e424b5
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-158589
Prospectus Supplement
To Prospectus dated April 29, 2009
Brandywine Operating
Partnership, L.P.
$325,000,000 4.95% Guaranteed
Notes due 2018
We are offering $325,000,000 of 4.95% notes due
April 15, 2018.
The notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.95% per year. We
will pay interest on the notes semi-annually on April 15
and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15,
2011.
We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the
applicable redemption prices described in this prospectus
supplement.
The notes will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of
the other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of Brandywine
Operating Partnership, L.P. from time to time outstanding.
Brandywine Realty Trust, the sole general partner of Brandywine
Operating Partnership, L.P., will guarantee payment of principal
and interest on the notes. The guarantee of the notes will be an
unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of Brandywine Realty
Trust. Brandywine Realty Trust has no material assets other than
its investment in Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Currently, there is no public market for the notes.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Cautionary
Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking
Statements in this prospectus supplement and Risk
Factors beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus
supplement and in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of the
securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Price to
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Underwriting
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Proceeds to us,
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Public(1)
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Discount
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Before Expenses(1)
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Per note
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98.907
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%
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0.625
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%
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98.282
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%
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Total
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$
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321,447,750
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$
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2,031,250
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$
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319,416,500
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(1) |
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Plus interest, if any, from April 5, 2011 if settlement
occurs after that date. |
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form
only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company
against payment on or about April 5, 2011.
Joint Book-Running Managers
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Wells
Fargo Securities |
J.P. Morgan |
Citi |
Senior Co-Managers
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BNY
Mellon Capital Markets, LLC |
Deutsche Bank Securities |
Morgan Keegan |
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PNC
Capital Markets LLC |
RBS |
TD Securities |
US Bancorp |
Co-Managers
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Barclays
Capital |
BMO Capital Markets |
Comerica Securities |
COMMERZBANK |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
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Janney
Montgomery Scott |
RBC
Capital Markets |
Santander |
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey |
UBS
Investment Bank |
March 30, 2011
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Prospectus
Supplement
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Page
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S-ii
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S-iii
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S-1
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S-4
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S-6
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S-7
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S-8
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S-9
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S-15
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S-21
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S-22
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S-22
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S-23
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Prospectus
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You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have
not, authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide
you with additional or different information. This prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other
than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an
offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the
document containing the information.
S-i
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and the additional information
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus before investing in the notes. See
Where You Can Find More Information in the
accompanying prospectus. These documents contain important
information that you should consider before making your
investment decision. This prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus contain the terms of this offering of
notes. The accompanying prospectus contains information about
certain of our securities generally, some of which does not
apply to the notes covered by this prospectus supplement. This
prospectus supplement may add, update or change information
contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying
prospectus. If the information in or incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any
information contained in or incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus, the information in or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement will apply and will
supersede the inconsistent information contained in or
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus
required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any
other person to provide you with additional or different
information. If any person provides you with additional or
different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor
the underwriters are making an offer to sell the notes in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any such free writing
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein
and therein is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our
business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since those dates.
S-ii
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
including those related to our future operations, constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). Such forward-looking statements relate to, without
limitation, our future economic performance, plans and
objectives for future operations and projections of revenue and
other financial items. Forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of words such as may,
will, plan, should,
expect, anticipate,
estimate, continue or comparable
terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject
to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with
accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions
at the time made, we can give no assurance that such
expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results,
financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from our expectations include, without limitation, the following:
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the continuing impact of the recent credit crisis and global
economic slowdown, which is having and may continue to have
negative effect on the following:
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the fundamentals of our business, including overall market
occupancy, demand for office space and rental rates;
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the financial condition of our tenants, (many of which are
financial, legal and other professional firms), our lenders,
counterparties to our derivative financial instruments and
institutions that hold our cash balances and short-term
investments, which may expose us to increased risks of default
by these parties;
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availability of financing on attractive terms or at all, which
may adversely impact our future interest expense and our ability
to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and
refinance existing debt; and
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a decline in real estate asset valuations, which may limit our
ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or
maintain debt financing secured by our properties or on an
unsecured basis;
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changes in local real estate conditions (including changes in
rental rates and the number of properties that compete with our
properties);
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changes in the economic conditions affecting industries in which
our principal tenants compete;
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the unavailability of equity and debt financing;
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our failure to lease unoccupied space in accordance with our
projections;
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our failure to re-lease occupied space upon expiration of leases;
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tenant defaults and the bankruptcy of major tenants;
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increases in interest rates;
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failure of interest rate hedging contracts to perform as
expected and the effectiveness of such arrangements;
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failure of acquisitions to perform as expected;
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unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, integration
and operation of, our acquisitions;
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unanticipated costs to complete,
lease-up and
operate our developments and redevelopments;
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S-iii
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unanticipated costs associated with land development (including
building moratoriums and inability to obtain necessary zoning,
land-use, building, occupancy and other required governmental
approvals), construction cost increases or overruns and
construction delays;
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impairment charges;
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increased costs for, or lack of availability of, adequate
insurance, including for terrorist acts;
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actual or threatened terrorist attacks;
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demand for tenant services beyond those traditionally provided
by landlords;
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liability under environmental or other laws;
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failure or bankruptcy of real estate venture partners;
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inability of real estate venture partners to fund venture
obligations;
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failure of dispositions to close in a timely manner;
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failure of buyers of our properties to comply with terms of
their financing agreements to us;
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earthquakes and other natural disasters;
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climate change and compliance costs relating to laws and
regulations governing climate change;
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risks associated with federal, state and local tax audits;
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regulations relating to our status as a REIT and the adverse
consequences of any failure to qualify as a REIT; and
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the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our
accounting policies and on
period-to-period
comparisons of financial results.
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For further information on factors which could affect us, see
Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement and in
our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010, which is incorporated
by reference in the accompanying prospectus. We caution you not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which
reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as
applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All
of our forward-looking statements, including those included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus, are qualified in their entirety by this
statement. We assume no obligation to update and supplement
forward-looking statements that become untrue because of
subsequent events, new information or otherwise.
S-iv
SUMMARY
The information below is only a summary of more detailed
information included elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This
summary does not contain all of the information that is
important to you or that you should consider before buying notes
in this offering. The other information is important, so please
read carefully this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by
reference.
As used in this prospectus supplement, unless the context
otherwise requires, the term Operating Partnership
refers to Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P., the term
Brandywine refers to Brandywine Realty Trust and the
terms we, us and our or
similar expressions refer collectively to Brandywine Realty
Trust and its subsidiaries (including the Operating
Partnership).
Brandywine
Realty Trust and Brandywine Operating Partnership,
L.P.
Brandywine is a self-administered and self-managed real estate
investment trust, or REIT, that is active in acquiring,
developing, redeveloping, leasing and managing office and
industrial properties. Brandywine owns its assets and conducts
its operations through the Operating Partnership. Brandywine
controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner
and, as of December 31, 2010, owned an approximately 93.1%
interest in the Operating Partnership.
As of December 31, 2010, we owned 208 office properties, 20
industrial facilities, four mixed-use properties and a garage
property under redevelopment. As a result, as of
December 31, 2010, we owned and consolidated 233 properties
with an aggregate of approximately 25.6 million net
rentable square feet. As of December 31, 2010, we owned
economic interests in 17 unconsolidated real estate ventures
that own properties containing approximately 6.5 million
net rentable square feet. In addition, as of December 31,
2010, we owned approximately 509 acres of undeveloped land.
Our properties and the properties owned by our real estate
ventures are located in and surrounding Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Southern and
Central New Jersey, Richmond, Virginia, Wilmington, Delaware,
Austin, Texas and Oakland, Concord, Carlsbad and Rancho
Bernardo, California.
Brandywine was organized and commenced operations in 1986 as a
Maryland REIT. The Operating Partnership was formed and
commenced operations in 1996 as a Delaware limited partnership.
Our principal executive offices are located at 555 East
Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087, and our telephone
number is
(610) 325-5600.
We maintain an Internet website at
http://www.brandywinerealty.com.
We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus the information in, or
that can be accessed through, our website, and you should not
consider it to be a part of the prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus.
S-1
The
Offering
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Issuer |
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Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. |
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Guarantor |
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Brandywine Realty Trust. |
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Securities Offered |
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$325,000,000 principal amount of 4.95% Guaranteed Notes due 2018. |
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Maturity |
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The notes will mature on April 15, 2018. |
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Interest Rate |
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The notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.95% per annum. |
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Interest Payment Dates |
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Interest on the notes will be payable on April 15 and
October 15, beginning on October 15, 2011. Interest
will accrue from April 5, 2011. |
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Optional Redemption |
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We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the
applicable redemption prices described in Description of
the Notes and the Guarantee Optional
Redemption in this prospectus supplement. |
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Ranking |
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The notes will be unsecured obligations of the Operating
Partnership and will rank equally with all of its other
unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time
outstanding. The notes will be effectively subordinated to the
indebtedness and other liabilities of the consolidated
subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership. See Risk
Factors Effective subordination of the notes and the
guarantee may reduce amounts available for payment of the notes
and the guarantee in this prospectus supplement. |
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Guarantee |
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Brandywine will fully and unconditionally guarantee payment of
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes. The
guarantee will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of
Brandywine. Brandywine, however, has no material assets other
than its investment in the Operating Partnership. |
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Covenants |
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Under the indenture, we have agreed to certain restrictions on
our ability to incur debt and to enter into certain
transactions. See Description of the Debt
Securities Covenants in the accompanying
prospectus. |
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Form and Denominations |
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We will issue the notes in fully registered form in
denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. The notes will be represented by one or more
global securities registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company, or DTC. You will hold beneficial
interests in the notes through DTC, and DTC and its direct and
indirect participants will record your beneficial interest on
their books. Except under limited circumstances, we will not
issue certificated notes. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in
this offering will be approximately $318.9 million after
deducting the underwriting discount and our estimated
transaction expenses relating to this offering and payable by
us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to
reduce outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit
facility and for general corporate purposes. See Use of
Proceeds in this prospectus supplement. |
S-2
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Market for Notes |
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The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently
no established trading market for the notes. An active or liquid
market may not develop for the notes or, if developed, may not
be maintained. |
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No Listing |
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We have not applied, and do not intend to apply, for the listing
of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any
automated quotation system. |
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Conflicts of Interest |
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Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our
credit facility and will receive a portion of the net proceeds
from this offering. See Conflicts of Interest in
this prospectus supplement. |
S-3
RISK
FACTORS
Before deciding to invest in the notes, you should carefully
consider Risk Factors in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010, which is incorporated
by reference in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, you
should carefully consider the following additional risk
factors.
Brandywine
has no material assets other than its investment in the
Operating Partnership.
Brandywine will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment
of principal, the Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest with
respect to the notes. The guarantee will be an unsecured and
unsubordinated obligation of Brandywine and will rank equally
with Brandywines other unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations. As of December 31, 2010, Brandywine and its
consolidated subsidiaries had unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of approximately $1,722.3 million, consisting
of (1) $183.0 million of indebtedness under our
revolving credit facility, (2) $183.0 million of
indebtedness under our unsecured term loan,
(3) $175.2 million principal amount of
5.75% notes due 2012, (4) $242.7 million
principal amount of 5.40% notes due 2014,
(5) $250.0 million principal amount of
7.50% notes due 2015, (6) $250.0 million
principal amount of 6.00% notes due 2016,
(7) $300.0 million principal amount of
5.70% notes due 2017, (8) $59.8 million principal
amount of 3.875% exchangeable notes due 2026 and
(9) $78.6 million principal amount of trust preferred
noted due 2035. In addition, as of that date, Brandywine and its
consolidated subsidiaries had secured obligations of
approximately $712.2 million consisting of mortgage notes
payable. Holders of the notes will be relying upon solely the
Operating Partnership, as issuer, and Brandywine, as guarantor,
to make payments in respect of the notes. Brandywine has no
material assets other than its investment in the Operating
Partnership.
Effective
subordination of the notes and the guarantee may reduce amounts
available for payment of the notes and the guarantee.
Both the notes and the guarantee will be unsecured. The holders
of our secured debt may foreclose on the assets securing such
debt, reducing the cash flow from the foreclosed property
available for payment of unsecured debt, including the notes and
the guarantee. The holders of our secured debt also would have
priority over unsecured creditors in the event of our
bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceeding. As a result, the
notes and the guarantee will be effectively subordinated to our
secured debt. The notes effectively will also be subordinated to
the unsecured indebtedness and other liabilities of the
consolidated subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership. After
giving effect to the consummation of this offering and the use
of proceeds therefrom as described in Use of
Proceeds in this prospectus supplement, the Operating
Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries will have secured
indebtedness of approximately $712.2 million. The indenture
governing the notes will permit us and our subsidiaries to incur
additional secured and unsecured indebtedness if the conditions
specified in the indenture are met. See Description of the
Debt Securities Covenants in the accompanying
prospectus.
The notes
will restrict, but will not eliminate, our ability to incur
additional debt or prohibit us from taking other action that
could negatively impact holders of the notes.
We will be restricted from incurring additional indebtedness
under the terms of the notes and the indenture governing the
notes. However, these limitations are subject to significant
exceptions. See Description of the Debt
Securities Covenants Limitations on the
Incurrence of Debt in the accompanying prospectus. Our
ability to recapitalize our debt and capital structure, incur
additional debt, secure existing or future debt or take other
actions not limited by the terms of the indenture and the notes,
including repurchasing indebtedness or common or preferred
shares or paying dividends, could negatively affect our ability
to make payments in respect of the notes when due. In addition,
except as set forth under Description of the Debt
Securities Covenants Limitations on the
Incurrence of Debt in the accompanying prospectus, the
indenture will not contain provisions applicable to the notes
that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would
afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly
leveraged or similar transaction involving us.
S-4
A trading
market may not develop for the notes.
The notes will be a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the
notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any
automated quotation system. We cannot assure you that an active
or liquid trading market for the notes will develop. If a
trading market were to develop, the notes could trade at prices
that may be higher or lower than their initial offering price
and this may result in a return that is greater or less than the
applicable interest rate on the notes, depending on many
factors, including, among others, prevailing interest rates, our
financial results, any decline in our creditworthiness and the
market for similar securities.
The
market price of the notes may be subject to
fluctuations.
The market price of the notes will depend on many factors that
may vary over time and some of which are beyond our control,
including, among others, the following:
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our financial performance;
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the amount of outstanding indebtedness of our company and our
subsidiaries;
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prevailing market interest rates;
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the market for similar securities;
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competition;
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the ratings of the notes;
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the size and liquidity of the market for the notes; and
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general economic conditions.
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As a result of these factors, you may be able to sell your notes
only at prices below those you believe to be appropriate,
including prices below the price you paid for them.
An
increase in interest rates could result in a decrease in the
market value of the notes.
In general, as prevailing market interest rates rise, notes
bearing interest at a fixed rate generally decline in value.
Consequently, if you purchase the notes and interest rates
increase, the market value of the notes may decline. We cannot
predict the future level of interest rates.
S-5
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in
this offering will be approximately $318.9 million after
deducting the underwriting discount and estimated transaction
expenses relating to this offering and payable by us.
We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this
offering to reduce outstanding borrowings under our
$600 million unsecured revolving credit facility. We intend
to use the balance of the net proceeds from this offering for
general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or
repurchase of other indebtedness.
Outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility
currently bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) plus 0.725% per annum based on the credit ratings for
the Operating Partnerships unsecured debt. Our revolving
credit facility, under which $198.5 million was outstanding
as of March 29, 2011, matures in June 2011, with an
extension option, at our option, of one year. On or about
April 1, 2011, we intend to exercise our options to extend
the maturity dates of our revolving credit facility and our
$183 million term loan to June 2012.
Affiliates of certain of the underwriters in this offering are
lenders
and/or
agents under our revolving credit facility. In the aggregate,
these affiliates of the underwriters hold approximately 86% of
the commitments under our revolving credit facility. See
Underwriting and Conflicts of Interest
in this prospectus supplement.
S-6
RATIOS OF
EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DISTRIBUTIONS
AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Brandywine
The following table sets forth Brandywines ratios of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share
distributions for the periods indicated.
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For Years Ended December 31,
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share
distributions
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(a
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(a
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(a
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(a
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(a
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(a) |
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Brandywines ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
was less that 1.1 because of its loss from continuing operations
for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and
2006. In the period, the coverage ratio was less than 1:1.
Brandywine must generate additional earnings of $49,136 for the
year ended December 31, 2010, $10,892 for the year ended
December 31, 2009, $23,407 for the year ended
December 31, 2008, $16,917 for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and $56,039 for the year ended
December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a coverage ratio of
1:1. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred share distributions,
earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges,
distributed income of equity investees and amortization of
capitalized interest to income from continuing operations before
non-controlling interest and equity in earnings from
unconsolidated real estate ventures of Brandywine, less
capitalized interest and preferred distributions of consolidated
subsidiaries. Fixed charges consist of interest costs (whether
expensed or capitalized), amortization of deferred financing
costs, amortization of discounts or premiums related to
indebtedness, Brandywines share of interest expense from
unconsolidated equity method investments, the interest portion
of rent expense, and preferred distributions of consolidated
subsidiaries. Preferred share distributions includes income
allocated to holders of Brandywines preferred shares.
Operating
Partnership
The following table sets forth the Operating Partnerships
ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.
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For Years Ended December 31,
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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(a
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)
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(a
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)
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(a
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)
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(a
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)
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(a
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)
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(a) |
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The Operating Partnerships ratio of earnings to combined
fixed charges and preferred share distributions was less than
1.1 because of losses from continuing operations in the relevant
years. Brandywine would have needed to generate additional
earnings of $41,144 for the year ended December 31, 2010,
$2,900 for the year ended December 31, 2009, $15,415 for
the year ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007,
$8,925 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $48,047 for
the year ended December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a
coverage ratio of 1:1. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred share distributions,
earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges,
distributed income of equity investees and amortization of
capitalized interest to income from continuing operations before
non-controlling interest and equity in earnings from
unconsolidated real estate ventures of the Operating
Partnership. Fixed charges consist of interest costs (whether
expensed or capitalized), amortization of deferred financing
costs, amortization of discounts or premiums related to
indebtedness, the Operating Partnerships share of interest
expense from unconsolidated equity method investments and the
interest portion of rent expense.
S-7
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the Operating Partnerships
capitalization as of December 31, 2010 on an actual basis
and on an adjusted basis to give effect to the consummation of
this offering and the use of the net proceeds to repay
outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility (but
not the use of the balance of such net proceeds for general
corporate purposes). See Use of Proceeds in this
prospectus supplement. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Operating Partnerships consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
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December 31, 2010
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Actual
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As Adjusted
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(In thousands)
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Debt:
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Mortgage notes payable, including premiums
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$
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711,789
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$
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711,789
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Revolving credit facility(1)
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183,000
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Unsecured term loan
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183,000
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183,000
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Unsecured senior notes, net of discounts
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1,352,657
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1,352,657
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4.95% Guaranteed Notes due 2018
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321,448
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Total debt
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2,430,446
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2,568,894
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Redeemable limited partnership units at redemption value:
9,902,752, as reported and as adjusted
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132,855
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132,855
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Operating Partnerships equity:
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7.50% Series D Preferred Mirror Units: 2,000,000 issued and
outstanding, as reported and as adjusted
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47,912
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47,912
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7.375% Series E Preferred Mirror Units: 2,300,000 issued
and outstanding, as reported and as adjusted
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55,538
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55,538
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General partnership capital: 134,601,796 units issued and
134,485,117 outstanding, as reported and as adjusted
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1,743,549
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1,743,549
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(2,080
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)
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(2,080
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)
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Total Operating Partnerships equity
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1,844,919
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1,844,919
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Non-controlling interest
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Total equity
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1,844,919
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1,844,919
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Total capitalization
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4,408,220
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4,546,668
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(1) |
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As of March 29, 2011, we had outstanding borrowings of
$198.5 million under our revolving credit agreement. |
S-8
DESCRIPTION
OF THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEE
The following description of the particular terms of the
notes and the guarantee offered by this prospectus supplement
supplements the description of the general terms and provisions
of the debt securities and the guarantee set forth in the
accompanying prospectus under Description of the Debt
Securities.
The notes and the guarantee will be issued under an indenture
dated October 22, 2004, as amended and supplemented, which
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership have entered into with
The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the
indenture). The indenture is subject to and is
governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We
have filed the indenture as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part, and
the indenture is available for inspection at the corporate trust
office of The Bank of New York Mellon at 101 Barclay Street,
Floor 8W, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, New
York, New York 10286.
The following description summarizes selected provisions of the
indenture and the notes. It does not restate the indenture or
the terms of the notes in their entirety. We urge you to read
the forms of the indenture and the notes because the indenture
and the notes, and not this description, define the rights of
holders of the notes.
General
The notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of
$325,000,000. The notes will mature on April 15, 2018. The
notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.95% per year. The notes
will constitute a separate series under the indenture.
The notes will be unsecured obligations of the Operating
Partnership and will rank equally with all other unsecured debt
of the Operating Partnership that is not subordinated to the
notes. The notes will also be effectively subordinated to the
secured indebtedness of the Operating Partnership and Brandywine
and will be effectively subordinated to the indebtedness and
other liabilities of our other subsidiaries. See Risk
Factors Effective subordination of the notes and the
guarantee may reduce amounts available for payment of the notes
and the guarantee in this prospectus supplement.
Brandywine will fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and
punctual payment of principal of and the Make-Whole Amount, if
any, and interest on the notes. The guarantee will be an
unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of Brandywine.
Brandywine, however, has no material assets other than its
interest in the Operating Partnership. See Risk
Factors Brandywine has no material assets other than
its investment in the Operating Partnership and
Effective subordination of the notes and the
guarantee may reduce amounts available for payment of the notes
and the guarantee in this prospectus supplement.
The notes will be issued only in registered form in
denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. The notes will be issued in the form of one or
more global securities. See Book-Entry,
Delivery and Form Global Clearance and
Settlement Procedures and Definitive
Notes and Paying Agents in this prospectus supplement and
Description of the Debt Securities Book-Entry
System and Global Securities in the accompanying
prospectus. The Depository Trust Company (DTC)
will be the depositary with respect to the notes. The notes will
be issued as fully registered securities in the name of
Cede & Co., DTCs nominee, and will be held by a
custodian for DTC.
The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the
indenture will apply to the notes. The notes will not be subject
to repayment at the option of any holder before maturity. In
addition, the notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any
sinking fund.
We reserve the right to issue additional notes, without
limitation, without your consent. If we issue additional notes
under the indenture, the additional notes will be identical to
the notes being offered by this prospectus supplement in all
respects (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to
the issue date of the additional notes) so that the additional
notes may be consolidated, and form a single series with, the
notes offered by this prospectus supplement.
S-9
As used in this prospectus supplement, Business Day
means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking
institutions in New York City are not required or authorized by
law or executive order to close.
Interest
Interest on the notes will accrue from and including
April 5, 2011. We will make interest payments on the notes
semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of
each year, beginning on October 15, 2011, to the registered
holders of such series of notes on the immediately preceding
April 1 or October 1, as the case may be.
Interest payments in respect of the notes will equal the amount
of interest accrued from and including the immediately preceding
interest payment date in respect of which interest has been paid
or duly made available for payment (or from and including the
date of issue, if no interest has been paid or duly made
available for payment with respect to the notes) but excluding
the applicable interest payment date or maturity date, as the
case may be.
Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year
of twelve
30-day
months.
If any interest payment date, maturity date or redemption date
with respect to the notes falls on a day that is not a Business
Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any,
and/or
interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if
made on the date on which such payment was due, and no interest
will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such
interest payment date, maturity date or redemption date, as the
case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding
Business Day.
Optional
Redemption
The notes may be redeemed at any time, in whole or in part, at
our option, and from time to time.
