--12-31--12-3100014825120001496264false 0001482512 2021-11-15 2021-11-15 0001482512 hpp:HudsonPacificPropertiesLpMember 2021-11-15 2021-11-15 0001482512 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2021-11-15 2021-11-15 0001482512 us-gaap:CumulativePreferredStockMember 2021-11-15 2021-11-15
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM
8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15 (d)
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 15, 2021
 
 
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
             
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
 
Maryland
 
001-34789
  
27-1430478
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
 
Maryland
 
333-202799-01
  
80-0579682
   
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Commission
File No.)
  
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
     
11601 Wilshire Blvd., Ninth Floor
Los Angeles, California
 
90025
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
     
(310)
445-5700
 
N/A
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K
filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
         
Title of each class
 
Trading
symbols
 
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
HPP
 
New York Stock Exchange
4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
HPP Pr C
 
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule
12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(§240.12b-2
of this chapter).
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.  ☐
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.  ☐
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.
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.  ☐
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.  ☐
 
 
 
 

Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On November 16, 2021, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (the “Company”), as General Partner of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., its operating partnership subsidiary (the “Operating Partnership”), executed the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”), in connection with its completion of an underwritten public offering of 16,000,000 shares of 4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”). The Partnership Agreement, among other things, creates a series of preferred units (the “Series C Preferred Units”) that mirrors the rights and preferences of the Series C Preferred Stock described in more detail below. At the closing of the offering, the proceeds were contributed by the Company to the Operating Partnership in exchange for 16,000,000 Series C Preferred Units. This description of the material terms of the Partnership Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Partnership Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form
8-K
and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
 
Item 3.02
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
In connection with the closing of underwritten public offering Series C Preferred Stock on November 16, 2021, the Operating Partnership issued to the Company 16,000,000 Series C Preferred Units in exchange for the Company’s contribution to the Operating Partnership of the net proceeds from the offering. The Series C Preferred Units have substantially similar rights, preferences and other privileges as the Series C Preferred Stock. The Operating Partnership issued the Series C Preferred Units to the Company in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Item 3.03.
Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
On November 15, 2021, the Company filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland Articles Supplementary (the “Articles Supplementary”) to the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement, classifying and designating 18,400,000 shares of the Company’s authorized capital stock as shares of Series C Preferred Stock. As set forth in the Articles Supplementary, the Series C Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, ranks: (a) senior to all classes or series of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and any future classes or series of capital stock of the Company now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (b) on parity with any class or series of capital stock of the Company expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; and (c) junior to any other class or series of capital stock of the Company expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by the board of directors of the Company, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 4.750% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference per share, equivalent to $1.1875 per annum per share. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of December, March, June and September of each year, beginning on or about March 31, 2022. In addition to other preferential rights, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive the liquidation preference, which is $25.00 per share, before the holders of Common Stock in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up
of the Company’s affairs.
Generally, Series C Preferred Stock are not redeemable by the Company prior to November 16, 2026. However, upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (as defined below), holders of Series C Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, on or prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Company has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock) to convert some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock (the “Change of Control Conversion Right”) into a number of shares of Common Stock per Series C Preferred Stock to be converted equal to the lesser of:
 
   
the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a Series C preferred dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series C preferred dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Share Price (as defined below); and
 

   
1.9121 (the “Share Cap”), subject to certain adjustments;
subject, in each case, to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration, as described in the Articles Supplementary.
If the Company has provided or provides a redemption notice, whether pursuant to the Company’s special optional redemption right in connection with a Change of Control or the Company’s optional redemption right, holders of Series C Preferred Stock will not have any right to convert their shares of Series C Preferred Stock in connection with the Change of Control Conversion Right and any shares of Series C Preferred Stock subsequently selected for redemption that have been tendered for conversion will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.
A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:
 
   
the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of the Company entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and
 
   
as a result of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither the Company nor the acquiring or surviving entity (or if, in connection with such transaction shares of our common stock are converted into or exchanged for (in whole or in part) common equity securities of another entity, such other entity) has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE AMER or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ.
The “Change of Control Conversion Date” will be a business day occurring within 20 to 35 days following the date on which the Company provides the required notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock.
The “Common Stock Price” will be: (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of shares of the Company’s Common Stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of Common Stock, and (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of shares of the Company’s Common Stock is other than solely cash, the average of the closing price per share of Common Stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices, or if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control.
A complete description of the Series C Preferred Stock is contained in the Articles Supplementary which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form
8-K
and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
Information about the Partnership Agreement under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form
8-K
is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
 

Item 5.03
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
Information about the Articles Supplementary under Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form
8-K
is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
Information about the Partnership Agreement under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form
8-K
is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
 
Item 8.01
OTHER EVENTS
On November 16, 2021, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 16,000,000 shares of its Series C Preferred Stock for net proceeds of approximately $ 389.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering expenses. The offering was made pursuant to the Company’s effective registration statement on Form
S-3
(File
No. 333-255579),
a base prospectus, dated April 28, 2021, included as part of the registration statement, and a prospectus supplement, dated November 4, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1 is the opinion of Venable LLP relating to the legality of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued in connection with the closing of the offering.
 
ITEM 9.01
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
 
     
Exhibit
  No.  
  
Description
   
  3.1*    Articles Supplementary designating the Series C Preferred Stock of Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
   
  3.2*    Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
   
  5.1*    Opinion of Venable LLP.
   
23.1*    Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
   
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 
 
*
Filed herewith
 

SIGNATURE
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.
 
             
       
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
       
Date: November 16, 2021       By:  
/s/ Mark T. Lammas
            Mark T. Lammas
            President
     
       
Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.
     
        By: Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
            Its General Partner
       
        By:  
/s/ Mark T. Lammas
            Mark T. Lammas
            President

Exhibit 3.1

HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, INC.

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

18,400,000 SHARES OF

4.750% SERIES C CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “Department”) that:

FIRST: Pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by Article V of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) and Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), the Board of Directors and a Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors classified and designated 8,400,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”), as shares of a separate series of Preferred Stock to be known as the “4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,” with the following preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, which, upon any restatement of the Charter, shall be made a part of Article V of the Charter with any necessary or appropriate changes to the enumeration or lettering of the sections or subsections thereof:

Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Stock, designated the “4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock” (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), is hereby established. The number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be 18,400,000.

Section 2. Rank. The Series C Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, rank: (a) senior to all classes or series of Common Stock and any future classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; (b) on parity with any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and (c) junior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. The term “capital stock” includes the Corporation’s stock of any class or series but does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, which will rank senior in right of payment to the Series C Preferred Stock prior to conversion or exchange.

Section 3. Dividends.

(a) Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividend rights, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 4.750% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.1875 per share of the Series C Preferred Stock). Such dividends shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the date any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are first issued (the “First Issue Date”), or, if later, the latest Dividend Payment Date (as defined below) to which cumulative dividends have been paid in full (or declared and the corresponding Dividend Record Date (as defined below) for determining stockholders entitled to payment thereof has passed), and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing on or about March 31, 2022; provided, however, that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may


be paid, at the Corporation’s option, on either the immediately preceding Business Day or the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date, and no interest or additional dividends or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Dividend Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day; provided, further, that no dividends shall accrue on any share of Series C Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period (as defined below) having a Dividend Record Date (as defined below) before the date such share of Series C Preferred Stock was issued. The amount of any dividend payable on the Series C Preferred Stock for any period greater or less than a full Dividend Period shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the Corporation’s stock records at the close of business on the Dividend Record Date. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, each holder of an outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive a dividend with respect to any Dividend Record Date equal to the dividend paid with respect to each other share of Series C Preferred Stock that is outstanding on such date. “Dividend Record Date” shall mean the date designated by the Board of Directors for the payment of dividends that is not more than 35 or fewer than 10 days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. “Dividend Payment Date” shall mean the last calendar day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on March 31, 2022. “Dividend Period” shall mean the respective periods commencing on and including the most recent Dividend Payment Date and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Dividend Period (other than the initial Dividend Period, which shall commence on the First Issue Date and end on, but not include, March 31, 2022, and other than the Dividend Period during which any shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, which shall end on and include the day preceding the redemption date with respect to the shares of Series C Preferred Stock being redeemed).

The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock shall accrue whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends, and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

(c) Except as provided in Section 3(d) or 3(f) below, no dividends shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to dividends, on parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Stock for any period, nor shall any shares of Common Stock or any other shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Corporation’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of such shares, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect thereto by the Corporation, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment.

(d) Except as provided in Section 3(f) below, when dividends are not paid in full (or declared and a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series C Preferred Stock and the shares of any other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock, all dividends declared on the Series C Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the redemption or repurchase of shares of any such class or series) shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series C Preferred Stock and such other class or series of capital stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the Series C Preferred Stock and such other class or series of capital stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends on such other class or series of capital stock for prior Dividend Periods if such other class or series of capital stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

 

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(e) Holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares of capital stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock as provided herein. Any dividend payment made on the Series C Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividends due with respect to such shares which remain payable. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will accrue as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3 or Sections 5 or 6 and regardless of whether dividends are paid in full (or declared and a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series C Preferred Stock or the shares of any other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock for any or all Dividend Periods, the Corporation shall not be prohibited or limited from (i) paying dividends on any shares of stock of the Corporation in shares of Common Stock or in shares of any other class or series of capital stock ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Corporation’s liquidation, dissolution and winding up, (ii) converting or exchanging any shares of stock of the Corporation for shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Corporation’s liquidation, dissolution and winding up, (iii) redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any shares of capital stock of the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of Article VI of the Charter or Section 5(c) or Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary, or any comparable provision of the Charter relating to any class or series of capital stock hereinafter classified and designated, or otherwise in order to ensure that the Corporation remains qualified as a REIT (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof), (iv) purchasing or acquiring shares of Series C Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock ranking on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and any such class or series of Preferred Stock or (v) redeeming, purchasing or acquiring shares of Common Stock made for purposes of and in compliance with the requirements of an employee incentive or benefit plan of the Corporation’s or any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries.

Section 4. Liquidation Preference.

(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any distribution or payment shall be made to holders of shares of Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, junior to the Series C Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders, after payment of or provision for the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, senior to the Series C Preferred Stock, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment. In the event that, upon such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Corporation are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to rights upon the Corporation’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise respectively be entitled. Written notice of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation, merger or conversion of the Corporation with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the voluntary sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

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(b) In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise, is permitted under the MGCL, amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be added to the Corporation’s total liabilities.

Section 5. Redemption.

(a) Shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable prior to November 16, 2026 except as set forth in Section 6 hereof or upon a determination of the Board of Directors that such redemption is necessary to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT as set forth in Section 5(c) below. In addition, the Series C Preferred Stock shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof pursuant to which Series C Preferred Stock owned by a stockholder in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) shall automatically be transferred to a Trust (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) for the exclusive benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) and the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Article VI of the Charter.

(b) On and after November 16, 2026, the Corporation, at its option, upon notice in accordance with Section 5(e), may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus, subject to Section 5(f), all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon up to but not including the date fixed for redemption, without interest, to the extent the Corporation has funds legally available therefor (the “Redemption Right”). If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5(b), the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Corporation. If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or any applicable Series C Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof), or violate any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter, because such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the Corporation shall redeem the requisite number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or any applicable Series C Excepted Holder Limit, or violate any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter, subsequent to such redemption. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender such Series C Preferred Stock at the place, or in accordance with the book-entry procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the redemption price of $25.00 per share and any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption following such surrender. If (i) notice of redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5 has been given (in the case of a redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock other than to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT), (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Corporation in trust for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock so called for redemption, and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid dividends, then from and after the redemption date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series C Preferred Stock, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares shall terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption, without interest. So long as full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock and any class or series of parity Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Corporation’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series C Preferred Stock at such price or prices as the Corporation may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

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(c) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Charter, (i) in the event of any redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock upon a determination by the Board of Directors that such redemption is necessary to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT, such redemption shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5 (other than the requirement in Section 5(b) that any redemption of fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred stock be pro rata or by lot), provided, that no prior written notice of redemption is required; and (ii) if the Corporation calls for redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 5(c), then the redemption price for such shares will be an amount in cash equal to $25.00 per share together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the dated fixed for redemption.

(d) Except as provided in Section 3(f) above, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are authorized and (i) declared and paid in cash or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, no shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed pursuant to the Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right (defined below) unless all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series C Preferred Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of capital stock of the Corporation ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, junior to the Series C Preferred Stock); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase of Series C Preferred Stock by the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of Article VI of the Charter or Section 5(c) or Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary, or otherwise in order to ensure that the Corporation remains qualified as a REIT (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof), or the purchase or acquisition of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and any class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

(e) Notice of redemption pursuant to the Redemption Right will be mailed by the Corporation, postage prepaid, not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. No failure to give or defect in such notice shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom such notice was defective or not given. In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series C Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated shares of Series C Preferred Stock for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series C Preferred Stock. If fewer than all of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in these Articles Supplementary, the Corporation shall not be required to provide notice to the holder of Series C Preferred Stock in the event such holder’s Series C Preferred Stock is redeemed in accordance with Section 5(c) or Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter to preserve the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

(f) If a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business of such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that surrenders its shares on such redemption date will be entitled to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to but excluding the redemption date. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series C Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(g) All shares of the Series C Preferred Stock redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 5, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Corporation, shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series or class.

 

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Section 6. Special Optional Redemption by the Corporation.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Corporation will have the option upon written notice mailed by the Corporation, postage pre-paid, no fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and addressed to the holders of record of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation, to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at $25.00 per share plus, subject to Section 6(d), accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (“Special Optional Redemption Right”). No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. If, on or prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Corporation has provided or provides notice of redemption with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to the Redemption Right or the Special Optional Redemption Right), the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock will not have the conversion right described below in Section 8.

A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, each of the following have occurred and are continuing:

(i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of stock of the Corporation entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of the Corporation’s directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

(ii) as a result of any transaction referred to in (i) above, neither the Corporation nor the acquiring or surviving entity (or, if in connection with such transaction holders of Common Stock receive Alternative Form Consideration consisting of common equity securities of another entity, such other entity) has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE American, LLC (the “NYSE AMER”), or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ.

(b) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series C Preferred Stock may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated shares of Series C Preferred Stock for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date; (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series C Preferred Stock; (viii) that the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are being redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and (ix) that holders of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to which the notice relates will not be able to tender such shares of Series C Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each share of Series C Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date. If fewer than all of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender such Series C Preferred Stock at the place, or in accordance with the book-entry procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the redemption price of $25.00 per share and any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption following such surrender.

 

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If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right, the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Corporation. If such redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or any applicable Series C Excepted Holder Limit, or violate any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter, because such holder’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the Corporation shall redeem the requisite number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or any applicable Series C Excepted Holder Limit, or violate any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter subsequent to such redemption.

(c) If (i) the Corporation has given a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right, (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Corporation in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock so called for redemption, and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid dividends, then from and after the redemption date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such shares of Series C Preferred Stock, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares shall terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption, without interest. So long as full cumulative dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock and any class or series of parity Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Corporation’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series C Preferred Stock at such price or prices as the Corporation may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Directors.

(d) If a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business of such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that surrenders its shares on such redemption date will be entitled to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to but excluding the redemption date. Except as provided herein, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series C Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(e) All shares of the Series C Preferred Stock redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 6, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Corporation, shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series or class.

Section 7. Voting Rights.

(a) Holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 7.

(b) Whenever dividends on any shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for six or more consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly periods (a “Preferred Dividend Default”), the holders of Series C Preferred Stock and the holders of all other classes or series of preferred stock of the Corporation ranking on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Corporation’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (“Parity Preferred”) and with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to vote for the election of a total of two additional directors to serve on the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Preferred Directors”) until all dividends accumulated and

 

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unpaid on such Series C Preferred for all past Dividend Periods and the then-current Dividend Period shall have been fully paid. At such time as the holders of Series C Preferred Stock become entitled to vote in the election of Preferred Directors, the number of directors serving on the Board of Directors will be increased automatically by two directors (unless the number of directors has previously been so increased pursuant to the terms of any class or series of Parity Preferred). For the purposes of determining whether a Preferred Dividend Default has occurred or is continuing, a dividend in respect of Series C Preferred Stock shall be considered timely made if made within two Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date if at the time of such late payment date there shall not be any prior quarterly Dividend Periods in respect of which full dividends were not timely made at the applicable Dividend Payment Date.

(c) A Preferred Director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of Preferred Directors and shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, subject to Section 7(e) or such Preferred Director’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. The election of Preferred Directors will take place at (i) either (A) a special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with Section 7(d) below if the request is received more than 90 days before the date fixed for the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders at which Preferred Directors are to be elected or (B) the next annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders at which Preferred Directors are to be elected if the request is received within 90 days of the date fixed for the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders at which Preferred Directors are to be elected, and (ii) at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting at which Preferred Directors are to be elected, until the right of holders of Series C Preferred Stock to elect Preferred Directors shall have terminated as specified in Section 7(e).

(d) At any time when holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote in the election of Preferred Directors, the Secretary of the Corporation shall, unless the request is received more than 90 days before the date fixed for the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders at which Preferred Directors are to be elected, call or cause to be called, upon written request of holders of record of at least 10% of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class in the election of Preferred Directors, call a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing Preferred Directors by mailing or causing to be mailed to the stockholders entitled to vote a notice of such special meeting of stockholders to be held not fewer than ten or more than 45 days after the date such notice is given. The record date for determining holders of the Series C Preferred Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting of stockholders will be the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. The holder or holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class in the election of Preferred Directors, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the election of Preferred Directors except as otherwise required by law. Notice of all meetings of stockholders at which holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote in the election of Preferred Directors will be given to such holders at their addresses as they appear in the Corporation’s stock transfer records. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof, in the absence of a quorum, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Preferred with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class in the election of Preferred Directors present in person or by proxy, voting together as a single class, shall be sufficient to adjourn the meeting for the election of the Preferred Directors, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. If a Preferred Dividend Default shall terminate after the notice of a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing Preferred Directors has been given but before such special meeting of stockholders has been held, the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such termination, mail or cause to be mailed notice of such termination to holders of the Series C Preferred Stock that would have been entitled to vote at such special meeting of stockholders.

(e) If and when all accumulated dividends on such Series C Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods and the then-current dividend period shall have been fully paid, the right of the holders of Series C Preferred Stock to elect such additional two directors shall immediately cease (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default), and, unless there are outstanding shares of Parity Preferred upon which like voting remain exercisable, the term of office of each Preferred Director so elected shall terminate and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced accordingly. If the rights of holders of Series C Preferred Stock to elect Preferred Directors have terminated in accordance with this Section 7(e) after any record date for the

 

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determination of stockholders entitled to vote in the election of such Preferred Directors but before the closing of the polls in such election, holders of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding as of such record date shall not be entitled to vote in such election of Preferred Directors. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time with or without cause by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and the Parity Preferred then entitled to vote together as a single class in the election of Preferred Directors (voting together as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Director may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Director remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of Preferred Directors. Each of the Preferred Directors shall be entitled to one vote on any matter before the Corporation’s board of directors.

(f) So long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and each other class or series of Parity Preferred with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class on such matter (voting together as a single class), given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting, will be required to: (i) authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued number of shares of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (collectively, “Senior Capital Stock”) or reclassify any authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation into Senior Capital Stock, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Capital Stock; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, including the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise (an “Event”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series C Preferred Stock; provided however, with respect to the occurrence of any Event, so long as the Series C Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of such Event, the Corporation may not be the surviving entity and the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of Series C Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any Event. In addition, if the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series C Preferred Stock on the date of an Event or the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series C Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to (but not including) the date of such Event pursuant to the occurrence of any Event, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to such Event. If any Event would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series C Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to other classes or series of Parity Preferred with which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class on such Event, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will also be required. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote with respect to (A) any increase in the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Corporation, (B) any increase in the number of authorized shares of Series C Preferred Stock or the creation or issuance of any other class or series of capital stock or (C) any increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of capital stock; provided that, in each case referred to in clause (A), (B) or (C) above, such capital stock ranks on parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Except as set forth herein, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall not be required for, the taking of any corporate action, including an Event, regardless of the effect that such corporate action or Event may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series C Preferred Stock.

(g) The foregoing voting provisions of this Section 7 shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice pursuant to these Articles Supplementary, and sufficient funds, in cash, shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

(h) In any matter in which the Series C Preferred Stock may vote together as a single class with holders of all other classes or series of parity preferred stock (as expressly provided herein), each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference.

 

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Section 8. Conversion. The shares of Series C Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation, except as provided in this Section 8.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right, unless, on or prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Corporation has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem such shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right, to convert some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder (the “Change of Control Conversion Right”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of Common Stock per share of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted (the “Common Stock Conversion Consideration”) equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (x) the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted plus (y) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividends will be included in such sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined herein) and (B) 1.9121 (the “Share Cap”), subject to the immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any stock splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of the Common Stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to the Common Stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split shall be the number of shares of Common Stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which shares of Common Stock shall be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall receive upon conversion of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration”; and the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Change of Control, shall be referred to herein as the “Conversion Consideration”).

In the event that holders of Common Stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock that were voted in such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock that were voted in such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of Common Stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Change of Control.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” shall be a Business Day fixed by the Corporation and set forth in the notice of Change of Control provided in accordance with Section 8(c) below that is no less than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which the Corporation provides such notice pursuant to Section 8(c).

The “Common Stock Price” shall be (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of Common Stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of Common Stock or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per share of Common Stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group, Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if the Common Stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

 

 

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(b) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of Series C Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of the aggregate number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock of any holder that are converted, that holder shall be entitled to receive the cash value of such fractional shares based on the Common Stock Price. If more than one share of Series C Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion at one time by or for the same holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock so surrendered.

(c) Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control, describing the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right, shall be delivered to the holders of record of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock at their addresses as they appear on the Corporation’s stock transfer records and notice shall be provided to the Corporation’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any share of Series C Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice shall state: (i) the events constituting the Change of Control; (ii) the date of the Change of Control; (iii) the last date on which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right; (iv) the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price; (v) the Change of Control Conversion Date; (vi) that if, on or prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Corporation has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of the Series C Preferred Stock, the holder will not be able to convert shares of Series C Preferred Stock designated for redemption and such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if they have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right; (vii) if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series C Preferred Stock; (viii) the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; and (ix) the procedures that the holders of Series C Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right.

(d) The Corporation shall issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Corporation, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on the Corporation’s web site, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which the Corporation provides notice pursuant to Section 8(c) above to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock.

(e) In order to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, a holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to the Corporation’s transfer agent. Such notice shall state: (i) the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date; (ii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted; and (iii) that the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of these Articles Supplementary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are held in global form, such notice shall comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Corporation (“DTC”).

(f) Holders of Series C Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Corporation’s transfer agent prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal must state: (i) the number of withdrawn shares of Series C Preferred Stock; (ii) if certificated shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been issued, the certificate numbers of the shares of withdrawn Series C Preferred Stock; and (iii) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series C Preferred Stock are held in global form, the notice of withdrawal shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC.

(g) Shares of Series C Preferred Stock as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn shall be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change

 

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of Control Conversion Date, unless, on or prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Corporation has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem such shares of Series C Preferred Stock, whether pursuant to its Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right. If the Corporation elects to redeem shares of Series C Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be so converted and the holders of such shares shall be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

(h) The Corporation shall deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third Business Day following the Change of Control Conversion Date.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no holder of shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such shares of Series C Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock to the extent that receipt of such shares of Common Stock would cause the holder of such shares of Common Stock (or any other person) to have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit as defined in Article VI of the Charter, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or such other limit as permitted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 9(i) hereof or Article VI of the Charter or violate any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s capital stock set forth in Section 9 hereof or Article VI of the Charter.

(j) The shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation or any other entity, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 9. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer to Preserve Tax Benefit.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of Section 5, Section 6 and this Section 9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” has the meaning set forth in Article VI of the Charter.

Beneficial Ownership” shall mean the ownership of shares of Series C Preferred Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Series C Preferred Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Capital Stock” has the meaning set forth in Article VI of the Charter.

Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust, as determined pursuant to Section 9(c)(vi), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All section references to the Code shall include any successor provisions thereof as may be adopted from time to time.

Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Series C Preferred Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Individual” means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.

 

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IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the Closing Price for the Series C Preferred Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Series C Preferred Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for the Series C Preferred Stock, in either case as reported in the principal Stock Exchange on which the Series C Preferred Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Series C Preferred Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any Stock Exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if the Series C Preferred Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Series C Preferred Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for the Series C Preferred Stock, the fair market value of the Series C Preferred Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

Person” shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company, or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 9(b), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Series C Excepted Holder” means a stockholder of the Corporation for whom a Series C Excepted Holder Limit is created by these Articles Supplementary or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 9(i)(i).

Series C Excepted Holder Limit” means for each Series C Excepted Holder, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 9(i)(i) which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of shares of Series C Preferred Stock provided that the affected Series C Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 9(i)(i) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 9(i)(iv) and 9(i)(v).

Series C Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock. The number and value of shares of outstanding Series C Preferred Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Series C Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the date hereof on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 4.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Series C Preferred Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Stock Exchange” shall mean any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system.

 

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Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire, or change its level of, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of the Series C Preferred Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Series C Preferred Stock or any interest in Series C Preferred Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of the Series C Preferred Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trust” shall mean each of the trusts provided for in Section 9(c).

Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

(b) Restriction on Ownership and Transfers.

(i) Prior to the Series C Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 9(k), (1) no Person other than a Series C Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit and (2) no Series C Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for such Series C Excepted Holder. Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Section 9, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 9(b)(i) shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Corporation.

(ii) Unless such shares of Series C Preferred Stock are required, pursuant to the provisions of Article VI of the Charter, to be transferred to the trust provided for in that Article (in which case, the provisions of such Article VI shall apply), any Transfer (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of any Stock Exchange) occurs that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Series C Preferred Stock in violation of Section 9(b)(i), (A) then that number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 9(b)(i) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 9(c), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares or (B) if, for any reason, the transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this sentence is not automatically effective to prevent the violation of Section 9(b)(i), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 9(b)(i) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares. In determining which shares of Series C Preferred Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 9(b)(ii), shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except as provided in Section 9(h)) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

(iii) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 9(b)(ii), a violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i) would nonetheless be continuing, then shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i) hereof.

 

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(c) Transfers of Series C Preferred Stock in Trust.

(i) Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 9(b)(ii) that would result in a transfer of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to a Trust, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee in his capacity as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 9(b)(ii). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 9(c)(vi).

(ii) Shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Series C Preferred Stock.

(iii) The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividends or distributions so paid over to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion) (A) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (B) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, until the Corporation has received notification that the Series C Preferred Stock has been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its stock transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

(iv) Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Series C Preferred Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust to a Person or Persons, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 9(b)(i). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 9(c)(iv). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (A) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares of Series C Preferred Stock or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares of Series C Preferred Stock in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock on the day of the event causing the transfer of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be held in the Trust and (B) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust. The Trustee shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of such Series C Preferred Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares of Series C Preferred Stock are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (1) such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (2) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares of Series C Preferred Stock that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 9(c)(iv), such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

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(v) Shares of Series C Preferred Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (A) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise, gift or other transaction, the Market Price of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock at the time of such devise, gift or other transaction) and (B) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). The Corporation shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust pursuant to Section 9(c)(iv). Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

(vi) By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that the Series C Preferred Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b)(i) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 9(b)(ii) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

(d) Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 9(b) or that a Person intends to acquire, or has attempted to acquire, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock in violation of Section 9(b) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse to give effect or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, but not limited to, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Series C Preferred Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 9(b) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust as described in Section 9(b)(ii), or, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

(e) Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Series C Preferred Stock that will or may violate Section 9(b)(i), or any Person who would have owned shares of Series C Preferred Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust under Section 9(b)(ii), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

(f) Owners Required To Provide Information. Prior to the Series C Restriction Termination Date each owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide promptly to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and Series C Ownership Limit. In addition, each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Series C Preferred Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Series C Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall, on demand, provide to the Corporation such information that the Corporation may request to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

(g) Remedies Not Limited. Nothing contained in these Articles Supplementary (but subject to Section 4.7 of the Charter) shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders by preservation of the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

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(h) Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 9, including any definition contained in Section 9(a), the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 9 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 9 requires an action by the Board of Directors and these Articles Supplementary fail to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 9. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 9(c)) acquired Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of shares of shares of Series C Preferred Stock in violation of Section 9(b)(i), such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Series C Preferred Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Series C Preferred Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Series C Preferred Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by each such Person.

(i) Exceptions.

(i) Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) of the Charter, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Series C Ownership Limit, as the case may be, or may establish or increase a Series C Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

(A) the Board of Directors determines, based on such representations and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Directors and as are reasonably necessary to ascertain, that such exemption will not cause any Individual’s Beneficial Ownership of shares of Capital Stock to violate the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; and

(B) the Board of Directors determines that such Person does not and will not Constructively Own an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant, and the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Directors as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, in the Board of Director’s sole and absolute discretion, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation).

(ii) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 9(i)(i), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(iii) Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) of the Charter, to the extent that an underwriter participates in a public offering, private placement or other private offering of Series C Preferred Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series C Preferred Stock), such Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(iv) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for a Series C Excepted Holder: (i) with the written consent of such Series C Excepted Holder at any time, or (ii) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Series C Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Series C Excepted Holder Limit for that Series C Excepted Holder. No Series C Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Series C Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.

 

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(v) Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) of the Charter and the rest of this Section 9(i)(v), the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Series C Ownership Limit for one or more Persons; provided, however, that a decreased Series C Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, as applicable, shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess of such decreased Series C Ownership Limit at the time such limit is decreased, until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased Series C Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of shares of Series C Preferred Stock or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be in violation of the Series C Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Series C Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock.

(j) Legends. Each certificate representing shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall bear substantially the following legend in lieu of the legend required by Article VI of the Charter and in addition to any legends required to comply with federal and state securities laws:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Series C Preferred Stock in excess of the Series C Ownership Limit unless such Person is a Series C Excepted Holder (in which case the Series C Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is a Series C Excepted Holder or an Excepted Holder (in which case the Series C Excepted Holder Limit or Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially or Constructively Own Series C Preferred Stock that could result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Series C Preferred Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock which causes or may cause a Person to Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Series C Preferred Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership set forth in (i) through (iii) above are violated, the shares of Series C Preferred Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may take other actions, including redeeming shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Series C Preferred Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its Principal Office. Instead of the foregoing legend, a certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a stockholder on request and without charge.

(k) Stock Exchange Transactions. Nothing in this Section 9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any applicable Stock Exchange. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Section 9 and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section 9.

(l) Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Section 9.

 

18


(m) Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

(n) Severability. If any provision of this Section 9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

Section 10. No Conversion Rights. The shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation or any other entity, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 11. Record Holders. The Corporation and its transfer agent may deem and treat the record holder of any Series C Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor its transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 12. No Maturity or Sinking Fund. The Series C Preferred Stock has no maturity date, and no sinking fund has been established for the retirement or redemption of Series C Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Series C Preferred Stock owned by a stockholder in violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Corporation’s stock set forth in Section 9 or Article VI of the Charter shall be subject to the provisions thereof.

Section 13. Exclusion of Other Rights. The Series C Preferred Stock shall not have any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption other than expressly set forth in the Charter and these Articles Supplementary.

Section 14. Headings of Subdivisions. The headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 15. Severability of Provisions. If any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock set forth in the Charter and these Articles Supplementary are invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of Series C Preferred Stock set forth in the Charter which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision thereof shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect and no preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other provision thereof unless so expressed therein.

Section 16. No Preemptive Rights. No holder of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of capital stock of the Corporation (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Corporation convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

FOURTH: The Series C Preferred Stock have been classified and designated by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in Article V of the Charter.

FIFTH: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.

SIXTH: These Articles Supplementary shall be effective at the time the Department accepts these Articles Supplementary for record.

 

19


SEVENTH: The undersigned President acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

 

20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its President as of the date first written above.

