DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Please note that in this section entitled "Description of Debt Securities," references to "the issuer," "we," "our" and "us" refer either to Vornado Realty Trust or to Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be, as the issuer of the applicable series of debt securities and not to any subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. Also, in this section, references to "holders" mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read the section below entitled "Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance."

Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated

        Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Realty L.P. may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any property or assets of Vornado Realty Trust, Vornado Realty L.P. or any of their respective subsidiaries. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are an unsecured creditor of Vornado Realty Trust or Vornado Realty L.P., as the case may be.

        Neither any limited or general partner of Vornado Realty L.P., including Vornado Realty Trust, nor any principal, shareholder, officer, director, trustee or employee of any limited or general partner of Vornado Realty L.P. or of any successor of any limited or general partner of Vornado Realty L.P. has any obligation for payment of debt securities or for any of Vornado Realty Trust's or Vornado Realty L.P.'s obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the debt securities or the applicable indenture. By accepting the debt securities, you waive and release all liability of this kind. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of debt securities. This waiver and release will not apply to the liability of Vornado Realty L.P. solely in its capacity of guarantor of any series of debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and solely to the extent of any such guarantee.

        The senior debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the senior debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. will be issued under the applicable senior debt indenture, as described below, and will rank equally with all of Vornado Realty Trust's or Vornado Realty L.P.'s, as the case may be, other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

        The subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. will be issued under the applicable subordinated debt indenture, as described below, and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of Vornado Realty Trust's or Vornado Realty L.P.'s "senior indebtedness," as defined in the applicable subordinated debt indenture. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of Vornado Realty Trust' or Vornado Realty L.P.'s, as the case may be, most recent fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2006, Vornado Realty Trust had not issued any indebtedness that constituted senior indebtedness. As of September 30, 2006, $1,700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Vornado Realty L.P.'s total indebtedness constituted senior indebtedness. None of the indentures limit Vornado Realty Trust's or Vornado Realty L.P.'s ability to incur additional senior indebtedness, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities.

        Vornado Realty Trust senior indebtedness will be structurally subordinate to the indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P., (unless Vornado Realty L.P. guarantees such indebtedness and solely to the extent of any such guarantee), and will be structurally subordinate to the indebtedness of the subsidiaries of Vornado Realty L.P. Vornado Realty L.P.'s senior indebtedness is, and any additional senior indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P. will be, structurally subordinate to the indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P.'s subsidiaries and will be structurally senior to any indebtedness of Vornado Realty Trust,

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unless Vornado Realty L.P. guarantees such indebtedness of Vornado Realty Trust. See—"Vornado Realty Trust's and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to Indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P. and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Subsidiaries" below.

        When we refer to "senior debt securities" in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the senior debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P., unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to "subordinated debt securities" in this prospectus, we mean both the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P., unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to "debt securities" in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities, unless the context requires otherwise.

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Vornado Realty L.P.

        The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. are each governed by a document called an indenture—the senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture is a contract between Vornado Realty L.P. and The Bank of New York, which will initially act as trustee. These indentures governing the debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P. are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

        The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:

•

First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under "—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default."



•

Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending interest payments and notices.

        See "—Vornado Realty Trust's and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Relationship with the Trustee" below for more information about the trustee.

        When we refer to the indenture or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Vornado Realty L.P., we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee under that indenture.

The Senior Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Indenture of Vornado Realty Trust

        The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust are each governed by a document called an indenture—the senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture is a contract between Vornado Realty Trust as the issuer of the debt securities, Vornado Realty L.P. as the guarantor of the debt securities, if applicable, and The Bank of New York, which will initially act as trustee. These indentures governing the debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

        Vornado Realty L.P. may, under each indenture, guarantee (either fully and unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series or debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust. See "Description of Vornado Realty L.P. Guarantee" below for more information. If such debt securities are so guaranteed, the existence and terms of such guarantee will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

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        The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:

•

First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under "—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default."



•

Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending interest payments and notices.

        See "—Vornado Realty Trust's and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Relationship with the Trustee" below for more information about the trustee.

        When we refer to the indenture, the guarantor or the trustee with respect to any debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued, the guarantor of those debt securities and the trustee under that indenture.

We May Issue Many Series of Debt Securities

        We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under a debt indenture as we wish. This section of the prospectus summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all series. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to "reopen" a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of a series including any additional terms of any guarantee, if applicable, whether it be a series of the senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

As you read this section of the prospectus, please remember that the specific terms of your debt security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and, if applicable, that description may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.

