on a straight-line basis and the right of use asset being reduced when lease payments are made. Subsequent to initial recognition, the lease liability will be re-measured based on the present value of the remaining lease payments with an offset to the right-of-use asset.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU 2014-09, as amended, is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying ASU 2014-09, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB’s ASC, and more particularly lease contracts with customers, which are a scope exception. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. While our consideration of this matter is ongoing, we are not planning to early adopt ASU 2014-09, as amended, and we expect to use the modified retrospective method of adoption that will result in a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently conducting our evaluation of the impact of the guidance. We believe the effects on our existing

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


accounting policies will be associated with our non-leasing revenue components, specifically the amount, timing and presentation of tenant expense reimbursements revenue. We continue to evaluate the potential impact to our consolidated financial statements as a result of this ASU.

Note 3.  Real Estate Properties

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we made improvements, excluding tenant-funded improvements, to our properties totaling $14.2 million and $ 31.9 million , respectively.

Properties Held For Sale:

We classify all properties that meet the criteria outlined in the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the FASB ASC as held for sale on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2016, we had no properties classified as held for sale. As of March 31, 2017 , we classified the following properties as held for sale (dollars in thousands):
Asset
 
Date Sold
 
Number of
Properties
 
Number of
Buildings
 
Square
Footage
 
Gross Sales Price
25 S. Charles Street
 
April 2017
 
1

 
1

 
359,254

 
$
24,500

Parkshore Plaza
 
April 2017
 
1

 
4

 
271,072

 
40,000

 
 
 
 
2

 
5

 
630,326

 
$
64,500


Summarized balance sheet information for the properties classified as held for sale is as follows (in thousands):

 
March 31, 2017
Real estate properties
$
61,829

Other assets, net
2,567

Properties held for sale
$
64,396

 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
150

Security deposits
863

Liabilities related to properties held for sale
$
1,013


Property Dispositions:

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we sold the following properties (dollars in thousands):

Asset
 
Date Sold
 
Number of
Properties
 
Number of
Buildings
 
Square
Footage
 
Gross Sales Price
 
Gain (Loss) on Sale
Properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
111 Market Place
 
January 2017
 
1

 
1

 
589,380

 
$
60,100

 
$
(5,968
)
Cabot Business Park Land
 
March 2017
 

 

 

 
575

 
(57
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portfolios of properties
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4515 Seton Center Parkway
 
March 2017
 
1

 
1

 
117,265

 
 
 
 
4516 Seton Center Parkway
 
March 2017
 
1

 
1

 
120,559

 
 
 
 
Seton Center
 
 
 
2

 
2

 
237,824

 
$
52,450

 
$
22,479

 
 
 
 
3

 
3

 
827,204

 
$
113,125

 
$
16,454



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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


During the year ended December 31, 2016, we sold 30 properties ( 62 buildings) with a combined 8.0 million square feet for an aggregate gross sales price of $1.3 billion , excluding closing costs.

Note 4.  Marketable Securities

All of our marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and consist of United States Treasury notes, which mature in 2019, and common stock. Available-for-sale securities are presented on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Changes in values of these securities are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Realized gains and losses are recognized in earnings only upon the sale of the securities.

We evaluate our marketable securities for impairment each reporting period. For securities with unrealized losses, we review the underlying cause of the decline in value and the estimated recovery period, as well as the severity and duration of the decline. In our evaluation, we consider our ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for us to recover our cost basis. To the extent an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis is established.

Below is a summary of our marketable securities as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
 
Cost or Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Marketable securities
 
$
276,238

 
$
(641
)
 
$
275,597


Note 5.  Indebtedness
 
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan:
We are party to a credit agreement pursuant to which the lenders agreed to provide a $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, a $200.0 million 5 -year term loan facility, and a $200.0 million 7 -year term loan facility. The revolving credit facility has a scheduled maturity date of January 28, 2019, which maturity date may be extended for up to two additional periods of six months at our option subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of an extension fee of 0.075% of the aggregate amount available under the revolving credit facility. The 5 -year term loan and the 7 -year term loan have scheduled maturity dates of January 28, 2020 and January 28, 2022, respectively.

The credit agreement permits us to utilize up to $100.0 million of the revolving credit facility for the issuance of letters of credit. Amounts outstanding under the credit agreement generally may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain exceptions. We have the right to request increases in the aggregate maximum amount of borrowings available under the revolving credit facility and term loans up to an additional $1.15 billion , subject to certain conditions.
    
Borrowings under the 5 -year term loan and 7 -year term loan will, subject to certain exceptions, bear interest at a LIBOR rate plus a margin of 90 to 180 basis points for the 5 -year term loan and 140 to 235 basis points for the 7 -year term loan, in each case depending on our credit rating. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility will, subject to certain exceptions, bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus a margin of 87.5 to 155 basis points for LIBOR rate advances and 0 to 55 basis points for base rate advances, in each case depending on our credit rating. In addition, we are required to pay a facility fee of 12.5 to 30 basis points, depending on our credit rating, on the borrowings available under the revolving credit facility, whether or not utilized.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility currently bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread, which was 125 basis points as of March 31, 2017 .  As of March 31, 2017 , the interest rate payable on borrowings under our revolving credit facility was 2.23% .  As of March 31, 2017 , we had no balance outstanding and $750.0 million available under our revolving credit facility and the facility fee as of March 31, 2017 was 0.25% . Our term loans currently bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread, which was 140 and 180 basis points for the 5 -year and 7 -year term loan, respectively, as of March 31, 2017 .  As of March 31, 2017 , the interest rates for the amounts outstanding under our 5 -year term loan and 7 -year term loan were 2.38% and 2.78% , respectively.  As of March 31, 2017 , we had $200.0 million outstanding under each of our 5 -year and 7 -year term loans.


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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Debt Covenants:
 
Our public debt indenture and related supplements and our credit agreement contain a number of financial and other covenants, including covenants that restrict our ability to incur indebtedness or to make distributions under certain circumstances and require us to maintain financial ratios and a minimum net worth.  At March 31, 2017 , we believe we were in compliance with all of our respective covenants under our public debt indenture and related supplements and our credit agreement.

Senior Unsecured Notes:

At March 31, 2017 , we had senior unsecured notes of $675.0 million (excluding net discounts and unamortized deferred financing fees) maturing from 2018 through 2042.

Mortgage Notes Payable:
 
At March 31, 2017 , four of our properties ( 7 buildings) with an aggregate net book value of $102.2 million had secured mortgage notes totaling $77.2 million (including net premiums and unamortized deferred financing fees) maturing from 2017 through 2026.

Note 6.  Shareholders’ Equity
 
Common Share Issuances:

See Note 11 for information regarding equity issuances related to share-based compensation.

Common Share Repurchases:

On March 17, 2016, our Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of our outstanding common shares over the twelve month period following the date of authorization. In March 2017, this share repurchase authorization, of which $106.6 million was not utilized, expired. On March 15, 2017, our Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $150.0 million of our outstanding common shares over the twelve month period following the date of authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we did not purchase any common shares.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , certain of our employees surrendered 6,694 common shares owned by them to satisfy their statutory tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of such common shares under the Equity Commonwealth 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2015 Incentive Plan).

Preferred Share Redemption:

On May 15, 2016, we redeemed all of our 11,000,000 outstanding series E preferred shares at a price of $25.00 per share, for a total of $275.0 million , plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. The redemption payment occurred on May 16, 2016 (the first business day following the redemption date).

Preferred Share Distributions:

In 2017, our Board of Trustees declared distributions on our series D preferred shares to date as follows:

Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Series D Dividend Per Share
January 12, 2017
 
January 30, 2017
 
February 15, 2017
 
$
0.40625

April 10, 2017
 
April 28, 2017
 
May 15, 2017
 
$
0.40625



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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Note 7.  Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of the units in the Operating Trust not beneficially owned by the Company. An operating partnership unit (OP Unit) and a share of our common stock have essentially the same economic characteristics. Distributions with respect to OP Units will generally mirror distributions with respect to the Company’s common shares. Unitholders (other than the Company) generally have the right, commencing six months from the date of issuance of such OP Units, to cause the Operating Trust to redeem their OP Units in exchange for cash or, at the option of the Company, common shares of the Company on a one -for-one basis. As sole trustee, the Company will have the sole discretion to elect whether the redemption right will be satisfied by the Company in cash or the Company’s common shares. As a result, the Noncontrolling interest is classified as permanent equity. As of March 31, 2017, the portion of the Operating Trust not beneficially owned by the Company is in the form of LTIP Units (see Note 11 for a description of LTIP Units). LTIP Units may be subject to additional vesting requirements.

The following table presents the changes in Equity Commonwealth’s issued and outstanding common shares and units for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
 
 
Common Shares
 
LTIP Units
 
Total
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
 
123,994,465

 

 
123,994,465

Restricted share and time-based LTIP Unit grants, net of forfeitures
 
69,730

 
39,364

 
109,094

Outstanding at March 31, 2017
 
124,064,195

 
39,364

 
124,103,559

Noncontrolling ownership interest in the Operating Trust
 


 


 
0.03
%

The carrying value of the Noncontrolling interest is allocated based on the number of LTIP Units in proportion to the number of LTIP Units plus the number of common shares. We adjust the noncontrolling interest balance at the end of each period to reflect the noncontrolling partners’ interest in the net assets of the Operating Trust. Net income is allocated to the Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Trust based on the weighted average ownership percentage during the period. Equity Commonwealth’s weighted average ownership interest in the Operating Trust was 99.97% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Note 8.  Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following table presents the amounts recognized in cumulative other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Unrealized Loss on Derivative Instruments
 
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
 
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2017
 
$
(208
)
 
$

 
$
(208
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(154
)
 
(641
)
 
(795
)
Amounts reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive loss to net income
 
1

 

 
1

Net current period other comprehensive loss
 
(153
)
 
(641
)
 
(794
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of March 31, 2017
 
$
(361
)
 
$
(641
)
 
$
(1,002
)
 
 

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


The following table presents reclassifications out of cumulative other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Amounts Reclassified from Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss to Net Income
Details about Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss Components
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Affected Line Items in the Statement of Operations
Interest rate cap contract
 
$
1

 
Interest expense
 
Note 9.  Income Taxes
 
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and are generally not subject to federal and state income taxes provided we distribute a sufficient amount of our taxable income to our shareholders and meet other requirements for qualifying as a REIT.  We are also subject to certain state and local taxes without regard to our REIT status. We have a net operating loss carryforward from prior years and we have fully reserved the associated deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of our ability to utilize the net operating losses in the future.

Our provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Current:
 
 
 
State
$
170

 
$
75

Federal
5

 

Income tax expense
$
175

 
$
75


Note 10.  Derivative Instruments

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including the effect of changes in interest rates.  The only risk we currently manage by using derivative instruments is related to our interest rate risk. 

We may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate derivative contracts, to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with our borrowings. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with our operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. We do not intend to utilize derivatives for speculative or other purposes other than interest rate risk management. The use of derivative financial instruments carries certain risks, including the risk that the counterparties to these contractual arrangements are not able to perform under the agreements. To mitigate this risk, we only enter into derivative financial instruments with counterparties with high credit ratings or with major financial institutions with which we and our affiliates may also have other financial relationships. We do not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we use interest rate caps, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts if interest rates rise above the cap strike rate.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in cumulative other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)



Amounts reported in cumulative other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $97,000 will be reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive loss as an increase to interest expense.