If the notes are redeemed before the date that is 30 days
prior to the maturity date of the notes, the notes will be
redeemed at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
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100% of the principal amount of the notes then outstanding to be
redeemed; and
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the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed
(not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued
to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption
on a semiannual basis (assuming a
360-day year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months) at the applicable treasury rate plus 35 basis
points,
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plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal
amount being redeemed to the redemption date.
If the notes are redeemed on or after the date that is
30 days prior to the maturity date of the notes, the notes
will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the notes then outstanding being redeemed,
plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being
redeemed to the redemption date.
For purposes of the optional redemption provisions, the
following terms have the following definitions:
treasury rate means, with respect to any
redemption date:
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the yield, under the heading which represents the average for
the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently
published statistical release designated H.15(519)
or any successor publication which is published weekly by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which
establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury
securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption
Treasury Constant Maturities, for the maturity
corresponding to the comparable treasury issue (if no maturity
is within three months before or after the remaining life (as
defined below), yields for the two published maturities most
closely corresponding to the comparable treasury issue will be
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S-10
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determined and the treasury rate will be interpolated or
extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding
to the nearest month); or; and
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if such release (or any successor release) is not published
during the week preceding the calculation date or does not
contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual
equivalent yield to maturity of the comparable treasury issue,
calculated using a price for the comparable treasury issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
comparable treasury price for such redemption date.
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The treasury rate will be calculated on the third business day
preceding the date fixed for redemption.
comparable treasury issue means the
U.S. Treasury security selected by an independent
investment banker as having a maturity comparable to the
remaining term (remaining life) of the notes to be
redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in
accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to
the remaining term of such notes.
comparable treasury price means (1) the
average of five reference treasury dealer quotations for such
redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest
reference treasury dealer quotations, or (2) if the
independent investment banker obtains fewer than four such
reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of all such
quotations.
independent investment banker means any of
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as specified by us, or, if these
firms are unwilling or unable to select the comparable treasury
issue, an independent investment banking institution of national
standing appointed by us.
reference treasury dealer means (1) a primary
U.S. government securities dealer in New York City (a
primary treasury dealer) selected by Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. and their respective successors; provided, however,
that, if any of the foregoing ceases to be a primary treasury
dealer, we will substitute therefor another primary treasury
dealer and (2) any two other primary treasury dealers
selected by us after consultation with the independent
investment banker.
reference treasury dealer quotations means,
with respect to each reference treasury dealer and any
redemption date, the average, as determined by the independent
investment banker, of the bid and asked prices for the
comparable treasury issue (expressed in each case as a
percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the
independent investment banker at 5:00 p.m. (New York City
time) on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
We will mail a notice of redemption to each holder of notes to
be redeemed by first-class mail at least 30 and not more than
60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless we
default on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease
to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for
redemption. If fewer than all of the notes are to be redeemed,
the trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the
redemption date, the particular notes or portions thereof for
redemption from the outstanding notes not previously called by
such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.
Covenants
The indenture contains various covenants. See Description
of the Debt Securities Covenants and
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver in
the accompanying prospectus. Except as explained below or as may
be provided in any supplemental indenture, the covenants
contained in the indenture will apply to the notes. With regard
to such notes issued on or after April 5, 2011, and not any
other notes previously issued under the indenture, the Third
Supplemental Indenture replaces the definition of Total
Unencumbered Assets with the definition provided below.
This definition is used in the covenant regarding our
maintenance of Total Unencumbered Assets. The other covenants
contained in the indenture apply to the notes as well as any
other notes issued on or after April 5, 2011.
Total Unencumbered Assets means the sum of
(1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets (as defined in
the indenture) not subject to an Encumbrance (as defined in the
indenture) for borrowed money; and (2) all of the other
assets of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries not
subject to an Encumbrance for
S-11
borrowed money, determined in accordance with GAAP (but
excluding accounts receivable and intangibles); provided,
however, that, in determining Total Unencumbered Assets
as a percentage of outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness for
purposes of the covenant requiring the Operating Partnership and
its Subsidiaries to maintain Total Unencumbered Assets equal to
at least 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
their Unsecured Indebtedness on a consolidated basis, all
investments in any Person that is not consolidated for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded
from Total Unencumbered Assets.
As of December 31, 2010, the aggregate investments of the
Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries in all Persons that
are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes was
$84.4 million.
Same-Day
Payment
We will make all payments due on the notes in immediately
available funds so long as the notes are in book-entry form.
Book-Entry,
Delivery and Form
We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC
and the book-entry system and procedures from sources that we
believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the
accuracy of this information.
The notes will be issued as fully-registered global notes which
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and registered, at
the request of DTC, in the name of Cede & Co.
Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented
through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on
behalf of beneficial owners as direct or indirect participants
in DTC. Beneficial interests in the global notes will be held in
denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof. Except as set forth below, the global notes may be
transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee
of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
We will make principal, premium, if any, and interest payments
on all notes represented by a global note to the paying agent
which in turn will make payment to DTC or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of
the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under
the indenture. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent
will have no responsibility or liability for:
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any aspect of DTCs records relating to, or payments made
on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a note
represented by a global note;
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any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its
participants or the relationship between those participants and
the owners of beneficial interests in a global note held through
those participants; or
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the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTCs
records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
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DTC has advised us that its current practice is to credit
participants accounts on each payment date with payments
in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of such global note as shown
on DTCs records, upon DTCs receipt of funds and
corresponding detail information. The underwriters will
initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global note
will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is the case with securities held for customer
accounts registered in street name, and will be the
sole responsibility of those participants. Book-entry notes may
be more difficult to pledge because of the lack of a physical
note.
DTC
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a
global note, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and holder of the notes represented by
that global note for all purposes of the notes. Owners of
beneficial interests in the notes will not be entitled to have
notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled
to receive physical delivery of the notes in definitive form and
will not be considered owners or holders of notes under the
indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a
S-12
beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures
of DTC and, if that person is not a DTC participant, on the
procedures of the participant through which that person owns its
interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes. The laws
of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of the securities in
certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global note. Beneficial owners may
experience delays in receiving distributions on their notes
since distributions will initially be made to DTC and must then
be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the
beneficial owners account.
We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we
request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a global note desires to take any action
which a holder is entitled to take under the indenture, then DTC
would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial
interests to take that action and those participants would
authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants
to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions
of beneficial owners owning through them.
Beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and
transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for that
global note. The conveyance of notices and other communications
by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of
beneficial interests in the notes will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements in effect.
DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company
organized under the New York banking law, a banking
organization within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing
corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its
participants in such securities through electronic book-entry
changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic
book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates.
DTCs participants include securities brokers and dealers,
including the underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations, some of which,
and/or their
representatives, own DTC. Banks, brokers, dealers, trust
companies and others that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly,
also have access to DTCs book-entry system. The rules
applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
DTC has advised us that the above information with respect to
DTC has been provided to its participants and other members of
the financial community for informational purposes only and is
not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract
modification of any kind.
Global
Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately
available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC
participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with
DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds
using DTCs
Same-Day
Funds Settlement System.
Definitive
Notes and Paying Agents
In the event that DTC discontinues providing its services as
securities depository or ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act, we decide to discontinue use
of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC, or an event
of default with respect to the notes occurs, then the beneficial
owners will be notified through the chain of intermediaries that
definitive notes are available. Beneficial owners of global
notes will then be entitled (1) to receive physical
delivery in certificated form of definitive notes equal in
principal amount to their beneficial interest and (2) to
have the definitive notes registered in their names. The
definitive notes will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and
whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Definitive notes
will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons
DTC specifies in a written instruction to the registrar of the
applicable series of notes. DTC may base its written instruction
upon
S-13
directions it receives from its participants. Thereafter, the
holders of the definitive notes will be recognized as the
holders of the notes under the indenture.
The indenture provides for the replacement of a mutilated, lost,
stolen or destroyed definitive note, so long as the applicant
furnishes to the Operating Partnership and Brandywine and the
trustee such security or indemnity and such evidence of
ownership as they may require.
In the event definitive notes are issued, the holders of
definitive notes will be able to receive payments of principal,
premium, if any, and interest on their notes at the office of
the Operating Partnerships paying agent maintained in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Payment of principal
of or premium, if any, on a definitive note may be made only
against surrender of the note to the Operating
Partnerships paying agent. The Operating Partnership has
the option, however, of making payments of interest by mailing
checks to the address of the holder appearing in the security
register maintained by the registrar of the applicable series of
notes.
The Operating Partnerships paying agent in the Borough of
Manhattan is currently the corporate trust office of The Bank of
New York Mellon, located at 101 Barclay Street, 8W, New York,
New York 10286.
In the event that definitive notes are issued, the holders of
definitive notes will be able to transfer their notes, in whole
or in part, by surrendering the notes for registration of
transfer at the office of The Bank of New York Mellon, duly
endorsed by or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer
in form satisfactory to the Operating Partnership, the trustee
and the securities registrar. A form of such instrument of
transfer will be obtainable at the offices of The Bank of New
York Mellon. Upon surrender, the Operating Partnership will
execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver new notes
of the applicable series to the designated transferee in the
amount being transferred, and a new note of the applicable
series for any amount not being transferred will be issued to
the transferor. The Operating Partnership will not charge any
fee for the registration of transfer or exchange, except that
the Operating Partnership may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental
charge payable in connection with the transfer.
Governing
Law
The notes, the guarantee and the indenture will be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
S-14
MATERIAL
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes the material
U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes issued pursuant
to this offering. Please see the discussion entitled
Material Federal Income Tax Considerations in
Exhibit 99.1 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a summary of the
material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating
the qualification and taxation of Brandywine as a REIT.
Because this is a summary that is intended to address only
material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to
the ownership and disposition of the notes that will apply to
all holders, this summary may not contain all the information
that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you
should keep in mind that:
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the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your
particular tax situation;
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special rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if,
for example, you are a tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer,
a
non-U.S. person,
a trust, an estate, a regulated investment company, a REIT, a
financial institution, an insurance company, a holder of the
notes or shares through a partnership or other pass-through
entity, or otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the
Code;
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this summary does not address state, local or
non-U.S. tax
considerations;
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this summary deals only with note holders that hold the notes as
capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code; and
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this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be
construed as, tax advice.
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You are urged both to review the following discussion and to
consult with your own tax advisor to determine the effect of
ownership and disposition of the notes on your individual tax
situation, including any state, local or
non-U.S. tax
consequences.
The information in this summary is based on the Code, current,
temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, the legislative
history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service, including its
practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings,
which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, and
existing court decisions. Future legislation, regulations,
administrative interpretations and court decisions could change
current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of
current law. Any change could apply retroactively. We have not
obtained any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service
concerning the tax treatment of the matters discussed in this
summary. Therefore, it is possible that the Internal Revenue
Service could challenge the statements in this summary, which do
not bind the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and that a
court could agree with the Internal Revenue Service.
As used herein, a U.S. Holder means a
beneficial owner of the notes, who is, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S. as defined in
section 7701(b) of the Code,
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia,
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source, or
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a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of
a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a
U.S. person.
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As used herein, a
non-U.S. Holder
means a beneficial owner of the notes that is not a
U.S. Holder, and that is not a partnership (or
other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes).
S-15
If a partnership holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner
will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding the notes, you should consult your tax
advisors.
Taxation
of U.S. Holders
Interest
The stated interest on the notes generally will be taxable to a
U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time that it is paid
or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holders
method of accounting for United States federal income tax
purposes.
Market
Discount
If you purchase the notes for an amount that is less than their
stated redemption price at maturity the amount of the difference
will be treated as market discount for United States
federal income tax purposes, unless that difference is less than
a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules,
you will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any
gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of,
the notes as ordinary income to the extent of the market
discount that you have not previously included in income and are
treated as having accrued on the notes at the time of their
payment or disposition. In addition, you may be required to
defer, until the maturity of the notes or their earlier
disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a
portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness attributable
to the notes. You may elect, on a debt
security-by-debt
security basis, to deduct the deferred interest expense in a tax
year prior to the year of disposition. You should consult your
own tax advisors before making this election.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during
the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of
the notes, unless you elect to accrue on a constant interest
method. You may elect to include market discount in income
currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant
interest method, in which case the rule described above
regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your
election to include market discount in income currently, once
made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by you
on or after the first taxable year to which your election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service. You should consult your own tax
advisor before making this election.
Amortizable
Bond Premium
If you purchase the notes for an amount in excess of the sum of
all amounts payable on those notes after the purchase date other
than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have
purchased those notes at a premium. You generally
may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of
those notes on a constant yield method as an offset to interest
when includible in income under your regular accounting method.
If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will
decrease the gain or increase the loss you would otherwise
recognize on disposition of the debt security. Your election to
amortize premium on a constant yield method will also apply to
all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by you on or
after the first day of the first taxable year to which the
election applies. You may not revoke the election without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service. You should consult your
own tax advisor before making this election.
Sale,
Exchange and Retirement of the Notes
A U.S. Holder of the notes will recognize gain or loss upon
the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable
disposition of such notes in an amount equal to the difference
between:
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the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property
received in exchange for such notes, other than amounts
attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest, which will
be subject to tax as ordinary income to the extent not
previously included in income; and
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the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in such notes.
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S-16
A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a note generally
will equal the cost of the note to such holder
(A) increased by the amount of accrued market discount (if
any) previously included in income by such holder and
(B) decreased by the amount of any payments other than
qualified stated interest payments and any amortizable bond
premium taken by the holder.
Any gain or loss recognized will generally be capital gain or
loss, and such capital gain or loss will generally be long-term
capital gain or loss if the notes have been held by the
U.S. Holder for more than one year. Long-term capital gain
for non-corporate taxpayers is subject to reduced rates of
United States federal income taxation (15% maximum federal rate
through the end of 2012). The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
If a U.S. Holder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent
disposition of the notes in an amount that exceeds a prescribed
threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury
Regulations involving reportable transactions could
apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the
loss generating transactions to the Internal Revenue Service.
While these regulations are directed towards tax
shelters, they are written broadly, and apply to
transactions that would not typically be considered tax
shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure to comply with
these requirements. You should consult your tax advisors
concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to
the receipt or disposition of the notes, or transactions that
might be undertaken directly or indirectly by us. Moreover, you
should be aware that we and other participants in transactions
involving us (including our advisors) might be subject to
disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Holders of the Notes
Assuming the notes are debt for tax purposes, interest income
accrued on the notes should not constitute unrelated business
taxable income to a tax-exempt holder. As a result, a tax-exempt
holder generally should not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on the interest income accruing on the notes.
Similarly, any gain recognized by the tax-exempt holder in
connection with a sale of the notes generally should not be
unrelated business taxable income. However, if a tax-exempt
holder were to finance its acquisition of the notes with debt, a
portion of the interest income and gain attributable to the
notes would constitute unrelated business taxable income
pursuant to the debt-financed property rules.
Tax-exempt holders should consult their own counsel to determine
the potential tax consequences of an investment in the notes.
Taxation
of Non-U.S.
Holders
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of
a
Non-U.S. Holder
are complex and no attempt will be made herein to provide more
than a summary of such rules.
Non-U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors to determine the effect of
U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, as well as
tax treaties, with regard to an investment in the notes.
Interest
Interest paid to a
non-U.S. Holder
of the notes will not be subject to United States federal
withholding tax under the portfolio interest
exception, provided that:
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interest paid on the notes is not effectively connected with a
non-U.S. Holders
conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
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the
non-U.S. Holder
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
capital or profits interest in the Operating Partnership;
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the
non-U.S. Holder
is not
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a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the
Operating Partnership, or
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a bank that receives such interest on an extension of credit
made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary
course of its trade or business; and
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S-17
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the beneficial owner of the notes provides a certification,
which is generally made on an Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8BEN
or a suitable substitute form and signed under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a United States person.
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A payment of interest to a
non-U.S. Holder
that does not qualify for the portfolio interest exception and
that is not effectively connected to a United States trade or
business will be subject to United States federal withholding
tax at a rate of 30%, unless a United States income tax treaty
applies to reduce or eliminate withholding.
A
non-U.S. Holder
will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a
U.S. Holder with respect to payments of interest if such
payments are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business by the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty provides,
such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by the
non-U.S. Holder.
In some circumstances, such effectively connected income
received by a
non-U.S. Holder
which is a corporation may be subject to an additional
branch profits tax at a 30% base rate or, if
applicable, a lower treaty rate.
To claim the benefit of a lower treaty rate or to claim
exemption from withholding because the income is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business, the
non-U.S. Holder
must provide a properly executed Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8BEN
or Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8ECI,
or a suitable substitute form, as applicable, prior to the
payment of interest. Such certificate must contain, among other
information, the name and address of the
non-U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S. Holders
are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding applicable
income tax treaties, which may provide different rules.
Sale or
Retirement of the Notes
A
non-U.S. Holder
generally will not be subject to United States federal income
tax or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or
redemption of the notes unless:
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the
non-U.S. Holder
is an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale, exchange
or redemption, and certain other conditions are met; or
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the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business of the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty so
provides, such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by such holder.
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Except to the extent that an applicable tax treaty provides
otherwise, a
non-U.S. Holder
will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a
U.S. Holder with respect to gain realized on the sale,
exchange or redemption of the notes if such gain is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty provides,
such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by the
non-U.S. Holder.
In certain circumstances, a
non-U.S. Holder
that is a corporation will be subject to an additional
branch profits tax at a 30% rate or, if applicable,
a lower treaty rate on such income.
U.S.
Federal Estate Tax
Your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax
on the notes beneficially owned by you at the time of your
death, provided that any payment to you on the notes would be
eligible for exemption from the 30% U.S. federal
withholding tax under the portfolio interest rule
described above, without regard to the certification requirement.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to Holders of the
Notes
U.S.
Holders
Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to
information reporting requirements on payments of principal and
interest on the notes and payments of the proceeds of the sale,
exchange, or redemption of the
S-18
notes, and backup withholding, currently imposed at a rate of
28%, may apply to such payment if the U.S. Holder:
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fails to furnish an accurate taxpayer identification number, or
TIN, to the payor in the manner required;
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is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it has failed
to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or
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under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties
of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and that it has
not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it is
subject to backup withholding.
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Non-U.S.
Holders
A
non-U.S. Holder
is generally not subject to backup withholding with respect to
payments of interest on the notes if it certifies as to its
status as a
non-U.S. Holder
under penalties of perjury or if it otherwise establishes an
exemption, provided that neither we nor our paying agent has
actual knowledge or reason to know that the
non-U.S. Holder
is a United States person or that the conditions of any other
exemptions are not, in fact, satisfied. Information reporting
requirements, however, will apply to payments of interest to
non-U.S. Holders
where such interest is subject to withholding or exempt from
United States withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty. Copies
of these information returns may also be made available under
the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax
authorities of the country in which the
non-U.S. Holder
resides.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes to
or through the United States office of any broker, United States
or foreign, will be subject to information reporting and
possible backup withholding unless the owner certifies as to its
non-United
States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have
actual knowledge or reason to know that the
non-U.S. Holder
is a United States person or that the conditions of any other
exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the notes to
or through a
non-United
States office of a
non-United
States broker that is not a United States related
person generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. For this purpose, a
United States related person is:
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a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes;
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all
sources for the three-year period ending with the close of its
taxable year preceding the payment, or for such part of the
period that the broker has been in existence, is derived from
activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a
United States trade or business; or
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a foreign partnership that at any time during the
partnerships taxable year is either engaged in the conduct
of a trade or business in the United States or of which 50% or
more of its income or capital interests are held by United
States persons.
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In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of
the notes to or through a
non-United States
office of a broker that is either a United States person or a
United States related person, the payment may be subject to
information reporting unless the broker has documentary evidence
in its files that the owner is a
non-U.S. Holder
and the broker has no knowledge or reason to know to the
contrary. Backup withholding will not apply to payments made
through foreign offices of a broker that is a United States
person or a United States related person, absent actual
knowledge that the payee is a United States person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
Holders United States federal income tax liability,
provided that the requisite procedures are followed.
Holders of the notes are urged to consult their tax advisors
regarding their qualification for exemption from backup
withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption,
if applicable.
S-19
New
Health Care Legislation
On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law the Health
Care and Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the Reconciliation
Act). The Reconciliation Act will require certain
U.S. Shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts
and whose income exceeds certain thresholds to pay a 3.8%
Medicare tax on net investment income which
includes, among other things, interest on the notes and capital
gains from the sale or other disposition of the notes, subject
to certain exceptions. This tax will apply for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2012. U.S. shareholders
should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any,
of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of the
notes.
S-20
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in the
underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus
supplement, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters
named below, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed
to purchase, severally and not jointly, the principal amount of
notes set forth opposite its name below:
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Principal
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Amount of
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Underwriter
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Notes
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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$
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76,917,000
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J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
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76,917,000
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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76,916,000
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BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC
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6,500,000
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
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6,500,000
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Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
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6,500,000
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PNC Capital Markets LLC
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6,500,000
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RBS Securities Inc.
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6,500,000
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TD Securities (USA) LLC
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6,500,000
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U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
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6,500,000
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Barclays Capital Inc.
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4,875,000
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BMO Capital Markets Corp.
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4,875,000
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Comerica Securities, Inc.
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4,875,000
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Commerz Markets LLC
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4,875,000
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Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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4,875,000
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Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
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4,875,000
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC
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4,875,000
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Santander Investment Securities Inc.
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4,875,000
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SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
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4,875,000
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UBS Securities LLC
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4,875,000
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Total
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$
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325,000,000
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Under the underwriting agreement, if the underwriters take any
of the notes, then the underwriters are obligated to take and
pay for all of the notes. The underwriting agreement also
provides that if one or more underwriters default, the purchase
commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased
or the offering of notes may be terminated.
The notes represent a new issue of securities with no
established trading market. The underwriters have advised us
that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not
obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market
making in the notes at any time at their sole discretion.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market
for the notes will develop and be sustained, that you will be
able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices
you receive when you sell will be favorable.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the notes
directly to the public at the offering price described on the
cover page of this prospectus supplement and part to certain
dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of
0.375% of the principal amount of the notes. Any underwriter may
allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in
excess of 0.250% of the principal amount of the notes to certain
other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes, the
underwriters may from time to time vary the offering price and
other selling terms.
We have also agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
S-21
In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters
may overallot in connection with this offering, creating a
syndicate short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid
for, and purchase, notes in the open market to cover syndicate
short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Finally,
the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed for distributing the notes in this offering if the
syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes in a
syndicate covering transaction, a stabilization transaction or
otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the
market price of any of the notes above independent market
levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of
these activities, and may end any of them at any time.
Transaction expenses relating to this offering, and payable by
us, are estimated to be $550,000.
For a discussion of certain conflicts of interest involving the
underwriters, see Conflicts of Interest.
We expect to deliver the notes against payment for the notes on
or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover
page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fourth
business day following the date of the pricing of the notes.
Because trades in the secondary market generally settle in three
business days, purchasers who wish to trade notes on the date of
the pricing will be required, by virtue of the fact that notes
initially will settle T+4, to specify alternative settlement
arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the
past provided, and may in the future provide, investment
banking, commercial banking and financial advisory services to
us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Affiliates of the underwriters serve various roles in our credit
facility: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., an affiliate of
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, serves as administrative agent,
swing lender and an issuing lender; Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National
Association), an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,
serves as co-documentation agent and lender; Citicorp North
America, Inc., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
serves as lender; and Regions Bank, an affiliate of Morgan
Keegan & Company, Inc., serves as lender. Affiliates of
certain of the other underwriters are lenders and/or agents
under our credit facility.
The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of BNY Mellon Capital
Markets, LLC, one of the underwriters, is the trustee for the
indenture governing the notes.
We intend to use more than 5% of the net proceeds of this
offering to repay indebtedness owed by us to certain affiliates
of the underwriters which are lenders under our credit facility.
See Use of Proceeds in this prospectus supplement.
Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the
requirements of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. Pursuant to Rule 5121, the
appointment of a qualified independent underwriter
is not necessary in connection with this offering, as the
offering is of a class of securities that are investment grade
rated. None of the underwriters will confirm sales of the debt
securities to any account over which it exercises discretionary
authority without the prior written approval of the customer.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the notes and the guarantee will be passed upon
for Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. and Brandywine Realty
Trust by Pepper Hamilton LLP and for the underwriters by Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
S-22
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine Realty
Trust have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which
contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion
of Brandywines investments in Three Logan Square from its
assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2010 because it was acquired by Brandywine
during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010 for Brandywine
Operating Partnership, L.P. have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph
on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines investments
in Three Logan Square from its assessment of internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 because it
was acquired during 2010) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
S-23
PROSPECTUS
BRANDYWINE REALTY
TRUST
Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Depositary Shares
Subscription Rights
and Warrants
BRANDYWINE OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Debt
Securities
Brandywine Realty Trust may offer from time to time its common
shares, preferred shares, depository shares, subscription rights
or warrants with a total initial offering price of up to
$750,000,000 under this prospectus. The common shares of
Brandywine Realty Trust are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol BDN. Brandywine Operating
Partnership, L.P. may offer from time to time its debt
securities in one or more series with a total initial offering
price of up to $750,000,000 under this prospectus. Brandywine
Realty Trust will unconditionally guarantee the payment
obligations of the debt securities.
We will offer the securities at prices and on the terms to be
determined at the time of offering. We may offer and sell these
securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and
agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed
basis.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may
apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities
to be offered will be described in a supplement to this
prospectus. We may describe the terms of these securities in a
term sheet that will precede the prospectus supplement.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
You should carefully read and consider this prospectus, the
applicable prospectus supplement and the risk factors included
in the applicable prospectus supplement
and/or in
our periodic reports and other information that we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in our
securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this Prospectus is April 29, 2009.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other
person to provide you with additional or different information.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities
other than the securities to which they relate and are not an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities
in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make
an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any
date other than the date of the document containing the
information.
-i-
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on
Form S-3
that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or
the SEC, using a shelf registration process for the
delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Securities Act. Under the shelf registration statement,
Brandywine Realty Trust may sell any combination of common
shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, subscription rights
and warrants in one or more offerings with a total offering
price of up to $750,000,000, and Brandywine Operating
Partnership, L.P. may sell debt securities of various terms in
one or more offerings with a total offering price of up to
$750,000,000.
As used in this prospectus and the registration statement on
Form S-3
of which this prospectus is a part, unless the context otherwise
requires, references to Brandywine refer to
Brandywine Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment
trust, or REIT; references to the Operating
Partnership refer to Brandywine Operating Partnership,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership; and references to
we, us, our or similar
expressions refer collectively to Brandywine Realty Trust and
its consolidated subsidiaries (including the Operating
Partnership) unless the context otherwise indicates.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the
securities that we may offer under this prospectus. Each time we
sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information
about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may
also add, update or change information contained in this
prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and, if applicable,
any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with any other information. If you receive any other
information, you should not rely on it. No offer to sell these
securities is being made in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information contained in this prospectus and, if applicable, any
prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference
in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as
of any date other than the date on the front cover of this
prospectus or on the front cover of the applicable prospectus
supplement or documents or as specifically indicated in the
document. Our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any
agreement or any other document are not necessarily complete. If
the SEC rules and regulations require that an agreement or
document be filed as an exhibit to the shelf registration
statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete
description of these matters. You should read both this
prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together
with the additional information described under the caption
Where You Can Find More Information below.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership file annual, quarterly
and current reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. The filings of Brandywine and the Operating Partnership
with the SEC are available to the public on the Internet at the
SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
You may also read and copy any document that Brandywine or the
Operating Partnership files with the SEC at its Public Reference
Room located at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room and their
copy charges.
You can inspect reports, proxy statements and other information
that Brandywine files at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference
information into this prospectus. This means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document. Any information referred to in this way is
considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that
document.
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Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this
prospectus and before the date that the offering of the
securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will
automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any
information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following
documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each
case, documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in
accordance with SEC rules, and no such information shall be
deemed specifically incorporated by reference hereby):
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of Brandywine Realty Trust for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008;
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2008;
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K
of Brandywine Realty Trust filed on January 22, 2009,
January 30, 2009, and April 7, 2009;
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K
of Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. filed on
January 22, 2009, January 30, 2009, and April 7,
2009;
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Registration Statements on
Form 8-A
of Brandywine Realty Trust filed on October 14, 1997,
December 29, 2003 and February 5, 2004; and
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All documents filed by either Brandywine Realty Trust or
Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, after the
date of the initial registration statement and prior to the
effectiveness of the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part, as well as all such documents filed by us
with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior
to the termination of this offering.
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To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they
are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents),
write us at the following address or call us at the telephone
number listed below:
BRANDYWINE
REALTY TRUST
555 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
Telephone:
(610) 832-4907
Brandywine also maintains a web site at
http://www.brandywinerealty.com
through which you can obtain copies of documents that Brandywine
and the Operating Partnership have filed with the SEC. The
contents of that site are not incorporated by reference in or
otherwise a part of this prospectus.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the information incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, and any prospectus supplement,
may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of
the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
our actual results, performance or achievements of each of
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership to be materially
different from future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain
assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and
expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words
may, will, should,
expect, anticipate,
estimate, believe, intend,
project, or the negative of these words, or other
similar words or terms. Factors which could materially and
adversely affect us include, but are not limited to the
following:
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our failure to lease unoccupied space in accordance with our
projections;
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our failure to re-lease occupied space upon expiration of leases;
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tenant defaults and the bankruptcy of major tenants;
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changes in prevailing interest rates;
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the impact of unrealized hedging transactions;
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the unavailability of equity and debt financing;
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unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, integration
and operation of our acquisitions;
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unanticipated costs to complete,
lease-up and
operate our developments and redevelopments;
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impairment charges;
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increased costs for, or lack of availability of, adequate
insurance, including for terrorist acts;
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risks associated with actual or threatened terrorist attacks;
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demand for tenant services beyond those traditionally provided
by landlords;
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potential liability under environmental or other laws;
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earthquakes and other natural disasters;
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risks associated with state and local tax audits;
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complex regulations relating to our status as a REIT and the
adverse consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT;
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changes in local real estate conditions (including changes in
rental rates and the number of competing properties);
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changes in the economic conditions affecting industries in which
our principal tenants compete;
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changes in general economic conditions;
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the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our
accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of
financial results and the other risks identified in the
Risk Factors section and elsewhere in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008.
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All of these factors should be considered in evaluating any
forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference
in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
In light of these uncertainties and risks, prospective investors
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Except with respect to such material
changes to our risk factors as may be reflected from time to
time in our quarterly filings or as otherwise required by law,
we are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any
obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements
included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any
accompanying prospectus supplement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Because of the factors
referred to above, the future events discussed in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying
prospectus supplement may not occur and actual results,
performance or achievement could differ materially from that
anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
BRANDYWINE
AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Brandywine is a self-administered and self-managed real estate
investment trust, or REIT, active in acquiring, developing,
redeveloping, leasing and managing office and industrial
properties. Brandywine was organized and commenced operations in
1986 as a Maryland REIT. The Operating Partnership was formed
and commenced operations in 1996 as a Delaware limited
partnership. Brandywine owns its assets, and conducts its
operations, through the Operating Partnership. Brandywine
controls the Operating Partnership as its sole general partner
and, as of December 31, 2008, Brandywine owned an
approximately 96.9% interest in the Operating Partnership. Our
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executive offices are located at 555 East Lancaster Avenue,
Suite 100, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087 and our telephone
number is
(610) 325-5600.
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, Brandywine will contribute or otherwise transfer the
net proceeds of any sale of securities to the Operating
Partnership in exchange for additional partnership interests in
the Operating Partnership, the economic terms of which will be
substantially identical to those of the securities sold.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the Operating Partnership will use those net
proceeds and any net proceeds from any sale of its debt
securities for general business purposes, including, without
limitation, repayment of outstanding debt and the acquisition or
development of office and industrial properties.
RATIOS OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO
COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE
DISTRIBUTIONS
The following table sets forth the Operating Partnerships
ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.
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For the Years Ended December 31,
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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1.02
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1.24
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1.85
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The Operating Partnerships ratio of earnings to combined
fixed charges was less than 1.00 because of its loss from
continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2008
and 2006. The Operating Partnership must generate additional
earnings of approximately $0.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2008 and $34.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a ratio coverage of
1.00. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2006
included significant depreciation of operating real estate and
amortization of lease intangibles resulting from acquisitions
completed during 2006. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges,
distributed income of equity investees, and amortization of
capitalized interest to income from continuing operations before
minority interest and equity in earnings from unconsolidated
real estate ventures of the Operating Partnership, less
capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest costs,
whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of deferred
financing costs, amortization of discounts or premiums related
to indebtedness and the interest portion of rent expense.
The following table sets forth Brandywines ratios of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share
distributions for the periods indicated.
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For the Years Ended December 31,
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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(1
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(1
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(1
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1.13
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1.53
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Brandywines ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
was less than 1.00 because of its loss from continuing
operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006. Brandywine must generate additional earnings of
approximately $8.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2008, $3.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and $46.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 in order to achieve a ratio coverage of
1.00. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2006
included significant depreciation of operating real estate and
amortization of lease intangibles resulting from acquisitions
completed during 2006. |
For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred share distributions,
earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges,
distributed income of equity investees, and amortization of
capitalized interest to income from continuing operations before
minority interest and equity in
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earnings from unconsolidated real estate ventures of Brandywine,
less capitalized interest and preferred distributions of
consolidated subsidiaries. Fixed charges consist of interest
costs, whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of deferred
financing costs, amortization of discounts or premiums related
to indebtedness, the interest portion of rent expense and
preferred distributions of consolidated subsidiaries. Preferred
distributions includes income allocated to holders of
Brandywines Preferred Shares.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions
of the indenture under which the debt securities will be issued
by the Operating Partnership. The particular terms and
provisions of the debt securities with respect to a specific
offering of debt securities will be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. This summary of general terms and
provisions of the indenture and the debt securities does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the indenture
and those debt securities.
The debt securities will be issued by the Operating Partnership
under the indenture dated as of October 22, 2004, as
amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Operating
Partnership, Brandywine and The Bank of New York Mellon
(formerly known as The Bank of New York) as trustee. The
indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement
of which this prospectus is a part and will be available for
inspection at the corporate trust office of the trustee or as
described under Where You Can Find More Information.
The indenture is qualified under, subject to, and governed by,
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
All section references appearing herein are to sections of the
indenture, and capitalized terms used but not defined herein
will have the respective meanings set forth in the indenture.
General
The debt securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the
Operating Partnership. Except for any series of debt securities
which is expressly subordinated to other indebtedness of the
Operating Partnership, the debt securities will rank equally
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Operating Partnership. Under the indenture, the debt securities
may be issued without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in
one or more series, as established from time to time pursuant to
authority granted by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of
Brandywine as sole general partner of the Operating Partnership
or as established in one or more supplemental indentures to the
indenture. All of the debt securities of any one series need not
be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the holders of
the debt securities of that series, for issuances of additional
debt securities of that series (Section 301). All debt
securities of a particular series shall be substantially
identical except as to denomination, date of issuance, issue
price and the date from which interest, if any, shall accrue.
Brandywine will, under the indenture, fully and unconditionally
guarantee the due and punctual payment of principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities issued by
the Operating Partnership, and the due and punctual payment of
any sinking fund payments on those debt securities, when and as
the same shall become due and payable, whether at a maturity
date, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or
otherwise.
The indenture requires any subsidiary of the Operating
Partnership that is a significant subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act) to provide a full and
unconditional guaranty as to payment of principal and premium,
if any, and interest on the debt securities issued by the
Operating Partnership not later than 180 days following the
date on which that subsidiary becomes a guarantor under our
principal credit agreement. We refer to any such
significant subsidiary that becomes a guarantor
under our principal credit agreement as a Subsidiary
Guarantor and, together with Brandywine, as the
Guarantors. As of the date of this prospectus, we
have no significant subsidiaries that are guarantors under our
principal credit agreement.
If for any reason the obligations of a significant subsidiary
that has become a Subsidiary Guarantor terminate under our
principal credit agreement, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be
deemed released from all of its obligations under the indenture
and its guarantee will terminate (Sections 1401 and 1404).
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The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee
for any one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee under
the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or
more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to that series (Section 610).
Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the
applicable prospectus supplement, any action to be taken by the
trustee may be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and
only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities
for which it is trustee under the indenture.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of
debt securities being offered will describe the specific terms
and provisions of those debt securities, including the following:
(1) the title of the debt securities;
(2) the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities
and any limit on that aggregate principal amount;
(3) the percentage of the principal amount at which the
debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(4) the date or dates, or the manner of determining the
date or dates, on which the principal of the debt securities
will be payable;
(5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or
the method by which the rate or rates will be determined, at
which the debt securities will bear interest, if any;
(6) the date or dates, or the method for determining the
date or dates, from which any interest will accrue, the interest
payment dates on which that interest will be payable, the
regular record dates for interest payment dates, or the method
by which those dates will be determined, the person to whom
interest will be payable, and the basis upon which interest will
be calculated if other than that of a
360-day year
of twelve
30-day
months;
(7) the place or places where the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be
payable and where notices or demands to or upon the Operating
Partnership in respect of the debt securities and the indenture
may be served;
(8) the period or periods within which, or the date or
dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed, as a
whole or in part, at the option of the Operating Partnership, if
the Operating Partnership is to have such an option;
(9) the obligation, if any, of the Operating Partnership to
redeem, repay or repurchase the debt securities pursuant to any
sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the
holders, and the period or periods within which, or the date or
dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which the debt securities are required to be
redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
that obligation;
(10) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or
currencies in which the debt securities are denominated
and/or
payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more
foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and
the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(11) whether the amount of payments of principal of and
premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities may
be determined with reference to an index, formula or other
method (which index, formula or method may, but need not, be
based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which those
amounts will be determined;
(12) any additions to, modifications of or inapplicability
of the terms of the debt securities with respect to the events
of default or covenants or other provisions set forth in the
indenture;
(13) whether the debt securities will be issued in global
or book-entry form or definitive certificated form, and whether
the debt securities will be issued in bearer form;
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(14) if other than $5,000 and any integral multiple of
$1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the debt
securities shall be issuable;
(15) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and
covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture, or any
modification thereof;
(16) the extent and manner, if any, to which payments on
the debt securities may be subordinated to other indebtedness of
the Operating Partnership;
(17) whether and under what circumstances the Operating
Partnership will pay additional amounts as contemplated in the
indenture on the debt securities in respect of any tax,
assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the
Operating Partnership will have the option to redeem the debt
securities in lieu of paying additional amounts; and
(18) any other terms of the debt securities not
inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture
(Section 301).
The debt securities may provide for less than the entire
principal amount of those debt securities to be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
(original issue discount securities). The applicable
prospectus supplement will describe special U.S. federal
income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to
the original issue discount securities.
The indenture does not contain any provisions (other than as
described under Covenants Limitations on
Incurrence of Indebtedness) that would limit the ability
of the Operating Partnership to incur indebtedness or that would
afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a
highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Operating
Partnership. However, restrictions on ownership and transfers of
Brandywines common shares and preferred shares, designed
to preserve Brandywines status as a REIT, may prevent or
hinder a change of control. Reference is made to the applicable
prospectus supplement for information with respect to any
deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of
default or covenants of the Operating Partnership that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other
provision providing event risk or similar protection.
Guarantees
Brandywine will, under the indenture, fully and unconditionally
guarantee the due and punctual payment of principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities issued by
the Operating Partnership, and the due and punctual payment of
any sinking fund payments on those debt securities, when and as
the same shall become due and payable, whether at a maturity
date, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or
otherwise.
The indenture requires any significant subsidiary to
provide a full and unconditional guaranty as to payment of
principal and premium, if any, and interest on the debt
securities issued by the Operating Partnership not later than
180 days following the date on which that subsidiary
becomes a guarantor under our principal credit agreement. As of
the date of this prospectus, we have no significant subsidiaries
that are guarantors under our principal credit agreement.
If for any reason the obligations of a significant subsidiary
that has become a Subsidiary Guarantor terminate under our
principal credit agreement, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be
deemed released from all of its obligations under the indenture
and its guarantee will terminate (Sections 1401 and 1404).
Denominations
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities of any series shall be issuable
only in registered form without coupons and, other than
securities in global form (which may be of any denomination),
will be issuable in denominations of $5,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof (Section 302).
7
Payments
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on any series of debt securities will be payable at the
corporate trust office of the trustee. However, at the option of
the Operating Partnership, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it
appears in the security register or by wire transfer of funds to
that person at a bank account maintained within the United
States (Sections 307 and 1002).
All amounts paid by the Operating Partnership to a paying agent
or a trustee for the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on any debt security which remain unclaimed at
the end of two years after the principal, premium or interest
has become due and payable will be repaid to the Operating
Partnership, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may
look only to the Operating Partnership for payment of these
amounts.
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any
interest payment date with respect to a debt security will
forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the applicable
regular record date and may either be paid to the person in
whose name that debt security is registered at the close of
business on a special record date for the payment of that
defaulted interest to be fixed by the trustee or may be paid at
any time in any other lawful manner, all in accordance with the
indenture (Section 307). Notice of any special record date
will be given to the holder of that debt security not less than
10 days prior to the special record date.
Registration
and Transfer
Subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities
issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series
will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same
series, of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, of
different authorized denominations upon surrender of such debt
securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee. In
addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt
securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any
series may be surrendered for registration of transfer at the
corporate trust office of the trustee.
Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange will be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but
the Operating Partnership may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable
in connection therewith (Section 305).
If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer
agent (in addition to the trustee) initially designated by the
Operating Partnership and the Guarantors with respect to any
series of debt securities, the Operating Partnership may at any
time rescind the designation of that transfer agent or approve a
change in the location through which that transfer agent acts,
except that the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment
for that series. The Operating Partnership and the Guarantors
may at any time designate additional transfer agents with
respect to any series of debt securities (Section 1002).
Neither the Operating Partnership nor the trustee will be
required to:
(1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt
securities of any series during a period beginning at the
opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt
securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close
of business of the day of mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption;
(2) register the transfer of or exchange any debt security,
or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed
portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; or
(3) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt
security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option
of the holder, except that portion, if any, of such debt
security which is not to be so repaid (Section 305).
8
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale
The Operating Partnership may consolidate with, or sell, lease
or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge
with or into, any other entity, provided that the following
conditions are satisfied or fulfilled:
(1) either the Operating Partnership is the continuing
entity, or the successor (if other than the Operating
Partnership) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation
or merger or which has received the transfer of those assets is
organized under the laws of the United States of America and
expressly assumes payment of the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest on all of the debt securities and the due and
punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions contained in the indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction and
taking into account any indebtedness which becomes an obligation
of the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary at the time of
the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no
event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
become an event of default, has occurred and is
continuing; and
(3) an officers certificate of Brandywine as general
partner of the Operating Partnership and a legal opinion
covering these conditions is delivered to the trustee
(Section 801).
The Guarantors may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey
all or substantially all of their respective assets to, or merge
with or into, any other entity, provided that substantially the
same conditions as above are satisfied or fulfilled
(Section 803).
Conversion
and Exchange Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of debt
securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for
Brandywine common shares or other securities will be set forth
in an applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include,
as applicable, the conversion price or exchange rate, the
conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether
conversion or exchange of the debt securities will be at the
option of the holder or the Operating Partnership, the events
requiring an adjustment to the conversion price or exchange rate
and provisions affecting the conversion or exchange of the debt
securities in the event that the debt securities are redeemed.
Covenants
Limitations
on Incurrence of Indebtedness
The Operating Partnership will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness, other than
Intercompany Indebtedness, if, immediately after giving effect
to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness and the
application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal
amount of all of its outstanding Indebtedness and that of its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is greater than 60% of the
sum of (without duplication):
(1) the Total Assets of the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in
its Annual Report on
Form 10-K
or Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q,
as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if
such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
trustee) prior to the incurrence of that additional
Indebtedness; and
(2) the purchase price of any assets included in the
definition of Total Assets acquired, and the amount of any
securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that the
proceeds were not used to acquire assets included with Total
Assets or used to reduce Indebtedness), by the Operating
Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of that
calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in
connection with the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness.
The Operating Partnership also will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness secured by any
Encumbrance upon any of its properties or any of its
Subsidiaries properties, whether owned at the date of the
indenture or thereafter acquired, if, immediately after giving
effect to the incurrence of that additional Indebtedness secured
by an Encumbrance and the application of the proceeds thereof,
the aggregate principal
9
amount of its outstanding indebtedness and that of its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which is secured by any
Encumbrance on its properties or any of its Subsidiaries
properties is greater than 40% of the sum of (without
duplication):
(1) the Total Assets of the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in
its Annual Report on
Form 10-K
or Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q,
as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if
such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
trustee) prior to the incurrence of that additional
Indebtedness; and
(2) the purchase price of any assets included in the
definition of Total Assets acquired, and the amount of any
securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such
proceeds were not used to acquire assets included in the
definition of Total Assets or used to reduce Indebtedness), by
the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries since the
end of that calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained
in connection with the incurrence of that additional
Indebtedness.
In addition, the Operating Partnership will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness if the
ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to
Annual Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which that
additional Indebtedness is to be incurred will be less than
1.5:1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to
the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the
assumption that:
(1) that Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness incurred
by the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries since the
first day of that four-quarter period and the application of the
proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Indebtedness,
had occurred at the beginning of that four-quarter period;
(2) the repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness
by the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries since the
first day of that four-quarter period had been repaid or retired
at the beginning of that four-quarter period (except that, for
purposes of this computation, the amount of Indebtedness under
any revolving credit facility will be computed based upon the
average daily balance of that Indebtedness during that
four-quarter period);
(3) in the case of Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness
incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day
of that four-quarter period, the acquisition had occurred as of
the first day of that four-quarter period with the appropriate
adjustments with respect to the acquisition being included in
the pro forma calculation; and
(4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the
Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or
group of assets since the first day of that four-quarter period,
whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or
sale, the acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of
Indebtedness had occurred as of the first day of that
four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with
respect to the acquisition or disposition being included in the
pro forma calculation (Section 1006).
Maintenance
of Unencumbered Assets
The Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries will at all times
maintain Total Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of its Unsecured
Indebtedness and that of its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis (Section 1006).
Provision
of Financial Information
So long as any debt securities are outstanding and whether or
not required by the SEC, Brandywine and the Operating
Partnership will furnish to the trustee within 15 days of
the time periods specified in the SECs rules and
regulations:
(1) all annual and quarterly financial information that
would be required to be contained in filings with the SEC on
Forms 10-K
and 10-Q if
Brandywine and the Operating Partnership were required to file
those filings, including a Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
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Operations and, with respect to the annual information
only, a report on the annual financial statements by our
certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed
with the SEC on
Form 8-K
if Brandywine and the Operating Partnership were required to
file such reports.
If Brandywine or the Operating Partnership is not subject to
Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, Brandywine or
the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, will
(A) furnish to the holders of the debt securities, without
cost to such holders, a copy of the information and reports
referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above within
15 days of the time periods specified in the SECs
rules and regulations, and (B) upon written request and
payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery,
promptly supply to any prospective holder of the debt securities
a copy of the information and reports referred to in
clauses (1) and (2) above.
In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, Brandywine and
the Operating Partnership will file a copy of the information
and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above
with the SEC for public availability within the time periods
specified in the SECs rules and regulations (unless the
SEC will not accept such a filing) (Section 704).