 

HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Mark T. Lammas

Name:   Mark T. Lammas
Title:   President and Treasurer

 

ATTEST:
HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kay L. Tidwell

Name:   Kay L. Tidwell
Title:   General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Articles Supplementary]

Exhibit 3.2

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, L.P.

a Maryland limited partnership

 

 

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR

THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,

TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH

REGISTRATION, UNLESS IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE

PARTNERSHIP THE PROPOSED SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE

EFFECTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER

APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.

dated as of November 16, 2021

 

 

1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINED TERMS

     2

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     25

Section 2.1

   Formation      25

Section 2.2

   Name      25

Section 2.3

   Principal Office and Resident Agent; Principal Executive Office      25

Section 2.4

   Power of Attorney      25

Section 2.5

   Term      26

ARTICLE 3 PURPOSE

     26

Section 3.1

   Purpose and Business      26

Section 3.2

   Powers      27

Section 3.3

   Partnership Only for Purposes Specified      27

Section 3.4

   Representations and Warranties by the Partners      27

ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

     30

Section 4.1

   Capital Contributions of the Partners      30

Section 4.2

   Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests      30

Section 4.3

   Additional Funds and Capital Contributions      32

Section 4.4

   Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans      33

Section 4.5

   Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan      35

Section 4.6

   No Interest; No Return      35

Section 4.7

   Conversion or Redemption of Capital Shares      35

Section 4.8

   Other Contribution Provisions      36

ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS

     36

Section 5.1

   Requirement and Characterization of Distributions      36

Section 5.2

   Distributions in Kind      37

Section 5.3

   Amounts Withheld      37

Section 5.4

   Distributions Upon Liquidation      37

Section 5.5

   Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units      37

Section 5.6

   Restricted Distributions      37

ARTICLE 6 ALLOCATIONS

     37

Section 6.1

   Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss      37

Section 6.2

   Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss      37

Section 6.3

   Additional Allocation Provisions      40

Section 6.4

   Tax Allocations      42

 

i


ARTICLE 7 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

     43

Section 7.1

   Management      43

Section 7.2

   Certificate of Limited Partnership      47

Section 7.3

   Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority      47

Section 7.4

   Reimbursement of the General Partner      49

Section 7.5

   Outside Activities of the General Partner      50

Section 7.6

   Transactions with Affiliates      50

Section 7.7

   Indemnification      51

Section 7.8

   Liability of the General Partner      53

Section 7.9

   Other Matters Concerning the General Partner      55

Section 7.10

   Title to Partnership Assets      56

Section 7.11

   Reliance by Third Parties      56

ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     56

Section 8.1

   Limitation of Liability      56

Section 8.2

   Management of Business      56

Section 8.3

   Outside Activities of Limited Partners      57

Section 8.4

   Return of Capital      57

Section 8.5

   Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership      57

Section 8.6

   Partnership Right to Call Limited Partner Interests      58

Section 8.7

   Rights as Objecting Partner      59

ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     59

Section 9.1

   Records and Accounting      59

Section 9.2

   Partnership Year      59

Section 9.3

   Reports.      59

ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS

     60

Section 10.1

   Preparation of Tax Returns      60

Section 10.2

   Tax Elections      60

Section 10.3

   Tax Matters Partner      60

Section 10.4

   Withholding      61

Section 10.5

   Organizational Expenses      62

ARTICLE 11 PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

     62

Section 11.1

   Transfer      62

Section 11.2

   Transfer of General Partner’s Partnership Interest      62

Section 11.3

   Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer      64

Section 11.4

   Admission of Substituted Limited Partners      67

Section 11.5

   Assignees      67

Section 11.6

   General Provisions      68

 

ii


ARTICLE 12 ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

     69

Section 12.1

   Admission of Successor General Partner      69

Section 12.2

   Admission of Additional Limited Partners      70

Section 12.3

   Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership      71

Section 12.4

   Limit on Number of Partners      71

Section 12.5

   Admission      71

ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

     71

Section 13.1

   Dissolution      71

Section 13.2

   Winding Up      72

Section 13.3

   Deemed Contribution and Distribution      73

Section 13.4

   Rights of Holders      73

Section 13.5

   Notice of Dissolution      74

Section 13.6

   Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership      74

Section 13.7

   Reasonable Time for Winding-Up      74

ARTICLE 14 PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS

     74

Section 14.1

   Procedures for Actions and Consents of Partners      74

Section 14.2

   Amendments      74

Section 14.3

   Meetings of the Partners      74

ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     76

Section 15.1

   Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties      76

Section 15.2

   Addresses and Notice      82

Section 15.3

   Titles and Captions      82

Section 15.4

   Pronouns and Plurals      82

Section 15.5

   Further Action      82

Section 15.6

   Binding Effect      82

Section 15.7

   Waiver      82

Section 15.8

   Counterparts      83

Section 15.9

   Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      83

Section 15.10

   Entire Agreement      83

Section 15.11

   Invalidity of Provisions      84

Section 15.12

   Limitation to Preserve REIT Status      84

Section 15.13

   No Partition      84

Section 15.14

   No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby      85

Section 15.15

   No Rights as Stockholders      85

ARTICLE 16 SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS

     85

Section 16.1

   Designation and Number      85

Section 16.2

   Rank      85

Section 16.3

   Distributions      85

Section 16.4

   Liquidation Preference      86

Section 16.5

   Redemption of Series A Preferred Units      87

 

iii


Section 16.6

   Conversion      92

Section 16.7

   Voting Rights      93

Section 16.8

   Provisions Effective After General Partner Fundamental Change      94

Section 16.9

   Amendments      96

Section 16.10

   Exclusion of Other Rights      96

ARTICLE 17 SERIES C PREFERRED UNITS

     96

Section 17.1

   Designation and Number      96

Section 17.2

   Distributions      97

Section 17.3

   Liquidation Proceeds      99

Section 17.4

   Redemption      99

Section 17.5

   Ranking      99

Section 17.6

   Voting Rights      99

Section 17.7

   Transfer Restrictions      100

Section 17.8

   Conversion      100

Section 17.9

   No Sinking Fund      100

ARTICLE 18 LTIP UNITS

     100

Section 18.1

   Designation      100

Section 18.2

   Vesting.      100

Section 18.3

   Adjustments      101

Section 18.4

   Distributions      101

Section 18.5

   Allocations      102

Section 18.6

   Transfers      102

Section 18.7

   Redemption      102

Section 18.8

   Legend      102

Section 18.9

   Conversion to Common Units      103

Section 18.10

   Voting      105

Section 18.11

   Section 83 Safe Harbor      105

ARTICLE 19 PERFORMANCE UNITS

     106

Section 19.1

   Designation      106

Section 19.2

   Vesting      106

Section 19.3

   Adjustments      106

Section 19.4

   Distributions      107

Section 19.5

   Allocations      108

Section 19.6

   Transfers      108

Section 19.7

   Redemption      108

Section 19.8

   Legend      108

Section 19.9

   Conversion to Common Units      108

Section 19.10

   Voting      111

 

iv


Exhibits List

 

Exhibit A        

   PARTNERS AND PARTNERSHIP UNITS      A-1  

Exhibit B

   EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR      B-1  

Exhibit C

   COMMON NOTICE OF REDEMPTION      C-1  

Exhibit D

   SERIES A NOTICE OF REDEMPTION      D-1  

Exhibit E

   SERIES A NOTICE OF CONVERSION      E-1  

Exhibit F

   NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNER TO CONVERT LTIP/PERFORMANCE UNITS INTO COMMON UNITS      F-1  

Exhibit G

   NOTICE OF ELECTION BY PARTNERSHIP TO FORCE CONVERSION OF LTIP/PERFORMANCE UNITS INTO COMMON UNITS      G-1  

 

 

v


FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, L.P.

THIS FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, L.P., dated as of November 16, 2021, is made and entered into by and among, HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, INC., a Maryland corporation, as the General Partner and the Persons whose names are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, as limited partners, and any Additional Limited Partner that is admitted from time to time to the Partnership and listed on Exhibit A attached hereto.

WHEREAS, a Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership was filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland on January 15, 2010 (the “Formation Date”) and the initial general partner and limited partners of the Partnership entered into an original agreement of limited partnership of the Partnership effective as of January 15, 2010 (the “Original Partnership Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Original Partnership Agreement was amended and restated by that certain Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., dated as of June 29, 2010 (the “First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement”), by and among the General Partner and the limited partners of the Partnership, in connection with the initial public offering of the General Partner’s common stock;

WHEREAS, the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement was amended and restated by that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., dated as of December 10, 2010 (the “Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement”), by and among the General Partner and the limited partners of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement was amended and restated by that certain Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., dated as of April 1, 2015 (the “Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement”), by and among the General Partner and the limited partners of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement was amended and restated by that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., dated as of December 17, 2015 (the “Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement”), by and among the General Partner and the limited partners of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 7.3.C(3), 7.3.C(4) and 7.3.C(10) of the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement may be amended by the General Partner to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature, to reflect the issuance of additional Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.2 and, subject to Section 16.7, to set forth the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the holders of any additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Article 4; and

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Partnership believe it is desirable and in the best interest of the Partnership to amend and restate the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE 1

DEFINED TERMS

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement:

Act” means the Maryland Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, Title 10 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Actions” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7 hereof.

Additional Funds” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.A hereof.

Additional Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner pursuant to the Act and Section 4.2 and Section 12.2 hereof and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.

Adjusted Capital Account” means, with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Partnership Year or other applicable period, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(i) increase such Capital Account by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to this Agreement upon liquidation of such Partner’s Partnership Interest or that such Person is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or the penultimate sentence of each of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

(ii) decrease such Capital Account by the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).

The foregoing definition of “Adjusted Capital Account” is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit balance, if any, in such Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Partnership Year or other applicable period.

Adjustment Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.3 hereof.

Adjusted Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.C hereof.

Adjusted Net Income” means for each Partnership Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Partnership’s Net Income or Net Loss for such year or other period (other than any Net Income or Net Loss or items thereof allocated with respect to such year or other period prior to the allocation of Adjusted Net Income), computed without regard to the items set forth below; provided, that if the Adjusted Net Income for such year or other period is a negative number (i.e., a net loss), then the Adjusted Net Income for that year or other period shall be treated as if it were zero:

(a) Depreciation; and

 

2


(b) Net gain or loss realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership, including but not limited to net gain or loss treated as realized in connection with an adjustment to the Gross Asset Value of the Partnership’s assets as set forth in the definition of “Gross Asset Value.”

Adjustment Factor” means 1.0; provided, however, that in the event that:

(i) the General Partner (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares, (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares or (c) effects a reverse stock split or otherwise combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction, (1) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination has occurred as of such time) and (2) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination;

(ii) the General Partner distributes any rights, options or warrants to all holders of its REIT Shares to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire REIT Shares, or other securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issuable pursuant to a Qualified DRIP / COPP), at a price per share less than the Value of a REIT Share on the record date for such distribution (each a “Distributed Right”), then, as of the distribution date of such Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus a fraction (1) the numerator of which is the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights times the minimum purchase price per REIT Share under such Distributed Rights and (2) the denominator of which is the Value of a REIT Share as of the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable); provided, however, that, if any such Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the date of distribution of the Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of REIT Shares or any change in the minimum purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction; and

(iii) the General Partner shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its REIT Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding any dividend or distribution referred to in subsection (i) or (ii) above), which evidences of indebtedness or assets relate to assets not received by the General Partner pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Partnership, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Adjustment Factor in effect immediately prior to the close of business as of the record date by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be such Value of a REIT Share as of the record date and (b) the denominator of which shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the record date less the then fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets so distributed applicable to one REIT Share.

 

3


Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments to the Adjustment Factor will be made for any class of Limited Partnership Interests to the extent that the Partnership makes or effects any correlative distribution or payment to all of the Limited Partners of such class, or effects any correlative split or reverse split in respect of its Limited Partnership Interests. Any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor shall become effective immediately after such event, retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event. For illustrative purposes, examples of adjustments to the Adjustment Factor are set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agreement” means this Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.

Applicable Percentage” means, as applicable, (i) the proportion of a Common Tendering Party’s Tendered Common Units that will be acquired by the General Partner for REIT Shares in accordance with Section 15.1 to the Tendering Party’s Tendered Common Units, or (ii) the proportion of a Series A Tendering Party’s Tendered Series A Units that will be acquired by the General Partner for REIT Shares in accordance with Section 16.5 to the Tendering Party’s Tendered Series A Units.

Applicable Rate” means 6.25% per annum.

Appraisal” means, with respect to any assets, the written opinion of an independent third party experienced in the valuation of similar assets, selected by the General Partner in good faith. Such opinion may be in the form of an opinion by such independent third party that the value for such property or asset as set by the General Partner is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership.

Approval Right Termination Date” means the first date on which the Specified Limited Partners and any of their Affiliates (whether or not such Affiliates are or become Limited Partners pursuant to this Agreement) own less than 9.8% of the aggregate number of REIT Shares and Common Units acquired by the Specified Limited Partners and their Affiliates on April 1, 2015, pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2014, by and among the General Partner, the Partnership and the Seller Parties (as defined therein).

Assignee” means a Person to whom one or more Partnership Units have been Transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement, but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5 hereof.

Available Cash” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made,

(i) the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the Partnership’s Net Income or Net Loss (as the case may be) for such period,

(2) Depreciation and all other noncash charges to the extent deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period,

(3) the amount of any reduction in reserves of the Partnership referred to in clause (ii)(6) below (including, without limitation, reductions resulting because the General Partner determines such amounts are no longer necessary),

 

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(4) the excess, if any, of the net cash proceeds from the sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing of Partnership property for such period over the gain (or loss, as the case may be) recognized from such sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing during such period (excluding Terminating Capital Transactions), and

(5) all other cash received (including amounts previously accrued as Net Income and amounts of deferred income) or any net amounts borrowed by the Partnership for such period that was not included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period;

(ii) less the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) all principal debt payments made during such period by the Partnership,

(2) capital expenditures made by the Partnership during such period,

(3) investments in any entity (including loans made thereto) to the extent that such investments are not otherwise described in clause (ii)(1) or clause (ii)(2) above,

(4) all other expenditures and payments not deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period (including amounts paid in respect of expenses previously accrued),

(5) any amount included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period that was not received by the Partnership during such period,

(6) the amount of any increase in reserves (including, without limitation, working capital reserves) established during such period that the General Partner determines are necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion,

(7) any amount distributed or paid in redemption of any Limited Partner Interest or Partnership Units, including, without limitation, any Common Unit Cash Amount or Series A Cash Amount paid, and

(8) the amount of any working capital accounts and other cash or similar balances which the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash shall not include (a) any cash received or reductions in reserves, or take into account any disbursements made, or reserves established, after dissolution and the commencement of the liquidation and winding up of the Partnership or (b) any Capital Contributions, whenever received or any payments, expenditures or investments made with such Capital Contributions.

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the General Partner.

Business Combination” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.C(1) hereto.

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York, New York or Los Angeles, California are authorized by law to close except that, for purposes of Article 17, the term “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

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Capital Account” means, with respect to any Partner, the capital account maintained by the General Partner for such Partner on the Partnership’s books and records in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) To each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be added such Partner’s Capital Contributions, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Income and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any Partnership liabilities assumed by such Partner or that are secured by any property distributed to such Partner.

(ii) From each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be subtracted the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership property distributed to such Partner pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such Partner assumed by the Partnership or that are secured by any property contributed by such Partner to the Partnership.

(iii) In the event any interest in the Partnership is Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (which Transfer does not result in the termination of the Partnership for Federal income tax purposes), the transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent that it relates to the Transferred interest.

(iv) In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subsections (i) and (ii) hereof, there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations.

(v) The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations promulgated under Section 704 of the Code, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. If the General Partner shall determine that it is necessary or prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are maintained in order to comply with such Regulations, the General Partner may make such modification, provided that such modification is not likely to have any material effect on the amounts distributable to any Partner pursuant to Article 13 hereof upon the dissolution of the Partnership. The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, (a) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q) and (b) make any appropriate modifications in the event that unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) or Section 1.704-2.

Capital Account Limitation” means (x) the Economic Capital Account Balance of such Limited Partner, to the extent attributable to his or her ownership of LTIP Units or Performance Units, as applicable, divided by (y) the Common Unit Economic Balance, in each case as determined as of the effective date of conversion.

Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Partner, the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any Contributed Property that such Partner contributes or is deemed to contribute to the Partnership pursuant to Article 4 hereof.

 

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Capital Share” means a share of any class or series of stock of the General Partner now or hereafter authorized other than a REIT Share.

Certificate” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the SDAT, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.

Charity” means an entity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or any trust all the beneficiaries of which are such entities.

Charter” means the charter of the General Partner, within the meaning of Section 1-101(f) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Closing Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Value.”

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time or any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the applicable Regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

Common Limited Partner” means any Limited Partner that is a Holder of Common Units, including any Substituted Common Limited Partner, in its capacity as such.

Common Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Common Redemption Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereto.

Common Tendering Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Common Unit” means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof, but does not include any Preferred Unit, LTIP Unit, Performance Unit or any other Partnership Unit specified in a Partnership Unit Designation as being other than a Common Unit; provided, however, that the General Partner Interest and the Limited Partner Interests shall have the differences in rights and privileges as specified in this Agreement.

Common Unit Cash Amount” means an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Value of a REIT Share and (ii) the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount determined as of the applicable Valuation Date.

Common Unit Economic Balance” means (i) the Capital Account balance of the General Partner, plus the amount of the General Partner’s share of any Partner Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to the General Partner’s ownership of Common Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations through the date on which any allocation is made under Section 6.2.F hereof, divided by (ii) the number of the General Partner’s Common Units.

Common Unit Notice of Redemption” means the Common Unit Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached to this Agreement.

Common Unit REIT Shares Amount” means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of (a) the number of Tendered Common Units and (b) the Adjustment Factor; provided, however, that, in the event that the General Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares as of a certain record date rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the General Partner’s stockholders to subscribe

 

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for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “Rights”), with the record date for such Rights issuance falling within the period starting on the date of the Common Unit Notice of Redemption and ending on the day immediately preceding the Specified Redemption Date, which Rights will not be distributed before the relevant Specified Redemption Date, then the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount shall also include such Rights that a holder of that number of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, expressed, where relevant hereunder, in a number of REIT Shares determined by the General Partner in good faith.

“Compensatory Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.B.

Consent” means the consent to, approval of, or vote in favor of a proposed action by a Partner given in accordance with Article 14 hereof.

Consent of the Common Limited Partners” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Common Limited Partners, which Consent shall be obtained prior to the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by each Common Limited Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

Consent of the Limited Partners” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners, which Consent shall be obtained prior to the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by each Limited Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

Consent of the Partners” means the Consent of the General Partner and the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Partners, which Consent shall be obtained prior to the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by the General Partner or the Limited Partners in their sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that if any such action affects only certain classes or series of Partnership Units, “Consent of the Partners” means the Consent of the General Partner and the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the affected classes or series of Partnership Units.

Consent of the Series A Limited Partners” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Series A Limited Partners, which Consent shall be obtained prior to the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by each Series A Limited Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

Constituent Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.F hereof.

Contributed Property” means each Property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash, contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership (or deemed contributed by the Partnership to a “new” partnership pursuant to Code Section 708).

Controlled Entity” means, as to any Partner, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned by such Partner or such Partner’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Partner or such Partner’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Partner or its Affiliates are the managing partners and in which such Partner, such Partner’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such Partner or its Affiliates are the managers and in which such Partner, such Partner’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits.

 

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Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.B hereof.

Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.B hereof.

Conversion Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.A hereof.

Cut-Off Date” means (i) in the case of a Common Unit Notice of Redemption, the fifth (5th) Business Day after the General Partner’s receipt of such notice, or (ii) in the case of a Series A Notice of Redemption, the tenth (10th) Business Day after the General Partner’s receipt of such notice.

Debt” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination: (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof; and (iv) lease obligations of such Person that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.

Depreciation” means, for each Partnership Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.

Disregarded Entity” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) of such Person, (ii) any entity treated as a disregarded entity for Federal income tax purposes with respect to such Person, or (iii) any grantor trust if the sole owner of the assets of such trust for Federal income tax purposes is such Person.

Distributed Right” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor.”

Economic Capital Account Balance” means, with respect to a Holder of LTIP Units or a Holder of Performance Units, as applicable, its Capital Account balance, plus the amount of its share of any Partner Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to its ownership of LTIP Units or Performance Units, as applicable.

Eligible Unit” means, as of the time any Liquidating Gain is available to be allocated to an LTIP Unit or a Performance Unit, an LTIP Unit or Performance Unit to the extent, since the date of issuance of such LTIP Unit or Performance Unit, such Liquidating Gain when aggregated with other Liquidating Gains realized since the date of issuance of such LTIP Unit or Performance Unit exceeds Liquidating Losses realized since the date of issuance of such LTIP Unit or Performance Unit, as applicable.

Equity Plan” means the Plans and any other option, stock, unit, appreciation right, phantom equity or other incentive equity or equity-based compensation plan or program, including any Stock Option Plan, in each case, now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership or the General Partner, including the Plans.

 

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Equity Requirement” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.B hereof.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Excess Common Units” means Tendered Common Units, to the extent the issuance of REIT Shares in exchange for such Common Units would result in a violation of the Ownership Limit, including, if applicable, an Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the Charter).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and any successor statute thereto.

Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.7.B(3).

Family Members” means, as to a Person that is an individual, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption or step-descendants by marriage), brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his or her spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption or step-descendants by marriage), brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews are beneficiaries.

50% Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.C(1) hereof.

Final Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.B(2) hereof.

First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Flow-Through Partners” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.C hereof.

Flow-Through Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.C hereof.

Forced Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.C hereof.

Forced Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.9.C hereof.

Formation Date” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Funding Debt” means any Debt incurred by or on behalf of the General Partner for the purpose of providing funds to the Partnership.

General Partner” means Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. and its successors and assigns, in each case, that is admitted from time to time to the Partnership as a general partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement and is listed as a general partner on Exhibit A, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time, in such Person’s capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

General Partner Affiliate” means any Affiliates of the General Partner, each of which shall be designated as a “General Partner Affiliate” on Exhibit A attached hereto, as amended from time to time, and shown as such in the books and records of the Partnership.

 

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General Partner Fundamental Change” means a Termination Transaction as a result of which no class of stock of the General Partner continues to be Publicly Traded and/or the Common Units are no longer exchangeable at the General Partner’s election for any Publicly Traded stock of the General Partner.

General Partner Interest” means the entire Partnership Interest held by a General Partner hereof, which Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Common Units, Preferred Units or any other Partnership Units.

General Partner Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.D hereof.

Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

(a) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Partner to the Partnership shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of contribution, as determined by the General Partner and agreed to by the contributing Person.

(b) The Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets immediately prior to the occurrence of any event described in clauses (i) through (v) below shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, as of the following times:

(i) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership (other than in connection with the execution of this Agreement but including, without limitation, acquisitions pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or contributions or deemed contributions by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof) by a new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

(ii) the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for an interest in the Partnership if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

(iii) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);

(iv) the grant of an interest in the Partnership (other than a de minimis interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership by an existing Partner acting in a partner capacity, or by a new Partner acting in a partner capacity or in anticipation of becoming a Partner of the Partnership (including the grant of an LTIP Unit or Performance Unit), if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership; and

(v) at such other times as the General Partner shall reasonably determine necessary or advisable in order to comply with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2, including, without limitation, if the General Partner so determines, upon the conversion of any Series A Preferred Units into Common Units, provided that in connection with such adjustment, the Gross Asset Value of the Partnership’s assets shall be determined by taking into account the Value of REIT Shares used for purposes of such conversion.

 

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(c) The Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset distributed to a Partner shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution, as determined by the distributee and the General Partner; provided, however, that if the distributee is the General Partner or if the distributee and the General Partner cannot agree on such a determination, such gross fair market value shall be determined by Appraisal.

(d) The Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (d) to the extent that the General Partner reasonably determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (b) above is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (d).

(e) If the Gross Asset Value of a Partnership asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsection (a), subsection (b) or subsection (d) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Losses.

(f) If any Unvested LTIP Units are forfeited, as described in Section 18.2.B, or any Unvested Performance Units are forfeited, as described in Section 19.2.B, then in each case, upon such forfeiture, the Gross Asset Value of the Partnership’s assets shall be reduced by the amount of any reduction of such Partner’s Capital Account attributable to the forfeiture of such LTIP Units or Performance Units, as applicable.

Hart-Scott-Rodino Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

Holder” means either (a) a Partner or (b) an Assignee owning a Partnership Unit.

Incapacity” or “Incapacitated” means: (i) as to any Partner who is an individual, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Partner incompetent to manage his or her person or his or her estate; (ii) as to any Partner that is a corporation or limited liability company, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter; (iii) as to any Partner that is a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership; (iv) as to any Partner that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership; (v) as to any trustee of a trust that is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or (vi) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner. For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Partner shall be deemed to have occurred when (a) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Partner under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (b) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and non-appealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner, (c) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors, (d) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (b) above, (e) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties, (f) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof, (g) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment, or (h) an appointment referred to in clause (g) above is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.

 

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Indemnitee” means (i) any Person subject to a claim or demand, or made a party or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding, by reason of its status as (a) the General Partner or (b) a director of the General Partner or an officer or employee of the Partnership or the General Partner and (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates of the General Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability), in its sole and absolute discretion.

Initial Holding Period” means (a) as to an Original Limited Partner or any successor-in-interest of an Original Limited Partner that is a Qualifying Common Party, a fourteen month period ending on February 9, 2012 and (b) as to any other Qualifying Common Party or any of their successors-in-interest, a period ending on the day before the first fourteen-month anniversary of such Qualifying Common Party’s first becoming a Holder of Limited Partnership Interests; provided, however, that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written agreement with a Qualifying Common Party, shorten or lengthen the Initial Holding Period applicable to such Qualifying Common Party and its successors-in-interest to a period of shorter or longer than fourteen (14) months. For sake of clarity, as applied to a Common Unit that is issued upon conversion of an LTIP Unit or a Performance Unit pursuant to Section 18.9 or Section 19.9, respectively (and subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, if applicable), the Initial Holding Period of such Common Unit shall end on the day before the first fourteen-month anniversary of the date that the underlying LTIP Unit or Performance Unit was first issued.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Junior Units” means any Partnership Unit representing any class or series of Partnership Interest ranking, as to distributions, or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, junior to Series A Preferred Units.

Legal Requirements” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.C(7) hereof.

Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.C(4) hereof.

Limited Partner” means any Person that is admitted from time to time to the Partnership as a limited partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement and is listed as a limited partner on Exhibit A attached hereto, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time, including any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership. Limited Partners may be Common Limited Partners, Series A Limited Partners or any other class or group of Partners that is designated or defined herein.

Limited Partner Interest” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. A Limited Partner Interest may be expressed as a number of Common Units, Preferred Units or other Partnership Units.

Liquidating Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

Liquidating Gains” means any net gain realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any Liquidating Event or Terminating Capital Transaction), including but not limited to net gain realized in connection with an adjustment to the Gross Asset Value of Partnership assets under the definition of Gross Asset Value in Article 1 of this Agreement.

 

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Liquidating Losses” means any net loss realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any Liquidating Event or Terminating Capital Transaction), including but not limited to net loss realized in connection with an adjustment to the Gross Asset Value of Partnership assets under the definition of Gross Asset Value in Article 1 of this Agreement.

Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof.

LTIP Unit Agreement” means any written agreement(s) between the Partnership and any recipient of LTIP Units evidencing the terms and conditions of any LTIP Units, including any vesting, forfeiture and other terms and conditions as may apply to such LTIP Units, consistent with the terms hereof and of the Plans (or other applicable Equity Plan governing such LTIP Units).

LTIP Unit Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.4.C hereof.

LTIP Units” means the Partnership Units designated as such having the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, in the Plans and under the applicable LTIP Unit Agreement. LTIP Units can be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes bearing such relationship to one another as to allocations, distributions, and other rights as the General Partner shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion subject to Maryland law and this Agreement.

Majority in Interest of the Common Limited Partners” means Common Limited Partners (other than any Common Limited Partner fifty percent (50%) or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by the General Partner) holding in the aggregate Percentage Interests that are greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentage Interests of all such Common Limited Partners entitled to Consent to or withhold Consent from a proposed action.

Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners” means Limited Partners (other than any Limited Partner fifty percent (50%) or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by the General Partner) holding in the aggregate Percentage Interests that are greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentage Interests of all such Limited Partners entitled to Consent to or withhold Consent from a proposed action. For purposes of calculating Percentage Interests in connection with this definition, the Series A Limited Partners will be deemed to have effected a Series A Conversion immediately prior to the record date for the applicable vote or Consent.

Majority in Interest of the Partners” means Partners holding in the aggregate Percentage Interests that are greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentage Interests of all Partners entitled to Consent to or withhold Consent from a proposed action. For purposes of calculating Percentage Interests in connection with this definition, the Series A Limited Partners will be deemed to have effected a Series A Conversion immediately prior to the record date for the applicable vote or Consent.

Majority in Interest of the Series A Limited Partners” means Series A Limited Partners (other than any Series A Limited Partner fifty percent (50%) or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by the General Partner) holding in the aggregate Percentage Interests that are greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentage Interests of all such Series A Limited Partners entitled to Consent to or withhold Consent from a proposed action.

 

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Market Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Value.”

Maryland Courts” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.9.B hereof.

Maximum Leverage Restriction” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.8.C(4) hereof.

Net Income” or “Net Loss” means, for each Partnership Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year or other period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

(a) Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from Federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss” shall be added to (or subtracted from, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

(b) Any expenditure of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as a Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from (or added to, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

(c) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) or subsection (c) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(d) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for Federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value;

(e) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions that would otherwise be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Partnership Year or other applicable period;

(f) To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” any item that is specially allocated pursuant to Article 6 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss. The amounts of the items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Article 6 hereof shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss;” and

 

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(h) To the extent any Adjusted Net Income has been allocated for a Partnership Year or other applicable period, the terms Net Income and Net Loss for that year or other period shall thereafter refer to the remaining items of Net Income or Net Loss, as applicable.

Net Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(2) hereof.

New Securities” means (i) any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities having the right to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares or Preferred Shares, excluding grants under the Stock Option Plans, or (ii) any Debt issued by the General Partner that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).

Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(3) and 1.752-1(a)(2).

Offered Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(1)(a) hereof.

Offering Common Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(1)(a) hereof.

Optionee” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Option Plan.

Original Limited Partner” means any Person that is a Limited Partner as of the date of the closing of the issuance of REIT Shares pursuant to the initial public offering of the General Partner.

Original Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Ownership Limit” means, with respect to any Person, the applicable restriction or restrictions on the ownership and transfer of stock of the General Partner imposed under the Charter, as such restrictions may be modified for any Excepted Holder (as such term is defined in the Charter) pursuant to an Excepted Holder Limit (as such term is defined in the Charter).

Partner” means the General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partner Minimum Gain” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partnership” means the limited partnership formed and continued under the Act and pursuant to this Agreement, and any successor thereto.

Partnership Employee” means an employee or other service provider of the Partnership or an employee of a Subsidiary of the Partnership, if any, acting in such capacity.

 

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Partnership Equivalent Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.A hereof.

Partnership Interest” means an ownership interest in the Partnership held by either a Limited Partner or a General Partner and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. There may be one or more classes or series of Partnership Interests. A Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Common Units, Preferred Units or other Partnership Units. The Partnership Interests represented by the Common Units, the Series A Preferred Units and the Series C Preferred Units and each such type of Unit is a separate class of Partnership Interest for purposes of this Agreement.

Partnership Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Record Date” means the record date established by the General Partner for the distribution of Available Cash pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, which record date shall generally be the same as the record date established by the General Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution or, as applicable, any Series C Distribution Record Date.

Partnership Series A Redemption Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.B hereof.

Partnership Unit” means a Common Unit, a Preferred Unit, an LTIP Unit, a Performance Unit or any other partnership unit or fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof.

Partnership Unit Designation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.A hereof.

Partnership Votehas the meaning set forth on Section 11.2.D hereof.

Partnership Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 hereof.

Percentage Interest” means, with respect to each Partner, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Partnership Units of all classes and series, or the aggregate number of Partnership Units of any specified class or series or specified group of classes and/or series, as applicable, held by such Partner and the denominator of which is the total number of Partnership Units of all classes and series, or the total number of Partnership Units of such specified class or series or specified group of classes and/or series, as applicable, held by all Partners.

Performance Unit Agreement means any written agreement(s) between the Partnership and any recipient of Performance Units evidencing the terms and conditions of any Performance Units, including any vesting, forfeiture and other terms and conditions as may apply to such Performance Units, consistent with the terms hereof and of the Plans (or other applicable Equity Plan governing such LTIP Units).

Performance Unit Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.4.C hereof.

Performance Unit Sharing Percentage” means ten percent (10%).

 

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Performance Units” means the Partnership Units designated as such having the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, in the Plans and under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement. Performance Units can be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes bearing such relationship to one another as to allocations, distributions, and other rights as the General Partner shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion subject to Maryland law and this Agreement.

Permitted Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.A hereof.

Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company or other entity.

Plans” means the Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. and Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P. 2010 Incentive Award Plan and the Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. Director Stock Plan.

Pledge” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.A hereof.