On March 4, 2016, we purchased an interest rate cap with a LIBOR strike price of 2.50% . The interest rate cap, effective April 1, 2016, has a notional amount of $400.0 million and a maturity date of March 1, 2019.

As of March 31, 2017 , we had the following outstanding interest rate derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk:
Interest Rate Derivative
 
Number of Instruments
 
Notional Amount (in thousands)
Interest rate cap
 
1

 
$
400,000


The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument as well as its classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fair Value as of
Interest Rate Derivative Designated as Hedging Instrument
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Interest rate cap
 
Other assets
 
$
161

 
$
314


The table below details the location in the financial statements of the gain or loss recognized on interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Amount of loss recognized in cumulative other comprehensive loss
$
(154
)
 
$
(445
)
Amount of loss reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive loss into interest expense
1

 
1,118


Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

As of March 31, 2017 , we did not have any derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk.

Note 11. Share-Based Compensation
Equity Commonwealth 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Recipients of the Company’s restricted shares have the same voting rights as any other common shareholder. During the period of restriction, the Company’s unvested restricted shareholders are eligible to receive dividend payments on their shares at the same rate and on the same date as any other common shareholder.  The restricted shares are service based awards and vest over a four -year period.

Recipients of the Company’s restricted stock units (RSUs) are entitled to receive dividends with respect to the common shares underlying the RSUs if and when the RSUs are earned, at which time the recipient will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of cash dividends that would have been paid in respect of the common shares underlying the recipient’s earned RSUs had such common shares been issued to the recipient on the first day of the performance period. To the extent that an award does not vest, the dividends related to unvested RSUs will be forfeited. The RSUs are market based awards with a service condition and recipients may earn RSUs based on the Company’s total shareholder return (TSR) relative to the TSRs of the companies that comprise the NAREIT Office Index over a three year performance period. Following the end of the performance period, the number of earned awards will be determined. The earned awards vest in two tranches with 50% of the earned award vesting at the end of the performance period and the remaining 50% of the earned award vesting one year after the end of the performance period, subject to the grant recipient’s continued employment. Compensation expense for the

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


RSUs is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model and is recognized ratably from the grant date to the vesting date of each tranche.

LTIP Units are a class of beneficial interests in the Operating Trust that may be issued to employees, officers, or trustees of the Operating Trust, the Company or their subsidiaries (LTIP Units). Time-based LTIP Units have the same general characteristics as restricted shares and market-based LTIP Units have the same general characteristics as RSUs. Each LTIP Unit will convert automatically into an OP Unit on a one -for-one basis when the LTIP Unit becomes vested and its capital account is equalized with the per-unit capital account of the OP Units. Holders of LTIP Units generally will be entitled to receive the same per-unit distributions as the other outstanding OP Units in the Operating Trust, except that market-based LTIP Units will not participate in distributions until expiration of the applicable performance period, at which time any earned market-based LTIP Units generally will become entitled to receive a catch-up distribution for the periods prior to such time.
2017 Equity Award Activity

On January 24, 2017, the Compensation Committee (the Committee) approved a grant of 119,288 LTIP Units (which includes time-based LTIP Units and market-based LTIP Units), 76,424 restricted shares and 155,168 RSUs at target ( 386,756 RSUs at maximum) to the Company’s officers, certain employees and to Mr. Zell, the Chairman of our Board of Trustees, as part of their compensation for fiscal year 2016. The LTIP Unit grant includes 39,364 time-based LTIP Units and 79,924 market-based LTIP Units at target ( 199,211 market-based LTIP Units at maximum).

The restricted shares and time-based LTIP Units were granted on January 24, 2017 and were valued at $31.47 per share, the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE on that day. The assumptions and fair values for the RSUs and market-based LTIP Units granted for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are included in the following table on a per share and unit basis.
 
2017
Fair value of RSUs and market-based LTIP units granted
$
39.81

Expected term (years)
4

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield
1.59
%
Risk-free rate
1.49
%
2016 Equity Award Activity

On January 26, 2016, the Committee approved a grant of 136,623 restricted shares and 277,386 RSUs at target ( 691,385 RSUs at maximum) to the Company’s officers, certain employees and to Mr. Zell, the Chairman of our Board of Trustees, as part of their compensation for fiscal year 2015.

Outstanding Equity Awards
As of March 31, 2017 , the estimated future compensation expense for all unvested restricted share and time-based LTIP Units was $14.2 million . Compensation expense for the restricted share and time-based LTIP Unit awards is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award. The weighted average period over which the future compensation expense will be recorded for the restricted shares and time-based LTIP units is approximately 2.4 years.
As of March 31, 2017 , the estimated future compensation expense for all unvested RSUs and market-based LTIP Units was $25.2 million . The weighted average period over which the future compensation expense will be recorded for the RSUs and market-based LTIP Units is approximately 2.3 years.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we recorded $5.2 million and $4.4 million , respectively, of compensation expense, net of forfeitures, in general and administrative expense for grants to our Trustees and employees related to our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended, the 2015 Incentive Plan). At March 31, 2017 , 1,656,709 common shares remain available for issuance under the 2015 Incentive Plan.

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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Note 12.  Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
 
The table below presents assets measured at fair value during 2017 , categorized by the level of inputs used in the valuation of the assets (dollars in thousands): 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at March 31, 2017 Using
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
Description
 
Total
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Recurring Fair Value Measurements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate cap contract
 
$
161

 
$

 
$
161

 
$

Marketable securities
 
$
275,597

 
$
275,597

 
$

 
$


Interest Rate Cap Contract

The fair value of our interest rate cap contract is determined using the net discounted cash flows of the derivative based on the market based interest rate curve (level 2 inputs) and adjusted for our credit spread and the actual and estimated credit spreads of the counterparties (level 3 inputs).  Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivative fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivative utilize level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and the counterparties.  As of March 31, 2017 , we have assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative position and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivative.  As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuation in its entirety is classified as level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Properties Held and Used

As part of our office repositioning strategy, and pursuant to our accounting policy, in 2017, we evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of each of the real estate assets that comprised our portfolio and determined that due to the shortening of the expected periods of ownership as a result of the office repositioning strategy and current estimates of market value less estimated costs to sell, it was necessary to reduce the net book value of a portion of the real estate assets in our portfolio to their estimated fair values. We anticipate the potential disposition of certain properties prior to the end of their remaining useful lives. As a result, in the first quarter of 2017, we recorded an impairment charge related to 25 S. Charles Street of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 in accordance with our impairment analysis procedures. We determined this impairment based on third party offer prices and independent third party broker information, which are level 2 inputs according to the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820. We reduced the aggregate carrying value of this property from $24.6 million to its estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell of $23.3 million . This property was sold in April 2017 (see Note 3 for additional information). We evaluated each of our properties and determined there were no additional valuation adjustments necessary at March 31, 2017 .

Financial Instruments

In addition to the assets and liabilities described in the above table, our financial instruments include our cash and cash equivalents, real estate mortgages receivable, restricted cash, marketable securities, senior unsecured debt and mortgage notes payable.  At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of these additional financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying values, except as follows (in thousands):  
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
Senior unsecured debt and mortgage notes payable
$
1,151,286

 
$
1,175,642

 
$
1,151,634

 
$
1,167,031

 
The fair values of our senior notes and mortgage notes payable are based on estimates using discounted cash flow analyses and currently prevailing interest rates adjusted by credit risk spreads (level 3 inputs).


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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Other financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of rents receivable; however, as of March 31, 2017 , no single tenant of ours is responsible for more than 6.0% of our total annualized rents.
 
Our derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps and cap, are entered with major financial institutions and we monitor the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty.

Note 13.  Earnings Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Numerator for earnings per common share - basic:
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(8
)
 

Preferred distributions
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
Numerator for net income per share - basic
$
21,817


$
39,421

 
 
 
 
Numerator for earnings per common share - diluted:
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402

Preferred distributions
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
Numerator for net income per share - diluted
$
21,825

 
$
39,421

 
 
 
 
Denominator for earnings per common share - basic and diluted:
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
124,047

 
125,840

RSUs
1,023

 
1,682

LTIP Units
80

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (1)
125,150

 
127,522

 
 
 
 
Net income per common share attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.18

 
$
0.31

Diluted
$
0.17

 
$
0.31

 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive securities:
 
 
 
Effect of Series D preferred shares; 6 1/2% cumulative convertible (2)
2,363

 
2,363


(1)
As of March 31, 2017 , we had granted RSUs and LTIP Units to certain employees, officers, and the chairman of the Board of Trustees.  The RSUs and LTIP Units contain service and market-based vesting components.  None of the RSUs or LTIP Units have vested. If the market-based vesting component of these awards was measured as of March 31, 2017 , and 2016 , 1,165 and 1,754 common shares would be issued, respectively. Using a weighted average basis, 1,103 and 1,682 common shares are reflected in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.
(2)
The Series D preferred shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because including the Series D preferred shares would also require that the preferred distributions be added back to net income, resulting in anti-dilution during the periods presented.


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EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


Note 14.  Segment Information
 
Our primary business is the ownership and operation of office properties, and we currently have one reportable segment.  More than 95% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are from office properties. 

Note 15.  Related Person Transactions
 
The following discussion includes a description of our related person transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership: We have a lease with Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership, an entity associated with Mr. Zell, our Chairman, to occupy office space on the twentieth and twenty-first floors of Two North Riverside Plaza in Chicago, Illinois (20th/21st Floor Office Lease). The initial term of the lease is approximately five years, with one 5 -year renewal option. We have completed improvements to the office space utilizing the $0.7 million tenant improvement allowance pursuant to the lease. In connection with the 20th/21st Floor Office Lease, we also have a lease with Two North Riverside Plaza Joint Venture Limited Partnership for storage space in the basement of Two North Riverside Plaza. The lease expires December 31, 2020; however, each party has the right to terminate on 30 days' prior written notice. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we recognized expense of $0.2 million and $0.2 million , respectively, pursuant to the 20 th /21 st Floor Office Lease and the related storage space.

Related/Corvex: On July 31, 2014, at our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders voted to approve the reimbursement of approximately $33.5 million of verified expenses incurred by Related Fund Mangement, LLC and Corvex Management LP (Related/Corvex) beginning February 2013 in connection with their consent solicitations to remove our former Trustees, elect the new Board of Trustees and to engage in related litigation. We paid approximately $16.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.  Approximately $8.4 million was to be reimbursed only if the average closing price of our common shares was at least $26.00 (as adjusted for any share splits or share dividends) during the one year period after the date on which the reimbursement was approved by shareholders, and up to $8.4 million was to be reimbursed only if the average closing price of our common shares was at least $26.00 (as adjusted for any share splits or share dividends) during the one year period between the first and second anniversaries of the date on which the reimbursement was approved by shareholders. The average closing price of our common shares was at least $26.00 during both the first and second one year periods after the date on which the reimbursement was approved by shareholders, and as a result, in August 2016 and 2015 we paid an $8.2 million final payment and $8.4 million , respectively, to Related/Corvex.