Waiver
of Certain Covenants
The Operating Partnership and the Guarantors may choose not to
comply with any term, provision or condition of the preceding
covenants, and with any other term, provision or condition with
respect to the debt securities (except for any term, provision
or condition which could not be amended without the consent of
all holders of debt securities), if at any time the holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of all the outstanding
debt securities, by act of those holders, either waive
compliance in that instance or generally waive compliance with
that covenant. Except to the extent so expressly waived, and
until any waiver becomes effective, the Operating
Partnerships and the Guarantors obligations and the
duties of the trustee in respect of any such term, provision or
condition will remain in full force and effect
(Section 1010).
Other
Covenants
Existence
Except as permitted under Merger, Consolidation or
Sale, each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors
will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and
keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (declaration
and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that neither
the Operating Partnership nor any Guarantor will be required to
preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the
preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
its business and that the loss of that right or franchise is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the
debt securities (Section 1005).
Maintenance
of Properties
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will cause
all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of
its business or the business of any of its Subsidiaries to be
maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order,
all as in the judgment of the Operating Partnership or the
applicable Guarantor may be necessary so that the business
carried on in connection with those properties may be properly
and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however,
that neither the Operating Partnership nor any Guarantor nor any
of their respective Subsidiaries will be prevented from selling
or otherwise disposing of their properties for value in the
ordinary course of business (Section 1007).
Insurance
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will cause
each of its and its Subsidiaries insurable properties to
be insured in a commercially reasonable amount against loss of
damage with insurers of recognized responsibility and, if
described in the applicable prospectus supplement, in specified
amounts and with insurers having a specified rating from a
recognized insurance rating service (Section 1008).
11
Payment
of Taxes and Other Claims
Each of the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors will pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before becoming
delinquent:
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all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
imposed upon it or any of its Subsidiaries or upon its income,
profits or property or that of any of its Subsidiaries; and
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all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if
unpaid, might by law become a lien upon its property or the
property of any of its Subsidiaries;
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provided, however, that neither the Operating Partnership nor
any Guarantor will be required to pay or discharge or cause to
be paid or discharged any tax, assessment, charge or claim whose
amount or applicability is being contested in good faith
(Section 1009).
Additional
Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of
debt securities being offered will describe any additional
covenants specific to that series.
Events of
Default, Notice and Waiver
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the indenture provides that the following events
will be events of default with respect to each
series of debt securities issued under the indenture:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest
on any debt security of that series;
(2) default in the payment of any principal of or premium,
if any, on any debt security of that series when due;
(3) default in making any sinking fund payment as required
for any debt security of that series;
(4) default in the performance of any other covenant or
warranty of the Operating Partnership
and/or any
of the Guarantors contained in the indenture with respect to any
debt security of that series, which continues for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the indenture;
(5) default in the payment of an aggregate principal amount
exceeding $25,000,000 of any evidence of indebtedness of the
Operating Partnership
and/or any
of the Guarantors or any mortgage, indenture, note, bond,
capitalized lease or other instrument under which that
indebtedness is issued or by which that indebtedness is secured,
such default having continued after the expiration of any
applicable grace period or having resulted in the acceleration
of the maturity of that indebtedness, but only if that
indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not
rescinded or annulled;
(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator
or trustee of the Operating Partnership, Brandywine, any
Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Significant Subsidiary or any
of their respective properties;
(7) except as otherwise permitted in the Indenture, any
guarantee of the debt securities of any series is held in any
judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall
cease for any reason to be in full force and effect, or
Brandywine or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant
Subsidiary shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its
guarantee with respect to the debt securities of the applicable
series; and
(8) any other event of default provided with respect to a
particular series of debt securities (Section 501).
If an event of default (other than as described in
clause (6) above) with respect to debt securities of any
series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in
each case the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series may declare the principal (or, if the debt securities of
that series are original issue discount securities or indexed
securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms thereof) of and premium, if any, and
accrued and unpaid interest on all of the debt securities of
that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice
thereof to the Operating Partnership and
12
Brandywine (and to the trustee if given by the holders). If an
event of default described in clause (6) above occurs and
is continuing, the principal (or such portion thereof) of and
premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the
debt securities of that series will become and be immediately
due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part
of the trustee or any holders. However, at any time after any
acceleration with respect to debt securities of that series, but
before a judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due has
been obtained by the trustee, the holders of not less then a
majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of
that series may rescind and annul that acceleration and its
consequences if (1) the Operating Partnership or any
Guarantor has paid or deposited with the trustee all required
payments of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on the debt securities of that series (without giving effect to
the acceleration) plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements
and, premium, if any, advances of the trustee and (2) all
events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to debt
securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided
in the indenture (Section 502). The indenture also provides
that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any
past default with respect to that series and its consequences,
except a default (A) in the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on any debt security of that series
or (B) in respect of a covenant or provision contained in
the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected
thereby (Section 513).
The trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of
debt securities within 90 days of a default under the
indenture; provided, however, that the trustee may withhold
notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any
default with respect to that series (except a default in the
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
any debt securities of that series or in the payment of any
sinking fund installment in respect of any debt securities of
that series) if the responsible officers of the trustee consider
withholding of notice to be in the interest of the holders
(Section 602).
The indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of any
series may institute any judicial or other proceedings with
respect to the indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in
the case of failure of the trustee, for 60 days, to act
after it has received a written request to institute proceedings
in respect of an event of default from the holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of that series, as well as an offer of security or indemnity
satisfactory to it (Section 507). This provision will not
prevent, however, any holder of debt securities from instituting
suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities at the
respective due date or dates for payment (Section 508).
Subject to provisions in the indenture relating to its duties in
case of default, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request
or direction of any holders of debt securities of any series
then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders offer
to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it
(Section 603). The holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any
series will have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
trustee for that series. However, the trustee may refuse to
follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the
indenture, which may involve the trustee in personal liability
or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt
securities of that series not joining in the proceeding
(Section 512).
Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the
Operating Partnership and Brandywine must deliver to the trustee
a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers of
the general partner of the Operating Partnership and of
Brandywine, stating whether or not such officers have knowledge
of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each
such default and the nature and status thereof
(Section 1004).
Modification
of the Indenture
Modifications and amendments of provisions of the indenture
applicable to any series may be made only with consent of the
holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
outstanding debt securities which are
13
affected by the modification or amendment; provided, however,
that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent
of the holder of each debt security affected thereby:
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest or premium, if any, on, that debt
security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount
of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, that
debt security, or reduce the amount of principal of an original
issue discount security that would be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be
provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of
repayment of the holder of that debt security;
(3) change the place of payment, or the coin or currency,
for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on
that debt security;
(4) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
of any payment on or with respect to that debt security on or
after the stated maturity thereof;
(5) reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding debt
securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the
indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof
or specified defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce
the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the indenture;
(6) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the holders
the terms and conditions of the obligations of any of the
Guarantors under the guarantees applicable to that debt security
(other than releases of guarantees when a Subsidiary
Guarantors guarantee under our principal credit agreement
is terminated); or
(7) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the
provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or
certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to
effect that action or to provide that certain other provisions
may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holder
of that debt security (Section 902).
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of a particular series have the
right to waive compliance by the Operating Partnership and the
Guarantors with certain covenants in the indenture relating to
that series (Section 1010).
Modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by the
Operating Partnership, the Guarantors and the trustee without
the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of the
following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another person to the
Operating Partnership as obligor, or to any of the Guarantors
under the indenture;
(2) to add to the covenants of the Operating Partnership or
any of the Guarantors for the benefit of the holders of all or
any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the Operating Partnership or any of the
Guarantors in the indenture;
(3) to add events of default for the benefit of the holders
of all or any series of debt securities;
(4) to change or eliminate any provisions of the indenture,
provided that the change or elimination will become effective
only when there are no outstanding debt securities of any series
created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such
provision;
(5) to secure, or add additional guarantees with respect
to, the debt securities;
(6) to establish the form or terms of debt securities of
any series;
(7) to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a
successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trust
under the indenture by more than one trustee;
(8) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the
indenture, provided that such action will not adversely affect
the interests of holders of debt securities of any series in any
material respect; or
14
(9) to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to
the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and
discharge of any series of such debt securities, provided that
such action will not adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the debt securities of any series in any material
respect (Section 901).
The indenture provides that, in determining whether the holders
of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities
of a series have given any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or whether a
quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt securities:
(1) the principal amount of an original issue discount
security that is deemed to be outstanding will be the amount of
the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the
date of determination upon declaration of acceleration of the
maturity of that debt security;
(2) the principal amount of a debt security denominated in
a foreign currency that is deemed outstanding will be the
U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for
that debt security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of
an original issue discount security, the U.S. dollar
equivalent on the issue date of that debt security of the amount
determined as provided in clause (1) above);
(3) the principal amount of an indexed security that is
deemed outstanding will be the principal face amount of that
indexed security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided
with respect to that indexed security pursuant to the
indenture; and
(4) debt securities owned by the Operating Partnership, any
of the Guarantors or any other obligor upon the debt securities
or any affiliate of the Operating Partnership, any of the
Guarantors or of that other obligor will be disregarded
(Section 101).
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the
holders of debt securities of a series (Article Thirteen).
A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, and also,
upon request, by the Operating Partnership or the holders of at
least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of that series, in each case upon notice given as provided in
the indenture (Section 1302). Except for any consent that
must be given by the holder of each debt security affected by
certain modifications and amendments of the indenture, any
resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly
reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series;
provided, however, that, except as referred to above, any
resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be
made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage,
which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a
meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum
is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of the debt
securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision
taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series
duly held in accordance with the indenture will be binding on
all holders of debt securities of that series. The quorum at any
meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened
meeting, will be persons, holding or representing a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series;
provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such
meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given
by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series,
the persons holding or representing such specified percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such
series will constitute a quorum (Section 1304).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be
taken at a meeting of holders of debt securities of any series
with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action that the indenture
expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of
a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding
debt securities affected thereby, or of the holders of that
series and one or more additional series:
(1) there will be no minimum quorum requirement for the
meeting; and
(2) the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of such series that vote in favor of the request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action will be taken into account in determining whether such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under the
indenture (Section 1304).
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Discharge;
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors may
discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt
securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or
will become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled
for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with
the trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
which such debt securities are payable in an amount sufficient
to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities in
respect of principal and premium, if any, and interest to the
date of such deposit (if such debt securities have become due
and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as
the case may be (Section 404).
In addition, the indenture provides that, unless otherwise
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the
provisions of Article Four are made applicable to the debt
securities of any series pursuant to the indenture, the
Operating Partnership may elect either
(1) to defease and discharge itself and the Guarantors from
any and all obligations with respect to those debt securities
(except for the obligation to pay additional amounts, if any,
upon the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or
governmental charge with respect to payments on such debt
securities and the obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities
and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (legal
defeasance) (Section 402); or
(2) to release itself and the Guarantors from their
obligations with respect to those debt securities under
Covenants, Other
Covenants or their obligations with respect to any other
covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations will
not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to
those debt securities (covenant defeasance)
(Section 403);
in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Operating
Partnership or the Guarantors with the trustee, in trust, of any
amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units
or composite currency or currencies in which those debt
securities are payable at stated maturity, or Government
Obligations, or both, applicable to those debt securities which
through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund
or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates.
This trust may only be established if, among other conditions,
the Operating Partnership has delivered to the trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of legal
defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, and will
be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may
be, had not occurred, and the opinion of counsel, in the case of
legal defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of
the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) or a change
in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after
the date of the indenture (Section 404).
In the event the Operating Partnership effects covenant
defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series and
those debt securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any event of default other than an event of
default described in clause (4) under Events of
Default, Notice and Waiver with respect to the covenants
described under Covenants and
Other Covenants (which would no longer
be applicable to those debt securities) or described in
clause (7) under Events of Default, Notice and
Waiver with respect to any other covenant as to which
there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in the currency,
currency unit or composite currency in which those debt
securities are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit
with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on those
debt securities at the time of their stated maturity but may not
be sufficient to pay amounts due on those debt securities at the
time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default.
However, the Operating Partnership and the Guarantors would
remain liable to make payment of those amounts due at the time
of acceleration.
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The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the
provisions, if any, permitting legal defeasance or covenant
defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions
described above, with respect to the debt securities of a
particular series.
Subordination
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities
of any series will subordinated to other indebtedness of the
Operating Partnership, including the debt securities of other
series, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. These terms will include a description of the
indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities of that
series, the restrictions on payments to the holders of the debt
securities of that series while a default with respect to the
senior indebtedness is continuing, the restrictions, if any, on
payments to the holders of the debt securities of that series
following an event of default, and provisions requiring holders
of the debt securities of that series to remit certain payments
to holders of senior indebtedness.
Book-Entry
System and Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more securities in global form that
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified
in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series.
Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are
expected to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company,
or DTC, as depository. Unless otherwise indicated,
global securities will be issued in fully registered form and in
either temporary or permanent form. Unless the applicable
prospectus supplement states otherwise, and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for the debt securities
represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred
except as a whole by the depository for that global security to
a nominee of that depository or by a nominee of that depository
to that depository or another nominee of such depository or by
that depository or any nominee of that depository to a successor
depository or any nominee of that successor.
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to
a series of debt securities will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We anticipate that, unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following
provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
The applicable prospectus supplement will state whether the
global securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry
form. If the global securities are to be issued in book-entry
form, we expect that upon the issuance of a global security, the
depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on
its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective
principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented
by the global security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such depository (participants). These
accounts will be designated by the underwriters, dealers or
agents with respect to the debt securities. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through
participants.
We expect that, for the global securities deposited with DTC,
pursuant to procedures established by DTC, ownership of
beneficial interests in any global security with respect to
which DTC is the depository will be shown on, and the transfer
of that ownership will be effected only through, records
maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to beneficial
interests of participants) and records of participants (with
respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through
participants). None of the Operating Partnership, the
Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and the security
registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating
to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The
laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to
own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement or the actual global security, so long as the
depository for a global security or its nominee is the
registered owner of the book-entry global security, the
depository or that nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities
represented by that global security for all purposes under the
applicable indenture. Except as described below or in the
applicable prospectus supplement or the global security, owners
of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled
to have any of the individual debt securities represented by the
global security registered in their names, will not receive or
be entitled to receive delivery of debt securities in definitive
certificated form and will not
17
be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a
global security will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the indenture for any purpose, including with
respect to the giving of any direction, instructions or
approvals to the trustee thereunder. Accordingly, each person
owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect
to which DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of
DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures
of the participant through which that person owns its interests,
to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable
indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practice,
if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take
any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the
applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants
holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take that
action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners
through the participants to give or take that action or would
otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding
through them.
Payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on
debt securities represented by a global security registered in
the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at
the direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the registered owner of the global security under the
indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Operating
Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying agent and
the security registrar may treat the persons in whose name debt
securities, including a global security, are registered as the
owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments.
Consequently, none of the Operating Partnership, the Guarantors,
the trustee, any paying agent and the security registrar has or
will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of
those amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities (including
principal, premium, if any, and interest). We believe, however,
that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the
accounts of relevant participants with payments, in amounts
proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial
interests in the relevant global security as shown on the
records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in the global security held
through participants will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for
the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street
name, and will be the responsibility of the participants.
Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities
represented by a global security will be sent to the depository
or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any
series are to be redeemed, we expect the depository to determine
the amount of the interest of each participant in the debt
securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot. None of the
Operating Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee, any paying
agent and the security registrar for the debt securities will
have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the global security for the debt
securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.
None of the Operating Partnership, the Guarantors, the trustee,
any paying agent and the security registrar will be liable for
any delay by the holders of a global security or the depository
in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities and the
Operating Partnership, the Guarantors and the trustee may
conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on,
instructions from the holder of a global security or the
depository for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its
participants are on file with the SEC.
If a depository for any debt securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Operating
Partnership within 90 days, the Operating Partnership will
issue definitive certificated debt securities in exchange for
the global security representing those debt securities. If an
event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to
the debt securities of any series, the Operating Partnership
will issue definitive certificated debt securities in exchange
for the global security or securities representing the debt
securities of such series. In addition, the Operating
Partnership may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject
to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus
supplement or the global security relating to the debt
securities, determine not to have any of the debt securities
represented by one or more global securities and in such event
will issue definitive certificated debt securities in exchange
for the global security or securities representing the debt
securities.
The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or
in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities that
will be deposited outside of the United States with a
depository, or with a nominee for the depository, identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement
and/or
global security. Any such bearer global securities may be issued
in temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and
procedures, including the specific terms of the
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depository arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series
of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer
global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement
and/or
global security.
Certain
Definitions
The following are certain defined terms used in this prospectus
and the indenture. We refer you to the indenture for the
complete definition of all defined terms, as well as any other
capitalized terms used in this prospectus or the applicable
prospectus supplement for which no definition is provided
(Section 101).
For purposes of the following definitions and the indenture
generally, all calculations and determinations will be made in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
will be based upon the consolidated financial statements of the
Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Acquired Indebtedness means Indebtedness of a
person (1) existing at the time that person becomes a
Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the
acquisition of assets from that person, in each case, other than
Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation
of, that person becoming a Subsidiary or that acquisition.
Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to be incurred on the date
of the related acquisition of assets from any person or the date
on which the acquired person becomes a Subsidiary.
Annual Debt Service Charge means, for any
period, the aggregate interest expense (including, without
limitation, the interest component of rentals on capitalized
leases and letter of credit fees, commitment fees and other
similar financial charges) for that period in respect of, and
the amortization during such period of any original issue
discount of, the Operating Partnerships Indebtedness and
that of its Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt
Service means, for any period, Earnings from
Operations plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus
amounts which have been added, for the following (without
duplication):
(1) Annual Debt Service Charge;
(2) provision for taxes based on income;
(3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and
depreciation and amortization;
(4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items;
(5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests
in joint venture and partially owned entity investments;
(6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in
accounting principles; and
(7) amortization of deferred charges.
Earnings from Operations means, for any
period, net income or loss of the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries, excluding:
(1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments
or joint ventures;
(2) provisions for gains and losses on dispositions of
discontinued operations
(3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and
(4) impairment charges and property valuation losses, as
reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the
Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries for that period.
Encumbrance means any mortgage, lien, charge,
pledge or security interest of any kind.
Government Obligations means securities which
are:
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America or
the government which issued the foreign currency in which the
debt securities of a particular series are payable; or
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(2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and
acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, or the government which issued the foreign currency in
which the debt securities of that series are payable, the
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States of America or that other government;
which in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of
the United States of America or that other government, and are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof,
and will also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or
trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government
Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of
any such Government Obligation held by that custodian for the
account of the holder of a depositary receipt, provided that
(except as required by law) the custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of that
depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced
by such depositary receipt.
Indebtedness means, with respect to the
Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries (without
duplication) any indebtedness of the Operating Partnership or
any of its respective Subsidiaries:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments;
(3) secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge,
encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned
by the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries;
(4) consisting of letters of credit or amounts representing
the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued
expense or trade payable; or
(5) consisting of capitalized leases;
and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any
obligation by the Operating Partnership or any of its
Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor
or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the
ordinary course of business), indebtedness of another person
(other than the Operating Partnership or its Subsidiaries), it
being understood that indebtedness shall be deemed to be
incurred by the Operating Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries
whenever it or that Subsidiary creates, assumes, guarantees or
otherwise becomes liable in respect thereof.
Intercompany Indebtedness means indebtedness
to which the only parties are the Operating Partnership,
Brandywine and any Subsidiary (but only so long as such
indebtedness is held solely by any of the Operating Partnership,
Brandywine and any Subsidiary) that is subordinate in right of
payment to the debt securities.
Significant Subsidiary means each significant
subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Operating
Partnership.
Subsidiary means, as to any person,
(a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any
class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or
classes of stock of such corporation shall have or might have
voting power by reason of the lapse of time or the happening of
any contingency) is at the time owned by such person directly or
indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership,
association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or
other entity in which such person directly or indirectly through
Subsidiaries has more than a 50% equity interest or 50% Capital
Percentage at any time. For the purpose of this definition,
Capital Percentage means, with respect to the
interest of Brandywine, the Operating Partnership or one of its
Subsidiaries in any partnership, association, joint venture,
limited liability company, trust or other entity, the percentage
interest of such partnership, association, joint venture,
limited liability company, trust or other entity based on the
aggregate amount of net capital contributed by Brandywine, the
Operating Partnership or such Subsidiary in such partnership,
association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or
other entity at the time of determination relative to all
capital contributions made in such partnership, association,
joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity
at such time of determination.
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Total Assets means, as of any date, the sum
of:
(1) the Undepreciated Real Estate Assets; and
(2) all of the other assets of the Operating Partnership
and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (but excluding accounts
receivable and intangibles).
Total Unencumbered Assets means the sum of:
(1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not subject to
an Encumbrance for borrowed money; and
(2) all of the other assets of the Operating Partnership
and its Subsidiaries not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed
money, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (but excluding accounts receivable and
intangibles).
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets means, as of
any date, the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of
the real estate assets of the Operating Partnership and its
Subsidiaries on that date, before depreciation and amortization
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Unsecured Indebtedness means indebtedness
which is not secured by any Encumbrance upon any of the
properties of the Operating Partnership and its Subsidiaries.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following is a summary of provisions of Brandywines
shares of beneficial interest as of the date of this prospectus.
This summary does not completely describe Brandywines
shares of beneficial interest. For a complete description of
Brandywines shares of beneficial interest, we refer you to
Brandywines Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, each of which
is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See Where
You Can Find More Information on page 1.
General
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that it is
authorized to issue up to 220,000,000 shares of beneficial
interest (which we refer to in this prospectus as shares)
consisting of 200,000,000 common shares, par value $.01 per
share, which are referred to in this prospectus as
Brandywines common shares, and 20,000,000
preferred shares, par value $.01 per share, which are referred
to in this prospectus as Brandywines preferred
shares. Of the preferred shares, 2,000,000 preferred
shares, designated as 7.50% Series C Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares, are issued and outstanding as of the date of
this prospectus and are referred to in this prospectus as the
Series C Preferred Shares, and an additional 2,300,000
preferred shares, designated as 7.375% Series D Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Shares, are issued and outstanding as of
the date of this prospectus and are referred to in this
prospectus as the Series D Preferred Shares.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust generally may be amended
by its Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval, to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares
or the number of shares of any class. The authorized common
shares and undesignated preferred shares are generally available
for future issuance without further action by Brandywines
shareholders, unless such action is required by applicable law,
the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on
which Brandywines securities may be listed or traded or
pursuant to the preferential rights of the Series C
Preferred Shares or the Series D Preferred Shares. Holders
of Series C Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred
Shares have the right to approve certain additional issuances of
Preferred Shares, such as shares that would rank senior to the
Series C Preferred Shares or the Series D Preferred
Shares as to distributions or upon liquidation.
Both Maryland statutory law governing real estate investment
trusts formed under Maryland law (the Maryland REIT
Law) and Brandywines Declaration of Trust provide
that none of its shareholders will be personally liable, by
reason of status as a shareholder, for any of its obligations.
Brandywines Bylaws further provide that it will indemnify
any shareholder or former shareholder against any claim or
liability to which such shareholder may become subject by reason
of being or having been a shareholder, and that Brandywine shall
reimburse each shareholder who has been successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to
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which the shareholder has been made a party by reason of status
as such for all reasonable expenses incurred by the shareholder
in connection with any such claim or liability.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that, subject to
the provisions of any class or series of Preferred Shares then
outstanding and to the mandatory provisions of applicable law,
its shareholders are entitled to vote only on the following
matters:
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election or removal of trustees;
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amendment of the Declaration of Trust (other than an amendment
to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares or the
number of shares of any class);
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a determination by the Board of Trustees to cause Brandywine to
invest in commodities contracts (other than interest rate
futures intended to hedge against interest rate risk), engage in
securities trading (as compared to investment) activities or
hold properties primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of business; and
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Brandywines merger with another entity.
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Except with respect to these matters, no action taken by
Brandywines shareholders at any meeting binds the Board of
Trustees.