Preferred Distribution Shortfall” means, with respect to any outstanding Unit or other Partnership Interest that is entitled to any preference in distributions of Available Cash pursuant to this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the required distributions for such Unit or Partnership Interest for all prior distribution periods minus the aggregate amount of the distributions made with respect to such Unit or Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement.

Preferred Unit” means a fractional, undivided share of the Partnership Interests that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Common Units. Preferred Units shall include, but not be limited to, Series A Preferred Units and Series C Preferred Units.

Preferred Share” means a share of preferred stock of the General Partner of any class or series now or hereafter authorized that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the REIT Shares.

Pricing Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(3)(b) hereof.

Properties” means any assets and property of the Partnership such as, but not limited to, interests in real property and personal property, including, without limitation, fee interests, interests in ground leases, easements and rights of way, interests in limited liability companies, joint ventures or partnerships, interests in mortgages, and Debt instruments as the Partnership may hold from time to time and “Property” means any one such asset or property.

Proposed Section 83 Safe Harbor Regulation” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.11 hereof.

Publicly Traded” means having common equity securities listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. national securities exchange.

Qualified DRIP / COPP” means a dividend reinvestment plan or a cash option purchase plan of the General Partner that permits participants to acquire REIT Shares using the proceeds of dividends paid by the General Partner or cash of the participant, respectively; provided, however, that if such shares are offered at a discount, such discount must (i) be designed to pass along to the stockholders of the General Partner the savings enjoyed by the General Partner in connection with the avoidance of stock issuance costs, and (ii) not exceed 5% of the value of a REIT Share as computed under the terms of such plan.

 

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Qualified Transferee” means an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Qualifying Common Party” means (a) a Common Limited Partner, (b) an Assignee of a Common Limited Partner, or (c) a Person, including a lending institution as the pledgee of a Pledge, who is the transferee of a Common Limited Partner Interest in a Permitted Transfer; provided, however, that a Qualifying Common Party shall not include the General Partner.

Qualifying Series A Party” means (a) a Series A Limited Partner, (b) an Assignee of a Series A Limited Partner, or (c) a Person, including a lending institution as the pledgee of a Pledge, who is the transferee of a Series A Limited Partner Interest in a Permitted Transfer; provided, however, that a Qualifying Series A Party shall not include the General Partner.

Redemption” means a Common Redemption or a Special Redemption.

Registered REIT Share” means any REIT Share issued by the General Partner pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

Regulations” means the income tax regulations under the Code, whether such regulations are in proposed, temporary or final form, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.A(viii) hereof.

REIT” means a real estate investment trust qualifying under Code Section 856.

REIT Partner” means (a) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner to the extent such Person has in place an election to qualify as a REIT and, (b) any Disregarded Entity with respect to any such Person.

REIT Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.12 hereof.

REIT Requirements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.

REIT Series C Preferred Share” means a share of the 4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the General Partner.

REIT Share” means a share of common stock of the General Partner, $0.01 par value per share (but shall not include any series or class of the General Partner’s common stock classified after the date of this Agreement).

Related Party” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person to whom ownership of shares of the General Partner’s stock by the first such Person would be attributed under Code Section 544 (as modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)) or Code Section 318 (as modified by Code Section 856(d)(5)).

Rights” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Common Unit REIT Shares Amount.”

Safe Harbors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.C hereof.

SDAT” means the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Section 83 Safe Harbor” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.11 hereof.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Series A Cash Amount” means an amount per Series A Preferred Unit equal to, as applicable, (i) in the case of a Tendered Preferred Unit, the Series A Preference thereon plus any accrued distributions that have not been paid on or prior to the applicable Specified Series A Redemption Date, or (ii) in the case of a Series A Preferred Unit tendered for conversion pursuant to Section 16.6.A(1), the Series A Preference thereon plus any accrued distributions that have not been paid on or prior to the applicable Series A Conversion Date.

Series A Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.A(1).

Series A Conversion Amount” means a number of whole Common Units equal to the quotient of (a) the product of (x) the number of Series A Preferred Units tendered for conversion pursuant to Section 16.6, multiplied by (y) the Series A Cash Amount, divided by (b) the product of (x) the Value of a REIT Share as of the applicable Valuation Date, multiplied by (y) the Adjustment Factor. If the foregoing would result in the issuance of a fractional Common Unit, the General Partner shall pay a cash amount in lieu of issuing such fractional Common Unit in accordance with Section 16.6.A.2.

Series A Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.B(3) hereof.

Series A Conversion Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.A(1) hereof.

Series A Converting Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.6.B(1) hereof.

Series A Limited Partner” means Limited Partner that is the holder of Series A Preferred Units, including any Substituted Series A Limited Partner, in its capacity as such.

Series A Notice of Conversion” means the Series A Notice of Conversion substantially in the form of Exhibit E attached to this Agreement.

Series A Notice of Redemption” means the Series A Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached to this Agreement.

Series A Percentage Interest” means, as to a Series A Limited Partner, the percentage determined by dividing the Series A Preferred Units owned by such Series A Limited Partner by the total number of Series A Preferred Units then outstanding, both as specified on Exhibit A attached hereto, as such Exhibit A may be modified from time to time.

Series A Preference” means $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.

Series A Preferred Unit” means the Partnership’s 6.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Partnership Units, with the rights, priorities and preferences set forth herein.

Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.3.A hereof.

 

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Series A Priority Return” means an amount equal to 6.25% per annum, determined on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months (and for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which distributions are computed, the amount of the distribution payable will be computed based on the ratio of the actual number of days elapsed in such period to ninety (90) days), cumulative to the extent not distributed for any given distribution period pursuant to Section 16.3 hereof, of the Series A Preference, commencing on the date of issuance of such Series A Preferred Units.

Series A Redemption” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.A(1) hereof.

Series A Redemption Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.A(1) hereof.

Series A REIT Shares Amount” means a number of whole Registered REIT Shares equal to the product of (a) the number of Tendered Series A Units, multiplied by (b) the quotient of (x) the Series A Cash Amount, divided by (y) the Value of a REIT Share as of the applicable Valuation Date; provided, however, that, in the event that the General Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares as of a certain record date Rights, with the record date for such Rights issuance falling within the period starting on the date of the Series A Notice of Redemption and ending on the day immediately preceding the Specified Series A Redemption Date, which Rights will not be distributed before the relevant Specified Series A Redemption Date, then the Series A REIT Shares Amount shall also include such Rights that a holder of that number of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, expressed, where relevant hereunder, in a number of REIT Shares determined by the General Partner in good faith. If the foregoing would result in the issuance of a fractional REIT Share, the General Partner shall pay a cash amount in lieu of issuing such fractional REIT Share in accordance with Section 16.5.A.7(vi).

Series A Tendering Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.5 hereof.

Series C Articles Supplementary” means the Articles Supplementary of the General Partner setting forth the terms of the REIT Series C Preferred Shares, accepted for record by the SDAT on November 15, 2021 or, if applicable, the terms of the REIT Series C Preferred Shares as set forth in Article VI of the Charter.

Series C Distribution Period” shall mean the respective periods commencing on and including the last calendar day of March, June, September and December of each year and ending on and including the day preceding the first day of the next succeeding Series C Distribution Period (other than the initial Series C Distribution Period, which shall commence on the first date that any Series C Units are issued and end on, but not include March 31, 2022, and other than the Series C Distribution Period during which any Series C Preferred Units shall be redeemed pursuant to Section 17.4 hereof, which shall end on and include the day preceding the redemption date with respect to the Series C Preferred Units being redeemed).

Series C Distribution Record Date,” with respect to any distribution payable on Series C Preferred Units, means the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of record of REIT Series C Preferred Shares entitled to receive a distribution on such REIT Series C Preferred Shares.

Series C Junior Units” means Partnership Units representing any class or series of Partnership Interest ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Units as to distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Partnership, or both, as the context may require.

Series C Parity Preferred Unit” means any class or series of Partnership Interests of the Partnership now or hereafter issued and outstanding, which, by its terms ranks on a parity with the Series C Preferred Units with respect to distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, or both, as the context may require.

 

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Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17.2.A hereof.

Series C Preferred Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17.1 hereof.

Series C Priority Return” shall mean an amount equal to 4.750% per annum on the stated value of $25.00 per Series C Preferred Unit (equivalent to the fixed annual amount of $1.1875 per Series C Preferred Unit), commencing on the first date that any Series C Preferred Units were issued or, if later, the first day of the first Series C Distribution Period for which such Series C Preferred Unit was outstanding on the applicable Series C Distribution Record Date. For any Series C Distribution Period greater than or less than a full Series C Distribution Period, the amount of the Series C Priority Return shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

Single Funding Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(1)(b) hereof.

Special Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Specified Limited Partner” means each of: Blackstone Real Estate Partners V L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners V.TE.1 L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners V.TE.2. L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners V.F L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Holdings V L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.TE.1 L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.TE.2. L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI (AV) L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Partners (AIV) VI L.P., Blackstone Real Estate Holdings VI L.P., Blackstone Family Real Estate Partnership VI – SMD L.P., Nantucket Services L.L.C., Blackhawk Services II LLC, and any of their Affiliates who are or become a Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement.

Specified Limited Partner Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 1, 2015, by and among the General Partner, and the Initial Holders (as defined therein).

Specified Redemption Date” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after the receipt by the General Partner of a Common Unit Notice of Redemption; provided, however, that no Specified Redemption Date shall occur during the Initial Holding Period (except pursuant to a Special Redemption); and provided, further, that, if the General Partner elects a Stock Offering Funding pursuant to Section 15.1.H, such Specified Redemption Date shall be deferred until the next Business Day following the date of the closing of the Stock Offering Funding.

Specified Series A Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.A(1) hereof.

Stockholder Meeting” means a meeting of the holders of REIT Shares convened for the purposes of conducting a Stockholder Vote as contemplated in Section 11.2.D hereof.

Stockholder Votehas the meaning set forth on Section 11.2.D hereof.

Stockholder Vote Transactionhas the meaning set forth on Section 11.2.D hereof.

Stock Offering Funding” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(1)(a) hereof.

Stock Offering Funding Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(2) hereof.

 

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Stock Offering Funding Option Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of (i) the date on which the Specified Limited Partner Registration Rights Agreement has been terminated or (ii) the date on which the Specified Limited Partners do not own any Common Units that, if exchanged, would result in a violation of the Ownership Limit.

Stock Option Plans” means any stock option plan now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership or the General Partner.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person; provided, however, that, with respect to the Partnership, “Subsidiary” means solely a partnership or limited liability company (taxed, for Federal income tax purposes, as a partnership or as a Disregarded Entity and not as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation) of which the Partnership is a member or any “taxable REIT subsidiary” of the General Partner in which the Partnership owns shares of stock, unless the ownership of shares of stock of a corporation or other entity (other than a “taxable REIT subsidiary”) will not jeopardize the General Partner’s status as a REIT or any General Partner Affiliate’s status as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), in which event the term “Subsidiary” shall include such corporation or other entity.

Substituted Common Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Common Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to the Act and Section 11.4 hereof.

Substituted Limited Partner” means (i) a Substituted Common Limited Partner, (ii) a Substituted Series A Limited Partner or (iii) a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to the Act and any Partnership Unit Designation.

Substituted Series A Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Series A Limited Partner pursuant to the Act and Section 11.4 hereof.

Surviving Partnership” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.B(ii) hereof.

Tax Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.A hereof.

Tendered Common Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Tendered Series A Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.5.A(1) hereof.

Termination Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.B hereof.

Terminating Capital Transaction” means any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, in any case, not in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business.

Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof.

Transfer” means any sale, assignment, bequest, conveyance, devise, gift (outright or in trust), Pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, transfer or other disposition or act of alienation, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law; provided, however, that when the term is used in Article 11 hereof, “Transfer” does not include (a) any Common Redemption or Series A Redemption by the Partnership, any Series A Conversion, or acquisition of Tendered Common Units or Tendered Series A

 

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Units by the General Partner, pursuant to Section 15.1 or Section 16.5 hereof, as applicable, (b) any conversion of LTIP Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 18.9 hereof, (c) any conversion of Performance Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 19.9 hereof or (d) any redemption of Partnership Units pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation. The terms “Transferred” and “Transferring” have correlative meanings.

Unvested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.2.A hereof.

Unvested Performance Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.2.A hereof.

Valuation Date” means the date of receipt by the General Partner of (i) a Common Unit Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 herein, (ii) a Series A Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 16.5 herein, (iii) a Series A Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 16.6 herein or (iv) such other date as specified herein; provided, in each case, that if such date is not a Business Day, then the Valuation Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

Value” means, on any Valuation Date with respect to a REIT Share, the average of the daily Market Prices for ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Valuation Date (except that the Market Price for the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under any Stock Option Plans shall be substituted for such average of daily market prices for purposes of Section 4.4 hereof). The term “Market Price” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding REIT Shares, the Closing Price for such REIT Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date means the last sale price for such REIT Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such REIT Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such REIT Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such REIT Shares selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such REIT Shares, the fair market value of the REIT Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

In the event that the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount or the Series A REIT Shares Amount includes Rights that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such Rights shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.

Vesting Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.C(2) hereof.

Vested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.2.A hereof.

Vested Performance Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 19.2.A hereof.

Withdrawing Partner” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H(3)(c) hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 2

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

Section 2.1 Formation. The Partnership is a limited partnership heretofore formed and continued pursuant to the provisions of the Act and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.

Section 2.2 Name. The name of the Partnership is “Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof; provided, however, that the name of the General Partner (or any Subsidiary thereof) may not include the name (or any derivative thereof) of any Limited Partner without such Limited Partner’s prior written consent. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Partners.

Section 2.3 Principal Office and Resident Agent; Principal Executive Office. The address of the principal office of the Partnership in the State of Maryland is located at c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, or such other place within the State of Maryland as the General Partner may from time to time designate, and the resident agent of the Partnership in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, or such other resident of the State of Maryland as the General Partner may from time to time designate. The principal executive office of the Partnership is located at 11601 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90025 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Maryland as the General Partner deems advisable.

Section 2.4 Power of Attorney.

A. Each Limited Partner and Assignee hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the General Partner, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:

(1) execute, swear to, seal, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices: (a) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments, supplements or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Maryland and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (b) all instruments that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation; (d) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the distribution or exchange of assets of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (e) all instruments relating

 

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to the admission, acceptance, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Capital Contribution of any Partner; and (f) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination, in accordance with the terms hereof, of the rights, preferences and privileges relating to Partnership Interests; and

(2) execute, swear to, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or any Liquidator, to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

B. The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a special power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Limited Partners and Assignees will be relying upon the power of the General Partner or the Liquidator to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Person’s Partnership Units or Partnership Interest (as the case may be) and shall extend to such Person’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner and Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner and Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator, taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner and Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the General Partner’s or the Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator (as the case may be) deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in this Section 2.4.B, no Limited Partner shall incur any personal liability for any action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken under such power of attorney.

Section 2.5 Term. The term of the Partnership commenced on January 15, 2010, the date that the original Certificate was filed with the SDAT in accordance with the Act, and shall continue indefinitely unless the Partnership is dissolved sooner pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 hereof or as otherwise provided by law.

ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE

Section 3.1 Purpose and Business. The purpose and nature of the Partnership is to conduct any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Act, including, without limitation, (i) to conduct the business of ownership, construction, reconstruction, development, redevelopment, alteration, improvement, maintenance, operation, sale, leasing, transfer, encumbrance, conveyance and exchange of the Properties, (ii) to acquire and invest in any securities and/or loans relating to the Properties, (iii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement to engage in any business permitted by or under the Act, or to own interests in any entity engaged in any business permitted by or under the Act, (iv) to conduct the business of providing property and asset management and brokerage services, whether directly or through one or more partnerships, joint ventures, Subsidiaries, business trusts, limited liability companies or similar arrangements, and (v) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing.

 

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Section 3.2 Powers.

A. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Partnership shall not take, or to refrain from taking, any action that, in the judgment of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) could adversely affect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) could subject the General Partner to any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981 or any other related or successor provision under the Code, or (iii) could violate any law or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the General Partner, its securities or the Partnership, unless, in any such case, such action (or inaction) under clause (i), clause (ii), or clause (iii) above shall have been specifically consented to by the General Partner which consent may be given or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion.

Section 3.3 Partnership Only for Purposes Specified. The Partnership shall be a limited partnership only for the purposes specified in Section 3.1 hereof, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a company, venture or partnership between or among the Partners or any other Persons with respect to any activities whatsoever other than the activities within the purposes of the Partnership as specified in Section 3.1 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have any authority to act for, bind, commit or assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of the Partnership, its properties or any other Partner. No Partner, in its capacity as a Partner under this Agreement, shall be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of another Partner, nor shall the Partnership be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of any Partner, incurred either before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Partner, except as to those responsibilities, liabilities, indebtedness or obligations incurred pursuant to and as limited by the terms of this Agreement and the Act.

Section 3.4 Representations and Warranties by the Partners.

A. Each Partner that is an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with (severally, and not jointly or jointly and severally with any other Person), each other Partner that (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Partner will not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s property is bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner is subject, (ii) if five percent (5%) or more (by value) of the Partnership’s interests are or will be owned by such Partner within the meaning of Code Section 7704(d)(3), such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a)

 

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stock of any corporation that is a tenant of (I) the General Partner or any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the General Partner, any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, or the Partnership is a direct or indirect member or (b) an interest in the assets or net profits of any non-corporate tenant of (I) the General Partner or any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture, or limited liability company of which the General Partner, any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, or the Partnership is a direct or indirect member, (iii) such Partner has the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform such Partner’s obligations hereunder, and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms, as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Partner that is an individual shall not be subject to the ownership restrictions set forth in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence to the extent such Partner obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to violating any such restrictions, which consent the General Partner may give or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Partner that is an individual shall also represent and warrant to the Partnership that such Partner is neither a “foreign person” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a foreign partner within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e).

B. Each Partner that is not an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, but excluding any Specified Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with (severally, and not jointly or jointly and severally with any other Person), each other Partner that (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by it have been duly authorized by all necessary action, including, without limitation, that of its general partner(s), committee(s), trustee(s), beneficiaries, directors and/or stockholder(s) (as the case may be) as required, (ii) the consummation of such transactions shall not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, its partnership or operating agreement, trust agreement, charter or bylaws (as the case may be) any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s properties or any of its partners, members, beneficiaries, trustees or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner or any of its partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are subject, (iii) if five percent (5%) or more (by value) of the Partnership’s interests are or will be owned by such Partner within the meaning of Code Section 7704(d)(3), such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a) stock of any corporation that is a tenant of (I) the General Partner or any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the General Partner, any General Partner, any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, or the Partnership is a direct or indirect member or (b) an interest in the assets or net profits of any non-corporate tenant of (I) the General Partner, or any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company for which the General Partner, any General Partner, any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner, or the Partnership is a direct or indirect member, and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms, as

 

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such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Partner that is not an individual shall not be subject to the ownership restrictions set forth in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence to the extent such Partner obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to violating any such restrictions, which consent the General Partner may give or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Partner that is not an individual shall also represent and warrant to the Partnership that such Partner is neither a “foreign person” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a foreign partner within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e).

C. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner, but excluding any Specified Limited Partner) represents, warrants and agrees that (i) it has acquired and continues to hold its interest in the Partnership for its own account for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof in violation of applicable laws, and not with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances in violation of applicable laws, (ii) it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself, particularly real estate investments, and that it has a sufficiently high net worth that it does not anticipate a need for the funds that it has invested in the Partnership in what it understands to be a highly speculative and illiquid investment, and (iii) without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole discretion, it shall not take any action that would cause (a) the Partnership at any time to have more than 100 partners, including for these purposes as partners those Persons (“Flow-Through Partners”) indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through an entity treated as a partnership, Disregarded Entity or S corporation (each such entity, a “Flow-Through Entity”), but only if substantially all of the value of such Person’s interest in the Flow-Through Entity is attributable to the Flow-Through Entity’s interest (direct or indirect) in the Partnership; or (b) the Partnership Interest initially issued by the Partnership to such Partner or its predecessors to be held by more than three (3) partners, including as partners any Flow-Through Partners.

D. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C hereof shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Partner (and, in the case of an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, the admission of such Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and the dissolution, liquidation and termination of the Partnership.

E. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner) hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Partnership or the General Partner have been made by any Partner or any employee or representative or Affiliate of any Partner, and that projections and any other information, including, without limitation, financial and descriptive information and documentation, that may have been in any manner submitted to such Partner shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.

 

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F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, permit the modification of any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C above as applicable to any Partner (including, without limitation any Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner or any transferee of either), provided that such representations and warranties, as modified, shall be set forth in either (i) a Partnership Unit Designation applicable to the Partnership Units held by such Partner or (ii) a separate writing addressed to the Partnership and the General Partner.

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 4.1 Capital Contributions of the Partners. The Partners have heretofore made Capital Contributions to the Partnership. Each Partner owns Partnership Units in the amount set forth for such Partner on Exhibit A, as the same may be amended from time to time by the General Partner to the extent necessary to reflect accurately sales, exchanges or other Transfers, redemptions, Capital Contributions, the issuance of additional Partnership Units, or similar events having an effect on a Partner’s ownership of Partnership Units. Except as provided by law or in Section 4.2, 4.3, or 10.4 hereof, the Partners shall have no obligation or, except with the prior written consent of the General Partner, right to make any additional Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership.

Section 4.2 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests. Subject to Section 16.7, in the case of Series A Preferred Units, and/or the rights of any Holder of other Partnership Units set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation:

A. General. The General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units, for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, to the Partners (including the General Partner) or to other Persons, and to admit such Persons as Additional Limited Partners, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, all without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Units: (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any Debt, Partnership Units, or other securities issued by the Partnership; (ii) for less than fair market value, so long as the General Partner concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interests of the General Partner and the Partnership, and (iii) in connection with any merger of any other Person into the Partnership. Any additional Partnership Interests may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption (including, without limitation, terms that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing Partnership Units) as shall be determined by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person, and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to this Agreement, which exhibit shall be an amendment to this Agreement and shall be incorporated herein by this reference (each, a “Partnership Unit Designation”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the General Partner shall have authority to specify: (a) the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Interests; (b) the right of each such class or series of Partnership Interests to share (on a pari passu,

 

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junior or preferred basis) in Partnership distributions; (c) the rights of each such class or series of Partnership Interests upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (d) the voting rights, if any, of each such class or series of Partnership Interests; and (e) the conversion, redemption or exchange rights applicable to each such class or series of Partnership Interests. Upon the issuance of any additional Partnership Interest, the General Partner shall amend Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership as appropriate to reflect such issuance.

B. Issuances of Compensatory Units. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the General Partner is hereby authorized to create one or more classes or series of additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units (each such class or series of Partnership Interests is referred to as “Compensatory Units”), including, without limitation, LTIP Units and Performance Units, for issuance at any time or from time to time to directors, officers or employees of the General Partner or any Affiliate of the foregoing, and to admit such Persons as Additional Limited Partners or General Partners, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner, all without approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person. The General Partner shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person, and set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Compensatory Units (including, without limitation, the extent to which the value or number of each such class or series of Compensatory Units is subject to adjustment based on the financial performance of the General Partner). Upon the issuance of any class or series of Compensatory Units, the General Partner shall amend the Partnership Agreement, including Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership as appropriate to reflect such issuance.

C. Issuances to the General Partner. No additional Partnership Units shall be issued to the General Partner unless (i) the additional Partnership Units are issued to all Partners in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests, (ii) (a) the additional Partnership Units are (x) Common Units issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares, or (y) Partnership Equivalent Units (other than Common Units) issued in connection with an issuance of Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the General Partner (other than REIT Shares), and (b) the General Partner contributes to the Partnership the cash proceeds or other consideration received in connection with the issuance of such REIT Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the General Partner, (iii) the additional Partnership Units are issued upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of Debt, Partnership Units or other securities issued by the Partnership, or (iv) the additional Partnership Units are issued pursuant to Section 4.3.B, Section 4.3.E, Section 4.4 or Section 4.5.

D. No Preemptive Rights. Except as specified in Section 4.2.C(i) hereof, no Person, including, without limitation, any Partner or Assignee, shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Partnership Interest.

 

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Section 4.3 Additional Funds and Capital Contributions.

A. General. The General Partner may, at any time and from time to time, determine that the Partnership requires additional funds (“Additional Funds”) for the acquisition or development of additional Properties, for the redemption of Partnership Units or for such other purposes as the General Partner may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion. Additional Funds may be obtained by the Partnership, at the election of the General Partner, in any manner provided in, and in accordance with, the terms of this Section 4.3 without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

B. Additional Capital Contributions. The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by accepting Capital Contributions from any Partners or other Persons. In connection with any such Capital Contribution (of cash or property), the General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue additional Partnership Units (as set forth in Section 4.2 above) in consideration therefor and the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and the Limited Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units.

C. Loans by Third Parties. The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt to any Person (other than the General Partner) upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Partnership Units or REIT Shares; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if any Partner (or any Affiliate, partner, member, stockholder, principal, director, officer, adviser, beneficiary or trustee of any Partner) would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner or other affected Person otherwise agrees in writing).

D. General Partner Loans. The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt to the General Partner (a “General Partner Loan”) if (i) such Debt is, to the extent permitted by law, on substantially the same terms and conditions (including interest rate, repayment schedule, and conversion, redemption, repurchase and exchange rights) as Funding Debt incurred by the General Partner, the net proceeds of which are loaned to the Partnership to provide such Additional Funds, or (ii) such Debt is on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership than would be available to the Partnership from any third party; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if (a) any Partner (or any Affiliate, partner, member, stockholder, principal, director, officer, adviser, beneficiary or trustee of any Partner) would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner or other affected Person otherwise agrees in writing) or (b) a breach or violation of, or default under, the terms of such Debt would be deemed to occur by virtue of the Transfer of any Partnership Units or Partnership Interest held by any Person other than the General Partner.

E. Issuance of Securities by the General Partner. The General Partner shall not issue any additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities unless the General Partner contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance of such additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities (as the case may be) and from the exercise of the rights contained in any such additional Capital Shares or New Securities to the Partnership in exchange for (x) in the case of an issuance of REIT Shares, Common Units, or (y) in the case of an issuance of Capital Shares or New Securities,

 

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Partnership Equivalent Units; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may issue REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities (a) pursuant to Section 4.4 or Section 15.1.B hereof, (b) pursuant to a dividend or distribution (including any stock split) of REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities to all of the holders of REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), (c) upon a conversion, redemption or exchange of Capital Shares, (d) upon a conversion, redemption, exchange or exercise of New Securities, or (e) in connection with an acquisition of Partnership Units or a property or other asset to be owned, directly or indirectly, by the General Partner if the General Partner determines that such acquisition is in the best interests of the Partnership; and provided, further, that in the event that the General Partner issues REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities pursuant to the foregoing clauses (c) or (d), the General Partner shall contribute to the Partnership the cash proceeds or other consideration received from such issuance (or property acquired with such proceeds). In the event of any issuance of additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities by the General Partner, and the contribution to the Partnership, by the General Partner, of the cash proceeds or other consideration received from such issuance (or property acquired with such proceeds), if the cash proceeds actually received by the General Partner are less than the gross proceeds of such issuance as a result of any underwriter’s discount or other expenses paid or incurred in connection with such issuance, then the General Partner shall be deemed to have made a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount equal to the sum of the cash proceeds of such issuance plus the amount of such underwriter’s discount and other expenses paid by the General Partner (which discount and expense shall be treated as an expense for the benefit of the Partnership for purposes of Section 7.4).

Section 4.4 Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans.

A. Options Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted for stock in the General Partner to a Person other than a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

(1) The General Partner, shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to the General Partner by such exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(2) Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 4.4.A(1) hereof, the General Partner shall be deemed to have contributed to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, in lieu of the Capital Contribution actually made and in consideration of an additional Limited Partner Interest (expressed in and as additional Common Units), an amount equal to the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise multiplied by the number of REIT Shares then being issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(3) An equitable Percentage Interest adjustment shall be made in which the General Partner shall be treated as having made a cash contribution equal to the amount described in Section 4.4.A(2) hereof.

B. Options Granted to Partnership Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted for stock in the General Partner to a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

 

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(1) The General Partner shall sell to the Optionee, and the Optionee shall purchase from the General Partner, for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a REIT Share at the time of the exercise, the number of REIT Shares equal to (a) the exercise price payable by the Optionee in connection with the exercise of such stock option divided by (b) the Value of a REIT Share at the time of such exercise.

(2) The General Partner shall sell to the Partnership (or if the Optionee is an employee or other service provider of a Partnership Subsidiary, the General Partner shall sell to such Partnership Subsidiary), and the Partnership (or such subsidiary, as applicable) shall purchase from the General Partner, a number of REIT Shares equal to (a) the number of REIT Shares as to which such stock option is being exercised less (b) the number of REIT Shares sold pursuant to Section 4.4.B(1) hereof. The purchase price per REIT Share for such sale of REIT Shares to the Partnership (or such subsidiary) shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise of such stock option.

(3) The Partnership shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee or other service provider of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership Subsidiary shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost, as additional compensation, the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(2) hereof.

(4) The General Partner shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership of an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by the General Partner in connection with the exercise of such stock option. An equitable Percentage Interest adjustment shall be made as a result of such contribution.

C. Restricted Stock Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Person other than a Partnership Employee in consideration for services performed for the General Partner:

(1) The General Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to such Person in accordance with the Equity Plan; and

(2) On the date (such date, the “Vesting Date”) that the Value of such shares is includible in taxable income of such Person, the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (a) the General Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the Value of such REIT Shares to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and (b) the Partnership shall issue to the General Partner on the Vesting Date a number of Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

D. Restricted Stock Granted to Partnership Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Partnership Employee (including any REIT Shares that are subject to forfeiture in the event such Partnership Employee terminates his employment by the Partnership or the Partnership Subsidiaries) in consideration for services performed for the Partnership or the Partnership Subsidiaries:

(1) The General Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to the Partnership Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan;

(2) On the Vesting Date, the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (a) the General Partner shall be deemed to have sold such shares to the Partnership (or if the Partnership Employee is an employee or other service provider of a Partnership Subsidiary, to such Partnership Subsidiary) for a

 

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purchase price equal to the Value of such shares, (b) the Partnership (or such Partnership Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered the shares to the Partnership Employee, (c) the General Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and (d) in the case where the Partnership Employee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Partnership Subsidiary; and

(3) The Partnership shall issue to the General Partner on the Vesting Date a number of Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect in consideration for the Capital Contribution described in Section 4.4.D(2)(c) above.

E. Future Stock Incentive Plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the General Partner from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates. The Partners acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the General Partner, or for any other reason as determined by the General Partner, amendments to this Section 4.4 may become necessary or advisable, any approval or Consent to any such amendments requested by the General Partner shall be deemed granted by the Limited Partners.

Section 4.5 Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article 4, all amounts received or deemed received by the General Partner in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, cash option purchase plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the General Partner to effect open market purchases of REIT Shares, or (b) if the General Partner elects instead to issue new REIT Shares with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the General Partner to the Partnership in exchange for additional Common Units. Upon such contribution, the Partnership will issue to the General Partner a number of Common Units equal in value to the product of (i) the Value as of the date of issuance of each REIT Share so issued by the General Partner multiplied by (ii) the number of REIT Shares so issued.

Section 4.6 No Interest; No Return. No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Partner’s Capital Account. Except as provided herein or by law, no Partner shall have any right to demand or receive the return of its Capital Contribution from the Partnership.

Section 4.7 Conversion or Redemption of Capital Shares.

A. Conversion of Capital Shares. If, at any time, any of the Capital Shares are converted into REIT Shares, in whole or in part, then a number of Partnership Units with preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions (other than restrictions on transfer), limitations and rights as to distributions (including upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) and qualifications that are substantially the same as those of such Capital Shares (but, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be required to have the same voting rights, redemption rights or restrictions on transfer of such Capital Shares) (“Partnership Equivalent Units”) equal to the number of Capital Shares so converted shall automatically be converted into a number of Common Units equal to (i) the number of REIT Shares issued upon such conversion divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect, and the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and the Limited Partners shall be adjusted to reflect such conversion.

 

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B. Redemption of Capital Shares or REIT Shares. If, at any time, any Capital Shares are redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the General Partner for cash, the Partnership shall, immediately prior to such redemption of Capital Shares, redeem an equal number of Partnership Equivalent Units held by the General Partner upon the same terms and for the same price per Partnership Equivalent Unit as such Capital Shares are redeemed. If, at any time, any REIT Shares are redeemed or otherwise repurchased by the General Partner for cash pursuant to Article VI of the Charter, the Partnership shall, immediately prior to such redemption of REIT Shares, redeem an equal number of Common Units held by the General Partner upon the same terms and for the same price per Common Unit as such REIT Shares are redeemed.