Note 16.  Subsequent Events
 
In April 2017, we sold two properties (Parkshore Plaza and 25 S. Charles Street) ( five buildings), with 630,326 square feet for $64.5 million , excluding closing costs. These properties were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2017 (see Note 3).

In April 2017, we repaid at par $41.3 million of mortgage debt at Parkshore Plaza in connection with the sale of the property.

18


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report, and in our Annual Report.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Some of the statements contained in this Quarterly Report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are intended to be made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, all of our statements regarding anticipated growth in market conditions are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.
 
The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

OVERVIEW
 
We are an internally managed and self-advised REIT engaged in the ownership and operation primarily of office buildings throughout the United States. We were formed in 1986 under Maryland law. On November 10, 2016, we converted to what is commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT, structure. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are now held in an Operating Trust through which the Company conducts its business.

At March 31, 2017 , our portfolio, excluding properties held for sale, included 28 properties ( 56 buildings) and one land parcel, with a combined 14.6 million square feet for a total investment of $2.7 billion at cost and a depreciated book value of $2.0 billion . As of March 31, 2017 , we had $2.2 billion of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

As of March 31, 2017 , our overall portfolio was 89.0% leased. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we entered into leases for 331,000 square feet, including lease renewals for 264,000 square feet and new leases for 67,000 square feet.  Renewal leases entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2017 had weighted average cash and GAAP rental rates that were approximately 7.2% lower and 22.8% higher, respectively, as compared to prior rental rates for the same space, and new leases entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2017 had weighted average cash and GAAP rental rates that were approximately 8.4% higher and 15.8% higher, respectively, than prior rental rates for the same space.  The change in GAAP rents is different than the change in cash rents due to differences in the amount of rent abatements, the magnitude and timing of contractual rent increases over the lease term, and the years of term for the newly executed leases compared to the prior leases.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we sold 30 properties (62 buildings) with a combined 8.0 million square feet for an aggregate gross sales price of $1.3 billion, excluding closing costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we sold three properties ( three buildings) and one land parcel with a combined 0.8 million square feet for an aggregate gross sales price of $113.1 million , excluding closing costs. We have generated significant proceeds from our dispositions to date and have a cash balance of $1.9 billion as of March 31, 2017 . In April 2017, we sold two properties ( five buildings), with 630,326 square feet for $64.5 million , excluding closing costs. These properties were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2017 . For more information regarding these transactions, see Notes 3 and 16 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial

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statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. In addition, as our real estate investments have decreased, our income from operations has also declined.

In connection with our office portfolio, in December 2016, our Board of Trustees adopted an office repositioning strategy to own and acquire at a discount to replacement cost high-quality, multi-tenant office assets in markets and sub-markets with favorable long-term supply and demand fundamentals. Our efforts within our office portfolio will primarily be focused on larger buildings in central business districts and major urban areas that offer an attractive quality of life, including opportunities for tenants to live and play in close proximity to where they work, with a preference for markets that have above average limitations on new supply.

While executing this strategy, depending on market conditions, we may sell additional properties and are seeking to acquire attractive properties in markets meeting the criteria above. With the progress we have had executing dispositions, and the strength and liquidity of our balance sheet, we are in a position today to increasingly shift our focus to capital allocation. We seek to reinvest the capital received from dispositions to purchase new properties, repay debt, buy back common shares or make other investments or distributions that further our long-term strategic goals and the repositioning strategy adopted by our Board of Trustees.

As we continue to reposition our portfolio, we expect our efforts will be balanced among leasing assets to create value, selling assets when we are able to achieve attractive pricing, and evaluating a wide range of opportunities to deploy capital. However, we may not be able to make suitable acquisitions or other investments with the proceeds from the dispositions.

As part of the office repositioning strategy noted above, and pursuant to our accounting policy, in 2017, we evaluated the recoverability of the carrying values of each of the real estate assets that comprised our portfolio and determined that due to the shortening of the expected periods of ownership as a result of our office repositioning strategy and current estimates of market value, it was necessary to reduce the net book value of a portion of the real estate assets in our portfolio to their estimated fair values less estimated costs to sell. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 in accordance with our impairment analysis procedures.

We have engaged CBRE, Inc. (CBRE) to provide property management services for our properties. We pay CBRE a property-by-property management fee and may engage CBRE from time-to-time to perform project management services, such as coordinating and overseeing the completion of tenant improvements and other capital projects at the properties. We reimburse CBRE for certain expenses incurred in the performance of its duties, including certain personnel and equipment costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we incurred expenses of $5.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively, related to our property management agreement with CBRE, for property management fees, typically calculated as a portion of the properties' revenues, and salary and benefits reimbursements for property personnel, such as property managers, engineers and maintenance staff.  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , we had amounts payable pursuant to these services of $2.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

Property Operations

Leased occupancy data for 2017 and 2016 are as follows (square feet in thousands):
 
 
All Properties(1)
 
Comparable Properties(2)
 
As of March 31,
 
As of March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total properties
28

 
60

 
28

 
28

Total square feet
14,593

 
23,037

 
14,593

 
14,578

Percent leased (3)
89.0
%
 
91.4
%
 
89.0
%
 
91.6
%

(1)
Excludes properties sold or classified as held for sale in the period. 
(2)
Based on properties owned continuously from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017 , and excludes properties sold or classified as held for sale during the period.
(3)
Percent leased includes (i) space being fitted out for occupancy pursuant to existing leases and (ii) space which is leased but is not occupied or is being offered for sublease by tenants.
 

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The weighted average lease term based on square feet for leases entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 11.8 years.  Commitments made for leasing expenditures and concessions, such as tenant improvements and leasing commissions, for leases entered into during the three months ended March 31, 2017 totaled $9.7 million , or $28.88 per square foot on average (approximately $2.44 per square foot per year of the lease term).
 
As of March 31, 2017 , approximately 3.6% of our leased square feet and 3.6% of our annualized rental revenue, determined as set forth below, are included in leases scheduled to expire through December 31, 2017 .  Renewed and new leases and rental rates at which available space may be relet in the future will depend on prevailing market conditions at the times these leases are negotiated.  We believe that the in-place cash rents for leases expiring for the remainder of 2017 are below market. Lease expirations by year, as of March 31, 2017 , are as follows (square feet and dollars in thousands):
Year
 
Number
of Tenants Expiring
 
Leased Square
 Feet Expiring(1)
 
% of Leased
Square Feet Expiring(1)
 
Cumulative
% of Leased Square
Feet Expiring(1)
 
Annualized Rental
Revenue Expiring(2)
 
% of
Annualized Rental
Revenue Expiring
 
Cumulative
% of
Annualized Rental Revenue Expiring
2017
 
87

 
464

 
3.6
%
 
3.6
%
 
$
12,253

 
3.6
%
 
3.6
%
2018
 
75

 
557

 
4.3
%
 
7.9
%
 
17,469

 
5.2
%
 
8.8
%
2019
 
85

 
1,230

 
9.5
%
 
17.4
%
 
36,342

 
10.8
%
 
19.6
%
2020
 
77

 
2,144

 
16.5
%
 
33.9
%
 
50,940

 
15.1
%
 
34.7
%
2021
 
63

 
1,053

 
8.1
%
 
42.0
%
 
31,770

 
9.4
%
 
44.1
%
2022
 
42

 
693

 
5.3
%
 
47.3
%
 
25,598

 
7.6
%
 
51.7
%
2023
 
42

 
1,459

 
11.2
%
 
58.5
%
 
44,024

 
13.1
%
 
64.8
%
2024
 
15

 
217

 
1.7
%
 
60.2
%
 
7,264

 
2.2
%
 
67.0
%
2025
 
20

 
758

 
5.8
%
 
66.0
%
 
20,238

 
6.0
%
 
73.0
%
2026
 
13

 
677

 
5.2
%
 
71.2
%
 
22,593

 
6.7
%
 
79.7
%
Thereafter
 
64

 
3,739

 
28.8
%
 
100.0
%
 
68,765

 
20.3
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
583

 
12,991

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
$
337,256

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):
 
 
 
6.8

 
 
 
 
 
6.2

 
 
 
 

(1)
Square footage is pursuant to existing leases as of March 31, 2017 , excluding leases related to properties classified as held for sale, and includes (i) space being fitted out for occupancy and (ii) space which is leased but is not occupied or is being offered for sublease. 
(2)
Annualized rental revenue is annualized contractual rents from our tenants pursuant to leases which have commenced as of March 31, 2017 , plus estimated recurring expense reimbursements; includes triple net lease rents and excludes lease value amortization, straight line rent adjustments, abated (free) rent periods and parking revenue. We calculate annualized rental revenue by aggregating the recurring billings outlined above for the most recent month during the quarter reported, adding abated rent, and multiplying the sum by 12 to provide an estimation of near-term potentially-recurring revenues.  Annualized rental revenue is a forward-looking non-GAAP measure.  Annualized rental revenue cannot be reconciled to a comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts, primarily due to the fact that it is calculated from the billings of tenants in the most recent month at the most recent rental rates during the quarter reported, whereas historical GAAP measures include billings from a potentially different group of tenants over multiple months at potentially different rental rates.
 

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A principal source of funds for our operations is rents from tenants at our properties.  Rents are generally received from our tenants monthly in advance, except from our government tenants, who usually pay rents monthly in arrears.  As of March 31, 2017 , tenants representing 1.5% or more of our total annualized rental revenue were as follows (square feet in thousands):
Tenant(1)
 
Square Feet(2)
 
% of Total Square Feet(2)
 
% of Annualized Rental Revenue(3)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
1.
Expedia, Inc.
 
427

 
2.9
%
 
6.0
%
 
2.7
2.
Office Depot, Inc.
 
651

 
4.5
%
 
5.1
%
 
6.5
3.
Groupon, Inc. (4)
 
376

 
2.6
%
 
3.6
%
 
8.8
4.
PNC Financial Services Group
 
363

 
2.5
%
 
3.3
%
 
9.7
5.
Flextronics International Ltd.
 
1,051

 
7.2
%
 
3.2
%
 
12.8
6.
Ballard Spahr LLP
 
217

 
1.5
%
 
2.4
%
 
12.9
7.
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
 
248

 
1.7
%
 
2.2
%
 
11.1
8.
University of Pennsylvania Health System
 
267

 
1.8
%
 
2.1
%
 
8.6
9.
Georgetown University
 
240

 
1.6
%
 
1.9
%
 
2.5
10.
Willis Towers Watson
 
251

 
1.7
%
 
1.9
%
 
3.1
11.
Echo Global Logistics, Inc.
 