Shares
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the
election of trustees. There is no cumulative voting in the
election of trustees. The common shareholders vote as single
class. In the future, Brandywine may issue a series of preferred
shares that votes together with the common shares as a single
class. Holders of Brandywines outstanding preferred shares
have voting rights only under limited circumstances and, in such
circumstances, vote in a class separate from the common
shareholders. See Preferred Shares of
Beneficial Interest. Subject to (1) the preferential
rights of the Series C Preferred Shares and the
Series D Preferred Shares and (2) such preferential
rights as may be granted by the Brandywine Board of Trustees in
future issuances of additional series of preferred shares,
holders of common shares are entitled to such distributions as
may be authorized from time to time by the Brandywine Board of
Trustees and declared by Brandywine out of funds legally
available therefor.
Holders of common shares have no conversion, exchange or
redemption rights or preemptive rights to subscribe to any
Brandywine securities. All outstanding common shares are fully
paid and nonassessable. In the event of any liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up
of Brandywines affairs, subject to (1) the
preferential rights of the Brandywine Series C Preferred
Shares and the Brandywine Series D Preferred Shares and
(2) such preferential rights as may be granted by the Board
of Trustees in future issuances of additional series of
preferred shares, holders of common shares will be entitled to
share ratably in any of Brandywines assets remaining after
provision for payment of liabilities to creditors. All common
shares have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other
rights.
Brandywines common shares are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol BDN. The transfer agent
and registrar for the common shares is currently Computershare
Limited.
Preferred
Shares of Beneficial Interest
Brandywines Declaration of Trust authorizes it to issue up
to 20,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. The
Declaration of Trust generally may be amended by the Board of
Trustees, without shareholder approval, to increase or decrease
the aggregate number of authorized shares of any class.
The holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and the
Series D Preferred Shares do not have voting rights, except
(1) with respect to actions which would have a material
adverse effect on holders of such shares, or (2) in the
event that Brandywine fails to pay quarterly distributions for
six or more quarters to the holders of the Series C
Preferred Shares or the Series D Preferred Shares. If the
conditions specified in clause (2) exist, then those
holders will have
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the right, voting together as a single class with any other
series of Brandywines preferred shares ranking on a parity
with the Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D
Preferred Shares and upon which like voting rights have been
conferred, to elect two additional members to Brandywines
Board of Trustees.
If Brandywine issues preferred shares, the shares will be fully
paid and non-assessable. Prior to the issuance of a new series
of preferred shares, Brandywine will file, with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland,
Articles Supplementary that will become part of
Brandywines Declaration of Trust and that will set forth
the terms of the new series. The prospectus supplement relating
to any preferred shares offered thereby will describe the
specific terms of the preferred shares, including:
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the title and stated value;
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the number of shares offered, liquidation preference and
offering price;
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the distribution rate, distribution periods and payment dates;
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the date on which distributions begin to accrue, and, if
applicable, accumulate;
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any auction and remarketing procedures;
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any retirement or sinking fund requirement;
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the terms and conditions of any redemption right;
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the terms and conditions of any conversion or exchange right;
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any listing of the offered shares on any securities exchange;
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whether interests in the offered shares will be represented by
Depositary Shares;
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any voting rights;
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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred shares as
to distributions, liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
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any limitations on issuances of any other series of preferred
shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of
preferred shares as to distributions, liquidation, dissolution
or winding up;
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any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
restrictions on transfer; and
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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions.
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Restrictions
on Transfer
In order for Brandywine to qualify as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), not
more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares may be owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (defined in
the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension
plans) during the last half of a taxable year and shares must be
beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least
335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year).
Because Brandywines Board of Trustees believes it is at
present important for it to continue to qualify as a REIT, the
Declaration of Trust, subject to certain exceptions, contains
provisions that restrict the number of shares that a person may
own and that are designed to safeguard Brandywine against an
inadvertent loss of REIT status. In order to prevent any
shareholder from owning shares in an amount that would cause
more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares to be held by
five or fewer individuals, the Board of Trustees, pursuant to
authority granted in Brandywines Declaration of Trust, has
passed a resolution that, subject to certain exceptions,
provides that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue
of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in
value of the outstanding shares. This limitation is referred to
in this prospectus as the ownership limit.
Brandywines Board of Trustees, subject to limitations,
retains the authority to effect additional increases to, or
establish exemptions from, the ownership limit.
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In addition, pursuant to Brandywine s Declaration of
Trust, no purported transfer of shares may be given effect if it
would result in ownership of all of the outstanding shares by
fewer than 100 persons (determined without any reference to
the rules of attribution) or result in Brandywine being
closely held within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Code. These restrictions are referred
to in this prospectus as the ownership restrictions.
In the event of a purported transfer or other event that would,
if effective, result in the ownership of shares in violation of
the ownership limit or the ownership restrictions, such transfer
would be deemed void and such shares automatically would be
exchanged for excess shares authorized by the
Declaration of Trust, according to rules set forth in the
Declaration of Trust, to the extent necessary to ensure that the
purported transfer or other event does not result in the
ownership of shares in violation of the ownership limit or the
ownership restrictions.
Holders of excess shares are not entitled to voting rights
(except to the extent required by law), dividends or
distributions. If, after the purported transfer or other event
resulting in an exchange of shares for excess shares and prior
to the discovery by Brandywine of such exchange, dividends or
distributions are paid with respect to shares that were
exchanged for excess shares, then such dividends or
distributions would be repayable to Brandywine upon demand.
While outstanding, excess shares would be held in trust by
Brandywine for the benefit of the ultimate transferee of an
interest in such trust, as described below. While excess shares
are held in trust, an interest in that trust may be transferred
by the purported transferee or other purported holder with
respect to such excess shares only to a person whose ownership
of the shares would not violate the ownership limit or the
ownership restrictions, at which time the excess shares would be
exchanged automatically for shares of the same type and class as
the shares for which the excess shares were originally
exchanged. Brandywines Declaration of Trust contains
provisions that are designed to ensure that the purported
transferee or other purported holder of the excess shares may
not receive in return for such a transfer an amount that
reflects any appreciation in the shares for which such excess
shares were exchanged during the period that such excess shares
were outstanding. Any amount received by a purported transferee
or other purported holder in excess of the amount permitted to
be received would be required to be turned over to Brandywine.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust also provides that excess
shares shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to
Brandywine, or its designee, which shall have the right to
accept such offer for a period of 90 days after the later
of: (1) the date of the purported transfer or event which
resulted in an exchange of shares for such excess shares; and
(2) the date the Board of Trustees determines that a
purported transfer or other event resulting in an exchange of
shares for such excess shares has occurred if Brandywine does
not receive notice of any such transfer. The price at which
Brandywine may purchase such excess shares would be equal to the
lesser of: (1) in the case of excess shares resulting from
a purported transfer for value, the price per share in the
purported transfer that caused the automatic exchange for such
excess shares or, in the case of excess shares resulting from
some other event, the market price of such shares on the date of
the automatic exchange for excess shares; or (2) the market
price of such shares on the date that Brandywine accepts the
excess shares. Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed
transferee on excess shares prior to the discovery by Brandywine
that such shares have been transferred in violation of the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust shall be repaid to
Brandywine upon its demand. If the foregoing restrictions are
determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal
decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended
transferee or holder of any excess shares may be deemed, at
Brandywines option, to have acted as Brandywines
agent and on Brandywines behalf in acquiring or holding
such excess shares and to hold such excess shares on
Brandywines behalf.
Brandywines trustees may waive the ownership restrictions
if evidence satisfactory to the trustees and its tax counsel or
tax accountants is presented showing that such waiver will not
jeopardize Brandywines status as a REIT under the Code. As
a condition of such waiver, Brandywines trustees may
require that an intended transferee give written notice to
Brandywine, furnish such undertakings, agreements and
information as may be required by Brandywines trustees
and/or an
undertaking from the applicant with respect to preserving
Brandywines status. Any transfer of shares or any security
convertible into shares that would create a direct or indirect
ownership of shares in excess of the ownership limit or result
in the violation of the ownership restrictions will be void with
respect to the intended transferee and will result in excess
shares as described above.
Neither the ownership restrictions nor the ownership limit will
be removed automatically even if the REIT provisions of the Code
are changed so as no longer to contain any ownership
concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration
limitation is increased. Except as described above, any change
in the ownership
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restrictions would require an amendment to Brandywines
Declaration of the Trust. Amendments to Brandywines
Declaration of Trust generally require the affirmative vote of
holders owning not less than a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote thereon. In addition to preserving
Brandywines status as a REIT, the ownership restrictions
and the ownership limit may have the effect of precluding an
acquisition of control of Brandywine without the approval of its
Board of Trustees.
All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the applicable
attribution provisions of the Code, more than 4.0% of the value
of any class of outstanding shares, must file an affidavit with
Brandywine containing the information specified in the
Declaration of Trust by January 31 of each year. In addition,
each shareholder shall upon demand be required to disclose to
Brandywine in writing such information with respect to the
direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares as
Brandywines trustees deem necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Code applicable to REITs, to comply with the
requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency or
to determine any such compliance.
The ownership limit could have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a transaction or a change in control of Brandywine
that might involve a premium price for the Common Shares or
otherwise be in the best interest of Brandywines
shareholders.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
Brandywine may issue receipts (which we refer to in this
prospectus as depositary receipts) for the
Depositary Shares (which we refer to in this prospectus as
depository shares), each of which will represent a
fractional interest of a share of a particular series of
Preferred Shares, as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Brandywine will deposit Preferred Shares of each
series represented by depository shares under a separate deposit
agreement among Brandywine, the preferred share depositary and
the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a
depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the
fractional interest of a share of a particular series of
Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced
by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of
the Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares
(including distribution, voting, conversion, redemption and
liquidation rights).
The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts
issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately
following Brandywines issuance and delivery of the
Preferred Shares to the preferred share depositary, Brandywine
will cause the preferred share depositary to issue, on
Brandywines behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the
applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may
be obtained from Brandywine upon request, and the following
summary of that form filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part is qualified in its
entirety by reference to these documents.
Distributions
The preferred share depositary will distribute all cash
distributions received in respect of the Preferred Shares to the
record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related
Depositary Shares in proportion to the number of such depositary
receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations
of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information
and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred share
depositary.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred
share depositary will distribute property received by it to the
record holders of depositary receipts entitled to such
distributions, subject to certain obligations of holders to file
proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain
charges and expenses to the preferred share depositary, unless
the preferred share depositary determines that it is not
feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred
share depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and
distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share
to the extent that it represents any Preferred Shares converted
into excess shares.
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Withdrawal
of Shares
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust
office of the preferred share depositary (unless the related
Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption or
converted into excess shares), the holders of the depositary
receipts will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon
such holders order, of the number of whole or fractional
Preferred Shares and any money or other property represented by
the Depositary Shares evidenced by such depositary receipts.
Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole
or fractional shares of the related Preferred Shares on the
basis of the proportion of the Preferred Shares represented by
each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, but holders of such Preferred Shares will not
thereafter be entitled to receive Depositary Shares therefor. If
the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a
number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of
Depositary Shares representing the number of Preferred Shares to
be withdrawn, the preferred share depositary will deliver to
such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing
such excess number of Depositary Shares.
Redemption
of Depositary Shares
Whenever Brandywine redeems Preferred Shares held by the
preferred share depositary, the preferred share depositary will
redeem as of the same redemption date the number of Depositary
Shares representing the Preferred Shares so redeemed, provided
Brandywine has paid in full to the preferred share depositary
the redemption price of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed plus
an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon
to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per
depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any
other amounts per share payable with respect to the Preferred
Shares. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares are to be
redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected
pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating
fractional Depositary Shares) or by any other equitable method
determined by us that will not result in the issuance of any
excess shares.
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all distributions
in respect of the Preferred Shares so called for redemption will
cease to accrue, the Depositary Shares so called for redemption
will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary
Shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to
receive any monies payable upon such redemption and any money or
other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts
were entitled upon such redemption upon surrender thereof to the
preferred share depositary.
Voting of
the Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of
the Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, the preferred share
depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of
meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts
evidencing the Depositary Shares which represent such Preferred
Shares. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing
Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same
date as the record date for the Preferred Shares) will be
entitled to instruct the preferred share depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of
Preferred Shares represented by such holders Depositary
Shares. The preferred share depositary will vote the amount of
Preferred Shares represented by such Depositary Shares in
accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all
reasonable actions that may be deemed necessary by the preferred
share depositary in order to enable the preferred share
depositary to do so. The preferred share depositary will abstain
from voting the amount of Preferred Shares represented by such
Depositary Shares to the extent it does not receive specific
instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing
such Depositary Shares. The preferred share depositary will not
be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to
vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long
as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not
result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred
share depositary.
Liquidation
Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary
receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation
preference, if any, accorded each preferred share
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represented by the depositary share evidenced by such depositary
receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion
of Preferred Shares
The Depositary Shares, as such, are not convertible into Common
Shares or any of our other securities or property, except in
connection with certain conversions in connection with the
preservation of Brandywines status as a REIT.
Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement relating to an offering of Depositary Shares, the
depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the
preferred share depositary with written instructions to the
preferred share depositary to instruct Brandywine to cause
conversion of the Preferred Shares represented by the Depositary
Shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole Common
Shares, other Preferred Shares (including excess shares) or
other shares of beneficial interest. If the Depositary Shares
evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part
only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for
any Depositary Shares not to be converted. No fractional Common
Shares will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion
will result in a fractional share being issued, we will pay an
amount in cash equal to the value of the fractional interest
based upon the closing price of the Common Shares on the last
business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment
and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares
which represent the Preferred Shares and any provision of the
deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between us and the preferred share depositary. However, any
amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the
holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and
adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of
the related Preferred Shares will not be effective unless such
amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least
a majority of the Depositary Shares evidenced by the depositary
receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right,
subject to certain exceptions in the depositary agreement, of
any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary
receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related
Preferred Shares and all money and other property, if any,
represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every
holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such
amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to
hold such depositary receipt, to consent and agree to such
amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended
thereby.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, Brandywine may terminate the deposit agreement upon
not less than 30 days prior written notice to the
preferred share depositary if: (1) such termination is
necessary to assist in maintaining Brandywines status as a
REIT or (2) a majority of each series of Preferred Shares
affected by such termination consents to such termination,
whereupon the preferred share depositary shall deliver or make
available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender
of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of
whole or fractional Preferred Shares as are represented by the
Depositary Shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together
with any other property held by the preferred share depositary
with respect to such depositary receipts. If the deposit
agreement is terminated to assist in maintaining
Brandywines status as a REIT, then, if the Depositary
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, Brandywine
will use its best efforts to list the Preferred Shares issued
upon surrender of the related Depositary Shares on a national
securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will
automatically terminate if: (1) all outstanding Depositary
Shares shall have been redeemed, (2) there shall have been
a final distribution in respect of the related Preferred Shares
in connection with Brandywines liquidation, dissolution or
winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to
the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary
Shares representing such Preferred Shares, or (3) each
share of the related Preferred Shares shall have been converted
into Brandywines shares of beneficial interest not so
represented by Depositary Shares.
Charges
of Preferred Share Depositary
Brandywine will pay all transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the
deposit agreement. In addition, Brandywine will generally pay
the fees and expenses of the preferred share depositary in
connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit
agreement. However, holders of
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depositary receipts will pay certain other transfer and other
taxes and governmental charges as well as the fees and expenses
of the preferred share depositary for any duties requested by
such holders to be performed which are outside of those
expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation
and Removal of Depositary
The preferred share depositary may resign at any time by
delivering to Brandywine notice of its election to do so, and
Brandywine may at any time remove the preferred share
depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon
the appointment of a successor preferred share depositary. A
successor preferred share depositary must be appointed within
60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or
removal and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, must be a bank or trust company having
its principal office in the United States and having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The preferred share depositary will forward to holders of
depositary receipts any reports and communications from us which
are received by the preferred share depositary with respect to
the related Preferred Shares.
Neither Brandywine nor the preferred share depositary will be
liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any
circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations
under the deposit agreement. Brandywines obligations and
the preferred share depositarys obligations under the
deposit agreement will be limited to performing their respective
duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the
case of any action or inaction in the voting of Preferred Shares
represented by the Depositary Shares), gross negligence or
willful misconduct, and Brandywine and the preferred share
depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any
legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts,
Depositary Shares or Preferred Shares represented thereby unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Brandywine and the
preferred share depositary may rely on written advice of counsel
or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting
Preferred Shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of
depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to
be competent to give such information, and on documents believed
in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the preferred share depositary receives conflicting
claims, requests or instructions from Brandywine and any holders
of depositary receipts, the preferred share depositary will be
entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions
received from Brandywine.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
Brandywine may issue Subscription Rights to purchase Common
Shares, which we refer to in this prospectus as
Subscription Rights. Subscription Rights may be may
be issued independently or together with any other security
offered hereby and may be attached to or separate from such
security. Subscription Rights may or may not be transferable by
the securityholder receiving the Subscription Rights in such
offering. In connection with any offering of Subscription
Rights, Brandywine may enter into a standby arrangement with one
or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the
underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any
securities remaining unsubscribed after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific
terms of any offering of Subscription Rights for which this
prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
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the price, if any, for the Subscription Rights;
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the exercise price payable for each common share upon the
exercise of the subscriptions rights;
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the number of Subscription Rights issued to each securityholder;
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the number and terms of the Common Shares that may be purchased
per each subscription right;
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the extent to which the Subscription Rights are transferable;
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any other terms of the Subscription Rights, including the terms,
procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise
of the Subscription Rights;
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the date on which the right to exercise the Subscription Rights
shall commence, and the date on which the Subscription Rights
shall expire;
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the extent to which the Subscription Rights may include an
over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed
securities; and
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or
purchase arrangement entered into by Brandywine in connection
with the offering of the Subscription Rights.
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The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any
Subscription Rights that Brandywine offers will not necessarily
be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference
to the applicable Subscription Rights certificate or
Subscription Rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC
if Brandywine offers Subscription Rights.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE WARRANTS
Brandywine may issue Warrants to purchase Preferred Shares,
Common Shares
and/or
Depositary Shares, which may be sold separately, together or in
units with other securities registered hereby., which we refer
to in this prospectus as Warrants. Warrants may be
issued independently or together with any securities and may be
attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of
Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be
entered into between us and a specified warrant agent. The
warrant agent will act solely as Brandywines agent in
connection with the Warrants of such series and will not assume
any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with
any holders or beneficial owners of Warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following
terms, where applicable, of the Warrants in respect of which
this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of the Warrants;
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the aggregate number of outstanding Warrants;
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the price or prices at which the Warrants will be issued;
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the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Warrants may be purchased;
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the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable
upon exercise of the Warrants;
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if applicable, the date on and after which the Warrants and the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants will be
separately transferable;
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the date on which the right to exercise the Warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
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the minimum or maximum amount of the Warrants which may be
exercised at any one time;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
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a discussion of federal income tax considerations; and
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any other material terms of the Warrants, including terms,
procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise
of the Warrants.
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Exercise
of Warrants
Each Warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase
for cash the amount of Preferred Shares, Common Shares
and/or
Depositary Shares, as the case may be, which may be sold
separately, together or in units with other securities
registered hereby at the exercise price stated or determinable
in the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be
exercised at any time up to the close of business on the
expiration date shown in the
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applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in
such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the
expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void. Warrants
may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and
properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, Brandywine will, as soon
as possible, forward the Preferred Shares, Common Shares
and/or
Depositary Shares, as the case may be, which may be sold
separately, together or in units with other securities
registered hereby that the warrant holder has purchased. If the
warrant holder exercises the Warrant for less than all of the
Warrants represented by the warrant certificate, Brandywine will
issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining Warrants.
PROVISIONS
OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF BRANDYWINES
DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
The following is a summary of provisions of Maryland law,
Brandywines Declaration of Trust and its Bylaws. This
summary does not completely describe Maryland law, the
Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws. For a complete description
of each of the foregoing, we refer you to the Maryland statutes
applicable to REITs, and Brandywines Declaration of Trust
and Bylaws, each of which is incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
Duration
Under Brandywines Declaration of Trust, Brandywine has a
perpetual term of existence and will continue perpetually
subject to the authority of its Board of Trustees to terminate
its existence and liquidate its assets and subject to
termination pursuant to the Maryland REIT Law.
Board of
Trustees
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that the number
of its trustees shall not be less than three nor more than 15.
Any vacancy, including a vacancy created by an increase in the
number of trustees, may be filled by a majority of the trustees.
Brandywines trustees generally will each serve for a
one-year term. In the event that Brandywine fails to pay
quarterly distributions for six or more quarters to the holders
of the Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D
Preferred Shares, those holders will have the right, voting
together as a single class with any other series of
Brandywines Preferred Shares ranking on a parity with the
Series C Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred
Shares and upon which like voting rights have been conferred, to
elect two additional members to the Board of Trustees. See
Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest.
Brandywines Declaration of Trust generally provides that a
trustee may be removed from office only at a meeting of
shareholders. However, a trustee elected solely by holders of a
series of Preferred Shares may be removed only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Preferred Shares of that
series voting as a single class.
Business
Combinations
Under Maryland law, as applicable to Maryland real estate
investment trusts, certain business combinations
(including certain mergers, consolidations, share exchanges or,
in certain circumstances, asset transfers or issuances or
reclassifications of equity securities) between a Maryland real
estate investment trust and an interested
shareholder or an affiliate of the interested shareholder
are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on
which the interested shareholder becomes an interested
shareholder. An interested shareholder includes a person who
beneficially owns, and an affiliate or associate (as defined
under Maryland law) of the trust who, at any time during the
two-year period prior to the date in question, was the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the
trusts then outstanding voting shares. Thereafter, any
such business combination must be recommended by the trustees of
such trust and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
voting shares of beneficial interest of the trust, voting
together as a single voting group; and
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of
outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest other than
shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with
whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or by
the interested shareholders affiliates or associates,
voting together as a single voting group.
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These super-majority voting requirements do not apply if the
trusts common shareholders receive a minimum price (as
defined under Maryland law) for their shares and the
consideration is received in cash or in the same form as
previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares.
These provisions also do not apply to business combinations that
are approved or exempted by the Board of Trustees of the trust
prior to the time that the interested shareholder becomes an
interested shareholder. An amendment to a Maryland REITs
declaration of trust electing not to be subject to the foregoing
requirements must be approved by the affirmative vote of at
least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of
outstanding voting shares of beneficial interest of the trust,
voting together as a single voting group, and two-thirds of the
votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting
shares of beneficial interest other than shares of beneficial
interest held by interested shareholders. Any such amendment
shall not be effective until 18 months after the vote of
shareholders and does not apply to any business combination of
the trust with an interested shareholder that has such status on
the date of the shareholder vote. Brandywines Board of
Trustees has previously exempted any business combinations
involving Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., Pennsylvania State
Employees Retirement System, LF Strategic Realty Investors
L.P., Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc., Five Arrows Realty
Securities III L.L.C. and Gerard H. Sweeney and their
respective affiliates and associates from the business
combination provisions summarized above and, consequently, the
five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements
will not apply to business combinations between Brandywine and
any of them.
The business combination statute could have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing offers to acquire Brandywine
and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such
transaction.
Control
Share Acquisitions
Under Maryland law, as applicable to Maryland real estate
investment trusts, control shares of a Maryland real
estate investment trust acquired in a control share
acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent
approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter by shareholders, excluding shares owned by
the acquirer, by officers or by trustees who are employees of
the trust in question. Control shares are voting
shares of beneficial interest which, if aggregated with all
other shares previously acquired by such acquirer or in respect
of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise
of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy),
would entitle the acquirer to exercise the voting power in the
election of trustees within one of the following ranges of
voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or
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a majority or more of all voting power.