Section 4.8 Other Contribution Provisions. In the event that any Partner is admitted to the Partnership and is given a Capital Account in exchange for services rendered to the Partnership, such transaction shall be treated by the Partnership and the affected Partner as if the Partnership had compensated such partner in cash and such Partner had contributed the cash that the Partner would have received to the capital of the Partnership. In addition, with the consent of the General Partner, one or more Partners may enter into contribution agreements with the Partnership which have the effect of providing a guarantee of certain obligations of the Partnership (and/or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Partnership).

ARTICLE 5

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions. Subject to the terms of Sections 16.3 and 17.2 and/or the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute quarterly all, or such portion as the General Partner may in its sole and absolute discretion determine, of Available Cash generated by the Partnership during such quarter to the Holders on the Partnership Record Date with respect to such quarter:

(i) First, with respect to any Partnership Units that are entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of such class(es) of Partnership Units (and, within such class(es), among the Holders pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in each class of Partnership Units held on such Partnership Record Date); and

(ii) Second, with respect to any Partnership Units that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of such class of Partnership Units, as applicable (and, within such class, among the Holders pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in such class of Partnership Units held on such Partnership Record Date).

Distributions payable with respect to any Partnership Units that were not outstanding during the entire quarterly period in respect of which any distribution is made, other than any Partnership Units issued to the General Partner in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares or Capital Shares by the General Partner, shall be prorated based on the portion of the period that such Partnership Units were outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause the Partnership to distribute Available Cash to the Holders on a more or less frequent basis than quarterly and provide for an appropriate record date. The General Partner shall make such reasonable efforts, as determined by it in its sole and absolute discretion and consistent with the General Partner’s qualification as a REIT, to cause the Partnership to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the General Partner, for so long as the General Partner has determined to qualify as a REIT, to pay stockholder dividends that will (a) satisfy the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and Regulations (the “REIT Requirements”) and (b) except to the extent otherwise determined by the General Partner, eliminate any Federal income or excise tax liability of the General Partner. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, (i) a Holder of LTIP Units will only be entitled to distributions with respect to an LTIP Unit

 

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as set forth in Article 18 hereof and (ii) a Holder of Performance Units will be entitled to distributions with respect to a Performance Unit as set forth in Article 19 hereof, and, in each case, in making distributions pursuant to this Section 5.1, the General Partner of the Partnership shall take into account the provisions of Section 18.4 hereof and 19.4 hereof, as applicable.

Section 5.2 Distributions in Kind. Except as expressly provided herein, no right is given to any Holder to demand and receive property other than cash as provided in this Agreement. The General Partner may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, to make a distribution in kind of Partnership assets to the Holders, and such assets shall be distributed in such a fashion as to ensure that the fair market value is distributed and allocated in accordance with Articles 5, 6 and 10 hereof; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not make a distribution in kind to any Holder unless the Holder has been given 90 days prior written notice of such distribution.

Section 5.3 Amounts Withheld. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state, local or non-United States tax law and Section 10.4 hereof with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to any Holder shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed to such Holder pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof for all purposes under this Agreement.

Section 5.4 Distributions Upon Liquidation. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 5, net proceeds from a Terminating Capital Transaction, and any other cash received or reductions in reserves made after commencement of the liquidation of the Partnership, shall be distributed to the Holders in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.

Section 5.5 Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units. In the event that the Partnership issues additional Partnership Units pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 hereof, the General Partner is hereby authorized to make such revisions to Articles 5, 6 and 12 hereof as it determines are necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units, including, without limitation, making preferential distributions to certain classes of Partnership Units.

Section 5.6 Restricted Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Partnership nor the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, shall make a distribution to any Holder if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.

ARTICLE 6

ALLOCATIONS

Section 6.1 Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss. Net Income and Net Loss of the Partnership shall be determined and allocated with respect to each Partnership Year as of the end of each such year, provided, that the General Partner may in its discretion allocate Net Income and Net Loss for a shorter period as of the end of such period (and, for purposes of this Article 6, references to the term “Partnership Year” may include such shorter periods). Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Article 6, and subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, an allocation to a Holder of a share of Net Income or Net Loss shall be treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.

Section 6.2 Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss.

A. In General. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6 and Section 11.6.C, Net Income and Net Loss allocable with respect to a class of Partnership Interests shall be allocated to each of the Holders holding such class of Partnership Interests in accordance with their respective Percentage Interest of such class.

 

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B. Net Income. Except as provided in Sections 6.2.E, 6.2.F, 6.2.G and 6.3, Net Income (or in the case of clause (iv) or (vi) below, Adjusted Net Income) for any Partnership Year shall be allocated in the following manner and order of priority:

(i) First, 100% to the General Partner in an amount equal to the remainder, if any, of the cumulative Net Losses allocated to the General Partner pursuant to clause (v) in Section 6.2.C for all prior Partnership Years minus the cumulative Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this clause (i) for all prior Partnership Years;

(ii) Second, 100% to each Holder in an amount equal to the remainder, if any, of the cumulative Net Losses allocated to each such Holder pursuant to clause (iv) in Section 6.2.C for all prior Partnership Years minus the cumulative Net Income allocated to such Holder pursuant to this clause (ii) for all prior Partnership Years;

(iii) Third, 100% to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units in an amount equal to the remainder, if any, of the cumulative Net Losses allocated to such Holder pursuant to clause (iii) in Section 6.2.C for all prior Partnership Years minus the cumulative Net Income allocated to such Holders pursuant to this clause (iii) for all prior Partnership Years;

(iv) Fourth, 100% of the Adjusted Net Income (or Net Income to the extent there is insufficient Adjusted Net Income) to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units in an amount equal to the excess of the cumulative Series A Priority Return to the last day of the current Partnership Year or to the date of redemption or conversion, to the extent Series A Preferred Units are redeemed or converted during such year, over the cumulative Adjusted Net Income (or Net Income) allocated to the Holders of such units pursuant to this clause (iv) for all prior Partnership Years;

(v) Fifth, 100% to the Holders of Series C Preferred Units in an amount equal to the remainder, if any, of the cumulative Net Losses allocated to such Holder pursuant to clause (ii) in Section 6.2.C for all prior Partnership Years minus the cumulative Net Income allocated to such Holders pursuant to this clause (v) for all prior Partnership Years;

(vi) Sixth, any remaining Adjusted Net Income (or Net Income to the extent there is insufficient Adjusted Net Income) to the Holders of Series C Preferred Units in an amount equal to the excess of the cumulative Series C Priority Return to the last day of the current Partnership Year or to the date of redemption, to the extent Series C Preferred Units are redeemed during such year, over the cumulative Adjusted Net Income (or Net Income) allocated to the Holders of such units pursuant to this clause (vi) for all prior Partnership Years; and

(vii) Seventh, 100% to the Holders of Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units.

To the extent the allocations of Net Income set forth above in any paragraph of this Section 6.2.B are not sufficient to entirely satisfy the allocation set forth in such paragraph, such allocation shall be made in proportion to the total amount that would have been allocated pursuant to such paragraph without regard to such shortfall.

C. Net Loss. Except as provided in Sections 6.2.E, 6.2.F, 6.2.G and 6.3, Net Losses for any Partnership Year shall be allocated in the following manner and order of priority:

 

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(i) First, 100% to the Holders of Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the Common Units (to the extent consistent with this clause (i)) until the Adjusted Capital Account (ignoring for this purpose any amounts a Holder is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2) and ignoring the portion of any such Holder’s Capital Account attributable to Series A Preferred Units or Series C Preferred Units) of all such Holders is zero;

(ii) Second, 100% to the Holders of Series C Preferred Units, pro rata to each such Holder’s Adjusted Capital Account (ignoring for this purpose any amounts a Holder is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2)), until the Adjusted Capital Account (as so modified) of each such Holder is zero;

(iii) Third, 100% to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units, pro rata to each such Holder’s Adjusted Capital Account (ignoring for this purpose any amounts a Holder is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c)(2)), until the Adjusted Capital Account (as so modified) of each such Holder is zero;

(iv) Fourth, 100% to the Holders (other than the General Partner) to the extent of, and in proportion to, the positive balance (if any) in their Adjusted Capital Accounts; and

(v) Fifth, 100% to the General Partner.

D. Allocations to Reflect Issuance of Additional Partnership InterestsE. . In the event that the Partnership issues additional Partnership Interests to the General Partner or any Additional Limited Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 or 4.3, the General Partner shall make such revisions to this Section 6.2 or to Section 12.2.C or 13.2.A as it determines are necessary to reflect the terms of the issuance of such additional Partnership Interests, including making preferential allocations to certain classes of Partnership Interests, subject to Article 16 and Article 17 below and the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation with respect to Partnership Interests then outstanding.

E. Special Allocations Regarding Preferred UnitsF. . Subject to Sections 6.2.G and 6.3, if any Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof (treating a full liquidation of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest for purposes of this Section 6.2.E as including a redemption of any then outstanding Preferred Units pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof), or Section 16.5 for the Partnership Year that includes such redemption (and, if necessary, for subsequent Partnership Years) (a) gross income and gain (in such relative proportions as the General Partner in its discretion shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Preferred Units to the extent that the redemption amounts paid or payable with respect to the Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the aggregate Capital Account balances allocable to the Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) and (b) deductions and losses (in such relative proportions as the General Partner in its discretion shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Preferred Units to the extent that the aggregate Capital Account balances allocable to the Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the redemption amount paid or payable with respect to the Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed).

F. Special Allocations with Respect to Eligible Units. Subject to Section 6.2.E, in the event that Liquidating Gains are allocated under this Section 6.2.F, Net Income allocable under Section 6.2.B and any Net Losses allocable under Section 6.2.C shall be recomputed without regard to the Liquidating Gains so allocated. After giving

 

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effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.3.A hereof, and notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.2.B and 6.2.C above, any Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated to the Holders of Eligible Units until the Economic Capital Account Balances of such Holders, to the extent attributable to their ownership of Eligible Units, are equal to (i) the Common Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (ii) the number of their Eligible Units. Any such allocations shall be made among the Holders of Eligible Units in proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each under this Section 6.2.F. The parties agree that the intent of this Section 6.2.F is to make the Capital Account balances of the Holders of LTIP Units and Performance Units with respect to their LTIP Units or Performance Units, as applicable, economically equivalent to the Capital Account balance of the General Partner with respect to its Common Units (on a per unit basis), but only to the extent that, at the time any Liquidating Gain is to be allocated, the Partnership has recognized cumulative net gains with respect to its assets since the issuance of the LTIP Unit or Performance Unit, as applicable.

G. Special Allocations Upon Liquidation. Notwithstanding any provision in this Article 6 to the contrary but subject to Section 6.3, in the event that the Partnership disposes of all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction that will lead to a liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to Article 13 hereof, then: (i) any Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated in accordance with Section 6.2.F; and (ii) any Net Income or Net Loss realized in connection with such transaction and thereafter (recomputed without regard to the Liquidating Gains allocated pursuant to clause (i) above) shall be specially allocated for such Partnership Year (and to the extent permitted by Section 761(c) of the Code, for the immediately preceding Partnership Year) among the Holders as required so as to cause liquidating distributions pursuant to Section 13.2.A hereof to be made in the same amounts and proportions as would have resulted had such distributions instead been made pursuant to Article 5 hereof. If there is an adjustment to the Gross Asset Value of the assets of the Partnership pursuant to paragraph (b) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, allocations of Net Income or Net Loss arising from such adjustment shall be allocated in the same manner as described in the prior sentence.

H. Offsetting Allocations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.1, 6.2.B and 6.2.C, but subject to Sections 6.3 and 6.4, in the event Net Income or items thereof are being allocated to a Partner to offset prior Net Loss or items thereof which have been allocated to such Partner, the General Partner shall attempt to allocate such offsetting Net Income or items thereof which are of the same or similar character (including without limitation Section 704(b) book items versus tax items) to the original allocations with respect to such Partner.

Section 6.3 Additional Allocation Provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6:

A. Regulatory Allocations.

(i) Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, or any other provision of this Article 6, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership Year, each Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant

 

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thereto. The items to be allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.A(i) is intended to qualify as a “minimum gain chargeback” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) or in Section 6.3.A(i) hereof, if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any Partnership Year, each Holder who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s share of the net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.A(ii) is intended to qualify as a “chargeback of partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Nonrecourse Deductions and Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests with respect to Common Units. Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holder(s) who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).

(iv) Qualified Income Offset. If any Holder unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), to such Holder in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by such Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Holder as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.A(iv) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.A(iv) were not in the Agreement. It is intended that this Section 6.3.A(iv) qualify and be construed as a “qualified income offset” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(v) Gross Income Allocation. In the event that any Holder has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Partnership Year that is in excess of the sum of (1) the amount (if any) that such Holder is obligated to restore to the Partnership upon complete liquidation of such Holder’s Partnership Interest (including, the Holder’s interest in outstanding Preferred Units and other Partnership Units) and (2) the amount that such Holder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess to eliminate such deficit as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.A(v) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.A(v) and Section 6.3.A(iv) hereof were not in the Agreement.

(vi) Limitation on Allocation of Net Loss. To the extent that any allocation of Net Loss would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as to any Holder, such allocation of Net Loss shall be reallocated (x) first, among the other Holders of Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests with respect to Common Units and (y) thereafter, among the Holders of other classes of Partnership Units as determined by the General Partner, subject to the limitations of this Section 6.3.A(vi).

 

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(vii) Section 754 Adjustment. To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Holder in complete liquidation of its interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Holders in accordance with their interests in the Partnership in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Holder(s) to whom such distribution was made in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

(viii) Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 6.3.A(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) hereof (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 hereof, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Holders so that to the extent possible without violating the requirements giving rise to the Regulatory Allocations, the net amount of such allocations of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Holder shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Holder if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

(ix) Forfeiture Allocations. Upon a forfeiture of any Unvested LTIP Units or Unvested Performance Units by any Partner, gross items of income, gain, loss or deduction shall be allocated to such Partner if and to the extent required by final Regulations promulgated after the Effective Date to ensure that allocations made with respect to all unvested Partnership Interests are recognized under Code Section 704(b).

(x) LTIP Units and Performance Units. For purposes of the allocations set forth in this Section 6.3.A, each issued and outstanding LTIP Unit or Performance Unit will be treated as one outstanding Common Unit; provided, however, that for purposes of determining Percentage Interests with respect to Common Units, each Unvested Performance Unit will be treated as a fraction of one outstanding Common Unit equal to one Common Unit multiplied by the Performance Unit Sharing Percentage.

B. Allocation of Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of determining a Holder’s proportional share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Holder’s respective interest in Partnership profits shall be equal to such Holder’s Percentage Interest with respect to Common Units, except as otherwise determined by the General Partner.

Section 6.4 Tax Allocations.

A. In General. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.4, for income tax purposes under the Code and the Regulations, each Partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction (collectively, “Tax Items”) shall be allocated among the Holders in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof.

 

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B. Section 704(c) Allocations. Notwithstanding Section 6.4.A hereof, Tax Items with respect to Property that is contributed to the Partnership with a Gross Asset Value that varies from its basis in the hands of the contributing Partner immediately preceding the date of contribution shall be allocated among the Holders for income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(c) so as to take into account such variation. The Partnership shall account for such variation under any method approved under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations as chosen by the General Partner. In the event that the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value” (provided in Article 1 hereof), subsequent allocations of Tax Items with respect to such asset shall take account of the variation, if any, between the adjusted basis of such asset and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations and using the method chosen by the General Partner. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.4.B are solely for purposes of Federal, state and local income taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Partner’s Capital Account or share of Net Income, Net Loss, or any other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management.

A. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right or obligation to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership, or any liability in connection with the General Partner’s exercise of such control and management power. The General Partner may not be removed by the Partners, with or without cause, except with the consent of the General Partner.

In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to the other provisions hereof including, without limitation, Section 3.1, Section 3.2, and Section 7.3, shall have full and exclusive power and authority, without the consent or approval of any Limited Partner, to do all things deemed necessary or desirable by it to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise or direct the exercise of all of the powers of the Partnership under the Act and this Agreement and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, including, without limitation:

(1) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money or selling of assets (including, without limitation, making prepayments on loans and borrowing money to permit the Partnership to make distributions to the Holders in such amounts as will permit the General Partner (so long as the General Partner qualifies as a REIT) to prevent the imposition of any Federal income tax on the General Partner (including, for this purpose, any excise tax pursuant to Code Section 4981) and to make distributions to its stockholders sufficient to permit the General Partner to maintain REIT status or otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements), the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness (including the securing of same by deed to secure debt, mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance on the Partnership’s assets) and the incurring of any obligations that the General Partner deems necessary for the conduct of the activities of the Partnership;

 

 

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(2) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

(3) the taking of any and all acts necessary or prudent to ensure that the Partnership will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation under Code Section 7704;

(4) subject to Section 11.2 and Section 16.7 hereof, the acquisition, sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets (including the goodwill) of the Partnership (including, but not limited to, the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Partnership) or the merger, consolidation, reorganization or other combination of the Partnership with or into another entity;

(5) the mortgage, pledge, encumbrance or hypothecation of any assets of the Partnership, the assignment of any assets of the Partnership in trust for creditors or on the promise of the assignee to pay the debts of the Partnership, the use of the assets of the Partnership (including, without limitation, cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement and on any terms that the General Partner sees fit, including, without limitation, the financing of the operations and activities of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries, the lending of funds to other Persons (including, without limitation, the General Partner and/or the Partnership’s Subsidiaries) and the repayment of obligations of the Partnership, its Subsidiaries and any other Person in which the Partnership has an equity investment, and the making of capital contributions to and equity investments in the Partnership’s Subsidiaries;

(6) the management, operation, leasing, landscaping, repair, alteration, demolition, replacement or improvement of any Property;

(7) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, including leases (including ground leases), easements, management agreements, rights of way and other property-related agreements, conveyances or other instruments that the General Partner considers useful or necessary to the conduct of the Partnership’s operations or the implementation of the General Partner’s powers under this Agreement, including contracting with contractors, developers, consultants, governmental authorities, accountants, legal counsel, other professional advisors and other agents and the payment of their expenses and compensation, as applicable, out of the Partnership’s assets;

(8) the distribution of Partnership cash or other Partnership assets in accordance with this Agreement, the holding, management, investment and reinvestment of cash and other assets of the Partnership, and the collection and receipt of revenues, rents and income of the Partnership;

(9) the selection and dismissal of employees of the Partnership (if any) or the General Partner (including, without limitation, employees having titles or offices such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”), and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the Partnership or the General Partner and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(10) the maintenance of such insurance (including, without limitation, directors and officers insurance) for the benefit of the Partnership and the Partners (including, without limitation, the General Partner) as the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate;

(11) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property to, any further limited or general partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures or other relationships that it deems desirable (including, without limitation, the acquisition of interests in, and the

 

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contributions of property to, any Subsidiary and any other Person in which the General Partner has an equity investment from time to time); provided, however, that, as long as the General Partner has determined to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Partnership will not engage in any such formation, acquisition or contribution that would cause the General Partner to fail to qualify as a REIT;

(12) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the settlement, compromise, submission to arbitration or any other form of dispute resolution, or abandonment, of any claim, cause of action, liability, debt or damages, due or owing to or from the Partnership, the commencement or defense of suits, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, and the representation of the Partnership in all suits or legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, arbitrations or other forms of dispute resolution, the incurring of legal expense, and the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(13) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s direct or indirect investment in any Subsidiary or any other Person (including, without limitation, the contribution or loan of funds by the Partnership to such Persons);

(14) the determination of the fair market value of any Partnership property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as the General Partner may adopt; provided, however, that such methods are otherwise consistent with the requirements of this Agreement;

(15) the enforcement of any rights against any Partner pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities relating to such Partner’s contribution of property or assets to the Partnership;

(16) the exercise, directly or indirectly, through any attorney-in-fact acting under a general or limited power of attorney, of any right, including the right to vote, appurtenant to any asset or investment held by the Partnership;

(17) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of or in connection with any Subsidiary of the Partnership or any other Person in which the Partnership has a direct or indirect interest, or jointly with any such Subsidiary or other Person;

(18) the exercise of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement on behalf of any Person in which the Partnership does not have an interest, pursuant to contractual or other arrangements with such Person;

(19) the making, execution and delivery of any and all deeds, leases, notes, deeds to secure debt, mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, conveyances, contracts, guarantees, warranties, indemnities, waivers, releases, confessions of judgment or any other legal instruments or agreements in writing necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the General Partner for the accomplishment of any of the powers of the General Partner enumerated in this Agreement;

(20) the issuance of additional Partnership Units in connection with Capital Contributions by Additional Limited Partners and additional Capital Contributions by Partners pursuant to Article 4 hereof;

(21) an election to dissolve the Partnership pursuant to Section 13.1.B hereof;

 

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(22) the distribution of cash to acquire Common Units held by a Common Limited Partner in connection with a Common Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof;

(23) the distribution of cash to acquire Series A Preferred Units held by a Series A Limited Partner in connection with a Series A Redemption under Section 16.5 hereof;

(24) an election to acquire Tendered Common Units or Tendered Series A Units in exchange for REIT Shares; and

(25) the redemption of Series C Preferred Units.

B. Each of the Limited Partners agrees that, except as provided in Section 7.3 hereof, the General Partner is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the above-mentioned agreements and transactions on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or any other Persons, notwithstanding any other provision of the Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation.

C. At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to obtain and maintain (i) casualty, liability and other insurance on the Properties of the Partnership and (ii) liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder.

D. At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain working capital and other reserves in such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.

E. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or at the direction of the General Partner consistent with this Agreement and the Act, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Partnership and every Limited Partner: the amount of assets at any time available for distribution or the redemption of Common Units; the amount and timing of any distribution; any determination to redeem Tendered Units; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); the amount of any Partner’s Capital Account, Adjusted Capital Account or Adjusted Capital Account Deficit; the amount of Net Income, Net Loss or Depreciation for any period; any special allocations of Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to Sections 6.2.D, 6.2.E, 6.2.F, 6.2.G, 6.2.H, 6.3, 6.4, 18.5 or 19.5; the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset; the Value of any REIT Share; the timing and amount of any adjustment to the Adjustment Factor; any adjustment to the number of outstanding LTIP Units pursuant to Section 18.3 or Performance Units pursuant to Section 19.3; the timing, number and redemption or repurchase price of the redemption or repurchase of any Partnership Units pursuant to Section 4.7.B; any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Partnership Interest; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Partnership or of any Partnership Interest; the number of authorized or outstanding Units of any class or series; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Partnership; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Partnership or required or permitted by applicable law, this Agreement or otherwise to be determined by the General Partner.

 

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F. In exercising its authority under this Agreement and subject to Section 7.8.B, the General Partner may, but shall be under no obligation to, take into account the tax consequences to any Partner of any action taken (or not taken) by it. The General Partner and the Partnership shall not have liability to a Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of any tax liability incurred by such Limited Partner as a result of an action (or inaction) by the General Partner pursuant to its authority under this Agreement.

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership. To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Maryland and each other state, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 8.5.A hereof, the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Maryland and any other state, or the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

Section 7.3 Restrictions on General Partners Authority.

A. Proscriptions. The General Partner may not take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

(1) take any action that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(2) possess Partnership property, or assign any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 7.10;

(3) admit a Person as a Partner, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(4) perform any act that would subject a Limited Partner to liability as a general partner in any jurisdiction or any other liability except as provided herein or under the Act; or

(5) enter into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that expressly prohibits or restricts, or that has the effect of prohibiting or restricting, (a) the General Partner or the Partnership from performing its specific obligations under Section 15.1 or Section 16.5.A hereof in full, (b) a Common Limited Partner from exercising its rights under Section 15.1 hereof to effect a Common Redemption in full or (c) a Series A Limited Partner from exercising its rights under (x) Section 16.5.A hereof to effect a Series A Redemption in full or (y) under Section 16.6 hereof to effect a Series A Conversion, except, in the case of any of clauses (a), (b) or (c), with the written consent of any Limited Partner affected by the prohibition or restriction.

 

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B. Actions Requiring Consent of the Partners. Except as provided in Section 7.3.C hereof, the General Partner shall not, without the prior Consent of the Partners, amend, modify or terminate this Agreement.

C. Amendments without Consent. Notwithstanding Sections 7.3.B and 14.2 hereof but subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation with respect to Partnership Interests then outstanding, the General Partner shall have the power, without the Consent of the Partners, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:

(1) to add to the obligations of the General Partner or surrender any right or power granted to the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner for the benefit of the Limited Partners;

(2) to reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of Partners, the Transfer of any Partnership Interest or the termination of the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement, or the adjustment of outstanding LTIP Units as contemplated by Section 18.3 or Performance Units as contemplated by Section 19.3, and to amend Exhibit A in connection with such admission, substitution, withdrawal or Transfer;

(3) to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement;

(4) subject to Section 16.7, to set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Holders of any additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Article 4;

(5) to reflect the termination of the class of Series A Preferred Units if and from the time that all of the Series A Preferred Units shall no longer be, or be deemed to be, outstanding for any purpose;

(6) to reflect any change to the designation or terms of the Series C Preferred Units as set forth in Article 17 or otherwise in this Agreement;

(7) to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a Federal or state agency or contained in Federal or state law (collectively, “Legal Requirements”);

(8) (a) to reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for the General Partner to maintain its status as a REIT or to satisfy the REIT Requirements or (b) to reflect the Transfer of all or any part of a Partnership Interest among the General Partner and any Disregarded Entity with respect to the General Partner;

(9) to modify either or both of the manner in which items of Net Income or Net Loss are allocated pursuant to Article 6 or the manner in which Capital Accounts are adjusted, computed, or maintained (but in each case only to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement); or

 

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(10) the issuance of additional Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.2.

The General Partner will provide reasonably prompt advance written notice to the Limited Partners whenever the General Partner proposes to take any of the foregoing actions under this Section 7.3.C.

D. Actions Requiring Consent of Affected Partners. Notwithstanding Sections 7.3.B, 7.3.C and 14.2 hereof, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the General Partner, without the consent of each Partner adversely affected thereby, if such amendment or action would: (i) convert a Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership into a General Partner Interest (except as a result of the General Partner acquiring such Partnership Interest); (ii) modify the limited liability of a Limited Partner; (iii) alter the rights of any Partner to receive the distributions to which such Partner is entitled, pursuant to Article 5, Section 13.2.A, or Article 16 hereof, or alter the allocations specified in Article 6 hereof (except, in any case, as permitted pursuant to Sections 4.2, 7.3.C and Article 6 hereof); (iv) alter or modify the redemption rights, conversion rights, Common Unit Cash Amount or Common Unit REIT Shares Amount as set forth in Section 15.1, Section 16.5 and Section 16.6 hereof; (v) alter or modify Section 11.2 hereof; (vi) remove, alter or amend the powers and restrictions related to REIT Requirements or permitting the General Partner to avoid paying tax under Code Sections 857 or 4981 contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 7.1 and 7.3; (vii) reduce any Limited Partner’s rights to indemnification; (viii) create any liability of any Limited Partner not already provided in this Agreement; or (ix) amend this Section 7.3.D, or, in each case for all provisions referenced in this Section 7.3.D, amend or modify any related definitions or Exhibits. Further, no amendment may alter the restrictions on the General Partner’s authority set forth elsewhere in this Agreement without the consent specified therein. Any such amendment or action consented to by any Partner shall be effective as to that Partner, notwithstanding the absence of such consent by any other Partner.

Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner.

A. The General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as General Partner of the Partnership except as provided in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 hereof regarding distributions, payments and allocations to which the General Partner may be entitled in its capacity as the General Partner).

B. Subject to Sections 7.4.C and 15.12 hereof, the Partnership shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the General Partner on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, for all sums expended in connection with the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, (i) expenses relating to the ownership of interests in and management and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership, (ii) compensation of officers and employees, including, without limitation, payments under future compensation plans, of the General Partner or the Partnership that may provide for stock units, or phantom stock, pursuant to which employees of the General Partner or the Partnership will receive payments based upon dividends on or the value of REIT Shares, (iii) director or manager fees and expenses of the General Partner or its Affiliates, and (iv) all costs and expenses of the General Partner being a public company, including costs of filings with the SEC, reports and other distributions to its stockholders; provided, however, that the amount of any reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the General Partner with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Partnership as permitted pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof; and, provided, further, that the General Partner

 

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shall not be reimbursed for expenses it incurs relating to the organization of the Partnership and the General Partner or the initial public offering. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof.

C. To the extent practicable, Partnership expenses shall be billed directly to and paid by the Partnership and, subject to Section 15.12 hereof, if and to the extent any reimbursements to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 7.4 constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Partnership), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Partners’ Capital Accounts.

Section 7.5    Outside Activities of the General Partner. The General Partner shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any business, other than in connection with, (a) the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Partnership Interests as the General Partner, (b) the management of the business of the Partnership, (c) the operation of the General Partner as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, (d) its operations as a REIT, (e) the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests related to the Partnership or its assets or activities or the activities of the General Partner in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, (f) financing or refinancing of any type related to the Partnership or its assets or activities, and (g) such activities as are incidental thereto; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, any funds raised by the General Partner pursuant to the preceding clauses (e) and (g) shall be made available to the Partnership, whether as Capital Contributions, loans or otherwise, as appropriate; and, provided, further, that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through the Partnership so long as the General Partner takes commercially reasonable measures to ensure that the economic benefits and burdens of such Property are otherwise vested in the Partnership, whether through assignment, mortgage loan or otherwise or, if it is not commercially reasonable to vest such economic interests in the Partnership, the Partners shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement, including, without limitation, the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” to reflect such activities and the direct ownership of assets by the General Partner. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit the General Partner from executing guarantees of Partnership debt. The General Partner and all Disregarded Entities with respect to the General Partner, taken as a group, shall not own any assets or take title to assets (other than temporarily in connection with an acquisition prior to contributing such assets to the Partnership) other than (i) interests in Disregarded Entities with respect to the General Partner, (ii) Partnership Interests as the General Partner and (iii) such cash and cash equivalents, bank accounts or similar instruments or accounts as such group deems reasonably necessary, taking into account Section 7.1.D hereof and the requirements necessary for the General Partner to qualify as a REIT and for the General Partner to carry out its responsibilities contemplated under this Agreement and the Charter. Any Limited Partner Interests acquired by the General Partner, whether pursuant to the exercise by a Limited Partner of its right to Redemption, or otherwise, shall be automatically converted into a General Partner Interest comprised of an identical number of Partnership Units with the same terms as the class or series so acquired.

Section 7.6 Transactions with Affiliates.

A.The Partnership may lend or contribute funds to, and borrow funds from, Persons in which the Partnership has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from, and lend or contribute funds to, the Partnership, on terms and conditions established in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Person.

 

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B. Except as provided in Section 7.5 hereof and subject to Section 3.1 hereof, the Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law as the General Partner, believes, in good faith, to be advisable.

C. Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates may sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are determined by the General Partner in good faith to be fair and reasonable.

D. The General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of the Partners or any of them or any other Persons, may propose and adopt (on behalf of the Partnership) employee benefit plans (including without limitation plans that contemplate the issuance of LTIP Units or Performance Units) funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, the Partnership, Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries.

Section 7.7 Indemnification.

A. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and other reasonable legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Partnership (“Actions”) as set forth in this Agreement in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not indemnify an Indemnitee (i) if the act or omission of the Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, if the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful; or (iii) for any transaction for which such Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or otherwise, in violation or breach of any provision of this Agreement; and provided, further, that (x) no payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by the Partnership to indemnify or advance funds to any Indemnitee with respect to any Action initiated or brought voluntarily by such Indemnitee (and not by way of defense) unless (I) approved or authorized by the General Partner or (II) incurred to establish or enforce such Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement, and (y) the Partnership shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in connection with one or more Actions or claims brought by the Partnership or involving such Indemnitee if such Indemnitee is found liable to the Partnership on any portion of any claim in any such Action.

Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this

 

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Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness. It is the intention of this Section 7.7.A that the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law and this Agreement. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section 7.7.A. The termination of any proceeding by conviction of an Indemnitee or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent by an Indemnitee, or an entry of an order of probation against an Indemnitee prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that such Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in this Section 7.7.A with respect to the subject matter of such proceeding. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and neither the General Partner nor any other Holder shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or otherwise provide funds to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding or otherwise subject to or the focus of or is involved in any Action shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership as incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of the Action upon receipt by the Partnership of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Partnership as authorized in Section 7.7.A has been met, and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.

C. The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee unless otherwise provided in a written agreement with such Indemnitee or in the writing pursuant to which such Indemnitee is indemnified.