226

 
1.5
%
 
1.8
%
 
10.5
12.
West Corporation
 
336

 
2.3
%
 
1.7
%
 
11.9
13.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
 
150

 
1.0
%
 
1.7
%
 
4.8
 
Total
 
4,803

 
32.8
%
 
36.9
%
 
8.7

(1)
Tenants located in properties classified as held for sale are excluded.
(2)
Square footage is pursuant to existing leases as of March 31, 2017 , and includes (i) space being fitted out for occupancy and (ii) space which is leased but is not occupied or is being offered for sublease. 
(3)
Annualized rental revenue is annualized contractual rents from our tenants pursuant to leases which have commenced as of March 31, 2017 , plus estimated recurring expense reimbursements; includes triple net lease rents and excludes lease value amortization, straight line rent adjustments, abated (free) rent periods and parking revenue. We calculate annualized rental revenue by aggregating the recurring billings outlined above for the most recent month during the quarter reported, adding abated rent, and multiplying the sum by 12 to provide an estimation of near-term potentially-recurring revenues.  Annualized rental revenue is a forward-looking non-GAAP measure.  Annualized rental revenue cannot be reconciled to a comparable GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts, primarily due to the fact that it is calculated from the billings of tenants in the most recent month at the most recent rental rates during the quarter reported, whereas historical GAAP measures include billings from a potentially different group of tenants over multiple months at potentially different rental rates.
(4)
Groupon, Inc. statistics include 207,536 square feet that are sublet from Bankers Life and Casualty Company.
 



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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 , Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Comparable Properties Results(1)
 
Other Properties Results(2)
 
Consolidated Results
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(in thousands)
Rental income
$
73,646

 
$
71,372

 
$
2,274

 
3.2
%
 
$
6,559

 
$
38,516

 
$
80,205

 
$
109,888

 
$
(29,683
)
 
(27.0
)%
Tenant reimbursements and other income
18,625

 
17,573

 
1,052

 
6.0
%
 
721

 
9,674

 
19,346

 
27,247

 
(7,901
)
 
(29.0
)%
Operating expenses
(38,435
)
 
(36,878
)
 
(1,557
)
 
4.2
%
 
(2,652
)
 
(20,380
)
 
(41,087
)
 
(57,258
)
 
16,171

 
(28.2
)%
Net operating income(3)
$
53,836

 
$
52,067

 
$
1,769

 
3.4
%
 
$
4,628

 
$
27,810

 
58,464

 
79,877

 
(21,413
)
 
(26.8
)%
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26,915

 
36,251

 
(9,336
)
 
(25.8
)%
General and administrative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,078

 
13,312

 
(1,234
)
 
(9.3
)%
Loss on asset impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,286

 

 
1,286

 
100.0
 %
Total other expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40,279

 
49,563

 
(9,284
)
 
(18.7
)%
Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18,185

 
30,314

 
(12,129
)
 
(40.0
)%
Interest and other income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,372

 
1,967

 
2,405

 
122.3
 %
Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(15,014
)
 
(22,347
)
 
7,333

 
(32.8
)%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(118
)
 
118

 
(100.0
)%
Foreign currency exchange loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
(5
)
 
5

 
(100.0
)%
Gain on sale of properties, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,454

 
36,666

 
(20,212
)
 
(55.1
)%
Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,997

 
46,477

 
(22,480
)
 
(48.4
)%
Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(175
)
 
(75
)
 
(100
)
 
133.3
 %
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,822

 
46,402

 
(22,580
)
 
(48.7
)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
 
100.0
 %
Net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23,814

 
46,402

 
(22,588
)
 
(48.7
)%
Preferred distributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
 
4,984

 
(71.4
)%
Net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
21,817

 
$
39,421

 
$
(17,604
)
 
(44.7
)%

(1)
Comparable properties consist of 28 properties ( 56 buildings) we owned continuously from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 .
 
(2)
Other properties consist of properties sold or classified as held for sale as of the end of the period.

(3)
We define NOI as income from our real estate including lease termination fees received from tenants less our property operating expenses.  NOI excludes amortization of capitalized tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions.  We consider NOI to be an appropriate supplemental measure to net income because it may help both investors and management to understand the operations of our properties.  We use NOI internally to evaluate property level performance, and we believe that NOI provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level and may facilitate comparisons of our operating performance between periods and with other REITs.  NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income or cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of our financial performance or liquidity, nor is this measure necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of our needs.  This measure should be considered in conjunction with net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income and cash flow from operating activities as presented in our consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows.  Other REITs and real estate companies may calculate NOI differently than we do.

We refer to the 28 properties ( 56 buildings) we owned continuously from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 , as comparable properties.  We refer to the sold properties and properties classified as held for sale as other properties.  Our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 include the operating results of 28 properties for the entire periods, as we owned these properties as of January 1, 2016

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Rental income. Rental income decreased $29.7 million , or 27.0% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to the properties sold in 2017 and 2016, partially offset by an increase of 3.2% in rental income at the comparable properties. The increase in rental income at the comparable properties is due to an increase in rents resulting from new leasing activity, partially offset by several large tenant lease expirations and lease contractions.

Rental income includes increases for straight line rent adjustments totaling $4.4 million in the 2017 period and $3.8 million in the 2016 period, and net reductions for amortization of acquired real estate leases and assumed real estate lease obligations totaling $0.6 million in the 2017 period and $1.1 million in the 2016 period. Rental income also includes the recognition of lease termination fees totaling $1.7 million in the 2017 period and $0.3 million in the 2016 period.
  
Tenant reimbursements and other income. Tenant reimbursements and other income decreased $7.9 million , or 29.0% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to the properties sold in 2017 and 2016. Tenant reimbursements and other income increased $1.1 million , or 6.0% , at our comparable properties primarily due to an increase in real estate tax reimbursements and an increase in reimbursements related to new leasing activity.
 
Operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased $16.2 million , or 28.2% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to the properties sold in 2017 and 2016. Operating expenses increased $1.6 million , or 4.2% , at the comparable properties primarily due to an increase in real estate tax expense, partially offset by a decrease in utilities.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased $9.3 million , or 25.8% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period primarily due to properties sold in 2017 and 2016.

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased $1.2 million , or 9.3% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to a $1.1 million decrease related to the shareholder approved reimbursement of expenses incurred by Related/Corvex in connection with their consent solicitation to remove our former Trustees and decreases in technology, payroll and legal expenses, partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in share-based compensation expense.

Loss on asset impairment. We recorded impairment charges of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 related to 25 S. Charles Street based upon the shortening of our expected period of ownership and updated market information in accordance with our impairment analysis procedures.

Operating income. Operating income decreased $12.1 million , or 40.0% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to the properties sold in 2017 and 2016.

Interest and other income. Interest and other income increased $2.4 million in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to additional interest received on higher invested balances and higher average interest rates in 2017.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $7.3 million , or 32.8% , in the 2017 period, compared to the 2016 period, primarily due to the prepayment of $139.1 million of our 6.25% senior unsecured notes in February 2016, the repayment of the $167.8 million mortgage debt at 1735 Market Street in November 2016, the prepayment of $250.0 million of our 6.25% senior unsecured notes in December 2016 and a decrease in amortization of deferred financing fees, partially offset by an increase in interest expense related to our term loans as a result of an increase in interest rates.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt . The loss on early extinguishment of debt in the 2016 period reflects the write-off of an unamortized discount and unamortized deferred financing fees related to our redemption of $139.1 million of our 6.25% senior unsecured notes due 2016.

Gain on sale of properties, net. Gain on sale of properties, net decreased $20.2 million in the 2017 period, as compared to the 2016 period. Gain on sale of properties in the 2017 period relates to a $22.5 million gain related to the sale of Seton Center, partially offset by losses of $6.0 million and $0.1 million related to the sales of 111 Market Place and Cabot Business Park Land, respectively. Gain on sale of properties in the 2016 period relates to a $16.5 million gain on the sale of Executive Park, a $5.5 million gain on the sale of 3330 N Washington Boulevard and a $14.7 million gain on the sale of 111 East Kilbourn Avenue.

Income tax expense. The $0.1 million increase in state income tax expense primarily relates to the sale of properties in certain states.


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Table of Contents

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. In January 2017, we granted LTIP Units. The net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $8,000 in the 2017 period relates to the allocation of net income to the LTIP Unit holders.

Preferred distributions. The $5.0 million decrease in preferred distributions is due to the redemption of all of our 11,000,000 outstanding series E preferred shares on May 15, 2016.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Our Operating Liquidity and Resources
 
As of March 31, 2017 , we had $1.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents.  We expect to use our cash balances, cash flow from our operations and proceeds of any future property sales to fund our operations, repay debt, make distributions, purchase our common shares, acquire assets or entities, fund tenant improvements and leasing costs and for other general business purposes.  We believe our cash balances and the cash flow from our operations will be sufficient to fund our ordinary course activities.

Our future cash flows from operating activities will depend primarily upon our:
 
ability to maintain or improve the occupancy of, and the rental rates at, our properties;
 
ability to control operating and financing cost increases at our properties; and
 
ability to purchase additional properties which produce rents, less property operating expenses, in excess of our costs of acquisition capital which are consistent with our office repositioning strategy.
 
Volatility in energy costs and real estate taxes may cause our future operating costs to fluctuate; however, the impact of these fluctuations is expected to be partially offset by the pass through of operating costs to our tenants pursuant to lease terms, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully offset these costs or that doing so would not negatively impact our competitive position or business. 
 
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating, investing and financing activities were $(2.7) million , $(200.9) million and $(2.5) million , respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , and $23.0 million , $88.9 million and $(172.5) million , respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  Changes in these three categories of our cash flows between 2017 and 2016 are primarily related to a decrease in property net operating income, real estate improvements, dispositions of properties, purchase of marketable securities, repayments of debt and repurchase of our common shares.
 
Our Investment and Financing Liquidity and Resources
 
In order to maintain financial flexibility, to fund potential acquisitions and to meet cash needs that may result from timing differences between our receipt of rents and our desire or need to make distributions and investments or pay operating or capital expenses, we maintain an unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of institutional lenders. Our credit agreement provides us with (i) a $750.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, (ii) a $200.0 million 5-year term loan facility and (iii) a $200.0 million 7-year term loan facility. The revolving credit facility has a scheduled maturity date of January 28, 2019, which maturity date may be extended for up to two additional periods of six months at our option subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of an extension fee of 0.075% of the aggregate amount available under the revolving credit facility. The 5-year term loan and the 7-year term loan have scheduled maturity dates of January 28, 2020 and January 28, 2022, respectively.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility currently bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread, which was 125 basis points as of March 31, 2017 .  We also pay a facility fee of 25 basis points per annum on the total amount of lending commitments under our revolving credit facility.  Both the interest rate spread and the facility fee are subject to adjustment based upon changes to our credit ratings.  We are allowed to borrow, repay and reborrow funds available under our revolving credit facility until maturity, and no principal repayment is due until maturity.  As of March 31, 2017 , the interest rate payable on borrowings under our revolving credit facility was 2.23% .  As of March 31, 2017 , we had no balance outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
 
Our term loans currently bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread, which was 140 and 180 basis points for the 5-year and 7-year term loan, respectively, as of March 31, 2017 .  The interest rate spread is subject to adjustment based upon changes to our credit ratings.  As of March 31, 2017 , the interest rate for the amounts outstanding under our term loan was 2.38% and 2.78% for the 5-year and 7-year term loan, respectively. As of March 31, 2017 , our 5-year and 7-year term loans each had outstanding balances of $200.0 million.
 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we paid an aggregate of $2.0 million of distributions on our series D preferred shares.  On April 10, 2017, we announced that our Board of Trustees declared a dividend of $0.40625 per series D preferred share, which is expected to be paid on May 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on April 28, 2017.