        When we refer to a series of debt securities, we mean a series issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to your prospectus supplement, we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the debt security you purchase. The terms used in your prospectus supplement have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.

Amounts That We May Issue

        None of the indentures limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. In addition, the indentures and the debt securities do not limit either Vornado Realty Trust's or Vornado Realty L.P.'s ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities. Also, neither Vornado Realty Trust nor Vornado Realty L.P. are subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities, unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities.

Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity

        The principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates are not deemed to be outstanding for certain determinations under the indenture.

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        The term "stated maturity" with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of the debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption or acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the "maturity" of the principal.

        We also use the terms "stated maturity" and "maturity" to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the "stated maturity" of that installment.

        When we refer to the "stated maturity" or the "maturity" of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal.

Vornado Realty Trust's and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Debt Securities Are Structurally Subordinated to Indebtedness of Vornado Realty L.P. and Vornado Realty L.P.'s Subsidiaries

        Vornado Realty Trust's indebtedness is structurally subordinate to debt of Vornado Realty L.P., except to the extent of any guarantee of such indebtedness by Vornado Realty L.P. In addition, because Vornado Realty Trust's assets consist principally of interests in Vornado Realty L.P. and because Vornado Realty L.P.'s assets consist principally of interests in the subsidiaries through which we own our properties and conduct our businesses, our right to participate as an equity holder in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary's liquidation or otherwise, and thus the ability of our security holders to benefit from the distribution, is junior to creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that any claims we may have as a creditor of the subsidiary are recognized. Furthermore, because some of our subsidiaries are partnerships in which we are a general partner, we may be liable for their obligations. We may also guarantee some obligations of our subsidiaries. Any liability we may have for our subsidiaries' obligations could reduce our assets that are available to satisfy our direct creditors, including investors in our debt securities.

DESCRIPTION OF VORNADO REALTY L.P. GUARANTEE

        Vornado Realty L.P. may guarantee (either fully or unconditionally or in a limited manner) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, one or more series of debt securities of Vornado Realty Trust, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of such guarantee and the indenture. In case of the failure of Vornado Realty Trust punctually to pay any principal, premium or interest on any guaranteed debt security, Vornado Realty L.P. will cause any such payment to be made as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, repayment or otherwise, and as if such payment were made by Vornado Realty Trust. The particular terms of the guarantee, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the guaranteed debt securities. Any guarantee by Vornado Realty L.P. will be of payment only and not of collection.

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF VORNADO REALTY TRUST

The following descriptions of the material terms of the shares of beneficial interest of Vornado Realty Trust are only a summary and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the more complete descriptions of the shares in the following documents: (a) Vornado Realty Trust's amended and restated declaration of trust, including the articles supplementary for each series of preferred shares, and (b) its amended and restated bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Please note that in this section entitled "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest of Vornado Realty Trust," references to "Vornado," "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Vornado Realty Trust and not to its subsidiaries or Vornado Realty L.P. unless the context requires otherwise.

        For Vornado to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% of the value of its outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities, at any time during the last half of a taxable year and the shares of beneficial interest must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Accordingly, the declaration of trust contains provisions that restrict the ownership and transfer of shares of beneficial interest.

        The declaration of trust authorizes the issuance of up to 620,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par value per share, 110,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, no par value per share, and 310,000,000 excess shares of beneficial interest, $.04 par value per share.

Description of Preferred Shares of Vornado Realty Trust

        The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our preferred shares. The particular terms of any series of preferred shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, which will supplement the information below.

        The description of the material terms of Vornado's preferred shares contained in this prospectus is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the declaration of trust, which includes the articles supplementary relating to each series of the preferred shares, which will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at or before the time of issuance of the series of preferred shares.

        As of September 30, 2006, the declaration of trust authorizes the issuance of 110,000,000 preferred shares. Of the authorized 110,000,000 preferred shares, Vornado has designated:

•

5,789,400 as $3.25 Series A Convertible Preferred Shares;



•

3,500,000 as Series D-1 8.5% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

549,336 as 8.375% Series D-2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

8,000,000 as Series D-3 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

5,000,000 as Series D-4 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

7,480,000 as Series D-5 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

1,000,000 as Series D-6 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

7,200,000 as Series D-7 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

360,000 as Series D-8 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;

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•

1,800,000 as Series D-9 8.25% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

4,800,000 as Series D-10 7.00% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

2,200,000 as Series D-11 7.20% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

800,000 as Series D-12 6.55% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

4,000,000 as Series D-14 6.75% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

1,800,000 as Series D-15 6.875% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

3,450,000 as 7.00% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

6,000,000 as 6.75% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

9,200,000 as 6.625% Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares;



•

4,600,000 as 6.750% Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; and



•

12,050,000 as 6.625% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares.