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Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is
then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained
shareholder approval. A control share acquisition
means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain
exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share
acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including
an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel Brandywines
Board of Trustees to call a special meeting of shareholders to
be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting
rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the
trust may itself present the question at any shareholders
meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the
acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement
as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions
and limitations, the trust may redeem any or all of the control
shares, except those for which voting rights have previously
been approved, for fair value determined, without regard to the
absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date
of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any
meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of such
shares are
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considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares
are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquirer becomes
entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all
other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value
of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal
rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by
the acquirer in the control share acquisition, and certain
limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the
exercise of dissenters rights do not apply in the context
of a control share acquisition.
Brandywines Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the
control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by
any person of our shares. There can be no assurance that this
provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the
future.
Amendment
to the Declaration of Trust
Brandywines Declaration of Trust may be amended only by
the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority
of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon,
except for the provisions of Brandywines Declaration of
Trust relating to (1) increases or decreases in the
aggregate number of shares of any class, which may generally be
made by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval
subject to approval rights of holders of the Series C
Preferred Shares and the Series D Preferred Shares with
respect to issuances of Preferred Shares that would rank senior
as to distributions or in liquidation and (2) the Maryland
General Corporation Law provisions on business combinations,
amendment of which requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than 80% of the shares then outstanding and entitled
to vote. In addition, if Brandywines Board of Trustees
determines, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of
the provisions of its Declaration of Trust conflict with the
Maryland REIT Law, the Code or other applicable Federal or state
law(s), the conflicting provisions of Brandywines
Declaration of Trust shall be deemed never to have constituted a
part of its Declaration of Trust, even without any amendment
thereof.
Termination
of Brandywine Realty Trust and REIT Status
Subject to the rights of any outstanding Preferred Shares and to
the provisions of the Maryland REIT Law, Brandywines
Declaration of Trust permits its Board of Trustees to terminate
Brandywines existence and to discontinue its election to
be taxed as a REIT.
Transactions
between Brandywine Realty Trust and its Trustee or
Officers
Brandywines Declaration of Trust provides that any
contract or transaction between it and one or more of its
trustees, officers, employees or agents must be approved by a
majority of Brandywines trustees who have no interest in
the contract or transaction.
Limitation
of Liability and Indemnification
The Maryland REIT Law permits a Maryland REIT to include in its
Declaration of Trust a provision limiting the liability of its
trustees and officers to the trust and its shareholders for
money damages except for liability resulting from
(1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in
money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate
dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to
the cause of action. Brandywines Declaration of Trust
contains a provision which eliminates such liability to the
maximum extent permitted by the Maryland REIT Law.
The Maryland REIT Law permits a Maryland REIT to indemnify and
advance expenses to its trustees and officers to the same extent
as permitted for directors and officers of a Maryland
corporation under the Maryland General Corporation Law. In the
case of directors and officers of a Maryland corporation, the
Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation
to indemnify present and former directors and officers against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to
which they may be made a party by reason of such service, unless
it is established that either: (1) the act or omission of
the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise
to the proceeding and either (a) was committed in bad faith
or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
(2) the director or officer actually
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received an improper personal benefit in money, property or
services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding,
the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the
act or omission was unlawful.
Brandywines Bylaws require Brandywine to indemnify,
without a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement
to indemnification: (1) any present or former trustee,
officer or shareholder who has been successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to which he was made a
party by reason of such status, against reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with the proceeding; (2) any
present or former trustee or officer against any claim or
liability to which he may become subject by reason of such
status unless it is established that (a) his act or
omission was committed in bad faith or was the result of active
and deliberate dishonesty, (b) he actually received an
improper personal benefit in money, property or services or
(c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he had reasonable
cause to believe that his act or omission was unlawful; and
(3) each shareholder or former shareholder against any
claim or liability to which he may be subject by reason of such
status as a shareholder or former shareholder.
In addition, Brandywines Bylaws require Brandywine to pay
or reimburse, in advance of final disposition of a proceeding,
reasonable expenses incurred by a present or former trustee,
officer or shareholder made a party to a proceeding by reason of
his status as a trustee, officer or shareholder provided that,
in the case of a trustee or officer, Brandywine shall have
received (1) a written affirmation by the trustee or
officer of his good faith belief that he has met the applicable
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by Brandywine
as authorized by the Bylaws and (2) a written undertaking
by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed
by Brandywine if it shall ultimately be determined that the
applicable standard of conduct was not met. The Bylaws also
(1) permit Brandywine, with the approval of its trustees,
to provide indemnification and payment or reimbursement of
expenses to a present or former trustee, officer or shareholder
who served Brandywines predecessor in such capacity, and
to any of Brandywines employees or agents of its
predecessor, (2) provide that any indemnification or
payment or reimbursement of the expenses permitted by its Bylaws
shall be furnished in accordance with the procedures provided
for indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses
under
Section 2-418
of the Maryland General Corporation Law for directors of
Maryland corporations and (3) permit Brandywine to provide
such other and further indemnification or payment or
reimbursement of expenses as may be permitted by the Maryland
General Corporation Law for directors of Maryland corporations.
The limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership
also provides for indemnification by the Operating Partnership
of Brandywine, as general partner, for any costs, expenses or
liabilities incurred by it by reason of any act performed by it
for or on behalf of the Operating Partnership; provided that
such persons actions were taken in good faith and in the
belief that such conduct was in the best interests of the
Operating Partnership and that such person was not guilty of
fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to our trustees and officers
pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, we have been
advised that, although the validity and scope of the governing
statute has not been tested in court, in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In addition, state securities laws may
limit indemnification.
MATERIAL
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion describes the material
U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Brandywines Common
Shares, Preferred Shares and debt securities and debt securities
of Brandywine Operating Partnership, and the qualification and
taxation of Brandywine Realty Trust as a REIT.
Because this is a summary that is intended to address only
material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to
the ownership and disposition of Brandywines Common
Shares, Preferred Shares or debt securities that will apply to
all holders, this summary may not contain all the information
that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you
should keep in mind that:
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the tax consequences to you may vary depending on your
particular tax situation;
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special rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if,
for example, you are a tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer,
a
non-U.S. person,
a trust, an estate, a regulated investment company, a REIT, a
financial institution, an insurance company, a holder of debt
securities or shares through a partnership or other pass-through
entity, or otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the
Code;
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this summary does not address state, local or
non-U.S. tax
considerations;
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this summary deals only with our shareholders and debt holders
that hold Common Shares, Preferred Shares or debt securities as
capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code; and
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this discussion is not intended to be, and should not be
construed as, tax advice.
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You are urged both to review the following discussion and to
consult with your own tax advisor to determine the effect of
ownership and disposition of our Common Shares, Preferred Shares
or debt securities on your individual tax situation, including
any state, local or
non-U.S. tax
consequences.
The information in this summary is based on the Code, current,
temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, the legislative
history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service, including its
practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings,
which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, and
existing court decisions. Future legislation, regulations,
administrative interpretations and court decisions could change
current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of
current law. Any change could apply retroactively. We have not
obtained any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service
concerning the tax treatment of the matters discussed in this
summary. Therefore, it is possible that the Internal Revenue
Service could challenge the statements in this summary, which do
not bind the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and that a
court could agree with the Internal Revenue Service.
Taxation
of the Company
Qualification
of Brandywine as a REIT
Brandywine first elected to be taxed as a REIT for the taxable
year ended December 31, 1986. A REIT generally is not
subject to federal income tax on the income that it distributes
to its shareholders if it meets the applicable REIT distribution
requirements and other requirements for qualification.
We believe that we are organized and have operated in such a
manner so as to qualify as a REIT, but there can be no assurance
that we have qualified or will remain qualified as a REIT. In
the opinion of our tax counsel, Pepper Hamilton LLP, based upon
and subject to various assumptions and on our representations
concerning our organization and operations, commencing with our
taxable year ended December 31, 1986, Brandywine has been
organized and operated in a manner so as to qualify for taxation
as a REIT under the Code, and Brandywines proposed method
of operation will enable it to continue to qualify for taxation
as a REIT. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Pepper
Hamilton LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our
organization, assets and the past, present and future conduct of
our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we
will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the
rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual
determinations and the possibility of future changes in our
circumstances, no assurance can be given by Pepper Hamilton LLP
or by us that we will so qualify for any particular year. Pepper
Hamilton LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders
of our shares or debt securities of any subsequent change in the
matters stated, represented or assumed in the opinion, or of any
subsequent change in the applicable law. Opinions of counsel are
not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court, and no
assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service will
not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to
meet, on a continuing basis, through actual operating results,
distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership, various
qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, the
compliance with which will not be reviewed by Pepper Hamilton
LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we
satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair
market values of assets directly or indirectly owned by us. Such
values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. While
we intend to continue to operate in a manner that will allow us
to qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that
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the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will
satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a
REIT.
Taxation
of Brandywine as a REIT
If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be
subject to federal corporate income taxes on that portion of our
ordinary income or capital gain that we distribute currently to
our shareholders, because the REIT provisions of the Code
generally allow a REIT a deduction for distributions paid to its
shareholders. This deduction substantially eliminates the
double taxation on earnings (taxation at both the
corporate level and shareholder level) that generally results
from investment in a corporation. However, even if we qualify
for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to federal income tax
as follows:
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We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed
REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains;
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Under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the
alternative minimum tax on our items of tax
preference, if any;
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If we have net income from prohibited transactions (which are,
in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property,
other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of business) such income will
be subject to a 100% tax. See Sale of
Partnership Property;
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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with
a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or leasehold as
foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid the 100%
tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would
otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income
from the sale or operation of the property (and any other
nonqualifying income from foreclosure property) may be subject
to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate
(currently 35%);
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If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the
95% gross income test (as discussed below), and nonetheless have
maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other
requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on
the net income attributable to the greater of the amount by
which we fail the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by a fraction
intended to reflect our profitability;
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If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described
below, by larger than a de minimis amount, but our failure is
due to reasonable cause and not due to willful negligence and we
nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified
cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the
greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income generated by the
nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to
satisfy the asset tests;
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If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would
result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross
income or asset test requirement) and that violation is due to
reasonable cause and not due to willful negligence, we may
retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each such failure;
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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in
certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet
record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance
with rules relating to the composition of our shareholders, as
described below in Requirements for Qualification as a
REIT;
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If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at
least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for
such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for
such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from
prior years, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the
excess of such required distribution over the sum of
(i) the amounts actually distributed plus
(ii) retained amounts on which corporate level tax is paid
by us;
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term
capital gain. In that case, a shareholder would include its
proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain
in its income and would be allowed a credit for its
proportionate share of the tax we paid;
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A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and
expense that are directly or constructively paid between us, our
tenants
and/or our
taxable REIT subsidiaries if and to the extent that the IRS
successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items;
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If we acquire appreciated assets from a C corporation (a
corporation generally subject to corporate level tax) in a
transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our
hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of
the assets in the hands of the C corporation, we may be subject
to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax
rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a
disposition of such assets during the ten-year period following
their acquisition from the C corporation, unless the C
corporation elects to treat the assets as if they were sold for
their fair market value at the time of our acquisition; and
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Income earned by any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates.
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Requirements
for Qualification as a REIT
We elected to be taxable as a REIT for U.S. federal income
tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 1986.
In order to have so qualified, we must have met and continue to
meet the requirements discussed below, relating to our
organization, sources of income, nature of assets and
distributions of income to shareholders.
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
1. that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
2. the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by
transferable shares or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest;
3. that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for
the special Code provisions applicable to REITs;
4. that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance
company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
5. the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more
persons;
6. in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not
more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares is owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined
in the Code to include specified entities), after applying
certain attribution rules;
7. that makes an election to be taxable as a REIT, or has
made this election for a previous taxable year which has not
been revoked or terminated, and satisfies all relevant filing
and other administrative requirements established by the
Internal Revenue Service that must be met to elect and maintain
REIT status;
8. that uses a calendar year for federal income tax
purposes and complies with the record keeping requirements of
the Code and the Treasury Regulations; and
9. that meets other applicable tests, described below,
regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of
its distributions.
Conditions (1) through (4) must be satisfied during
the entire taxable year, and condition (5) must be
satisfied during at least 335 days of a taxable year of
12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year
of less than 12 months.
We have previously issued Common Shares in sufficient
proportions to allow us to satisfy requirements (5) and (6)
(the 100 Shareholder and
five-or-fewer requirements). In addition, our
Declaration of Trust provides restrictions regarding the
transfer of our shares that are intended to assist us in
continuing to satisfy the requirements described in conditions
(5) and (6) above However, these restrictions may not
ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the
requirements described in conditions (5) and
(6) above. In addition, we have not obtained a ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service as to whether the provisions of our
Declaration of Trust concerning restrictions
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on transfer and conversion of Common Shares to Excess
Shares will allow us to satisfy conditions (5) and
(6). In rendering its opinion that we are organized in a manner
that permits us to qualify as a REIT, Pepper Hamilton LLP is
relying on our representation that the ownership of our shares
(without regard to the Excess Shares provisions) satisfies
condition (6) above. Pepper Hamilton LLP expresses no
opinion as to whether, as a matter of law, the transfer
restrictions in our Declaration of Trust preclude us from
failing condition (6) above. If we fail to satisfy such
share ownership requirements, our status as a REIT will
terminate. However, for taxable years beginning on or after
January 1, 2005, if the failure to meet the share ownership
requirements is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful
neglect, we may avoid termination of our REIT status by paying a
penalty of $50,000.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we
are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership
of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each
year from the record holders of certain percentages of our
shares in which the record holders are to disclose the actual
owners of the shares (the persons required to include in gross
income the dividends paid by us). A list of those persons
failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be
maintained as part of our records. Failure by us to comply with
these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary
penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and have no reason
to know that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be
deemed to have satisfied such condition. A shareholder that
fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by
Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return
disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other
information.
Qualified
REIT Subsidiaries
The Code provides that a corporation that is a qualified
REIT subsidiary shall not be treated as a separate
corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary
shall be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit of the REIT. A qualified REIT
subsidiary is a corporation, all of the capital stock of
which is owned by the REIT, that has not elected to be a
taxable REIT subsidiary (discussed below). In
applying the requirements described herein, all of our
qualified REIT subsidiaries will be ignored, and all
assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of
such subsidiaries will be treated as our assets, liabilities and
items of income, deduction and credit. These subsidiaries,
therefore, will not be subject to federal corporate income
taxation, although they may be subject to state and local
taxation.
Taxable
REIT Subsidiaries
A REIT may generally jointly elect with a subsidiary
corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the
subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary. In
addition, if a taxable REIT subsidiary owns, directly or
indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or
value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be
treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary
is a corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and
state and local income tax where applicable, as a regular
C corporation.
Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours can perform some
impermissible tenant services without causing us to receive
impermissible tenant services income under the REIT income
tests. However, several provisions regarding the arrangements
between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a
taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level
of United States federal income taxation. For example, a taxable
REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest
payments in excess of a certain amount made to us. In addition,
we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments
that we receive or on certain expenses deducted by the taxable
REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements among us, our
tenants,
and/or the
taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar
arrangements among unrelated parties. A taxable REIT subsidiary
may also engage in other activities that, if conducted by us
other than through a taxable REIT subsidiary, could result in
the receipt of non-qualified income or the ownership of
non-qualified assets.
Ownership
of Partnership Interests by a REIT
A REIT that is a partner in a partnership is deemed to own its
proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and is
deemed to receive the income of the partnership attributable to
such share. In addition, the character of the assets and gross
income of the partnership retains the same character in the
hands of the REIT.
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Accordingly, our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities
and items of income of the Operating Partnership are treated as
assets, liabilities and items of income of ours for purposes of
applying the requirements described herein. Brandywine has
control over the Operating Partnership and most of the
partnership and limited liability company subsidiaries of the
Operating Partnership and intends to operate them in a manner
that is consistent with the requirements for qualification of
Brandywine as a REIT.
Income
Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, Brandywine must generally satisfy
two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at
least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from
prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be derived
directly or indirectly from investments relating to real
property or mortgages on real property, including rents
from real property, dividends received from other REITs,
interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real
property (including certain types of mortgage-backed
securities), and gains form the sale of real estate assets, as
well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments.
Second, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income
from prohibited transactions) for each taxable year must be
derived from the same items which qualify under the 75% gross
income test, and from dividends, interest and gain from the sale
or disposition of securities, which need not have any relation
to real property.
Rents received by a REIT will qualify as rents from real
property in satisfying the gross income requirements
described above only if several conditions are met.
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The amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the
income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or
accrued generally will not be excluded from the term rents
from real property solely by reason of being based on a
fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales.
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Rents received from a tenant will not qualify as rents
from real property in satisfying the gross income tests if
the REIT, or a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of the
REIT, directly or constructively, owns 10% or more of such
tenant (a Related Party Tenant). However, rental
payments from a taxable REIT subsidiary will qualify as rents
from real property even if we own more than 10% of the total
value or combined voting power of the taxable REIT subsidiary if
at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants and
the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is substantially
comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for
comparable space.
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Rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with
a lease of real property will not qualify as rents from
real property if such rent exceeds 15% of the total rent
received under the lease.
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the REIT generally must not operate or manage the property or
furnish or render services to tenants, except through an
independent contractor who is adequately compensated
and from whom the REIT derives no income, or through a taxable
REIT subsidiary. The independent contractor
requirement, however, does not apply to the extent the services
provided by the REIT are usually or customarily
rendered in connection with the rental of space for
occupancy only, and are not otherwise considered rendered
to the occupant. In addition, a de minimis rule applies
with respect to non-customary services. Specifically, if the
value of the non-customary service income with respect to a
property (valued at no less than 150% of the direct costs of
performing such services) is 1% or less of the total income
derived from the property, then all rental income except the
non-customary service income will qualify as rents from
real property. A taxable REIT subsidiary may provide
services (including noncustomary services) to a REITs
tenants without tainting any of the rental income
received by the REIT, and will be able to manage or operate
properties for third parties and generally engage in other
activities unrelated to real estate.
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We do not anticipate receiving rent that is based in whole or in
part on the income or profits of any person (except by reason of
being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross
receipts or sales consistent with the rules described above). We
also do not anticipate receiving more than a de minimis amount
of rents from any Related Party Tenant or rents attributable to
personal property leased in connection with real property that
will exceed 15% of the total rents received with respect to such
real property.
We provide services to our properties that we own through the
Operating Partnership, and we believe that all of such services
will be considered usually or customarily rendered
in connection with the rental of space for
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occupancy only so that the provision of such services will not
jeopardize the qualification of rent from the properties as
rents from real property. In the case of any
services that are not usual and customary under the
foregoing rules, we intend to employ an independent
contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary to provide such
services.
The Operating Partnership may receive certain types of income
that will not qualify under the 75% or 95% gross income tests.
In particular, dividends received from a taxable REIT subsidiary
will not qualify under the 75% test. We believe, however, that
the aggregate amount of such items and other non-qualifying
income in any taxable year will not cause Brandywine to exceed
the limits on non-qualifying income under either the 75% or 95%
gross income tests.
If Brandywine fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95%
gross income tests for any taxable year, Brandywine may
nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if it is entitled
to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief
provisions will be generally available if (1) the failure
to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect, (2) we have attached a schedule of the
sources of our income to our return, and (3) any incorrect
information on the schedule was not due to fraud with intent to
evade tax. In addition, for taxable years beginning on or after
January 1, 2005, we must also file a disclosure schedule
with the IRS after we determine that we have not satisfied one
of the gross income tests. It is not possible, however, to state
whether in all circumstances Brandywine would be entitled to the
benefit of these relief provisions. As discussed above in
Taxation of Brandywine as a REIT, even if these
relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed based on the
nonqualifying income.
Asset
Tests
At the close of each quarter of each taxable year, Brandywine
must satisfy the following four tests relating to the nature of
our assets:
First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be
represented by some combination of real estate
assets, cash or cash items, U.S. government
securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt
instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose,
real estate assets include interests in real
property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real
property, stock of other REITs, and certain kinds of
mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do
not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the
additional asset tests described below, while securities that do
qualify for purposes of the 75% test are generally not subject
to the additional asset tests.
Second, the value of any one issuers securities we own may
not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
Third, we may not own more than 10% of the vote or value of any
one issuers outstanding securities. The 5% and 10% tests
do not apply to our interests in the Operating Partnership,
noncorporate subsidiaries, taxable REIT subsidiaries and any
qualified REIT subsidiaries, and the 10% value test does not
apply with respect to certain straight debt
securities.
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31,
2000, the safe harbor under which certain types of securities
are disregarded for purposes of the 10% value limitation
includes (1) straight debt securities (including straight
debt securities that provides for certain contingent payments);
(2) any loan to an individual or an estate; (3) any
rental agreement described in Section 467 of the Code,
other than with a related person; (4) any
obligation to pay rents from real property; (5) certain
securities issued by a State or any political subdivision
thereof, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (6) any
security issued by a REIT; and (7) any other arrangement
that, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, is
excepted from the definition of a security. In addition, for
purposes of applying the 10% value limitation, (a) a
REITs interest as a partner in a partnership is not
considered a security; (b) any debt instrument issued by a
partnership is not treated as a security if at least 75% of the
partnerships gross income is from sources that would
qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test, and (c) any
debt instrument issued by a partnership is not treated as a
security to the extent of the REITs interest as a partner
in the partnership.
Fourth, not more than 25% (20% for taxable years ending on or
before December 31, 2008) of the value of our assets
may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT
subsidiaries.
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We own, directly or indirectly, Common Shares of certain
entities that have elected or will elect to be treated as a real
estate investment trusts (Captive REITs). Provided
that each of the Captive REITs continues to qualify as a REIT
(including satisfaction of the ownership, income, asset and
distribution tests discussed herein) the Common Shares of the
Captive REITs will qualify as real estate assets under the 75%
test. However, if any Captive REIT fails to qualify as a REIT in
any year, then the Common Shares of such Captive REIT will not
qualify as real estate assets under the 75% test. In addition,
because we own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the
Common Shares of each Captive REIT, Brandywine would not satisfy
the 10% test if any Captive REIT were to fail to qualify as a
REIT. Accordingly, Brandywines qualification as a REIT
depends upon the ability of each Captive REIT to continue to
qualify as a REIT.
After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any
quarter, Brandywine will not lose its status as a REIT for
failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter
solely by reason of changes in asset values. If the failure to
satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition of
securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can
be cured by disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets
within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend
to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to
ensure compliance with the asset tests, and to take such other
action within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may
be required to cure any noncompliance. However, there can be no
assurance that such other action will always be successful. If
we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within
such time period, our status as a REIT would be lost.
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,
the Code provides relief from certain failures to satisfy the
REIT asset tests. If the failure relates to the 5% test or 10%
test, and if the failure is de minimis (does not exceed the
lesser of $10 million or 1% of our assets as of the end of
the quarter), we may avoid the loss of our REIT status by
disposing of sufficient assets to cure the failure within
6 months after the end of the quarter in which the failure
was identified. For failures to meet the asset tests that are
more than a de minimis amount, we may avoid the loss of our REIT
status if: the failure was due to reasonable cause, we file a
disclosure schedule at the end of the quarter in which the
failure was identified, we dispose of sufficient assets to cure
the failure within 6 months after the end of the quarter,
and we pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest
corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the
non-qualifying assets.
Annual
Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, Brandywine is required to
distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our
shareholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of
(a) 90% of its REIT taxable income (computed
without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
REITs net capital gain) and (b) 90% of the net income
(after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus
(2) certain excess non-cash income as defined
in the Code. These distributions must be paid in the taxable
year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if
such distributions are declared in October, November or December
of the taxable year, are payable to shareholders of record on a
specified date in any such month, and are actually paid before
the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are
treated as both paid by us and received by our shareholders on
December 31 of the year in which they are declared.