On March 17, 2016, our Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of our outstanding common shares over the twelve month period following the date of authorization. In March 2017, this share repurchase authorization, of which $106.6 million was not utilized, expired. On March 15, 2017, our Board of Trustees authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $150.0 million of our outstanding common shares over the twelve month period following the date of authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we did not purchase any common shares.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we purchased $276.2 million of marketable securities. For further information about our marketable securities, see Note 4 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

Our outstanding debt maturities and weighted average interest rates as of March 31, 2017 , were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Scheduled Principal Payments During Period
 
 
Year
 
Unsecured Floating Rate Debt
 
Unsecured Fixed Rate Debt
 
Secured Fixed Rate Debt
 
Total(1)
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate(2)
2017
 
$

 
$

 
$
42,328

(3)
$
42,328

 
5.7
%
2018
 

 
250,000

 
1,487

 
251,487

 
6.6
%
2019
 

 

 
1,580

 
1,580

 
6.0
%
2020
 
200,000

 
250,000

 
1,674

 
451,674

 
4.3
%
2021
 

 

 
25,982

 
25,982

 
5.7
%
2022
 
200,000

 

 
799

 
200,799

 
2.8
%
2023
 

 

 
702

 
702

 
5.7
%
2024
 

 

 
743

 
743

 
5.7
%
2025
 

 

 
787

 
787

 
5.7
%
2026
 

 

 
204

 
204

 
5.7
%
Thereafter
 

 
175,000

(4)

 
175,000

 
5.8
%
 
 
$
400,000

 
$
675,000

 
$
76,286

 
$
1,151,286

 
4.9
%

(1)
Total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2017 , including net unamortized premiums and discounts and net unamortized deferred financing costs, equals $1,141,628 .
(2)
Weighted based on current contractual interest rates.
(3)
In April 2017, we repaid at par $41.3 million of mortgage debt at Parkshore Plaza in connection with the sale of the property.
(4)
The 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2042 are callable at par on or after August 1, 2017.
 
For further information about our indebtedness, see Note 5 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
When significant amounts are outstanding under our revolving credit facility, or as the maturity dates of our revolving credit facility and term debts approach, we explore alternatives to repay amounts due. Such alternatives may include incurring additional debt and issuing new equity securities, extending the maturity of our revolving credit facility and entering into a new revolving credit facility. We have an effective shelf registration statement that allows us to issue public securities on an expedited basis, but it does not assure that there will be buyers for such securities.
We believe that we will have access to various types of financings, including debt or equity offerings, to fund any future acquisitions and to pay our debts and other obligations as they become due. The completion and the costs of any future debt transactions will depend primarily upon market conditions and our credit ratings. We have no control over market conditions. Our credit ratings depend upon evaluations by credit rating agencies of our business practices and plans and, in particular, whether we appear to have the ability to maintain our earnings, to space our debt maturities and to balance our use of debt and equity capital so that our financial performance and leverage ratios afford us flexibility to withstand any reasonably foreseeable adverse changes. We intend to conduct our business activities in a manner which will continue to afford us reasonable access to

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capital for investment and financing activities. However, there can be no assurance regarding our credit ratings or our ability to complete any debt or equity offerings or that our cost of any future public or private financings will not increase.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we sold three properties ( three buildings) and one land parcel with a combined 827,204 square feet for an aggregate sales price of $113.1 million , excluding closing costs. In April 2017, we sold two properties ( five buildings), with 630,326 square feet for $64.5 million , excluding closing costs. These properties were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2017 . For more information regarding these transactions, see Notes 3 and 16 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , amounts capitalized at our properties, including properties sold or held for sale, for tenant improvements, leasing costs and building improvements were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Tenant improvements (1)
$
9,427

 
$
25,391

Leasing costs (2)
4,617

 
9,765

Building improvements (3)
4,785

 
6,541


(1)
Tenant improvements include capital expenditures to improve tenants’ spaces.
(2)
Leasing costs primarily include brokerage commissions and legal expenses.
(3)
Building improvements generally include expenditures to replace obsolete building components and expenditures that extend the useful life of existing assets. Tenant-funded capital expenditures are excluded.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , commitments made for expenditures in connection with leasing space at our properties were as follows (dollar and square foot measures in thousands):
 
New
Leases
 
Renewals
 
Total
Rentable square feet leased during the period
67

 
264

 
331

Tenant improvements and leasing commissions
$
2,910

 
$
6,759

 
$
9,669

Tenant improvements and leasing commissions per rentable square foot
$
42.02

 
$
25.58

 
$
28.88

Weighted average lease term by square foot (years)
7.4

 
13.0

 
11.8

Total tenant improvements and leasing commissions per rentable square foot per year
$
5.70

 
$
1.97

 
$
2.44

 
Debt Covenants
 
Our unsecured debt obligations at March 31, 2017 were our term loans and our publicly issued senior unsecured notes. Our public debt indenture and related supplements and our credit agreement contain a number of financial ratio covenants which generally restrict our ability to incur debts, in excess of calculated amounts, restrict our ability to make distributions under certain circumstances and require us to maintain other financial ratios.  At March 31, 2017 , we believe we were in compliance with all covenants under both our indenture and related supplements, and under our credit agreement.  In addition to our unsecured debt obligations, we had $77.2 million (including net unamortized premiums and net unamortized deferred financing costs) of mortgage notes outstanding at March 31, 2017 .
 
None of our indenture and related supplements, our credit agreement, or our mortgage notes contain provisions for acceleration or require us to provide collateral security which could be triggered by our debt ratings.  However, our senior debt rating is used to determine the interest rate and the fees payable under our credit agreement.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of March 31, 2017 , we had no off balance sheet arrangements that have had or that we expect would be reasonably likely to have a future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.  We had no swaps or hedges as of March 31, 2017 , other than the interest rate cap described in Note 10 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements, and under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included in Part I, Item 3 of this Quarterly Report.
 

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Funds from Operations (FFO) and Normalized FFO

We compute FFO in accordance with standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). NAREIT defines FFO as net income (loss), calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding real estate depreciation and amortization, gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable property, impairment of depreciable real estate, and our portion of these items related to equity investees and non-controlling interests.  Our calculation of Normalized FFO differs from NAREIT’s definition of FFO because we exclude certain items that we view as nonrecurring or impacting comparability from period to period.  We consider FFO and Normalized FFO to be appropriate measures of operating performance for a REIT, along with net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income and cash flow from operating activities.

We believe that FFO and Normalized FFO provide useful information to investors because by excluding the effects of certain historical amounts, such as depreciation expense, FFO and Normalized FFO may facilitate a comparison of our operating performance between periods and with other REITs.  FFO and Normalized FFO do not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income or cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, or as indicators of our financial performance or liquidity, nor are these measures necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of our needs.  These measures should be considered in conjunction with net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income and cash flow from operating activities as presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  Other REITs and real estate companies may calculate FFO and Normalized FFO differently than we do.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders and unitholders and a calculation to Normalized FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders and unitholders (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Reconciliation to FFO:
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402

Real estate depreciation and amortization
26,616

 
36,044

Loss on asset impairment
1,286

 

Gain on sale of properties
(16,454
)
 
(36,666
)
FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth
35,270

 
45,780

Preferred distributions
(1,997
)
 
(6,981
)
FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders and unitholders
$
33,273

 
$
38,799

 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Normalized FFO:
 

 
 

FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders and unitholders
$
33,273

 
$
38,799

Lease value amortization
573

 
1,121

Straight line rent adjustments
(4,387
)
 
(3,831
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
118

Transition-related expenses

 
1,102

Foreign currency exchange loss

 
5

Normalized FFO attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders and unitholders
$
29,459

 
$
37,314


Property Net Operating Income (NOI)

We use property net operating income, or NOI, to evaluate the performance of our properties. We define NOI as income from our real estate including lease termination fees received from tenants less our property operating expenses. NOI excludes amortization of capitalized tenant improvement costs and leasing commissions and corporate level expenses.


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The following table includes the reconciliation of NOI to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP reported in our consolidated financial statements.  We consider NOI to be an appropriate supplemental measure to net income because we believe it helps to understand the operations of our properties.  We use NOI internally to evaluate property level performance, and we believe that NOI provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations because it reflects only those income and expense items that are incurred at the property level and may facilitate comparisons of our operating performance between periods and with other REITs.  NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income or cash flow from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, or as an indicator of our financial performance or liquidity, nor is this measure necessarily indicative of sufficient cash flow to fund all of our needs.  This measure should be considered in conjunction with net income, net income attributable to Equity Commonwealth common shareholders, operating income and cash flow from operating activities as presented in our consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows.  Other REITs and real estate companies may calculate NOI differently than we do. 

A reconciliation of NOI to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Rental income
$
80,205

 
$
109,888

Tenant reimbursements and other income
19,346

 
27,247

Operating expenses
(41,087
)
 
(57,258
)
NOI
$
58,464

 
$
79,877

 
 
 
 
NOI
$
58,464

 
$
79,877

Depreciation and amortization
(26,915
)
 
(36,251
)
General and administrative
(12,078
)
 
(13,312
)
Loss on asset impairment
(1,286
)
 

Operating income
18,185

 
30,314

 
 
 
 
Interest and other income
4,372

 
1,967

Interest expense
(15,014
)
 
(22,347
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
(118
)
Foreign currency exchange loss

 
(5
)
Gain on sale of properties, net
16,454

 
36,666

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
23,997

 
46,477

Income tax expense
(175
)
 
(75
)
Net income
$
23,822

 
$
46,402


Related Person Transactions
 
For information about our related person transactions and about the risks that may arise as a result of these related person transactions and relationships, see Note 15 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
We are exposed to risks associated with market changes in interest rates, as set forth below.
 
Interest Rate Risk

We manage our exposure to interest rate risk by monitoring available financing alternatives. Other than as described below, we do not currently foresee any significant changes in our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates or in how we manage this exposure in the near future.


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At March 31, 2017 , our outstanding fixed rate debt consisted of the following senior unsecured notes and secured mortgage notes (dollars in thousands):
 
Senior Unsecured Notes:
 
Debt
 
Principal Balance(1)
 
Annual Interest Rate(1)
 
Annual Interest Expense(1)
 
Maturity
 
Open at Par Date
6.650% senior unsecured notes due 2018
 
$
250,000

 
6.65
%
 
$
16,625

 
1/15/2018
 
7/15/2017
5.875% senior unsecured notes due 2020
 
250,000

 
5.88
%
 
14,688

 
9/15/2020
 
3/15/2020
5.750% senior unsecured notes due 2042
 
175,000

 
5.75
%
 
10,063

 
8/1/2042
 
8/1/2017
 
 
$
675,000

 
 
 
$
41,376

 
 
 
 

(1)
The principal balance, annual interest rate and annual interest expense are the amounts stated in the applicable contracts.  In accordance with GAAP, our carrying values and recorded interest expense may differ from these amounts because of market conditions and issuance costs at the time we issued these debts.  For more information, see Note 5 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report.
 
No principal repayments are due under our senior unsecured notes until maturity.