        As of September 30, 2006, 152,351 Series A Preferred Shares, 1,600,000 Series D-10 Preferred Shares, 3,000,000 Series E Preferred Shares, 6,000,000 Series F Preferred Shares, 8,000,000 Series G Preferred Shares, 4,500,000 Series H Preferred Shares and 10,800,000 Series I Preferred Shares were outstanding. No Series D-1, Series D-2, Series D-3, Series D-4, Series D-5, Series D-6, Series D-7, Series D-8, Series D-9, Series D-11, Series D-12, D-14 or D-15 Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2006. Shares of each of these series may be issued in the future upon redemption of preferred units of limited partnership interest of Vornado Realty L.P. of a corresponding series that were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2006.

        The preferred shares authorized by our declaration of trust may be issued from time to time in one or more series in the amounts and with the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as may be fixed by the board of trustees. Under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred shares could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of Vornado and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common shares. The declaration of trust authorizes the board of trustees to classify or reclassify, in one or more series, any unissued preferred shares and to reclassify any unissued shares of any series of preferred shares by setting or changing the number of preferred shares constituting the series and the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the preferred shares.

        The preferred shares have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights described below, as supplemented in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each particular series of the preferred shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the series of preferred shares:

•

the title of the preferred shares and the number of shares offered;



•

the amount of liquidation preference per share;



•

the initial public offering price at which the preferred shares will be issued;



•

the dividend rate or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable and the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate, if any;



•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;



•

any conversion or exchange rights;

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•

any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, limitations and restrictions;



•

any listing of the preferred shares on any securities exchange;



•

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Vornado;



•

any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Vornado; and



•

any limitations on direct, beneficial or constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of Vornado as a REIT.

The applicable prospectus supplement may also include a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred shares.

        The preferred shares will be issued in one or more series. The preferred shares, upon issuance against full payment of the applicable purchase price, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The liquidation preference is not indicative of the price at which the preferred shares will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.

Rank

        With respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vornado, the preferred shares will rank senior to our common shares and excess shares created when our ownership limits are breached as described under "—Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty Trust—Restrictions on Ownership of Common Shares" below, other than certain excess shares resulting from the conversion of preferred shares, and to all other classes and series of equity securities of Vornado now or later authorized, issued or outstanding, other than any classes or series of equity securities of Vornado that by their terms specifically rank equal or senior to the preferred shares as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vornado. We refer to the common shares and the other classes and series of equity securities to which the preferred shares rank senior as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vornado as the "junior stock"; we refer to equity securities of Vornado that by their terms rank equal to the preferred shares as the "parity stock"; and we refer to equity securities of Vornado that by their terms rank senior to the preferred shares as the "senior stock." The preferred shares are junior to all outstanding debt of Vornado. We may create and issue senior stock, parity stock and junior stock to the extent not expressly prohibited by the declaration of trust.

Dividends

        Holders of our preferred shares are entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our board of trustees and declared by Vornado out of our assets legally available for payment, dividends or distributions in cash, property or other assets of Vornado or in securities of Vornado or from any other source as our board of trustees in its discretion determines and at the dates and annual rate per share as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This rate may be fixed or variable or both. Each authorized dividend is payable to holders of record as they appear at the close of business on the books of Vornado on the record date, not more than 30 calendar days preceding the payment date, as determined by our board of trustees.

        These dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If dividends on a series of preferred shares are noncumulative and if our board of trustees fails to authorize a dividend in respect of a dividend period with respect to that series, then holders of

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these preferred shares will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of that dividend period, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend for that period, whether or not dividends are authorized and payable on any future dividend payment dates. If dividends of a series of preferred shares are cumulative, the dividends on those shares will accrue from and after the date stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        No full dividends may be authorized or paid or set apart for payment on preferred shares of any series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the series of preferred shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement for any period unless full dividends for the immediately preceding dividend period on the preferred shares, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on the preferred shares are cumulative, have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for payment is set apart for payment. When dividends are not paid in full, or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not set apart, upon the preferred shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement and any other preferred shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with those preferred shares, dividends upon those preferred shares and dividends on the other preferred shares must be authorized proportionately so that the amount of dividends authorized per share on those preferred shares and the other preferred shares in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the then-current dividend period per share on those preferred shares, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on those preferred shares are cumulative, and accrued dividends, including required or permitted accumulations, if any, on shares of the other preferred shares, bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment(s) on preferred shares that are in arrears. Unless full dividends on the series of preferred shares offered by the applicable prospectus supplement have been authorized and paid or set apart for payment for the immediately preceding dividend period, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on the preferred shares are cumulative:

•

no cash dividend or distribution, other than in shares of junior stock, may be authorized, set aside or paid on the junior stock;



•

we may not, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of junior stock, or pay any monies into a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares, except by conversion into or exchange for junior stock; and



•

we may not, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any preferred shares or parity stock, or pay any monies into a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares, otherwise than in accordance with proportionate offers to purchase or a concurrent redemption of all, or a proportionate portion, of the outstanding preferred shares and shares of parity stock, except by conversion into or exchange for junior stock.

        Any dividend payment made on a series of preferred shares will first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of the series.

Redemption

        The terms, if any, on which preferred shares of any series may be redeemed will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Liquidation

        If we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, the holders of a series of our preferred shares will be entitled, subject to the rights of creditors, but before any distribution or payment to the holders of our common shares, excess shares, other than certain excess shares resulting

35

from the conversion of preferred shares, or any junior stock, to receive a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference per share stated in the applicable prospectus supplement plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period, including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on the series of preferred shares are cumulative. If the amounts available for distribution with respect to our preferred shares and all other outstanding parity stock are not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all the outstanding preferred shares and parity stock, then the holders of each series of the stock will share ratably in the distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amount, which in the case of preferred shares may include accumulated dividends, to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation distribution, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by us.

        Vornado is organized as a Maryland real estate investment trust under Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Title 8 does not contain any specific provisions on the power of a Maryland real estate investment trust to make distributions, including dividends, to its shareholders. It is possible that a Maryland court may look to the Maryland General Corporation Law for guidance on matters, such as the making of distributions to shareholders, not covered by Title 8. The MGCL requires that, after giving effect to a distribution, (1) the corporation must be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business and (2) the corporation's total assets must at least equal the sum of its total liabilities plus the preferential rights on dissolution of shareholders whose rights on dissolution are superior to those shareholders receiving the distribution. However, the MGCL also provides that the charter of the corporation may provide that senior dissolution preferences will not be included with liabilities for purposes of determining amounts available for distribution. The applicable articles supplementary may include a similar provision. The Articles Supplementary for the Series A Preferred Shares, Series E Preferred Shares, Series F Preferred Shares, Series G Preferred Shares, Series H Preferred Shares and Series I Preferred Shares each contain such a provision.

Voting

        The preferred shares of a series will not be entitled to vote, except as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Without the affirmative vote of a majority of the preferred shares then outstanding, voting separately as a class together with any parity stock, we may not:

•

increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class or any security ranking senior to the preferred shares;



•

increase or decrease the par value of the shares of the class; or



•

alter or change the voting or other powers, preferences or special rights of the class so as to affect them adversely.

        An amendment that increases the number of authorized shares of the class or authorizes the creation or issuance of other classes or series of junior stock or parity stock, or substitutes the surviving entity in a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination for Vornado, will not be considered to be an adverse change.

No Other Rights

        The shares of a series of preferred shares will not have any preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption except as described above or in the applicable prospectus supplement, the declaration of trust and in the applicable articles supplementary or as otherwise required by law.

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Description of Common Shares of Vornado Realty Trust

        The following description of the common shares is only a summary of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions governing the common shares contained in the declaration of trust and bylaws. Copies of the declaration of trust and bylaws are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Available Information" for information about how to obtain copies of the declaration of trust and bylaws.

        As of September 30, 2006, 141,834,904 common shares were issued and outstanding. No excess shares were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2006. The common shares of Vornado Realty Trust are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VNO."

Dividend and Voting Rights of Holders of Common Shares

        The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends when, if and as authorized by the board of trustees and declared by Vornado out of assets legally available to pay dividends, if receipt of the dividends is in compliance with the provisions in the declaration of trust restricting the ownership and transfer of shares of beneficial interest. However, if any preferred shares are at the time outstanding, Vornado may only pay dividends or other distributions on common shares or purchase common shares if full cumulative dividends have been paid on outstanding preferred shares and there is no arrearage in any mandatory sinking fund on outstanding preferred shares. The terms of the series of preferred shares that are now issued and outstanding do not provide for any mandatory sinking fund.

        The holders of common shares are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote, including elections of trustees. There is no cumulative voting in the election of trustees, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares can elect all of the trustees then standing for election. The holders of common shares do not have any conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any securities of Vornado. If Vornado is dissolved, liquidated or wound up, holders of common shares are entitled to share proportionally in any

41

assets remaining after the prior rights of creditors, including holders of Vornado's indebtedness, and the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares then outstanding are satisfied in full.

        The common shares have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights. All outstanding common shares are, and any common shares offered by a prospectus supplement, upon issuance, will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        The transfer agent for the common shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.

Restrictions on Ownership of Common Shares

        The Common Shares Beneficial Ownership Limit.     For Vornado to maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% of the value of its outstanding shares of beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of a taxable year and the shares of beneficial interest must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. The Internal Revenue Code defines "individuals" to include some entities for purposes of the preceding sentence. All references to a shareholder's ownership of common shares in this section "—The Common Shares Beneficial Ownership Limit" assume application of the applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code under which, for example, a shareholder is deemed to own shares owned by his or her spouse.

        The declaration of trust contains a number of provisions that restrict the ownership and transfer of shares and are designed to safeguard Vornado against an inadvertent loss of its REIT status. These provisions also seek to deter non-negotiated acquisitions of, and proxy fights for, us by third parties. The declaration of trust contains a limitation that restricts, with some exceptions, shareholders from owning more than a specified percentage of the outstanding common shares. We call this percentage the "common shares beneficial ownership limit." The common shares beneficial ownership limit was initially set at 2.0% of the outstanding common shares. The board of trustees subsequently adopted a resolution raising the common shares beneficial ownership limit from 2.0% to 6.7% of the outstanding common shares and has the authority to grant exemptions from the common shares beneficial ownership limit. The shareholders who owned more than 6.7% of the common shares immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 may continue to do so and may acquire additional common shares through stock option and similar plans or from other shareholders who owned more than 6.7% of the common shares immediately after that merger. However, common shares cannot be transferred if, as a result, more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares of Vornado would be owned by five or fewer individuals. While the shareholders who owned more than 6.7% of the common shares immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 are not generally permitted to acquire additional common shares from any other source, these shareholders may acquire additional common shares from any source if Vornado issues additional common shares, up to the percentage held by them immediately before Vornado issues the additional shares.

        Shareholders should be aware that events other than a purchase or other transfer of common shares can result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, of common shares in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. For instance, if two shareholders, each of whom owns 3.5% of the outstanding common shares, were to marry, then after their marriage both shareholders would be deemed to own 7.0% of the outstanding common shares, which is in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. Similarly, if a shareholder who owns 4.9% of the outstanding common shares were to purchase a 50% interest in a corporation which owns 4.8% of the outstanding common shares, then the shareholder would be deemed to own 7.3% of

42

the outstanding common shares. You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the application of the attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code in your particular circumstances.

        The Constructive Ownership Limit.     Under the Internal Revenue Code, rental income received by a REIT from persons in which the REIT is treated, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, as owning a 10% or greater interest does not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the income requirements that REITs must satisfy. For these purposes, a REIT is treated as owning any stock owned, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, by a person that owns 10% or more of the value of the outstanding shares of the REIT. The attribution rules of the Code applicable for these purposes are different from those applicable with respect to the common shares beneficial ownership limit. All references to a shareholder's ownership of common shares in this section "—The Constructive Ownership Limit" assume application of the applicable attribution rules of the Code.

        In order to ensure that rental income of Vornado will not be treated as nonqualifying income under the rule described in the preceding paragraph, and thus to ensure that Vornado will not inadvertently lose its REIT status as a result of the ownership of shares by a tenant, or a person that holds an interest in a tenant, the declaration of trust contains an ownership limit that restricts, with some exceptions, shareholders from owning more than 9.9% of the outstanding shares of any class. We refer to this 9.9% ownership limit as the "constructive ownership limit." The shareholders who owned shares in excess of the constructive ownership limit immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 generally are not subject to the constructive ownership limit. The declaration of trust also contains restrictions that are designed to ensure that the shareholders who owned shares in excess of the constructive ownership limit immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993 will not, in the aggregate, own a large enough interest in a tenant or subtenant of the REIT to cause rental income received, directly or indirectly, by the REIT from that tenant or subtenant to be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the income requirements that REITs must satisfy. The restrictions described in the preceding sentence have an exception for tenants and subtenants from whom the REIT receives, directly or indirectly, rental income that is not in excess of a specified threshold.

        Shareholders should be aware that events other than a purchase or other transfer of shares can result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, of shares in excess of the constructive ownership limit. As the attribution rules that apply with respect to the constructive ownership limit differ from those that apply with respect to the common shares beneficial ownership limit, the events other than a purchase or other transfer of shares which can result in share ownership in excess of the constructive ownership limit can differ from those which can result in share ownership in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit. You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the application of the attribution rules of the Code in your particular circumstances.

        Issuance of Excess Shares If the Ownership Limits Are Violated.     The declaration of trust provides that a transfer of common shares that would otherwise result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, of common shares in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit, or which would cause the shares of beneficial interest of Vornado to be beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, will have no effect and the purported transferee will acquire no rights or economic interest in the common shares. In addition, the declaration of trust provides that common shares that would otherwise be owned, under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, in excess of the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit will be automatically exchanged for excess shares. These excess shares will be transferred, by operation of law, to Vornado as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of a beneficiary designated by the purported transferee or purported holder. While so held in trust, excess shares are not entitled to vote and are not entitled to participate in any dividends or distributions made by Vornado. Any dividends or distributions received by the purported transferee or

43

other purported holder of the excess shares before Vornado discovers the automatic exchange for excess shares must be repaid to Vornado upon demand.

        If the purported transferee or purported holder elects to designate a beneficiary of an interest in the trust with respect to the excess shares, he or she may designate only a person whose ownership of the shares will not violate the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit. When the designation is made, the excess shares will be automatically exchanged for common shares. The declaration of trust contains provisions designed to ensure that the purported transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares may not receive, in return for transferring an interest in the trust with respect to the excess shares, an amount that reflects any appreciation in the common shares for which the excess shares were exchanged during the period that the excess shares were outstanding but will bear the burden of any decline in value during that period. Any amount received by a purported transferee or other purported holder for designating a beneficiary in excess of the amount permitted to be received must be turned over to Vornado. The declaration of trust provides that Vornado, or its designee, may purchase any excess shares that have been automatically exchanged for common shares as a result of a purported transfer or other event. The price at which Vornado, or its designee, may purchase the excess shares will be equal to the lesser of:

•

in the case of excess shares resulting from a purported transfer for value, the price per share in the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess shares, or in the case of excess shares resulting from some other event, the market price of the common shares exchanged on the date of the automatic exchange for excess shares; and



•

the market price of the common shares exchanged for the excess shares on the date that Vornado accepts the deemed offer to sell the excess shares.

        Vornado's right to buy the excess shares will exist for 90 days, beginning on the date that the automatic exchange for excess shares occurred or, if Vornado did not receive a notice concerning the purported transfer that resulted in the automatic exchange for excess shares, the date that the board of trustees determines in good faith that an exchange for excess shares has occurred.

        Other Provisions Concerning the Restrictions on Ownership.     Our board of trustees may exempt persons from the common shares beneficial ownership limit or the constructive ownership limit, including the limitations applicable to holders who owned in excess of 6.7% of the common shares immediately after the merger of Vornado, Inc. into Vornado in May 1993, if evidence satisfactory to the board of trustees is presented showing that the exemption will not jeopardize Vornado's status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. No exemption to a person that is an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, however, may permit the individual to have beneficial ownership in excess of 9.9% of the outstanding shares of the class. Before granting an exemption of this kind, the board of trustees is required to obtain a ruling from the IRS and/or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it and/or representations and undertakings from the applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of Vornado.

        The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if the board of trustees determines that it is no longer in the best interests of Vornado to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

        All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 2.0% of the outstanding common shares must give a written notice to Vornado containing the information specified in the declaration of trust by January 31 of each year. In addition, each shareholder will be required to disclose to Vornado upon demand any information that Vornado may request, in good faith, to determine Vornado's status as a REIT or to comply with Treasury regulations promulgated under the REIT provisions of the Code.

        The ownership restrictions described above may have the effect of precluding acquisition of control of Vornado unless the Vornado board determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in the best interests of Vornado.

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

        The following description of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our declaration of trust and bylaws is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to Maryland law, our declaration of trust and our bylaws.

Classification of the Board of Trustees

        Our declaration of trust provides that the number of our trustees may be established by the board of trustees, provided however that the tenure of office of a trustee will not be affected by any decrease in the number of trustees. Any vacancy on the board may be filled only by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not constitute a quorum. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.

        Our declaration of trust divides our board of trustees into three classes. Shareholders elect our trustees of each class for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms. Shareholders elect only one class of trustees each year. We believe that classification of our board of trustees helps to assure the continuity of our business strategies and policies. There is no cumulative voting in the election of trustees. Consequently, at each annual meeting of shareholders, the holders of a majority of our common shares are able to elect all of the successors of the class of trustees whose term expires at that meeting.