D. The Partnership may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of any of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

E. Any liabilities which an Indemnitee incurs as a result of acting on behalf of the Partnership or the General Partner (whether as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with the operation, administration or maintenance of an employee benefit plan or any related trust or funding mechanism (whether such liabilities are in the form of excise taxes assessed by the IRS, penalties assessed by the U.S. Department of Labor, restitutions to such a plan or trust or other funding mechanism or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan, trust or other funding mechanism, or otherwise) shall be treated as liabilities or judgments or fines under this Section 7.7, unless such liabilities arise as a result of (i) an act or omission of such Indemnitee that was material to the matter giving rise to the Action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, an act or omission that such Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe was unlawful, or (iii) any transaction in which such Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or otherwise, in violation or breach of any provision of this Agreement or applicable law.

 

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F. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Holders to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement, and any such indemnification shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Partnership.

G. An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

H. The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

I. It is the intent of the parties that any amounts paid by the Partnership to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Partners’ Capital Accounts.

J. The Partnership shall indemnify each Limited Partner and its Affiliates, their respective directors, officers, stockholders and any other individual acting on its or their behalf, from and against any costs (including costs of defense) incurred by it as a result of any litigation or other proceeding in which any Limited Partner is named as a defendant or any claim threatened or asserted against any Limited Partner, in either case which relates to the operations of the Partnership or any obligation assumed by the Partnership, unless such costs are the result of intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of, or a breach of this Agreement by, such Limited Partner; provided, however, that no Partner shall have any personal liability with respect to the foregoing indemnification, any such indemnification to be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Partnership.

K. Any obligation or liability whatsoever of the General Partner which may arise at any time under this Agreement or any other instrument, transaction, or undertaking contemplated hereby shall be satisfied, if at all, out of the assets of the General Partner or the Partnership only. No such obligation or liability shall be personally binding upon, nor shall resort for the enforcement thereof be had to, any of the General Partner’s directors, stockholders, officers, employees, or agents, regardless of whether such obligation or liability is in the nature of contract, tort or otherwise.

Section 7.8 Liability of the General Partner.

A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any of its directors or officers shall be liable or accountable

 

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in damages or otherwise to the Partnership, any Partners, or any Assignees for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission if the General Partner or such director or officer acted in good faith.

B. The Limited Partners agree that: (i) the General Partner is acting for the benefit of the Partnership, the Limited Partners and the General Partner’s stockholders collectively; (ii) the General Partner is under no obligation not to give priority to the separate interests of the General Partner or the stockholders of the General Partner, and any action or failure to act on the part of the General Partner or its directors that gives priority to the separate interests of the General Partner or its stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contract rights of the Limited Partners under this Agreement does not violate the duty of loyalty owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and/or its partners; and (iii) the General Partner shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by the Partnership or any Limited Partner in connection with such decisions, except for liability for the General Partner’s intentional harm or gross negligence.

C. Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in the Act and this Agreement, the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its employees or agents. The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by it in good faith.

D. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partner’s and its officers’ and directors’ liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

E. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for liability for intentional harm or gross negligence, or pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Partnership by any Partner pursuant to any other written instrument, no Partner shall have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Partnership or to the other Partners, or for the debts or liabilities of the Partnership or the Partnership’s obligations hereunder, and the full recourse of the other Partner(s) shall be limited to the interest of that Partner in the Partnership. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except for liability for intentional harm or gross negligence, or pursuant to any such express indemnity, no property or assets of any Partner, other than its interest in the Partnership, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Partner(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement. This Agreement is executed by the officers of the General Partner solely as officers of the same and not in their own individual capacities.

F. To the extent that, under applicable law, the General Partner has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or the Limited Partners, the General Partner shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any other Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or modify the duties and liabilities of the General Partner under the Act or otherwise existing under applicable law, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of such General Partner.

 

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G. Whenever in this Agreement the General Partner is permitted or required to make a decision in its “sole and absolute discretion,” “sole discretion” or “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, the General Partner shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest or factors affecting the Partnership or the Partners or any of them, or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another expressed standard, the General Partner shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or by relevant provisions of law or in equity or otherwise. If any question should arise with respect to the operation of the Partnership, which is not otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement or the Act, or with respect to the interpretation of this Agreement, the General Partner is hereby authorized to make a final determination with respect to any such question and to interpret this Agreement in such a manner as it shall deem, in its sole discretion, to be fair and equitable, and its determination and interpretations so made shall be final and binding on all parties. The General Partner’s “sole and absolute discretion,” “sole discretion” and “discretion” under this Agreement shall be exercised in good faith.

Section 7.9 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.

A. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

B. The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers, architects, engineers, environmental consultants and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

C. The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers or agents and a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact (including, without limitation, officers and directors of the General Partner). Each such attorney shall, to the extent provided by the General Partner in the power of attorney, have full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and duty that is permitted or required to be done by the General Partner hereunder.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any non-mandatory provision of the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the General Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for the General Partner otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) for

 

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the General Partner to avoid incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, or (iv) for any General Partner Affiliate to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

Section 7.10 Title to Partnership Assets. Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively with other Partners or Persons, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine, including Affiliates of the General Partner; provided, that in all cases the General Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to cause beneficial title to such assets to be vested, directly or indirectly, in the Partnership as soon as practicable and beneficial to the Partnership and the General Partner; and provided, further, that the General Partner hereby declares and warrants that (i) any Partnership assets for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner shall be held by the General Partner or such nominee or Affiliate for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) the General Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to cause beneficial title to such assets to be vested, directly or indirectly, in the Partnership as soon as practicable and beneficial to the Partnership and the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.

Section 7.11 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without the consent or approval of any other Partner, or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expediency of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

ARTICLE 8

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. No Limited Partner shall have any liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 10.4 hereof) or under the Act.

Section 8.2 Management of Business. No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, member, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in, or have any liability in respect of, the operations, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. The

 

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transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, member, employee, partner, agent, representative, or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

Section 8.3 Outside Activities of Limited Partners. Subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or any of its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any employment agreement), any Limited Partner and any Assignee, officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate, member or stockholder of any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities that are in direct or indirect competition with the Partnership or that are enhanced by the activities of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any Partner shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee. Subject to such agreements, none of the Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person (other than the General Partner), and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary, to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person. In deciding whether to take any actions in such capacity, the Limited Partners and their respective Affiliates shall be under no obligation to consider the separate interests of the Partnership or Subsidiary Entities and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law shall have no fiduciary duties or similar obligations to the Partnership or any other Partners, or to any Subsidiary Entities, and shall not be liable for monetary damages for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived by the other Partners in connection with such acts except for liability for intentional harm or gross negligence.

Section 8.4 Return of Capital. Except pursuant to the rights of Common Redemption and Series A Redemption set forth in Section 15.1 and Section 16.5 hereof, respectively, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership as provided herein. Except to the extent provided in Articles 5 and 6 hereof or otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

Section 8.5 Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership.

A. In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and except as limited by Section 8.5.C hereof, (i) the General Partner shall deliver to each Limited Partner a copy of any information mailed to all of the common stockholders of the General Partner as soon as practicable after such mailing and (ii) each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon written demand with a statement of the purpose of such demand and at the Partnership’s expense:

(1) to obtain a copy of the most recent annual and quarterly reports of the General Partner;

(2) to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s Federal, state and local income tax returns for each Partnership Year;

 

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(3) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

(4) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments thereto, together with executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate and all amendments thereto have been executed; and

(5) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of any other property or services contributed by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner.

B. The Partnership shall notify any Limited Partner that is a Qualifying Common Party or Qualifying Series A Party, on request, of the then current Adjustment Factor and any change made to the Adjustment Factor shall be set forth in the quarterly report required by Section 9.3.B hereof immediately following the date such change becomes effective.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners (or any of them), for such period of time as the General Partner determines in its sole and absolute discretion to be reasonable, any information that (i) the General Partner believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or the General Partner or (ii) the Partnership or the General Partner is required by law or by agreement to keep confidential.

D. Upon written request by any Limited Partner, the General Partner shall cause the ownership of Partnership Units by such Limited Partner to be evidenced by a certificate for units substantially the form as the General Partner may determine with respect to any class of Partnership Units issued from time to time under this Agreement. Any officer of the General Partner may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Partnership 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. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the General Partner, 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 Partnership a bond in such sums as the General Partner may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Partnership.

Section 8.6 Partnership Right to Call Limited Partner Interests. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on and after the date on which the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners are less than one percent (1%) (treating Series A Preferred Units as converted to Common Units), the Partnership shall have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time and at any time to redeem any and all outstanding Limited Partner Interests by treating any Limited Partner as a Common Tendering Party or Series A Tendering Party, as applicable, who has delivered a Common Unit Notice of Redemption or Series A Notice of Redemption for the amount of Common Units or Series A Preferred Units to be specified by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, by notice to such Limited Partner that the Partnership has elected to exercise its rights under this Section 8.6. Such notice given by the General Partner to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be treated as if it were a Common Unit Notice of Redemption or Series A Unit Notice Redemption delivered to the General Partner by such Limited Partner. For purposes of this Section 8.6, (a) any Limited Partner (whether or not otherwise a Qualifying Common Party or Qualifying Series A Party) may, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute

 

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discretion, be treated as a Qualifying Common Party or Qualifying Series A Party that is a Common Tendering Party or Series A Tendering Party, as applicable, and (b) the provisions of Sections 15.1.F(2), 15.1.F(3), 16.5.A(7)(ii) and 16.5.A(7)(iii) hereof shall not apply, but the remainder of Section 15.1 or 16.5 hereof shall apply, mutatis mutandis.

Section 8.7 Rights as Objecting Partner No Limited Partner and no Holder of a Partnership Interest shall be entitled to exercise any of the rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law or any successor statute in connection with a merger of the Partnership.

ARTICLE 9

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 9.1 Records and Accounting.

A. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal place of business of the Partnership any records and documents required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the General Partner to be appropriate with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.5.A, Section 9.3 or Article 13 hereof. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business may be kept on any information storage device, provided, that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.

B. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on such other basis as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. To the extent permitted by sound accounting practices and principles, the Partnership and the General Partner may operate with integrated or consolidated accounting records, operations and principles.

Section 9.2 Partnership Year. For purposes of this Agreement, “Partnership Year” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year unless otherwise required by the Code.

Section 9.3 Reports.

A. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than one hundred five (105) days after the close of each Partnership Year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the close of the Partnership Year, financial statements of the Partnership, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the General Partner, for such Partnership Year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

B. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the close of each calendar quarter (except the last calendar quarter of each year), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the last day of the calendar quarter, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership for such calendar quarter, or of the General Partner if such statements are prepared solely on

 

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a consolidated basis with the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.

C. The General Partner shall have satisfied its obligations under Section 9.3.A and Section 9.3.B by posting or making available the reports required by this Section 9.3 on the website maintained from time to time by the Partnership or the General Partner, provided, that such reports are able to be printed or downloaded from such website.

D. At the request of any Limited Partner, the General Partner shall provide access to the books, records and workpapers upon which the reports required by this Section 9.3 are based, to the extent required by the Act.

ARTICLE 10

TAX MATTERS

Section 10.1 Preparation of Tax Returns. The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns with respect to Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable efforts to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by Limited Partners for Federal and state income tax and any other tax reporting purposes. The Limited Partners shall promptly provide the General Partner with such information relating to the Contributed Properties as is readily available to the Limited Partners, including tax basis and other relevant information, as may be reasonably requested by the General Partner from time to time.

Section 10.2 Tax Elections. Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code, including, but not limited to, the election under Code Section 754. The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any such election (including, without limitation, any election under Code Section 754) upon the General Partner’s determination in its sole and absolute discretion that such revocation is in the best interests of the Partners.

Section 10.3 Tax Matters Partner.

A. The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” or, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the “partnership representative” (collectively, the “tax matters partner”) of the Partnership for Federal income tax purposes. The tax matters partner shall receive no compensation for its services. All third-party costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership in addition to any reimbursement pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting firm to assist the tax matters partner in discharging its duties hereunder.

B. The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required:

(1) to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”), and in the settlement agreement the tax matters partner may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners, except that such settlement agreement shall

 

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not bind any Partner (i) who (within the time prescribed pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the IRS providing that the tax matters partner shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner (as the case may be) or (ii) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Code Section 6231) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Code Section 6223(b)(2)) (for purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) above, “Code” refers to the Code as in effect prior to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015);

(2) in the event that a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “Final Adjustment”) is mailed to the tax matters partner, to seek judicial review of such Final Adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the United States Tax Court or the United States Claims Court, or the filing of a complaint for refund with the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;

(3) to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a Final Adjustment;

(4) to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;

(5) to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax that is attributable to any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item; and

(6) to take any other action on behalf of the Partners or any of them in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.

The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the tax matters partner in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the tax matters partner and the provisions relating to indemnification of the General Partner set forth in Section 7.7 hereof shall be fully applicable to the tax matters partner in its capacity as such.

Section 10.4 Withholding. Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Limited Partner any amount of Federal, state, local or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Code Section 1441, Code Section 1442, Code Section 1445 or Code Section 1446. Any amount withheld with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 10.4 shall be treated as paid or distributed, as applicable, to such Limited Partner for all purposes under this Agreement. Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner, in excess of any such withheld amount, shall constitute a loan by the Partnership to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner within thirty (30) days after the affected Limited Partner receives written notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made; provided, that the Limited Partner shall not be required to repay such deemed loan if either (i) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution that would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner or (ii) the General Partner determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such payment may be satisfied out of the Available Cash of the Partnership that would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner. Any amounts payable by a Limited Partner hereunder shall bear interest at the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate) from the date such amount is due (i.e., thirty (30) days after the Limited Partner receives written notice of such amount) until such amount is paid in full.

 

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Section 10.5 Organizational Expenses. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Partnership ratably over a 180-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

ARTICLE 11

PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

Section 11.1 Transfer.

A. No part of the interest of a Partner shall be subject to the claims of any creditor, to any spouse for alimony or support, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.

B. No Partnership Interest shall be Transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 11. Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 shall be null and void ab initio.

C. No Transfer of any Partnership Interest may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability, without the consent of the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that as a condition to such consent, the lender may be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to redeem or exchange for the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount or Series A REIT Shares Amount, as applicable, any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held by such lender simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code (provided, that for purpose of calculating the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount or Series A REIT Shares Amount, as applicable, in this Section 11.1.C, “Tendered Common Units” or “Tendered Series A Units,” as applicable, shall mean all such Partnership Units in which a security interest is held by such lender).

Section 11.2 Transfer of General Partners Partnership Interest.

A. Except as provided in this Section 11.2 and subject to Section 16.7 below and the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner shall not voluntarily withdraw from the Partnership and shall not Transfer all or any portion of its interest in the Partnership (whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) without the Consent of the Common Limited Partners, which may be given or withheld by each such Common Limited Partner in its sole and absolute discretion. It is a condition to any Transfer of a Partnership Interest of a General Partner otherwise permitted hereunder (including any Transfer permitted pursuant to Section 11.2.B) that: (i) the transferee is admitted as a General Partner pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof; (ii) the transferee assumes, by operation of law or express agreement, all of the obligations of the transferor General Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest; and (iii) the transferee has executed such instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect to the Partnership Interest so acquired and the admission of such transferee as a General Partner.

 

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B. Certain Transactions of the General Partner. Subject to Section 16.7 below and the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner may not (a) merge, consolidate or otherwise combine its assets with another entity, (b) sell all or substantially all of its assets not in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business or (c) reclassify, recapitalize or change any outstanding shares of the General Partner’s stock or other outstanding equity interests other than in connection with a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend change in par value, increase in authorized shares, designation or issuance of new classes of equity securities or any event that does not require the approval of the General Partner’s stockholders (each, a “Termination Transaction”) unless:

(i) the Termination Transaction has been approved by the Consent of the Partners and, in connection with such Termination Transaction, all of the Common Limited Partners will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive (and shall be provided the opportunity to make such an election if the holders of REIT Shares generally are also provided such an opportunity), for each Partnership Unit an amount of cash, securities and/or other property equal to the product of the Adjustment Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share pursuant to the terms of such Termination Transaction; provided, that if, in connection with such Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Partnership Units shall receive, or shall have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder of Partnership Units would have received had it exercised its right to redemption pursuant to Article 15 hereof and received REIT Shares in exchange for its Partnership Units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer and then such Termination Transaction shall have been consummated; or

(ii) all of the following conditions are met: (w) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the surviving entity are owned directly or indirectly by the Partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Partnership (in each case, the “Surviving Partnership”); (x) the Common Limited Partners own a percentage interest of the Surviving Partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of the Partnership and the other net assets of the Surviving Partnership immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction; (y) the rights, preferences and privileges of Common Limited Partners in the Surviving Partnership are at least as favorable as those in effect immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the Surviving Partnership (other than the Series A Limited Partners or holders of other Preferred Units); and (z) the rights of the Common Limited Partners include at least one of the following: (a) the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership for the consideration available to such persons pursuant to Section 11.2.B(i) or (b) the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership for cash on terms equivalent to those in effect with respect to their Common Units immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, or, if the ultimate controlling person of the Surviving Partnership has publicly traded common equity securities, such common equity securities, with an exchange ratio based on the determination of relative fair market value of such securities and the REIT Shares.

C. In connection with any transaction permitted by Section 11.2.B hereof, the relative fair market values shall be reasonably determined by the General Partner as of the time of such transaction and, to the extent applicable, shall be no less favorable to the Limited Partners than the relative values reflected in the terms of such transaction.

 

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D. Prior to the Approval Right Termination Date, the General Partner may not consummate (x) a Termination Transaction, (y) a merger, consolidation or other combination of the assets of the Partnership with another entity or (z) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, in each case which transaction (a “Stockholder Vote Transaction”) is submitted for the approval of the holders of REIT Shares of the General Partner (a “Stockholder Vote”) unless: (i) the General Partner first provides the Common Limited Partners with advance notice at least equal in time to the advance notice given to holders of REIT Shares in connection with such Stockholder Vote, (ii) in connection with such advance notice, the General Partner provides the Common Limited Partners with written materials describing the proposed Stockholder Vote Transaction (which may consist of the proxy statement or registration statement used in connection with the Stockholder Vote) and (iii) the Stockholder Vote Transaction is approved by the holders of the Common Units (the “Partnership Vote”) at the same level of approval as required for the Stockholder Vote (for example, (x) if the approval of holders of outstanding REIT Shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter is required to approve the Stockholder Vote Transaction in the Stockholder Vote, then the approval of holders of outstanding Common Units (including votes deemed to be cast by the General Partner) entitled to cast a majority of votes entitled to be cast on the matter will be required to approve the Stockholder Vote Transaction in the Partnership Vote or (y) if the approval of a majority of the votes cast by holders of outstanding REIT Shares present at a meeting of such holders at which a quorum is present is required to approve the Stockholder Vote Transaction in the Stockholder Vote, then the approval of a majority of the votes cast (including votes deemed to be cast by the General Partner) by holders of outstanding Common Units present at a meeting of such holders at which a quorum is present will be required to approve the Stockholder Vote Transaction in the Partnership Vote). For purposes of the Partnership Vote, (i) each Partner holding Common Units (other than the General Partner or any of its Subsidiaries) shall be entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the total number of Common Units held by such Partner as of the record date for the Stockholder Meeting, and (ii) the General Partner and its Subsidiaries shall not be entitled to vote thereon and shall instead be deemed to have cast a number of votes equal to the sum of (x) the total number of Common Units held by the General Partner as of the Record Date for the Stockholder Meeting divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect plus (y) the total number of shares of unvested restricted REIT Shares with respect to which the General Partner does not hold back-to-back Common Units as of the Record Date for the Stockholder Meeting, in proportion to the manner in which all outstanding REIT Shares were voted in the Stockholder Vote (for example, “For,” “Against,” “Abstain” and “Not Present”). Any such Partnership Vote will be taken in accordance with Section 14.3 below (including Section 14.3.B thereof permitting actions to be taken by written consent without a meeting), mutatis mutandis to give effect to the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.2.D, except that, solely for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at any meeting of the Partners at which a Partnership Vote will occur, the General Partner shall be considered to be entitled to cast at such meeting all votes that the General Partner will be deemed to have cast in such Partnership Vote as provided in this Section 11.2.D.

Section 11.3 Limited Partners Rights to Transfer.

A. General. Prior to the end of the Initial Holding Period, no Limited Partner shall Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to any transferee without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that any Limited Partner may, at any time, without the

 

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consent of the General Partner, (i) Transfer all or part of its Partnership Interest to any Family Member, any Charity, any Controlled Entity or any Affiliate, or, in the case of an Original Limited Partner, to such Original Limited Partner’s shareholders, members, partners or beneficiaries, as the case may be, or (ii) pledge (a “Pledge”) all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to a lending institution that is not an Affiliate of such Limited Partner as collateral or security for a bona fide loan or other extension of credit, and, except as provided in Section 11.1.C, Transfer such pledged Partnership Interest to such lending institution in connection with the exercise of remedies under such loan or extension of credit (any Transfer or Pledge permitted by this proviso is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transfer”). After such Initial Holding Period, each Limited Partner, and each transferee of Partnership Units or Assignee pursuant to a Permitted Transfer, shall have the right to Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to any Person without the consent of the General Partner, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.1.C and 11.4 hereof and to satisfaction of each of the following conditions (in addition to the right of such Limited Partner or permitted transferee thereof to continue to make Permitted Transfers without the need to satisfy clauses (i) through (v) below):

(i) General Partner Right of First Refusal. The transferring Partner (or the Partner’s estate in the event of the Partner’s death) shall give written notice of the proposed Transfer to the General Partner, which notice shall state (i) the identity and address of the proposed transferee and (ii) the amount and type of consideration proposed to be received for the Transferred Partnership Units. The General Partner shall have ten (10) Business Days upon which to give the Transferring Partner notice of its election to acquire the Partnership Units on the terms set forth in such notice. If it so elects, it shall purchase the Partnership Units on such terms within ten (10) Business Days after giving notice of such election; provided, however, that such closing may be deferred for up to forty-five (45) days to the extent necessary to effect compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act, if applicable, and any other applicable requirements of law. If it does not so elect, the Transferring Partner may Transfer such Partnership Units to a third party, on terms no more favorable to the transferee than the proposed terms, subject to the other conditions of this Section 11.3.

(ii) Qualified Transferee. Any Transfer of a Partnership Interest shall be made only to a Qualified Transferee.

(iii) Opinion of Counsel. The Transferor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the General Partner an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act and will not otherwise violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder or violate any state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests Transferred; provided, however, that the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, waive this condition upon the request of the Transferor. If, in the opinion of such counsel, such Transfer would require the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would otherwise violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Units, the General Partner may prohibit any Transfer otherwise permitted under this Section 11.3 by a Limited Partner of Partnership Interests.

(iv) Minimum Transfer Restriction. Any Transferring Partner must Transfer not less than the lesser of (i) five hundred (500) Partnership Units or (ii) all of the remaining Partnership Units owned by such Transferring Partner, unless, in each case, otherwise agreed to by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that, for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing restriction, all Partnership Units owned by Affiliates of a Limited Partner shall be considered to be owned by such Limited Partner.

 

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(v) Exception for Permitted Transfers. The conditions of Sections 11.3.A(i) through 11.3.A(iv) hereof shall not apply in the case of a Permitted Transfer.

It is a condition to any Transfer otherwise permitted hereunder (whether or not such Transfer is a Permitted Transfer or effected during or after the Initial Holding Period) that the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor Limited Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest, and no such Transfer (other than pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations and liabilities of the transferor Partner are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of law) shall relieve the transferor Partner of its obligations under this Agreement without the approval of the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transferee of any Transferred Partnership Interest shall be subject to any and all restrictions on ownership or transfer of stock of the General Partner contained in the Charter that may limit or restrict such transferee’s ability to exercise its redemption rights, including, without limitation, the Ownership Limit. Any transferee, whether or not admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, shall take subject to the obligations of the transferor hereunder. Unless admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, no transferee, whether by a voluntary Transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, shall have any rights hereunder, other than the rights of an Assignee as provided in Section 11.5 hereof.

B. Incapacity. If a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partners, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate, and such power as the Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to Transfer all or any part of its interest in the Partnership. The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.

C. Adverse Tax Consequences. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner shall have the authority (but shall not be required) to take any steps it determines are necessary or appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion to prevent the Partnership from being taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes. In furtherance of the foregoing, except with the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, no Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Interests (including any redemption, any conversion of LTIP Units or Performance Units into Common Units, any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the General Partner or any acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership) may be made to or by any Person if such Transfer could (i) result in the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a corporation; (ii) result in a termination of the Partnership under Code Section 708; (iii) be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Code Section 7704 and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, or (iv) result in the Partnership being unable to qualify for one or more of the “safe harbors” set forth in Regulations Section 1.7704-1 (or such other guidance subsequently published by the IRS setting forth safe harbors under which interests will not be treated as “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code) (the “Safe Harbors”).

D. Restrictions Not Applicable to Redemptions or Conversions. The provisions of this Section 11.3 (other than Section 11.3.C) shall not apply to the redemption of Common Units pursuant to Section 15.1, the redemption or conversion of Series A Units pursuant to Section 16.5 or 16.6 or the redemption or conversion of any other Partnership Units pursuant to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation.

 

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Section 11.4 Admission of Substituted Limited Partners.

A. No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a transferee (including any transferees pursuant to Transfers permitted by Section 11.3 hereof) as a Limited Partner in its place. A transferee of the Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner may be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner only with the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion (provided, however, that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written agreement with a Limited Partner, provide such consent in advance on terms and conditions to be agreed upon in writing with a Limited Partner). The failure or refusal by the General Partner to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership or the General Partner. Subject to the foregoing, an Assignee shall not be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner until and unless it furnishes to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all the terms, conditions and applicable obligations of this Agreement, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Assignee and (iii) such other documents and instruments as may be required or advisable, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner, to effect such Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner.

B. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address and number and class and/or series of Partnership Units of such Substituted Limited Partner and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and number of Partnership Units of the predecessor of such Substituted Limited Partner.

C. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Common Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Common Limited Partner under this Agreement.

D. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Series A Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Series A Limited Partner under this Agreement.

Section 11.5 Assignees. If the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, does not consent to the admission of any permitted transferee under Section 11.3 hereof as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4 hereof, or in the event that any Interest is deemed to be Transferred notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in this Article 11, such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement. An Assignee shall be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a limited partnership interest under the Act, including the right to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnership attributable to the Partnership Units assigned to such transferee and the rights to Transfer the Partnership Units provided in this Article 11, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Partnership Units for any other purpose under this Agreement (other than as expressly provided in Section 15.1, Section 16.5 and Section 16.6 hereof), and shall not be entitled to effect a Consent or vote with respect to such Partnership Units on any matter presented to the Limited Partners for approval (such right to Consent or

 

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vote, to the extent provided in this Agreement or under the Act, fully remaining with the transferor Limited Partner). In the event that any such transferee desires to make a further Transfer of any such Partnership Units, such Transfer shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make a Transfer of Partnership Units.

Section 11.6 General Provisions.

A. No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than as a result of (i) a permitted Transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Units in accordance with this Article 11, with respect to which the transferee becomes a Substituted Limited Partner, or (ii) pursuant to a redemption (or acquisition by the General Partner) of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to a redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation.

B. Any Limited Partner who shall Transfer all of its Partnership Units in a Transfer (i) permitted pursuant to this Article 11 where such transferee was admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) pursuant to the exercise of its rights to effect a redemption of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to Sections 15.1 or 16.5 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation or (iii) to the General Partner, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

C. If any Partnership Unit is Transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11, or is redeemed by the Partnership, or acquired by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1 or 16.5 hereof, on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit attributable to such Partnership Unit for such Partnership Year shall be allocated to the transferor Partner, the Common Tendering Party or the Series A Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer other than a redemption, to the transferee Partner, by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, unless the General Partner decides to use another method permitted under the Code, each of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer occurs shall be allocated to the transferee Partner and none of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer or a redemption occurs shall be allocated to the transferor Partner, or the Common Tendering Party or Series A Tendering Party (as the case may be), if such Transfer occurs on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the month, otherwise such items shall be allocated to the transferor. All distributions of Available Cash attributable to such Partnership Unit with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such Transfer, assignment or redemption shall be made to the transferor Partner or the Common Tendering Party or Series A Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer other than a redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Partnership Unit shall be made to the transferee Partner.

D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and in addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained, in no event may any Transfer of a Partnership Interest by any Partner (including any redemption, any conversion of LTIP Units or Performance Units into Common Units, any acquisition of Partnership Units by the General Partner or any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership) be made: (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or

 

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capacity to own a Partnership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) except with the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, of any component portion of a Partnership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Partnership Interest; (iv) in the event that such Transfer could cause either the General Partner or any General Partner Affiliate to cease to comply with the REIT Requirements or to cease to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)); (v) except with the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, if such Transfer could, based on the advice of counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner, cause a termination of the Partnership for Federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the redemption (or acquisition by the General Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners); (vi) if such Transfer could, based on the advice of legal counsel to the Partnership, cause the Partnership to cease to be classified as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the redemption (or acquisition by the General Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners); (vii) if such Transfer would cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Code Section 4975(c)); (viii) if such Transfer could, based on the advice of counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-101; (ix) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Partnership Interest pursuant to any applicable Federal or state securities laws; (x) except with the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole and absolute discretion, if such Transfer (1) could be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market” (or the substantial equivalent thereof) within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, (2) could cause the Partnership to become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Sections 469(k)(2) or 7704(b) of the Code, (3) could be in violation of Section 3.4.C(iii), or (4) could cause the Partnership to fail one or more of the Safe Harbors; (xi) if such Transfer causes the Partnership (as opposed to the General Partner) to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act; or (xii) if such Transfer subjects the Partnership to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA, each as amended.

E. Transfers pursuant to this Article 11 may only be made on the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, unless the General Partner otherwise agrees.

ARTICLE 12

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 12.1 Admission of Successor General Partner. A successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately upon such Transfer. Any such successor shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution. In each case, the admission shall be subject to the successor General Partner executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission. Upon any such Transfer, the transferee shall become the successor General Partner for all purposes herein, and shall be vested with the powers and rights of the transferor General Partner, and shall be liable for all obligations and responsible for all duties of the General Partner. Upon any such Transfer and the admission of any such transferee as a successor General Partner, the transferor shall be relieved of its obligations under this

 

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Agreement and shall cease to be a general partner of the Partnership without the separate Consent of the Common Limited Partners or the consent or approval of any other Partners. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of such a successor General Partner, the General Partner shall amend Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address and number and class and/or series of Partnership Units of such successor General Partner.

Section 12.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners.

A. After the admission to the Partnership of the Original Limited Partners, a Person (other than an existing Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Units and in accordance with this Agreement or is issued LTIP Units or Performance Units in exchange for no consideration in accordance with Section 4.2.B hereof shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Person and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of an Additional Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address and number and class and/or series of Partnership Units of such Additional Limited Partner.

B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission and the satisfaction of all the conditions set forth in Section 12.2.A.

C. If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable among Holders for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Holders by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all the Holders including such Additional Limited Partner, in accordance with the principles described in Section 11.6.C hereof. All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all the Partners and Assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.

D. Any Additional Limited Partner admitted to the Partnership that is an Affiliate of the General Partner shall be deemed to be a “General Partner Affiliate” hereunder and shall be reflected as such on Exhibit A and the books and records of the Partnership.

 

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Section 12.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement (including an amendment of Exhibit A) and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.

Section 12.4 Limit on Number of Partners. Unless otherwise permitted by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, no Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner if the effect of such admission would be to cause the Partnership to have a number of Partners that would cause the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

Section 12.5 Admission. A Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner of the Partnership or a general partner of the Partnership only upon strict compliance, and not upon substantial compliance, with the requirements set forth in this Agreement for admission to the Partnership as a Limited Partner or a General Partner.

ARTICLE 13

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

Section 13.1 Dissolution. The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners, or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership without dissolution. However, the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (each a “Liquidating Event”):

A. an event of withdrawal as defined in Section 10-402(2) – (9) of the Act (including, without limitation, bankruptcy), or the withdrawal in violation of this Agreement, of the last remaining General Partner unless, within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners remaining agree in writing, in their sole and absolute discretion, to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor General Partner;

B. an election to dissolve the Partnership made by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion, with or without the Consent of the Partners;

C. entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Act;

D. any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership not in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business or a related series of transactions that, taken together, result in the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership not in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business; or

E. the redemption or other acquisition by the Partnership or the General Partner of all Partnership Units other than Partnership Units held by the General Partner.

 

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Section 13.2 Winding Up.

A. Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of its creditors and the Holders. After the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, no Holder shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Partnership’s business and affairs. The General Partner (or, in the event that there is no remaining General Partner or the General Partner has dissolved, become bankrupt within the meaning of the Act or ceased to operate, any Person elected by a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners (the General Partner or such other Person being referred to herein as the “Liquidator”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property, and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, include shares of stock in the General Partner) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

(1) First, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof);

(2) Second, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the General Partner (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), including, but not limited to, amounts due as reimbursements under Section 7.4 hereof;

(3) Third, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the other Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and

(4) Fourth, to the Partners in accordance with their positive Capital Account balances, determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments for all prior periods and the Partnership taxable year during which the liquidation occurs (other than those made as a result of the liquidating distribution set forth in this Section 13.2.A(4)).

The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13, other than reimbursement of its expenses as set forth in Section 7.4.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof that require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership, the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (including to those Holders as creditors) and/or distribute to the Holders, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof, undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Holders, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

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C. If any Holder has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), except as otherwise agreed to by such Holder, such Holder shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever.

D. In the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Holders pursuant to this Article 13 may be:

(1) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and the Holders for the purpose of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or of the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership and/or Partnership activities. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Holders, from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, in the same proportions and amounts as would otherwise have been distributed to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement; or

(2) withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership, provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the Holders in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof as soon as practicable.

E. In the event of the liquidation of the Partnership in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Liquidator may sell Partnership property. The liquidation of the Partnership shall not be deemed finally terminated until the Partnership shall have received cash payments in full with respect to obligations such as notes, purchase money mortgages, installment sale contracts or other similar receivables received by the Partnership in connection with the sale of Partnership assets and all obligations of the Partnership have been satisfied or assumed by the General Partner. The Liquidator shall continue to act to enforce all of the rights of the Partnership pursuant to any such obligations until paid in full or otherwise discharged or settled.

Section 13.3 Deemed Contribution and Distribution. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 13, in the event that the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), but no Liquidating Event has occurred, the Partnership’s Property shall not be liquidated, the Partnership’s liabilities shall not be paid or discharged and the Partnership’s affairs shall not be wound up. Instead, for Federal income tax purposes the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed all of its assets and liabilities to a new partnership in exchange for an interest in the new partnership; and immediately thereafter, distributed Partnership Units to the Partners in the new partnership in accordance with their respective Capital Accounts in liquidation of the Partnership, and the new partnership is deemed to continue the business of the Partnership. Nothing in this Section 13.3 shall be deemed to have constituted a Transfer to an Assignee as a Substituted Limited Partner without compliance with the provisions of Section 11.4 or Section 13.3 hereof.

Section 13.4 Rights of Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (including Section 16.4 below) and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, (a) each Holder shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contribution, (b) no Holder shall have the right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership and (c) no Holder shall have priority over any other Holder as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.

 

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Section 13.5 Notice of Dissolution. In the event that a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for an election or objection by one or more Partners pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each Holder and, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion or as required by the Act, to all other parties with whom the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner), and the General Partner may, or, if required by the Act, shall, publish notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each place in which the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner).

Section 13.6 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, the Partnership shall be terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed with the SDAT, all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership or association in jurisdictions other than the State of Maryland shall be cancelled, and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 13.7 Reasonable Time for Winding-Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof, in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect between and among the Partners during the period of liquidation.

ARTICLE 14

PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS

OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS

Section 14.1 Procedures for Actions and Consents of Partners. The actions requiring consent or approval of Partners pursuant to this Agreement, including Sections 7.3 and 16.7 hereof, or otherwise pursuant to applicable law, are subject to the procedures set forth in this Article 14.

Section 14.2 Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed by the General Partner or by Limited Partners holding twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Partnership Interests held by Limited Partners (for this purpose, treating Common Units and Series A Preferred Units as fungible) and, except as set forth in Section 7.3.C and subject to Sections 7.3.D, 16.7, 18.10 and 19.10 and the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, shall be approved by the Consent of the Partners. Following such proposal, the General Partner shall submit to the Partners holding Partnership Interests entitled to vote thereon any proposed amendment that, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, requires the consent, approval or vote of such Partners. The General Partner shall seek the written consent, approval or vote of the Partners on any such proposed amendment or shall call a meeting to vote thereon and to transact any other business that the General Partner may deem appropriate. For purposes of obtaining a written Consent, the General Partner may require a response within a reasonable specified time, but not less than fifteen (15) days, and failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a Consent that is consistent with the General Partner’s recommendation (if the General Partner shall have made a recommendation) with respect to the proposal; provided, however, that an action shall become effective at such time as requisite Consents are received even if prior to such specified time.

Section 14.3 Meetings of the Partners.

A. Meetings of the Partners may be called by the General Partner at any time in its own discretion, and shall be called by the General Partner upon its receipt of a written request by Limited Partners holding twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Partnership Interests held by Limited Partners (for this purpose, treating Common Units and Series A Preferred Units as fungible). The call shall state the nature of the business to be transacted.

 

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Except as set forth in Section 11.2.D, notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Partners entitled to act at the meeting not less than seven (7) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of such meeting. Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Whenever the vote, consent or approval of Partners is permitted or required under this Agreement, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of Partners or may be given in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.3.B hereof.

B. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting with the written Consent of the Partners, or such other applicable percentage or Consent as is expressly required by this Agreement for action on the matter in question, entitled to act on such matter at such a meeting. Such consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as a vote of the applicable percentage of Partners entitled to act at the meeting. Such consent shall be filed with the General Partner. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified.

C. Each Partner entitled to act at the meeting may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Each proxy must be signed by the Partner or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy (or there is receipt of a proxy authorizing a later date). Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Partnership’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Partner executing such proxy, unless such proxy states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.

D. The General Partner may fix, in advance, a record date for determining the Partners entitled to vote at any meeting of the Partners or consent to any matter. Such date shall not be before the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety days nor less than five days before the date on which such meeting is to be held or consent to be given. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Partners shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of the meeting is sent, and the record date for any action taken by the Partners without a meeting shall be the effective date of such Partner action. When a determination of the Partners entitled to vote at any meeting of the Partners has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

E. Each meeting of Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Without limitation, meetings of Partners may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of the General Partner’s stockholders and may be held at the same time as, and as part of, the meetings of the General Partner’s stockholders.

 

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ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.1 Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties.

A. After the expiration of the applicable Initial Holding Period, a Qualifying Common Party shall have the right (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) (the “Common Redemption Right”) to require the Partnership to redeem all or a portion of the Common Units held by a Common Tendering Party (Common Units that have in fact been tendered for redemption being hereafter referred to as “Tendered Common Units”) in exchange (a “Common Redemption”) for the Common Unit Cash Amount payable on the Specified Redemption Date. The Partnership may, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, redeem Tendered Common Units at the request of the Qualifying Common Party prior to the end of the applicable Initial Holding Period (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) (a “Special Redemption”); provided, however, that the General Partner first receives a legal opinion to the same effect as the legal opinion described in Section 15.1.G(4) of this Agreement. Any Common Redemption shall be exercised pursuant to a Common Unit Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by the Qualifying Common Party when exercising the Redemption right (the “Common Tendering Party”). The Partnership’s obligation to effect a Common Redemption, however, shall not arise or be binding against the Partnership until the earlier of (i) the date the General Partner notifies the Common Tendering Party that it declines to acquire some or all of the Tendered Common Units under Section 15.1.B hereof following receipt of a Common Unit Notice of Redemption and (ii) the Business Day following the Cut-Off Date. In the event of a Common Redemption, the Common Unit Cash Amount shall be delivered as a certified or bank check payable to the Common Tendering Party or, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, in immediately available funds, in each case, on or before the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date on which the General Partner receives a Common Unit Notice of Redemption from the Common Tendering Party.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.A hereof, on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion but subject to the Ownership Limit, elect to acquire some or all of the Tendered Common Units from the Common Tendering Party in exchange for REIT Shares. If the General Partner elects to acquire some or all of the Tendered Common Units pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the General Partner shall give written notice thereof to the Common Tendering Party on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date. If the General Partner elects to acquire any of the Tendered Common Units for REIT Shares, the General Partner shall issue and deliver such REIT Shares to the Common Tendering Party pursuant to the terms of this Section 15.1.B, in which case (1) the General Partner shall assume directly the obligation with respect thereto and shall satisfy the Common Tendering Party’s exercise of its Common Redemption Right with respect to such Tendered Common Units and (2) such transaction shall be treated, for Federal income tax purposes, as a transfer by the Common Tendering Party of such Tendered Common Units to the General Partner in exchange for the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount. If the General Partner so elects, on the Specified Redemption Date, the Common Tendering Party shall sell such number of the Tendered Common Units to the General Partner in exchange for a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. The Common Tendering Party shall submit (i) such information, certification or affidavit as the General Partner may reasonably require in connection with the application of the Ownership Limit to any such acquisition and (ii) such written representations and investment letters as reasonably necessary, in the General Partner’s view, to effect compliance with the Securities Act. In the event of a purchase of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the Common Tendering Party shall no longer have the right to cause the

 

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Partnership to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Common Units and, upon notice to the Common Tendering Party by the General Partner, given on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, that the General Partner has elected to acquire some or all of the Tendered Common Units pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the obligation of the Partnership to effect a Redemption of the Tendered Common Units as to which the General Partner’s notice relates shall not accrue or arise. A number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage shall be delivered by the General Partner as duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable REIT Shares and, if applicable, Rights, free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than the Ownership Limit and, to the extent applicable, the Securities Act and relevant state securities or “blue sky” laws. Neither any Common Tendering Party whose Tendered Common Units are acquired by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, any Partner, any Assignee nor any other interested Person shall have any right to require or cause the General Partner to register, qualify or list any REIT Shares owned or held by such Person, whether or not such REIT Shares are issued pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange; provided, however, that this limitation shall not be in derogation of any registration or similar rights granted pursuant to any other written agreement between the General Partner and any such Person. Notwithstanding any delay in such delivery, the Common Tendering Party shall be deemed the owner of such REIT Shares and such Rights for all purposes, including, without limitation, rights to vote or consent, receive dividends, and exercise all rights, as of the Specified Redemption Date. REIT Shares issued upon an acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B may contain such legends regarding restrictions under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws as the General Partner in good faith determines to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with such laws.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.A and 15.1.B hereof, the Common Tendering Parties shall have no rights under this Agreement that would otherwise be prohibited by the Ownership Limit. To the extent that any attempted Redemption or acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof would be in violation of this Section 15.1.C, it shall be null and void ab initio, and the Common Tendering Party shall not acquire any rights or economic interests in REIT Shares otherwise issuable by the General Partner under Section 15.1.B hereof or cash otherwise payable under Section 15.1.A hereof.

D. If the General Partner does not elect to acquire the Tendered Common Units pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof:

(1) Without limiting Section 15.1.H, the Partnership may elect to raise funds for the payment of the Common Unit Cash Amount either (a) by requiring that the General Partner contribute to the Partnership funds from the proceeds of a registered public offering by the General Partner of REIT Shares sufficient to purchase the Tendered Common Units or (b) from any other sources (including, but not limited to, the sale of any Property and the incurrence of additional Debt) available to the Partnership. Without limiting Section 15.1.H, any proceeds from a public offering that are in excess of the Common Unit Cash Amount shall be for the sole benefit of the General Partner. The General Partner shall make a Capital Contribution of any such amounts to the Partnership for an additional General Partner Interest. Any such contribution shall entitle the General Partner to an equitable Percentage Interest adjustment.

 

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(2) If the Common Unit Cash Amount is not paid on or before the Specified Redemption Date, interest shall accrue with respect to the Common Unit Cash Amount from the day after the Specified Redemption Date to and including the date on which the Common Unit Cash Amount is paid at a rate equal to the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate).

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.B hereof, the General Partner shall not, under any circumstances, elect to acquire any Tendered Common Units in exchange for REIT Shares if such exchange would be prohibited under the Charter.

F. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (but subject to Section 15.1.C hereof), with respect to any Redemption (or any tender of Common Units for Redemption if the Tendered Common Units are acquired by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof) pursuant to this Section 15.1:

(1) All Common Units acquired by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof shall automatically, and without further action required, be converted into and deemed to be a General Partner Interest comprised of the same number of Common Units.

(2) Subject to the Ownership Limit, no Common Tendering Party may effect a Redemption for less than one thousand (1,000) Common Units or, if such Common Tendering Party holds (as a Common Limited Partner or, economically, as an Assignee) less than one thousand (1,000) Common Units, all of the Common Units held by such Common Tendering Party, unless, in each case, otherwise agreed to by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

(3) If (i) a Common Tendering Party surrenders its Tendered Common Units during the period after the Partnership Record Date with respect to a distribution and before the record date established by the General Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such Partnership distribution, and (ii) the General Partner elects to acquire any of such Tendered Common Units in exchange for REIT Shares pursuant to Section 15.1.B, such Common Tendering Party shall pay to the General Partner on the Specified Redemption Date an amount in cash equal to the portion of the Partnership distribution in respect of the Tendered Common Units exchanged for REIT Shares, insofar as such distribution relates to the same period for which such Common Tendering Party would receive a distribution in respect of such REIT Shares.

(4) The consummation of such Redemption (or an acquisition of Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, as the case may be) shall be subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

(5) The Common Tendering Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Common Units subject to any Redemption, and be treated as a Common Limited Partner or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Common Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until such Common Units are either paid for by the Partnership pursuant to Section 15.1.A hereof or transferred to the General Partner and paid for, by the issuance of the REIT Shares, pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date. Until a Specified Redemption Date and an acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, the Common Tendering Party shall have no rights as a stockholder of the General Partner with respect to the REIT Shares issuable in connection with such acquisition.

G. In connection with an exercise of the Common Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 15.1, except as otherwise agreed by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, the Common Tendering Party shall submit the following to the General Partner, in addition to the Common Unit Notice of Redemption:

 

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(1) A written affidavit, dated the same date as the Common Unit Notice of Redemption, (a) disclosing the actual and constructive ownership, as determined for purposes of Code Sections 856(a)(6) and 856(h), of REIT Shares by (i) such Common Tendering Party and (ii) to the best of their knowledge any Related Party and (b) representing that, after giving effect to the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Common Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party will own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit;

(2) A written representation that neither the Common Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party has any intention to acquire any additional REIT Shares prior to the closing of the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date; and

(3) An undertaking to certify, at and as a condition to the closing of (i) the Redemption or (ii) the acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date, that either (a) the actual and constructive ownership of REIT Shares by the Common Tendering Party and to the best of their knowledge any Related Party remain unchanged from that disclosed in the affidavit required by Section 15.1.G(1) or (b) after giving effect to the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Common Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party shall own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit.

(4) In connection with any Special Redemption, the General Partner shall have the right to receive an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Special Redemption will not cause the Partnership or the General Partner to violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Special Redemption, the issuance and sale of the Tendered Common Units to the Common Tendering Party or the issuance and sale of REIT Shares to the Common Tendering Party pursuant to Section 15.1.B of this Agreement.

H. Stock Offering Funding Option

(1) (a) Notwithstanding Sections 15.1.A or 15.1.B hereof, if prior to the Stock Offering Funding Option Termination Date, (i) one or more Specified Limited Partners have delivered to the General Partner a Common Unit Notice of Redemption with respect to Excess Common Units, and (ii) the number of Excess Common Units, plus any other Tendered Common Units that such Specified Limited Partner agrees to treat as Excess Common Units for purposes of this Section 15.1.H (collectively, the “Offering Common Units”), exceeds $50,000,000 gross value, based on a Common Unit value equal to the Value of a REIT Share, and (iii) the General Partner is then eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form similar thereto), then, notwithstanding that the Redemption of such Excess Common Units pursuant to Section 15.1.A and the acquisition of such Excess Common Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B, on the Specified Redemption Date would otherwise be prohibited by Section 15.1.C, the General Partner may, at its election, cause the Partnership to redeem the Offering Common Units with the proceeds of an offering, whether registered under the Securities Act or exempt from such registration, underwritten, offered and sold directly to investors or through agents or other intermediaries, or otherwise distributed (a “Stock Offering Funding”), of a number of REIT Shares (“Offered Shares”) equal to the Common Unit REIT Shares Amount with respect to the Offering Common Units pursuant to the terms of this Section 15.1.H; provided, however, that the General Partner shall be under no obligation to provide a waiver of the Ownership Limit in connection with

 

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this Section 15.1.H. The General Partner must provide notice of its exercise of the election described above to purchase the Tendered Common Units through a Stock Offering Funding on or before the second (2nd) Business Day after the receipt by the General Partner of the applicable Common Unit Notice of Redemption. If the General Partner elects to satisfy a Common Unit Notice of Redemption with respect to Excess Common Units pursuant to a Stock Offering Funding, upon the consummation of such Stock Offering Funding, such Stock Offering Funding shall be deemed a “Qualified Offering” for all purposes under the Specified Partner Registration Rights Agreement.

(b) If the General Partner elects a Stock Offering Funding with respect to a Common Unit Notice of Redemption, the General Partner shall give notice (a “Single Funding Notice”) of such election to all Specified Limited Partners who did not provide the notice of Common Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1.A as soon as practicable, but in no event less than two (2) days before the anticipated sale, and such notice shall offer such Specified Limited Partners the opportunity to effect a Common Redemption to be funded through such Stock Offering Funding. If a Specified Limited Partner elects to effect such a Common Redemption, it shall give notice thereof and of the number of Common Units to be made subject thereto in writing to the General Partner within two (2) Business Days after receipt of the Single Funding Notice, and such Specified Limited Partner shall be treated as a Common Tendering Party for all purposes of this Section 15.1.H.

(2) If the General Partner elects a Stock Offering Funding, on the Specified Redemption Date, the Partnership shall redeem each Offering Common Unit that is still a Tendered Common Unit on such date for cash in immediately available funds in an amount (the “Stock Offering Funding Amount”) equal to the net proceeds per Offered Share received by the General Partner from the Stock Offering Funding, determined after deduction of underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Offered Shares and any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Offered Shares (the “Net Proceeds”).

(3) If the General Partner elects a Stock Offering Funding, the following additional terms and conditions shall apply:

(a) As soon as practicable after the General Partner elects to effect a Stock Offering Funding, the General Partner shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect as promptly as possible a registration, qualification or compliance (including, without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other governmental requirements or regulations) as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of the Offered Shares; provided, that, the General Partner shall not by reason hereof, be required to submit to general service of process in any jurisdiction or subject itself to any material tax obligation, or qualify to do business in any jurisdiction in which such submission, qualification or obligation would not be otherwise required; provided, further, if the General Partner shall deliver a notice from the Chief Executive Officer, President or any Executive Vice President of the General Partner to the Common Tendering Party (a “Stock Offering Funding Delay Notice”) certifying that the General Partner has determined that such filing, registration or qualification would be materially detrimental to the General Partner because it would require disclosure of material non-public information that the General Partner has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or the disclosure of which would materially impede the General Partner’s ability to consummate a significant transaction, and that the General Partner is not otherwise required by applicable securities laws or regulations to disclose, then the General Partner may delay making any filing or delay the effectiveness of such filing, registration or qualification until the earliest of (i) the date upon which the General Partner notifies the Common Tendering Party in writing that such delay is no longer necessary, and (ii) the ninetieth (90th) day after delivery of the Stock Offering Funding Delay Notice.

 

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(b) The General Partner shall advise each Common Tendering Party, regularly and promptly upon any request, of the status of the Stock Offering Funding process, including the timing of all filings, the selection of and understandings with underwriters, agents, dealers and brokers, the nature and contents of all communications with the SEC and other governmental bodies, the nature of marketing activities, and any other matters reasonably related to the timing, price and expenses (to the extent payable by the Specified Limited Partners) relating to the Stock Offering Funding and the compliance by the General Partner with its obligations with respect thereto. The General Partner will permit the Common Tendering Parties to participate in meetings with the underwriters of the Stock Offering Funding. In addition, the General Partner and each Common Tendering Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, enter into understandings in writing (“Pricing Agreements”) whereby the Common Tendering Party will agree in advance as to the acceptability of a Net Proceeds amount at or below a specified amount. Furthermore, the General Partner shall establish pricing notification procedures with each such Common Tendering Party, such that the Tendering Partner will have the maximum opportunity practicable to determine whether to become a Withdrawing Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.H(3)(c) below.

(c) The General Partner will permit the Common Tendering Parties to participate in the pricing discussions for the Stock Offering Funding and, upon notification of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding from the managing underwriter(s), in the case of a registered public offering, or lead placement agent(s), in the event of an unregistered offering, engaged by the General Partner in order to sell the Offered Shares, shall immediately use its reasonable best efforts to notify each Common Tendering Party of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding and resulting anticipated Net Proceeds. Each Common Tendering Party shall have one (1) hour from the receipt of such written notice (as such time may be extended by the General Partner) to elect to withdraw its Redemption (a Common Tendering Party making such an election being a “Withdrawing Partner”), and Common Units with a Common Unit REIT Shares Amount equal to such excluded Offered Shares shall be considered to be withdrawn from the related Redemption; provided, however, that the General Partner shall keep each of the Tendering Parties reasonably informed as to the likely timing of delivery of its notice. If a Common Tendering Party, within such time period, does not notify the General Partner of such Common Tendering Party’s election not to become a Withdrawing Partner, then such Common Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in a Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have withdrawn from the Redemption, without liability to the General Partner. To the extent that the General Partner is unable after using its reasonable best efforts to notify any Common Tendering Party, such unnotified Common Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in any Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have elected to become a Withdrawing Partner. Each Common Tendering Party whose Redemption is being funded through the Stock Offering Funding who does not become a Withdrawing Partner shall have the right, subject to the approval of the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) and restrictions of any applicable securities laws, to submit for Redemption additional Common Units in a number no greater than the number of Common Units withdrawn. If more than one Common Tendering Party so elects to redeem additional Common Units, then such Common Units shall be redeemed on a pro rata basis, based on the number of additional Common Units sought to be so redeemed.

(d) The General Partner shall take all reasonable action in order to effectuate the sale of the Offered Shares including, but not limited to, the entering into of an underwriting or placement agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) selected for such underwriting and taking those actions specified in Section 2.6(k) of the Specified Partner Registration Rights Agreement. The General Partner shall have the opportunity to include such number of shares for its own account as it may elect in a Stock Offering Funding; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not permit any stockholder of the General Partner (other than the Common Tendering Parties and “Holders” under the Specified Partner Registration Rights Agreement) to include any of their shares in a Stock Offering Funding without the prior written consent of the Common Tendering Parties. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) advises the General Partner in

 

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writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be offered, then (i) first, the amount of shares to be included for the account of the General Partner shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of shares to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s), and (ii) if such reduction is insufficient to reduce the offering to the amount recommended by such managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s), then, the General Partner shall so advise all Common Tendering Parties and the number of Common Units to be sold to the General Partner pursuant to the Redemption shall be allocated among all Common Tendering Parties in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of Common Units as to which each Common Tendering Party elected to effect a Redemption. For the sake of clarity, no Offered Shares excluded from the underwriting by reason of the managing underwriter’s or placement agent’s marketing limitation shall be included in such offering.

I. LTIP Unit and Performance Unit Exception and Redemption of Common Units Issued Upon Conversion of LTIP Units or Performance Units. Holders of LTIP Units and Performance Units shall not be entitled to the right of Redemption provided for in Section 15.1 of this Agreement, unless and until such LTIP Units or Performance Units, as applicable, have been converted into Common Units (or any other class or series of Common Units entitled to such right of Redemption) in accordance with their terms.

Section 15.2 Addresses and Notice. Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written or electronic communication (including by telecopy, facsimile, electronic mail or commercial courier service) to the Partner, or Assignee at the address set forth in Exhibit A or Exhibit B (as applicable) or such other address of which the Partner shall notify the General Partner in accordance with this Section 15.2.

Section 15.3 Titles and Captions. All article or section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

Section 15.4 Pronouns and Plurals. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

Section 15.5 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 15.6 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 15.7 Waiver.

A. No failure or delay by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

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B. The restrictions, conditions and other limitations on the rights and benefits of the Limited Partners contained in this Agreement, and the duties, covenants and other requirements of performance or notice by the Limited Partners, are for the benefit of the Partnership and, except for an obligation to pay money to the Partnership, may be waived or relinquished by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, on behalf of the Partnership in one or more instances from time to time and at any time; provided, however, that any such waiver or relinquishment may not be made if it would have the effect of (i) creating liability for any other Limited Partner, (ii) causing the Partnership to cease to qualify as a limited partnership, (iii) reducing the amount of cash otherwise distributable to the Limited Partners (other than any such reduction that affects all of the Limited Partners holding the same class or series of Partnership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Partners holding such class or series of Partnership Units), (iv) resulting in the classification of the Partnership as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation or (v) violating the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state “blue sky” or other securities laws; and provided, further, that any waiver relating to compliance with the Ownership Limit or other restrictions in the Charter shall be made and shall be effective only as provided in the Charter.

Section 15.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

Section 15.9 Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

A. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any non-mandatory provision of the Act, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and take precedence.

B. Each Partner hereby (i) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Maryland (collectively, the “Maryland Courts”), with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute, (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any of the Maryland Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue of the action is improper, (iii) agrees that notice or the service of process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be properly served or delivered if delivered to such Partner at such Partner’s last known address as set forth in the Partnership’s books and records, and (iv) irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 15.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains all of the understandings and agreements between and among the Partners with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations of the Partners with respect to the Partnership. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Partners hereby acknowledge and agree that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may enter into side letters or similar written agreements with Limited Partners that are not Affiliates of the General Partner, executed contemporaneously with the admission of such Limited Partner to the Partnership, affecting the

 

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terms hereof, as negotiated with such Limited Partner and which the General Partner in its sole discretion deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. The parties hereto agree that any terms, conditions or provisions contained in such side letters or similar written agreements with a Limited Partner shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 15.11 Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

Section 15.12 Limitation to Preserve REIT Status. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, to the extent that the amount to be paid, credited, distributed or reimbursed by the Partnership to any REIT Partner or its officers, directors, employees or agents, whether as a reimbursement, fee, expense or indemnity (a “REIT Payment”), would constitute gross income to the REIT Partner for purposes of Code Section 856(c)(2) or Code Section 856(c)(3), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of such REIT Payments, as selected by the General Partner in its discretion from among items of potential distribution, reimbursement, fees, expenses and indemnities, shall be reduced for any Partnership Year so that the REIT Payments, as so reduced, for or with respect to such REIT Partner shall not exceed the lesser of:

(i) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(2)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments); or

(ii) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) twenty-four percent (24%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments);

provided, however, that REIT Payments in excess of the amounts set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above may be made if the General Partner, as a condition precedent, obtains an opinion of tax counsel that the receipt of such excess amounts should not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that REIT Payments may not be made in a Partnership Year as a consequence of the limitations set forth in this Section 15.12, such REIT Payments shall carry over and shall be treated as arising in the following Partnership Year if such carry over does not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT, provided, however, that any such REIT Payment shall not be carried over more than three Partnership Years, and any such remaining payments shall no longer be due and payable. The purpose of the limitations contained in this Section 15.12 is to prevent any REIT Partner from failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code by reason of such REIT Partner’s share of items, including distributions, reimbursements, fees, expenses or indemnities, receivable directly or indirectly from the Partnership, and this Section 15.12 shall be interpreted and applied to effectuate such purpose.

Section 15.13 No Partition. No Partner nor any successor-in-interest to a Partner shall have the right while this Agreement remains in effect to have any property of the Partnership partitioned, or to file a complaint or institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have such property of the Partnership partitioned, and each Partner, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns hereby waives any such right. It is the intention of the Partners that the rights of the parties hereto and their successors-in-interest to Partnership property, as among themselves, shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and that the rights of the Partners and their respective successors-in- interest shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Section 15.14 No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the purpose of defining the interests of the Holders, inter se; and no other person, firm or entity (i.e., a party who is not a signatory hereto or a permitted successor to such signatory hereto including, without limitation, a creditor of the Partnership or any Partner or other third party having dealings with the Partnership) shall have any right, power, title or interest by way of subrogation or otherwise, in and to the rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement. No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation of any Partner to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity. None of the rights or obligations of the Partners herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership shall be deemed an asset of the Partnership for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may any such rights or obligations be sold, transferred or assigned by the Partnership or pledged or encumbered by the Partnership to secure any debt or other obligation of the Partnership or any of the Partners.

Section 15.15 No Rights as Stockholders. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders of Partnership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the General Partner, including without limitation any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to stockholders of the General Partner or to vote or to consent or receive notice as stockholders in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the General Partner or any other matter.

ARTICLE 16

SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS

Section 16.1 Designation and Number.

A series of Partnership Units in the Partnership designated as the “Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Units” (the “Series A Preferred Units”) is hereby established. The number of Series A Preferred Units shall be 499,014.

Section 16.2 Rank.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement (except Section 13.2.A(4)), including any amendments made thereto after the date hereof, and unless the Consent of the Series A Limited Partners is obtained, the parties hereto intend that the Series A Preferred Units shall, with respect to rights to the payment of distributions in accordance with Section 16.3 and the distribution of assets upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the General Partner, rank senior to all Junior Units; provided, however, that to the extent there is any conflict between this Section 16.2 and Section 13.2.A(4), Section 13.2.A(4) shall govern.

Section 16.3 Distributions.

A. Payment of Distributions. In accordance with Section 5.1, Holders of Series A Units shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Partnership acting through the General Partner, out of Available Cash, cumulative preferential cash distributions in an amount equal to the Series A Priority Return. Such distributions shall be cumulative, shall accrue from the original date of issuance of such Series A Preferred Units and will be payable (i) quarterly (such quarterly periods for purposes of payment and accrual will be the quarterly periods ending on the dates specified in this sentence and not calendar quarters) in arrears, on or before the last calendar day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on the first of such dates to occur

 

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after the original date of issuance, and, (ii) in the event of a redemption or conversion of Series A Preferred Units, and solely with respect to the redeemed or converted Series A Preferred Units, as applicable, on the redemption or conversion date (each, a “Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date”). If any date on which distributions are to be made on the Series A Preferred Units is not a Business Day, then payment of the distribution to be made on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay).

B. Distributions Cumulative. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units that are due but unpaid will accumulate and compound quarterly, on the applicable Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date after each calendar quarter, at the Applicable Rate, whether or not there is sufficient Available Cash for such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized.

C. Priority as to Distributions. If any Series A Preferred Units are outstanding, if and so long as the Partnership is in arrears with regard to the payment of any distributions for any past quarterly period upon any outstanding Series A Preferred Units or has failed to pay when due the Series A Cash Amount or deliver when due Registered REIT Shares upon the redemption of any Tendered Series A Preferred Units, (A) no distributions shall be authorized and paid or set apart for payment, nor shall any other distribution be authorized or made, upon any Junior Units unless distributions sufficient to make up such arrearage shall have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment or such Tendered Series A Preferred Units are redeemed, as applicable, and (B) no Junior Units shall be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (nor any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Junior Units) by the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (except, in each case, for (x) the redemption of Common Units or Partnership Equivalent Units from the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.7.B, (y) any acquisition by the General Partner of Tendered Common Units in exchange for REIT Shares in accordance with Section 15.1 or (z) by conversion into or exchange for Junior Units or REIT Shares with no cash distributed in connection therewith).

Section 16.4 Liquidation Preference.

A. The parties hereto intend that, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership, before any distribution or payment shall be made whether in cash or in kind to any current or future Junior Unit Holder in respect of its Junior Units and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (except Section 13.2.A(4)), the Holders of Series A Units shall be entitled to receive and be paid in cash out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to the Partners pursuant to this Agreement an amount equal to the Series A Preference of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units plus any accrued and unpaid Series A Priority Return.

B. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, the legally available assets of the Partnership are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Series A Preference on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units plus any accrued and unpaid Series A Priority Return, then such assets shall be allocated among the Series A Limited Partners in proportion to the Series A Percentage Interests.

 

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C. After the payment to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units of full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 16.4, the Holders of Series A Preferred Units as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the General Partner.

D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.4, to the extent there is any conflict between the provisions of this Section 16.4 and Section 13.2.A(4), Section 13.2.A(4) shall govern.

Section 16.5 Redemption of Series A Preferred Units.