Secured Mortgage Notes:
Debt
 
Principal Balance(1)
 
Annual Interest Rate(1)
 
Annual Interest Expense(1)
 
Maturity
 
Open at Par Date
Parkshore Plaza (2)
 
$
41,275

 
5.67
%
 
$
982

 
5/1/2017
 
12/1/2016
206 East 9th Street
 
26,912

 
5.69
%
 
1,601

 
1/5/2021
 
7/5/2020
33 Stiles Lane
 
2,318

 
6.75
%
 
201

 
3/1/2022
 
12/1/2021
97 Newberry Road
 
5,781

 
5.71
%
 
378

 
3/1/2026
 
None
 
 
$
76,286

 
 
 
$
3,162

 
 
 
 

(1)
The principal balance, annual interest rate and annual interest expense are the amounts stated in the applicable contracts.  In accordance with GAAP, our carrying values and recorded interest expense may differ from these amounts because of market conditions and issuance costs at the time we assumed or issued these debts.  For more information, see Note 5 to the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report.
(2)
As of March 31, 2017, the Company guaranteed $2.3 million of this non-recourse loan. In April 2017, we repaid at par $41.3 million of mortgage debt at Parkshore Plaza in connection with the sale of the property.
 
Some of our secured notes require principal and interest payments through maturity pursuant to amortization schedules, and one of our secured notes require interest only payments through maturity.
 
Swap Agreements

We have utilized and may utilize in the future interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest rate risk exposure on mortgage notes. We previously had interest rate swap agreements on mortgage debt, which required us to pay interest at a rate equal to a spread over LIBOR.  These interest rate swap agreements effectively modified our exposure to interest rate risk arising from this floating rate mortgage loan by converting this floating rate debt to a fixed rate, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense.   
 
Cap Agreement

We entered into an interest rate cap agreement on March 4, 2016, effective April 1, 2016, to manage our interest rate risk exposure on $400.0 million of floating rate debt, which requires us to pay interest at a rate equal to a spread over LIBOR. The interest rate cap has a maturity date of March 1, 2019. From and after the effective date, this interest rate cap agreement reduces our exposure to variability in expected future cash outflows attributable to changes in LIBOR, relating to a portion of our outstanding floating rate debt, by protecting us from increases in the hedged cash flows on our floating rate debt attributable to changes in LIBOR above the strike rate of the interest rate cap. As of March 31, 2017 , the fair value of our derivative

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instruments included in other assets and cumulative other comprehensive loss in our condensed consolidated balance sheet totaled $0.2 million .
 
Fixed Rate Debt

Because our fixed rate unsecured and secured notes bear interest at fixed rates, changes in market interest rates during the term of these debts will not affect our interest obligations.  If all of these notes were refinanced at interest rates which are 100 basis points higher or lower than shown above, our per annum interest cost would increase or decrease, respectively, by approximately $7.5 million.
 
Each of our fixed rate unsecured debt arrangements and some of our secured debt arrangements allow us to make repayments earlier than the stated maturity date.  In some cases, we are not allowed to make early repayment prior to a cutoff date, and we are generally allowed to make prepayments only at a premium equal to a make whole amount, as defined, which is generally designed to preserve a stated yield to the note holder.  Also, we have repurchased and retired some of our outstanding debts and we may do so again in the future.  These prepayment rights and our ability to repurchase and retire outstanding debt may afford us opportunities to mitigate the risk of refinancing our debts at maturity at higher rates by refinancing prior to maturity.
 
Floating Rate Debt

At March 31, 2017 , our outstanding floating rate debt consisted of our term loans.  Our $200.0 million 5-year term loan matures in January 2020 and our $200.0 million 7-year term loan matures in January 2022.  Borrowings under our revolving credit facility and term loan are in U.S. dollars and bear interest at LIBOR plus spreads that are subject to adjustment based upon changes to our credit ratings, but as of March 31, 2017 , we had no balance outstanding and $750.0 million available under our revolving credit facility.  Accordingly, we are vulnerable to changes in U.S. dollar based short term rates, specifically LIBOR.  Effective April 1, 2016, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement with respect to $400.0 million of floating rate debt, as described above under “Cap Agreement.” In addition, upon renewal or refinancing of our revolving credit facility or term loan, we are vulnerable to increases in interest rates due to market conditions or our perceived credit risk.  Generally, a change in market interest rates would not affect the value of these floating rate debts, but would affect our operating results. 

The following table presents the impact a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have on our floating rate interest expense as of March 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
Impact of Changes in Interest Rates
 
 
 
 
 
Total Interest
 
Interest Rate
Per Year(1)
 
Outstanding
Debt
 
Expense
Per Year
Term loans at March 31, 2017
2.38%/2.78%
 
$
400,000

 
$
10,331

100 basis point increase
3.38%/3.78%
 
$
400,000

 
$
14,331


(1)
Based on the interest rates and outstanding borrowings of our floating rate debt as of March 31, 2017 .
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
As of March 31, 2017 , we do not have any foreign currency risk.
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II.  Other Information
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
 
We are or may be a party to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently involved in any litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any litigation threatened against us where the outcome would, in our judgment based on information currently available to us, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
There have been no material changes to the risk factors relating to the Company disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, certain of our employees surrendered common shares owned by them to satisfy their statutory tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted common shares under the Equity Commonwealth 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2015 Incentive Plan). 
 
The following table summarizes all of these repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017:

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number or Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 2017
 
6,694

 
$
31.22

 
N/A
 
N/A
February 2017
 

 
N/A

 
N/A
 
N/A
March 2017
 

 
N/A

 
N/A
 
N/A
Total
 
6,694

 
$
31.22

 
N/A
 
N/A

(1) The number of shares purchased represents common shares surrendered by certain of our employees to satisfy their statutory minimum federal and state tax obligations associated with the vesting of restricted common shares of beneficial interest under the 2015 Incentive Plan. With respect to these shares, the price paid per share is based on the closing price of our common shares as of the date of the determination of the statutory minimum federal and state tax obligations.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.
 
Not applicable.


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Item 6.  Exhibits.
Exhibit 
Number
Description
3.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust of the Company, dated July 1, 1994, as amended to date. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 1, 2014.)
 
 
3.2
Articles Supplementary, dated October 10, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 11, 2006.)
 
 
3.3
Articles Supplementary, dated May 31, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 31, 2011.)
 
 
3.4
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, adopted March 15, 2017. (Filed herewith.)
 
 
4.1
Form of Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.)
 
 
4.2
Form of 6 1 / 2 % Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.)
 
 
4.3
Indenture, dated as of July 9, 1997, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, File Number 001-09317.)
 
 
4.4
Supplemental Indenture No. 18, dated as of September 18, 2007, between the Company and U.S. Bank, relating to the Company’s 6.65% Senior Notes due 2018, including form thereof. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File Number 001-09317.)
 
 
4.5
Supplemental Indenture No. 20, dated as of September 17, 2010, between the Company and U.S. Bank, relating to the Company’s 5.875% Senior Notes due 2020, including form thereof. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.)
 
 
4.6
Supplemental Indenture No. 21, dated as of July 25, 2012, between the Company and U.S. Bank, relating to the Company’s 5.75% Senior Notes due 2042, including form thereof. (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 25, 2012.)
 
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification. (Filed herewith.)
 
 
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification. (Filed herewith.)
 
 
32.1
Section 1350 Certification. (Furnished herewith.)
 
 
101.1
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) related notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements, tagged as blocks of text and in detail. (Filed herewith.)

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ David A. Helfand
 
 
David A. Helfand
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Dated:  May 4, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Adam S. Markman
 
 
Adam S. Markman
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
Dated:  May 4, 2017


35


Exhibit 3.4
EQUITY COMMONWEALTH
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
As Amended and Restated March 15, 2017
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”) shall be located at such place as the Board of Trustees may designate.
Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Company may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine or the business of the Company may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Trustees and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of Trustees and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Company shall be held each year, after the delivery of the annual report, at a convenient location and on proper notice, on a date and at the time set by the Trustees. Failure to hold an annual meeting does not invalidate the Company’s existence or affect any otherwise valid acts of the Company.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .
(a) General . The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Trustees then in office may call a special meeting of the shareholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of shareholders shall also be called by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.
(b) Shareholder-Requested Special Meetings .
(1) Any shareholder of record seeking to have shareholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the Secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Trustees to fix a record date to determine the shareholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more shareholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such shareholder and to each individual whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a Trustee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of trustees in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Trustees may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall

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not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Trustees. If the Board of Trustees, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the Secretary.
(2) In order for any shareholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the Secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the Secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such other agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Company’s books, of each shareholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of the Company which are owned of record by each such shareholder, and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, all shares owned by such shareholder beneficially but not of record, (d) be sent to the Secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the Secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting shareholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation or the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary.
(3) The Secretary shall inform the requesting shareholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Company’s proxy materials). The Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon shareholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the Secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and delivering of any notice of the meeting.
(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the Secretary upon the request of shareholders (a “Shareholder Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Trustees; provided , however, that the date of any Shareholder Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Trustees fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the Secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Shareholder Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Trustees fails to designate a place for a Shareholder Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Trustees may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for a meeting and any plan of the Board of Trustees to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Shareholder Requested Meeting, if the Board of Trustees fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Trustees may revoke the notice for any Shareholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting shareholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).
(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the Secretary and the result is that shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered and not revoked requests for a special meeting to the Secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the Secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting, or (ii) if the notice of the meeting has been

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delivered and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on a matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Company’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the Secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without action on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the Secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
(6) The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Trustees may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Company for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the Secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the Secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Company that the valid requests received by the Secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, shareholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Company or any shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Illinois are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Section 4. NOTICE . Effective after the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of shareholders, the Secretary shall give to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each shareholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, electronic mail or other electronic means, or by presenting it to such shareholder personally or by leaving it at the shareholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Company, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the shareholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the shareholder at which the shareholder receives electronic transmissions. A single notice to all shareholders who share an address shall be effective as to any shareholder at such address who consents to such notice or after having been notified of the Company’s intent to give a single notice fails to object in writing to such single notice within 60 days. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more shareholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II, or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.
Subject to Section 12(a) of this Article II, any business of the Company may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of shareholders except as specifically designated in the notice.
The Company may postpone or cancel a meeting of shareholders by making a “public announcement” (as defined in Section 12(c)(3) of this Article) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this Section 4.
Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of shareholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment,

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by the Chairman of the Board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there is one, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice Presidents in their order of rank and seniority, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the shareholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy. The Secretary or, in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of both the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees, or in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as Secretary. In the event that the Secretary presides at a meeting of the shareholders, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to shareholders of record of the Company, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to shareholders of record of the Company entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when the polls should be opened and closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any shareholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes properly cast upon the question, without regard to class, or by the chairman of the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, and, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the meeting may be reconvened without further notice. At any reconvened session of the meeting at which there shall be a quorum, any business may be transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this Section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the Declaration of Trust of the Company (the “Declaration of Trust”) for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If, however, such quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the shareholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
The shareholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum was established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING .
(a) Uncontested Trustee Elections . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, each Trustee shall be elected by a majority of votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “a majority of votes cast” shall mean that the number of shares voted “for” a Trustee’s election exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the total number of votes cast with respect to that Trustee’s election. Votes “cast” shall mean votes “for,” votes “against” and affirmative votes to withhold authority to vote for a nominee but shall exclude any abstention and any broker non-vote with respect to a Trustee’s election or with respect to the election of Trustees generally. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Trustees to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted.