        The classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent trustees more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of the board of trustees. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent trustees will retain their positions. The staggered terms of trustees may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of Vornado, even though the tender offer or change in control might be in the best interest of the shareholders.

Removal of Trustees

        Our declaration of trust provides that a trustee may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of trustees. This provision, when coupled with the provision in our bylaws authorizing the board of trustees to fill vacant trusteeships, precludes shareholders from removing incumbent trustees except for cause and by a substantial affirmative vote and filling the vacancies created by the removal with their own nominees.

Business Combinations

        Under Maryland law, "business combinations" between a Maryland real estate investment trust and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:

•

any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the trust's shares; or



•

an affiliate or associate of the trust who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting shares of the trust.

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        A person is not an interested shareholder under the statute if the board of trustees approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of trustees may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

        After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland trust and an interested shareholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the trust and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

•

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the trust; and



•

two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the trust other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.

        These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the trust's common shareholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares.

        The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of trustees before the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder.

        The board of trustees has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between any trustee or officer of Vornado, or their affiliates, and Vornado. As a result, the trustees and officers of Vornado and their affiliates may be able to enter into business combinations with Vornado. With respect to business combinations with other persons, the business combination provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Vornado or other transaction that might involve a premium price or otherwise be in the best interest of the shareholders. The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of Vornado and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Control Share Acquisitions

        Maryland law provides that control shares of a Maryland real estate investment trust acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are trustees of the trust are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control Shares are voting shares which, if aggregated with all other shares owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power:

•

one-tenth or more but less than one-third,



•

one-third or more but less than a majority, or



•

a majority or more of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of trustees of the trust to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject

46

to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the trust may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.

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

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

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Approval of Extraordinary Trust Action; Amendment of Declaration of Trust and Bylaws

        Under Maryland law, a Maryland real estate investment trust generally cannot amend its declaration of trust or merge with another entity, unless approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a Maryland real estate investment trust may provide in its declaration of trust for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Vornado may merge or consolidate with another entity or entities or sell or transfer all or substantially all of the trust property, if approved by the board of trustees and by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Similarly, our declaration of trust provides for approval of amendments (which have been first declared advisable by our board of directors) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Some limited exceptions (including amendments to the provisions of our declaration of trust related to the removal of trustees, ownership and transfer restrictions and amendments) require the affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter.

        Under Maryland law, the declaration of trust of a Maryland real estate investment trust may permit the trustees, by a two-thirds vote, to amend the declaration of trust from time to time to qualify as a REIT under the Code or the Maryland REIT Law, without the affirmative vote or written consent of the shareholders. Our declaration of trust permits such action by the board of trustees. In addition, our declaration of trust, as permitted by Maryland law, contains a provision that permits our Board, without a shareholder vote, to amend the declaration of trust to increase the authorized shares of any class or series of beneficial interest that we are authorized to issue.

        Our bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

Advance Notice of Trustee Nominations and New Business

        Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of trustees and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may

47

be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the board of trustees or (iii) by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board of trustees at a special meeting may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the board of trustees, or (iii) provided that the board of trustees has determined that trustees will be elected at the meeting, by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws

        The business combination provisions and, if the applicable provision in our bylaws is rescinded, the control share acquisition provisions of Maryland law, the provisions of our declaration of trust on classification of the board of trustees and removal of trustees and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of Vornado that might involve a premium price for holders of common shares or otherwise be in their best interest.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

        In this section, we describe special considerations that will apply to registered securities issued in global—i.e., book-entry—form. First we describe the difference between legal ownership and indirect ownership of registered securities. Then we describe special provisions that apply to global securities.

Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?

        Each debt security, common or preferred share and depositary share in registered form will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. We refer to those who have securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee or other agent maintain for this purpose, as the "holders" of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names as indirect owners of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect owners are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect owners.

Book-Entry Owners

        We expect to issue debt securities, preferred shares and depositary shares in book-entry form only. However, we may issue common shares in book-entry form. This means those securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

        Under each indenture or other applicable agreement, only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities and we will make all payments on the securities, including deliveries of common or preferred shares in exchange for exchangeable debt securities, to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

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        As a result, investors will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect owners, and not holders, of the securities.

Street Name Owners

        In the future we may terminate a global security or issue securities initially in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in street name. Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

        For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities and we will make all payments on those securities, including deliveries of common or preferred shares in exchange for exchangeable debt securities, to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect owners, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

        Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee under either indenture and the obligations, if any, of any other third parties employed by us, the trustee or any agents, run only to the holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect owner of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

        For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for that payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect owners but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose—e.g., to amend the indenture for a series of debt securities or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture—we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect owners, of the relevant securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect owners is up to the holders.

        When we refer to "you" in this section of the prospectus, we mean those who invest in the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners of those securities. When we refer to "your securities" in this section of the prospectus, we mean the securities in which you will hold a direct or indirect interest.

Special Considerations for Indirect Owners

        If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

•

how it handles securities payments and notices;



•

whether it imposes fees or charges;



•

how it would handle a request for the holders' consent, if ever required;

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•

whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future;



•

how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and



•

if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary's rules and procedures will affect these matters.

What Is a Global Security?

        A global security is issued in book-entry form only. Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of one or more financial institutions or clearing systems, or their nominees, which we select. A financial institution or clearing system that we select for any security for this purpose is called the "depositary" for that security. A security will usually have only one depositary but it may have more.

        Each series of these securities will have one or more of the following as the depositaries:

•

The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which is known as "DTC";



•

a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, which is known as "Euroclear";



•

a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, which is known as "Clearstream"; and



•

any other clearing system or financial institution named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The depositaries named above may also be participants in one another's systems. Thus, for example, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, investors may hold beneficial interests in that security through Euroclear or Clearstream, as DTC participants. The depositary or depositaries for your securities will be named in your prospectus supplement; if none is named, the depositary will be DTC.

        A global security may represent one or any other number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same global security will have the same terms. We may, however, issue a global security that represents multiple securities of the same kind, such as debt securities, that have different terms and are issued at different times. We call this kind of global security a master global security. Your prospectus supplement will indicate whether your securities are represented by a master global security.

        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "—Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated". As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only indirect interests in a global security. Indirect interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect owner of an interest in the global security.

        If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can occur below under "—Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will

50

Be Terminated". If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

        As an indirect owner, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the depositary and those of the investor's financial institution or other intermediary through which it holds its interest (e.g., Euroclear or Clearstream, if DTC is the depositary), as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor or any intermediary as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

        If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

•

An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her own name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;



•

An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above under "—Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?";



•

An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;



•

An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;



•

The depositary's policies will govern payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to an investor's interest in a global security, and those policies may change from time to time. We, the trustee and any agents will have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary's policies, actions or records of ownership interests in a global security. We, the trustee and any agents also do not supervise the depositary in any way;



•

The depositary will require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and



•

Financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system and through which an investor holds its interest in the global securities, directly or indirectly, may also have their own policies affecting payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities, and those policies may change from time to time. For example, if you hold an interest in a global security through Euroclear or Clearstream, when DTC is the depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, will require those who purchase and sell interests in that security through them to use immediately available funds and comply with other policies and procedures, including deadlines for giving instructions as to transactions that are to be effected on a particular day. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the policies or actions or records of ownership interests of any of those intermediaries.

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Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

        If we issue any series of securities in book-entry form but we choose to give the beneficial owners of that series the right to obtain non-global securities, any beneficial owner entitled to obtain non-global securities may do so by following the applicable procedures of the depositary, any transfer agent or registrar for that series and that owner's bank, broker or other financial institution through which that owner holds its beneficial interest in the securities. For example, in the case of a global security representing preferred shares or depositary shares, a beneficial owner will be entitled to obtain a non-global security representing its interest by making a written request to the transfer agent or other agent designated by us. If you are entitled to request a non-global certificate and wish to do so, you will need to allow sufficient lead time to enable us or our agent to prepare the requested certificate.

        In addition, in a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above under "—Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?"

        The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

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if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security or the depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act, and in either case we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;



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in the case of a global security representing debt securities, if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities and has not been cured or waived; or



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any other circumstances specified for this purpose in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee for any debt securities, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those securities.

Considerations Relating to Euroclear and Clearstream

        Euroclear and Clearstream are securities clearance systems in Europe. Both systems clear and settle securities transactions between their participants through electronic, book-entry delivery of securities against payment.

        Euroclear and Clearstream may be depositaries for a global security. In addition, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global security as participants in DTC.

        As long as any global security is held by Euroclear or Clearstream, as depositary, you may hold an interest in the global security only through an organization that participates, directly or indirectly, in Euroclear or Clearstream. If Euroclear or Clearstream is the depositary for a global security and there is no depositary in the United States, you will not be able to hold interests in that global security through any securities clearance system in the United States.

        Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those

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systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants and we take no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and participants in DTC, on the other hand, when DTC is the depositary, would also be subject to DTC's rules and procedures.

Special Timing Considerations for Transactions in Euroclear and Clearstream

        Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

        In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchases or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than would be the case for transactions within one clearing system.

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