A. Redemption at Series A Limited Partners’ Option.

(1) After the 3-year anniversary of the date of this Agreement, each Qualifying Series A Party shall have the right (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 16.5) (the “Series A Redemption Right”) to require the Partnership to redeem all or a portion of the Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Tendering Party (Preferred Units that have in fact been tendered for redemption being hereafter referred to as “Tendered Series A Units”) in exchange (a “Series A Redemption”) for an amount per unit equal to the Series A Preference thereon plus any accrued distributions that have not been paid on or prior to the applicable Specified Series A Redemption Date (the “Series A Cash Amount”). Any Series A Redemption shall be exercised pursuant to a Series A Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by the Qualifying Series A Party (the “Series A Tendering Party”) at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the last day of the calendar quarter in which the Series A Tendering Party is exercising its Series A Redemption Right. The Partnership’s obligation to effect a Series A Redemption, however, shall not arise or be binding against the Partnership until the earlier of (i) the date the General Partner notifies the Series A Tendering Party that it declines to acquire some or all of the Tendered Series A Units under Section 16.5.A.2 hereof following receipt of a Series A Notice of Redemption and (ii) the Business Day following the Cut-Off Date. In the event of a Series A Redemption, the Series A Cash Amount shall be delivered as a certified or bank check payable to the Series A Tendering Party or, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, in immediately available funds, in each case, on or before 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on the last Business Day of such calendar quarter (the “Specified Series A Redemption Date”), after giving effect to the distributions paid on such date. A Qualifying Series A Party may exercise the Series A Redemption Right once per calendar quarter with respect to part or all of the Series A Preferred Units that it owns, as selected by the Qualifying Series A Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 16.5, the Partnership, in its sole discretion, may redeem the Tendered Series A Units set forth in a Series A Notice of Redemption at any time after receipt of such notice. The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any amounts paid in redemption of Tendered Series A Units under this Agreement shall be paid out of any Available Cash remaining after any accrued but previously unpaid amounts described in Section 16.3 shall have been distributed to all of the Series A Limited Partners entitled to such amounts.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.5.A.1 hereof, on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion but subject to the Ownership Limit, elect to acquire some or all of the Tendered Series A Units from the Series A Tendering Party in exchange for Registered REIT Shares. If the General Partner elects to acquire some or all of the Tendered Series A Units pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2, the General Partner shall give written notice thereof to the Series A Tendering Party on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date. If the General Partner elects to acquire any of the Tendered Series A Units for Registered REIT Shares, the General Partner shall issue and deliver such Registered REIT Shares to the Series A Tendering Party pursuant to the terms of this Section 16.5.A.2, in which case (1) the General Partner shall assume directly the obligation with respect thereto and shall satisfy the Series A Tendering Party’s exercise of its Series A

 

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Redemption Right with respect to such Tendered Series A Units and (2) such transaction shall be treated, for Federal income tax purposes, as a transfer by the Series A Tendering Party of such Tendered Series A Units to the General Partner in exchange for the Series A REIT Shares Amount. If the General Partner so elects, on the Specified Series A Redemption Date, the Series A Tendering Party shall sell such number of the Tendered Series A Units to the General Partner in exchange for a number of Registered REIT Shares equal to the product of the Series A REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. The Series A Tendering Party shall submit (i) such information, certification or affidavit as the General Partner may reasonably require in connection with the application of the Ownership Limit to any such acquisition and (ii) such written representations and investment letters as reasonably necessary, in the General Partner’s view, to effect compliance with the Securities Act (including the requirements of any form of registration statement used to issue such Registered REIT Shares). In the event of a purchase of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2, the Series A Tendering Party shall no longer have the right to cause the Partnership to effect a Series A Redemption of such Tendered Series A Units and, upon notice to the Series A Tendering Party by the General Partner, given on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, that the General Partner has elected to acquire some or all of the Tendered Series A Units pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2, the obligation of the Partnership to effect a Series A Redemption of the Tendered Series A Units as to which the General Partner’s notice relates shall not accrue or arise. A number of Registered REIT Shares equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and the Series A REIT Shares Amount, if applicable, shall be delivered by the General Partner as duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Registered REIT Shares and, if applicable, Rights, free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than the Ownership Limit. Apart from the requirement that any REIT Shares issued pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2 must be Registered REIT Shares, neither any Series A Tendering Party whose Tendered Series A Units are acquired by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2, any Partner, any Assignee nor any other interested Person shall have any right to require or cause the General Partner to register, qualify or list any REIT Shares owned or held by such Person, whether or not such REIT Shares are issued pursuant to this Section 16.5.A.2, with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange; provided, however, that this limitation shall not be in derogation of any registration or similar rights granted pursuant to any other written agreement between the General Partner and any such Person. Subject to Section 16.5.A.5 below, but otherwise notwithstanding any other delay in such delivery, the Series A Tendering Party shall be deemed the owner of such REIT Shares and Rights for all purposes, including, without limitation, rights to vote or consent, receive dividends, and exercise rights, as of the Specified Series A Redemption Date.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.5.A.1 and 16.5.A.2 hereof, the Series A Tendering Parties shall have no rights under this Agreement that would otherwise be prohibited by the Ownership Limit. To the extent that any attempted Series A Redemption or acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof would be in violation of this Section 16.5.A.3, it shall be null and void ab initio, and the Series A Tendering Party shall not acquire any rights or economic interests in REIT Shares otherwise issuable by the General Partner under Section 16.5.A.2 hereof or cash otherwise payable under Section 16.5.A.1 hereof.

(4) If the General Partner does not elect to acquire the Tendered Series A Units pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof:

(i) The Partnership may elect to raise funds for the payment of the Series A Cash Amount either (a) by requiring that the General Partner contribute to the Partnership funds from the proceeds of a registered public offering by the General Partner of REIT Shares sufficient to purchase the Tendered Series A Units or (b) from any other sources (including, but not limited to, the sale of any Property and the incurrence of additional Debt) available to the Partnership. Any proceeds from a public offering that are in excess of the Series A Cash Amount shall be for the sole benefit of the General Partner. The General Partner shall make a Capital Contribution of any such amounts to the Partnership for an additional General Partner Interest. Any such contribution shall entitle the General Partner to an equitable Percentage Interest adjustment.

 

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(ii) If the Series A Cash Amount is not paid on or before the Specified Series A Redemption Date, interest shall accrue with respect to the Series A Cash Amount from the day after the Specified Series A Redemption Date to and including the date on which the Series A Cash Amount is paid at a rate equal to the greater of (x) the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate) and (y) the Applicable Rate.

(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.5.A:

(i) If (x) the Board of Directors determines that the filing of a registration statement covering the issuance of Registered REIT Shares or the use of any related prospectus would be materially detrimental to the General Partner because such action would require the disclosure of material information that the General Partner has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or the disclosure of which would materially impede the General Partner’s ability to consummate a significant transaction or (y) as of an applicable Specified Series A Redemption Date a registration statement under the Securities Act is not then effective, then in either case the General Partner shall be entitled to delay the Specified Series A Redemption Date for a period of up to forty-five (45) consecutive days by delivering written notice thereof to the Series A Tendering Party not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the then-applicable Specified Series A Redemption Date; provided, however, that (A) the General Partner shall not be entitled to exercise such right with respect to a particular Qualifying Series A Party more than two (2) times in any twenty-four month period, (B) more than once with respect to any particular Preferred Tendered Units or (C) less than 30 days after a Specified Series A Redemption Date that was delayed in respect of a particular Qualifying Series A Party pursuant to this paragraph.

(ii) If the General Partner is unable to deliver Registered REIT Shares on the Specified Series A Redemption Date (after giving effect to any delay thereto in accordance with the foregoing), then the General Partner shall be required to purchase for cash on the Specified Series A Redemption Date any Tendered Series A Units that it had previously elected to acquire for Registered REIT Shares, such purchase price to be based upon the Series A Cash Amount used in calculating the applicable Series A REIT Shares Amount. If such purchase price is not paid on or before the Specified Redemption Date (after giving effect to any delay thereto in accordance with the foregoing), such purchase price shall accrue interest in a manner consistent with Section 16.5.A.4(ii), mutatis mutandis.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.5.A.2 hereof, the General Partner shall not, under any circumstances, elect to acquire any Tendered Series A Units in exchange for Registered REIT Shares if such exchange would be prohibited under the Charter.

(7) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (but subject to Section 16.5.A.3 hereof), with respect to any Series A Redemption (or any tender of Series A Preferred Units for redemption if the Tendered Series A Units are acquired by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof) pursuant to this Section 16.5:

(i) All Series A Preferred Units acquired by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof shall automatically, and without further action required, be converted into and deemed to be a General Partner Interest comprised of a number of Common Units equal to the number REIT Shares issued in respect of such acquisition.

 

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(ii) Subject to the Ownership Limit, no Series A Tendering Party may effect a Series A Redemption for less than one thousand (1,000) Series A Preferred Units or, if such Series A Tendering Party holds (as a Series A Limited Partner or, economically, as an Assignee) less than one thousand (1,000) Series A Preferred Units, all of the Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Tendering Party, unless, in each case, otherwise agreed to by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

(iii) If (a) a Series A Tendering Party surrenders its Tendered Series A Units during the period after the Partnership Record Date with respect to a distribution and before the record date established by the General Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such Partnership distribution, and (b) the General Partner elects to acquire any of such Tendered Series A Units in exchange for Registered REIT Shares pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2, such Series A Tendering Party shall pay to the General Partner on the Specified Series A Redemption Date an amount in cash equal to the portion of the Partnership distribution in respect of the Tendered Series A Units exchanged for Registered REIT Shares, insofar as such distribution relates to the same period for which such Series A Tendering Party would receive a distribution in respect of such Registered REIT Shares.

(iv) The consummation of such Series A Redemption (or an acquisition of Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof, as the case may be) shall be subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

(v) The Series A Tendering Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Series A Preferred Units subject to any Series A Redemption, and be treated as a Series A Limited Partner or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Series A Preferred Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until such Preferred Units are either paid for by the Partnership pursuant to Section 16.5.A.1 hereof or transferred to the General Partner and paid for, by the issuance of the Registered REIT Shares or otherwise, on the Specified Series A Redemption Date. Until a Specified Series A Redemption Date and an acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof, the Series A Tendering Party shall have no rights as a stockholder of the General Partner with respect to the Registered REIT Shares issuable in connection with such acquisition.

(vi) No fractional Registered REIT Shares shall be issued upon the redemption of any Tendered Series A Units. If the redemption of any Tendered Series A Units otherwise would result in the issuance of a fractional Registered REIT Shares, the General Partner shall pay a cash amount in lieu of issuing such fractional Registered REIT Shares in an amount equal to such fractional interest multiplied by the Value of a REIT Share used in determining the Series A REIT Shares Amount.

(8) In connection with an exercise of redemption rights pursuant to this Section 16.5, except as otherwise agreed by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, the Series A Tendering Party shall submit the following to the General Partner, in addition to the Series A Notice of Redemption:

(i) A written affidavit, dated the same date as the Series A Notice of Redemption, (a) disclosing the actual and constructive ownership, as determined for purposes of Code Sections 856(a)(6) and 856(h), of REIT Shares by (i) such Series A Tendering Party and (ii) to the best of their knowledge any Related Party and (b) representing that, after giving effect to the Series A Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof, neither the Series A Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party will own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit;

 

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(ii) A written representation that neither the Series A Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party has any intention to acquire any additional REIT Shares prior to the closing of the Series A Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof on the Specified Series A Redemption Date; and

(iii) An undertaking to certify, at and as a condition to the closing of (i) the Series A Redemption or (ii) the acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof on the Specified Series A Redemption Date, that either (a) the actual and constructive ownership of REIT Shares by the Series A Tendering Party and to the best of their knowledge any Related Party remain unchanged from that disclosed in the affidavit required by Section 16.5.A(8)(i) or (b) after giving effect to the Series A Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Series A Units by the General Partner pursuant to Section 16.5.A.2 hereof, neither the Series A Tendering Party nor to the best of their knowledge any Related Party shall own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit.

B. Redemption at Partnerships Option. In connection with or after any General Partner Fundamental Change, the Partnership shall have the right, in its sole discretion (the “Partnership Series A Redemption Right”), to redeem all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Units held by any Holder thereof at a redemption price, to be paid in cash, per unit equal to the Series A Cash Amount. The Partnership Series A Redemption Right shall be exercised pursuant to a notice of redemption delivered to the applicable Holder by the General Partner (i) if in connection with a General Partner Fundamental Change, at least five (5) Business Days, but not more than forty-five (45) Business Days, prior to the consummation of the applicable General Partner Fundamental Change or (ii) if after a General Partner Fundamental Change, at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the date set forth in the notice of redemption on which the Partnership will exercise its Partnership Series A Redemption Right. In the case of a notice of redemption delivered in connection with a General Partner Fundamental Change, such notice of redemption may be conditioned on the consummation of such General Partner Fundamental Change; any other exercise of the Partnership Series A Redemption Right shall be irrevocable. Such Preferred Unit Redemption shall occur on the date specified in the notice of redemption, which shall in no event be prior to the consummation of a General Partner Fundamental Change. For the sake of clarity, the General Partner may exercise the Partnership Series A Redemption Right from time to time after the consummation of any General Partner Fundamental Change. The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any amounts paid in redemption of Series A Preferred Units under this Agreement shall be paid out of any Available Cash remaining after any accrued but previously unpaid amounts described in Section 16.3 shall have been distributed to all of the Series A Limited Partners entitled to such amounts.

C. Redemption Generally. Each Series A Limited Partner or other Holder of Series A Preferred Units covenants and agrees with the General Partner that all Partnership Units delivered for redemption shall be delivered to the Partnership free and clear of all liens and, notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the Partnership shall not be under any obligation to acquire Partnership Units which are or may be subject to any liens. Each Series A Limited Partner and other Holder of Series A Preferred Units further agrees that, in the event any state or local property transfer tax is payable as a result of the transfer of its Partnership Units to the Partnership, such Series A Limited Partner or Holder shall assume and pay such transfer tax.

 

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Section 16.6 Conversion.

A. Series A Conversion Right.

(1) After the 3-year anniversary of the date of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, each Qualifying Series A Party shall have the right to convert all or any portion of its Series A Preferred Units to Common Units (a “Series A Conversion”), subject to the terms and provisions of this Section 16.6 (the “Series A Conversion Right”). Upon a Qualifying Series A Party’s election to exercise the Series A Conversion Right, the Series A Preferred Units for which the Series A Conversion Right is exercised shall be converted into a number of Common Units equal to the Series A Conversion Amount. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner may, at its option, elect to pay on the applicable Series A Conversion Date all or any portion of any distributions accrued on the Series A Preferred Units tendered for conversion through the Series A Conversion Date, in which event the Series A Cash Amount used in determining the Series A Conversion Amount shall not include the amount of such distributions.

(2) No fractional Common Units shall be issued upon the conversion of any Series A Preferred Units. If the conversion of any Series A Preferred Units otherwise would result in the issuance of a fractional Common Unit, the General Partner shall pay a cash amount in lieu of issuing such fractional Common Unit in an amount equal to (a) such fractional interest multiplied by (b) the product of (x) the Value of a REIT Share used in determining the Series A Conversion Amount and (y) the Adjustment Factor used in determining the Series A Conversion Amount.

(3) The Series A Converting Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Series A Preferred Units subject to any Series A Conversion, and be treated as a Series A Limited Partner or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Series A Preferred Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until such Series A Preferred Units have been converted into Common Units on the applicable Series A Conversion Date. Until such conversion on such Series A Conversion Date, the Series A Converting Party shall have no rights as a Limited Partner with respect to the Common Units issuable in connection with such conversion.

B. Series A Conversion Right Procedures.

(1) Any Series A Conversion shall be exercised pursuant to a Series A Notice of Conversion delivered to the General Partner by the applicable Qualifying Series A Party (the “Series A Converting Party”).

(2) As promptly as practicable after the receipt of the Series A Notice of Conversion, the General Partner shall issue and shall deliver or cause to be issued and delivered to such Holder (A) a number of Common Units equal to the Series A Conversion Amount, such Common Units to be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with this Agreement and free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than as set forth in this Agreement or under the Securities Act and relevant state securities or “blue sky” laws, (B) payment of accrued distributions through the Series A Conversion Date if the General Partner elects to pay such distributions pursuant to Section 16.6.A.1 and (C) cash for any fractional Common Unit in accordance with Section 16.6.A.2.

(3) Each Series A Conversion shall be deemed to have been made at the close of business on the date that the General Partner receives the Series A Notice of Conversion or, if such date is not a Business Day, the close of business on the next Business Day (the “Series A Conversion Date”), so that the rights of the Holder thereof as to the Series A Preferred Units being converted shall cease except for the right to receive the Common Units and, if applicable, the other items set forth in Section 16.6.B.2, and the Qualifying Series A Party entitled to receive Common Units shall be treated for all purposes as

 

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having become the Holder of those Common Units at that time. If such Holder was a Series A Limited Partner prior to such Series A Conversion, then such Series A Limited Partner shall thereafter be a Limited Partner in respect of such Common Units. If such Holder was an Assignee prior to such Series A Conversion, then such Assignee shall thereafter be an Assignee in respect of such Common Units.

(4) No Series A Converting Party may effect a Series A Conversion for less than one thousand (1,000) Series A Preferred Units or, if such Series A Converting Party holds (as a Series A Limited Partner or, economically, as an Assignee) less than one thousand (1,000) Series A Preferred Units, all of the Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Converting Party, unless, in each case, otherwise agreed to by the General Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

C. Effect of Business Combinations.

(1) In the case of any (i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of outstanding Common Units (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination), (ii) a consolidation, merger or combination involving the Partnership, (iii) a sale, conveyance or lease to another corporation or entity of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s property and assets (other than to one or more of the General Partner’s subsidiaries) or (iv) an exchange of substantially all Common Units for securities of another entity (each of the foregoing, a “Business Combination”), in each case, as a result of which Holders of Common Units are entitled to receive securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) with respect to or in exchange for Common Units, a Qualifying Series A Party shall be entitled thereafter to convert its Series A Preferred Units into the kind and amount of securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) which the Qualifying Series A Party would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such Business Combination as if such Qualifying Series A Party had converted its Series A Preferred Units immediately prior to the consummation thereof. In the event that Holders of Common Units have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in such Business Combination, the General Partner shall make adequate provision whereby each Holder of Series A Preferred Units shall have a reasonable opportunity to determine the form of consideration into which all of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Units shall be convertible from and after the effective date of such Business Combination.

(2) The General Partner shall provide notice of the opportunity to determine the form of such consideration by posting such notice to the General Partner’s transfer agent. If the effective date of a Business Combination is delayed beyond the initially anticipated effective date, the Holders of Series A Preferred Units shall be given the opportunity to make subsequent similar determinations in regard to such delayed effective date. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Qualifying Series A Party to convert its Series A Preferred Units into Common Units prior to the effective date of such Business Combination.

Section 16.7 Voting Rights.

A. General. Except as required by any non-waivable provision of the law of the State of Maryland or as expressly set forth Sections 7.3.B, 7.3.D, 13.1.A, 14.2, 15.7.B and this Section 16.7, the Series A Limited Partners shall have no voting rights whatsoever on any matter relating to the Partnership, whether under the Act, at law, in equity or otherwise, and the Consent of the Series A Limited Partners shall not be required for the taking of any action by the Partnership or the General Partner, regardless of the effect that such action may have upon the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Preferred Units.

 

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B. Additional Consent Rights. So long as any Series A Preferred Units remain outstanding, the Consent of the Series A Limited Partners will be required to:

(1) Authorize, designate or issue any class or series of Partnership Interests ranking pari passu with or senior to the Series A Preferred Units with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Partnership;

(2) Increase the authorized or issued amount of Series A Preferred Units;

(3) Amend, alter or repeal the provisions of this Article 16, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets or otherwise (an “Event”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference or privilege of the Series A Preferred Units; provided, however, that, with respect to any Event (and subject to clause (4) immediately below, if applicable), so long as the Series A Preferred Units remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event, the Partnership may not be the surviving entity and the surviving entity may not be a limited partnership, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences or privileges of Series A Preferred Units, and in such case no Consent of the Series A Limited Partners shall be required with respect to the occurrence of any such Event; or

(4) Effect any General Partner Fundamental Change, provided, however, that, with respect to any General Partner Fundamental Change (and subject to clause (3) immediately above, if applicable), so long as the provisions of Section 16.8, or substantially identical provisions thereto set forth in the organizational documents of any Surviving Partnership, shall be effective after the consummation of such General Partner Fundamental Change, no Consent of the Series A Limited Partners shall be required with respect to such General Partner Fundamental Change.

Section 16.8 Provisions Effective After General Partner Fundamental Change.

The following provisions shall become effective only upon consummation of a General Partner Fundamental Change, and then only and for so long as any Series A Preferred Units shall remain outstanding:

A. Minimum Tax Distributions. From and after the date a General Partner Fundamental Change is consummated, if the amount distributed to each Series A Limited Partner pursuant to Section 5.1 and Section 16.3 with respect to any Partnership Year is less than an amount equal to (i) the amount of taxable income allocated to such Series A Limited Partner pursuant to Article 6 multiplied by (ii) 40%, then the Partnership shall make distributions not later than the Series A Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date in March of the year following the Partnership Year to which such distributions relate in an amount equal to the product of clause (i) and (ii) above reduced by the aggregate amount of distributions made to such Series A Limited Partner under Section 5.1 and Section 16.3 with respect to such Partnership Year. Distributions required by this Section 16.8.A shall be made without regard to the availability of Available Cash. If the Partnership does not have sufficient Available Cash to fund the distribution required by this Section 16.8.A, the General Partner shall, subject to the other limitations of this Agreement, take such action as may be necessary to create sufficient funds to permit such distribution. Any distributions made pursuant to this Section 16.8.A shall be treated as having been made by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.1 and Section 16.3 for all purposes hereunder.

 

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B. Minimum Equity Requirement. From and after the date a General Partner Fundamental Change is consummated, so long as any Series A Preferred Units are thereafter outstanding, at any time and from time to time, the General Partner, in its capacity as general partner and/or as a limited partner of the Partnership, and its Affiliates shall own an aggregate of at least 33% of the equity in the Partnership through the ownership of Junior Units (the “Equity Requirement”), with the equity in the Partnership being valued based on the excess of the Gross Asset Value over Indebtedness and taking into account the Series A Preference as equity. If any Series A Preferred Unit owned by a Qualifying Series A Party is redeemed pursuant to Section 16.5, the General Partner will have the right to reduce its ownership of the equity in the Partnership to a minimum of 33% of such equity based upon the criteria set forth in the preceding sentence after such redemption, by making distributions (in cash or in-kind) to redeem a portion of its Junior Units, so long as such distributions are in compliance with Section 5.1 and Section 16.3 and the first sentence of this Section 16.8.B.

C. Leverage Restrictions. From and after the date a General Partner Fundamental Change is consummated, so long as any Series A Preferred Units are thereafter outstanding:

(1) The Partnership shall not incur additional Indebtedness if its Leverage Ratio exceeds 50% (the “50% Leverage Ratio”).

(2) The Partnership’s Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 60% at any time; provided, however, that if the Partnership’s Leverage Ratio exceeds 60%, it shall have a period of 180 days to cause its Leverage Ratio to fall below 60%.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in the event of any redemption or conversion of any Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Sections 16.5 or 16.6 of this Agreement, whether such redemption or conversion occurs before or after the consummation of the General Partner Fundamental Change pursuant to which this Section 16.8.C becomes effective, the Partnership shall have the right to increase its Indebtedness by an amount equal to the amount by which the aggregate Series A Preference has been reduced relative to the amount thereof as of the original issuance date of the Series A Preferred Units, so long as the Adjusted Leverage Ratio does not, as a result of such incurrence of Indebtedness, exceed 83%, and (ii) the Partnership shall have the right to increase its Indebtedness above the 50% Leverage Ratio to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to satisfy the Partnership’s obligations to provide opportunities to Series A Limited Partners to guaranty Partnership Indebtedness or otherwise provide debt protection pursuant to agreements between the Partnership and the various Series A Limited Partners (but only if such obligation is not able to be satisfied through guaranties of the Partnership’s Indebtedness that would not require the Partnership to increase its Indebtedness above the amount that would violate the 50% Leverage Ratio).

(4) As used in this Article 16, (i) “Leverage Ratio” means the ratio of the sum of the total Indebtedness of the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries to the Partnership’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ Gross Asset Value, (ii) “Adjusted Leverage Ratio” means the ratio of (x) the sum of the total Indebtedness of the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries plus the Series A Preference with respect to all of the then-outstanding Series A Preferred Units to (y) the Partnership’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ Gross Asset Value, and (iii) “Maximum Leverage Restriction” means the restrictions on the Partnership’s Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Leverage Ratio set forth in this Section 16.8.C.

D. Certain Remedies For Violations by the General Partner. If the Partnership is in violation of the Maximum Leverage Restriction following the cure period set forth in Section 16.8.C.3 above, or the General Partner is in violation of the Equity Requirement, Series A Limited Partners holding at least 10% of the then-outstanding

 

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Series A Preferred Units shall have the right to demand specific performance, including the right to demand the contribution of additional equity to the Partnership by the General Partner. No amounts may be distributed to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates pursuant to Section 5.1 and Section 16.3 during any period in which the General Partner is in violation of the Equity Requirement.

E. Provision of Certain Financial Information. From and after the date a General Partner Fundamental Change is consummated, so long as any Series A Preferred Units are thereafter outstanding, the Partnership shall provide quarterly unaudited financial statements and annual audited financial statements prepared by a nationally recognized independent accounting firm to the Series A Limited Partners which shall be in such detail as to allow the Series A Limited Partners to determine compliance with the Equity Requirement and the Maximum Leverage Restriction. The Partnership shall arrange for a nationally recognized independent accounting firm to compile financial data necessary to support compliance with the Equity Requirement and the Maximum Leverage Restriction and shall include the results of such accounting firm’s review in the annual financial reports delivered to the Series A Limited Partners. Additionally, the General Partner will certify to the Series A Limited Partners on a quarterly basis that it is in compliance with the Equity Requirement and that the Partnership is not in violation of the Maximum Leverage Restriction.

F. Termination. This Section 16.8 shall terminate immediately after such time as no Series A Preferred Units shall remain outstanding. Upon any such termination, this Section 16.8 shall be null, void and shall not affect in any way whatsoever the business or operations of the Partnership, the interpretation of this Agreement or the rights or obligations of any Person.

Section 16.9 Amendments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all or any portion of this Article 16 may be amended with the Consent of the Series A Limited Partners and without the consent or approval of any other Partners.

Section 16.10 Exclusion of Other Rights. The Series A Limited Partners shall have no preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, rights or limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and any agreement or side letter entered into by the Partnership and any direct or indirect owner of the General Partner relating to the rights of the Series A Limited Partners on or after the date hereof, including, without limitation, any preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, rights or limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption provided to the Common Limited Partners and not expressly provided to the Series A Limited Partners.

ARTICLE 17

SERIES C PREFERRED UNITS

Section 17.1 Designation and Number.

A series of Partnership Units in the Partnership designated as the “4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series C Preferred Units”) is hereby established. The number of Series C Preferred Units shall be 18,400,000.

 

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Section 17.2 Distributions.

A. Payment of Distributions. Subject to the rights of Holders of Series A Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions, pursuant to Section 5.1, the General Partner, as holder of the Series C Preferred Units, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the General Partner, out of Available Cash, cumulative cash distributions in an amount equal to the aggregate Series C Priority Return attributable to such Series C Preferred Units in accordance with this Article 17. Such distributions shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the first date on which any Series C Preferred Units are issued or, if later, the most recent Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date (as defined below) to which distributions have been paid in full (or declared and the corresponding Series C Distribution Record Date has passed), and shall be payable (i) quarterly in arrears, on the last calendar day of March, June, September and December, of each year commencing on or about March 31, 2022, and, (ii) in the event of a redemption of any Series C Preferred Unit, on the redemption date thereof (each a “Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date”); provided, however, if any Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the distribution which would otherwise have been payable on such Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date may be paid, at the General Partner’s option, on either the immediately preceding Business Day or the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if paid on such Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date, and no interest or additional dividends or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day; provided, further, that no holder of the Series C Preferred shall be entitled to receive any distributions paid or payable on the Series C Preferred Units with a Series C Distribution Record Date before the date such units of Series C Preferred Units are issued, and no such distributions shall accrue in respect of such units.

B. Distributions Cumulative. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, distributions on the Series C Preferred Units shall accrue whether or not the terms and provisions set forth in Section 17.2.C at any time prohibit the current payment of distributions, whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and whether or not such distributions are authorized or declared.

C. Priority as to Distributions.

(1) Except as provided in Sections 17.2.C(2) and 17.2.E below, no distributions shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to any Series C Parity Preferred Unit or Series C Junior Unit as to distributions for any period, nor shall any Series C Junior Units or Series C Parity Preferred Units be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of such units, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect thereto by the Partnership, unless full cumulative distributions on the Series C Preferred Units for all past distribution periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment.

 

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(2) Except as provided in Sections 17.2.E below, when distributions are not paid in full (or declared and a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series C Preferred Units and any other Series C Parity Preferred Units as to distributions, all distributions declared upon the Series C Preferred Units and such other classes or series of Series C Parity Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the redemption of units of any such class or series) shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series C Preferred Unit and each Series C Parity Preferred Unit of such other class or series shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued distributions per Series C Preferred Unit and per Series C Parity Preferred Unit of such other class or series (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid distributions on such other class or series of Series C Parity Preferred Units for prior distribution periods if such other class or series of Series C Parity Preferred Unit does not have a cumulative distribution) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Units which may be in arrears.

D. No Further Rights. The General Partner, in its capacity as holder of the Series C Preferred Units, shall not be entitled to any distributions, whether payable in cash, other property or otherwise, in excess of the full cumulative distributions on the Series C Preferred Units as provided herein. Any distribution payment made on the Series C Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such Series C Preferred Units which remains payable. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series C Preferred Units will accrue as of the Series C Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date on which they first become payable.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 17.2.C and regardless of whether distributions are paid in full (or declared and a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series C Preferred Units or Series C Parity Preferred Units, as to distributions, for any or all distribution periods, the Partnership shall not be prohibited or limited from (i) paying distributions on any Partnership Units in Series C Junior Units, (ii) converting or exchanging any Partnership Units for Series C Junior Units, (iii) redeeming any Partnership Units in connection with the acquisition of REIT Shares or Capital Shares pursuant to the provisions of Article VI of the Charter or Sections 5 and 9 of the Series C Articles Supplementary, or any comparable provision of the Charter relating to any Capital Shares hereinafter classified and designated, or otherwise in order to ensure that the General Partner remains qualified as a REIT, (iv) purchasing or exchanging Series C Preferred Units or Series C Parity Preferred Units in connection with the acquisition by the General Partner of any REIT Series C Preferred Shares or Capital Shares ranking on parity with the REIT Series C Preferred Shares as to dividends and the distribution of assets upon the General Partner’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding REIT Series C Preferred Shares and all such Capital Shares, provided that such redemption or exchange shall comply with the requirements of Section 4.7.B, (v) redeeming, purchasing or acquiring Common Units, LTIP Units, Performance Units or other Series C Junior Units for purposes of and in compliance with the requirements of an employee incentive or benefit plan of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries (including any stock option plans) or in connection with the acquisition by the General Partner of any REIT Shares or other Capital Shares for purposes of and in compliance with the requirements of any such plan, provided that such redemption, purchase or acquisition shall comply with the requirements of Section 4.7.3, or (vi) redeeming Series C Preferred Units pursuant to Section 17.4 below.

 

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Section 17.3 Liquidation Proceeds

A. Distributions. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Partnership, distributions on the Series C Preferred Units shall be made in accordance with Article 13.

B. Notice. Written notice of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by the General Partner pursuant to Section 13.5.

C. No Further Rights. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which it is entitled, the General Partner, as holder of the Series C Preferred Units, will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Partnership.

D. Consolidation, Merger or Certain Other Transactions. The voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property or assets of the Partnership to, or the consolidation or merger or other business combination of the Partnership with or into, any corporation, trust or other entity (or of any corporation, trust or other entity with or into the Partnership) shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Partnership.

Section 17.4 Redemption

If the General Partner elects to redeem any of the REIT Series C Preferred Shares in accordance with the terms of the Series C Articles Supplementary, the Partnership shall, on the date set for redemption of such REIT Series C Preferred Shares, redeem the number of Series C Preferred Units equal to the number of REIT Series C Preferred Shares for which the General Partner has given notice of redemption pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6, as applicable, of the Series C Articles Supplementary, at a redemption price, payable in cash, equal to the product of (i) the number of Series C Preferred Units being redeemed, and (ii) an amount equal to the sum of $25 plus all accrued and unpaid distributions per Series C Preferred Unit up to but not including the date fixed for redemption, all in accordance with Section 4.7.B.

Section 17.5 Ranking

The Series C Preferred Units shall, with respect to distribution rights or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership, rank (i) senior to the Common Units and to all other Partnership Units, now or hereafter issued and outstanding, the terms of which provide that such Partnership Units shall rank junior to the Series C Preferred Units as to distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Partnership; (ii) on a parity with all Series C Parity Preferred Units; and (iii) junior to the Series A Preferred Units and any other class or series of Partnership Units the terms of which specifically provide that such Partnership Units shall rank senior to the Series C Preferred Units as to distributions or rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Partnership.