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(b) Contested Trustee Elections . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, as of the last day on which a shareholder could timely provide notice to the Secretary of its intent to nominate a person for election to the Board at a meeting of shareholders pursuant to these Bylaws (the “Advance Notice Date”), the number of nominees exceeds the number of trusteeships, then each Trustee shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the preceding sentence, there are more nominees than trusteeships if (i) the Secretary of the Company receives notice that a shareholder has nominated an individual for election as a Trustee in compliance with the requirements of advance notice of shareholder nominees for Trustees set forth in Article II, Section 12 of these Bylaws, and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder on or prior to the Advance Notice Date. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Trustees to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted.    
(c) Generally . Except as otherwise set forth in the Declaration of Trust or with respect to the election or removal of Trustees or as required by law, any matter submitted to Shareholders for authorization shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of Shares representing a majority of the total number of votes cast by Shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, each outstanding share of beneficial interest, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot.
(d) Trustee Resignation for Failure to Receive Requisite Vote . Any nominee for Trustee not elected by the vote required in this Section 7 and who is an incumbent Trustee shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board for consideration. The Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action is recommended, taking into account any factors or other information that they consider appropriate and relevant, including the circumstances that led to the failure to receive the required vote, if known. The Board will act on the tendered resignation within ninety (90) days following certification of the shareholder vote and will promptly disclose its decision and rationale as to whether to accept the resignation (or the reasons for rejecting the resignation, if applicable) in a press release, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or by other public announcement, including a posting on the Company’s web site. No Trustee who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this Section shall participate in the Corporate Governance Committee recommendation or Board action with respect to his or her resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that no nominee for Trustee receives the vote required in these Bylaws, the Corporate Governance Committee shall make a final determination as to whether the Company shall accept any or all resignations, including those resignations from the members of the Corporate Governance Committee. If an incumbent Trustee’s resignation is accepted by the Board pursuant to this Section 7, or if a non-incumbent nominee for Trustee is not elected, the Board may fill the resulting vacancy or decrease the size of the Board pursuant to Section 11 of Article III hereof. If an incumbent Trustee’s resignation is not accepted by the Board pursuant to this Section 7, such Trustee shall continue to serve on the Board until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Section 8. PROXIES . A shareholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of shares of beneficial interest owned of record by the shareholder either in person or by proxy executed or authorized by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 9. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Shares of the Company registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner, member, manager or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such shares pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of the partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such shares. Any trustee or other fiduciary may vote shares registered in his or her name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

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Shares of the Company directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
The Board of Trustees may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a shareholder may certify in writing to the Company that any shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the shareholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of shareholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the share transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the share transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Company; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Trustees considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the shareholder of record of the specified shares in place of the shareholder who makes the certification.
Section 10. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein or in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) (or any successor statute) shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of beneficial interest of the Company. This Section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
Section 11. INSPECTORS . The Board of Trustees or the chair of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor thereto. The inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of beneficial interest represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chair of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 12. NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS .
(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders .
(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Trustees and the proposal of other business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders (i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or (iii) by any shareholder of the Company who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder as provided for in this Section 12(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of trustees or on the proposal of other business, as the case may be, and who has complied with this Section 12(a).
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) (1) of this Section 12, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 12 and shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day

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prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.
(3) Such shareholder’s notice shall set forth:
(i) as to each individual whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Trustee (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a Trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder (including the Proposed Nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected);
(ii) as to any business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the shareholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the shareholder and the Shareholder Associated Person therefrom;
(iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Shareholder Associated Person:
(A) the class, series and number of all shares of beneficial interest or other securities of the Company or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such shares or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,
(B) the nominee holder for, and number of any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or and by Shareholder Associated Person;
(C) whether and the extent to which such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities or (II) to increase or decrease the voting power of such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person in the Company or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person’s economic interest therein; in the Company Securities;
(iv) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Shareholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 12(a) and any Proposed Nominee:
(A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Company’s share ledger, and the current name, business address, if different, of each such Shareholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and
(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such shareholder and each such Shareholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or

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similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such shareholder, each such Shareholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee; and
(v) to the extent known by the shareholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a Trustee or the proposal of other business on the date of such shareholder’s notice.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 12. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of a proposal in, nor the right of the Company to omit a proposal from, the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of a nomination of an individual for election as a trustee in, nor the right of the Company to omit a nomination from, the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-11 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 12 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a)(2) of this Section 12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of Trustees to be elected to the Board of Trustees is increased and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by this Section 12(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company not later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.
(6) For purposes of this Section 12, “Shareholder Associated Person” of any shareholder means (i) any person acting in concert with such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of beneficial interest of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder (other than a shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such shareholder or such Shareholder Associated Person.
(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Trustees may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing Trustees, by any shareholder of the Company who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 12(b) and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of any individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12(b). In the event that the purpose of any special meeting of shareholders shall be to elect one or more Trustees to the Board of Trustees, any such shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee if the shareholder’s notice containing the information required by subsection (a) (3) of this Section 12 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.
(c) General .
(1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 12 by any shareholder proposing a nominee for election as a Trustee or any proposal for other business at a meeting of shareholders shall be inaccurate in any

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material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 12. Any such shareholder shall notify the Company of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the Secretary or the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof, any such shareholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Company, of the accuracy of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 12, and (B) a written update of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 12 as of an earlier date. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or written update was requested may be deemed as not having been provided in accordance with this Section 12.
(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 12 shall be eligible for election by shareholders as Trustees and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 12 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 12.
(3) “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure in (i) a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (ii) a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 12. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of a proposal in, nor the right of the Company to omit a proposal from, the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 12 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
Section 13. MEETING BY CONFERENCE TELEPHONE . The Board of Trustees or the chairman of the meeting may permit shareholders to participate in a meeting of shareholders by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 14. WRITTEN CONSENT BY SHAREHOLDERS . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting (unless a vote at a meeting is specifically required by the Declaration of Trust) if the holders of a majority (or such higher percentage as may be specified by applicable law or in the Declaration of Trust) of the total number of votes authorized to be cast by shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon deliver a consent setting forth such action in writing or by electronic transmission, and such consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the shareholders. The Company shall give notice of any action taken by written consent to each shareholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 1. GENERAL POWERS, QUALIFICATIONS, TRUSTEES HOLDING OVER . The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees. A Trustee shall be an individual at least 21 years of age who is not under legal disability. In case of failure to elect Trustees at an annual meeting of the shareholders, the Trustees holding over shall continue to direct the management of the business and affairs of the Company until their successors are elected and qualify.

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Section 2. NUMBER . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Trustees may establish, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; provided , however, that the number thereof shall never be less than three nor more than 13, and further provided that such action shall not affect the tenure of office of any Trustee.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held at least once per calendar year, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or by a majority of the Trustees then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Trustees may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Trustees called by them. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.
Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each Trustee at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the Trustee or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the Trustee or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Company by the Trustee. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Company by the Trustee and receipt of a completed confirmation indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
A written waiver of notice signed, or a waiver of notice by electronic transmission delivered to an officer, employee or agent of the Company, before or after a meeting by a Trustee, or waiver of notice delivered by electronic transmission by such Trustee, and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to notice of the meeting. The attendance of a Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because such meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Declaration of Trust or by these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Trustees need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees, provided that, if less than a majority of such Trustees is present at such meeting, a majority of the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
The Trustees present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum was established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Trustees to leave less than a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws. If enough Trustees have withdrawn from a meeting to leave less than a quorum but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of

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Trustees necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws.
Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or in the absence of the President, a Trustee chosen by a majority of the Trustees present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. CONSENT BY TRUSTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each Trustee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Trustees.
Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all the Trustees cease to be Trustees, such event shall not terminate the Company or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining Trustees hereunder. Any vacancy on the Board of Trustees may be filled by the remaining Trustee or by a majority of the remaining Trustees, even if such majority is less than a quorum, or by shareholders in accordance with the Declaration of Trust. If at any time there shall be no Trustees in office, successor Trustees shall be elected by the shareholders as provided in the Declaration of Trust. Any individual elected as Trustee to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.
Section 12. COMPENSATION . Trustees shall not receive any stated salary for their services as Trustees but, by resolution of the Board of Trustees, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned, leased or to be acquired or leased by the Company and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as Trustees. Trustees may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees or of any committee thereof; and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as Trustees; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Trustees from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 13. RELIANCE . Each Trustee and officer of the Company shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Company, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Company whom the Trustee or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the Trustee or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a Trustee, by a committee of the Board of Trustees on which the Trustee does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the Trustee reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.
Section 14. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES . Any Trustee of the Company may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees. Such resignation shall take effect as of the date specified in such notice, without need for prior accounting. A Trustee may be removed at any time with or without cause by vote or consent of holders of shares representing two-thirds of the total votes authorized to be cast by shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. A Trustee judged incompetent or bankrupt, or for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed, shall be deemed to have resigned as of the date of such adjudication or appointment. Upon the resignation or removal of any Trustee, or his otherwise ceasing to be a

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Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require for the conveyance of any Company property held in his name, shall account to the remaining Trustees as they require for all property which he holds as Trustee and shall thereupon be discharged as Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death or any Trustee, his legal representative shall perform the acts set forth in the preceding sentence and the discharge mentioned therein shall run to such legal representative and to the incapacitated Trustee or the estate of the deceased Trustee, as the case may be. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Company.
Section 15. RATIFICATION . The Board of Trustees or the shareholders may ratify and make binding on the Company any action or inaction by the Company or its officers to the extent that the Board of Trustees or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a trustee, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting, or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Trustees or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Company and its shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
Section 16. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS . A Trustee who is not also an officer of the Company shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Company. Any Trustee or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to or in addition to those of or relating to the Company.
Section 17. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, this Section shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Trustees under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, (i) a meeting of the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof may be called by any Trustee or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Trustees during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many Trustees and by such means as it may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio, and (iii) the number of Trustees necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Trustees may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee , a Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more Trustees, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Trustees may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. MEETINGS . In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another Trustee to act in the place of such absent member. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Trustees.
A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee and the act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Trustees may designate a Chairman of any committee, and such Chairman or, in the absence of such a Chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the

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committee), may fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another Trustee to act at the meeting in the place of such absent members. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.
Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Trustees shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Company shall include a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may include a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers. In addition, the Board of Trustees may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The Chief Executive Officer may from time to time appoint one or more Senior Vice Presidents or other officers below the level of Executive Vice President. Each officer shall serve until the officer’s successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except President and Vice President may be held by the same individual. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Company and such officer or agent.
Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Company may be removed by the Board of Trustees, with or without cause, if in its judgment the best interests of the Company would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Company may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary. Any resignation shall take effect at any time subsequent to the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective is not specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Company.
Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Trustees for the balance of the term.
Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of such designation, the Chairman of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Company, as determined by the Board of Trustees, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

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Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 7. CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Trustees shall designate a Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the shareholders at which he or she shall be present. The Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him, her or them by the Board of Trustees.
Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Company. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Operating Officer by the Board of Trustees, the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer and shall be ex officio a member of all committees that may, from time to time, be constituted by the Board of Trustees. The President may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.
Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the President or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated at the time of their appointment or election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their appointment or election) shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Vice President by the President or by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, or as Vice President for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 10. SECRETARY . The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders, the Board of Trustees and committees of the Board of Trustees in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the trust records and of the seal of the Company; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such shareholder; (e) have general charge of the share transfer books of the Company; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or by the Board of Trustees.
Section 11. TREASURER . The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Company and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Financial Officer by the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board of Trustees, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Board of Trustees, at the regular meetings of the Board of Trustees or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Company.
Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, or by the President or the Board of Trustees.

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Section 13. GENERAL COUNSEL . The General Counsel shall be the Chief Legal Officer of the Company, with general control of all matters of legal import concerning the Company. The General Counsel shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 14. COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees or any committee of the Board of Trustees within the scope of its delegated authority and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a Trustee.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Trustees or any committee of the Board of Trustees within the scope of its delegated authority may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Company and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Company when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Trustees or such committee and executed by an authorized person.
Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Company shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Company in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Company as the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, or any other officer delegated the authority by the Board of Trustees may determine.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES
Section 1. CERTIFICATES . The Company may issue some or all of the shares of any or all of the Company’s classes or series of shares of beneficial interest without certificates if authorized by the Board of Trustees. In the event that the Company issues shares of beneficial interest evidenced by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as the Board of Trustees shall from time to time approve, specifying the number of shares of the applicable class held by such shareholder. Each certificate evidencing shares shall contain a legend imprinted thereon in accordance with the requirements of the Declaration of Trust and in compliance with Maryland REIT Law (the “MRL”). Unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, such certificates shall be signed by an authorized officer of the Company and shall be countersigned by a transfer agent, and registered by a registrar, if any, and such signatures may be facsimile signatures. There shall be filed with each transfer agent a copy of the form of certificate so approved by the Trustees, certified by the Chairman, President, or Secretary, and such form shall continue to be used unless and until the Trustees approve some other form.
In the event that the Company issues shares of beneficial interest without certificates, to the extent then required by the MRL, the Company shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MRL to be included on share certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of shareholders based on whether or not their shares are evidenced by certificates. If a class or series of beneficial interest is authorized by the Board of Trustees to be issued without certificates, no shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates evidencing any shares of such class or series of beneficial interest held by such shareholder unless otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees and then only upon written request by such shareholder to the Secretary of the Company.
Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Company, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her agent duly authorized in writing, in such manner as specified in the Declaration of Trust and as the Board of Trustees or any officer of the Company may prescribe and, if such shares

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are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Trustees that such shares shall no longer be evidenced by certificates. Upon the transfer of uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MRL, the Company shall provide to record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MRL to be included on share certificates.
The Company shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of beneficial interest as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of beneficial interest will be subject in all respects to the Declaration of Trust and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.
Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . The Trustees or any officer of the Company may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such shareholder and the Board of Trustees has determined such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Company, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Company a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Company.
Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Trustees may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of shareholders of record is to be held or taken.
If no record date is fixed, (a) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed or the 30th day before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the meeting; and (b) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any other rights shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Board of Trustees, authorizing the dividend or allotment of rights, is adopted.
When a record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except when the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days or postponed to a date more than 90 days after the record date fixed for the original meeting, in either of which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.
Section 5. SHARE LEDGER . The Company shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each shareholder and the number of shares of each class held by such shareholder.
Section 6. FRACTIONAL SHARES; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Trustees may issue fractional shares or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine in accordance with the Declaration of Trust. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the Board of Trustees may issue units consisting of different securities of the Company. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Company, except that the Board

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of Trustees may provide that for a specified period securities of the Company issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Company only in such unit.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTING YEAR
The Board of Trustees shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Company by a duly adopted resolution.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the shares of beneficial interest of the Company may be authorized by the Board of Trustees, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or shares of the Company, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust.
Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Company available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Trustees may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company or for such other purpose as the Board of Trustees shall determine and the Board of Trustees may modify or abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE X
PROHIBITED INVESTMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
In addition to the restrictions provided for in the Declaration of Trust, the Company will not, without the approval of the Audit Committee, (i) acquire from or sell to any Trustee, officer or employee of the Company, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in which a Trustee, officer or employee of the Company owns more than a one percent interest or any affiliate of any of the foregoing, any of the assets or other property of the Company, except for the acquisition directly or indirectly of certain properties or interest therein, directly or indirectly, through entities in which it owns an interest in connection with the initial public offering of shares by the Company or pursuant to agreements entered into in connection with such offering, which properties shall be described in the prospectus relating to such initial public offering, (ii) make any loan to or borrow from any of the foregoing persons or (iii) engage in any other transaction with any of the foregoing persons. Each such transaction will be in all respects on such terms as are, at the time of the transaction and under the circumstances then prevailing, fair and reasonable to the Company. Subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Company as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
SEAL
Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Trustees may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Company. The seal shall contain the name of the Company and the year of its formation. The Board of Trustees may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Company is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Company.

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ARTICLE XII
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES
To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law in effect from time to time, the Company shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse, reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual (including the individual’s spouse, children, heirs, estate, executors, or personal or legal representatives for claims arising out of the status of such spouse, children, heirs, estate, executors or personal or legal representatives of such individual (collectively, the “Other Individuals”)) who is a present or former Trustee or officer of the Company and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual (including Other Individuals) who, while a Trustee or officer of the Company and at the request of the Company, serves or has served as a Trustee, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Declaration of Trust and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a Trustee or officer. The Company may, with the approval of its Board of Trustees, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual (including Other Individuals) who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, regulation, insurance, agreement or otherwise.
Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Bylaws or Declaration of Trust inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
Any indemnification or payment or reimbursement of the expenses permitted by these Bylaws shall be furnished in accordance with the procedures provided for indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses, as the case may be, under Section 2-418 of the MGCL for directors of Maryland corporations. The Company may provide to Trustees and officers such other and further indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses, as the case may be, to the fullest extent permitted by the MGCL, as in effect from time to time, for directors of Maryland corporations.
ARTICLE XIII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws adopted, by the Board of Trustees or by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all Shares of the Company then outstanding and entitled to be voted on the matter.

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ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
All references to the Declaration of Trust shall include all amendments and supplements thereto and any other documents filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation related thereto, whether effective prior or subsequent to the date hereof.
ARTICLE XVI
ARBITRATION
Section 1. PROCEDURES FOR ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES . Any disputes, claims or controversies brought by or on behalf of any shareholder of the Company (which, for purposes of this Article XVI, shall mean any shareholder of record or any beneficial owner of shares of the Company, or any former shareholder of record or beneficial owner of shares of the Company), either on his, her or its own behalf, on behalf of the Company or on behalf of any series or class of shares of the Company or shareholders of the Company against the Company or any Trustee, officer, manager, agent or employee of the Company, including disputes, claims or controversies relating to the meaning, interpretation, effect, validity, performance or enforcement of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws (all of which are referred to as “Disputes”) or relating in any way to such a Dispute or Disputes shall, on the demand of any party to such Dispute, be resolved through binding and final arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect, except as those Rules may be modified in this Article XVI. For the avoidance of doubt, and not as a limitation, Disputes are intended to include derivative actions against Trustees, officers or managers of the Company and class actions by shareholders against those individuals or entities and the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, a Dispute shall include a Dispute made derivatively on behalf of one party against another party.
Section 2. ARBITRATORS . There shall be three arbitrators. If there are only two (2) parties to the Dispute, each party shall select one arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration. Such arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of such parties. If either party fails to timely select an arbitrator, the other party to the Dispute shall select the second arbitrator who shall be neutral and impartial and shall not be affiliated with or an interested person of either party. If there are more than two parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, shall each select, by the vote of a majority of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be, one arbitrator. Such arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be. If either all claimants or all respondents fail to timely select an arbitrator then such arbitrator (who shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) shall be appointed by the parties who have appointed the first arbitrator. The two arbitrators so appointed shall jointly appoint the third and presiding arbitrator (who shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the second arbitrator. If the third arbitrator has not been appointed within the time limit specified herein, then the AAA shall provide a list of proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules, and the arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance with a listing, striking and ranking procedure, with each party having a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause.
Section 3. PLACE OF ARBITRATION . The place of arbitration shall be Boston, Massachusetts unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Section 4. DISCOVERY . There shall be only limited documentary discovery of documents directly related to the issues in dispute, as may be ordered by the arbitrators.
Section 5. AWARDS . In rendering an award or decision (the “Award”), the arbitrators shall be required to follow the laws of the State of Maryland. Any arbitration proceedings or Award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. The Award shall be in writing and may, but shall not be required to, briefly state the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which it is based. Any monetary award shall be made and payable in U.S. dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset. The party against which the Award assesses a monetary obligation shall pay that obligation on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of the Award or such other date as the Award may provide.

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Section 6. COSTS AND EXPENSES . Except as otherwise set forth in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, or as otherwise agreed between the parties, each party involved in a Dispute shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and the arbitrators shall not render an award that would include shifting of any such costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) or, in a derivative case or class action, award any portion of the Company’s award to the claimant or the claimant’s attorneys. Each party (or, if there are more than two parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, respectively) shall bear the costs and expenses of its (or their) selected arbitrator and the parties (or, if there are more than two parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand) shall equally bear the costs and expenses of the third appointed arbitrator.
Section 7. FINAL AND BINDING . An Award shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between such parties relating to the Dispute, including any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrators. Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no application or appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction may be made in connection with any question of law arising in the course of arbitration or with respect to any award made except for actions relating to enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award issued hereunder and except for actions seeking interim or other provisional relief in aid of arbitration proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 8. BENEFICIARIES . This Article XVI is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the shareholders, Trustees, officers, managers, agents or employees of the Company and the Company and shall be binding on the shareholders of the Company and the Company, as applicable, and shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that such individuals or entities may have by contract or otherwise.

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Exhibit 31.1



CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a)
 
I, David A. Helfand, certify that:
 
1.       I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Equity Commonwealth;
 
2.       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:
May 4, 2017
 
/s/ David A. Helfand
 
 
 
David A. Helfand
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 




EXHIBIT 31.2



CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a)
 
I, Adam S. Markman, certify that:
 
1.       I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Equity Commonwealth;
 
2.       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:
May 4, 2017
 
/s/Adam S. Markman
 
 
 
Adam S. Markman
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief
 
 
 
Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 




Exhibit 32.1


 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350


 
In connection with the filing by Equity Commonwealth (the “Company”) of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017 (the “Report”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge:
 
1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ David A. Helfand
 
/s/ Adam S. Markman
David A. Helfand
 
Adam S. Markman
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 
 
and Treasurer
 
 
 
Date:  May 4, 2017