In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year
may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the
year provided we pay such distribution with or before our first
regular dividend payment after such declaration, and such
payment is made during the
12-month
period following the close of such taxable year. Such
distributions are taxable to our shareholders in the year in
which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior
taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order for distributions to be counted towards our
distribution requirement, and to provide a tax deduction to us,
they must not be preferential dividends. A dividend
is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all
outstanding shares within a particular class, and is in
accordance with the preferences among our different classes of
shares as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than
100%, of our net taxable income, we will be subject to tax at
ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In
addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our
net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this
case, we would elect to have our shareholders include their
proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital
gains in their income and
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receive a corresponding credit for their proportionate share of
the tax paid by us. Our shareholders would then increase their
adjusted basis in our shares by the difference between the
amount included in their long-term capital gains and the tax
deemed paid with respect to their shares.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year (or,
in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates
falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the
end of January following such calendar year) at least the sum of
(1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year,
(2) 95% of our REIT net capital gain income for such year
and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior
periods, we would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of
such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts
actually distributed plus (b) retained amounts on which
corporate level tax is paid by us.
Brandywine intends to make timely distributions sufficient to
satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In this regard,
the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership
authorizes Brandywine, as general partner, to operate the
partnership in a manner that will enable it to satisfy the REIT
requirements and avoid the imposition of any federal income or
excise tax liability. It is possible that we, from time to time,
may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the
90% distribution requirement due primarily to the expenditure of
cash for nondeductible items such as principal amortization or
capital expenditures. In order to meet the 90% distribution
requirement, we may borrow or may cause the Operating
Partnership to arrange for short-term or possibly long-term
borrowing to permit the payment of required distributions, or we
may pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions
of property, including potentially, our shares.
Under certain circumstances, Brandywine may be able to rectify a
failure to meet the distribution requirement for a given year by
paying deficiency dividends to shareholders in a
later year that may be included in Brandywines deduction
for distributions paid for the earlier year. Thus, Brandywine
may be able to avoid losing our REIT qualification or being
taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However,
Brandywine will be required to pay to the Internal Revenue
Service interest and a penalty based upon the amount of any
deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Failure
to Qualify
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005,
the Code provides relief for many failures to satisfy the REIT
requirements. In addition to the relief provisions for failures
to satisfy the income and asset tests (discussed above), the
Code provides additional relief for other failures to satisfy
REIT requirements. If the failure is due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect, and we elect to pay a penalty of
$50,000 for each failure, we can avoid the loss of our REIT
status.
If Brandywine fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any
taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, it will be
subject to tax (including any applicable corporate alternative
minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate rates.
Distributions to shareholders in any year in which Brandywine
fails to qualify will not be deductible to us. In such event, to
the extent of Brandywines current and accumulated earnings
and profits, all distributions to shareholders will be taxable
to them as dividends, and, subject to certain limitations of the
Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends
received deduction. Under current law (in effect through 2010),
such dividends will generally be taxable to individual
shareholders at the 15% rate for qualified dividends provided
that applicable holding period requirements are met. Unless
entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions,
Brandywine also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for
the four taxable years following the year during which
qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether in
all circumstances Brandywine would be entitled to such statutory
relief.
Prohibited
Transactions
Net income derived from a prohibited transaction is subject to a
100% tax. The term prohibited transaction generally
includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than
foreclosure property) that is held primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Under
existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily
for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or
business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and
circumstances of a particular transaction. We intend to hold
properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation,
to engage in the business of acquiring, developing, owning and
operating
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properties, and to make occasional sales of properties as are
consistent with our investment objectives. No assurance can be
given that any property that we sell will not be treated as
property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with
certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent
the imposition of the 100% tax. The 100% tax does not apply to
gains from the sale of property that is held through a taxable
REIT subsidiary or other taxable corporation, although such
income will be subject to tax in the hands of that corporation
at regular corporate tax rates.
Foreclosure
Property
Foreclosure property is real property (including interests in
real property) and any personal property incident to such real
property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the
REIT having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having
otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by
agreement or process of law, after there was a default (or
default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage
loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for
which the related loan or lease was made, entered into or
acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or
anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes an election
to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally
are subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%)
on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain
from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than
income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property
for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not
be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions
described above, even if the property is held primarily for sale
to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
Hedging
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or
more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could
take a variety of forms, including interest rate swaps or cap
agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements
or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided
by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction
(i) made in the normal course of our business primarily to
manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency
fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or
ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred by us to acquire
or own real estate assets or (ii) entered into after
July 30, 2008 primarily to manage the risk of currency
fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that
would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests (or
any property which generates such income or gain), which is
clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which
it was acquired, originated or entered into, including gain from
the disposition of such a transaction, will not constitute gross
income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and, in respect
of hedges entered into after July 30, 2008, the 75% gross
income test. To the extent we enter into other types of hedging
transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be
treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75%
and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging
transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our ability to
qualify as a REIT.
Tax
Aspect of Investments in the Operating Partnership and
Subsidiary Partnerships
The following discussion summarizes certain Federal income tax
considerations applicable to Brandywines investment in the
Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnerships
subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies
(referred to as the Subsidiary Partnerships).
General
We may hold investments through entities that are classified as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
including our interest in the Operating Partnership and the
equity interests in Subsidiary Partnerships. In general,
partnerships are pass-through entities that are not
subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are
allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income,
gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are
subject to tax on these items without regard to whether the
partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will
include in our income our proportionate share of these
partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests
and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for
purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include our
proportionate share of assets held by subsidiary partnerships.
Consequently, to the extent that we
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hold an equity interest in a partnership, the partnerships
assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a
REIT.
Classification
of the Operating Partnership and Subsidiary Partnerships as
Partnerships
The investment by us in partnerships involves special tax
considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the
Internal Revenue Service to the status of the Operating
Partnership or any if our Subsidiary Partnerships as a
partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a
corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any
of these entities were treated as an association for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a
corporation and, therefore, could be subject to an entity-level
tax on its income. In such a situation, the character of our
assets and items of our gross income would change and could
preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests or the REIT
income tests as discussed in Taxation of the
Company Asset Tests and
Income Tests above, and in turn could
prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See
Taxation of the Company Failure to
Qualify, above, for a discussion of the effect of our
failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any
change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for
tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case
we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT
distribution requirements without receiving any cash.
Treasury Regulations that apply for tax periods beginning on or
after January 1, 1997 provide that a domestic business
entity not otherwise organized as a corporation (an
Eligible Entity) may elect to be treated as a
partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax
purposes. Unless it elects otherwise, an Eligible Entity in
existence prior to January 1, 1997, will have the same
classification for federal income tax purposes that it claimed
under the entity classification Treasury Regulations in effect
prior to this date. In addition, an Eligible Entity that did not
exist or did not claim a classification prior to January 1,
1997 will be classified as a partnership or disregarded entity
for federal income tax purposes unless it elects otherwise. The
Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships (other
than those Subsidiary Partnerships that have elected to be
treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries) intend to claim
classification as partnerships or disregarded entities under
these Treasury Regulations. As a result, we believe that the
Operating Partnership and such Subsidiary Partnerships (other
than those Subsidiary Partnerships that have elected to be
treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries) will be classified as
partnerships or disregarded entities for federal income tax
purposes. We have not requested and do not intend to request a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that the Operating
Partnership or Subsidiary Partnerships will be classified as
partnerships for federal income tax purposes.
Partnership
Allocations
Although a partnership agreement will generally determine the
allocation of income and losses among partners, such allocations
will be disregarded for tax purposes if they do not comply with
the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Code and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, which require that
partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the
partners. If an allocation is not recognized for Federal income
tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be
reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in
the partnership, which will be determined by taking into account
all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic
arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. The
Operating Partnerships allocations of taxable income and
loss are intended to comply with the requirements of
Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Tax
Allocations With Respect to Contributed Properties
Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, items of income,
gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or
depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in
exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated
for federal income tax purposes in a manner such that the
contributor is charged with or benefits from the unrealized gain
or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of
the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or
unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the
fair market value of the contributed property at the time of
contribution and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the
time of contribution. Such allocations are solely for federal
income tax purposes and do not affect other economic or legal
arrangements among the partners.
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Our Operating Partnership has entered into transactions
involving the contribution to the Operating Partnership of
appreciated property, and the Operating Partnership may enter
into such transactions in the future. The partnership agreement
of the Operating Partnership requires allocations of income,
gain, loss and deduction attributable to contributed property to
be made in a manner that is consistent with Section 704(c)
of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under
Section 704(c) give partnerships a choice of several
methods of allocating taxable income with respect to contributed
properties. Depending upon the method chosen, (1) our tax
depreciation deductions attributable to those properties may be
lower than they would have been if our Operating Partnership had
acquired those properties for cash and (2) in the event of
a sale of such properties, we could be allocated gain in excess
of our corresponding economic or book gain. These allocations
may cause us to recognize taxable income in excess of cash
proceeds received by us, which might adversely affect our
ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or
result in our shareholders recognizing additional dividend
income without an increase in distributions.
Depreciation
The Operating Partnerships assets include a substantial
amount of appreciated property contributed by its partners.
Assets contributed to a partnership in a tax-free transaction
generally retain the same depreciation method and recovery
period as they had in the hands of the partner who contributed
them to the partnership. Accordingly, a substantial amount of
the Operating Partnerships depreciation deductions for its
real property are based on the historic tax depreciation
schedules for the properties prior to their contribution to the
Operating Partnership. The properties are being depreciated over
a range of 15 to 40 years using various methods of
depreciation which were determined at the time that each item of
depreciable property was placed in service. Any depreciable real
property purchased by the Partnerships is currently depreciated
over 40 years. In certain instances where a partnership
interest rather than real property is contributed to the
Partnership, the real property may not carry over its recovery
period but rather may, similarly, be subject to the lengthier
recovery period.
Basis in
Operating Partnership Interest
Our adjusted tax basis in each of the partnerships in which we
have an interest generally (1) will be equal to the amount
of cash and the basis of any other property contributed to such
partnership by us, (2) will be increased by (a) our
allocable share of such partnerships income and
(b) our allocable share of any indebtedness of such
partnership, and (3) will be reduced, but not below zero,
by our allocable share of (a) such partnerships loss
and (b) the amount of cash and the tax basis of any
property distributed to us and by constructive distributions
resulting from a reduction in our share of indebtedness of such
partnership.
If our allocable share of the loss (or portion thereof) of any
partnership in which we have an interest would reduce the
adjusted tax basis of our partnership interest in such
partnership below zero, the recognition of such loss will be
deferred until such time as the recognition of such loss (or
portion thereof) would not reduce our adjusted tax basis below
zero. To the extent that distributions to us from a partnership,
or any decrease in our share of the nonrecourse indebtedness of
a partnership (each such decrease being considered a
constructive cash distribution to the partners), would reduce
our adjusted tax basis below zero, such distributions (including
such constructive distributions) would constitute taxable income
to us. Such distributions and constructive distributions
normally would be characterized as long-term capital gain if our
interest in such partnership has been held for longer than the
long-term capital gain holding period (currently 12 months).
Sale of
Partnership Property
Generally, any gain realized by a partnership on the sale of
property held by the partnership for more than 12 months
will be long-term capital gain, except for any portion of such
gain that is treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture.
However, under requirements applicable to REITs under the Code,
our share as a partner of any gain realized by the Operating
Partnership on the sale of any property held as inventory or
other property held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business will be treated as income
from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty
tax. See Taxation of the Company
Prohibited Transactions.
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Taxation
of Shareholders
As used herein, a U.S. Shareholder means a
beneficial owner of our Common Shares or Preferred Shares, who
is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S. as defined in
section 7701(b) of the Code,
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia,
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source or
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a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of
a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a
U.S. person.
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As used herein, a
non-U.S. Shareholder
means a beneficial owner of our Common Shares or Preferred
Shares that is not a U.S. Shareholder, and that
is not a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
If a partnership holds Common Shares or Preferred Shares, the
tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status
of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are
a partner of a partnership holding Common Shares or Preferred
Shares, you should consult your tax advisors.
Taxation
of Taxable U.S. Shareholders
Taxation
of Ordinary Dividends on Shares
As long as Brandywine qualifies as a REIT, distributions made to
Brandywines taxable U.S. Shareholders out of current
or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as
capital gain dividends) (Ordinary Dividends) will be
dividends taxable to such U.S. Shareholders as ordinary
income and will not be eligible for the dividends received
deduction for corporations. Dividends received from REITs are
generally not eligible for taxation at the preferential rates
for qualified dividends received by individual shareholders. We
may designate a distribution as qualified dividend income to the
extent of (1) qualified dividend income we receive during
the current year (for example, dividends received from our
taxable REIT subsidiaries), plus (2) income on which we
have been subject to corporate level tax during the prior year
(for example, undistributed REIT taxable income), plus
(3) any income attributable to the sale of a built in gain
asset that was acquired from a C corporation in a carry-over
basis transaction less the tax paid on that income. To the
extent that we designate a dividend as qualified dividend
income, an individual will be taxable at preferential rates (15%
maximum federal rate through the end of 2010) on such
qualified dividend income provided certain holding period
requirements are met. However, we expect that ordinary dividends
paid by Brandywine generally will not be eligible for treatment
as qualified dividend income to any significant extent.
Capital
Gain Distributions
Distributions that are designated as long-term capital gain
dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the
extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the
taxable year) without regard to the period for which the
U.S. Shareholder has held its shares of beneficial
interest. In general, U.S. Shareholders will be taxable on
long term capital gains at a maximum rate of 15% (through 2010),
except that the portion of such gain that is attributable to
depreciation recapture will be taxable at the maximum rate of
25%. However, corporate shareholders may be required to treat up
to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
We may elect under the applicable provisions of the Code to
retain and pay tax on our net capital gains. In such event
U.S. Shareholders will be taxable on their proportionate
share of such undistributed capital gains. Each
U.S. Shareholder would then receive a credit, for use on
their return, in the amount of their proportionate share of the
capital gains tax paid by us. If the credit results in an amount
owed to a U.S. Shareholder, such U.S. Shareholder
would receive a refund. A U.S. Shareholders basis in
our shares will be increased by the amount of the
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shareholders allocable share of any retained capital gains
less the shareholders allocable share of the tax paid by
us on such capital gains.
Non-Dividend
Distributions
Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and
profits (Non-Dividend Distributions) will not be
taxable to a U.S. Shareholder to the extent that they do
not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholders shares,
but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. To the
extent that Non-Dividend exceed the adjusted basis of a
U.S. Shareholders shares, such distributions will be
included in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term
capital gain if the shares have been held for 12 months or
less) assuming the shares are a capital asset in the hands of
the shareholder. In determining the extent to which a
distribution on our shares constitutes a dividend for tax
purposes, the earnings and profits of Brandywine will be
allocated first to distributions with respect to the Preferred
Shares and second to distributions with respect to Common
Shares. Therefore, depending on our earnings and profits,
distributions with respect to the Preferred Shares (as compared
to distributions with respect to our Common Shares) are more
likely to be treated as dividends than as a return of capital or
a distribution in excess of basis.
Timing
of Distributions
Any distribution declared by us in October, November or December
of any year payable to a shareholder of record on a specified
date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by
Brandywine and received by the shareholder on December 31 of
such year, provided that the distribution is actually paid by
Brandywine not later than the end of January of the following
calendar year. Shareholders may not include in their individual
income tax returns any of Brandywines losses.
Sale
or Exchange of Common and Preferred Shares
In general, a U.S. Shareholder will recognize capital gain
or loss on the disposition of common or Preferred Shares equal
to the difference between the sales price for such shares and
the adjusted tax basis for such shares. In general, a
U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis will equal the
U.S. Shareholders acquisition cost, increased by the
U.S. Shareholders allocable share of any retained
capital gains, less the U.S. Shareholders allocable
share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and
reduced by Non-Dividend Distributions.
In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other
non-corporate U.S. Shareholders upon the sale or
disposition of shares of our shares will be subject to a maximum
U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% for taxable years
through 2010, if our shares are held for more than
12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of
up to 35% through 2010) if our shares are held for
12 months or less. Gains recognized by
U.S. Shareholders that are corporations are subject to
U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether
or not classified as long-term capital gains.
Capital losses recognized by a U.S. Shareholder upon the
disposition of our shares held for more than one year at the
time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses,
and are generally available only to offset capital gain income
of the U.S. Shareholder but not ordinary income (except in
the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary
income each year). However, any loss upon a sale or exchange of
shares by a U.S. Shareholder who has held such shares for
six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules)
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent such
shareholder has received distributions from us required to be
treated as long-term capital gain.
If a U.S. Shareholder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent
disposition of our shares in an amount that exceeds a prescribed
threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury
Regulations involving reportable transactions could
apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the
loss generating transactions to the IRS. While these regulations
are directed towards tax shelters, they are written
broadly, and apply to transactions that would not typically be
considered tax shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure
to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax
advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation with
respect to the receipt or disposition of our shares, or
transactions that might be undertaken directly or indirectly by
us. Moreover, you should
46
be aware that we and other participants in transactions
involving us (including our advisors) might be subject to
disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive
Activity Losses and Investment Interest
Limitations
Distributions from us and gain from the disposition of shares
will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore,
U.S. Shareholders will not be able to apply any
passive losses against such income. Distributions
from us (to the extent they do not constitute a return of
capital or capital gain dividends) will generally be treated as
investment income for purposes of the investment income
limitation. A shareholder may elect to treat capital gain
dividends and capital gains from the disposition of shares as
investment income for purposes of the investment income
limitation, but in such event a shareholder will be taxed at
ordinary income rates on such amounts.
Redemption
of Preferred Shares
Our Preferred Shares are redeemable by us under certain
circumstances. A redemption of Preferred Shares will be treated
under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code as a
distribution taxable as a dividend (to the extent of our current
and accumulated earnings and profits) at ordinary income rates,
unless the redemption satisfies one of the tests set forth in
Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and is
therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed shares.
The redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange if it
(i) is substantially disproportionate with
respect to the holder, (ii) results in a complete
termination of the holders share interest in our
company, or (iii) is not essentially equivalent to a
dividend with respect to the holder, all within the meaning of
Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In determining whether any of these tests has been met, there
must be taken into account not only any Preferred Shares owned
by the holder, but also such holders ownership of the our
Common Shares, other series of Preferred Shares and any options
to acquire any of the foregoing. The holder also must take into
account any such securities (including options) which are
considered to be owned by such holder by reason of the
constructive ownership rules set forth in Sections 318 and
302(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. If a particular holder owns
(actually or constructively) no Common Shares or an
insubstantial percentage of Common Shares or Preferred Shares,
based upon current law, it is probable that the redemption of
the Preferred Shares from such holder would be considered
not essentially equivalent to a dividend. However,
because the determination as to whether any of the alternative
tests of Section 302(b) of the Internal Revenue Code will
be satisfied with respect to any particular holder of Preferred
Shares depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time the
determination must be made, prospective holders of Preferred
Shares are advised to consult their own tax advisors to
determine such tax treatment.
If a redemption of Preferred Shares is not treated as a
distribution taxable as a dividend to a particular holder, it
will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange by that holder. As
a result, the holder will recognize gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between
(i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any
property received (less any portion thereof attributable to
accumulated and declared but unpaid dividends, which will be
taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits) and (ii) the
holders adjusted tax basis in the shares. Such gain or
loss will be capital gain or loss if the shares were held as a
capital asset, and will be long-term gain or loss if such shares
were held for more than one year.
If the redemption is treated as a distribution taxable as a
dividend, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the
amount of cash and the fair market value of any property
received by the holder. The holders adjusted tax basis in
the Preferred Shares redeemed will be transferred to any other
shareholdings of the holder in Brandywine. If the holder of the
Preferred Shares owns no other shares, under certain
circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related
person, or it may be lost entirely.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to U.S.
Shareholders
In general, Brandywine will report to its U.S. Shareholders
and the Internal Revenue Service the amount of distributions
paid (unless the U.S. Shareholder is an exempt recipient
such as a corporation) during each calendar year, and the amount
of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a
shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of
28% with respect to distributions paid unless such shareholder
(a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or
(b) provides a
47
taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of
exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with
applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A
shareholder that does not provide us with his correct taxpayer
identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed
by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, we may be required
to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any
shareholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to
Brandywine. See Taxation of
non-U.S. Shareholders.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a
refund or a credit against the shareholders income tax
liability, provided the required information is furnished to the
Internal Revenue Service.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Shareholders
U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee
pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement
accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income
taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their
unrelated business taxable income or UBTI. Distributions by us
to a shareholder that is a tax-exempt entity should generally
not constitute UBTI, as defined in Section 512(a) of the
Code provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the
acquisition of its shares with acquisition
indebtedness within the meaning of the Code and the shares
are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the
tax-exempt entity. Tax-exempt U.S. Shareholders that are
social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations,
supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group
legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income
taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and
(c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI
rules, which generally will require them to characterize
distributions from us as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is
described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (2) is tax
exempt under section 501(a) of the Code, and (3) that
owns more than 10% of our shares could be required to treat a
percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a
pension-held REIT. We will not be a pension-held
REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more
than 25% of the value of our shares, or (B) a group of
pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the
value of our shares, collectively owns more than 50% of such
shares and (2) we would not have qualified as a REIT but
for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides
that shares owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes
of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the
outstanding shares of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly,
by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code
to include certain entities). Certain restrictions on ownership
and transfer of our shares should generally prevent a tax-exempt
entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our shares, or
us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax
advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and
foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of our shares.
Taxation
of Non-U.S.
Shareholders
The rules governing United States federal income taxation of
non-U.S. Shareholders
are complex and no attempt will be made herein to provide more
than a summary of such rules. Prospective
non-U.S. Shareholders
should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the
impact of federal, state and local income and estate tax laws
with regard to an investment in our shares, including any
reporting requirements.
Ordinary
Dividends
The portion of Ordinary Dividends received by
non-U.S. Shareholders
that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us
of United States real property interests and which are not
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the
non-U.S. Shareholder
will generally be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of
the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax
treaty reduces or eliminates that tax. Under some treaties,
however, the lower rates generally applicable to dividends do
not apply to dividends from REITs. We intend to withhold United
States income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any
such Ordinary Dividends paid to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
unless (1) a lower treaty rate applies and the
non-U.S. Shareholder
files a W-8
BEN (or applicable substitute form) claiming the benefits of the
lower treaty rate or (2) the
non-U.S. Shareholder
files an IRS
Form W-8
ECI with us claiming that the distribution is effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business.
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In general,
non-U.S. Shareholders
will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or
business solely as a result of their ownership of our shares. If
income from the investment in our shares is treated as
effectively connected with the
non-U.S. Shareholders
conduct of a United States trade or business, the
non-U.S. Shareholder
generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates, in the
same manner as U.S. Shareholders are taxed with respect to
such distributions (and may also be subject to the 30% branch
profits tax in the case of a shareholder that is a foreign
corporation).
Non-Dividend
Distributions
Unless our shares constitute a U.S. real property interest
(USRPI), any Non-Dividend Distributions will not be
taxable to a shareholder to the extent that such distributions
do not exceed the adjusted basis of the shareholders
shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of the
shareholder in such shares. To the extent that Non-Dividend
Distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a
non-U.S. Shareholders
shares, such distributions will give rise to tax liability if
the
non-U.S. Shareholder
would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or
disposition of its shares, as described below (See
Taxation of
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Dispositions of our Shares). If it cannot be determined at the
time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution
will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and
profits, the distributions will be subject to withholding at the
same rate as Ordinary Dividends. Because we generally cannot
determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the
distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings
and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount
of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on
Ordinary Dividends. However, amounts thus withheld are
refundable to the
non-U.S. Shareholder
if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in
fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits.
If our shares constitute a USRPI, as described below
(See Taxation of
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Dispositions of our Shares), Non-Dividend Distributions by us in
excess of the
non-U.S. Shareholders
adjusted tax basis in our shares will be taxed under the Foreign
Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA)
at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains
rates, that would apply to a U.S. Shareholder of the same
type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be),
and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable
withholding at a rate of 10% of the Non-Dividend Distribution.
Capital
Gain Distributions
Except as discussed below with respect to 5% or less holders of
regularly traded classes of shares, distributions that are
attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United
States real property interests will be taxed to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
under the provisions of FIRPTA Under FIRPTA, distributions
attributable to gain from sales of United States real property
interests are taxed to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
as if such gain were effectively connected with a United States
business. Individuals who are
non-U.S. Shareholders
will be required to report such gain on a U.S. federal
income tax return and such gain will be taxed at the normal
capital gain rates applicable to U.S. individual
shareholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and
a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident
alien individuals). Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be
subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a foreign
corporate shareholder not entitled to treaty relief. Brandywine
is required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35%
of any distribution that could be designated by us as a capital
gains dividend. The amount is creditable against the
non-U.S. Shareholders
U.S. tax liability.
However, distributions attributable to gain from sales or
exchanges by us of United States real property interests are
treated as ordinary dividends (not subject to the 35%
withholding tax under FIRPTA) if the distribution is made to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
with respect to any class of shares which is regularly
traded on an established securities market located in the
United States and if the
non-U.S. Shareholder
did not own more than 5% of such class of shares at any time
during the taxable year. Such distributions will generally be
subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (subject to reduction
under applicable treaty) and a
non-U.S. Shareholder
will not be required to report the distribution on a
U.S. tax return. In addition, the branch profits tax will
not apply to such distributions. ( See Taxation of
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Ordinary Dividends)
49
Dispositions
of our Shares
Unless our shares constitutes a USRPI, gain recognized by a
non-U.S. Shareholder
upon a sale of shares generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA.
Our shares will not be treated as a USRPI if Brandywine is a
domestically controlled REIT, defined generally as a
REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period
less than 50% in value of the shares of beneficial interest was
held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. It is currently
anticipated that we will be a domestically controlled
REIT, and therefore the sale of shares by a
non-U.S. Shareholder
will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because
the shares may be traded, we cannot be sure that we will
continue to be a domestically controlled REIT.
Further, even if we are a domestically controlled REIT, pursuant
to wash sale rules under FIRPTA, a
non-U.S. Shareholder
may incur tax under FIRPTA to the extent such
non-U.S. Shareholder
disposes of our shares within a certain period prior to a
capital gain distribution and directly or indirectly (including
through certain affiliates) reacquires our shares within certain
prescribed periods.
However, a
non-U.S. shareholder
will not incur tax under FIRPTA on a sale of common or Preferred
Shares if (1) our Preferred Shares or Common Shares is
regularly traded on an established securities market
within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations and
(2) the
non-U.S. Shareholder
did not actually, or constructively under specified attribution
rules under the Code, own more than 5% of our Preferred Shares
or Common Shares at any time during the shorter of the five-year
period preceding the disposition or the holders holding
period.
Even if our common or Preferred Shares were not regularly traded
on an established securities market, a
non-U.S. Shareholder
would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a
U.S. real property interest if such
non-U.S. Shareholders
common or Preferred Shares had a fair market value on the date
of acquisition that was equal to or less than 5% of our
regularly traded class of shares with the lowest fair market
value. For purposes of this test, if a
non-U.S. Shareholder
acquired shares of common or Preferred Shares and subsequently
acquired additional shares at a later date, then all such shares
would be aggregated and valued as of the date of the subsequent
acquisition.
If gain on the sale of our shares is subject to taxation under
FIRPTA, the
non-U.S. Shareholder
will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Shareholder
with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of
non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the shares
could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and
remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service. Gain not
subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United
States to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
if (1) investment in the shares is effectively connected
with the
non-U.S. Shareholders
United States trade or business, in which case the
non-U.S. Shareholder
will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. Shareholders
with respect to such gain or (2) the
non-U.S. Shareholder
is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year, in
which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a
30% tax on the individuals capital gains.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to
non-U.S.
Shareholders
We must report annually to the IRS and to each
non-U.S. Shareholder
the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld
with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether
withholding was required. Copies of the information returns
reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made
available to the tax authorities in the country in which the
non-U.S. Shareholder
resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of
stock made to a
non-U.S. Shareholder
may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
unless such holder establishes an exemption, for example, by
properly certifying its
non-United
States status on an IRS
Form W-8
BEN or another appropriate version of IRS
Form W-8.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if
either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to
know, that a
non-U.S. Shareholder
is a United States person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a
refund or a credit against the shareholders income tax
liability, provided the required information is furnished to the
Internal Revenue Service.
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State,
Local and Foreign Tax Consequences
Brandywine, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary
Partnerships and Brandywines shareholders may be subject
to state, local and foreign taxation in various jurisdictions,
including those in which it or they transact business or reside.
The state, local and foreign tax treatment of Brandywine, the
Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and
Brandywines shareholders may not conform to the federal
income tax consequences discussed above. Any foreign taxes
incurred by us would not pass through to shareholders as a
credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability.
Prospective shareholders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the effect of state, local and foreign tax laws on an
investment in our shares.
Legislative
or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are
constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative
process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the
U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to
whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income tax
laws applicable to us and our shareholders may be enacted.
Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations of
U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment
in our shares.
Debt
Securities
This section describes the material United States federal income
tax consequences of owning the debt securities that Brandywine
Realty Trust or Brandywine Operating Partnership may offer. This
summary is for general information only and is not tax advice.
The tax consequences of owning any particular issue of debt
securities will be discussed in the applicable prospectus
supplement for such securities.
As used herein, a U.S. Holder means a
beneficial owner of our debt securities, who is, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the U.S. as defined in
section 7701(b) of the Code,
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia,
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source or
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a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of
a court within the U.S. and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a
U.S. person.
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As used herein, a
non-U.S. Holder
means a beneficial owner of our debt securities that is not a
U.S. Holder, and that is not a partnership (or
other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes).
If a partnership holds debt securities, the tax treatment of a
partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and
the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding debt securities, you should consult your tax
advisors.
Taxation
of U.S. Holders
Interest
The stated interest on debt securities generally will be taxable
to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time that it is
paid or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holders
method of accounting for United States federal income tax
purposes.
Original
Issue Discount
If you own debt securities issued with original issue discount
(OID), you will be subject to special tax accounting
rules, as described in greater detail below. In that case, you
should be aware that you generally must include OID in gross
income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that
income. However, you generally
51
will not be required to include separately in income cash
payments received on the debt securities, even if denominated as
interest, to the extent those payments do not constitute
qualified stated interest, as defined below. If we
determine that a particular debt security will be an OID debt
security, we will disclose that determination in the prospectus
supplement or supplements relating to those debt securities.
A debt security with an issue price that is less
than the stated redemption price at maturity (the
sum of all payments to be made on the debt security other than
qualified stated interest) generally will be issued
with OID if that difference is at least 0.25% of the stated
redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to maturity. The issue price of each
debt security in a particular offering will be the first price
at which a substantial amount of that particular offering is
sold to the public. The term qualified stated
interest means stated interest that is unconditionally
payable in cash or in property, other than debt instruments of
the issuer, and the interest to be paid meets all of the
following conditions:
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it is payable at least once per year;
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it is payable over the entire term of the debt security; and
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it is payable at a single fixed rate or, subject to certain
conditions, based on one or more interest indices.
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If we determine that particular debt securities of a series will
bear interest that is not qualified stated interest, we will
disclose that determination in the prospectus supplement or
supplements relating to those debt securities.
If you own a debt security issued with de minimis
OID, which is discount that is not OID because it is less than
0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by
the number of complete years to maturity, you generally must
include the de minimis OID in income at the time principal
payments on the debt securities are made in proportion to the
amount paid. Any amount of de minimis OID that you have included
in income will be treated as capital gain.
Certain of the debt securities may contain provisions permitting
them to be redeemed prior to their stated maturity at our option
and/or at
your option. OID debt securities containing those features may
be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed
herein. If you are considering the purchase of OID debt
securities with those features, you should carefully examine the
applicable prospectus supplement or supplements and should
consult your own tax advisors with respect to those features
since the tax consequences to you with respect to OID will
depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the
debt securities.
If you own OID debt securities with a maturity upon issuance of
more than one year you generally must include OID in income in
advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash
payments using the constant yield method described
in the following paragraphs. This method takes into account the
compounding of interest.
The amount of OID that you must include in income if you are the
initial United States holder of an OID debt security is the sum
of the daily portions of OID with respect to the
debt security for each day during the taxable year or portion of
the taxable year in which you held that debt security
(accrued OID). The daily portion is determined by
allocating to each day in any accrual period a pro
rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The
accrual period for an OID debt security may be of
any length and may vary in length over the term of the debt
security, provided that each accrual period is no longer than
one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest
occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period.
The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period is an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of:
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the debt securitys adjusted issue price at the
beginning of the accrual period multiplied by its yield to
maturity, determined on the basis of compounding at the close of
each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the
accrual period, over
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the aggregate of all qualified stated interest allocable to the
accrual period.
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OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference
between the amount payable at maturity, other than a payment of
qualified stated interest, and the adjusted issue price at the
beginning of the final accrual period. Special rules will apply
for calculating OID for an initial short accrual period. The
adjusted issue price of a debt security at the
beginning of any accrual period is equal to its issue price
increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period,
determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition
or bond premium, as described below, and
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reduced by any payments made on the debt security (other than
qualified stated interest) on or before the first day of the
accrual period. Under these rules, you will generally have to
include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID in
successive accrual periods. We are required to provide
information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on debt
securities held of record by persons other than corporations and
other exempt holders.
Floating rate debt securities are subject to special OID rules.
In the case of an OID debt security that is a floating rate debt
security, both the yield to maturity and
qualified stated interest will be determined solely
for purposes of calculating the accrual of OID as though the
debt security will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate
generally equal to the rate that would be applicable to interest
payments on the debt security on its date of issue or, in the
case of certain floating rate debt securities, the rate that
reflects the yield to maturity that is reasonably expected for
the debt security. Additional rules may apply if either:
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the interest on a floating rate debt security is based on more
than one interest index; or
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the principal amount of the debt security is indexed in any
manner.
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This discussion does not address the tax rules applicable to
debt securities with an indexed principal amount. If you are
considering the purchase of floating rate OID debt securities or
securities with indexed principal amounts, you should carefully
examine the prospectus supplement or supplements relating to
those debt securities, and should consult your own tax advisors
regarding the United States federal income tax consequences to
you of holding and disposing of those debt securities.
You may elect to treat all interest on any debt securities as
OID and calculate the amount includible in gross income under
the constant yield method described above. For purposes of this
election, interest includes stated interest, acquisition
discount, OID, de minimis OID, market discount, de minimis
market discount and unstated interest, as adjusted by any
amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium. You must make
this election for the taxable year in which you acquired the
debt security, and you may not revoke the election without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS).
You should consult with your own tax advisors about this
election.
Market
Discount
If you purchase debt securities, other than OID debt securities,
for an amount that is less than their stated redemption price at
maturity, or, in the case of OID debt securities, their adjusted
issue price, the amount of the difference will be treated as
market discount for United States federal income tax
purposes, unless that difference is less than a specified de
minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be
required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, the debt
securities as ordinary income to the extent of the market
discount that you have not previously included in income and are
treated as having accrued on the debt securities at the time of
their payment or disposition. In addition, you may be required
to defer, until the maturity of the debt securities or their
earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of
all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness
attributable to the debt securities. You may elect, on a debt
security-by-debt
security basis, to deduct the deferred interest expense in a tax
year prior to the year of disposition. You should consult your
own tax advisors before making this election.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during
the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of
the debt securities, unless you elect to accrue on a constant
interest method. You may elect to include market discount in
income currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant
interest method, in which case the rule described above
regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your
election to include market discount in income currently, once
made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by you
on or after the first taxable year to which your election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
You should consult your own tax advisor before making this
election.
Acquisition
Premium and Amortizable Bond Premium
If you purchase OID debt securities for an amount that is
greater than their adjusted issue price but equal to or less
than the sum of all amounts payable on the debt securities after
the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated
interest, you will be considered to have purchased those debt
securities at an acquisition premium. Under the
acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID that you must
include in gross income with respect to those
53
debt securities for any taxable year will be reduced by the
portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to that
year.
If you purchase debt securities (including OID debt securities)
for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on
those debt securities after the purchase date other than
qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have
purchased those debt securities at a premium and, if
they are OID debt securities, you will not be required to
include any OID in income. You generally may elect to amortize
the premium over the remaining term of those debt securities on
a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible
in income under your regular accounting method. In the case of
debt securities that provide for alternative payment schedules,
bond premium is calculated by assuming that (a) you will
exercise or not exercise options in a manner that maximizes your
yield, and (b) we will exercise or not exercise options in
a manner that minimizes your yield (except that we will be
assumed to exercise call options in a manner that maximizes your
yield). If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that
premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss you would
otherwise recognize on disposition of the debt security. Your
election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will
also apply to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired
by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to
which the election applies. You may not revoke the election
without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax
advisor before making this election.
Sale,
Exchange and Retirement of debt securities
A U.S. Holder of debt securities will recognize gain or
loss upon the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other
taxable disposition of such debt securities in an amount equal
to the difference between:
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the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property
received in exchange for such debt securities, other than
amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest,
which will be subject to tax as ordinary income to the extent
not previously included in income; and
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the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in such debt
securities.
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A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a debt security
generally will equal the cost of the debt security to such
holder (A) increased by the amount of OID or accrued market
discount (if any) previously included in income by such holder
and (B) decreased by the amount of any payments other than
qualified stated interest payments and any amortizable bond
premium taken by the holder.
Any gain or loss recognized will generally be capital gain or
loss, and such capital gain or loss will generally be long-term
capital gain or loss if debt securities has been held by the
U.S. Holder for more than one year. Long-term capital gain
for non-corporate taxpayers is subject to reduced rates of
United States federal income taxation (15% maximum federal rate
through the end of 2010). The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
If a U.S. Holder recognizes a loss upon a subsequent
disposition of our debt securities in an amount that exceeds a
prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of
Treasury Regulations involving reportable
transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement to
separately disclose the loss generating transactions to the IRS.
While these regulations are directed towards tax
shelters, they are written broadly, and apply to
transactions that would not typically be considered tax
shelters. Significant penalties apply for failure to comply with
these requirements. You should consult your tax advisors
concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to
the receipt or disposition of our debt securities, or
transactions that might be undertaken directly or indirectly by
us. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants
in transactions involving us (including our advisors) might be
subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these
regulations.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Holders of Debt Securities
Assuming the debt security is debt for tax purposes, interest
income accrued on the debt security should not constitute
unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt holder. As a
result, a tax-exempt holder generally should not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on the interest income accruing on
our debt securities. Similarly, any gain recognized by the
tax-exempt holder in connection with a sale of the debt security
generally should not be unrelated business taxable income.
However, if a tax-exempt holder were to finance its acquisition
of the debt security with debt, a portion of the interest income
and gain attributable to the debt security would constitute
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unrelated business taxable income pursuant to the
debt-financed property rules. Tax-exempt holders
should consult their own counsel to determine the potential tax
consequences of an investment in our debt securities.
Taxation
of Non-U.S.
Holders
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of a
Non-U.S. Holder
are complex and no attempt will be made herein to provide more
than a summary of such rules.
Non-U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors to determine the effect of
U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, as well as
tax treaties, with regard to an investment in the debt
securities.
Interest
Interest (including OID) paid to a
non-U.S. Holder
of debt securities will not be subject to United States federal
withholding tax under the portfolio interest
exception, provided that:
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interest paid on debt securities is not effectively connected
with a
non-U.S. Holders
conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
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the
non-U.S. Holder
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
capital or profits interest in the Operating Partnership (in the
case of debt issued by the Operating Partnership), or 10% or
more of the shares of Brandywine (in the case of debt issued by
Brandywine);
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the
non-U.S. Holder
is not
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a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the
Operating Partnership or Brandywine, as applicable, or
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a bank that receives such interest on an extension of credit
made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary
course of its trade or business; and
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the beneficial owner of debt securities provides a
certification, which is generally made on an IRS
Form W-8BEN
or a suitable substitute form and signed under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a United States person.
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A payment of interest (including OID) to a
non-U.S. Holder
that does not qualify for the portfolio interest exception and
that is not effectively connected to a United States trade or
business will be subject to United States federal withholding
tax at a rate of 30%, unless a United States income tax treaty
applies to reduce or eliminate withholding.
A
non-U.S. Holder
will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a
U.S. Holder with respect to payments of interest (including
OID) if such payments are effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business by the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty provides,
such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by the
non-U.S. Holder.
In some circumstances, such effectively connected income
received by a
non-U.S. Holder
which is a corporation may be subject to an additional
branch profits tax at a 30% base rate or, if
applicable, a lower treaty rate.
To claim the benefit of a lower treaty rate or to claim
exemption from withholding because the income is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business, the
non-U.S. Holder
must provide a properly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN
or IRS
Form W-8ECI,
or a suitable substitute form, as applicable, prior to the
payment of interest. Such certificate must contain, among other
information, the name and address of the
non-U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S. Holders
are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding applicable
income tax treaties, which may provide different rules.
Sale
or Retirement of debt securities
A
non-U.S. Holder
generally will not be subject to United States federal income
tax or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or
redemption of debt securities unless:
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the
non-U.S. Holder
is an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale, exchange
or redemption, and certain other conditions are met; or
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the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business of the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty so
provides, such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by such holder.
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Except to the extent that an applicable tax treaty provides
otherwise, a
non-U.S. Holder
will generally be subject to tax in the same manner as a
U.S. Holder with respect to gain realized on the sale,
exchange or redemption of debt securities if such gain is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by
the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and, if an applicable tax treaty provides,
such gain is attributable to a United States permanent
establishment maintained by the
non-U.S. Holder.
In certain circumstances, a
non-U.S. Holder
that is a corporation will be subject to an additional
branch profits tax at a 30% rate or, if applicable,
a lower treaty rate on such income.
U.S.
Federal Estate Tax
Your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax
on the debt securities beneficially owned by you at the time of
your death, provided that any payment to you on the debt
securities, including OID, would be eligible for exemption from
the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax under the
portfolio interest rule described above, without
regard to the certification requirement.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to Holders of Debt
Securities
U.S.
Holders
Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to
information reporting requirements on payments of principal and
interest (including OID) on debt securities and payments of the
proceeds of the sale, exchange, or redemption of debt
securities, and backup withholding, currently imposed at a rate
of 28%, may apply to such payment if the U.S. Holder:
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fails to furnish an accurate taxpayer identification number, or
TIN, to the payor in the manner required;
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is notified by the IRS that it has failed to properly report
payments of interest or dividends; or
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under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties
of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and that it has
not been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup
withholding.
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Non-U.S.
Holders
A
non-U.S. Holder
is generally not subject to backup withholding with respect to
payments of interest (including OID) on debt securities if it
certifies as to its status as a
non-U.S. Holder
under penalties of perjury or if it otherwise establishes an
exemption, provided that neither we nor our paying agent has
actual knowledge or reason to know that the
non-U.S. Holder
is a United States person or that the conditions of any other
exemptions are not, in fact, satisfied. Information reporting
requirements, however, will apply to payments of interest
(including OID) to
non-U.S. Holders
where such interest is subject to withholding or exempt from
United States withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty. Copies
of these information returns may also be made available under
the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax
authorities of the country in which the
non-U.S. Holder
resides.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of debt
securities to or through the United States office of any broker,
United States or foreign, will be subject to information
reporting and possible backup withholding unless the owner
certifies as to its
non-United
States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have
actual knowledge or reason to know that the
non-U.S. Holder
is a United States person or that the conditions of any other
exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.
The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of debt
securities to or through a
non-United
States office of a
non-United
States broker that is not a United States related
person generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. For this purpose, a
United States related person is:
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a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes;
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income from all
sources for the three-year period ending with the close of its
taxable year preceding the payment, or for such part of the
period that the broker has been in existence, is derived from
activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a
United States trade or business; or
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a foreign partnership that at any time during the
partnerships taxable year is either engaged in the conduct
of a trade or business in the United States or of which 50% or
more of its income or capital interests are held by United
States persons.
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In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of
debt securities to or through a
non-United
States office of a broker that is either a United States person
or a United States related person, the payment may be subject to
information reporting unless the broker has documentary evidence
in its files that the owner is a
non-U.S. Holder
and the broker has no knowledge or reason to know to the
contrary. Backup withholding will not apply to payments made
through foreign offices of a broker that is a United States
person or a United States related person, absent actual
knowledge that the payee is a United States person.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
Holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
Holders United States federal income tax liability,
provided that the requisite procedures are followed.
Holders of debt securities are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup
withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption,
if applicable.
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities in any one or more of the following
ways:
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directly to investors;
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to investors through agents;
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to dealers;
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through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing
underwriters; and
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through one or more underwriters acting alone.
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Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm
commitment basis. We may also make direct sales through
subscription rights distributed to our shareholders on a pro
rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any
distribution of subscription rights to shareholders, if all of
the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then
sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or
may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or
agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed
securities to third parties. We may also sell securities to our
shareholders as part of a dividend on our common shares if our
board of trustees, in the future, should elect to pay dividends
with a combination of cash and common shares.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to
time in one or more transactions:
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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including in
at the market offerings within the meaning of
Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act; or
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at negotiated prices.
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Any of the prices may represent a discount from the then
prevailing market prices.
In the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may
receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the
securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the
securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts,
57
concessions or commissions from the underwriters
and/or
commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the
distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters
under the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts or
commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of
securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The
applicable prospectus supplement will, where applicable:
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identify any such underwriter or agent;
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describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions,
commissions or otherwise received from us by each such
underwriter or agent and in the aggregate to all underwriters
and agents;
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identify the amounts underwritten; and
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identify the nature of the underwriters obligation to take
the securities.
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Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement,
each series of securities will be a new issue with no
established trading market, other than the common shares,
Series C Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred
Shares, which are listed on the NYSE. Any common shares sold
pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any
series of debt securities or preferred shares, respectively, on
an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible
that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of
securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so
and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of, or the trading market for, any series of debt securities or
preferred shares.
Until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of
the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters and selling
group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an
exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage
in some transactions that stabilize the price of the securities.
Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose
of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in
an offering in which they sell more securities than are set
forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement,
the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing
the securities in the open market.
The lead underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on other
underwriters and selling group members participating in an
offering. This means that if the lead underwriters purchase
securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters
short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they
may reclaim the amount of any selling concession from the
underwriters and selling group members who sold those securities
as part of the offering.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of
stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the
price of the security to be higher than it might be in the
absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might
also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent
that it were to discourage resales of the security before the
distribution is completed.
We do not make any representation or prediction as to the
direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above might have on the price of the securities. In
addition, we do not make any representation that underwriters
will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once
commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers
and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities
may be entitled to indemnification by us against some
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with
us, perform services for us or be our tenants in the ordinary
course of business.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will
authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to
solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities
from us at the public offering price set forth in such
prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated
in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract
will be for an amount no less
58
than, and the aggregate principal amounts of securities sold
under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more
than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Institutions with which such contracts, when
authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies,
educational and charitable institutions and others, but will in
all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any
purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the
conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities shall
not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is
subject, and (b) if the securities are being sold to
underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total
principal amount of the securities less the principal amount
thereof covered by the contracts. The underwriters and such
other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the
validity or performance of such contracts.
To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities
offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such
jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the
applicable state or an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the
validity of the securities offered will be passed upon for us by
Pepper Hamilton LLP.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 for Brandywine Realty
Trust have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which
contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion
of Brandywines investments in Four and Six Tower Bridge
Associates from the internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2008) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 for Brandywine
Operating Partnership, L.P. have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph
on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting due to the exclusion of Brandywines investments
in Four and Six Tower Bridge Associates from the internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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