Section 17.6 Voting Rights

The General Partner shall not have any voting or consent rights in respect of its partnership interest represented by the Series C Preferred Units.

 

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Section 17.7 Transfer Restrictions

The Series C Preferred Units shall not be transferable except in accordance with Section 11.2.

Section 17.8 Conversion

In the event of a conversion of REIT Series C Preferred Shares into REIT Shares at the option of the holders of REIT Series C Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms of the Series C Articles Supplementary, then, upon conversion of such REIT Series C Preferred Shares, an equal whole number of Series C Preferred Units shall be converted into Partnership Common Units in accordance with Section 4.7.A. In the event of a conversion of REIT Series C Preferred Shares into REIT Shares, (a) to the extent the General Partner is required to pay cash in lieu of fractional REIT Shares pursuant to the Series C Articles Supplementary in connection with such conversion, the Partnership shall distribute an equal amount of cash to the General Partner and (b) to the extent the General Partner receives cash proceeds in addition to the REIT Series C Preferred Shares tendered for conversion, the General Partner shall contribute such proceeds to the Partnership.

Section 17.9 No Sinking Fund

No sinking fund shall be established for the retirement or redemption of Series C Preferred Units.

ARTICLE 18

LTIP UNITS

Section 18.1 Designation.

A class of Partnership Units in the Partnership designated as the “LTIP Units” is hereby established. The number of LTIP Units that may be issued is not limited by this Agreement.

Section 18.2 Vesting.

A. Vesting, Generally. LTIP Units may, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on Transfer pursuant to the terms of the applicable LTIP Unit Agreement. The terms of any LTIP Unit Agreement may be modified by the General Partner from time to time in its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant LTIP Unit Agreement or by the Plans or any other applicable Equity Plan. LTIP Units that were fully vested and nonforfeitable when issued or that have vested and are no longer subject to forfeiture under the terms of an LTIP Unit Agreement are referred to as “Vested LTIP Units”; all other LTIP Units are referred to as “Unvested LTIP Units.”

B. Forfeiture. Upon the forfeiture of any LTIP Units in accordance with the applicable LTIP Unit Agreement (including any forfeiture effected through repurchase), the LTIP Units so forfeited (or repurchased) shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable LTIP Unit Agreement, no consideration or other payment shall be due with respect to any LTIP Units that have been forfeited, other than any distributions declared with respect to a Partnership Record Date and with respect to such units prior to the effective date of the forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (including without limitation Section 6.3.A(ix)), the Plans (or other applicable Equity Plan) and the applicable LTIP Unit Agreement, in connection with any forfeiture (or repurchase) of such units, the balance of the portion of the Capital Account of the Holder of LTIP Units that is attributable to all of his or her LTIP Units shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which it exceeds the target balance contemplated by Section 6.2.F, calculated with respect to such Holder’s remaining LTIP Units, if any.

 

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Section 18.3 Adjustments. The Partnership shall maintain at all times a one-to-one correspondence between LTIP Units and Common Units for conversion, distribution and other purposes, including without limitation complying with the following procedures; provided, that the foregoing is not intended to alter any of (a) the special allocations pursuant to Section 6.2.F hereof, (b) differences between distributions to be made with respect to LTIP Units and Common Units pursuant to Section 13.2 and Section 18.4.B hereof in the event that the Capital Accounts attributable to the LTIP Units are less than those attributable to Common Units due to insufficient special allocation pursuant to Section 6.2.F or (c) any related provisions. If an Adjustment Event occurs, then the General Partner shall take any action reasonably necessary, including any amendment to this Agreement, Exhibit A and/or any LTIP Unit Agreement, adjusting the number of outstanding LTIP Units or subdividing or combining outstanding LTIP Units, in any case, to maintain a one-for-one conversion and economic equivalence ratio between Common Units and LTIP Units. The following shall be “Adjustment Events”: (i) the Partnership makes a distribution on all outstanding Common Units in Partnership Units, (ii) the Partnership subdivides the outstanding Common Units into a greater number of units or combines the outstanding Common Units into a smaller number of units, (iii) the Partnership issues any Partnership Units in exchange for its outstanding Common Units by way of a reclassification or recapitalization of its Common Units or (iv) any other non-recurring event or transaction that would, as determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion, have the similar effect of unjustly diluting or expanding the rights conferred by outstanding LTIP Units or Performance Units. If more than one Adjustment Event occurs, any adjustment to the LTIP Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every Adjustment Event as if all Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously. For the avoidance of doubt, the following shall not be Adjustment Events: (x) the issuance of Partnership Units in a financing, reorganization, acquisition or other similar business transaction, (y) the issuance of Partnership Units pursuant to any employee benefit or compensation plan or distribution reinvestment plan, or (z) the issuance of any Partnership Units to the General Partner in respect of a Capital Contribution to the Partnership of proceeds from the sale of securities by the General Partner. If the Partnership takes an action affecting the Common Units other than actions specifically described above as “Adjustment Events” and in the opinion of the General Partner such action would require an action to maintain the one-to-one correspondence described above, the General Partner shall have the right to take such action, to the extent permitted by law, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances to preserve the one-to-one correspondence described above. If an amendment is made to this Agreement adjusting the number of outstanding LTIP Units as herein provided, the Partnership shall promptly file in the books and records of the Partnership an officer’s certificate setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error. Promptly after filing of such certificate, the Partnership shall mail a notice to each Holder of LTIP Units setting forth the adjustment to his or her LTIP Units and the effective date of such adjustment.

Section 18.4 Distributions.

A. Operating Distributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any LTIP Unit Agreement or by the General Partner with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, Holders of LTIP Units shall be entitled to receive, if, when and as authorized by the General Partner out of funds or other property legally available for the payment of distributions, regular, special, extraordinary or other distributions (other than distributions upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event or proceeds from a Terminating Capital Transaction) which may be made from time to time, in an amount per unit equal to the amount of any such distributions that would have been payable to such holders if the LTIP Units had been Common Units (if applicable, assuming such LTIP Units were held for the entire period to which such distributions relate).

 

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B. Liquidating Distributions. Holders of LTIP Units shall also be entitled to receive, if, when and as authorized by the General Partner out of funds or other property legally available for the payment of distributions, distributions upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event or representing proceeds from a Terminating Capital Transaction in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to the amount of any such distributions payable on one Common Unit, whether made prior to, on or after the LTIP Unit Distribution Payment Date, provided that the amount of such distributions shall not exceed the positive balances of the Capital Accounts of the holders of such LTIP Units to the extent attributable to the ownership of such LTIP Units.

C. Distributions Generally. Distributions on the LTIP Units, if authorized, shall be payable on such dates and in such manner as may be authorized by the General Partner (any such date, an “LTIP Unit Distribution Payment Date”). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the LTIP Unit Distribution Payment Date shall be the same as the corresponding date relating to the corresponding distribution on the Common Units. The record date for determining which Holders of LTIP Units are entitled to receive distributions shall be the Partnership Record Date.

Section 18.5 Allocations. Holders of LTIP Units shall be allocated Net Income and Net Loss in amounts per LTIP Unit equal to the amounts allocated per Common Unit. The allocations provided by the preceding sentence shall be subject to Sections 6.2.B and 6.2.C and in addition to any special allocations required by Section 6.2.F. The General Partner is authorized in its discretion to delay or accelerate the participation of the LTIP Units in allocations of Net Income and Net Loss under this Section 18.5, or to adjust the allocations made under this Section 18.5, so that the ratio of (i) the total amount of Net Income or Net Loss allocated with respect to each LTIP Unit in the taxable year in which that LTIP Unit’s LTIP Unit Distribution Payment Date falls (excluding special allocations under Section 6.2.F), to (ii) the total amount distributed to that LTIP Unit with respect to such period, is more nearly equal to the ratio of (i) the Net Income and Net Loss allocated with respect to the General Partner’s Common Units in such taxable year to (ii) the amounts distributed to the General Partner with respect to such Common Units and such taxable year.

Section 18.6 Transfers. Subject to the terms and limitations contained in an applicable LTIP Unit Agreement and the Plans (or any other applicable Equity Plan), and except as expressly provided in this Agreement with respect to LTIP Units, a Holder of LTIP Units shall be entitled to transfer his or her LTIP Units to the same extent, and subject to the same restrictions as Holders of Common Units are entitled to transfer their Common Units pursuant to Article 11.

Section 18.7 Redemption. The Redemption Right provided to Qualifying Parties under Section 15.1 shall not apply with respect to LTIP Units unless and until they are converted to Common Units as provided in Section 18.9 below.

Section 18.8 Legend. Any certificate evidencing an LTIP Unit shall bear an appropriate legend, as determined by the General Partner, indicating that additional terms, conditions and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation under any LTIP Unit Agreement and the Plans (or any other applicable Equity Plan), apply to the LTIP Unit.

 

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Section 18.9 Conversion to Common Units.

A. A Qualifying Party holding LTIP Units shall have the right (the “Conversion Right”), at his or her option, at any time to convert all or a portion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Common Units, taking into account all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 18.3; provided, however, that a Qualifying Party may not exercise the Conversion Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units or, if such Qualifying Party holds less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units, all of the Vested LTIP Units held by such Qualifying Party to the extent not subject to the limitation on conversion under Section 18.9.B below. Qualifying Parties shall not have the right to convert Unvested LTIP Units into Common Units until they become Vested LTIP Units; provided, however, that in anticipation of any event that will cause his or her Unvested LTIP Units to become Vested LTIP Units (and subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 18.9.B below), such Qualifying Party may give the Partnership a Conversion Notice conditioned upon and effective as of the time of vesting and such Conversion Notice, unless subsequently revoked by the Qualifying Party in writing prior to such vesting event, shall be accepted by the Partnership subject to such condition. In all cases, the conversion of any LTIP Units into Common Units shall be subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 18.9.

B. A Qualifying Party may convert his or her Vested LTIP Units into an equal number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 18.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Qualifying Party convert a number of Vested LTIP Units that exceeds the Capital Account Limitation. In order to exercise his or her Conversion Right, a Qualifying Party shall deliver a notice (a “Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit F to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) not less than 3 nor more than 10 days prior to a date (the “Conversion Date”) specified in such Conversion Notice; provided, however, that if the General Partner has not given to the Qualifying Party notice of a proposed or upcoming Transaction (as defined below) at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such Transaction, then the Qualifying Party shall have the right to deliver a Conversion Notice until the earlier of (x) the tenth (10th) day after such notice from the General Partner of a Transaction or (y) the third (3rd) Business Day immediately preceding the effective date of such Transaction. A Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2. Each Qualifying Party seeking to convert Vested LTIP Units covenants and agrees with the Partnership that all Vested LTIP Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 18.9 shall be free and clear of all liens. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Initial Holding Period with respect to the Common Units into which the Vested LTIP Units are convertible has elapsed, a Qualifying Party may deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1.A relating to such Common Units in advance of the Conversion Date; provided, however, that the redemption of such Common Units by the Partnership shall in no event take place until on or after the Conversion Date. For clarity, it is noted that the objective of this paragraph is to put a Qualifying Party in a position where, if he or she so wishes, the Common Units into which his or her Vested LTIP Units will be converted can be redeemed by the Partnership pursuant to Section 15.1.A simultaneously with such conversion, with the further consequence that, if the General Partner elects to assume the Partnership’s redemption obligation with respect to such Partnership Units under Section 15.1.B by delivering to such Qualifying Party REIT Shares rather than cash, then such Qualifying Party can have such REIT Shares issued to him or her simultaneously with the conversion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Common Units. The General Partner shall cooperate with a Qualifying Party to coordinate the timing of the different events described in the foregoing sentence.

 

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C. The Partnership, at any time at the election of the General Partner, may cause any number of Vested LTIP Units to be converted (a “Forced Conversion”) into an equal number of Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 18.3; provided, however, that the Partnership may not cause a Forced Conversion of any LTIP Units that would not at the time be eligible for conversion at the option of such Qualifying Party pursuant to Section 18.9.B. In order to exercise its right of Forced Conversion, the Partnership shall deliver a notice (a “Forced Conversion Notice”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G to the applicable Holder of LTIP Units not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Forced Conversion Notice. A Forced Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2.

D. A conversion of Vested LTIP Units for which the Holder thereof has given a Conversion Notice or the Partnership has given a Forced Conversion Notice shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date without any action on the part of such Holder of LTIP Units, other than the surrender of any certificate or certificates evidencing such Vested LTIP Units, as of which time such Holder of LTIP Units shall be credited on the books and records of the Partnership as of the opening of business on the next day with the number of Common Units into which such LTIP Units were converted. After the conversion of LTIP Units as aforesaid, the Partnership shall deliver to such Holder of LTIP Units, upon his or her written request, a certificate of the General Partner certifying the number of Common Units and remaining LTIP Units, if any, held by such person immediately after such conversion. The Assignee of any Limited Partner pursuant to Article 11 hereof may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 18.9 and such Limited Partner shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by the Assignee.

E. For purposes of making future allocations under Section 6.2.F and applying the Capital Account Limitation, the portion of the Economic Capital Account Balance of the applicable Holder of LTIP Units that is treated as attributable to his or her LTIP Units shall be reduced, as of the date of conversion, by the product of the number of LTIP Units converted and the Common Unit Economic Balance.

F. If the Partnership or the General Partner shall be a party to any transaction (including without limitation a merger, consolidation, unit exchange, self-tender offer for all or substantially all Common Units or other business combination or reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, but excluding any transaction which constitutes an Adjustment Event) in each case as a result of which Common Units shall be exchanged for or converted into the right, or the Holders shall otherwise be entitled, to receive cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof (each of the foregoing being referred to herein as a “Transaction”), then the General Partner shall, immediately prior to the Transaction, exercise its right to cause a Forced Conversion with respect to the maximum number of LTIP Units then eligible for conversion, taking into account any allocations that occur in connection with the Transaction or that would occur in connection with the Transaction if the assets of the Partnership were sold at the Transaction price or, if applicable, at a value determined by the General Partner in good faith using the value attributed to the Common Units in the context of the Transaction (in which case the Conversion Date shall be the effective date of the Transaction and the conversion shall occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Transaction). In anticipation of such Forced Conversion and the consummation of the Transaction, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Holder of LTIP Units to be afforded the right to receive in connection with such Transaction in consideration for the Common Units into which his or her LTIP Units will be converted the same kind

 

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and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Transaction by a Holder of the same number of Common Units, assuming such Holder is not a Person with which the Partnership consolidated or into which the Partnership merged or which merged into the Partnership or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (a “Constituent Person”), or an affiliate of a Constituent Person. In the event that Holders of Common Units have the opportunity to elect the form or type of consideration to be received upon consummation of the Transaction, prior to such Transaction the General Partner shall give prompt written notice to each Holder of LTIP Units of such opportunity, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the Holder of LTIP Units the right to elect, by written notice to the General Partner, the form or type of consideration to be received upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by such Holder into Common Units in connection with such Transaction. If a Holder of LTIP Units fails to make such an election, such Holder (and any of its transferees) shall receive upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by him or her (or by any of his or her transferees) the same kind and amount of consideration that a Holder of Common Units would receive if such Holder of Common Units failed to make such an election.

Section 18.10 Voting. LTIP Limited Partners shall have the same voting rights as Limited Partners holding Common Units, with the LTIP Units and Performance Units voting together as a single class with the Common Units and having one vote per LTIP Unit and Holders of LTIP Units shall not be entitled to approve, vote on or consent to any other matter. The foregoing voting provision will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the action with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding LTIP Units shall have been converted or provision is made for such conversion to occur as of or prior to such time into Common Units.

Section 18.11 Section 83 Safe Harbor. Each Partner authorizes the General Partner to elect to apply the safe harbor (the “Section 83 Safe Harbor”) set forth in proposed Regulations Section 1.83-3(l) and proposed IRS Revenue Procedure published in Notice 2005-43 (together, the “Proposed Section 83 Safe Harbor Regulation”) (under which the fair market value of a Partnership Interest that is Transferred in connection with the performance of services is treated as being equal to the liquidation value of the interest), or in similar Regulations or guidance, if such Proposed Section 83 Safe Harbor Regulation or similar Regulations are promulgated as final or temporary Regulations. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership should make such election, the General Partner is hereby authorized to amend this Agreement without the consent of any other Partner to provide that (i) the Partnership is authorized and directed to elect the Section 83 Safe Harbor, (ii) the Partnership and each of its Partners (including any Person to whom a Partnership Interest, including an LTIP Unit or Performance Unit, is Transferred in connection with the performance of services) will comply with all requirements of the Section 83 Safe Harbor with respect to all Partnership Interests Transferred in connection with the performance of services while such election remains in effect and (iii) the Partnership and each of its Partners will take all actions necessary, including providing the Partnership with any required information, to permit the Partnership to comply with the requirements set forth or referred to in the applicable Regulations for such election to be effective until such time (if any) as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, that the Partnership should terminate such election. The General Partner is further authorized to amend this Agreement to modify Article 6 to the extent the General Partner determines in its discretion that such modification is necessary or desirable as a result of the issuance of any applicable law, Regulations, notice or ruling relating to the tax treatment of the transfer of a Partnership Interests in connection with the performance of services. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Partner expressly confirms that it will be legally bound by any such amendment.

 

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ARTICLE 19

PERFORMANCE UNITS

Section 19.1 Designation.

A class of Partnership Units in the Partnership designated as the “Performance Units” is hereby established. The number of Performance Units that may be issued is not limited by this Agreement.

Section 19.2 Vesting.

A. Vesting, Generally. Performance Units may, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on Transfer pursuant to the terms of the applicable Performance Unit Agreement. The terms of any Performance Unit Agreement may be modified by the General Partner from time to time in its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant Performance Unit Agreement or by the Plan or any other applicable Equity Plan. Performance Units that were fully vested and nonforfeitable when issued or that have vested and are no longer subject to forfeiture under the terms of a Performance Unit Agreement are referred to as “Vested Performance Units”; all other Performance Units are referred to as “Unvested Performance Units.”

B. Forfeiture. Upon the forfeiture of any Performance Units in accordance with the applicable Performance Unit Agreement (including any forfeiture effected through repurchase), the Performance Units so forfeited (or repurchased) shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Performance Unit Agreement, no consideration or other payment shall be due with respect to any Performance Units that have been forfeited, other than any distributions declared with respect to a Partnership Record Date and with respect to such units prior to the effective date of the forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (including without limitation Section 6.3.A(ix)), the Plans (or other applicable Equity Plan) and the applicable Performance Unit Agreement, in connection with any repurchase or forfeiture of such units, the balance of the portion of the Capital Account of the Holder of Performance Units that is attributable to all of his or her Performance Units shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which it exceeds the target balance contemplated by Section 6.2.F, calculated with respect to such Holder’s remaining Performance Units, if any.

Section 19.3 Adjustments. The Partnership shall maintain at all times a one-to-one correspondence between Performance Units and Common Units for conversion, distribution and other purposes, including without limitation complying with the following procedures; provided, that the foregoing is not intended to alter any of (a) the special allocations pursuant to Section 6.2.F hereof, (b) differences between distributions to be made with respect to Performance Units and Common Units pursuant to Section 13.2, Section 19.4.A and Section 19.4.B hereof in the event that the Capital Accounts attributable to the Performance Units are less than those attributable to Common Units due to insufficient special allocation pursuant to Section 6.2.F or (c) any related provisions. If an Adjustment Event (as defined in Section 18.3, taking into account events that are not considered Adjustment Events thereunder) occurs, then the General Partner shall take any action reasonably necessary, including any amendment to this Agreement, Exhibit A and/or any Performance Unit Agreement, adjusting the number of outstanding Performance Units or subdividing or combining outstanding Performance Units, in any case, to maintain a one-for-one conversion and economic equivalence ratio between Common Units and Performance Units. If more than one Adjustment Event

 

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occurs, any adjustment to the Performance Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every Adjustment Event as if all Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously. If the Partnership takes an action affecting the Common Units other than actions specifically described in Section 18.3 as Adjustment Events and in the opinion of the General Partner such action would require an action to maintain the one-to-one correspondence described above, the General Partner shall have the right to take such action, to the extent permitted by law, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances to preserve the one-to-one correspondence described above. If an amendment is made to this Agreement adjusting the number of outstanding Performance Units as herein provided, the Partnership shall promptly file in the books and records of the Partnership an officer’s certificate setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error. Promptly after filing of such certificate, the Partnership shall mail a notice to each Holder of Performance Units setting forth the adjustment to his or her Performance Units and the effective date of such adjustment.

Section 19.4 Distributions.

A. Operating Distributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any Performance Unit Agreement or by the General Partner with respect to any particular class or series of Performance Units, Holders of Performance Units shall be entitled to receive, if, when and as authorized by the General Partner out of funds or other property legally available for the payment of distributions, regular, special, extraordinary or other distributions (other than distributions upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event or proceeds from a Terminating Capital Transaction) which may be made from time to time, in an amount per Performance Unit equal to (i) in the case of Unvested Performance Units, the product of the distribution made to holders of Common Units per Common Unit multiplied by the Performance Unit Sharing Percentage, and (ii) in the case of a Vested Performance Units, the distribution made to holders of Common Units per Common Unit, in each case, if applicable, assuming such Performance Units were held for the entire period to which such distributions relate.

B. Liquidating Distributions. Holders of Performance Units shall also be entitled to receive, if, when and as authorized by the General Partner out of funds or other property legally available for the payment of distributions, distributions upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event or representing proceeds from a Terminating Capital Transaction in an amount per Performance Unit equal to the amount of any such distributions payable on one Common Unit, whether made prior to, on or after the Performance Unit Distribution Payment Date, provided that the amount of such distributions shall not exceed the positive balances of the Capital Accounts of the holders of such Performance Units to the extent attributable to the ownership of such Performance Units.

C. Distributions Generally. Distributions on the Performance Units, if authorized, shall be payable on such dates and in such manner as may be authorized by the General Partner (any such date, a “Performance Unit Distribution Payment Date”). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the Performance Unit Distribution Payment Date shall be the same as the corresponding date relating to the corresponding distribution on the Common Units, and the record date for determining which Holders of Performance Units are entitled to receive distributions shall be the Partnership Record Date.

 

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Section 19.5 Allocations.

A. Holders of Vested Performance Units shall be allocated Net Income and Net Loss in amounts per Performance Unit equal to the amounts allocated per Common Unit. The allocations provided by the preceding sentence shall be subject to Sections 6.2.B and 6.2.C and in addition to any special allocations required by Section 6.2.F.

B. The holder of such Unvested Performance Units shall be allocated Net Income and Net Loss in amounts per Unvested Performance Unit equal to the amounts allocated per Vested Performance Unit; provided, however, that for purposes of allocations of Net Income and Net Loss pursuant to Sections 6.2.B, 6.2.C and 6.3, the term Percentage Interest when used with respect to an Unvested Performance Unit shall refer to the Percentage Interest of a Common Unit multiplied by the Performance Unit Sharing Percentage.

C. The General Partner is authorized in its discretion to delay or accelerate the participation of the Performance Units in allocations of Net Income and Net Loss under this Section 19.5, or to adjust the allocations made under this Section 19.5, so that the ratio of (i) the total amount of Net Income or Net Loss allocated with respect to each Performance Unit in the taxable year in which that Performance Unit’s Performance Unit Distribution Payment Date falls (excluding special allocations under Section 6.2.F), to (ii) the total amount distributed to that Performance Unit with respect to such period, is more nearly equal to the ratio of (i) the Net Income and Net Loss allocated with respect to the General Partner’s Common Units in such taxable year to (ii) the amounts distributed to the General Partner with respect to such Common Units and such taxable year.

Section 19.6 Transfers. Subject to the terms and limitations contained in an applicable Performance Unit Agreement and the Plans (or any other applicable Equity Plan), and except as expressly provided in this Agreement with respect to Performance Units, a Holder of Performance Units shall be entitled to transfer his or her Performance Units to the same extent, and subject to the same restrictions as Holders of Common Units are entitled to transfer their Common Units pursuant to Article 11.

Section 19.7 Redemption. The Redemption Right provided to Qualifying Parties under Section 15.1 shall not apply with respect to Performance Units unless and until they are converted to Common Units as provided in Section 19.9 below.

Section 19.8 Legend. Any certificate evidencing a Performance Unit shall bear an appropriate legend, as determined by the General Partner, indicating that additional terms, conditions and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation under any Performance Unit Agreement and the Plans (or any other applicable Equity Plan), apply to the Performance Unit.

Section 19.9 Conversion to Common Units.

A. Qualifying Party holding Performance Units shall have the Conversion Right, at his or her option, at any time to convert all or a portion of his or her Vested Performance Units into Common Units, taking into account all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 19.3; provided, however, that a Qualifying Party may not exercise the Conversion Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Vested Performance Units or, if such Qualifying Party holds less than one thousand (1,000) Vested Performance Units, all of the Vested Performance Units held by such Qualifying Party, to the extent not subject to

 

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the limitation on conversion under Section 19.9.B below. Qualifying Parties shall not have the right to convert Unvested Performance Units into Common Units until they become Vested Performance Units; provided, however, that in anticipation of any event that will cause his or her Unvested Performance Units to become Vested Performance Units (and subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 19.9.B below), such Qualifying Party may give the Partnership a Conversion Notice conditioned upon and effective as of the time of vesting and such Conversion Notice, unless subsequently revoked by the Qualifying Party in writing prior to such vesting event, shall be accepted by the Partnership subject to such condition. In all cases, the conversion of any Performance Units into Common Units shall be subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 19.9.

B. A Qualifying Party may convert his or her Vested Performance Units into an equal number of fully paid and non-assessable Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 19.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Qualifying Party convert a number of Vested Performance Units that exceeds the Capital Account Limitation. In order to exercise his or her Conversion Right, a Qualifying Party shall deliver a Conversion Notice in the form attached as Exhibit F to the Partnership (with a copy to the General Partner) not less than 3 nor more than 10 days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Conversion Notice; provided, however, that if the General Partner has not given to the Qualifying Party notice of a proposed or upcoming Transaction (as defined in Section 18.9) at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such Transaction, then the Qualifying Party shall have the right to deliver a Conversion Notice until the earlier of (x) the tenth (10th) day after such notice from the General Partner of a Transaction or (y) the third (3rd) Business Day immediately preceding the effective date of such Transaction. A Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2. Each Qualifying Party seeking to convert Vested Performance Units covenants and agrees with the Partnership that all Vested Performance Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 19.9 shall be free and clear of all liens. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Initial Holding Period with respect to the Common Units into which the Vested Performance Units are convertible has elapsed, a Qualifying Party may deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1.A relating to such Common Units in advance of the Conversion Date; provided, however, that the redemption of such Common Units by the Partnership shall in no event take place until on or after the Conversion Date. For clarity, it is noted that the objective of this paragraph is to put a Qualifying Party in a position where, if he or she so wishes, the Common Units into which his or her Vested Performance Units will be converted can be redeemed by the Partnership pursuant to Section 15.1.A simultaneously with such conversion, with the further consequence that, if the General Partner elects to assume the Partnership’s redemption obligation with respect to such Common Units under Section 15.1.B by delivering to such Qualifying Party REIT Shares rather than cash, then such Qualifying Party can have such REIT Shares issued to him or her simultaneously with the conversion of his or her Vested Performance Units into Common Units. The General Partner shall cooperate with a Qualifying Party to coordinate the timing of the different events described in the foregoing sentence.

C. The Partnership, at any time at the election of the General Partner, may cause any number of Vested Performance Units to be subject to a Forced Conversion into an equal number of Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 19.3; provided, however, that the Partnership may not cause a Forced Conversion of any Performance Units that would not at the time be eligible for conversion

 

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at the option of such Qualifying Party pursuant to Section 19.9.B. In order to exercise its right of Forced Conversion, the Partnership shall deliver a Forced Conversion Notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G to the applicable Holder of Performance Units not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Forced Conversion Notice. A Forced Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2.

D. A conversion of Vested Performance Units for which the Holder thereof has given a Conversion Notice or the Partnership has given a Forced Conversion Notice shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date without any action on the part of such Holder of Performance Units, other than the surrender of any certificate or certificates evidencing such Vested Performance Units, as of which time such Holder of Performance Units shall be credited on the books and records of the Partnership as of the opening of business on the next day with the number of Common Units into which such Performance Units were converted. After the conversion of Performance Units as aforesaid, the Partnership shall deliver to such Holder of Performance Units, upon his or her written request, a certificate of the General Partner certifying the number of Common Units and remaining Performance Units, if any, held by such person immediately after such conversion. The Assignee of any Limited Partner pursuant to Article 11 hereof may exercise the rights of such Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 19.9 and such Limited Partner shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by the Assignee.

E. For purposes of making future allocations under Section 6.2.F and applying the Capital Account Limitation, the portion of the Economic Capital Account Balance of the applicable Holder of Performance Units that is treated as attributable to his or her Performance Units shall be reduced, as of the date of conversion, by the product of the number of Performance Units converted and the Common Unit Economic Balance.

F. If the Partnership or the General Partner shall be a party to any Transaction, then the General Partner shall, immediately prior to the Transaction, exercise its right to cause a Forced Conversion with respect to the maximum number of Performance Units then eligible for conversion, taking into account any allocations that occur in connection with the Transaction or that would occur in connection with the Transaction if the assets of the Partnership were sold at the Transaction price or, if applicable, at a value determined by the General Partner in good faith using the value attributed to the Common Units in the context of the Transaction (in which case the Conversion Date shall be the effective date of the Transaction and the conversion shall occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Transaction). In anticipation of such Forced Conversion and the consummation of the Transaction, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Holder of Performance Units to be afforded the right to receive in connection with such Transaction in consideration for the Common Units into which his or her Performance Units will be converted the same kind and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Transaction by a Holder of the same number of Common Units, assuming such Holder is not a Constituent Person, or an affiliate of a Constituent Person. In the event that Holders of Common Units have the opportunity to elect the form or type of consideration to be received upon consummation of the Transaction, prior to such Transaction the General Partner shall give prompt written notice to each Holder of Performance Units of such opportunity, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the Holder of Performance Units the right to elect, by written notice to the General

 

110


Partner, the form or type of consideration to be received upon conversion of each Performance Unit held by such Holder into Common Units in connection with such Transaction. If a Holder of Performance Units fails to make such an election, such Holder (and any of its transferees) shall receive upon conversion of each Performance Unit held by him or her (or by any of his or her transferees) the same kind and amount of consideration that a Holder of Common Units would receive if such Holder of Common Units failed to make such an election.

Section 19.10 Voting. Performance Limited Partners shall have the same voting rights as Limited Partners holding Common Units, with the Performance Units and LTIP Units voting together as a single class with the Common Units and having one vote per Performance Unit and Holders of Performance Units shall not be entitled to approve, vote on or consent to any other matter. The foregoing voting provision will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the action with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding Performance Units shall have been converted or provision is made for such conversion to occur as of or prior to such time into Common Units.

[Remainder of Page Left Blank Intentionally]

 

111


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
HUDSON PACIFIC PROPERTIES, INC.,
a Maryland corporation
By:   /s/ Mark T. Lammas
  Name: Mark T. Lammas
  Its:       President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Fifth A&R Partnership Agreement]


As of November 16, 2021

EXHIBIT A


EXHIBIT B


EXHIBIT C


EXHIBIT D


EXHIBIT E


EXHIBIT F


EXHIBIT G

Exhibit 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]

November 16, 2021

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

11601 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, California 90025

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Commission File No 333-255579

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of the underwritten public offering and sale of up to 18,400,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s 4.750% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (including up to 2,400,000 Shares issuable pursuant to an over-allotment option), pursuant to the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (collectively, the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company and Hudson Pacific Properties, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement and the form of Prospectus included therein, in the form filed with the Commission under the Securities Act;

2. 2. The Company’s Prospectus, dated April 28, 2021, as supplemented by (i) a Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, dated November 4, 2021 and (ii) a Prospectus Supplement, dated November 4, 2021 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), in the form filed with the Commission under the Securities Act;

3. The charter of the Company , including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock , certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

4. The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;


Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

November 16, 2021

Page 2

 

5. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

6. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and a duly authorized committee thereof relating to, among other matters, the registration and issuance of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

7. The Underwriting Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and BofA Securities, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, for themselves and as representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto;

8. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

9. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.


Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

November 16, 2021

Page 3

 

5. The Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation contained in Article VI of the Charter.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement, the Underwriting Agreement and the Resolutions, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any federal or other state law. We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of any judicial decision which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the issuance of the Shares (the “Current Report”). We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP